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Monday, December 19, 2011

Inspiration!!





I know there probably isn't much time for scrapping unless you are doing cards, tags or other gift items but just in case - here is something to inspire you!








Found this blog while surfin' the net:












She has some cool stuff! Including this layout - love the popped up panals on the background and the CUTE animals layered down the side! Makes a great border! I am so weak at using things that are not specificly for the layout - for example - if I had these animals, I'd probably wait until we took a trip to the zoo to put them on a LO! What a waste! I have to think outside the box or at least 'outside the 12x12'!









Enjoy!








Thursday, December 8, 2011

BoBunny Paper Pack

Hi All! I finally got around to doing something with a CUTE summer paper pack that I picked up at BarnYard Scrapping. It was a BoBunny one called "Beach Babe". With 3 neices and my 2 girls - I knew that I had lots of photos to go along with it! It was a GREAT Value! I think that it retailed somewhere between $25 and $33 and I did all the layouts that were detailed in the kit PLUS several more PLUS some cards! Check it out!


These are the layout suggestions that came with the kit.


Single page - I added 2 extra pictures. The original layout/sketch only called for one photo in the middle.

Single page spread that was sketched out in the package.


Close up of my sleeping baby girl in her bikini - touch to rock one of those on a good day for us women - even tougher in a diaper!!!


2 Page Spread

Just some details on my two-page spread - my boy!

This is a close up of some more of the great details.


These are 2 "extra" pages that I did up with the scraps.

Close up of the details on the 'scraps' page.



All the cards that I made.


Sample of the card that I made with my scraps and Paper Smooches stamps. Super fast and easy! Great for the kids!

Scraps and Paper Smooches again!

After all the extras that I made - I STILL had ALL THIS left over!!

So like I said, it was a great value and it came together so quickly - between the layout suggestions, all the cutting instructions and all the embellishments being in one package - I got ALL of this stuff done in one afternoon while Sophia napped! There was a more 'boy-themed' one too for those of you with less girls!!!
I meant to post this yesterday but didn't...so I still tagged it for Thrifty Thursdays - something that I hope I can add too in the future. If anyone has any thrifty scrappin' tips, forward them to me and if I use them for a post, I will send you a thank you gift!

Anyways - TFL! Have a GREAT weekend!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Foodie Fun!

I think that if I had the time - my second blog would be a foodie blog! I follow a couple - my latest discovery is The Gracious Pantry who is a gal named Tiffany on a weight-loss journey - blogging under Clean Eating Recipes here:












I made this delicious latte for myself yesterday and it was DELISH!!!!








Clean Eating Pumpkin Spice Latte(Makes 2 lattes)
Ingredients4 tbsp. ground coffee (decaf, if you want to be really clean!)



1 tbsp. pumpkin spice (no sugar added, just the spice mix)



2-1/2 cups water2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk OR…2 cups regular milk + 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract



2 tbsp. pure maple syrup




Directions
NOTE: I made this using a French press. So it was easy to get these specific measurements. If you use a coffee maker, you’ll need to adjust the amounts of all the ingredients based on the amount of coffee you use. You can double or triple or….
Step 1 – Combine the coffee and the pumpkin spice and brew as usual with the specified amount of water.
Step 2 – Pour the maple syrup in the bottom of your cup and pour half of the hot coffee over that.
Step 3 – Add 1 cup of milk and stir.
Step 4 – Repeat steps 2-3 for the second serving.
Sip and Enjoy!


Even if you are not into "clean eating" this is a nice site! Check it out!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Friday Faves...

So, kind of a mixed bag for you today!




The first one is from Mel's Happy Scrappy Place - an unbelievable piece of canvas artwork that you can actually enter to win! Isn't it gorgeous?!?!? And she makes it sound so easy to do!!!











The second one is book that I just finished last night. It is a espionage/thriller-type book that basically gives you the chills as it talks about a plan to bring the world under control of a few people with a 'one world currency' and to do that, they plan the collapse of economies around the world...can anyone say "US debt? Italy? Greece?" This one could easily be a true story in a couple of years! Well worth the read! A good one for the men on your Christmas list! I think that I am going to read more of Brad Thor - this is the first one that I picked up.






I love checking out Etsy too and I found this unusual item that looks pretty neat! The cost is a bit high but a girl can dream! Warren's nephew is living in Brisbane for a couple more years...maybe I'll bug him to bring one home!!!Maybe something to think about for the REALLY TOUGH TO SHOP FOR this Christmas!!!




Have a blessed weekend! Hope to have some scrapping to post here next week if I get my way this weekend!



Tuesday, November 1, 2011

My Two Favorite Things - Together on One Site!

Hi All! I just discovered a blog/website that combines my 2 favorite scrapping things - Close To My Heart Products and Challenges! I am a bit of a competitive person you know! haha!! So I like the inspiration in online challenges and the chance to win! So check out my choice for the 'website of the week'!


http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/

Friday, October 28, 2011

Friday Favorites

Hi there! My Friday faves actually have nothing to do with scrapbooking! I decided the other day that I need to expand my reading - enough with the crime dramas and serial killers! I I picked up a couple of non-fictions and they were both REALLY GOOD! So - I'm no good at disecting books more than that - try them for yourself!














Enjoy and have a great weekend! I'm off to the pumpkin auction - our local library fundraiser - for beef on a bun and some shopping!

Paper Smooches Blog Hop!!

http://papersmooches.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-paper-smooches-dt-blog-hop.html?showComment=1319838441363#c7094598700992952464

It's fun, easy and you get to see lots of inspiring, fantastic projects along the way - just in time to get your creative juices fired up for the weekend!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Why I scrap...

So many articles and interviews ask scrappers this question and I agree with all of them - preserving memories, creative outlet, social aspect/shared hobby with friends, etc etc...

But I have always thought there is more to it then that. Half the time I put the layouts away in a scrapbook and rarely do I see anyone going back and looking through the albums. I don't go to many crops due to family and work obligations and because it's just too darn hard to pack everything up! So that means that I scrap solo most of the time...

So it finally came to me...I scrap because when I am really into designing and creating - I am really "in the moment" - I know that sounds cliche but it's true! I am only thinking about color and balance and clustering embellishments and journalling the story - I'm not worried about a client's file or what I am going to make for supper or typing up notes for the next meeting that I have to attend or anything like that! For just a few moments (possibly a couple of delightful hours!)I am only focused on my pictures and my papers. It is a fantastic (and much needed) distration from real life!

What's your 'why'?

Monday, October 17, 2011

Inspiration!!!!



Isn't this a CUTE layout?
I found it over at the CK site it is "Kindergarten **Studio Calico Field Guide kit** posted by DavinieFiero".

I thought of the new Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge for all the cute die cuts that she used - especially the doilies in the background!

TFL!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

September Scrapbooking Club Layouts

Sorry this took me so long to upload!

The first layout I totally 'scraplifted' from the current autumn/winter idea book! Check it out on page 18! It is based on a layout called 'Magicians Choice' from the Magic Book. We used the typeset paper and the cork alphabets as well as some bakers twine (from my own personal stash). We cut some pennants with the new Cricut cartridge and stamped on them with the 'Vintage Type' stamp set found on page 18 as well.





The second layout uses the Mayberry paper pack and the coordinating My Stickease. We based the design on "leading lady" found in the Imagine idea book on page 16.




Thanks for looking! I am already excited for November's Club!!!!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Scrapping Everyday Miracles Challenge



The challenge was to scrap a picture/about yourself. This is me with my daughter from 2 falls ago and a letter she wrote me for Mothers Day. It came together easily using all My Mind's Eye products - from the "laundry line" collection.

TFL!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

CTMH Swap

Good day!

I signed up through our consultant bulletin board to participate in a swap featuring the paper packs in the Autumn and Winter 2011 Idea Book. Randomly, I was chosen to work with Sonoma for my cards (4x4, 8x3.5, standard and 6x6) and Mischief for my tags and altered item which was a small notebook. I can't wait to see what I get back!

These are the tags that I cut using our new Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge - super easy! I used a little flower punch and embellished it with a 'opaque'. The stamp set I used was "Harvest Happiness'.


These little notebooks are just from the Dollar Store and they didn't turn out how I pictured them but I like them anyways!


These are the 8x3.5 cards and I just used some grosgrain ribbon and some Opaques - they are so easy to use as they are self-adhesive and they just add a nice touch to any project!


The scallop border on this card is actually cut off of our new 6x6 kraft cards and I used a 'second-generation stamping technique' with the flur de lise which is from a older stamp set called 'Legendary Moments'.


My 4x4 cards turned out so cute! I am loving the new "Remarkable Wreath' stamp set that I used - it is so versatile!


My 6x6 cards are the new kraft ones (minus the scallop closure). This is a great addition to our cards - very economical and kraft is 'the new black'! The 3-D flowers are also cut with our new cricut cartridge - you need this cartridge if you have a Cricut - trust me!


Thanks for looking!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Gorgeous Card - Just in time for Fall!






You have to check this card out - found it this morning while I was checking out the results of the Paper Smooches Blog Hop - isn't it gorgeous?!?!?!?!





















Thursday, September 22, 2011

Paper Smooches Blog Hop

Check out the chance to win *THREE* *FREE* stamp sets from the very talented Kim Hughes at Paper Smooches. I just opened up the first sets that I had bought in the summer and made some fun cards - forgot to take a picture of them before I sent them away for a swap that I was in :( Maybe someone in the swap will send me one in the mail!!!!

But anyways - the sneek peeks on the DT's blogs are SUPER CUTE! So hop on over!

http://papersmooches.blogspot.com/

Friday, September 16, 2011

Oh My Crafts and Cricut

They can't sell them anymore???? What's up????
I just logged on because I am looking to upgrade to a Cricut expression or Cricut create - I just realized, with my new Art Philosophy Cartridge from CTMH, that my 'little' cricut doesn't cut anything smaller than 1" - the other ones go down to 0.25" and up from there in increments of 0.25". I thought they just went bigger. There are lots of options with this cartridge and the coordinating stamp sets for smaller items and I want to access them all!!! So if not Oh My Crafts - then where???????

Have a great day!

Here is a totally sweet and simple layout from Leigh that you can totally scraplift this weekend!
http://scrappingeverydaymiracles.blogspot.com/2011/09/friday-praise-post_09.html?showComment=1316185937304#c6225142110916561073



Thursday, September 1, 2011

Special offer for CTMH this month!


We have an awesome offer for September - a DOUBLE D-sized stamp set - FREE with a purchase of $82 to celebrate National Stamping Month!!!! I'll be putting an order in mid-September so if you want anything - let me know!!!

Our Stamp of the Month is super cute too! Check it out!




Winner!!!

Lara S. is the winner of my little contest!! Thanks for playing along!!!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Giveaway!!!

I have to confess that I have a guilty habit (pleasure) of buying magazines - any kind - gossip rags, beauty and fashion mags, home decorating, fitness and of course - scrapbooking ones! In fact, just before I went on holidays, I picked up the current copy of Scrapbooks etc - one of my perennial faves! I like it so much I even subscribe to it!!! So that means I now have 2 copies!!

So if you want one of these, just leave a comment here by September 1st telling me what you like about the new catty and its yours!!!!

New Ida Book For CTMH Fall/Winter 2011 Is Here!!!

And the Cricut cartridge and coordinating chipboard and stamps are better than I ever dreamed!!!

So some of the highlites include cardstock-weight patterend paper, smaller more affordable paper packs, lower pricing to qualify for the SOTM (but no free option for the SOTM), cardstock 'shade' packs (but that means that we lost the single color pack cardstock except for a couple in each 'family'), rub on's, felt and canvas shapes instead of sticker packs with some of the paper packs.

One downside is (in my opinion) is that CTMH took away the 'color code' at the top of each page. I found that very helpful when I was trying to 'scraplift' a project or layout. Now it is a bit of a guessing game or I have to log into the consultant site and look it up in a recipe file that we have.

So all in all I am very excited about this catalogue - can't wait to share it with you! There is a great special on for August 15th to September 30th - stay tuned!!!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

New CTMH Catalogue!!!

We are just starting to get a sneak peek at the catalogue - I should have them in my hands in a few days but I just have to share this you tube video with you - WE HAVE CRICUT CARTRIDGES!!!! Well at least one anyways! Check it out!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdUV0y4RFDI&feature=youtu.be

You'll have to copy and paste it into your browser as I can't figure out how I used to put live links into these posts! Sorry!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Multi-Tasking!

This is my first entry to a challenge for Frosted Designs - a site I just found a few days ago - you had to use ribbons/trim AND pearls/rhinestones AND a charm. THe pictures are from last Thanksgiving at the lake. It was the most gorgeous weather and we really enjoyed the outdoors.
I also journalled the words to the Willie Nelson song "Blue Skies" from the Scrapping the Music challenge around the journaling spot -
"Never saw the sun shinin' so bright
Never saw things goin' so right
Noticing the days hurrying by"

TFL!



Sketchy Thursdays 7.7.11

I really liked this sketch and I happened to have identical poses of my nieces from swimming lessons last summer so I did 2 layouts!

TFL!




Saturday, July 9, 2011

Just a few cards...

Here are a few cards that I did up for a Close To My Heart Consultant swap. We did Baby, Teacher Appreciation, Sympathy, Grad/Congratualtions, and Wedding. They were fun to do and I am happy at how they turned out.

TFL!





Monday, June 20, 2011

Crafty Paper Girl and SEM Rock!


I won the CUTE owl feltie from Crafty Paper Girl on the Scrapping Everyday Miracles blog hop!!! I am so excited! Check her out over at http://www.craftypapergirl.blogspot.com/

or check out her Etsy shop (where I have purchased from in the past!) at http://www.etsy.com/shop/craftypapergirl

You won't be disappointed!!! Thanks Amanda!!! Now, if only the postal strike would end and she could mail it to me!!!!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Sketchy Thursdays 6.16 challenge

Here is my take on the sketch. TFL!