Ramblings of a semi-crazed crafter

• I had an AH-HA moment with Photoshop Elements and baby look out ....


• Have iphone will fill up calendar


• I have this feeling I have forgotten something important apparently once my calendar is full I am supposed to refer to it


• I should really go to bed earlier


• I want to start running again ... I managed a mile the other day YEAH me ... baby steps right


• I love that the 30 minute comedy is making a come back on TV


• Want to play words with friends with me I'm SIFULLERTON


• I was reading that I should blog like I would talk to my sister ... awe this is my problem I am an only child no wonder I struggle with my "voice"


• I blog surf and get lost some days I spend far too much time doing this than I should


• I volunteered a lot at the school this week :)


• Thursday afternoons/evenings are my nemesis .... dance/soccer/swimming all overlapping


• I wish my photos were better


• It's been gorgeous this week I guess we are making up for our nasty spring :)


• Because of said glorious weather I am still running my AC ... yup I'm a wimp


• Tomorrow is World Card Making Day ... I made a card for the Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog


• Sometimes I window shop on the internet and fill up my cart then I just move on to another site without buying anything


• None of my clocks in my house say the right time so I am always late


• I am totally obsessed with downloading free PSE actions since I had that AH-HA moment last weekend ... just wait you are going to start seeing all kinds of craziness on my layouts


• I don't just want to be good at post processing photos I really would love to have the raw talent to pull an image straight from my camera and say man THIS ROCKS ... I need a mentor


• And you wonder why both my kids have ADD ... this posts like this that explain it all

Have a ROCKin Friday ...

 

 

 

Christmas in September from Jillibean Soup

In another 2 weeks Jillibean Soup Christmas Chestnut Soup will be shipping to stores ... yippie. This is one of my favorite holiday lines. This line is a a winter line and can be used for more than Christmas layouts. I love the kraft paper as a base especially for my snow photos which are primarily white. They really POP right off the page. Check out this layout I did recently ...

 
(Supplies Used: Cardstock Bazzill, Patterned Paper/Stickers/Journaling Diecut Sprouts/Alphas from Jillibean Soup, Ribbon May Arts, adhesive gemstones from Creative Charms, font Bohemian Typewriter downloaded from the Internet)

Thanks for stopping by have a great day :)

 

Monster-licious Cards

I just love the little monsters from Jillibean Soup's Monster Stew collection. I was making cards one evening and I just couldn't stop. I kept cutting out the cute critters and these are the cards I made. The card with the twine was the first one I made. If I were to do them again I would just make all the monster limbs from black cardstock I like the look better it fits my style more.

 
 
 

(Supplies Used on all cards: Cardstock Bazzill/Jillibean Soup, Patterned Paper from Jillibean Soup, Alphas from Jillibean Soup/Basic Grey, Twine Jillibean Soup, adhesive gemstones from Creative Charms)

I seriously had a blast making these cards. My favorite is the "Reach for the Stars" card it's my Toy Story reference for the day. I love that movie. After I made these cards it felt like I came out of my card making rut. I realized my better cards are simple ... DUH if I can't do fussy on a layout what made me think I could do fussy on a smaller canvas.

Happy Wednesday ... go make some cards :)

 

Giveaway Winner Annoucement

Yikes I can't believe I have let half the week get away from me before picking a winner of my giveaway. I am trying to find balance in my schedule. I bet it will take me 9 months to achieve said balance. In the mean time I have some stuff to give away ...

 
Congratulations Amy S. thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you will enjoy the magazine and my book. Cheers ...

 

Scrapbooking & Cards Today and a GIVEAWAY

Today the Fall issue of Scrapbooking & Cards Today goes live. I received my copy yesterday and it looks fabulous. I know I posted the cover earlier this month but I couldn't resist posting it one more time.

 

Also with the launch of the Fall issue we also have a brand new website. I had a chance earlier this week to poke around the new site it's just beautiful and it is really easy to navigate. Gotta love that. To celebrate I am giving away a copy of the fall issue of SCT and a copy of my book I co-authored with my friend Kimber McGray, Remember This. Leave  me a comment between now and Sunday evening and the lucky winner will receive both.

Thanks for stopping by have a happy Friday :)

Scrapbooking words to live by

• less is more


• give your self permission ... permission to scrap for yourself, permission to scrap 1 page layouts, permission to weed out photos, permission to not scrap in chronological order (you get where I am giong with this)


• there is no right or wrong way to scrap


• scrap 1 photo scrap 10 on a layout do what makes your heart happy (there is no right or wrong way to scrap did I mention this)


• as long as I LOVE it nothing else matters


• let's be honest scrapbooking is for me and no one else


• scrapbooking should be FUN enjoy the process

Apparently I needed to get that off my chest.  Come back by tomorrow for the release of the Fall issue of Scrapbooking Cards & Today, we have some great stuff on deck including a brand new website and a giveaway.

EEK ...

Well apparently I let the week escape me. Geez I wonder how that happened. Let's recap the last week. I headed out bright and early on Thursday morning to Scrapfest in Minneapolis. I have to say the trip was wonderful. I got to hang out with my good pal Kimber we shopped, signed books and had dinner with friends. When I got home I slept (for a very long time) I really won't tell you how long but I will say I had taken a little something for a wicked flight on a small plan from Seattle to Portland. Needless to say I felt dang good on Monday morning. So what have I been doing since then ... working on my guest spot for Coco Daisy.

I have tons of new product to play with ... Cosmo Cricket, Crate Paper, Echo Park and Pink Paislee. I also have tons of Bo Bunny trims that I want to make hair bows out of. I foresee lots of crafting in my future.

I found this layout from my 2009 Masters entry. I was kind of bummed this was never published I guess that is why I never posted it on-line anywhere. Guess what I'm over it ....

(Supplies Used: Cardstock Bazzill, Patterned Paper October Afternoon, Tiny Alphas Making Memories, Chipboard Alphas Heidi Swapp, Paint Making Memories, Crackle Glaze Tim Holtz, Scallop Trim Doodlebug, Brads Basic Grey, Metal Accent Making Memories, Font Traveling Typewriter downloaded from the internet)

Two years later and I still really like this layout. There is something about the placement of everything I really dig. I think I am going to have to scraplift myself.

Happy Wednesday :)

 

Vintage Halloween goodies from Creative Charms

I know you are thinking Halloween ... really? Well if Target can put out Halloween costumes and candy then I can post a Halloween project. This layout features some brand new vintage goodies from Creative Charms.

(Supplies Used: Cardstock Bazzill, Patterned Paper Pink Paislee, Sticker Alphas from Basic Grey, Corrugated Alphas from Jillibean Soup, punches from EK Success, Buttons from Fancy Pants, Felt trim Martha Stewart, rhinestones/crochet flowers/vintage Halloween elements from Creative Charms, DMC Embroidery Floss, font Arial Narrow downloaded from the internet)

I created the larger scalloped edges by folding punched circles in half then sewing them down. I am in a rut with my scallops I really am addicted to them. I thought to vary them up by making them larger and hanging them off the page. I really love the look so I suspect you will be seeing a lot on my work in the near future. 

So tomorrow morning I am heading off to Scrapfest in Minnesota. I am meeting up with Kimber for a book signing for Remember This which came out in June 2010. Kimber will also be doing signings for her other 2 books: Scrapbook Secrets and 175 Fresh Card Ideas.

Have a happy day and I'll see you when I get back from Minnesota :)

Wine country photos

Last Sunday we drove out to the wine country with some friends for the afternoon. Some days I just come home thinking why didn't I take more photos. This was one of those days **sigh ** I wish I had taken more photos I guess I was too busy "tasting" .

We'll have to go for another Sunday drive for more photos (and more wine).

Happy Tuesday :)

 

Back to School Wrap Up

We are finally all back to school **phew** I wasn't sure we were going to make it. My major hurtle this week is all practices and activities are in full swing and I am leaving Thursday morning for Scrapfest. I almost feel like it won't be until next week that I really get a feel for our schedule.

Here's my 8th grader on his first day. He is sporting a mouth full of braces and isn't afraid to show it, I kind of like that.  

 

Here's yet again another school layout. Didn't I mention I have done quite a few. Funny thing is I still have a more projects that have yet to be posted. This layout features Alphabet Soup from Jillibean.

(Supplies Used: Bazzill/Jillibean Soup Cardstock, Patterned Paper/Stamp/Ribbon/Twine/Journaling Sprouts, Stampin Up Punches, misc eyelets, misc adhesive rhinestones, Ink VersaFine, and Technique Tuesday Chipboard Circles)

For a couple years in a row I took the same photo of my kids with the school crossing sign in the background. It's one of my favorite shots. I turned it black and white to tune out all the distracting colors from all the cars. This is a great way to equalize photos that would have looked otherwise out of place on your layout.

Happy Monday now go get scrapping those back to school photos :)

Scrapbooking & Cards Today Fall Sneak Peek

Hi everyone ... I know I owe you another back to school post and more fun projects but my week totally escaped me. I wanted to do a quick Sunday post and share the totally adorable Fall cover of Scrapbooking & Cards Today with you. If the inside is anything like the cover then this issue is going to be fabulous.

Enjoy ...

Happy Sunday and make sure to stop by next week for my back to school re-cap. :)

  

Back to School ... Day 1

One down and one to go. This morning was my daughters first day of school. I can't believe she is in 5th grade. It will be my last year at an elementary school that I called home for the past 7 years.

 

My layout below is about my daugher heading off to 3rd grade. Check out how big her back pack was on her as compared to this mornings photo. Wow I hadn't realized how big she was getting. I did this layout for the last issue of Memory Makers in 2009. I admit I went through a phase where I put pencils on all my school projects. Yup when an idea gets stuck in my head sometimes I just can't shake it loose.

 
(Supplies Used: Bazzill Cardstock, Patterned Paper Jillibean Soup/Creative Cafe, Chipboard Alphas/Number Basic Grey, Journaling Spout Jillibean Soup, Quickutz Daisy font, Stampin Up Scallop Punch, misc office supplies - staples/pencil, Jillibean Soup Twine, Star Stickers Jillibean Soup, Making Memories Paint, Metal Concho accent We R Memory Keepers, Heidi Swapp Day accent, Dymo Caption Maker, Font Typenoksidi)

They stagger start the middle school kids so my son won't be heading off to school til tomorrow. I am ready for a schedule change and I think the kids the are craving more structure.

I hope you have a great Wednesday as always Happy Scrapping :)

Back to School with Jillibean Soup

Do you have some things you like to scrapbook more than others? I really enjoy doing back to school layouts don't know why I just do. So since this week my kids will be starting school I thought we would celebrate with some of my favorite back to school layouts.

One of my most recent school layouts is one I did for Jillibean Soup. These photos show how hard it is to get 2 siblings to cooperate for a simple photo. Am I the only one who has this problem?

(Supplies Used: Cardstock Bazzill/Jillibean Soup, patterned paper/journaling spouts/alphas/accent stickers/stick pin Jillibean Soup, Punch from Stampin up, misc corner rounder, Basic Grey Brads, and font Traveling Typewriter downloaded from the internet)

I am hopelessly addicted to combining the Jillibean kraft with Bazzill Kraft. Jillibean is just slightly darker and I really am digging the tone on tone look of the 2 papers together.  On this layout I used the Bazzill cardstock as the base of my layout and then I layered the darker pieces of kraft. LOVE LOVE LOVE the tone on tone look ... so stay tuned for more on this subject.

I have a huge list of to do's to get through today including making sure we all the necessary school supplies for the big day. Wish us luck :)

Coco Daisy, Borders & Bella

Guess what ... I am guesting for Coco Daisy in October and I couldn't be more excited. I am so thrilled for my fellow 2009 Master Christine Drumheller who recently took over Coco Daisy moving the popular kit from Oregon to Michigan. October is Christine's debut as the new owner and I am so honored she asked me to guest design. Yeah Christine !!!!!

I went out yesterday with Corinne trying to finish up some of my back to school errands. While we were out we made a quick pit-stop at Borders. I picked up a copy of Typepad for Dummies so I can figure out how to revamp this little blog o' mine.  While we were perusing the shelves looking at books I couldn't resist checking out the crafting section check out what I found ...

 
This is the first time I have spotted my book outside of my LSS - Life's a Scrapbook. I was kind of doing a little dance I am sure the other shoppers thought what's up with the crazy lady.

Finally today I couldn't leave you without sharing my final Bella Blvd. layout with you. This one is in honor of going back to school next week. I can't believe my son will be heading off to 8 th grade in less than a week. YIKES!!!

(Supplies Used: Cardstock Bazzill, Patterned Paper/Stickers Bella Blvd., Punches from Stampin' Up, Brads from SEI/Basic Grey, Chipboard "2" from Rusty Pickle, Font Arial Narrow)

Sorry about the glare on this layout ... user error with my camera flash. It's totally bugging me ... UGH I need to get over it. Thanks for letting me share my Bella stuff with you this week. I couldn't have done 3 layouts so effortlessly if the paper wasn't so easy to work with.

Thanks for stopping by :)

More Bella Blvd.

I snapped these photos earlier this summer on a little field trip we took to an adorable little cupcake eatery in NW Portland. There are a several more stores around town and we thought about trying out a few more just for fun. I guess I will be spending more time on the elliptical at the gym. When I saw the cupcakes on the Hello Beautiful cute cuts paper I knew I wanted to use them with these photos.

 
(Supplies Used: Cardstock Bazzill, Patterned Paper/Alphas/Stickers from Bella Blvd., Flair American Crafts, misc chipboard alphas from Basic Grey/Scenic Route/Heidi Swapp, misc. vellum, EK Corner Rounder & heart punch, font Traveling Typewriter downloaded from the internet)

I have a drawer in my scrap room that is just leftover chipboard alphas. Many are even from companies that are not even in business anymore. I love mixing them up and my current favorite thing is to leave them naked.

I also created a pleated paper border from cardstock. It's made to look similar to the Ribbon Pleats that Pink Paislee released at CHA Winter. I really like the texture of those border strips but didn't have any on hand so I just thought I'd create my own version. Look for a tutorial from me on making these paper pleats coming soon.

Another little trick I am kind of addicted to right now is layering vellum over patterned paper. I like the idea of using the vellum to tone down a bold pattern. I am kind of excited about trying this out with more patterns, maybe adding stitching or topping off with journaling.

We have one more week left until school starts. We still have a few back to school items left to get and we need to double check our school supply lists. Then I think we will be all set for the big day.

Happy Thursday :)