Can You Hear Me Now?

Announcing my upcoming "Page of the Month" Club!

2012-01-04T08:48:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone!

I am so excited to finally announce the project I’ve been promising for the upcoming year, my Page of the Month Club for 2012!

This club will begin in January 2012 will meet every 4th weekend of the month. The cost is $28 per month and includes a class kit jam packed with the latest and greatest products! Each month we get together to create a beautiful 2-page layout along with two 1-page layouts highlighting exciting techniques and new ideas. Class kits will include full packages of the embellishments, trims and unique findings, and each is guaranteed to include lots of extras to take home and play with!

Imagine having 12 two page layouts and 24 one page layouts COMPLETED at the end of the year...that’s 36 layouts and two entire albums! Wondering where you might put all those layouts? Well, if you sign up for the entire year (month by month) at the end of the year you will receive a beautiful 12x12 album for FREE! And if that weren’t enough, there will be prizes and drawings for fabulous supplies along the way!
Class space is limited, and stores have already begun taking signups, so be sure to call right away to reserve your spot! Our first class will meet as follows:

Perfect Day Scrapbooking:
9552 Hamilton Ave., Huntington Beach
Saturday, January 21st from 12-3pm
(714) 369-2862

Scrapbook Daisies:
3962 N. Studebaker, Long Beach
Sunday, January 22nd from 12-3pm
(562) 377-0302

I will post samples here along with a class list as the class draws nearer. Hope to see all my scrappy girls there!

A Creative Handmade Gift Idea

2011-12-20T18:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays everyone!

Today I want to share a holiday gift I made for my grandmother this year. At age 91 she is by far the most difficult person on my list to buy for. She has everything she needs, and swears there is nothing that she wants or honestly that she doesn't already have. I figured a handmade gift would be a welcome surprise to anything I could find at a department store, and it would remind her that she is loved every day of the year when she comes through her front door:

For this "Welcome" sign, I started with a page from our Bare Elements Conrad Ring Book since it was just the right size for what I had in mind. I dressed it up with a few of my favorite Creative Imaginations papers and embellishments, including some fun Luminarte elements on the chipboard frame and paper flowers:

It all fell into place so nicely, and it's a gift I am definately excited to give this year! Hop on over to the Creative Imaginations blog and check out our 12 Days of Christmas feature for more spectacular gift ideas from our very creative design team!

My First ATC Card

2011-11-06T17:54:00.000-08:00

ATC Love!

I'm not gonna lie. When I saw the ATC challenge posted a couple of weeks ago on the Creative Imaginations blog I thought to myself "oh no!" I am pretty much a scrapbooker plain and simple. I don't do a lot of mixed media, home decor...or even hybrid. ATC's with all their media options are just way outside my comfort zone.

So of course I had to try one.

And wow, what a blast! Of course with so many awesome Creative Imaginations products at my fingertips, it was hard to go wrong! So without further ado, I am honored to share with you my very first ATC ever:

I used a little IOD "Devotion", a little Mara Johnson music note paper, a little Luminarte Radiant Rain, and some fun new stencils...and I am really super happy at the way it all came together. You can bet I'll be doing a lot more ATC from here on out!

Hop on over and take a peek at the rest of the Design Teams ATC's over on the CI Blog, and while you're there...check out how you can win some awesome CI product and become a part of their traveling ATC road show just for playing along!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

2011-10-31T18:40:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking a layout class is the perfect way to kick off the season! How about four 12x12" layouts featuring the super cute "Orchard Harvest" collection from Samantha Walker and Creative Imaginations? This collection is overflowing with rich browns, oranges & yellow...perfect for those photos of turning leaves, pumpkin patches, and Thanksgiving tables. Did I mention this class kit will be stuffed full of product? You can expect a full glitter alphabet, a full package of multi-sized bling, two sticker sheets and a full die cut pack in your class kit...lots of leftovers to take home and play with! We will learn some fun cutting and folding techniques, and of course enjoy snacks and even a couple of prizes. And don't worry...if you can't make the class, you can always purchase a kit with color photos and instructions!

In addition to your basic tool kit, please be sure to bring the following to class:

•Craft knife and GLASS cutting mat if you have one

•Brown detail pen.

•Glue dots

•Foam tape (Pop Dots or equivalent)

•Scissors

Join me for this class at:

Scrapbook Daisies in Long Beach
Saturday, November 19th
from 10:30am-1:30pm
Call 562-377-0302 to sign up!

OR:

Memory Lane Scrapbooking in Los Alamitos
Sunday, November 13th
from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Call 562-799-0506 to sign up!

OR

Perfect Day Scrapbooking in Huntington Beach
Sunday, November 20th
from 11:30am-2:30pm
Call 714-369-2862 to sign up!

A Layout, A Door Hanger and a Gift Bag (Oh My!)

2011-09-21T18:19:00.001-07:00

Finally, I'm back in the saddle and teaching a new class for Halloween!

And talk about "bang" for your buck...In this you will create a two-page layout, a Halloween door hanger, and a gift bag all for just $30! These projects feature the super spooky "Apothecary Emporium" line from Echo Park and you will receive an entire collection pack for your class...which means you will have oodles of leftovers to take home after class! We will learn some fun pleating, glittering and layering techniques, and of course enjoy snacks and even a couple of prizes. Of course, if you can't make the class, you can always purchase a kit with color photos and instructionsenjoy snacks and even a couple of prizes. Of course, if you can't make the class, you can always purchase a kit with color photos and instructions.

In addition to your basic tool kit, please be sure to bring the following to class:

•Crop-A-Dile

•Strong salon-style emery board

•Glue dots

•Foam tape (Pop Dots or equivalent)

•Zip Dry, Helmar Quick Dry, or Beacon's 3-in-1 liquid glue

•1/8" Scor Tape or Red Line tape
•1/4" Scor Tape or Red Line tape

•Scissors
•"Quickie" ball point glue pen

You can catch this class at:

Scrapbook Daisies in Long Beach
Sunday, October 16th
at 12:00 pm
Call 562-377-0302 to sign up!

OR:

Memory Lane Scrapbooking in Los Alamitos
Wednesday, October 19th
at 6:30 pm
Call 562-799-0506 to sign up!

Relay for Life: Team Hope Garden

2011-09-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

Team Hope Garden is a Relay for Life team benefiting the American Cancer Society. We started our team in honor of our dear friend, Patty Donnelly, an oncology nurse who was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2001. In all her 25 years of being a nurse and walking in many charity events for her patients and friends, no one has ever walked for this loving and giving woman until now. Team Hope Garden will be participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Lake Forest, Ca on Saturday, October 1st, 2011 beginning at 10 am at El Toro High School.

Relay for Life is a family-friendly event and is for everyone who wants to participate… whether you can only walk one lap around a high school track and can only donate $5 to those who wish to run marathons and donate more. Relay for Life is a 24-hour event where our team will walk for a full 24 hours. Each team participating in the event is required to have at least one team member on the track at all times… yes, even at 3:30 in the morning… remember, cancer does not sleep. Our team members will camp out overnight at the school while live music and movies are played. You’ll be inspired and motivated, and will have a good time while doing it. We encourage you to come join us… whether you choose to donate to our team, or come and walk for a couple of hours with Patty (even a lap or two), or become a full-fledged team member.
Please join Team Hope Garden on Wednesday, September 14th at Applebee’s in Fountain Valley for lunch or dinner, or both! Present this flyer and Applebee’s will donate 15% of your check to Team Hope Garden!

The fine print… you must have a flyer with you in order for your check to count so be sure to print this flyer and bring it with you. If you plan on joining us for both lunch and dinner, make sure you have two flyers. Simply click on the image above, a new page will open, and print it from your browser. Team members will also have extra flyers with them that day so be sure to see a team member if you forgot your flyer.

We will also have a silent auction and raffle between 6-9pm. Raffle winners need not be present to win. Hope to see you there!

For more information about our team or the Relay For Life event, please visit the Team Hope Garden website. To make a donation to a particular team member, please click on his or her name in the right sidebar and you will be directed to their individual Relay for Life fundraising site. You can also choose to donate to our team as a whole or better yet, join our team! Simply click on the Team Hope Garden link in the right sidebar and you will be directed to our Relay for Life Team Page.

We hope that you will continue to visit our site to stay up-to-date on our team’s progress and to find information on our upcoming fundraising events. Thank you so much for your support in helping us find a cure for all types of cancer!

A New Class!

2011-08-14T15:04:00.001-07:00

Date: Thursday, August 25th
Time: 6:00-8:30pm

Cost $35.00

If you're not busy, why not join me over at Memory Lane Scrapbooking in Los Alamitos for this classic and elegant mini album designed to showcase 6-8 of your favorite and most memorable photographs. This chipboard mini book has oodles of gorgeous product from the Crate Paper "Portrait" collection. In fact, there is so much product in these class kits, I promise you will have plenty of leftovers for other projects and scrapbook pages. Journaling cards, crochet flowers, ribbon and rhinestones adorn each page along with 2 entire alphabet sticker sets for you to personalize and truly make this book your own. In class we'll be doing lots of layering, plus we'll learn a handmade flower technique. And don't forget, if you can’t make the class you can always order a kit with color photos and instructions!

In addition to your basic tool kit, please be sure to bring the following to class:

•Crop-A-Dile

•Strong salon-style emery board

•Glue dots

•Foam tape (Pop Dots or equivalent)

•Craft knife & cutting surface

•Favorite tape adhesive

•Cat's Eye chalk ink in Creamy Brown (or equivalent)

•Scissors

Layouts to Share

2011-06-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone...long time no see!

I'm back between life crisis' to quickly share a couple of projects. This month, Martha gave me some of the "Summertime" collection by Echo Park to play with and make some store samples. This line is super bright and colorful, perfect for all your fun, outdoor summertime activities, including finger painting!

And wouldn't it put a smile on your face to receive this happy little card from someone special just because?

These are just two of four projects I enjoyed creating with my Echo Park "Summertime" kit. Two see the other two, including a two-page layout soon to be available for purchase, stop by Scrapbook Daisies and check them out!

New Sketch Challenge!

2011-05-11T08:06:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but for me, there's nothing worse than staring blankly at a 12" square of white paper! Planning and starting a scrapbook page is arguably the hardest part of scrapbooking, and that's why I love sketches so much! They make getting started so much easier! So if you're looking for a little inspiration today...a little jumping off point...pop on over to the Creative Imaginations blog and check out the new layout sketch challenge for May based on my layout created with the new "Heidi" line by Samanta Walker:

As always, you could win a prize package worth $25 just for playing along!

Just a Quickie

2011-04-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

Stella and Rose from My Mind's Eye is another paper line I've been awaiting anxiously for since it debuted at CHA. Well, Martha got some in at Scrapbook Daisies recently and asked me to make a couple of layouts to display with the collection.

Twist my arm...right?

Yep, still a little obsessed with the doilies. And baker's twine. The title letters are a wooden alphabet that I just LOVE from the Daily Junque collection from House of Three. I left them raw here, but have been having a blast painting, misting, sanding, and altering them on a few other layouts I have in the works for the Lytle Scrapper retreat in July (stay tuned for a lytle sneak peek).

That is NOT another doily peeking out from under those flowers. Okay, it is. But in my own defense, you can barely see it. Had some fun misting flowers and butterflies and I even whipped out my stamps and stamped on a tag. Can't remember the last time I did that!

Thanks for stopping by, I gotta get over to Michaels to pick up a new pack of doilies with my 40% coupon.

Creative Imaginations & Memory Box

2011-04-06T15:56:00.000-07:00

They go together like peanut butter and jelly...like salt and pepper...like...margaritas and salt even! Go check out the C.I. blog and see what the Design Team has been up to with Memory Box's gorgeous rubber stamps and Luminarte! And when you're done drooling over there, pop on over to the Memory Box Blog and see what their talented team came up with over there! PLUS...Don't forget to comment while you're there for a chance to win some great Luminarte and Memory Box prizes!! Here's what I came up with using a super cute butterfly stamp and some Twinkling H20's: The photo is my now 88 year old gradmother when she was just about 24 or so, and that's my mother on her lap. I just love this photo, and I love the way this romantic little frame showcases it. Step-by-step instructions are over on the C.I. blog in case you want to try your hand at one of your own. Either way, thanks for stopping by!

Hope You'll Join Us!!

2011-04-01T19:03:00.000-07:00

I'm Baaaack....and with a challenge!

2011-03-23T16:52:00.001-07:00

In the mood for a challenge? Wanna win a bunch of Creative Imaginations goodies? Well, you came to the right place...a new sketch challenge is up on the Creative Imaginations blog! Simply create a one page layout using at least 80% C.I. product and then upload it into the Gallery in either the March OR April Sketch Challenge folder before April 30. That means you have almost 6 weeks to enter!!

Ready? Here's your sketch:

For my sample, I couldn't wait to get my hands (paws) on the new "Forest Critters" line by Helen Dardik! The colors are so warm and rich, and the critters....well...they're just too cute! Check it out:

Isn't that little bunny just too stinkin adorable with it's rosy cheeks? I think he'd look pretty cute on the front of an easter card...but we'll save that little gem for Alice and her Card Feature!

Hope you'll play along! And if you do, why not leave a link in the comments section and share with us here, too?

A quick layout or two

2011-02-21T14:14:00.001-08:00

For one of my DT assignments for Scrapbook Daisies, I got to play with the beautiful "Restoration" line from Crate Paper recently and wow! I wasn't sure this line was really for me, since I tend to lean toward more bold and graphic collections. But I got to playing and came up with this layout that I am super excited about.

The wedding photos are getting a little old, but I wanted to share just how well this line worked with romantic, sepia toned photos and well...yah. So here they are again. And I don't know about you, but I think this works well with the wedding photos even though this paper line was not necessarily intended to wedding pics.

I also recently designed a really cute 1-page Valentine's Day layout that I am kitting up now and will be putting on sale soon at a LSS near you! It features the "Be Mine" paper collection from Echo Park, plus some unique paper flowers and felt butterflies:

If you are interested in a kit, please email me and I will make sure you get one before they are sold out. And for you "2-page" people, extra paper and embellishments will be available for you to purchase if you'd like.

And now, back to the work table. I have some more adorable Crate and Pebbles paper calling my name...

Just in time for Valentines Day...

2011-02-11T09:21:00.000-08:00

The February card sketch is up on the Creative Imaginations blog....just in time to make a special handmade card for your sweetie! You should totally hop on over there and play along...it's a win-win! Not only will you have made a special gift for the one you love, but you could win some yummy new product as well!

Here's the sketch:

And my sample:

Wouldn't a heart shaped doily look cute on here behind the tag elements? Dang! Wish I would have thought of that sooner...lol!

Speaking of Valentines...there's still time to sign up for my "Be Mine" mini book class this Saturday at the Scrapbook Garden at 2:00pm. We're going to have a ton of fun with glitter and misting techniques, plus snacks and prizes. Call Melissa at (714) 841-1801 quick!

If this weekend doesn't work for you, I have also added this project to the class calendar on March 3rd over at Memory Lane Scrapbooking in Los Alamitos. You can call Christy at (562) 799-0506.

I think that's it for the updates for now. I've gotta get back to the scrap table...I've been so inspired since CHA and have been scrapping up a storm. I'll be back with some layouts in a day or two.

Thanks for stopping by!

The Big Day!

2011-02-05T17:38:00.000-08:00

Scrapbook Daisies in Long Beach will be hosting it's official grand opening celebration on Friday, February 18th starting at 10:00am and we couldn't be more excited! Here's a list of what you can expect:

• Ribbon cutting ceremony with the Mayor of Long Beach at 2:00pm

• Drinks, Hors d'oeuvres, and cake!

• A goodie bag for the first 50 customers

• All day long discounts

• Make & takes

• Prizes and raffles...including a Cricut Machine and a Gypsy!

PLUS: Teresa Collins will be teaching classes Friday and Saturday! The first one is Friday at 6:00pm and features her just released super sweet "Posh" Collection:

Then on Saturday, Teresa will be teaching two more classes. The first is at 10:00 am and features another brand new release, "On The Edge":

And finally, at 2:00pm Teresa will teach a class featuring yet

another brand new collection, "Timeless":

These classes are sure to sell out in record time, so be sure to call and sign up right away at (562) 377-0302! Hope we'll see you there!

I Love CHA

2011-02-03T20:19:00.001-08:00

Seriously. Love. CHA.

Even in downtown L.A. Even though they charge $10 for a lousy hotdog. Even though my feet are killing me by the end of each day, and I am beyond exhaused by the time they close the doors for another year.

Because sometimes I make awesome new friends and get to hang out with some seriously talented & inspirational chicks:

(Ly Le, Jenny Stockard & Guiseppa Gubler)

Because the new tools and product never cease to amaze and excite me:

(We R Memory Keepers)

(Maya Road)

Because it's always exciting to see my work up in the booths:

(Creative Imaginations Booth)

(Petaloo Booth)

And because there is literally no limit to the inspiration I get from admiring all the beautiful new paper and stunning project samples:

(Kaiser Craft)

(Pink Paislee)

*Sigh*...until next year CHA...I'll be waiting anxiously!

I'm so excited...

2011-01-20T13:05:00.000-08:00

...about my upcoming Valentines Day mini book class! This 5 1/2" X 10" chipboard and polka-dotted acetate book features the super cute "BE MINE" paper collection from Echo Park (*swoon*) along with it's coordinating journaling cards and stickers, plus one of a kind trims and handmade embellishments. In class we will stamp a little, glitter a little, and make a cute little rosette for the cover among other techniques. Inside, it celebrates that special person in your life featuring 12 of your favorite photos. The overall feel of the book is a little romantic, a litte parisian, and a LOT of lovely!

I'll be teaching this book at three different stores just in time for Valentines Day:

Scrapbook Oasis

Friday, February 11th

6:00-9:00pm

(949) 756-2729

Scrapbook Garden

Saturday, February 12th

2:00-5:00pm

(714) 841-1801

Scrapbook Daisies

Sunday, February 6th

12:00-3:00pm

(562) 377-0302

And when you come, be sure to bring the following:

•Scissors

•Emery Board

•Stapler or Tiny Attacher

•Crop-A-Dile

•Corner Rounder

Plus a Plethora of Adhesives:

•Scor-Tape or Red Line tape in 1/2" and 1/8" widths

•Foam Tape

•Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks if you have one.

•Quickie Glue Pen

•Quick Dry Liquid Glue (i.e., Helmar, Zip Dry, Beacons, etc.)

I will be dropping off a sample at each store over the weekend, so if you get a chance, pop on over to the store nearest you and check it out! And of course during class we will enjoy yummy snacks & great prizes while we make a wonderfully scrappy mess...Hope you won't miss it!

Welcome, Hoppers!

2011-01-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to your next stop on the Scrapbook Daisies Blog Hop!

If you've arrived here first, you'll want to hop on back over to the beginning at the Scrapbook Daisies Home Blog. You'll be glad you did!

Have you heard that the Scrapbook Daisies brick & mortar store is now open in Long Beach CA? In addition to carrying the absolute bestest, latest and greatest in all things scrapbooking...the "real life" store also offers great classes, monthly crops and unlimited inspiration! In fact, this month's crop is just this weekend and includes two fun make & takes! The first one is a card designed by your's truly and features Echo Park's "A Walk in the Park" collection:

The other make and take is a one-page layout designed by everyone's favorite Lytle Scrapper and features some really cute paper and techniques, but you'll just have to wait till you get over to her spot on the hop to see it!

So hoppers...if you're ever in Southern California and find yourself in need of some super cute paper and embellies, we hope you'll look us up!

And before you go...did you know that the Scrapbook Daisies message board hosts several fun challenges with chances to win Scrapbook Daisies kits each and every month? There are sketch challenges, color challenges, scraplift challenges, journaling challenges and more to choose from! Complete as many of the challenges as you'd like to earn chances at being chosen as the monthly challenge winner! It's a great way to get lots of layouts done and earn entries to win an awesome prize to boot! So when you're done with your hopping, why not pop on over to the message board and check out all the details...we'd love to have you join in the fun!

And don't forget to become a "follower" of the blogs in the hop this month...the design team is super talented and will continue to inspire you each month with their reveals, challenges and techniques!

Gloriosa Daisy

The final step: don't forget to email Misty @ mistyw@nctv.com with the list of daisies you've collected along the way, jotting "Scrapbook Daisies Blog Hop" in the subject line. That way, you'll be entered to win an amazing Scrapbook Daisies Monthly Kit!!

Now hop on over to Misty's Blog and see what inspiration she's got to offer featuring one of this month's Scrapbook Daisies kits!

Happy Hopping and Good Luck!!

Adios 2010...Don't let the door hit ya on the way out!

2011-01-04T17:38:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure what was up with 2010. It was a rough year for just about everyone I know...financial woes, family issues, job stress...you name it. I know I personally struggled with all of the above, and I gotta tell you that I am so OVER it and completely ready for a new year...a new decade...a clean slate.

That's why I love January.

It feels so fresh and clean and full of possibilities. I really try not to ruin that with a bunch of self inflicted stress inducing resolutions, so suffice it to say that I have begun the this new year with nothing but a fresh perspective when it comes to my blog. I won't say I promise to be a better blogger...because let's face it. I will forget to blog. Some days I won't feel like blogging. I've just decided that no matter how long I go between blog posts, it's still ok to come back when I feel like it and blog without feeling guilty that I've been a bad blogger.

And that's it.

Nothing earth shattering. Just blogging again when I can, when I feel like it, when I have something that I am excited to share. Like crafty projects and photos of family and friends. It's what works for me.

That being said...I've already got lots in the works for a great 2011. I've accepted a design team member position at Creative Imaginations after being a contributing designer for a few years now. So I'm working on some fun projects for CHA and organizing some great classes for the upcoming year to teach at some great stores. Hoping to have some scrappy stuff to share pretty soon.

Here's to a great 2011!!

How Gorgeous is This?

2010-11-19T13:20:00.000-08:00

It's a mini book my good friend Ly Le made this holiday season, and it must be seen and touched to really be appreciated! It's made from Teresa Collins' NOEL line along with some amazing hand-made flowers and unique one-of-a-kind embellishments. It's truly breathtaking in the details, and colors and textures feel so rich and expensive.

I'm thinking I need to make one for my Grandmother for Christmas.

Lucky Me!! She's teaching this beauty at several stores in the area, so if you're thinking you need to make one as a gift for someone special (like me!), you're in luck too! Just hop on over to the Lytle Scrapper blog to find out where you can sign up. But you'd better hurry, Ly's classes always fill up quickly, and I wouldn't want to see you miss out!

NEW! Christmas Banner Class

2010-11-11T09:26:00.001-08:00

Banners are all the rage right now...and why not? They're so fun to make, and really there's not an event that wouldn't be complete without one! They make wonderful decorations for just about any occasion...not to mention great gifts!

So join me then, this chilly winter season and together we'll make this super cute "Be Merry" banner to adorn your entry way, fireplace mantle, or wall all December long. We'll use the "Everybody Loves Christmas" line with it's cute little snowmen and whimsical color palette from Echo Park along with some super cute one-of-a-kind embellishments and trims. We'll also learn how to make those popular rosettes you've been seeing everywhere...and then you'll be hooked! You'll be using them on your layouts for years to come, along with gift bags and boxes, handmade cards, and more!

This class is being offered at three stores this holiday season, so you won't be able to miss it!

The Scrapbook Oasis

Irvine

Friday, December 3rd at 6:00pm

(949) 756-2729

The Scrapbook Garden

Huntington Beach

Sunday, December 5th at 1:00pm

(714) 841-1801

Scrapbook Daisies

Long Beach

Saturday, December 11th at 10:00am

(562) 377-0302

Halloween Banner Classes!!

2010-10-08T18:32:00.000-07:00

Ok, how cute is this halloween banner? It's pretty rare that I finish a project and just LOVE it...but that was the case with this project, and I can't wait to teach it. It's really pretty easy, albiet a little time consuming in the deails...but it's worth every minute!

Need to make one you say? Well, just so happens you're in luck! I will be teaching this little goodie at not one, but two stores very soon! So let's hang out and make this banner that's so cute, it's SCARY! Made using the Maya Road chipboard banner book, and the adorable My Mind's Eye "Blackbird" paper collection, this super sturdy banner is guaranteed to adorn your wall, door or fireplace mantle for years to come. As always, we will enjoy snacks, prizes, and friends! Sign up today while you still can!

Class 1: Scrapbook Daisies in Long Beach

(562) 377-0302

Saturday, October 23rd

10:00am to 1:00 pm

Class 2: The Scrapbook Garden in Huntington Beach

(714) 841-1801

Sunday, October 24th

1:00pm to 4:00pm

Be sure to have the following in your toolkit when you come:

•Craft knife and cutting surface

•Emery board or sanding block

•Scissors

•Dimensional (foam) tape, dots or squares

•Quickie Glue Pen

•Scor Tape or other strong adhesive (liquid works too)

Hope you can make it!

Fun Stuff!!

2010-10-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

The store opening celebration at Scrapbook Daisies was a great success, and exciting stuff is already scheduled for the remainder of the year! Check out what's up for the rest of the month:

Those of you that weren't able to join me at the Scrapbook Garden for this great little travel mini will be excited to know that I will be teaching it this weekend at Scrapbook Daisies! Class is on Saturday, October 9th from 10-1pm, so join me for some scrappy fun and of course, prizes! Be sure to include the following in your toolkit:

•Emery board or sanding block

•Creamy Brown or Chestnut color chalk ink

•Foam Tape

•Craft knife and cutting surface•

•Tim Holtz mini stapler or regular stapler

•1/8" Scor Tape

•Glue Dots and Liquid Glue

•Xyron "X" Sticker Maker might be helpful if you have one...

And check out this spooky goodness:

Join Lytle Scrapper Ly Le on October 17th from 2-5 PM! You will make a 2-Page Layout using Cosmo Cricket's Haunted Line with stamps by Heidi Swapp and Making Memories. Plus, a Tim Holtz Style Card and two Treatboxes! This kit is loaded with tons ribbon, bling, buttons, brads, and flowers {oh my!}.

Class Supplies List

•Paper TrimmerScissors

•Your Favorite Adhesive

•Glue Dots

•Foam Dots or Tape3L Photo Tape or Terrifically Tacky Tape

•Black Inkpad

•Paper Piercer or Pin

•Black Journaling Pen
•White Journaling Pen

Optional Items: Bone Folder, Scoring Blade, or Score PalCrimping Tool

We're really hoping you can join us for one (or BOTH!) of these great classes. Call the store today to reserve your spot at (562) 377-0302...and join us for a class that's so great...it's SCARY!!

2010-09-25T11:20:00.001-07:00

I probably haven't mentioned it before, but my good friend Martha and her oh so supportive husband Tony are opening a Scrapook Store. It's called Scrapbook Daisies..and yep! You guessed it! It's the same Scrapbook Daisies as the wonderful kit club you've come to know and love.

As of yesterday, they are just ONE week away from the official opening of Scrapbook Daisies' brick and mortar store! Martha and Tony are busy putting in the finishing touches! So join us IN PERSON or ONLINE to help celebrate!

Here is a rundown of the festivities: The store will officially open on Friday, October 1st at 10am and will stay open until Midnight. Join us us for our first official crop night for just $10. The crop room holds 20 so call us at 562-377-0302 to reserve your spot.

The festivities will continue BOTH IN THE STORE AND ONLINE on Saturday, October 2nd with store hours from 10AM to 6PM . Join us AT THE STORE from 12PM to 4PM for cake and make-n-takes by myself and Ly Le of Little Scrapper. Ly will be making a card using Imaginsce paper and I will be hosting a 1-page layout using Prima papers.

Here's the store Info:

Scrapbook Daisies
3962 Studebaker Road #203
Long Beach, CA 90808
562-377-0302
M-Th 10AM-7
PMFri 10AM-Midnight
Sat 10AM-6PM
Sun 12PM-5PM

Can't join us in the store, you say??? For all you Scrapbook Daisies Fans who are not local, join us ONLINE from 10AM to 6PM PST for our Opening Celebration Online Crop! Join our Design Team as we chat on our Message Board and on Facebook with hourly games and prizes, challenges and inspirational layouts, and of course, the play-by-play of what's happening at the store... we will be posting pictures and videos of the store and make-n-takes so that you too can join in on the fun!

You don't want to miss out on the fun!

Hope to see you at the store or online!

Calling All Locals:

2010-09-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

Check out this cute little mini book I'll be teaching at the Scrapbook Garden on Sunday, September 24th from 1-4pm! This little book is made with chipboard AND acrylic pages and features the gorgeous "Inspired Traveler" line from Creative Imaginations. Along with some super cute coordinating embellishments, this little mini it is also packed with hand cut cork pieces, corrugated cardboard pieces and blingy goodness as well!

Make sure to have the following in your toolkit when you come:

•Creamy Brown or Chestnut color chalk ink
•Foam Tape
•Craft Knife and Cutting Surface
•Tim Holtz mini stapler or regular stapler
•1/8" Scor Tape
•Glue Dots and Liquid Glue
•Xyron "X" Sticker Maker might be helpful if you have one...

Hope to see you there for some scrappy fun, as well as snacks and prizes!!

My Favorite Girl

2010-08-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

I honestly can't remember the last time I scrapped just for the fun of it. It seems I'm always working on an upcoming class, a page kit to sell, or design team assignments with restrictions and deadlines.

Then, last week I was surfing the net and noticed the Pagemaps blog was having a contest..and get this...the prize was a new kit featuring the "Life is Good" line from Echo park...stinkin adorable! I have to have it. That motivation in combination with the totally awesome sketch inspired me to scrap this layout with my Dear Lizzy Kit from SD4U (thanks Pattycakes!).

Here's what I came up with:

Thanks Pagemaps and Scrap Attack Scrapbooking for the chance to win!

Another Date Added!

2010-08-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

I have great news for those of you that won't be able to make the "Sweet Summer" mini book class on August 14th! Why not follow me over to Custom Impressions Scrapbooking in Bellflower on August 21st? C.I. is a great little store I discovered with the help of my good friend Martha (yes...the same Martha of SD4U fame!) conveniently located just off the 91 fwy at Bellflower. The owners Teresa and Diana are super sweet (and talented!), and the store is packed with some of the latest and greatest paper lines and embellishments. And you'll get 10% off your purchase when you take a class! And as always, we'll enjoy some yummy snacks and great prizes while we hang out and make something cute!! Call the store today to reserve your spot at (562) 925-5927.

Hope to see you there!

Another Class!

2010-07-17T10:44:00.000-07:00

Join me in creating this super summery mini album using an adorable little canvas binder from Maya Road along with October Afternoon's "Fly A Kite" paper collection. In this fun class you will actually hand sew and stuff this cute little bird onto your album's canvas cover! Inside your book is 8 chipboard pages that hold 8 photos, plus 2 cute little canvas pockets to hold special memorbilia. Also included in the class kit is an entire Mini Market alphabet sticker set to customize your book with your special event or liking.

Call the store today to reserve your spot!

Where: The Scrapbook Garden, 714-841-1801

When: Saturday, August 14th from 2:00 to 6:00 pm''

In addition to your basic tool kit, you will need to bring the following supplies:

•Cat's Eye Creamy Brown chalk ink or equivalent (SEI=Capuccino, Tsukeniko=Sahara Sand)

•Foam tape, dots or squares

•Crop-a-dile

•Corner rounder

•Heavy duty emery board for sanding

•Liquid fabric glue (Fabri-Tac, Helmar's, Beacon's, etc.)

See you there!!

Finally...A New Class!

2010-05-10T18:34:00.000-07:00

HEY LOCALS!!

What are you doing on Saturday, May 22nd at ohhh....say around 2:00pm? Why not join me in creating this cheerful mini book using the Pinecone Press Flap Book album and the adorable Jack and Jill line from My Mind's Eye at the Scrapbook Garden? This mini book has 6 tri-fold pages and spots for over 15 of your favorite springtime photos! Use the title "So Tweet" like the sample, or create your own title using the Creative Imaginations glitter-foam alphabet included in your kit. As always we will enjoy great company, snacks and prizes!

Call Melissa @ (714) 841-1801 to reserve your spot today...before the class sells out!

And be sure to include a stapler and plenty of foam tape in your tool kit :)

SD4U May Kit: Thrift Shop!

2010-05-07T18:09:00.000-07:00

October Afternoon is arguably my favorite paper manufacturer...and the Thrift Shop line in the May Kit has got to be my all time favorite collection from them! Something about the this particular color combination mixed with cream and black along with the nostalgic patterns and accents just really grabs me!

Once I got started on my layouts, I really had to force myself to stop at night! One idea kept leading to another, and I was able to finish 4 layouts and a card this week alone:

Play: This layout features that super cute nephew of mine, and was the first layout I finished. I think I subconsciously went with this patchwork design because I wanted to use ALL of the paper, and as LITTLE of the paper as possible at the same time...LOL. I try not to, but I can certainly be as guily of hoarding beautiful paper as the next guy! I cut this title using the Cricut and Simply Sweet Cart...love this font!

Before She Was Mom: This nostalgic paper line was screaming for me to use some older, black and white photos, and this was the result. I cut the "collectors item" pattern into this scalloped border for the top and bottom, and I love how it ended up looking just like old fashioned lace. Note: I will be posting a tutorial of the fabric flower for this layout in the class/tutorial forum over the weekend!

Celebrate: Some of you will recognize my good friend Alice here celebrating her birthday with her favortie people...Minnie Mouse and Pluto. I kept this layout pretty simple, since the photos have a lot going on in them. And I just noticed, I forgot to add the date in my journaling circle...'doh! Gotta remember to go do that right away...

Still My Baby: I think this is my favorite of the bunch. The more colorful patterns just POP right off the black and cream paper background. For a little extra femininity, I accented the flower stickers with some red glitter and rhinestones and pearls....then staggered the cluster dimensionally with pop dots. And all you moms out there will agree...no matter how old they get, they're always your babies...right? My "Baby" turned 23 this year!

And here's something I threw together with my scraps...because you KNOW that paper is just too cute to throw even the smallest scrap away:It's just a little 4"x4" note card that took just a minute to throw together. Aren't those OA letter stickers ADORABLE? They're just like the little MM ones, only bigger, and I LOVE them...they are the perfect size...not to small and not too big. Perfect for sub-titles and card sentiments.

Thanks for taking a peek at my projects, and if you've decided you NEED one of these delightful kits for your own, pop on over to SD4U and order yours quick, before they're all gone! You won't be disappointed!

2010-04-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

It's that time again...Reflections is just around the corner, and I'm so excited to announce that I will be representing the Scrapbook Garden at their Isle Carnivale Make & Take event at the Hyatt Regency in Newport beach on Friday, April 30th!

For those of you that aren't familiar, Reflections is a top-notch scrapbooking retreat that offers tons of classes taught by the industry's most talented designers. The Isle Carnivale Make & Take night however, along with a vendor faire, is open to the public as was as registered attendees of the retreat.

Here's a little peek at what we'll make:

It's a one page birthday layout featuring the latest and greatest from Creative Imaginations! To see the whole thing....or better yet make one of your own...you'll have to stop by my booth between 7:00 and 10:00 and say hello!

For more information on this awesome retreat and all it's exciting events, contact Scrapbook Oasis at (949) 756-2729 or visit the website by clicking the link above. I hope you can make it, it's going to be such fun!

SD4U April Kit: April Showers

2010-04-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

This "Quite Contrary" line from My Mind's Eye was the line I saw at CHA winter that really, really struck me and let me tell you, I was beyond excited that when I found out I would be designing with it this month! I mean seriously, is there a paper line that screams my name any louder? I don't think so! If you know me at all, you know I love me some bright, bright colors! And of course, pair the above mentioned paper line with an entire jar of matching Prima flowers, some blingy-bling and matching ribbon, and you KNOW I'm in heaven!

Here's what was inspired by this fabulous kit:

My Favorite Thing: Of course that would be my little nephew Clayton! I built this layout on a sheet of white cardstock from my stash...and for a little extra fun, I filled in the letters of the word "favorite" from the cardstock title block with quickie glue and sprinkled on some red glitter. I even busted out the "swiss dots" cuttlebug folder for the yellow circle here...it added just the right touch to an otherwise boring cardstock circle :)

Happy Bird Day: My Friend Patty is such a nut...'nuff said about that! Here, I used my new Martha Stewart punch for the first time on the vertical yellow cardstock strip, and I just LOVE it...isn't it fun? I also couldn't resist adding a little "googly" eye from my stash onto the cardstock bird in the kit...it just totally added a little character!

Life Is Good: I just love the title blocks that come with this kit...it's nice to have a title premade for a change...it frees up time to do other stuff, like layer flowers and make ribbon leaves! The flower centers here are from my stash...I'm not exaggerating when I say I think I've had these corduroy brads for at least 6 or 7 years!

Hello Card: Putting that cuttlebug to good use again! And I just love the little stamp set that came in the kit! For my sentiment here, I stamped the little bracket shape onto white cardstock, stamped my sentiment inside and mounted it to the front of the card with foam tape after trimming it...simple and adorable!

In other news, I'm working on something pretty exciting and should be able to share with you very soon! Stay tuned...

Happy Bee Day

2010-03-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

Join me in wishing my dear friend Patty a Happy Belated Birthday, won't you? She's the bee's knees, for sure :)

Sing it with me...

2010-03-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

Everybody's liiii-ving in a material world, and I am a material girl....mateeeriaaa-uuhl!

Well, I am this month at least, because I've been working with SD4U' "Material Girl" March kit featuring Cosmo Cricut's whimsical, bright, sewing-inspired line. Check this beauty out:

Martha's done it again...another fantastic, stuffed-to-the-brim, perfectly coordinated kit filled with the latest and the greatest everything! Here's what I've been up to with it:

Sweet: I was so excited to see a whole bottle of gorgeous coral colored Shimmerz in my kit and busted it out first thing! For the background on this layout I used the lace paper in the kit as a mask and sprayed my Shimmerz over it onto the background cardstock to create a subtle pattern on the left side of the page...I totally love this understated effect, and it was so simple!

She's Crafty: There's that song title obsession thing again...I just can't help myself! These photos are of my most favorite scrappy goodies, and what fun it was to do a layout about them. You can see a step-by-step tutorial of how I put this layout together on the SD4U Message Board in the Class/Tutorial Forum.

Sew...How've You Been?: Just a quick little card I put together for a challenge over on the message board...are you up for it? The challenge is to simply alter any pre-made alphabet. Here I inked my cream colored foam Thickers with a coral chalk ink, then added Diamond Stickles and totally changed the whole look of my alphabet stickers.

Sew Adorable: Nope, I just couldn't resist the play on words for my title! These photos are of my daughter Ashley when she was about 4 years old (almost 19 years ago!!!) Aren't all those little chipboard sewing embellies so much fun? That chipboard needle and thread just kill me! I added a little detail to mine with my Stardust gel pen, and the silver just shimmers in real life!

Cute as a Button: On this layout, I strung all the chipboard buttons together from my kit, then attached them using foam tape to create this fun little border. I also sprayed the title letters with my coral Shimmerz...and although I worried at first that the color wouldn't stick to the foam texture...it did eventually dry and work like a charm.

Thanks for popping by! And if you find yourself home and looking fora little inspiration and motivation next weekend, why not join us over at SD4U for our 2nd Annual Birthday Party Crop? As always, there will be lots of challenges, games and plenty of prizes to be won! Hope to see you there!!

A New Class and a New, Ahead of the game "Me" (maybe).

2010-03-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

Those of you that know me well are wondering what's up...aren't you? An upcoming class already posted with a sample in the store an ENTIRE month before it's scheduled date? I can hear you thinking to yourselves..."who ARE you and what have you done with our favorite (wishful thinking?) albiet scatterbrained and obsessively procrastinistic instructor."

Well, rest asured that those endearing personality traits will never completely leave me (I mean...I am who I am, right?) I am trying something new this year. It's called getting organized dispite the gazillion other personal things I have going on in the chaos I call my life. A challenge to say the least, but I figured I had to give it a shot if I hope to hold on to the sliver of sanity I have left these days. Plus, I really need to get serious this year if I want to expect to ever make a profit at this teaching thing...which I do. I mean, I really do.

So here's what's on the horizon:

It's a two page birthday layout plus a matching birthday card featuring the "Big Top Birthday" line from Creative Imaginations. I just love it's bright colors and whimsical patterns...and that Maya Road chipboard banner on the front of the card...isn't it just sooooooooooo cute?

Class will be at the Scrapbook Garden on Saturday, March 27th at 2:00. If you decide to join me, be sure to bring a black detail pen, foam tape, and a foam paint brush in addition to your regular tool kit. As always, we'll have snacks and prizes and spend the day making a mess with some cool chicks!

And if that news wasn't unbelievable enough, you may want to sit down for this next announcement.

I'm already knee deep in this box I got from MME:

And....you guessed it....I'm designing a mini for Mother's Day! Yes....Already!

Ok, that's probably more than your heart can take in one day. I understand if you need to go rest now. Hope to see you at the Garden!

Love is in the air...

2010-02-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

I made this for the Scrapbook Deals 4U Valentines Day weekend crop:

The challenge is to use a Love Song as the inspiration and title for a layout. The paper is from the new Jocelyn line by SEI and I love these colors together for a Valentine's project! I hand cut the tree, then cut a ton of little hearts and the title from the Simply Sweet cartridge on the Cricut. I can't tell you where I got the heart shaped bling, it's been in my stash for ages! But I can tell you that the large swirly bling is from Prima, and the photo is of Hector and I jacuzzing in Costa Rica a couple years ago...isn't it funny? His face really isn't that big in person, I swear!

So anyway, if you're not doing anything this weekend, you should totally come over to the message board and join in the fun! There are tons of challenges and prizes to be won, and more inspiration that you could possibly need!

See you there!

SD4U February Kit Projects

2010-02-12T21:36:00.000-08:00

Basic Grey...you gotta love it! But as much as the papers in this "Origins" kit are beautiful, the embellishments included are a blingy dream! Glittered and blinged rubon flourishes and butterflies, layered & glittered stickers, fuzzy woolies...all SO much fun to play with without a huge mess!

Here's what I've done with this gorgeous kit:

Watch Me Grow: Admittedly, I am paper-folding challenged. I try to make those cute spiral-y flowers that are so popular right now, and end up with something that loosely resembles oatmeal. *sigh* But I see those cute pleated paper strips on layouts everywhere, and I love the texture it adds, so I decided to throw caution to the wind and give it my best shot for this layout! I will admit, though, I did measure and use my ruler and scoring blade, because I'm OCD like that :P And in the end, I'm so glad I did and am pretty dang proud of myself! The little fabric tree here was a freebie I picked up at CHA, but you could easily cut your own with some brown and green paper...there's plenty of it in this fabulous kit!

Ashley: This was such a fun layout to make! Check out my step-by-step in the class/tutorial forum on the SD4U message board to learn how I put it together, and made the hand-cut flower.

Do What You Love: For my Grandmother and I, that's travelling! In the kit, there's this gorgeous butterfly rubon, and I wanted it to really stand out on my page and hang off the title block...so I rubbed it onto a scrap of brown cardstock, trimmed around it, and outlined it with platinum stickles and BOOM! It just flew right off the page. I cut the title block from the Home Decor cartrige for the Cricut.

Kitty Love: Oh, the flowers in this kit are so much fun to play with! On this layout I had a blast adding stickles and buttons and popping them up with foam dots. I cut the swirlies underneath with my Cricut and (again) Home Decor cart.

And Finally, a thank you card. I should send this to Martha for the awesome February kit!

Valentine's Day Crop!

2010-02-03T20:03:00.000-08:00

Have you heard?

Scrapbook Deals 4 U will be hosting a super fun online crop over Valentine's Day weekend! There will be several awesome games, challenges, contests, giveaways and prizes!

The Grand Prize?? A design team spot for 3 months! How awesome is THAT?

Martha and her design team are currently working on getting all of the plans in place...more details will be coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

Greetings from Clayton!

2010-01-30T11:37:00.000-08:00

This one's for the family...

Isn't he just as cute as a bug's ear? Growing and learning everyday, and so much fun to be around. I'm so lucky to get to spend time with him every week...he really is the light of my life! He is obsessed with his cars and trucks, can't be bothered to eat much, and says at least 25 words or so. And check out those two teeth...finally!

xoxo,

Auntie and Clayton :)

SD4U January Kit Projects

2010-01-21T07:17:00.000-08:00

If I'm being 100% honest, ME + MASCULINE paper = Total Panic!

I like a lot of it....it's pretty cool for the most part, sure, but give me some to scrap with and I get brain freeze...!! What? No flowers, hearts, cute little owls and NO pink? Oh NO!

So needless to say, when I first opened the Urban Ink kit, I was super intimidated. But after I found a few cute sketches and started cutting it all up, I was amazed how much easier these layouts came together than I expected! The patterns made the paper selections easy, and the colors look so great together, I totally ended up loving this line!

Unique: These photos belong to a friend of mine...they are photos her daughters gave her of themseles as a Christmas gift (what a cool idea!). I borrowed them because I wanted to do a layout that featured girls instead of boys, to show just how versatle this kit can really be. Aren't these awesome photos...grungy and edgy and perfect with this paper and those barbed wire rubons! Thanks Linda (and Kathy)!

100% Boy: I fell in love with the WRMK foil border sticker roll in this kit...totally adorable and easy to apply...not too sticky, but sticky enough! I covered the large chipboard star with some paper from the kit, sanded the edges, and backed it with another pattern...I love how it became a catch-all for embellishments and the epoxy sticker title.

My Handsome Hubby: These are a few of my favorite photos of my hubs. I cut the scalloped border with my apron lace punch (yep! still loving that thing!). "Handsome" is cut from Plantin and "My" & "hubby" are cut from my NEW Don Juan cartridge on my cricut, I just love that font! Instead of covering or painting the chipboard stars on this, I simply sprayed them with gold glimmer mist...fast and easy!

Read to Me: This is based on sketch #105 at Sketch Inspiration...their sketches are awesome and make getting started so much easier! The chipboard stars on this one were painted with a light blue acrylic paint, then inked with a combination of chesnut and charcoal. I love the versatility of chipboard, and how you can get so many different looks depending on the media you use. That's what scrapping is REALLY all about for me...getting messy and having fun!

Thanks for taking a peek, and please don't forget to share what you do with YOUR fabulous January kit over on the SD4U Message board...whichever one you chose! You could even win a prize :)

Calling All Locals

2009-12-17T21:16:00.000-08:00

Why not take a break from all the Holiday hustle and bustle and join me for an afternoon of scrappy fun this Saturday, December 19th at The Scrapbook Garden? We'll be making this cute holiday banner for you to display on your mantle or door this holiday season, and for many Christmases to come. This "NOEL" banner features gorgeous products from Basic Grey, Creative Imaginations, Prima and more. As always, there will be music and munchies...and of course, prizes!

This class is filling up fast, so call the Scrapbook Garden today to reserve your spot! See you there!

My December SD4U Kit Projects

2009-12-05T11:36:00.001-08:00

This month, I designed with the SD4U "What's Cookin" Kit...and while it's not Christmas-y, it was still such a treat! This kit features two great paper lines: Nook & Pantry from Basic Grey, and Farm Fresh from October Afternoon. Check this baby out:

And while the lines really are geared toward cooking and recipies (which I have zero experience with, seriously...ask my hubby!), I was able to make some really cute stuff that wasn't cooking themed at all!

Mr. Sweet Cheeks: The title says it all, doesn't it? Have you ever seen more pinch-worthy cheeks in your life? Special shout out to my friend Alice for loaning me her new EK punch to make that great big blue scallop...I really gotta get me one of those!

Friends: This one was based on one of Becky Flecks fabulous December Pagemaps sketches. There's that great scallop punch again! The flower cluster on the journaling block was totally fun to put together using all the great embellies included in this kit: Glitter brads, BG layered flower stickers, BG Opal bling, and some yummy white Primas!

My Buddy: This one is based on a skech I found on a new sketch site called Sketch Inspiration. It's a fun little community with lots of scrapping talent and inspiration!

Pure Bliss: A step by step tutorial of this one can be found on the SD4U Message Board if you feel like scrapping! If not, stop by anyway and just say Hello! There's some great Xmas Inspiration being shared over there right now!

Card & Gift Box: I made this great little gift box in about 10 minutes! The box itself is from Creative Imaginations, and it's precut and scored already so all you have to do is tack it together! These would be so cute decorated for Christmas to hand out candy to your friends, wouldn't they?

On a side note, how's that Christmas shopping coming along? I haven't even started yet!

My November SD4U Projects

2009-10-30T10:03:00.000-07:00

I decided to skip the sneaks, and get right to the good stuff!

This month I was thrilled to design with the "Sam" kit! I'd seen this paper in the LSS, and was dying to get my hands on some. I adore it's teal/brown/rust color combo, and of course...whoo doesn't love a cute little owl? When I ripped open my bag, I was blown away by what Martha paired this adorable paper line with...Prima swirlies & posies, a fun Bo Bunny chipboard alphabet, plus diecuts, rubons, and cute little felt doo-dads! What fun I had creating my projects!

Whoo's Cuter than You?: This was the first layout I made with a candid photo of my nephew in the middle of showing off some new talent he seems to think is pretty cool. I cut my paper into strips for this one, inked the edges with Chestnut Roan, and pieced it together. The subtitle is made using some rubons I had in my stash, and I used my cricut to cut the scalloped border. It's a little on the simple side, but really leaves the photo as the focal point, and I'm liking that!

Family: There's that new Prima swirlie I was talking about, isn't it gorgeous? For the background here, I used this great big Ellison die from my LSS to cut the cardstock into that fun shape. I mounted the title with foam dots for a little dimension, and punched that brown scallop strip using my Fiskars Apron Lace punch (still LOVE that punch!)

Cards: Is there a better way to use up paper scraps? Nope! For the "what's up" card, I used a little glitter to jazz up the sentiment, and then stuck on some little googly eyes on the owls...doesn't it just give them the cutest personality?

Lastly, I made this little mini album to show of the latest collection of pictures I've been snapping of my nephew when I visit every week. The book is made from a PineCone Press flip book that I got for $5 at my LSS that looked so fun to make. I did add a couple rhinestones from my stash, and a small rubon font, but everything else here is in the fabulous November kit!

Those of you that are getting this kit...I just know you're going to love it as much as I did! Have fun with it, and don't forget to share what you make with us in the Kit Layout Contest forum...you could even win a prize!

October Kit featuring Amber Road at Scrapbookdeals4u.com

2009-10-18T08:56:00.001-07:00

Have I mentioned yet that I just LOVE the Amber Road kit? The color palette was a bit more muted than I'm used to working with, so I'll admit I was a bit intimidated at first glance. But the more I played with the patterned paper, the more I fell in love with it! And guess what? I ended up with some layouts that I really love when I might not have created otherwise...just another benefit of being a kit club member!

So here are the layouts I've been dying to share:

Beauty: This is a photo of my mother from high school, and I just thought it had the perfect nostalgic feel I was looking for in this layout, especially being black and white. And how gorgeous is this black and white prima rose? I layered it onto on of the sheer journaling spots in my kit, and cut the flourishes out of kit paper using my cricut...giving it the attention it deserves!

Grateful For You: Ok, I'll admit my fingers were about to fall off after cutting all this tree-flower detail with my craft knife. But when it was all said and done, I love the effect, and it was well worth the effort. I added the cute Jenni Bowlin red pearl clusters to the tree branches, I thought they looked like little cherry clusters :)

Tradition: This is my sister-in-law's Thanksgiving table...isn't is beautiful? For this layout, I used 4 of the journaling spots that come on an entire 12x12 sheet to create a paper strip along the left side of the page. Then I inked the fun fabric patch's edge with some chalk ink and frayed the edges before I tucked it behind the photo...I love the texture it lends to the layout!

And of course, a simple card with some of my scraps!

Whatever kit you choose this month, have FUN with it, and be sure to share your creations with us!

Five Fabulous Kits!!

2009-09-05T12:25:00.000-07:00

Yep, you heard right! ScrapbookDeals4U is offering FIVE fabulous kits this month featuring FIVE fabulous must-have paper lines from FIVE fabulous maufacturers:

Kit #1 Features Cosmo Cricket's Snorkel line, just waiting for your summer beach and pool photos :

Kit #2 is stuffed full of the bright and cheerful "June Bug" collection by Basic Grey and is busting at the seams with coordinating embellishments:

Kit #3 features the bold, bright graphics of Scenic Route's "Garden Grove" collection:

Kit #4 is filled with the "Delight" collection by Fancy Pants, and the fabulously talented Kelly Goree has agreed to guest design with this adorable kit! Pop over to the message board later this week to see what she's done with it. It's sure to be inspirational and wonderful!

And finally, Kit #5 features the bright, beautiful "Cherry Hill" collection by my personal favorite, October Afternoon. And because I have friends in high places (thanks Martha), I was lucky enough to design with it this month!

I opened my kit, pulled out all the pretties, and from that point on, the layouts practically designed themselves! Everything in this kit coordinates so perfectly, making it easy to throw together wonderful pages in a snap! Here are my designs:

A Grandmother's Love is For Keeps: I just love this photo of my grandmother and my nephew, and in black and white it really pops off the colors in this kit, since they are mixed with black as well. I love the romantic feel of the dictionary background paper, and how cute are those teeny felt butterflies? I did add some tiny alpha's from a previous kit, and a couple of rhinestones from my stash...gotta use that stuff up!

The Wonder of it All: This is another favorite recent photo of my nephew as he stares out the back door longing for freedom. I wonder all the things he's wondering, hence the title. Everything here is in the kit, with the exception of the blue buttons I pulled out of my button jar. Isn't that yellow scallop border on the left side of the page super cute? I cut along the pattern of one of the papers in the kit, and voila! Looks just like one of those fancy punches, huh?

It's a Good Life: This is my brother, sister in law, and nephew on his first birthday...the paper in this kit is perfect for photos on a summer day in the park! And seriously, how cute is that die cut bird? Cool little FYI about the die cuts in this kit is that they're double sided, so no matter which way you want things to face, it's fine...just flip them over!

42...It's Just a Number: It's the mantra I've been repeating to myself since my birthday a couple of weeks ago...*sigh*. Really, I'm still 41 in this photo....don't tell anyone! I had to add some alpha's from my stash, after I ran out of e's...truth be told, I'm a major sissy when it comes to mixing alphabet fonts and colors.

And to celebrate the kids' return to school, SD4U is hosting it's own 3 week long back-to-school contest that sure to challenge and inspire you! It's called SD4U's Cramfest (like cramming a year's worth of classes into three weeks!!) and I promise it's going to be a ton of fun! Join us, won't you?

Getting Back on the Horse

2009-07-27T19:48:00.000-07:00

I won't bore you with excuses about why I haven't blogged in over 3 months...suffice it to say things got a little hectic and something had to give. Things have calmed down a bit now, so I'm getting back on this horse I loosly refer to as my blog.

Ok, that being said:

SD4U has revealed it's August Kits, and they are awesome as usual! The first one features the Bloom & Grow line from My Mind's Eye, and to say this paper is beautiful is an understatement. Just look at this gorgeous kit:

The other kit features the super fun Summer Soiree line from Fancy Pants, and as usual it's packed with adorable, perfectly coordinated embellishments. Check it out:

What a blast I had playing with this kit! I'm really into orange right now, being summer and all, and this kit packed a punch of it. Paired with navy, yellow and red, the color palette screamed HOT, HOT, HOT...And HOT it is!

Here's how my one year old nephew is beating the summer the heat. He's at Sea World playing in one of those spicots that shoots a stream of water straight up from out of the ground. I think he was more impressed with the water than all the things that swim in them...sorry Shamu!

This is a shot of my Grandma sitting on the beach in Puerta Vallarta last April...man that beach is gorgeous! For this layout, I cut the sheet of journaling blocks apart and scrambled them all around the page so I didn't have to cut into each paper separately to get all the patterns in there.

This is my nephew again, playing in his new sandbox...it should get a lot of use this summer, he adores it!

And a quick little card...I'd been dying to try making one of those cute pinwheels I've been seeing all over. Aside from a poke or two on my finger from the paper piercer, it was pretty easy, and so cute!

If you decide on either on of these kits this month, I promise you're going to love either one!

Let's Make Some Cards!

2009-04-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

Join me on Thursday, April 16th at the Scrapbook Garden for this fun class featuring greeting cards for several occasions including Hello, Birthday, Thank You, and Easter! The class will be from 6-8 pm and, as always, will include snacks and raffles while we play! Hope to see you there!

Besides your basic tool kit, make sure to bring the following supplies:

Favorite Liquid Glue
Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink
Creamy Brown Chalk Ink
Scissors
Corner Rounder
Black Detail Pen
White Gel Pen
Glue Dots
Quickie Glue Pen
Clear Star Pen (Stardust)
Foam Squares or Pop Dots

Kazan's Sketch #23

2009-04-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

2S4Y makes card making so fun and easy...I never get bored with it. And so does this new "Alyssa" patterned paper collection from BoBunny...isn't it fabulous? Something about pastel colors paired with black just looks so stunning, I never get tired of it. Here's my entry for this week's sketch:

I hand cut some of the flowers from the patterned paper, and added them onto the original flowers with little foam squares for some dimension. I added the teeniest bit of stickles onto the little dots around the flourishes for an understated touch of shimmer. The journaling spot is a CTMH stamp, cut out and mounted on black cardstock, then stamped with a Heidi Grace "thank you" sentiment.

As always, thanks for stopping by and taking a peek! :)

Laugh Everyday Card

2009-03-13T08:59:00.001-07:00

I got a couple of samples of the super cute Cosmo Cricket "Girl Friday" paper while I was at CHA, and I finally busted out last night for this card based on Laura's Sketch #21 at 2Sketches4You:

The color combos is *so* up my alley with pink and green and soft blues...it's gonna be perfect for Easter! And lucky you...I hear it's coming to a SD4U kit very soon!

Also, it was a loooong time coming, but I finally updated my slide show at the left! Check it out if you get a chance :)

Gettin a little scrappy!

2009-03-12T18:13:00.001-07:00

I've been dying to use the "Night Light" Collection by October Afternoon. I got it from my Secret Santa (Thanks, LY!!) for Christmas, but I got so busy in January and February that I never got a chance to play with it. So the other day I was over at Julie's site, 52 Sketches 52 Weeks, and was immediately inspired by this week's sketch, and finally grabbed my OA collection to make this cute layout of Clayton:

He's sportin' his dope new baseball cap, and these pictures just make me want to say..."Yo baby, wassup?".

I also played around with this week's Inspired Blueprints Sketch (#11) and came up with this layout of my homegirls and I:

I just love this quote I got from a Mini Book the girls and I made at our scrap retreat (Thanks again, LY...you're just so darned inspirational girl!).

I got NO cards, can you believe it?

I'm looking forward to the April Kit from SD4U...I heard there's Basic Grey and Bella Blvd involved...can you say "sweet"!!? In the meantime, there's lots of Birthday activity going on over on the message board! A challenge every other day until the 24th or so, plus games and prizes....fun stuff! Pop on over and take on a challenge or two, if you're not doing anything :)

2009-02-26T19:37:00.000-08:00

Finally!! I can reveal my projects with the SD4U's "Minestrone Soup" kit...I've been dying to share them because I just know you are all going to ADORE this kit as much as I did!

First up is a lyout featuring my daughter and her boyfriend:

Absolutely everything on this layout was in my kit...I love how everything goes together so perfectly with no effort at all. The #1 reason I love kits!

Then there's this little wall hanging I made with the Maya Road butterfly coaster album in the kit. As soon as I spied it in there, I knew I wanted to do something special with it:

So I ran the Coredinations cardstock in the kit through two different cuttlebug embossing folders, and lightly inked over the raised areas with french blue and alabaster chalk inks. The letters were plain white chipboard (from Creative Cafe) and I painted them green, stamped a flourish on them with white staz-on, and then spread glossy accents on top. I'm really happy with how this came out! It's hanging in my scraproom, and it makes me smile!

A Mini Book featuring my handsome hubby and I, just because!

I used one of those cute litte BoBunny books I'd been holding onto for a bit. The whole book was inspired by another cute mini book I made while at Lytle Scrapper's Scrap Retreat a couple of weeks ago!

And another layout, this time featuring that cute nephew of mine:

These pictures of Clayton sucking on a graham cracker (because he has NO teeth) just cracked me up when I first saw them, and I immediately knew a layout was in order! I based the layout on sketch #10 at Inspired Blueprints...love that site!

And lastly, a card of course! Because I simply don't think it's possible for me to play with a kit without making one:

I used my Clear Stardust pen on the butterfly here, and I can't believe what a statement it makes! Goes great with the Martha Stewart brown glitter I used for the flourish and sentiment!

So that's it! Thanks for taking a peek, I hope these inspire you just a little. And if you're on the fence about this kit, JUMP down and get yours before they're gone...You will NOT regret it!!

xoxo

SD4U March Kits

2009-02-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

Have been revealed! These will both go on sale on March 1st, and I don't expect they'll be there long! Both kits contain brand NEW lines fresh from their debut at the Winter CHA show, and they were both definately worth waiting for!

The first features NEW Jillibean Soup papers, Fancy Pants rubons, a Maya Road butterfly coaster book, My Little Shoebox funky chipboard letters, lots of exclusive journalling tags and oodles of buttons, bling, and ribbon:

Minestrone Soup

This month's other kit features a beautiful, NEW Dream Street paper line, a Kaiser Craft wooden frame with paint, A naked alphabet for you to alter to your heart's content, Stickles, bling, and gobs of buttons and ribbon:

Secret Garden

This month, I'll be designing with the Minestrone Soup kit, and it's spread out right now all over my scrap table! The papers' bold patterns and bright colors have me soooo inspired to get creative. Here's a teeny-weeny peek of what I've been working on so far:

So, you've gotta have one of these awesome kits, right? Pop on over to Scrapbook Deals 4U on March 1 and be sure to get BOTH, before they sell out!

xoxo

Another Card Quickie

2009-02-18T08:57:00.001-08:00

It seems that's all I'm cranking out lately...cards. But I love them. They're perfect when I have a quick burst of creative energy, but don't have all day to work on a layout. And with the 2S4Y card sketch site, getting started is easy. I just pull out the scrap folder...

This is my take on Kazan's Sketch #20. The paper, layered flowers and layered butterfly are from the Narratives line by Creative Imaginations...which I love. The colors have me wishing for spring on a chilly winter day. The little glitter alphabets are from Making Memories, and the chipboard swirl is from Rusty Pickle, covered with more Narratives.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Card Quickie

2009-02-11T16:12:00.000-08:00

Love is in the air, and it's noticable in my projects lately, huh? Pink has been my go-to color for a few weeks now, and I'm loving it in combination with this bright green:

This is my entry for Laura's Sketch #19 over at my favorite Card Sketch Site, 2 Sketches 4 You. Thanks, Laura and Kazan for helping push me to get all my Valentines done this year before it's over!!

xoxo

Another Card Quickie

2009-02-04T09:47:00.001-08:00

This on is for Kazan's Sketch #19 at 2 Sketches 4 U. I'm just loving this pink and black combo again, it just feels so classic. I used the gamsol technique to color in the little heart stamp. If you're interested, you can see a step-by-step tutorial in the February Newsletter over at Scrapbook Deals 4 U!

XOXO, TFL!
I'm just loving all this pink and black right now!

PageMaps Contest

2009-02-02T15:18:00.000-08:00

The sweet Becky Fleck is hosting another great challenge over at the PageMaps blog! This is my entry based on her fantastic sketch:

This is my dh and I on our wedding day just 2 1/2 years ago. The paper and Chipboard is Theresa Collins' Crush...and it's my favorite paper of the season! I cut a black boarder from a piece of Jenni Bowlin diecut paper, and then layed it over the Theresa Collins paper and trimmed around the edges. The big flower is from CTMH, and those cute little tickets are from my SD4U February Kit and are made by Making Memories, aren't they just the funnest little things?

XOXO!

Kit Shares

2009-02-01T09:51:00.000-08:00

I'm back with those kit shares I promised! I am so in love with the "You Had Me at Hello" kit and all it's yummy goodies. I think the Making Memories flirty ticket stubs are just the cutest things I've ever seen!

Here's a layout based on sketch #8 over at Inspired Blueprints:

This is a wedding photo taken of my grandparents circa early 1940's. They are still married to this day...over 67 years! Talk about inspirational!

This little accordion was made from a single sheet of 12x12 chipboard, cut into 4x6 panels and looks adorable sitting on a desk filled with family photos!

Two of my dearest friends on their wedding day two years ago on a riverboat cruise in Laughlin:

And a quick card I made with one of the cute journaling pages. The sentiment on the front of the card is from the little Daisy Bucket rubon sheet in the kit. I cut it up just right to fit in the chipboard heart, and in the middle of it all, I lost a little piece and spent 30 minutes looking for it. Finally, after I gave up and ended up hand-witing the part that was missing, I found it stuck to my foot...*sigh*.

Before I go, I'd like to thank the sweet chicks over at 2 sketches 4 u for choosing my cupcake card (below) as one of the Fab 5 this week! It's really a great site, and I am always inspired by their awesome card sketches!

xoxo!

SD4U February Kits

2009-01-30T08:54:00.000-08:00

Yep, they are on sale now and sure to sell out quick! Stuffed with gorgeous paper and unique etsy finds, these are the most rockin kits and the absolute best value around...get yours today before they're all gone!

"You Had Me At Hello" featuring the romantic Basic Grey Bittersweet collection, SEI large & Making Memories mini alphabet stickers, one of a kind journaling sheets and spots, flirty tickets, felt topped paper clips, an SOOO much more:

"So Happy Together" featuring the rich Chatterbox Together collection, Doodlebug alphabet stickers, stiched felt accents, fancy brads, jounaling cards, rubons...well you get the idea! It's busting at the seams:

I will be working with "You Had Me At Hello" this month, and will be back soon with some project shares very soon!

Card Quickie

2009-01-27T08:55:00.000-08:00

Laura's Sketch #18 over at 2 Sketches 4 U featuring Basic Grey Bittersweet Collection from my yummy Scrapbook Deals 4 U February Kit. Stay tuned for layouts and a full kit pic...it's GORGEOUS!

Off to CHA...xoxo

Girls Day Out

2009-01-11T09:37:00.000-08:00

And man did I need it! Last week, some sweet chicks and I had a much needed girl day. You know...lunch, shopping, chatting...the good stuff! First stop was Oasis to ooh and aaah and drool over some pretty paper and scrappy goodies. While we were there, my sweet friend Patty (she's the one that looks like she's the statue of liberty) bought me some of the Theresa Collins Crush paper and embies, and it's about the custest stuff ever! It was just what I needed for this Valentines Day card for my honey:

And I still have lots left to make a Valentines Day layout of the extravagant diamond tennis bracelet my Valentine knows I deserve and is sure to buy me this year...lol. {Love you, honey!}

If It's FREE, It's for ME!

2009-01-09T11:27:00.000-08:00

That's my motto! I mean, seriously, who doesn't love free stuff? And I can't think of a funner, more productive way to get some than SD4U's upcoming contest, Biggest Scrap Loser! It's based on the premise of the TV show, only we'll be "losing" our scrap stash instead of trying unsuccessfully to lose those pesky lbs we put on over the holidays...that's up to YOU.

Here's the teaser, straight from the message board:

When: Monday, Jan 12- Saturday, Feb 14 (5 weeks of losing!)

The competition begins at Scrapbook Deals 4 U on January 12th. Will you be crowned the Biggest (Scrap) Loser? Each week we will feature a list of stash items to use on a layout as well as a bonus feature for that layout. How much of your stash can you lose? All layouts will be voted on by the SD4U community and at the end of the competition, our biggest loser will be our guest designer for March and will receive a coveted monthly kit from ScrapbookDeals4U. Competition will be steep, and participants will be losing lots of weight (in stash). Are you ready to use up that stash? Be sure to join us for this fun filled contest!

I'll see you there!

SD4U January Kits

2009-01-06T17:40:00.000-08:00

Scrapbook Deals 4 U's January Kits are adorable as always, and on sale now! If you haven't been over to check them out, here's a peek at what you're missing:

Home Sweet Home

Featuring 3 Bugs in a Rug

Spring is in the Air

Featuring Basic Grey

I had the pleasure of working with "Home Sweet Home", and the bright colors and bold graphics were right up my alley! With Daisy Bucket rubons, Kaiser bling, Pink Paislee alphabet stickers, Fancy Pants transparent die cuts, Scenic Route Chipboard...embellishing was never this much fun! Being the ever-doting auntie that I am, I made this layout of Clayton first:

I inked the transparent flower die cuts with a touch of cat's eye chalk inks to help them stand out on the page, then added a little bling in the center to hide the dots of glue I used to adhere them.
And in case you hadn't heard, SD4U is now including exclusive sketches with all their kits to help get the creative juices flowing. I was excited to design the first sketch, and a sample page to go with it:

Isn't that blue and white polka dot paper the cutest evah? I really love it with the orange and green cardstock! And that die cut flower...I cut it with my new MM Slice. I am loving that little cutter, but having a hard time replacing the blade. If anyone has any hints for me, I'd love to hear them!
Then I made this cute frame to show off my favorite picture of Ashley and my grams in:

It looks adorable in my scraproom! The little Scenic Route chipboard houses in the kit are so much fun to design...almost like playing with paper dolls again!

And finally, a couple of cards based on a Fleck Card Maps sketch and featured in the January newsletter (which you don't want to miss, btw, lots of great ideas in there!):

Ok, so I haven't really moved....sue me. Did I mention that the little Scenic Route chipboard houses are just SO MUCH FUN to design? This one just begged to be put on the front of a cute card, and I couldn't think of another sentiment at the time. Sheesh!

So that's what I've been up to so far in 2009. And if you ask me, it's the perfect way to begin a creative new year! I've also resolved to teach more in 2009, and have my first class well in the works. Locals will want to check back soon to hear about the club I'm introducing at the Scrapbook Garden that will keep us scrapping all year long!

UNDER {RE}CONSTRUCTION

2009-01-05T08:26:00.000-08:00

I'm doing a little blog overhaul this week...a new look, a new header (thank gawd!) and a couple of other things. I'm assuming this will make me a better blogger in 2009. I mean really...I can't get much worse, right?

Here's to 2009 resolutions!

Thursday Quickie

2008-12-18T08:21:00.000-08:00

I'm ridiculously behind in my Christmas shopping. Like "haven't started" way behind. Seriously. But I just had to post this video of my nephew Clayton learning to play pat-a-cake for the family...it's too cute! Everyone else can take a peek too, I suppose. Although I'm sure it's much more adorable if you're blood-related.

And since we're on the subject of pat-a-cake, here's a related layout of said hand-clapping game based on Sketch #6 at Inspired Blueprints:

I busted out some ancient WRMK papers, dusted off the cobwebs and went to work. Isn't that Heidi Grace ladybug stamp just the cutest thing you ever saw?

And how beautiful is my friend Alice? If you said "pretty darned", you'd be correct! Love this girl a ton, she really is the best ever!

Now I really, really, really gotta get shopping! Peace, homies!

What I'm Doing While I'm NOT Out Christmas Shopping Like I Should Be

2008-12-11T07:57:00.000-08:00

This is the 10th day of Christmas projects over at Scrapbook Deals 4 U. Instructions are posted if you want to make one for yourself...It's FUN and EASY!

And there'l lots of room for creative license with the decorations. I used buttons, flowers and rhinestones, but you could do bows, glittery snowflakes, brads, tinsel...whatever your creativity stirs up!

And Kathy turned me on to a fun little sketch site called Inspired Blueprints. This layout is for the Sketch #5 Challenge.

Isn't my little buddy getting so big? Ask him and he'll show you with his arms up over his head! 7 months old already and getting ready for his first Christmas, I can't wait to see how he likes it.

Happy Shopping!

2008-12-05T10:45:00.000-08:00

I know I say it every month, but seriously, Martha's SD4U kits just keep getting better and better every month! This month, I got to play with the Christmas "MEGA" kit...and is it ever! Check this baby out:

Isn't it amazing and adorable? And talk about lots of embellishments...full packs of "Say it in Crystals" from Prima and Daisy D's rubons...plus pearls, felt trim, "In Stitches" templates, floss, buttons, ribbon, transparencies and THREE different Christmas paper lines! Lemme tell ya, I have been having such a blast with this kit!

I made this fun mitten banner for my front door. If you want to make one, the SU message board is posting a holiday projects per day, honoring the 12 days of Christmas. You can find the instructions in the 5th day of Christmas. It's been so much fun!

I also made a couple of "Christmas-y" layouts. The first is of Ashley modeling the cap and nightgown her great grandma made her when she was just an itty bit. I have a picture of me wearing the same little kind of set when I was about her age. I think there's a "then and now" layout in my near future! The other one is just a few of my favorite Christmas things worth documenting...snowmen, good friends, beautiful table settings, and favorite ornaments...I just adore everything about the holiday season!

Then there's this collage I made and stuck in a frame I got at Michael's with my 40% coupon. I love the idea pulling this out year after year and putting it up with the other holiday decorations. I never get tired of these pictures of my family in their santa hats!

The Pink Paislee papers included in the kit are a fun color combination for both holiday and non-holiday projects alike. They're so bright and cheerful, and well...happy! So much so, they inspired the title for this layout!

And of course, the scraps were perfect for this birthday card I made for good friend's birthday this weekend!

I know, I've been a horrible blogger lately...but I think after the holidays, a blog-related New Year's Resolution is in order! Along with a couple of others...

Thanks for popping in and saying hi!

Life is Good

2008-11-05T17:18:00.000-08:00

Last night our nation witnessed history in the making! I have never been more proud to be an American, and the euphoria has me floating still well into the day! I am so excited to see where Obama leads our Nation in the coming term, and feel so fortunate to participate in the changes that will shape our country's future.

That being said, I will quietly sneak down from my soapbox.

Life is good for other reasons, too! Look at my healthy, happy baby girl:

I do realize the photo quality is horrible, but I took the picture with my phone on a whim. She's been home for a month and clean and sober for the first time in quite a few years. I am so proud of her courage, strength and determination to do things differently. I continue to pray everyday for her, because I know this is just the very, very beginning of a very, very long journey, but each day has been a blessing and it's been nice getting to know her again. She's funny, adorable, and I missed her more than my heart would allow me to know.

Plus, the SD4U November kit has been a blast to work with! Bold and bright, it's right up my alley! A lot of you know I was sick earlier in the week, so I haven't had a ton of time to play, but I have gotten this layout done:

And I have two more in the works that I'll share when I'm done.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope your life is good today, too ;-)

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T08:53:00.000-07:00

As spirits roam the neighborhoods at night,
Let loose upon the Earth till it be light...
~Nicholas Gordon

Something's Coming...

2008-10-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not talking about a poltergeist or a chain saw weilding homocidal maniac...it's the November "Nonsense" kit from SD4U! A lot less frightening than a poisionous two-headed snake, it's jam packed with sweet treats instead! Take a peek:

Martha's kits are selling out over and over each month, so you'll want to pop over early on November 1st and order yours quick...it would be a horrible tragedy if you didn't get one...I'd hate to see you lose your head over it!

I heart Scenic Route

2008-10-11T09:51:00.000-07:00

And their Sonoma line is featured in October's kit from Itty Bitty Scrap Shack...could I be any more excited? Well, maybe. If you add an entire box of Prima Sprites, coordinating mini brads, and matching buttons, cardstock, and journaling stickers! Just look at this beauty:

I've already created a few layouts and cards, and still have oodles of paper left! I have a feeling his kit will keep me busy for quite a while...But here's what I've done so far:

So that's my little share for today!

It's starting to get chilly outside, and today seems like the perfect day to stay indoors, make some cocoa, and get busy on my next layout with this fabulous kit!

OMG, and update!

2008-10-04T11:27:00.000-07:00

Ok....*Deep breath, sigh of relief*

I think the whirlwind that is my life is finally starting to wind down.

(crossing my fingers)

I have been busier than I can remember being in a really long time. Juggling two part time jobs, babysitting, and scrapping up a storm to meet deadlines. The laundry is piled up to the ceiling, and the floors need to be mopped in the worst way, and my family doesn't remember who I am, but I think I see a speck of light at the end of the tunnel...

So, I'd love to share a few things I've been working on!

Scrapbook Deals 4 U has put up not one, but TWO gorgeous kits this month! One is called Hometown, and it's stuffed full of the October Afternoon line with the same name. Add some really cute Jenni Bowlin paper, some coordinating journaling blocks, and really cute hand cut felt flowers and stick pin embellishments, and you have this beauty:

The minute I saw it, I couldn't wait to tear into it. The colors are SO up my alley...my favorite combo right now without a doubt. Here's what came together:

And if that weren't sweet enough, I was also lucky enough to get to play with the Haunted kit featuring the super spooky Halloween line from Cosmo Cricket, too! This kit was filled with more handmade embellishments (including the cutest spider die cut ever!), Kaiser bling, black vinyl Thickers, and a 12x12 sheet of journaling blocks that I cut out and bound together to make an entire mini book. There was still tons of paper left over for a layout, candy holders, and cards:

Oh, and the best part...if you pop over to the SD4U site to order either of the kits, Martha will throw in a special mini kit valued at $8 if you mention you hopped a link from my blog! But you'll want to do it quick, this kit is amazing and it will sell out fast!

There's a clothes dryer buzz calling my name, so I'll leave it here for now. I've been working on lots more stuff that I want to share, so I'll be back later in the week. Till then, thanks for visiting!

Still Alive

2008-09-20T22:43:00.001-07:00

Contrary to popular belief, I did not in fact fall off the face of the planet...though I'm sure there are a few out there that may have been crossing their fingers.

Nope, I'm home from a mini vacation, one that by better half and I never seem to get tired of...that's right, Vegas, Baybee! Well, technically the trip was to Laughlin, to celebrate the first anniversary of my absolute favorite couple (and my oldest friend from High School), Jodi & Paul:

Happy Anniversary, you adorable little lovebugs, you!

But seeing as Laughlin is just a hop, skip and a jump from Vegas, well...really who can resist? And of course my dad having moved there a few months back is the perfect justification...thanks dad, for thinking of me when it came to your retirement house!

Ya know, before I left, I was in a serious creative funk. No Mojo at all...completely spent, do not pass go, do not collect $100.

BUT all that is starting to change now, because Martha dropped of not one, but TWO gorgeous SD4U kits for the month of October. One features (oh so appropriately) the gorgeous October Afternoon Hometown paper line and is packed with some seriously cute embellishments, some hand made and one-of-a-kind! The other features Cosmo Cricket's Haunted line. Have you seen it? Seriously the cutest Halloween line out this year!

And that did it.

It made me totally, completely, over-the-top excited to scrap again.

Is it weird that paper makes me this happy?

A Couple New Cards

2008-09-05T09:20:00.000-07:00

I got bit by the cardmaking bug again. He's a sneaky little bugger...he usually creeps up on me when I finish a layout or two with a super cute paper line or color combination I adore! I just can't seem to file the scraps away because they're so pretty! Case in point...look at this yummy color combo from October Afternoon:

The teal and green are my favorite combo right now, I think because they're bright enough to work for spring time, but also dark enough to carry over into fall when matched up with the darker teal cardstock. I'm playing around a bit with stamp coloring techniques, too. I colored this Imaginisce butterfly stamp in with colored pencils and blended with gamsol and a blending stump.

For the card below, I actually filled in the stamp with watercolor paints and a water brush. This is a technique that I think looks really awesome when you get it down, which I obviously haven't yet...but I am really enjoying the learning process!

I really wanted to add some machine stitching to this one, but my needle broke the last time I used my machine, and I keep forgetting to get a new one. I suppose I could hand stitch it, but that'll have to wait until later. The day is far to sunny and perfect to spend inside, so I'm heading out to have lunch on a patio somewhere. Thanks for stopping by!

A couple of layouts to share

2008-08-30T12:04:00.000-07:00

I *finally* got in a little creative time last night, and was so excited to pull my SD4u September kits back out last night! I sat down at my table and immediately became totally consumed and before I knew it, it was 2:00 am and I'd completed a layout. I love when a project just falls together like that! This layout features all my favorite guys: The hubby, my adorable little nephew, my big brother, and of course, pops:

The star in the bottom left corner is actually made from clear acrylic...I simply glued a piece of patterned paper onto the back using zip dry and stuck a button in the middle and now it has some great dimension!

And as if that wasn't wonderful enough, I woke up this morning and realized there was nowhere I had to be for a change. I headed straigh back to the table, and had another layout finished before noon...bam! (it's for the September newsletter that's not even out yet, so shhhh! This is totally on the sly!)

My Photosmart is almost out of ink, so the color is a little jacked up in the photos...but you get the idea. I stuck them down with removable tape, so as long as I get over and get a new ink cartridge sometime today, I should be able to swap them out without much trouble.

In other real life news, I've been so completely, insanely, barely-have-time-to-sneeze busy. I gotta tell ya, now that I'm not working anymore, I sure am working a lot! Creative Imaginations has got me coming in to help them get ready for Scrapfest, so I've been packing kits and running errands. The week leading up to a big event like this just always gets a little nuts...so many last minute things to remember! In between that and babysitting a bit for my brother, I am helping Melissa unpack and shelve the gazillion boxes she's been getting in at the Scrapbook Garden from CHA! In a nutshell, I'll just say that *somebody* went a little nuts witht the Ranger and American Crafts...*cough-coughmelissacough-cough*

And when I do finally get home at the end of the day, I have been desperately trying to find time to design a new class for September, but so far I've just been too pooped! And the coming weeks aren't looking any less hectic....lots on the agenda work wise. Maybe if I drink enough coffee, I'll grow another pair of arms. Stranger things have happened, right?

If you needed

2008-08-25T22:31:00.000-07:00

A little smile today, this oughta do the trick!

I spent the afternoon with this little peanut today, and though we had a little play time, he must have had a busy weekend growing, because he was pretty pooped out and slept most of the day. I actually found myself wishing I had my SD4U September Zach's Life kit with me to help pass the time! But soon enough I found myself home and at the scraproom table, and I was able to finish both of these:

I think the last 4 layouts I've made have been "boy" layouts without a single flower or butterfly! Honestly I didn't think I had it in me....who knew?

Ok, off to bed...it's getting late.

thanks for checkin in on me!

Kit Happy

2008-08-22T21:57:00.000-07:00

And who could blame me? Just look at September's awesome SD4U kit featuring the Vita Bella paper line from Little Yellow Bicycle:

The colors are so rich and vibrant, and the patterned papers have a touch of foil in them, which is really cool. And once again, in true SD4U style, the bag this kit comes in is ready to bust at the seams from all the goodies packed inside! It features some funky Kaiser rub-ons, an entire chipboard alphabet, Creative Imagnations flex words, and ginormous bling, just to mention a few things. I'm just getting started working with this kit, but I'm excited to share what I've done so far:

And because SD4U's kits have been such a hit and selling out each month, they've added a bonus kit this month to boot! It features more Little Yellow Bicycle, but this time the line is Zach's Life with it's bold orange and navy color combo. This kit features an arrow shaped board book from Maya Road, Kaiser paint, Thickers Alphabet, coordinating cardstock stickers, and more! Check it out:

I'll be ripping into this one after the weekend, I can't wait! I have some big plans for those cool acrylic pieces!

Happy Birthday Hector!!

2008-08-14T08:02:00.001-07:00

I love you hunny...cheers to a cerveza-and-golf-filled weekend!

Looking for some motivation?

2008-08-09T09:21:00.000-07:00

This is straight from the SD4U Message Board, and is guaranteed to kick the creativity into high gear:

With Summer Scrapfest quickly coming to a close, do you find yourselves wondering what we’ll be doing with our free time the rest of our summer nights without a fun, SD4U challenge? Well, have no fear, because we’ve come up with a plan to keep you motivated and going strong! Each week, beginning August 11th, alternating members of the design team will be posting different challenges! We’re calling it "10 Weeks of Fun", and it’s sure to be just that and a whole lot more! Make sure to stick around and join us, and you could be the lucky winner of the Grand prize of a Guest Designer spot for November plus $50 worth of product from the SD4U store! Other prizes will be awarded, too, and your participation as message board members will be crucial in choosing the winners!The SD4U team is looking forward to all the fun, and we hope to have you join in!

Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Come on over and register if you haven't already. Then join the girls and I in some exciting challenges, and maybe win a prize or two!

Butterfly Kisses

2008-08-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

That's the name of the Itty Bitty Scrap Shack's August kit featuring Jenni Bowlin's Tangerine Dream patterned paper and jam packed full of beautiful butterflies:

There is butterfly patterned paper, die cut butterflies, and even an acrylic butterfly stamp from Autumn Leaves! The teal and coral color combination is exciting and a little different, and the the finishing touches encourage lots of attention to detail. Here are a few layouts I've made with it so far:

I think I've had the most fun deciding how to embellish the different butterflies! For this one, I cut one of the larger butterflies from the patterned paper. With an embossing pen, I traced and colored in the spots on the butterfly that I wanted to sparkle, then sprinkled some glittery embossing powder on and heat set it. And as a bonus, it turns out the embossing pen turned the paper a little blue underneath the clear powder...I love those kind of *mistakes*!

These butterflies were made from the Autumn Leaves stamp in the kit. I stamped these guys onto some white cardstock using teal ink. When it was dry, I simply traced the lines with my Sakura Clear Star gel pen for a subtle shimmer, and added a couple of rhinestones along the body. I attached them to the page with a dab of glue behind the body only, and bent the wings upward so the could *flutter* around the page.

Ok, I may have gon a little glitter crazy with this one, but the technique is fun! I took one of the diecut butterflies and cut out each of the upper wings. I covered them with diamond stickles and set them aside to dry. With another diecut butterfly, I covered the bottom set of wings with a coral ultrafine glitter using a glue pen. When that was dry, I simply glued the separate set of wings on top of the original set of wings using just a line of glue on the inner edges so the wings could pop up off the page. I added some fruit punch stickles to add polka dots to the upper wings, and a couple of rhinestones along the bottom set of wings.

In other blog news, I have been tagged by Alice and will be back with my exciting life trivia...try not to explode with excitement...

Thanks for stopping by!

Finally!

2008-08-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

It seems like I have been trying to plan my next class forEVER. First I was super busy, then I got a horrible case of scrapper's block, then I got super duper busy again. The stars just never aligned just right, and I sat on this beautiful, summery Scenic Route paper and adorable chipboard packages from Inque Boutique for months! Well finally, the creative gods parted the skies, and reigned down some scrappy time and energy upon me and behold, my next class was born:

It's just an itty bitty little thing, but it really packs a big punch. Believe it or not, inside is room for 6 photos and some journaling! It's going to be a super fun little class, with snacks, prizes and lots of great chicks. Here are the details:

Where: The Scrapbook Garden

When: Saturday, August 23rd

Time: 11:00

Price: Just $20!!

I'll be back to post a materials list and some other stuff a bit later...I've got to run. I have a date with the cutest little guy...

I scrapped for no reason!

2008-07-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

Other than the fact that this face is too cute not to.

Sho 'nuff.

SD4U August Kit Reveal & 2 Sketches 4 You card

2008-07-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

Being the total Scenic Rout junkie that I am...imagine how excited I was to get SD4U's August kit this month:

It's jam packed with 6 sheets of patterned paper from Scenic Route's bold, colorful Grafton collection along with a total smorgasboard of matching embies! There's chipboard! there's rubons! there's buttons! there's ribbon! there's stickers! A seriously great variety...wow! Here are a couple of things I've done with it so far:

This is a collage of photos of my two favorite guys and I last summer enjoying our very own Huntington Beach pier at dusk. The grouping of flowers and vines on the left side of the page is a cluster I made out of the Inque Boutique stamps that were included in the kit. Have you seen these stamps? They're very cool...they stamp a crisp, clean image like rubber stamps, but they mount on to your acrylic block for perfect placement, I'm loving these things!

The tropical feel to this paper was just perfect for scrapping these photos from my trip to Costa Rica last February...this was a beach that backed right up to a remote rain forest that you could only get to by an hour and a half boat ride. It's famous for all the sea turtles that return every year to lay eggs on this secluded beach.

And this is me, enjoying that very view in a hammock with a foofie cocktail. That was the life, sistah...I tell ya. *sigh*

And of course, there are some cards, cuz I just can't help myself these days:

To take a closer peek at the kit, and to see other DT member's projects made with this ginormous collection of summery goodness, pop on over to the site and check it out here.

And just in case that wasn't enough eye candy for one post, here's my card based on Kazan's sketch #5 over at 2 Sketches 4 You for the week:

I used the Let's Pretend line from Imaginisce, some ribbon, buttons and acrylic stamps from Autumn Leaves and Close to my Heart. I really love how it came out!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by, it's always nice to have company ;)

What gives?

2008-07-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full swing, and the month of July is quickly coming to an end in Southern California. So what's up with this?

This is what I've woken up to each morning for the entire month, and let me tell you, it's NOT what I signed up for living in the Sunshine state...wait...or is that Florida? Either way, it's totally bumming me out. I love the summer heat and look forward to it all dreary winter long. This year mother nature seems to have gotten her seasons all mixed up!

On the upside, all the gloom outside makes me want to stay inside and get scrappy! I've been working at the scrap table all week long, playing with the warm, bold, ultra-summery paper in the SD4U's August kit. I can't share that stuff quite yet, but I can share a couple of other things:

I am making some note cards to sell at a white elephant sale they're putting on at my grandma's apartment complex next weekend. So far I only have these two designs completed in sets of 5. Ideally I'd like each set to have a different design and color scheme...but we'll see how that goes as the weekend sneaks up on me...

And here are a couple more projects I worked on for the Creative Imaginations booth and catalog:

This is the Rita House Book Box. Inside are a handful of mini books just perfect for storing recipes and traditions. I dressed these up in Samantha Walker's Sweet Tooth collection.

I just adored this Scott Accordion file for sorting and organizing all kinds of photos. I dressed this up using the Retro Tropical Signature collection, and I have to tell ya, it was a really fun line to work with! Doesn't it just totally remind you that Brady Bunch episode in Hawaii? Minus the hairy, scary tarantula, of course!

I used Samantha Walker's Trick or Treat collection to dress up these cute little Patsy Mini Boxes. Wouldn't they be the cutest little favors at a Halloween Party? And they were a cinch to make!

And finally, this is a layout of my dh and grandma last Christmas using the Tinsel Town collection. It's got a vintage feel that will go great with old-time photos as well as the ones you'll take at Christmases to come.

So that's about it for now, I gotta get back to those notecards before I only have these two sets to sell on an 8-foot table! As always, thanks for stopping by to say hello!

Talk about cutting it close...

2008-07-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

With what I can only assume to be minutes to spare, here is my card entry for Laura's Sketch #4 at over at 2 Sketches 4 U:

I substituted the scalloped paper border for some flowers I punched from patterned paper and then curled the petals around a pencil and mounted them with pop dots...a total obsession with me right now. The flower centers are jewel brads from Creative Cafe, and the Patterned paper is by Crate. The idea was to machine stitch around all the panels, however, I ran out of thread in the middle of stitching, and didn't have time to run out for more. Maybe that'll teach me to start a project more than an hour before it's due...maybe.

More Schtuff

2008-07-17T21:44:00.000-07:00

See? I promised I'd be back with more peeks...and here I am!!

Here's a few layouts I made for the booth:

How fun is this round lace paper? It's just one of the papers included in a new Art Warehouse line for Autumn and Halloween called Harvest Moon. The little centers of the spider webs are swarovski crystals, and man do they just sparkle in the sun!

This is a new line by Debbie Mumm called Cowgirl Up...The more I played with it, the more I really fell in love with the color combo. I didn't have any photos of Ashley in a cowgirl costume, so the photo mats will be filled with stock photos.

This one from the Signature line was a blast to make...I actually ripped the cream colored map paper and then burned the edges with a lighter (don't worry, it wasn't mine...I borrowed it from Hector). I cut the skull and swords from an additional sheet of paper and mounted it with pop dots, then added big rhinestones in his eye sockets. I'll need another stock photo here, too. Geez, wasn't Ashley ever anything but "Baby Spice" for Halloween?

And finally, this is made with the Retro Travel collection. Another fun color combo, and a great 50's feel...the perfect compliment to these photos from my trip to Costa Rica.

So that's it for today, I'll be back in a day or two with a few more. In the meantime, I'd love to hear what you think of the new collections so far...which one is your favorite?

"It's July What!?"

2008-07-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

Wow, what an unbelievably busy couple of weeks! Seriously, I blinked and half of the Month of July was over!

On the family front, the 4th of July holiday weekend was just perfect! The entire family was together at my dad's brand spankin' new house that he deserves more than anyone I know. He's worked so hard supporting and raising kids his whole life, and I'm so excited he finally has a nice place all his own (where we can come and visit whenever we feel the need for a little Vegas Vacation).

Even this little guy made the trip, and was diggin' all the attention. He was a perfect gentleman the entire weekend, even during the two (yep, two!) "safe and sane" fireworks we lit in the backyard.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate our country's independence and honor those that fought for our freedoms than by shoving food in my mouth the entire day without stopping to breathe. Talk about a major food fest! We had BBQ chicken, bratwerst, corn on the cob, home made coleslaw and potato salad, beans, fresh fruit...literally food for days, and all of it extremely delish! Thank gawd that calories eaten with family and friends don't count, or I'm pretty sure I would have gained a pound or two. Look, it even says so on this chocolate bar:

No sooner did I step foot through the door from my little trip, and it was time to design a make & take for The Scrapbook Garden's 1-Year Anniversary Party!! I can't believe how far this store has come in just one year, and all the wonderful friends I've made there including these rascals:

Ly and Alice are two of the most creative people I know...I am constantly wondering if their heads hurt from all the creativity that runs rampant in there all day long. On Saturday the three of us hosted make-n-takes for the Anniversary and wow, what a huge turnout! Thanks to everyone who came down and supported the store and even it's teachers!

On a side note, this chick has worked her booty off and she and her hubby deserve every ounce of success they gain from this fabulous store:

Happy Anniversary Melissa and The Scrapbook Garden!

On the scrappy front, most of you know I've been jumping thru hoops to get a boatload of projects done for Creative Imaginations before the big CHA Show in Chicago this weekend. All in all I think I submitted 20 projects for the catalog and the booth! And while I'll admit it gets a little hairy with the deadlines and stuff, I really do love every late-night sleep-deprived marathon minute of it. It's always exciting when I finally get a copy of the catalog and open it up to see my work in there, my family's faces starting back at me. Like this one:

It's a Bare Elements Jana Ribbon Frame dressed in a taste of some of the newest stuff in the antique and cream Narratives collection by Karen Russell. But Ms. Russell can't take credit for that little cutie pie in the photos...that's ALL me baybee, and some of my most spectacular work if I do say so myself! That black heart in the upper right corner was torn out of a heart shaped journaler's notebook...too cute, huh?

Here's another one that went in the catalog:

It's the Bare Elements Carey Music Box covered with the Baby Bella Collection by Renae Lindgren...isn't it just precious? It has that same little twirling ballerina that the jewelry boxes had when we were kids...

I have a bunch more projects to share, but I am already getting carpal tunnel syndrome, so I think I'll save them for the next post. Back in a day or two...I promise. Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday Drive-By

2008-07-13T10:40:00.001-07:00

I am so bummed I couldn't squeeze in a card for the for 2 Sketches 4 sketch challenge this week...what a crock! I've been totally up to my eyeballs in booth and catalog work for Creative Imaginations, and had no time to squeeze much else in! The upside, though, is since the show is starting in mere days, I will finally be able to start sharing sneak peeks of the projects and the product lines! I'm out today hosting a make & take over at the Scrapbook Garden, so I don't think I'll get to any today, but check back starting tomorrow for an eyefull of awesome stuff that will be hitting your LSS soon!

Hasta Manana!

A Fun Challenge

2008-07-01T09:19:00.001-07:00

So I was doing a little link hopping yesterday and stumbled across this fun new card challenge site called 2 Sketches 4 U. Each week they post a new card sketch, then create a gallery with links to each entry. There is an unbelievable amount of eye candy to be found there and even cool prizes every week! I loved the sketch there, and decided to play along.

The Sketch:

My Card:

The paper is from Dream Street and the Bling is Kaiser Craft. The chipboard flowers and the cardstock sticker sentiment are Karen Russell's Narratives from Creative Imaginations, and the paper flower is from Close to My Heart. On the Card front I stamped a flourish in versamark ink, added some clear embossing powder, and heat set it.

In other news...we're getting ready to take off to go visit my dad on Thursday in Las Vegas. It'll be a zoo there, but I miss my dad so much and look forward to spending some family time over the holiday weekend. Grandma will join us, and Chris and Christa and that cute little baby boy of theirs will meet us there, and we'll spend some time barbecuing and playing cards. Good stuff...totally can't wait!!

Thanks for popping by!

Still doing the card making thing

2008-06-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

And totally loving it. Here's a couple I made using the SD4U July Kit:

The bird stamp is by Pink Paislee, and the flower is Autumn Leaves, I've colored them in with colored pencils, and then blended them with gamsol and a blending stump. Then, I outlined them with a super light grey brush pen from CTMH. I've been practicing this technique, and am really having a great time learning something new, and perfecting my technique!

Uh oh, I hope this cardmaking thing isn't gonna cut into my scrap or unpacking time!

In all it's glory

2008-06-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

I present to you the July Kit from Scrapbook Deals 4U! Get your's today before they're all gone, I promise you won't regret it...it's totally bulging at the seams with summery, feminine goodness!

Sneaky Peeky

2008-06-20T19:17:00.001-07:00

Of a layout I've made with the yummy yummy SD4U July Kit:

Wow, this kit is seriously jam-packed full of scrappy goodness!! Like bulging at the seams with bright, happy paper, tons of matching embellies, and lots of bling...check back after the weekend for the full reveal, or better yet, pop on over to the message board tomorrow and check it out for yourself! And while you're there, join in the awesome sketch challenge Cheryl is hosting!

And in between projects, things are slowly coming out of boxes and finding homes in the new pad...look at how cute my little nautical bathroom is looking:

And this desk in the living room where I'm rotating and displaying my favorite photos, old and new:

And the best news of all? Look what I found today:

It's gonna be a great weekend!

Where the heck are my dishes?

2008-06-17T21:55:00.000-07:00

I'm so *over* the whole moving thing.

Don't get me wrong, I love the new pad. It's so nice to wake up and make coffee in a kitchen that has sun shining in through a window over the sink. It's worth all the tea in china to sit on my porch and not have to listen to the little bell of the street vendors peddling tamales and home made sno-cones. It makes me so happy to hear birds singing instead of spanish speaking mariachi band dudes early on Sunday mornings.

But moving sucks. The actual act of putting everything you own into boxes and then taking it all back out and cleaning it. THAT part. It SERIOUSLY Sucks. I keep expecting to wake up and find that Hector unpacked every single box and found a new homee for everything we own while I was asleep.

Is that too much to ask?

Aparantly it is. Sheesh.

So here it is, in all it's plain white glory. Aren't the high ceilings awesome? I'm gonna need some ideas on how to fill the walls here, I've never worked with a slanted ceiling before. Do you think the one picture I have will be enough, or might I need one more?

If you stand between the couch and the coffee table and look toward the dining room, this is what you see. Isn't that rug totally cute? I got it at Target and it's this totally great seafoam green and teal...but finding matching accents has proven to be quite the (excuse the expression) bitch.

So then looking right, there's the kitchen with the aforementioned sun-filled window and the most wonderful appliance ever...the DISHWASHER. I want to wash stuff in there all day long. did you know you can wash those plastic drawer units from Walmart in there? And bathroom knick-knacks, too!

As much as you were expecting the next picture to be of the bedroom or possibly the bathroom, I couldn't help sneaking in this picture of my so super-stinking adorable nephew, CJ and all his hair.

Looking back at the living room from the kitchen...there's a little patio outside with my mom's park bench under the window, and a phony ficus tree next to it that I got from my scrappy friends at my drunken bridal shower bash. It's actually a nice place to sit and sip coffee in the morning.

If you come to visit, this is where you'll powder your nose...and if you want to take a bath, you can do that too, but you'll have to bring your own shower curtain and not mind washing your hair with palmolive dish soap.

Here's a peek into my bedroom...I didn't go all the way in because Hector's been working nights and sleeping in pretty late. I don't think he'd be understanding of my amateur journalistic compulsions. You can see a peek of the other bathroom, too...and this shower has a glass door and Garnier Fructis.

Lastly, the scrap room. You think I'd be most excited about unpacking this room, and getting my new workspace all organized and streamlined...but actually, it's not really goin that way. I was off to a great start, and totally focused and intent on getting this room done first.

But OMG, seeing it like this is just got completely overwhelming and intimidating. I have some major purging to do, and it's gonna take some time...so now that the basic essentials are out and I have the bare minimums available to put together my projects, the rest is just kinda...on the back burner.

So that's the new pad, what do ya think? Let me know if you have any unpacking advise or decorating ideas. I'm off to find those bowls and plates...I'm so *over* eating breakfast cereal out of a coffee cup.

Did you know?

2008-06-14T17:46:00.000-07:00

1. That Pizza Hut is currently making chicken fetuccini alfredo and calling themselves "Pasta Hut" in t.v. commercials?

2. That my nephew is already 6 weeks old and has the cutest chubby cheeks anyone's ever seen?

3. It is a crime to ride a Merry-go-round on a Sunday in Idaho?

4. That this Noteworthy paper line from Making Memories makes a really cute background for displaying photos of naked babies?

5. You can watch VH1 all day on a Saturday and not see one repeated episode of Miss Rap Supreme? I guess the marathon thing really works for them?

6. That the elves in the story "The Elves and the Shoemaker" don't actually come to your house while you're asleep and finish the work you don't get done during the day...like emptying boxes?

7. There's still time to sign up for SD4U's Summer Scrapfest Contest where you could win a guest DT Position?

8. The serving size for reduced fat Cheezits is 8 one-inch sized crackers?

9. That the latest paper from Dream Street was this cute, and that these Kaiser products match perfectly?

10. That it took me 28 minutes to write this rediculously short blog post?

Just thought I'd share.

How much FUN is this gonna be?

2008-06-11T19:05:00.000-07:00

Announcing Summer Scrapfest!

Summertime means longer days, hot weather, and tourists galore. All great reasons to stay in and take advantage of the extra daylight and scrap away rather than chance a painful sunburn or fight traffic in the sweltering heat! At SD4U, we plan on scrappin all summer long, and hope you’ll join us! If you need a little more incentive than that, how about a big, fat, 6-week long contest? SD4U has 3 Guest Design Team positions to give away, and by playing along with our Summer Scrapfest, one of those Guest Design Team Members could be YOU.

The contest will be based on an accumulated points system, NOT an elimination process, and here’s how it will work:Each week you will be challenged by a different Design Team Member to complete assignments that will earn you a certain amount of points. A new layout challenge will be posted each Monday, and several mini-challenges for extra bonus points will be posted at random throughout the rest of the week. Each time you complete a challenge correctly in the amount of time specified, you will be awarded the number of points for that challenge. We will keep a thread with a running tally, so that you will always know where you stand, and who may be ahead of you and by how many points.

And…the best thing about this Contest and Scrapfest is…EVERYBODY WINS! Depending on the amount of points you’ve accumulated throughout the contest, you will receive at least a 10% of your entire purchase in the SD4U store! As you accumulate more points, you’ll also accumulate a bigger and bigger discount, possibly up to 30% by the end of the contest!Summer Scrapfest will begin on Monday, June 14th and we hope to have every registered member playing along!!

I don't know about you, but I will SO be playing along...what a great way to stay motivated and inspired all summer long!! Hop on over and join in the fun today, this contest starts soon!

A New Layout Class

2008-05-28T20:22:00.000-07:00

Because I really believe that our scrapbooks should be filled with more than pictures of birthday parties and summer vacations, I will be teaching a layout class at the Scrapbook Garden featuring layouts that celebrate some special moments and little things in our lives:

Join me on Saturday, June 7th at 10:30 and we'll create three, 1-page layouts that feature A smile you love, the growth of a child, and someone special. As always, we'll have snacks, a raffle, and lots of fun! Spots are already filling up, so call Melissa at the Scrapbood Garden today to reserve a spot.

See you there!

Another June Kit Layout

2008-05-25T16:31:00.000-07:00

Using my SD4U June kit! Pretty straight forward...I find I've been leaning toward clean and simple lately, and am pretty happy with just the basics, while paying more attention to the little details, like bling and glitter.

Still looking for an apartment, and starting to panic because we're running out of time. Note to self: A holiday weekend isn't the best time to get a hold of landlords and property management companies. Do not attempt to wait until last minute, either.

Oy...back to Craig's list, wish me luck!

SD4U June Kit is UP...

2008-05-23T08:12:00.001-07:00

And packed full of Prima goodness! Just look at this gorgeous perfection in a cellophane bag:

I'm loving these colors for fathers day...rich plums and browns...beautiful combinations on top of some super fun embellishments! These kits just keep getting better and better, and June's kit is the BEST yet! Be sure to pop over to the website and see what out talented design team members have done with it so far, and check out our first ever DT newsletter on June 1st! Here's a lil sneaky of a layout I made using this awesome kit:

Most everything is from the June kit, with the exception of the gazillion primas I raided from my flower stash. I'd been wanting some of these Maya Road chipboard birds, but couldn't justify buying a whole tin, so I was so excited to find them in my kit! I sprinkled the bird's body with liquid glue and ultrafine glitter from K&Co, then added a rhinestone for his little eyeball. The wing is painted cream, stamped with the Prima corner stamp included in the kit, then coated with Glossy Accents...I love how he came out, and I still have one more to play with!

In other exciting news, SD4U is planning a summer long scrap-fest and big contest you won't want to miss...check back for details coming soon

In the meantime I hope you have a fantastic holiday weekend, and be safe!

Does anyone else hear crickets chirping?

2008-05-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

I know, I'm horrible at this whole blogging thing. I don't even have layouts to share! I haven't had any time at all to scrap, my schedule has been crazy, yo!

•Apartment hunting for me. (exciting, but not fun)
•Packing my dad's apartment. (Note: he's lived in the same place for over 35 years...imagine what the garage looks like!)
•Gnarly Hayfever...I seriously can't breathe.
•Oral Surgery (that'd be me, too)
•Class projects (seriously need the money)
•Re-packing my own stuff (again!)
•Helping grams with computer and other miscellaneous "emergencies" (her term, not mine!)
•Finding a home for the pukey cat that my dad refuses to take to Vegas for fear of ruining his new carpet. (How mean!)

Phew! All work and no play...makes Nicole a grumpy girl! Hopefully by this time next month, everyone will be nice and settled in and it'll be back to the creative bliss once again.

I'm alive, and planning a comeback...you'll see!

Public Service Announcement

2008-05-10T08:22:00.000-07:00

Gazing at this beautiful boy for an extended period of time will cause you to fall in love.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Announcing my upcoming "Page of the Month" Club!

A Creative Handmade Gift Idea

My First ATC Card

ATC Love!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

A Layout, A Door Hanger and a Gift Bag (Oh My!)

Relay for Life: Team Hope Garden

A New Class!

Layouts to Share

New Sketch Challenge!

Just a Quickie

Creative Imaginations & Memory Box

Hope You'll Join Us!!

I'm Baaaack....and with a challenge!

A quick layout or two

Just in time for Valentines Day...

The Big Day!

I Love CHA

I'm so excited...

Welcome, Hoppers!

Adios 2010...Don't let the door hit ya on the way out!

How Gorgeous is This?

NEW! Christmas Banner Class

Halloween Banner Classes!!

Fun Stuff!!

Calling All Locals:

My Favorite Girl

Another Date Added!

Another Class!

Finally...A New Class!

SD4U May Kit: Thrift Shop!

SD4U April Kit: April Showers

Happy Bee Day

Sing it with me...

A New Class and a New, Ahead of the game "Me" (maybe).

Love is in the air...

SD4U February Kit Projects

Valentine's Day Crop!

Greetings from Clayton!

SD4U January Kit Projects

Calling All Locals

My December SD4U Kit Projects

My November SD4U Projects

October Kit featuring Amber Road at Scrapbookdeals4u.com

Five Fabulous Kits!!

Getting Back on the Horse

Let's Make Some Cards!

Kazan's Sketch #23

Laugh Everyday Card

Gettin a little scrappy!

SD4U March Kits

Another Card Quickie

Card Quickie

Another Card Quickie

PageMaps Contest

Kit Shares

SD4U February Kits

Card Quickie

Girls Day Out

If It's FREE, It's for ME!

SD4U January Kits

UNDER {RE}CONSTRUCTION

Thursday Quickie

What I'm Doing While I'm NOT Out Christmas Shopping Like I Should Be

Life is Good

Happy Halloween!

Something's Coming...

I *heart* Scenic Route

OMG, and update!

Still Alive

A Couple New Cards

A couple of layouts to share

If you needed

Kit Happy

Happy Birthday Hector!!

Looking for some motivation?

Butterfly Kisses

Finally!

I scrapped for no reason!

I heart Scenic Route