SO...You Think You Can Scrap?

Friday, February 1st through Thursday February 7th the Itty Bitty Scrap Shack will be accepting "Auditions" for our "So You Think You Can Scrap" contest! And get this...the grand prize will be valued at over $150 and the two runner's up prizes will be valued at over $50! If you're interested in playing, just pop on over and check out the rules and entry requirements on the Message Board. But do it quick...time is running out!

And just in case you need a little added incentive, anyone who registers on the board by Sunday, February 10th will receive a bonus RAK from me, whether you enter the contest or not! Just post a comment here when you're done!

This is going to be a seriously fun contest...you won't want to miss it!

Home Already?

Costa Rica was awesome...everything I expected and so much more. Friendly people, fantastic food, tropical plants and animals, beautiful beaches and rainforests...just seriously amazing. The time flew by, and sitting here at my desk today, it's already starting to feel like a dream. I can't believe it's already over...*insert deep sigh here*

I think rather than bog down the entire page with photos right now, I am going to post my travel journal and itinerary day-by-day over the next week or so...it'll be a good way to share the pictures, and it'll help me get my thoughts and photos organized so I'll be ready when it's time to put together my album.

Keep checking back to see and hear about all our adventures and discoveries! Till then I'll leave you with the following Costa Rican Motto:

It means "Life is Good!"

(Now is that totally me or what?)

Sorry I'm not home right now...

Thank you for calling, but Hector and I can't come to the phone right now, because we are here:

Doing and seeing amazing things like this:

If you'd like to leave a message, I'll be happy to return your call in two weeks. Have a fabulous day!

Someday...

• I will have my dream scrap studio; a place where I can sit and feel creative, with everything I need right at my fingertips. But not today.

• I will be 30 lbs. thinner. My stomach will bend in the middle where it's supposed to, and muffin top will be a thing of the past, no matter what size my jeans are. But not today.

• My kid will understand exactly what she wants out of life; she will understand that hurting herself is indeed hurting others, and the choices she makes today will affect all her tomorrows. But not today.

• I will be as organized as I think I am. Not only will I own a calendar, but I will write important reminders in it. I will actually find a q-tip when I reach into the q-tip jar. But not today.

• I will actually fill my gas tank up. Not put in $10 today, and $5 on Thursday, and whatever change is in the ashtray of my car on Saturday. But not today.

Today is a day...

• To celebrate living in Southern California...it's the middle of January and it's almost 80 degrees outside. The sun is shining, the birds are singing...

• For taking my time while running the day's errands, stopping at Starbucks and sitting on the patio sipping an iced mocha and people watching.

• For finishing up some projects, and starting others.

• That I will never have again. I want to enjoy it and not waste it.

• For writing it all down in a quick, simple blog post. It's a start.

Busy Busy Busy

With all kinds of exciting things! The grand opening at the Itty Bitty Scrap Shack has been awesome, the message board is filling up with all kinds of cool chicks and it's been a blast hanging out and getting to know everyone. We're having an online crop tonight in the new chat room, so if you find yourself at home and scrapping, why not pop over and see what kind of inspiration you can find...there's sure to be tons!

CHA is sneaking up on us quick-like...and I've been busy working with some new stuff for Creative Imaginations. Cute stuff. Fun Stuff. But stuff that's kept me very busy...like sunup to sundown busy for the past week. Not a lot of free time for all the other stuff I wish I were doing...like laundry and dishes and my all-time favorite free time activity, cleaning the toilet. Pppfffttt. I was at Stayce's till 11:30 last night gluing paper leaves on tree branches (don't ask). So yeah, to say it's been a busy week is an understatement.

I did manage to sneak in ONE layout this week just for me:

Lookit how cute my grams is! She's 87 years old, and sharp as a whip...truly an inspiration in every sense of the word. I don't see her nearly enough, and so I think I'll put this one up on the scraproom wall, so we can visit a little each day.

Hope you all have a fab weekend!

Sketchy Wednesday and A New Class!

Wednesday's Itty Bitty Scrap Shack grand opening challenge is to create a layout based upon one of Becky Fleck's PageMaps sketches (Love these!). Here's my sample:

Aren't those little felt hearts cute? I cut them from a 12x12 sheet of polka dot felt and stitched them all while in bed watching t.v.! Such a multi-tasker I am!

If you haven't done it yet, why not pop on over to the Itty Bitty Scrap Shack message board and check out this and all the other exciting challenges going on over there this week, and maybe even end up with a prize or two? Who doesn't love free stuff? There are tons of great girls over there getting to know each other and share their work...it's been a really great time.

And speaking of scrappy stuff...I'll be teaching this clear album class at the Scrapbook Garden on February 9th:

It's made from a Hambly transparency sheet and features gorgeous paper from the Fancy Pants Crush line. Perfect for a Valentine's Day gift! Be sure to call Melissa today, so she saves you a spot before they're all gone! Hope to see you there!

Love Shack, Baybee!

I know I said the Itty Bitty Scrap Shack Message Board wouldn't be live till next week, but things just kept falling into place, and we're already rolling! Come on over and join in all the Grand Opening fun...contests, challenges, prizes and an all around good time! Lots of great inspiration, a gallery that's filling up fast (there's even a contest for that), and a great community of ladies already! And while you're surfing, check out the new Design Team Blog where we're hosting a new challenges every day for the entire week! See you on the boards!