Let The Creative Juices Flow...

This week couldn't have ended sooner... I've spent all week trying to recover from GASC. Most people take a 4-day weekend and you'd think they'd be rested. Nope, not me. All the shopping wore me out. It's Friday and I'm exhausted. I managed to get everything put up, organized, and I can get started on creating something from my stash (I still have no home for the new stack of paper).

I'm working on a mini-book, but only a couple things happen to be from GASC. I NEED to take some more pictures to get some inspiration. I'm thinking about going to the Dallas Arboretum to get some pictures of Sean and his cousin, Dylan. We'll see how that goes.

I've been fighting the urge to go to Gotta Scrap this week. I have a $15 punch card to redeem, however, I'm scared if I show up there I'll spend WAY over that. My birthday is coming up, so hopefully a gift card will be in my future to one of my favorite stores (again Dad if you're reading... wink, wink - and maybe you can call Michael, since he has NO clue where these stores are at)

I do need to remember to take some pictures of my birthday this year. I've decided to actually do and "All About Me" album for the next year starting with my 33rd birthday. Kind of a half journal, half scrapbook. I've been hiding from the camera, because I'm trying to lose weight (like 90% of the women in the US). So I thought this would be a good motivator and photo log of my progress.

Hopefully this weekend I'll get some projects cranked out, photography some of my work and get a decent gallery started of my stuff.

GASC 2009 Day 2 & 3

It's official - I've reached the point where I'm actually going to say it (and post it in writing) I HAVE to stop buying scrapping supplies!!! (enter shocked crowd sound effect)

After spending most of today sleeping (shopping should be an olympic sport), I started to sort and put up my newly acquired stash. You don't realize how much you've REALLY bought until you start putting it away.

Looking at the pizza box of paper I bought at Luxe ($20 for about 250 sheets) and the additional onesie, twosies I bought there is probably about 300+ sheets that I have NO home for on my shelf. This doesn't include any kits I bought that have PAPER either!!

I now have transparencies, rub-ons, chipboard, letters (if you know me this one wasn't a shock), and embellishments coming out my ears. I have (14)... yes (14) boxes of the Maya Road tins of letters. (Dad, if you happen to be reading this - STOP LAUGHING)

I'm happy to say I did stick to my budgeted amount and I actually came home with $1.32 still left - not exactly something to retire on, but if you're a scrapper to be under is almost unheard of.


I made some GREAT new friends too.

Cindy, Judy, Linda H, me, and Ted from Stampers Anonymous

Rita & Debbie

Lee, Glenda, Cindy, Judy, Linda H, Kathy, me

GASC 2009 Day 1

OMG... Day 1 was AWESOME!!! Judy and I got there and were at the front of the line again this year (Yes, we did have to wait for 2 hours before the showroom opened, but WORTH IT). We didn't pay for parking, because there wasn't an attendant. We were close to the building (so unloading our goodies was easy). The best part... making new friends. We made (5) new scrapper friends because we were SO early. Debbie, Rita, Cindy, Kathy and Linda... it is wonderful to have met you, I'm sure we'll be chatting alot. These ladies were as eager as us to get in. It was they're first time to GASC and it was SO much fun calling them to let them know about deals and hear how they liked the convention.

If you happen to notice this the time stamp on my post I'm up EARLY again. I woke up at 3am and haven't been able to sleep. I started thinking about what I was going to do today. So now it's 4am... time to get ready, fill up the car, get some cash, and shop til I drop (part deux)

Visited 3 New Stores

Well L.A. has been ALOT of work, but I was able to get a chance to visit 3 local scrapbook stores.

Strictly Scrapbooking www.strictlyscrapbooking.com
Scrapbook Heaven www.scrapbookingheavenstore.com
The Scrapbook Garden www.thescrapbookgarden.com

Each store was PACKED full of stuff. I was able to find some papers that I had never seen before. Lots of chipboard and other items.

Check out their websites.

Going To L.A.

Wow... it's been awhile since I've posted.

I'm on my way to Los Angeles for work. It's going to be a jam packed few days, and I'm hoping I'll have some time in the evening to scope out the local scrapbook stores. There are a couple close to the hotel and one near the L.A. branch I working out of this week. I'll post my reviews if/when I get to go.

Pssst... there's only 16 days til GASC. I've already received my wristbands. I'm SO excited to see what's new.

Janet Hopkins Class In May

Janet Hopkins is having her next class May 30th. I wasn't able to attend her March class due to a business trip, but was able to purchase the class kit (Birthday Journal book). I'm looking forward to actually getting to meet her and take the class. She's going to be in Houston at By Design Scrapbook Boutique teaching this class in mid-May as well. I was really bummed not to be able to make the trip to By Design for National Scrapbook Day, because Heidi Swapp is teaching this weekend.

If you need info for Janet's class send me an email and I can forward her email to you.

Techniques Frenzy

National Scrapbook Day is Saturday and I'll be going to The Scrapbook Barn for their Techniques Frenzy class. I'm really excited to try some of the new products and learn some new techniques. After this weekend GASC will only be a month away.

Updated Scrapping Info

For my own reference and everyone elses, I've added links to product manufacturers to the side bar. I've also added some more blog sites for inspiration. Alot of them have how-to's for projects and techniques. Happy Scrappin'!!

National Scrapbook Day

National Scrapbook Day is around the corner and several of the local scrapbook stores have events going on. I will probably be going to the Techniques Frenzy at Scrapbook Barn, because for $30 that's worth it.


Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie:
Friday Crop May 1st $25 -starts at noon til midnight, includes dinner and drinks.

Saturday Crop May 2nd $45 -leave your stuff and come back Saturday from 10am to midnight, includes 3 meals catered by our local restaurants, giveaways, make-n-takes and a free goodie bag.

If you sign up for both days you will receive a $10 off, $60 for both days.


Gotta Scrap in Rockwall:
Friday, May 1st through Sunday, May 3rd, we will be celebrating “National Scrapbook Day” and with lots of festivities. Friday, we will be cropping from 10:00 to 9:00 with a Metal Class from 4-7. Saturday, we will crop from 11:00 to 9:00 with a special Copic Marker Class from 8:00 to 11:00. There will be make and takes, demos and giveaways all day Saturday. There will be goodie bags for everyone who attends. Sunday the crop will continue from 1:00-5:00. Lunch will be provided on Saturday as well as a light afternoon snack. Special Hotel Rates available at the LaQuinta right behind gotta scrap! for those wanting an overnight stay. Please call 972-772-5197 and ask for Christy to inquire about rates.

National Scrapbook Day Weekend Costs: You may choose to book individual days and classes, for purchase the complete weekend package for a savings of $30!

Friday Crop $20 (includes goodie bag)*** Saturday Crop $50 (includes lunch and light snack, goodie bag, make and takes and demos)

Sunday Crop $10 (includes goodie bag) *** Friday Class $50 *** Saturday Class $50*** Total Cost for all three days with classes: $150

Copic Class
Purchase Workshop
May 2, 2009, 8:00 am- 11:00 am
Cost: $50
Come learn the amazing things you can do with these markers! If you stamp or scrapbook or design altered clothing, you will want to see the magic they can create on your cards, scrapbook pages or clothing. You will see how easy it is and leave with a completed swatch book of colors and techniques. You will even decorate the front of your swatch book with an adorable “Scrapbook Girl” or “Stamping Girl”. You will receive a class kit that includes several of the Copic Markers and everything to assemble your swatch book. If you reserve a spot for the entire weekend, class will be discounted and you will also receive a discount on Copic Purchases. Please bring class kit.

Metal Mania
Purchase Workshop
May 1, 2009, 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm
Cost: $50
Learn all the basics using the Ten Seconds Studio metal tools, molds and metals. In this class you will make a clipboard with three chipboard pages filled with metal art of all kinds. You will emboss, deboss, etch and die cut. If you reserve a spot for the entire weekend, class will be discounted and you will also receive a discount on all Ten Seconds products. Please bring class kit.


Scrapbook Barn in Carrollton:
Technique Project Frenzy - Saturday, 5/2 11:00AM-4:00PM $30.00/person
You will complete 10 different projects using fabulous new products and techniques. Projects will range from 12x12 pages to cards to altered items and mini books! Techniques will include things like using Copic markers, distressing inks, polymer clay, stamping, glitter and foil techniques and more!

Here's the unbelievable part!!!
Products used in all these projects total over $50 per person in retail value!

24 Hour Crop Party - Saturday, 5/2 6:00PM-12:00AM $50.00/person
24 Hour Crop Party - Sunday, 5/3 12:00PM-6:00PM $50.00/person

Latest Project - Mirror Book

I was scheduled to go to Janet Hopkins class in March, but I had to go to Chicago for a conference the same weekend. I was pretty bummed, because I've heard awesome things about her classes. You can see some of her work on the House of 3 website.

Janet was nice enough to sell me the class kit and email me directions and images of the project so I could do it at home.

I got the kit yesterday and finished it this evening. I'm SO excited about how it turned out. Of course it's an album of Sean.