I Actually Remembered

How many times have you forgotten to capture some of the memories around the holidays. I'm sure plenty of families bake for the Christmas season and fail to take pictures. I ACTUALLY remembered this year. While I'm not in any of the photos (since I'm the photographer and scrapbooker in the family... you all know what I'm talking about) I did capture the chaos in my kitchen baking the cookies my husband asked for as part of his Christmas present. I did threaten to individually wrap all the cookies for him, but that would be just as torturous for me as for him.

When I went shopping for my missing ingredients I did have enough foresight to buy extra mixing bowls and baking sheets. Sean's cooking set had several sets of measuring cups, so those came in extra handy.

And here are one of the batches of cookies I made. If you go to Sean's blog (the family blog) the recipe is posted there (http://seansm0m.blogspot.com/). I did discover if you want photo worth cookies, use a small ice cream scoop or if you're an avid baker and have one of the mini pastry scoops (looks just like a miniature ice cream scoop complete with the mechanism to dislodge the batter). Once you've scooped it on the baking sheet, flatten it out a little and press a few chocolate chips into the top... and there you have it, photogenic cookies!!! Who knew?

Getting Up To Speed

2009 is almost gone and probably like many scrappers I didn't get nearly enough scrapbooking done. I still have TONS of photos to upload to Shutterfly for printing. I've decided to pull out all my negatives to be sent off to be scanned to digital format.

So what have I been doing if I haven't been scrapping? I've been busy with Tae Kwon Do with my family, arranging my son's Kindergarten holiday party, managing Christmas at our house of course, play dates, coffee & shopping dates with friends, and baking for my husband... all this on top of my full time job - wheeeew!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and pray everyone is safe for the New Year. I'm getting ready to plan my convention trips for 2010 and dusting the cobwebs off my scrapping supplies.

I got a new SLR Canon EOS Rebel XS from my sweet hubby for Christmas... actually, he didn't know what kind of to get me (or he didn't want to make the drive to the store I wanted it from - because you get a free class if you buy your camera there) so I got the money to buy it. We went to Arlington Camera to buy it today. The battery is charging and I can't wait to play with it. It is probably the BEST present ever (except for the year my dad bought me my manual 35mm, which I still LOVE, but is nowhere near practical when you're trying to capture everything your 5 year old does).

Christmas Projects

Here are a couple of Christmas projects I did over the weekend. I had purchased an ornament chipboard book, but instead of using it as an album I used them as my base element. I covered both of them with an off white vintage Christmas paper I found in my stash while reorganizing. Then I distressed both of them with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. The stamp images are from a couple of Tim Holtz stamp line. The Christmas accents were cut from the new Graphic 45 Christmas line.

Sean's 1st Tag Art

Here is the end result of Sean's handy work yesterday. For his first whack at using Tim Holtz products and Glimmer Mist he did pretty well.

My Young Artist

Sean likes to come in my scrap studio and play with all the cool toys. Can you really blame him? He also likes to watch the demos on Tim Holtz website. I made Sean his own ink blending tools and let him play. You can't see the beautiful end result very good in the video, so I'll post pics after it's dry (he got carried away with the Glimmer Mist... so it's taking longer than usual).

Glimmer Mist... Glimmer Mist Everywhere!!!

In Houston again... and thought I'd visit the LSS. Turns out that several of them carry Glimmer Mist. Right now only one in the Dallas area carries it. I lucked out at Scrapbook Barn over the weekend and got a few bottles for 40% off. The Houston stores are doing a sale this week as part of the Round Up for next year... I found another (9) bottles, some from old seasonal releases... I think I have a problem :(

Gotta Scrap - Tim Holtz Halloween Tag

Even though Halloween has come and gone... this is still a REALLY cool project/technique.

Creativity Cometh...

Finally!!! I'm feeling inspired again. The rain has lifted and I went to Crafty Scrapper today to find some goodies. I'm working on a few things to hopefully post in the next few days. Can you believe the holidays are right around the corner?

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend, and I hope to post my creations soon.

Playing With Digital... Again

It's still gloomy and rainy and I can't seem to get myself out of this funk. I did some cleaning up in my studio since I did leave it "as is" from my last burst of inspiration. Then I decided to "unzip" the files I downloaded for digital scrapbooking. I managed to put together a digital page at least. Nothing fancy, still playing around with it. Still not sure what I'm doing, but I think I may take a digital scrapbooking class just to be able to find ways to use the stuff I've downloaded on my actual tangible pages.

Rain Rain Go Away

I wish this rain would go away!! I'm glad we are having the cooler weather, because I LOVE the fall. I just need this rain to go away, it makes me want to just lay around and do NOTHING. I was hoping to get motivated to work on some layouts or projects, but I can't seem to get moving.

I'm looking forward to going to the State Fair and the pumpkin patch this month. It's hard to believe it's already October. It's a great time for taking pictures outside. I'm planning a trip to the Dallas Arboretum to take photos of Sean... to scrapbook of coarse. Hopefully there won't be much more rain.

I Finally Did It

My first submission. Scrapbook Trends is having a Call for Entries for Mini Books. I submitted my "What A Hoot" mini album (see previous posts). We'll see what happens. Hopefully I get lucky and get published. I would be so ecstatic. Say a little prayer and wish me luck.

It's Not Easy Being Green

Ha... bet you thought I was talking about being environmentally friendly (it is the buzz word these days). Nope, this time I'm talking about Kermit, or in this case this little green visitor we had during the rain. One night when Michael was letting our dogs out, he spotted this little guy hanging out on our back door. I just had to get a shot of him, because how often do you get to see these beautiful looking frogs. Normally we see the warty toads. Sean wanted to keep this guy, but I told him that he would end up dieing if we kept him, he was meant to be outside. Later when Michael let the dogs in, our little Kermit had climbed up the glass. Hopefully he'll visit again.

Shrooms

It's been pretty rainy the past couple weeks. It makes it difficult for Michael to tend to the yard when it's more like a swamp. With all the rain and humidity our neighboorhood has been growing shrooms. Everyone's yard has them. Our backyard has these arches of them in several locations. Some of them were actually quite pretty. Now I'll just have to find a cool way to use the photos - LOL

Love Mini Book

Here is a mini acrylic book I put together Sunday night.



I actually worked in my studio about 5 cumulative hours. I didn't realize how much I actually worked until I realized that I had "watched" 7 of the 9 episodes of the first season of Grey's Anatomy. I say "watched" because I didn't REALLY watch it. I like background noise when I work. Music doesn't work well for me because I'll want to sing along, then I get distracted from my work. I have the first three seasons of Grey's in my i-Tunes library on my PC so I just started from the very beginning.

I managed to clean up my stack of paper on the floor. I'm still searching for a bookshelf or cubbie shelves for my vertical paper holders. Still haven't come across what I'm looking for. Hopefully I'll find something over the next couple of weeks.

For now I'm off to finish the rest of season one and start season two. I have a couple hours before my bedtime - LOL. Hopefully I'll get some cropping done.

Where Does It Come From?

As a teenager I used to keep a diary. It never lasted long, but right before I'd decide to stop keeping one I used to look at what I wrote. Every time I thought to myself, "I WROTE THAT!?!"

Well tonight I'm feeling much like that as I started to just goof around with some of my supplies. I took out a plain white sheet of paper to play with some Glimmer Mist. I had some different paint type mediums that hadn't been opened and I wanted to see what they would look like. Get an idea of their texture, their finish, etc. Next thing I know I went from using this white sheet of paper as a "test sheet" to a finish page. No pictures on it... just some artistic expression. When I felt I needed to stop, I did and this is what I ended up with:

I started layering colors of Glimmer Mist (blues, greens and browns). I used some Magic Mesh as a screen to create some visual texture across the bottom and side. This was part of the playing around. Then I had some gesso that I wanted to see what exactly it was. Right now all I've decided is that it's a thicker version of acrylic white paint (I'll have to do a little more research on it's uses). Then I stamped the numbers and the words. The words just seemed to float there, so I got some collage paper to layer over it.

I misted it down with Glimmer Mist then crumpled it and used it to wipe up the left over Glimmer Mist on my mat. I started to tape it down (I didn't wait for it to dry... most of the stuff was still damp as I put it together). Then I took the butterfly I was playing around with the other day and added it. I thought it was PERFECT. I added the key and stamped the flourish to take up some of the space that didn't feel right.

Lastly I added the word "love". I took some Rusty Pickle cardboard letters and peeled the top layer off to expose the corrugated middle. I took the brush I used for the gesso and started to use up the excess left on the brush. I wanted to enhance the raised portion of the corrugation. Because I don't like to waste my supplies (call me environmentally conscious or frugal) and used it as a "shadow" for the letters. Again I just started to slap adhesive on it so it didn't stick down completely on every portion of the letter adding more texture.

I'm still amazed that in 10 minutes this is what I cranked out. I know I'm more own worst critic, but I'm just in awe.

Playing With My Toys

I bought some Tattered Angels chipboard butterflies today and wanted to play around with my Glimmer Mist and this other product called Smooch Pearlized Inks.(http://www.smoochinks.com/)

On the left is the BEFORE and on the right is the AFTER

I used the Walnut Gold Glimmer Mist to age it and add a little bit of glimmer. I patted it dry and went back in with Green Apple and Azure Smooch to give it a stained glass look.

Another angle. Notice how the Smooch product color changes when you look at it from another angle. I only bought a couple, during my trip to San Antonio, to try out. Now I'm on the look out at my LSS for more of this product.

Studio... Almost There

I've been working on my studio for a couple days now, and thought I'd share some of the progress. It's not quite done. I still have to touch up the paint on the walls, since I moved some of the fixtures around. And since the paint will be out, I might as well get the cabinets painted.

BEFORE

AFTER
I didn't like having the wire rack behind my door into the studio, because there wasn't enough space behind the door. (The door is on an angle into the room) So I moved it where the peg board used to be. There is enough wall space in that corner, that opening the closet door doesn't interfere with it.

BEFORE
AFTER

I had a bunch of stacked drawers for my scrap paper and it took up alot of space. Also the hardware bins I use for my embellishments were on the desk surface. That took up alot of workspace. I moved the shelves around and got them off the work surface and moved the scrap paper to a file drawer. I now how more surface to work. (That's all the stuff you see spread out)



BEFORE

AFTER

I took the doors off the cabinets my dad installed for me. While I thought I'd like having some covered storage, it didn't work for my style of scrapping. Therefore, there was actually nothing in them. Taking off the doors allowed me to move some of my decorations and reference materials off the main shelves, and now they are easily seen for inspiration. Also I move the peg board to the area below the cabinets. Originally I had the rod for displaying my pages, but it was WASTED space. Now I have more exposed storage for my goodies.

On the back wall that you don't see in these photos, there is a space on the other side of the closet doors. I'm now in the market for modular cube storage, because I've decided to go to vertical paper storage. I've accumulated a stack of paper (it's the stuff the green storage cube is sitting on), I need to sort by manufacturer AND color. I will also use it for my stickers and other odds and ends. If I could do a good 360 shot of the room, I have SO much more space I could put a folding table in here to have a few friends to crop. I'm going to get some vinyl words to put on the blank walls and add some other touches, but all in all it's now a better functioning space.

Soccer Star

I managed to finish this layout before I tore up my studio. This will probably be the last one I get done this weekend considering the current condition of my work area.

Under Construction

I've pulled my paper off the shelves, the supplies are in various baskets, and I'm moving fixtures around. The scrapbook room is going through it's metamorphisis to a studio. Still not quite sure how it's going to end up, but it's quite a mess right now.


I've moved my bins of the counter surface so I'll have more workspace. I'll have to go to IKEA for more wall racks to make use of the wasted space under the bottom shelves. The nice thing is soon I'll have more workable surface to create multiple projects at a time.



There isn't a shot of it, but on one of my walls there were covered cabinets. I removed the doors off of it so the contents are visible. I moved my magazines off the shelf above my computer area into those cabinets. This way inspiration is within plain sight. Hopefully I'll have it finished by the end of the long weekend. I still need to paint the cabinets and get a sliding rack for the middle cabinet. It's TOTALLY unused space.

What A Hoot Altered Book

Here's an altered book that I made using the Zutter Bind-It-All. The book was made with transapencies, chipboard, large divider, and a mailing envelope. I just covered the items and embellished. Finding owl paper is easy right now, since it's pretty trendy at this time.

Saying Goodbye to Gotta Scrap

Patty and D'Uan announced last Wednesday that Gotta Scrap will be closing their doors. For me and many scrappers it's the end of an era, much like when Scrappy's in Richardson closed. I've watched their store grow and evolve over the last 8 years starting when they first bought out Gotta Scrap, Gotta Stamp (as it was called WAY back then). They've been one of the go to places to learn new techniques and see great new products. The store was much like the Cheers of the scrapbook world, and they always remembered you.

Today was my first visit to the store since the announcement. I had wanted to make it sooner but business travel made that difficult. Walking through the doors this afternoon and seeing most of the fixtures gone or empty, the crop room more like a garage sale, my heart broke. While every scrapper LOVES a great sale, it was hard to get a thrill out of the many discounted treasures. Each item was a reminder that when it was all gone, there would be no Gotta Scrap.

The lovely ladies anticipate being there through September 15th or til everything is gone. By the looks of things it will be the latter. While they will still be involved and have a presence in the scrapper world, they and the beloved Gotta Scrap will be missed.

Patty and D'Uan may God Bless your new endeavours as this door closes and a new one opens. All of your scrapper friends from over the years will ALWAYS be here to support you.


Visit their blog for updates on the store and their "secret sales" - http://gottascraprockwall.blogspot.com/

More Work...

Rusty Pickle Sweet & Sassy Kit

Cover

Inside

Laugh (another layout)

The Last Leg of Travel

Finally my 4 weeks of travel is coming to an end. I'm writing to you scrappers in cyberspace from San Antonio. I drive back home tomorrow. Hopefully the travel will subside for 2-3 months and it will only be a trip here and there.

While here in San Antonio {I hadn't scoped out the LSS here yet} I found 4 stores!!!! I went to 2 today, but I'm not sure I'll make the other 2 tomorrow before heading back to Dallas. I'm on a scrapbook supply diet until my stash has been brought down to code. While the Fire Marshall may not be out to get me anymore {the piles have made it to their new homes on my shelves}, I may be on the radar for possession of obscene amounts of chemicals - Yikes!

My latest product passion... Glimmer Mist, has claimed the front running of my purchases. One of the stores I visited today had it and of coarse I HAD to get some. After all it's more of a tool, not like paper, where there IS such a thing as too much. I guess Glimmer Mist isn't really a chemical hazard... it IS water based, so maybe I'm in the clear.

I'm resisting the urge to purchase more paper. I have many shelves stocked full {still nothing like my dad's wife, but that's a topic for another day}. I'm in the process of resorting them {the paper} to make sure I'm aware of what I have for my projects. By color seems logically, but I begin to forget about some of my vintage or artsy papers when they are hidden in the piles. I've tried by manufacturer and that's not working so well... since alot of the paper companies I favor are similar in style I can't keep track which line has what.

The long weekend is coming up and I'm excited to get back to my "studio" {this is my new name for my scraproom... sounds professional}. I'm working on a domain name and web page, but you'll have to wait to find out what it is [wink, wink].

All in all I'm finding that I'm approaching a good place... travel behind me, a long weekend around the corner - translation? I get to scrap my heart out!!! At least after I get the kiddo to bed.

Happy Scrapping!!!

Getting In My {Creative} Groove

With CKC Tulsa behind me and traveling for working coming to an end (this week is my last trip). I'm starting to get my pages and projects cranked out. I'm working on some stuff to submit for contests, and my goal for the coming year is to get published or win a design contest for exposure.


I'm pulling out my work to start creating a gallery of my creations and I'm excited to say I'm certainly growing (creatively speaking).


My scraproom looks like a creative disaster, but at least I'm producing pages and projects.

One of the pages completed at CKC Tulsa Friday night crop

Completed last night

The Fire Marshall Is Going To Get Me

CKC Tulsa was a BLAST!!! I met some new people with the vendors and I've been frantically emailing back and forth with them. There's nothing like meeting others that are passionate about creating art. However, there is always one down side... I've unpacked my goodies and I'm pretty sure my scrapbook room violates some fire code. It looks like a scrapbook store threw up in here.

My scrap luggage is unpacked in the middle of the room, ready to be put back in the closet. My product literally takes up half the floor space. (I like to leave it on the floor so I can sort where everything needs to go.) Because of ALL the new product, I'm in the process of re-evaluating the storage layout in my room. Given some of the new techniques I've learned and some of the inspiration I've gained, it's time to rearrange my creative space. I feel a visit to IKEA coming one.

CKC Tulsa Day 1

I just woke up from my nap!! There is something to be said for staying at the convention center hotel... you CAN sleep if you need to.

We arrived yesterday morning, settled in at the hotel, did a Target run, and went to the vendor floor to help Rusty Pickle set up shop. Lots of work, but lots of fun!!! We got to peek at what the other vendors had to offer, plus we got vendor passes to get in early this morning.

Not a lot of different products from GASC, but that was just 2 months ago. Since my urge to spend was curbed, because there wasn't new product screaming at me I took a class. Finally I know how to use my Zutter Bind-It-All correctly.

I did do a make-n-take at Tattered Angels, and this is now one of my new FAVORITES!!! I can't wait to work on my kit tonight at the crop.

Just Over 48 Hours Til...

I'm hitting the road for CKC Tulsa!!! I've been busy sorting and packing supplies for the trip. I have just over 100 pictures to put in layouts and deciding what to take is next to impossible! I'm used to scrapping in my scrapbook room where I have access to ALL my supplies. How do I downsize to a rolling crop tote? This is going to be a challenge. I guess worse case scenario I will just "HAVE" to buy what I need there {wink, wink}.

Exercising Restraint

I was in Houston the last three days and despite being in an area with 6 scrapbook stores I'd LOVE to go shop at, I was able to convince myself to save the fix for next week at CKC Tulsa. It was SO hard, but I managed to get out of Houston without spending a dime on scrapbook supplies.

I AM counting the days to CKC. This time next week I will be getting ready to make the road trip for a girls getaway.

I hope I see some of you there.

11 Days & Counting to CKC Tulsa

It is just around the corner... CKC Tulsa. This will be Judy and my first time to a CKC convention. We will be going down the day before to help set up the Rusty Pickle booth. This next week is going to be busy getting scrapbook stuff packed and ready to go. We'll be doing a crop the Friday night of the convention, so hopefully I can get some stuff done. I haven't worked on a page or project is over a month!!!

I'm in Houston this week, so hopefully I'll get to hit some stores after work.

Been Awhile... Yet Again!

Where has the time gone? Only half of July left. That's okay... that just means Judy and I are that much closer to going to CKC Tulsa!!! (Yeah)

Our hotel is booked, our tickets purchased, and soon we'll be on our way. We're heading up on Thursday to help Rusty Pickle set up their booth. We'll be staying at the Convention Center so we'll be close to the action. The show room opens Friday, and hopefully we can swing getting in early since we're helping out Rusty Pickle. Then Friday night is the late night crop. (Note to self... start printing photos and putting together my projects.) Saturday will be another day on the showroom floor (shopping of course), then we'll be heading home.

Hopefully we'll see some of our gal pals there. We're trying to hook up with Debbie and Rita from GASC Arlington.

Went to Phoenix for Work... Visited More Stores (duh!)

Last week I was in Phoenix for work and true to form... I had to check out a couple local stores.

I visited Scrapbook Etc in Mesa, which was HUGE!!! They had a great selection of papers, chipboard, acrylic, and so on. Definitely worth the visit.

The other was Scrapbook Barn, another big store. A large variety as well.

There was actually about 6 stores in the Phoenix area that I wanted to visit, but time didn't allow it.

You can find links to the stores at the bottom of the blog.

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.

Mini Flip Book - Summer Fun 2008

Here is the finished product from the CTMH class I went to Saturday. I was pretty pleased with it.

Mini Books by Roxi Phillips

This book is the coolest. I went to a Close To My Heart class last night and our project was out of this book using the Stardust Level 2 Paper Packet.

(I'll post pics of my project as soon as I finish it.)

I went to Barnes & Noble today to buy the book so I had a copy. It was $12.95 before my membership discount. I found new and used ones online for around $5, but once you tacked on shipping (plus having to wait for it to get to you), I was better off getting it local.

If you need a CTMH rep Danette Robertson can help. https://thepaperprincess.myctmh.com/

And thanks Kitty for introducing me to this AWESOME book!!

Catching Up

WOW, it's been awhile. I've been super busy, and finally got a chance over the last week to get some scrapping done.

I broke out the "RORO" chipboard book I got at convention last year and started it. I've gotten all the letters and pages covered, sanded and inked. Now I just have to jazz it up and it will be another project done.

I started cover the arrow board book I bought in Houston, back in January. Most of the pages are covered, and I've cut out the paper for the other pages to be covered. This will be Sean's "Growing Up" album of the last 5 years.

I've completed some various layouts and I've started cleaning out some unused items.

I joined a board called Queen of the Crop. It's a piffing site. If you're not familiar with piffing. It stands for Pay It Forward or Pass It Forward. Basically you post items you have up for grabs and a "credit" value for it. Then someone can snag it. When it is snagged you get the designated number of "credits". You can use your credits to snag something you want. Basically it's trading/bartering with exchanging actual cash - LOL. I will warn you it is addictive. However, I'm finding it LOADS of fun.

For those keeping track there are 65 days til GASC starts in Arlington, Texas. I can't wait!!! Hope y'all are saving up to shop and crop.

Heidi Swapp @ By Design Scrapbook Boutique

OMG!!! I'm in the process of trying to figure out if and how I want to haul myself for the weekend down to Houston. It would be SO great to take Heidi's (3) classes. She does some of the most amazing stuff.

Info is on the website if you're interested in going.

GASC Registration is NOW open for Arlington Texas

Yeah!!! Registration is finally open. I've already registered and paid for my 3-day pass. I'm still weeding through class descriptions to see what if I want to take any of them. I'm SO excited to see the latest and greatest gadgets, tools, etc. June is just around the corner and convention will be here before you know it.


It's also that time of year... National Scrapbook Day is the first weekend of May. Alot of the local scrapbook stores are going to be doing some event. I'm still waiting to see what's in store so I can decide on my plans.

75% off Sale

Gotta Scrap has their sale wall at 75% off. I am currently on a fast, but at 75% off I CAN'T pass up. Plus the paper is 10 for $1. Yes... they enabled me

More Time...

I'm in the Chicago O'Hare airport right now. I've been here since Thursday for a conference. I had hoped I'd have the opportunity to visit one of the local scrapbook stores, but didn't get a chance :(

They have a few here, and from their websites, it looked like they were pretty nice.

I am looking forward to getting home to get some pages done though.

Gadget Boy

This day and age I'm sure everyone has that gadget geek in their family. I'm surrounded by them. Sean definitely got this from his daddy.

Fasting...

Okay... I've decided to put myself on a scrapping supply fast. I'm not buying any new paper, embellishments, etc. The only thing I'm allowed to buy between now and GASC (Great American Scrapbook Convention) in June is adhesive. I HAVE to start cranking out some pages!!!

I've completed a few this weekend, but I've been feeling under the weather after Sean's soccer game in the freezing wind Saturday.

Hopefully this fast will force me to be creative with what's on hand.

Here is one I whipped together: