live, love, laugh, create

Blog surfing

I so enjoy checking out the work of others. I have a list of blogs in the sidebar of my blog that I visit on a daily basis. I also check out the blog threads on 2peas where anyone who has a blog lets everyone know that they've updated. You can find those daily threads on the Pub and General Scrapping boards. There's always a lot of inspiration and funny stories shared.

Leah Killian has a tutorial on making a paper ruffle for a LO plus some great LOs made with the kits from My Scrapbook Nook. She also designs forCosmo Cricket. Awesome work with great inspiration.

Suzanne Quillen has just started a blog called Divine Scrapbooking. Suzanne takes the work of a well known designer in the scrapbooking industry, analyzes their work and shows you how you can make changes in your style of scrapbooking. Suzanne is a former designer forDream Street and is now a designer for Bad Girls Kits. Like Leah, Suzanne is a gifted designer with so much creativity to share.

I came across this blog about 2 months ago that is by an incredibly creative woman named Sherri. Right now she' participating in a project through Emily Falconbridge's blog. Sherri is creating an art journal that is just stunning. Sherri also encourages her readers to look at life for art inspiration every day. Stop by her blog when you get a chance.

It's so much fun to blog surf. Unfortunately, it takes us away from things we should be doing!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mini albums & cards

I worked on 2 mini albums last weekend that are gifts for Bob's niece. She's expecting her first baby in April. When I called her dad to ask if they know if it's a boy or girl I was told that the ultrasound was inconclusive because of the baby's position. For some reason they're all leaning toward it being a girl, so I took a big gamble and created 2 mini books for a baby girl.

The first album I created is a version of Ali Edwards's Everyday Beauty album. I purchased the kit from CK many moons ago and purchased a second one from a person on 2peas who decided she didn't want it so she sold it to me. I still have an unused one that I am saving for another time. I was glad to put this one together as a gift for someone. It's very basic. I used the kit papers and embellies and a little 7 gypsies patterned paper. All she needs to do is add photos, dates and some journaling.

 

It couldn't be easier for someone who doesn't scrapbook. The second mini album is a kit from Basic Grey for breast cancer awareness that I bought 2 years ago. I started to cover the chipboard album but put it aside and didn't get back to it until I had the idea to use it for a gift for the baby. It's a month by month mini album, but instead of starting in January I started the album in April for the month the baby is due. It uses Lily Kate papers so I am praying she has a girl, otherwise I can't give her these 2 albums!

 

I have to root through my stash for the rest of the alpha letters. The cover will say 1st year.

 

 

Each page has a pocket with  a card that can have either a photo or journaling (or both) attached. The inspiration for this album came from my talented scrappy friend Nancy Cornell.

I also worked on some note cards that are a request from a friend. I haven't stamped in ages. It was like trying to rollerskate at age 40 after not doing it since you were 5! Interesting how the scrappy mojo is always there but the card making mojo was like a limp noodle. Well, for what its worth, here's the card

 

Just a couple of Hero Arts stamps, some watercolor pencils & blender pens. Not much creativity noted here.

One other mini album I worked on was last year's Basic Grey breast cancer awareness album. This one is a keeper for sure. I think it's time I do an album about me & Bob.

 

I love the use of the naked chipboard and although I'm not a huge fan of pink, I really like how the colors pull together with the naked album.

 

I only got the cover and 2 pages done. I thought about continuing, but I really want to choose my pictures before I go any further. This album was also inspired by Nancy Cornell. She's awesome!

I have projects to keep me busy and I always find new things to do-having a huge stash is sometimes a blessing!

This week I am concentrating on completing the wordplay challenges. There's already 10 of them that I have to do and I don't want to get any further behind. I hope to be caught up and be able to share them with you by the end of this week.

Thanks for stopping by!

A great weekend, a great birthday

I had a fabulous weekend away with my friends scrapping my heart out and celebrating my birthday. I really needed to get away, and after a really bad week at work I woke up on Friday morning almost giddy with happiness over the fact that I was totally on my own and could run away and put the week behind me! I ran around like a nut Friday morning doing laundry, packing up and grabbing some groceries so Bob didn't starve while I was gone. I was finally ready by 11 AM and got picked up by Ruth and Theresa, my chauffers for the weekend.

It's always so good to see everyone that you don't get to see or hear from on a daily or even weekly basis. There was a few new people at the crop, including one who flew up to Virginia from Louisiana to meet someone in Virginia who drove the rest of the way to Conneticut-hard core scrappers for sure! I think my record travel distance for scrapping is 4 hours to Cape Cod, and that was pushing me to the limit of my radius!

On Saturday morning I came downstairs and found this on my chair

 

Sorry it's a little dark. I took it last night without the flash. The box is fromThe Container Store. It is just awesome. Leave it to Ruth the Organizational Queen to find it! Inside of it was about 100 lbs of Bazzill cardstock. Awesome! Some swiss dot paper and a 2" thick stack of assorted colored cardstock.

 

She also gave me some vintage ribbon that is really gorgeous. I'll ask her where it came from and get back to you with the site.

 

Isn't it gorgeous? You could actually use it for a little girl's pony tails too!

I worked on several projects during the weekend and got quite a bit done. I'll share some today and the rest tomorrow. If I put it all in this post it would be too much and really photo heavy. My most favorite project of the weekend was my wordplay challenge journal. I think it came out just so cool. I used a 7 gypsies envelope journal, Making Memories cornflower paint, an Anna Griffin transparency, assorted Basic Grey and My Mind's Eye papers, some Bazzill cardstock and some Making Memories shimmer white alpha stickers. 

 

All of the supplies came from my stash-some newly acquired, like the transparancy that was a gift from Suzanne and the BG granola paper pad that I found in M's and bought with a 40% off coupon.

Here's a pic of the inside 

I'm really looking forward to getting the challenges completed and put into it!

I worked on some LOs for my friend Lisa's album. We've started a new album for her goldens. Her Emma got 3 first place ribbons for confirmation a couple of weeks ago. Go Emma!

I used a couple of kits that have been in my stash. I forgot what one of them contained until I opened the package and took it apart....

 

Some Rusty Pickle Pop Star patterned papers. If you like coloring they're fab papers. Me, not so much. I don't have the patience for it any more. I used water color pencils and a blender pen and it took  me more than an hour to complete it. Ruth sat across from me laughing because she knows it took every ounce of my being to complete it.

Here's the completed LO minus the 5"x7" photo that will be on it.

 

I kept with the doodle theme and went around the edges of the green and orange Bazzill papers with a black journaling marker. I think the flowers may be from Maya Rd, but I'm not sure. (I've had this kit for a long time.)

I'll have more to share tomorrow including 2 mini albums for Bob's niece who is expecting her first baby in April.

Thanks for stopping by!

The little things always make me happy

I got home  from work today and found a package for me on the kitchen table. It was from 1-800-flowers.com. I couldn't imagine what kind of flowers could survive all sealed up in a little square box. Look what my daughter Kelle sent me for my birthday!

 

A tin full of dipped and decorated Oreos. Even better than flowers!! How cute!!

I'm still trying to pack and get squared away for my weekend. I'm getting there slowly but surely!

Hope everyone has a great weekend. I know I will!

Thanks for stopping by!

Not the most productive day....

 

....as you can see by the condition of this desk. I really did have good intentions. My plan was to clean up and pack up but I just never got the mojo to do it. The time change has really thrown me off since Sunday. I felt robbed of an hour of sleep on Sunday morning. I felt like I needed a nap by 5:30 on Monday and slept until 9:00 yesterday. I finally got dressed at 2:30 so I could go to my sister's house and then to pick up some groceries. I did however, load the dishwasher and do a load of laundry. My son said I had the "Zombie shuffle" going on when I got out of bed. Pathetic. I hope it doesn't last for the rest of the week. I have to pack and leave Friday morning for my scrap retreat!

So given the fact that I had grand plans to pack for my trip today and didn't, I can tell you now that I'll be up late on Thursday night and running around frantically on Friday morning still packing. Some things never change.....

Thanks for stopping by!

Wordplay challenge # 10 is up!

Wordplay challenge #10 is up on Jill's blog. It's all about lists. I make lists....grocery lists, packing lists, lists of ingredients, and of course my Christmas wish list. That's about it. This is what Jill says on her blog:

"This weeks challenge is to journal in list form-but not just any list. This list should build to a point. Whether you count down or count up, use your list to say what you want or need to say."

So, think of David Letterman's top 10 list. Easy, right?

Here is a list of ideas:

1. Top 10 toys from childhood

2. Favorite cartoons from childhood

3. Favorite foods

4. Favorite vacation memories

5. All the guys (or girls) you ever dated

6. Pet peeves

7. Favorite songs

8. Top 10 songs on your iPod

9. Top 10 snacks

10. Top 10 blogs you visit

I think you get the idea! Have fun with it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Strength in numbers

I have always heard and understood the meaning of the phrase "there is strength in numbers," and I whole heartedly believe it. Today is one of those times where I feel the need to call on the masses for voices to be heard in support of a police officer who has been injured in the line of duty.

One week ago tomorrow PO Eric Hoffman was patroling the Catskill Aqueduct when his ATV skidded and rolled over top of him causing him to be critically injured. He is a police officer for the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. The officers of the DEP Police Department are all dedicated and passionate about their job.

What is unfortunate for these police officers is that as much as they love their jobs and perform them often in the face of adversity and risk, they do not receive the same benefits that "New York's Finest" NYPD officers receive. DEP Police officers are not entitled to any benefits if injured in the line of duty. As a result of this exemption, PO Hoffman is about to have his benefits run out while he lies in the Trauma ICU in critical condition with bilateral collapsed lungs, rib fractures and other multiple fractures. He has a long and difficult road to recovery ahead of him and exemption from the line of duty benefits will undoubtedly leave him destitute.

On behalf of PO Hoffman, I am asking that you, your friends and your family members please take a moment and  electronically sign a petition on this web site in support of him and all DEP Police Officers who are exempt from the line of duty benefit. I am confident that with your support that the voices of the DEP Police will be heard.

Thanks for stopping by!

Celebrating early

In 8 days it will be my birthday. I still kind of look forward to it although I'm almost at a point where I will be ceasing to admit my age and won't give it up unless it's for some kind of application.

I my friend Suzanne today for lunch at Ruby Tuesday's. I brought her portion of our combined scrappy order and she brought the neat planner she made for me to see in person. The pics on her blog don't do it any justice! It's cool!  I was looking through the planner and marveling over her creativity when I came across a "page" with my name on it. It actually was a little hand made birthday card tucked into the planner as a little surprise for me! Such a nice surprise too!  It was great to sit and talk and catch up on things. She asked about this past week and listened attentively. It was good to talk about the last couple of days without crying, so I'm thinking that I'm going to be able to put it behind me easier than I thought. After lunch we decided on a little retail therapy (especially me) and of course I got a chance to use my free drink card that I got in the mail from Starbucks. I also got one of their fab vanilla cupcakes which Suzanne got to watch me eat. (She's "being good"......I went to the gym this morning so I could have a cupcake!)

Before we walked into the mall Suzanne handed this to me with Happy Birthday Hugs!

 

Inside of the bag was a load of scrappy goodies. Scrappy friends sure know how to make eachother happy, doesn't they?!

 

There was a little of this and a little of that from My Mind's Eye, American Crafts, WE R Memory Keepers, and even the evil Martha Stewart. I'm looking forward to putting it to good use next weekend.

Thank you Suzanne! I had a wonderful day. You are a gem!

Thanks for stopping by!

Wordplay # 9 is up!

I just stopped by Jill's blog and she has the next wordplay challenge up. I had such a good laugh when I read it! Here it is:

"It's March, which means that spring will soon be here, as will the whole spirit of spring cleaning. Before we look ahead to the new, though, it's time to acknowledge the old. This week, take care of some "old business":

something unresolved

something for which you are still seeking closure

something that revisits your dreams

something that comes back to bite you in the butt every so often

something that needs to be put back into its box

some story left unfinished

You get the idea. The chllenge this week isn't necessarily to reslve the unresolved or to give up the ghost, but to put the old business back on the table and address it directly. It's time."

................

This my friends can be a book in itself for me.  Not a hard challenge per say, but rather a touchy and potentially lengthy one for sure!

Next weekend I'll be away at a crop where I plan to start my wordplay challenge journal. I'm looking forward to it!

Thanks for stopping by!

I'd be happy if I were a kid....

 

because this is what it looked like outside my front door at 10:00 AM this morning. Ugh...no school, delays, wind, drifts, cold, cold and more cold.

On the positive side, I was off today and got to scrap for awhile. I was behind on my challenge LOs for Product Pizzazz 101 so today was a perfect catch up day. If you're not a member of Debbie Hodge's site Get it Scrapped! I don't think you can view the gallery. Here's my first 5 weeks of challenges:

Week 1 Theme, alphabets and Masking

 

We had to use alpha's that didn't necessarily match plus a masking technique and a little bling. I think the butterflies came out kinda cool, but that's about it for this LO...

Week 2 Mood, Ribbon & Borders

  This one has ribbon running through the middle with some coordinating patterned paper from K & co's Wild Asparagus line. I also distressed the edges with the Tim Holtz edge distresser and inked the edges of the photo mats and the papers.

Week 3 Speaking with patterned paper

 

We had to use tone on tone as well as bold and subtle patterns and incorporate patterned paper cut outs into our projects and a little glitter too. I used some Chatterbox papers that have been in my stash for quite a while.  Anyone who knows me is probably laughing right now because they know how painful it was for me to sit and cut out all of these flowers. Totally enjoyed it like I enjoy going to the dentist for a root canal...

Week 4 Symmetry, pens and hand journaling

 

Here we had to choose a form of symmetry, use our handwriting for journaling, outline something, and add some felt. Symmetric? Maybe. I really like these pics and the story behind them. That's my son getting a smooch from his little cousin.

Week 5 Texture, fabric and more

 

Here we had to create a monochromatic LO and add something "tactile" so I added metal brads and also heat embossed alpha stamps with pewter embossing powder to add an industrial feel to this masculine LO.

One thing I see in creating these LOs for each week's challenges is that I am such a liner scrapper!Will I ever put anything in a circle or on a wave? Only time will tell!

Thanks for stopping by!