Where has the time gone?

How sad is it that my last blog post was nearly 6 months ago. Where has the time gone? I feel like my life is so chaotic that I don't have time for any creativity and scrapping. I have a bunch of photos printed that I want to scrap but don't have the energy to get it started.

Since I do not have a designated scrapping room or area, I normally work off of my dinning room table. I pull out tons and tons of supply and then when I am done, I don't put it away. It is terrible! I always say, "why put it away if I am only going to need it tomorrow again". The sad thing is, tomorrow never comes.

Is it only me?

Hopefully I can get something out soon.

The Invites

My little man's 5th Birthday party is quickly approaching. A Super Hero Extravaganza it will be, but I will be writing more about that on my other blog...

I handmade the invites as I do each year and I have to say, these bad boys came out pretty damn good!!

What do you think??

Etsy

I joined Etsy earlier this year... I still don't have many items listed. It is strange... if you ask me to come up with something for you, I can do it. But to sit there and come up with a new design, I draw a blank and this is why I haven't posted any new listings!

I have been having fun with Alchemy (special requests). I actually got a huge order that way. I am doing a wedding! Me, little ole me!! I have to make up the table Menu's, favor tags and cupcake picks all in a Hot Pink and Navy Blue Lego Theme. I have to say they items are coming out good but have to make so many.

As I am working on this Etsy order, I am also working on my son's 5th Birthday party (just finished making the invites and boy oh boy, I think they came out super cute! - I hope to post pictures of them soon!), and I still putting in bids on Alchemy.

Wish me luck and I will show you some finished products soon.

My New Toy!

I love getting new scrapping and crafting items. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside! Recently I treated myself to the Sizzix BigShot.

I have to thank my friend Rosie who is a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for her guidance on this purchase. I ordered from her Stampin' Up! site and was so happy. I got 2 free gifts, which I have to say were pretty impressive... I got to choose from a huge list of freebies and none were those cheap give-a-aways that other companies just want to get rid of. If you are not familiar with Stampin' Up!, I highly suggest visiting Rosie's blog and checking out her site... you will not be disappointed!

For my free gifts I choose a border punch and a Happy Birthday (4 piece) stamp set on wooden blocks. I love them both and plan to use them very soon!

I have my eye on a bunch of Sizzix dies and I can't wait to get my hands on them!! The machine is great and so easy to use. I love my Cricut but this is just so much easier. I don't have to worry about plugging it in, or if the paper is sticking to the pad, or if it will cut all the way through, etc.

Happy Scrapping to me and you!

I'm on Etsy!

So I finally did it... I joined Etsy. I posted a few items to start for sale. I have a lot of ideas but still need to make samples to post. Funny thing is all the ideas I have and all of the ones I have actually implemented in the past are already for sale on Etsy! There are a lot of talented people on there. Way more talented than me, but I thought I'd give it a chance... you never know :)

I am actually in the middle of a special custom request project/sale and I am hoping to have it done this week and will be able to ship it!

Click here to my site... check back for new items!

Thanks

Happy New Year!

It is that time of year again when I go and make promises or set goals for myself that I never seem to keep. So what will make this year any different?

Here I am and it's been months since I have even touched this blog. Where does the time go and why don't I ever have time for anything anymore?

Speaking of no time, I haven't scrapped and it kills me. I want to, I have pictures set aside and tons of ideas but just no time. And putting aside the time, I don't want to always dedicate my dinning room table to it because I have a hard time cleaning up. I just always say "well I am going to do it again tomorrow, why clean up" and then months later the mess is still there.

These past few months I made a bunch of Christmas ribbon tags (unfortunately I didn't take pictures of them) to sell at craft fairs and a local holiday shop. They were really cute... embellished circles with a punch of curled ribbon on top. A nice touch to a gift bag or wrapped gift but.... they didn't sell. I guess they weren't as cute as everyone told me they were :(

While I was making these tags, I thought I should get myself on Etsy. A part of me wants to because I like to create but then the other part of me doesn't because I don't think I am all that good. Yes Negative Nelly is in the room!

Putting all of this aside, I have to sit and make my goal list for this year. Goals for scrapping, organizing and the rest of my hectic life!

I will be back sooner than later and get everything in order!

Until then.... Happy Scrapping!

New Toys!!

I have been shopping here and there for supplies, common stuff. But just yesterday I went out and got myself something I have been eye'ing for quite sometime.

The Martha Stewart Circle Cutter!!

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to use this! I have an old Fiskars circle cutter but it does not work efficiently and I am hoping this does the trick!

I have been admiring how some people add thin circle borders to their layouts and couldn't figure out how they did it and now I know ;)

The instructions recommend using a glass mat. I didn't even know such a thing existed! But I did manage to find one at Michaels and picked that up as well.

I can't wait to get my hands on it this weekend!

Click here to watch the tutorial on YouTube.

2 Picture Layout: My Son

It has been pretty difficult to find time to scrapbook lately. With the summer comes, lazy days by the pool and lot's of party planning for my son's birthday. This year he will be 4 years old.

With that said, I caught a great picture of my son after a long day in the pool. We sat on the grass and had some snacks and he lay on the grass on his tummy holding his chin up with his hand....



2 Picture Layout:




I am so happy on the way this layout turned out. I had the 12x12 grass paper in my stash for the longest time and as soon I realized I wanted to scrap these pictures I went digging for this paper - the perfect paper! All the layered papers and embellishments are all 'outdoors-ie' and work out great. The paper tree is by MyKi, a site that sponsers Scrapnwin and is handmade and so very adorable.



I hope you like it!

Finally One for Me...

I always scrap my son and I mean ALWAYS. I finally did a page for me and it is not as girly as I wanted it to be. I plan on doing another one soon, very soon, with pinks and whites :)

I went with the baby blue and brown color scheme to match my dress in the picture. Even though this layout is simple I think it is elegant.

I did something for the first time on this layout. The blue scroll... it was a bare piece of chipboard and pressed the entire piece onto an embossing pad and then used blue embossing powder and my heat gun and embossed it. It came out awesome! I have embossed on paper before but this is my all time favorite material to heat emboss! It came out so regal. I added blue jewels to the ends for extra sparkle.

I hope you like it as much as I do!

3 New Layouts

I have been going really slow lately with my layouts. Futzing around I guess (not sure if I spelled that right!). I would look at my supply... pick out pictures... and then decide not to do it at that moment. And that went on for a month or two. Finally I got my groove back (well kinda) and I got these 3 layouts done.

3 Picture Layout:

Carnival

These are pictures from my son's first carnival, last year in 2008. I had a hard time finding a filler embellishment for the empty spot that I had on this layout for a few weeks... it was done but was still missing something. The best thing I could come up with was buying the mini swirl pops at a local Party City. I figured it went with the pictures of my son sucking on his first big swirl pop!

1 Picture Layouts:

Chocolate Pudding Pirate!

I love this layout!! I love the picture! It was soo perfect and soo not planned! My son was eating chocolate pudding, made a mess and just as a snapped the picture he was raising his arm and the spoon was covering his eye! Totally perfect and totally priceless! I used the Storybook Cricut cartridge to cut the title and used Cats Eye inks to antique the edges. Printed my journaling and used star eyelets to set the journaling down.

Pool Side

This is an old picture from last summer. Actually the first pool day of last season. this page is pretty simple but do feel like it is missing something. The mat behind the picture is actually Crayola shapped papers I got in the dollar section of Michaels. They worked out perfectly for this layout - looks like a splash of water!

I hope you like them! More to come soon, promise :)

I Have been MIA!!!

I clearly have been missing in action. Life has been busy and hectic. I have been sneaking some scrapping in here and there and still working on that friends pregnancy album - it is taking me forever and I am loosing interest :-/

I also have 2 layouts that I started but haven't finished yet. I know exactly what I want to do with them but haven't had the energy to actually do it - I guess I am in a funk. But I did a few layouts last month that I have not posted here yet and will now. Enjoy!

2 Picture Layouts:

Coloring Easter Eggs:

Here I found the cutest Easter 12x12 paper but instead of placing my pictures directly onto that (I thought it would have been 'too much')) I centered a bright yellow card stock to bring out the yellow Easter Eggs and them matted the pictures with green cardstock that matches the green grass in the 12x12 paper.

I added green chipboard corners in different sizes for a little 'extra' effect. The Happy Easter stickers is from Soft Spoken and I used eggs stickers as letters in the word coloring in my title. I think it came out fantastic. And these photos are from Easter 2008.

The Outdoors:

I found this great line at Michaels called Friendly Forest Friends. The cutest line ever! I bought a bunch of the embellishment sets as we all the paper pack. It seems more Fall oriented but I was able to use it now.

As I finshed this layout I kept looking at it because I knew and still know it is missing something but can't put my finger on what. But I am the type of person, once I say I am finished with a layout, there is no going back.

The only exciting thing about this layout, well for me anyway, is the tree. It was a stamp part of this collection and I embossed it.

My first double page layout:

I have always been aprehensive about doing a 2 page layout. The thought of it always frightens me and I am not sure why. This time I did, a guess you would call it a modified 2 page layout? The 2 pages are the same theme and event but I didn't not combine them and have them bleed together - does that make sense?

I am really happy on how these came out. They are really colorful and show how much fun we had at the Circus this year.

The paper I used is from the "All About Boys" Stack by DCWV. There are really great papers in this stack - can't wait to get to use more of them!

I saved our tickets stubs and added them to page 1. I like adding that because all the details are there and I don't have to do too much journaling.

I had saved my popcorn box from the show and cut out with my Fiskars Circle punch, the Ringlin Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus logo. You can see that on page 1. I put adhered it with 3d dots.

And on page 2, I also cut out the Circus name as well as the logo again.

Page 1

Page 2

1 Picture Layout:

His Gal Pal

I was told by a friend that this layout was too busy. It might be but I like it and I like how I coordinated all of it. But I am disappointed on how I placed my journaling circles on the layout. Once I got it down, I couldn't get it back up without ripping the paper.

Almost everyone one the below layout are from Fancy Pants Designs "All About a Boy". The transparancy is my favorite part. I have owned that piece for a long time but never knew how to use it and I think it looks perfect here :)

Happy Easter!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Blessed Easter!

I have been working on the unusual...

I haven't worked on any of my own layouts in a few weeks now...

A friend of mine asked that I put together a scrapbook for her of her recent pregnancy. I have stacks and stacks of pictures, memories, etc and I have had them for months. For months I have been staring at them and scared to start working.

I have done tons of my own layouts but never for someone else. I was scared. Scared that the layouts wouldn't come out good and my friend not like them.

Just last week, I forced myself to start and now I have 5 layouts done and it is coming out pretty well :)

I am not sure if I will be posting the layouts... not sure how my friend will feel about me posting her pictures... so this my be a private project but I am sure I will report back about it.

Another Weekend: Another 2 Layouts

I am pretty happy to say that this weekend I was able to get 2 layouts done. 1 each day. And being home with an active 3.5 year old, it honestly took me an entire day to get each layout done because of many interuptions.

2 Picture Layouts

Valentines Day 2009:

A precious time to capture. My son with his gal pal Catie on the day after Valentines Day having their own celebration with cupcakes.

I used some great supply on this layout. I received for Christmas a very large pack of handmade Velvet papers - GORGEOUS! I used the velvet paper as the back drop to this layout. I layered on top of that the Making Memories Artisan die-cut 12x12 paper and I used 3d-glue dots so it is raised.

I used my Cricut to create the entire title. I cut the hearts using my George Basic Shapes cart and used my Zooballoo cart to cut the letters. I highlighted the letters with Stickles in a coordinating color.

I was gifted during Valentines, a gift from a fellower myspace scrapper. Quick a few Valentines Day embellies which I was able to use on this layout. K&Company BW Sweet Talk banners and die-cuts. The die-cuts are not paper, they are a plastic like material, heavy duty and very pretty. On the banners I used an epoxy sticker for the first initials of the names and for the rest of the name I used rub-on letters that are 'mixed up' and it was fun putting that together.

I added a few heart brads here and there to finish it off. I am very happy the way this came out. I have done 2 other Valentine Day layouts when my son was a few months and I can actually say they are the worst layouts ever!

Easter 2008:

Easter of 2008 was the first Easter where my son could color his own eggs. He was 2.5 years old.

*first I want to say... I have an issue with photographing my layouts. unfortunately I don't know the proper way... the coloring is not great on this one. I didn't use the flash because when I did, it hit the center of one of the pictures causing the pictures to be all white. If anyone can give me a good tip, I'd really really appreciated it. **

The background paper on there is a gorgeous grass scence with Easter Eggs - simply gorgeous but also a bit overpowering to put pictures directly on it... at least in my opinion. I choose a yellow paper with little blue swirls on it and cut it down as the center of the layout. I added green chipboard corners, big and small for contrast. I cut out the title using my Cricut Zooballoo cartridge (I have a bunch of carts but I love the font on the Zooballoo). I used Sandylion Essential 'Easter Eggs' as the letter O in 'Coloring'.

The 'Happy Easter' sticker is from Soft Spoken. I also added light green and light yellow ribbon on the side, attached using my Making Memories mini stapler.

I hope you like them!

2 New Layouts

I was able to get 2 layouts done this past weekend. A nice lazy Sunday home with my son.... he played on the computer and did his own arts & crafts and I scrapped.

4 Picture Layout:

Surprisingly enough, I was able to get 4 pictures on this layout and still make it work without making it look cluttered. All the pictures were 4"x6"... I trimmed a few down, but barely.

I love the snowflake paper on the background and was able to pull out the different blues by the matts and the words. I added some photo corners to 2 of the pictures... I didn't want to over-do the photo corners.

The word SNOW is make of really thick chipboard... I am going to even say they are wood! I got them last year at Oriental Trading. I added Stickles dots to the corners and I think it looks really pretty. I cut out the words much fun using my Cricut and used the Design Studio as well to weld the words together. I used Pebbles chalk on them for some contrast and even outlined them with Stickles.

I didn't go overboard with embellishments, instead I just placed 3 brad buddies scattered.... pretty blue and white snowflakes.

The color scheme worked out really well with the supply I had on hand.

2 Picture Layout:

I had bought a Curious George paper back from Oriental Trading almost 2 years ago and never got the opportunity to use it until now.

I mean this is not the best layout I ever did... it's pretty simple.

I used 2 different papers.... one I used as a back drop to the pictures and matts. I finally learned how to use one of my Martha Stewart edge punches.... yes I couldn't figure out how to keep the punch straight and connected! I watched a video on scrapbook.com and it really helped me out, as you can see :)

I hope you enjoy these!

Awesome Ebay Sale

An Ebay Store that I have frequently visited and placed a few purchses from is having a huge huge sale! Because Daisy D's is going out of business, this store has all item from 60%-70% off!

Wow!

Scrapbooking for Less
Easy Fun Kits and Pages

I went a little crazy last night and scooped up a bunch of cool items, mostly Daisy D for $1 each! Some items I even ordered two of, not sure why, but hey it was only $1!

This is what I ordered (can't wait for them to arrive!):

I already have a few other designs of these rub-on tapes. I love them. They are so easy to use and add such a nice touch.

I absolutely fell in love with the colors in these die-cuts from Daisy D's Girlfriend line. They are so bright and pretty!

Not bad of a deal, right?!

I hope you can find something there you can use!

Happy Shopping!

Using my Green Stack: 2 Picture Layout

After the GREEN STACK was gifted to me a few weeks ago, I have been staring at it and flipping through all the different papers and wondering how and when I would use it and of course in awe because the papers are so detailed and beautiful.

I finally came up with something. I have 2 pictures of my son with 1 of my nieces and nephews and the pictures are very similar just taken 2 years apart. It is almost like a 'then' and 'now' layout.

I choose the paper with the bird background. I love the colors. So bright and happy. I matted the pictures in a coordinating paper from the same line. The chipboard embellishments are also from the Green Stack. I cut out the names with my Cricut and for the first time used my Cricut Design Studio (I purchased it last year but never got to install it on my desktop but now that I have a laptop, I installed it and I am lovin' it!). The "Cousins" title is a laser die-cut that I had purchased last year on Ebay. I actually purchased a bunch of different ones that I know I will use eventually.

I hope you like it as much as I do :)

Generousity

I have mentioned before that I am in quite a few Myspace scrapbooking groups and I have made many good friends (my husband calls them my imaginery friends because I have never met them). Some of these friends are kinder and more generous than a long time friend. I am hoping that one day we can all meet.... we are all far from each other... but you never know :)

From time to time we talk about things we like and want. We even have a "Your Wish is my Command" thread going. You list 3 wishes/wants and someone can grant it for you and they post their wish, so on and so fourth. Well I have had quite a few wishes granted and I have granted just as many.

I kept on posting that I want a Fiskar Cirle Border Punch but eventually stopped wishing for it because I hadn't realized the cost of it, it was a bit too pricey for me to expect someone to just buy. I also posted that I really wanted the new GREEN STACK by DCWV, someone granted my wish and said they would find it for me since it was just released.

Well to show how generous and thoughtful my scrapbooking friends are:

I received from Keisha, a few pieces of The Green Stack collection! WOW!!!! She sent me the 12x12 paper stack, the 6.5x4.5 paper stack as well as a box of chipboard embellishments. I couldn't get over how generous she was! I told her she was crazy but boy was I so happy!

I received from Diane, a Fiskars Circle Border Punch! As well as other goodies. I was in shock! And she sent me all of this stuff "just because"!!!

I just can't wait to use all of these goodies!

A Valentine Giveaway!

You know I am always looking for a give-away even though I have yet to win one, I thought I'd give one a try - what the heck!

The Mad Cropper has a giveaway on her blog sponsored by Scrappy Jo. There are 3 simple actions you can take in order to be entered into the drawing. There are really cool prizes too! You can win a Scrappy Jo kit, Scrappy Jo paper pack or a gift certificate. Either of those are great!

The contest runs from today, February 1st through February 14th. It is a Valentine themed contest. Check The Mad Cropper's blog for more info and to participate.

Have fun and good luck!

Christmas Card '08: 1 Picture Layout

I am calling this a 1 picture layout even though they are actually 2 pictures. The 1 picture is our Christmas Card from this past Christmas and the card itself has 2 pictures.

I thought it would be nice idea to scrap our annual Christmas Card so I started with the most recent and will work my way back to the other 3 I have.

I didn't use traditional Christmas colors on this layout just because the card itself wasn't. I stayed in the same color scheme.

The 12x12 paper is something I found in my stash (not sure the brand) and has the Merry Christmas already on it and I just went over it with silver Stickles. I put the card on a blue 8x8 paper that looks like the night sky and I tore the edge with my Fiskars paper edger (geez, is that even the name for it?).

The sled and snowman are Jolee's and I thought were cute to use since the card includes my son with both of those items.

I typed up my journal on the computer, glued it down (glue dots) and smeared the silver Stickles all over it for a nice shimmer. I placed 2 brads on it as well. The poinsettia's on the upper corner are Making Memories flowers with brads. And the ones in the lower corner are stickers by Reflections (I believe that is a Michael's brand).

I hope you like it!