Possible New Year's Resolutions

Okay. I say possible because I haven't decided yet which ones I will choose to do. The first, always being about weight, SHOULD be the first on my list, but it's not. I say should be, because after all of the butter that I used for my holiday baking, any normal person would be concerned. I am not.

(This is only from one day of baking. I baked for 4 days. You do the math.)

My second choice is to give a try at art journaling. It is something I have been interested in for a while now, but I can't draw, so we will see.

Next, is to choose a word for 2010 (as seen here), and actually apply it to my life.

Another option will be to blog more and put my art out where more people can see it. This is hard for me as I am a really private person. The most I ever share is what you read here. And that is not much.

One that I know I will stick with is to cook one new meal out of a cookbook per month. My husband and I cook together, so this is one that we are both looking forward to.

I want to read more, take more time for myself without feeling guilty, and just learn to relax. I have a hard time with that last one.

There are more that I am thinking of, but this will do for now. For the most part, I just want me and my family to be happy, healthy, and enjoy life. If that is all that I accomplish in 2010, then that is okay by me.

Happy New Year!

Holiday Greeting

I wanted to take the time to thank you for reading and following my little blog. I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season. And I hope the New Year brings you all of the peace, love, and joy that your heart can hold.

Happy Holidays

A Quick Peek

Here is a sneak peek of my advent calendar made with scraps and leftover embellishments.

You can view the whole calendar at Scrap Our Stash. There is still time for you to participate in our December scraps challenge. Head over and check it out!

Frugal Friday Tip

I submitted this layout for the Frugal Friday tip over at Scrap Our Stash.

There is still time to join us for the December challenge. You must create a layout or project using at least 50% scraps. No new papers are to be harmed in this experiment. I hope to see you there.

Sketchy Thursday

I am so enjoying the site Sketchy Thursdays. I get to play along with the weekly designs and I end up with some really cool pages at the same time. This is my take on the sketch for the week of 12/10.

 I took this photo over the summer and I had even sketched something very similiar myself, but I just hadn't gotten around to it. I knew that I wanted to do the apple die cut and this sketch just fit.

Family (Sketchy Thursday Design Team Sketch)

My layout is based on this Sketchy Thursday's January's guest design team sketch. I used three different pattern papers, from three different paper lines. I combined Cosmo Cricket, Basic Grey, and Studio Calico.

I also had to use three groups of three embellishments. I wasn't sure I would be able to get this one done on time, but now that it is finished, I am glad that I did.

Sketchy Thursdays

"Edible Art" is my submission for the Sketchy Thursdays design for the week of 12/3/09.

I printed my journaling directly on my background sheet. I used pattern paper from the LYB "25 Days" line to create my border strip; which I then punched with a Fiskars punch. I used ribbon for the strips behind my photos. My title was created using Basic Grey chipboard letters.

To finish it off, I added two glitter brads for a little touch of bling.

Camera Shy

I have been having the idea for doing this layout mulling around in my head for a while. When this pattern paper came in a kit, I knew that it would be perfect for this page.

I cut the pattern paper using my Heidi Swapp Brackets mask. I then punched my strips using the Fiskars "leave it to weaver" border punch. I used Thickers for my title and printed my journaling and then cut it into strips.

I glued my pictures behind the filmstrip and stapled it into place. The final touch is a camera stamp (from Studio Calico) that I cut and inked to antique it. I then pop dotted it under my title.

And yes, while I do dislike being in front of the camera, I still make an effort to get some of me into our family albums. I hope that you do too.

Advent Calendar

I created this using the tree from an old Starbucks advent calendar and scraps of a Making Memories Christmas paper pack.

I punched my squares using a 1 3/4 inch EK Success punch. Then, I used a small circle punch and centered it on each square and punched a half circle out to make the finger hole for pulling out each drawer.

After gluing my squares down to each drawer, I decorated with rub-on numbers and tiny embellishments left over from the kit. I know that it will become a treasure for my daughter to use each year.

Family Photos

On Thanksgiving, my sisters wanted to take a family photo of us, since we were all together. First off, it was kinda cold. Second, it had rained earlier that week, so the ground was still wet. And third, well, it is family.

It was windy, so everyone's hair was blowing. One sister got her shoe stuck in the mud. And getting the children in place takes an act of congress. All of this is what it takes for my family to get...

THIS!!! Not the greatest, but definately a keeper. Ahh, family. Got to love them.

Recycled Treat Box

I created this treat box for this month's challenge over at Scrap Our Stash. I recycled an embellishment container, used left over scraps from a kit, and added my own candy. What a cute little gift for a teacher or anyone extra on your list.

You can use all kinds of containers for this. The Grungeboard containers are big enough to hold a DVD. The size I used can also hold square coasters. You are only limited by your imagination.

Try to look around your house and see what containers you have lying around that can be transformed into something else. This is a great way to "Go Green."

It's Finally Here!!!

Today is the day to head on over to the Scrap Our Stash blog. The first challenge using our scraps was posted today. Take this challenge and send in your creation to Kathy. I hope that you play along. I can't wait to see what you do with your scraps.

Sneak Peek

This layout was created for my first design team challenge over at Scrap Our Stash. Join us on December 1st to find out what that challenge is and to take that challenge yourself.

And while you are there, don't forget to play along with our Identify Our Stash contest. Become a follower so you don't miss a minute of the fun and games we have planned. I hope to see you there!

Annual Gingerbread Houses

Today is the official start of the holiday season for us. It all begins with the annual gingerbread house making afternoon; which is always the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

Kelsey gets to invite her friends over for this yearly tradition. They spend about 2 hours working on their creations, getting all sugared up, then spend the rest of the day playing football and tag. Each year, the participants change a bit, but the fun always stays the same.

Here are a few photos of the progress of their houses. I am amazed that the older kids still participate in this activity. I am waiting for the dreadful, not this year, Mom.

I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Don't forget check out the Scrap Our Stash blog for the "Identify Our Stash" contest and join me on December 1st for our first challenge. I hope to see you there!

Identify Our Stash

As I announced earlier this week, I was chosen to be a part of the Scrap Our Stash design team.

Today, Kathy posted an Identify Our Stash challenge to help you get to know each of us. All you have to do is read our reveals and/or visit our blogs for a clue as to what we have the most in our stash. You have until November 30th to get your answers in and don't forget to join us December 1st for our first design team challenge.

My clue is: Come by and let me show you the "ABC's" of scrapping your stash.

Good Luck!!!

Sketchy Thursday

This layout was created using the sketch challenge from here. I liked the sketch so much, that I decided to use it pretty much as is. I took one photo of the girls and cropped each one so that I could have three individual photos, then I put the photo back together following the sketch.



This layout came together very quickly and the colors just POP!!! It matches the fun that the girls' had that day.

Another Christmas Card

I was able to use many different techniques on this project, which resulted in a very textural card. I used the Cuttlebug embossing template to create the dots on my cardstock. I cut out my ornament using scraps and stamped it using clear embossing powder. I sprinkled it with gold em. powder and then heat set. I also used a photo hanger to serve as the finial where I tied my bow.

I stamped "NOEL" on paper strips and cut them down to size. I then distressed the edges of the pattern paper that is on the ornament.

Once the card was put together, I used a tracing wheel to faux sew along the edge of the card. I then pen stitched following the holes left by the tool. By holding the pen straight up and down, the tip falls into each hole creating the look of a stitch being pulled up from the back; kind of like the bobbin thread does when sewing. This tool gives the most authentic look that I have ever seen done without a sewing machine. Plus, it also has texture to it because you can feel the indentations left by the tool.

This card may seem complicated, but it really is not. Once the pieces were cut and embossed, it all came together really quickly.

Drum Roll, Please

I am excited to announce that I have been chosen to be on the design team for Scrap Our Stash. It is a monthly challenge blog designed to help people scrap with the supplies they already have on hand.

I had to submit 3 projects that showcased using things from my stash. The layout "This Girl" was created using leftover paper strips and and pieces from a previously used kit club.

Keep watching the blog for some fun and budget saving tips and tricks. And beginning December 1st, join us for the first Scrap Our Stash challenge, using supplies that you already have. Who knows, maybe you will be inspired to try something new, with something old.

Over a week ago, my dh dropped my laptop and I lost it all. He bought me a new one and for the past week I have been trying to get things back in working order. I need to retake some of the photos that I had ready for the blog, but here is one that I just completed.

This layout was created for the October Off the Page Challenge from here. I have finished most of my challenges from the weekend online crop. You can see some of them here. It was such fun. I can't wait to join another one. (Thanks, Shirley!)

PSA: I just want to remind you how important it is to back up your computer as often as possible. I never thought that it would happen to me, but it did. I didn't realize how much I actually had on it until it was gone.

Grateful Card

This was also a challenge from this weekend. It was to create a card with a fall feel. I used the leftover scraps that were on my desk and this is what I came up with. I punched additional flourishes so that I could extend the one that was printed on the pattern paper. This card was really simple to create and as a bonus I was able to use scraps that I normally would of threw away.

Littlest Pumpkin

This weekend, I am participating in an online crop sponsored by A Page In Time. One of the mini class tutorials (by Victoria) is this little pumpkin.

It was such a blast to make. I am planning on making them in different sizes to create a table centerpiece. If you would like to join in, just click on the link and sign up. http://www.apageintimescrapbook.com/index.html

Christmas Card

I wasn't sure that I was even going to make Christmas cards this year. I have so many other things to do, that I didn't know if I would have the time.

On Friday night, my dd and my sister decided to watch scary movies and scary is something that I just don't do. So, I decided to start working on my cards. I went with a very simple design, cut all of the pieces, then assembled. Quick and easy.

One thing to scratch off of my holiday to do list. Plus, I was able to play with some of my new goodies. A win-win situation.

New Goodies

Don't you just love it when a big box of goodies arrive at your doorstep? I have had these lines on pre-order for what felt like forever. I am planning on using the LYB 25 Days to create my December Daily album featured by Ali Edwards on her blog. http://aliedwards.typepad.com/

The Fancy Pants Christmas Magic is just beautiful. My picture doesn't do it justice. I am thinking that I will use this line to scrap my holiday photos to be put in our Christmas album. I like that it came with 2 transparencies and a sheet of rub-ons. I purchased the ribbon and buttons separately. I may even do my holiday cards with this collection.


And I chose the BG Eerie line for all of my Halloween photos. It was more of a grown up collection. Not something that was too whimsical. I fell in love with the giant sticker letters because they match the BG Thickset chipboard letters so I can just layer the sticker on and have myself a dimensional element.


Now, all that is left for me to do is get busy taking lots of pictures so that I can get busy creating with these papers.

A Few Layouts

After redoing my scraproom and taking care of a sick child, I was finally able to get in there and create last night. Here are two of my latest layouts. I love that I can use 4x6 photos and still be able to add a little embellishment. I love the action shots of the first layout.


I have to bake cookies this afternoon for my daughter for school, but hopefully I will be able to get another one done tonight. Plus, I have a big box of goodies that just came in that I hope to take pictures of to share with you.

Studio Update

So, after reading about all of the organizing and room re-do's lately, I decided to remix my own little scrap studio.

I started with updating the paint color to something a little darker with a lot more energy to it. I chose Calypso because it best went with the red accents I knew I wanted in the room.

Next, I picked up some throw pillows, repurposed some old curtains, and added a red sheet to the bottom of the sofa for another punch of color. (Plus, it makes for easy washing after the puppies spend some time on it.)

Once the paint was dried, I started to put the room back together using the things that I already had on hand. I then added a few red accessories, such as, the bowls and cups to hold some of my supplies. In total, it took three days to complete and under $100.00 for the paint, pillows, and little bowls. In the end, I achieved the fun, energetic little scrap studio that I was going for.

Now, if I could just find someone to clean my house and take care of the sick one while I lose myself in there and create something.

Random

With all the talk lately about organizing and room re-dos, I decided it was time to update my little scrap studio. I spent three days painting, cleaning, and restructuring my area. And just when I was done, and I had a bit of time to play, my dd became ill and needed to go to the doctor. So, while she is sleeping, I am blogging instead of scrapping. I am just too tired to be creative today. Maybe I will get around to posting some photos later on.

Masterpiece Giveaway

Scrappinpsycho and Jingle, I would like to send you BOTH a copy of this book. Just e-mail me your addy's and I will get them right out to you. Thanks for playing along.

Here is a sample of the types of sketches and layouts that will can be found in this wonderful book.

Masterpiece Sketch Book

Last year, my lss owner embarked on a journey of pursuing her dream of publishing her very own sketches idea book. After many, many long hours, she finally finished and I am pleased to share with you the final product. It is a 110 page, fully colored, spiral-bound book filled with over 60 double-page sketches and over 200 sample layouts submitted by people just like you.

In the next few weeks, I will start posting a sketch and a layout every Monday. I will title each post Masterpiece Monday. If you are interested in playing along, stay tuned. If you would like to purchase the book, just click on the link in my sidebar.

Now, for a give away. Leave a comment to this thread between now and 12:00am Wednesday CT and you will be submitted in a drawing to win your very own copy of this amazing sketch book. Good Luck!

Homecoming Photos

Here are just a few of the Homecoming photos that I took of Kel and her date. The other photos are of her and her bff. After taking pictures, they enjoyed an Italian dinner, then it was off to the dance. They had such a wonderful time. And they looked so nice dressed up.

Random

10/06/09

I am thankful that my Dad just survived his second heart attack last week.

I am getting back to some things that were put on hold last week.

I am grateful for this hot cup of coffee that I am enjoying while I sit.

I am glad that Kelsey had a great time at Homecoming on Saturday night.

I am looking forward to some fall weather.

I need to get to work on some projects that I have in the works.

I want to put up some fall veggies for the season.

Okay, to show that I have been doing some scrapping, here are a few of my latest layouts. Of course, it has been cloudy and raining for days, so these indoor photos were the best I could get.

I used a mix of both old and new papers. The Ohh la la collection by My Minds Eye is so bright and pretty. The perfect pairing for my colorful egg painting photos.


The new line by Glitz Girls' worked great for this photo. The brown in the line went really well with the chocolate in the cake. Plus, a little bit of grunge sometimes does a girl good.


This layout came together really quick. The photos were not that great due to lighting issues, but they still are part of our memories, so they had to be scrapped. I used a shaped paper and quickly trimmed it to size. Mat photos and simple title. Done!

Okay, so I have been MIA lately. But, in my defense, I have been doing something with myself. Following the advice of my dearly loved local Starbucks store, I have been trying to do something good everyday. It is my new motto that I am trying to follow.

I have been spending a lot more time with my daughter. We have been watching movies and girl talking. It has been great!

I have been cleaning and purging every closet, cabinet, and drawer in our home.

Spending quality time curled up with a good book, a blanket, and my two precious fur babies.

I have planned all of my upcoming fall classes for my lss.

I finished back to school shopping and the school year started without a hitch.

And most importantly, I have been enjoying taking care of and spending time with my family. We are enjoying the last few weeks of summer and getting back into the schedule that a school year usually brings.

The only thing I guess that I haven't been doing is blogging. So, for today, this post will be my GOOD THING.

This layout came together fairly quickly, except for the hand stitching. I was so excited about the August Studio Calico kit that I received, that I couldn't wait to create a page with it. The "Friends" paper was perfect for the summer photos that I took of the girls enjoying the pool. I stitched the flowers to mimic the stitching on the paper strips that I cut from one of the patterns. This was a really fun layout to do. Almost as much fun as watching the girls' enjoy their summer.

This is a layout I did using the Memory Mania Masterpieces sketch book. I changed the layout of the first page so that I could fit my photos.

Here is another quick layout that I finished yesterday. I used CTMH pp and Heidi Swapp Ghost Letters. I stapled the letters in place, then I covered them with crystal Stickles. I edged the pictures and mats with white paint, added a few silver snowflake brads and Voila! Simple and done!

Since I don't scrap much in the summer, I am finally trying to spend some time catching up on some much needed creating. I was inspired by this album cover that I saw in the August/September issue of Stampers' Sampler. I don't know who it was created by, but it is on pages 34-35. I pretty much scrap lifted it as is, other than changing some sizes of the squares. It was perfect for the layout I wanted to do of me and my dh for our anniversary.