Stocking Up vs Hoarding...

I AM NOT A HOARDER!!! Okay, maybe a little - or maybe a little more than a little.  But I am slowly, but surely, getting over it - well sort of. 

I'll admit it - but just between us, please don't tell anyone - I do still own supplies that are over 10 years old, most of which I will never use.  But honestly, I do plan on weeding these items out - soon!  It's just that they are in my themed packets and I haven't gone through those lately.  (But I will not be getting rid of my Daisy Ds paper - and that's that!) Anyway, that is totally not what I'm talking about here.

I'm talking about buying new items.  For example, let's just discuss October Afternoon's Mini-Market letter stickers.  I love these things!!!! Obviously as evidenced by the fact that they are on practically every.single.layout. I create!  What in the world did I do before I had my Mini-Markets?!! I actually find using them fun. Really.  Figuring out titles that can integrate Mini-Markets is definitely a fun part of my process.  And I own a lot of them.  Not just various color schemes either; I mean several sheets of each color scheme.  The reason for this is quite simple: I ran out once.  I ran out of the letter 'O' on a sheet of my Mini-Markets - a color scheme I use quite often - and when I went to reorder, they were out of of stock.  What? Mini-Markets out of stock?? What kind of store are you running???  How long is it going to take for me to get my Mini-Markets????  What am I going to do about titles in the mean time?????  And so, now I order at least two of every sheet.  And if they're extremely popular, maybe 3.  And once I'm down to only one sheet, it's definitely time to order again.  It's called 'stocking-up' - not hoarding.

Then there is the issue of pretty papers that I love.  For example, those Dear Lizzy lines - specifically 5th & Frolic & Lucky Charm - that I discussed last week.  I'm still drawn to using one of those lines on every single layout (as evidenced below) and actually have to force myself to even look at other papers.  Why?  Well, because I adore them... they make me so happy.  There's also that pocket of American Crafts various discontinued lines that I just keep hanging on to.  Those papers are mostly stripes, small repeating patterns, etc. that make great background or accent papers.  And if that's the case, then it's not hoarding, it's 'stocking-up'.

Also, there's the embellishment fetishes:  specifically, wooden elements and flair.  I've talked so many times about how much I love these items (as evidenced on almost every layout) that it's really not worth discussing.  But just like I spoke of in my last post, each time I use something I feel a little pang of regret that it's gone - much less if I use all of something up (like those great Freckled Fawn word items!) and so next time I make a monthly 'kit' purchase, there will be a couple of packs of my fave veneer items.  However, I'm basically drowning in flowers and brads, hardly ever use them anymore and should really consider ridding myself of them in view of my little bitty space restrictions.  Yet each time I get face to face with them in the store, I almost buy more.  Why? Because they're so darn pretty. 

So that's the difference to me.  Getting several of something I absolutely love and I know has a place spread throughout my albums is stocking-up.  Buying something you have no use for - or holding onto something for the right layout - just because it's beautiful is hoarding.  Or holding onto something that is dated, that you hope you will use again (like those slides we used as frames several years ago which I am determined to put on a layout in June), that is hoarding.  Or maybe buying more than you'll ever use - like my little Thickers obsession... well I just don't know what that is!!!

Do you think there's a difference between hoarding and stocking-up?  What do you hoard? What do you stock-up on? Do you feel there is anything worth buying a lot of for those 'just in case' moments or because you adore it? I know that some of you will say that you just don't have room to hoard anything... well, this is for you too.  Because regardless of space limitations, there is always a tiny amount of room to stash something you love.  Or for that matter what would you hoard/stock-up if you had the space?  Come on now, there must be something!

So here are some layouts that show what's in my current stock some of which I don't mind using and some of which is very apparent that I love to use:

 

 

So this is such an American Crafts layout it looks like an ad.  Mostly DL Neapolitan with some shots of 5th & Frolic thrown in and one little piece of Botanique (the pink grid).  The only other thing other thing not a Dear Lizzy item is the tapes: Bella Blvd & October Afternoon.  I know that this is not one of my fave DL lines, but these pastels need to be used and definitely need to be in my album for this year as I use so few.

 

 

 

 

Another of those Dear Lizzy layouts... this time using strictly 5th & Frolic papers.  The additions this time were Echo Park stickers, Doodlebug Pearls, Bella Blvd tapes, October Afternoon tab and Heidi Swapp & October Afternoon mists all on a piece of white cardstock from who knows where!  More pastel papers - a little brighter now - as a companion page to the previous.  While not a double-page layout, they are absolutely lovely side-by-side in my album.

 

 

 

Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm this time with a shot of Romance in the form of the light pink heart paper.  Additions this time are the Freckled Fawn & Studio Calico wood, Doodlebug Pearls, Heidi Swapp & October Afternoon mists, Freckled Fawn tape and EK Success & Martha Stewart punches.  While GiGi's album in mainly teal/aqua in color, it's great to infuse shots of this navy into it - especially when it has the prerequisite teal/aqua on the layout. 

 

 

 

AHA... NO DEAR LIZZY!!!  But alas, there is the Amy Tangerine Yes, Please paper used for the background. To this was added:  patterned paper & pink letter stickers: October Afternoon; other stickers:  American Crafts Thickers, Glitz Design; Tape: Bella Blvd, Freckled Fawn; flair: A Flair for Buttons; Wood: Freckled Fawn, Studio Calico. (Oh, and look! I only used one little scrap of patterned paper on top of my background!  I know... how strange! But I rather like it - my photos tell the complete story, thus the lack of journaling!!!)  This bare little page is sitting next to a very busy, color-infused layout in my album and looks absolutely lovelier there than as shown here - even though the colors are not coordinated.

 

As one last little thing, I finally finished the double-page layout for NSD!!!  You know, now that I don't scrap double-page anymore, I think I've forgotten how!  Note:  I really wanted these pix in my albums because of the special time between JC & GiGi that they convey, but had to manipulate the photos because GiGi was in her undies (absolutely not revealing, but don't want a permanent record of that!).  Oh well, here it is such as it is:

 





I didn't get to have a scrappy weekend... so much drama, so little time.  But I have managed to do a little this and that and that's definitely what's keeping me sane.  But I really hope that everyone else is scrappy. 

 

And that's all she wrote! 

 

"We are hoarding potentials so great that they are just about unimaginable." - Jack Schwartz

 



It Just Makes Me Sad...

and I've probably said it before, but when I scrap it up and am using a lot of paper, there's this love/hate situation.  I love that I'm using up papers (especially as it justifies buying more!) but hate that almost each sheet is gone.  You know, those lovely sheets that when you go back through your inventory and realize aren't there anymore just gives you a little pang of regret.  And often I go buy more of those particular sheets, only to wish I had spent that money on new paper instead.  But then sometimes, just sometimes, I'm glad to make the new purchase of the same old stuff... especially if I like both sides equally but even when I just looove one side.  For instance, the Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm navy floral (yes it has a name, but I'm just too lazy to go check that out - besides, you'd recognize it better by 'navy floral') - I LOVE this paper.  I could actually use this paper every single day and not blink... and funnily it was one of those papers that when I first laid eyes on it I just wasn't overly impressed - but I've definitely gone through a few sheets  and almost bought more today!  I know, I know, I did the same thing with some of the 5th and Frolic - and that tells me that, despite fighting it tooth and nail, Dear Lizzy has become one of my favorite lines (well it is American Crafts! but I just hope the next collection doesn't bomb and make me look stupid!).  So, even after I've used those lovely papers and am so very proud of the layouts they've created, I'm drawn to buying more because I 'miss it' in my stash. 

I did make my monthly purchase today but my purchase power was very minimal this month as I'm taking the kids to Tampa at the first of June.  In fact, I only bought about 6 sheets of paper - and yes more than one was Dear Lizzy, one was AT Yes Please, and whatever else was from past collections as well.  Actually the entire purchase was mainly made up of... you got it, WOOD!  I also purchased several closeout Flairs & tapes. All that from Two Peas.  Then I made a tiny little purchase from A Cherry on Top of - more wood! and twine.  But ACOT is having a 20% off sale (code in newsletter) and as long as you don't purchase paper, the shipping is almost nothing.  So this months kit - about $50 with shipping - was almost entirely made up of embellishments.  And I'm okay with that because it will probably be July before I can get any new pictures printed and by then I'll have the next months kit - which will be almost all paper goods.    Besides, even with all that I used with the NSD challenges at Pretty Paper.True Stories., I've got plenty left - especially big scrap pieces. 
So anyway, I still haven't scrapped a thing - still working on getting things straightened up to get back to my workstation.  But the weekend will be a big scrap event for me... I HOPE!  But I did want you to know what's out there.  Remember to check out Two Peas sale items (almost all the DL is on sale!); even if you're a 'current' scrapper, they have some great embellishments and items that aren't all that very old (think SC mistable stars, Glitz journaling cards, etc.).  Also, remember the Memorial Day sale at ACOT... while they don't carry Freckled Fawn, everything old and new is included (even shipping) and they do have a few things that are out of stock at Two Peas (shhhh).
Hope everyone has a great weekend, Happy Memorial Day! Be scrappy!

Cheerio!

"Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort."
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Swagger...

First and foremost, this post has nothing to do with swagger... I just wanted to say the word. 

Second, in the event that you thought I'd abandoned my post (get it, old Army term turned pun, I'm so cool!), I do still exist - but that's about it.

Third, hmmm.  I went into my room for more than 2.5 minutes today and saw this sight:

Yes, that is the double-page layout for the Pretty Paper.True Stories. NSD challenge.  No it's not finished.  Yes, it's literally been sitting just like that for at least 10 days.   Yes, I got up out of my chair about 10 days ago and haven't been back since.  Yes, it just makes me feel dreadful - kind of.  Honestly, I needed a break - my head is still all messed up with sinus/cold/allergy something, I was just plain tired, things got rather depressed around here, and everyone knows that depressedness (not depression - that's clinical and even though I've been known to stay in bed for a while with that too, that's not what this has been) zaps your creativity and befuddles the mind. 

We went to the small boy's funeral last week and if that's not enough to break your heart and make you hug your kids tighter, I don't know what is.  I did pretty well except for a few times - two of which occurred when his mom got up from the front pew to comfort others not her family (OMG!) and then when the pallbearers came in dressed as Superheroes (OH MY GOSH! not a dry eye in the place).  But one thing is for sure, the world is just a little dimmer in this small town knowing he's not in it.

Okay, onward... I'm going to let you in on a few little tidbits I have learned about me - actually they're not learned, it's just recognition and sharing: 

• I'm not a gardener in any way, shape or form.  That being said, my poor mom is going to come home to stems sticking up from the ground and brown little bushes in pots.  I really do like to look at pretty flowers, but personally I'm a big fan of xeriscaping (planting native plants to reduce the need to care for them); therefore, water seems rather officious.
• I'm rather corny I suppose.  I am constantly saying things like "What's up Chuck?" & "What's the plan Stan?"; but it got a little out of hand the other day when I was totally not paying attention and said "What's the score Whore? to my daughter.  Hmmmm.  Hope I don't get caught like that again!
• I'm a serious lover of old, golden-Hollywood, movies.  You know what I mean - Arsenic & Old Lace w/Cary Grant; The Philadelphia Story w/Cary Grant, Kate Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart; any old Hitchcock movie but especially The Lady Vanishes-his first talkie.  I would sit all day long and watch these movies over and over... and I have lately.  God gave us TCM and DVRs for a reason and I'm sure it had something to do with Cary Grant in a suit and hat. 
• I'm a serious gossipholic.  I love gossip (it was actually a scrap-gossip blog that got me interested in Shimelle and actually got me started on this blog.  And honestly, with absolutely no offense to anyone who may absolutely love that site, I just stopped visiting because I can be such a serious horrible bitch as it is that I don't need anything more to feel bad about).  I especially love scandals about old Hollywood stars because they're dead and I don't want to know if George Clooney is as gay as Rock Hudson or if Angelina's beating her kids ala Joan Crawford the next time I pay for a movie.  If you are like me and love some good gossip about new or old Hollywood, let me recommend Anne Helen Petersen's website   (and follow all those ones that she recommends to like this one and this one if you don't already, if for no other reason than just a little mindless indulgence) or catch her stuff on The Hairpin.  (NOTE:  AHP is claiming to be the originator of the comparison between George Clooney and Cary Grant when everyone knows that it was I who first made that comparison while watching O Brother Where Art Thou... now if only I could look at George in a suit & hat - hubba hubba!)

So now you see what I've been doing instead of anything scrapalicious.  I was just a wee bit overwhelmed and had to back off not to get completely burnt out.  That sometimes happens to me when I put my whole mind and body into something.  But I'm better now so as soon as I get the house cleaned up, I'm back to scrapping or at least into reading your blog instead of AHPs scandals.  However, today I will show the other three layouts I did for the NSD challenges that never got posted to Pretty Paper.True Stories.:

This is the divided page protector deal - okay, this was the only divided protector I have right now and it really shows that I just did it in a hurry.  But that's okay, it's going in GiGis album for her to right on.  This is American Crafts, Crate Paper and Echo Park at their finest... LOL!

Die-Cutting... don't own an electronic cutter, so I used the AC Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm 'Story' diecut and did diecut a few little this and that's in my cluster with my Cuttlebug.  In addition to a whole bunch of Basic Grey and those AC Thickers, there's Simple Stories ledger paper, Bella Blvd tape, October Afternoon letter stickers and a few Crate Paper stickers in the mix.

I used paint even though it was such a task after my last little experiment.  I used Crayola watercolors this time to create ombre effects on cuts of woodgrain zigzag papers (these are not chevrons says the army chick in me) with a piece of the same paper untouched in the background.  In addition to the AC everywhere, I used a Crate Paper sticker, Studio Calico and Freckled Fawn wood, Bella Blvd tape, Doodlebug pearls, Basic Grey chipboard, Martha Stewart punch and some little rhinestones that are always hanging around my workstation.  (NOTE:  I know this picture is crooked and maybe the stuff too, okay?! Someone said the other day that if I scrap something crooked or take a picture of it crooked, I could just use the rotate button in Photoshop to fix it - No anti-scrapbooker person aka devil's spawn, I can't just Photoshop it right because a) these are real.live.layouts with real.live.photos to be posted of them in all their craziness; and, b) I'm just not that damn creative, okay?!)

You know, on second thought maybe I will post them to her blog.  Even though she didn't pick me to win anything!!! Really am happy for all the winners yada yada yada blah blah blah.  (JK everybody... I'm so not that girl!)  Really, the good(?) thing about getting so much done is how much stuff I used - I'm totally without a sheet of uncut Lucky Charm I think and actually everything seems rather low. OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, I HAVE TO BUY MORE STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope everyone's scrappy and I hope to see you soon at your place.

Cheerio!

“It is better to create than to be learned, creating is the true essence of life” - Barthold Georg Niebur

18 out of 24....

Five more finished!  Thought I would quickly post these that were done yesterday (well, and one this morning). I had a little something in mind to post today, but it has completely slipped my mind - I'm sure it will probably come to me later and I'll make note.  Before we go any further, I would like to say that I have found out a little something about my personal scrapping style:  the more papers I use, the less embellishments usually.  It seems that I feel that when I use lots of papers - or really busy papers - that when it comes to embellishing, the more I start putting down, the more insane it starts to look.  So there you go - learned something new about me (or did I already know this!?!) through this process.  Anyway, right now I'll just jump into these layouts:

The first one was for Scrap w/ Something Seldom Used: Stamps (just remember that these are primarily for my personal albums and therefore they are what they are - this is the one I finished this morning and I'm a little preoccupied):

Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye (background), American Crafts (DL Lucky Charm); Vellum Frames: Studio Calico; Stamps: American Crafts & My Minds Eye; Rosette & Diecut: American Crafts; Tape: Bella Blvd; Spray & Letter Stickers: October Afternoon; Enamel Dots: My Minds Eye; Twine: Doodlebug; Stickers: Crate Paper; Wood: American Crafts & Freckled Fawn; Ink: Tsukinedo; Pen: Sharpie.

  

 

 The next one is Scrap Small Photos (this one is for GiGis album for her to do the journaling when she wants):

Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye (background), American Crafts, Crate Paper; Mistables & Wood: Studio Calico; Spray Ink: October Afternoon; Enamel Dots: My Minds Eye; Thickers: American Crafts

The next one is for Scrap with Fabric (the only piece of fabric I actually have available!):

Cardstock: Coredinations; Patterned Paper, Flower & Banner: American Crafts; File, Bag, & Journaling Spots: Websters Pages; Frame: Crate Paper; Wood: Freckled Fawn;  Pearls: Doodlebug

 

 

Layout for Journal in a Letter Format: 

Cardstock: The Paper Studio; Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Crate Paper; Wood: Freckled Fawn, Studio Calico; Pearls: Doodlebug

Scrap with Square Photos: 

Patterned Papers, Diecuts, Flair, Fabric Sticker, Thickers; American Crafts; Letter Stickers & Spray Ink: October Afternoon; Tape:  Bella Blvd, Freckled Fawn, Tape Worx; Enamel Dots: My Minds Eye

 

 

Okay that's it for the scrapping.  Just want to say I'm not sure how much more I'll get done in the next few day.  We have had a tragedy - GiGi's best friend (in last layout & so many more) lost her little brother last night to kidney failure - he was 7 years old.  We have been close to the family since her mom and my daughter were in high school and of course, we are all very saddened... but poor GiGi is absolutely a wreck - please pray for her to find strength and peace as this is so much for such a young girl especially on top of everything else we are going through.  Thank you.

I hope everyone else is scrapping on.  Have fun - I hope to get back around within the next couple of days.

Cheerio!

"Friendship doubles your joy and divides your sorrow." - Unknown

Slowly, but Surely...

I'm working through the Pretty Paper.True Stories challenges Shimelle posted on (Inter)National Scrapbook Day.  I still don't expect to get all done as some are just out of my reach, but we'll see what happens.

Got a comment yesterday(?) that made me want to address my scraposophy during this time that new and different people come visiting.  I am a firm believer that scrapbooking is all about stories.  This is actually what started scrapbooks way back when I was a kid (and I do mean waaaaay back) and I believe that it still holds true.  Stories told through photos, journaling and sometimes mementos; but especially through pictures and words.  I believe that if you were to flip through my albums, it would take little more than glancing at a photo to see the basis of what the story is about.  Sometimes you have to read the words (title and/or journaling) to actually understand it, but you would definitely get the gist at a mere glance... because that's usually how I rummage through them.  I know that it's easy to get caught up in the papers & embellishments (and I still have a firm belief that it is perfectly fine to use lots & lots of papers on a layout) but I am a believer that first and foremost the photos and/or journaling should always be front & center and embellishments should be just that - an ornament or decoration to enhance the story.  I understand that people love to use their craftiness to add pounds of embellishments to a little, bitty photo - I'm just not that crafter.  I scrapbook a variety of albums - individual family members have albums, there's the yearly album, and there's the heritage albums.  And yes, I even do a 'this & that' album that contains various layouts that I have done just for fun (mostly in response to class or challenge projects) - but even those pages have photos and/or stories front & center.  (When I first started doing challenges, etc. I did a lot of those layouts where I just love the photos - especially of my granddaughter - but there really wasn't a story; but even though it was 'fluff' the photos still came first.)  And sometimes I scrap a layout using 2 lbs of embellishments - but I try to make sure they never become the centerpiece.   I know I'll never make the Prima design team (and I absolutely understand that they must use 10lbs of stuff on their layouts) but that's okay with me; just like it's okay with me if people prefer to use the photo as embellishment to the flowers, ribbon, etc. on their page.  That's what I love about scrapbooking the most - that everyone has their own interpretation.

Speaking of embellishing layouts, I am still under the weather somewhat and my scrapping mojo just isn't up to snuff.  Still I'm making every effort.  But when I look at today's layouts, I just have to smile a little bit.  I was thinking sitting at my desk today that I have thousands of dollars worth of scrapping stuff in my little 6x6 spot... really, look around your spot and start adding up what it would cost to replace what you've accumulated with paper at about $1 a sheet - the $42 of sprays because I only have 7, the $75 of tape because I don't buy too very much, the gems, stickers, Thickers! (at $5 a pack), diecuts, chipboard, flair (love!), wood (fave!), brads (way too many), buttons (oh my!), punches, stamps and 100 +/- rolls of ribbon, etc. etc. and so forth and so on.  Yet, with all that sitting literally at my fingertips, I nearly forgot to add any embellishments at all to these pages... fuzzy-headed scrapping is not for the masses! 

So my first one is Scrap Yourself:

Cardstock: Coredinations; Thickers: American Crafts; Wood: Studio Calico; Everything Else: October Afternoon

 

I have to say that I purposefully placed my clusters as far from my photos as possible (while still connected) because my embellishments were large and the photos are small so I wanted to make sure nothing overpowered them. 

 

And then my cold medicine started wearing off while I worked on this on for Gratitude:

 

Cardstock: Coordinations; Patterned Paper & DieCut: Crate Paper; Thickers: American Crafts; Other Stickers & Spray Ink: October Afternoon; Mistables: Studio Calico; Tape: Glitz; Wood: Freckled Fawn; Punches: EK Success

 

I'm so proud of myself for using blue cardstock for my background!  Now this is what I'm laughing about... the little pictures with big embellishments and this big picture with little embellishments!  Note: After uploading these photos I did go back and move the glitter 'star' on the left down to the left of the hearts just above the camera.  (And no, my layout is all put together crooked, but my photography certainly is!) 

 

So two more off the list! What have y'all been doing today?  (Hopefully, I can check up on everyone in the morning.  GiGi uses my computer at night for homework (like right this minute she's come to get it) and when I woke up this morning it was completely dead.  So I've gotten to use it for exactly 30 minutes today - yay me!)  I hope everyone is doing okay with all this crazy May weather and is in their scrappy place!

 

Until tomorrow...

Cheerio!

 

"My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way." - Ernest Hemingway

 

Today...

I woke up with a full blown head cold... feeling like crap.  I got one layout done today and this one simple layout took all day long to finish.  At least I didn't wake up with stomach virus that my daughter and JC woke up with... GiGi is the only healthy person in the house tonight! Cross your fingers she stays that way.

So here is the layout that I did for 'Scrap a Milestone'.  I broke out my Simple Stories transparency (I had forgotten I had this Simple Stories stuff!)

Cardstock: The Paper Studio; Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Crate Paper, Simple Stories; Stickers: American Crafts, Echo Park, October Afternoon; Transparency: Simple Stories; Wood: Freckled Fawn, Studio Calico; Chipboard: Studio Calico; Gems: The Paper Studio

  

So that's all for today.  I hope everyone else was feeling great and more productive.  Scrap On!

Cheerio!

"Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected." - William Plommer

Goodnight...

My last layout of the day... I certainly didn't get 6 done again, but 4 isn't so very bad.  Besides I feel like there may be a cold coming on as I can't breathe and had to lay down for a little bit while freezing in this oven of a room.  But surely I will feel better tomorrow so I can get more of these challenges done - I'm not even half way finished yet!

Before I go any further I want to give a shout out for Cynthia at The Wandering Buckeye.  Not only does she make lovely layouts, but some of the most awesome cards that even I can scraplift, and she is by far the best photojournalist of daily life I have ever seen.  Without Cynthia I would probably not still be blogging nor would I produce as many scrap pages as I do.  Thank you so much blond.

So my last layout today is the Power of Three challenge.  I used 3 photos, 3 lines of AC Dear Lizzy (Neapolitan, 5th & Frolic, Lucky Charm), 3 layers of paper on top of my background, 3 basic colors (yellow, pink, green), 3 embellishments (to include 3 loops of twine) in 3 clusters.  You know, I can get a little carried away sometimes but I think I met the challenge! 

Twine: Doodlebug; Top 2 Flair: A Flair for Flair; Patterned Paper, Letter Stickers, Flowers, Flair in bottom right: American Crafts

Actually, this could have been an American Crafts page too!  Of course, I just own way too much AC and need to use it up so I can buy more! 

You may notice there is no journaling on this page - these are GiGi's photos and the layout is for her album.  I often create layouts like this and leave the journaling for her to do when she goes back through the album.  Sometimes I make a little companion page so that she will have a spot just to write whatever she wants without restriction or worrying about messing up the layout.

Okay, that's it for today.  I hope everyone was scrappy today!  I'll be back tomorrow with a few more layouts from the challenges at Pretty Paper.True Stories. 

Cheerio!

"Creativity comes from trust.  Trust your instincts." - Rita Mae Brown

American Crafts...

Well, we all know my little fetish with American Crafts paper - I own way too much of it.  On this layout I only used 5 lines: three Dear Lizzy (Neapolitan, 5th & Frolic, Lucky Charm), Spring & Summer, Fun in the Sun.  Everything but the background paper came from my scrap basket just the way it ended up on the page.... bonus!

Pen: Sharpie; Everything Else: American Crafts

 

 

I know it's a simple little layout, but sometimes that's the best in the scheme of my albums.  And the challenge is done!

More later... Scrap On!

Let's Keep Scrapping...

Yes, I am still working on yesterday's challenges at Pretty Paper.True Stories. that Shimelle posted.  I've done two more this morning just working down the list (provided in my last post).  Isn't this fun?!  I took a few minutes (well maybe more than a few) during coffee this morning to go back and actually read Shimelle's posts and check out a few of the responding layouts... so impressed with what I saw!  I find that checking out everyone else's interpretations is as inspirational as the challenges themselves.  I wish we had NSD/ISD every month!  What I could learn and get accomplished!!!

So the first of today's layouts is for the Journaling with One Start Word.  I've done this before, but it's been so long I don't even know what album to look in to see how that one turned out; so this was like doing it brand new again.  I always keep index cards in the drawer of my workstation to jot down journaling ideas and decided I would just use my rough draft as the actual journaling on the layout.

Cardstock: Coredinations; Patterned Paper: Crate Paper; Tape: Glitz; Letter Stickers: American Crafts; Other Stickers: October Afternoon; Wood: Freckled Fawn, Studio Calico; Brads: Hampton Art, Paper Studio; Pen: Sharpie; Other: Index Card

 

 

The other layout is a Scraplift Yourself.  I started with that same basic design that I did three of a month or so ago that you can find here.  I like this design because I get to used my 6x6 papers, and it's especially fun win they coordinate with my 12x12 on the layout.  And... I do like monochromatic pages occasionally to break up my albums.

Cardstock: The Paper Studio; Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Crate Paper, October Afternoon; Stickers: American Crafts;Wood: Freckled Fawn, Studio Calico; Spray Ink: October Afternoon; Pen: Sharpie

Okay, that's all for now but as I will be back later, I'm not signing off my post just yet.  Now, everybody go get scrappy!

Gone... for Today!

The Thickers have been put back into their respective packaging so I must be finished for the day.  But hey, I finished SIX layouts... yes 6!!!! I think it's a new record for me - especially considering that apparently the kids don't understand a single word that comes out of my mouth and I had several interruptions.  But that's okay, I got 6 layouts finished and I'm very happy.

The last layout started as scrapping square photos, but when I finished I realized that it works even better for 'Line Up Small Embellishments'.  I definitely didn't plan it that way but, hey, still another challenge off the list.  Besides I have plenty of square photos I plan to scrap.  However I did not use the sketch provided but plan to keep it in my sketch file.

Cardstock: The Paper Studio; Patterned Paper: American Crafts, My Minds Eye, October Afternoon; Stickers: American Crafts, Crate Paper, October Afternoon; Spray Ink: October Afternoon; Pen: Sharpie (Wow, and that's all!!!)

In the event that you're like me and kept going back and forth at Pretty Paper.True Stories. to see what Shimelle had posted as the next challenge, I've jotted down a kind of index - but be warned, it's in my shorthand.  I plan to get up in the morning and go back and read each and every one of the actual posts as well as check out each responding layout... but tonight I'm worn out.

• Scrap in Pink
• Scrap with 4x6 Photos
• Scrap with Spray Ink
• Journaling with One Word to Start
• Scrap with Brads and/or Eyelets
• Scraplift Yourself
• Scrap with Unexpected Supplies
• Scrap about Yourself
• Scrap using a Digital Cutter
• Create a Mood Board
• Scrap with Sparkle
• Journaling in a Letter Format
• Scrap w/American Crafts Paper (or your favorite paper)
• Scrap Double Page Layout
• Line-up Small Embellishments (sketch provided)
• Scrap about Gratitude
• Scrap with Fabric
• Power of Three
• Scrap with Paint
• Scrap Smaller Photos (sketch provided)
• Divided Page Protectors
• Scrap with Square Photos
• Scrap with Something Seldom Used
• Scrapbook a Milestone

Whew!  So there are a few of these that most likely will not happen in my Scrappy Place: I don't own a Digital Cutter; I'm not really a Mood Board kind of gal; I've painted on layouts before and am not crazy about that at all; I don't own divided page protectors; scrapping with unexpected supplies may take too much creativity on my part during marathon scrapping; and scraplifting myself may be an issue because I scraplift everyone else so often I'm not sure which ones are originals!  But I'm going to do my best to get as much of the rest done as possible this week. 

So what about you? How many did you get done?  Are there any that are just out-of-the-question?  Are there any that are your favorites? Are you doing each separately or are you combining a few?  Are you going to go forward this week with the challenges to see how many you get done?  Let me know in the comments as I am very interested in how everyone feels about these projects.

Cheerio!

"Above all, art should be fun." - Alexander Calder

And Still....

Here's another - using brads.  Of course, I LOVE brads and have way too many.  But I don't love punching through layers of paper.  So I snip off the ends of the brads and use Glue Dots or pop-dots to adhere them to the page.  Such a cheater! Oh, and believe it or not, this layout has NO WOOD! Maybe that's why I just couldn't wrap my head around the rest of the layout once I had the paper, title and journaling done.  I may be obsessed.

Patterned Paper:  Crate Paper, My Minds Eye, October Afternoon; Diecuts: American Crafts, My Minds Eye; Stickers: American Crafts, Crate Paper; Chipboard: Basic Grey; Frame: Crate Paper; Brads: Sassafras, The Paper Studio; Spray Ink: October Afternoon, Studio Calico; Tape: Bazzill, Bella Blvd; Pen: Sharpie

 

Okay... I'm still working on it - yippee!!! I can't believe it - going on my 6th layout in one day! I think it may be a world record!!!

Back soon if my computer charger will work (what an ordeal!). 

Still Going....

I started this as a layout about me... but then it transformed into my 'shiny' layout (cause I have so much trouble with bling, right?!!). 

Patterned Paper:  American Crafts, Crate Paper, Echo Park, My Minds Eye, October Afternoon; Stickers: American Crafts, October Afternoon, The Paper Studio; Felt: American Crafts; Flowers: Recollections; Ink: Ranger; Pearls: Doodlebug; Spray Ink:  Heidi Swapp; Tape: Bella Blvd; Wood: American Crafts, Studio Calico; Punches: EK Success; Pen: Sharpie

 

 

You know, I had no idea I had actually use so much product until I made the list above... yea for me - I may get to shop this month after all!!!  Oh, and those Thickers are gold foil but they are so difficult to photograph!  Actually, it's kind of embarrassing how bad the photos are today, but I'm rather shaky and unfocused - just one of those days that would have probably been spent wasting in bed if it weren't a holiday - so it is what it is.

 

While I'm sure there's still more bling to come, there will probably be another layout about me thrown in before it's over with as well.  At any rate, while I started the day with my BluRay playing The Hobbit because it was already there, Harry Potter is in his rightful place so my scrapping groove should be kicking in soon.

 

Obviously, more to come!

Going...

A pink page... ah oh, no journaling.  No it's okay and on purpose; these are GiGi's pix and if she wants to write on the layouts later she can.  But at least I got another layout done.  Going to take a break soon to see what everyone else is doing - unfortunately, even though the warning went out several times every single day this week, I have to go pick up GiGi.  Oh well, that's taxi service for you. (Oh, and if this layout looks crooked to you, I'm blaming it on my computer cropping - well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

Patterned Paper, Stickers & Flair:  American Crafts; Diecuts: Echo Park & Pebbles; Wood: Freckled Fawn; Enamel: My Minds Eye

 

On to more scrappiness...

Going....

4x6 photos - of course.  My fave way to scrap... although we do love some Hipstamatic occasionally don't we?!

Patterned Paper:  American Crafts, Crate Paper, October Afternoon; Diecuts:  American Crafts, My Minds Eye; Stickers: American Crafts, Pebbles; Flair: American Crafts; Wood: Freckled Fawn; Enamel: Teresa Collins; Pen: Sharpie; Photos: Gigi via iPhone 4s

Going back to Pretty Paper. True Stories. to see what Shimelle and all are up to.

Go!!!!!!!!

Finally!!!  First, let me just start by saying that I've been up since 7:00 am - that's U.S. Central Time (8:00 USEastern, about 2:00pm UK).  I had a horrid night: don't know why I couldn't sleep but last check on the clock was 2:00 am (maybe because today is Christmas - well, ykwim).  Then when I finally awoke, I just couldn't get around; but before I'd finished my 2d cup of coffee (and it takes at least 2 ginourmous cups), mom called and I just finished with her.  If only I had gotten Cynthia's message last night, I would be a step up!!! Didn't even think about Shimelle starting at midnight her time!

But during that first cup, I did run through all of those challenges thus far! And, boy, I was stressing because I was behind then!  So, I decided that I would cheat - just a little - with this little kit that I had put together the other day.  I altered it to fit the challenges; and actually it covers several yet I'll just use it for the spray ink one right now as that's the basic change.  Funniest thing about this is that I had put the sketch in to do this layout when I got my supplies together.  Then last night I saw this week's Glitter Girl and my mouth dropped open... that's my sketch!!! Don't get me wrong, it is definitely a Shimelle-based layout as I  have seen this by her before... but that it was this week's GG - well, that's just paranormal!

So here is my first layout for ISD... using Spray Inks:

Spray Inks & Letter Stickers: October Afternoon; Patterned Paper, Diecuts, Stickers: American Crafts; Wood: Freckled Fawn, Studio Calico; Tape: Bella Blvd; Pen: Sharpie; Pearls: Doodlebug; Brad: Hampton Art; Other: Cardstock & Flair

As you can see, this really covers Spray Ink, my Inner Pink, fave paper-line, and more.  But as I had the idea for a spray ink background as soon as I put all those lovely colors together and realized how well they would go with my Lucky Charm, that's what I'm settling on.  (Told you you'd see these photos again - this ones for GiGi's album).

Get crafty, more later, onward & upward!

Ready, Set...

As I'm just printing photos for tomorrow, thought I'd give a little shout.  SO EXCITED... but then, I've always been excited for the holiday even though its usually anticlimactic.  I remember many years ago going to bed early and setting my alarm for midnight - that's when QVC (or was it HSN) started 24-hours of scrapbooking.  Lisa Bernsen and Anna Griffin were there among others and there was the product pick of the day.  I would sit scrapbooking while watching all those great products and demonstrations.  I still have products somewhere from one of those daily bargain kits - well at least the album.  I've missed a few in recent years, last year due to illness, but this year I plan on making it up with lots of scrapping getting done.  Well that's the plan anyway!

I've told the kids they better be making arrangements for tomorrow.  Gigi asks if that means no beach - well, no, I'll probably be okay to pick her up but not for taking her as that will be in the middle of the prime scrapping.  I mean, really! get your priorities straight!

I've restocked a few favorite papers and bought just a few new products:

• I now own 5 bottles of October Afternoon Sprinklers spray ink (there should be 6, but when my bottle of Wheat leaked I got mad and threw it away):  Midnight (black), Twilight (navy), the two pinks - Pink Lemonade (think Dear Lizzy) and Pink Balloon (coral pink) - and Robot Blue.  Robot Blue is the one color I love the most right now.  Bought it thinking it was a Cadet Blue and well, it seems to be a very light Cadet Blue... the color can be used as a very light turquoise or a mint green depending on what papers you put with it.  I love the Sprinklers as they dry practically at the time they hit the paper and seem to 'splatter' so nice and evenly.  So in addition to the Studio Calico Calico Shine (whitish silver) and Heidi Swapp Gold Lame, I feel pretty set with my sprays at the moment.
• Freckled Fawn wood pieces, oh my! How I love wood!!!  (Maybe it's just the extension of my love of paper, or vice versa!)  I have the hearts, the words, and the arrows. I will be oh so sad when this trend goes out of style and my purchasing power is eliminated - guess I better hoard up as I don't see my love going out of style any time in the future.  But then, that's virtually impossible as I love to use it on almost every layout.  (Heavy sigh!!!!!)
• I broke down and bought a Teresa Collins 3-pack washi tape.  It has a roll of gray chevron, black with cameras and pink 'take note' - all very usable and lovely.  As I was wanting some gray chevron and black camera tape anyway, and as the pink 'take note' is very lovely, it was a good buy.
• Pebbles printed clothespins are adorable and would be excellent for cardmakers.  But I am sure, as I have loved clothespins since I was a little girl hanging towels on the line, I will find a place to use them (besides wood is wood!).
• A few sheets of paper from My Minds Eye - 2 collage sheets from the 'Find Your Wings and Fly' and a sheet of the Kate & Co.  I adore the Kate & Co, the colors are so crisp and pretty.  The Find your Wings are lovely collage papers and I look forward to finding a place for them.  But the texture isn't so lovely as the Collectible so don't expect that great texture this time.
• Replenished some of my Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm papers as I do so love these and am definitely not tired of them yet.  Also bought a few sheets of October Afternoon on sale (the cream-base is perfect for all those old photos I'm scrapping of me and my brother as well as the Hipstamatic prints).
• Oops I did it again.... I bought Amy Tangerine embellishments.  It's the Opportunity dimensionals.  But they are absolutely lovely - really - and includes real wood and fabric.  But as said before - so overpriced!  The only thing I'm thinking is that if I use it all up tomorrow, I'll feel so much better about it, so we'll see.  But I will not be buying anymore at regular price (I actually put this in my cart on sale but didn't finish my checkout for several days).
• And the last part of my budget was... well it was... well (hanging head in shame) it was spent on my addiction.  You see, that gene runs in my family so, no matter how much I try to fight it, occasionally the urge is overwhelming and I can't help myself.  But this time, not only did I give in, but I did it in a big way.  I purchased two (2) sets of stamps.  But they are lovely and usable stamps - except that I keep buying them and yet never use them.  The two I purchased were the My Minds Eye 'Find Your Wings and Fly' sets.  They have awesome sayings like "The Possibilities are Endless", a small camera, lots of arrows and a hot-air balloon.  Now I love little pithy sayings, I especially love camera stamps (and have a large collection at this point), arrows (woohoo!) and, unfortunately, hot-air balloons (I don't know why but I have always loved hot-air balloons to the point that several years ago I had 3 hanging in my living room until my ex-husband tore them up in a fit of rage - bastard!).  But honestly, even when I put some stamps right smack in front of me, they hardly ever make it to a layout (and really, how do you work in about half-a-dozen stamped hot-air balloons on layouts?!).  And when I do use them, they look rather... forced.  I don't know - just not very creative with stamps regardless of how much I love them.  Even with cards, except for the sayings parts, I just don't know what to do with them.  Oh, I've watched the Glitter Girl episodes, etc. to try to get the hang of it, but alas I need real help!

On the upside, I have made the determination that, unless it's something I've been waiting on, I am not buying anything else until I deplete my stash somewhat.  Well, you know what I mean - that doesn't include things like Mini-Market letters that I use every day and need.  But it does mean paper and embellishments.  So I really need to work like the dickens this month so I can get some more of that Kate & Co and some new Lily Bee because it looks lovely.

Well that's enough for today - just so excited to see you tomorrow!!!  Have a great day - get everything done - tell everyone the scoop that it's your day and you have important things to do - and prepare! 

Cheerio!

"A day without scrapbooking is a day without sunshine."  - Author Unknown