Sunday, December 20, 2009

Why is it???

Happy holidays everyone! If your anything like me I am still running around trying to get things done for Christmas. The gifts are all bought, but they need to be wrapped. I am making the mad dash to make the infamous homemade chex mix and other holiday goodies and realizing that I am missing key things here and there. Heck I had to run out for wrapping paper this morning, because I have none!!!!

Well as I look toward the new year, I keep thinking why do I keep a blog? Every now and than I think of uploading stuff, which usually comes in spurts of a month here or month there. I know that if you have any chance of being on a design team they want you to have a blog that you keep up all the time. I don't really post a lot of personal family information, because I don't have enough family to keep anyone updated on our usually boring lives. I don't like to spend even all of my free time on the computer and keeping up with all these other blogger sites just takes most of my creative free time away from me. So what is the purpse to this blog?

Well the first and foremost and wait, the ONLY reason is that I love to share my scrapbooking triumphs with whoever out there wants to take the time to see what I do. I am re-thinking though what may be the purpose of the blog and exand on it a little. I love to decorate along with scrapping, and not that I decorate all the time with new stuff, I do have some things that I do off and on thruought the year and especially now at Christmas time. While Christmas is almost upon us, I still may post some pictures of my cute little trees, that didn't cost a whole bunch of money to decorate so cute. Of course I am the bargain shopper, so maybe even to give tips on who to do things for less money and even maybe some little write ups on things that I find that seem noteworthy.

So before the end of the year is here, I am already looking ahead and making a new years resolution to upkeep and improve my blog. I am really ready for 2009 to be over with. It's been a rough year for everyone I know and I know for me and my husband, I am looking forward to a new year and a new decade! Merry Christmas and have a VERY VERY Happy New Year!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Awesome Blog Give Away!

Head on over to Creating From the Heart for this awesome give a way! There is a Zutter paper cutter and a whole bunch of other great goodies! Spread the word!

My Road Trip Album

Well here is a part of our vacation Road Trip album. I'm about 1/2 done with it and looks like I may not get to finish it till sometime next month, but I wanted to let you all have a look at what I have done!

Enter To Win!

Lisa Day is doing a giveaway to win a kids furniture antique memory board! Great for a scrap room or even in a high traffice area to keep your family up to date with what's going on. Check out the links so you can see how it looks!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

A handmade Birthday gift from my Mom








I'm sure many of you are familiar with paint cans for scrapping. Well if you haven't seen the clear ones, you so missing out! Today is my birthday and waiting on the patio table of my mom's house (I take my boo boo bear Dakota dog, everyday there for doggie day care) was this cute little bucket! Inside is a match book. I will have to ask how she gets the template for the book its self, but she uses small manillan envelopes for the pockets inside that are just a little larger than a gift card. The outside she has cut some patterns from her papers and uses wire to pop the butterfly and the baloon. Inside was 3 gift cards to some of my favorite places; Michaels, Starbucks, and McDonalds! I will have fun spending those. In the meantime I am just enjoying having this on my desk here at work for the day.


Saturday, August 1, 2009

Adornit Blog Party Challenge for Day 2


While I have already posted this on my Scrapbook.com gallery, thought that I would post it here anyway. I had fun doing this challenge the layout was perfect with the very next page in my album that I had to do! I used the K & Co Happy Trails paper with the DCVW cardstock. Mmaya Road chip board for the flourish, random chipboard painted with MM paints, the Colorbok Friendly Forest for the squirrel and I tried my hand at the paper pieced flower from the template given in the Scrapbook Etc. magazine. Come back later for some more glimpses of my travel album!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Adornit Blog Hop

Welcome to my blog and the Adornit Blog Hop! I have never done one of these before so I am so looking forward to seeing some great new ideas and projects. Below is a slide show of my summer project, My Teresa Collins Road Trip Journal. My husband and I after 12 years together finally embarked on our first road trip together. 10 days in a car we figured it would make us or break us, and what we found out is we just have to much fun together! I used the pre designed chip board covers and my Bind-It-All to put it all together. In between the pages I cut down 9 x 4 manilla envelopes to fit the album size leaving one side and the bottoms as is and the bind it all helps to keep the other side closed. This was used as a place to keep information, small souveniers, brochures, tickets and postcards. I hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I enjoyed making it! Now go to the beginning of the blog hop to see tons more great ideas and projects at www.adornitscrapbook.com/bloghop


Thanks again for stopping by and taking a look and have fun with the blog hop. Your next stop will be Georgana Hall

Summer Fun




My husband and I had a spontaneous overnight down at Huntington Beach and we didn't have any pictures, so I used the cute little envelope that they put our room keys in and a couple of postcards that I bought at the gift store. The picture was taken only a week later, but added to the flavor of the complete lo. Love this Tahitian Line of paper from Joann's!



Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Creating from the Heart Blogaversary!

The Blog Creating from the Heart is having a Blogaversary Giveaway!!!!! Paper packs, punches and drum roll..........a SLICE!!!! Click here to get all the details!

Midnight Madness Give Away


Who wouldn't want the big shot with the carry all bag and some new dies? I do, and you have the chance of winning too! Here is the picture of what you can win so click here and check it out!
(picture taken from priscilla styles blog)

Scrapbooks Etc. Magazine Announcement


Just posted on Facebook Updates from Scrapbooks Etc. "We've got big things planned for our October issue. Head over to our blog for a sneak peek of our new look!" So head on over to their blog at www.scrapbooksetc.com and take a look at what they have in store for the next upcoming issue. Can you believe it's going to be the October one? I know I can't wait for the hot weather to end and the days of fall are here. If there is such a thing here in Cali! Love to hear your feedback on what you think of their changes. For me I am really looking forward to them. I am a new subscriber and have always gotten Memory Makers, but I am finding that this magazine has a lot to offer and am using it more frequently for scrapping ideas. So if you don't already have a subscription, I would really recommend one. Till later!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Scrap N Art Magazine Review

Scrap N Art Magazine started over a year ago as a free digital magazine publication. I'm not even sure how I got turned on to it, probably from looking a numerous blogs, but for free how can you resist? Now the magazine has re-vamped it's format and with it comes for a subscription value price of $9.99 for 6 issues each year. Of course I am so used to getting this I had to sign up for at least one year to see what the new and improved magazine can offer me.

Let's start with the new and improved website. It has a special subscriber area which you log in to access with the following categories:

Magazine Dowloads - This gives you unlimited access to the current and past issues of the magazine (which the past free issues are now only accessible with membership). This is convenient since the download files are very large and if saves space on your hard drive while allowing you the opportunity to go back and look at past issues when you want.

Tutorial and Sketches - They have a Mocha Monday where there is a new tutorial posted in Adobe PDF format and chatting with the host in the forum area. So far there is only 3-4 tutorials and I haven't been able to locate any sketches.

Digi freebies - This one is pretty self explanitory, but that is one nice thing that they do offer in the magazine is the opportunity for several free digital downloads. Currently there are 2 kits being offered in this section. Hopefully they will update in between the magazine issues.

Contests and Giveaways - This is just a short list of contests and giveaways that are listed in the actual magazine. Here is a good example of what you are required to do in order to participate in the give aways..."Visit www.serif.com to learn more about the easy-to-use Digital Scrapbook Artist software. Then, click the link below to fill out our contest form. Tell us how many additional Digikits are available for add-ons to the Digital Scrapbook Artist and be entered to win a copy of this fun and fast scrapbooking software, plus a Serif digital tablet for your computer!" I'm not sure about you, but when I sign up for a give away, I don't want to have to go to all that work.

Than there are 4 additional buttons; Blog Watch, The Penny Pincher, Resource Links, and Product Watch. These four buttons currently are not accessible so they must not have anything listed in them as of yet.

I also wrote to customer service today because I saw a posting on Facebook that they were doing updates during CHA this week and so I went over to their blog to have a look and try to post a comment to be entered into a drawing for some product. Well the blog isn't linked with your log in for subscribers and neither is the forum. So in order to take advantage of all the different things they offer directly off their site, you have to have a log in and password for these 3 areas. This became a little fustrating for me since I spent a better part of 20 minutes this morning figuring this out in a 3 step log in and password process. Of course if you only want to view the blog, there is no log in necessary.

All in all the magazine it's self has a lot of ideas, product reviews, tutorials, and coupons for scrappers who like to do traditional scrapping, digital scrapping, card making and altered art. It's eco friendly with it's digital formating and you would only have to print the pages that you may want to keep in your own idea books. Even has sections like Six items or less, Recycle and Reuse and Renew, Altered Art 101, Featured Artist, Frugal Scrapping, and much much more!

I think for the subscription price of $9.99 for 6 issues, it's a steal! It comes with a variety of topics that should get almost any scrapbookers tastes. I'm not to keen on their website and hope to see that they grow and expand it and hopefully make it a little more user friendly. I hope this review was helpful to you!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Big Sale at Hallmark Scrapbooks

Hallmark Scrapbook
790 E 1860 S
Provo, UT 84606
http://www.hallmarkscrapbook.com
customerservice@hallmarkscrapbook.com





ALL HEIDI SWAPP ONLY $1.99!! All remaining Heidi Swapp items have been reduced to ONLY $1.99!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grungeboard 40% Off! Grungeboard! by Tim Holtz

If you have not seen this amazing material you are missing out. It's flexible like leather. You can paint it, dye it, distress it and cut it with your favorite Sizzix steel rule dies. It's amazing stuff!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Win a CRUISE! 7 NEW Cartridges now in stock!


Purchase any of the 4 New Cricut Ticket cartridges for a chance to win a Cruise!

Simply Sweet $43.99
Jubilee $43.99
Stand & Salute $43.99
Home Decor $34.99

(We're sorry, but we cannot give price adjustments on previous purchases. This is a special purchase- but you can take advantage of these great prices on one you have not purchased previously. Hurry before they're gone.)

3 other NEW cartridges IN STOCK and shipping NOW!

Stamping Solutions
Hannah Montana
SpongeBob Squarepants



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cartridge sale continues!
Don't forget our cartridge sale. Supplies are limited and we are selling out fast! Prices start at $29.99! Incredible!

Many of you have asked how long the sale will last- As we run out of each of the cartridges the prices will return to our regular low prices. Don't wait or the cartridges you want may be gone.







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More affordable Cricut Expression!

NEW lower price on our Cricut Expression AND more Expression options that make it even more affordable!


Cricut Expression Bundle- ONLY $349.99!
Free Shipping within the lower 48 United States.

Includes: Expression Machine, 4 cartridges (Accent Essentials, Plantin SchoolBook, Storybook font, and Home Accents solutions), 3 mats, Spatula and FREE Primary Inks! WOW!!


Cricut Expression Machine w/2 Standard cartridges.

NEW LOWER PRICE- ONLY $264.50 with FREE shipping! (within the lower 48 United States)
We're not kidding!


Cricut Expression Machine with 1 cartridge- Plantin Schoolbook ONLY $234.99!!
With FREE shipping within the lower 48 United States.



Cricut Expression Machine with NO CARTRIDGES - ONLY $219.99
With FREE shipping within the lower 48 United States

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Page Maps Layout Contest



The challenge was to create a layout about something on your mind.... Well what is on my mind, it's change. We have made some decisions lately in our lives that will change the way we live here in the future. You can't put a picture to change, because you just don't know what that change will be, but by using the bright colors, I am looking towards this change with a positive attitude.

I used for this layout My Minds eye.(Just coincidence) chipboard letters by American Craft, painted with Memory Makers Paints. The question mark was cut using Storybook cricut cartridge.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

My Cher Mini Album



I love Cher, and the real reason I went to Vegas is just to see her. So here is my ode to Cher the Queen of Rock! Again, the pictures are aweful based on the disposable camera, so I incorporated some postcard pictures in the album. I thought it turned out cute. Tell me what you think.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Week #11 - Scraplift a Color Combination

This weeks challenge is to scraplift another members color scheme. When you post your completed challenge, mention the other members color combo you are lifting.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Week #10

Mini Album: Be real
Are you a blogger “wannabe?” The time and energy associated with the upkeep of a site may seem too daunting. So…consider this mini album / journal to be in place of a blog. Create this book so that you can record some of the “real stuff” in life. Some serious, some funny, some not so funny, most importantly, keep it real!



Well I am keeping it real by this mini album dedicated to my Birthday Vegas celebration with no real camera. I had to use a disposable and the pictures were terrible and far and few between! So I wondered how I could still re-create my memories. I used this box that mom bought at Michael's and had added embellies to it. She gave it to me with spending money for the trip. So a mini album is born. I cut the chipboard to size and used O rings from the bead department to put the album together so ut accordians in and out of the box. I created pockets to add mementos, tickets, and more journaling. The paper was the Basic Grey Scarlet Letter. I used some Jolee embellishments, stamps by the paper company and charms from Michaels. Hope you enjoy!

Week #9 Challenge



Doodle on Photographs
Don’t be afraid to express yourself by doodling right on your photos! (If you’re worried about ruining them, doodle on a digital print.) Try using your own handwriting in an open area of the photograph – or use a doodle rub-on instead!

I'm not sure if you can see the doodling on my photo, but that's as close as doodling gets for me. Rub-ons or stamping, because my own free hand is FUGGLY!!! However, I believe this meets the qualifications for dooling on a photo!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Week #7


Take an Artistic Photograph
It’s easy to capture photographs of family and events. But for this challenge, Elsie wants us to look through the lens of our camera as a photo enthusiast. Take a closer glance at things in your life that you might otherwise walk on by. Look for beauty in unexpected places, inside and outside your home!

I normally don't just scrap one scenic picture, because I think albums should be about people or specific events, so this challenge was cool because it will help me remember the beauty of a moment in a place that I really will remember. This was taken at Disneyland right beside the ticket line. It was one the day that we bought our annual passes for this year and Disneyland is infamous for their vegetation, but also it was a great reminder that that spring time is here.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Week #6


Create a Ribbon Cluster
Ribbons are beautiful accents on a page – no matter what! But why not take the next step? Challenge yourself to create an accent with a cluster of ribbons. Just tie two, three, four or more ribbons and cluster them together in the same area on your page. To finish the look, tie them onto cardstock, weave them through an embroidered border, or hook a tiny safety pink through them.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Valentines Day Mini Book



Supplies: Colorbok Chipboard album, Bo bunny Cardstock and cardstock stickers, cardstock Bazzill Basics, modge podge, black cat eye, ribbons, gemstones, buttons and word rubons.

Basic instructions: cover chipboard with modge podge and lay face down on paper of your choice, once dry cut using scissors and exacto knife. To smooth down edges and give extra dimension to the edges use basic grey file to smooth and give a shabby chic look to. Than you can lightly apply black ink to edges for even more dimmension. Repeat with all the chipboard and than layer and decorate pages as needed.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Week #5


Embellish a Floral Accent
No matter what your page topic, I bet you can find a place for a flower accent in your design. But take it up a notch. Embellish the center of your flower with a mini clock, a tiny thread-tied-button or patterned paper. And don’t be afraid to turn a large flower shape into a photo frame!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Week 4 Challenge

Chipboard is so popular right now! By making your own chipboard
accents, you can add a custom look to any scrapbook page. Follow
these easy steps to make your own accent:

1.) Draw or trace a shape on plain chipboard.
2.) Cut the accent out with scissors or a craft knife.
3.) Paint the accent a fun color
4.) Try buttons, flowers, sticker, jewels....anything that appeals
to you!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Week #3

Customize a Ribbon Border
No matter how you turn it or what you add to it (think buttons, lace, eyelets and embroidery floss), ribbon is a terrific border that can be attached in so many creative ways – with eyelets , brads, staples, embroidery floss and more.


Ok, so here is my "ribbon border" I didn't attach it with anything other than glue because I didn't want a huge embellishment cluster on this lo. However, it's ribbon and should still count, right?
Materials used:
Prima "The Breathe" paper collection
Prima flowers
buttons
glue dots
3 in 1 Advanced Craft Glue
Swirls template from Crafters Workshop (because I am terrible at doodling my own!)

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Week #2 Challenge



Week #2 is done! I was able to combine this with the challenge on the Live and Let Scrap group with New Year's and than the black and white as the only picture focal point. Not sure if the layout is designed to draw the eye to the picture, but I spent all afternoon on this and playing around with it and I just wasn't going to let go of this idea. I used Basic Grey from the Scarlet line, Fancy Pants chipboard which I painted and glittered myself and of course another clock (love those clocks) from the Graphically Speaking cart for the cricut. Anyway, I personally love this layout and I was able to meet 2 challenges at one time. Does that really count? Actually I think blending 2 challenges together makes the degree of difficulty a little more, but who's judging???

Week #1 Challenge

Work Those Words
Whether it’s a quote, a list of your favorite adjectives or computer-generated phrases, journaling on strips of cardstock is a great way to add visual excitement to your page. Be creative and cut a favorite quote [or song] into pieces to add to your design



I was so looking forward to using my new Graphically Speaking cart for the cricut so the clock and the wording come from there. I used Basic Grey for the paper and the jornal pages actually come from something my mother wrote to me 30 years ago! I didn't use a quote in my strips of paper, but I wanted to be sure to journal the importance of what my mom was trying to do for me.

52 Weeks of Challenges

Ok, I am technically stealing this from my friend Trish (ok, not stealing, but she is doing these challenges on her Yahoo group, Who Gives a Scrap) and I thought that I would try and keep up here. New Year's resolution?? Perhaps not, but definately make myself accountable since I am posting this online. Every week I will post the weekly challenge and than follow-up with the layout that I do for that project. May not be weekly, becaause I don't always get to scrap every week, but may post several at one time. I challenge all my Live and Let Scrap friends to follow along and even participate and post these challenges on their blogs to share with everyone! What a great way to get 52 layouts done within the year. I like to try for the 365 challenge, and I believe I will keep track, but I definately want to challenge myself with different styles and techniques and I think this particular challenge will help improve my scrapping! So enjoy, if your going to participate good luck and have FUN!!!

Week #1

Work Those Words
Whether it’s a quote, a list of your favorite adjectives or computer-generated phrases, journaling on strips of cardstock is a great way to add visual excitement to your page. Be creative and cut a favorite quote [or song] into pieces to add to your design.

Week #2

Focus on One Photo
Convert a favorite photograph into a black and white image, then use it as the focal-point photo on your page. It will draw your viewer’s eye right into the essence of your layout.