Challenge #2 & Challenge #6

Challenge #2

Use your stash challenge –let your page be inspired by the five senses--plus, your sixth sense.

touch - use textured paper

sight - use your favorite patterned paper in your stash

smell - use something on your page that, if real, would have a smell (e.g, flowers, cupcake accents, etc.)

taste - use food-related embellishments or paper

sound - use song-title or song lyrics somewhere on your page

AND

Challenge #6

Use nine squares on your page layout, with at least three of them being photos.

Challenge #1

Sketch challenge – Use this sketch for a layout.  Rotate it, tweak it…just have fun.  Sketch taken from Get It Scrapped.

 And my version of it...

Needs some embellishing that I will get to today, hopefully.

Just Scrappin' 10.16.10

We chose to go with a carnival theme...finish a layout and/or a challenge and get 30 seconds to "go fish" a winning fish.  Chose a small prize and with so many in hand, trade up to larger and large prizes!  Everyone had a great time fishing and even managed to get quite a few of the challenges done.  It was a very productive day...I got all of the challenges done and will share them throughout the week.  Feel free to share if you decide to take the challenge ;)

And our Make n Take...

Looks like fun?  Want to join us in Sturbridge, MA?  We have crops coming up on Nov 6 and Dec 11.

Project Diorama

With a 3rd and 5th grader this year, there was no way I was escaping the "Mom, I have a project due" greeting from one of my kids.  Especially when one of them has an awesome teacher that has a project a month for her class.  September was research an animal of your choice then write up a paper, make a diorama of it and its habitat and have a presentation ready.  I can't say I wasn't ready for this year...my older child didn't go through Mrs. G but I knew it was coming.  I had saved shoeboxes and all their toy plastic animals...I told D he could pick any animal as long as we had that animal in the toy box!!!  He chose the tiger and this is what we he made.

You're probably wondering what this has to do with scrapbooking...well lots...

• The big yellow sun...bazzill paper. 
• The big giant rock/cave in the back...packaging paper painted with Making Memories acrylic paint (remember those?)
• Green grassy ground in the background...flock!!!
• The stream...Tim Holtz distressing inks then diamond glaze on top.

The next time anyone complains about your stash...just point them to my blog, won't you?  It comes in handy when the kiddos have projects due.  Stay tuned for his October project.
And if you're wondering if he did this or mom did this...it was 80% him.  He was the creator and set director.  He told me what he wanted and I told him how he could get the look.  The real grass...that was a total lightbulb moment.  I was so ready to cut out grass on my handy dandy cricut ;)

Random Stuff

1. My scrap cave is a BIG HUGE mess...stuff everywhere as I try to pack and prep for my first vendor job after a long break.  
2. Despite the huge mess, I am itching to scrap.
3. Itching to scrap 'cos I've just discovered TONS of hidden gems :)
4. Is seriously looking forward to hanging out with the Scrappin' Sistas.
5. Is running out of time to work peacefully...the bus will be here in 24 minutes and counting...

ps.  I finished the back to school layout...I'll post it on Monday promise.  Anyone did a back to school layout they want to share?

Bazzill Bulk Buy

A Bazzill Bulk Buy is an opportunity to stock up on Bazzill paper at a reduced price.

• The cost of this quarter's buy is $22.00
• The colors are (see photo)...
  
  • Bazzill Blue (burlap) - blue
  • Quick Sand (grass cloth) - light light brown...neutral
  • Red Rock (grass cloth) - red
  • Arroyo (grass cloth) - pink
  • Lily Pond (grass cloth) - green
  • Cheddar (canvas) - orange
  • Jubilee (canvas) - purple
  • Yukon Gold (grass cloth) - yellow
  • Bark (canvas) -brown
  • Raven (canvas) - black

• You will receive 50 sheets of Bazzill cardstock in 10 different colors. 5 sheets of each color.
• Price includes shipping to me and tax.
• Price is for local hand delivery only - It does NOT include shipping to you. We can meet up or deliver at an event (check my schedule here). Mailing from me to you is an additional $7.50 via USPS.
• Order Deadline is noon Friday 10/10/10.

Email me (sluvs2skrap@yahoo.com) to purchase.

Dear Crafty Moms

Alright, so I'm in the middle of cleaning up the pigsty the kids call their play area...and I just had to put this question out there.  This to moms with kids that love to build and craft.  Like most people (i hope) I love a tidy and organized home.  It fails me 99.9% of the time and I'm ok with it.  OK with the mess that is our "lived in" home.  BUT what kills me is the stuff that my boys have built with lincoln logs, legos, recycled stuff ie their creations.  I love that they love to build and are being creative and all that entails BUT what the heck do we do with it after?  There's only so much room that can be dedicated to display their creations.  They fight tooth n nail not to get rid of them or to break them down.  What do you do with stuff your kids have built/created?  Do share...and please tell me I'm not the only one with this huge dilemma.

Sincerely...me :)

Quiet around here!

   It's been quiet on this blog and now it's quiet around my house, between the school hours only that is.  School is back in session and with that, I can now spend a little more time on the computer and less time playing entertainment director, referee and chauffeur ;)  Trying to get back into the swing of things is always tough but I'll get there very very soon.

   I thought I'd pop in today and throw out a small challenge...of the scrapbooking kind.  I haven't scrapped all summer and am itching to get some pages done.  So...show me your back to school layouts.  I know they just went back to school yesterday but I haven't scrapped the pics from last year nor the year before and with back to school on my mind...what better layout to put together?  Post a link to your layout or send it to my via e-mail.  I'll even throw in an incentive...a drawing for some goodies for all those who share.  One rule - it has to be a layout freshly done between Sept 1 - 15.

Back and ready to scrap :)

I'm baaack!!! Our adventures have taken us far and near...thoroughly enjoying our time off. How about you? Busy making memories I hope. We took a month long trip to Malaysia, spent some time in the outdoors
and are still not anywhere done with our adventures. I have an updated calendar with classes and events, check it out on the right --------------------------->
Getting off the computer, hoping to try and update a couple of times a week before school starts Sept 1.

It's officially SUMMER!!!

And I've been away from this blog for a month!!! Baseball season has ended, crops have dwindled down and school's almost out. What have you guys been up to? I haven't been scrapping much but have been working on making memories and taking loads of photographs. Even got in my very first photo shoot for friends of mine. Most importantly I've updated my upcoming events calendar and it has dates for Just Scrappin' events through the end of the year. Hope I'll see you at some of them!

Bazzill Bulk Buy

A Bazzill Bulk Buy is an opportunity to stock up on Bazzill paper at a reduced price.

• The cost of this quarter's buy is $22.00
• The colors are (see photo)...
  White (orange peel)
  French Vanilla (grass cloth) - light light brown...neutral
  Berrylicious (grass cloth) - red
  Pinkini (grass cloth) - pink
  Limeade (criss cross) - green
  Starmist (canvas) - blue
  Spoiled Brat (bling) - orange; represented by fiesta in the pic, it's as close as I could get since I don't have the bling swatches :(
  Fairy Dust (criss cross) - purple
  Mexican Poppy (grass cloth) - yellow
  Smoky (canvas) - gray
• You will receive 50 sheets of Bazzill cardstock in 10 different colors. 5 sheets of each color.
• Price includes shipping to me and tax.
• Price is for local hand delivery only - It does NOT include shipping to you. We can meet up or deliver at an event (check my schedule here). Mailing from me to you is an additional $7.50 via USPS.
• Order Deadline is noon Friday 5/21/10.

Email me (sluvs2skrap@yahoo.com) to purchase.

QOTW

Happy Monday! My weekend was Awesome Busy!!! How was yours? Spent Saturday with the Scrappin' Sistas in Plymouth. If you haven't found them yet, ask me about their crops. They are a fun bunch... and have adopted me as an official SISTA :)And Sunday was baseball in the morning and TONS of yard work. My question for you is...

How was your weekend? Were you just as busy or busier? How do you fit in scrapbooking?

I fit it in whenever I can...a little bit here, a little bit there during the week on little bits. I find that I don't get actual pages done but I try to keep my personal blog updated (for journaling), editing photos, planning pages, getting ideas, etc. I also try to schedule blocks of time to get pages done (attending crops). AND I always sneak in a few pages when I'm vendoring at an event.

It's been a while

I have been full steam ahead for weeks now...crops, classes, D's 1st Communion, house guests...doing it all and then some. Though can't say I would have it any other way :) Today I'm prepping for an event with the Scrappin Sistas in Plymouth tomorrow. Layout kits galore...here's a sneak peek.Limited kits available. If you would like one, they are $10 each hand delivered.

QOTW...

My boys are on spring break this week. Nope we're not going anywhere. I've planned the entire week out and hopefully the weather will be great and we can enjoy our "Earth Week" themed staycation. And since Earth and the 3 R's (Recycle, Re-use and Repurpose) is on the brain, I'd like to know...

What do you do scrapbooking-wise to help with the environment?

Personally, I recycle all my paper scraps and as much packaging as I can. I also save my paper scraps by color to re-use on my scrapbooks. Sometimes it seems like too much but they do come in handy in the cricut. And last but not least, extra embellies and stickers go to my boys who happily craft and scrap with them :)
With 2 boys in the house...I get a lot of recycled art robots. And in case you're wondering...this wonderful piece of art is up for sale in their "store" and is priced at 1 Gazillion dollars (fake money only please) ;)

Happy Backward's Day

That's what they're celebrating at school today. My guys went to school with their shirts, sweaters and backpacks worn backwards. Good thing pants and shoes are too uncomfortable that way. Now how to scrap this pic? Maybe we should have a challenge to scrap backwards...ie I always start with photos so maybe I should start with embellishments or even papers first...hmmm.

QOTW

Working on my schedule for the town rec center. My question for you is...

"Do you take classes at the town rec center? If yes, what classes do you like and what would you like to see offered - paper crafting related of course?"

Have a wonderful day!

Fun Friday

Some new stuff in stock...Imaginisce, Core'dinations cardstock, Dream Street Papers, Pink Paislee 365 degrees, Crate Paper, Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday...and so much more. Check out my schedule on the right and even if you're attending the event, feel free to stop by and say Hi or even better to shop ;)

Two Imaginisce lines...Live Loud & Scooter's Vacation.

Wacky Wednesday

At Just Scrappin' crops we play games and always always have challenges. Some are easy, some are...a challenge. This last crop, we had some cool challenges and personally, I try to do all of them. If I can't do them, how can I expect the girls to, right? And if you want to play, I would love to see what you've done with the challenges.

1. Sketch challenge - Use this sketch from www.Debbie-Hodge.com for a layout.2. Use your stash challenge - 1 journaling spot + buttons + flowers + polka dots = 1 layout.3. Technique challenge - Fold or Pleat RIBBON. Add ribbon to your layout, pleat or fold it and secure it with glue, stitching or staples, adding a fun dimensional effect.4. Theme Challenge - Use a song title or lyrics, or even better, both title and lyrics for your title/or journaling on a layout.Up for a challenge?

QOTW

What's your most go-to Tool ever? Which one did you have to have and never used?

My most go-to tool would have to be my cutterbee scissors. I actually have three pairs and half the time I can't find a single pair 'cos it's hidden under my mess!

The one I had to have and never used would have to be my bind-it-all. Loved the idea of being able to bind my own albums, etc but never actually bring it out to use :(

Just Scrappin in Sturbridge MA

Just Scrappin' All Day Crops

When: April 17, 2010
Where: The Hampton Inn, 328 Main St., Sturbridge MA
How Much: $40 *bring a friend new to us and save $5*
Includes..

lunch & dinner
Tool Table with Cricut, Quickutz and more
On-site shopping provided by Jean's The Crop Shop
A Welcome gift, door prizes and games!
Make n Take (usually a 2 page layout)

Seats still available - you must pay in advance to hold your seat!
Contact me for more info.

QOTW

I've attended my share of day and weekend crops as well as hosting them myself. I'm fast running out of ideas for fun crop games. So...

"What is your favorite crop game?"

A layout to share...one I did at an all day benefit crop in Chicopee yesterday. Flowers are Petaloo Color Me Crazy petals sprayed with Smooch Spritz, Basic Grey Boxer line papers and Bazzill cardstock. Pictures of a trip to Calder Race Track in Miami, FL.

Ad Tuesday: Spring Fling Card Class

Add a little "pop" to your spring themed cards with Flower-soft. Here are a couple of sneak peeks.

Class fee is $20 and you will go home with 5 beautiful cards. Please bring adhesive, trimmer and scissors. Thursday 3/25 at Holden Rec Ctr from 6:30 - 8:30pm.

To register, call Holden Recreation at (508)829-0263

Tuesday Ads: Classes at Holden Rec.

I have been teaching at the Holden Rec for over 2 years now. The place is great, easy to get to from I-190 and the people in the office very helpful. If you've been thinking about taking a class with me there, please do not hesitate. I offer a variety of classes from scrapbooking to stamping and am introducing a Cricut 101 class this spring. If you would like more info on the classes, feel free to contact me. The classes I am offering are...

Spring Fling Card Class - 3/25 6:30 - 8:30pm $20
5 cards highlighting a cool product called Flower-soft.

Cricut 101 - 4/8 or 5/15 6:30 - 8:30pm $30
You will bring your cricut to learn on, materials will be provided.

Celebrating MOM Card Class - 4/14 6:30 - 8:30pm $20
5 cards for those most dear to you.

Disney Magic Scrapbooking Class - 5/15 6:30-8:30pm $20
2 double page layouts that introduces hidden elements for additional photos and journaling.

Question of the Week

Do you take scrappy classes?
If no, why not?
If yes, where? At a scrapbook store? Consultant?

Personally I haven't taken a lot of scrapbooking classes. I find that I am a visual learner and can easily reproduce a look just by looking at a picture. When I do take classes, it is at CK conventions as well as online classes.

ps. Check back tomorrow for a sneak peek of my Thursday class at the Holden Rec.

Thursday Deals: Core'dinations Buy

Similar to my Bazzill Bulk Buys except we are buying Core'dinations cardstock. If you haven't seen or heard of it before, it's a color core cardstock therefore if you sand or tear the paper, the inside is a different color/shade. Check out their website...http://www.coredinations.com.

This buy includes the Color Core, Black Magic, White Wash, Jenni Bowlin and Gemstone lines...2 colors from each line, 5 sheets of each color, totaling 50 sheets of paper.

Price is $25.00 includes shipping to me and tax. If you would like your papers shipped to you, it will be an extra $8.00. Otherwise, we can meet up or you can pick/collect at one of the crops I'm vendoring at (check side bar of right for schedule).

Deadline for ordering noon 3/19/10. 4 spots available.

Happy St. Patty's Day!!!

From my family to yours! Anyone have any "green" projects to share?

Tuesday Ads: Just Scrappin All Day Crops

Just Scrappin' All Day Crops

When: March 27, 2010
Where: The Hampton Inn, 328 Main St., Sturbridge MA
How Much: $40
Includes..

lunch & dinner
Tool Table with Cricut, Quickutz and more
On-site shopping provided by Jean's The Crop Shop
A Welcome gift, door prizes and games!
Make n Take (usually a 2 page layout)

Seats still available - you must pay in advance to hold your seat!
Contact me for more info.

Nosy Monday

Do you have a preference for 1 page or 2 page layouts? Why?

Looking through my idea books and magazines, I noticed that they highlight mostly 1 page layouts. I like to have both in my albums depending on how many pictures and how "big" of an event or milestone it is that I am scrapping. And just for fun, a share from my lil' guys' album.

a week?

Yikes! Has it really been a week since I've posted? Wow! How time flies when one has a to do list a mile long. Back to back events, parenting, volunteering, mothering = one very busy person here. I have to get back to my mile-long to do list but not before I share 2 of my latest page kits featuring Cricut's paper dolls :)

Rock Stars - a fair amount of smooch spritz and smooch inks went into this layout.
Faith - This is of Darin's baptism but it's being sold as a 1st communion layout. There is a choice of boy or girl paper doll and comes with a 1st communion rubon title.

More Paper Dolls

I'm hooked. Officially! Angela are you reading this? If you thought I was hooked, it's even worse now!!! I spent yesterday and today working on paper dolls for my page kits. They are so much fun and the details, the details are what's killing me. My 1st communion girl doll - she has pearly shoes and lace on her dress. Wait 'til you see her in person! Even my boys are hooked.

They made their own rock star paper dolls and put on a show for me before bed last night. And this little girl...well she *hearts* the cricut too!

Paper Dolls

*scroll down for the QOTW*

I fell in love with both the cartridges when they first came out and have always had good intentions to use them but don't use them as often as I like. Yesterday, while trying to come up with an idea of a slumber party invite...I had a lightbulb moment...dug into my Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge and found the perfect paper doll. Check it out! The doll...in his sleeping bag.The guy pops out and there's the invite details. Cool huh? And this guy...he's going on my son's Baptism layout, in fact he's wearing the same outfit he wore! He's also going to be featured on a cool Baptism/1st Communion layout - debuting at Cool Crops Andover this weekend.My Question of the week..."What would you name this guy? What about the girl version?" Post your choices in the comments on this blog. If I pick the name you suggested, I'll send you the boy and the girl paper dolls.

AdornIt Challenge

Found this today and think it's a great idea. I would love to do this...anyone else doing this?

The challenge for February 2010! The theme is “Lucky Everyday.” Your challenge is to create a layout that shows what makes you lucky everyday. Use any title, colors, and supplies you’d like, but - HERE'S THE CHALLENGE - use the following elements somewhere on your layout.

Challenge requirements:

- Something with polka dots

- Ribbon that has been pleated or folded

- A journaling spot

When considering what’s lucky in your life, think about the little “dailies” that bring you joy. Maybe it’s the view out your back window, or someone’s goodbye kiss. Maybe it’s your favorite hobby or food or book.

As for the requirements, the polka dots can be on your papers or embellishments. By folded or pleated ribbon, I mean that as you add ribbon to your layout, pleat or fold it and secure it with glue, stitching, or staples, adding a fun dimensional effect. A journaling spot is a small round (or other shaped) spot with written or typed words that you adhere to your layout. You can use it as a title, sub-title, or journaling.

Here are the layouts I created for this month's challenge! Notice the polka dots, pleated ribbon and and journaling spots on each layout!

Go here for the rest of the blog post.

Out and About!

Finally...a day that I can say I stayed home. I've been on the go forever and out of the house for several days in a row. For some of you, it may be the norm but it's hard for this little homebody. Saturday was "Just Scrappin' in Sturbridge"...a little shout out to all the ladies that attended. We had a blast getting our fingers all smudged with ink and everything covered in smooch spritz, even my laptop!!! Check out my girls working on their make-n-take...Monday was spent on the road checking out this beautiful venue for Just Scrappin's very first weekend crop. The place is beautiful, the space HUGE and the price just right. Working on the details etc. and will hopefully have details for you soon. I am so excited!!!

Nosy Monday

I spent my morning checking out a hotel for Just Scrappin's first weekend event. So I want to know...

Do you attend weekend retreats? Why? Why not?

Why do I scrapbook?

Found this gem hidden in my archives and thought I'd share. We're on winter break here so I'm taking a break from blogging as well. I'll be back to my regular schedule on Monday. Until then...

Why do I scrapbook?

Why do I scrapbook? Let me count the reasons.
It's not just something to help me pass the seasons!
Crafts and hobbies are not foreign to me
But "scrapping" is an addiction, you see!
It's so much more than cropping and matting -
It's being with friends, laughing and chatting!
It's a bond of preserving precious memories
Of our very special friends and families!

Some cardstock, mulberry & a pair of scissors
Oh what we can do with all those pictures!
With all the right tools, you'd just be amazed
At what we accomplish in a scrapping daze!
It's not JUST the pictures we want to preserve
The stories behind them need to be heard.
Journaling can be challenging for some,
But well worth the effort when done.

From cardstock and background paper we pick
Then of course you must have adhesive to stick!
Die cuts, stickers, and cut outs to embellish
And the vellum, fibers and eyelets we relish!
These pages we fill give us so much pleasure
Our families will have them for years to treasure.
I could go on and on and on to be sure
But that boredom you may not endure.
So this concludes my scrapping soap box
But man I'll tell you, this hobby rocks!!!

~Unknown

Choosing Embellishments

I sometimes get hung up on choosing embellishments for my pages and more often than not, give up and leave it simple. This article by Debbie Hodge explains her thought process on picking embellishments...check it out! I'm definitely going to give those theories a shot when I scrap next.

my Question of the Week

So I spent the weekend away at Theresa's Crop...thoroughly enjoyed myself scrapping, staying up late, dealing and working. Gotta love my job! Got home on Sunday afternoon, unloaded the car, laid down for a nap and then vegged in front of the TV watching the superbowl. Today, I slept in late (as late as I could with kids to get to school), cleaned house and feel as if I got run over by a truck. Is age catching up to me? I can't spend a weekend staying up late without feeling the consequences on Monday? So my question for you is...

"How long does it take for you to recuperate from a weekend crop?" Do you bounce back like it was just any other weekend? Or do you move at snail pace for days after?

A few pictures from the weekend to share...our fabulous hostesses plotting away on their "Let's Make a Deal" themed weekend.The gang and our winnings after almost getting "zonk-d" out! We won $19 each :)And me scrapping away :)

Off to a Weekend Crop!

Happy Friday! The car is all packed up, the house is all set...just need to post this and I'm off :) Hopefully I'll see some of you at Theresa's crop. If you'd like to stop in and say hello and do a spot of shopping, feel free to drop by. I'm at the Doubletree Inn in Westboro.

First off, some layouts I put together while at an all day event last weekend.A new page kit.And a challenge for you. I want to see your winter layouts. Post a link in the comments or email me (sluvs2skrap@yahoo.com) your .jpg file.

Wacky Wednesday: Allison's blog

I stumbled across Allison's blog from another blog. Her layouts are awesome and today she even has a basic shapes mini demo on how to make cute and easy embellishments. So super easy and so cute, I might just have to give it a shot today on second thought, maybe at this weekend's crop. I'm a little buried in work right now. From reading her blog, it looks like she owns(?) a scrapbooking store and draws sketches. In fact, she even sells sketch idea books. There's a link on her blog...I bought 2 today and will post a review on it when I get them.

Ad Tuesday: Holden Rec Classes

I have been teaching at the Holden Recreation Center going on 2 years now. This month, I have 2 classes.

Gifts from the Heart Class *limited spots available*
Save money, give handmade this Valentine's Day. Make 3 cards that are easily reproduced with basic supplies, and a gift "exploding" album. Nothing says love like handmade! Please bring adhesive, trimmer and scissors. Thursday 2/11 (6:30 - 8:30pm) Cost $20

Disney Magic Layout Class
Make 2 double page layouts thwt will highlight your precious Disney memories. We will use the Cricut machine and learn to add hidden elements on your layouts. Please bring adhesive, trimmer and scissors. Thursday 2/25 (6:30 - 8:30pm) Cost $20

To register, call Holden Recreation at (508)829-0263

Nosy Monday

Question of the week:

Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year are right around the corner! What have you been crafting for either or both of the holidays?

I am going to get my boys together and make Valentine's for the whole class. As well as something cute for their teachers. I will share when we get them done. For Chinese New Year, I'd like to make some cute decorations using red packets or "hung paos" as well as some cards if I have time ;)