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 ;)

Random Friday

It's Friday! I'm thinking it should be a random day...a day to share interesting links, projects that inspire, challenges and ideas. I will also post a pic of my work from my resolution to scrap something each week. So here goes...

It was bitterly cold here. Anyone else ready for spring?
I got quite a bit of scrapping done this week. Trying to wrap up J's 8 year album.
Also managed to get 2 page kits done, the first one is "Puerto Rico" and the other "Mexico". And last but not least a CHALLENGE...Scrap a vacation. Use 2 different patterned papers, at least 3 embellishments and 6 photos. Leave a comment with a link to your layout or email me a pic of your layout and I'll post it here. You have until Thursday 2/4/10.

Thursday Deals

Sharing a deal here every Thursday. Not all of it will be from my store, there will be items I come across web-surfing. What do you think? If you find something cool, do share. Today I'd like to share with you a site I visit almost daily. I say almost 'cos every time I head over to Scrapbook Steals, I want what they've got for sale and like any respectable scrapper out there, I really do NOT need any more stuff. But I am an enabler at heart so shop your heart out...SCRAPBOOK STEALS.

Wacky Wednesday

I visit several blogs daily during "lunch" (can a stay home mom say she broke for lunch) and came across a link to this blog. And thought it was very appropriate and wanted to share with you.

"Lately in our paper, I've been reading about 3 big complaints over and over. Piddly little stuff that makes the complainer seem so self-centered, and petty and ignorant of what is going on in the world. Whining about new city garbage containers, the newpaper not carrying enough TV listings, the dog pound not promoting pet adoptions enough...on and on and on...day after day! I think of what other people in this world who don't have enough to eat, don't have access to health care to save their children, can't even provide their families with clean water to drink...what would they think of us?..."

Head over to Clover Lane to read the rest of the story.

Ad Tuesday: Just Scrappin'

Tuesdays are when I will post information on classes, crops and events in the area...not just MY events or events that I will be at but any events in the area. If you know of an event or are hosting an event, send me an email (sluvs2skrap@yahoo.com) and I will share it here.

Just Scrappin'

Who: Hosted by Jean and Siewleng

What: a 12 hour crop

Where: The Hampton Inn, Sturbridge MA

When: February 20th from 9am to 9pm

How much: $40 for the day includes...

• your crop space,
• free use of our tool table ie Cricut, quickutz
• lunch, dinner and snacks
• goodie bag
• prizes, drawings and games galore
• free Make n Take - usually a 2 page layout
• on-site shopping

Email me at sluvs2skrap@yahoo.com to reserve your seats. You don't want to miss this fun "RED" themed crop.

Nosy Monday

Question of the week ...How often do you Cricut? By this I mean, when you scrapbook, how often do you use your scrapbook. Every time? Some time? I forget I have a Cricut?

I think I fall in the "I forget I have a Cricut!" I know! I wanted one so badly when they first came out and for the longest, didn't even have it set out. Now it sits out in my scrap room but I tend to look through all my embellies and letter stickers before using my Cricut. I am getting better about it though. How about you?

Fun Friday

It's Friday! I'm thinking it should be a fun day...a day to share interesting links, projects that inspire, challeges and ideas. I will also post a pic of my work from my resolution to scrap something each week. So here goes...

This week's Friday share is a link to a website called CRAFT CRITIQUE . Spot a new product, wondering if it's really what it says it is or if it's not worth the money, hop over to Craft Critique and they might have tried it and shared the pros and cons.

And my share is this layout of me and my boys hiking. The pictures tell some of the story but it's the STORY that is the most important part of the layout. My account of what happened, revisiting a short trail we used to hike when they were little, the boys running ahead and then almost stumbling over a snake, them sticking close after the encounter and us taking a wrong turn. Sigh! A learning experience ;)
products used: Cosmo Cricket Mr. Campy line, Bazzill cardstock and my handy dandy Sharpie ultra fine point.

Thursday Deals

I'm thinking it would be nice to post a deal here every Thursday. Not all of it will be from my store, there will be items I come across web-surfing. What do you think? If you find something cool, do share. Today's deal is my 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 $20.00 (the cost changes depending on the colors we buy, darker is more expensive.
• You will receive 50 sheets of Bazzill cardstock in 10 different colors. 5 sheets of each color.
• Price also 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.

The colors this time are...
Simon (canvas) blue

Sandbox (dotted swiss) brown

Canteen (orange peel) green

Melon (criss cross) orange

Blossom (canvas) pink

Gumdrop (criss cross) purple

Pollen (grass cloth) yellow

Watermelon (canvas) red

Salt (dotted swiss) neutral (off white)

Romantic Mauve (dotted swiss) pink

If you are interested, email me at sluvs2skrap@yahoo.com and I will get back to you about payment. Order will be placed tonight.

Wacky Wednesday

Anything goes. A link. A story. A blog. You get the idea. Today, I will share a story.

Last Saturday, I vendored at an event called Crop for Jesse. I don't know all the details except that Jesse, a little guy, was very sick and is now better. Someone correct me if I am wrong. I know some people think scrappers are a little loony what with all the paper, adhesive, photos and getting together. But another thing scrappers are that is not as well advertised is GIVING. The outpouring of love at this event was just amazing. over 40 ladies showed up with their stuff and scrapped the day away. All the while playing games and bidding at silent auctions, chinese raffles and all other kinds of raffles. And at the end of the day, these same ladies led by the awesome-est lady, managed to raise $1900+ for Jesse and his family. It's an incredible feeling to be able to help and to come together doing something we all love to show our love and support for someone else. Thanks Monique for the opportunity to come and help out. :)

Jesse's Dad, Jesse, Monique (organizer) and Jesse's baby bro.

Ad Tuesday

Tuesdays are when I will post information on classes, crops and events in the area...not just MY events or events that I will be at but any events in the area. If you know of an event or are hosting an event, send me an email (sluvs2skrap@yahoo.com) and I will share it here.

Cabin Fever Crop Weekend
hosted by the Scrappin Sistas Pat and Linda

Where: Hampton Inn, Plymouth MA.

When: Friday, Jan 29 - Sunday, Jan 31. Check in begins at 3pm and the crop ends 3pm on Sunday. Crop room is closed between 2am and 6am daily.

Cost: $75, includes
meals (friday dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner, Sunday snack. Breakfast provided by hotel).
crop space
chocolate
goodie bag
prize drawings n more

Hotel cost: $69.99 per night, double occupancy.

For more info, contact Pat pbest21@comcast.net or Linda lindag2854@aol.com

***they are also offering a day rate for Saturday only, cost is $50.00***

Nosy Monday

Let's see if I can keep this up. I'm going to have a question of the week every Monday...check in and leave a comment, I would LOVE to hear from you.

"What is your scrapbooking resolution for 2010?"

Mine is to do something scrappy at least once a week. I find that I tend to go too long between scrapping sessions...even though I vendor/teach every other week. The photos and memories aren't going to get themselves into the scrapbooks if I don't get to them, will they? It's going to be an anything goes kinda thing...some weeks I may just get 1 card done, others I may churn out a bunch of layouts. I'll share them on Fridays :)

and the WINNER is...

GWEN FARLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations and thanks for playing :) Shoot me an email with your snail mail add and I'll pop your prize in the mail.

a GIVEAWAY!!!

Posting daily to a scrappin' blog is hard. I said I would post daily and have already failed miserably :( So what should a blogger do? Oh I know. How about a GIVEAWAY? Scroll down to "Followers" and sign up to follow my blog by noon Monday 1/18 and I'll throw your name in for this beautiful Basic Grey Mellow Paper Pack. Comes with 18 12"x12" papers, 1 sheet coordinating alpha stickers and 1 sheet coordinating die cuts.
Some pesky rules:
1. You have to sign up to "follow" this blog to enter.
2. You have to reside in the US, shipping internationally is just too dang expensive, sorry :(
3. That's it...hope you enjoy the blog.

Happy Monday!

I've been gone from here for a while. Holidays, vacation and all the usual excuses ;) We got back after a delayed flight and it's already Monday. I'm back at it and in full swing with classes and events scheduled. My goal this year is to post something everyday on this blog be it challenges, drawings, ideas, events, etc. Something everyday, on the weekdays at least so become a follower (click on the box to the right) and check in daily :)

Spent some time today designing cards for a class I'm teaching on Thursday evening at the Holden Rec Center. I guess I just work better under pressure. Here's a sneak peek...

Winter Wonderland Card Class

Add sparkle to your life with 5 dazzling cards, perfect for the winter season! These will work well for any winter occasion...birthdays, notes, thank you's and so much more. Please bring adhesice, trimmer and scissors.

Class Date: Thursday 1/12 (6:30 - 8:30pm)

Cost: $20