Scrappin our Stash 2009+

Cards

2010-02-17T17:34:00.000-08:00

I made a few cards this weekend

Martha's recap of 2009

2010-01-08T08:45:00.000-08:00

Wow, has it been a year since we took on this stash challenge? So much has changed...

For starters, thank you Karen for joining me on this adventure. We did indeed start out so strong and so motivated. And then "life" happened. The best thing to come out of this particular challenge? Was getting to know Karen...she's become a dear friend (even if she lives so far away), and she is an awesome pacing partner. These past few months, my personal life has been rather stressful. Going back to school, job stressors, kid worries. And it never seemed to fail that just when I need a "Howdy" email, there is would be from Buddie's momma. She's paced me, encouraged me, listened to me and I am ever so grateful to call her my friend!

I just wish she and her family were a bit closer so we could enjoy some real time adventures.

I'm not motivated to total up my pages or my costs. Those details are buried deep in the mess that is currently the craft room and I need to tackle some other projects first. I know I did better on my spending and I know there were so many wonderful times when I really found my crafting mojo and discovered the joy that comes with using things you already have on hand. I'd have to say this challenge for 2009 was indeed a success.

I'm not sure I'll keep up with this particular challenge(that of using my stash). I know I will not be shopping till I drop: for financial reasons and pure practical reasons. I still have a lot of stash that needs to be used.

However, as I suggested to Karen in an email, I personally plan to shift my focus on this 'craft blog" to one of accountability for the challenge for 2010: the great purge. Karen and I belong to an online community where many of us are taking on the challenge of getting rid of the clutter and "purging".

I plan to use this space to document my progress...as I try to reduce the amount of clutter and chaos that fills my home and living spaces. Crafting pursuits will of course cross-over...because really? What better way to clean the clutter of accumulated projects than to finish them?

So stay tuned...the fog here in the House of Chang is starting to lift...and I can feel my motivation and determination building as I am eager to take on this new challenge!

2010: the year of the purge! :)

2009 - Karen's Recap

2010-01-07T05:24:00.000-08:00

I've had a great year crafting with Martha even with lots of miles separating us. I remember seeing some of her posts and being motivated to head down to the scrap room.

As you can tell we've both had things change in our lives and we haven't made as much time for crafting this fall and holiday season. Or if Martha was like me we just didn't take pictures and make a post. :)

Looking back over the blog I'm amazed at how much we accomplished in the first half of the year. Lots of cards and layouts were completed. I threw in lots of other crafts/hobbies and most were completed from using my stash!

I'm happy to report I did use a lot of my stash. I lurked in the aisles of Hobby Lobby a lot and I really didn't buy as much as usual. I did pick up several packs of solid color card stocks but that's because my stash was empty. I did pick up some patterned pages but I really think it would all fit in one regular size shopping bag.

My year end totals....
178 pages (my goal was 209 I think I did really great!)
33 cards
# of other crafts/cakes unknown but there were a lot. :)

Seriously I haven't scrapped or made cards since April????? That just does not seem possible. But I guess that is when I took the cake class. Sigh! No wonder I'm out of sorts.

Word to the wise, don't let yourself run out of pictures to scrap. That's been my biggest hurdle.

Today I'm taking a snow day. I think I'm going to make it my goal to get my scrap area cleared up. It's become some what of a dumping ground for things that don't really have a home.

Popup Scrapbook

2009-10-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

A friend found this idea and was having some problems with the directions. I decided to give it a try and realized this is a super cute and quick idea.

Using a square sheet of paper, I choose 10x10.

1. Fold the paper in half...

2. Unfold the paper and fold in half again - so there are 4 squares. Like this...

3. Next we need to cut out a square, leaving a 1 inch flap. I cut on one fold line to the middle and then cut an inch from the corresponding fold line. So we end up with this...

4. Next fold the square opposite the crease on the diagonal. It will look something like this....

5. Crease all folds in both directions to make the book easier to open and close.

6. Repeat 1-5 for the other 3 pages.

7. Now comes the tricky part. With one sheet of paper have the diagonal on the table top and fold the sides up to create a three sided box. Take the flap and put it on the back of the other square to create a free standing box. Like this...

8. Repeat for the other three pages.

9. Fold up the page, pushing the diagonal up to create a square.

10. Place glue on the top of the folded up square and put the next folded up square on top. ***Make sure the diagonals are all pointed in the same direction.*** When all 4 squares are glued together the two outside squares are the covers. This is how the album will look fold up.

11. Open up the squares with the diagonal squares on the table top. It will look something like this....

12. This is how the album will look with the covers together - a ribbon tie or velcro could be used to keep the album open.

Good luck and let us know what you end up creating!

Creations over football

2009-09-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

I worked on these while watching football last weekend and this weekend.

One hour scarf pattern - pretty simple and easy for me to make while I was visiting Mom in the hospital.

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Football banner - I worked on the footballs while my Mom was in surgery. This was a great project because I kept busy and I didn't have to think too much. I finally got them stitched together this weekend.

Close up of the footballs

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Super simple Boo banner - I saw this idea online and it was very easy to make. I used the Cricut Cursive cart.

Creative weekend

2009-09-07T19:05:00.000-07:00

I spent a lot of time relaxing and creating this weekend. No paper crafts this time, other crafts were calling.

I've been wanting to make a fall banner but wanted to do something besides "happy fall" "happy harvest", etc. I read Elsie's blog and thought about making her leaf banner. Thinking of my family I changed it to footballs.

I cut them out of felt and I used embroidery floss to chain three together to get my DH's opinion. Then I got the rest cut out. I need some busy work later this week and this will totally fit the bill.

I found the Hope pattern free on a blog and love how it turned out. I framed it tonight and I'm going to put it on my desk at work.

My mom had some projects for me too....

a little fall basket for my aunts entry way

a little wreath for my aunts front door.

I love that my mom introduced me to a lot of different crafts/hobbies growing up. For as long as I can remember we have been creating things for decorations or gifts. I don't remember what I learned first sewing, arranging flowers, knitting or embroidery. I told her this weekend that I have too many hobbies but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way.

Christmas file folder planner

2009-08-23T12:15:00.000-07:00

I'm planning ahead for Christmas this year and want to make most of the gifts I give. I decided to make some of these Christmas file folder planners - limiting myself to things I have on hand. The idea has been around for awhile and they are very easy to make.

I ended up using some of my favorite papers and snowman sticker but I'm OK with it because I know these will get some use. I left mine fairly simple because I'm planning on them being a purse planner.

Here's all three planners:

I embellished the front of one:

The inside of the stripped cover:

The inside of the ornament cover:

The inside of the green cover:

If this has inspired you to create your own planner, please leave us a comment and a link to your blog.

I'm off to decide which planner I want to keep. I had an idea but I love them all!

Included below are the instructions and where I found the calendar & page inserts.

Instructions:
1) Use a two pocket folder without the three ring holder. Mine had the three ring holder but it was stapled in so I gently took it out.
2) Optional: I chose to make my folder shorter so I took off about 2 in at the top. I went just above the top staple - my folder has 3 staples.
3) Fold the folder open so that the outside's are touching and the pockets are out.
4) Find the mid point of one pocket side and gently score from the top of the folder to the bottom. Do the same thing on the other side.
5) On one pocket side, fold so that the outside edge meets the middle of the folder. Repeat for the second pocket.
6) Attach a ribbon or string to the original outside edges of the folder. This will be used to tie the folder closed.
7) Cover the folder, outside and in with your favorite papers. I used a glue stick, others have used glue, mod podge or other adhesives.

I chose to line the inside of the folder with one sheet of paper and not do the pockets. A lot of people line the inside of each pocket and the pockets with different coordinating papers.

I found the calendar and other sheets at Organized Christmas. I trimmed 1/2 in off each side and the bottom. Leaving the 1/2 in at the top so that I could fold over my colored paper. I trimmed the white sheets to three inches across. I made the colored backing 4 x 9 inches and folded over a 1/2 so the total height is 8.5 in. I used brads to hold everything together. I recommend flat brads or staples - I didn't use those and it's a little bulky at the top.

Iowa county fair

2009-08-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

This year I decided to enter some items in the community section of the county fair. I took two pictures and two scrapbook pages that were judged together. I was pretty happy with my results considering I've never had anything judged.

The red matted picture of Buddie had a comment of "nicely presented Blue". At first I wasn't going to enter this picture because he had the doggie hollow eye but I love the pic. I'm glad the judges could see past that.

The ornament picture had a comment of "no center of interest red". Whatever I love the picture and will enjoy having it on my wall during the holiday season.

The scrapbook pages had a comment of "good craftsmanship well done Blue" I think these were the only scrapbook pages entered so the comment made me happy. Plus I had 2 things that were cut over both pages.

All in all it was an interesting experience. Next year I will be more particular about the pictures I take if I take any. I really want a pink ribbon so I need to research what's needed to get that. Hopefully I can plan ahead. =)

Forget Stella, Martha got her groove back...

2009-08-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling a bit like Momma Bear from Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This morning when I went into the craft room and started working, I discovered many of my assorted adhesives were bone dry. Hmmm, I haven't made anything in a long time, how could that be? Oh yes, my birthday last week...and I received many beautiful handmade cards from my family. Oh well: twas for a good cause (and like any good crafter, I had refills handy...the men just don't know how to change an empty roll. See, you thought that just happened in the bathroom. Nope, it happens everywhere!)

This first card is one I was "hired" to make. That's something I've started to do for friends: they need a specialty card? They ask me and I make one. I've not decided how to charge for this. So far, we've been working on a bartering economy and it seems to be working just fine. Buzz is apparently entering the battle of his life: cancer. ENOUGH I say, enough with this blasted disease!
These cards are creations of my own challenge. I decided rather than put away the supplies that were sitting in my scrap basket of leftovers, I would just use what was there. Most, if not all, were from a CTMH set called Perfect Day. The base colors are pastel and a bit too "blah" for my own personal preferences (I prefer more of the earthy tones). But I do like how they turned out.

Oh no, the children have found me...I guess that's it for today. But just like Arnold, I'll be BAAAAAACK I promise!

Practical Scrappers new blog

2009-07-29T14:20:00.000-07:00

I found a link to this on a friends blog and it fits in with what Martha and I are trying to accomplish - scrapping your stash. We've both been sidetracked this summer but I have a feeling we're going to come on strong when fall hits.

I look forward to following the Practical Scrappers blog and being challenged to use the supplies I already have.

~ Karen

Christmas Planner

2009-07-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's Christmas in July! Can you believe in 5 short months it will be Christmas?

In 2007 I heard a great idea....making a christmas planner. A way to organize and consolidate my all of my notes and ideas on Christmas. And to organize all of my totes full of decorations. I'm not at liberty to disclose the amount of decorations stored in my garage and basement but there are more than 5 boxes. ;)

I've been revising what my binder contains and I think I finally have my perfect solution.

I have the following tabs:
0) Index

1) Calendar and to do list - this is where I'll have my plan for decorating and everything going on in the holiday months.

2) Advice & Tips - all of the articles on great stocking stuffers and how to re leave holiday stress, etc. etc. etc.

3) Debriefing - each year I answer a set of questions - what went right, what needs to change or be improved, did I feel comfortable with my gift giving, what would I change. That kind of thing - I think it will be fun to look back over this.

4) Crafts - because I always have lots of grand ideas on holiday gifts. =)

5) Recipes & Baking - all of my favorite holiday recipes - some are duplicates from my recipe box and it makes planning much easier. Hmmm, I just realized I need to make a yearly summary area so I can track what we Loved, Liked or want to skip. (I so want to get the CTMH stamp set with the coffee cup ring just so I can add it to this page.)

6) Holiday Favorites - lists of some of our favorite things about the holidays. Events, movies, music.

7) Holiday Collections - Need to get my lists of all my different ornament collections in here.

8) Past Christmas Cards - an image of the cards we've sent in the prior year. I don't like to send out the same thing each year.

9) Christmas Card List - who we've sent cards to and received cards from. With addresses.

10) Card Ideas - notes on what I want to do for cards.

11) Past Decorating - pictures and descriptions of how I've decorated in the past.

12) Decorating ideas - I love pulling ideas for decorating my house. This is a list of my current favorites and things I'd like to try this year.

13) Decor Inventory - My master list of all of my different totes and boxes. Their color, label and what is in the box. I've tried to organize all of my christmas decs by room so that I can decorate a room at a time. It mostly works.

14) My Wish List - All of the wish lists - mine and the families.

15) Gift Ideas - my list of ideas and a tracker for what's needed.

16) Gift Inventory - list of all the stuff I have packed away for gifts.

17) Receipts - all the receipts for this year incase of returns.

18) Wrapping - How to pack things for shipping, decorative wrapping ideas, etc.

19) New Years - our list of new years resolutions.

20) Master Lists - copies of all the forms I've gathered for this book.

Wow that's a lot of stuff.

I love that this is a working binder, a scrapbook and an idea book. And I look forward to looking back over this each year. I hope that some day we have children and can use this to make our own traditions and keep track of everything.

Looking back this was the start of my use your stash challenge. I was determined to create this using some of the christmas scrapbook papers and stamps that I'd collected and never used. I love the simplicity and homespun feel.

cake, again.

2009-07-05T18:17:00.000-07:00

Last week I had my final cake 3 class and we learned how to stack cakes. The teacher told us we could do what ever we wanted.

Here is my cake:

I was very happy with how it turned out.

Next up is class two and learning how to make more flowers....

We interupt this challenge...

2009-06-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

to pause for Summer Break.

I didn't intend to take time off this summer...but I'm finding myself pulled in other directions. Directions I want to be pulled so it is all good (hello: nothing says summer quite like a good book, a cold glass of lemonade, sitting in a comfy chair and watching the clouds pass by).

I hope to return to my crafty ways in early August.

But until then...see what's happening over on the Family Blog.

Got Cake?

2009-06-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

We do!

Finished Course 1 a few weeks ago and this was my final cake - Loved making Wilton Roses once I figured out how to hold the tip.

Now we're on to Course 3, I'll take course 2 next.

This class introduced me to fondant - not so sure I like working with it but mine turned out awesome. The teacher was shocked at how well I did.

So without further ado I present my present

And this is why my scrapbooking and card making has been on a decline.

Anyone want to place an order?

Cleaning up

2009-06-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

Wk 16: Finally blogger didn't try to tilt it on its side. (Original sketch came fromPage Maps, Jan 09)

SS Sketch Challenge: Wk17 (this was a BH sketch, pg. 182)

While it isn't one of my recent favorites, I am pleased with how I was able to highlight several different events in one sketch and I am glad I took the time to add the journaling. The best part is that it is D.O.N.E. and I can move on to something else.

Off I go...taking off my crafting hat and putting on the administrative assistant hat...the pile of stuff that needs to be filed and sorted is HUGE and before I can pay bills I need to get a handle on the chaos.

A bit of progress

2009-05-31T07:51:00.000-07:00

I finished two layouts yesterday...which given the number of interruptions to the day, I'm pretty proud of that accomplishment.

and while I have hopes of getting a couple more pages done today, I thought I'd share one with you. the other one I tried to upload but Blogger kept turning the image for me and I'm not up for the challenge of dealing with Blogger today (my younger son pushed every button I had left to be pushed yesterday so I'm all out of patience...).

Enjoy!

Mojo

2009-05-30T07:18:00.000-07:00

Honest, I haven't lost my mojo...it's just buried pretty far down on the to-do list.

I did get one layout started last weekend and then...got distracted with a good book (Diane Mott Davidson's culinary mystery, Grilling Season).

I'm hoping to get the area picked up and get back to at least this project later in the weekend.

But then again...the sun is out and the neighborhood pool is open...so who knows what will really make it to the top of my to-do list!

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T15:12:00.000-07:00

Creatively this weekend took a different track than I expected. I ended up making 3 cakes and got no scrapping time in.

Here are 2 cakes I put together for my husband to take to work. The girls all loved it.

The third cake is for my class tomorrow - which reminds me I still need to finish the frosting and make more frosting. My mixer and I are so tired!

Hello? Anyone home?

2009-05-23T06:27:00.000-07:00

Yep, Karen is right..we've both found ourselves taking other paths of late. Crafting has always been something I do for "me". And with Spring, I continue to make time for me but it's been in the flower boxes and on the couch with a good book (or two...).

So while I've not been cranking out the crafts, I am feeling rested, refreshed and energized, making time for activities that make me happy...even if not in the craft room.

This weekend I would like to get back to a couple scrapbook projects that are sitting off to the side of the desk. The weather forecast is such that outdoor activities are iffy as the day progresses from morning to afternoon so I think I just might manage a page or two.

So, for my weekend goals, I hope to work on 2 sketch challenges and see what Creative Challenges Amy has made over on her area. If I get these 3 things tackled, I could easily see myself very fulfilled and still have time for a good book on the couch!

Life overload

2009-05-21T16:46:00.000-07:00

I think both Martha and I are a little overwhelmed with non crafting responsibilities right now. Plus the big holiday weekend is fast approaching. My mom is still waiting for me to take her on the cemetery rounds. It's something I enjoy - a small connection with 3 generations of my family.

I had another cake class this week. The teacher said I had great improvement over last week. We started making roses - not to sure about those.

Here is my clown cake...

Have a great and safe holiday weekend!

Catching up....

2009-05-13T15:11:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago when I was on a mini vacation to my sister in laws house (we lovingly refer to it as Hotel M.) and she has an awesome craft room where I set up for a morning card making session. My juju wasn't flowing but I came home with these cards

I gave them to my secret sister as part of my big reveal gift and she loved them so much she's not sure she can send them out. :) That and the drool a lot of ladies were doing helped me out a lot!

Last week I started a new adventure. A friend and I signed up for cake decorating 101. I've played around with it before but wanted to learn the right techniques and I want to learn to make roses. :) Monday I decorated my first cake. Now no laughing. I know my letters aren't spaced right and they are wobbly. I was tired of being crammed into to 2 feet of space while the lady to my left had one six foot table and another 6 inches of mine. sigh! She so did not follow the towel marks my area rule.

Any way without further ado here it is...

I thought I'd mark the cake as mine since I didn't get a Momma's Day card from Buddie.

Archivers update

2009-05-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

I did pretty good on my adventure to Archivers. I could have been bad...very very bad...but I exercised self control.

I bought myself a card kit from Basic Grey. And look, here they are, already finished. Yeah me! The kit was pretty easy and I suppose, all the ideas are things I could have come up with on my own. But, it was a nice change to have had all the cutting and scoring already done. A little bit of adhesive and boom...8 cards finished in under an hour! Can't beat that!

Now I"m off to help supervise Thing Two's social studies report. He's most excited to cut out a title using the cricuit machine.

Wish me luck...

2009-05-09T08:26:00.001-07:00

I'm heading over to the area of town where the Archivers is.

...with a coupon in hand and permission to "pick out your own Mother's Day present".

(which is really the best thing to give me: permission to shop)

................this could be bad, very bad indeed....

Weekend Plans May 2-3

2009-05-02T12:51:00.001-07:00

Well, Karen is on the road this weekend...with hopes of making some cards. How dedicated is that?

As for me, I'm spending today (Saturday) cleaning through some stuff here in the craft room. I ordered photos mid-week and wasn't sure they would arrive in time to do anything with them this weekend (they were just delivered about 1/2 hr ago). But, I've already committed myself to cleaning up some odds/ends projects.

Once I can clear out the mess, I hope to find my mojo buried underneath it all and get back to the joy of scrapbooking.

Wrapping things up...

2009-04-26T15:27:00.001-07:00

Looking at the schedule for this week, I know I won't get to any more crafting for the month, so I decided to add up my pages done. 33 pages completed. I believe that's a personal best for me. Granted it might not be 100% accurate. Some of those might have been done late March and I'm too lazy to figure out exactly which ones go where. Regardless they are pages done and ready for sharing.

More exciting for me is that this last layout, with my Things and their cousins, is the ending page for the baby album. I always love it when I finish a project and it is all set to be mailed off to my SIL.

Hubby was being rather silly when I showed him the completed baby album. He ooh'd and aah'd appropriately and then without cracking a smile he remarked "Too bad our kids don't have anything like this"...I almost started to offer my rebuttal when he cracked a smile and I realized he was teasing me.

Now I really must get to ordering some new pictures. Because, gasp, if I don't...I'm not really sure I have anything ready to pull out and work on when the next opportunity presents itself.

Weekend Plans: 25-26 April...

2009-04-25T11:49:00.001-07:00

When your craft desk looks like this jumbled mess (yes, it is a slightly blurry photo, but it sort of diminishes the real life horror of it, thank you very much...) it's hard to have motivation, much less a plan.

First order of business is to clean off the desk and figure out how many pages I need to do to finish up the nephew's baby gift album. I'm down to those last few layouts: which are often the hardest, you know? I want to make sure the whole story is told in terms of Baby N's first month of life.

Next up will be to plan out and order photos for my next project.

What shall I work on? I think I"d like to work on updating the Things School albums. I wait until the end of each school year to update the year all at one time. It makes it easier for me to feature the highlights and keep from "over-doing" the year. Only problem is, we're fast approaching the end of the current school year, and I've yet to update their books with the previous grade's events.

So off I go...

Oh, one final note...in case you ever wondered: those plastic sheets that cover your cricuit mat? Are very slick and slippery if you step on one that has been carelessly tossed on the low pile carpet here in the basement. The good news is nobody witnessed my tumble. The bad news is, I"m icing and propping up my ankle...hoping I didn't twist it! :(

Help I've fallen...

2009-04-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

and I can't get up...

no wait, let me rephrase that: I don't want to get up...

You see I went to Michaels today to pick up adhesive....and well, a few more things fell into my basket. Most of it was on clearance. A few things were on sale. But all of it looked too pretty to pass up!

Scrapping Party

2009-04-20T16:32:00.001-07:00

Feeling Scrappy is having a birthday party. And they are giving away presents. Go check it out!

While the snow continues to fall...

2009-04-18T12:34:00.001-07:00

These are two cards I made for Amy's Creative Challenge. We were challenged to use 4 colors of CTMH card stock.

I've finished my 6 pages already. YEAH ME! They are basic and simple but that's ok...the photos my SIL/BIL take are so good, really...all they need is to be put into the album. The pictures tell the story. I just put them on pieces of paper.

I hope to get back to this project but now want to take a break and go play in the snow.

Here's what I did...

Weekend Plans: 18-19 April?

2009-04-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

I just finished up a couple cards for Amy's color challenge. I couldn't do layouts because well...aside from some photos for my nephew's baby album, I don't have much left in my stash. I had decided awhile ago to print pictures in smaller batches and when I finished up FL '08 two weeks ago, that pretty much completed the current stack. And I've been too unmotivated to print new photos.

So, that leaves just one project to work on this weekend: the baby album for the nephew. It's been way too long since I've even looked at this project so I need to get my rear in gear and crank out some pages.

Wish me luck: I'd like to finish 6 pages (3-2 pg spreads.). Since it is a gift album, I don't journal so that should make this a realistic goal.

And then, back to I don't know what...maybe order some pictures.

If so, does anyone know of some good deals online? the only place I don't like is Sams Club. Without fail they mess up my order in some way or fashion. Yes, they are the most convenient but I pay the price every time I take a short cut and use them.

Scrapping time

2009-04-12T14:46:00.000-07:00

I had some time on Saturday afternoon to get some scrapping done. I was motivated to get caught up on all the SS sketch challenges since another message board is starting a new challenge on Monday.

Here are my favs...

Nephew 1

Nephew 2

I love my nephews to bits but after scrapping baseball and football for them, my mom and me - well I'm tired of black and orange! Any advice from other mom's who do lots of school photos? I think my biggest problem is how to use them without it feeling like halloween.

Finished the latest challenge on Saturday night after my family Easter dinner.

Weekend Plans: April 11-12th

2009-04-11T06:29:00.001-07:00

I would love to find time to play this weekend but I don't see it happening.

I've got Easter lunch here and I need to clean off the craft table so that...well, I can re-purpose it for the eating.

Next weekend will be better suited for playing.

This weekend: it's about making time for family and friends...and making my house presentable for them!

What's on your agenda? :)

Cards

2009-04-05T19:28:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend with my husbands sister and her family. At the last minute I threw in some card making supplies. I had fun working on cards Friday night and Saturday morning.

I took a bunch of stamps and the only papers were the Creative Memories storybox sets and my cardstock bases. Used a bunch of stamps for the first time and no new techniques.

Saturday cards

The middle card in the top row - I need to add a cream colored circle to the gold circle.

Sunday cards

I tried to make the theme pretty generic so I can use them for any occasion. Having a limited amount of paper was an interesting challenge for me. At times I was frustrated with the papers available but I'm happy that I made it work and got a nice stack of cards.

My supply is growing and it makes me happy.

Florida memories..

2009-04-04T14:22:00.000-07:00

A cold Spring day here. We were to have gotten a lot of snow but luckily that part of the storm fizzled and all we have is cold and windy. A good day for going to FL...if just in my memories.

Still working through the stack from our Vacation in January 08.

What did I use: well, sketches of course. I fear I don't scrap without them any more.

I used some paper from K & Co. called Roam series. SHHH: I bought it new last month.

Sure, Use your stash...but when you see a great clearance sale on something you know you'll use and is just right for your style and color interests, then get it is my interpretation of this year long challenge

The other stuff is from CTMH Emporium series. I love this paper set and find myself wanting to hoard it. Um, hello...that's the part of this challenge I"m really embracing...NOT hoarding stuff, use it now. If you totally love it and need more later on, then get it...but don't wait...use it

(that's my own little pep talk, feel free to move on...I know, you are only here for the pictures...)

This marks the end of my work for today. I see the sun shining in on the couch and feel a nap is a good way to finish up the afternoon. Maybe tomorrow I can get back down here and finish up my FL adventure.

Weekend plans

2009-04-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

Ahh the weekend is here again. I was lucky and only worked a half a day on Friday and took a little vacation time. We are at my SIL's house - I call it a hotel because we have our own cozy room with a fire place and they let us bring Buddie. The food and conversation is awesome and we spend time relaxing and being a family.

This time, since I usually get a little fidgety I brought along some card making supplies. DH rolled his eyes a little but put it in the car anyway. Last night and this morning I've been busy making cards at the dining room table. Everyone else is in the connected living room and the conversation has been flowing. Almost like a retreat.

So I finished five or so cards last night and three so far this morning. And the only papers I brought were my CM storybox sets...note to self next time remember some additional white cardstock.

I hope that everyone is having a nice and relaxing weekend. We will head home tomorrow afternoon and hope to avoid the yucky weather coming.

Inspired by Riesling

2009-03-30T18:17:00.000-07:00

It's been an odd day: weather wise and friendship wise (not a big deal, but my paths crossed with Neg. Nellie and I swear she's on Happy Pills! She just seemed so non-negative. What's up with that? And if any locals see this, since I didn't see YOU today, you aren't the Negative Nelly)....so at dinner I suggested we open a bottle of wine...and afterwards, I found myself here in the craft shack. Slightly buzzed and had a moment of inspiration.

I grabbed some card bases (the scalloped part) that I bought last summer with every intention of using for something and grabbed a packet of CTMH paper that I can't stand (Paper Garden: way too bright and busy for my style of SBing). and decided to make some note cards.

I owe a bunch of people some sort of thinking of you card and figured I'd crank out these cards and gasp...write them a letter instead of sending them a card.

so, in less than an hour, I've made 12 of these cards. All slightly different since the embellishment sticker is from a K&Co. sticker sheet with no two alike. But, I'm proud to say I used up all the scalloped base card stock that I had AND most of the lavender ribbon and all of that ugly patterned purple paper.

Hmmm...maybe wine is the key lost mojo after all?

Catching up on challenges

2009-03-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

SS Sketch Challenge wk 11. The inspiration was from a "Blueprints" layout. I love how the colors always come together when I'm working on beach photos. Sadly, being here all land locked, I don't get many chances to do beach layouts...but there you have it.

I wish the journaling was a little clearer. The older gentleman in these photos is not my dad but rather my hubby's college mentor. "The Colonel" has been a part of Dom's life since Dom was in college and they so enjoy each other's visits.

This is week 12 on the SS sketch challenge. The inspiration was from something from Donna Downey. I'm not familiar with her work/style but hey...it worked for the photos I had. I think the intention was for more open space where I used patterned paper and placed a journaling block. But, hey, I just don't care for that much "dead space".

The title is rather hard to see but it reads "Happiness is spending a week at the HILTON." Yes, folks this was our timeshare that we exchanged for last year. OhLaLa indeed...made it hard to come home to my humble abode. That's my dad with the boys. He came and spent a couple nights with us at the condo.

I didn't accomplish as much as I'd hoped to but more than I did last weekend. I quit early in favor of cleaning up the basement and tending to a few domestic details. Maybe since the boys are on Spring Break/Track off (yes, I know...again...how does any learning go on? I wonder that myself) I might get to do a bit during the week.

Off to watch a movie with the family....see you next weekend (if not sooner)

Pics from last weekend

2009-03-29T12:26:00.000-07:00

I realized that I never uploaded pictures of my finished banner or cards. Not much time spent in the craft room today, we'll see how the rest of the afternoon unfolds.

Here's the Happy Easter banner...

Middle

The R is backwards intentionally.

Here's the collection of cards that I finished.

Weekend plans: 28-29 March

2009-03-28T13:09:00.000-07:00

How did we manage to get to the end of March this fast?

YIKES!

Today I'm spending it doing mom/scout parent things. But tomorrow, I'm eager to get in the craft room and play. I've got on layout set out and ideas for two more. YEAH ME, my mojo has returned.

I did manage to make some invitations for an Easter luncheon that we're hosting. Normally, I just e-vite or call but I was feeling crafty and had some paper that I didn't see myself ever using in a layout so I made 4 invitations. I forgot to take a photo but they turned out really cute and very high end looking. And, didn't cost me a dime because I used all my stash to make them.

Ok, so the Things are hollering at me to take them sledding. Since Spring snow lasts for such a short time, I"d best head off and do the mom thing.

But tomorrow? I'm claiming it for MYSELF!

Silence in the craft room

2009-03-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I think that this is the first weekend since we've started our challenge that I have not crafted on the weekend. Yeah, I've missed a couple weekends due to travel or visitors. But this weekend, I had no such excuse...just no mojo.

I'm trying hard to convince myself that I've got seasonal allergy issues brewing...but as the weekend progresses, I'm thinking I might have caught Hubby's "man cold".

So, check back next weekend...hopefully this is just a temporary loss of mojo...but today? All that sounds good is a cup of tea and curling up watching mindless t.v. or reading a book. Even surfing the 'net doesn't sound interesting.

Hope everyone else has had a more productive weekend than me. And if you haven't, then you have my sympathies...it's a bummer when the time is there but the interest is absent.

Weekend plans: March 21-22

2009-03-21T05:50:00.000-07:00

Ahh the weekend has finally arrived!

Last night I started working on a Happy Easter Banner - I'll share pics when I'm done. I wanted to use bigger eggs but didn't have a template and there's no ink for the printer. :( So I'm using the CM CSS special edition egg shape and I'll mat them.

I'm hoping for some quality crafting time today, I have a brunch/social with my sorority and after that no set plans. Maybe I'll make a fun(?) housekeeping binder - to store my schedule and all the hints and tips. :) I need to make a stock pile of cards - I'm tired of making them at the last minute. And I need to finish our March Challenge - using stamps and a new to me stamping technique. Hmmm sounds like it fits making cards, LOL!

Sounds like Martha has some plans with her boys, not sure if she'll have crafting time today?

Have a great weekend and if your weather is warm get out and enjoy it.

SS Sketch Challenge #11

2009-03-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

I am one of *those* doggie Mommas. We gave our dog a birthday party when he turned two. I found the cutest paw print hats and had to train him to wear it.

These are the pictures of the training. Buddie gets embarrassed - funniest thing to watch. Anyway, he buried his nose & face under his pillow. He finally came out when we told him he could have a frosty paws (doggie ice cream) treat later.

See ya, 'O7

2009-03-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

YES! I knew I was getting close to the end of the photos for 2007, but this morning when I pulled out my book of photos to be worked on, I realized I was closer than I had thought. So while I stalked SS for this week's scrapbook challenge, I decided to just jump in and finish up these lingering layouts. For inspiration on the Fall Humbug, I used an idea from Simple Scrapbooks (Mar/Apr. 09, pg 42). I liked the way they'd used very similar photos to tell a story. I try not to use duplicate type photos in a layout but sometimes it's important to convey the right "thought" so this sketch worked well for what I had in mind.

For the others, I think I had my Best of Becky Higgins book nearby but can't really say I used a sketch. I did for the Santa's Village, because that was for the SS sketch challenge wk. 9. But the rest, I just sort of threw things together.

Yeah, yeah...I'll shut up and just show you what I"ve done.

It's 12:30ish local time...and I"m still in my jammies. I best call it a wrap and go back to my usual mom/wife responsibilities. But, I"m leaving a happy scrapper...having found time for some crafty pursuits....and that is always a good thing indeed!

WWYD: All caught up...

2009-03-14T06:02:00.000-07:00

Ah, something I only dream about...being caught up in my scrapbooks.

But, really, if I continue on this pace, the reality of being caught up on the family stuff, is a very real possibility.

So, as Karen pondered this in her comments on another entry, I thought I'd open it up for others to chime in.

Please, under the comments, share with us what you'd do if you found yourself all caught up on your own stuff?

For me, I'd take on some sort of service project. Maybe work with Make a Wish to make an album for a family that got to take a Wish adventure. I'd also do some work for friends. I've done that many of times before when I'm not feeling inspired/motivated to work on my own stuff...I offer to make pages for others, or more often, make a small gift album for someone who enjoys my talents. If you don't like scrapbooking and have openly shared your "eh, whatever" feelings, don't expect to ever get a martha creation. I'd rather learn a new hobby than spend time on a project for someone who doesn't "get it" in the first place.

So, come on ladies...comment away...what would you do IF...

TGIF

2009-03-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

Yeah, the weekend is here. Even as a SAHM, I so look forward to the weekends. Things are usually quieter and I find time for more crafty pursuits, less concerned about household responsibilities.

So, anyways, it's been a long week (scout drama taking up way more time than it should. Sheesh...) and having been out of town last weekend, I'm MORE.THAN.READY. to get crafty.

As for my plans, I'm hoping to finish up a layout I'd started 2 weekends ago. I need to also take a look at the SS sketch challenge and see where I am on that. And then, I'd like to work on making some cards. My friend's hubby turns 50 and I need to make him a bday card...any ideas? I have such a hard time with "guy" cards. Except for my guy: as long as it has a motorcycle on it, you are good to go.

I could ramble some more, but instead, I"ll stop now...head off and clean off my work space so that first thing tomorrow morning I can start creating! :)

Weekend Plans 7 - 8 Mar

2009-03-07T20:08:00.001-08:00

My thoughts and prayers are with Martha this weekend as she bought a weekend get away package to go to AZ and see her uncle. I hope that she's able to get some great pics to remember the weekend.

This is our weekend to relax and hang out at home. I've accomplished a lot around the house today and most importantly made time to reorganzie part of my scrapping area. I am so happy to walk down the stairs and see the open area by my scrap space and I can't wait to make a lot of great pages there. I'm hoping tomorrow has a little more sun so I can take some pictures.

Otherwise my scrapping priority was to make the SS sketch challenge #10 which I accomplished tonight.

LHS

RHS

Tomorrow I need to make some cards to give to my sorority sisters and work on the taxes (yuck!).

Have a great weekend everyone!

March Mini Challenge

2009-03-03T20:17:00.000-08:00

MARCH: Stamp It!
Pull out at least two of your stamp sets that have never been used and use them. It's a wide open challenge...you can stamp a card, or stamp on a scrapbook page. Or, if you didn't quite get around to last month's challenge, you can stamp on your altered project. As always, share with us your creation.

What, you don't have any unused stamp sets? Trust me, I've got plenty to share...
~ Martha

Mar: Try a new to you stamping technique.
I'm got some to share too....
~ Karen

The one and only

2009-03-01T12:45:00.001-08:00

layout that will get done today is here.

For the SS Sketch challenge, wk 9. From Best of Becky Higgins, page?...somewhere in the back of the book.

I'm trying to simplify the family album and while I took loads and loads of pictures of Halloween '07 fun, I decided to limit myself to just this layout and one layout of us going to the Pumpkin Patch (because we go to the same place year after year and I enjoy seeing how the boys change year after year in the same setting).

This was harder than I thought to decide which photos make the cut. But, now that I'm done, it was very energizing to take the "non used photos" and pitch 'em.

Wrapping up the month

2009-02-28T14:54:00.000-08:00

SS Challenge #8

Journaling is simple "My Skippy boy". Bud loves to clean out the mostly empty peanut butter container.

SS Challenge #9

Pictures from last summer of my street, the view from the driveway and the back yard.

The picture of the tree in the bottom middle on the left shows scratch marks from a deer. Wish he would have left his antlers.

Journaling is "The world's favorite season is spring. All things seem possible in May. Teale"

Feb 12 on the 12th

The journaling will go in the white space on the RHS. I'm typing it out and need ink for the printer.

Also got mostly caught up on the pj 365 pages - again need some ink so I can print some more pics.

Our challenges
Altered 4 mailboxes for valentines day, three for us and one for a secret sis.

Made Valentines cards for my sweeties - posted earlier here on the blog.

FEB totals

2 SWAP SETS USED
4 ALTERED ITEMS
18 TRADITIONAL PAGES MADE USING A SKETCH
24 PAGES COMPLETED
6 CARDS MADE
SPENT $0

YTD Page total = 140

So now I'm caught up on the SS Sketch challenges (I think)

Weekend Plans: 27 Feb- 1 March

2009-02-27T07:49:00.000-08:00

Wow, did this week go by quickly or what? Oh forget about the week, more like this month has sped by. It dawned on me yesterday morning I needed to pay my property taxes. (yeah, why give them their $ a moment too soon?). I knew I had until the end of the month... it just hadn't dawned on me that tomorrow is the end of the month. Luckily, I dropped the check in the mail and the fine print assures me all I need is a postmark by the 1st of March so I should be all good to go with the tax collectors.

That same feeling of UH OH is applied to this month's Scrap our Stash challenge. I was to have altered an item. I had something in mind, I just never got around to it. And I've decided not to fret...unlike paying taxes, these challenges are just "if you are so inclined" obligations...at least I"m hoping Karen won't assess me a penalty for doing my altered item a little bit late. Right, Karen?

As for this weekend, I'm not sure what I'll get accomplished. Tomorrow is a day of scouting activities so I fear I'll be putting the crafty pursuits on the back burner. I think tomorrow I'll work on getting my totals for the month finalized and submitted. If I can accomplish more than that, I'll consider it a bonus.

And Sunday marks a new month...not sure what's on the agenda for the rest of the family, but I"d like to get at least the SS challenge done Sunday morning. We shall see.

So, do share...what are your plans for the weekend?

Got Mojo?

2009-02-22T13:09:00.000-08:00

Wow...I sure have had a good healthy dose of crafting mojo this weekend. I can't remember when I was this productive over just a regular weekend. And more importantly, I can't recall when I have been this pleased with how my layouts all turned out. Seems like lately, I've just been "ah, at least they are done", but for a couple of these...I'm really excited about the final results.

I think a lot is a reflection of the pictures: I had a lot of good pictures to choose from, and was scrapbooking one of my favorite places to go: our neighborhood pool. We really do live in a great neighborhood!

This first layout is from SS Sketch challenge wk6. I didn't have enough photos to make it a 2 page spread. So, one side is my birthday, and the other is just a summary page of my neighborhood gal pals. You probably can't read the journaling, but Hubby calls us "The coven". Pretty accurate description. We enjoy stirring the pot and cast spells on those that annoy us! :)
The second one is from GaCyn's challenge, wk 7 I think on SS. Love my Things and love this photo of them. Rare that they both cooperate and to be wearing their Thing shirts, well, that was a double blessing!

These two are from our annual Party in the Park celebration. Didn't use a sketch, gasp...did this one ALL on my own. It was easy...the bright colors worked well, and again...I'm so happy doing layouts of my neighborhood.
This was the last one for the weekend. Just a Hodge podge of photos that I wanted to scrapbook but didn't really warrant their own layouts. OMG: that must be a mistake...I fear I finally managed to get a picture of Hubby! He's even less willing to have his photo taken than moi!

And finally, the SS challenge, wk 8. It's from a BH sketch that I've used many of times. I'm excited I was able to stamp in the corner of the RHS. That stamp set is from a CTMH set, from?last month...Key to my heart. Love the swirlies!

And well...with this, I must clean up my space and shift gears...I would like to get a few pages done on the baby album. but, it was fun to spend the weekend working on my own family pages.

Weekend Plans: 21-22 Feb

2009-02-21T07:26:00.000-08:00

For starters, Karen, when/if you read this...my heartfelt condolences to you and Boyd. I know this week has been hard on you, and the weekend will be even harder as you say your final goodbyes to your beloved BIL/father-figure. Hang in there...try to celebrate the small gift that comes with a funeral...as you gather together with friends and family and share the many stories of L.

And if at all possible, try to take a photo or two...my aunt gave me quite the evil eye when I snapped some photos at my mom's funeral...but you know what? Those photos are some of my most treasured memories of that very sad time in our live. I look back and remember how so many of our friends and families stopped their own busy lives to mourn with us. Without those pictures, I don't think I'd have that many "happy" memories, ya know? :)

And as for me, my plans this weekend do not involve a funeral...

Instead, I'm hoping to get some caught up on some of the SS sketch challenges and figure out my plans for the next batch of photos that arrived this past week. YOWZA, my line up of projects is pretty darn long.

So enough with the chatter...I'm off to start the day...

The last from the weekend...

2009-02-16T08:33:00.001-08:00

I finished up these two sketch challenges this morning. (From the BOBecky Higgins and a page map from ?Feb. 07). The second sketch (Math Masters) was a real challenge for me. Taking pictures at school assemblies is tricky and I never get a shot that I"m pleased with. But these assemblies are a big part of the Things elementary years so I felt the need to document and journal what I had. I've tried everything to get a clearer shot and it just doesn't seem to work with the lighting in the cafeteria, the movement of the children and the general sense of chaos during this event. Go with what you have and be done with it...that's my motto of late.

I've cleaned off the desk and will likely pack things up until the next weekend. I could make the time to scrapbook during the week but it never feels right. Weekends are when I do my best work...I just need to live with this reality.

Weekend happenings

2009-02-15T20:09:00.000-08:00

Boyd's Card

SS Sketch Challenge #7

SS Sketch Challenge #6

SS Sketch Challenge #5

Fun layout

I accomplished more than I expected over the weekend. Caught up on the sketch challenges, got the Valentines done, organized my pictures to scrap, and went through my scraps and got them filed.

Boyd and I were talking on Saturday night and he was wondering if we should move my scrapping area to the basement. I love it's current location, one level down from the main level (we have a 4 level split) and I'm right infront of a large window. I think I just need to repurpose a few more things and get it to where I want it. :D

300

2009-02-15T19:02:00.000-08:00

photos ordered from WinkFlash.

I'm hoping for continued scrapbooking motivation to work through this new stack.

I admit, I'm not necessarily going to scrapbook them all. I was lazy today and just uploaded the photos without putting much effort into editing the photos to decide which are crop worthy...

But at least the photos got ordered.

I opted to play "fun mom" today instead of hiding out in my basement. Took the boys swimming so didn't get to all the things on my to do list. But, am happy to have kids all tuckered out from 3 hours at the rec center.

And tomorrow is a holiday so who knows...I might make time for myself...we shall see...

Brag Book 5x7

2009-02-14T14:40:00.000-08:00

I've had this project on my stack for....well, way too long. But today I told myself the time had come. Just do it...and while it isn't exactly as I imagined it to look, I"m grateful to have the project done.

These photos were from almost 2 years ago (5.07 and 6.07). My friend Marcie turned 40 and we had a couple different events planned that celebrated this big day for her. The highlight for me was our weekend of cropping. Now, I could be wrong, but I fear that was the last time I went to a weekend retreat that didn't involve packing a suitcase and catching a plane.

That simply needs to change...it has been TOO long.

Back to the project at hand. I'll make a card and take the entire project and mail it to her. Sure, she really does live just around the corner...but I can only imagine the smile it will bring to her face to go check her mail next week and find this memory book waiting for her.

Practice Random Acts of kindness...even in the scrapbooking variety and even if the event occurred way too long ago...the thought will still be appreciated I'm sure of that!

PS: I have no idea what the letters on the title page stand for...she's a huge a rocker and she and her BFF, Debbie go to loads of concerts. This is something they came up with...an inside joke of sorts. I'd wanted to do more of a Bon Jovi theme (since she would like to be Mrs. Bon Jovi should that ever present itself as an option) but with this size of an album there isn't much room for added details. So, I just used the DCWV Rock Star paper and kept things rather simple. Simple and done: ain't nothing wrong with that! And the cost involved: nada, since like I said...I'd bought all the stuff way too long ago...just needed to take time to put it all together.

Weekend Plans: 13-15 Feb

2009-02-13T13:07:00.001-08:00

Yes...it's Friday and the weekends are traditionally my time to craft.

Nothing special planned this weekend (we aren't big on the whole Valentines Day: sure, I'll make dinner and open a bottle of wine but that's about as much hoopla as we create). Hopefully I'll get some crafting done. Life got in the way last weekend so I'm more than ready to take time for myself this weekend.

I'd really like to finish up a project I started a few weeks ago, make a couple baby album pages and order some photos.

I'd also like to catch up on the SS sketch challenges. I think I"m three weeks behind at this point.

So, what are you plans this weekend?

Use your stash: The Kid Edition

2009-02-08T07:28:00.001-08:00

We're almost done with the construction of the Valentines. I"m impressed with how into all of this Thing Two has been. And I'm even more pleased with my ability to let go of my inner Martha and let him create his own thing.

One thing is certain, there is nothing predictable about the cards he has created!

Creating Keepsakes

2009-02-07T06:35:00.000-08:00

Do you get this magazine? I do and the newest copy arrived in the mail yesterday...just in the nick of time. The cover idea is tips for getting organized. Talk about being perfectly timed!

As for Operation Clean Out the Closet, I'm at a good "pausing point" and tomorrow I've promised the Things we'll work on their Valentines. I found this rather amusing: "Mom, we need to make our Valentines. Store bought ones are so predictable!" remarked Thing Two. Yep, they are my boys in terms of their preference for the homemade card.

So that's what's on tap for me this weekend....Valentine-palooza! I'll share a few of our results once we're done!

Hope you find time for a few crafty pursuits as well this weekend! :)

February Challenges

2009-02-01T17:53:00.000-08:00

Reposting the February Challenges from earlier this year.

FEBRUARY: Alter It!
Perhaps I speak just for myself, but I know in my closet, I have stacks of stuff that I hope to alter some day. There are composition books, coasters, even some wooden letters...all waiting for me to alter and make a work of art using my SB supplies. This is the month to pull out that non-scrapbook project and alter away. Again, once you are done, share it with us. Keep it for yourself, or give it away...it matters not....just do it!
~ Martha

Make a valentine to give to your sweetie card/page/altered item.
~ Karen

Retreat summary

2009-02-01T14:50:00.000-08:00

I had a great time at our retreat this weekend. I accomplished more pages than I ever dreamed I would. Sorry for not posting pics but I was in the grove.

I finished 74 pages for myself. My December Daily/Christmas album is totally complete and I finished all of the layouts I had preplanned.

I also finished 5 Disney pages for a friend. On Sat I was tired of scrapping my own pics and she was moaning about all the pics she had left. She wanted to finish her album before her next trip in March so I was all to happy to help out.

Talked to Amy and peaked her interest on our take of the challenge. That it's all about using what you have on hand and not holding out for that perfect paper or embellishment. And that I (not sure about Martha) will still shop - cause usually when I find cute papers at the LSS if I don't pick them up I can't find them again.

I need to take some pics of my favorite layouts - some need a few finishing details.

Pausing my challenge

2009-02-01T14:16:00.000-08:00

The time has come. I can put it off no longer.

I'm sure we all have some huge mess that we'd rather just close the door on than address. Such is the case with the closet in the "craft shack". I'll pick it up from time to time but lately, even that hasn't had much of a long lasting event.

What it needs is a good old fashioned "clean sweep" approach. So, that's the big project on tap for this week.

To keep me honest, I'll share my before photos.

And I've challenged myself: No playing until this space is in a presentable and orderly state.

Much as I'd rather play...I know I need to tackle this space.

Knowing this is my new project, I lost all crafting mojo this weekend. It's really not that bad as I have spent time with the Things (we went to the park yesterday) and today we're off to a Super Bowl party. But, I just didn't have it in me to craft since I know such a big project awaits me.

If I can stay on task and focused, I"m hoping to be back in the groove of crafting later this week. We shall see...If you don't hear from me soon, send in the reinforcements...but not my hubby. He has NO idea what a mess this closet is....it would not be good to have my secret exposed!

Weekend Plans: 1.30-2.2

2009-01-30T08:45:00.000-08:00

Karen is off to a retreat this weekend so be sure to check the blog to hear all about the fun weekend she's got ahead of her.

Maybe we can even talk her into providing us with some "guest bloggers"? How about it? Take a few pictures of the work that is being created by your fellow attendees? Please? pretty pretty please. :)

As for me, a quiet weekend on tap. I'm thinking I will shift gears and work on a few valentines. I also need to decide whether I've got enough pictures for the SS sketch challenge for this week. It's another layout that uses lots of photos in a 2 page spread so I'm not sure I've got anything in the current stacks. I could always print some photos if necessary. We shall see.

On a shopping note, a friend gave me a Michael's gift card this week. I'd done a few small favors for her and her son during our long break and have talked to her about my "challenge". She doesn't scrapbook but we are both working hard to reign in the family spending. So she said "since I know you aren't buying anything yourself these days, will this help?". YEAH BABY...now when I feel the need for retail therapy I can still stay true to my challenge!

I hope y'all have time to pursue a few crafty projects this weekend...

Pictures as promised...

2009-01-26T10:02:00.000-08:00

Grandparents page
And baby makes four...
Title Page...yummy baby!
These are in reverse sequence, but yeah, waiting for the c-section
And finally, my imagination station which is more like Distraction Attraction but there ya have it.

Am off to rotate the laundry and figure out something for lunch.

Hope you enjoy...

Just goes to show you..

2009-01-25T17:45:00.000-08:00

Never underestimate the inspiration one can get from a cloudy winter day and being home alone!

I finally started on the baby gift album for my SIL. I promised her back in October I'd make a baby book for her like I did for her older son. For whatever reason, I had procrastinated on getting started. Today, I told myself, "just do the title page". The boys were at a friends' house, Hubby was out on a ride before the snow started to fall and I just told myself to "do it"~

And 7 pages later, I'm calling it a night.

I tried to take photos but since it is dark here, all I'm getting is glare. I promise to prove my productivity (and show you one cute nephew!) tomorrow morning.

Sunday productivity

2009-01-25T15:27:00.000-08:00

I finally had the time and energy to make it down to my scrap desk today.

This is my interpretation of the SS sketch challenge. It was for 12x12 pages and I adapted it to my 8x8 2008 December Daily album.

It was kind of hard to work on anything else since I was inspired by my Valentine's Inspiration Station.

Slow and steady

2009-01-25T10:06:00.000-08:00

wins the race, right? At least that's always been my approach when it comes to scrapbooking.

This layout represents all that I've accomplished this weekend. But, the day is still young so perhaps more will be accomplished. But for now, I"m happy with this layout. It fills a gap in my album and I hate gaps so that alone makes me very content.

So for now, enjoy this layout. I'm including the sketch that I used for this layout. It's from the Page Map series and I realize I've used it a couple times since I bought the book. That must mean it works for me!

Random musings - retreat, power layouts, pictures

2009-01-25T04:28:00.000-08:00

I'm going to a retreat next weekend and thought I should start planning what I'm going to take. Generally I take way too much to the local retreats and this year I want to keep it simple.

Last night I spent 4 or 5 hours putting together 35 pages for the retreat next week - finding a sketch and picking the papers. I have a feeling I'm not going to like my last few pages since I was in the just get it done mode. 35 is the most pages I've completed at a retreat so I'm hoping I can rock these out.

As I was laying all of these out I noticed a trend in my picture taking and printing. I tend to print 2-3 photos for each event, one horizontal and one vertical. Usually they can't be trimmed down much so it is hard to think up new page ideas.

On the retreat front I'm trying to decide if I really want to take some of my alternate projects with. And if I do which one? The Olympic album, December Daily, card stuff?

So many options. I think I'm going to leave out the cards since that means a lot of stamping stuff. The Olympic album maybe, it's contained into one box and just needs some solid cardstock backgrounds. The December Daily is one I really want to get done - all of my 08 Christmas photos are going in this album. Only thing is this is in 3 different boxes and requires stamps.

Decisions.

Since I like to pack small lighter weight bags I'm hoping to limit myself to 3 or 4 bags, along with a suitcase and a bag for treats. =)

Inspiration Station

2009-01-21T13:38:00.000-08:00

I was visiting this blog and the writer talked about creating a valentines day inspiration station.

I love this idea, I did the same thing at Christmas when I was working on my December Daily album. It made my process so much easier. I didn't have the cute container and I wasn't able to keep them on my desk.

To have them on my desk to look at and be inspired by would be awesome.

Off to contimplate how I could do this and I'll post a picture if I come up with something.....inspiring. ;)

Resisted temptation...

2009-01-21T13:26:00.000-08:00

I've been feeling blah the past couple of days. Most likely it's because I'm into week 5 of the Things being out of school/off track and our routine is totally gone. So, I felt the urge to do a little retail therapy this morning.

Walked into Michaels thinking I'd find a little something to perk up my spirits.

Walked through the SB stuff, spotted some really amazing deals (dollar days sale is going on).

And then...I walked out...totally empty handed.

As I looked at the pretty stuff, all I could picture was all the stash I have at home. It isn't that I lack supplies to create, more often I lack motivation/desire/time to scrapbook. And those issues won't be solved by shopping more.

So instead, I went to the next store and bought myself a brand new box of PG Tips (not good to have only 3 tea bags left with a snowstorm forecasted for later in the week) and resolved to fix myself a pot of tea and make time to scrapbook with the stash I already have!

Sketch challenge Wk 3 - K

2009-01-18T13:27:00.000-08:00

Here's my take on week three.

I used the Rock Star paper as my title and cut out one of the metallic guitars for an embellishment - HL even has sticker 50% off this week.

To be honest when I emailed Martha I was whining. I love the sketch challenges but I tend to only have 3 or 4 pics for an event. Since going mostly digital I order my prints online and only pick the best ones. So I can't easily go back to resize the pics and print them specifically for the layout.

Here are the other pages I did today.

the end of an era - my office when I was working at home and pics from my last week working there.

more winter pictures - and I finally used most of one of my favorite CM packs.

Sketch Challenge, Wk 3

2009-01-18T11:57:00.001-08:00

Karen greeted me this morning with an email, noting what a challenge this week's SS sketch was. I admit, I'd only glanced at it. But, figured no time like the present to work on getting it done. That's the beauty of having a "pacing partner"...her email motivated me to jump in and give this a try. Otherwise, I'm thinking I would have just spent the morning surfing.

The hardest part was finding the right colors. I knew with the pictures, I didn't need or want anything too overpowering...I tried several color combos before deciding on this stuff from Basic Grey. And then, once I found the patterned paper, I had only one sheet. I started to fret, what if I cut it wrong? This scrap your stash challenge makes me less inclined to say "I'll just buy another sheet" since that defeats the purpose of trying to work through your stash, ya know?

Ok, so paper is picked, pictures are ready and now to put it all together. That was the easy part. The only thing I didn't like was how much space my journaling took up. But then again, some times I struggle with even a sentence or two...so I decided to just hit print and move on.

This layout just about depletes the stack of photos I had printed back last Fall. I'm at a good stopping point. I have one small stack for next week's challenge but really...need to change gears and work on the baby album and another small gift album that I've procrastinated on putting together.

PS: the challenge is found in the Best of Becky Higgins, pg. 168. Thumbing through this book, I realize there are a lot of neat sketches that I would like to try.

Title Page

2009-01-17T13:58:00.000-08:00

I used to really struggle with title pages. Remember when "the thing" was to use seasonal stickers and die cuts to create the idea of an"all year long" title page for your album? And how exciting it was to get new stickers because otherwise your title page would look the same as the year before? If you've been scrapbooking for at least 5 years you hopefully know what I"m talking about. If not, I'll try to dig back through my finished albums and show you what I"m talking about.

I hated how I couldn't think of anything original and all the ideas seemed to be variations on the same. And yet, I"m so methodical that I need a title page for the album to seem complete. So, I was often left stuck stewing and not creating.

But then along came sketches and especially single page layout sketches. Yeah baby...new ideas for title pages. Because typically, I scrap in double page format only. Even if the two events aren't related, I work in pairs so they coordinate (I'm a Martha...some things you just can't help).

So this afternoon, when I was putting away my stuff from the sketch challenge, I found this paper. It came with my consultant kit...oh some two years ago when I signed on with CTMH. I think they are called "base pages". Anyways, I've never really needed to use them but today I thought...hmm...I could make this into a title page. Then I dug out the "Life's Delight" special from a couple years ago as well, and repurposed the supplies in that kit. I highly doubt I"ll make the project it was designed for, and the paper coordinated perfectly with the base pages I was getting ready to use.

I like how it turned out....and is summarizes many of the adventures we took in 2007 with the focus being visiting family.

I think this is it for today. I'm off to the movie in a few minutes and then would probably get sent to the wife/mommy dog house if I hide out down here once I get back.

I hope you all are enjoying a sunshine filled day like we are...I thought I needed snow to inspire me, but it seems a bright sunny day works too!

layout for the book of me

2009-01-17T13:53:00.000-08:00

Here's a layout I've been wanting to do ever since I saw the layout in the PageMaps book.

I figured out my paper layout (CTMH Game On) and then went to take the picture. Ended up printing them as Antique and I love how they blend with the papers and the yellow on the letters stands out a bit.

There's hidden journaling under the tab that says football. Talks about my addiction to football. How in the fall we have football on from 10 AM Sat through 10 PM Sunday evening and then again Monday night.

Looking at the completed layout I'm wishing I would've left off the touchdown stamp, or stamped it on paper and overlapped the photo a bit. But again it's done. =)

Well that was easy...

2009-01-17T11:41:00.001-08:00

Last night I was lamenting about how I didn't really care for the sketch on this week's SS challenge. (for those curious, it's from BH Book Vol. 2, page 75/76). And then I remembered this stack of garden pictures that I printed who knows when. I figured these would work perfect for a sketch that had me just "giving it a shot".

And you know what? The sketch really worked...I jumped right in, and started laying things out without really thinking/fretting.

I'm a putzer when it comes to scrapbooking. I move things around, change my mind on the base color and just plain over think most layouts. But this one, I did in record (for me) time...under an hour!

I have no idea if these are Spring 07 or not...but they'll go in the 07 Family album....because that's what I'm currently working on.

Now time to clean up the mess and think about feeding my young uns some lunch (and rotate the laundry too).

But wow...I'm so excited to have finished this sketch and can now move on to something else...

Weekend Plans?

2009-01-16T18:47:00.001-08:00

It worked rather well for me to put my challenge up here so I'm doing the same with my weekend plans. nah, I won't put the grocery list or the chore list here...but as for crafty stuff, let's see

Complete Wk2 SS sketch challenge: though I admit, the design itself does little for me but in the past, when I've been picky about "eh, I don't like THAT sketch", then soon I forget all about the sketches and fall into bad habits. So this year, I'm giving them all a try.. while the page might not become my favorite layout but it will be a completed layout.
Work on at least 2 pages for the nephew's baby album. I was able to order pictures and do my version of a power sort, so I need to get started on that. Two pages, 8x8, should be easy, right?
make a Thank you card for Thing Two's teacher. Going to cheat and use the same design I used earlier in the month, just change up the colors a bit. Why re-invent the wheel.

I also want to sneak out and watch Slumdog Millionaire. I hear it is a must see movie and I'm in the mood to just take off by myself and watch a great movie.

So, tell me...what are your plans for the weekend?

Did I make it?

2009-01-16T18:04:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure exactly when I promised to do a layout...but I think I'm pretty darn close to making my self imposed deadline.

In addition to the use your stash challenge, I'm trying to do all 52 sketch challenges on SS. This was for week 1 but I just couldn't get to it before Dad got here. So, for a week, I've had the idea rattling around in my mind and I was itching to get down here and put it all together.

I love how this layout came together. The colors, the photos...just the way I imagined it! The past few pages I've done have mostly featured Thing Two so I wanted to do a layout that features Thing One. For whatever reason, I didn't have enough photos of one single event that would allow me to use this sketch and make it all about him...so I printed off photos from the Spring 07 and did more of a summary layout. I need to think about doing more such layouts just to close the gap in some of my scrapbooks. Yeah Yeah yeah...say what you want, I'm mostly a chronological scrapper...it works for me so THERE! :)

here it is...I hope you like it as much as I do!

Whale eyes....

2009-01-14T19:31:00.000-08:00

I had a little time to kill before American Idol started. And I had these pics trimmed from the weekend only that layout didn't work. I'm glad I waited, I like this one a lot more. It's pretty much a direct copy from one of the Page Maps cards.

The title is whale eyes - I wish the font was thicker but it's the only small letters I could make with my little cricut. Didn't feel like pulling out the sizzix and messing with all of that - maybe another day.

Running out of excuses...

2009-01-14T17:56:00.000-08:00

My dad left this morning so I should be back in the scrapbooking groove real soon...

Ah...but first let me clean up and get ready for coffee chat tomorrow...

And then...

Nah...I'm putting it here to keep me accountable.

I, Martha C., do solemnly promise to visit my craft table within the next 48hrs....and share with you all the results of my time spent crafting.

It's sort of like exercise, you know you feel better once you do it, just getting started is the hard part.

Tomorrow...after coffee, I promise! :)

12 on the 12th

2009-01-12T19:05:00.000-08:00

Here's my entry for January

It's my first time participating and I enjoyed putting together the story of my day. Especially with our icky weather.

Wrapping up the weekend

2009-01-11T17:26:00.000-08:00

I finally made it down to my craft area to wrap up the weekend scrap-a-thon. I wanted to complete the 2nd Sketch challenge from ScrapShare. It took me awhile to find pictures that would fit the sketch and this is what I ended up with.

I switched the columns in the second page to put a solid column with the title on the outer edge.

This was a fun and relaxing weekend at home - I wish it could have last for a few more hours.

Totals:
Pages 19
purchases $2
Cost per page $.11
Cards 1

2009-01-10T17:44:00.001-08:00

I decided after my retail therapy last night that I should get some scrapping done today. I did a little rearranging in my scrap area and then hit the papers. hehehe.

This is my favorite layout of the day

I was shocked when Boyd told me I could make a Diva page for Buddie. He was stylin in the little girl scarf I made last winter.

Buddie loves popcorn so much that he drools while watching us eat.

This is my second favorite layout. Buddie intently watched the movie Snow Buddies with us. (this is some of the paper I bought last night)

And finally I did a page on the Packers for Boyd.

Totals:
Pages 17
purchases $2
Cost per page $.12
Cards 1

First purchase of the year

2009-01-09T18:35:00.000-08:00

I was at my local Target tonight and I couldn't resist picking up a couple of things from the dollar spot. The 2009 celebration paper was too cool to pass up. I have some great ideas on projects. I also found some chipboard letters in solid colors - these are my downfall. lol!

So while I made a purchase I'm happy that I kept it at $2 - it could have been so much more. =)

No big plans for the weekend so I'm hoping to get a lot of scrapping/card making/projects completed.

Totals:
Pages = 10
Purchases = 2
Cost = .20 per page

Cards = 1

Finding Balance...

2009-01-05T17:12:00.000-08:00

I've had a very productive start to this challenge. And much as I would love to keep on scrapping, my dad arrives on Wednesday for a week long visit. I fear I need to do the right thing and clean up the cave and make the house more "company ready".

I'll still check in, but am not setting any major goals for crafting while Dad is here.

And what makes things worse? My CTMH stuff just arrived today. Bummer...I so want to play!

(and lest anyone think I've cheated on my resolution to use my stash, I ordered it back in '08!)

But one part of this challenge for me is to find balance in my life. It can't be an all or none approach: because all crafting, makes for unhappy men here at the House of Chang...and not enough crafting makes this Martha cranky and depressed. So, I shall work on finding balance, making use of little snippets of time when they present themselves, and recognizing when I need to turn my attention to other areas of my life.

Wishing you all a great week...eager to see what you get accomplished in the weeks to come!

Wrapping up the weekend

2009-01-04T18:55:00.000-08:00

I was able to cleanup my scrap space today and I made some time tonight to work on a few quick pages. I'm not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow but life goes on.

Here's my favorite of the night.

Tracking:
Total pages 10
Total cost 0

I interupt this scrapapalooza..

2009-01-04T11:50:00.000-08:00

to make some cards.

Scrapbooking with mostly boys in my life, means I use a lot of blue, green, or brown. I welcome the chance to use pinks. So that's what I did today. I know, pink not really the first thing you think of for Christmas but hey...it worked for me.

On another note, my guys are noticing a shift in my behavior. And let's just say they ain't happy with it. They'll get over it...but for now, I'd better take a break and go do the mom/wife thing.

Last one for the night...

2009-01-03T19:46:00.000-08:00

I've cleaned up my space, put away most of my toys and thought I"d post this last layout before I call it a night. It's my favorite thus far. And maybe a bit too much CTMH in style. You know, all the colors, doo-dads and what nots...but hey, scrapbooking boy stuff all the time gets old, ya know! I used a sketch from the Imagine book called Dialogue and just sort of took off from there.

That's my dad helping Thing Two plant my flower boxes. Um, from Mother's Day weekend, 2007. Yeah, where's that blushing smilie dude when you need him?

Off to dream land...

Proof that I've been busy...

2009-01-03T13:48:00.001-08:00

First: Mother Nature has blessed me with my best inspiration..it's supposed to continue to snow through the evening. Already, since I took this picture we've got at least an additional 1/2 inch. YEAH! Of course a snowy day means Hubby is hanging close to home but I planned for that as well: he's upstairs watching some shoot em up type movie that I grabbed for him at the library. Smart wife, always thinking... :) Next is the proof that I've been working. This is my craft shack...or the cave. It's toasty warm today thanks to the space heater. Next are the 2 layouts I worked on. Sorry for the quality of the images, but you get the general idea.

For inspiration, I used a CTMH idea book that I just "had to have" and of course, rarely turn to it. Same with the double page layout. That's the BH sketch book. Again, had to have it, bought it with a coupon (back when Michaels still let you use coupons on books ) and there it has sat. I'm sure I'm the only one that does this, right?

Hope your day has been productive. I'm thinking I need to switch gears for a bit. Seems I caught the "Cyn" fever and am hosting a stamp your stash challenge on Scrapshare. I could cheat and use a card I've already done...but the point of that challenge is to have cards in your stash to have ready when the occasion arises. Cheating won't help with that part now will it?

(this being a Martha is sometimes a blessing and a curse!)

Christmas Photo

2009-01-02T18:01:00.000-08:00

Here's my inspiration...not a sketch but as soon as I saw it I knew what I wanted to do.

Here's my lay out - it's our Christmas card & the page will go in my Christmas cards album.

Coupon Crazy

2009-01-02T11:01:00.000-08:00

Better call the authorities: I just threw away a 50% off coupon to Michaels...because I need nothing! OMG: this is really serious. I've been able to ignore 40% off..but a 50%? YIKES...

Today felt weird...

2009-01-01T16:46:00.000-08:00

Not weird that I was motivated to scrapbook because I've been gearing myself up for that all week...but to look through the stuff I already have and decide from those things how I wanted to finish the layout.

My house reflects that I've set aside time for me....which I need to get over. There will always be chores to do but I think I should be able to pursue my hobby and deal with "life" after a little me time!

Oh, and I'm back on the WW wagon...so of course all I can think of is FOOD....I hate that initial "detox" feeling of I get when I start back being "good".

Didn't exercise...unless you call running my mouth with the neighbor? Nope, didn't think so...

Stickles

2008-12-31T16:15:00.000-08:00

I came across this blog posting tonight and thought it would be fun to share here.

Feeling Scrappy - Stickles

QTR1 mini challenge addition

2008-12-30T19:37:00.001-08:00

I love your challenges and the idea of doing them monthly. I would like to add the following.....

Jan: Pull out some of that paper that you bought because you loved it and still haven't used. The stuff we all save for that special project. :D

Feb: Make a valentine to give to your sweetie card/page/altered item it matters not.

Mar: Try a new to you stamping technique.

QTR1 mini Challenges...

2008-12-30T10:35:00.001-08:00

Here are some challenges to try for the first quarter of 2009. I've made them monthly since I believe in realistic goals. My personal goal is to scrapbook once a month on the weekend. More is better...but I know that life gets in the way. I

If we need more challenges and mini goals, let me know and I can come up with something.

JANUARY: Sketch It!

I suspect we're all guilty of it. We find a great sketch on a website, magazine or even in a book and promise ourselves we're going to use it "some day". Well, this month, some day IS here...force yourself to pull out at least one stashed sketch and use it. Once you're done, share it with us so we can provide each other with appropriate oohs and ahhs.

FEBRUARY: Alter It!

Perhaps I speak just for myself, but I know in my closet, I have stacks of stuff that I hope to alter some day. There are composition books, coasters, even some wooden letters...all waiting for me to alter and make a work of art using my SB supplies. This is the month to pull out that non-scrapbook project and alter away. Again, once you are done, share it with us. Keep it for yourself, or give it away...it matters not....just do it!

MARCH: Stamp It!

Pull out at least two of your stamp sets that have never been used and use them. It's a wide open challenge...you can stamp a card, or stamp on a scrapbook page. Or, if you didn't quite get around to last month's challenge, you can stamp on your altered project. As always, share with us your creation.

What, you don't have any unused stamp sets? Trust me, I've got plenty to share...

Let me know what other types of challenges we should try.

Goals

2008-12-29T19:10:00.000-08:00

Thank you Martha for pointing out this challenge and making the suggestion to be pacing partners!

I am hoping this will help inspire me to complete 209 pages in 2009. My goal in 08 was 208 and while I'm a few pages short I'm happy with what I've accomplished.

This year I want to change how I scrap. Each time I develop/print pictures Boyd complains that he never gets to see them and I never bring out my completed scrapbooks. I need to make a plan, maybe make some displays with my favorite pages or put a book out with my favorite pages. Of course that means I need to start scrapping with my latest pictures, which aren't developed yet....sigh!

Maybe we can issue a few challenges along the way. I know I have a lot of things not paper related that need to be used.

On your mark, get set...scrap?

2008-12-28T16:40:00.000-08:00

I read about a Scrapshare challenge to use your stash and scrapbook with the supplies we already have. I think it is just the thing I need to find my scrapbooking mojo. I've invited my friend Karen to join me on this adventure and serve as my "pacing partner".

She and I will (hopefully) use this blog to share with each other our accomplishments and perhaps frustrations with this challenge. On Scrapshare, the goal is to go all year without spending $ on new supplies. That's a bit of a long range goal that I"m not willing to commit to. But, I'm eager to give it my best effort.

for the past few months, I've been in accumulating mode. Yet, aside from a few Christmas cards, I have done very little actual scrapbooking. I want to and need to find my way back to scrapbooking.

Hopefully this will be just what I need.