Christmas Paperbag Album

I know that these albums have been around for a long time but I am always behind on what's "all the rage". I was looking for ideas and found these so thought I would give one a try. This was so easy and quick to make. I'll be doing more of these in the future. For such a little album there is a lot of room for pictures and journaling. I made all the tags and pull-outs to be double-sided.

I used a paper pack I bought at Joann Fabrics. It's from My Minds Eye called O Christmas Tree.  I am finding that I'm using more paper packs than I used to. They make coordinating papers so easy for layouts and albums.

Lazy Day

I've not gotten a whole lot done today. I went to the pool yesterday with my next door neighbor and even though I used lots of sunblock, I got burned. Mostly on my back, back of my legs and chest. I'm pretty sore today and moving around hurts. So I'm using my sunburn as an excuse to have a lazy day.  But even at that I've been doing a lot of planning.  My work schedule is about to change to where I will have more time to do things so I am looking forward to that. I also managed to get my sewing room almost completely organized. Except for a couple of wall shelves I'm set in there so sewing will be on my menu again. I still have my list of projects I want to get completed. I need to dig out my list that I made before I moved, revamp it and get started on completing it.  My scrapbooking area is almost complete. Again a couple of wall shelves and I'll have that done. But both areas are in shape to be utilized so I'll start to be productive. There are several cooking/baking items on my June Bucket List that I'd like to get done. I've been wanting to try these recipes for a long time and I can't think of any time like the present. 

 Bucket list for June -- 
Embroider my clothesline flip-flop t-shirt
Finish Americana Wall Hanging
Catch up my "Project Life" journal
Scrap Cake Pop Baking page
Scrap Carl's Ice Cream page
Finish Paper Bag Christmas Album
Spice cake balls
Orange cream cupcakes
Spicy Parmesan Chicken Breasts
Pizza Poppers

I have started working on a new Paula Vaughan Cross Stitch titled Sunflower Romance so even when I'm laying around watching TV I still have something to do. Here's a picture of the pattern. This one will take me awhile to complete as there are a lot of light colors and it is difficult to work on using lamp light.  My plan is to get framed and hang in my living room.

The last six months have been really hectic. First I moved the beginning of October and my commute to work was a three hour a day round trip. Then my son came up for a week visit and we had a blast. After that Thanksgiving and Christmas seemed to catch up to me before I knew it. The middle of January I was laid off and then the end of January sent to work in Portsmouth, VA. For six weeks I stayed down there and was only home on the weekends. Middle of March I finally came home for good and was off work for about a month. I then picked up some work driving a truck for an asphalt company here in the Valley and that kept me pretty busy. Now I'm back to working at my original position helping out with a VDOT project. Many changes for me in the last seven months and when you don't handle change very well it's difficult. But the Lord has helped me "roll" with it and I'm doing better than I would of without His help. So be on the look out for more posts and projects. I have a lot of catching up to do.

Tomorrow my Explorer has to go into the shop for work. Needs a joint in the front drive shaft replaced, my exhaust system replaced and four new tires. I'll be without transportation for a couple of days but I'll be working from home so that won't be an issue. I've needed to get those repairs done for awhile so I'm glad that I'll finally be able to get them taken care of. 

I'm planning on stepping up on my photography too. I've been taking pictures to document my life. A modified version of Project Life but I"m not doing a photo a day. Just photos for the week. I've got the photos but I've only got pages done up to February. Another addition to my "Bucket" list. But I would like to do a 30 day photo challenge -  just not make a scrapbook out of the pictures. I've found several lists of ideas of what photos to take. I want these to help me get better at photo taking. So I've created a list that combines ideas from several lists. I'm not going to take these pictures in any order.

Photos for June --

Something Green

From a High Angle

From a Low Angle

Something Blue

Something Pink

Clouds 

Food

Architecture

Landscape

Flower

Church Steeple

Night Photo

Fruit
Currently Reading
A Favorite Thing
 

As I complete items from my "Bucket List" I'll post pictures of them. This will help me keep motivated. Motivation is something I have a difficult time with. But keeping a list and putting a line through an item when completed is very satisfying and motivating.  Let's see how it works for me. 

Already started marking off my Photo List.

Photo of the clouds. Looks like a storm may be making it's way toward us. We've had rain several days a week for the last couple of months. I know the farmers are glad to have the rain for their crops.

Got another one

Do you believe God has the power to help you, and that since He has all wisdom He knows exactly what to do and when to do it? Lean on Him completely, trust Him to give you the strength to do what you need to do, while you wait on Him to do what only He can do.

Trusting God day by day -- Joyce Meyer

I'm slowly working on getting myself caught up. This is the first week that I began working from home.  Less hours but I don't have to deal with unemployment so that's a big plus. And the fact I don't have to get up early, drive an hour & a half one way and get to work when I want is the best deal I've had. A full 40 hours would make the job perfect but as it is, this is close to perfect. 

I'm still somewhat behind in my scrapbook challenges and I've not touched my sewing room to get unpacked and organized. But I have gotten my scrapbooking area almost completely organized. All that's left is getting stuff that's still in boxes and putting away. I've got all my shelves and cubes put together and placed.

I worked on my Smash book too but I'm not going to post pictures of that. I'm using that as a mini Project Life 2013 book.  I'm going to see how I like doing that. Everywhere I read others are raving about it so why not?  I had sort of started on one several years ago but major life happened and didn't finished. I'll see how I do this year. 

I did get a layout done for the scrapbooking challenges I'm in. I think it turned out really good. The challenges are really making step out of my creative box and do stuff that's mine.  I'm moving away from the page kits I used to get all the time and I am now doing my own. The page kits will still be my "go to" for crops since easy to transport and just add tools and I'm set. But here at home, I'm working on more of my own and it feels really great.

This is last fall when my son Brian was here from Atlanta and we went to a pumpkin patch. Picking the "Perfect Pumpkin" is a very big deal and must be done with care. 

I also got Week 1 done for Project 52 Challenge.  I've got 2 more weeks to go to catch everything up. I've got to find a way to get organized and keep current.  Laura is doing Project 52 so we will be doing this together. She will keep me motivated.

 

Getting stuff done

No matter what you are going through in life, you can trust God to be with you. Think about your current situation and find your "nevertheless". Say it out loud to encourage yourself by finding the positive in every situation.

Trusting God Day by Day -- Joyce Meyer 

I've been working on this layout all week - still have the journaling to add.  I completed this for the Scrapbook.com challenges I signed up for.  Meets Volume Scrapping 2013 (goal of 50, done 6), January Cricut, January PageMaps Sketch #5 ( done 2 of 5) and January Four Categories (done 1 of 4).  I'm feeling really good about doing these challenges. I've really been motivated do get these done. Now that I'm off work until March I can really concentrate on getting projects done. 

The fireworks are die cuts from Out on a Limb Scrapbooking. I added glitter glue to give some punch.  The title is the technique I tried out several months ago using glitter mist and Cricut Word Collage and sharpie.  I think it turned out really well.

Meeting Challenges . .

Psalms 62:8 tell us we can trust God at all times because He is our refuge. A refuge is a safe place where we can rest from busyness and worry. Take time to stop and let Him be your refuge.

 Trusting God Day by Day -- Joyce Meyer

I've been working on the Scrapbooking Challenges I signed up for on the Scrapbook.com website. Here's what I've gotten done so far -

January Cricut  Challenge = 2 out of 3 done

Volume Scrapbooking Challenge = 5 out 100 (10%) done

January PageMaps Challenge = 1 sketch out of 5 done

Project 52 Weeks = Week 1 planned but not done. Week 2 still have no

    idea. Only have one picture to work with.

I redid the ladybug layout I posted last week. I just didn't like how the scallop out of the ladybug paper looked.

  And I got a Winter layout done of June's first experience with snow. She was so excited. June spent most of the time running around and trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue.

 

I've been working on updating my Gypsy. It's been awhile since I've done so and it's taking a long time. It's messing with my scrapbooking. :(  I'm just going to have to work on what I can and make notes of what I need to design and cut out. So off I go to work on more pages.

 

Scrapbook Challenge done

I joined the Scrapbook Challenge that's on Scrapbook.com and committed to completing 50 pages for 2013. I also joined the January PageMaps challenge. I'm not sure about that one but I'll see how it goes. I can use any pages I do for the Volume Challenge for the PageMaps so I can "double dip". I did a 2 page layout today. One of the page kits from OutOnALimbScrapbooking.com so I've completed my Volume Challenge for this week.

I also got most of my house cleaning done, two movies copied and did some freezer cooking. I made a batch of lasagna sauce and made lasagna and stuffed shells.  I got the recipe for the sauce from AllRecipes.com. The recipe was easy and so good. I'll definitely be using that again.

Count down to New Year . . .

I've gotten some stuff done today - ok maybe not a lot. I got a coffee mug yesterday that has a picture of a guy in a hammock with the statement "I intend to do very little today and so far I'm on schedule". I thought I would give the idea a try. :) 

I did get another 2 page layout started today but couldn't finish cause I need a couple of pieces of cardstock. It's a cookout layout.  I've got to go to the store tomorrow so I'll pick up the cardstock then.

I did start working on another layout and got it almost done. It only needs a title but I don't know what I want. I used a Scrapbook Generations sketch again and paper pad. This layout I'll use for June. 

 



 

I used the Cricut Cartridge Elegant Edges for the scalloped die cut on the left. It is a great cartridge. A lot of versatility. I already have ideas running around in my head for other projects to use it on.  My daughter Laura loaned me her Epiphany Crafts epoxy round punch for the three embellishments that I put on the right page. Love that punch. 

 



I'm going to change the die cut I've put on the left page. I'm not thrilled with how it looks. I'm going to redo the top scallop die cut but without the holes in it. I think it will look better. I'll post a picture when I've changed the layout. Probably not until tomorrow. It's getting late and I'm trying not to get into the habit of staying up late.

 

I'm going to set the goal to complete one layout a week. I've been looking for a scrapbook challenge website but haven't found any yet. I would like to participate in a challenge with others to help motivate me. I'll keep looking I know there one out there somewhere.



Time flies - -

Today and Every Day . . .

Love God, Love Yourself and Love Others. And don't forget to love out loud.

Love Out Loud - Joyce Meyer

Wow!! The holidays have passed by so fast. Seems it was only yesterday that it was Thanksgiving.  Christmas was fabulous.  Christmas Eve Laura, Carl & the babies came down to spend the day but the weather had different ideas.  It started snowing here. But the kids did get to ride their bikes for awhile.  Grayson wasn't too sure about his new bike since it's larger than the one he's used to. However, after he got over his initial concerns he was off flying down the sidewalk yelling "Look at me Nana, I'm going so fast!". June didn't quite get the concept of peddling but since the snow had started she was more into chasing the snow flakes than peddling. It was June's first snow. After playing outside, we all came back in for hot chocolate. Even though they didn't stay for the whole day as planned the time I spent with them was great.

Christmas Day Laura had everyone at her house for dinner.  She did such a wonderful job on cooking. Made everything from cooking the ham, twice baked potatoes, green bean casserole, and so much more. Laura's house is small but it didn't feel crushed with everyone there.  We were a total of 10 and there was some shuffling around each other & eating in shifts but it was fun.

Tonight I'm cooking dinner - I'm thinking stuffed shells - and having New Year's Eve dinner. To make easy on Laura, I'm cooking here then taking it up to her house. I'm getting some Sparkling Cider so even the kids can toast in a New Year. We'll be toasting well before midnight cause none of us could stay up that late. I can't remember the last time I stayed up to usher in the new year. Whether I'm awake or not, it will happen. :)

I have been doing some things to get myself organized.  I've not really worked on my sewing room. It's still filled with boxes. But I have been working on my scrapbooking area.  In my bedroom I have an alcove that is a perfect area for my scrapbooking. I've been slowly acquiring the organizing cubes that A.C. Moore & Michaels have. They are wonderful!! When I'm done I'll post pictures. As with all organizing projects it is a work in progress.

I did get a scrapbook page done today. I used a sketch from Scrapbook Generations. I love their sketches.  I've bought all the books that they have published.  Makes doing my own pages so much easier.

Here's the sketch I used =

 

My pages =



I don't have a title on this one yet. I've not decided what I want it to be yet. After I get pictures and journaling on it I may not even put one on it. That's what so great about scrapbooking, there's no wrong way.

What I love about these sketches is I have quite a few page packs and they work great with these sketches because the page packs coordinate. Takes the intensive thinking out of the process.  Sometimes I like to use a pre-done page kit especially when I go to a crop. They're ready to go, all I have to do is make sure I have my tools with me. But then there are times when I want a more creative process but not too intense. That's when I use the sketches, page packs and add embellishments that I create. Then there are other times when I want to create a page from scratch and do it all.  For once I have figured out a way to have my cake & eat it too. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Next time you work hard and finish a big job, take time to celebrate!

Loving Out Loud -- Joyce Meyer

Happy Thanksgiving!! 

Today has been a laid back day. We didn't do a big family get together this year. None of us really wanted to do that. We all just wanted to chill out on our own. Except for tonight. Laura talked me into going to Black Friday sale at Wal-Mart then Kohl's tonight. A family affair - except for no Brian. It'll be Laura, Carl and me. We already have our plan of action - what we want to get depending on when goes on sale and who is getting what so don't miss out on something. I feel like we are going on a mission. I guess in a way we are. I'm meeting Laura & Carl at Wal-Mart early so we can do recon on the store. I've not done Black Friday in so long. This is going to be so much fun!!  Maybe next year Brian can be here for it. I think this should be the start of a new family tradition.

But I didn't just lay around all day.  I did complete another page kit.  One a day, remember? So here's the one I did today.

One more down and so many more to go.  Lol.

I let you know how tonight goes.

Motivated

So I decided to get motivated and start working on some page kits.  I finished one I had started a couple of weeks ago.  I love the page kits from Out On A Limb Scrapbooking.  The kits have high quality paper and everything is cut out.  All I have to do is chalk the edges and put together.  Great for when I want to do something crafty but don't want to put a lot of creative effort into it. Sometimes I get so caught in making pages "perfect" that I end up making the process complicated and don't get finished. So here's what I got done today.  All I have to do is add the pictures and my journaling.

How cute is this?

I figure if I do a page kit a day by the time I get back to work in the spring I may have them all done. Or close to it.  I've collected quite a few.  They are very addictive. :)

September Bucket List --

Lord, I believe I can do anything with Your help!.

Love Out Loud -- Joyce Meyer

My bucket list for September --

Sewing --
Bed Caddy
Embroider my clothesline flip-flop t-shirt
Americana Wall Hanging
Buttons & Bow Quilt
Blue Car Caddy - Mine
Purple Car Caddy - Laura
Black Car Caddy - Carl
Embroider Laura & Mine scrapbooking t-shirts for Scrapbook Crop
Turquoise t-shirt
Purple crepe skirt
Frying pan handle holder

Scrapbooking --
Finish Advent Calendar
Scrapbook Cake Pop Baking page
Carl's Ice Cream page
County Fair page
New Year's Eve page
Grayson's school album

Cooking/Baking --
Pink Lemonade cupcakes
Spice cake balls
Croissant roll cups
Orange cream cupcakes
Spicy Parmesan Chicken Breast
Pizza Poppers

I've loaded myself up pretty good this month.  But that's okay.  Laura & I are going to a Birthday Crop mid-September so I'm going to work on the scrapbooking projects there.  I have to get the t-shirts embroidered before that weekend so we can wear them.  I do have to get some bits & pieces from fabric store to finish up some of the projects I have on my list.

I just have to decide what I am going to reward myself with when I complete all the projects on my list and what will be my reward if I complete half of the list.  The reward for the whole list will have to be something really special so that I'm motivated to get everything marked off.  But I still need a reward if I get half done because that will be less projects I'll have to do later.  I'll have to think on this for a bit - it's a really big decision.  :)

Lord, I place my absolute trust in your power, your wisdom, and your goodness.

Love Out Loud  -- Joyce Meyer

I'm modeling my new pink top that I was extremely challenged getting completed.  I think it fits good and is flattering.  I really like how it turned out.  I do like that I lined it.  The bodice finished nicer than I think it would have if I had used bias tape.



I got a couple of more items done today.  I had journaling left to do on 5 page kits and got all 5 done. I got the page kits from Out on a Limb Scrapbooking.  They have really cute two page kits for a great price.  Check out the website.

 I also got the top of an Americana Wall Hanging I'm making for my mom for Christmas.  My brother, Mark is in the Air Force and I thought she would like something that is a tribute to him.

Each of the stars has a word written on them -- Peace, Honor, Freedom, Spirit, Pride, Life, liberty, Happiness, 1776, America, Faith, Patriotism, Virtue, Courage and Justice. 
The cream colored bordered has sayings written on it --
Across the bottom - (Star Button) Land of the Free - Home of the Brave (Star Button) Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. 
Down the right side - (Star Button) Red for Courage, White for Purity, Blue for Courage (Star Button) It's a Grand Ol' Flag (Star Button) One Nation (Star Button).
Up the left side - With Liberty, Justice for All (Star Button) The Red, White & Blue (Star Button) Long May She Wave (Star Button) Old Glory (Star Button)
Across the top - Stars and Stripes Forever (Star Button) America the Beautiful

The pattern is from a flyer I got from Jo-Ann Fabrics not long after 9/11.  I made one for myself and got it finished in March 2002 in remembrance of 9/11 and those that lost their life that day.

I also have some other projects I did beginning of the summer that I've never posted. 

My daughter Laura was going to be spending a week at the beach so I make her an album to put her memories in.  I just did the front & back but left the inside empty so she can make her own pages.  I used the Cricut Cartridge Life's a Beach and added glitter glue to the center of the sun and along the waves and sand.

I put together a pocket album.  I got the idea out of Cricut Cartridge Fabulous Finds cartridge booklet. I used the new punch I got at the Scrapbooking Expo to make the epoxy embellishments. The punch is made by Epiphany Crafts and comes in a variety of shapes.  My daughter introduced it to me. I gave the album to my daughter so she can have a brag book of my grandchildren.

I made a birthday layout for my grandson's third birthday.  I got really cool sketchbooks by Scrapbook Generations.  What's so great about these sketches is that it shows the breakdown of each page.  I don't have to do any guesswork.  It's great!!

And here's the page I did from the above sketch --

As I special treat for my grandchildren for 4th of July I made Cakes in a Jar.  I used store bought mix and frosting but turned out really good.  I cut circles out of scrap paper to cover the metal lid for decoration. I used red, white and blue sprinkles for decorations.  I got this idea from a website - I don't remember which one.  I have so many small mason jars around from jelly making.  These are easy to make and would be great for picnics - cupcakes are so hard to transport and baking them in a jar makes that so much easier. 

Another Week, Another Page

I'm still keeping my challenge to do a page a week.  Whew!! Didn't think I'd get it done but I did. (Well, I got to do my journaling.)  I added a photo corner to meet Challenge #49 - Make Your Own Photo Corner from the 52 Scrapbooking Challenges.  

This is of my grandson & I going blackberry picking. 

On the way to the Berry Farm I asked Grayson if he was going to eat any of the berries as we picked them. His reply was "No Nana, they're dirty."  I showed him which berries to pick and I'm eating as I'm picking.  Grayson is watching me real close, he picks a berry and then tells me "I try this one, Nana."  And then I hear "Mmmm, they're good."  After that every time Grayson picked a berry he'd say  "Nana, I try this one."  After about half hour later, Grayson tells me we're done.  I had about 20 berries in our bucket - they were ones I picked.  I figured out that we were done picking berries because Grayson tummy was full.  My plan was to pick berries and make jam.  My trip didn't work out the way I'd planned but that's ok, I had a great time with my grandson.

I am so excited!!

I decided to do some experimenting with inks and copic markers.  I wanted to see what options I had besides using stamps & ink.  Here's what I found -- Sharpie permanent pens don't run when using with Copic Markers.  I have the Marker Holders from Amy Chomas so I'm able to use Sharpies in my Cricut.  They work great!!  This opens up a whole new arena of options -- I can "draw" my die cuts and color them in using my Copics. 

My second experiment was to see how my printer ink works with Copics.  I have a HP Photosmart printer.  I printed a word using an open font that could be colored in -- the ink didn't smear.  Now I really have more options with using the markers.  I can download Clipart and color in. Since I'm not much of a stamper - I have mostly background stamps because I do scrapbooking not cards this is really great.  I don't have the patience for cards but so admire those who do. Some of the cards I've seen are just "Wow!!".

Now I got a lot of possibilities for how to use my markers.  Yeah!! I got the last batch of Copic Markers from A Cherry On Top.  They have a large selection of Copic Sketch Markers for only $5.24 and free shipping.  I've not been able to beat that.

Meeting My Challenge

I went to a crop yesterday and got some stuff done.  Okay, I didn't get as much done as I wanted but I did have fun.  I got to catch up with friends I've not seen in awhile, see what everyone else was creating and I found out where to get some cool page kits.  I've always wanted to try page kits but didn't know about the quality and most I found were pricey.  One of the women was doing page kits from "Out on a Limb Scrapbooking".  The kits used good quality paper, fabulous die cuts, priced $6 to $7 per kit and new kits are added daily.  What's great is I can make alterations & add embellishments to make my own.  Needless to say, I've already ordered a couple of kits.

My daughter has been talking about doing scrapbooking but insists she doesn't have time -- two young children, going to school, husband & house to keep.  I told her about the page kits and now she's planning on using the kits and start doing now.  I'm tickled because that means she and I have something to spend time together doing. 

I didn't do a page last week - was as really busy but that's okay life happens.  I made up for it this week while at the crop. I was trying to figure out what I could use as a way to motivate myself to keep up with a weekly challenge and I found it.  I bought the book 52 Scrapbooking Challenges by Elsie Flannigan several years ago but have never really done anything with it.  I decided that now is the time but I'm not going to do them in any order, just what strikes me at the moment.  So here are the first two challenges I have completed --

This does happen to be Week #1 Challenge - Work Those Words.  The challenge is to do journaling on strips of cardstock or paper.  So I decided to do a simple layout of my granddaughter describing some of her personality.  I added a couple of die cuts of butterflies from my Cricut Cartridge New Arrival and just added glitter glue in turquoise to match.  I used paper that I've had in my stash.  That's another challenge I have with myself is to use what I have in my stash before buying.  Good luck to me on that. Lol.

This Challenge is Week #5 -- Embellish a Floral Accent.  The challenge is to take a flower accent and add something to it.  My flower is a Die Cut from Cricut Accent Essentials.  I used Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks in Wild Plum, Stream and Silver and created the coloring.  The flower just had a flat look so I used Copic Marker B05 Process Blue to outline the edges and the flower gain ed a more dimensional appearance. Then I took a pink button and tied center with floss in turquoise. 

I'm quite pleased with how my pages turned out.  Using the book 52 Scrapbooking Challenges has certainly got my creativity flowing.  My scrapbooking style is still "Clean" but that is what works for me. 

I think my next project will be one of these --
Challenge #2 -- Focus on One Photo 
Challenge #3 - Customize a Ribbon Border
Challenge # 4 -- Make My Own: Chipboard Accents

My mind is already getting in gear to get started. Gotta go now & start scrapping.

Another Page Done

I've been thinking I need to have a goal or a challenge so I can keep motivated and do the projects I want to accomplish.  I could get snowed in for a month and still not get everything I have done but I would be closer than I am now. I decided that I'm going to challenge myself to do one page a week for one month.  I know that doesn't sound like a lot but I've got to start somewhere.  I usually get really excited and decide I'm going to "do this and do that", make a list a mile long and then get overwhelmed. What happens then is I only get one or two things done and quit.  I was told a long time ago that anyone can eat an elephant - one bite at a time.  My "elephant" is my projects so my "one bite at a time" is a page a week.  So here's the first page of my challenge. 

The older boy is by brother who is now grown with 3 boys of his own and the younger is my son who is now 29.  I'm somewhat behind on my pages.  What did I say about getting snowed in?  A long ago co-worker who I'd shown the pictures to after I developed them gave me the idea for the title.  When she saw the pictures, she made the comment "The boys look like they required presoaking."  When starting this page I remembered the comment and decided that would be my title. 

I used red and blue Co'ordination Vintage Collection cardstock and tan cardstock I had in my stash.  I distressed the mattings and inked the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink Fired Brick. What I did do that I've never done before was the brads.  I didn't have brads the color I wanted and I didn't want to go shopping for any since I'd end up buying more than just brads and take time away from my scrapbooking.  I remembered watching a video (I just love YouTube -- thank you to everyone who does wonderful demos - because of you I try more cool stuff.) about using Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks to dye metal. Alcohol Inks is another phase I'm in right now along with Copic Markers.  I took plain silver brads in the sizes I wanted and used the alcohol inks to dye them the colors I wanted. Now I'm really hooked.  I used Denim and Red Pepper and my brads turned out perfect. 

My scrapbook style is simple which is a good thing since I'm going to work on getting a page a week done. Now I've just got to decide on what to treat myself with when I meet my goal. That's one I'll have to think about.

Copic Markers

Last weekend I attended a Basic Copic Marker Class. I've been reading and watching videos about them for a long time but didn't know if I wanted to get "into" the markers. I'm not really into stamping, mostly because I'm not good at coloring.  I've tried stamping and used other markers but didn't get a good effect.  Color pencils worked pretty good for me. But I wanted to give Copic Markers a try for a different look so I went to a class.  Of course I fell in love with them!! I can't wait to take another class.  Here's my first project -- a birthday card for my grandson, Grayson. 

I only used two each of the blue, yellow and red colors for the balloons and gifts for blending - I colored the whole area with the lighter color then shadowed portions with the darker color. I used =  BG02 New Blue & BG05 Holiday Blue, Y15 Cadmium Yellow & Y17 Golden Yellow,  R35 Coral & R37 Camine. Start small then work larger, right?.  I really like the great way they blended, no streaks or "lines" where the darker color is. The saying is from the book "Ultimate Guide to Card Sayings".  It's a very basic card but a three year old won't care. I think I'll be using stamping and coloring more often on my scrapbook pages. I told my children the second portion of my life insurance is in my craft room. Now that I'm starting into the Copic Marker phase, that is even more true. Lol.

Catattidue -- My Girl

After several years I've finally been able to do a page of my cat that I had to put to sleep because she was ill from old age.  Squirt was 16 when I lost her. I had her since she was 6 weeks old. Or should I say she had me cause we all know that cats pick their people and she picked me.  Squirt would sleep beneath the covers tucked up under my chin. She loved popcorn and brussel sprouts. Squirt was somewhat overweight and when I would tease and call  her "Fat Cat" she would give me a look that said "Fat is where it's at." Squirt would let you know what she was thinking just with a look. She's been gone now just over 3 years but I still miss her a lot -- she always wanted to be with me.  I miss my constant companion.

Glimmer Mist

   Hurricane Irene has passed with no further problems. So today I did my errands and had to stop by the local scrapbook store. I'm behind on the "new stuff" curve and am just starting to play with Glimmer Mist. I'm working on scraping a 4th of July page and wanted to try something different. I saw an idea on Cricut website for the Word Collage cartridge and wanted to give a try. 

http://www.cricut.com/thursday/lookbookcart.aspx?Book=wordcollage 

   However, I wasn't very successful. What the picture showed was a flag background with chalked letters for 4th of July. I tried different ways to create a stencil - I used poster board then vinyl and just didn't work. The size I was trying to do may have a lot to do with that. I'll have to do some searching online to see how others manage this trick. I wanted the "negative" so I could chalk the words onto a background I made using Glimmer Mist.

   What I did instead was make my background with Glimmer Mist -- Red Velvet, Snow Queen and Bell Bottom Jeans. I sprayed onto white cardstock I had in my stash. I had gotten CRI-Kits Gel Pen Holder & Pens and decided to give them a try. Wow!! They worked great. I'll be using them on more of my projects. I did get all the colors available. 

   I think this looks pretty good considering it's not what I was trying to do. Sometimes what I end up with works better than what I was trying to create. But that doesn't mean that I'm not going to keep trying to do the stencil idea.  I'm trying to decide if I'm going to do a 8 x 8 mini album or just a two page layout but I'll post my project when I'm finished.

What a Week!!

   This has been a hectic week. First an earthquake on Tuesday afternoon & lots of clean up when I got home from work. Then we had another smaller quake/aftershock on Wednesday night around 1am that woke me up.  And if that's not the highlight of the week, a hurricane hits today.  I've only lost electric once today. Sad to say that messed up the bread I was baking.  But all is not lost. I've used the day of being inside to do fun stuff.  
  
   I've been wanting to try cutting fabric with my Cricut. I made pj bottoms for the grandson that had trains on them and decided to make a tshirt with a train on it to match. I went on You Tube and watched a couple of videos (thanks to all who have posted their "how to") but even with that I had trouble. But I'm not one to give up easy so I kept trying.  Here's my results - I used Boys Will Be Boys for the train and calico fabric I had in my stash.

  I didn't think that the train showed up very good since the outline wasn't defined so I decided to put a blanket stitch around the train.



  I had some trouble with the fabric not cutting well and raveling. I used Wonder Under but a lightweight type. I'm going to try again with a heaver weight & see how that works.  I've got a Robot tshirt to make.