Month: November 2009

I can hardly believe how time is flying around here. Right now I’d like to remind you that today is the FINAL day to register for my Big Picture Scrapbooking class: http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/adventureskits.php. I know some of you are in class – I hope you’re having as great of a time as I am!!

I had actually planned to work with & share some kit creations this week but just haven’t made the time. I’d like to blame my mother.

Her foot got stuck when she was going to walk into her friend’s house and she broke her arm. (way up by shoulder – so no cast) We’ve been up to her place twice now with food & company. I don’t really “blame” her guys – I just like to be shocking and say stuff like I blame her because it cracks me up. She’d roll her eyes and laugh too if she knew I was saying that. I like this photo of her from Sunday. She was explaining something. She likes to talk when I try to take her photo so you end up with gems like the one above.

I’ll also blame these guys:

Those kiddos are full-time busy bodies always! But when daddy goes away for FIVE SOLID DAYS? The mommy cling-on factor is high. Yesterday we went to the fire station to visit daddy, make dinner for the crew, and hang out. It was super fun…

… but I came home exhausted fell asleep despite drinking a soda & never did do my kit thing.

So now you know. I chose sleep & family time over playing with paper & stickers. My priorities are all outta whack, right? {KIDDING!!!}

So now that things have sort-of settled, let’s see what I’m up to. I’ve got these pink paislee goodies that I want to work around. See- in my class we talk a lot about substitutions & working with your own stash & making your own kits (as well as working with kit clubs). My plan is to use these & create some stuff for fun, but also make at least 1 layout inspired by class. I’ll photograph my progress & check back in soon.

That is, assuming my family lets me!

FIRST – some PRIZE WINNERS: {e-mail me mflaum @ comcast . net to claim your prizes!}

Mary kathryn – MM vintage findings + peppermint bark
Amy E – big fall box (kit from my stash) of fun
marygail – yearbook (Studio Calico) kit

LAST CHANCE for these – I draw new winners Friday as I’ve not heard from any of you –
Halloween prize winner: Ann Abrameit
BIG box ‘o Fiskars prize: Terrie Carlson
ink, ribbon, and brads – Christina Simon

I’m so happy with this little pouch I see myself making lots of variations. Different fabrics, sizes, reasons… it was FUN.

FYI – I’m just about the world’s worst sewer. So for me to say that, you can trust that it was a) easy and b) actually fun. Seriously – I’m awful at sewing but I only had to seam-rip two different times on this. Talk about a victory!

You can see the whole project + instructions here: http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/projects/t_creativefunpouch.aspx

While you’re over there you can scope out the contents of this craft inspiration to-go & you’ll learn a little secret.

{I’m giving it away right here, right now!}

Ok, I’ll put in fresh adhesive + new scissors… but yes. I made this pouch and YOU might just be the crafty friend who gets to have it! It’ll come all wrapped up pretty too. If you want it, just leave a comment here. I’ll draw a winner on 11/14.

Do you think you could handle just one more peek at layouts from my class Adventures in Scrapbooking: Using Kits? I hope so.  The images you are about to see are scrap-lifted. That’s right. I looked at some layouts in design team galleries on-line and copied. lifted. blatantly and on purpose.

Before you call the scrappy police, you should know that I had permission from the talented ladies that I was inspired by and that these layouts are all for the final bonus handout in class. All about how to use ideas from design team (mostly kit) galleries & use them in your own pages and make the ideas and designs work for you.

I think it’s a pretty cool idea if I do say so myself – and who doesn’t want more ideas for making the most of their supplies – especially when it’s a seven layout BONUS handout!!

Of course we’re still in week #1 in class, so you’ll have to wait a while to see the full layouts (if you’re in class!). If you’d like to sign up or get more information about class you can check it out here: http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/adventureskits.php Registration closes on November 11th – so there’s still time to join us!

I’d like to thank Ali Edwards, Kelly Goree, Leslie Ashe, Lisa Dickinson, Stephanie Howell, Susan Weinroth, and Valerie Salmon for letting me lift their beautiful pages and use them as examples in this class handout. They are all such talented scrapbookers and it was a treat to use their pages as inspiration. Thank you ladies!!

Now I’m back to making some BIG crafting fun…

I did the featured tool projects this week at www.fiskarscrafts.com and I had such a good time with this! My inspiration was to show the limited edition squeeze punches being useful + using up paper scraps to make stuff. Who doesn’t need to save money this holiday season? I know I do – and these projects are quick and can use up whatever papers you have lying around.

Adding some home-made love to your giving doesn’t have to be hard!

Find project photos + instructions here: http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/projects/t_scrapholidayideas.aspx

Oh yes, and as usual since I’ve got a project up that means I’ve got a give-away! From Fiskars – the Jingle Bulb squeeze punch! {psst… I bet there will be a few extras in that box like Fiskars tape runner + a pair of my fave scissors…}

To enter just leave a comment here – I’ll draw a winner next Sunday.

Have you seen the Basic Grey November newsletter? You can check it out here: http://www.basicgrey.com/clientuploads/CNL_1109.pdf

Pssst – I made a layout with their swoon-worthy Eskimo Kisses line that is featured this month in it. I pretty much squealed when I saw Kelly Goree’s call to create a page for the sketch… and I was even peppier when she gave me the green light to do it…

It felt good to put some of my Basic Grey stash to such good use. I just love how this page came out and YES! I used a holiday line for a non-holiday page. It can totally be done – just have to pick the right stuff.

“I Becca” is because if you ask her if she’s various things (animals, minnie mouse, etc) she says “I becca!” So cute. Had to document it. I’ve got a few tips to share about the layout too:

* Die cut paper (could be any kind of paper really) approx 11 1/2 x 11 wide. I used the back side of it instead of the colored side.
* Kraft cardstock cut 9 1/2 x 8 1/2 and corners are rounded & edged with smooch ink.
* strip of patterned paper below photos (which are 4×6) is about 1 1/4 x 6
* Strip of patterned paper at right of photos could be substituted with a ribbon or border sticker
* I used a big rub-on under the title letters, but a stamp or sticker could work too.
* I placed the bigger rhinestones and pearls first, then the smaller ones. Don’t worry about perfect or being even – I like the random look.

I think the rhinestones & pearls along the edge is my favorite part.

Excuse me, I need to go fondle make another layout with this line of paper ASAP.