Saturday, December 18, 2010

Busy, busy ...

I've been a busy lil' elf today. The smell of butterscotch chex mix is in the air, my kids are wrestling, my hubby left for the Pitt basketball game, and my scrap room is a mess! It's been a productive day ... although I still don't have my Christmas tree up. I'm secretly hoping that my hubby will pull it out tomorrow. He and my boys have made it a tradition to get it decorated every year. Keeping my fingers crossed. Here is a small sampling of several of the projects I completed today. The tags, of course, were inspired by Tim Holtz's Twelve Tags of Christmas. The pop-up gift card was inspired by a fast scrap at ACOT. And, lastly, I created another gift card holder for Austin's bus driver. Fun, fun!







Monday, December 13, 2010

Getting there


I'm starting to see the light at the end of the holiday craft tunnel. I completed these two gift holders for my two adorable nieces. What else? A few more book marks, one more gift card holder, and then, my holiday chex mix. I'm waiting for my sons to decide which of their lucky teachers will receive the mix this year. Now that they are in high school and middle school, we pick and choose the teachers. Sometimes, there are teachers I would like to treat, but I have to follow their lead ...

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Sassy Lil' Sketches' November 28th Reveal

Sketchabilities #36

I've been trying to finish my 2006 albums. I had already completed my Thanksgiving pages as well as Austin's. However, poor Clay's page was never finished. When I saw this sketch from Sketchabilities, I knew it would give me the incentive to finally put the last touches on Clay's 2006 Thanksgiving page. So, here it is in all its glory and splendor.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Crafting Up a Storm

Well ... sorta. I keep getting these bright ideas about what I want to give my friends for Christmas - as little add-ons, but I forget how long it sometimes takes me to complete a project. I'm too much of a perfectionist so by the time I have completed the craft, my allotted time frame has been exceeded. And, for some reason, my crafts don't always look the way I imagined them. I have such grandiose expectations of my abilities that I disappoint myself time and time again. I've been trying to let that need to succeed roll off my shoulders a bit. Don't get me wrong, I want to be successful, but I don't want to miss out on the enjoyment and fulfillment that crafting affords me.

I put together a cute little gift card holder last night. I, of course, found it on Dawn's Stamping Studio's website. Love her ideas ... she has sooooo many! I'm glad she shares her inspiration.



I was also intrigued by a bookmark fastscrap at ACOT's last on-line scrap weekend. Tracey, one of the scrappy chicks, made this adorable corner book mark. Since I didn't have the Martha Stewart punch she referenced, I started playing with the punches I did have in my possession. And, being the procrastinator I have become, I started searching for corner book mark ideas on several of my favorite scrap and card sites. I found this tutorial by Beate Johns. Both ladies gave me great inspiration. This is what I created with their help:

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Money Cards for Christmas


My two nephews are looking for cold, hard cash this Christmas. They are 13 and 14 years old, so I don't blame them. These days, that's what my boys prefer as well. In order to give the cash a little oomph, I wanted to put together these cute holders I saw on Dawn's Stamping Studio Website. I am always looking for cute ways to dress up gift cards, checks, and cash not only for Christmas, but for birthdays and other special occasions. It's also a great way to use up that scrappy stash.

Creative Scrappers Sketch #129


It's a close one,but I'm getting this layout in on time for a chance at the November prize from Creative Scrappers. Such great sketches get me motivated to scrap more often. I was also playing around with my Gypsy trying to create die-cut papers. Since I only have the Personal Cricut, I am limited as far as how big I can get the die-cuts. But, that's okay, since it's not broken and performs well, I have no reason (like I need one!) to purchase the larger Cricut Expression. I'm sure there will always be something new for me to "need". Off to check out the December sketches ...

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Sketches Squared

Creative Scrapper Sketch #130 Pencil Lines Sketch #213 My friend, Kristen, and I motored to Columbus this past weekend to visit and scrap with our friend, Melane. We were very busy and diligent scrappers! Since Melane finished off the pictures she had developed, she was creating layouts for future pictures. Oh, to be in that position! I always try to tell myself that it's not a race! However, 2006 seems like a long time ago when you're trying to remember people, places, and things!

I was able to complete two sketches: Creative Scrappers #130 and Pencil Lines Sketch #213. I used the same picture (from 2001!) for both layouts as well as the same Personal Scrapper Kit.

Monday, November 15, 2010

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas


I'm trying to get a jump start on my holiday crafting. After participating in the ACOT on-line crop last weekend, I was inspired to get my rear in gear. I experimented with putting together a couple gift card holders. There was one description in particular that caught my eye. It was a tutorial mentioned on the ACOT crop forum about Halloween Treat Bags by Bo Bunny like this. I found a few old scraps from Christmas Stacks past that were worth playing with. I created these two gift card holders. I still may tweak a few things, maybe try different embellies. We'll see what I can come up with ...

My new Cricut cartridge Christmas Cards is screaming to be used. I just may play with that tomorrow. Off to make different gift card holders as well as put together a couple of money holders. I'll be back to post pictures of those soon.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

October 28th Reveal for Sassy Lil' Sketches


Here is my interpretation of the sketch. Clay wanted to look like the Joker from The Dark Knight. He was able to get pretty close. And, he managed to keep the makeup on all day. lol

Friday, October 29, 2010

Creative Scrappers Sketch #126


After spending all weekend scrapping with my good friends, I've been in the scrappy mood all week. I completed this layout for the Creative Scrapper blog. I'm always up for a challenge. The pictures are from 2007 when we had a family reunion. My two sisters and I are pictured as well as all our kiddos! It was a great vacation.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Sassy Lil' Sketch for 10/7


I really had fun with this sketch!

Pencil Lines the Sketch Book




I submitted my layout for the most recent Pencil Lines sketch celebrating their 4th Birthday! Happy Birthday Pencil Lines! I used papers from the kit club I belong to called PersonalScrapper. Love, love, love their monthly kits.


Sunday, October 17, 2010

Creative Scrappers Sketch #124




I backtracked and found Creative Scrappers Sketch #124. I used a picture from this past September of Austin and Pippin. They look so sweet together. I couldn't resist!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Elf

Here is my take on the Sketch #125 from Creative Scrappers.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Creative Scrapper #125


So, here is the latest sketch from Creative Scrapper. They are having a contest, and all entries have to be submitted by 10/16. Every so often they show a "Readers Reveal". I must say I am intimidated by the stunning layouts and unique creativity! I am going to give it a go, however. I did start on it this evening, only to have the blade on my Cricut stop functioning. What luck! Off to buy a new blade tomorrow ... need to get this done!

Monday, April 19, 2010

One Month To Live

I have just started this study with several ... more like 20 ... friends from church. Our first meeting was this past Friday. The area in which I live experienced a micro burst Friday afternoon that robbed us of our electricity, shattered windows, sliced trees in half, tore rain gutters, and ripped siding off our house. We were forced to gather in a candlelit room and watch the DVD that accompanies this study on one of our friend's laptops. It certainly was an interesting way to kick start our study. But, it left us thankful for the food we shared, and the precious time we spent talking about how our priorities would change if we really did have one month to live. I am making myself accountable for finding ways to cut the clutter and prioritize what it truly precious in my life. What an amazing opportunity to have the chance to make these changes while I have many more ... God willing ... days ahead of me.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Beth Moore's Breaking Free

This is the second Beth Moore bible study I've done with my two friends, Wendy and Meghan. I find that I am learning so much about myself and my relationship with God. I am truly amazed at how my life is shifting, ever so slightly every day. I'm enjoying the new path God is opening in front of me.

I attended our contemporary service at church this evening. I really wanted my son to join me as he so loves the "rockin'" Christian music. He also would have loved Frank's sermon. Frank is so full of love for God that it's a true joy to watch him as well as get in to the spirit of his message.

Given my study with Beth and my desire to make changes in my life, I feel closer to where God wants me to be.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Resolutions ... AGAIN!

I feel like I've been here before. Yes, I have, but I mean that I'm sitting in front of my computer again ... writing in my blog again ... about New Year's resolutions again. I did fairly well with my resolutions from 2009. Well, sorta. I am vowing again to follow that awesome flylady. She has it going on. I like how she approaches the oraginizing of one's life. I need it! I spent the last two days following her 15 minute pockets of decluttering. It worked wonders. The back of my car is full of had-to-have items that I am giving to Goodwill. Phew! What a relief!

My other goal this year is to scrapbook my pictures more often. I was inconsistent the last few years and my albums have paid the price. Not only are they are disheveled and disorderly, but have gaping holes in them. I left spaces for "special pictures/stories/etc", and I no longer know what needs to be added at this point. Just where are those pictures let alone the memory that goes along with them?

What else? I'm going to shake up my workouts. I think my body has gotten used to the routines I've been doing for the last several months. Need a change! Something to keep me interested. Getting to the gym and working out is not the problem. I've always been a fanatic, but the sheer boredom is killing me! I've been investigating different routines and look forward to working them in to my daily workouts.

That should be enough for me to get the year started with a bang! Bang! Bang! I am looking forward to a spectacular 2010!