Warm Stockings / Cold Feet

I am not fond of the cold weather, but I do love to go bare foot and around my house you usually see me without shoes or socks 90% of the time. This year however, the girls attached to my boys have all taken up the art of crocheting.... so of course I had to prove that I to could do this "new found " craft. So here is my first craft of the new year.

 ta-da...... SLIPPERS!

Happy New Year!

     I am so excited to be jumping into a new year. As many of you know, I am not big on making NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS. I don't like setting myself up for failure, but I do sit down and evaluate where I am at the end of the year and I do set a few new goals and always pledge to craft more and try to do better. That way I know that no matter what happens I will not FAIL!!!

     This year I am trying really hard to decide if Stampin' Up! is still where my interests lie or if the digital age is making the paper world a thing of the past... I am just not moving to the technology side of the business very well, my boys are all grown and I have enough supplies stock piled to scrap for a hundred grandchildren, so I think it might be time to focus on a different avenue.That way I can relax and enjoy the crafting hobby side of things for a change.

Ways to Shop at Scrapbook.com - SC#10

       Well... I knew this class was coming, but being a die hard Stampin' Up! Fan. I find it hard to shop anywhere else. I agree that there are many companies that offer a plithera of very unique and awesome products, but for me and the pantry we shop where my heart is.
       I did find a couple of shopping ideas enlightening though... When you start planning on your shopping spree, take into consideration what your scrapping personality is and what you are trying to achieve, then you can shop by any of the following:

• Shop by Brand
• Shop by Theme
  
• Shop by Type
  
• Shop by Color
  
• Shop by Personality 

Simplified Scrapbooking with Floorplans - SC#9

      Okay... well this class was not new to me but, I prefer to use the word "SKETCHES" instead of floorplans, but what ever word you use, a sketch or floorplan makes creating a layout simpler, faster and easier. Often we use these at crops as a way to spend the time getting a lot of pages completed in a short amount of time. There are lots of companies the offer pre-made sketches and all you have to do is place your photos, especially in the digital world. 
      Now me, on the other hand, enjoy playing with my paper and creating a layout from start to finish. Time spent on my layout is what we often joke about in the crafter's world as ART THERAPY.

Scrap By Color - SC#8

       Now we are getting into the meat of scrapping... my favorite part! I love color and to me it is a very important element of your layout, even a black and white layout has color. It has been stated that "Color is the most versatile and exciting design tool available to a scrapbooker". Your photos are usually the best source of color inspiration for your layout. Pick colors that highlight, accent and bring out the point in the photo that your want to draw attention too. Remember color often sets the mood of your layout, so pick the colors that stimulate the reaction that your are looking for.

Find Your Focus - SC#7

        I was surprised when I started this class, I thought it was going to be more about selecting a starting point between a set of photos and your layout. And yet, I was sweetly surprised to discover that we were actually getting into the actual parts of scraping.
       This class was all about the Focal Point of your layout. Mainly talking about how to decide and use your photos or photo as the focal point. Establishing a focal point in your layout design is easy, you just need to figure out which photo or what part of your layout draws your eye in the most. And you want the viewer to know that the focal point is the most important thing on the page. Usually this is a picture, but it could be other embellishments or memorabilia. The key to a good focal point is how you design around it to create a balanced layout. The three tips that we talked about in class are Deliberate Placement, Create Contrast and Unique Matting. I usually try to use at least two of these ideas when I create my layouts.

Find Friendly Support in the Forums - SC#6

Scrapbooking for me is always a lot more fun when I share my table with someone. I love to blog hop, web search and spend time hanging out in the forums. I love the Stampin' Connection at Stampin' Up! and I like to spend time chatting with my all invisible friends at Splitcoast Stampers. There is always a new idea or challenge you can try.

Protecting Your Memorabilia - SC#5

      In class tonight we went over lots of really good facts about Protecting Your Memorabilia. All of them very true....

Fact 1:  Liquids destroy memorabilia ~ I found it quite humorous that the first picture we saw tonight was a can of split coke on a table full of scrapping supplies and photos. We do this in class and at crops all the time without even thinking.

Fact 2:  Digital photos are stored on computers. ~ They crash... HAVE BACK UPS!!! (enough said)

Fact 3:  Sunlight will eventually diminish photo, negative, layout, and album quality. ~ ahhhh... YUP!!! two of my album covers have faded in the afternoon sun.

Fact 4:  Extreme temperatures damage photographs, negatives, layouts, page protectors, and albums. ~ True again! Here in South Carolina, I have noticed that a couple of my album covers are starting to get a few mold spore spots coming on them. We live at the beach, so I know things here are a lot damper. 

Fact 5:  Although not immediately apparent, fingerprints on photographs, negatives, and layouts become visible over time. ~ GREAT!!! I have really oily fingers. 

Fact 6:  Handle and store your photos, negatives, and layouts carefully. ~ I learned tonight that it is a good idea to store your negatives separate from your photos.

Fact 7: Not all plastics are alike. ~ okay, so here's a great tip.... "do not buy materials containing PVC or its cousin polyvinyl acetate (PVA). Instead, look for acrylic or polyester (polyethylene and polypropylene) materials. They are chemically stable and will ensure encapsulation safety for your memorabilia. If you are uncertain of a product’s composition, you can easily identify PVC by its strong plastic odor."  Guess what plastic I use???? :)

Fact 8:  All paper and cardstock found in your local scrapbook store is not necessarily acid-free unless clearly stated. ~ And even then.... you have to be careful. One thing we talked about was checking our paper to see if it is  “acid-free” using a pH Testing Pen. 

Here are a few facts of my own that I shared with my class...

Fact 9:  Newspapers are made of acidic material which can harm your photos. Make a photocopy of your newspaper clippings 

Fact 10: If love using metal or acidic items for scrapbooking... Then you might want to consider using photo duplicates rather than your original photos. So if corrosion or damage happen, you still have your original photos on hand. Safeguard your originals. I know because I was shocked to discover that some of the brads on my layouts were turning rusty!

Fact 11:  Check to see if lumpy objects are rubbing badly onto the face of your layout. You might want to make sure that it's not rubbing onto some precious photos, especially if they are heritage photos. Use duplicate photos because if you are using original photos, the constant rubbing will harm your photos.

Fact 12: If you don't enjoy doing it, get someone who does to help you. that way things will turn out better in the end.

Photos: Sorted and Scrapbooked - SC#4

       Tonight class was all about the different way and means of storing your photos before, during and after, while you are scrapbooking. The class was very informational and I truly believe that you need to follow all the guideline and ideas that they shared. There are multiple ways of sorting, storing and protecting your photos and you just need to find a variety of ways that work best for you.
       I have tried several different ways over the past few years and now I just store them on my computer and on a flash drive until I get ready to print them. This way works best for me right now, due to the limited space I have at my house.

Creating a Layout... SC#2

On Saturday, I signed up for 24 free scrapbook classes at scrapbook.com, just to see what they were all about and to use them as a jump start for me to get back into the swing of things. Tonight was the 2nd class, which was to create our first layout. So I combined Thursday's Split Coast Scrapbook challenge with class and this is what I came up with... "Memories at Lake Isabella"

Why & How to start Scrapping... SC#1

        Tonight, I signed up for 24 free scrapbook classes at scrapbook.com, just to see what they were all about and to use them as a jump start for me to get back into the swing of scraping again. The first lesson was all about why we scrap and how to get started and it got we thinking about all the scrapbook pages that I have put together over the past 35 years. I also started thinking about all the genealogy and family history stories and information that I have collected over the past 35 years.
       In our class, the instructors discussed the why and I really liked the reasons they gave... "There is one thing that all good scrapbook pages do: they tell a story. And for us, that is the heart of scrapbooking. It is storytelling at a precious, personal level. It is organizing moments of the past so they have meaning for future generations. Embodied in every scrapbook page is a celebration of life, a moment or moments captured that are especially unique to a person or family. Scrapbookers today are preserving yesterday for tomorrow."  Throughout the rest of the class we just went over ideas and things that help to make it easier to get started.
       One of the ideas that they gave us was to start small, so I thought it would be fun to start out with a couple of small 6x6 pages...

Decorations & Dividing Wall - Davis Wedding

 We had a very wonderful and successful evening. It was our first official catering event here in Myrtle Beach and it went off without a flaw. We made all the food for the buffet, we also provided the new dividing wall and extra touches. Our menu included a Chocolate Fountain with dip-able goodies like, strawberries, cherries, marshmallows, pineapple, bananas and oreos. We also served chickens salad filled cream puffs, veggie tray, peel & eat shrimp, baked cheese & southern style pimento cheese ball with crackers, and our new peach wedding punch

DEFUNKING MY RUT

Have you ever had one of those days when you wake up and you feel like you may be losing your edge? Well, I did a couple of mornings last week... not that I really care, because I could blame it on my age or the fact that I really haven't been feeling well at all this year. (still could be my age... menopause, you know!) But the one thing I know is I have to get out of my rut. So... I have spent the morning devising a plan called

" DEFUNKING MY RUT" 

 One of my goals today was to find an uplifting Card challenge that will work both as a crafty project for myself and I can slip a visiting teaching message in it, to send out to the sisters that I visit teach each month. I chose the TLC386 ~ "Let's Make a Beach" ~  challenge from Splitcoast Stampers. He is my card...

 

Tuesday's Testimonial 02

I love Christmas in July!!! It gives me a great excuse to gather all my stamping friends together and celebrate Christmas twice a year. This year we enjoyed some time creating, stamping, crafting and munching a whole set of new memories. And all of this was made possible, because I know that my Father in Heaven LOVES me. I have been thinking about this card for awhile now... I wanted to to be just right, perfect in so many ways. Not only did I want to create something extra special to contribute to our Christmas in July party, but I wanted a card to share with all my friends at Christmas time that would be simple and share the message of the scriptures through out the whole holiday season.

Hope everyone enjoys a little Christmas in JULY!!! :)

Tuesday's Testimonial 01

       My Friend Jennifer is hosting a New Challenge over on her blog and I found great motivation there. So In keeping with the Spirit of Celebration, the 4th of July and all the Freedoms that God has given me, this is my card.

       The story or inspiration behind my card is the simple truth that lies within. My Dad use to say "God so loved the world that he sent his only son, so I think that's the least I can do is serve" (the navy). Now, with having one of the boys who lived with us serve and the idea that possibly two of my own joining. This sense of pride is growing strong deep with-in my heart. There is a quote from President Hinckley that I love...
"If we are to continue to have the freedoms that come of the inspiration of the almighty to our founding fathers, we must return to the God who is their true author."

      I hope we ponder, pray and never forget the true and everlasting principles of freedom, upon which this great American country was founded.  Happy 4th of July Everybody!

March Madness

This card is for my Sister's Birthday and also for the March Madness Challenge.

PSC17: Missing a Button

January has come and gone and I am so ready to get back into the swing of Stampin'! I was so excited to see Jennifer's challenge this morning. It was a great one to start off the month of "LOVE" with... :)

 This is called the "The Perfect Sentiment Challenge" and  The Challenge was to create a card with a sentiment appropriate for "Missing You". You do not have to use those exact words on your card. Remember to include your sentiment on the front of your card. The Twist: use a button or buttons on your card.

So here is my take on the Challenge...

"For Jenn"

You can check out other awesome entries for this challenge at  The Perfect Sentiment Challenge

Fall Spice

Great Sketch Challenge today, here is my card....

Feeling Crafty...

This was the new center piece that I made for Sunday dinner yesterday...

New Beginning....

   It has been a long time since I posted anything here. Now that I am done being angry that someone stole most of my recipes and printed them in a new book that seemed to have got her rave reviews and an earned short stay in the lime light... I have once again found the desire to SHARE!!!

        But in the event that someone tries to once again beg, barrow or steal my recipes or craft/stamping ideas for anything other than personal enjoyment..I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN and BLEND YOU WITH MY green HANDLED SPATULA! :)  And I WON'T BEG to DIFFER with YOU!!!!

With that being said... I would love to share with you (starting tomorrow) another one of my awesome blogs. It is entitled "A RUN ON THE BEACH". It is my new quest for self improvement and well deserved adventure. Here is the Link... www.arunonthebeach.blogspot.com

Make & Take.... "One Sheet Wonder"

This year I wanted to kick off our "Make & Take" season with something new mixed with a little trip down memory lane. Does anyone remember what they made with their very first "One Sheet Wonder" experiences?

Well, here is what we came up with this year.... We have 15 items from one sheet of stamped card stock (plus the two solid sheets of course)

The items are...

Scrapbook Title Strip (12x12)
Note Card (3x3)
Regular Card  (A2 size)
Scrapbook Page (6x6)
  Gift Bag Topper
Candy Wrappers
Gift Tag
Book Mark
Small Note Book
Post-It Note Cover (3.5 X 3.5)
Journaling Tag
Die-cut Letters
Flower Embellishments (x2)
Faux Ribbon Strips
Scrapbook Corner Embellishments

Here is the templates for the items... Please let me know if your are interested in any details or dimensions.

Working Wednesday... Class Schedule for Spring

Here is the Spring Class schedule... You can find more details on my SU! website at www.aharris.stampinup.net.

Make & Take Night MAR 3  7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Eastern ) The will be our first "Make & Take" night for the Spring season. We have some fun cards and projects planned for the up coming months. We would love to see everyone there. The cost for this class is $5.00, $7.50 or $12.50 depending on how many projects you choose to make. I'll will be glad to email you the sample pics for the month.

Tips & Techniques ( PM Class) MAR 8  7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Eastern ) We will be starting a new Tips & Techniques Class. This will be the first of a 12 week class. And we meet continue to meet every other Tuesday night for 12 weeks. The 12 week program will be $10.00 a class.(This will cover all supplies for 5 stamped cards and 3 techniques per class... email me for details and questions)

Scrapbook (Monthly Get-Together) MAR 10  7:00 PM - 11:00 PM (Eastern ) If you are interested in joining us to learn more about scrapbooking or just want to hang out and work on your already started pages... This is the place for you. Come join us for the evening for a no pressure, fun filled evening of cropping, swapping and stamping. (email me for details)

Scrapbook (Monthly Get-Together) MAR 11  10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Eastern ) If you are interested in joining us to learn more about scrapbooking or just want to hang out and work on your already started pages... This is the place for you. Come join us for the day for a no pressure, fun filled morning of cropping, swapping and stamping. (email me for details)

Taking the plunge...

I am going to take the plunge from SU! Hobbyist to full time Demo..... :)
I NEED TO DO WHAT I LOVE AND GET GREAT REWARDS IN BETWEEN!!!!

Mellow Monday... Casing VSN!

Your challenge today is to take your favorite card from VSN and case it using a different color combo.

Fun Fridays & Super Saturday... FEB VSN!

Today for Fun Friday... I will be hanging out tonight at the February Virtual Stamp Night (VSB) at Splitcoast Stampers. 

Here is the link... "YOU MAKE MY HEART SING" (VSN)

Working Wednesday... Picking Paper?

There are many different kinds of scrapbooking papers in all sorts of styles, textures, patterns, and colors. They range from plain solids to designer paper with popular patterns. Now, often found to be double-sided with corresponding patterns and colors.  They will also vary in price according to the type, size and weight of the paper.

Basic Paper

This is typically a lightweight printer style paper and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Price may vary depending on the company and the detail of the pattern, but is usually less expensive than a heavier weight cardstock.

Cardstock

This is a heavyweight paper used in paper crafts, mostly for scrapbook layouts, postcards, greeting cards, business cards, etc. They vary in weight and size usually available in a variety of  from light weight cardboard to chipboard style consistency.

Vellum

Vellum is made just like normal paper with the difference being  that vellum is specially treated to give it It's transparent look and crispness. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns. It’s great for dry embossing, computer printing and layering over solid colored papers.

Mulberry

Mulberry paper is soft, fibrous and has a handmade feel to it. It can be described as a tissue paper that has some weight behind it. It usually comes in solid colors and it great to use to add a subtle texture and earthiness to your scrapbook pages. 

DSP's & Specialty Paper

Most name brand scrapbook stores will refer to any and all non essential paper as some type of specialty paper. Designer Series Paper (DSP) are usually known by which company sells and distributes them. They are often double sided and are found to be a little heavier in weight than normal paper, but not as heavy as most cardstock. They make great accent paper for scrapbooks and cards. They have become the crafter's dream paper, because if you can dream it... it can go on paper! Other specialty papers do include both the  mulberry and vellum, but also sparkly glitter paper, mirrored finish paper, and handmade with botanicals paper. These are often more expensive than regular cardstock or the patterned paper. These papers are usually used sparingly as embellishing rather than as the primary background for your layout. You also have to make sure when using specialty papers in scrapbooking that you use acid free papers. You will find that many are not.

Tuesday Color Challenge....Always Perfect Roses!

CC311: Always Perfect Roses!

Perfect Plum

Rose Red

Always Artichoke

Neutrals of Choice


This week's dessert option: Add some hardware to your project!

Mellow Monday... President Pride

Today is a Mellow Monday Holiday... So I thought it would be fun to create something festive for the center of my "Entry Way" table. I wanted to stay with the President's Day theme. So here is what I came up with.



Your Challenge for today is to create something "True True! Red, White & Blue"



KEYWORDS: APMM08,

Super Saturday... Holiday & Spring Cleaning

Between the MB Marathon, Holiday and Work for most of us this weekend. We decide to take a Super Saturday Crafting break. But I did find some time to think about my Spring Cleaning list and to reorganize all my current colors of paper and ink pads.

Here is what I came up with this year...

So for today... Please share with us what challenge you  accomplished in your office this past week.

Fun Fridays... Flylady BINGO

I have really gotten into to the "Top of the Hour" Bingo's that the Flybabies play on the Flaylady's Facebook page. I seem to get a lot more accomplished when I am working and hanging out with my Bingo list. And depending on the day of the week it is and how much time I have, determines which Bingo I play. So today for FUN FRIDAY I decided that I would make me a generic Bingo card that will work for any of the Bingos that I choose..

Your Challenge for today is to create a some sort of list or cleaning check off card that works for you and share it here...

KEY WORDS: APFF07,

52 Week / Thursday Challenges....

Working Wednesday... Journaling

I had to laugh when today ended up being both a "Working Wednesday" and Super P's 16th Birthday. And much like a Super Hero, journaling can be either found on top of it all or hidden. You can even create it so that it pops up and down. Even though the old saying states... "that a picture is worth a thousand words" a story is never complete with out the Super Hero ( the journaling). It completes the story and should often include the who, what, when, where and why behind your pictures, even if it is just a couple of sentences. Sometimes you may want to include a whole family story or even just a clipping from the newspaper. As long has it describes the story that the photos are trying to tell.

Here is my page... My journaling is under the name tag. You lift it up to read the story and the list of names in the picture.

 KEYWORDS: APWW07, SBC11FEB, FEB11VSBNL

Tuesday Color Challenge... Wild Saffron Point

CC310: Wild Saffron Point


Wild Wasabi (Med Green)

So Saffron (Yellow)

Pacific Point (Blue)

Neutrals of choice

This week's dessert option: ~Twine~ It is showing up everywhere these days in all sorts of colors! Use any variation... twine, floss, jute, rope....


Here is my card using today's color combo...

KEYWORDS: APCC07, CC310,

Mellow Monday... PUNCH POWER!

Today, I attempted to clean up my desk after the major VSBN and all my Valentine Crafting this past weekend and as I set there looking at all my scraps and wishing for spring, I grabbed my punches and went to work. I used my punches to create some spring like accents that can be used later for scrapbook pages or cards.

So the challenge today is to use your punches to make at least four different accent pieces. Then the bonus will be to create a scrapbook page, a card or an altered item using your accents.

Super Saturday...

Since we have taken the last two Saturday's off to scrap at the awesome VSBN's, I thought today would be  a great day to finish up our Progressive Pages. Today, lets make our one page 12X12 into a 12X12 Double Page Spread...

You can easily turn your 12X12 into a Double Page Spread (DPS)...
Supplies needed:

1 - completed 12X12 (Left Side)
1- completed matching 6X6 (follow supply list above)
1- 12 X 12 cardstock  (Green Galore)
1- 4 X 11 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1- 3 3/4 X 10 3/4 designer series paper (dsp)


1- 3 X 6 cardstock (Tempting Turquoise)
1- 2 3/4 X 5 3/4 white cardstock
1- 3 1/4 X 4 1/4 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1- 2 1/2 X 3 1/4 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1- 2 1/4 X 3 white cardstock or can replace with photo
1- 2 1/2 X 3 1/4 cardstock (Green Galore)
1- 2 1/4 X 3 photo
1- 3 X 4 photo

Stamp Set -  "Journaling Lines"
Ink Pad - Tempting Turquoise
Accessories - Buttons, glue dots

52 Week / Thursday Challenges.... Radio & Television

This is a hard one for me, because believe it or not. I grew up without a TV for a few years during my childhood. We had a black & white TV and when it broke (wore out I think), my parents decided not to replace it for awhile. My parents both enjoyed reading and were really big on education. So we were encouraged to spend our free time reading and studying. I remember grabbing encyclopedias and reading just to see all the pictures. My parents also really enjoyed music and dancing. We had a record player and radios. I never felt deprived or cheated. I never have felt like I grew up missing out. I loved to listen to the radio late at night when I couldn't sleep. As I got older and we got our new TV, some of my favorite programs were; Gillian's Island, Hee-Haw, Colombo, Love Boat, Murder She Wrote, Hart to Hart, Carol Burrnett Show. When I would have a sleep over at my Grandma's house we would watch Lawrence Welk and Johnny Carson.

Working Wednesday... Accents

The Accents or Highlights of a scrapbook page is the part that gives your page the "Zing". Accents can be anything, stamped images, flowers, primas, die cuts, tags, ribbon, buttons or brads. Anything that you add to the page that catches the eye and draws attention to the photos. They can be added on top or stamped right on the background. The main function of Accents is to add dimension and interest to your page. Also memorabilia from the event or activity can provide historical and personal touches that add to your layout. One main suggestion that Stampin' Up! gives us when choosing accents is to... "select ones appropriate to your theme: organdy ribbon on a wedding page or hemp on an outdoor page." Many crafters now refer to accents as "EYE CANDY".

So your challenge today is to create some "eye candy" that you will use later on a scrapbook page...


Here is mine:

Tuesday Color Challenge... NOT QUITE CAJUN DAFFODILS

NOT QUITE NAVY
CAJUN CRAZE
DAFFODIL DELIGHT

And the dessert? Well what else??? Wide striped gros grain ribbon of course!! If you have no wide striped gros grain ribbon, well, first I give you my sympathy.....but then, I tell you you can substitute any gros grain ribbon, fat, skinny, polka dots, whatever!! Just have dessert!! Remember, life is short, so eat dessert first!


I choose the SCS Color challenge today because I like the color combo and the Hostess used my favorite saying "life is short, so eat dessert first! 


So here my dessert... :)

 

KEYWORDS: CC309, APCC06

Mellow Monday... Contest Time

Being the Manager at my work and trying to get my employees excited about our new "Plated Desserts", I decided to start a little contest with them all. We are having a  2 in 1 Contest... The first part of the contest is to see who sells the most new desserts and the second part is to see who has the highest check average. In coming up with this contest I decide to make a CONTEST BOX for them to drop their cashier reports in. I used our new "No Fair Funnel Cake' dessert as my inspiration..

• No Fair Funnel Cake dusted with powdered sugar and served with strawberries, vanilla ice cream, strawberry puree and whipped topping.

Here is my Contest Box:

So your challenge today is to find something on your menu and use it as your inspiration. As a bonus: please share both the menu item and the recipe...


KEYWORDS: APMM06

Remember: (No Scrap Sundays)

Reminder: The Pantry is dark on Sundays!
We are God fearing, church going people who, enjoy a day full of sabbath blessings, family time, genealogy research, reading good books and everyday over-the-counter snacks !!!!!!

Super Saturday... VSBN

Another Saturday with my scrapping friends at Split Coast Stampers! This weekend we are hosting a full VSBN, it will run both Saturday and Sunday.
You can find all the challenges here... "Find Your Groove"

Did you find your groove? I found mine... The challenge I choose is FEB11VSBNG and here is my page...

KEYWORDS: APSS06, FEB11VSBNG, SBC11FEB,

Fun Fridays... Superbowl Invites

One of our family traditions is to have a big Superbowl party. Some of us are football fans and some of us just hang out for the food and the commercials.  Either way and due to the fact that it is on a Sunday, we hang out together as a family and stuff our faces with lots of goodies. But the one thing that I always do is to send invitations to the boys. Two reasons, #1... to teach they the importance of an RSVP and #2... sometimes, it's just fun to officially be invited to something;

So today we are going to create an invitation. Doesn't matter to what, even if it is just t invite someone over for lunch. Be creative and use your scraps.

I made "Sour Cream" Popout Invites.

Here are a couple of other ideas...

52 Week / Thursday Challenges.... Favorite Food

Where should I start... My favorite foods are many!

• HOT FUDGE LAVA CAKE
• BANANA CREAM PIE
• PRIME RIB (thick cut)
• ARTICHOKE (steamed)
• ANGEL FOOD CAKE
• SOUR DOUGH SCONES
• MUTTON CHOPS
• AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON...

KEYWORDS: AP5205,

Working Wednesday... "LAYOUTS"

We are continuing our tips on the four elements of scrapping. Last week we talked about color and color combos. This week we are going to discuss "LAYOUTS".

Layouts are a given, they are the bulk and the body of everything you scrap. The "Layout" refers to the placement of everything you put on your page, like the photos, accents, titles and journaling. Some people choose to use simple layouts where others choose a more complex template. But the bottom line to a layout is remember to choose one of your photos to act as the focal point. (we will talk about focal points later on in week 6).


Stampin' Up! often refers us to four basic "layouts or templates"...




Your challenge today is to choose one of the four templates shown and create a layout...  



KEYWORD: APWW03 & SCS11JAN

Here is my Layout... (I used Template #1)

 

Tuesday Color Challenge... River Gray Whisper

CC308: River Gray Whisper

This week we have gone with all neutrals!

River Rock
Basic Grey
Whisper White

Dessert Option: Use a background stamp on your card.

KEYWORD: APCC05, CC308,

Mellow Monday...

Super Saturday... Mini VSBN

Today, we are going to have some fun with my scrapping friends at Split Coast Stampers. They are hosting a Mini VSBN (Virtual Scrapbook Night). There will be two challenges today.

You can check them out here: JAN11VSBNA  &  JAN11VSBNB

I choose the first challenge to create for today. I used some of the "Eye Candy" accents that I made for our last "Working Wednesday" Challenge.

Here is my page...

KEYWORDS: APSS05, JAN11VSBNA, SBC11JAN,

52 Week / Thursday Challenges.... HOME

WEEK #4.... Home.

Describe the house in which you grew up. Was it big or small? What made it unique? Is it still there today?

I decided that this week I am going to scrap a page telling the boys about this first house that we lived in right after we got married and where we spent the first two years. It was a great house in Enterprise, Utah. We were renting while we were going to college in Cedar City. It was a small sized home that we remodeled and fixed up in exchange for rent. We loved living there because everything was so close to everything and we really enjoyed the people there. We were so blessed and we still have a lot of friends from there to this day.

KEYWORD: AP52WEEK04, SBC11JAN



This challenge runs from Saturday, January 22, 2011 through Friday, January 28, 2011.

Working Wednesday... COLOR

Last week, I shared the four elements to Scrapbooking 101. This week, I thought is would be good if we shared tips about one of those elements...

"COLOR"

TIP #2:
When scrapping color is usually used to complement your photos. We are often encouraged to pick a color from people's clothes or from the background in the photo we are choosing to scrap. We can often choose a certain theme and it's colors like Green & Red for Christmas or a child's favorite color for their Birthday pages. Then once you have chosen the color scheme then use it to help you select the other parts to your page like... card stock, ink, ribbon or accents.
 
The Challenge for today is to choose a color scheme and come up with four ways that you could apply it to your scrapbook page and design a layout using one of them.

I used my soft subtle color scheme as photo backgrounds, page accents like brads & flowers, layout filled with Easter colors and my journaling/title in highlighted by color.

Tuesday Color Challenge - Soft Elegant Rides!

Soft Suede
Elegant Eggplant
Riding Hood Red

Neutrals (ivory, white, or black)

Dessert Options: Layer unlikely die cuts or spellbinders to create some newer looks and options! Tell us the ones you chose so we might try it as well!


KEYWORDS: CC307

Mellow Monday... Monday Mini's

Since I was still semi-down because of my hip issues, I decided to use up some of my favorite scraps to make some quick and easy mini's. I challenged myself to use only three solid colors with one DSP and one kind of accents. Here are a few of my favorites...

 

Your challenge is the same as mine... use only three solid colors with one DSP and one kind of accents.

KEYWORDS: APMM04

Super Saturday...

We are still working on our progressive pages... Today we are going to turn our 81/2 X 11 into a 12 X 12.

STEP #3:

Now we build our 12X12...
Supplies needed:

1 - completed 8 1/2 X 11 page
1 - 12 X 12 cardstock (Green Galore)
1 - 2 1/2 X 3 1/4 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1 - 2 X 6 cardstock (Tempting Turquoise)
1 - 1 3/4 X 5 3/4 white cardstock
1 - 2 1/4 X 3 photo
Stamp Set - "Quirky Alphabet Upper"
Ink Pad - Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: buttons, glue dots

After mounting your 81/2 X 11 page onto your 12 X 12 background sheet, keeping your 6 X6 as your focal point, add the rest of the journaling and a few more accents. And Voila'! You have an awesome looking progressive page.

Next week I will share some tips on how to work this page into a DPS (Double Page Spread).

Fun Fridays... Casing an old favorite

After spending the last two days flat in bed with what I thought might be a kidney stone, but finding out that it is a badly hurt hip, I have come to realize how much I value being able to set at my desk and stamp, even if it is only for a few minutes. So today, I have decided that I am going to spend my down time going back through some old Stampin' Success's and find an altered project that I would like to case.

Here is my project:




My challenge for all of you is to go through an old favorite craft magazine and choose a project that you would like to case and share it with us.

KEYWORDS: APFF03

52 Week / Thursday Challenges.... Cars

Week #3... CARS

I remember a Mitchell Family Reunion that we attended, when we went up the canyon by my Grandma Mitchell's house and that afternoon while we were there, my Mom & Dad took us and showed us where they dumped their first car. Dad told us the story of the car... I will always remember how tall and straight he stood and how proud he was of that car as he told us the story.

Working Wednesday... Where to Start!

TIP #1:
When I started scrapping, I had no idea what I was doing and then I was introduced to Stampin' Up!'s "Stampin' Memories Style" and everything that I was envisioning and working on started to make a whole lot more sense. So now, when I start a new Scrapbooking 101 class I always start with what I feel and what Stampin' Up! suggests as the four main elements of a scrapbook design, which are...

COLOR

LAYOUT

ACCENTS

JOURNALING

These four elements help to make scrapping a very easy and simple approach to any layout and design.

So your challenge for this week is to go through some scrapbook magazines and look for these four elements and choose one that you can share next week in class. 

Here is mine: (notice how the Layout is put together using all four elements)

Tuesday Color Challenge - Bravo Pizzazz Breezes!

OO....OO...OOO.... Pretty! Great, fresh wintry colors.


Bravo Burgandy
Pear Pizzazz
Baja Breezes
Neutrals of Choice

Keywords: CC306 

These are a couple of tag cards that I made for accents that will go on some scrapbook pages that I have planned for the VSBN next month.

 

Mellow Monday...

This was a mellow weekend for me. All I felt like doing was setting around and soaking up the heat from my fireplace and stamping. So being like the sponge that I was I decided to try making my cards for my friend's Asian Elegance Swap. Using the SCS Saturday Inspirational Challenge "Nail Designs" as my inspiration and being in the mood for some technique practice, I sponged the background for my cards. Then the technique challenge for today was to try silhouette stamping and that fit right in with the image that I was stamping on my cards. SO There you have it... A very mellow MONDAY!

So today, I challenge everyone to be a mellow sponger and sponge a card or layout background...

Keywords: APMM03, IC267 and TLC308 if you add a stamped silhouette

Super Saturday...

We are still working on our progressive pages... Today we are going to turn our 6X6 into a 81/2 X 11.

STEP #2:

Supplies needed:

1- completed 6X6
1- 8 1/2 X 7 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1- 8 1/2 X 11 designer series paper (dsp)
1- 3 1/4 X 4 1/4 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1- 2 1/2 X 3 1/4 cardstock (Green Galore)
1- 2 1/4 X 3 white cardstock
1- 3 X 4 photo
Stamp Set - "Party Time"
Ink Pads - Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Buttons, glue dots,



Building up is the easy part of this project... there two things to remember when completing this part:

1. remember to keep your 6X6 as your true focal point
2. don't forget to keep it simple with low accents

Fun Fridays...

It a great day for a day off and I think it is a great day for some fun...

HOW ABOUT SOME ALTERED FUN?  

but the catch is... you have to keep it contained!

So the challenge for today is to make a box or alter a box... KEYWORD: APFF02

Here's mine

Our 52 Week / Thursday Challenge on SCS this week was to create a page or layout using flowers, but I have been wanting to put my box together for awhile now. So I finished it for the challenge today. The box will be filled with fun little 3x3 snapshot photo cards of fun things our family has done this year. I want to have it setting on my coffee table in my setting room for friends and guests to just pick up and pass around and enjoy some of our favorite times here at the beach. I plan to do a box a month. The project is called "A YEAR IN A BOX".

52 Week / Thursday Challenges.... WINTER!

WEEK #2.... WINTER!

Growing up on a farm meant that we had some down time during the winter. We still had cows to milk and animals to feed and water and of course school was in session, but we did have a little bit more free time and based on if, and when we got any snow, we often got to enjoy going sledding or tubing with friends. My favorite time of the winter season was when it would get cold and the ponds would freeze, so that we could go ice skating...

Working Wednesday... Choosing a Binder

Now that you have a pretty good idea of what size you want to use, now you need to decide what type of scrapbook your size will be.. Most of the determining facts involved here are the size, shape and color that you want your book to be. One of the main factors to consider in choosing what type is what it is to be used for, meaning will it hold more than one event or activity. Below you will find a list of the different types and descriptions just for your information. 

 

Three Ring Binder Style

You just buy a binder and a box of page protectors and you're ready to fill them up.... easy peasy! You can often find great deals at any office supply store.This runs about $2.00-$4.00 for the binder and about $5.00 for a pack of 50 top loading page protectors.

Post Bound

Post bound albums are my favorite and are similar to the three ring binders but it is expandable. You can buy refills packs  for your album that include both the extender posts, extra pages protectors and instructions on how you can expand your book making room for more pages and/or thicker embellishments. These albums often run about $5.00-$50.00 depending on the size and fanciness of cover. Some of the  post bound scrapbooks are included in scrapping kits that include matching cardstock, paper, stickers, accents, embellishments and extras.

Strap Bound

Strap bound scrapbooks are just like the post bound scrapbooks. They can be adjusted by small belts or straps along the spine, but only to the length of the straps.These cost about the same as post bound books and can be used for up to about 50 pages.

Spiral Bound

Spiral bound scrapbooks are nice and less expensive. The drawback I have with spiral bound is that they are not easy to change or add onto. They run about $4.00-$12.00 depending on the size you choose. You can also decorate the cover with your own style, but remember that you have to cut your paper and pages to size because they usually don't come in regular 12 x 12 or 8 1/2 x 11 sizes.

KEYWORD: APWW02,  SCS11JAN,

Tuesday Color Challenge... "Pretty Cherry Melon"

Well... I think these colors scream LOVE and VALENTINES. SO our challenge today is to create a card or layout using these colors:

Cherry Cobbler, 

Melon Mambo, 

Pretty In Pink 

White or Vanilla.

The dessert option is buttons or pearls.


Here is my card: "Colors of Love"

KEYWORDS: CC305

Mellow Monday...

Today turned out to be a snow day for me, so I thought it would be fun to try out a new technique...

Super Saturday...

Super Saturday is a day that I wanted to set aside for advanced style scrapping... This will be a spot for use to discuss and to share ongoing scrapping projects. Many people have asked me about how I start and complete my progressive pages. So let's start there...

STEP #1:

I find that when starting at square one with a lot of new and beginning scrappers that it is easier to start with a progressive page. Sometimes a big, huge empty piece of 12X12 cardstock may be a bit overwhelming. So I always start with the story "How do you eat an Elephant?" Answer: "One bite at a time!"
Then we start with a 6X6 page...
Supplies needed:  (The colors I used are in the parenthesis )


1 - 6X6 colored cardstock (Tempting Turquoise)
1 - 4 1/4 X 5 1/4 colored cardstock (Green Galore)
1 - 2 X 81/2 white cardstock
1 - 2X2 colored cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1 - 4X5 photo
Stamp Set - "Let's Party"
Ink Pads - Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore
Accessories: silver craft wire, label punch, deminsionals

Your Challenge is to create a 6X6 page that we will use next week... KEYWORD: APSS01

Fun Fridays...

I want Friday's to be fill with fun and inspirational scrapping, so I have decided to make Friday's FUN FRIDAYS. I want this to be where everyone can share their favorite layouts and or what inspired them today.

"Shining My Sink" was my inspiration today...