Friday, December 24, 2010
Look Out World!!
Keenan got his permit the day before Thanksgiving. Of course, with all of the snow and ice he hasn't gotten much practice yet. He's hoping that the weather clears so he can get more time on the road.
See that key? It's one of those "blanks" that you get sometimes, inviting you to come in for a car giveaway. You know... the ones that never open the car??? LOL! Keenan kept this key from some mail that we had gotten a while back. While I was working on the page I said, "I wish I had a car key." He said, "Wait just a minute," and went to his room, coming back with this key. He laughed and said, "I thought you might be able to use it for something at some point."
Boy do my kids know me!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Latest Projects
The December altered assignment was to alter a notebook. I have been meaning to do that for a while now, so it was very timely.
I used a lot of odds and ends on this one. I LOVE the way my distress ink blended. I really need to get that out more often!
For the December tag project we were to make Christmas tags, of course. I tried to make a couple a-la-Tim Holtz.....BUT they didn't turn out like his. I'm pretty happy with them though.
I'm really enjoying the challenges, and I think you would too. So.... if you are snowed in, like me, and you need some inspiration.... hop on over to Challenge Masters and join in the fun!
Monday, December 6, 2010
New Challenge Board
Challenge Masters seems like a great place to get inspired. If you are into challenges, this is a great place to visit. The gals are very friendly and have a gallery where you can post your finished projects too.
I've placed a link to their site in the sidebar. Just click on the membership badge and it will take you straight to their website, where you can check out their blog, forum, gallery, and all of the other fun stuff!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Snow in Kentucky means 2 things........
2. Scrap time!!!
The snow actually came on a weekend this time, so number 1 (a snow day) didn't happen, but I DID get time to scrap yesterday.
This page came together very easily. I will admit that I used a sketch, so the design part was fairly simple. The fun was in picking through my supplies and deciding what to use. (That always has been my favorite part of this hobby.)
I've also been busy creating things for Christmas: cards, sock cupcakes, gifts for others.
I've really missed crafting, cutting, and scrapping. Life has just been so uncooperative of late. Deep down in my heart, I know that if I'm to find the time to relax and enjoy my hobby it is up to me MAKE the time. I suppose I just need to think about it more and determine HOW.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
My Latest Christmas Project
My nephew is in kindergarten and it so excited that he is beginning to read. One of my co-workers also has a young son who is just beginning to learn letters and sounds. I decided this would be the perfect gift for them.
My co-worker's son is CRAZY about Handy Manny, so I decided to create my own version of Manny's hammer for the cover of his book.
The outside is really cute, but the inside is where the magic comes alive!
I stamped three sets of alphabet letters, with the vowels in red and the consonants in black. I laminated all 3 sets + 3 blank cards. Each stack was punched and I used binder rings to put the whole books together.
When the child is ready to spell a word, he or she just flips the cards around on the rings. I added the blank cards so the child can use 1 stack, 2 stacks, or 3 stacks of letters at a time. This allows him or her to learn just the alphabet, by revealing only 1 stack of letters, create 2 letter words, or 3 letter words.
I REALLY like the ending result! My husband wants me to show it to the kindergarten teachers at school. He has seen similar items at teacher stores, and they sell for a LOT of money. I would really like to create a few and sell them, but for a much lower price than they are available for commercially.
Monday, November 29, 2010
One of My Latest.....
I work with several other GREAT teachers at school. We middle school teachers really try to stick together and be supportive of each other. One day as we sat eating lunch we got to talking.... (like we usually do)
One of them said something about their own space around and behind their teacher's desk. They even had a nickname for it, "Fortress of Solitude". That was their way of telling students that they should NOT be behind the teacher's desk. One of my fellow teachers actually said, "You know... we need to get a sign made."
To me there was only one thing that I could do.... take my stamping abilities and create signs for them. I stamped the actual slogan, "Fortress of Solitude" and used Glimmer Mist and Smooch spray to create a more "rustic" background. Then I embossed a wide strip of paper with a "brick" embossing folder and used my distress inks to color the brick wall itself. I added some black stamped "graffitti" including the year.
When I took them to school I had each teacher autograph the wall on his or her sign with his or her own name. I framed them in simple little frames. My team members were shocked that I had actually created such a thing for them and they LOVED them! The students are in shock that I could actually create something like that...LOL!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Finally!!!
Alas.......I must confess that I did not complete these pages in one sitting.
I actually started them several weeks back at a crop. They have been lieing here on my scrap table, teasing and taunting me.
I have looked at them and considered finishing them, but just couldn't find the energy, creativity, or time.
I finally decided that enough was enough... I WOULD get them finished!
This first page documents my daughter's 13th birthday. Since the cake was tie-dyed I decided to use tie-dyed looking paper and "groovy" accents.
I feel like this page still needs something, but I'm not sure what.... I did this page to tell about the gifts that my daughter and son hand-selected for each other last Christmas.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Scrapping with the girls
I managed to get about 7 pages finished, most of them of Kari and her track team. I'm kind of out of practice with packing for a crop, so I ended up starting layouts at the crop and finishing them at home, but I did get them all done!
and my favorite....
I can't wait until we get together again in October!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
My Latest
I've had a 2 page spread laying on my scrap table for weeks now and it just isn't going anywhere, so today I decided to take a break from that one and work on something else. I visited Scrappin Mojo and decided to try my hand at one of the new September challenges. The sketch challenge seemed easiest: go somewhere and find a sketch, use it as inspiration. I LOVE Page Maps so I decided to look there. I found one from September 2009 that would work perfectly with a couple of photos of my poor son during his BETA Club initiation last year. I really like the way it turned out.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
I Really Struggle....
They all seem to be so similar: photos of recipients with their gifts, red and green, Christmas tree, same old same old....over and over. If any of you have any great ideas for making my Christmas pages a little bit easier to scrap I sure would appreciate it! Just leave a comment for me telling me what you do to make yours more creative.
For now.... here's my latest Christmas page:
That's my son with some of his Christmas gifts from last year. I know that some of the photos are the greatest, but I really wanted to document his first year of "choosing" his own gifts.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
A New Paper to LOVE....
This particular page documents my daughter's first piano recital.
This page was so simple to put together! A little bit of inking, a stamped title, and a bit of lace trim.... voila! another page in the album!
Monday, July 5, 2010
A Little Something Different
I've spent a few of the last weeks working with summer school at the local high school. While preparing materials for my crafts classes we found several wooden art kits that were filled with colored pencils, markers, etc. Most of them were missing various pieces, paint was dried out, etc. so we set about emptying the boxes. When we finished, we were left with several GREAT wooden boxes that had handles and latches. We decided that we could repurpose these as "memory boxes".
One of the workers at summer school took photos of the classes and trips so that students would have photos to scrapbook and students hung onto memorabilia. The final week of summer school we ModPodged designer papers into the inside of each box and students used foam tape and glue guns to adhere their memories inside.
I created one for the Director of the Program.
I added some tags and ribbons to the handle to decorate the outside a bit.
If you look closely at the next two photos you will notice things like fishing lures, erasers, tickets, chopsticks, and other special little things that will remind everyone about the fun that was had at summer school this year.
I have some more of these boxes lieing around and, I bet some of you do too. This project is so easy and kid friendly. Dig out one of these and have your child document their summer trip. It looks just like a little suitcase!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Another Page Done
Anyway, this page tells the story of the Mother's Day meal that almost wasn't..... You have to read the journaling to get the story, so remember to click on the pic to enlarge it. I used some semicircles of Stampin Up paper, SU cardstock, a border punch, some old stamps, and a metal exclamation mark. It was really very simple to put together, but I love that it allows the focus to be on the story. OH...I actually pulled out the sewing machine and sewed that circle!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Yes, I'm Still Here.....
I won't bother you with all of the details, it's boring anyway.... Let's just say that I am REALLY READY for some summer relaxation!
As far as scrapping and crafting goes, I haven't gotten much done lately. I have finished a couple of layouts and I'll post those here; I certainly hope that my "production level" increases a bit. Summer is normally the time of the year when I get the MOST done, but somehow I don't think that is going to happen this year.
As far as my "spending limit" is concerned, I'm sad to say that I slipped a bit there too, primarily because of the new "Cricut Lite" cartridges at WalMart. I have purchased 4 and my sweet hubby purchased one for me. There are 3 more that I really want, but I'm trying to force myself to wait a bit. Other than that, I've really done very well.
On to my finished pages:
This first one used digital collage templates to block out the photos, something I don't do very often; I guess I'm more hands on than technological. I like the technique, but I'm certainly not skilled at it. I just left the areas where there were no pics empty and then added in papers and other embellishments in those spots.
My second page was just a fun one of our Halloween photos from last year. I dug into my chipboard letter stash for this one. I separated my chipboard into alphabetical drawers a while back, and it makes it SO MUCH EASIER to find the letters! I love mixing and matching them too!
Guess that's it for now. Here's hoping that I'm back sooner this time, with some more creative results to share!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Last 4 Mini Pages
On top of my illness, my dad got injured pretty badly while doing some woodworking. He spent 5 hours in surgery and several hours in recovery. After a brief ICU stint, he is now home, attempting to heal.
Putting all of that together, I just haven't had the energy or attention to detail that scrapping requires. BUT....hopefully, that will change.
I have finished the final 4 pages for the Posh Brag Book Challenge and, while I'm not totally happy with all of them, they are DONE!
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
and Page 10
Now I just need to get the pages mounted onto chipboard and bound together. I'm hoping to get that done before Friday so that I can give it to my daughter when she returns from camp.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Two More Mini Album Pages
My Little Athlete
and
My Social Butterfly
I am really loving this mini album! I haven't made many in my scrapbooking "career", but I could get used to it! I love the fact that these sketches are helping me use some of those scraps that I have accumulated over the last little bit. Too often they are neglected.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Better Late Than Never....
Since I last posted I have finished 3 graduation cards and one layout that I didn't post here. (The layout was actually a project for my sweet hubby. He had been asked to do a layout for a scrapbook that a group was completing at school. He was a bit lost on what to do, so I helped him out.)
Now....on to the latest thing that I finished.
I know that it is June on the calendar, but I had a layout or 2 that I was trying to finish up for the May challenges over at Mojo. The challenge was to
use an altered photo on a layout. I don't remember exactly what I did, but I used Photoshop to alter this photo. The journaling was the important part to me. (What can I say? It must be the English teacher in me.)
Saturday, May 29, 2010
2 More Mini Album Pages
Now......I did get a couple of pages completed for the Posh Designs challenge.
AND
I don't do very many mini albums, but this challenge has gotten me to thinking that I should try to make some more! The sketches are so easy to use and it is so easy to actually FINISH an entire album! I'll be back next week with the next 2 pages, once the sketches are posted.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Another Contest
Anyway, I recently discovered an online scrap store called Posh Designs. They just started a challenge that you can complete in order to be entered to possibly win one of these GLORIOUS tools! Each Monday they post 2 sketches for mini album pages. For each page you complete you are entered 1 time into the drawing. Complete all of the pages and that means 10 entries! (I have added a link to the store in my sidebar of this blog.)
Here are my first 2 pages:
Page 1 "Attitude"
Page 2 "Silly Feet"
By now, you probably figured out that my subject for my mini album is my daughter, unique creature that she is!
By the way, I'm counting 2 mini album pages as 1 full page completed, since these pages are 5 X 7 in size. That makes 2 pages almost 12X12.....
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Are You Bear-ied in Work Too???
A couple of weeks ago was Teacher's Appreciation Week at our school and, with it, we received goodies, food treats, and a great big thank you. At the same time, our poor guidance counselor sat down in her office, juggling all of the testing paperwork that was coming her way. While she enjoyed the goodies and gifts right along with us teachers, I didn't think that was sufficient. SO......tonight I fixed up a couple of cards and goodie bags: one for the guidance counselor and one for her aide.
Here's the card:
This is a "Gruffie", another great stamp from the House Mouse family of stamps. I LOVE these things! I colored it in with my Prismacolor pencils and blended with odorless spirits again.
Inside the card reads:
But now, the tests are done.
It’s time for you to sit back
and have a little fun.
Enjoy a chocolate queen-sized treat,
Soak in a tub, put up your feet,
Don’t feel neglected, Don’t be blue,
For one thing we know is true…..
To have you here, we sure are blessed!
You’ve sure earned a little rest!
The goodie bag that I fixed has bath gel, lotion, a bath puff, some scented candles, and a "Queen" Size Reese cup bar. (I took yellow paper and covered up the word "King" wherever it appearaed on the wrapper.)
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Did You Think I was Gone???
Anyway, here is my latest layout:
This was my first attempt at the "banner" trend that is so hot right now on cards and scrapbook pages. I cut those banner flags with one of my purchases from my earned money. I stopped in at Big Lots yesterday and found a bunch of Cuttlebug and American Crafts goodies, but I only spent about $15. One of the things I got was a Cuttlebug "Harlequin" die. I used it to cut diamonds that I then cut in half to create the flags. I also have an idea in mind to use the actual diamonds on a page. Stay tuned!
As far as spending goes, I have "earned" the right to spend $40, but I've only spent about $20 of that. I'm surprised at just how GOOD I am being. I do think that this summer will be more difficult though. We will travel some and there is always a new store to shop in. Oh well, guess I better keep on scrapping!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Another Great Challenge from All About Me
By the way, if everything goes right, you should now be able to click on my photo and see the layout in more detail. (FINGERS CROSSED!)....
I really dug into my stash for this one: lots of different flowers, bling, dies, Cricut cuts, border punch..... You name it....I used it. Hope you like it!
I also finished another 2 page layout featuring some of my students from last year, but since I don't have their permission I can't post it. I CAN add it to my completed pages tally though!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Time to SHOP!!
Regardless of whether or not I spend the money now, I plan to continue with my crafting. My next set of 12 projects begins with a graduation card I have crafted for my niece. I colored in the image with my Prismacolor pencils and blended with odorless turpentine.
The robes look a bit "orangey" on the web, but they are actually red in person.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
WHoo Hoo!!!
These pics are of my favorite "not so little" girl, Kari. She has developed a sudden urge to get her hands dirty by gardening, so we've decided to put out a small vegetable garden this year. (I just hope her urge to garden continues during those hot summer months!)
By the way, if any of you bloggers out there can explain to me how to post my pics so that my visitors can click on the pics and see a larger image, I would really appreciate it! I've tried all kinds of things, but I simply CANNOT figure out what I am doing wrong.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Things are Looking UP!!!
THEN....
This morning I was making my daily rounds of the blogs and websites that I frequent most. I logged on to "It's All About Me" to see what the newest challenge is and I found out that I had won the marvelous kit that was being given for last month!! YIPPEE!!
My challenge to myself said that I couldn't SPEND money, but it didn't say that I couldn't be rewarded with goodies from other places!
Thanks "It's All About Me" and I'll get started on the very next challenge as soon as I get a free minute.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Teacher's Appreciation Day...
As for me and my kids, we just finished making 12 cards identical to the one shown here:
Each teacher will also receive a goodie bag. This week happens to begin our statewide testing, so I plan to slip the goodie bags and cards in with their papers that they must pick up first thing tomorrow morning, just a little something to brighten the morning.
Isn't that House Mouse just adorable? I love these stamps but haven't purchased one before now because I was a bit intimidated about coloring in the images. I ended up using my Prismacolor pencils and then blending with odorless turpentine. I am rather proud of how well they turned out (and even more proud of the fact that I finished 12 more projects!!)
Friday, April 30, 2010
Last Minute Gift
Isn't that adorable???? (If I do say so myself.....)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Another One Bites the Dust.....
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
I LOVE a good challenge!!
The last challenge posted on the blog asked us to look at our world from a different angle. When I read this, I knew EXACTLY what I wanted a photo of- all of the students rushing through the hallways at school, BUT, I didn't want their faces; I wanted a shot of their feet in motion.
You should have heard the comments: "Why is Mrs. Baker in the floor?", "Why are you taking a picture of our feet?", and even, "Did you drop your camera?" Regardless of how silly I looked, I kept right on snapping and I think that I got a really good pic!
Next was the title: Ask any teacher what middle school lis like two weeks before state mandated testing and you will likely get an answer similar to the title of my layout.
My journaling reads:
Monday, April 26, 2010
Whoo Hoo! Three more pages done!
1. I have blurred the faces of any of the students in the pics other than my own child. I didn't know if they would want their face posted online or not. I figure you can still see the basic page anyway.
2. These are very SIMPLE pages, but they are done. I'm doing a little project at school where I'm going to be assisting some brand new scrapbooking adults create a special album for someone. My plan of attack is to take 3 or 4 sketches with me and show them how they can use the sketch and create different looks, simply by rotating it. These are 2 of my "Sample" pages. I used the same basic sketch, but I rotated one of the pages and turned it into a 2 page spread.
This page has some pics that I just came across from my daughter's 5th grade dance. These kids are now in my 8th grade class! I'm going to have to take this page to school to show it to some of them.
This 2 page spread has pics from my daughter's Christmas play this year. That's her on the end with the "black eye". She was playing Grandma, who had gotten run over by Santa's reindeer. The play was SO FUNNY!
Well, let's see what the grand total is: 4 scrapbook pages and 3 cards. That means I need to get just 5 more pages done and I can go shopping to spend that first $20, if I would like. Then again, I may just hold out until I hit the $40 mark....LOL!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
3 More Done..........and Some Answers....
I won't post the pics on here too, because I know that some of you go to my stamping blog too. If you don't have the link to it, here it is: My Stamp on the World
I LOVE the cards that I have designed so be sure to go check them out and leave me a comment or two.
NOW.......I've gotten some questions about my GOAL and RULES, so I'm going to try to answer them.
1. What counts?- It's really up to you. If you do a lot of mini albums or altering projects, then count those. If you do strictly scrapbook pages, then count those. The whole goal is to USE, USE, USE those supplies.
2. What about basics?- I allow myself to purchase adhesives, necessary tools, and basic cardstock without penalty. After all, those are necessary to continue creating, right? For example, my paper piercer has disappeared. I use it a lot to make holes for my brads and things, but somehow it has just walked away. I am definitely going to have to replace it....and soon....
I've heard from several of you that you are joining in on my "Supply Use Program" and I am thrilled! The more of us that support each other, the more likely that we will actually make some progress!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
And So...........I Start!
Those two lovely people are my parents. It's really hard to get a photo of the two of them together, primarily because, even at their age, they don't slow down very much!
The journaling reads:
The two of you really inspire me.
I know that your almost 50 years
of married life
haven't been easy.
Low income,
Working 2 jobs,
Accidents and medical emergencies,
and raising 3 kids.
But through it all, you've managed to survive...
Together...
It gives me hope that my own family can endure
no matter what life throws at us.
I believe we can stand
the Test of Time.
I'm really glad that I have this photo, really glad that I documented my thoughts, and also glad that I have finished one page toward my scrapbooking goal!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Twelve for Twenty
1. I must complete 12 pages (12X12) in order to earn the right to spend $20 on scrapbooking materials.
2. Basics like adhesives are not included in the $20; I can purchase those as they are needed.
3. A card counts as being equal to a 12X12 scrapbook page. (I always use layers and card fronts and backs, so I pretty much use 1 page of paper on a card anyway.)
4. Larger projects such as mini albums, etc. can count as more than one page, but I have to consult with my 2 teenage "mathematicians" in order to get a good estimate of just how many pages each project counts as....LOL!
(I should add here that I went to Big Lots today with my mom and I was a very good girl.....NOT ONE scrapbook purchase, though they did have some cute stuff. I just kept thinking to myself....12 pages girl, 12 pages!
WELCOME!!
It is my hope that this blog will help provide me with some public accountability. Maybe if I have to admit publically that I'm purchasing more and using less that will help push me to create and use my stash a bit more.
My plan is to set myself a goal: Scrapbook or craft "x" number of items or pages before I allow myself to purchase more. I haven't quite decided what that particular number is, but I'm happy to take suggestions. I'll post the finished projects here so that people can give me that pat on the back for using my old stuff and I, hopefully, will be encouraged to stick with it.
I LOVE Scrapbooking and crafting. (Just ask my sweet hubby and kids where I disappear to....It's always MY room.) It provides me therapy and an escape from the drudgeries of everyday life, BUT lately I'm feeling guilty about the money that is just lieing around on shelves and in boxes in my room. If I can start using some of it, I think my BLISS in my hobby will be restored.
Before I leave, I would like to issue an invitation to all of you out there who, like me, find themselves with a nice inventory of papers and scrapbooking supplies, but little productivity. Feel free to join in with me. Just post your goal here on this thread. Maybe we can encourage each other.