Insane Scrapping Day

First day of 2nd grade
First day of 1st grade


So, I read on one of my blogs yesterday morning that this weekend is scrapbook day. I didn't need any other excuse! I found some goodies I couldn't live without, got a great freebie mega kit and have scrapped to-- well, not quite my heart's desire, but still more than the past 6 months COMBINED! :D Not that scrapping dictates my happiness.... but I am a happy camper today.

Credits: TO's page: "Explore. Learn.Grow." By Sahlin Studios.
TMB's page: wordart from Sahlin Studios kit but the rest is Britt-ish Designs' "I'm a Dreamer".

Two very versatile kits!!

And that is just the tip of the iceberg. I've seriously finished 10 pages this afternoon and created at least 4 new ones. *deep breath* ah. it feels good. :D

Grateful List

great kids
warm house
other people's birthdays
cuttie-pattotie batman
dh that does housework
cozy sweaters
big hugs
rolling, snorting, side-aching, uncontrollable laughter--for.real.
summers off
ability to enjoy the journey

It's about time!

Time that is flying by without any scrapbooking!!!! No new pages in.... *gasp* TWO MONTHS??!!

Creative juices flowing today, here's what I got:
Off the Wall template from QOS template pack, Sparkly paper from Britt-ish Designs NSD Grab Bag, White paper and brackett from her NSD Grab Bag mini kit "Yippee Skippee", stars and bubble track from "Playmate" by Calalily Designs. Alpha is Black Licorice by Desgins by Tater.

Whew. Didn't realize credits would be so difficult on this one. TO sat beside me and helped me with it. He said it needed more things in all 'that blank space'...... lol.

Day Eight: Photo Editing

Two words for you: texture plates.
I've tried to use these before with poor outcomes. The simple direction in this lesson showed me what I was doing wrong! And I think this photo looks pretty awesome. {yes, I'm working on being humble..}

Hodge Podge of Ellie Lash

And a QOS Template from SM.

Swim Lessons, 2008

Paper from "Star Gazing" and alpha is "Independence Freebie" both by Ellie Lash
"Templates by Crystal v.1" by Crystal Wilkerson
Stitches by Sahlin Studios, "Enjoy the Moment" (an incredibly versatile kit that I love)


I cannot tell you how glad I am to have these pictures scrapped. Too many times to count I have sat and tried to create the perfect LO for these-- with no luck. It is only by the wonder of Crystal's template that these pictures finally have a home. :D

Jeni Hopewell "Scrap It Quick" template 4 and "Benjamin" kit.

I'm in love

With blending modes. Ah, the possibilities!!! Thank you, Jessica Sprague, for opening this window of opportunity! :D


Black frame by Jessica Sprague. Text border by Britt-ish Designs.

Newsprint border by Sahlin Studios, "Enjoy the Moment"

Day One: Photo Editing

I hope you signed up and are taking the photo editing class at Jessica Sprague's place. I may be a day behind, but I'm in and can't wait to see what other tip and tricks she has to share. :D

I have been thinking about my photography skillz lately. I've realized the connection between good pictures and good scrapping. (Yes, I'm a little slow on the pick-up on this one...) So, I'm somewhat on a mission to improve my picture taking and this class will certainly help me on that path..... just the right touches can change a lousy picture into something worth printing, after all. So... there ya have it. My projects from day one and my rambling on it all. I do enjoy Jessica's classes and can't wait till I have the time to take one of her other classes!

Can you help me?

How do I make the sparkler look like it belongs? I've tried googling lighting tutorials but can't find the one I had a week ago that was perfect. grrr...

New, Fab Designer

She's not new, she's just new to me. I recently discovered someone I know in real life is a designer and I have since been checking out her goodies. (Yes, Teresa, I know you too, but I knew about you!)

So, for the two people who read this, I want to introduce you to Crystal Wilkerson. She has a very full store over at 2Peas in a Bucket and recently started up shop at Jessica Sprague's place. (Which is how I found her...)

I was very eager to try some of her products, so take a look at the page I did after dinner tonight:


I love it! I used one of the versatile templates from her new "Crystal's Templates v.01" and the papers and elements are from her "Rainbow Sherbert" kit. I love the soft colors of this kit and all the blocks in the template pack!

So, what are you waiting for?? Go, check her out!

And... speaking of Jessica Sprague....

Her site is TWO and they have had a week of par-tay-ing. Lots of challenges and freebies, new designers and CT members... not to mention a new site layout... so much fun! The best part? According to me... is the PHOTO EDITING class that will start July 6th. It is free. Yeah, you heard me right. It is so incredibly easy to sign up and then you get to enjoy the class, and have have it for.ever as a resource on her site... how can you pass on this? YOU CAN'T! Go, quick, and sign up. Registration is this week only! (yes, I'm a little late filling you in on this one, but I just planned TMB's bday dinner for Sunday today, so I'm slacking in all areas right now- lol.)

Kinder Grad

"Leave the World Behind" and "In Stitches Frames" by Britt-ish Designs
Grunge frame by Jessica Sprague

I'm actually kinda proud of this page. I think it was a great idea for the LO, even if I probably saw it somewhere, sometime... I put it together today.

I'm thinking it would make a good template. If anybody is interested, let me know by leaving a comment. I don't have any journaling because I am using it for the front page for our 2009 album. Great time to start such an album, right? In the middle of the year? lol.... better late than never!!


Credits go to Britt-ish Designs for her mini kit "Yippee Skippee", her word art and the blue ribbon and paper is from her "I'm a Dreamer" kit. I seriously love all of these kits. If you didn't know already, she is one of my favorite designers. She is crazy talented.

Which brings me to my next thought. I've been discouraged as of late for my own lack of creativity. I am grateful for all the inspiration on the web! And all the brilliant people who write tutorials! And all the creative geniuses behind the templates I use constantly. I'm just glad that there are so many who are my inspiration in this hobby. I would be giving it up out of frustration without their ideas, challenges, and of course, great products.

So, although I've been discouraged lately with my own creativity.... and with the external hard drive user errors.... I think I'll keep it up. :D

Last week for the Queen of Scrap contest...

Credits in my gallery at scrapmatters. I'm tired. I don't wanna type them all out again.

Seriously. Credits here.

Credits here.

Queen of Scrap is on again!

Click for credits

I got some cute stuff on Saturday at the scrapmatter's sale. :D Then, I actually had time to do a LO! I have a second one almost done, but it needs some final touches.... ahhhh-- it feels good to have time to play again!

Britt-ish Designs "Grid locked Paper Pack" and "Happy Little Blue Bird"
Wonderland Scraps "Blue Sky Alpha"
SM Collab "Friday Flea Market"

OHHH!

It's NSD!!!! I hope I find some time to scrap this weekend!!!! I MISS IT!!! I've been dreaming of scrapping but really not able to take the time... but the end is in sight so I imagine I'll have time soon if not this weekend.

:D

Birthday Ambush

This kit matched my mom's shirt in these pictures perfectly!
"Sister 2 Sister" by Jeni Hopewell
"The Bright Side" by Britt-ish Designs (tag and bird)

Maybe later this week I'll have time to scrap the rest of the night (time spent at Build-a-Bear).

Oh, and as a side note, I decided to do 8.5 x 11 pages for 2009. I'll be making a blog book and using my LOs to enhance my blog posts. I think the 12 x 12 pages will have too much white space for the blog posts... so we'll try it this way for this year. :D

Eating Dirt

I found this a while ago at SM. Like, October or November.... but that's why I snagged it when I saw it, I knew it'd be awhile before I got around to actually doing the page. I don't have a clue whose it is. I'm sorry. If it is yours, please leave a comment so I can give credit. When I snagged it, I knew exactly what pictures I wanted to use for it.

And last week, I finally took the time to do the page. Look how it turned out:

I used Jeni Hopewell's "Benjamin" kit.

The Girls are ONE!

My littlest nieces had their first birthday on Saturday.


They were so cute in their very fluffy tutus! I wish their mom had put a shirt on them but, to each their own, right? They were still adorable and made a huge mess with the cake. Fun!

Credits:
"So Sweet" and "Whisper" by Ellie Lash
"Date Stamped" by Britt-ish Des
Scraplifted from here.

In an hour

When I started this fun little hobby, I was veeerrry sloooooww.

I'm happy to report that today, I am faster. :D By at least 50%.

This is the page I did in a hour tonight:



And it is now that I realize I did red and green for a thanksgiving page. Good Job, ~e. Good job. I guess I'll be making a few changes before printing this one...

credits: "Benjamin" by Jeni Hopewell