A Memory In The Making

More Blog Candy!

To celebrate 75,000 hits to her blog, you could be the winner of THIS!!

Click the picture to the left to visit the Stamps, Paper, Scissors and Donkey Smiles blog for all the details!!! 

75,000 blog hits just seems so unfathomable to me!!  I don't think I've even had 1,000!

And on her blog at the right, you can find some links to other blogs giving away candy.

Once I have a blog that anyone else might really be interested in, I think I'll do a blog candy giveaway!!

My Scrap Space - As Is

I know I love looking at other people's scrap spaces and ways of organization.  I was visiting Jennie's blog this afternoon and really love her space.  Check out her blog at Bloomin' Paper.  I then sent a challenge to my favorite yahoo group, ARTHavenCreations_Friendships owned by the very talented Penny Duncan (her blog is Penny Duncan Creations ) to post "as is" pictures of their spaces.  So in fairness, since I started this, here are three photos of my space "AS IS".  My space is shared with the kids playroom/den.  On the opposite side of the room is a couch, recliner, etc.  Looks just like a regular den...but on MY side of the room you see this:

And that's my son who walked in as I was snapping the picture.  This is my MAIN area...AND BOY IS IT A MESS!!!   I usually spend at least 1/2 hour cleaning up before I sit down to create.  Someday I will have my own "room" and everything will have a place but for now I am grateful for this!
Here are two more views:

In this shot you can see that I am encroaching on the "kids" space!!  That's my Clip-it-up on top of the entertainment center along with 3 baskets that hold ribbons.  (Oh, and the stack of Cricut Cartridge boxes that are waiting to get packed in another box an put up in the attic).

In this shot is the opposite corner where the kids computer is (along with more of my supplies on the shelves above it.)  In front of the fireplace (yes, there is a fireplace behind all my stuff...but it doesn't work and honestly, it takes up valuable space and wish I could get rid of it, alas I only rent here!!) is a craft cabinet that stores my Cricut, Xyron, Cuttlebug and more supplies. 

So that's where I create!!  Welcome to my mess!!!

Holy Moly - Blog Candy

I'm at work today trying to pretend to work and have been blog surfing.  I came upon a few that were giving some blog candy out but this one has to take the cake!  What a GREAT Blog Candy Melissa is giving out.  If you have the time, stop by her blog at Creating From The Heart  and see what's she's up to!  Make sure to check out the rest of her blog too....its time well spent!!!

Here's what she's giving away to one lucky blog follower:

 

and if that's not ENOUGH, she added this baby:

 

Lots of Scrappy Shopping today!

 Today my daughter and I hit the road about 9:45am this morning with a mission to hit the following stores:

• Tuesday Morning for the Heidi Swapp Tote Bag
• Big Lots to see if they have any Thickers
• AC Moore - armed with two 50% off coupons
• Michaels - last on the list....no coupon, just looking!  :)

I am happy to report that we accomplished everything!!   When we arrived at Tuesday Morning they had four tote bags left.  I chose this one which is pink and brown with a light pink camo print on the pockets.  This deal started today and was $19.99.  It came filled with Heidi Swapp products....some of which I will use, and the rest will probably be given away here as some blog candy eventually.  I then checked the craft aisle there and found some more good deals.  I got two Cropper Hopper Drawer Craft Organizers for $11 and two 3x3 Embellishment Drawers for $2.99

each.  They had some American Crafts paper but it wasn't such a good deal in my opinion so I left them on the shelf and we headed to Big Lots in search of Thickers!!  Look what we found for only $2 a pack!! I was really happy with the assortment they had but what was even better was that later in the afternoon, John and I were out and near ANOTHER Big Lots so I ran in to check their inventory and found 5 more fonts/styles so all in all I got 12 varieties of Thickers for only $24.

Next up was AC Moore where I used my 50% off coupon on a set of Prismacolor Pencils and Susie used hers on a Heat Embosser.  We are starting to play a little more with stamping.  Also picked up some more melting chocolate and a lollipop mold for Susie's birthday party.  I also picked up tissue paper for the goodie bags.  I will take a picture of them once they are filled.  I used a really cute flower boquet SVG and cut it with my Cricut and then put each girls name on the kraft bags.  Susie loves them and can't wait till NEXT Saturday!  I also picked up a K&Co Citronella Stack to use with more cruise layouts.  I love that line....so colorful.

Off to Michaels where all I got was a MAMBI Specialty paper stack at 30% off.  Home we go!!

Just because I'm home, didn't mean the shopping was over!  On one of the email lists I am on someone posted this deal from My Sentiments Exactly.  100 Unmounted Sentiment Stamps for $24.99 + shipping.
This deal is available on the website:

My Sentiments Exactly Promotion 

I think that concludes my Saturday shopping....whether I want it to or not!!  My wallet is not happy right now......hmmm, I wonder whats coming up on CropChocolate!!  LOL!

Life's A Beach.....

Its been about 3 weeks since I got the Cricut "Life's a Beach" cartridge.  I've been using it a lot on layouts from our recent cruise vacation and thought I'd post some of the layouts I've made.  I still can't believe that I have done 20 layouts for this trip and have not yet a) been bored of scrapping the same trip and b) have only used 1/3 of the pictures I had printed ***which was only 1/4 of what we took!!

Again, I apologize for the crappy photography.  I just can't seem to take a clean picture of a layout with no glare, etc.  The brown on the edges is the cardboard I used as a backdrop.

First up is the Muster Drill layout...this one doesn't use a cricut Cartridge but it was my first attempt at making my own title using SCAL.  The lifejacket file was shared with me on the SCAL user group.   Supplies used:  SCAL software, Bazzill cardstock, PP - Creative Imaginations (I *think*),
Rhinestones and scallop trim.

Next is a layout of the kids playing on the waterslides.  The title and the dolphin are from the LAB cartridge, although I cut them apart (they were welded) and raised the dolphin on popdots. I did the same with the wave border at the bottom also from LAB. I added some chalk and stickles for the obligatory BLING.  Supplies used:  Cricut Lifes A Beach (Title and Waves), Bazzill cardstock, Cats Eye chalk, Stickles

Next up is a two page layout of what we saw as we approached the Port of Old San Juan.  All of the elements on this page use LAB except the letting for "Old San Juan" which was from the Stamped cartridge.  I LOVE how the pelican paper piecing came out.    Supplies used:  Cricut Lifes A Beach (Leaves, bamboo, pelican) and Stamped (title), Bazzill cardstock, Cats Eye chalks, Stickles & Spica atyou Glitter Pens

 

Here is a close up of the pelican piecing:

There isn't much exciting about this layout although the title is from the Animal Kingdom cartridge.  What was more exciting for me is that the paper I used I have had for some time just waiting for the right idea and I finally had it!  I LOVE this paper...IRL its all embossed and glittery and just yummy!! 
The perfect backdrop for Towel animals!!

And finally this is the last one that uses my Cricut!  The title is Opposites Attract and the parrot is pieced from Life's A Beach.  Supplies used:  Cricut Lifes A Beach (Parrot) and Opposites Attract (title), Bazzill cardstock, Patterned Paper by SEI, Pirate Flag (dollar store stickers) Cats Eye chalks, & Spica atyou Glitter Pens

Thanks so much for checking out my layouts!!

My take on the sketch!

Wow....this layout came together very quickly!!  I even left it, dropped Susie off at her game, and came back!  So here it is:

Supplies Used:

• SEI Papers - Mimosa Line
• K & Co Stockers (drinks)
• SEI Chiplets - Mimosa (flowers, bracket and & sign)
• MAMBI Title
• Creative Imaginations velvet scallop trim

Ok, thats it for now.  Off to Susie's game.

Using Sketches

One of my go-to sites when I need some scrapping inspiration is Page Maps.  I will look at all the sketches and layouts done with the sketch and then pick on and get to work.  The thing is, most always the end results of my layouts bare little resemblance to the original sketch.  Now that is ok with me because the bottom line is that the sketch served as a starting point for me to create the resulting layout. I have to get my scrapping fix in early today before John gets home from his errands....he's sure to want to do something OUTSIDE today being how nice it is PLUS Susie has a softball game at 12.  So just for the fun of it this morning I am going to post a sketch here that I got over at the Page Maps site and this time I am going to try to stick as close to it as I can and see how I do!  I will post the completed page later!!  So here is the sketch I chose:

Stay tuned for the resulting layout.  I'm already certain that it won't be exactly like the sketch because I am only using 1 photo.....stay tuned!!

Make your own Glimmer Mist!!

I can't take credit for this, nor have I tried it yet but I PLAN to very soon!  Have you ever bought Glimmer Mist?   Its really neat stuff but is quite pricey....around $7 a bottle.  I have three different colors (all neutral colors that work well on lots of layouts) and I have been happy with that but would love to have a rainbow of colors!  Well tonight I saw a post on one of the email groups I belong to where a clever lady has a recipe to MAKE YOUR OWN GLIMMER MIST.  Check out Lindsay's Blog at The Frugal Scrapper for her recipe!  And keep looking around her blog for other DIY craft ideas!

Hope everyone has a great weekend.  Its supposed to rain a bit here so if it does and we are stuck in the house, I have several projects to complete and/or start.  I just picked up the blank "goodie" bags for Susie's birthday party (June 13) and I have to personalize them with the little girls name, and some pink/green accents.  We are having a "Crafty Sleepover".  It should be lots of fun.  I also want to get back to working on my cruise pictures.  Next up are layouts of the following:

• Towel Animals
• The kids in Puerto Rico posing with three exotic birds on their shoulders
• Downtown Old San Juan

That will complete the first batch of about 80 pictures.  2 more batches to go!!

I also need to work with SCAL a little to learn how to make my own cutter files rather than always depend on the generosity of others.  So that's my plans....hope you have a fun weekend planned as well!

Gone Cricut Crazy!!!

I am finally getting use out of my old Cricut machine so spent the better part of the last two weeks checking out eBay for deals on new cartridges.  Everything has now arrived and I am so excited that I now have 11 different cartridges to play with.  I had 6 before but most were just fonts, not many shapes, etc. 

I have also subscribed to a couple yahoo groups dedicated to the Cricut and after drooling over some of the projects made using the Cricut Expression (I have the original 6" Cricut) I found myself ordering this today from HSN: 

Yes....sometime after June 8, I will also be able to make all these neat things I keep seeing.  I know that I could have spent a little less $$ on it but the whole reason I was able to make the purchase today is that HSN had this bundle (the machine, 4 cartridges ...none of which I already had...inks and a spatula) available in "Four Easy Payments"!  So I did it.  My hope is that I can figure out SCAL and the CDS software well enough to make my own cutting files and be able to share them with others, as they have done with me!  We'll see how that goes!

It feels good to be scrapping a lot again, though.  I really missed it.  I would do a page here and there but the last 2 months I've actually called "mommy time" at least one day on the weekend where I can just scrap away!  I've already completed 10 pages in our vacation album and we've only been home a little over a month!  I haven't gotten that far on the Disney album from a trip 3 years ago so this is a major accomplishment.

The only other major item on my wishlist now is a 12x12 printer.  But since I don't think I would use it as much as I try to convince myself I would, I'm having a harder time justifying that purchase than any scrapping supplies!

Well, time for me to go blog hopping!  Hope you have a great day!!

Old Toy...New Obsession

So I have had my Cricut Personal Cutter for oh, I guess almost 3 years.  I'd cut an occasional title with it but mostly it just sat in the storage case doing nothing.  However, over the past few weeks I have been blog cruising and coming upon several Cricut based blogs talking about new software for the Cricut.  What?  New Software?  Cut any font?  Make my own designs?  Soooo, after a bit of hemming and hawing I jumped on the bandwagon this weekend and purchased the Sure Cuts A Lot program.  I am in the process of scrapping our recent cruise vacation and this program has been a blessing!  I was all set to spend $6 for a combination of a title and a simple paper piecing but last night I created my OWN title and thanks to a fellow scrapper who had a file of a lifejacket that she shared with me, my own small paper piecing. I have a new-found love for my Cricut and better yet, have been scrapping a lot lately....having jumped back in to the design team for the Scrapbook Cafe and working on some cards too.  I have just renewed my blog subscription so this should be the start of a new direction for this blog.  With lots more ideas, pictures and regular chit chat.  First order of business will be to work on a new banner.  I didn't like the old one much so rather than keep looking at that, I went with a plain old blog theme until I find time to make a new one.