Sunday, November 6, 2016

CHRISTMAS state of mind ...

Well, I ended up with an unexpected morning at home, so, I decided to start pulling together my DECEMBER DAILY.  This will be the third year following ALI EDWARDS  plan for documenting my December.  I am approaching it a bit differently this year, as far as my thinking, and I think it is going to be so much fun!!

My first commitment, is to not buy anything.  I am ONLY using the stash I have.  I kind of started pulling stuff together for this album last year.  Right after Christmas, there were some good sales.  What can I say, I thought of a plan.

GOLD AND BLACK.  That was the plan.  I saw this paper pad and it put  a plan in motion.  So, when I saw things that worked, I picked them up.  (Only for about the first 3 months of 2016!  Don't judge me!  )


Foiled papers are hard to find!!  I picked up a flat foil gold, 2 different textured gold and a textured silver when I saw them.  Tossed them into the box.

2 Gold alphabets, GOLD words, GOLD & BLACK arrows, RED & GOLD foiled labels, and SILVER labels, GOLD & BLACK little note labels. All of these little bits are in the box to add to pages as the month goes on.


I found this cutting die on sale one day, and LOVED it!! Even if I don't use it in my DECEMBER DAILY, I will use it to make some cards this year.


These POCKET LIFE cards are some that I have had in my stash forever.  The ones on the left are from the BECKY HIGGINS - MIDNIGHT PL kit.  The one on the top right is from a SIMPLE STORIES kit I found on sale at Michaels last year.  I am scattering the pieces all through this years album.  The pieces on the bottom right were gifted to me by a friend, I'm glad to be able to use them.


The pieces below are all from CTMH.  I have clear overlays from the GOLD & SILVER collection and the BLACK collection from the last couple of years.  And POCKET LIFE  cards from the BEAUTIFUL ME  collection. (And maybe the water color collection?)


And, my pages are all on a ring and starting to get filled.  I used a planning page by ALI EDWARDS to sketch out an initial layout.  Then, I started pulling my pages in the order they will be in the album (unless I change my mind!  ha ha ) I am using an 8X8 album which is creating some challenges.  I'll explain later.....
                   This will be my title page.


I LOVED the Merry Christmas paper on the left, so I am going to use that page as my intention page. An explanation of why I'm doing this album and what I want to get out of this holiday season.
The page on the right needs to be altered.  Like I said earlier, the 8X8 format is creating some challenges.  I bought a FUSE tool for a different project, but I will be starting by using it on this album.  I am going to turn this one pocket 8X8 page into a page with 2X2 pockets in it.  My initial plan was to put 16 pockets in this page and leave it 8X8, but I may put 2X2 pockets in it and cut it down to 12 or 8 pockets, depending on the way things play out.



I used sticky notes to mark my pages so I don't get lost. I confuse really easily!  LOL  I dropped PL cards into pockets where I thought I would want them, but everything can be moved at this point in time.


I am also going to use my FUSE  tool to create 3X4 pockets in my 8X8 pages.  The 3X4 cards on the left are marking that for a visual reminder.  And of course, I want to use those cards in the album somewhere!  The are gorgeous!!


I already had 4X4 pocket pages in my stash that fit in an 8X8 album.  Obviously purchased for some other project.  Hhhhmmmm, I wonder what that project was?


This sparkly ornament paper will hold a group photo from the CHRISTMAS PARTY I'm having for my club members.  The facing page will hold 3X4 pictures I believe.


I am also making little design notes to myself on the post it notes.  If I don't write it down, I don't remember what my plan was.


Another page that will be altered to hold 2X2 pictures and other yummy things.


Big plans for CHRISTMAS EVE pages.


The album!  Isn't it YUMMY!?   I think I am going to heat emboss the numbers 2016 in either BLACK or RED and attach it underneath the BELIEVE.  Which color do you think I should use?



Since I store all of my CHRISTMAS stuff together, it was easy to go through my little CHRISTMAS BOX and pull all the things that I though would go in my album.  I included anything SPARKLY!

My JOY, DECEMBER, REMEMBER, CURRENTLY, HOPE, DREAM, BELIVE, SNOWFLAKES, STARS, CELEBRATE, and SNOWFLAKE EDGES and BERRIES cutting dies made it into the box.

 I had some CHRISTMAS flair, sparkly WASHI TAPE, some WOOD VENEERS (I may heat emboss these!) and a selection of sparkly buttons.  I think that this will about complete what I need.  I do have a roller stamp I'll add and of course, photos!  This is going to be great!


I just thought I would add a picture of the sketches ALI EDWARDS provided that I have scribbled all over getting my plan together.  If you want a copy, let me know!  I'd love to have someone doing this with me this year!

Talk to you soon, and I'll keep you updated on my progress.  C

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Fall Retreat


So, the problem I have packing for retreat is, as I am going through all my supplies making sure I bring everything I am planning to share, I keep finding random things to "work on".  I don't know about you, but I NEVER seem to get to all of the projects I want to do.

This October retreat, I am planning on making sympathy cards, using up some old paper, doing a layout for my sons car show last month, and working on some photoshop projects.

But .... look what I have ready to load into the car.  And this doesn't even have my clothes and personal things yet.


I thought about loading it all up today, but I heard it's supposed to be really cold tonight, so I am waiting.


Is there something that you always forget when you go to a retreat?  for me, it's slippers.  I am going to have to look for mine when I get home from work tonight, while I'm baking my treat for retreat , and while I am wondering through the house checking my list twice.  LOL    Oh, and I better remember to throw my allergy pills in the bag.  I will be miserable without those!


I am close to ready.  Will load up in the morning, finish a few things up and head up the hill.  See my scrapping friends soon, and I hope that some new ones will come join us in FEBRUARY!  

Once again, I am hoping I can get it all in the car.  And I am hoping I didn't forget something important, but, in the end, it doesn't matter, because I am spending 4 days with some of the nicest people I know!! 

Hope you have a great weekend too!  c

Saturday, September 24, 2016

A new beginning

Good morning!

I have been going to update you on my life for some time, but I was feeling very overwhelmed and didn't want to post while I was in that state of mind.  I don't know that the feeling overwhelmed is any less, but I am adjusting to it and taking control of what needs to be done.

As you may know, the house sold and I have moved into a lovely apartment.  I am very excited about getting it all our together, but it is going very slowly.  And some things have been by discovery.  Let me explain.

I moved with "Christmas dishes" as my main dish assortment.  That was fine.  I love the dishes and they were plain, so they would work fine.  But, they are BIG!  and HEAVY!  So when all you're having is toast, it seemed like a bit of overkill.  So, I decided to go get smaller plates.  A reasonable dinner plate (maybe I won't over eat!) And I headed off to Pier 1 with a friend.  All I wanted was plain barn red plates to compliment the 'chargers' I already owned.  Well ..... You can see how well that went!
Aren't these beautiful??  I fell in love!
I decided since I was only buying 4, I could get seasonal ones and in the spring, I will find 4 spring plates.  These have the water color look I LOVE! and look at those colors!  I have committed to surrounding myself with beautiful thing that make me heart sing at this point in my life, and this is the first!

But, the rest of the apartment .... ugghh!  It is hard to put it together when I don't have all the pieces I am going to have .... eventually.  I am currently waiting for a couch and chair.  Let me tell you, folding chairs are NOT the best way to end the day.  But, I am thankful that my sis loaned me these.  I can still put my feet up and watch a little TV at the end of the day.
I am however tired of boxes!!  I have a layout plan that involves refinishing a piece of furniture (I am starting that right after I am finished writing this for you all!) But, I can't unpack my scrapbooks until I move the shelves the TV is on right now.  It is going behind my desk so the books are close to my creative space.  My 'project' is going to hold the TV.  Then I hope to have room for all the little pretties I was to display in my living room.

Can you see the sewing machine in the corner?  That was my great great grandmothers!  A gift from my Uncle Bob last summer!  I am so excited to finally have it set up, although, I am not sure that is where it is staying.  The box on top is a button box and I believe it was made by my grandfather for grandma E.  I love it and store, what else, scrapbooking supplies in it.
 
I can't post without the latest picture of my beautiful grand daughter!  She went to a car event with my sone and daughter in love last weekend and went to work!  ;-)  What a doll.  And determined!  When she gets that look in her eyes, look out!  There is no stopping her!



And one last little thing for this post.  This is the couch, chair, and pillows I am waiting on.  It is so hard to find things that fit this short little body God blessed me with.  But, after checking every furniture store in town, I finally found furniture for short people!  And I love it.  Can't wait till it gets here!  I'll post pictures when it does, I promise.

So, for today, that is it.  I am off to refinish some furniture and go to a wedding!  I hope you all have a great week and do something creative!  

HAPPY SCRAPPIN'     c

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

And the end is near!

Well, it's about time for me to update you all.  

The house has been sold, for the second time!  But we are past the point of no return and I am mentally moving one to the new life I have been looking forward to for a year! I am moving LABOR DAY weekend and hope to get some basic organization done very quickly.  I want to hit the ground running with my scrapbooking. In my head, I have a plan on how to get the apartment put together. I have some projects already in mind to make a beautiful space for me to live and create in.  I am going to be posting a lot more here, and I am going to be doing a lot more creative scrapbooking once I get semi settled  

I kind of feel like it it the week between Christmas and New Year's day the way my mind is going.  I am planning.  I am trying to put together the list of specials I am going to offer at my daily  job (anyone need a facial??) and a plan on how to offer classes for my scrapbooking friends over the next few months.  I am excited to have the time and the place to offer more creative time to my customers.  

There is SO MUCH fun stuff in our new catalogs.  I have 2 very specific classes that I am going to offer and I am so excited about them.  But, I am not spilling the beans here, I am going to announce them once I get some dates locked in.  We are going to rock it this year!  I'm also getting our schedule worked out for our CLUB paper pack list and fun things that we will be doing this year.  

Right now, I am working on the kitchen table, trying to make some creative time without having all my creative 'stuff' accessible. It is interesting to only have a small amount of papers and accents to work with.  I am anxious to be able to actually sit down and scrap what I feel like scrapping not just what I have within reach.  

This week, I finished up the FLORENCE workshop, and I am so excited to get together with my friends to put this pretty kit together.  It is always such a blessing for me to get together with my friends once a month and spend the whole day visiting and being creative.  And, although I didn't think I would like the cards, I really do like them!  I was going to sell my stamp and thin cuts right away after CLUB, but I think I'm keeping this one and I am going to make many more cards with them.  



I have had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with my beautiful grand daughter!  It is the most amazing thing, being a grandmother.  She is bringing love and JOY into my life at a time that I am appreciating it so much.  And having a daughter-in-love is an experience that I am also so thankful for.  She is adding a new element to my life that I can only compare to what I thought having a daughter would be like. Without the challenge of raising her.  LOL  So, as I end today's post, I want to share my thankfulness for the good things in my life.  God has blessed me in so many ways and I am thankful to have you, my friends along with all the other JOYS I experience on a daily basis.  

SCRAP ON!  c


Sunday, May 8, 2016

NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING DAY

This is the day I look forward to all year long.  Not only is it NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING DAY  the first Saturday of every May, but it is the day I get to spend celebration my birthday with my scrapping friends.  I always go with a Mexican theme, since my birthday in on Cinco De Mayo!  This year, we had Margarita place markers!  What fun.  I used one of the NEW  stamp sets from the SEASONAL EXPRESSIONS 2!


Isn't that little piñata stinkin' cute!?!  


I love when all the girls show up and we are all in chatting and creating mode!


Cindy even came with her BLUE AND PURPLE HAIR!!   Love it!


And a NEW SCRAPPER joined us.  Missy is making something special for her hubby for their FIRST anniversary!  I love when people realize how important it is to document their lives!  

And so, another NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING DAY comes to an end!  But we all had a great time, got some memories recorded, got some stories recorded and made some more!  

LOVE THESE GIRLS!  Cant wait till next time!  

Keep on scrappin'  - connie

Thursday, March 24, 2016

SPRING cards!! HAPPY EASTER!

HAPPY EASTER! 
I love this time of year.  The air smells so good and the fresh snow is so wet and heavy.  It is full of moisture and new life for the earth to grow and renew!  I feel very energized and optimistic in the spring.  And, the knowledge that my family will be all together for a wonderful meal later this week (HAM!  my favorite!!) is an added bonus!  

I wish I had some of these cards in the mail already!  But there is a chance they will go out today.  We'll see how motivated I am after the tax work is done for the day. (NO!!  I'm not done yet.  :-(  )

Anyway, these are so cute!!  And, I am not someone who particularly likes to color images, but the WATER COLORING of these cards was fun and quick!  

 I did use the PENELOPE paper workshop for the design of these cards.  But replaced the paper, of course, with the KALEIDOSCOPE paper.  I couldn't make up my mind on some of them, which paper I wanted to use, so I used the front AND the back of the cut paper.  
 I think it worked rather well.  I love these cute little fox!  And I LOVE the WATERCOLOR splatter technique on the card.  

I should point out that I have not embellished these cards with any PLAYFUL PUFFIES or other embellishments.  I ran out of the PLAYFUL PUFFIES and didn't get enough to do a second set of cards!  Bad Connie!!  I am planning on going through my stash and adding a little something to all the cards later.  
 This frog may be my favorite out of the whole stamp set.  
Notice the MINI STAPLES in the banners.  Such a nice extra layer of detail! 
And using the SPRING CRITTER THIN CUTS made the cards super easy!  
The stamp set is #C1638  SPRING CRITTERS.  

As much as I thought I would teach this and then sell the thin cuts and stamp set, I believe I am going to keep it.  I like it way more than I thought I would.  

So, Spring has Sprung!  Now on to some creative time.  I hope you all get to play today!  Connie

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Spring is Here!

Well, Good Morning my friends.  Our little Spring storm hit last night and I woke up to snow.  Not that I am surprised, I do watch the news now and then, and this storm is all they've talked about for 2 days.  Panic about closing schools is big news you know.  I guess if I still had kids in school I would be more sympathetic, but for now, I think this is just a small spring storm.  I hope we get the big one we need for the moisture before summer hits.

On to scrap booking!  I am sorry I didn't get these pictures up quite as fast as I thought I would.  Light issues.  But, this morning I took all the pictures I hope you need.  Lets start with the CTMH kit, PENELOPE....
These are the ones you all printed your instructions for.  I didn't change anything from the exact CTMH design.  They are such fun and bright pages!  I can't wait to get some pictures of my grand daughter on them.  I think Somehow I got them out of order.  This one, with the blue base page is PAGE 2. 



This is PAGE 1.  I love that it is simple but so unique with the POCKET LIFE cards as decor and journaling spots.  



And PAGE 3.  
All the the little ephemora really make these pages pop! And the small details you don't notice right away add another layer of interest. The MINI STAPLES that hold down the clouds and the WASHI TAPE in the corners.  Too Fun!


And now on to the KALEIDOSCOPE paper pack!  It was very interesting to use the PENELOPE instructions and make the KALEIDOSCOPE paper work with it.  Not having the POCKET LIFE cards was one challenge.  I used the scraps I had left to make mine for this kit.  The other interesting thing was making the ephemera work, since the theme was totally different in the KALEIDOSCOPE kit.

So ... here you go.  My version of the KALEIDOSCOPE paper pack!  


 PAGE 1 . 
You'll notice that I made my POCKET LIFE card from the BOKA paper in the kit and the journaling spot is made with the PURPLE CROSS B&T paper.  The accent ephemera has a totally different feel, don't you think?  I think this page is more for an older child, teenager maybe, and the PENELOPE with it's bright colors for the little kiddos.  


 PAGE 2. 
 I really love the colors on these pages!  Personally, I'm not crazy about the GEM theme, but that is just me.  My sister went crazy for this theme!  LOL I may have to scrap about her on these pages!  

 Check out the PEACE SYMBOL.  From my era boys and girls!  I think it will be around forever!

PAGE 3
I LOVE the new PIXIE card stock!  I think BRIGHT pink is the only bright color I really like!  Most of the colors I love are more muted.  But this one ... BAM!  Love it!


 The only thing I didn't have that I wish I would have was the SILVER FOIL TAPE. I forgot to order some for me.  I think it really would have added some punch to these pages and if you are finishing your pages, I suggest you use the SILVER FOIL TAPE with these pages instead of the WASHI TAPE that I did.  (Ewww ... pretty sure that is a grammatical error! ) 
So, it seems I have added enough images that my blog carrier is done for today!  LOL  I will add the cards tomorrow!

I hope you all have a great day and get a chance to play today!  Connie