Thanksgiving Layouts

Well, goodness me. I've been pretty quiet on this blog! My kids and hubby were off school/work last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and all will be returning to the regular routine tomorrow.

(Yee haw).

We had a really nice, relaxing Thanksgiving. It was just the four of us, but it was nice letting the girls do what they wanted to do. I spread out the cooking chores throughout the day, so I didn't feel any stress over making the big meal. Steve ventured out to a couple of stores that were open and managed to find some things he wanted/needed. He insisted that I go look for a few things I had been wanting, so after I put the turkey in the oven I ventured out for a bit. I was not successful in finding anything, though. Oh well. I made up for it on Friday. I don't usually go out on Black Friday as I am not a huge fan of the crowds. I did venture out later in the morning and while a few of the deals were already long gone, I managed to pick up some deals. Plus, I was pleasantly surprised to find I didn't have to wait in any lines! Double score!

In amongst the holiday festivities I managed to work on organizing and tagging my digi stuff on my computer. I'd let some of that lapse, so had a back log to work on. Because the girls are good at entertaining themselves, I found I had more time to work on it and feel good that I accomplished my tasks! I did some online Digi Black Friday shopping though. So, now I have a bit more to organize. Ah well, it felt good for a few minutes to be caught up on that. hee, hee.

I also managed to create a few layouts over the past few days. And here they are!

Credits: Comfy for Fall Mega Kit (papers, alpha and numbers) by Gina Cabrera. Brush from a set called Flytrap found at designfruit.com Font: Century Gothic. Template used is from the SimplySarahDesigns blog.

I didn't title this one, but I think you can tell what the subject is by the pictures.

Credits: Comfy for Fall Mega Kit by Gina Cabrera, Font: CK Carefree, Template: SimplySarahDesigns blog.

I worked on this one quite a bit today. I was trying to figure out how to do the stitching. I still need to work on getting that down better, but I like how this one came out. I subscribe to a Premiere Newsletter at http://www.scrappersguide.com/. Each month we get a wonderful kit as part of the subscription (as well as some awesome tutorials). I saw a layout in the gallery created by the creator of the newsletter and tutorials, Linda Sattgast and was inspired to create this layout from the layout she posted. Most of the items used in this layout came directly from the kit this month called Autumn Flowers. I used a frame from Gyspy Chick Boho Vintage Frames. I also used a grid overlay from Christine Borgfeld. The other thing not a part of this kit was the font I used and that is CK Carefree, which I found on a disc I was sent by CK magazine as part of a promotion. I found the disc while cleaning in my scraproom (the other thing I did that kept me pretty busy on Wednesday). I had never even looked at the disc before this weekend and I've had it for probably a year-and about the only thing I like so far on the disc is that font! LOL I'm sure if I really looked at it, I'd find something else I like. But who has time when all I want to do is create or do digi stuff these days!

Thanks for visiting! I hope you find time to create something today!

Project Credits and How-To...

Usually I am pretty good about giving credit where it is due and I'm sorry to say I neglected it when I posted the Hostess Club projects the other day. Let me correct that right now.



The Reflection Card-I stamplifted a card I saw on the CTMH artwork board that was created by Laura Buckley. She contributed it to a swap she was involved in. Thanks Laura! Here's what I did to create the card...It's a standard sized 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card. The Heavenly Blue strip is 1 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches. The Baby Pink is 3 x 5 1/2 inches. The white cardstock is 2 1/2 x 5 inches. I cut a piece of white vellum 2 1/2 inches square. The Blush cardstock is 2 3/4 x 5 1/4 approximately.



I stamped the main snowman in Grey Wool toward the top of the white cardstock and colored it in. (I used markers-but color in however you like). Then I stamped the vellum piece with Grey Flannel. You can color it in or not, depending on your preference. I highly recommend making sure it is dry before putting adhesive on. I used a heat gun. Then I ran the vellum inked side down through my Xyron so that you won't see any adhesive marks. By putting adhesive on the inked side, you will notice that your vellum piece is a mirror image of the Grey Wool snowman. Adhere to the bottom of the white cardstock. To disguise the line of where the vellum ends, I added glitter glue. You could also use Liquid Glass and Prisma Glitter.



Tic-Tac Holder...stamplifted the idea from one posted on the CTMH artwork board by Yvette West. Thanks Yvette! She got the idea from http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/. And I also saw a variation of it (Halloween themed) on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/.



I found Tic-Tacs in bulk at Sam's Club. 24 in a package for around $10. I'm sure Costco would carry them too.



Dimensions: Cardstock-4 5/8 inches wide by 3 inches tall. Cut a piece of patterned paper the same size. Score at 2 inches from each end so you'll have a spine about 3/4 inches wide. Cut a length of ribbon 14 inches long. The white piece with the snowman is 1 3/4 wide by 2 3/4 inches tall. After you stamp the snowman, use a 3/4 inch circle punch for the tummy. I lined this up on the base and punched the hole in the base, so it'd be easier to punch through. Color the snowman as desired.



To assemble: Use a corner rounder to punch the corners. Do this before you add your ribbon. It will make it easier to punch. You want to sandwich the ribbon, towards the top of your holder, between the base and the patterned paper. I used my ATG gun adhesive and it held fine.



You can peel off the label of the tic tac holder or not, depending on your preference. I peeled it off and the poem covered any remaining residue. If you want to take the date off the back, use rubbing alcohol. I used glue dots to attach the tic tac container to the holder. I cut a piece of white cardstock to fit the width of the tic tac container and used my ATG gun to adhere. Tombow or similar adhesive should work fine.

Poem:
Snowman Kisses



He's cute, cuddly,
& full of good wishes.
He wants to give you
these snowman kisses!

I hope this helps those who expressed an interest in creating these projects!!

And finally...no digi projects today...got busy doing other things. But here's a picture of my girls helping out by doing the dishes after dinner the other night! Yep, they asked if they could! Ain't life grand when your kids think doing chores is fun? Better enjoy the enthusiasm now since I'm sure it won't last forever. LOL

Hostess Club Projects for November

As promised, proof that I still know how to use my stamps. LOL These are the projects I'm having my hostess club do this weekend. I think they came out pretty cute, if I do say so myself. We will be using the November Stamp of the Month-Snow Friends. The card shows you can do a reflection in your stamping and the other project is a tic-tac holder. It has a cute little poem called Snowman Kisses...Enjoy!

I didn't get to work on any digital projects today, other than picking up some good bargains at Sweet Shoppe Designs (thanks to a coupon I got for 30% off my purchase) and ScrapArtist, where they have a Fab Friday and various items are only a dollar! Guess who needs to work on organizing her digital stash again???

Hope you have a great weekend! I'll be kinda of busy, but in a good way! :o)

Exploring Layout and a Flylady Layout

Well, here it is...the last lesson/layout in Jessica's class. Sniff, sniff! But the good news is she tells us she's going to teach another class come January! Yippee skippy!

I have to say that this class was definitely a step up from the Up & Running class but in oh so good of a way!!! I learned so much and got to see the talent my classmates possess in our gallery. I only hope to be a fraction as good as they are someday!

These pictures were taken at our recent day trip to Eldorado Park outside Boulder. Don't you just love the semi-transparent photo in the corner? It was so simple to get that look, but I hadn't a clue before this lesson!

The journaling talks about how I used to go on hikes with my dad and his Boy Scout troop when I was a girl. We'd go to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in CA. Well, I am tickled that my girls really enjoy exploring and hiking in our nearby parks. If you click on the photo, you should see the layout larger.

I'm going to miss the daily emails from Jessica come Monday. But knowing a new class is just around the corner is great.

I actually did a couple of paper crafts for my Hostess Club meeting this weekend, but I forgot to take pictures of them today, so they will have to wait until tomorrow. But I DID do them! :o)

Now here's the layout I finished today. Those of you who know me are probably laughing your heads off that I would do a layout about this, but I had fun and that's what counts. I do love Flylady, even if I'm not great at consistently keeping up with it! :o)

I hope you find some time to create today!

Tucked Away-Another Layout Today!

Hey, I was able to complete another layout today! Wow! That makes 3 in just a few hours. Not bad for me. :o)

Template by Jen Caputo (Collection 20 @ Scrapbookgraphics.com)
All papers from Autumn's Flowers kit received from Scrapper's Guide Premier newsletter (www.scrappersguide.com)
Fonts: BahiaScriptSSK and Century Gothic

I filled the journaling circle with color, then used the burn tool to add some interest and make it look a little less stark.

Thanks for looking! I hope you find some time to create today.

A Couple of Halloween Digi Layouts

No assignments or challenges for these layouts. I did 'em just because I wanted to! I used some templates for these, which in theory, is supposed to make the creating of the layouts faster. Well, I'm sure it would, IF I had an idea ahead of time of what papers I wanted to use!

This first layout is of Jessica's Homework Assignment. Yes, she gets one main homework assignment in preschool and this year it was creating a pumpkin to be used for decorating the hallway at preschool. I futzed and futzed with this one because I couldn't find papers that I really liked! That is one great thing about digi scrapping, if you don't like it, hit UNDO! Sort of a cyber version of the Un-Do paper scrappers use-only without the smell.

Credits:
Picks A Plenty Template by TerriAnn Hanks, Scalloped template byMad Scraps-ThisNThat set by Robin Blankenship)
Frame a Date Overlay-Christine Borgfeld (PolkaDotPotato)
Boo To You Mega Kit (Digital Design Essentials): Candy Bag paper, Glitter Edge, patterned papers with color, stitched black tab
Notebook Paper: Katie Pertiet (Designer Digitals)
Font: CTMH Noodge

I couldn't resist this Spooky template when I saw it! I thought it was adorable and am glad I found a way to use it!

Credits:
Spooky Template-Scrapgirls
Papers: Letters in Spooky Fall Fiesta solids The Posh Collection by Meridith Fenwick
Background paper (circle) Christine Borgfeld Fall Collab Kit (Polka Dot Potato), Orange colored background paper from Oogelie Googelie kit by Sausan Designs (kit from ScrapWow.com)
Grid Overlay-Christine Borgfeld-(Polka DotPotato), White Swirly Overlay-Nanci Rowe Janitz-Simple Pleasures Mega kit (from Scrapbook Answers disc).
Journaling Spot with Bracket-Katie Pertiet (Designer Digitals)
Fonts: SweetheartScript and Century Gothic

Whew! I need to figure out a better way to mark down my credits! It took me almost as long to type this out (because I needed to hunt down the credits) as it did to create the layouts!

Thanks for looking! If you click on the pictures you should be able to see them larger.

Sunday Hike Layout

Since it was supposed to be a nice day, Steve thought it would be fun for us to go to Eldorado State Park on Sunday. It's located southeast of Boulder. He had taken the girls last month, but this time they wanted me to go. In the course of their recent day hikes, Steve noticed the girls slipping on the trails quite a bit when they wore their sneakers, so we recently found them some hiking shoes. Steve even got a pair! But so far, I haven't found any that I care for. Amy is so enamored of her new boots, she's worn them almost non-stop for the past few days. Guess that is one way to break them in!

Those of you who know me and how I love to watch the Broncos, might be surprised that I gave up watching the game for our family outing (good thing, since they got creamed-I'd have been so annoyed had I watched all of that game). I was quite impressed at how close this canyon is to us! I was also fascinated by watching the rock climbers. Especially since it turned out that it was REALLY windy!! We ate a picnic lunch and hiked a bit. I took several photos and decided to take some pictures of their new shoes. And just for fun, I took a pair of my sneakers! I thought it might make a fun scrapbook page! And looky here, I used the photos in our lesson for this week. Neat, huh?! It turns out the trail we decided to hike on was pretty steep and rocky. One of the highlights though, was this little cave that you can see them going into in the photo. And the girls kept exclaiming how they WEREN'T slipping. Success! But on the way back to the van we were walking into the wind and it kept blowing dust into the girls' eyes, so Steve went to get the van and come back to pick us up. We were next to a couple of rock climbers which was kinda interesting to watch.

We did our first official two page spread in this lesson. There were so many details jam-packed in this lesson I can't begin to describe them all. I was proud of myself for changing up a few of the details from her sample to better suit the theme of my layout (must mean I'm starting to feel more comfortable with this whole digi thing). The background paper was a pretty bright/bold pink and I changed the opacity so it would look a bit more muted. The swirls and the grungy outline around the big half circle picture was originally supposed to be white, and I changed it and the mat behind the four accent photos to be tan. Loved learning how to make that large circle picture! Can see using that technique in the future. She has shared with us several techniques and hot keys (shortcut key strokes) to do different things a bit more quickly.

All in all, each lesson seems to be getting better and better. I'm almost sad that were are already over half way through the course. But today we heard that she will be announcing the 2008 line up of classes in mid-December and the next level class from this one is slated to be on the list! Whooooohoooooooooo!!!

Thanks for looking! (I think if you click on the picture, you should be able to see it a bit larger)

1st Ever National Digital Scrapbooking Day!

Today was a fun day for me. Yes, there is indeed a National Digital Scrapbooking Day and it was fun! Just about all the digi shops had specials, freebies, chats, etc. I grabbed some great freebie kits, bought some goodies on sale and watched a webinar for my photo managing/digital kit software. In amongst this fun, I cleaned up my computer corner, swept, cleaned out the couch and chair, found a computer disc I thought I lost (and learned a paper clip can open a non-plugged in device) and even found a cartridge for the girls' video game. Oh mustn't forget that I started and finished all the laundry!

I also managed to work in completing two digi layouts. Ta-da!
This first one was a work in progress most of the day. It is so simple, but it took me a long time to figure out just what I wanted to do. But, in the end, I think it was worth the time it took.
I used a kit from a CD I have called Digital Scrapbook Memories-Playground. The specific kit is Megan's Swing (papers, stitching, swirl).
The "girly" is an alpha from Amy Teets-Sunporch. Fonts: Edwardian Script and Century Gothic.

This second layout is our second Saturday Start To Finish Challenge. I took the pictures this afternoon, but didn't get to start the layout until after the girls went to bed. We are supposed to start and finish the layout in 30 minutes. Last week I did it in around 45 minutes, but today I was able to complete this in 30 minutes! Yea, me!


Our subject was What Makes Me Happy and I thought I would try to have a little fun with it.

Credits: Festival Kit from Shabby Princess, Edwardian Script and Century Gothic fonts.

Man, it was a race to get this one done and while it's not perfect, at least I can say another one done!

By the way, Amy has been practicing her jumproping skills for about a month now and she's getting pretty darn good!

Now, my eyes are tired, so I will close.
Thanks for looking. I promise, one of these days I will work on something besides digi stuff, but for now I am just having too much fun with it!