Where has the year gone???

This year has flown by and been full of so many changes. Since my schedule and free time have seriously been trimmed to nothing, I decided to use some gift money to treat myself to something I've been wanting to do for a while...subscribe to Studio Calico. I just love their exclusive items and the way they put their kits together.

I debated about it for literally months and decided it would save me time in the long run, since I can just pull a kit and go with it when I have a spare 30 minutes.

I'd love to splurge on other items but am taking it slowly. Here are a few of their fabulous shop items that are on my wish list:

1. Documentary line (sadly I have none) & Elementary
2. Applejack & lunchtray Mr. Huey
3. Stamps: natalee, Noah, Jett, addy sentiment
4. Napa Valley kit
5. Jenni Bowlin inks (esp malted milk & chewing gum)
6. Sewing notions
7. Wood veneer stars

I'm sure I'll slowly build up if they dont sell out. :)

Hopefully I'll have some new things to share soon. I made wreaths for Christmas and will share a pic soon!

Have a Happy New Year!

How to create the "border punched" look

One of my scrapbook addictions has become butterfly punches and border or edger punches.  Many people are still waiting on THIS popular postage stamp border punch to be in stock in stores and online.  I checked my local Joann's and found the whole section of new Fiskars border punches to be empty, so no luck there.

Since my list of scrappy "wants" seems to be ever growing AND the store was out of the punch I wanted to try, I used supplies I had on had to create the same effect of two of the punches I'd been eyeing. 

Here's how:

I used a medium weight patterned paper (Pink Paislee to be exact) and a small circle punch I think I got in the dollar spot somewhere a few years back.  I did look at Joann's when I was there and saw THIS small circle punch that I think would help to create the same effect for $3.99.

I was really impressed with the end effect (although my punch is a bit difficult to punch with heavier papers) and think it looks almost exactly like the speciality paper I used on THIS page.

Next, I used the same circle punch and my corner rounder with the guard taken off to recreate the look of THIS new punch that my friend Angie posted about HERE.

By popping off the plastic gurard and flipping the punch backwards, you are able to line up the punch with the previous punched area to create a continuous scalloped edge.

Then, I lined the circle punch up in the center of each scallop and punched a hole.

The end effect does closely resemble the EK Success large slimline edger punch that retails for $17.99 at my Michael's store.

I realize this punch could be easily reacreated as well.  Since it was the last one at my store (on sale) and I had been wanting it for a while, I decided it should come home with me.  I can't wait to use it.

This pic is of the goodies I picked up yesterday on my little shopping excursion (all on sale or with coupons of course)...I can't wait to create something with them. 

Granted, the punches I posted about are far from necessity, but I really do love the look of them and the extra "umph" it gives my creations.  Who knew that a tiny circle punch and a border punch could have so many individual and combined uses?  After recreating these, I plan on looking around my "studio" and seeing what else I can think of to use differently.  Had I actually bought the punches I wanted at full price, they would have been well over $30 but I now have a similar look for FREE by using what I had on hand.  Pretty nifty, huh?  What do you think?  Do you want to see more tutorials on recreating popular border punch looks?

Friday Facts and Faves....

Finally my computer is up and running again.  I was
having major withdrawals, since I can only do
so much online on my phone. 
Isn't it funny how much we grow to depend
on things that seemed
so far fetched not that long ago?

I remember thinking when I was little about
how totally COOL it would

be to have a phone in your car.  Now I have
one in my purse that is a mini

computer/camera/gps/gameboy/ and on and on and on.

1. I have the bestest hubby in the world, hand down.

2. Recently my treat of choice has been
McDonald's iced vanilla coffee
(not quite starbucks, but satisfying
without breaking the bank).

3. Yesterday I realized I don't think I've picked
up my camera to take

any pics (besides on my phone) in the l
ast month.....seriously?

4. I totally scored when I hit a scrapbook sale
today pretty hard.  I've been

on a giddy scrappy high all stinkin' day.

5. So excited to see my family this weekend....
I've missed them and missed my
scrapping buddies.

6. Went to my 2nd (or 3rd maybe) ever crop
at the end of last month and made

some nice new friends.  Hoping to scrap
again with them soon.

7. Summer stinks.  It's too H-O-T!
I'm ready for FALL!

Like NOW!

8. My little one told me I was beautiful tonight.
 Made my heart melt.

9. I. wore. a. dress. to. dinner. tonight. 

Yep.....me.

I did. 

10.  Ever wonder what locusts are saying to
each other when they call
back and forth?  They are yelling,
"We are here, we are here, we are here,"
in their little Who voices so all the other l
ocusts know where they are. :)

Hope you have a great weekend and
get your scrap on! Thanks for stopping by!

PS....anyone know how to change the settings in
blogger so I can email back

ppl who leave comments? TIA!

American Crafts D-ring Albums...where have you been all my life?

Remember THIS post yesterday about how I had a huge pile of layouts stacked up and that I once said I could NEVER imagine myself doing it?  I counted them.  Guess how many there were?  52.  Crazy, huh?  That's like a layout a week for a year. 

I decided to drag out a couple of new albums to somewhat "categorize" my pages and managed to put up all but 15 of them.  Of those, most just need a date or journaling and a couple just need to be reworked so I can stand to look at them.  Hopefully they will be ready for the albums soon.

When deciding on which albums to use, I pulled out an American Crafts Modern D-ring Album and...

Oh. My. Stinkin'. Word!

Really?  Why haven't I tried these before now?  I got this little 12x12 number at Tuesday Morning quite a while back for $6.99 I think and it's almost full now: 

I'll start by saying, the raw edge is not my fave, but I love what THIS lady did with her album using Cosmo Cricket's Mr. Campy collection.  THIS album is really cute as well and may be more along the lines of what I might do with some Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday:

*(note: this is not my album)*

I have to say that the album seems to hold SO much more.  Since my pages have grown to be a lot bulkier than the way I used to scrap, the reinforced page protectors seem to easily accomodate the lumpy pages well.  I noticed my K and Company albums weren't holding up so great, and their brand of page protectors seemed to be ripping mostly at the tops. 

I also love that AC makes divided page protectors for speedy scrapping as well as variety within albums.  Who said 12x12 albums should ONLY contain 12x12 pages? ;)  Don't be afraid to think outside the box and mix in a little 8x8, 8 1/2 x 11, or 6x12 page into your album.

Hopefully I can find some more of the AC albums at Tuesday Morning, but if not, Hobby Lobby has several to choose from including this one (at 50% off quite often): 

I also have 2 12x12 Making Memories Passport D-ring Albums to use for my vacation pages and an 8 1/2 x 11 one that I hope work as great as these do.

What kind of albums do you like best?  If you find that you like the D-ring best, did you switch over all of your old ones or just only put your new creations into them?

Never say never...

Wanna know what that pic is besides a big mess? 

Yep, you guessed it. 

A stack of scrapbook pages.  People used to amaze me by saying they had iris containers full of pages or stacks of them waiting to go in albums. 

I never understood why they didn't put them away...

until now. 

A couple of mine need journaling or a date or some glossy accents to make sure something is stuck down. I have several empty albums, I just need to commit to one and load it up. 

Decisions, decisions.

After spending the morning cleaning up my scrappy corner a bit, I feel ready to tackle these last minute completions and then plan to add them to albums.  Wish me luck! 

Soooo....are you a stacker or do you put them away after finishing?

I'm thinking about seeing if I have one of those tiny, long shelves that has the little notch in it where I can prop up recent layouts and change them out periodically. 

What do you think?

Junkin' Finds...and a nippy dog

Over a month ago, I contacted someone on craigslist who said she had some craft items she was clearing out and I asked about pictures & pricing.  I had since forgotten about the email until I finally received a response last weekend.  I talked with the lady and set up a time to dig through her stash,

and this is what I came home with:

Love the old air mail letter box and aren't those images on these items awesome?

I'm not quite sure what I'll be using these hooks, eyelets, loops, and snaps for, but the packaging just amazing on them that I couldn't pass them up. 

Buttons on the original, vintage cards.  Aren't they lovely?  I love how weathered and worn some of them are.  The little envelopes held odd buttons, but I mostly got them because I liked how they looked, too.

Lots of little trinkets, beads, sequins, and other goodies she "made" me take with me.

And this picture, along with the others below, contains my favorite things of the batch.  Look at those pearl pins and buttons.  The tin needs a coat of something on it so it won't rub paint off my hands every time I open it, but I'm keeping it the same way I found it other than that.

I love the little button I found, and I think it looks almost exactly like the little green buttons in the new Girls' Paperie Christmas line HERE.  Don't you agree?  I wish I had a whole slew of them.

See the weathering on the air mail letter box?  What about the sweet little Judy Lee pin box?  A little old lady I used to work with called me "Judy" every time I saw her.  My nametag clearly said "Abby" on it, but I would just smile and tell her hello every time.  I'm thinking the black coat hook would be a unique closure for a mini album of some sort.

Another close-up of buttons...Loving the little clear ones with the silver edge. 

Now onto the nippy dog.  The lady had a little dog that was on a leash that managed to not only bite my leg, but also my hand.  It didn't break the skin, but it hurt like heck.  I'll just say between the price and the dog bites, I feel like I had to fight for this junkin' haul, lol!  What do you think?  Anything you think is just FABULOUS?  I may be putting some of these goodies in my Etsy shop soon.  I'll let you know if I do.

I'd also love to hear what THIS LADY, who cringes at the word "button," thinks of my haul. ;)

Oh my!

Between road trips and the holiday, I have been a bad blogger!  It has been SO hot here, and I pretty much hate hot weather.  I'm more of a fall, winter, spring sorta gal.  I was lucky enough to have a block of creative time and created a couple of layouts, but mostly I taught my little sister and her friend how to make handmade flowers and cards.  I think they are addicted to papercrafting now.

Since I think most blog posts without pics are useless, here is a picture of some of my new punches.  I picked them up on a few different trips to TJ Maxx and Marshalls.  Judging by the color, I think they originally came from Walmart.  Since I had been wanting some of them for a while, I snagged them at a great price.  When it comes to punches (or cute paper or ribbon or Thickers or....), I have little self-control.  What supply do you have a hard time passing up?

Paper Lace Ruffle

Remember my lovely new papers I posted about HERE?  I dug out some pictures I had been "saving" for a long time, my new The Girls' Paperie papers, along with some other embellishments I love to create this page.  I love how it turned out.  I was inspired by Ronda and her paper lace technique HERE to make my own paper lace ruffle.

Supplies used:

*paper: The Girls' Paperie

*punches: Martha Stewart crafts

*flowers & sticker title: K & Co

*journaling sticker: October Afternoon

*paper clock: My Mind's Eye

*small metal clock: The Paper Studio

*brad/turns: Making Memories

*staples: Tim Holtz tiny attacher

*ink: Colorbox cateye

other: sewing machine/pop dots

I also wanted to leave you with a little thrifty tip.  If you don't have much of or really like the paper you are using and want to make it last, use your paper trimmer or craft knife to cut out the center of the sheet that is covered up.  Just leave enough room for the sheet on top to be adhered to the background.  This will give you a section of the paper to use to make other embellishements like those punched butterflies I used.  I also like to write the date I completed the layout along with the supplies I used for it.  On this layout, I decided to journal on the back as well.

That Fuzzy, Wuzzy Feeling...

Don't you just love those Hallmark cards with the fuzzy velvet feel to them?  I was blown away when I realized I could reacreate that same effect on my pages and projects. 

Here's a little tutorial on how to use flock:

Supplies needed:

*double-sided adhesive runner (ATG or duck runner)

*flocking powder (Martha Stewart)

*chipboard (American Crafts)

*small plate/tray to catch excess flock (pampered chef

mixing bowl lid)

Apply your adhesive to the ENTIRE surface of your chipboard.  One way to assure full coverage is to use the "sticky" side of a piece of adhesive chipboard.  I did find that the duck adhesive covered more area and was a little flatter than my ATG 1/4 inch tape.

Place your chipboard piece on your plate/lid and use your finger to gently tap the bottle until the piece is covered well.

The chipboard should look like this when it is covered.  I did try my best not to "waste" any more flock than I had to (cause I'm stingy like that...hehehehe).

Take a small piece of scrap paper to lay on top of the flock pile and gently press to ensure the flock is stuck to your chipboard.  Pick up the piece and gently thump the back to remove the excess flock.  Gently press the flock down again.

The center butterfly is the original chipboard and the two on the sides are covered.  The color flocking powder I used is called Peony.

The one on the far left isn't covered.

I liked using this lid because it was easier to replace the unuse flock into the bottle.

I used the butteflies along the side of a picture with journaling spots on a page.

Thanks for visiting my blog today! Have you ever tried flock?

Are you going to now?  It's really easy. :0)

Sew Crazy

My poor sewing machine has been stored away in my paper trunk for some time now, since I don't have a good place to leave it out.  One of my sweet scrappy friends (who sends me scrappy goodies from across the country all the time) recently had a birthday, and I whipped out my sewing machine to create this lovely bag for her:

What do you think of my fancy display hanger? Shwanky huh? I was super impressed with the way the bag turned out, especially since I'd never sewn a ruffle on anything like this before.  I have a pink and brown one in the works for myself soon.  :0)

While I have had my sewing machine out, I've used it on every single sewing and scrapbooking project.  For this card, I used it alongside my Epic 6 machine and two of my Cuttlebug dies from Big Lots (only $2 each).  I made the banner with the "harlequin arlequin" die above and embossed with the "with gratitude" folder.  I'm kicking myself for not picking up more of the dies when they had them...I was hoping for the butterfly, houndsooth, and funky circles ones.

Lastly, I made these ribbon and crepe paper ruffles for my friend since she's a no-sew-Suzy.  Love how they turned out and plan to make some for myself next.  Btw...recognize that turquoise ribbon?  It's the color inspiration I used here.

Oh. My. Walnut. Ink. Sprays!

I stopped in Mike's last night with one of my 50% off register printout coupons in hand to purchase a package of Tsukineko Walnut Ink Antiquing Sprays.  They retail for $19.99 for the box of four, so with coupon they end up being just over $2.50 a bottle ($10 for the set)...not too shabby seeing as how glimmer mists and maya mists are somewhere in the range of $7+ per bottle at my local store.

The colors were crisp and fabulous! Exactly how I imagined Maya Mists would be.  I like how you can do splatters, a light spritz, or a dark spray varying the intensity.  I very highly recommend them.  My only gripe about them was that after about 12 hours of spraying them, the blobs were slightly damp. (eta: When simply misting, the ink dried quickly, but when I did the bigger splatters/blobs is when it took longer to dry.)  I'd recommend blotting lightly with a paper towel and waiting a couple of days before inserting into an album.  Click on the pic to see them close up. :0)

Have you ever tried any type of mists? What were your experiences? Which are your faves?  My other fave is Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Coffee Shop.  Love it!

Buy & USE stuff you LOVE :)

Remember when I gave some pointers for newbie scrappers? One of them was to save your money and buy paper you ABSOLUTELY love.  Lots of companies come out with products and lines I really like, but not all have things I love, love, love.  Here are some close-up pics of some paper I got to order for Mother's Day as a little treat.  I just want to wallpaper my house in some of them...aren't they gorgeous?  If you click on the pics you can see the product close-up.

October Afternoon's Fly A Kite paper

I LOVE their journaling spots & other stickers (although I'm not much of a fan of stickers anymore).  They are not slick like most other companies' product...they are more of a matte cardstock.

OA Fly A Kite & The Thrift Shop Wild Cards (so worth the splurge)

 

I ordered the entire collection pack for OA's The Thrift Shop line & got all of the paper embellishments above plus the paper below...isn't it fabulous & vintage?

Lastly, I ordered a pack of 2 sheets of each of The Girls' Paperie Paper Girl line.  I wanted some of the embellishments, but already had gone over my limit a bit and had to stop there.  I can't wait to use it and hand cut some of those amazing flowers out!

Aren't those die-cut papers wonderful???

So what product have you purchased recently (or not-so-recently) that you absolutely love?

On another note, my old self would have "saved" this paper for the perfect layouts

 & 2 years down the road, it would still be sitting in my paper trunk. 

My new self plans to use it. 

When I'm gone,

I don't want my albums to only contain all the "so-so" supplies

while all the fabulous ones were

"saved" for the perfect project that never was finished

(and therefore sold or donated to the thrift store). 

Get my drift?

USE your "good" stuff!

Saving

Sorry it's been a while since my last post.  I've been busy around the house and actually worked on two sewing projects.  Calling myself a seamstress isn't something I've ever been able to do, but hopefully that might change soon.  I wanted to share an old idea which has become somewhat new again and gaining popularity, since I've been talking about scrapbooking on a budget.  

Everyone loves a deal, right? I had been researching couponing a bit and then my dh came home one day after a visit to our local grocery in shock.  Two ladies in front of him had a huge buggy full of groceries with a total well over $200.  They provided their store card, a stack of coupons more than an inch thick, and were given their total of under FIFTY DOLLARS (yes, from $200+ to -$50...crazy, huh?)!!!  

A friend of mine who recently started to coupon gave me some sites she was given to find coupon links and deals which were broken down to the penny.  I'm out of printer ink, so I only had my newspaper coupons and store deals list when I went to pick up a few things.  I think I did pretty good, since I didn't have a clue what I was doing.  Here's what I got:

I got everything you see here plus:

-12 pk of toilet tissue

-(7) 2-liter drinks

-another powerade 

-deli creations sandwich kit

-pk of chicken thighs (@ 78 cents/lb)

-a warm, rotisserie chicken

and I'm sure there's something else I'm leaving off...

all for under $50 (that's OVER HALF LESS THAN my original

total before store card & coupons)...plus I got a free redbox rental code

& $2 in register rewards for my next visit.  Pretty sweet deal for a newbie, huh?

These are all things I will use or was out of, and I could have gotten a ton of more deals had I been able to print some online coupons.  I loved the feeling of saving and knowing I don't have to guess what I'm cooking for dinner this week.  Do you coupon? Would you like some more info?  I promise I'm not turning my blog into a total couponer's fiasco every week.  Saving money on things you are buying anyway leaves more for leisure activities & hobbies. :)  

Thanks for stopping by!