Sketch Time at Practical Scrappers

For this week's fabulous sketch at Practical Scrappers I pulled out some rather dated photos of my youngest grandson when he was 13 months old (don't get me started on how far behind I am on some of my scrapbook pages!).  I have a tendency to go back and forth between scrapping new and older photos based on what kind of mood I happen to be in when I start a project. Anyhow..although the photo may be somewhat dated (Seth is almost 3 years old now...  gasp!) I used some brand spanking new supplies to create this layout for the sketch inspiration as a new Design Team member at Practical Scrappers. 

I am in love with October Afternoon's new Fly a Kite papers as well as all their Wild Cards and this is also the first layout I have ever used chipboard Thickers on, wow I really like them!  I also pulled out my new triangle punch and October Afternoon's Mini Ledger Market stickers to create the trendy banner.  So much fun to create my own banner with that handy little triangle punch.

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Fly A Kite, Ice Cream (October Afternoon)

Cardstock: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)

Ink:  Distress Ink in Tea Dye (Tim Holtz)

Embellishments: Wild Cards, Ducks in a Row and Mini Ledger Market Stickers (October Afternoon), Thickers, Apartment (American Crafts), Button Twine (Papertrey Ink), Buttons and Brads (Basic Grey).

Tool: Crest Border Punch and Triangle Punch (Fiskars), Circle and Scallop Punches (EK Success) Pop Dots, Corner Chomper (Crop-o-dile).

The Cricut Cake has Arrived!

The last two days have been pretty exciting around here.  Yesterday via the nice Fed Ex man, the Cricut Cake arrived on my doorstep.  Today the big Roughneck container filled with all the supplies needed to demonstrate the new Cricut Cake arrived as well! I even have an oh, so cute black apron with the precious little green Cricut logo on it!

Presently I am updating the Cricut Cake firmware via the Gypsy that we were provided with during the Provocraft Demo Army Training Convention.  I've also loaded up all the cake cartridges onto that Gypsy (there are actually four carts for the Cake, but the one I was provided with during the training is downstairs in my craft room...and I'm not about to leave the two DESTROYERS (aka grandsons) alone for a moment to run down and get it for the photograph.)

Stay tuned for more photos after I've made my first solo attempt at cutting with the new Cricut Cake!  Whoot Whoot!

A Little Etsy Bitsy Spring Inspiration

Once upon time I found a little Etsy Bitsy spring inspiration...

Blue Bird by Middleburg

Love Print by BeiLexian

Birds in Boots by psitsinthedetails

Mother's Day Cookies by HolidayCandyLane

Calyx Garden Maryjane by Gracious May

Twirl Dress in Mod Birds by Dressbabybeautiful

Pinwheel Bouquet by Rule42

Chicken Little by Middleburg

Blew in from the Windy City!

Whoot Whoot... I'm home from the Windy City and the FANTASTIC training that I recieved from Campaigners and Provocraft!  There were 200 women and 2 men in attendance and talk about a passion for papercrafting... our group had it!  Unfortunately the only photos I have right now are on my phone and I have no idea how to upload them.  I'll have to wait to share some when I get them from some of the wonderful people that I met while at training... Especially Janice and Karla!  I spent a lot of time with those two... Janice and I trained together almost the entire weekend and well, I just can't say enough great things about both of those crafty women! 

The most exciting thing that happened this weekend... besides our trip to Windy City Scrapbooking via Hummer Limo loaded up with 31 women was the fact that I got to see the Cricut Cake in action (and ooo, I even touched it!! LOL).  On May 2nd the "Provocraft Army" (including myself) will begin demonstrating the Cake at a store near you (unless perhaps if you are located on Mars...or Venus even).  I'm hardly waiting for my Cricut Cake to arrive (expecting it any day now).  Of course, it's not mine to keep... but as long as I am demonstrating that baby is here at my house! LOL.  Stay tuned in the future for a photo of a cake or two...as soon as I get the hang of it myself! ha-ha.  Seriously, while there is a learning curve with regard to cutting the frosting, gumpaste and fondant sheets (did you know they come premade in lots of spiffy colors??!!!)... if you know how to run a Cricut ... you'll get the hang of the Cricut Cake in no time at all! Oh and don't get me started on the BEAUTIFUL images on the Cricut Cake Cartridges...or the fact that once again Provocraft has gone above and beyond the call of duty and designed it so your new Cricut Cake can use the same cartridges that your other Cricut machines can!  Don't you just LOVE it!!

Any...whooo.... I'll keep you posted on the latest news right here at Runs with Scraps (perhaps I should consider changing my blog name to Runs with Cake??!!)... lol! 

Off to get some design team work done....and until next time....don't forget to, "let them eat cake!" :-)

Bitten by the Bug2 Blog Hop and Sentimentals Cart Challenge!

It's another weekly challenge (and a Blog Hop!) over at Bitten By the Bug2 and our Designer Donna selected a cut from the Sentimentals cartridge.  She chose the bee (3rd row down, 2nd cut over). It just so happens that I don't have this cartridge (yet).  After all the inspiration from our team at BBTB2 however, I think I just might have to buy it soon! Never the less, since the Sentimentals cart is so new Donna wanted to make sure that everyone could play along so if you don't have that cart... just find a bee on another cart that you own and play along anyhow!

I mulled over this challenge in my mind for several days and had an idea to do one of those "BEE Happy" type of layouts, but I just couldn't make it work for me, however I was so "trapped" in my mind about that style layout, I couldn't seem to come up with anything else. In frustration (I mean I am new to the BBTB2 Design Team and I didn't want to submit anything for "inspiration" that wasn't inspirational to me as well, right?) I finally decided to text my BBF (Best Blog Friend) Kristina at Kristina's World who threw out some fantastic ideas that finally helped me with my Mojo for this challenge (Thanks again Kristina! xoxoxo).

For this challenge I chose to use the bee from the brand new "Just Because" Cards Cartridge. (You might be tempted not to buy this cartridge if you already own Wild Card, like I do...but I'm so glad I changed my mind and bought it anyhow, it has so many FABULOUS images, I think it could turn into one of my favorites by far!) Anyhow the bee cut is on page 56 of the manual.  I used Layer 1 as well as Layer 1 with the shift key selected and Layer 2 to create two bees.  I also used the honey pot on page 53, Layer 1, Layer 1 with the shift key and Layer 2.  I cut the images twice to make a double-sided honey pot and sewed them together, leaving the top open to make a pocket for my pull-out tag.

I have the tag pulled out quite a bit for the photograph, it actually can slip all the way in leaving just the "Thank You" and ribbon showing. The bees are embellished with pearls and I also sprayed them with Glitter Mist (although you can't see it in the photo).

I've included a photograph of the honey pot with the tag removed so you can see the cute little tag that I cut with the Sweet Treats cartridge (another favorite cart of mine!).  I used Dear Lizzy patterned paper in Honey Bee to help dress the tag up and some pearls from Hero Arts.

I hope you are inspired by the Bitten By the Bug2 blog and all the other Design Team creations... so much so in fact that you decide to pull out your beloved Bug and enter the challenge to play along with all of us!

Now to enter to win some sweet blog candy here at Runs with Scraps during this week's blog hop sign up to follow this blog (if you are not already a follower) and leave a comment on this post to enter to win some beautiful Spring Dear Lizzy 12 x 12 papers as well as some other goodies I'll throw in the package! Then  hop over to Donna's blog by clicking here for your next stop in the blog hop. 
Good Luck and Have Fun with This Week's Challenge!

Supplies List:
Patterned Paper: Dear Lizzy, Honey Bee (American Crafts)
Cardstock: Softstone, Smokey Shadow and Lemon Tart (Papertrey Ink)
Stamps: Hero Arts and Papertrey Ink
Ink: Archival Ink in Coffee
Embellishments: Pearls (Hero Arts) Glimmer Mist in Old Lace (Tattered Angels) Rick Rack (Ellen Hutson)
Tools: Sewing Machine and White Tread

Off To Chicago...

I'm at the airport Chicago-bound for Cricut Training and as I was arriving here, I was hoping I had not forgot anything.  Not even on the plane yet, I realize that in fact I did.  I left my computer mouse and mouse pad sitting on the dining table and because of this... I am sad, so sad.  :-(  I am terrible with the laptop thingie that you have to slide your finger around on to get the cursor to move and thus the thought of being without a mouse for almost four days...well, ugh is all I can say.  At least I remembered to bring my underwear... I hope. LOL. 

I am traveling to Chicago via Detroit and if anyone is aware of the where I am on a map you would know that I am actually traveling away from Chicago initially (I did not make my own flight arrangements)... I have quite a long lay over in Detroit as well...which apparently is a good thing since the nice "Ticket Guy" told me I'll be changing terminals once in Detroit and that I will have to take a shuttle to do so... LOL, I think I actually could have driven to Chicago faster... REALLY... but at this point, I'm so excited to attend this training that I would not care if they flew me to Chicago via Russia (well, okay I might care a little, but you get what I mean).

 
Beth

Just For Fun Rubber Stamps Design Team

I'm so excited to announce that Design Team Coordinator Sherry Cheever (aka Bad Sherry) just informed me that I have been selected to join the Design Team for Just for Fun Rubber Stamps!  You can visit Bad Sherry's Blog "Walkin' on the Bad Side" by clicking here, and you can visit the Just For Fun Rubber Stamps blog here, after which you will probably want to go shopping at the Just for Fun Rubber Stamps store right here.  :-).

I'm looking foward to my return from the Cricut training in Chicago on Tuesday the 27th, with new information about the Cricut and other Provocraft Products as well as getting on board the Design Team at Just for Fun Rubber Stamps!  Stay tuned.... :-)

Winner of the Mini-Blog Hop and Giveaway!!

First I would like to thank everyone for participating in the Runs with Scraps and Kristina's World mini-blog hop and giveaway!  The winner of my giveaway (via Random Number Generator) is....

Bridget of Bridget's World 2010!  Congratulations Bridget! Please email me (bethcat at sbcglobal dot net) with your full name and address and as soon as I return from the training in Chicago this weekend I will mail you your prizes!

For those of you who also signed up at Kristina's World, don't forget to hop over there to see who won her giveaway!

Campaigners & Provo Craft Training in Chicago - I'll be there...

I haven't wanted to write anything on the blog regarding my attendance at the upcoming Campaigners & Provo Craft Training scheduled in Chicago for April 23 - 26 until I had the flight and training information in my little paws... and I do!  I've been hired by Campaingers (along with hundreds of other crafters) to attend this training that willl be held at the O'Hare Hilton, after which I will be demonstrating Cricut products (I have heard mixed things...like the Cricut Cake and/or Cricut Expression) at the Michaels on Frandor in Lansing!  I'm thrilled that I have this opportunity to receive this training and can't wait to put it to work once I am back in Michigan!  I wonder if this will make me an "official" enabler of the Cricut?! :-)  If you have also been hired and are attending the training in Chicago let me know, I'd love to meet up with you in person!

Practical Scrappers Design Team

I'm very excited to announce that I have been invited to join the Practical Scrappers Design Team.  I am so honored to join this group of gifted papercrafters and I can't wait to learn the ropes over there and get started! 

That said, I imagine that I am not the only papercrafter that has found that particularly in this struggling economy it is necessary to watch every dollar that we spend on our craft/hobby.  There was a time that I used to buy lots of papercrafting supplies only for it to end up sitting in containers and drawers, very loved... but very unused nontheless. For me it seemed that the items that I cherished and spent the most money on I ended up being unable to part with by actually using the items for paper projects. I didn't want to waste "the good stuff" just in case I made a mistake. It wasn't until I took Shimelle's Something from Almost Nothing scrapping class that I realized that the real waste was not using the things I already owned to create my layouts, cards and other projects!  

This is exactly what makes the Practical Scrappers challenge blog so relevant for me and for crafters like me as well.  The whole concept behind Practical Scrappers is to get you to use the stuff you already own!  Imagine that!  Of course, this doesn't mean that I never buy anything new... on the contrary I still buy plenty and regularly too!  But the difference is that I am actually using it... not storing it and for me this means I am not wasting even one dollar when I buy products that I really love!  I hope by following along with us at the Practical Scrappers challenge blog you too will be inspired to use what you own and get crafting with all that yummy goodness you have stashed away!

A Quick Card That Didn't Make the Cut

About 35 minutes before my bowling league's banquet this evening, one of the gals on my team called me and asked about the card I made for the team door prize.  GASP!  I had actually fogotten to make the dang thing.  Don't you just hate when that happens??!!  I gotta tell ya too, that working under such a time limit really cramps my style. In fact if I were to define my "style" it would include the fact that all my projects seem to take me twice as long to create as it would any other normal human papercrafting being.  Okay so with only 35 minutes to have it ready to go,  I ran to my craft room and whipped out some really fun October Afternoon Paper from the Fly a Kite and Report Card paper packs. I also decided to use the Mojo Monday sketch #135 as my inspiration because I really liked it and I figured enter a challenge AND make a card for the event...two birds...one stone. Yippee! Yeah... okay... ummm... no.  Why?  Because I forgot to add a major part of the sketch to the card! Argh!  I was in such a dang hurry to finish that I left out an important part of the design and I think the missing part is so evident that I am not planning on entering this one at the Mojo Monday blog either.

Ah well, even though this card didn't make the cut, I did learn that there is an up-side to omitting a third of a sketch design. You get the card done a whole lot quicker! In fact, I had time to spare...it wasn't until I got home tonight and looked at the photos that I took of the card before I left for the event that I realized what I had done. Drat.  Can you tell what is missing from the design?  If you think you can, leave a comment on this post telling me what you think and I'll give you an extra entry into my blog candy giveaway that is still going on until midnight Wednesday the 21st.  More information about the giveaway is available by clicking on the link at the top of my blog.  (Update on April 21, 2010.... I entered the card...what the heck!) :-)

Bitten by the Bug2 - From My Kitchen Cricut Cut Challenge

If you have hopped over here from Bitten by the Bug2  welcome and thank you for stopping to take a closer look at my first project as a member of the design team for BBTB2.   The cut for this week was selected by DeeDee, one of our talented Designers and it is from the From My Kitchen cartridge. It is the card with flowers (tabs and shift key selected) on page 59 of the manual (tabs,shift, 4th row down, second cut over).  If you need some inspiration we've got that at BBTB2 as well, be sure to visit and take a gander at all inspiration the designers come up with for this week's challenge. Then if you haven't played along with us yet, dust off that Bug of yours and get started!

For this project I pulled out my Gypsy to add a little something extra to the cut in order to use it for a Spring layout.  I sized the card large enough to accomodate a 4 x 6 photo. From the Plantin Schoolbook cart I welded the word "Spring" using real dial size and also welded a scallop edge on the bottom.  The pretty butterflies were cut from patterned paper at 2 1/2 inches from Gypsy Wanderings. I then sized the butterfly just a touch larger to also create a shadow for each one out of cardstock. The tag is from Sweet Treats and I rounded the edges with my Corner Chomper (I wasn't keen on the square coners of the cut).  I embossed the tag with my Cuttlebug and then attached a quote from Mark Twain about Spring Fever on white cardstock.

Layout Supplies:

Cricut Carts:  From My Kitchen, Plantin Schoolbook, Gypsy Wanderings, Sweet Treats

Dear Lizzy & American Crafts products: Patterned paper, fabric covered brad, pink pearl brad and chipboard die cuts and ribbon.

Hero Arts products: pearls

Other Fibers: Ellen Hutson

Misc. Tools: Sewing machine, white thread, pop dots, ATG gun, Martha Steward Royal Butterfly Punch.

Ten Reasons Dogs are Better than Boyfriends

I've worked on this particular layout on and off all last week... It started with a different title and I made errors on it three times (I won't go into all the boring details)... finally I just trashed the whole idea and then came up with this.  I can't take credit for the "reasons" listed as I found ideas around the internet and used those plus came up with a couple of my own.  I'm just glad the dang thing is done now and I can move on to a new project (WHEW!)

The ten reasons are:  Dogs never make you cry.  Dogs mean it when they kiss you. Dogs are always happy to see you. Dogs will never be unfaithful to you. Dogs never think you own too many shoes. A teen-aged dog is considered very mature. Dogs don' t think they are smarter than you. Dogs don't care whether you shave your legs. Dogs feel guilt when they have done something wrong. Dogs do not have problems expressing affection in public.

The Tim Holtz inspired grunge roses that my grandson helped me with earlier this week did make this page (although orginally I made five in the paper shown, but one of my cats ran off with one and chewed it up... and you know you can't use just four....so I had to use three)... grrrr. LOL.

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: The Girls Paperie, Paisley (for layout) Cabbage Rose (handmade grunge flowers)
Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Sweet Blush and Spring Rain (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Distress Ink in Antique Linen (Tim Holtz)
Cricut Cartridge: Storybook and Sweet Treats
Fibers: Hibiscus Burst Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)
Other: Glossy Accents, Scallop Die Cut (Papertrey Ink), Glittter Brads (Dear Lizzy & American Crafts), Rhinestones (Ellen Hutson),Glimmer Mist in S.W.A.K (Tattered Angels), Sparklers (Webster's Pages), Paper Crinkler (Fiscars) Royal Butterfly punch (Martha Stewart) Pearls (Hero Arts), Spellbinders Shapeablilities, Corner Chomper, Border Punch (Fiscars), Handmade "Grunge" Roses.

I Stand Corrected Kristina!

Friday I had the opportuntiy to chat on the telephone (yes, the ACTUAL telephone... not text, not email, but the real phone...imagine that!) with my new (Best Blog Friend) BBF Kristina of Kristina's World.  We've only just been really getting to know each other over the past six or seven weeks and despite the fact that she is a decade younger than me, I've found we have a lot in common beyond just our interests in papercrafts and I've really come to enjoy our new-found friendship. In fact, I look forward to continuing this friendship (we've got some fun stuff brewing together to present to the papercrafting community) and  naturally I want to be on my best behavior during this "honeymoon" period of working together...(you know, before she gets to the know the REAL me and and changes her mind!) :-)

Anyhow...during our conversation we discussed videos posted on YouTube about papercrafting. (By the way Kristina has a YouTube Channel kmharmon3... check it out!). I'm not sure how it happened but at some point I said to her how I didn't particularly understand or even enjoy the videos that papercrafters like ourselves post regarding the purchases they made.  To which Kristina tells me that...she did a video exactly like that for her own YouTube Channel!  (Gulp) Nothing like putting your foot in your mouth with a new pal...eh?  LOL  Eeek. (I actually thought I had seen ALL of Kristina's videos, but must have somehow missed that particular video of hers).  

Now maybe Kristina hasn't thought about this particular moment in our conversation since then...(I hope not... ha-ha) but I certainly have!  And by admitting here that I made that comment I have probably just offended a half a million or so other papercrafters who have made videos showing us their recent purchases!  Double Eeeek! Boo Hiss on Beth.  (yes, I just talked about myself in first person).

Okay, so I don't do videos of any kind myself... although I do watch plenty of them... but I still have a desire to made amends and beg forgiveness of the entire crafting community (especially Kristina) regarding my comment... and to show my good intentions in the future... here's a photo of my recent purchases... (he-he)

I have to admit that one should never knock something before they actually TRY IT and that after finding and watching Kristina's video I have reconsidered my position on the "not getting" this type of video.  It is actually rather fun to see what other papercrafters are buying and the videos certainly can have merit with regard to keeping up with the trends in the scrapbooking supply world. I stand corrected! :-)

P.S.  Have you entered to win in our mini-blog hop, double giveaway yet here at Runs with Scraps and Kristina's World?  If not, go here right away, the giveway ends on the 21st!

JUSG Chic of the Week and a Cute Kitty Checkbook Cover Too

Happy Friday!  Despite the fact that I have been working on a layout now for going on 4 days and STILL haven't finished it, this has been a fabulous week.  As I mentioned in another post this week, my application for the Copic Marker Certification class was accepted.  Then, this layout of mine, "Sister" was selected at the JUGS (Just Us Girls) Challenge blog as "Chic of the Week #28"  Whoot Whoot!  They have such a fun variety of weekly challenges... I just love that blog!

Anyhow I was honored with this cool badge which is now (of course) proudly displayed on the sidebar of this blog! :-)

To add to the pleasure of this week, I also had the chance to talk on the phone with my new BBF (Best Blog Friend) the sweet Kristina from Kristina's World and kick off our week-long mini blog hop with two great giveaways.  Have you entered to win yet?  If not, go here and then after that, visit Kristina's blog and sign up to win her fantastic giveaway as well! 

To make the week even more special, I won this so cute, so darling... so me checkbook cover from Carole over at Paper Arts.  I just adore cats, have seven of my own, but the really wonderful thing about these particular cats is that I can just admire them when I write checks and they won't be adding to the litter boxes! Now that's my kinda kitty!  You really need to visit her blog to see all the cute projects she designs!

Okay... now, my two grandsons (aka THE DESTROYERS) have been deposited into my care for the day... so off I go to hug, kiss, read to, play with and defend my house from them!

New Never-Ending Fuel Alternative Discovered for the USA!

I believe that I have come up with a new fuel alternative for the United States of America! Someone show me the way to the Patent Office when I'm finished with this post please! The new alternative fuel source for America is ......

PET HAIR

That's right Pet Hair and I also believe that I alone can provide enough pet hair to take care of all of the fuel needs for at least half the population of Michigan.  I have a never-ending supply of the awful stuff. Not only does it end up on the floors, furniture and our clothing, we have so much of it here that we actually use it as condiments - not by choice really, it just happens.  Speaking of condiments, if the whole alternative fuel thing doesn't work out for me, I could market some Cat Hair "Catsup", or perhaps bottles of Doggie Dander Dressing for a nice green salad.

You might think this whole pet hair fuel alternative as odd...but I'm telling you I think it really could work. I know this because every single day of my life, I have a routine and it goes something like this: 

1. Wake up, Drink Diet Pepsi and stare at pet hair that has somehow manufactured its' self during the night (I guess my pet hair prefers the night shift) I see it in clumps under the kitchen chairs, by the dining table and scattered about the living room floor.  (Pet hair floats really well across laminate and tiled floors and don't get me started about how all that hair is highlighted by the sun shining in the windows).

2. Get broom and dust pan and sweep up large clumps of pet hair (sometimes along with sandbox sand from grandsons). 

...at this point you might ask why I don't just get my vacuum out and use that really nice bare floor tool attachment.  Well let me tell you that it is a must to actually sweep BEFORE I vaccum. (As soon as I am done sweeping I vaccum as well)  I have a beautful vacuum it's a Kenmore and while I love it, they don't give away the vacuum bags and the fact is, if I just vacuumed instead of first sweeping... I'd make our little Sears store here in town a lotta money and I'd be broke!  This is why....

Above you is a horrendous photograph which reflects the average amount of Pet Hair that I first sweep up with the broom EVERY SINGLE MORNING of my life! (well okay, sometimes I make someone else do it) Anyhow, now image how quickly my vacuum bags would fill up! I placed the Glimmer Mist bottle next to the pile so that you can get an idea of the size of this pile of hair. (Go ahead and ignore the dirt that is also included in this hair pile from my floor) I image that before the hair can be turned to fuel there will have to be some filtering system designed... regardless before I can get this idea off the ground I'm gonna need a really good Scientist (who works for free) to figure out how to process this stuff and turn it into fuel, or an excellent chef who can help me with the whole condiment thing. After that I'll put the scientist to work on finding a new use for DRYER LINT...because I got a whole bunch of that stuff too!  In the meantime, I am going to vacuum...AGAIN!

P.S. Cher a blog pal of mine has suggested that I glimmer mist the hair and come up with a crafty project with it.... LOL... I'm gonna have to brainstorm!!!!

Mini Blog Hop and a couple of Giveaways too!

It's tax day today...so in case you have to pay in (or even if you don't) here's a little something-something to take your mind off taxes for a moment..

It's a GIVEAWAY here at Runs with Scraps and at Kristina's World too! I am so excited to tell you all that I have partnered up with my BBF (Best Blog Friend), the beautiful and extremely talented Kristina for this mini-blog hop and double giveaway! You won't believe what she's got for you on her blog too, so as soon as you are finished here, be sure to visit Kristina to enter her giveaway as well!

There are several ways to be entered to win, so let me 'splain...

To enter my giveaway all you have to do is sign up to follow my blog (if you are not already a follower), link this post on your own blog (if you have one), and leave me a comment on this post telling me that you did. That's it.

Then hop on over to Kristina's blog to sign up for her giveaway, become a follower and leave her a comment on her post. Make sure you tell us in your comment that you have been to both places and your name will be entered again for both prizes!

The giveaways and mini blog hop will be open until midnight Wednesday the 21st. The winner(s) will be announced on Thursday the 22nd.

Now, on to the best part...take a look at the giveaway package here at Runs with Scraps:

Included are:

Assorted Buttons

Black and White fabric flowers

Assorted Ribbons

6 x 6 assorted paper pack ( a mix of brands)

6 x 6 Nerdy Bird patterned paper Wee Bundle

16 pieces of 8 x 8 patterned paper in black and white patterns

12 pieces of 8 1/2 x 11 chipboard (perfect thickness for use with your Cricut or other Die cutting machine)

1 Textile Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

1 Fiskars Embossing Stencil

1 Zutter Display-it-All

1 alterable clipboard

1 sheet Dear Lizzy (American Crafts) adhesive backed 12 x 12 fabric

15 sheets of the newly released 12 x 12 patterned and glitter Dear Lizzy (American Crafts) paper

Okay, so remember to follow me, leave a comment here and then put your rabbit ears on and hop on over to Kristina's blog right here, as fast as you can!  Oh yes and Happy Tax Day!!

Grunge Roses, Grandsons, Macro Lens and Copic Markers

I know the title sounds a bit confusing... I mean what do Grandsons, Grunge Roses, Macro Lens and Copic Markers have in common?  Nothing really aside from the fact that I am getting ready to talk about them in this post.  Here's why.  This morning I began working on Tim Holtz's Grunge Roses for a layout I am working on and my Grandson helped me coat each one of the die cut flowers with Mod Podge.  Here is a photo my daughter took of him helping me... excuse the TERRIBLE lighting... no wonder I can never see well in my kitchen.  I didn't crop this photo because when I looked at it to edit it... I realized that Marley (one of our four dogs) was laying on the floor behind Jack... I can only imagine that intent look on her face has to do with the fact that she was hoping he was doing something with FOOD as he is always good for tossing the dogs a treat or two. Just for the record my grandson is in his jammies because it was only 7 in the morning.

Now for the Macro Lens part... I have been trying to improve the quality of my project photos and decided to try an (inexpensive) Macro Lens.  This particular item was less than $40.00 with shipping.  It is not a typical (expensive) Macro Lens. Rather this one screws onto your camera lens (it does not act alone in other words) and then simply maginfies the image. It does create a hazy circle around the image that can be cropped out (thus the saying, "You get what you pay for." applies here.).  Directly below is a photo of  how close I could get to the grunge flower without a Macro Lens (expensive or cheap) with my Olympus E-410  SLR digital camera equipped with the 14-45mm Lens. I did not crop this photo.

And here is how close I could get to the grunge rose with the (product box in photo above) Opteka 10x Macro-type magnifying lens.

So for less than 40 bucks I can now get some much better close-up shots... you know so that all the little flaws in my projects can be seen nice and clear. :-) 

As for the Copic Markers part... I'm tickled pink because my application was accepted to take the Certification Training for Copic Markers that is scheduled here in Michigan on June 12!  I am so excited to have this opportunity to really learn some techniques first hand from the professionals themselves.  I'm also excited that afterwards I can pass all that info on to you! Yee Haw!

One Layout...Several Challenges...

You know those people that can sit down and in 30 minutes or less create a show-stopping layout from like three scraps of paper, a coffee filter and a toothpick.... well, I'm not one of them.  LOL.  Yep, this layout took me the better part of ALL DAY!  Partly because I was doing laundry and letting my four dogs in and out of the house (which in good weather can be a full time job), partly because I was trying to incorporate several different challenges into one... and mostly because I'm just not that naturally artistic... I have to really work at getting a layout together.  In the end, sometimes I am pleased and yes, umm, sometimes...not so much!

That said... my layout is complete and I'm happy... so are two of my daughters who happen to be the subjects of this layout (if they like it, well that's a plus for me!) whoot whoot! 

For a bonus challenge in the Something from Almost Nothing scrapbook class I took we were required to use a rainbow of colors (so many I can't even remember them all)... anyhow, this layout covered it (mostly because of the patterned paper from Sassafras I chose.)  I used a sketch from this week's Just Us Girls challenge. 

I also used three patterned papers for this week's Paper Cutz Challenge AND added one stamped image, used at least two die cuts and at least 3 embellishments to play along in the current Pink Elephant challenge then I added some bling by sticking on some oh so sweet Dear Lizzy glitter buttons, a pearl stick pin from Jenni Bowlin and those fake diamond sticky things (I have no idea what to call those bad boys!) to play along with Practical Scrappers' Glitter and Bling challenge....whew, I'm tired just thinking about it! (not really)...okay, really.

The tag on the layout reads:  "About Sisters"  "If you don't understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time then you were probably an only child." -- Linda Sunshine, Author  "And I was... that's why I never 'got' it": --Mom"

Supplies  Used:

Patterned Paper:  Sassafras Sweet Marmalade "Handmade"
Cardstock: Vintage Cream and Terra Cotta Tile by Papertrey Ink and a Creamy-Green color from my stash.
 Ink:  Hero Arts Chalk Ink in Latte, Momento in Tuxedo Black
Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms "On the Desk" and "Domestic Love"
Fibers: Papertrey Ink Terra Cotta Tile ribbon, American Crafts Dear Lizzy Crocheted Flowers, White Thread
Embellishments: American Crafts Dear Lizzy Glitter Buttons, October Afternoon Mini Market Stickers "Ledger", Maya Road Kraft Journaling tag, JBS Superior Cream Stick Pin, three diamond stickers (from stash)
Cricut Carts:  Plantin Schoolbook, Sweet Treats and Storybook
Tools: EK Success scallop and round paper punches, Fiskars border punch, Glossy Accents, ATG gun, Pop Dots, Sewing Machine

BBTB2 and Exciting Design Team News!

I've hardly been able to contain myself these last few days... but the secret is out now on the Bitten By the Bug 2 challenge blog... so it's okay for me to put it in print here at Runs with Scraps.  I am so honored and just dag-gone excited that I've been invited to join the Design Team at BBTB2!  Whoot Whoot!  My first project is due on the 18th... and I spent the day brainstorming and working on it... and well...working on it some more! 

I hope you'll visit me and the six other new designers... plus all the fabulous veteran designers as well and play along with the challenges!  Hope to see you there real soon!  In the mean time... don't forget to hug your bug!

Compose a Card with Becky #8

Compose a Card with Becky Challenge #8 is a little bit different than her other challenges.  There were less restrictions and two inspiration photos (typically she only provides one).  The photos are of her daughter's in their Easter dresses (so cute)!  You can see the girls photos right here. The brown and cream dress actually reminded me of my favorite Easter dress (ever!) back when I was only 8 years old, it was brown and cream as well and I had an Easter Bonnet that matched. Anyhow, I knew I had to use the brown polka-dot dress as my inspiration for this card.

I also tried a die and stamp technique that Debbie Olsen a Designer for Papertrey Ink used on a card shortly after the new dies were released.  For her card she combined two and three flower die cuts to make one cute flower.  I put that technique to action on this card and really liked the finished result. While I am on the subject of Papertrey Ink, all of the supplies I used to create this card are in fact.... Papertrey Ink! The only exception to that are the pearls (Hero Arts), the stick pin (Tim Holtz) and the patterned paper (October Afternoon). I was tickled that the patterned paper matched the stamps so well!  By the way, you still have time to enter your own card for Challenge #8 on Becky's blog! Best of luck and enjoy your evening!

Ye Olde Chair and Jug.

Here is a fun layout based on this sketch over at Practical Scrappers (it is actually their February Sketch). However, since it is no longer that Valentine hearts time of year, I decided to replace the hearts with some From My Kitchen Cricut cuts.  I also attached bits of ephemera that I purchased in a pack. 

Other supplies I used to put together this layout include Patterned Paper from My Mind's Eye, as well as Kraft, Vintage Cream, Softstone and Terra Cotta Tile cardstock by Papertrey Ink.  Also from Papertrey Ink were the button, button twine, the ribbon (which I rubbed with Fire Brick Red Distress Ink from Tim Holtz to make the colors match more closely).  I also used stamps from Cornish Heritage Farms, a notecard from Jenni Bowlin.  Additional ink in Coffee and Tim Holtz's Antique Lace. I also used some of Tim's new push pins for the first time in this layout... I love them! But then... I heart everything Tim Holtz!

Sketchbook #10 Layout with Jillibean Soup Paper

Okay... the last post for the day...and the last layout for the night!  Recovering from sugery has it's advantages for sure.  The first being that I've had a lot of free time because my family took over the boy's day care for the week. Because of this I have had the opportunity to lay around all week, sleep and do scrapbooking too!  Next week, I'll be back to doing the night-time crafting thing and the day-time Nanie's Day Care thing! :-)  In the meantime, I still have a few more days that I can devote recovering from surgery (being lazy), sleeping and scrapping. 

Okay, I've gotten off subject here.  For this layout I used some Jillibean Soup Paper that I purchased a month or so ago.  I just love this paper... so yummy.  This particular pattern is the Coordinating Chicken Noodle paper.   I also used the Jenni Bowling Memo pad in brown to journal about the boy's visit to the farm. I also used some October Afternoon Farm Fresh wild cards and cardstock in Terra Cotta Tile  from Papertrey Ink. 

I paper-pieced some ears of corn using the From My Kitchen Cricut cart and used my Polka Dot Basics stamps to ink up the leaves of the corn.  I also used a couple of Copic Markers to outline the corn so it stood out a bit more and embossed them with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder.

I made my own banner using my brand new Fiskars Triangle paper punch (I'm gonna be using that a lot I think) and stamped the letters in Coffee Archival Ink.  Okay...that's all for now folks!

Studio Calico Anthology and Sketchbook Day 8

This layout is from my scrapbooking class, Sketchbook using the Day 8 layout.  For this I pulled out my Studio Calico Anthology Typo paper that I purchased recently.  Gosh how I love that paper!  I also used a transparency (for Shimelle's class, a project I hadn't tackled yet.. until now!). 

The especially wonderful thing about putting your title on a transparency is that you don't have to cover up that gorgeous patterned paper!  For this layout I also used some October Afternoon patterned paper from the Report Card pack and Spring Moss cardstock from Papertrey Ink.  I also put some chipboard buttons from Jenni Bowlin's Reader pack.  I used Boopee Font for the finger game poem and title and the transparency is from Ellen Hutson. 

Mojo Monday 133 Contest

Over at the Mojo Monday Challenge blog it is contest time again and sketch 133 was so much fun to put together.  My only disappointment is that it is such an overcast day outside, there isn't much natural light to get the best photograph of this card.  I do believe this is one of my favorite cards ever (can I say that about a card I make?).  Speaking of the weather... this past weekend it got up to 80-some degrees here in West Michigan and gave us Michiganders Spring Fever... today it is 36 degrees.  Drat!

Any whoooo...I really wanted to use my new Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores cardstock and I found some patterned paper that matched it perfectly in the Lemonade Basic Grey paper pack.  The ribbon and ink are also PTI's Hawaiian Shores and the sentiment is from one of my new PTI stamps sets.  The pearls are Hero Arts and the stick pen is from JBS.  I just love their new stick pins! I even embossed the envelope flap with my Cuttlebug and I think I'll use that technique again and again... wish I could remember where I stole that idea from!  Oh... I finished the inside of the card by cutting a larger piece of white cardstock in the same shape as the sentiment (using my Nestabilities dies)... I just forgot to photograph the inside!

Prompt #9 Chipboard and Layout from Sketchbook #6

Last evening I tackled a two-in-one kinda layout.  I had yet to complete Prompt 9 from Shimelle's Something from Almost Nothing class which was to bust out some chipboard and I also wanted to move forward and use layout 6 from my Sketchbook class taught by Kelly Purkey and Studio Calico. 

Although I had chipboard in my stash (from a purchase I made within the past several months)... I had yet to EVER use chipboard on a layout... ever!  I also had some Material Girl patterned paper that matched the chipboard so I pulled that out as well and put together this layout of three photographs I took of my daughter during the first half of her Senior Year (yep, still working on that album!).

I also used my PTI scallop border die and a new Maya Road library card for journaling.  My trusty Cricut came in handy for the title... I used George to cut the letters. I also used Accent Essentials to cut the patterned paper scallop circles. I finished the layout off with a new stick pin from JBS.  Pretty. Shiny. Aww.

Cricutters Anonymous Challenge #32 and Design Team Call

Challenge #32 at Cricutters Anonymous (formerly Just Bugging) is an All in the Family challenge to design a gift or project for family.  I also took this oppornity to not only enter the challenge but also use it to submit another project for consideration regarding their current Design Team Call. 

My daughter just turned 18 and is having a big birthday bash with friends, so I made this banner for the party (it was NOT EASY to get a photograph of the banner because of it's total size, so I am presenting one full view and a close-up.)  To make this project with my Cricut, I used the Mother's Day 2010 seasonal Cartridge to cut each part of the banner on white cardstock.  I used my Gypsy to size each section of the banner and flipped them around on the page so I could cut as many as I could out of each sheet of 12 x 12 paper.  I then inked up my new Distressed Stripes stamps with Spring Moss ink from Papertrey Ink and stamped each of the banner cutouts to resemble patterned paper. I cut my daughter's name and the number "18" (that I put at each end of the banner) out using the Storybook Cart.  I also cut a shadow for each of the letters and numbers and adhered them together.  For the flowers I used the Accent Essentials cart and layered the flower in different sizes using patterned/glitter paper and vintage bookprint as well (from an old Treasure Island book I bought at a thrift shop for 99 cents).  I secured the flowers with glittered brads by Dear Lizzy. I also stamped a large Hero Arts Happy Birthday Stamp on each end of the banner but I was unable to get a clear photograph to show you that part. Sorry!  I tied it all together with coordinating green ribbon.

I really enjoyed putting this project together for my daughter...but what I loved even more than the project, was the look on her face and the hug I received when she saw it for the first time... priceless! :-) (P.S. The banner is actually hanging from bookshelves for the party... I put it over the closet door to attempt to get a better photograph.)

April Challenge ... Scraplift and Stashbust

The final weekend challenge I had to finish from Shimelle's Something from Almost Nothing Class was actually challenge number 1... I had the hardest time picking a layout from all those provided during the class to scraplift from...as they were all so fantastic!  In the end I chose to scraplift from a classmate, Alissa Fast and her "So Happy" layout right here.  I love Alissa's style and you can fall in love with it too by visiting her blog right here.

My take on her layout allowed me to try out some new stuff I purchased recently as well as breaking into some old stash that I need to get onto some pages!  I used Tim Holtz's new patterned paper and metal timepiece as well as one of his Masks.  I also used the Cricut (both George and Plantin Schoolbook) for the tag and title.  Some Cornish Farms stamps and typeface stampblock dolled up the tag.  I also used Distress Inks and my handy-dandy Ripping Ruler.... whoot whoot!

Now I do believe I have been creative enough for one day (oh happy-happy day indeed!)...and I am off to heal my wounds and get a bit of shut-eye.

Sketchbook #5 Layout

I'm behind on my layouts for the Sketchbook class, yikes!  But while I'm sitting around taking it easy recovering from surgery I hope to get myself caught up... I gotta tell you, if you haven't ever taken an online scrapbooking class before, it is certainly something you should consider doing... I can't believe how it has got me moving on getting my scrapbook layouts done... and it's been so much fun too!

Here is my take on Sketch #5 for my class.  This is yet another photograph from last year ... I know, I know... you don't have to tell me how far behind I actually am!  Any whooooo.... this sketch featured a large circle format... I tried to keep the "idea" of that in mind while also using my new BoBunny paper and busting some of that stash I have sitting around but don't seem to use.  I also for the first time tried laying down a line of double-sided table and glittering it... I really like that... I seem to always make a mess with glitter and glue, the tape prevented me from doing that!  Yeee Hawwwww!!!

Compose a Card with Becky #7

Some of my favorite challenges are Compose a Card with Becky and despite the fact that I had surgery this past Friday, I didn't want to miss out on the latest, Challenge #7.  Besides, I needed a baby shower card...

The inspiration photo and the requirements of the challenge gave me a bit of trouble at first, and I ended up tossing my first try (it was kinda scary actually! LOL)....

I put the project down for a day after that and then started again this afternoon.  In the finished card I had a chance to use a Dear Lizzie felt flower and some tiny little buttons I had in my stash. The patterned paper is October Afternoon.  The rest of the supplies are Papertrey Ink.

How Much is Too Much & Kite Fishing

Okay the April Challenge #2 for my Something from Almost Nothing scrapbooking class involved creating a layout using a challenge from the How Much is Too Much blog right here.  I chose to participate in the current challenge they have going there "Cloud 9" to use clouds and nine embellishments. I also intend to post this to the Cricutters Anonymous (formerly Just Bugging) challenge blog for consideration in their Design Team Call.  For this particular Cricutters challenge participants were to create an Easter or Spring-themed project, and for me, Spring and kite flying (or fishing as it were) go hand-in-hand!

I've had this photograph of my grandsons flying kites on Easter Sunday... of LAST YEAR (yes, last year) just waiting for me to scrap...and now, whaaaa.... laaaa.... after 365 days... here it is (drum roll please)!

 

I pulled out my Gypsy to help create this layout...see, so had I scrapped this photo last year (when I should have), I wouldn't have been able to do that, because I didn't have a Cricut or a Gypsy back then!  The cartridges I used included Gypsy Wanderings, Wild Card and Gypsy Font. I cut the journal box with the arrow and it's shadow from Gypsy Wanderings after flipping it so the arrow pointed in the right direction.  The paper pieced kites are also from Gypsy Wanderings and the font is from Gypsy Font which I welded together to form the title for the page. I cut the sun two times, once in yellow and once in orange with the Wild Card cart and then glued the two "rays" together.  I popped the center part of the sun up on pop dots for a 3d look.... and now finally, a scrapbook layout that proves there really is such a thing as "Kite Fishing!"