A Little Bit of Halloween...

So, I've been doing my "swap" and card club stuff lately... got some things done... need to finish others. But, here's some views (SPOILER ALERT! - If you belong to either of these groups... do not move beyond this point if you want to be surprised!!!):

This is the cute little Halloween Card!

I just love the "Spiderweb" Cuttlebug embossing folder with sanding over the web to "distress" it and bring out the core white color. The spider is done w/Doodlecharms and Stickles. The pumpkins are Doodlecharms, Stickles and stitching.

The Frankenstein shaker is another Halloween favorite. The shaker box is made with Tags, Bags, Boxes and more on the Cricut and is painted with FolkArt paints (two greens mixed). The "hair" is Paper Dolls Dress Up with Stickles (Black Diamond).

Of course, I added spider and pumpkin punches, some beads and a little penwork.

Funny thing... on another message board, someone asked if the Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridge (Cricut) is worth it if only the original (the smaller) Cricut is owned. So many people said it wasn't, that things did not turn out "big" enough. I use this cartridge all the time, including in this post! The shaker box is done at the 3" setting. I can't imagine I would want it any bigger. I also use this for tags and bookplates, not to mention many other things it has. Great cartridge!

And here's my to/from Christmas tags! The tag is from (once again!) Tags, Bags, Boxes and More with the small Cricut. I love this Angel w/trumpet stamp! The embossing is done with the heat gun and Joanne's metallic embossing powders in silver and gold. On the back is stamped and embossed "To" and "From" in metallic silver with "Happy Holidays" done in metallic gold.

And I gotta love the organza ribbon in a Christmas green...

I'm still working on a couple of other things (gotta finish those up!), plus got Halloween coming. I still gotta make some treats for tomorrow's swim party and for dinner on Friday (Halloween).

Plus... there's always drama on the pool deck, and school (for one of the kids) is definitely a drama thing... but we won't go there, because I've had enough of the drama during the day, and I'm using my "zone" time to "zone!" Gotta get back to work... Toodles for now! lisa

Scrapbook EXPO - Ontario, CA

I know I'm really behind in all of this (hey! what's new?), but I thought I'd give you all a little piece of stuff that's been going on...

Went to the Scrapbook Expo in Ontario on Friday... It was pretty good. It was smaller (with less vendors) than Costa Mesa, but it was still good. My goal was to spend only $20 (good luck w/that one!) and only stay for 4 hours (10am - 2pm).

The first goal... we all know was pretty much shot from the beginning. I don't know of anyone who could seriously want to go and only spend $20. Uh... parking alone was $8, then admission was $8 (but I had a $2 coupon!). Then... the first booth I stopped at had Stickles (by Ranger) for $1.75!!!! OMGosh! (You have to understand... online they cost $1.85 plus shipping, and in stores - the few you can find them in - they are $2.49 and up.) This was a fantastic deal! So I bought some...

Oh! But before I forget, I took my 3-year-old. She usually does really great at these things, and this was no exception (in behavior). However... she threw up right before I was going through the doors. Thankfully, she knows when her tummy doesn't feel good, so we made it to the bathroom. We all know how much of a cheapskate I am, so it took everything I had to ask her if she wanted to go home (I'd already blown 14 bucks, not to mention gas, just to get there - how bad of a mother am I?). Another "thankfully"... she said, "No, Mommy. You said you were going to buy me some stickers!" Woohoo! And so we stayed... If anyone else was there and saw a madwoman running down the aisles, pushing a stroller, yelling "Sick baby, EXCUSE ME!!!"... sorry about that! It was me! (We did this 2 times before 2pm.)

And for my steals: I got some (2) great Heidi Swapp stamp sets for less than a total of $10! Yeah me! I also got a bunch of embellishments at the dollar store (Dollar Scrapbooking). And at Pinecone Press... the had a bunch of their books (the thinner magazine-style ones) for $1!!! Woohoo! So I picked up a bunch of those. Hmmm... what else? Oh... Felt! I got a bunch of felt borders and things... really cheap...

I really don't want to think about how much I actually spent. I'm sure it's much less than others, but I know it's more than I planned on. So much for sticking to a budget... But I really did learn some new techniques... I think I can rub my finger into the glitter, instead of sprinkling it... Will try that one later!

I did get to meet up with a couple of online group sisters (HI, Jenn and Julia!!!) and met some other really interesting people, including this lady who talked non-stop at me and Jenn while we were in the line to get in, get through, and check out (same line... could ya tell?) at the Dollar Scrapbooking store. She was quite a hoot!

Now I'm finishing up working on my swaps that are due November 1st. OK... so we all know I procrastinate (again! what's new?). I will have them done and mailed out by Wednesday (at least that is my goal).

I did get my Halloween cards (for the Scrapbook Bingo Card Club) done and mailed out (will post pics later), and a couple of projects for the swaps. Yes! I have been taking pics as I go... Gotta get Marissa to sleep... It's late! Toodles for now! lisa

Have a Garbage - Free Day!

I know I'm totally inconsistent on this blog, but sorry. Life happens! And so doing... I got this great e-mail from an equally great person today (Thanks, Vic!) and am passing on a couple of words of wisdom to you all today. I will try to get back into a better swing of things soon, but for now... I'll just stay CRAZY! Toodles for now! lisa

Law of the Garbage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so... Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is ten per cent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!Have a blessed, garbage-free day!

Sunday at the Spider Pavilion (Museum of Natural History - LA)

Sunday was hectic. I got up super early (stayed the night at my mom's... much closer to Fullerton than my house!), went to the Clinic, got back to my mom's around lunch time, ate lunch, then off we went... to another adventure.

Our destination? The Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles (Exposition Park). Sometime last year, we had visited to see the Butterfly Pavilion. Now... we were gonna get creepy!

I loved it! I don't think any of the others did... My mom, her husband, Stacy, Rey and Marissa? Well... they didn't stay in there very long. I had a blast. With a point-and-shoot camera, it is really hard to get the focus on the spider, but at least I got some good shots. These guys were super colorful. Apparently, they are native to Florida and the other warmer, Western climates. There were other spiders, too... just this one turned out the best.

That day was "free" day at the museum, probably because lots of exhibits (6 that I counted) were closed. But... we did get to see this one... It's really pretty cool watching them "finish" up the fossils that were found. Lots needs to be cleaned up and debrided prior to the skeleton being completed. (The pics of the actual exhibit didn't turn out, due to glass glare...)

Stacy and Rey decided to do a photo shoot outside the museum.

We took our "traditional" shot to see the kids' growth. (There should be another similar shot in an older post... http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/2007/09/museum-of-natural-history-day-before.html.)

And in the end, everyone had a good time. I'm glad my girls still all love each other and can get along (at least on this occasion... which is much more than I can say than their behavior today!).

Of course I still have to scrapbook it all... I've got some great ideas for the spiders!!! And, luckily for us... the USC game was the day before, so we didn't get the hike or the traffic! Woohoo!

As for the rest of this week? I'll update you with the Beach Boys concert soon, otherwise it was pretty chaotic (what's new, right?). I've been taking and studying for tests, re-organizing, and having a blast with this stupid computer that picks weird moments to freeze, not scan, not print, and turn off (all by itself!). One day... anyway... Toodles for now! lisa

Friday (October 3rd) Project

Whelp... it was a busy day. I waited for photos, did some shopping regarding the pics and made a display board (forgot what they are called... but there is a name for it) and got it done in roughly 4 hours... start to finish (including time for picking out pictures, having them developed, and shopping for supplies). Thank you Sam's Club and my ATG (without this tape gun... it would have taken me at least an additional 2 hours)!

The display board is about 12 (12x12) scrapbook pages. It is huge! So... in laymen's terms (you other non-scrappy people) it is 4'x3'.

Here's a couple of pics. It is missing the photos in the middle, as I was borrowing them and applying them with temporary tape (which sucks... by the way). I was to get them upon arriving on deck. Two team photos (8x10) were supposed to be in the big black spot with "MVAQ" mounted over them at an angle. (In other words... just imagine it!)

The temporary tape issue... my thought was to join the borrowed pics (for which I will eventually get permanent photos) "temporarily" so as not to destroy them for the owners. So I bought "The Craft Collection ; Removeable Adhesive" by Tombo "Trusted Quality". DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!!! The applicator broke; it is also a "half" applicator, with the tape not fully enclosed (one side only... the back side of the applicator device is OPEN). The tape does not "stick" as described and only touches down in small bits, not a full ribbon. Therefore, there is a lot of wasted tape! Then it does not hold down the photos very well. Things kept flying off. Bad product... bad product...

Anyway, everyone loved it. It served it's purpose (I was told) on Saturday. We (the swim team - MVAQ) were using it at a PTSA function for recruiting purposes. We needed an attention getter. We got it!

I used my Cricut for the matted "MVAQ" wording and the computer for the rest.

Each "side" photo is grouped into the swim stroke that is being performed (i.e. butterfly, breaststroke, backstroke, and freestyle).

I also showed our great times together... both kids and parents.

Just a little FYI... I was not there (on Saturday). It was not a non-supportive issue. I did what I could... when I could. I was at another swimming function (Fall Official's Clinic) using volunteer time.

and... by the way... Movies! Eagle Eye with Shia LaBeouf was AWESOME and jam-packed with action (saw it Friday night!). It is a must-see, must-own movie... I'll update you more later on my weekend... Toodles for now! lisa

Another Great Designer and Tutorial... PLUS: BLOG CANDY!

Over at Susan's Blue Robot blog (http://susanbluerobot.blogspot.com/2008/10/blog-candy-big-thank-you.html) she is giving away some awesome stamps in celebration of her 200,000th hit! That is a lot of hits!

She offers some excellent tutorials on cutting machines and programs as well as wondeful designs for all of your scrapbooking and card needs.

I'd surf more, but I've got a photo project for MVAQ tomorrow due tonight and to study for my test. On top of that, I still have more work left on my other remote project. Yikes! And dinner? And swim practice? and? and?? LOL! Toodles for now! lisa

Wonderful Tutorial Discovery! And Blog Candy Alert!

Look out Primas! Amanda from Cricut Creations has the skivvy on dying flowers with various inks and chalks (http://amkscrap.blogspot.com/2008/10/dying-flowers-with-inks-tutorial.html). She has gone into super detail and pics to tell us all her tale of travels through the dying process and the results along the way. Her tutorial is done with purchased "stem" flowers, however... I'm sure this could be applied to paper flowers that have been shaped and formed, as well.

On another note... she is offering a "RAK" (blog candy!). I don't know what the difference is, but she is giving a gift to one commentor chosen at random. This could be you! Go visit her blog (see the link above), learn a new technique, and post a comment. You have nothing to lose. Plus! If you continue to visit her blog (or subscribe...) you can learn many other things... she's always got something great! Toodles for now! lisa

I did a Weekly Challenge! (Sketch #39 - Julie Bonner)

I didn't do many scrappy items last month, so I thought I'd start this month a little better. The first day it was posted (Wednesday) I actually did it... I'm just a little late posting it. I've been busy with all of the other "life" items... studying for my "Official" test, inputting for a remote job, the latest "teenager" stuff (crap!), and trying to potty train Marissa (when she feels like it).

Anywho... on Scrapbook Bingo!, a weekly challenge was posted, referencing a sketch from 52 Sketches... 52 Weeks by Julie Bonner (see link! http://juliebonner.typepad.com/52_sketches_52_weeks/). This is my take on Sketch #39. (Please note: I have never actually done anything from a sketch... this is my first AND I only used the items that I already had... yippee for me!)

I even used old photos! This one is Stacy from 1994... There is hidden journaling underneath the photos (with the pull out flourish). Marissa's fingers got to the ink on the chipboard letters before they dried.

This one is Rey... ages one and three. Her smile remains the same to this day. Once again, there is hidden journaling under the photos.

Yeah... I know they kind of look the same... I decided to "finally" fill in the two books I have (one for each kid) with layouts from the "younger years" of their youth (before I forget about their youth!). So, I try to make each kid as equal as possible, as I don't want to here it from either of them at a later date (you know... "Hers is better than mine..." etc., etc.).

I've got lots to finish on the latest project. Plus! There are tons of birthdays and stuff I really do need to catch up on. Cards to be made... Christmas is coming... Oh! And I still need to decorate for Halloween...

This weekend is pretty much a loss, though. I have the Officials' Clinic (almost done with those volunteer hours!) on both days. Haven't had much sleep at home, either. There is an all-nighter happenin' in my back yard since Monday (I hate cats in heat!). From 2am - 5am... I can barely dose off again before I here the next wail. Honestly folks! It bites!!! Anyway, I'm off to beddy-bye. Too tired to do much... Toodles for now! lisa