It's January? Break Out the NEW Calendar! (Calendar Swap Pages)

Yes, I took a much needed break yesterday. I lounged around, checked in on Facebook a little, made a "boxed" dinner (Stove Top Stuffing ROCKS, btw...), watched some television, and read a little, too. (Oh yeah... and in all of that, I also hit up Walmart for some 75% off stuff...) After all, I had to recover from taking down and putting away all things holidays...

But, I'm coming back today! And... with something a little bit crafty, too.

I am in a couple of groups online. The Scrapbook_Bingo group on YahooGroups does swaps occasionally. This last time, we did a calendar swap. We each signed up for a particular month to put together a "Header Page" (you know... the one that goes at the "top" of each calendar month) and made 12 landscape-style layouts for it. We then sent them in and would get a full year's worth back! Woohoo! I just love assembly-line style...

This is what I got back:

January! (You already know it came from me... Don't you just love the cheery snowman?) For more information on this layout, click HERE.

February... the month of L.O.V.E.

 

March... the month of Leprechauns

 

A super cute list of dates and an adorable buttoned 4-leaf clover were added to complete it.

April brings RAIN SHOWERS... that make uh... FLOWERS!

And I just love the matting and felt flowers!

May(be)...
(NOT)

June... oh, so sweet!

a little more detail on those super CA-YOOT! lady bugs...

July... full of sparkle and patriotism!

August... is a good summer month.

September... School Days!

October (another one by yours truly!)... a Boo-tiful month!

Notes on October... this cutest paper was a pack at Big Lots... adorable and so fitting! The web was Stardust Gellyroll-penned for glitter effects. The Floating Ghosts are cut from the Paper Doll Dress-Up and pop-dotted at the eyes to keep them afloat in the air. 

And the webbing behind the mat is leftover Halloween "webs"... The font is Blackletter, which I thought I'd never use. But! I did, especially since it came for free with my Gypsy download. I added Red Stickles for the glitter-y blood effects... Boo!

 November... time for leaves to fall.

A closer look at the details... very nice falling leaves.

And these pumpkins are look so sweet... perfectly inked and irresistible.

December... a month for celebration and magic... just BELIEVE...

This layout is simple, yet... majestic. The tree just makes it that way!

The calendars were then bound with my friend's wonderful Cinch. Later... I customized calendar pages and printed them from KeepAndShare.com (which is a FREE site, so check it out!!! GET IT? FREE Printables!!!), and adhered them with my trusty friend... ATG! A quick hole, punched with my Crop-a-dile Big Bite (exactly in the center at the top of the pages), and Voila!

And so... I created two calendars, both of which were given as gifts, which I'm sure the recipients will cherish forever and ever, especially since they have to add their own photos... I'll show the glorious wrappings another day...

What type of calendar are YOU using for 2011? Get crafty! It'll make you want to use it more. (AND... fyi... these calendars CAN be used over and over again, by simply re-printing new years and placing them over the old... maybe update the photos a little bit, but hey! very economical!)

Joined a New CLUB! and made some cards...

Wow! I only posted O-N-C-E last month. That is absolutely horrific.  There are those that would say, "Uh... you are a stay-at-home mom, so... what the heck DID you do? You don't really do anything, do you?"

*Sigh* I only work every waking breath of every waking day 'round-the-clock trying to keep up with two active teenage girls (Varsity Tennis, homework, both with bf's [yes... I "allow" them to have those...]), an extremely active 5yo daughter (newbie kindergartner), volunteer commitments (working at the schools is rewarding, but not necessarily easy), and a husband (who seems to think everything is not enough for me to do).  Like so many other SAHMs, I get frustrated. I get disgruntled (GREAT employee to piss off, people!). I get irritated and annoyed. And I just plain get pissed off with those rude, ignorant comments. We are valuable employees people in the community!

But, I'll save that soapbox for another day, some other time... when I might possibly feel like fighting and ranting. Not now.

I joined a new club on Monday. Well, it's new to me. OMGosh! I turned 40 and entered the "over 40" category/club.  How do I feel? Bummed that I have been "upped" to another category on surveys and other information seeking things.  The cake was cute. My darling teenage daughters (16 & 17) stayed up the night before and made me the cake, decorated it, cleaned up the mess (I know... SHOCK!), and made me a sentimental card that brought a couple of tears to my eyes. I was surprised, to say the least.

There were the closer relatives and friends that called and offered birthday greetings; there were the friends that sent email greetings (I keep these and look back on them throughout the year(s) to make me smile. There were my Facebook Folk. They never let you down and the wishes flowed all day. Then there were the generic texts... you know, simple, non-personal, etc. But hey! What can a girl in her 40's wish for in this overly electronic era? A quick call or email? I simple shout-out on Facebook? I even had a Twitter friend send me greetings everywhere she sees me in the electronic world. It was cool... cyber-vibes everywhere... And yet...

I still feel the same. Not a day older. Not a year older. Just me... adding another number to my age. (Let's just not take it to the triple digits, k?)

Then I rushed to get some cards done that were due for a swap.  I actually thought I was on time and running  a little early. Yeah, right. (Have I met myself lately?) It seems procrastination and forgetfulness follow me into this new club, as well. But here we go... I actually got into the craftroom and hustled up these beauties. Each of them uses different techniques, because, well... I don't want to be known as the "whatever-trademark-technique-she-always-uses girl".

Here are my Thanksgiving Cards... I inked (love me some Ranger Distress Inks!) and Prima'd and bling-ed  some Cricut-cut Co'ordinations Cardstock turkeys over Mary Engelbert cardstock. The turkey was sanded to bring out the orange, then inked and Stickle'd and spiced up with a little natural Raffia. The inside was supposed to say, "Thanksgiving is a time for togetherness... Gobble it up!" But I forgot to adhere the inserts in and found them this morning when I was cleaning up... Whoops!

Here are my version of the Christmas Cards...

I took those cool foil dies that Michael's sells and ran it through my Cuttlebug (Snowflakes). Glue dots hold them well atop green-inked argyle/holly paper (in beige tones) and green cardstock edged with golden ink. The inside is embossed with glittery red and says, "Seasons Greetings."

And here are my Birthday Cards...

I love blue. So... I decided to make them non-gender specific, as b-day cards I usually receive in swaps are for women, girls, or other people who like pink/purple/other girlie colors.  I reversed the fold and made it fold over the top (love this!). I then applied a band of brilliant blue cardstock and punched the border with this really cool cupcake design (the inside white shows through the blue-it "pops" well all by itself!). Then... I taped off sections of a Valentine stencil I had (cupcake that said, "Sweet Thing") and Glimmer-Misted it onto the bright white. I added glitter glue doodling and stamped the inside with "Happy Birthday" in Making Memories typeset.

Anwho... the swaps got mailed in. There wasn't much in the sign-ups, so I really didn't make that much, but here they are... And thanks for looking!

I've been doing much more than this... but thought I'd show you the latest and play catch-up later. Toodles for now!  lisa

Oops! Here it is...

My last of my swaps that were turned in... or so I thought! I was cleaning off my scrap/dining room table and found my camera next to the package (yes, it was under a bunch of stuff!)... So I ran to the post office to send it off (long overdue!). Here is my take on the Christmas Blues/Silvers Title Topper...
I did this on a transparency. I am satisfied with the final product. It took FOREVER to get it semi-right. No matter what I read and tried... the transparency kept curling and melting, even with rotating heat. They ended up a little wavy, but I tried it over something, and was happy with the way it worked. Hopefully... everyone else will be, too!

This is a "Merry Christmas" and a tree trio (stamped twice) stamp done in metallic silver over bright blue streaks. Both colors were embossed.
The blue does not really show through the silver this much (in real life). Then I added a little Martha Stewart bling to give the impression of "stars".
To anyone on this swap... the blue cardstock (underneath) is just meant to hold it. You can cut the transparency down to whatever size you are scrapping and re-adjust the bling and the brads. The transparency can be put directly on/over your layout, allowing your layout colors, design, or whatever to show through.


Unfortunately, these pics don't really do it justice. But that's how it goes, when I'm pointing and shooting and not really worrying about the picture quality. So sorry...


Ok, so here's the blog of the day for Friday (since I just posted yesterday's)... THERE WERE GOOD TIMES, & SCRAPPY TIMES. This is done by another fellow Scrapbook Bingo member. She is HILARIOUS! She has a ton of wit and inspiration... no matter what she says... lol! Thanks, April for sharing your charm!

I seriously have got to work on tomorrow night's dinner (crock-potting it!) so I won't be cooking when I get home around 6 or 7'ish...

If there's something you'd like to see or read about... don't hesitate to let me know! Gotta go! Toodles for now! lisa

It's the Middle of the Week...

Ok, I give... Time either totally drags or goes WAY too fast! This week, it seems to be doing a little of both!

Thanksgiving (like you don't already know...) is next week. I am SO not ready. I used to have it at my house with everyone here, but times have changed. Last year, we had it at my mom's (sans bro, as he is now the designated turkey maker for his in-law fams). This year... I have no clue what I am going to do. I haven't even talked to both sides of the families on this issue... kinda scared!

But for now... here is another "swap" installment...

For the Thanksgiving Swap, this is my contributing for a paper-piecing.

The cornucopia and fruits are from Paper Doll Dress Up. Honestly... all these people that say, "I don't make dolls." and seriously have a problem with this Cricut cart obviously have not explored the possibilities.

Of course, I had to use my chalks and Stickles. Don't you just love them! I also put some of the fruit pieces through the Cuttlebug to add some dimension.

For another "Fall Activity" swap, I did the paper piecing for "Pumpkin Patch". Here is my take on it.

The Pumpkin trio is from Pooh and Friends. I walnut-stained (distressed) the bottom leaf layer, then put the other pieces on top, and added a sepia chalk. I didn't want to go glitz on this one to give it a "timeless" and shabby feel.

Featured blog of the day is... Mousekemom's Mouseworks! April does a lot with all things Disney. She is a little like me though, she goes through spurts of creation and publication. But her stuff is truly great to browse and get ideas...

I'm so looking forward to this weekend. Not only does Twilight come out on Friday (check your local listings), but I actually get to have my "adult" time on both Saturday and Sunday. I will be helping to official a swim meet in Palm Springs. Since the weather here is so odd for this time of year, we are expecting the weekend to hold around 80 degree weather... Next week, the kids are out of school! YES! You saw it right... they get the whole week of Thanksgiving off. Maybe we'll get some scrap time in then...

Another little added item... Stacy (15yo) finally used the Cricut last night for a school project. She is now in love with it. She was amazed at how easy it was and now wants to do it tonight, too. (Hold up, little girl... school work comes first!)

Whelp... that's all for now. Gotta eat something to try to get rid of this migraine... Toodles for now! lisa

Totally Tuesday! (and no-newsday!)

Ha! I'm at a stagnant stage... no creativity coming forth. Too much going on elsewhere to "let it flow" freely... So I thought I'd do a little posting and see where my thoughts go... (lol!). Here's stuff I did for a swap (can't wait to get the critters back!)... some of the swap items were already posted, so I'm only going to post what wasn't posted before (too much?)...
For now... I'll post the shakers that were made for the "Christmas Red/Green" swap.
I found transparency paper at Office Max! Woohoo! Only $.65 each. Originally, I could only find it there in a box of 50, which I didn't want... Not only did I not want to spend that much $$, but I didn't want to have to store a whole lot, either. But I asked, and they split the pack!

The sacks are made with Debbie Mumm's Holiday Cardstack (which I totally love!), using the Cricut and Paper Doll Dress Up. On the top layer... I cut a deckled circle with the Coluzzle cutting system (also from PC). I didn't do extra embossing on the top or bottom layers, as they both had a built in embossing. I used 3M foam tape between the layers, sequin stars and PC beads (Art Accentz) inside. The ribbon cinch on the bag was created with Zig glue and Fun Flock (by Stampendous!).

Special Note: I originally purchased white Fun Flock from a wonderful Close to My Heart consultant (Thanks, Julia!!!). I so fell in love with the ease and effect, that I went out and "had to have" instant gratification of purchasing green Fun Flock... just for the purpose of this bag. DO NOT let any kids, people or others (including your teenagers) to touch the flocking until it has dried!!!

I sure hope the rest of the group likes them. My kids loved them, and they were fun to make... although I did freak out when one touched the "drying" flock... lol! Priceless moment... you had to be there.

Featured blog of the day from my online friends is... Live. Teach. Love. Scrap. Laugh. Life. This blog is done by a Canadian friend who is much newer to the scrapbooking world. You could never tell by looking at her stuff! She is awesome and does so much, she seems to have been doing it for years.

One day (hopefully soon...), I'll have a list of scrappy bloggers. I would really like to work on the layout/design of this blog and do some major modifications... any volunteers? I'll post more later... Toodles for now! lisa

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 You Seen the Calendar Lately?

Yikes! Did you know there is very little time between now and Christmas? It is just way too super close!

So... I'm making a list and checking it twice. I have some swaps that are due November 1st, birthday cards to catch up on... lots of UFOs (UnFinished Objects) and some that aren't even started and need to be completed by Christmas. Whew! I started last Christmas (the day after) and guess I just haven't gotten as much done as I planned on. Such is life.

So anyway, getting my list done, so that I can better budget my time. And... one of the groups I belong to (Scrapbook BINGO!) just started a virtual crop that collects points! What better motivation to get stuff done.

In family life... Stacy manages her first Boys' Water Polo game on Tuesday. Rey is giving just as much attitude as Stacy lately (and has a crush on the guy at the drive-thru window of our closest KFC...). Jr moved in for a couple of days and is trying to figure out what he wants to do in life... Renee made it for Asst Drum Major (you go - girl!) and just returned to school (she is on year-round). Marissa? Uh... still not potty trained, but wanting to work on it more and more, giving the attitude all of the teenagers have (but getting in more trouble for it)... and her fave show right now is "Calliou." (He's a BRAT!) Juan is working (of course) and getting fed up with money issues (overtime has been pretty much cut off...), but he is now carpooling and saving gas money each week. Me? I've pretty much been telling all about myself...

Dinner tonight was homemade breadsticks, Caesar salad, and lasagna roll-ups... yup... made it all myself!

In other parts of the country... My cousin Michelle gave birth to twins a week ago, my other cousin Nate and his gf are expecting again, Kara is preggers, too. Jolene? Well, we'll see... and Josh/Vic... I don't think they're quite ready to hit the PG mark again. It seems a lot of people/couples I know quite well are making that 9-month journey right now. Not me! lol!

My nephew, Jake, and Marissa - having fun in Grandma's backyard

Anywho... gotta finish my list and at least get some b-day cards finished. By the way... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNT CHRIS! - if I don't get to talk to you Tuesday... Toodles for now! lisa

Whoops! It's been a while...

I didn't realize it's been so long! I've been super busy... school started, Marissa semi-wants to potty train... then there's been DRAMA... won't go into it, but you all know it goes... I'm sure you have it, too (to some extent).


Anyway, just quickly posting some of the stuff I've been up to...


This is a 2-page layout for one of the August Weekly Challenges on Scrapbook Bingo! The challenge was to use 2 punches. I used "teardrops" and "swirl". Also on this is Opposites Attract on the Cricut. I've had these pics for over two years. It's a good thing I joined this group, so that I can seriously be motivated to actually getting some stuff done!





This is for a Swap on the same group: Birthday! I stamped the "Happy Birthday" and the Banner under it, plus the little doodads on each side of the banner. The banner is then heat embossed with holographic by Ranger. The cupcake is Doodlecharms (Cricut) that has been embossed with the Cuttlebug (Swiss Dots) on both the background (to give raised effect) and the "frosting". The flame is Gelly-roll red glitter and the candle is Stickles.

This one is obviously "Thinking of You". This one was super fun to do! The card was embossed with the Cuttle Bug Dots and Spots. Then I swiped embossing ink over the raised image and powdered it with a rouge metallic by Joann, then heated it up! The saying is Cricut George, and the cool ribbon offers empowerment to women. Gotta love it!

For the same swap... Anniversary Card. This paper is AWESOME! I love the clothlike feel. The stitching was dotted with Cutterbees then stitched with DMC floss in metallic. The "Celebrate" is a stamp by Studio G with metallic embossing by Joann. The charms were a little somethin' I picked up... I don't remember where. I loved doing this one, even though it took a little longer (the stitching!).

Valentines (I) Card - love this metallic cardstock... Embossed on Cuttlebug with a heart-shaped page, then stencilled chalks in magenta, and finally... my favorite - Cotton Candy Stickles all over the chalked hearts. Even though I'm not a "pink" person... I thought this was cute. Inside, on striped paper it reads "We are two of hearts that beat as one, Valentine." It reminds me of the Stacy Q song (for all of you old schoolers out there!).

Valentines (II) Card. The wrapped rose is by Provo Craft. I saw these and had a "vision." The vision was of three mirrors with dark framing and one in the middle popped off a wall, with the rose lying across. Kind of got the idea? Well, this portrayed it as close to possible. Joann's had this great "Shiny Silver" cardstock that gave the image of a brushed mirror. Not bad... the bottom is embossed with the Cuttlebug "Love" borders.

Categorized in Group - Blank (I), I decided to do a little bit more masculine than the others, since I was obviously going more "fem." The background is chalked in a flowing zigzag pattern in various blue, green, and yellow hues, then blended. The tags (ties) are from Tags, Bags, Boxes & More (Cricut) and put through with a variety of different eyelets with the Big Bite by We R Memory Makers

This card fits in the "Blank (II)" category. This was a technique I picked up on YouTube. You'd be surprised what you can learn on there! This is done with the Floral Fantasy Cuttlebug Embossing Folder that has been swiped with Coffee Dye Ink, then run through... s.l.o.w.l.y... so that the paper has a chance to absorb the ink. The vase and stems are then done from the Walk in My Garden (Cricut) and stickers (Provo Craft) are embellished with Cotton Candy Stickles.

Easter Non-Religious was another category. The background is embossed with Cuttlebug Frills borders, then punched (at the bottom) with Martha Stewart's ribbon edge punch and threaded with a blue and white gingham. The funky bunny is Zooballoo and grass is Paper Doll Dress Up (both Cricut). The embossing and grass is then accented with various pens, while the bunny's ears are chalked.

Recipe Swap - September Recipes - Hotdish. For this, I chose to use Debbie Mumm's new cardstock pack. I already had envisioned "Ye Old {and easy} Turkey Pot Pie" (See recipe on side...). The pilgrims are done with Paper Doll Dress Up; turkeys with Doodlecharms-border (both Cricut). The turkeys were embossed with metallic (think silver at Thanksgiving) and everyone (pilgrims, turkeys, etc.) was chalked to give a more "lifelike" appearance. The recipe was from my brain (after years of trial and error) and printed on parchment paper, then torn and inked to give it wear.

In the swaps, I make a certain amount and get back the same amount... all from different people. I can't wait! I'm super excited to see the other ideas and craftivity the others have... Plus, the awesome recipes. Yum-O!

Whew! It seems like I've learned a lot and done a lot. This is not all I've been doing, just all I'm going to tell you right now! LOL! Anyway... It's getting late, and I still need to try to update the side stuff on this blog. Hopefully... it won't be too long until I write again. I'll try to get back into the rhythm of things... Toodles for now! lisa