Happy New Year Everyone!

Hi Everybody!! I hope all of you have a wonderful New Year! This year has been such a fun year for me. . .thank you to all of you who visit my site and the kind comments that you've left me. I've met such wonderful people through this blog site and for that, I am very grateful. I am glad that I found people who share my passion and to be able to get to know y'all better!

I have plans for the upcoming year that I'm excited about and look forward to sharing them with y'all! I hope you have a new year filled with happiness and many wonderful adventures!!

I won't be posting anything until Jan 2. . .I'll be taking a 2 day break to spend with my family. Have a safe New Year celebration and don't get too drunk! For me, my party days are over. . .we're just going to go out to dinner and a movie!

Until later!

Accordion Album with Box - Chicago Trip

Good Morning Folks! Whew. . .I finished this project yesterday. It was a bit painful but it came out okay. I had a few problems altering the tin box.

JoAnns had a 70% sale on Christmas items and their Christmas tins were less than a dollar so I bought a WHOLE BUNCH of them. Craft tin boxes are expensive and I have a problem altering a plain silver tin box that cost several dollars. . . some running over $5.00 especially the larger ones.

Anyway. . .I altered the tin box with modge-poge and designer paper. After I was done, I accidentally tore the designer paper because it wasn't completely dry so I had to redo it. It was so frustrating.

This is the accordion album inside the tin box.

Album materials used:

Paper: Autumn Leaves designer paper, SU Cardstock Cranberry Crisp, Marigold Morning and Black
Accessories: Marvy Daisy punch, Black Buttons, Embroidery thread, Memory Boutique stickers, JoAnn metal tags, SU Hodge Podge hardware, Making Memories Acrylic Paint, Sizzix scallop tag die

I've been looking at different designs of scrapbook albums on 2 Peas and most of the projects are so busy looking so I decided to create a busy album.

As a cardmaker, I need to get over the uniformed look of cards and step into a scrapbookers mindset. I noticed that scrapbookers use lots of colors, textures, embellishishments. Many projects are very hodge-podge looking. . .you know. . .rarely uniformed or even symetric. I have a lot to learn.



Anyway, this is the front of the accordion album

This is the album opened up. The pictures are of my kids taking funny pictures of themselves while we were riding the trolley in Chicago.

Our trip to Chicago was one of my favorite trips. Chicago is such a fun city. I loved it. I hope one day, I'll be able to visit Chicago again.

Scrapbooking Here I Come!

Hey Everybody! Like I told you on previous posts, I really want do more scrapbooking because I have sooooooo many pictures and they are all hidden away in my computer for no one to see but my self.

I was inspired by a layout I saw on the Close to My Heart summer catalog. I just sort of flipped to a page and decided to try it out. It's not exactly like the layout. . .I just took a few ideas and created my own layout.

I really would like to learn more about scrapbooking. Right now, I can't come up with my own layout without looking at a book, magazine or blog. My goal is to come up with my own layouts one day.


The picture is a photo that my daughter took of herself. I thought it had a artsy look to it so I decided to use the photo. For those of you who don't know what a "poser" is. . .well, it's someone who is trying to act like someone they really are not. It's a teenage lingo that my kids use all the time to say that someone is being a "fake". LOL! Well, when I saw this photo. . .the first thing came to mind was that she was being a "poser".

Layout recipe:

Paper: Autumn Leaves designer paper, SU cardstock in black, creamy caramel, and cranberry crisp
Accessories: I don't know the brand of the big flowers (I threw away the label), JoAnn heart brads, Prima, Inc (small flowers), Verse sticker by Cloud Design (Fiskar), Metal date tags by JoAnn, Alpha Title created on the Craft Robo.

Quick Scrappy Cards with Flower Embellishments

Good Morning Everyone! You're like, "girl. . .you've been busy!". Actually, these cards were REALLY fast to make. For those of you who rubber stamp, you know that stamping can take a lot of time because you color, emboss, etc. Well, what I love about "scrappy cards". . .meaning cards made with scrapbook embellishments - scrappy cards are fast to make. All you need to do is create a layout of your embellishments and stick'em on.

I think all these 4 cards were created about the same time to make one "rubber stamped" card.

Hey. . .I was wondering. . .do you prefer the sketches to be big like how it is now or small. Do you think it takes too much time to scroll down because the sketches are too large or do you like it the way they are? If you folks prefer it small then I'll post them at a condensed size.

All the cards were created with one double sided designer paper, a few scraps and two cardstock.

I don't know who makes that big flower on the first card because I threw away the label but the flowers and leaves on this card and the other cards are by Prima, Inc.

The center of the flower is a brad by Making Memories and the wavy word is by Basic Grey.

I made this card using scrap designer papers by K&Co and DCWV. The eyelets are by Making Memory and the flower sticker and sentiment is by Ki Memories. I used a Fiskar "cloud" scissors to cut the scallop at the bottom. I rubbed distressing ink by Tim Holtz on the edge of the card.

All the materials are the same on this card but the brads are from JoAnns and the circle sticker alphas are by Ki Memories.

Next year, my goal is to work on more scrappy cards and scrapbook projects. I've been primarily a rubber stamper but I'd really like to try something new for 2008. I have a lot of scrapbook embellishments and paper and I really need to start using them so be prepared to see more scrappy projects from me!!

Video Tutorial 5 - Mini Brag Book Scrapbook Album

Warning: There is music with this video. Please turn down your volume or use the video knob to adjust the volume as needed. It's a nice classical music and it goes well with the video. Click the "pause" button on the video player to read the instructions as you watch the video. Sorry for the poor lighting on the video.

Hi Everybody!! How was everyone's Christmas? Hope y'all had a great time! It was a nice Christmas for us. I actually got EVERYTHING I asked for considering I asked for only one thing! LOL! I got the 72 set Copic markers. Yay! But wait. . .my husband not only got me one set. . .he got me ALL of the sets! HOLY COW! That's nuts! I almost fainted when I opened my box. Afterwards, I was like. . .I really didn't need all of the colors but hey, I'm not complaining. I also got a flat screen TV/DVD player for my craft room, a new craft desk, a digital camcorder and a photo light box.

Anyway. . .check out the tutorial. I know the video is a bit dark but I didn't realize it was so dark until after I was done with the tutorial. Keep in mind, the tutorial is speeded up to reduce the time. Who wants to watch a long, long tutorial, right? Again sorry for the poor quality of the video. I'll brighten things up next time.

Here are the two completed mini brag book/scrapbook album that are shown on the video tutorial. It's a cute album. . .approximately 5 1/4" x 4 1/2". It's a great album to send to friends and family. Be sure to check out the tutorial and see how simple it is to make it.








This is the completed album that is shown on the video tutorial. On the video the album does not show a complete version of the album.




This is the first page of the album. This album is a horizontal view. There's a total of 6 double sided pages for a total of 12 pages. I just realized that I created the front cover with a vertical orientation. Oh well. . .that's okay.

The theme of this album is my daughter and her friends at Ala Moana beach in Hawaii. My daughther was part of a club in school that focused on technology and leadership. They had to design and create a boat using what available materials they had. They then had to race with the canoe in the water. Some canoes sank immediately.



This is a picture of my daughter. She was a paddler for the race but she fell off the canoe and they lost the race but the boat was the most sturdiest of all the canoe entries. I created a small journal to this page as you can see.

No journaling on this page. . .just a picture of my daughter and her friends. Check out the other mini album I created below.

The theme of this album is my cousin's Hawaiian wedding in Hawaii. We all dressed in Hawaiian attire because the wedding was at a Luau. It was so fun because wedding's and funerals, it seems, are the only time that all of my family get together in one place. It was really nice to see everybody.


I wanted the album to be about the
pictures and the journaling. I'm new to scrapbooking so I'm not quite ready to jump into the overly busy, overly embellished albums and layouts. I prefer the simple looking albums right now. Maybe next time I'll do a busy looking album with all the chunky embellishments and such.

Try out the tutorial! Let me know if it's hard to follow. I'm thinking of creating a written version of it for those who may have problem following the video. Stay tuned.

Whole Lotta Beautiful Christmas RAKs!!

Hi Everybody!! I'm back from my blog vacation. It wasn't much of a vacation because a few days after I posted that I was on a blog vacation, I ended up with the flu. I'm so happy that I now feel soooooooooo much better. Unfortunately, I could not make all the projects I intended to send to friends and family. I feel really bad about it. I feel bad because many will not receive them until after Christmas. I still will make them but well. . it won't be a Christmas gift but more like a New Year's gift.

Here are a bunch of Christmas RAKs I received. I can't tell you how happy I am to receive them. While I was sick, they really brightened my day. Everyone is so sweet and I really appreciate that y'all thought of me this Christmas.

This beautiful card and knitted/crochet hot pad and dishcloths are from my lovely friend Joyce. Her card is so stunning. It's beautiful. Her knitted/crochet art work will be definitely put to good use. Looks like she put in a lot of work into her handmade gifts and I really appreciate her thoughtfulness. Thank you Joyce for sending me the beautiful handmade gifts. . .they really brightened my day!










This fabulous card is from Monika of M.A.D. Stamper! Monika's cards are beautiful on her blog site but in person, wow. . .it's much prettier. You can't see it but the image is glittery. I really love the embossed background. Thank you Monika for thinking of me this Christmas!!

I received this lovely card from Angel of Angelosity. Isn't it pretty? I really love the pink and green combo. . . if you haven't noticed that a lot of my cards use this color combo because it's my favorite. I love the circle tag that stands out on Angel's card. Very creative. Thank you Angel for the beautiful card.

I also won a prize for her sketch challenge! Whoohoo! I love ric-rac ribbon and buttons. I also will definitely put good use of the stickers and stamps.

This fabulous shimmery Christmas card is from Rita of Rita's Little Corner. I'm so glad the camera picked up the very shimmery detail of her card. It's really pretty. Can you see it? Thank you Rita. . .I love your beautiful card!

This lovely penguin Christmas card is from Tracy at Tracy's Happy Place. This is one of my favorite images from Stampin Up. Tracy's card is so cute. . .I love it! Thank you Tracy. . .you are too sweet!

This beautiful shimmery card is from Malieta of Life's Simple Pleasures. In person the card is very shimmery, even the embossed BG paper. It's beautiful. I love the rhinestone snowflakes. Thank you Malieta for thinking of me this Christmas.

This fabulously festive card is from Allison of Stampin When I Can. I really love the colors of her card and the image is very pretty. Thank you Allison for sending me your lovely creation. It's always a pleasure.

This beautiful card is from Janaina at 2 Worlds. It's such a pretty card. . .it's very elegant. Beautiful. Thank you Jana for this beautiful card!!

Blog Vacation

Hi Everyone! The holidays are beginning to get really hectic so I decided to take a longer blog break. I'll be back blogging in about a week or so. I have a lot of catching up to do so I need to take this break. If I can spare some time, I may post something from time to time. Until then, I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays!!

See ya' all later!!

We've Got A Winner!!!

And the Winner is. . . .

Tracy H. of Tracy's Happy Place!!!

Good Morning y'all! Let's congratulate Tracy! Whoohoo! She won the blog candy prize. I decided to use Random.org to pick the winner because there were so many entries. I, initially, was going to pull a name out of a bucket but I soon realized that there were too many entries for me to sit and cut up names for every entry submitted. Using Random.org #268 popped up and on the list Tracy H. was #268. It seems Tracy is a very lucky girl. . .looks like she won another blog candy recently. Gosh, I wish I was that lucky!

I want to thank every one of you who played along with my blog candy celebration challenges. I had a BLAST reading your entries, looking at your pictures, and learning a little bit more about all of you and your thoughts and opinion.

I especially had a lot of fun looking at your "chaotic space"!!! You were all very brave to take a picture of your spaces when it wasn't cleaned up! AWESOME!!!

Anyway. . .with all that being said. . .I'll be taking a blog break for a few days because I really need to get caught up on life. I'll be back next week! I hope you all are enjoying the holidays!

Again, thank you everyone for making this celebration such a fun one!!!!!!!!!!!!