Scarlet Lime Newsletter

Don't think I let y'all know... I'm not a liar lol - I was supposed to be in the July issue but Christy lost my photo & emailed me in the late afternoon. She was going out of town & trying to get it out at the last minute. I saw the newsletter in the email too so I was disappointed not to be in it. I responded to the email saying I understood I was too late. She's such a doll she said I would still be in the August one. So I will finally be published. I've been submitting to calls too recently so I'm anxious to hear any responses.

I still don't quite understand about how I save layouts in 2peas and then I'll be looking back thru and see an "out for publication" sign where the layout should be. So is it or isn't it alright to post online and then send it in? Guess it is but don't know the etiquette on this stuff yet lol.

Wednesday.... Out of sorts

It's been a weird day here. I didn't realize how much I use my digital camera throughout the day. I loaned it to my son & his girlfriend to take pictures of their 2nd anniversary together. She is an amazing artist & I've been trying to get her to go to school for photography. Her black & white buildings are amazing with the shadows & detail. She can flawlessly create things in photo shop that you would swear were in the photo together. I have to get her to take the time to show me more of how to us PS to the fullest.

I finished my page for the Paperclipping scrap/page kit swap. Sandy sent me so much stuff I can easily make 6 pages! Lovin' that Kaiser stuff I hope my LSS EMI will start carrying it (hint hint Susan).

I tried to do my page while watching Paperclipping live last night and keep looking up to see what Noell was doing. It was fun scrapping along with her but I feel I missed too much by working on my own stuff. I love to watch & participate in the chat..... so next time I'm going to have mine done ahead of time and try to call in on Skype. Noell made a page using the kit I sent. It really turned out wonderful & I'm glad she like the stuff I put together. I really hope we do it again soon. Here's the page I made last night while the show was on. Of course I didn't finish it until much later.

With such special papers I wanted to use special photos so mom recently gave me an album with some stuff from her childhood. Great photos. It's amazing how well the older photos hold up when the ones from the 70 are fading so fast. My scanner wasn't working to link to the computer so I just did reprints & kept all the little flaws.

On the back of one of the papers was a nice tone on tone distressed blue/grey paper. It was perfect for the background but I didn't want to waste the entire sheet for that since the front was such a pretty floral. Inspired by Nat Kalbach from Germany I decided to paint my own background. I got out some paint and since I didn't have the right color just started mixing & came up with the perfect color very easily. Then I just dry brushed it on a piece of white Bazzill textured cardstock. I even did some speckling with thinned paint. I feel like a real artist with a paint brush in hand lol...

There was a loser perv that kept popping into the room & was very annoying. Don't know why someone would get their kicks doing something so stupid.

I ended up borrowing a camera from my other son's girlfriend. She has a Cannon Sureshot which seems to take really nice photos. Still working on getting a digi SLR - dad has a good connection that sells on ebay so we'll see what price he comes up with.

Tonight I made another quick page with the kit. Using another photo from the same time era. It still seems like it needs something.... maybe it's just because I usually put so many layers on a page... Looking at it now I think it's because it's top heavy (I know that's a no no Noell) May have to work on that one some more tomorrow. Lots of stitching so there's no pulling it off lol. I have to stop taking photos of my pages on the counter where I have a tiffany lamp hanging it gives everything a yellowy look too.

Submitted my ap for design team over at Mon Ame kit club. http://www.monamememories.com/. It's a new site that has a great vibe. Lots of fun & talented people hanging out there. I really like the small boards because you can get to know people better. Sometimes as a newer online member I feel lost in the crowd over at the bigger sites like 2peas. I love to "pea" it's an amazing site but it's nice to be in a cozier "place". I'm anxiously waiting for Aug 7th to see if they liked me. I've really gotten so obsessed & totally inspired with scrapbooking again due to the online community. Why didn't I think to find y'all before..... Oh well better late than never right?

Waiting for Ali Edwards interview with Noell this week & for her new book to come out. She is an amazing talent. Dedra Long is in the book - her mini albums are amazing. Check out her blog http://www.dedralong.blogspot.com/.

Well thanks for stopping by & have a great day!

Cranking Them Out - Great Scrapping Weekend

Had a super fun time at http://www.mykitsandpieces.com/ online crop - The challenges were fantastic and really got those creative juices flowing...... Not even close to the Queen of the Crop but had so much fun I feel I should be giving them something lol.....
Couple pages I made - otherwise check out the http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/ site craftysuz is my name everywhere and see my complete gallery....


4th of July Layout







More Recreating damaged scrapbook pages - I've given up making them look at all like the old ones just having fun with what's available now.....


Old photos of my sons


Love the Scenic Route colors/papers for boy pages it's just too cut.

For this page I took a stab at doodling. Getting better but still not great....

Just a basic simple layout with Cricut faux Chipboard letters & hand journaling.




My feet on the 4th of July since hubby wouldn't take my picture....

Painted background - love the new Black Market Society paper yummy colors and texture on this one....




Like an old quilt - What are my Favorite things......

October Afternoon is a new favorite - love the quality and colors of their paper - they make me happy










Funny Page about my Darling Hubby

and his funny tan lines from his Harley Sunglasses




Another page about me - for someone who hates to scrap pages of themselves it's becoming quite a habit all of a sudden


Love the Webster's Pages paper makes for a quick and beautiful layout with most of the work done for me.....


My dear grandfather was a musician/piano player. This was his publicity shot. His jacket was a red and black velvet so that's why the red paper choice. Didn't need much but the photo and journaling on this one...


Another funny hubby story. This time a Christmas running joke started by this one gift....



Love the new K&Co Blue Awning paper on this one - can be feminine but chose parts of page that were perfect for a guy layout


Lastly the Studio Calico - Catbed Club. I belong to their kit club and I think the cats stalk the mailman more than I do since they get a bed a month. 3 of my monster kitties fit in that little box at the same time. it's a hoot....











Well off to bed.

Busy Friday

My layout for the day.... What makes me happy? Took off on the quilt theme since that's one thing that makes me happy..... for the online crop challenge using October Afternoon products

If the photos don't match up to the words sorry I've gone back and editied 3 times and it wouldn't keep the spacing.... I'll try to fix tomorrow

Did a little retail therapy today.....

Finally made it up to a LSS about 25 miles from me. Glad I made the journey up to Cumming to EMI Scrapbooking. http://www.emiscrapbooking.blogspot.com/.

I found some great paper that I hadn't seen before. Love the paper selection and the owner (Susan) a longtime scrapper with loads of knowledge & a customer who was showing off her amazing cards were such a creative inspiration..... will surely be a regular now.... even with the gas prices and traffic

Pink Paislee - she had entire 2 lines so I picked up a few of my favs - love the embellishment page - fun stuff

Webster's Pages -

yummy colors and designs - unique patterns & can't wait to play with those papers....

Scenic Route

is always fun for young boy pages - and you know I'm still re-doing my son's young photos....

The colors and designs are too fun - always double sided.

New K&Co Blue Awning - is nicer in person than I thought it would be... there papers are always lovely with lots of depth - usually buy in the pads with coupon but couldn't resist these - will be great with other lines in my stash....

Just a note as why I love a good LSS and seeing paper in person.....

I love the colors on this line. I thought I would like the new Little Yellow Bicycle Bella online it looked great but when I saw it at Archivers the few pieces they had I wasn't impressed that's why I have a hard time buying online since I have gotten quite a few papers that I didn't like so much in person but looked great in the photo.

Black Market Paper Society - really nice quality fun papers - these papers have a texture even though they are thinner I'm trying to remember which one in the Scarlet Lime Kit I got recently that felt like this - think maybe Luxe? Anyway will be great for some layouts I'm planning...

Creative Imaginations - Super papers & borders - There stuff is always top notch - love the browns and reds in this one for fall theme layouts. Lots of different borders and cuts on both sides... Now looking at it I'm second guessing not buying entire line lol

The Paper Trunk - nice batik with lots of depth to the colors -

I don't think I've even heard of this company - love the brown and red again in this paper. Of course circles are always a hit in my book....

Well hope you have a great weekend.....

Change in Plans

My Kits and Pieces changed their crop to next week since their forum boards were down for a couple days. I guess that leaves 2peas to hang out and enter challenges.

My game plan today was to clean my very neglected house in the morning. Watch Terri's show at http://www.scrapclubs.com/ at noon and scrap a little before talking to my friend late afternoon while I was still doing laundry. Well I did watch Terri while eating lunch and made a card to stick in the mail - then went back to work cleaning & running to the store to get kitty litter. Talked to my friend for a couple hours, made dinner, continued laundry and finally at 7:30 sat down to scrap.

I missed most of what was going on on the 2 peas boards and MM had a bunch of giveaways that I didn't even get to post to win except the last one (only takes one to win right?). Well now tomorrow I can spend the day scrapbooking and have a cleaner house.

This is the only page I finished today for 2peas (and not even sure if I posted in time lol) It looks better in person. All my pages do if anyone has any advice how to photograph or scan layouts please let me know..... This page has beading, wire, sewing and was made only with cardstock and embellishments.

I got an awesome present in the mail from Sandy in Australia (AussieQ). On the paperclipping board we are doing a swap and she made me an amazing page kit of Kaiser products. I've seen the paper in magazines and wanted some of it but my local stores only had the flowers and bling. Sandy sells the stuff and boy is it AMAZING and so is she! Thank you Sandy for the great stuff. Here's some photos of the LOADED page kit I get to play with.

It's FRIDAY!

It's been a great scrapbooking week here but not so great for my house - bit of a mess... so this morning I'm taking the time to tidy up a bit then scrapping with the gals over at My Kits & Pieces www.mykitsandpieces.com. They are having a cyber scrap this weekend. 2Peas is also doing a scrapbook social tomorrow. Told my hubby to go ride his Harley and leave me to scrap lol. www.twopeasinabucket.com Hope to see you there.

I've found a couple great deals this week. One of the HL stores near me carries the American Crafts D-Ring albums and I was able to get one for $10. Have to keep my eyes open and shop early in the week next time. I usually go to a different HL and they don't carry them at all.

Well hope you have a blessed week.
Suz

Thank You Scrapperie's Janet

Wanted to add a special thank you to Janet over at scrapperie.com. A couple weekends ago I did my first virtual crop at their site and had a blast. To top it off I won the Addiction challenge prize! I received it Saturday and boy did she outdo herself. Amazing stuff! Thank you so much I love the mini book you made the papers and design are beautiful!

Thank you thank you thank you for all the stuff and for having a great site with super nice people that welcomed a newbie into the group!

Happy Tuesday!

Hi all,

I've been a lazy blogger when it comes to getting the photos uploaded. I'm sorry....

Here's a couple photos of the great bargains at the Scrapbook Expo.

Melissa Frances booth was packed when the show started. Very long lines so I missed the fold out accordion books for a $1 a piece. But did get a couple nice mini albums. They were 3 for $5.









The ribbon was a local vendor who said she sets up monthly at the Lakewood Flea Market. That's great so I can keep buying this amazing ribbon. It's 1920's vintage hand dyed. The photos don't do it justice.










Gauze - wait til you see what I'm planning for this stuff.....











Heidi Swapp booth was packed with deals. Just a quick photo of the tapes that were $1.49 each and they had a ton of different ones. The Cropper Hoppers were $1.99 each and I thought I could tape up well and slap on a label for shipping scrap swaps or circle journals. I bought a lot of masks, brads, foam stamps, rub ons, stickers, and ribbon from this booth but already put them away *(I'm being too efficient should have take photos first to brag on the loot lol)*

Well have a great one & take time for something creative!

Great fun Yesterday

Had a great time at the Scrapbook Expo. The best part was meeting friends from paperclipping! I also ran into several people from a crop I attended in April.

We did some shopping damage. My favorite thing was vintage 1920's hand dyed ribbon & cheesecloth. Can't wait to use them in a design. I also got some more stickles in colors I didn't have, Ranger Crackle paint in a neutral color to try, my first bottle of Glimmer Mist (I know I'm so behind the times), and a bunch of Heidi Swapp stuff they had priced so low it was almost like giving it away lol. I really like Heidi Swapp brads and had paid $1.99 at Archivers for 2 packs they had them priced at 3 for $1.49 so who could resist.

My feet sure are hurting today after all the walking. Didn't take any classes or crop this year. Several people said the shopping wasn't as good as in years past but since I didn't have anything to compare it to I was pleased to get some things I couldn't find locally.

Have a great day!

Off to the Scrapbook Expo

This is my first one and I'm excited about going and seeing the vendors, do a little make and take, and meet up with some fellow online scrappers in person......

I'll post photos tomorrow or Sunday.

Thanks to all who listened to my mini rant about 2 peas a couple days ago. At first it didn't bother me but then as I was on the message boards and seeing how many (you know like when you all of sudden start looking to buy something you see ads for it everywhere that you didn't notice before) were on there and not removed - I really felt like I was in High School and not in the "in crowd" because the "popular girls" had their blog/rak posts all over the place.

Anyway as of today it's forgotten - no hard feelings Melanie.... you're just doing your job - even if it isn't done fairly..... lol I like the posts and hope they can continue and more get past her watchful eyes lol

Cards for Card Drive

Just a quick entry. Tomorrow is the Scrapbook Expo in Atlanta & I'm going!!! So have to get to bed earlier than normal...

Here's the photos of the cards for the Jennifer McGuire card drive I promised I would post. Had to mail that package off because I could have made these cards all day (with the cost of postage I would have cost Jennifer a fortune lol). They were so much fun. Make sure to check out her website (link below) and send some in yourselves.

Winners of RAK

Thank you to each and every one of you that posted. The response was amazing and much more than I hoped.

I waited for a little after 10:30 and hubby still not home from work. He ended up going to other side of Atlanta to work all day on a job site - so I decided to draw the names myself....

I had 51 entries after the few double postings that I weeded out. Printed them in Word & cut them into equal size slips of paper

Put them in a bucket









Drum roll please.....
pulled out 2 together and bottom one in photo hit the table first so son said that's 1st prize......



Winners are: 1st place K&Co Amy Butler Stamps: pictures2pages (didn't have your email but left comment on your blog)

and

2nd place Scrappy Cat stamps: scfranson (sent you an email) horrible photo but you can make it out...

Congrats winners & thank you all so much for taking the time to visit my blog and put me way over the count I had hoped for - each of you are so sweet & wish I had more prizes to share.

On a more gloomy note I wanted to share this that I got for posting a note on the board about my RAK:
I got an email from 2peas Mellypea scolding me for promoting my website. "good morning!
just wanted to touch base with you and send you a note to let you know that your thread directing traffic to your blog has been removed from the general scrappin' message board. it was removed as it violates two peas terms of use as it advertises by directing traffic to your blog.
if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. thanks for your understanding.
melanie "

I totally understand about this and love 2 peas but really feel like I'm being singled out. There are many people on there all the time posting and linking to their websites and they are selling things (personal etsy stores, stamps, crops on other websites, the kit clubs, and always several RAKS going on and being promoted, etc. If it's a rule then it should be for everyone and not just me. I wrote back the following and this was her response: "craftysuz Wrote: Sorry see people doing it all the time I'll know for next time Suz""-

"no problem, suz - thanks for being so understanding! hope you have a great night. :)"

What do you think - should I feel singled out or just let it roll off my back (which is what I'm inclined to do after my rant lol) I did just check the 2 peas gen scrap board and there were 2 RAKs, stamp pre release, 2 people saying come to my Etsy store and that is just on first 2 pages with a quick glance. Dont' get me wrong I love the posts linking me somewhere else. Without them I wouldn't have found Paperclipping, good sales, cyber crop at Scapperie, scrapbook montly kits, blogs, prizes, and more. I just don't understand why my little post would be even noticed. I love peas but would like some feedback from fellow peas on this....

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK & HAVE A SUPER BLESSED DAY!

RAK Drawing Today

Wow everyone thank you so much I'm over 600 posts! Never dreamed that many visits over the weekend. You are all awesome!

The RAK drawing is tonight - still time to post on any of the 3 days. Just leave a quick comment to be entered. Here's the original post with the pix of the 2 stamp sets http://craftysuz.blogspot.com/2008/07/milestone-rak.html
I've already been writing down names for the drawing. Next time no "old school" for this gal definitely the random number generator. lol



I've been trying to finish a layout a day. I'm such a slow scrapper that I sometimes have trouble accomplishing that. I enjoy the creative process so slow doesn't really bother me.

Sunday I did a Christmas in July of a favorite photo of "Bob" that I didn't do earlier. I sure do miss that "big guy".








This is a page that (I can't believe I'm saying this) I really like. I hate having my picture taken because I always look like a goofball. I've gotten better about it the last couple years but still it's not my thing - I like being behind the camera not in front.

I was debating about applying to a design team and at the last minute decided to go for it and send in the application. I know I don't have a chance in the world because I've never been on a DT but you have to start somewhere - right? I've got a serious case of the empty nest syndrome with both boys in college now - they still live at home but are never here and I have too much time on my hands. So I'm looking at that as a good thing - put the energy I used to put into homeschooling into scrapbooking & gardening.

I didn't have a good photo of me and had been asking my family to take some shots for days with no one making the time. Anyway since no one was home and it was a beautiful day I took Rosie out in the backyard and started taking pictures of myself. None of them were really usable but I really liked this one. The new neighbors were out in the yard and I didn't realize and they saw me taking pictures of myself... not the best first impression... thinking they live behind a crazy person lol. Anyway as I noticed them they were going in the house so I couldn't explain myself - I broke out laughing so hard and snapped this picture. I had remembered a challenge on 2peas about a layout that was a message to yourself - so that was the inspiration for this layout. Unfortunately I was a little late for the challenge and it was already off the list. Still I made a layout that stretched my comfort zone a little and that's always a good thing.

Finished up 6 cards for Jennifer McGuire's card drive for kids. It's been really fun. I even made some for the parents. I'll post photos tomorrow.

For the 2peas Tues blog inspiration:
What was your first job - file clerk at Maryland Casualty Company, Baltimore MD. Summer position where my dad worked. When I was in Jr. High I wanted to be a psychiatrist - that was my nickname too Dr. Suz - giving everyone advice on their problems. lol

Thanks again for the awesome turnout! Good luck to each of you - wish I had 50 sets of stamps to give away instead of just 2.

Have a blessed day

Happy Sunday!

Hi Everyone

Thank yo so much for putting me over the 500 hump on visits to my blog! I know it's not much for you "seasoned veterans" but for someone jumping on the online bandwagon it's a big deal! I'm so glad I have the time now because it's just so much fun to "hang out" with people who get the crazyness that comes along with this great hobby. It's so much a part of my day now that I can't imagine not being a part of it and why it took me so long to find "y'all". Sounds like it was a great day for all (sorry I forgot it's an american holiday)

These are the photos I TRIED to take of the fireworks. My camera isn't high tech enough I guess. They really were beautiful and I'm not doing them justice.....

The RAK will be drawn on Tuesday as planned they are all packed up and ready for an address.

I'm going to ask a favor of you now.... Now that I'm close to 600 posts - can I dream (and beg) that you help me cross that mark? You can leave a comment on this day's post or the original and still be in the running for the 2 sets of stamps.

Hope you all have a great rest of the weekend & take some time for you doing whatever it is you love to do.....