So much going on at this time of the year it's hard to find a moment to breath.  It sure takes some organization to get everything done & keep your sanity.  We're doing it a bit smaller this year since the boys are grown & I'm still getting back on my feet we thought we'd focus more on the family & less on the stuff.  I can't go without my tree though - our tradition on Black Friday isn't to shop but to put up the tree & that we did....

There's lots going on at Everything Scrapp'n.  Have you joined the new forum?  Right now we've got QOTD (question of the day) but they'll be lots of creativity going on - so join here & watch us grow.

Today is also Design Team reveal & Monthly Challenge time at ES.

This month's challenge was created by Jana titled "Think Outside the Box" - create unique packaging for a gift.  Details are on the ES blog & that's where you will post a link of your creation for a chance to win a great prize.  Each of the designers have done their take on the challenge.  So check each of them for inspiration.  Go to the ES blog to start the hop & the designers links are in the post.

I just got a Martha Stewart Score Board so I decided to make a box for my take on the challenge.   The scoring boards really make easy work of folding in just the right places.  Even though the Pink Paislee Mistletoe & Co. paper is double sided I wanted the box to be sturdy so I used black Bazzill cardstock for the inside.  Adhering both layers that were scored the same size worked perfectly.

To make this 4" box I cut the sheets of paper for the bottom of the box 8"x8" and scored at the 2" & 6" marks.   The top of the box is not as deep so I cut those sheets 6"x6" and scored at 1" & 5".  I adhered trim to the edge of the lid for a finished detail.

 Supplies:  Paper (Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Naughty or Nice,   Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Santa's Workshop, &  Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Postcards); Flowers (Tim Holtz - Grungepaper); Ink (Close to My Heart & Colorbox Chalk Ink); Trim (Joann's); Buttons (Misc. Stash)

I love Tim Holtz Grunge Paper for making flowers & other embellishments.  I cut these flowers using my Cricut Expression & Walk in the Garden cartridge.   I don't have the deep cut blade so I just used the multi cut option & went over it 3 times with depth & pressure both set at "5" (twice around was enough but did another for good measure & clean crisp edges)

I just inked the paper directly from the ink pad by dragging it over (use rubber gloves as this is messy - my fingertips are red & blue lol).  Using a heat gun in the center of the flower caused the petals to curl up in a natural position.  I then bent each petal slightly to create a realistic curve to them.  A Pop Dot between each layer added that dimension we all love.

You've got to try Grungepaper - this product it's fantastic!  Here's the link to buy in the ES store.  Heather sells by the pack or by the piece.


For my other project I continued using the Pink Paislee Mistletoe & Co line.  They really showed off an old photo of me & my Grami - Christmas 1966.  We thought the "See & Say" was high tech back then - so amazed by a talking toy.  I made another flower embellishment using the Grungepaper.  The Pink Paislee Stamps layered made a nice addition to the layout & anchored the journaling.  I also stamped on one of the flower layers to add interest.

Supplies:  Paper (Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co North Pole, Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Reindeer Games & Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Postcards); Stamp (Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co); Border (Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co - Borderline Stickers); Flower Material (Tim Holtz - Grungepaper); Flower Shape (Cricut Expression & Cricut Walk in the Garden Cartridge); Bling (Prima - Say it in Pearls - Mixed Crystals White); Button (Misc Stash); Letters (American Crafts - Thickers & Pink Paislee - Expressions Cardstock Alpha Chocolate); Ribbon (Misc Stash);  Ink (Close to My Heart & Colorbox); Paint (Tim Holtz - Crackle Paint)

Thanks so much for visiting today!  Now head to the ES store blog to see the challenge & hop around to see everyone's creations.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just can't believe we are already in the holiday season --- where has the year gone.

We'll be eating at my parents house.  I'm making the stuffing, mac & cheese & deviled eggs.  I BOUGHT a pie... gasp... I'd say don't tell but the taste will scream the truth!  Usually I make between 4 & 6 pies from scratch for Thanksgiving.  Everyone has a special favorite & somehow that became the tradition... but not this year.  I'm just glad to be able to do anything with as bad as I have had it the last month or so with my health.  I'm counting that as a huge blessing for sure.

Elle's Studio is a favorite of mine for tags.  They offered a great Thankful Tag Freebie today.  Click here to download yours to print.

Everything Scrapp'n is having their famous 30% off sale that Heather does every holiday.  Just enter "Thanksgiving" during the checkout.

I hope your day is filled with blessings & family fun.  Enjoy your feast.

Hugs, Suz

Finally (For REAL) I'm getting Better!

This has been such a long haul with my kidney problems - it's unbelievable how fast things can spiral out of control when it comes to your health.  It's making me even more thankful this week as we reflect on our blessings at Thanksgiving.

I'm making cards today for Operation Write Home.  They had a special request from some soldiers with lots of young kids.  Those kind of cards are easy & always make me smile so I knew it was the right "medicine" to get me back in the scrap chair again.  I tire easily & am pacing myself because I sure don't want to end up back in bed.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes, prayers & encouragement!

I placed an order today for some Webster's Pages at Everything Scrapp'n.  Heather got in some beautiful trims & lace. They are to die for.... click here.

I'm working on the prizes for my blog anniversary on Dec 11th... you guys are going to love it!

Hope you have a great rest of the weekend.

Everything Scrapp'n Blog Hop

It's that time of the month... the 14th is: THE EVERYTHING SCRAPP'N BLOG HOP DESIGN TEAM REVEAL!

If you're one of my regular readers & would like to start from the beginning (I know you will because the ladies have really pulled out the creative stops - as DT coordinator I'm just so proud of them & happy to be working with such a great team) head on over to the store blog.

I challenged myself to use some Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird in a different way by working with photos of my mom's champion bulldog "Aldo".  The title came from:  "Handsome" is a word that my parents use when describing him - truly a face only a mother can love.  I just love the lively colors of Early Bird & it's perfect for themes other than "cooking".  Topping the layout off with a Jenni Bowlin Bingo Card is like putting icing on a cake - I just love those cards & they add a lot of pizazz to any project.

 

Using different fonts is a sure fire method to create interesting titlework

 

Simply adding some buttons to the chipboard stars creates interest & depth.

 

Supplies:  Cardstock (Bazzill); Paper (Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird Brunch, Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird Apron Strings , & Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird Ribbon Sandwich ); Border Sticker (Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird Sheet); Chipboard (Heidi Swapp); Buttons (misc stash); Rub On Letters (American Crafts); Chipboard Letters (American Crafts - Thickers Jewelry Box); Bingo Card (Jenni Bowlin - Birthday); Tag (Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird Tag Paper); Stamps (Unity Stamp Co)

Thanks for visiting.  I'm the last stop on the blog hop so make sure you leave a comment on the store blog for a chance to win these great prizes.  Basic Grey Indian Summer Page Kit & Glimmer Mist OH MY!

Have a wonderful weekend - I'm taking it easy still dealing with the kidney stones that have set up camp & don't want to leave me.  Hopefully I'll be back to my old self next week & creating up a storm....

Getting Back into the Creative Mood

Well this week I've slowly been getting back to myself after this drawn out bout with kidney stones & infection.  I was able to get out a bit on Wednesday to grocery shop & Thursday to go to the doctors.  It just felt good to be outside!  My house is getting cleaned up & I had the boys help me move the scrapping stuff back into the scrap room since it's cooler now & a/c doesn't need to be on I'm fine in there.  Just doing that sparked the creativity.  I really like to organize & move around my "stuff".  I find things I have forgotten about & it encourages me to use my older supplies in creative ways.

Another thing that is getting those creative juices flowing is having fun with the Cricut Gypsy.  Mine came last week (ahead of schedule).  I had no problems with it at all except when I was loading Graphically Speaking cartridge.  It just locks the entire machine up.  Provo Craft is sending me another one of that cartridge & it should solve the problem - easy fix!  There is so much to learn & so many possibilities...  I love that even when I'm stuck in bed I can create with the Gypsy - though with my meds making me loopy there's no telling how good it will be lol.  But I'm having fun doing it.

My mom has been on me for a while to write a novel... so when Noel Hyman started talking about participating in National November Novel Writing Challenge at NaNoWriMo I thought I would give it a go.  I'm not over thinking or rereading - I'm just letting the words & story pour out for a first draft.  We'll see how it goes.  I've almost completed my 2nd chapter.

I made a card yesterday!  Don't laugh it's a big deal.  I find that stamping really inspires me & since cards go much faster than layouts I don't procrastinate about starting a project.  Cards are just the trick for getting me out of a slump.

 

I think with December right around the corner I'll be doing lots more cards.  I usually do a lot of mini albums at this time of year for gifts for family & friends.  December also marks the 2nd anniversary of my blog.  So that means some great prizes in the near future.  I have some generous sponsors & have been buying when I see something great to offer you guys.  I feel like I've been ignoring you but it sure wasn't intentional... first with the internet problems then my health problems.  I really am thankful for each of the comments I get & have "met" so many wonderful people on the web.  Even when I can't get out of the house there's no isolation with my online scrappy friends...

Have a great weekend!