Yesterday I....

Yesterday I got to hang out with my 22 year old son Andrew. How many guys would spend their day off work with their Mom? He is such a sweetheart. Such a caring guy & he sure spoils his mom.... He planned an afternoon for us around thing that I love talk about feeling like a queen for the day.


He wouldn't let me take his picture while we were out together yesterday (so this is his birthday in March the day he broke up with his longtime girlfriend - just breaks my heart - he's finally ready to move on & I'm praying the right gal will come along who will appreciat him for who he is. There really aren't a lot of "nice" guys out there anymore & I know I'm biased but he IS a real treasure. )... he knows his mom all too well that it would turn into a scrapbook page lol. (I guess he hasn't found out about my blog yet now including personal stuff - yikes lol). I just wish he didn't take after me in the fact that he is shy about starting up conversations... I've gotten better over the years but I feel for him.

So for our day we went to my favorite LSS in Cumming. EMI is a 30 minute drive on a good day with no traffic (which hardly ever happens) so I only go up there once or twice a month. Susan had a pile for me of October Afternoon travel paper/embellishments so Andrew took me up there to pick it up. While I was checking out the UPS guy came in with a box filled with new Teresa Collins papers. Well at EMI no box goes unopened for more than 5 minutes so I hung around to ooh & ahh and was able to buy some right out of the box. I love the soft blue colors of the Friendship line & I think the sports line is the BEST one I've seen in years (classy & very versitile). You can't beat the price of Teresa Collins papers either $0.65 each for quality double sided paper is just a bargain today & don't get me started about the tags. With many mfg selling 6 for $3.00 (you know I mean my beloved Jenni Bowlin but they are expensive) Teresa Collins tags are sold by the sheet & you cut them up. I'll cut them up to save $2.35 & get way more than 6 tags.

Sorry I'm "chasing rabits" back on my day with Andrew.....

After we left there we stopped at our favorite bakery that is going out of business this week due to the economy. It really stinks because they are a successfull business that makes the "Atlanta Cake of the Year" & the credit crunch has cut their ability to have the cashflow to keep a new small business going. If you live in Cumming stop by The Laughing Elephant Bakery before the 25 & you'll be treated to THE best chocolate cake around. I buy the small one & this cake is so chocolatety & rich it really does feed more than 4 people. Their cakes aren't the prettiest (they have character) but they sure are the yummiest! I sure will miss them. Don't you love the quaint historic house - perfect location for a small business like this.

Then we stopped at Frontera Mexican Restaurant for lunch (got there just in time before the 3 pm cutoff). I got my little Speedy with rice & a lemonade. Love their chips & salsa. Mexican & Chinese restaurants are such great values at lunch you can't eat at fast food for less. We had the best waitress & she even gave us to go drinks for the road & extra chips & salsa for the half of the meal I took home for later (yep ate too many chips to start with but they were so good lol)

Andrew even remembered that I had to drop off my prescription at the pharmacy on the way home so he pulled into the CVS drive thru.

Wow I had a wonderful time being spoiled by Andrew & sure appreciate him treating me like a queen. It was so thoughtful for him to plan everything around what I like but next time I want to do what both of us like -- though he was a trooper when I was standing there chatting at the LSS for an eternity lol.

I'm so thankful for my sons they have both made me so proud growing up into the most caring & responcible men I know.



Before I close I want to do a bit more enabling....
Scrapperie's August Monthly Kits are amazing & note I said kitS - yes there are 2 this month. Sandi loved these 2 summer themed kits so much she couldn't decide between them so decided to offer BOTH.

So your choices are:

The vintage inspired Farmers Market filled with Webster's Pages, Jenni Bowlin, Cosmo Cricket & Bazzill. She brings all the best parts of the "cherry" 1930's feel paperlines together for this amazing must have kit. I'm so jealous of the design team selected to create with this kit - it's so my style.


The other is a more modern & fun version of "cherries" called Fruit Salad. This one is filled with Doodlebug, K&Company, Scribble Scrabble, Glitz, Basic Grey & Bazzill.


She has one of THE BEST values in all the monthly kit clubs out there. So hop on over & purchase yours today at the boutique

Hope you have a great Wednesday.

I'm counting down 5 days to CHA

When it Rains it Pours...

This past week has been a rough one. One thing happening after another. Nothing earth shattering just little things to keep knocking us down (faucet on kitchen sink, dryer, power going out, cable out all day, internet out all day) ... then Sunday the central a/c quit. Dan the A/C guy came today & didn't have good news about our 24 year old unit. No it wouldn't make it thru another summer & we needed to replace the entire thing down to the boxes as some kind of power surge that tripped the breaker on Saturday morning damaged everything. Thankfully it's been cooler than our normal hot July weather but with my hubby's pay cuts to keep his job I don't know how we will afford a $4500 unit.

So you know I'm alive & life getting in the way of the fun stuff. I can't believe it's only one more week to CHA. I'll be heading to Heather's house & then continue my travels from there with her & Denise. I can't wait I so need this time away & doing scrapbooking stuff to boot. I made some business cards for myself yesterday - I drew the flower logo using photoshop & my mouse. Stephanie my younger son's artistic girlfriend said it was graphic & looked great. I hope she meant it & wasn't just being nice. It's the one I put in the redesigned header....

It'll do for now. What do you think?



Those of you who are regular readers know that I had won a blog makeover & seen it progress. She was the sweetest person but after it was all said & done I just liked the clean white background better so with my limitted skills struggled to put it back the way it was with some minor improvements. I sat in Barnes & Nobles for 2 hours reading their books on blogger - that's how bad my html skills are. I know what I want to do I just don't know how to do it & code just isn't my thing. It's a work in progress. Thank you so much for your input during the construction & helping to guide me in the direction I'm going with the blog. Your comments & emails really mean a lot to me!

Well I'm off to run some errands. Have a wonderful day

Everything Scrapp'n Design Team Reveal

Anyway it's Everything Scrapp'n Design Team reveal day!

I've been in a heritage mood so that's my theme this week.

"Diane's Dream Dress"
Nothing says late 50's early 60's like pink/black & white color combo. I loved the unusual tone on tone pink herringbone pattern on the Prima bird die cut paper. I thought this was the perfect layout to use it on. I carried the herringbone through the design by using it in the ribbon & black paper strip.




Supplies:
Cardstock - Bazzill
Pink Paper: Prima Signs of Spring Birdsong Cardstock (on sale for $0.20)
Black Paper: Heidi Swapp - Runway Trench Coat (on sale for $0.20),
Journaling Spots: Heidi Swapp - Circle Journaling Spots (on sale for $1.25)
Ribbon: I used Hobby Lobby black with white dots & Hobby Lobby black & white herringbone
Letters: Thickers & Making Memories (these white stickers from the store would look great too)
Pearls: Prima - Pearl Swirl White (I used one that fell off of sheet)
File Folder Tab - Quickutz

"Oh Happy Dayz"
I love the Jenni Bowlin Bingo Cards. This one is in the birthday set. I thought it would look cute as part of the titlework. The old fashioned look of the Cosmo Cricket Lil' Man line is perfect for the old black & white photo.


Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill - Kraft
Bingo Card: Jenni Bowlin - Mini Birthday Set
Letters: Thickers - Jewelry Box
Brads: Doodlebug -Cherrie Jubilee Sweet Shoppe Assortment
Tag: Jenni Bowlin -Mini Classic Die Cut Label Set
Stripe Paper: Cosmo Cricket -Lil' Man Handsome Henry (on sale for $0.20)
Red Circle Paper: Cosmo Cricket -Lil' Man Cheerful Charlie (on sale for $0.20)


Most of the paper in the Everything Scrapp'n Store is on sale for $0.20 a sheet to clear it out & get ready for the new stuff. There are some diecut sheets & special paper that is over 90% off retail. The sale ends Tuesday at midnight eastern time so hurry on over & fill up your cart.

Remember to check out the other designers blogs to see their creations.

• Zoa Barker
• Janaina Oliveria
• Michelle Jacquemet
• Denise Martinez

Have a fantastic Tuesday!

Scrapbook Shopping Frenzy

I love a good bargain... Everything Scrapp'n is having a huge sale today on paper. Visit the store here - many sheets are just $0.20! Including Jenni Bowlin, Pink Paislee, Fancy Pants, Cosmo Cricket. Too good to miss - I'm off to fill up my cart.


I sure am dragging but it was so worth it. Friday & Saturday at the Scrapbook Expo were really great! I shopped for a couple hours on Friday. Since I went last year I based my "plan" on what I was impressed by for that show. Melissa Frances was huge last year with so many $1 specials. The lines ran the length of the building with her big mini albums at $1 each people had their baskets & arms filled.... No vintage looking tin buckets & bins this year for a buck either... oh well. This year there were a few good deals & her paper is beautiful $ priced 10 sheets for $5. I couldn't pass up this set of stamps for $5 & a couple of the dollar finds...
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More Dollar Finds at another booth....


Another must stop was Heidi Swapp. So many of her embellishments last year were 3 for $2.49 (love her brads). No brads this year but I got some ghost shaped flowers & letters, felt flowers, masks, chipboard letter packs were $0.99 each & this great bag filled with goodies for $29.00 - I called it the bag in the bag in the bag & more (Big bag, camera bag - could double for a purse easily, small tabletop tool tote, Heidi Clock & Clock Overlay, Heidi Months of the Year Stamp Set, chipboard shapes, HUGE pack of Tim Holtz Grungeboard letters, etc) so I think I did well at her booth. Great bags don't you think?


I found the new Collage Press sweets line of paper - it was retail price but one we can't find locally so I couldn't resist...


And you know me & diecut paper.... Super cute & can be used for my sons layouts


I Picked up a few more Copics at $4 each to add to my beginning collection. Who could pass up Thickers for $1.99 a pack - sure not me. The Quickutz dies were very inexpensive. The small ones were $1 each - I had to get the file folder one for that price.

One booth stocked quite a good selection of Tim Holtz & Basic Grey. I purchased the Tim Holtz ruler with the holes for stitching (LOVE IT) and a pack of his tiny paperclips.

There was a huge selection of Unity Stamps covering a wall - I finally got to see the stamping blocks & now I see why everyone raves about them. That's next on my list to purchase from Unity.

I stocked up on some of my vintage ribbon & twine from Grossgrain Annie.

My favorite LSS - EMI Scrapbooking shared the booth with them. On Saturday I helped out in the booth doing the card make & take, stocking, & checking people out. That was so much fun to hang out with Susan, Jen & Michelle. Susan (the owner) gave me 2 free tickets to get in both days & bought me these 2 packages of Tattered Angels Bingo Cards for helping out!

So sweet - I loved hanging out with them & helping any way I could. She'll be posting photos today or tomorrow on the store blog here I left the house Saturday without my camera or should I say I left it behind on purpose because it's acting up the photos of the show I took on Friday were all blurry. I changed memory cards & batteries so the ones I took at home look much better even though they are inside with the weird light in my scrap room.

Don't forget to watch Noell Hyman & Nancy Nally today talking about all the current Scrapbooking industry news. The show starts at 1 pm eastern time. Check out Paperclipping here. Then visit the Paperclipping Newsbreak link.

Finally I wanted to thank Stephaine for giving me this blog award over the weekend. I love her cards & we've been crossing paths at the Unity Stamp Thursday blog hops & chat day. Please check out her blog for some great inspiration. Thanks so much Stephanie for thinking of me!


So to pass it along I'll nominate some super talented gals who never fail to inspire & encourage me.

Michelle Crawford

Patti Hamil

Dedra Long

Lesley Oman

Rules:

By accepting this award you agree to display this award proudly on your sight and include a post link back to the giver.

Share this award with a few other people or as many as you would like.

Have a wonderful Monday! I'm off to catch up on all the housework that didn't get done last week while I was playing..... 2 weeks until CHA wow I'm super excited - the countdown begins!

Hip Hop Hangover

I'm at The Scrapbook Expo today in Duluth GA.

My luck changed yesterday & I won a prize at the Unity Stamps Thursday Blog Hop & Chatting for the first card pictured below.

Here are a couple cards I created for some Split Coast Stampers challenges. I have a big stack of cards ready to be sent off to Cards For Heroes who forward blank handmade cards to our soldiers on active duty all over the world. It's a nice way for me to support them & they get to send something a little more special to their loved ones.



A couple weeks ago you might remember my shelf I found at the Goodwill store... well I finally got my son Brandon to hang it for me. Usually I'll do it myself but this required quite a bit of muscle to get through the material that the upper shelf is made out of. It's working well. Most of my Unity Stamps are unmounted but this shelf will work perfectly for hanging these style. I just ordered 4 more journaling wooden Unity Stamps last week during the sale so they'll go right up there. Not bad for less than $4 for the shelf, binder rings & mounting brackets.

CK Summer Camp

I signed up for this back in June...

CK is having Summer Camp Next week July 13 - 17

Here's some details

This idea, inspired by the "CK Summer Camp" article in our July issue, is going to take your summer creativity to new, fun-filled heights. Here's some of what we have in store:

• FREE daily online classes that cover everything from
• Inspiring creativity challenges
• Exciting tips and techniques
• And more!

See You There

I thought I'd add a summer themed layout I completed yesterday using Cosmo Cricket's new papers. The colors just make me smile. The photo is from my childhood. I would spend the summer with my grandparents in Pittsburgh. I loved going to an amusement park that was near their house. Kennywood would have a special day in honor of the local TV station WTAE. We would get lots of freebies, see a parade & get a chance to meet local celebs. I loved the weather lady (though I can't for the life of me remember or find her name) she was the local Mary Tyler Moore & I wanted to be her when I grew up. So it was fun to get a photo with her & the family.


Thanks for stopping by & have a great day. Remember to take the time to do something creative.

Scrapbook Expo

This weekend is the Scrapbook Expo. I went last year with a couple of Paperclipping Friends. Becky & her sister came down from the Carolina's & Charlotte from Atlanta. It was so fun to meet people in person that I chat with online.



There's lots of great shopping at the Expo. "The Ribbon Lady" Grosgrain Annie Click to Email was my favorite. Tons of unique ribbon. I got a bunch of 1920's hand dyed silk in beautiful colors. I sure need to stock up again. This year my favorite LSS is teaming up & sharing the booth with her. EMI Scrapbooking will have lots of their famous mini album kits that Michelle Crawford designs for the store. Several have been featured in Scrapbook Trends & their mini album special additions. For those of you not in Atlanta you can purchase on their Etsy store. There will also be plenty of paper packaged by line at closeout prices to make room for new products as they are heading to CHA at the end of the month.

Other booths not to miss are: Heidi Swapp & Melissa Francis - their prices were a real steal with lines to prove it. But well worth the wait. There really is something for everyone & things I don't see normally. If you like to crop or do classes there are plenty of those too. Kelly Goree is teaching a class.

I'm going to shop of Friday & may go back on Saturday to help out in the booth.

If you're in the Atlanta area you should check it out -- there are deals & interesting products.

We Have a Winner

I wanted to thank you all for the great response & all the comments! Everything Scrapp'n really wants to carry the things you need so now we have a good idea of what to look for at CHA.

Well without further delay the winner is: (I couldn't get the widget to work on blogger so I just highlighted & copied it. I promise that the Min & Max were 1 & 109 - but the important part is the winner which I copied)

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 45 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Beth said...

All 3 cards are true blue beauties hope you have a great trip and enjoy CHA loving anything new from Provo and spellbinders.
beth714@gmail.com

July 4, 2009 4:09 PM

I wish I had more prizes to give out... I reached a milestone 50 followers too! I owe you all another giveaway - I'm going to the Scrapbook Expo on Friday & Saturday so I'll be on the lookout for a great prize to offer the following week.

I hope you had a relaxing weekend with family & friends. We had a very relaxing time at my parents house swimming in the pool & eating yummy food. Here's a few photos of cooling off.

Note to Self.... don't ask my mom to take photos anymore

I usually am left out of all the photos so this time I asked to have a photo taken (even in a bathing suit - this is true growth lol) and this is what I get

I'll close with friendly Mr. Lizzard saying have a great day!

Oh Say Can You See Blog Hop

If you are here for the Unity Hip Hop Hangover Blog Hop it's one post down but you've stumbled onto a huge card blog hop filled with gorgeous red white & blue inspiration....


Welcome to my stop on the “Oh Say Can You See 4th of July Blog Hop”. If you got to my blog from Kim Schofield's Blog then you've already seen some great cards from the creative blogs you've already visited. If you 're one of my regular visitors... you don't know what you are missing & you can start from the beginning by clicking here to go the Scrapbook News & Review Card Universe Website.

I've created 3 different 4th of July cards for you today....

Flag Card - is a simple layered & distressed card. The canvas fabric with frayed edges adds interest. I used rik rak instead of ribbon & even threaded the button with it. We all struggle with stamping white on a darker color paper don't we... I decided to heat emboss it so it would add dimension & the image would be sharp. Stitching around all the layers adds texture without bulk.

Supplies: Cardstock (The Paper Company); Paper (K & Company); Lettter stickers (Making Memories); Stamp (Dicky D); Embossing Powder (Ranger); Canvas Fabric (Misc Stash); Rik Rak (Wrights); Punch (Fiskars); Button (Misc Stash); Eyelets (American Crafts);Thread (Coats & Clarks)


Stars Card - Super easy card. This one makes me think of a summer picnic. I punched a row of stars in the denim patterned paper & adhered it to the cardstock. I stamped the stars using red ink & then cut them out. The stars that were punched from the denim paper are adhered to the stamped stars with pop dots for more dimension. For a twist I used a Happy Birthday stamp as part of the greeting.

Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill); Paper (K & Company); Stamps (Unity Stamp Company); Ribbon (Offray); Punch (Fiskars); Ink (Close To My Heart & Mementos);Thread (Coats & Clarks)

Pocket Card - Have you seen July Unity Kit of the Month?

It has the cutest pocket stamp in it. (If you aren't a member it's the best $24 I spend on this hobby each & every month - boy they have a sale going on too to make it irresistible click here for more details).


The kits haven't shipped yet but I was just dying to make a card with a pocket to hold the patriotic Jenni Bowlin Bingo card. So I hand cut a pocket shape & stitched around the edges to make it look more realistic. I know it's not as cute as the Unity stamped one would have been but my mom will LOVE it. Finish it up with a bit of ribbon & some letter stamps made quick work of this super easy card. For more interest I used painted a grungeboard number 4 with Ranger crackle paint instead of just a stamped number.

Supplies: Cardstock (The Paper Company); Chipboard (Tim Holtz); Stamps (Unity Stamp Company); Bingo Card (Jenni Bowlin); Ribbon (Offray); Ink (Mementos); Thread (Coats & Clarks); Paint (Ranger)

In honor of our country's birthday I am offering a RAK as a thank you for visiting my blog this weekend. One lucky winner will receive 3 packages of Thickers & a $15 gift certificate to Everything Scrapp'n Online Scrapbook Store.

So how do you enter..... I'm going to CHA at the end of the month with the owner of Everything Scrapp'n ... Leave me a comment telling me what you as cardmakers are excited to see/buy. (brands, type of product, colors, whatever.... even items you have trouble finding). If you are looking for bargains right now everything is on sale 20% - 75% off to make room for all the new product we will be ordering. So leave me a comment with your faves & I'll draw a winner Monday morning.

For those of you in the US have a fantastic 4th of July weekend. I sure appreciate each & every one of you stopping by. Remember to leave a comment for the RAK

The next stop on the blog hop is the talented Robyn Weinrib she has some cute cards to inspire you.

Hip Hop Hangover

If you are one of my regular visitors or just stumbled upon my blog & would like to start the Unity Hip Hop Hangover Blog Hop from the beginning visit the Unity Blog here.

I have a "toot"... one of my layouts was the feature of the day on scrapbook.com's Facebook page! I was very excited & it was flattering to read all the sweet comments so many people wrote. I know I'm a goofball trying to take a photo of the computer screen. You can visit their page here. This was the layout showcased. A layout about dealing with breast cancer inspired by a challenge over at The Nook.



If you're a regular visitor to my blog you know I only promote products/sites that I believe in. So I'm just a loyal Unity Stamp Co. customer but I want to share with you the awesome sales they are having this week.

Unity Stamps is having a great sale this weekend to promote the release of the new kit of stamps we the fans voted on. I hope they make 3 sets of stamps because each & every one of the images was awesome.
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Look at all those great images. Click here to reserve your copy of "Hodge Podge Happiness" today & save $10. There are many other stamps on sale 50% or more off the retail price. Check them out here.

I have been getting much more selective about buying scrapbooking supplies lately. I think one of the best values out there is stamps since they can be used over and over again. (I still can't pass up the newest patterned papers or cute embellishments but I just try to buy what I love & will use). The Unity Kit of the Month is an awesome value. $24 (a $45 value) + shipping you get all these unmounted quality rubber stamps. There stamps are very large & are at home on any card, scrapbook page or mini album. Don't you just love that pocket!

If you sign up for the July KOTM you get the"Stylin' Stars" set ($24 value) for free. An added bonus you can purchase a past KOTM for $24 (regularly $45). So if you've been on the fence I encourage you to place your order today.


Here are a couple of cards I made with my June KOTM.


I'm going to be part of the Scrapbook News & Review's Card Universe "Oh Say Can You See Blog Hop" on Saturday... So if you have some time this weekend I hope you will hop along with me & see all red white & blue cards that some talented card makers have created. It starts 9 am central time on Saturday July 4th on the SN&R Card Universe blog. Anne House has done a great job organizing the event.


The July monthly challenge will be up at the Paperclipping forum tomorrow. I hope you join in the fun for your chance to be in the spotlight.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog. Have a great 4th of July!