My Scrapbooking Room in Progress - part 2

OK - now continuing the tour....

These shelves are on the same wall as the dresser.

Now for the most important part of any scrap area... THE DESK

I had 3 of the Michael's cubes & this week my darling hubby bought me 3 more & a piece of finish grade wood for the top to make a desk. It's very useful & stores a lot

Inside the drawers I've stored my most used tools/supplies. It's not totally finished since I still have 2 empty drawers.

The workspace though not very deep is perfect for working on a layout. I like a longer table as my last workspace was a dining room table that was wide but not long. I can sew right where the machine is if it's just a quick seam around a layout & move it to the middle for a longer quilting session.

My Scrapbooking Room in Progress

You all know we've been moving furniture all week. Several have been asking to see photos of the scrapbooking/craft room in progress. I've got things put away enough that it's presentable.... "Ta-da" - the world premier of my own little creative space (it's not a showplace like many on 2peas but I'm tickled to death to have it) I love that it's not in the living area of the house. My hubby hung the shelves that run nearly the length of the wall. It's still got a ways to go but I'm able to use it & I SO ENJOY IT!

These first photos are just taken as I go around the room.

Now I've taken more photos & put captions under it so you can see more of the details.

The old dresser is really useful as a work surface & stores so much stuff. This is to the right of the desk so still easy to access supplies.

Here's a peak what's inside:

I'll break it up into multiple posts because blogger isn't always easy to keep photos together & lined up in....

A Few of My Favorite Things

For today I thought I'd share some of my favorite & most used products...

Any kind of buttons... I love vintage ones but Basic Grey has some great colors to add to my stash.

Bo Bunny has a double sided cardstock called Double Dots. It comes in a variety of rich tone on tone colors. It is one of the best papers I've used for distressing. I always keep many of the colors in my stash. (some are subtle & others are a little brighter)

I have a love affair with patterned paper that shows in my ever growing stash...

Webster's Pages is a favorite paper line of mine right now. It's just so pretty! They have journaling cards & ribbon that is to die for. Their website is a favorite hang out for inspiration http://websterspages.ning.com/

Other favorites that I will buy multi pages of is October Afternoon, Crate, My Mind's Eye, Scenic Route always has great paper for boys, & with release of newer lines Basic Grey is a new favorite.

I also never pass up a die cut Making Memories 12x12 paper. They really are versitile & can "make" a layout something special.


Jenni Bowlin Bingo Cards are a perfect addition to many of my pages & even make great mini albums

I use this EVERYWHERE! Love the shadowing on edges of layers so the Chestnut Roan "Cat Eye" is a perfect soft finishing touch.

American Crafts sells cardstock now in packs. It's very similar to Bazzill (which I will never give up for their great color choices but I like being able to buy in a package - with a discount coupon). I always have a pack of white 12x12 on hand.

Other cardstock I always have on hand is a pack of 25 kraft paper available at Hobby Lobby for $3.99 each (then they do 50% sale on that!)

The Cricut Expression is a workhorse in my scraproom. I love making my own layered letters for layouts - I can have that "Thicker" look in the perfect color/font/size without the cost.

I don't have a lot of carts - the 2 that come with the machine are still my favs - though my wish list is gradually getting bigger lol

Just got "Joy of the Season" cart this weekend & it makes amazing cards quick & easy. I sure am having fun playing around with different techniques to get my cards made.

The Cricut website has great tips on how to use this tool to it's fullest.

You all know how much I love to sew on my pages. So last but not least is a sewing machine - no layout is complete without a little attention from this most used tool.

Black Friday... yes I actually shopped

I never go shopping on Black Friday....

I don't even look at the newspaper but at my parents' house yesterday they had the newspaper sitting on the counter so I glanced at it.....

Looking at the Michael's flyer I GASPED.... yep out loud my mom thought something was wrong with me...... But I was just excited by the price of the Cricut carts! AND they were open & having a good sale on Thanksgiving night....

After dinner my darling hubby took me over there & bought me the Christmas one & a Calligraphy font (he wants to do something for the Harley with that one)
You can't beat $27+/- for a cartridge. I also got a couple big spools of green ribbon for Christmas cards in the $1 bin - with the extra 20% off coupon they cost $0.80 each!

So in addition to pre-black friday I went out ON black Friday...
The local yarn shop had their yearly big sale that my mom was dying to go to (she's not an early bird but set her clock for that one - thankfully it wasn't too early). Since her health problems she really is knitting up a storm and is even selling her creations faster than she can create them. She left the store with a huge shopping bag filled with gorgeous yarn + my 3 skeins (lol). I love to knit when I'm watching TV - but it always takes a 2nd place to scrapbooking.

After a wonderful breakfast at Ihop we went up to Archivers for some good deals.
Autumn Leaves buttons (big bag) $1.99 - you know me and my buttons...

To top off my selfish shopping weekend I want to head up to my LSS
she is having the once a year 50% off sale Saturday only!
I haven't been going to this store long enough to have experienced this but I've heard it's a must not miss...... we'll see if hubby lets me do any more damage lol

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A couple days late.... I was so lost without the computer for a couple days...

I'm taking advantage of the talent out there & sending you to sites you may have missed out there....

With the holiday none of us had time to work on anything anyway... right?
Next week things will settle down a little & we can get back to finishing up our Christmas cards, gifts & decorating.....

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For my holiday inspiration.... I'm sending you to the blog of an amazing talent.....

I saw this beautiful card that is sure to inspire.
The blog is also a must return to with: endless supply of great links, eye-candy & beautiful inspiration.

http://sassycardsnscraps.freeforums.org/suz-s-11-28-inspiration-t846.html

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For my Technique Challenge

We're all trying to stretch our budgets so a great way to do that is to make our old products look "fresh" & new.

Stamps are already very versitile since you can use then over & over, change the color to meet your needs & apply different techniques to change the finished look.

Noell at Paperclipping takes that even further on her free weekly video.
Using an old favorite stamp in a different way.

http://sassycardsnscraps.freeforums.org/making-old-stamps-look-new-t847.html

After watching the video you will be inspired & never look at your stamps the same way again....

Thanks Noell for doing the work for me on this one... great ideas I had to pass on.

Those of you who aren't paperclipping regulars - you don't know what you are missing!
Noell & her hubby have made a wonderful site filled with inspiration, live weekly scrapbook show, free weekly tutorials, gallery/forum & much more.

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On the paperclipping topic I have a TOOT
(this is a biggie for me since paperclipping.com is a favorite scrapbooking site of mine)

I was selected the paperclipping challenge winner of the month for October

With that I have the honor of being spotlighted on the paperclipping forum.

http://forums.paperclipping.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=59&page=1#Item_5

I have learned so much about design & color concepts from Noell. I really think the quality of my layouts has improved since watching the videos & life weekly live shows. Not to mention how much fun we have with live chat during the show.

I encourage you to set aside Tuesdays at 8:30 pm eastern time & join in the fun.

Happy Thanksgiving

We're finally getting the house back in order & I've even been creating in my new scrap room. Everything isn't put away but it's already so much more organized than what I had before. My hubby hung 2 shelves that run the length of one wall to hold a ton of stuff. Along with the desk & closet - everything has a place. I'll be posting photos when everything is finally done so I can brag on my hubby's handwork.

Here's a couple layouts I did this week. I've had so much fun working with old photos of my parents. Here's their prom & my dad's graduation from college.

Love the new Webster's Pages lines. Their website is really great - check it out http://websterspages.ning.com/

Looking at the graduation one photographed I almost feel like it's missing something..... what do you think?

Having the computer back and running is like restoring a life line. I felt so disconnected from the world while it was being moved. The wireless internet connection is even faster in the new location - so another plus for moving things around.

We will start putting up the tree & other Christmas decorations tomorrow since I'm not one to go out & shop. I would like a new Cricut cart from Joann's but not keen on the crowds...

Hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Musical "rooms" - Moving Furniture

Well we are in the process of moving furniture all around the house.... & I'm getting back my scrap/craft room!

My younger son moved out last week - he was hardly home anyway with school & work but it's still hard to think my "baby" (who is 20) is on his own.

So instead of me just moving into his room with my stuff which would have been easier.... my older son moved his stuff into that room (it has a better layout) & I got to go back into the room that was my scrap room before I was booted this time last year..

I have the best hubby in the world!!! He went to Michael's to buy a couple more of the storage cubes & then to Lowes for a piece of wood - Now I have a useful desk (instead of that big old dining room table that didn't give me a lot of working space. Wednesday he will hang 2 shelves going the entire length of the wall so I will be organized!!!!!

It sure feels good to be back in there. I actually already worked on 2 layouts & some ATC cards for my monthly swap last night. I spent the day organizing & purging paper & supplies. I will post some photos when the shelves are up & everything is in place.


Then the den off the kitchen which I was using as a scrap room/office will now be the dining room and the small dining area off the living room will be the office (that will force me to really keep up with the paper & clutter)

I guess all this organizing is contagious because my hubby is out in the garage right now cleaning, purging, organizing HIS SPACE.

I guess it's not the most fun way to spend vacation time off of work but It'll be like having a new house when we're finished this week.

Quick Post

It a beautiful sunny day here in Georgia but oh it feels like winter. I love the cool air & the wind is blowing the last leaves from the trees.

Rosie goes outside & scopes the trees & her yard for those squirells that are busy collecting the birdseed that falls on the ground. I'd like to know why their favorite place to bury them is where the pansy plants are. I go out there & see the new plants dug up every day.... I'm about to give up as they are looking worse for wear. Rosie is still working on her obedience. We are using a clicker now to re-inforce good behavior & she is not jumping the fence anymore. That's progress. I take her on short walks on my good days using the non pull leash. It's been good for both of us.

Well here is what I wanted to post today.....
crowdSPRING, hire Kelly for your community manager!

Hope that helps - Kelly you're an amazing talent!

Wednesday Holiday Inspiration

It's been a busy week here with doctor appointments & finally having a little energy to clean up the house.

I did manage to stop at Hobby Lobby to buy a skein of fishermans yarn for the Lucy Bag I'm knitting with my coupon & found these amazing STEALS.

The heart punch was $1.99/regular $19.99.

I had never bought the EK Fastener before since it was way too expensive at $24.99 (even with 40% off coupon there was always something else to spend money on instead) but at $4.99 I couldn't resist!

I also picked up a bunch of lace trim for $0.59 a yard & a bunch of rubber stamps for less than $2 for huge background size!

I was tickled to death leaving there with my "booty"

I was slacky with my holiday ispiration over at Sassy.... I just passed on some great inspiration from others. (Theirs is better than mine anyway)

Check out the post

http://sassycardsnscraps.freeforums.org/suz-s-holiday-inspiration-11-19-t817.html

Other than that I'm still working on my Stories in Hand album & writing, writing, writing....

Here's a photo of the album so far.

I still have to add embellishments & ribbon.

Tuesday Techniqes

Hi y'all

Had a busy weekend. It is sure getting chilly here in the south but it's so nice to take Rosie for a walk & breath in the crisp air.

I'm cheating a little on my Tuesday Technique....

I usually try to come up with my own tutorials but as I was working on a layout using Maya Road felt flowers I only had 2 from a kit embellishment bag & needed more. So I knew there had to be a way to make them & searched to see if anyone else had experimented.

That's when I found Julie & this fantastic video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYvkUcB1vF8

I will be making a couple of these tomorrow & hope you make some too.

Join me over at Sassy for my Technique Challenge of the week using these flowers.
http://sassycardsnscraps.freeforums.org/flowers-t816.html#6935

I've also been working on The Stories in Hand class over at http://www.jessicasprague.com/. I had signed up for this free class a couple weeks ago & WOW is it amazing!

She supplies all the digi papers/elements you need to put together an amazing mini-album. The course is very well thought out & really teaches how to bring out that Story Teller in all of us. If it's ever offered again you MUST take it! She is an awesome teacher & her website is very interactive - with a lively forum & beautiful eye candy in the gallery. I can't wait to load some of the photos/scans of my album. You know me I made mine a little more complicated than I needed to.... but it sure is a pretty mini-album..... Maybe tomorrow.

Also don't forget to join in on the fun at www.paperclipping.com. The live show streamed on www.ustream.tv (search "paperclipping")starts at 8:30 pm eastern time. It's always a fun time of creativity & chatting. You can also watch recorded shows any time. I enjoy Noell so much & she shares creative design concepts & great projects - hope to see you there

Wednesday Christmas Inspiration

Since this Wednesday will be a busy one for me I am posting my Sassy Wednesday Christmas Inspiration tonight....

It goes along with the the Tuesday Technique Challenge this week.

Fabric Yo-Yo Ornaments.

There are many ways to do them - it's all in the embellishing....

I'm going to work on them this week right along with you and I'll post photos as I complete them.

All participants who link back to the Sassy thread with their creations will be entered in a random draw RAK this week.

http://sassycardsnscraps.freeforums.org/suz-s-inspiration-11-12-t778.html#6642

Have fun & I can't wait to see your ornaments....

Technique Tuesday - Fun with Fabric

Good Morning!

I've added another Technique Tutorial to my thread over at Sassy. http://sassycardsnscraps.freeforums.org/fun-with-fabric-t772.html#6618


As a quilter I've built quite a stash of fabric that rivals the pattern paper addiction I have. You all know how much I like texture on my layouts so I really enjoy adding cotton fabric to my layouts in different ways. I've found the cotton is acid free & will not harm your layouts & photos in any way.



You can also use strips of fabric in place of ribbons like I did in this layout. I took a strip of cotton fabric & gathered it (frayed edges & all) stitched it to my layout by hand & then added buttons that I had treaded with embroidery floss & tied knots on the front side. I attatched with liquid adhesive.





In this weeks post I added a little mini tutorial for how to make a fabric yo-yo. They are fun & easy to make in any shape or size you need. I like them to use in place of flowers for an eclectic country look.

In this layout I even layered prima flowers & a brad to reinforce the flower vibe..