I'm Back in the 21st Century

It's so nice to have TV, Phone & Now INTERNET back. It was interesting to be without it and see just how many times during the day I go to check email, sneak in a few moments in my favorite forums & just connect with people.

I have an early doctor appointment today so this will be a short post. The new card reader should be here later today & Andrew will install it tonight so I'll be back to posting photos too.

I wanted to share the blog with an awesome talented woman with you... she's on my sidebar but wanted to make sure to point it out (because my sidebars get a bit cluttered with all the blogs I like/follow.... Head on over to Dedra Long's blog to see her amazing layouts & home dec items. Dedra designs projects that are showcased in the scrapbook.com videos. It was incredible what she came up with for Easter. I just love the layout she posted of her 2 girls. Dedra puts so many eclectic details into her designs & her photos are just amazing. She is also one of the nicest people around.

Today is Unity Stamp Blog Hop so if you have some time check out the blogs/forum for lots of inspiration & prizes.

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post If you haven't already done it sign up as a follower for more entries.

Still No Internet

At least I have Andrew's iphone for a minute.....

The tree nicked the cable line so they will be restringing it in the next day or so. I feel disconnected from the world without it.

I finished a couple layouts to play along with the challenges on the Everything Scrapp'n Blog (even though I can't win the prize I couldn't resist creating with the great challenges the designers are posting over there. I hope you are joining in too because you DO get a chance to win the huge MME prize for every layout you create.

We have another winner.....

Tracy you win a package of new Prima Birds

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post.

I'm was in the dark

Yesterday with all the crazy wind we had there was a tree that hit a line nearby. We lost power for most of the day. I'm using my sons iphone (those things are just amazing) since the Internet, tv & phone still aren't up....

It was so dreary & dark I couldn't even enjoy a day of scrapbooking without distractions. So I brought out my battery operated book light & read a book & listened to music on the ipod until the battery ran out. A quiet day. I was pushing cereal/milk for dinner to use it up. Thankfully we didn't have too much in the freezer that would spoil. I guess we'll have steak on the grill tonight & tomorrow to use them up since they defrosted. I'm just so thankful that the house or cars didn't get hit by a tree like so many around Atlanta were dealing with.

Well hope you all have a great day.

Winner drawn yesterday was KIMMY - I have some of the new Prima flowers for you. Send me your snail mail address sgray110 at gmail dot com

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post.

Rainy Monday

Rainy days here in Georgia are such a blessing since we have been dealing with a drought for so many years. Boy have we been getting "blessed" a lot lately. It rains hard several times a week now but every time I'm tempted to complain.... I think about our need for filling up Lake Lanier. Friday we had some wild storms & an evening filled with tornado warnings/watches. Today is just rain but the winds are really kicking up & I keep hearing limbs falling out of all the old trees we have in the neighborhood. Hope they keep falling in the yard & not on the house or cars.

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter holiday.

I had my son Andrew look at why I couldn't get the photos to load using the memory stick... it seems the stick is fine but the reader slot isn't working... so he is going to put another one in the computer (it's so nice to have a techie in the house - it has me spoiled) Hubby has the cord to transfer pictures in his desk at work... a lot of help it is doing me there. So that's why I'm not posting any photos/layouts. I've got to learn how to scan a 12x12 I just can't seem to stitch them together where they look right so if I need to scan I always make a 8-1/2x11 layout to get around my shortcomings.

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post. I'll be drawing a name tonight.

Everything Scrapp'n Scrapbook Bingo Challenge

It's my day over on the Everything Scrapp'n Blog so head over there to see this challenge & post a link to your creation for a chance to win the enormous MME prize package.

My Mind's Eye has been a long time favorite of mine. They have such beautiful papers with lots of textures & depth to the patterns. They really out did themselves this season with the release of Penny Lane, Bella Bella & Bloom Grow.

I love playing Bingo so I thought it would be fun to merge my challenge with Bingo. Just pick a row: horizontal, vertical or diagonal & create your layout including all those supplies/techniques.

Make sure you use some new MME papers/embellishments for your layout & link your creation back to the comments section of my post ON THE EVERYTHING SCRAPP'N BLOG before midnight eastern time April 30, 2009 for a chance to win that super My Mind's Eye prize valued at $90!



I have 2 sons - so sometimes I feel limited when using all the pretty new papers that hit the market. Usually I can pick a stripe & a polka dot out of any line (as long as it's not pink) & make it work. I love the dark browns in Penny Lane - it really makes the colors pop. The perfect background in my book is a piece of Bazzill kraft cardstock.


In my example I used photos of my younger son Brandon marching in the Atlanta Braves Stadium before a game with his t-ball team. He was so honored to be allowed on the field where his heroes played. He loved sharing his big day with his grandpa & they both had fun watching the game.

Products Used:
My Mind's Eye Grow Accessory Sheet
My Mind'e Eye Grow Just Stripe Paper
My Mind's Eye My Friend Paper
My Mind's Eye Peace Large Accessories
My Mind's Eye Chasse' Notebook Doodles Paper
Bazzill Kraft Cardstock 12 x 12
Buttons - misc. from my stash
Thread - Coats & Clarks
Letters - American Crafts Thickers

I can't wait to see what you come up with!





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SALE SALE SALE SALE

Everything Scrapp'n is having a special Easter sale.
30% off your entire order (coupon EASTER)
The new Fancy Pants Designs products have arrived.





Including the hot Bracket Mixed Media Album (It combines all of our favorite medias in one book. 3 Chipboard pages, 1 Transparency, 2 Printed Transparency & 2 Felt pages all in one book) , Journaling Books & their beautiful trims by the yard



Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post.


Hope you have a wonderful meaningful holiday

Are You Ready for Easter?

This week seems to have dragged on. So much to do & so little time with Easter coming.


I HAD to clean my house Thursday but did sneak a little time in at the Unity Blog Hop & Splitcoast Chat.


I also spent a little time in the garden.... things are just starting to bloom. My camera memory stick seems to have messed up - I can see the photos on there but can't get them onto the computer? Have to ask my tech wizard a.k.a. my older son Andrew

We'll be going to church on Sunday morning & having dinner at my parents house on Sunday. With the boys grown we keep it pretty low key but they do still know they'll get a little basket from me... you're never too old for candy... I always have to color some eggs even if I do it by myself


What are your plans for Easter? I hope you & your family have a blessed day!

My Challenge will post on Saturday over at the Everything Scrapp'n Blog. I hope y'all will make me look good by creating a layout..... {please} as with all the challenges you have until the end of the month to post a link/photo of your creation.

This week on sale at Everything Scapp'n - Daisy Bucket (cute new rub ons) 15% off.


Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post.

Thursday Fun

I had a busy Wednesday but had a chance sneaking into my favorite LSS after a doctor appointment. It's always so much fun hanging out with other scrapbookers & Susan is one of my favorities. Lots of fun new products & inspiration from her designers/teachers... if you're ever in Atlanta you must visit EMI Scrapbooking.

It's such a beautiful day outside & the garden is calling me... flowers to photograph, weeds to pull, limbs to trim, pond needs tending & even a tree that didn't get planted screaming for me to find it a REAL home somewhere in the yard - it's tired of that old pot... There's always work to do but being out in nature really rejuvinates me. The down side is that here in Atlanta EVERYTHING is covered in green powder - pollen count is already in the extreme range... oh well I guess that's the price we pay for such beautiful green spaces.

Make sure you check out Michelle's challenge over at the Everything Scrapp'n Blog! She shows off a great layout & a photo of her with Ali Edwards!!! Remember you have until April 30th to finish the challenges & link a photo on the store blog for entry into the huge My Mind's Eye Prize. So Get Scrapping.

While out yesterday got some more prizes for my month long giveaway too... Prima Flowers, Stickles, Sizzix Dies, & more so make sure you enter to win by leaving a comment & if you haven't already done so sign up as a follower since that gives you an automatic 5 entries for the month. I'll draw names from all the entries on random days thru the month with one starting this week so keep checking back & enter every day to see if you're a winner!

I sure enjoy reading all of your comments & thanks so much for making my blog a stop during your day.

Don't forget the Unity Stamp Blog Hop today. It's always a fun filled day of giveaways. I've won great prizes 2 weeks in a row. Angela at Unity is so generous & gives away tons of stamps all day long so HOP on over today for your chance to win some too on the Splitcoast Stampers forum.

Challenges Everywhere....

The monthly challenge for April is up over at the Paperclipping forum . Head on over there to see the topic for the month.

Everything Scrapp'n Blog has another new challenge up this time it's from the talented Jana. Remember these challenges go toward entries into the huge My Mind's Eye prize for the month. Don't miss your chance to win this prize.

Scrapperie has their month long card making challenge

I'm posting this Tuesday night because I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow & will be in a rush.... I may even stop by my LSS if I get a chance it's been forever since I've been up to EMI to see Susan the owner - she's such a doll & so fun.... I think I may have some paper up there I asked her to put back for me. I love that Making Memories green small floral paper that was in the Paperie Line.

Speaking of Making Memories.... I wrote them an email since I'm having withdrawal because my favorite papers have been discontinued & I can't find a source for any more. Which ones... if you look at my layouts I'm sure you know my love affair with the cream colored lined noteworthy papers. The scallop blue edged one & the teal edged noteworthy shaped one were my go to papers... now I'm down to 1 sheet of each & dying to use it but being a hoarder.... I told them in the email that these are a good basic & they should keep them as a staple of the noteworthy line... who knows if one lonely email will make a difference but I'm hoping they bring them back because they are so me.

I thought I would share one of my Flashback Friday layouts with you. (for those of you who don't know about the group it's over on the 2peas pub board & we do a weekly heritage challenge) this weeks topic was something you did as a child (I think--- it's late & I've been a bit bird brained all day today) Feel free to join us if you're looking for a great heritage group.

I have always been crafty & loved to create. I wasn't the best at drawing so I got this purse/jewelry making kit for Christmas when I was 7 years old. I credit that kit with the beginning of "craftysuz". That's what my family always called me because I was always getting into another new craft. It's really been a way of life for me. Yes some of the stuff over the years when I was in my country phase in the late '80's was a wee bit tacky.... but all in all it's fun & I love it - that's what counts

I think I've tried everything but the ones that still stick with me are:

--scrapbooking (of course)

--knitting (I taught myself how to do that in the last couple years while watching Knitty Gritty on HGTV on Demand - I just kept hitting pause & rewind until I got it. Perfect to keep me occupied while I was recovering after surgery)

--quilting (I started in 1980 & made 100% hand stitched quilts - now I do it on the machine. With the rheumatoid arthritis in my hands I can't get those pretty little stitches anymore)

--jewelry making (I love making earrings & have started making necklaces that are a natural magnetic stone mixed with turquoise - they really help my neck muscles & spasms & I was a doubter but they work for me... anything not to take more medicines. I've been thinking about putting them on Etsy this photo shows the necklace... what do you think?)

Sorry got a little long winded there....

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post.

Have a great Wednesday & take some creative time for yourself.

Scrapperie April Challenges

Scrapperie is having another fun month of challenges.

You know they always come up with some catchy name....

this time it's Snail Mail Soiree

There will be games, challenges & you know Sandi will always have some prizes....

Join in the fun. Use up some of your stash & get those photos scrapped.

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Back in My Routine

Brandon is moved into his place. My parents did a nice family birthday dinner for him yesterday. It was nice not to have to cook... she always makes such a yummy roast beef & the best gravy (a nice splurge)

How many of you did the online crop on Friday night at 2peas?


I was able to get a couple challenges done while the guys were out. It's amazing how much I need my creative scrapbooking time. It's better than anything to keep my spirits lifted & de-stressing me almost immediately as I sit down to work on a page.

Here's one of the layouts I made. This was for Nichol Magourik's challenge to use more than 2 photos on a page... I have to say I read it wrong the first time & thought it said 2 or more so the original one only had the 2 bigger photos... I loaded in the gallery & realized the mistake right after that... I printed another small photo & added it on top of the wave. I really think the "mistake" made for a better layout. I know we have those kinds of happy accidents in our creative process.

I was trying to do a simple scrapbook style layout which are usually a big challenge for me since I'm such a Pile It On kind of gal. I had the urge to dig out the paints & even those the old neglected Heidi Swapp foam stamps. It's fun to "shake up" the creative juices every once in a while.


Thank you so much for following my blog & all the sweet comments you leave.


Don't forget to leave me a comment today for entry into the month of RAK contests. There's a drawing coming up this week (hint hint) for one of the prizes.

Check the Everything Scrapp'n Blog too - have you loaded your challenge layouts yet? A new one challenge will be up any day. You have until the end of the month to complete each challenge & post for more chances to win the Huge My Mind's Eye prize.


Don't forget to check out all that's going on over at GCD blog today. They reveal the new DT & all the other "jobs" along with lots of prizes. It should be a blast.




Have a great day

Oh The Weekend

I always thought that weekends should be a time for relaxing & spending time with the family....

When did Saturday turn into a frenzy to get all the errands of the week done? We all have such busy lives these days but the body needs time to relax... my hubby & I are going to make that a goal for the upcoming Saturdays -- we are going to relax, do fun day trips, & just spend time together with the family....

So right now we're moving Brandon into his new apartment. The new place is less than a mile from us so I sure like that better than having my "baby" 30 minutes away. I'm really proud of him & the man he has become. He's so goal oriented working full time days, going to school full time in the evenings, & even has a little side business of his own. But he still takes time to relax & enjoy his hobbies. At 21 he already has the life balance that we his parents are trying to achieve lol.

I know this is my scrapbooking blog but thanks for letting me toot about my son a bit... since it's his birthday week & a big one at that I guess I've been doing a lot of reflecting.....

Don't forget to leave me a comment to be entered in the Month of RAKS. If you haven't already done it become a FOLLOWER & you'll get 5 entries right there.

I really do appreciate everyone who comes & visits.

Have a great weekend & I hope you take the time to RELAX however you like to do it....

Everything Scrapp'n Sneaks

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I thought I would post a couple sneaks of my projects for Everything Scrapp'n using the fun spring colors of My Mind's Eye products.

I have a busy weekend planned with family.

I'm going to sneak in some creative time as I get my scrap room back tomorrow & will be able to catch up on some challenges.

Don't forget to leave me a comment to be included in the RAK drawings thru the month. (see below for more details if you're not a regular)

We all love border punches but I know I don't use them to their full extent...

I love the videos at Debby's Dare she really takes the guess work out of any Fiskars product check out her latest video on the border punches with corners! Leave a comment over there & tell her who sent you.

Have a great weekend.

Computer Problems From Storms

Well our Internet went down around 2 and just came back up



We had some storms come thru but they weren't that bad...



A limb damaged the cable. Thankfully we have phone with the cable company so they had to come out and fix it right away.



I did get 3 layouts completed since I wasn't spending time chatting. Thursdays I like to do the blog hop with the Unity Stamp group. They give lots of prizes all thru the day. Before I lost internet I won 2 stamps!



Well anyone who post a comment tomorrow will get 2 entries for the month of giveaways.



Have you worked on your layout for the challenge on the Everything Scrapp'n Blog?



Remember it's the My Mind's Eye card kit, Tim Holtz stamp set, Tim Holtz Masks, Prima Flowers, and several other goodies... I will draw on preset days during the month from all the comments I've received.


Here's another great giveaway I found on my blog journey. Go over & check out Phoenix Crafts for a chance to win this prize.

Thanks for stopping by & have a great Friday.

Here's My Prize

My Mind’s Eye Wild Asparagus “Adorable” Card Kit:

Includes:
4 polka dot cards
4 stripe cards
8 envelopes
3 “Baby” die-cuts
3 “thinking of you” tags
3 “thank You” tags
3 “sweet boy” borders
3 “congratulations” die-cuts
3 accent swirls
9 stars

These kits are great to have on hand & make quick work of handmade cards.

What do you have to do to win?

I'm making it super easy for you here & saving my hard stuff for the big prize... I already have that challenge worked out & even that is more fun that tuff. (my challenge will post on April 11 on the Everything Scrapp'n Blog)

So to be entered to win the card kit just post a comment.

Make a comment - All comments on April blog posts made before April 30th at Midnight eastern time will get one entry. So you can get a lot of entries.... (max 1 per day)

Become a Follower - 5 bonus entries if you become a follower of my blog (on the right sidebar under slideshow)

Blog about it - Blog about the big contest in the post below (here's the link

http://craftysuz.blogspot.com/2009/04/let-games-begin.html ) & you'll get 5 additional entries. Make sure you post a link to your blog

So you can get up to 40 entries for the month. It's up to you how much you want to enter.

In addition I will be doing other RAKs thru the month so keep checking back for some Tim Holtz & Prima products. I will pull the winners of these prizes from all the comment entries for the month.

Let the Games Begin

Well it's finally here April 1st as promised.... The month long competition over at Everything Scrapp'n Blog

My Mind's Eye Prize pack worth $90!

Look at all the stuff in this photo...

MMW Dreamy 2 Mega Prize Pack you will get the 30 pages of high quality double-sided patterned paper and over 90 accessory items including die-cuts, tags, journaling tags, title tags, flowers, frames and more. WOW

Ok so now you want to know how can I win?

It's easy

There will be 6 Challenges during the month (one from each of the designers)

You have until April 30th to finish & submit your completed designs.

For every challenge you complete and leave a link in the comments section for that particular challenge where we can see it, you will get your name put in for the drawing.

Also, and this is very important, every challenge you must use MME new Penny Lane, Bella Bella, or Bloom & Grow.

If you don't have any you can take a look in the store, all the brand new lines are there and they are wonderful. There is something for every style & the colors/patterns are even prettier when you get them in your hands... you will love the new MME lines

Which brings me to another way to get your named put in the drawing, for every $25 you spend in the store your name will be put in for the prize.

That is at least seven different ways you can get your name added and that means more chances for you to win this awesome prize pack.

The first challenge is up... By our Design Team Leader Denise....

Denise's Texture Challenge

I want you to make a layout, single or double page, and use texture on your page. Some examples for adding texture to your pages are distressing paper edge, ribbon/lace, buttons, make your own flowers from paper, use paint, add bling, use fabric, etc.... Make sure you use 3 different textures on the layout.

The Rules:

1) You must use My Mind's Eye papers & accessories, your choice of any from the new MME lines - Penny Lane, Bloom & Grow or Bella Bella. You can find all of these in the store.

2) I want to see at least 3 different textures on your layout.

3) You have until April 30 to post a comment here, post a link in your comments where we can see your layout.It's that easy! I will get a picture of my layout example added in a few days.

In addition to the big grand prize each designer will have their own giveaway on their blogs so make sure you check each of us out to win a My Mind's Eye Card Kit. I'll be back later to post my giveaway & some sneaks....

Have a Creative Wednesday...