Watch me try something new!

Join me as I try alcohol inks for the very first time! I wanted to color some of the metal elements for my new mini car album. Also, I decided I should probably have at least touched alcohol inks before I go to my Exploring alcohol inks class with Tim Holtz. Probably should try it before I explore it right?

I also played a bit and tried the alcohol inks on some things I had lying around and was pleasantly surprised at how good they turned out and how easy! I show a great way to make your own colored staples. I am now imagining all different types I can make, multicolored, green with yellows, reds and oranges...limitless and cheap!!! I love learning new techniques and trying new things with them.

What is a new technique you have tried lately and what were your results?

Creating from the Heart: My Blogaversary Giveaway!!

Wow, check out this blog candy!!!

Creating from the Heart: My Blogaversary Giveaway!!

Staples...who knew!

I just went to Staples with my rewards dollars and cleaned up! I love the new clips I got. You should definitely go check it out! You won't be sorry!

More wedding!

OK, so I FINALLY did another Wedding Album page. I had to take a break and try some other things because I was losing momentum and interest. For a while all I was doing was wedding, wedding, wedding! That album has so much meaning and is so important to me that I was feeling pressure. I want it to look great and so I'm super picky about what papers I allow myself to use and how I embellish. I was losing the fun! I just wanted to scrap something bright red, orange and silly for a while. I really needed this fun break while making my nephew's gifts. I got to reboot creatively and now I am back to the wedding with new found enthusiasm!

The paper I used for these Dance pages is the Kaiser Craft Spirograph collection in Phase. I love the circles! I matted the photos on Bazzil cardstock. As Finn points out I cut pictures into circles with my circle cutter adn then cut out circles of the Bazzil for mats. The flowers are from decapitated dollar flowers from Walmart. The accordion album was one I had made a long time ago. (If you would like to see me make one of those on the blog just let me know! They are super simple and super cute!) I still have to add journaling and a fancy title.

I need your help! What should I title this page layout? I have such trouble finding titles, especially for the wedding album! All I can think of is Dances, dancing circles or Do you want to dance? Any other suggestions?

What element do you struggle with?

Who Me? cat card

Here I create an adorable card for a cat's birthday I am going to. I had so much fun making this card. How often do you have a pet birthday party to attend? I took the opportunity to use a few new stamp sets I had bought for Finn's mini album. I changed the card up a few times because I kept getting better ideas. I love the final result! We are giving the birthday boy Dale, the card and a bouquet of catnip. I made the wrap for the catnip bouquet by taking a piece of 9 x 9 cardstock and stamping the paw print stamp all over it then wrapping it around a bunch of catnip. It came out cute! I hope he likes it and I hope you like the card!

Clear Stamp Tip

Here I show you a new thing I am doing with my clear stamps. I am always looking for better ways to store scrapbook items. Right now I have clear stamps in cd cases which I like when the sets fit. I have others in a binder with clear sleeves, but I think the sleeves are too flimsy. Now, I have a few sets in large clip-it-up bags. I just bought a few to try it and so far I like them. I don't have a clip-it-up but I like how thick and sturdy the bags are and they fit Stampendous and Inkadinkadoo stamps quite well. Also, I may add a rod under my ribbon rod for clip-it-up bags. The bracket has 3 holes for rods as you can see in my scraproom video and I am thinking of adding a rod and clipping to that.

How do you store your clear stamps?

How are you appreciated?

I was asked how my family liked the "Car" mini album and I thought it was a great opportunity to share one of the reasons I scrapbook. I love to make others happy. I have always enjoyed gift giving. I do my best to find a great gift that others wouldn't think of and that the recipient will really love. Scrapbooking and crafts in general have helped me do that because the people my life really seem to appreciate the time and work I put into these projects. Here is one of the BEST Thank you's I have received. It was from my sister-in-law, Patty, for the mini album I gave my nephew. It is a great thank you not only because she thought I did a nice job but because she wants to keep it as a memory of Evan's interests at the age of 2. Here is an excerpt from her thank you. You'll see what I mean.

'My favorite gifts though, are the room sign and the car book. They are so special. It’s unbelievable how much time you have put into them. Having gotten my own tutorial, I can really appreciate all the detailed work and effort. Evan and I have enjoyed reading the car book together—he really gets a kick out of seeing himself. And he likes to touch the key and traffic light and raised paper—quite a tactile experience! It is such a nice keepsake for him—one that I and he will cherish. It really captures this moment of time in his life and his passions. You did a wonderful job—so creative and colorful. I like how you used the colors in the picture to complete the page but still maintained the theme throughout—everything down to the ‘road’ ribbon. Unbelievable. We hung up the room, I mean, vroom sign and we just love it.'

She is one great with words and might have over sold my album a bit but I was touched by her words of thanks and I am so happy that she and Evan loved it! That makes the 6+ hours worth it!

Note: I asked her if she wanted me to remove the metal pieces when I gave her the album and she said no. She said she would only use it as a book they look at together at bedtime and that way there was no danger.

What was your best Thank you for something you created?

Tim Holtz

Guess what??? I just got into 2 classes with Tim Holtz at Ink It Up in MA!!!!! I am sooo excited! You had to register for the class and registration began today at 5pm. I was so excited, in fact, that I took a 1/2 day off work so I could be there early enough to ensure placement into the classes I wanted.

I got there at 2pm and strolled around the store for 10 minutes before admitting I was there 3 hours in advance to sign up for the class. After exchanging looks of "Wow, this girl is a bit crazy!" I took my place outside as #1, first person in line!!! I was joined about 20 minutes later by a nice woman who kept me company and took some of the crazy off me.

The women at the shop were so nice. They came out and brought the people in line lemonade, water and cookies! How sweet!

It was totally worth it because, on September 11, I will be attending the "Exploring Alcohol Inks" class and, on September 12th, I will attend the "Patchwork Pandemonium" both taught by the amazing Tim Holtz!!

I can't wait and you can be sure I will have loads of pictures and techniques to share when I return.

Scrapbook Haul - Big Lots, Staples, Dollarscrapbooking.net!!!

Hi everyone! I wanted to share some of the awesome new things I picked up recently.

Anyway, Everything here cost less than $5!!! I just received an order I placed with dollarscrapbooking.net. I love that website! I also wanted to show you some interesting things I got at Staples in the clearance section. And...I know I said I wouldn't go back for a while but...I returned to Big Lots! I actually went looking for the magnetic closures I saw some people had found there but they didn't have them at my Big lots, boo! However I did find some great items!

My other news...I have a (small but cute!) PRIZE!!!! I decided it was about time for me to give something away on my blog! I don't have a large scrap room full of stuff to choose from but I still found a few random things I want to share! Check out my video to see what they are and how you get them.

3D Circle card Parts 2 & 3

Here I finish up the card and the decorating, as well as show the completed project. I get a little repetetive from time to time but that's just how the editing worked out! Sorry! I think it came out great and I can't wait to see my nephew's face when he sees how it opens. I know he will love to have it sitting in his room.





I had so much fun with this card. I can't get over how different and fun it is. Also now that I have made it twice I have worked out a few kinks and could probably make it much better and faster next time. I know I will use this style for many different occasions and styles. Post a comment telling me what you think or try it out yourself post pictures and link to them here! Thanks for watching!

Amy

Happy Independence Day!

I hope you all have a Happy Fourth of July! Eat lots of great food, have fun memories with family and friends and of course...take lots of pictures!!!

I have a great project starting on Sunday so check back!!