Introduction and Baby's First Year album

First I want to introduce Emma Nicole Versprille. She was born on December 15th weighing 5lbs 8oz. She is so much work but so much fun! Love her!

Now on to the crafting!

This is a gift for my sister-in-law. She is having a little boy, due at the end of February. I wanted to make something homemade for her baby shower. I think this came out great. I had to improvise a bit on this one but in the end, it worked out.

I used the Bazzil Basics Totally Exposed 8" x 8" album. It has a three ring binder inside and a finished outside. The chipboard pages are sold separately and have cute tabs in different shapes. I used the Java Walnut ink antiquing spray found at Michael's, to color the inside cover, the edges and the sticky back canvas. It is a really nice rich brown.

The paper collection I used is the Baby Steps collection by Simple Stories. I cannot say enough great things about these papers. They are so beautiful, easy to use and give so many options for journal spots and embellishments. They are a nice quality. I love them. They are also one of the only baby collections that can honestly work for a boy or a girl. Love, love, love!

This album came together quite easily. Of course I made it in the days surrounding my due date. So, I was on a clock and really worked to get it finished before I went into labor. I am really happy with the way it turned out and I hope my sister-in-law loves it too!

Baby Crib Mini Album

Ok, this is one of my favorite albums! It is mainly just photo mats but I just love the simplicity in that. It will really help the photos shine. I wanted a place to put pictures of my baby sleeping. Just sleeping. Baby's look so adorable and angelic when they sleep. When I saw this chipboard album on Bona's blog Live Love Scrap - I knew it would be perfect. Thank you Bona! She designed this die herself for her Accucut machine.

Because it was so simple, it came together very quickly. A great gift for a baby shower! I will do another video of this once I have pictures inside. It looks so great in her room and I love that it stands up!

I hope you like it!

Do you remember me???

Hi everyone! I know, I know - I have been gone for quite some time now. Though, I have no excuse, I will try to explain. I have been overwhelmed by the new life changes that have happened to me this year. I started a new job in March and found out I was pregnant on April Fool's day! I was shocked as you can imagine. Excited but shocked! Needless to say I have been tired and worn out and not crafting that much. I also lost my craft room to the baby room,. Packing up all of my stuff into boxes messed with my creativity. I am now sharing the office with my husband. So far it is working out fine. I told him we should get a partner's desk, but I think that was pushing it, I mean I have already taken over the entire closet. Only downside so far, I no longer have a TV in my craft space. You can tell by the name of my blog that I love to watch TV while I craft. but I am making it work. I will make a video of my new space soon.

Speaking of my hubby, he yelled at me today when he found out I have been neglecting you so here I am! I have been doing a few projects for the baby so I will begin to share those with you now.

We are having a little girl. We don't have a name yet so don't ask! LOL! My hubby was concerned that we were only going to get baby clothes sized for a newborn. We was worried that out darling baby girl would be naked once she turned 6 months old. To ease his fears I decided I wanted the closet separators for each clothes size. I saw them at the baby store but they were so generic and boring. Enter my google search for homemade closet dividers. I found some made online by a fellow crafter. See my inspiration HERE!

Are those not adorable??? I loved them - only one problem. They were for a little boy. I knew for mine, I wanted to use the Graphic 45 Once upon a Springtime collection. I had been saving it until I go pregnant someday - who knew it would be so soon! Thanks goodness I am having a girl because this would not have been a manly collection to use for a baby boy!

I embellished with recollection flowers, E-line pearls, ribbon and more. I hope you like them. Easy to make, fast and pretty inexpensive. These would be a great gift for a baby shower!



So, I am back! I am sorry I deserted you, it was't intentional, life just got crazy! I will try to post at least twice a month, hopefully more often! I am due in 7 weeks and have a few projects I need to complete before the baby takes over our lives. I promise share them all with you!

Homemade Notebook

After seeing a video from Jade @ JadedStudios on youtube. She is amazing and you should definitely check her out if you haven't already. She recently made a video showing a notebook and I knew it would be the perfect present for a friend who recently got engaged.

I used the Mariposa paper collection and it was perfect. I made the cover and inner divides with medium weight chipboard. The inner pages I just cut down some notebook paper and stamped a few images on the pages facing the divides. It took me 3 hours to complete and I love how it turned out. Check out the video and try this for yourself!

Hoppy Easter!

Here is an adorable project I made to give as treats for Easter. I had 6 to make and wanted something quick and easy. I think these came out so cute! I hope you like it!

TWS Swap mini for Tammy!

I joined the February TWS (Trade Wind Scrappers) mini album swap on the Beach community I belong to. [Check out the side bar to link over and join! You will love it!] I was paired up with Tammy who was looking for a love themed album, She likes pinks and browns, not Valentine's specific, and similar to Marion at A Piece of Craft.com style! I had my work cut out for me but I was ready to step up to the challenge!

I found this amazing paper at Michael's. DCWV Old World 8 x 8 paper stack. I loved it! The damasks, the distressed look, the colors! I was so excited to work with it! I decided to use some Maya Road ticket sheers and the ticket album I got at Michael's to make a Ticket to Love mini! I had my theme, paper, and a new arrival and my new obsession...Glimmer mist and white prima flowers! I was set to go!

I had a blast making this. I even tried some new techniques - some made the album - some, not so much! I always try to incorporate something new into each mini I make to not only try new things but stretch my skill base. I figure the more I try, the more I learn. I am not usually a pink person but I dove in and really liked the colors! The mini only came with 5 pages and I need to make 6 for the swap so I added an envelope page. Fun and super easy to do! I made my own paper using modpodge and was really happy with how it looks - it did warp the chipboard a bit though. If anyone has tips on how to prevent this let me know. Next time I am thinking of doing it on grungeboard instead of chipboard. All in all - I loved the finished album. I really hope Tammy does too!



Thanks for watching!

Recent Projects

I had Cabana Crop Club at my local Scrapbook Store this past weekend. The club meets once a month and you make a project, eat lunch, have hours to scrap whatever you want and of course LOTS of gabbing with the ladies! My mom goes with me and it's a nice bonding activity for us to do together. I love it!

I thought I would share what I made this past meeting. I finally have returned to my wedding scrapbook and love the page I came up with. It is very romantic and fairy tale fun! I also got around to using the sweet treat cups from Stampin up in the manner I bought them for. They don't hold treats but something just as sweet! I had trouble with this page for so long and if you go back and click HERE at this video you will see the old solution and I think we can all agree the page is much better now!

I also finished a quick and easy 2 page layout that used up a bunch of my scraps! It is for a Christmas present for my sister-in-law. Yes, I said Christmas! I gave her a scrapbook for 2010. Filled with a 2 page layout for each month. However, after being sick and just being super busy - I only got 5 months done before Christmas. I told her I would finish each missing month before the month arrived. March was one of the missing months so I tackled that at crop club! I think the page is simple but cute and a great way to clear out some of those under used scraps! I have a plan to use scraps for April too! (yup, another missing month!) I have the following months still to complete: April, May, July, August, September, November! I know, I know, a lot of empty spots to fill but I am working on it!!!!

A few weeks ago, I had some time to organize my ribbon and I love the new system because I can actually see what I have, touch it, hold it up to a project - not to mention it looks pretty! I am very lucky Finn has not gravitated over to the flowy ribbon - could be disastrous if he ever decides to play but it is worth the risk!

Just a few things I have been working on, hope you like them! I am excited to finish my wedding album. My goal is to finish it before our Second anniversary (in April). I have about 6-8 more pages to add. Better get crackin!!!

Thanks for stopping in!

My Christmas Haul!

Did everyone have a good Christmas? I sure did! I was sick the entire week before and up until Christmas Eve. I am still keeping my hubby awake but feeling much better. My mom and dad spoiled me with a bunch of Christmas goodies! I am itching to play with all of them!!! My sister-in-law also gave me the Sizzix Texture Boutique and the Fabulous Finds Cricut Cartridge. Yay! Check out what else I got!



I hope you like my haul. It is the last one for a while so savor it! Now I have to get busy using all my new products. I will be filming as I experiment with them and use what is in my stash.

What was your favorite gift??

Stampin Up Haul

Hi everyone! I have a haul from dollarscrapbooking.net, Staples and Stampin Up! I am so excited about these purchases! I can't wait to use them!

This is my last haul of the year! I am officially on a buying freeze until 2010. Of course I will show you what I receive from the Beach buy Jenn is hosting and any Christmas presents I receive.

I am busy creating my Christmas tags, Christmas cards, Christmas gifts, Christmas minis...There aren't enough hours!

Another Haul!!!

I know, I have been a bit bad lately. I have this haul and one more on the way, just waiting for the shipment to come in. I am done spending though until after Christmas! OK, enough justification...onto the fun! I went to Michael's and got a few things. I got some great things, a few awesome deals and a great idea. All in all a great trip to the craft store!



My hubby repainted my scraproom today and we are putting the final coat tomorrow. It looks SO much better! I can't wait to get back in there to create. I have some Christmas tags I need to make for a swap. I will be filming it so look for that later this week. I have to wait a bit for the awesome wall unit. My dad has decided to give it to us as a gift for our future baby. No, I'm not pregnant!! Not for a bit. He is just giving the gift a bit early so I can use it for scrapbooking! Unfortunately, he wants to wait until after the open house and take the time to do it right. I will show my new scraproom color but you will have to wait for the magical wall unit for a bit longer! Sorry! I will show what it looks like in the new color though!

Mini Haul!

Hey everyone! I went to Jo-Ann fabric store and got a few things and thoguht I would film a mini haul! I got a great deal on sticky strip from Jody @ http://confessionsofaribbonaddict.blogspot.com/ thanks to Bona's recommendation. Thanks Bona! Jody is a great seller! Shipping was only $5 and shipped out super fast! Great deal!!!

Anyway, enjoy and I can't wait to show you what I plan to cut with my new blade!

Halloween Photo Wallet

Hi everyone! I saw Stephanie from With a Grin make a small photo wallet from one 12 x 12 piece of patterned paper. I thought it was awesome so I had to try it. I decided it would be a great inexpensive gift for my sister-in-law's birthday! I made her this wallet so she could show off my adorable nephews' halloween costumes. Too adorable!

After filming this video I added an eyelet with a ribbon and tied it to the binder clip. This way when you release the closure it won't get lost. I also added a black prima flower and brad (like the one I had on a spooky album tag). On the brad I added a tiny key with a couple jump rings. It really took the photo wallet to a new level and made it super cute! Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture or film a revised video. I guess you will just have to picture it!



I have also included the video of the tutorial I used to make this awesome homemade item. It is like a mini travel mini album! This is a super easy and inexpensive gift for the holidays! Give it a try! I would love to see what you come up with!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Happy Halloween everyone! To celebrate I thought I would share the completed Spooky album with you! I really hope my swap partner, Mary, likes it! I am super proud of the way it came out! It was so much fun to make! I am not a Halloween person but through the creation of this mini - I became a fan!

Some info: I mainly used Target $1.00 paper pack and $1 mat stack. I used We are Memories extra large black eyelets on every page to re-enforce the holes. I used 2 round coasters for the inserts. I went to the dollar store for some cool Halloween accents. All in all - I think the mini probably cost around $10 total to make and most of that is from the ribbon. I hope you enjoy the finished product and maybe it will inspire you to get spooky this Halloween.



**What is your favorite candy for Halloween? (Kid: Mike and Ike's, Adult: Snickers)
**Which candy did you get trick-or-treating and either throw away or trade? (Good n' plenty or junior mints)

Pink Minis for the Cure

Speaking of Laura Denison - She is hosting a silent auction on Saturday, October 31, 2009 - November 7 for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She has enlisted many great scrappers to take a Pink kit and make mini albums for breast cancer. She is auctioning these amazing creations to raise money for the cure! All proceeds from the silent auction will go to the Susan G. Komen for a Cure Foundation through their Passionatly Pink for a Cure event program.

The pictures of all the Pink Minis will go up on her blog HERE on Halloween adn the bidding will begin! Bidding will end at 6 pm Pacific Time on November 7th. High bidders will be notified after Nov. 7th. They will then go to the event web page set up at the Susan G. Komen Foundation "Passioantely Pink for a Cure" site to make a donation in the amount of their bid. High bidders will receive the mini from the creator as a thank you for their donation! If you want to make a donation you can also do that at the website. The website address is:
http://www.info-komen.org/goto/pink-minis

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD!!!

To get more people involved she has offered some blog candy to spread the word. Please check out the auction! You never know what goodies you can get for an amazing cause!

Spooky Pocket Page

Hey everyone! Today is have videos showing how I put together the Four pocket page for my Spooky TWS swap album. I learned how to make this type of page from Laura Denison(http://FollowingThePaperTrail.blogspot.com), she is a HUGELY talented woman. She did a tutorial on this and I knew I had to try it. I am sure most of you have either seen this or tried it yourselves. It was SO easy! I love this page and will definitely be incorporating them into a lot of my minis in the future! I hope you enjoy it!

Coming up next in this video series, I'll show the completed album!

Spooky Album inserts

I was so super excited for these pages. I got the idea from a card made be Kristina Werner for the Year in Cards series at twopeasinabucket.com. I could see it right away - an apple instead of a pumpkin or a Jack o Lantern. I knew when I saw the theme of Spooky for the TWS swap I knew these were perfect. I love how they turned out.

I used a few resources for this mini. I used this free card template from Two Peas and altered it to fit my needs. I used Free paper piecings from scrapbooksetc.com for a skeleton, haunted house and candy. I used these as embellishments and they are awesome! There are great free templates, images and more that are there free just waiting to be incorporated in a mini! I hope you like these page inserts. Stay tuned for a pocket page and the review of the whole album. Coming Soon!

Spooky Cover

I am involved in my first mini album swap! It is for the Trade Wind Scrappers swap hosted by Kathryn at the Life at the Scrap Beach Community (See the side button). This month's theme is "Feelin' Spooky". So much fun! I am making 2 albums at the same time because I intend to either keep one or give it someone in my family. I am using the paper I got at Target in the dollar section. I hope you like this first video in the series.

Tim Holtz and New Scraproom

OK, here it is...as promised!! I am all moved in. Boxes are basically gone! I show you what I made at my Tim Holtz classes! I had so much fun and learned A LOT!! I can't wait to share some of what I learned and if you see something you want me to share let me know! I called Tim the Willy Wonka of Scrapbooking! He liked that and I made him laugh! He was such a great teacher and I had a blast!! Check out the videos of what I made along with a mini tour of my new Scraproom!





More great stuff to come soon once I get a light!!

Bonus Video!!!

Here is what I received from the color swap at my crop club. There were 19 people participating in this swap. We each had to make 19 bags filled with roughly 50 cents of product in our designated color. It was super fun to see what everyone came up with! Check it out! I also show how I finished up my moving card AND a small haul! Not bad for a bonus video huh??

What is your favorite color?



House Update:
We closed on Monday the 31st. Everything went smoothly. We bought a bottle of champagne and my sweet husband, Dave, carried me over the threshold. It was a great moment as we sat in OUR new (empty) home. It hasn't really hit home yet and probably won't until we sleep there for the first time on Sunday. We have been going every night to bring some things and paint an accent wall red in the living room. We move on Sunday and couldn't be more excited! I can't wait to show you the place in a video/pictures.

Hey everyone! I am up to my ears in boxes and packing! I swear it is the worst part of moving! I am a pack rat and find it very hard to give things away. But Melissa has no trouble. Check out her great giveaway on her blog:

http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/2009/08/lets-give-somethings-awayjust-because.html

I am sorry I haven't posted in a while but as you can imagine things are CRAZY! We are set to close on my 30th birthday, August 31st and move on September 6th. I have my Cabana crop club this weekend and will be packing my tote along with ALL my scrap stuff! I will probably get 2 more videos in before the move but my blog will be on hiatus until September 13th. More on this later! New video coming on Sunday! See you then!