Oodles of Doodles

all images ©SU! 1990-2006

If you've seen the new SU spring mini catalog, you know what I'm talking about. Lots and lots of sets with Doodles -- Doodle This, Doodle That, Doodle Alphabets & Numbers ... Doodles are a little outside my comfort zone, but I LOVE these new designs. So much so, that I am considering ordering the alphabet set along with the This & That sets.

Doodles are so popular. I guess we can attribute some of the doodle rage to Ms. Elsie from Creating Keepsakes. She is definitely the doodle queen. I really like the freeform look of doodles, but it is not my normal style. That's why I am excited to see so many doodle stamps and printed papers being made. I can get in on the doodle look without having to be a confident doodler myself. {I may actually be doodle-impared, we're checking into that}

all images ©SU! 1990-2006

Another thing I am loving lately is brighter colors of cardstock. I am usually Earth Elements to the core. But I suppose looking forward to spring and warmer weather attracts me to the brighter colors of turquoise and marigold.

all images ©SU! 1990-2006

All the cards shown today use the same supplies:
Marigold Morning, Naturals White, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise cardstocks
Turquoise grosgrain ribbon
More Mustard brads

how many words is this picture worth?

Happy Monday!

Need I say more?

Thinkin' spring

I'm thinking spring! The new spring mini catalog is out and here is a sample from an adorable new stamp set called Polka Dots & Paisleys. Ask your favorite SU! demo about the March special which involves this set!! {all images © SU! 1990-2006}





Supplies used for this sample --
Stamp Sets: POLKA DOTS & PAISLEY STAMP SET, JUMBO WHEEL PETALS
Paper: PRETTY IN PINK, OLD OLIVE, WHITE, LONG NOTES COOL CARIBBEAN, DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PETALS & PAISLEYS
Ink : MARKERS: PRETTY IN PINK, OLD OLIVE
OLD OLIVE, COOL CARIBBEAN CLASSIC INK
Accessories: GROSGRAIN LIGHT PINK

And, not that this has anything to do with spring, stamping or any other relevant thing on this blog ... this is my favorite show and I found a banner on the website. Hilarious!! Although this week's episode ended with quite a plot twist ... I'm worried for Jim.

fleeting beauty

On my way home from work yesterday, as I turned on to our street, this is what I saw. The rainbow was a full arc, from horizon to horizon {or tree tops}. This rainbow was stunning! My son and I looked at it for a while, and snapped a few photos. It was so large I wasn't able to get the entire arc in my viewfinder.

Rainbows don't last a long time. We watched as the rainbows colors began to fade some, and one side of the arc began disappearing. Then it started to drizzle rain a bit, so we finally went inside.

Isn't nature beautiful? Isn't our Heavenly Father wonderful? I am in awe of His creation as I think about that beautiful spectrum of light.

Happy Mail!!!

WARNING: THIS IS LONG.

The other day, I mentioned that I was seriously sidetracked by some HAPPY MAIL delivered to my door {from here on referred to as the BOX}. Finally, the photos are uploaded, color corrected and reduced to a manageable size so I can share.

I have to say, this was such a fun box to receive ... THANK YOU LISA! {yea, like she reads my blog ... anyway...} On Lisa Bearnson's blog she had a contest to celebrate her birthday. You had to answer some questions - which if you digest Creating Keepsakes magazine from beginning to end like I do, were easy enough to complete. The first 43 people to answer correctly would receive a *little* something in the mail. I think I was #31. woot.

So without further delay ... here is the BOX ... sitting in all it's glory ... ta da!!!

This is what I saw when I opened the BOX ...

So you see that adorable tag with my initial on it???? Isn't that perfect for a layout??

Hold on to your seats ... here is the entire box, spread out on my coffee table:

It contained a personalized, autographed book by LB {we're friends now, that's what all her friends call her}; an 8x8 album with all Heidi Swapp embellishments {this was a QVC item that makes a book of me - which is totally cool}, a mini chipboard album kit called a Flip-Flop book using various items and Chatterbox papers, and volume 3 of Lisa Bearnson's Scrapbooking {a special compliation for QVC of all the great sample layouts shown on the Creating Keepsakes QVC shows} which by the way includes yet another mini album with all the papers and embellishments to complete it !!! Am I excited yet??? You betcha!

As I was snapping pictures, first of the unopened box, then opened yet still in it's pristine state ... etc., my daughter was eye-rolling and just couldn't believe the excitement I was having over the BOX! Oh, don't get me wrong, she thought it was extra neat, and an amazing array of goodies, but yet why is mom so crazy?

Sorry to say, she hadn't seen anything yet -- after I finished my happy dance and photo taking I sat down to flip through one of the books. I started wondering if LB really took the time to make that tag? Surely not, she's pretty busy, right? That would be a lot of work making 43 tags. I'm sure an assistant made it for her. Then I started imagining the tag on a layout ... so cool, my own tag from LB. After a bit, I went back to my new stash and for some reason flipped the tag over -- WOW!!! There was a typed note, signed by LB herself!!! I went over the moon ... take a look:

Now, really who cares if LB made the tag?? She signed the back of it for me. Totally cool.

Disclaimer: I am not a freak {really}. I am not living an imaginary life thinking LB or any other scrapbooking mega-celebrities even know I exist. And I do know that we are all regular people, some using our talents more wisely than others. I do not travel to crops, nor do I frequently gush on message boards {although I do read craft blogs almost daily!!} I do most of my scrapbooking @ home, alone; most often in front of the tv. And, I really do believe that everyone should scrapbook to record their stories and keep those beautiful memories in a place where they are easily accessible, readily available and presented with love. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Hope you have a HAPPY DAY too!!

Tuesday??

Ok, ok, so it's Tuesday already and I promised to draw a name on Monday ... my excuse is that I got some incredible HAPPY MAIL and was sidetracked majorly ... I'll post more on that when I upload the pictures {hopefully later today since I plan to sit at my computer until my taxes are done or 3 pm, whichever comes first} nevertheless here is our BLOG CANDY WINNER:

Kelly Sampson aka emmiestamps!!

Kelly, I'll be in touch shortly -- congratulations!! And thanks to everyone who posted and shared my blog info. I'll have another blog candy contest real soon!!

Blog Candy -- there is still time

You still have time to enter ... be sure to read the rules below. I will pick a random name tonight ... after 9 pm eastern time.

While we're waiting on the winner ... check out this Gallery on SplitCoastStampers - she has some awesome cards, especially this set made with the FREE Delight in Life set & Scrapbook kit from Sell-a-Bration {ending soon!!}

Good Luck!

Blog Candy!!!

I promised something fun over the weekend, so here it is ... Blog Candy!! That means I am giving something away, and it is this adorable winter paddle punch set:

All you have to do is share my blog site with someone else, then post and let me know you did it. I'll pick someone randomly on Monday morning. Be sure to leave some form of contact information {like an email address, or blog site} so I can reach you when you WIN!!!

Yeaaa. Fun!!!

2 posts in one day???

Yes, unbelievable ... yet this is sooo worth it.

Go read this:
Woman gives birth in Sweatpants:
http://www.comcast.net/news/strange/index.jsp?cat=STRANGE&fn=/2007/02/16/588632.html&cvqh=itn_babypants

layout published

How much fun to share my excitement with you! I have another layout published online in the Club Scrap gallery {again my linker isn't working, blech!} Go take a look at the site ... humor me...

http://www.clubscrap.com/pgdrv2.cfm?c=gallery/view_proj&IDNum=2535&KID=193&PgNum=3&browseby=1

Here is the actual page:

The luggage tag reads:

While we try to teach our children about life,

Our children teach us what life is about.

Isn't that the most appropriate quote? The pictures are of my two teenagers in Mexico on a church mission trip. The email that cam this morning said Tricia Morris herself picked the layout -- double WOOT! I'm a really plain scrapper, so I'm surprised CS has picked my layouts, but I guess they want something anyone could do!! Anyway, I'm so excited I'm doing a silent happy dance {everyone else is asleep at the moment}. Thanks for looking.



I have something fun planned for my blog over the weekend. Be sure to check back!!

XoXoXoXo to you!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Do you have special plans for today? I sure hope so ... if not today, then maybe the weekend? Today for me is filled with work, church and misc. errand-running. But I did receive a very special surprise this morning. I'll have to post a picture later, maybe tomorrow.

The above image is available online from The Vintage Workshop {http://www.thevintageworkshop.com} my linker still isn't working right!! They offer all types of images for crafting, and have just recently decided to offer one image free in the newsletter ... so be sure to sign up for that when you visit the site.

Be good to your sweetie today!!

Avalanche!

I guess we all knew it would happen sooner or later -- it could have been any one of us! A well-known stamper has collapsed under an avalanche of tins! It was quite the tragedy, but Jan is feeling a bit better now. Check out her blog for the specifics. Jan has some swell cards and tutorials on her blog as well. You may want to bookmark it in your favorites.

what a BIG blossom!!

all images © SU! 1990-2006 sample by Edith Bunting

Arent' these cool stamps?? And the best part is you can get two of them absolutely FREE ... but only until Feb. 28, because that's when Sell-a-Bration ends!! Don't delay!





Stamps:
BIG BLOSSOM STAMP SET ** Free during sell-a-bration
SO VERY STAMP SET ** Free during sell-a-bration
PAISLEY STAMP SET

Paper:
CARD STOCK WHISPER WHITE 8 1/2X11
CARD STOCK REGAL ROSE 8 1/2X11
CARD STOCK NIGHT OF NAVY 8 1/2X11

Inks:
VERSAMARK PAD

Accessories:
STAMPIN EMBOSS POWDER WHITE
HODGEPODGE HARDWARE PEWTER
CRAFTERS' TOOL KIT
MAT PACK
RIBBON GROSGRAIN NAVY
PUNCH TICKET CORNER

a little secret ...

There is a new ezine for papercrafters on the horizon. It is called All the Rage, and I am doubly excited because I am in on the planning of the ezine, and possibly in the future, a new magazine. There's not much up yet, since it is still in the planning stages, and the links don't appear to be working today, but you may want to bookmark the site and keep your eyes peeled ... it looks like it will be a great and wonderful thing!!

Here is a partial post from Caitlin, the owner of All the Rage,

"Unlike most idea books and online galleries,

this site is more than a compliation

of great pages. We also focus on

techniques, tips, tricks and ideas to make

your scrapbooking easier. After you

learn these techniques, you are no longer

a slave to the basics. Once again, you can

scrap with imagination and creativity —

and that's the sign of a skilled scrapbooker."

I'll keep you posted as well. Wish Caitlin and the design team luck!!

Find instructions for these darling Valentine mailboxes at ScrapJazz.com
Target did have similar mailboxes in their dollar spot.



We had a blast stampin' last night. Here are two of the 4 cards we made using Carte Postale {my current fav set, btw}

all images © SU! 1990-2006

Also ... did you know that Oriental Trading has a blog? It is their Fun Expressions blog -- and even though it doesn't appear to be updated regularly, there are some projects with photos, ideas and creative suggestions. Maybe the folks at OT will begin updating it regularly with ideas from the products offered in the Fun Expressions catalog. That would be a great idea!

One set 3 ways

This is a fun project ... take one stamp set and make a variety of items with it. Take a look at the Be Happy stamp set. First, is a traditional card with a simple stamped envelope ... nice.

all images © SU! 1990-2006

Then, using the exact same items, rearrange the papers into a different layout ... viola! A brand new design:

all images © SU! 1990-2006

Finally, take the same set and papers and turn the tag into a scrapbook page embellishment - you have a beautiful layout that only took a few minutes to put together!

all images © SU! 1990-2006

I love the versatility of rubber stamps. You can come up with so many different looks, yet never run out of images. Alphabet stamps are one of my favorites for this very reason ... I always have the letter I am looking for.

I'm stamping tonight at my house ... if you are going to be in the neighborhood, drop by! We'll always make room for one more!!

happy stampin'

sharing two today

I have two blogs to share with you today -- they both have great information on them, not just chatty stuff {which, btw, chatty is the most fun!}

The first one is Ms. Elsie's blog at: http://elsieflannigan.blogspot.com:80/
Elsie has put up sketches to share, which I am going to try. Her style is sooo opposite of mine, but I just love her doodles and carefree style.

The second blog is pretty neat. Scrapjacked at: http://scrapjacked@blogspot.com
They take layouts and "scrapjack" them. There are several posts for each layout, showing how differently a LO can be interpreted. Really cool idea.

The class at BPS is going well. I won't say I'm up to date with all the assignments, but I'm not sure I am going to do them all. Yesterday the assignment was to alter a candle ... well ... I've done all the candles I need for now, so I am thinking it's ok to skip this one assignment. And, I still have to come up with a *mission statement* for my journal. That's almost too hard for me! I'm still mulling that one over. If you have suggestions ... please! ... pass them along to me!! I love to copy other people!!

Secret World of Scrapbooking ...

Check out the link to the right ... it's pretty good. Let me know if you recognize anyone!!

aacckkk!

It's Monday already! Such a busy week ahead, but I'm excited about it! My stampin' ladies are coming over FRIDAY -- Yeaaa! That means I have to work on some samples this week ... which means that I have to finish sorting and clearing out my s{crap} stuff that's all over the house {see earlier posts on re-arranging bedrooms}, and I probably will have to find some misplaced items that are integral to our projects!

Anyway, glad it's Monday in a way ... but wishing I had a few more days between now and Friday to get it all done!

I may be able to post some samples if I get my mojo going.

Punxsutawney Phil

This just in from CNN ... Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow today which means an early spring! Yeaaa!!

Now, on to crafting. Here is a really cute coupon book to make for Valentine's Day. Click the link for instructions Adorn-It: http://www.adornit.com/Gallery/Index.cfm?pg=project&pjid=139&uid=0&un=0&searchparam=n&aidt=250 {my linker isn't working, so I had to post the entire address}

28 Days

I started a class today over at Big Picture Scrapbooking. It is called 28 days; and supposedly I am going to make a project every day the entire month of February. Thank goodness the class instructor emails everyone, because when I got my first email today I hadn't even realized it was Feb. 1! Our project today was to make a journal to keep our ideas, thoughts and project ideas for the class. So ... without further delay ... here is my journal {I'm so proud that I actually did it today. That's the real accomplishment for me!}

This is the cover, sorry for the glare ... darn glossy mod podge.

The quote in the upper left corner reads,

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed

is more important than any one thing." Abraham Lincoln

This is the inside page, the title page, if you will allow ...

I don't know how much I should post from the actual class content, but I will share as much as I feel is appropriate. It's not too late to sign up, today is the first day, so you could hop on over to BPS and sign up with me ... then we could share our projects with each other all month long.

snow??

Are you home today?? I am. {where else would I be??} And, I am going to be productive today -- no time for fun!

• 
  I'm doing laundry {already got 3 loads in process}


• 
  I did my son's taxes {he's estatic, didn't know he would get a refund ... oh the bliss of youthful ignorance}


• 
  I'm going to do some homework for my 2 library classes online


• 
  starting an online class at Big Picture Scrapbooking too -- got to complete my first assignments today


• 
  I hope to do some work on my taxes ... getting expenses together, etc.

Oh, I forgot two important things:

• cook dinner


• blog

What about you? Do you have plans today? I told my husband, if he came by the house today, to bring me lots of caffeine, I'm going to need it!