Scraps-R-Fun

Seriously Awesome

Yup, that's how I feel about today's Simple Stories CHA reveal. Nevermind that the name of the line is Awesome, but it truly is! This line had my heart the moment I saw it. I am a sucker for non-cutesy boy-ness. Even though my son is a total PITA, I still have to love him. But beyond basic boy stuff, I see this line fitting -me. It's golden earthtones sing to me. I love the bright colors too, but give me some dirt and I'm a happy girl. So, what did I do that was so awesome? Well, take a look! :)

 

I'm not sure this line could have been better for these photos. I used a 4x6 cutout on the left and it just so happened to be printed in just the right space with that "R", so I stitched over it. Love the way it came out! 

Next up were some photos I previously had no idea how I would scrap. Love the effect (and thanks to Pinterest for the design). 

The photos are actually popped up off the page on this one.

Then were my cards...

See what I mean? This line is pretty AWESOME! Go check out the full reveal over at the Simple Stories Blog today!

How About Feeling a Little Fabulous?

Why not, you say! So excited for the reveal of Simple Stories new Fabulous line... so bright and fun. I swear my layouts just make themselves when I am working with the SS product! Here are the items you'll see of mine adorning the SS booth at CHA. For those of you going, have fun! 

I started with this little number - a layout about the daughter of a friend. I love that orange and teal popping together, and those gingham alphas are just too sweet. I love those 4x6 cards for quick work with titles and the 12" border strips make designing a layout all too easy. 

I simply cut the strip and layered some flower punches on top. 

Next, I wanted to show the versatility of the line by using it for a layout of adults too. I don't normally use patterned paper as my background, but I love the way this pink pattern looked! 

I really love all the little sticker elements too! And thank you to sweet Lexi Bridges who shared some May Arts Ribbon with me... it was a perfect fit for my layout here :)

I loved this line so much, I couldn't stop playing with it. So, I made a couple of cards to go with it as well. 

Come back tomorrow, I think you'll find a really awesome post awaiting! 

Project Life - Week 2

Catching up on some posting before week 2 of school is upon me. I am happy to report that these pages were actually completed last week. So, I am still on top of my PL album. Working on printing Week 3 photos today... 

Since my right page of week 1 was a full 12x12 journal page, I decided to do the same for the left side (backside) of week 2. In this case though, I used the Life Documented line by Simple Stories. Between Destinations, Life Documented and Year-O-Graphy, I think my PL layouts are going to be seeing a lot of the Simple Stories products. I also mixed in some other products this week, including some papers from the Memoir line by Studio Calico. 

As you can see, I used the 8x10 protector for my right side this week. I'm glad because week 3 has produced fewer photos. So, that turned out well. After a bit of struggling, I finally managed to get the left page the way I wanted and in the end I have to say I love the way it came out! 

Can I say again how much I love all the pre-printed journaling areas... a little chipboard, a simple sticker and I'm happy.

I struggled the most with the right side this week. My photos were the wrong sizes and orientations, but in the end, I made it work. 

Something I haven't done in a long time in my scrapbooking is to use "stuff" like tickets or programs. But this week we went to services (not an every week occasion for us) and I really wanted a piece of the program in the album.

And again, using some Unity/SS stamping... and might I also add, a bunch of Studio Calico stickers I had been hoarding and had yet to use. I think that's what I like best about this project... digging into my stash! 

 

Ok - off to work on Week 3 ... have a great week everyone! 

It's a Pre-CHA Simple Stories Blog Hop Extravaganza!

 

I can't wait to share the new Simple Stories lines being debuted at CHA soon. The anticipation is truly killing me! But I can't spill the beans just yet. So, instead we're celebrating Simple Stories' great products with several of our Facebook fans! We put out a call recently to see who might want to share in a blog hop with the design team, and we got some great fans accepting the challenge! Be sure to check out all of the fun happening at each person's blog! If you didn't start at the Simple Stories blog be sure to check it out for some EXCITING NEWS about Simple Stories! Don't forget to leave a comment while you're there to be entered in the drawing for a collection of YOUR CHOOSING! Woot! Does it get much better? Well, actually, it does! You also need to be sure to comment on our fans' blogs. The fan blog with the most comments will have another random prize winner from the commenters there. So, I don't want to keep you here too long, and without further adieu, here's my entry into the hop... can you tell I have school on the brain with the semester starting this week?  I made myself a little laptop bag nametag holder. Simple Stories made it easy! 

Next stop on the hop is Kate Blue at: http://Kateblue.blogspot.com/

Enjoy! 

A Great Week Ahead

Well, hello there blog readers. That's right, it's I - two days in a row. Yup, gonna try to get back to blogging regularly, and there's no time like the present, right? I did a little card making this past week and thought I'd go ahead and share. I ended the week last night together with my daughter at Shabbat (sabbath) services. It was such a perfect "nikuda" (point) of the week, a perfect ending on which to stop and settle. I just finished loading my phone photos onto the computer for Project Life, Week 2. Although there were things I forgot to take photos of during the week (like taking the pup to the vet, or buying a pre-owned car), the week was full of thinking and doing and creating and worrying and stress and excitement. But being at Temple, with both family and friends, was a beautiful reminder to settle my mind and body.

I managed to capture the week pretty well nonetheless. The gang is coming over on Sunday to craft, and I plan to work on my PL Week 2 pages then. Will share soon! In the mean time, here is my favorite photo of the week. 

Happy weekend to you all! 

TGIF V.1.13.12

Whew! What a crazy couple of weeks it has been! I can't believe it's taken me 13 days to make my first blog post of 2012. Sorry 'bout that everyone! But what better way to start the new year of posts than with my "weekly" TGIF posts? For those of you who may be new to the blog, TGIF is my way of staying positive. It's been a rough past 11 months for me, and well, I'm all about looking for the silver lining. So, I try to write a TGIF post every Friday. I don't meet that goal, but I'll have you know that I do THINK about it every week... does that count? Anyway, TGIF is a spin on Thank God it's Friday where I list five events, memories, feelings, etc. of the past week for which I am grateful. I mean, really, it shouldn't be that hard to find 5 positive things from the last 7 days, right? So, why don't we get started?

1. First, I am so HAPPY my world traveler daughter is home. Montana, Colorado, L.A., Australia, New Zealand and home again. 

...even if it did mean that this is the view I had of her for a good 24 hours after arrival :)

2. Project Life. Yup, I've joined the craziness (which seems to have done some kind of exponential growth this year). Thanks to Becky Higgins who started the idea and Lisa Truesdell who joined the fun and shared it with all of us week by week on her blog (which intrigued me) and Marcy Penner who further inspired my desire to get creative with a simple idea and finally to Studio Calico which provided a dedicated forum where I was able to discuss, question, consider and finally overcome some of the barriers I had been putting in my way to get started on such a large project successfully. I chose to use my own products though rather than working from a PL kit. Since I am so very lucky to be a member of the Simple Stories Design Team, I have access to the perfect supplies for my Project Life album. Here's to the first week of 2012, being done AND on the books:

Left (uses Year-O-Graphy by Simple Stories and a bunch of other fun stuff including SUPER old KI Memories chipboard (arrow top right), even OLDER Rusty Pickle chipboard (#4), and newer fun stuff like Unity Stamps, Studio Calico stickers, the awesome Amy Tan/American Crafts tape and my new favorite stamp by Hero Arts - the background chevron). 

 Right side - a single 12x12 sheet from Year-o-Graphy again. These sheets are made for adding additional journaling - brilliant, no? I simply added some photos, the Amy Tan line airplane clip, a Unity stamp (airplane) and a clock hand by Tim Holtz. 

For more information and detail shots, check out my post here.

3. My big doofus Boone is feeling so much better. He went for a check up this week and his labwork says he is handling the medications he is taking just dandy. Love him.

4. I am feeling better too! For too many days, this is what I looked like:

I was soooooo sick -pjs, greasy hair and all. I'm still waking up with a sore throat. But every day I feel just a tiny bit better than the last. So, that's worth celebrating.

5. Finally, I am grateful that Taylor and I survived a week of sharing a car. However, that could not continue. Our schedules would not have worked out, and honestly, Taylor really needs to move out. She plans to live on the ranch where she is now working here in Arizona. So, we both needed wheels. We spent about four days looking for a car for the kid, but in the end, we came up with a better plan. Momma gets new wheels and kid lease's momma's car for a minimal price allowing her to also save for a new car... win-win. Say hello to momma's new baby:

A Midnight Blue 2008 Honda CR-V with only 23K miles that I bought still under warranty for a smokin' good deal... Thank you Dave Ramsey for teaching me not to fall into the traps of buying  a NEW car and for knowing how to save for one. I have to say this is the nicest vehicle I have ever owned. I was NOT looking for this nice of a car. But it had a tiny dent in the bumper and hatch and so it cost less than some of the older, less fancy models. I am not vain though, and I was looking for low miles (didn't think I'd get this low) and mechanically sound, one that as someone without knowledge of cars, I wouldn't have to guess about. I haven't named him yet, bu I am taking suggestions. 

Almost Belated TGIF V12.30

As 2011 comes to a close, it is only fitting that my last blog post of the year is one focusing on the positive. Even though I spent the majority of the year without a full time job, I need to still look back on this time as good. I could easily whine about what a crappy year it was or complain about being financially stressed or cry about my kids being far away. But why waste energy on negativity when in reality so many amazing things happened this year. So, for TGIF v12.30, instead of talking about what I am grateful for this week, I'm going to make it about the year just past. 

1. I am grateful for losing my job. There, I said it. I'm happy that I haven't worked full time for the last 10 months. First of all, I've loved not having a schedule. I've loved doing what I want, when I want it. I've relaxed. I'm less of the anxiety me, and more of the relaxed and balanced me. This photo was taken in April - after 2 months of unemployment:

That's a face that looks pretty happy, no? Besides, had I not lost my job last March, the following would not have been possible:

• applying to and being accepted in the NAU doctoral program
• working as a Race to the Top state reviewer and being in the presence of members of the presidential cabinet - US Secretaries. Two of them. 
• emergency subbing for a class at ASU that reminded me that teaching is where I belong

2. Being absolutely amazed by my offspring. Taylor comes home next week. But I am in awe of her ability to plan, do, and enjoy life. I don't know too many other 20 year olds who can say that they galavanted through New Zealand on the adventure of a lifetime. And Ryan, who out loud stated his goal (albeit... to be a ski bum... but at 23, there's no better time), and then made it happen. They are both so different, yet really, not different at all... 

3. I've rediscovered my love of hiking and hit new trails with new friends. One of my favorites recently was Vulture Peak outside of Wickenburg.

The mesa (flat top) on the left is what we climbed up to. It included a rock scramble which I had never done before. I'd always been afraid. We hold ourselves back in our heads so often from things we think we can't do... but we really can. I am grateful for kind fellow hikers who reminded me of this and ensured I made it all the way to the top. 

 

4. I am also grateful that 2011 brought me back to being on some scrappy design teams. I loved being a part of Fancy Pants Designs and enjoyed meeting the other awesome women of that group. But I have to say that being a part of the Simple Stories DT has been one of my favorite experiences ever. The products are so great, the women are incredibly supportive, and the company is fantastic. I've even decided to jump on the Project Life bandwagon using the SS product... I have my title page blogged at the site today.

Here's the photo I used for my first page... again, notice I am happy.

5. Last but not least, I am grateful for new friendships this year. I am grateful for old friendships strengthened too. Life has been fuller because I have people in my life who understand me. REALLY understand me. You know who you are, and I love you all for it. 

TGIF - V.12/16

So, here we are again. I'll be honest, on Wednesday I questioned whether or not I was going to be able to write this post this week. It's been hard to remain steadfast in my optimism of late. Last week marked my 9th month without a full time job, and that sense of failure has been exhausting. But it also marked a turning point in my thinking, a change of latitude to be had rather than attitude. In the end, I am grateful. Grateful for options and friends and all sorts of life experiences. So, let's get to it, shall we?

This week, I am grateful for:

1.

 

The mega-opportunities that await me with Northern Arizona University. I mean seriously, I never saw early childhood highlighted on the home page of ASU's website... but NAU is where I am supposed to be. NAU will open doors to me that I'm not sure I really thought would be there for me. But I see it now. I see a bright future ahead as Dr. Landy. That's right, Dr. Landy. The goal? Four years. Ambitious? Yes. Can I do it? Hell, yes. 

2. Speaking of NAU, I am grateful that I have come to a decision about my life and its current situation. I have three jobs on the line currently. One I was offered (but fell through temporarily), one I am interviewing for in early January, and one I am awaiting to hear if I will be offered an interview. I should know the answers by the end of January to all three situations. But I have decided that I am no longer going to seek employment full time. I will wait and see the results of these three jobs, but if none of them pan out, my decision is made for me. I am moving to Flagstaff, AZ and going to school full time. Yup, me... a full time graduate student. Oh, the luxury :) . I am finally at peace with this decision, and for that I am grateful. 

3. I am also grateful for the opportunity to be working for one of the best scrapbook companies out there today... Simple Stories. My fellow DT members are incredibly supportive as are the DT Coordinator and Owner. Such great people that landed in my life... and bonus... the product ROCKS. Here's a little sneak of an upcoming blog post featuring SS and Maya Road :)

4. I am also grateful for Hulu this week. It has kept me entertained during a heavy funk... I caught up on all the good shows of the season... American Horror Story (OMG); Once Upon a Time (OMG!); and Modern Family (OMG still the funniest show on television). 

5. We are halfway through Taylor's adventures in another land. In less than 3 weeks, I'll be road tripping to California to pick up the kid from LA-X and visit with family. I cannot wait. 

In Honor of the Hero Arts 2012 Catalog...

So, Hero Arts is one of my favorite stamp companies. Aside from the fact that their images are awesome, they are all made... ALL made right here in the United States. I love that about them. :)

Well, they released their 2012 catalog with some of the most awesome stamp designs yet. If you head to Jennifer McGuire's blog, you can win some! ok - wait, don't go... 'cause *I*want to win them! =)

But because I love them so, I thought I'd share a quick little birthday card I made... I love almost all their sentiment sets and this fun b-day set is no different!

Paired with some Basic Grey Life of the Party and May Arts ribbon, I love everything about this combo... and thank you Jenni Bowlin for your fabulous inks! 

TGIF V.12/9

Yup, it's that time of the week again! Hard to believe. This week I "celebrated" my 9th month of unemployment. TGIF gets harder and harder, I have to say. But it was a bittersweet week indeed. So, here goes.

1. The week actually ended on a hopeful note with a phone call asking me to go interview for a job in Flagstaff. Now, it just so happens I was considering moving to Flagstaff all week as that is where NAU is, I was also considering just taking off and going to school full time up in Flag. But well, if I have a job to go to, that may be even better. 
2. The week also ended with an email from Paper Crafts requesting TWO of my cards that I submitted - yahoo! Considering there were 2600 submissions for this call, and I submitted 8, that's not a bad percentage! Here are a few that I submitted that weren't picked up. 

I really love this card, but I tried submitting it 3 times and well, that's when I quit. It does work sometimes as I recently had a card picked up on its 3rd submission. You really just never know why a card may not get chosen. If you think it's a good card... persevere! 

Originally for a sketch call... but don't you just love the sentiment font? That Kim Hughes and her cute Paper Smooches stamps are too fun. 

Had a great time making this one... used a Hero Arts background stamp and a masking/misting technique to create the color variations. I'm actually looking forward to giving this to someone. Quick, someone get married! 

3. I skyped with the kid in New Zealand earlier. Though, I believe that if she could figure out a way to make it work, she wouldn't ever come home from there! I mean check out where she was recently!

4. I have a great location set for photographing the full lunar eclipse tomorrow morning. I've been fortunate to meet some great people recently. I am really lucky. 

5. Somehow, I finally got up off my ass and cleaned my house up. It's not perfect. But it's livable, and company acceptable. So, quick, if you were thinking of visiting me, you should come within the next 24 hours before the house gets messy again.