Where the tigardlilly grows

Christmas ATC

2008-12-05T09:33:00.000-08:00

I struggles with an idea for the Christmas ATC Swap on AMR too. In the end, time was ticking away. I decided to re-work the Christmas card I made for my co-workers. Melonscraps said that was cheating. I replied that I was just using my own "sketch".

This time around I was able to use Nestabilities Nesting Birds die which made cutting out the birds much easier. (I hand cut them last year) Once I got the sandwich right, they cut though the felt "like bud-dah". These little guys have brads for eyes and feather wings. After attaching the wings and tails last year I swore I'd never work with feathers again and though them away. While I did remember I'd have to buy more feathers, I had completely blocked out the mess a bag of feathers created. Seconds after I opened this bag, it all came back to me. I didn't have to deal with the tails feather this time because these guys are just too little.

He is sitting on a MM Flocked Holly circle, pop-dotted on a Bazzill Mud Pie scalloped circle. I rounded two of the corners of Cosmo Cricket's Merry & Bright. The knotted ribbon is a dull grosgrain from the dollar bin at Michaels and its all mounted on Bazzill Ivy.

How do YOU make a turkey?

2008-11-24T23:55:00.000-08:00

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Here is how I make mine. These are the Thanksgiving cards I made for a swap at AMR. I heard paper piecing was back "in", probably largely to do with this card. It's weird how all these other scrappers seem to have a spy in my Scrap Lair. Or maybe there's a sleeper cell at my LSS. (I mean, it couldn't be the other way around, could it? Baaa Baaa Baaa Baaa)
Would you like my recipe? Now, I know brine-ing your turkey is all the rage, but I wouldn't recommend it for this guy. Besides, Mr Alton Brown specifically says to use a frozen young turkey, and this one is an old bird if I ever saw one.

The card base (Bazzill) is embossed with Textile Texture with a BG Mellow insert (from the 6x6 pad.) More Bazzill in rich fall colors of Bazzill die cut with the Scalloped Build A Flower die. Velvet paper was also die cut with BAF and embossed with D'Vine Swirls and traced with gold gel pen. the turkey's body, trimed with Nestabilities Scalloped Circles and pressed in Swiss Dots. The body in made from two Nestabilities Scalloped Circles embossed with Swiss Dots and head, beak and wattle are from a QK digital download, cut on my Silhouette. The card is finished with an American Crafts ribbon knot.

In case your not glued to your Google Readers, Wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin' for my next blog post, I'd like wish everyone:

Happy Thanksgiving

Speaking of Google Readers, they can comment here!

Grungeboard ATC

2008-11-23T22:51:00.000-08:00

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I signed up for a Grungeboard ATC Swap at AMR. Almost immediately, I question that decision. I was really blocked. My first attempt was hideous. I am typically a bit harsh on my work, but this was awful; truly, truly horrible. I went to re-work it, and ended up completely starting over, but I think it was worth it.

This little froggy is a QuicKutz die. The die wouldn't cut all the way though the grungeboard so I had to go in with my micro point scissors and complete the cuts. I have to say those little toes were a pain in the tokhes. (yes, I looked up the spelling on that!) He is inked and his lower body is embossed with Tiny Bubbles and re-inked in a lighter green. Black Mark-its for eyes and a Glaze smile.

I heat embossed a Studio G stamped image on the back of a piece of MME Oui Oui Handsome and mounted that on the front of the same paper. The frame is a QK digital download for the Silhouette its all on a piece of Mud Pie Bazzil. I like this one a lot, and I'll be proud to swap him with the other Grungeboard girls from AMR.

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The TIGARDLILLY Banner

2008-11-20T20:06:00.000-08:00

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Inspired by the Thankful banner at OPSC, I made my very own tigardlilly banner.

I should start this off by suggesting, if you want to make a banner for your scrap room/ nook/ corner/ lab/ lair you should not pick a scrap alias with 11 letters because this puppy is 46” long! I couldn't even get a decent picture on the entire banner. Two more pennants and I could have done my full first and last names! (On a similar note, scrappers should not give their children names that have the same letter three times. There is not enough Bs in any chipboard set on earth. As a mater of fact, if I ever have another child, I’m naming it ZXQ.)

Back on topic…I tried and tried and tried to use some of my border punches to make a fancy pennant to peek out from behind the letter pennant.

These sots of things are very difficult for me because I was born with out any spatial reasoning ability. I’ve spent millions of dollars seeing thousands of doctors in hundreds of countries on all seven continents. Yes, all seven! And they all agree, those of us afflicted with missing spatial reason at birth can never recover and spatial ability cannot be learned. Luckily, there is an organization to that provides Spatial-Ed services in schools and trains service animals (mostly monkeys) that will rotate 3D puzzle pieces into their proper orientation. Please visit NoIDontKnowWhatThatWillFoldInto.org to see how you can help.

Oh yeah, I also can’t see though those dang dolphins hiding in the 3D posters either, not that I’m bitter. I just spent most of the 90s hiding in shame. Since I was financially strapped from seeking experimental spatial cortex re-growth treatments, the I Am Squinting My Eyes and I Still Can’t See the Dolphin Though the Pink and Purple Squiggly Lines Foundation helped with the overcome the PTSD. They were the leading organization behind the movement have these removed from doctors and dentists’ office across the country. If your MD still has one of these devices of torture in their exam room, please alert the officials at IASMEAISCSTDTTPAPSL.org

Meanwhile back on the banner ranch….I really wish I had that pennant die from Stampin’ Up, bit lacking a time machine that would allow me to have ordered the giganto die two weeks ago AND the $40 to pay for it; I had to resort to other means, mainly, trial and error. When I started to worry that six trillion failed templates was quickly becoming the leading cause of deforestation in the world, I decided just to adhere strips of Threading Water cut cardstock to the back of the letter pennants. Actually the scallops line up rather nicely for the 5x4” pennants.

For this banner, I used Basic Grey’s Ambrosia. Melonscraps helped me out with a scrap of Elephant Bazzil and some eyelets. That right girls, I used eyelets, 55 of them! At first I only used 33, but when I started to string it, I decided I needed eyelets in the top scallops too. I actually ran out one color, and didn’t have the color that melonscraps had let me used, so I stole the ten eyelets I needed from her stash when she walked out of the room. (Don’t tell her, OK. Were cool right? Dude, you better not rat me out) I cut the letter on my Silhouette (Pharmacy font) and inked them and pop dotted them to the pennants. I cut and Diamond Glazed eight butterflies from the sheet of Basic Grey Winsome. As the Diamond Glaze dried, the butterflies wings curled a bit and it look great. I stickled their bodies and attached six to the pennants. Then I made eleven little dangles from crystal beads and looped them thought the bottom eyelet and scallop of each pennant. I strung it all on some black hemp cord and spent a day trying to figure out where in my scrap lair I could hang the sucker.

Google Readers comment here !

OPSC: Our Private Scrapbook Convention

2008-11-19T22:15:00.000-08:00

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This weekend I attended OPSC (Our Private Scrapbook Convention) Some of my scrap pals and I were bummed because we couldn’t make the Seattle CKC. So were decided that each of us would teach the others a class CKC –style.

(BTW, I have no idea what my neighbors must of thought when melonscraps came over and unloaded enough stuff to fill a small uhaul, then Kay came with more, and then Inara shows up with a massive box, all of us filling past the "Welcome to OPSC" sign on the door.)

We started off with a challenge. Melonscraps and I made a kit from our existing stashes. We did not have to buy a single thing, that’s right between the two of us, we had enough product on hand to make four identical kits! We had four and a half sheets of BG Urban Prairie, a sheet of card stock, four ribbons, a mirrored butterfly, flowers, buttons, brads and eyelets, gems and pearls and a giant photo corner. We also included pictures of us crops from the past year or so. It was great to see everyone’s take.
Next melonscraps had a flawed plan to hold a contest where the winner got to pick whatever they wanted from my Scrap Lair. I DON’T THINK SO!!!! She changed her tune I suggested we award the prizes from her stuff. (That’s right; I’ve decided to officially dub my space The Scrap Lair. I can just imagine coming home with bags and bags of scrap goodies and announcing to my boys with my arm pointing toward manifest destiny, “To the Scrap Lair!!!” Duh na na na na na na NA NA)

Kay designed an amazing “Thankful” banner for us. It was really involved, but she set up stations and it flowed really nicely we all got to try new techniques and sample some of her Stanpin’ Up goodness. We double stamped (veramark+SU Ink) and embossed the letters and Versamarked and embossed flowers and a berry spray on each flag of the banner. We brayered over the images in two three colors and added an inked ribbon distressed the edges. Then we strung though eyelets in the cardstock background. It was so much fun; it inspired me to make a tigardlilly banner for my scrap room. (Check out my blog tomorrow for that)

Inara taught a card making class which included these amazing paper flowers we distressed so that they looked like they were fabric. She let us all chose our papers from here amazing 6x6 pad collection and we got to used here Sizzix dies. I had never used one before in my Cuttlebug, so it was a great opportunity to try that out. She also gave us some mini envelope templates. The Velcro closure was defiantly one of those, why didn’t I think of that moments. Inara is a teacher and it was great to see her being teacherly.

Melonscraps designed and entire mini album. She gave us ton of product and everyone got to use Nestibilities and bind our books with the Bind it All. It is full of transparencies, Hambly screen prints, lace cardstock, die cut cardstock and ------------------. I have promised I will finish this kit, which will be no chore because see coordinated it so well. Now I just need to print twenty pictures or so and fill ‘er up. It was actually pretty cool to see her competed book, and my stack of pages waiting for pics and embellishments and the difference in the thickness of the two.

My project was what I like to call my scrap swag book. It is a mini book made from badge protectors. I carry this around in my purse with list of my products so I don’t buy doubles. It’s especially helpful items that come in a zillion colors (inks, paints, stickles) or a bazillion styles & sizes (alpha stamps & dies) I also have a coin envelope in there to keeps those scrappy punch cards and 40% off coupons. Inara even shared her Velcro with us so we don't loose our coupons. (I still can believe I never though of a Velcro closure, ingenious!) You could also use it as a nifty brag book. It was really cool to see everyone concentrating so hard while cutting out birds and flowers from Urban Prairie’s Meadow. I should have taken pictures of all the squinting and lip biting. It was a pretty simple project, but I think everyone enjoyed it and the Diamond Glazing went well.

It took me a day or so to recover, just like the the real CKC, but now I'm back. I for one had a blast.

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A new PSA

2008-11-09T10:41:00.000-08:00

I usually keep it pretty scrappy around here, but I thought everyone might benefit from knowing that apparently, there some kind of difference between the Green Lantern and the Green Goblin.

I was watching TV with DS#1 (13 years old) .

DS:"He from Spiderman?"

Me: "Yeah, he's Peter's friend. You know the one who's dad is the Green Lantern."

(There are not enough exclamation's marks in the world to convey the utter disbelief and horror when he turned to me)

DS: "You mean the GREEN GOBLIN!" The Green Lantern is a superhero and the Green Goblin is a villain, for gosh sakes!!!!!"

He gave me know credit for recognizing the actor from Spiderman, or knowing his dad was the Green Whatever, or that Spidey's real name is Peter! I thought I was doing pretty well.

I swear to you that is verbatim what he said to me, right down to the "gosh sakes" which made me burst into laughter.

And one more thing, but you have to promise not to tell DS#1. When I was looking for pics for this article, I actually googled the Green Hornet by mistake. I mean, how many Green superheros and villains does the world need?!

Wish List

2008-11-01T22:02:00.000-07:00

Some persons have suggested that I may be difficult to buy gifts for me, and since the holidays are nearing, I thought I give them some ideas:

1. Bind It All 2.0, 2. XXL Tote, 3. Cricut Deep Cut Blade, 4. Indie Art, 5. Storybook, 6. Perfectly Paisley, 7. Forest Branches, 8. Border With Love, 9. Just My Type, 10. Border Frills, 11. HP PhotoSmart B8350, 12. Making Memories Slice, 13. Nottinghill Stamps, 14. Sassafrass Lass Mini Fair Maiden Stamps, 15. Clip it Up Top Tier Add-on, 16. Clip it Up, 17. Square Tab Punch, 18. Round Tab Punch, 19. Cricut Wild Card Cartridge, 20. Glue Glider Pro, 21. IKEA Expedit 2x4, 22. iPhone, 23. Red Collapsible Measureing Cups, 24. External Hard Drive

More manly cards

2008-10-28T23:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my brother's birthday. (Happy 34th, Eddie!) Here is the card I made for him. The "Happy Birthday is the same Heidi Swapp stamp I used for my dad's birthday card. This time, I used Versa Magic Night Sky and clear embossing powder. I wanted to stitch on the card, I really did, but I didn't want to dig out my sewing machine and try and fiddle with the tension and other knobs for a couple of hours. That, and as is often the case, I was working in a 10 x 10" clearing on my table. So, I used the Double Cutter Bee® Piercing Bugs Rotary Tool and drew in the stitches. Cardstock is Bazzill, of course and the pp is actually velum that has been in my scrap-drawer for a couple of years.

This card is the one my niece and I made for him. (Yes, the very same niece that once and continuously calls me a scrapbooking geek.) It is also on Bazzill. All of the Happy Birthday phrases are on one giant wood mounted Hero Arts stamp. I always saw it as a more feminine stamp, but when Niece asked to use it and in the end, I like the look. It's also clear embossing power over Vera Magic (Red Magic). The "Dad" is Technique Tuesday Eiffel letters and are clear embossing powder over Night Sky from my card. She figured out the ribbon and placement of the "Dad" Oval and really liked that you could read.."Happy Birthday Make A Wish Dad" There a bit hard to see, the those five dots in the upper left are Queen & Co Pearls (Blues)

I'm sure when he reads this blog, he'll get just as misty as my dad did when I describes the blood, sweat, tears and product that went into his card.

Leave me a comment here. I'm serious, leave me one! Or two :)

Scrap Room Lift

2008-10-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

I love, love, love see other people scrap rooms, and I've seen some amazing rooms. When I saw Laura Vagas' on Making Memories' Blog in June, I went absolutely goofy for her "embellishment shelf". Imagine, all of my jars could be neatly faced, on display and within easy reach. Oh it was too much, just the thought made me giddy!

So I felt it out on Craigslist, "How much would it cost for you to make me this..." Wow, the response was overwhelming (I got like 60-70 responses). I was expecting a couple of hobbyits to say, well we could get materials for so much, plus $50 bucks or so to put it together...." and what I got was a lot of professional cabinet makers estimating from 300-$650 before sending it out to be painted. While I am sure their craftsmanship and time were well worth what they were asking, it was out of my price range.
I fell into a deep depression; how could I go on with out an "embellishment shelf"? How could I hold my head up high at the next crop and fain a smile, knowing that some of my jars had yet to see the light of day, hidden behind the first and second row of jars on regular shelf? I shudder at the memory of those times.

In an attempt to drag myself out of the despair with a little compulsive shopping, I happened upon a 729 CD/324 DVD Storage Unit in the CD department at Target. I might have missed it if it weren't for the beam of light from heaven and the choir of angels singing. I felt the depression lifting, some of the old giggles were trying to break though. On the way home I hired two handymen to build my new "Embellishment Shelf" and to build my hope. (BTW, my handymen are very affordable, DS1 & DS2 will work for candy bars!)

So, here is my lovely "Embellishment Shelf". Although it is not quite the size of the other Laura's, it works for me.

Across the top my flowers in small Burken jars from IKEA.

Next row: Lg Tab Punch, Doodlebug flock in sm Burken jar, Mini pail w/ shelf pegs, pharmacy jar of mixed buttons, 7 Gypsies Stamps

Next Row: Clip it Up Clips and ribbon clips in mini pails, clear skittles, Bazzill chips, binder rings in mini pail, more skittles

Next row: Whispers inkpads, Giant Jar o' Stickles, Glitter, Flock and Embossing Powders in large Burken jar, ATC album, skittles, ATC Spinner

Next Row: Re-inkers, Journaling tags, Mark-it markers, colored pencils, Copic markers

Next row: Bazzill Just the Edges in a tall Burken jar, my Bind it All goes here too, but it's on my paper rack for some reason, room to grow, large ink pads.

Last couple of rows: foam stamps and more room to grow.

Right now, I working on cleaning my scrap room, so I'm sure I'll be filling in the blank spaces.

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Big Huge Labs Pallette Picker

2008-10-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

It not a widely kept secret that I am a bit of a geek. Even my dear mini-me niece has been know to call me a scrapbooking geek. And in truth, I did have a bit of a breakdown several months ago when the site that collected my blogging stats freaked out, leaving me with no way to "get my nerd on". So this new little lovely has made me a very happy camper.
I like to keep up on scrapbooking news on Scrapbook Update where I came across at great post about Big Huge Labs Palette Generator. It is easy to use and pretty darn cool. Basically, you either upload a picture from your computer, or after granting permission to access your Flicker account. You can also use Photobucket with it, but I don't use Photobucket, so I didn't try that option. It was definitely quicker to get the photo from Flicker, than upload it from my computer. Once you select your photo, click "Create". (This is where the longer wait is involved when using photos from your computer) The page will refresh with your image and a 15 color palette. I tried it with two photos, one of Sea Lions, the other of a couple of picnicking Jedis.

This is the palette BHL Palette Picker produced for my picture of sunbathing sea lions in Newport Bay. I would have never pick some of these more pink and purple colors and I was a bit surprised when they came up.
So I placed each of the palette chips behind my photo and I was really pleased with the effect. I even thinking of slapping a title on this and calling it my first digi-page.

So I tried it with this pic of my boys as we stopped for a picnic on our way to my cousin's wedding a couple of years ago. What rest-stop lunch would be complete without a little light saber fight? Again, it picked some pinks I wouldn't have, but they were really light.
Here's the same treatment with the palette chips. Not quite as stunning as the sea lion pic, but still, I think I could definitely pick some cardstock from the choices.

I love palette tools, and this one is quite fun. My inner geek is doing a happy dance, trust me it's a good think she's confined to my inner! You also might like some of Big Huge Labs other tools, I'm using their Mosaic Maker to make a Christmas Wishlist.

Google Reader comment here, or you can go to my blog and see it's color palette.

Halloween Candy Bar Wrappers.

2008-10-16T19:40:00.000-07:00

I wanted to blog last night but my keyboard met an unfortunate accident when flailing arms sent a deluge of water across my desk. I had to pull the batteries out of my keyboard and pray it still worked. (It does, yeah!)

So here is my candy bar wrapper. I actually made this for Cuttlebug Challenge #3 at Cuttlebug Challenges. The challenge was to use your embossing folders on something other than a card.

Still in the Halloween spirit, I made a candy bar wrapper. For this challenge, I used the Swiss Dots, D'vine Swirls and Boo to You. Then I went crazy with the Stickles.

And there's the candy bar poking his head out of his wrap. Sadly, coming out of his protected wrapper proved fatal for this guy, as he was attacked by the apex predator in this house, my teenage boys.

Google Readers can comment here without leaving the shelter of their wrapper.

ATCs

2008-10-16T00:08:00.000-07:00

This first ATC was for a Splitcoast Stampers Swap. The theme was $1 Halloween stamps. The bats a Studio G Acrylic Stamp and the October 31 is a $1 Wood mounted stamp (maybe Studio G too?) The bats are embossed in black over a gold lame type cardstock, mounted on DCWV purple glitter cardstock. The orange ribon is American Crafts ($1 too, so BONUS!) I stamped the Oct 31 stamp directly on the black cardstock and embossed it in an off-white. Then I stamped and embossed the same image on off white cardstock, punched it out (circle) and pop-dotted it over the base image. All of it is mounted on DCWV orange glitter cardstock. Oh yeah, pop-dotted is a verb too, you can add it right above xyroned in your scrappy dictionary.

This one is for another Splitcoast Stampers' swap, the theme being owls. So here the branches are made from leaf ribbon in red and brown (some are red and orange, some are orange and brown) It the same type of ribbon used here. The owls are inkadinkadoo. The larger one is from one of my sets, and jr was kindly lent melonscraps (she rocks) I cut the owls out and pop-dotted them on the Bo Bunny cardstock. I once again reached for my circle punch to make the moon opening. All that was pop-dotted over DCWV yellow glitter cardstock.

Thanks for looking at my ATCs, you can leave a comment here.

New Romance: Cuttlebug & the Dollar Tree

2008-10-14T17:47:00.000-07:00

As I skimmed though the Dollar Tree, I notices some textured mylar foil in the gift wrap section. Too bad you can't emboss that stuff. Or can you...

I tried two methods: First I tried white school glue, applied it to cardstock from my scrap pile and let it dry. The second method, ran the cardstock though my Xyron 510. There no real difference in the results. The glue allowed for more adjustment of the mylar when smoothing it down, but it softened the cardstock which warped while drying.

Above is the silver mylar over orange cardstock, applied with glue. After embossing with the Cuttlebug Boo to You embossing folder. This one I inked over w/ Brilliance Graphite Black.

This one is the back of the blue mylar which is silver over Xyroned (That's right, xyroned is a verb!) orange cardstock. I used the brayer to ink over the embossing.

Here is my favorite result. Xyroned over orange. This time, I inked the folder with a brayer and Brilliance Jumbo Java before I embossed the mylar/cardstock combo. (I would have used black again, but I was getting impatient while inking the brayer and went for my JJ re-inker.

Here is the entire plate mounted on a card. I really like the effect. I can't wait to use it some more.

A couple of things that didn't work: Inking the folder w/ alcohol inks, they dried too quickly and it was difficult to keep the ink in the depressions of the folder. The other failure was sanding. I thought it would be cool to sand of the mylar and expose the cardstock beneath. I looked like it might work at first, then the mylar tore and separated from the cardstock. This happened with both the glue and xyron.

Now, get thee to the Dollar Tree and play!

Tell me about your cuttlebug adventures here.

Columbus Day & A Birthday card for me pappy.

2008-10-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

You know what's great about Columbus Day? I don't have to work and the kids still have school!

You know what bites about Columbus Day? The kids still have school, so I still have to get up early!

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.....
Here the birthday card I made for my dad's birthday last month. Guess how old he is.

Out of respect for my parents who prefer not to have their pictures on the internet, I cannot post a picture of how misty he got when I told him that I busted out the most precious Basic Grey Boxer paper and rub ons (which I embossed over), and how I hand dyed the acrylic 60 and skittles with Ranger Alcohol ink to match or that since I do not have a ticket corner punch, I used a circle punch to make the corner notches. He even loved when I regaled him about embossing the Happy Birthday from a Heidi Swapp stamp. My mom will say he glazed over for the 45 minute play by play, but I say he was misty, teary-eyed even. It's a matter of opinion.

Comments, comments, leave your comments right here!!

Back from Hiatus

2008-10-12T15:23:00.000-07:00

It's been brought to my attention that it's been nearly two months since my last post. Yes, I've done scrappy projects, bought a bit o' swag, continued the ongoing quest for organizational perfection and I've even built a new theme for said blog; I just haven't felt like photographing or blogging it. I don't know why, I have even been letting my Google Reader updates slip into three digits.

But I'm back, and here is one of my projects I did, and even photographed at the time; better blogged late than never, right?

Supplies: Doodlebug Glittered Cardstock, Making Memories PP (Crimped w/ Fiskars paper crimper, and punched w/ Martha Stewart Doiley Edge border punch), Brown Felt, A Jolee's Cherry, Fruit Punch Stickles and Grosgrain ribbon from Michael's $1 basket. I packaged them in glassine envelopes with a seal made up of two Bazzil scalloped circles (Nestabilities) and stamped with a Studio G (Series 7) cupcake.

These were for my first swap at Splitcoast Stampers, I'm a bit nervous about them I hope they're up to their standards. I must confess, I was a bit worried because there was no stamping, so I stamped the back (I forgot to take a pic)

Now it's your turn. Leave me a comment about how much you missed me. WOW I usually only hear the crickets chirping after I tell a joke. Hello? Is this thing on?

Challange!

2008-08-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I completed my first ever challenge, which was Crop-a-holic's first ever challenge. I picked the "Lucky" layout from the AMR gallery and scraplifted it. Here my work:

pp: Making Memories, My Mind's Eye; cs: Bazzill (embossed w/ swiss dots); Making Memories Grommets, Dyed Skittles, Chipchatter letters, Inkadinkadoo calendar stamps

And here is my inspiration:

Comment here

Details, details

2008-08-15T21:08:00.000-07:00

So apparently, in addition to not being able to spell, I als0 cannot follow directions such as;

There is only 1 rule, ONE WORD ANSWERS!!

So let me try again:

1. Where is your cell phone? floor
Where is your significant other? nonexisitant
Your hair color? espresso
Your mother? generous
Your father? awesome
Your favorite thing? directions
Your dream last night? I'm not sure I dreamed last night-
Your dream/goal? happiness
The room you're in? office
Your hobby? crapbooking
Your fear? yep
Where do you want to be in 6 years? poolside
Where were you last night? Mom's
What you're not? perfect
One of your wish list items? furniture
Where you grew up? Alamoyayakistein
The last thing you did? blog
What are you wearing? perv!
Your TV? off
Your pet? fuzzy
Your computer? on
Your mood? sleepy
Missing someone? yes
Your car? Buggy
Something you're not wearing? sombrero
Favorite store? IKEA
Your summer? hot
Love someone? yes
Your favorite color? Pink
When is the last time you laughed? 6:08 PM
Last time you cried? birthday
Who you want to Tag? Kay

2008-08-15T00:32:00.000-07:00

melonscraps tagged me, now I'm rethinking that new years resolution to stop mis-typing her name as melsoncraps. Here's my answers

1. Where is your cell phone? on the charger
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2. Where is your significant other? gee, I'd like to know, let me know if you see him
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3. Your hair color? Dark, dark brown with tiny strands of almost colorless blond. Yes they're blond!
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4. Your mother? generous, not just materially
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5. Your father? well, since I'm his princess, he must be a King!
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6. Your favorite thing? seeing other people smile
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7.Your dream last night? I'm not sure I dreamed last night
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8. Your dream/goal? for all my nieces and nephews grow up to be happy, stable and content.
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9. The room you're in? office
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10. Your hobby? Scrapbooking
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11. Your fear? there's not enough space...here's a couple the more odd ones...I terrified to look out windows when I hear noises outside; sometimes I wonder if I'm really profoundly retarded and others are only praising me because I'm doing awesome for a 'special' person and sometimes, when I'm in a large crowd, I have a flashing thought that someone is trying to read my mind? I'm not really crazy or paranoid. Now you have to decide if that means I'm not actually crazy or that I'm not very crazy!
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12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Living a life of leisure on my lottery winnings
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13. Where were you last night? My Mom and Dad's
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14.. What you're not? Perfect. I mean, like Mary Poppins, I am "Practically perfect in every way", but I'm not totally, completely perfect. I'm also not a good speller. That actually probably what keeps me from being completely perfect.
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15. One of your wish list items? New furniture
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16. Where you grew up? Here (Washington/Oregon), There (New Mexico) and Everywhere (Japan and Germany)
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17. The last thing you did? Agree to answer this tag.
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18. What are you wearing? None of your business perv!
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19. Your TV? Is it my TV, or am I the TV's person?
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20. Your pet? 1 atypical laid back border collie, 1 tiny grey princess kitty, 1 pointy-eared lion who afraid of plastic bags (he's actually a snowshoe cat, but he doesn't think so) and two human boys.
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21. Your computer? I don't have a computer, I'm writing this all on notebook paper, then I'm going to go outside and throw it so hard into the sky that it will reach CyberSpace.
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22. Your mood? I can't type that fast, I'll never finish this if I have to keep up with my moods.
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23. Missing someone? My wayward brother and his family
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24. Your car? Her name is Buggy and she's a Kooky Suzuki
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25. Something you're not wearing? a sombrero
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26. Favorite store? the LSS, PZ, Target, IKEA
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27. Your summer? Is it just mine, because if it is, all those kids I saw on the news running though the fountain owe me royalties!
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28. Love someone? Bobby, Jason, Chris, Felicia, Brooke, Rose, Ed, Eddie, Michelle, Lisa, Marilyn, Freddie, Nicky, Lilly, the Man Upstairs
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29. Your favorite color? Pink
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30. When is the last time you laughed? Well that last time I laughed so hard I alsomst peed my pants was when I saw this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoRD1wmvwUc WARNING: Do not watch this with the kids in the room. It's a commercial for a language school.
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31. Last time you cried? My birthday, it just so hard to turn 22. (again)
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32. Who you want to Tag? Kay, and I hope she doesn't revoke my title of "Smartest scrapper ever!!!"

Comments

Why did I pick "G"?

2008-08-09T16:24:00.000-07:00

I joined an Alphabet ATC Swap at AMR. I asked for the letter G, so I needed to make 26 ATC for the letter G. I kind of struggled designing it, but I finally figure it out. The background is a glossy photo, and I pop-dotted the Hambly transparency. I painted the "G" back of the Hambly in pink and stamped the "G" on the front. The "G" stamp is from Technique Tuesday (Gee Whiz). And since on of the works around the outside was glitz, I added a couple of gems.

I also stamped another Technique Tuesday (Tall Big Timber Meadow) "G" on the glassine envelope. One of things I like most about this is that the screen print texture shows thought the stamping (Ranger Inks Archival - Jet Black)

Oh yeah, why did I chose "G"? Because I like the shape of lowercase Gs, that's why!

Comments

I'm on a roll...

2008-08-08T00:10:00.000-07:00

I did layout tonight too! I'm on a roll. Two in one week! Holly cow. This one is pretty simple, that why it only took a couple of hours. Actually I worked on it the other night for a couple of hours too, but I couldn't get the right feel. I was trying to use Crate Paper's Static line (which I love!), but it just wasn't coming together.

On the way home tonight, it hit me, I have that apple paper. They're fall, they're school, they're perfect! It's actuality Fruit Stand by October Afternoon. I threw in a little Freshly Mowed Lawn (also October Afternoon) and Bazzill. The woven tag is from the Dollar Tree, the rims are Making Memories the chipboard came from the super huge kit I got from Christmas (Costco) This layout is pretty simple, but I like it.

Comments

Arrgh...

2008-08-05T18:25:00.000-07:00

Today, I scrapped. Yes, for most of the day and here is the fruit of my labor. One one of, but THE fruit of my labor. This is a picture of my 9yo newphew getting ready to fly his pirate kite at the beach. Here's what I used:

All of the pp is Autumn Leaves from the Red, Black and Cream kit at Target. (I also usd an awsome rub on from thast kit, but I mispelled a word on it and ruined trying to fix it.) Bazzill cardstock. Rub-ons: KaiserCrafts, American Crafts Mini Marks; Thickers. Imaginisce Slider, Deja Views Framed Jewels, Grungeboard

Here is the grungboard skull that I painted, glittered, sepia glazed, daubed pearl mixatives, painted, glitterd and glossy accented. (That doesn't include the eyes)

And here's the slider, because I think it's cute!

BTW, do you know why my kids couldn't get in to see the pirate movie?

Beucase it was rated Arrrrr!

ATC Album

2008-08-01T22:15:00.000-07:00

The boys talked me into going to the Dollar Tree tonight, while there, I noticed these little trading card albums. Do you know what else is the size of a trading card? Yep, ATCs!

Of course, the funky little design on the front wasn't quite cutting it, so I covered it in MM Noteworthy. And what doesn't look better covered in Noteworthy? And I've been dying actually use my new Zutter Round-it-All corner rounder.

Then, I inked the edges and in lieu of my AWOL slot punch, I punched three large crop-a-dile holes and cleaned them up with t BG file set. I covered the new slots with a Noteworthy die cut and tied a twill not in front. (I stole the twill from my oldest, it part of the packaging from his new blanket.)

the ATC letter are actually bright green Thickers that I inked. The felt flowers also came in the Noteworthy kit, and the center is a blue skittle, au natural.

And voila! A lovely ATC Album. It'll hold 16 ATC, perfect for the Four Seasons swap!

Thank you melonscraps for giving me this lovely ATC. (Also, once you glue the paper on the album, it's harder to tell which side is up which is why this lovely album is bottom loading :)

Goodbye July

2008-08-01T11:15:00.000-07:00

Here is the Wordle of the 921 words I blogged in July. I must talk about getting things a lot! Hmm...921 words in the entire month? That's only 29 words a day; I'll have to work on that

Did you enjoy my color scheme? I "borrowed" it from kwernerdesign blog's Color Inspiration #16 . I haven't actually participated in one of her weekly challenges yet, but the challenges sure inspire me anyway!

Oh yeah, I just ran my blog though the Blog Readability Test and this is what I got:
Hmmm...common practice is to write at a 6th grade level, so should I aim more for Middles School? And, if I not writing to a 6th grade level and my blog reads at a high school level, does that mean those five years in college were a waste?

Sticker Storage

2008-07-31T18:13:00.000-07:00

HayaTiggs at the AMR message board asked how people store their stickers. Here's how I store mine. I actually have mostly letter stickers, and I keep them in a 3" binder from Staples. (It's the same binder I use for my clear stamps.)

I keep mine by color, but for other stickers, you could sort by theme or manufacturer. Each color gets it's own Poly String Files w/ Side Opening , also from Staples (I love Staples!) I used a sheet protector as a template and punched holes in the files' gussets. I originally used my large crop-a-dile hole punch, but I had to make three holes fro the binder ring to fit, I went back over those holes with the 1/4" Fiskars hole punch I have since acquired. It even makes turning the files easier.

Using a 3" Binder allows the gussets to still expand, so a lot of stickers fit in each file. It's tempting to get one of those GIANT 5 inch-ers, but at 3", it's heavy enough.

Stickers slip in and out without having to engage the binder rings.

And fasten securely. (I've dropped mine more times then I can count.)

Would you like to see more organization on here? Let me know, and I share some of my other storage.

Great Scotts!!!

2008-07-26T00:56:00.000-07:00

OMGoodness, I was playing with my blog, adding my Wordle below (well maybe above) So anyway, I noticed in add a page elemt, there was a new "Subscribe" feature, so I added it, because I don't mind begging for subscribers! Anyway, when I was testing it, it gave me a choice to subscribe to my blog or to all the comments. ALL THE COMMENTS!! ALL THE COMMENTS!!! I can read my comments in reader now! OMG OMG OMG!!

Here's my Wordle:

2008-07-26T00:52:00.000-07:00

title="Wordle: tigardlilly072508"> src="http://wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/89776/tigardlilly072508"
style="padding:4px;border:1px solid #ddd"
>

I'm back...

2008-07-03T23:58:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, has it really been two weeks since I posted?
Here are some highlights: I took six kids ranging in age from almost four to seventeen across the state, a lovely 7 1/2 hour drive. Well about half of it was lovely, the rest was mostly desert highlighted by a coyote peeing on the shoulder. And it wasn't a manly, hike your leg like a stud peeing either. That was an oddly cool thing to see at 80 MPH. We were pretty geared up though, we had two Nintendo DS, two DVD players, a couple of cameras and four cell phones to pass the time, yet somehow, there was still time for complaining! That's why I only brought four kids back! lol (I was actually bring two home after a visit w/ grandma and grandpa) As a scrapper, I'd have to say the high light of the trip a a detour to Boise to go to Archivers!

Oh my goodness, it was fantastic; it was amazing, it was worth the extra 100 mile round trip! I really debated going with gas prices but, I was so really close, I mean I had already driven 7 1/2 hours of the 8 hour trip; with six kids in the car, just me and six kids and a van load of electronics, all competing for for three outlet, and the next closes one in in Utah, and I never get out of the Portland metro area, let alone Idaho or Utah, so I went. It was worth it. I could have spent a thousand dollars, I could have spent $200 without trying, but I only spent $27 because I was being good. I got a couple of things I've been looking for locally to no avail, I got a Doodlebug assortment of crushed velvet flocking, a Ranger Archival Ink pad and 7 Gypsies stamps.

And yes, I rationalized that it wasn't really financially responsible to spend only $27 dollars on a hundred mile round trip, that the gas alone made the little I bought cost so much more, and that it would me sounder the distribute the cost of that gas over say $200 of product. As soon as I got back to my brother's house I emailed and demanded they put one in immediately here in the Portland area, preferably by time I got home the next day. I want all of you to email them too ans tell them to come to Portland, preferably on the westside. Here's how you can email them too and ask for an Achiever's near me: http://www.archiversonline.com/email Yes, you read that right, I want you to email them and ask for a store near me. I serious, even if you live in Timbuktu, ask for one in Portland, OR

After the trip I got a very nasty cold that took me out for about a week, then my oldest got it , then the dog got it!

I did get to crop with melonscraps and LB Oregon on Saturday which was great, but I didn't actually finish anything. I did get a good start on some ATC for a swap.

Tonight, by 13 year old son surprised me by saying he's like to scrap. Yes the same one I have to bribe with candy to go to Mike's, Jo's or the LSS. I'm in the middle of switching scrap tables, so I said, there no room. He replied, he could work on the dinning table, and while I was putting around, he made two layouts, completely on own. When I was looking at them he said, "Now, don't put these on your thing" (my thing = my blog) The he said, "Okay, go ahead" So without further ado:

Magnet Holder

2008-06-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

I've always had a dilemma about where to keep the magnets to my Basic Grey magnetic mat. Until today, I found a 4x4 piece of metal (I want to say aluminum, but I don't know if magnets work on aluminum and I don't want to sound stupid)

I covered it with Jenni Bowlin butterfly paper, then stickled and added the black frame.

I actually took photos of the process so I could post a little tutorial, but all the pics are really blurry. (Poor quality control, I'll have to write myself up on my next performance review) When I made the frame, I was actually reminded of when I first started scrapbooking. I was convinced you should frame pictures rather than matting them. And I tried to make these frames on my Fiskars paper trimmer. It was a disaster.

Holy Cow, I scrapbooked!

2008-06-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

Here it is...I must confess that I did the photos, mats, pp and layout several months ago at a crop. I just couldn't figure out a title treatment. So this is my number 2 DS last year at the beach. The sand on his cheek almost look like a 5 o'clock shadow; is this a preview of years to come?

And would you like to know why I don't produce more? Or why it takes me 6 hours to make a layout? Here's why...

LOOK HERE --------> -------> --------> --------> --------> -------> -------->

2008-06-09T10:01:00.000-07:00

Over here on the right are my shared items from Google Reader. I call them I found these great post. When I come across post I'd like to tell my friends about, I click "share with notes" in GR, and leave a note about what I thought was so awesome. It automatically update this box on my bog, it so cool! I think it shows that last 10 items I shared. There are a couple of ways you can see that I've shared.

Click on it in the I found these great post box to the right. Clicking on the title takes you to the post I shared, clicking on the blog name takes you to that blog.

Click Read More... at the bottom of the I found these great post box to the right. Which will take you to a page which list everything I've shared with the notes as to why I shared them.

Subscribe to http://www.google.com/reader/shared/13981102155271029266?hl=en in your Google Reader, it updates just like any other blog. And you still get to read the notes.

I show this to melonscraps and she started using it. When I subscribed to her shared items, I could see what she found interesting, sometimes on blogs I hadn't seen. It a great way to expose your blogging buddies to other blogs you like.

So you assignment is to: 1) Start using Share or Share with Notes and 2) Share them with me, I have a "Show and Tell" folder on my Reader waiting for what you find interesting. 3) leave me a comment, I just love them!

ALL POINTS BULLETIN: Scrapbooking Geeks on the Loose.....

2008-06-03T23:32:00.000-07:00

Here I will relate a conversation I had Saturday afternoon with my lovely seven year old niece.

First some background; this past weekend was the opening of the Portland Rose Festival. This first weekend is especially busy in that we do the Fireworks Spectacular on Friday evening and then the Starlight Parade Saturday evening. Both events require arriving early in the afternoon to "stake out" our choice spot. So while reloading the car Saturday morning, I shut my tailgate on my garage door remote and the casing shattered. Luckily, it still works when you push the little yellow button on the circuit board.

At the parking garage, about 12 miles from my house:

Niece: Can I see the smashed garage door opener?

Me: OK, be careful

Niece: Can I push the yellow button.

Me: Oh no, you can't push that my garage door will open. (teasing)

Niece: Oh yeah, then someone could get into your house.

Me: Oh, they might steal my scrapbooking stuff.

Niece: Only if they're Scrapbooking Geeks!

Me: What!?

Niece: He he he he. Marilyn's one too. (Marilyn=melonscraps)

Tonight
Me: I just post a picture of Squirrelly-Girly with only one of her four front teeth. I'm a Computer Geek too!

PS She's scrapbooked with me before!!!

Boozing up the Skittles RAK winner is...

2008-06-02T14:41:00.000-07:00

Scrapbooking Tink

You asked....

2008-05-29T17:26:00.000-07:00

These are the questions asked during the recent RAK Race.
Marilyn asked... Cool, a skittles RAK! Do I count? lol Yes, I've heard you. I think you nomally start with one, then two, on to three, then you tend to get lost.

scrapamac asked... that is sooooooooooo cool! Do I count? lol I'm not sure, check with Marilyn; she can help if your lost

gotscrapz- ckmb asked... am I the only one that hasn't seen skittles in person yet????????????????? No, 've heard this a lot. I think it's mostly lost of habbitat that's endangered them so.

PattiM asked... Skittles, Skittles, who wants some skittles?? I DO, I DO!!!! We ALL do!

Kay asked... Oh and that ATC is fab! I think mine is going to be the most boring one. I'm just not that creative!You're not the only one that didn't make the deadline! lol Mine did get "postmarked" ontime. Does that count? LOL They let you in the Post Office? What about the Wanted Signs?

luvzenkm2 (Leea) asked... so does this make you a frenzy starter? Oh course it does, I'm a trend setter, baby!

Lanita M/ divanurse CKMB asked...Did you custom color your skittles? Yep, I have a tutorial a couple of post below

Ding, Ding, Ding we have winners

2008-05-29T01:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks every body for all your great comments is was so much fun be so popular; I loved reading them all.

Comments # 8 is...Samantha of Living Creatively

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Comment # 25 is...Angie who said "They DO look just like the candy when you pile 'em up like that! Thanks for sharing organizational ideas - I always love to see what other scrappers are doing."

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Comment # 12 is...Kay of Scrappin', Photography and back again

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Email me your addresses and I'll send you the goodies!

"Boozing" up the Skittles

2008-05-29T00:28:00.000-07:00

So here is my quick tutorial on how to dye skittles in 6 easy steps...

1. Gather your skittles, alcohol ink, a bag-ette (mini baggie) and a paper towel

2. Bag you skittles, often I like to use a couple of colors because sometimes the base color will show though.

3. Drop 6-7 drops of Ranger Alcohol ink in the baggie. Experiment with mixing colors.

4. Shake - Shake, Shake, Shake. Shake, Shake, Shake. Shake your skittles

5. Pour your newly dyed skittles on a paper towel to dry.

6. Ohh and Ahhh, aren't they pretty?

Now who wants them? Let me know in a comment and I'll draw for a winner of these wild plum beauties Sunday at 3pm (PST)

Rose Festival Fireworks are coming!

2008-05-27T23:46:00.001-07:00

We are gearing up for the Rose Festival Fireworks Show so I thought I'd throw up some pics of a previous year. Yep, beautiful kids and a beautiful city. We are blessed.

(These picture are from 2005, hopefully my photography skills have improved!)

This weekend...

2008-05-26T13:29:00.000-07:00

I finally made those ATCs I've been designing in my head. They were due for a swap on Friday. Originally, they were due on 5/16 and when they extended the deadline to the 23rd I though, "Well, why can't people just do their on time?" Now I am all shades of embarrassed because I didn't even make the extended deadline.

This swap's theme was "Your favorite Bible verse", my fave is John 13:34

I give you a new commandment: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.

I had it printed on overhead transparencies at Staples. Then I stamped flourishes from Basic Grey (pink) and Inkadinkadoo (black) The butterflies are punched from DCWV glitterstack with MS triple butterfly punch. I Fun Flocked their little bodies. I hope my fellow swappers enjoy them.

Embellishment Redux

So, in a fervent effort to avoid a much larger task, I decided to re-organize my embellishments. I keep most of my small embellishments in a system of small acrylic boxes. Here a link to an old message board post where I tell all about my genius system: http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/mb/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=85775&p=741379&hilit=AMAC#p741379

Overtime, these guys can get a bit mixed up so I pulled them all out of their cases and reorganized them so that brads were with brads, rhinestones with rhinestones. It was pretty impressive to see my embellishment city

Now, there all back home, with only the fringes fraternizing with other embellies.

And I shared how I store my Skittles on the AMR board

http://amrforums.altrock182182.x10hosting.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8611&st=0&sk=t&sd=a#p101157

Speaking of Skittles, leave me a comment by midnight Wednesday (PST) and I'll draw a ~~couple of~~ THREE names for my first ever blog candy give away. Can you taste the rainbow?

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Want another chance at cool RAK? My cousin and best scrapping buddy is RAKing a sweet little package at www.melonscraps.blogspot.com

I love Google Reader!

2008-05-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

I've been using Google Reader for several months now, and I have to say, I love it, love it, love it. Right now I have read 65 blogs. Do you know how long it would take to check 65 blogs a day or four times a day? Neither do I, because I use Google Reader. Even when I only monitored 10 blogs, it would take a fair bit of time to link to the 10 blogs I read, often to find nothing new.

Here 10 reasons I love Google Reader. (Being a nerd doesn't count!)

Unread post are bold - I don't waste time reviewing old post.
I can organize blog into folders I named (Cards, CKMB, Company, Lifestyle, Portlandia, SB Celebs, SB News, Scrabooking and Stores are mine).
You can see how many other Google Readers are subscribing to your subscriptions. - Important info for nerds like me! My blog has 2 subscribers; thanks Marilyn and Christina!
You can still see the blog pics though the reader -I do have one pesky blog that doesn't show the pics, but 1/65 ain't bad!
If I can't see a pic (that darn 1/65) I can easily link right to either the post or blog. This is what I do to comment too.
Recommendations - Google Reader will recommend other blogs based on the subscription you already have - I've subscribed to several.
It's free!
Shared post - I can mark great post to share with my friend via this page http://www.google.com/reader/shared/13981102155271029266?hl=en.
If you use Google Reader too, I can add your shared page to "My Friends Shared Items" to see what you're finding interesting. -I'm nosy.
Shared Item Widget - lets me list my last 10 shared items from Reader on my blog without doing anything after the initial placement which was super easy. -Because I know you are all waiting with baited breath to see what I find interesting.

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T12:54:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of card I made for my mom. This first one I made and entered in a Stitching challenge at the AMR National Scrapbook Day Online Crop. I have never done a cyber crop and it was quite an experience. As you know, I am the world's slowest cropper, I am not exaggerating when I say I worked on this card for seven hours! I finally got to try my In Stitchez templates. Since I didn't have the right color floss, I inked over the lighter green with VersaMagic on a dauber, and I did it after I stitched which was especially challenging. The flowers are prima, and the centers are my hand dyed skittles!

This next card, I helped my niece make for my mom. My niece who is seven years old, and my ten year old nephew live with my mom and dad. They actually adopted them, which kinda make them my brother and sister. Ir also make my nephew his uncle! My really have more of a family Brier than family tree. Anyway...when I say I helped her, I mean she picked out the button centers and flowers and went home. (Again, she's seven so letting her pick something out can be scary.) The stems and leaves are actually a ribbon I got a year ago at least and I've finally got to use.

And this was for my mom, it has all five of her Grand kids.

To DYE for!

2008-05-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

So I was directed to the Cricut MB by a post on the CKMB. I stayed a while and noticed that allot of the threads were frothing about "Skittles" I thought that's weired because most SBers prefer chocolates, don't they? Any, why would you put something so sticky on a card or page anyway? Never the one to just mind my own business and walk away, I poked around a bit, eventually I realized they were talking about these little acrylic bubbles you can glue to a page and it looks like a clear, glistening brad. They're really cool. (Some places call'em Baubles or Dew Drops) The next day, since I was at Michael's desperately seeking the new Cuttlebug folders and the Series 11 stamps, I popped by the floral sections because I too need Skittles. Baaa.... Baaa.... Baaa... oh... what was that?

Anyway....since they were on clearance, I bought one of each of the pink(light and dark mixed), yellow (three shades) and blue (light blue, clear and frosted). For two bucks each. I came hope and sorted my skittles, reveling in the bargin.

Then something called to me. "Tigardlilly.....there's more...." And what to my wondering eyes should appear, but threads about dyeing skittles, my dear! Uh huh, you can dye skittles with Ranger Alcohol Inks! (You know they come in 24 colors, plus you can mix them!)

I went back to my Michael's to buy more, but only the blue was left, so most of my creations are on the blue/white skittles.

Which brings me to my point, if any of you shop at MY Michael's; STAY AWAY FROM MY SKITTLES!!!!!! They mine, Mine, MINE. I'm serious; I called them. I call them all, in the entire metro area. NO, state. NO All of them. They're mine, they're all mine.

Free Scrapbook Supplies!

2008-04-29T19:57:00.000-07:00

I went to Scrapbook Attack today and picked up a couple of goodies. The best part is they were free! I just told them my name was Erica H....r and I wanted to use my Garage Sale Credit!

Chipboard shapes/alphabet organization....

2008-04-18T14:12:00.000-07:00

How do you organize your chipboard stuff? is a post on the CKMB. Since I've been though several and have now developed which for me, is a great system I wanted to share. Sadly, the board did not want me to share. Since it wouldn't let me post my pics, I thought this would make a great follow up to my Re-org post anyway, so here it is:

I found these neat little hinged tins at Specialty Bottle Company. They are 5.5" x 3.7" x .9". The hinged lids also have clear window so you can what's inside. If you're like me and you lose everything, even when your just sitting at a table cropping, hinged lids are good! (I really do lose everything, when I started cropping with other people, I really had to resist the urge every fifteen minutes to ask, "Did you take my Tweezer Bees?" "Is that my trimmer?" "Are you hiding my pictures? I know my niece is cute, but just because you scrapbooker her, doesn't make her yours!" But I do resist the urge which is a good thing, because never, ever has anyone ever taken my things intentionally or accidentally. Apparently the chaos ends my table.) Oh yeah, back on topic, even with shipping, these tins were less than a dollar!

So I use one tin for each letter, X and Z share one tin, one for punctuation, one for 1-5, another for 6-9 and 0 (The number breakout seems odd, but it's the only way I could get 6 and 9 in the same tin, which is important, because they are the same shape.) I also keep other small chipboard and ghost shapes in these tins by shape or theme.

All of my alpha, nums and punctuation tins fit into two of these neat little wire basket from Target's Dollar Spot. I use a third basket for letters too big for the tins.

The three baskets sit in a pretty little row, the letters withing, patiently waiting for a layout of their own.

The entire Alphabet will fit into one of the large Snap 'n Stack Organizers (I got mine on clearance after Christmas, but they have them for full price with a different color lid at both Target and JoAnn's)

Re-org

2008-04-10T00:44:00.000-07:00

I've been working on my scrap area, prompted the purchase of a new display from a LSS moving to another locale and my boys' wish to build and dare I say, play the Foosball table that's been in a box in the garage for just about a year now. (I share my space with them, but they'll gladly complain that my scrap table takes up too much room in their game den) So here's my new display, partially filled. They boys were great help assembling it, especially considering we had no directions and had to back up and re-build about 462 times!

I am using the top two bars for some of my larger punches and. The only thing on the third bar right now is a seven-figure check given to me by my cousin and scrapbuddy. On the bottom bar, I've attached a dowel rod with clip it up clips, and voila, faux clip it up. There's allot more to go it, it's still a work in progress. Just below the last bar, shelf which is great for displaying mini-albums. So far, I'm loving it!

And here's a pic of a tin I picked up at the infamous Dollar Spot, which perfectly hold my corner punches I like to keep handy.

Wooo-Hoo!

2008-04-03T20:05:00.001-07:00

Tonight, our LSS (Scrapbook Attack) had a little customer appreciation event including a raffle with great prices. You got a ticket for every dollar you spent in the lat month or so. To improve my chance I decide to do a bit of last minute shopping. I was actually pretty good, I only bought two small Technique Tuesday set. But they were awesome set! I hadn't even seen them on their blog or site yet. So I got A Little More Organized, a companion to my beloved Organized and Inspired and Storytellers - Remember the Moments.

Then the raffle began and I won this really cool card box by Adorn It. You'll have to go to melegs' blog to see what she won!

Yep, it's cool

2008-03-28T11:03:00.000-07:00

I read on Scrapbook Update about Photoshop Express , and online photo editor by Adobe. What kind of a scrappong Geek would I be if I didn't run and sign up ASAP? So I did. I only played for a bit, but the Pop Color editing option really caught my eye because I've been looking for a quick way to do this for a while. The whole process, uploading, editing and downloading back into my pic file took just a couple of minuites (maybe less) It's awsome, because you can download your editied pics back to your computer full size which means I can have them printed at my regular photo processor (Costco)

There are the fruits the Pop Color edit:

Here's something new I made.

2008-03-21T00:54:00.000-07:00

First of all, I know you all have been wondering where in the heck I've been; well, that's classified. If you "need to know" you may submit your security clearance credentials. Unfortunately, we're currently experiencing an unusually high volume of calls and a six month back log for processing such credentials. By then, I will likely be missing from the blogging world again, at which time you may submit a new request.

Meanwhile, I've made this.

It started with my Scrapper's Log~

Where I list what I have, what I need and what I want~

I'm always losing those LSS cards, so I though since have this book handy anyway, here would be a great place to stow them in this envelope I made and glued in the log. The paper is an older basic grey glues back to back, I got to use my new rectangle nestabilities and I'll stamp something in the upper portion tomorrow.

I've been tagged!

2008-01-27T12:01:00.000-08:00

Inara tagged me, so here you go.
The rules:
1. You have to post the rules before you give your answers.
2. You must list one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name).
3. After you are tagged, you need to update your blog with your middle name and your answers.
4. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and that they need to read your blog for details).

Lucky me, only three letters!
L-Late, I'm always running late. If you want me there on time, you should ask me to be there 1/2 hour early.
E-Excitable
A-Anxious, really, I'm wound a bit tight

Now I'll tag melonscraps, melegs and Cindy

New Nestabilities Storage

2008-01-17T21:26:00.000-08:00

While perusing the message board, I found a post by aggiegirl which showed a magnetic frame use to store nestabilities dies from Cindy_Keery's blog Imagine. Dream. Create

Then today at Michaels I noticed a 12"x24" magnetic sheet for $10.50 and I thought YIPPEE! Next, I need a frame, larger frames were $30 plus, and I'd still have to trim down the magnetic sheet considerably. Then I turned the isle and saw 8x10 Magnetic frames like to put on the 'fridge for $1.99. Then I found cheap 8x10 frames 2/$5.00...so, here they are, 160 square inches of nestabilites storage for $7.00 (I used a coupon for the frames) 160" and I'm going to need it all, because I'm getting more of these babies at the convention!

Here's what I did: with the magnetic frame, I pulled off the clear sheets that makes the pocket of the frame, then I trimmed the magnetic sheet to 8x10 and assembled the frame: patterned paper, magnetic sheet (black side up), glass, frame backing. I couldn't have been easier. Thanks for the inspiration Jenn and Cindy!

I actually made something....

2007-12-23T15:55:00.000-08:00

This is my Christmas for my cousin Marilyn (aka melonscraps) She has promised not to look at my blog until after Christmas. I am a little concerned that it may be a bit plain, but I really hope she loves it because she is not only my cousin and scrapping partner, but my best friend and I love her.

Are they real?

2007-12-15T19:41:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, my mom and I traded kids so they could shop for us. I was completely shocked when I saw my oldest, Bobby, walked into the store and ask, "Do you want to see a reindeer when you're done?" What? He led us across the parking lot to a wonderful display of two real-life reindeer! They were awesome. I hadn't seen one since I was a kid. Jinglebell and Frosty were truly beautiful animals!

Then, as we were leaving, Bobby asked, "Were they real?" I asked back, "Have you ever seen a fake reindeer take a whiz?" I think it worked for him.

PS: Just added to my Christmas list; a pet reindeer!

{Tag} I'm it.

2007-12-13T23:09:00.000-08:00

So..I've been tagged. Horay! I'll give you seven random facts, but I unfortunately don't know seven scrappy bloggers who haven't been tagged (or tagged twice) recently; so if you haven't, let me know and I'll tag you.

And my first tag: Sarah Ellis (CKMB: scrappy079)

Here are the random facts:
1. I wear a tiara when I scrapbook. Sometime I forget to take it off and the Bento place and the neighbors always ask if it's my birthday. You'd think they never saw a princess before! And I have a matching wand)

2. I have conversations with my dog and cats. They have distinct and unique opinions and speech patterns. I'd be happy to translate a convo between you and them, although Lilly doesn't often condescend to talk with mere humans.

3. Speaking of fur babies, my dog Freddie is a total Himbo. Pretty to look at, but not allot going on upstairs. Once, I opened up the big, noisy overhead garage door and whistled for him. He ran to the door across the garage and wagged his tail. The more I called, the harder he wagged. I had to tap him on the shoulder to let him know I was behind him. I'm surprised he can even balance his checkbook.

4. My kids are my nephews who came to live with me 4 1/2 years ago. Now it's official, they're with me forever.

5. I 'lurked' on the CKMB for a year before I posted.

6. My cousin melonscraps got me hooked on scrapbooking. I resisted at first saying that I heard it was expensive, but I couldn't fight the peer pressure. I consider scrapbooking an addiction which makes her my paper pusher. In fairness though, I did introduce her to the CKMB (I have only 71 post, she's already at 202!)

7. I could drink Limonata by the case!

Look what I got!

2007-12-13T20:33:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, at the urging of melonscraps; I entered the ckmb word scramble and I won! A week later, she won Happy Hour. Well she called me tonight to tell me her book was in, and I said, "Hey, no fair!" All teasing aside, I was happy for her and we resigned that they probably came from different offices or something.

So I get home from celebrating my niece's Birthday and there by the coffee table is a box! My boys brought it in with them when they got home from school and "forgot" So here's my loot!

imaginisce candy cane lane: 5 patterned paper, sticker sheet, large red poinsettias, sm white poinsettia, snowflakes, chip chop; thickers; Chatter Box: stick outs, two sticker fuzz and 60 pc card kit

Bic Mark It!

2007-11-28T07:58:00.000-08:00

One of the reason's I wanted a scrapbooking blog is so I could share what I thought of new (or new to me) products. So here is my first review; Bic Mark It! permanent markers.

I've been looking for these markers since I saw them in the December CK. I had no idea who made them, but they were cute and cute pens are absolutely essential for scrapbooking. So I got an email from melonscraps that they were on the board and Staples had them online for $15.99 w/free shipping. Since I need more transparencies to finish my Christmas cards anyway, I rushed to Staples last night and picked up one for each of us.

(If you're not interested in knowing what a ditz I am, you can skip this paragraph) So at Staples the 36-pk set is $19.99, so I call melonscraps to confirm the online price, while she's looking it up, I proceed to the presentation isle to get more transparencies. That's where she told me the online price was still $15.99, but they should price match. As I was picking up the transparencies she said, "Could you pick me one up too?" I said sure and my phone died. Confident I could handle this simple request; I put another pack of transparencies in my cart. I cashed out, walked outside and thought, "Why does she want transparencies?" Then it hit me, she wanted the markers. I'm such a ding-dong.

So I get the markers home and playtime begins. I wrote out each color on a scrap transparency and was delighted that it dries so fast that there is practically no time to smear. And if you boo-boo, you can remove it with Staz On cleaner! The colors are amazing. The lightest ones didn't show up on the transparencies, but they do on white paper. I also tested them on photos and they wrote very smoothly. They are not opaque, so you have to write on a fairly light colored area of the photo. They come in a fairly durable tri-fold case, which is a good thing because they take up over half of my pen holder (largely because the caps have a shirt clip) After about an hour and half of playing with them, I love 'em! I don't usually use markers in my scrapping, but maybe these will open up new techniques and design for me!

I have one too!

2007-11-26T20:29:00.000-08:00

So here is mine too. Now what? This is why I've already had this blog for a couple of months and this is my first post. I guess I blog as slow as I scrapbook!

I guess I'd really like to share what inspires me, what I do and the goofy things that happen along the way. And advertise how truly dorky I truly am.

Plus the fur kids have been bugging me to get them on the Internet, so they'll probably post through me from time to time. I think Nicky just really wants to forward his campaign for Boss Kitty. He's running on the platform that he's always the one who reminds me it's time to eat.