Time to Scrapbook

Since it seems like all i do these days is take pictures, i thought i would change it up and do a scrapbooking post..  i think about scrapbooking all the time, but don't always have time/energy to do it.   Just recently I enjoyed a weekend scrapbook retreat along with some really great ladies.  I was so happy to finally have the opportunity to scrapbook (un-interrupted) once again. 

I don' t know how other moms do it, but for me getting pages done during the day is out of the question.  As soon as my boys see the paper and glue come out they think it's some kind of free for all, and things can turn pretty ugly.  So.. that leaves evenings but honestly, it seems I never have a free and quiet evening.. and by the time i get started I'm too tired to get very far... so a scrapbook retreat is definitely the ticket for me.  Here's a few of the pages i completed at a recent April Scrapbook retreat.
    

Newspaper Album

Okay, so you may have heard of a paperbag albums, the little flip books made from brown paper bags, approximately 5x5 inches, but have you ever heard of "newspaper" albums?  Awhile ago I downloaded this free class courtesy of Donna Downey.  It was free, so I nabbed it.  (tends to be a trend here, lol)  I admit I was skeptical at first, but then I really thought.. why not?  It's definitely an "outside the box" sort of art project.  I really appreciate Donna Downey's style of art.  There are no boundaries, right or wrong way of creating.  It's all about being inspired and going for it.  And, I might add it is a good use for the newspapers that barely make it to the kitchen table before they are tossed into the recycling bin in the garage.  Planning to add some black & white photos of the kids from '08.
   

Digital Scrapbooking II

Okay, so way back in March I wrote this post after dabbling a little bit in digi scrapbooking.  I have had lots of emails in response to that original post, and would like to finally answer a few questions.  I use Photoshop CS3 for all my photo editing and digital scrapbooking.  PS can be overwhelming at first, but that leads me to my next recommendation:  take a class.  Believe me, you're going to get a lot more out of it, a whole lot sooner if you take the plunge and sign up for Jessica Sprague's "Up and Running" class.  It's a great class and you can take it at your own pace, which is great for people like me who often don't have time for it until 11:30 at night.  ;-)  And to top it off right now she is offering it at 20% off.  Here are a few of my recent layouts, some from Jessica's class and some that I designed myself.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me or post a question in the comments section at the end of this post.  I'd love to hear from you.          

Creative Time.

  
 
Here are some samples of cards I've made recently.  I find that lately I am re-using the same sketch or design over and over again.   It's nice to have a template, and then simply combine different paper/stamps/elements to get a totally different look.  I love the simplicity and colors/vibrancy of these cards.  I really enjoy making cards, it's a great way to outlet some creativity and have something to show for it in a short amount of time.

Welcome Card

 Well, I finally had time to scrapbook last night.  After Lucas went to bed at 7pm, I had some time to sit down and work on a card I had been dreaming about.  I challenged myself to use all scraps.  I thought it would be nice to make a "Welcome" card for a change.  Suitable for a new family who just recently joined our church congregation.  The red patterned paper is from Scenic Route, and the blue and yellow cardstock were just some bits I had in my scraps so I'm not sure what company they are from.  I used both the "So Many Sayings" and "In the Spotlight" sets from Stampin Up!  I embossed the 5-Petal flower from "In the Spotlight" and then punched it out with my 5-Petal flower punch.  I also used my Boho Blossoms punch from SU! to create the small flower.  I used my Fiskars Threading Water punch for the scallop edge, and the circle background is from PaperTrey Ink's "Faux Ribbon' stamp set.  Hopefully this will be what I needed to jump start me into another scrappin'/card-making groove and I'll have more to show you soon!

Lucas and some more scrapbooking

Here's one of Lucas from yesterday, a closeup of those unbelievable blues and long eyelashes.  He's feeling way better today, playing hard like usual.  

 
And a page I scrapbooked last night of Lucas from exactly one year ago.  

The journalling reads, it's a four step process:  1) Haul out Dad's gym bag 2) Stuff it full of balls, hockey sticks and other sports related items 3) Figure out a way to carry the bag. 4) Let Mom know where I'm going... "Mommy, I going to hockey practice now!"  

Had fun with my new Threading water punch, and some old Scenic Route and Scrapworks patterned paper scraps I had laying around.  The tag is Tim Holtz' grungeboard, and I also used my scallop and star punches from Stampin Up!  I did the journalling on my computer, and the sticker "It's a guy thing" is from BoBunny.  Well, I'm off to empty the dishwasher and do some cleaning up around this place.  I'm hoping to go for a walk with the boys and get some fresh air today.  Looks like the sun might even come out. :)
 

Tonsillitis

is the culprit.  Lucas's fever continues to go up and down, and we are just thankful it's nothing more serious.  Yesterday turned into a fiasco, we waited almost 2 hours at the doctor, then we had to wait 1 hour at the Medical lab just to drop off the swab from his throat.  I was pretty tired by the end of it all, but was thankful the boys were such troopers.

On a scrapbook related note, my Fiskars "Threading Water" punch arrived today!  I just love getting new goodies to play with!  I've tried it out a couple times already but I'm looking forward to making good use of it on a project of some sort.  It's a pretty slick little tool that I'm sure I will get plenty of use out of.

This morning I was fooling around with the boys and shot some pictures, trying out different settings on my camera and practicing what I've been learning in Karen's class.  I am hoping the sun will come back soon so we can go play outside again!  Here's one of Nathan from this morning that I just love.

Wednesday

We had plans to check out the big half price sale at our local BFM today, but Lucas woke up feeling out of sorts.  When I took his temperature at 11:30 this morning it was 103 degrees.  So, we'll be heading to the doctor this afternoon.  I'm a little worried about him, he's passed out on the couch for the last half hour and his breathing sounds a bit laboured.  I'll let you know how everything goes at the doctor. 

The settings from yesterday's photo of Nathan are f 2.0, ISO 1600, and SS was 1/250.  The ISO is way higher than I would've liked, but the lighting in this room was wonky, my settings were all over the place.  Plus, I'm learning.  Not a pro by any means.  Still, I think it's cute, having a photo of him chewing on a hammer.  The photography class I'm taking from Karen Russell is amazing.  I really love it so far, and I'm meeting some very cool gals too. :)  I know I'm going to improve as a photographer from this course, Karen explains everything so well.

Last night we had our weekly scrap and craft session at my friend Laura's, but this time it was a Stampin Up! party.  It was a lot of fun.  We made a very cute card designed by the demonstrator, Jacqui Hoogstra.  I can't wait to get my new papers so I can play!  I'll leave you with a photo of the thankyou's I made for the wonderful gals who took care of my babies while we were away in Vancouver last week.
Have a great day! 

Thank you "berry much"

  I had the chance recently to play with my new stamp set from PaperTrey Ink, "Green Thumb".  I just love it.  There is so much to this set, it is unreal.  For this card I used the small and large strawberries, and stems and the "Thank you berry much" sentiment.  I love the cleanness and simplicity of this one.  The total size of this card is 5.5"x5.5".  I created the dotted background using my Cuttlebug embossing folder "Swiss Dots".  I was able to cover the area of 4.75"x4.75" by running my white cardstock through the Cuttlebug twice, carefully lining up the dots to continue the pattern the second time.  TFL! 

Give-away Winner!

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Timestamp: 2008-05-20 05:56:07 UTC

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Hmmmm, I was in emergency with Lucas all day. I would have LOVED to enjoy the sun instead! Oh well, the kids had a great time playing at grandmas in the pool :)
Posted by: Laura | May 16, 2008 at 10:24 PM 

Congratulations Laura!  Just drop me an email and I will get you your prize asap.  Thanks everyone for participating in my first give-away!  That was fun, I loved reading your comments - I think I'll do it again soon! :)

Sunny Day Give-Away!

Isn't the weather fabulous!??! Bring out the patio chairs and a pitcher of Iced Tea, it feels like summer!!  This is a major cause for celebration!  We've already spent the whole morning outside, it's just beautiful.  Tomorrow we hope to plant flowers and shrubs to get the backyard in shape for summer.  I can't wait!!
So to celebrate this beautiful day, I decided to do a give-away!  Post a comment before Saturday, May 17 at 7pm PST, and you will be entered to win this "Paper Crafting with Photos" publication from PaperCrafts Magazine.  It's a great little magazine full of some very cool and inspiring ideas!  I just happen to have an extra copy here, so I'm hoping someone out there will enjoy it too!  Good luck, and have a great day!

Another double layout

I've been busy scrapbooking lately, and it's so nice to get more of Nathan's album accomplished!  When I took these photos, I already knew what the title of my layout would be.. this really was so "him" at 7 months.  Always with his fingers in the mouth.  Lately I've been asked why I do so many double layouts.  Well, I probably would prefer to do one page layouts, (they are in my opinion easier and quicker!)  however, when leafing through my finished albums I much prefer the look of a two page spread over a one pager.  It just flows so nicely, and is much more pleasing to my eye.  So that's why I do it.  And that's just what I do right now, my style is subject to change at any time, without notice! And that's the beauty of being a scrapbooker... there are no rules - you can do whatever you want for whatever reason.  :)