Month

May 2014

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A New Scrapbooking Project . . . and A New BLOG?

As I mentioned in my LAST POST about my scrapbooking haul from Michaels, I’m starting a new project: a combination Gratitude and About Me journal and mini book.

From Michaels, I recently bought this gorgeous pink 6×8 album, along with the Weekly Planner and Journal Pages sets, by Project Life. I got them for either 40 or 50% off using sales and coupons.

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Here’s the album with JUST the Journal Pages set inside and, as you can see, it’s chock full.

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I had to put this page first in the album . . . SO PERFECT!

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Obviously, I’ll have to pull out some of the Journal Pages to make room for some of the Weekly Planner pages, which is fine because they’re pretty generic, basically just lined or grid journal pages with differing amounts of space to write on.

I also want to take out these divider pages and use the monthly ones from the Weekly Planner set. If this works out, I’ll have a similar set ready to go for next year, too.

So, back to the MAMBI Sticks from the other post . . . I’m going to use 1 or 2 of those on the cover of this new album. I’ll be handling this book a lot so I don’t want to make it too fancy.

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I just love the watercolor look of that green one. It’s going to be hard to choose!

Then I’ll use the stickers from the medium-sized MAMBI set on the pages inside. I want them to be mostly journaling and, because the pages are so thick, I need to keep them flat as well. These stickers will be perfect. They make me happy just to look at them :)

I haven’t decided yet whether to include photo pocket pages in this album. I know there’ll be times when I’ll want to use a photo but, to save room, I *think* I’ll print any photos 2×3 or 3×4 and adhere them right to a page, then write the journaling around the photo.

The reason for this project: I have so many positives in my life right now. I feel like I’m at a point where things are becoming more and more clear – about what I want from life, how to be “a positive” in others’ lives, things I want to tell my kids, etc.

I’ve even started another blog with this new vision and I’m SO excited! If I stick with it long-term, I’ll share the link here ;) Hey, I realize my flaws and being The Queen of Unfinished Projects is one of them, including new blogs. Heh.

My new blog will include some scrapbooking and memory keeping but will mostly be writing – about things I think you’ll really identify with – along with photos and lots of other great stuff :) I’ve written drafts of five posts already and I’m having a blast!

I wrote a lot in school and majored in creative writing in college; I miss writing and expressing myself in that way (other than about scrapbooking, of course!). I was driving home the other day and in the space of 20 minutes, I’d written down NINE ideas for posts I wanted to write. Now THAT’S inspired!

I hope I follow through and am able to share it with you – wish me luck!

Michael’s Scrapbook Haul from a GOOD Mike’s

In MY LAST POST, I talked about my trip to an out-of-town Michaels – a GOOD Michaels – that I had so much fun shopping at. Now, it’s time to show you what I bought there.

Here’s the whole shebang.

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I didn’t show these little MAMBI Sticks in the other post but ain’t they cute? I love these for Project Life and other pocket pages. They’re mostly flat but add a little bit of depth and lots of color. The little banners to their right by American Crafts will probably go in my PL as well. I love putting banners across the corner of a photo that has some white space. There’s a Heidi Swapp “Sunburst” stencil that I’ve wanted forever. {I could only get one and had to put the Hearts stencil back, boo hoo}. There’s the 2 chevron washi tapes from Recollections DIY; I also had pink but put it back. Like with the burlap embellishments in my last post, I’m hoping my Michaels will eventually get this washi and I’ll buy it with a coupon.

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Here is the large MAMBI Sticks pack that I chose from the FIVE I wanted, LOL. I can’t find a name on it, unfortunately :( It has a lot of sayings about life, being positive, gratitude, etc.

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Along with the medium-sized set of MAMBI Sticks in the top photo, far right, I’m going to use these on a project I’m starting. For that, you’ll have to read my next post. Yeah, I’m such a tease!

See ya’ later, gator ;)

Lain’s Scrapinar for May: It’s a “Feeding Frenzy”

I know I said the next post would be about my scrapbook haul from Mike’s. But just a quick one before I forget . . .

Wanted to let you know that May’s scrapinar (a no-cost event) is coming up later this month. On May 28th she’ll be joined by “Scrapper on the Street”, Danielle Taylor for “Feeding Frenzy: Taking Eye-Catching Food Photos to Scrap and Share”.

Kind of an interesting topic, eh?

I’m not a real foodie per se but since starting Project Life, I have been taking a lot more food photos than in the past. I don’t use any special techniques though. Guess I have a thing or three to learn.

See you at Lain’s May scrapinar! CLICK HERE for more details and to sign up :)

Do the Scrapbookers Who Have a GOOD Michaels Realize How Stinkin’ LUCKY They Are???

Because I went to a GOOD Michaels a few weeks ago while traveling and it was a-MAYZE-ing! They had all the stuff I hear other scrappers talking about online and wish-wish-WISHING! that mine did.

This cute project greeted me at the front table.

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My store doesn’t even have this whole section called “Craft It” by Recollections. Some really cute stuff to DIY party favors, cards, scrapbooking, etc.

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Look at those cute colored clothespins and straws!

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I snagged two of these washi tapes!

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Four new paper pads by Jolee’s – I’ve never seen paper by them, only embellishments. GO Jolee’s!

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Even their Clearance stuff was better than at my Mike’s :P

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I was tempted by this watercolor paper pad by Recollections but I still have tons of “COLOR WASH” by Heidi Swapp that needs to be used.

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The “Sweet Tangerine” paper pad by DCWV was hard to pass up. I love all the orange.

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I swear, “Hey Kid” by Pink Paislee has been on my wish list since I first saw it. But twice now I’ve seen it in person and failed to pull the trigger. I think I need to get just a few sheets and some embellishments, not the whole line. I just don’t love ALL of the papers.

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And, oh yeah, all paper pads were 50% off so I expect you to really admire my strength in not buying any, LOL!

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My Mike’s doesn’t have any of these cute burlap embellishments!

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I had those mason jars and the letters in my hands . . . but they didn’t make the final cut :( I’m hoping my Mike’s will get them eventually and I can use coupons to get them later.

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THIS Mike’s has almost a full aisle of paper pads! Does yours? Mine has about 1/3 of an aisle.

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Look how high their paper racks go! Mine stop at about eyeball-level with about 1/3 as many racks. Hmph!

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They even have a SCRAPBOOKING sign! Not at my store :(

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This looks about the same as the Project Life section at my Mike’s.

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My store has a section like this of random MAMBI, card sentiments, older K&Co, etc. but it’s not as filled in, has maybe about 1/2 as much product.

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Found these cute new letter stickers in 3 colors.

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Here’s a close-up so you can see . . . they’re made of a textured fabric and are slightly distressed on the edges.

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And here is where I thought I’d died and gone to Heaven! MAMBI MAMBI MAMBI!! Man, their stuff is so bright, cheery, and uplifting. They can turn anyone’s frown upside-down, ha!

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I knew I had to get some of these MAMBI Sticks but at $8 a package, I had to make a choice . . . or maybe two ;) So I looked at the backs to see what was in each package. I just love the sayings they use, the pretty fonts, and the great colors.

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Love these letters – kraft with polka dots!

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Uh-oh, found another set of MAMBI Sticks I like. This is getting ever harder to choose!

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They had all the MAMBI Pocket Pages stuff which I’ve bought out . . . ahem, has mostly been phased out at my Michaels.

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My store now has the Instax Mini 8 camera, mini albums, and supplies – a better selection actually – but this Mike’s had them 2-3 weeks earlier.

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NOTE: These cameras are only about $60-70 on Amazon with free shipping (depending on the color you choose) at my link above. At Michaels, they retail (if I remember right) for $119. Even with a coupon, Amazon is cheaper. And some Michaels stores are not accepting coupons for them. Just a shopping tip!

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Here are the 8.5 x 11 “Hot Buy” paper pads I heard about online but couldn’t find at my Mike’s.

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This Amy Tangerine one with all the cameras was super tempting!

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And, finally, some new embellishments from AMERICAN CRAFTS, aka the Monopoly winners at the game of Scrapbooking (did you get that? huh?). Something in this photo came home with me.

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Those plastic letters on the bottom look like some I bought from Crate Paper “The Pier”
line a while back and I know I paid a lot more than $3.99 for them! I wonder if the quality and amount are similar?

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If you want to see what I bought, stay tuned . . . you’ll see in my next post!

I hope those of you with a GOOD Mike’s nearby realize how lucky you are. You’re probably the same ones with a Hobby Lobby and a great Joann nearby too, aren’t ya’?? Jeez, I’m really jealous of you. I don’t even have those stores, no LSS, just a (BAD) Michaels. Waaahh!

So, which camp do you fall in? Do you have a GOOD Mike’s like this one that gets all the good, new stuff early on and has hoards of scrapbooking supplies? Or are you like me with a BAD Mike’s that gets new products much later, if at all, and in smaller quantities?

GREAT Deal Today on the Silhouette Cameo

Yep, Amazon has the Silhouette Cameo Cutter and Starter Kit Bundle on a great sale again today! It’s the Bonus Deal of the Day and expires in 15 hours from the time of this blog post.

It’s only $195 with FREE shipping.

Retail price for this bundle is $345 and retail on just the Cameo is $299 (though you can often find it on sale for $269). But you can see what an awesome deal $195 is for this whole package.

I don’t think it’s any coincidence that it’s on sale right before Mother’s Day, LOL! Go on, tell hubby and the kids to treat you. You deserve it for the 42 times a day you wipe crumbs off the kitchen counter and for turning all those socks right-side out before putting them in the wash.

We put our clean hands in dirty, stinky socks, PEOPLE!! We deserve a flippin’ Cameo! {Just promise me you’ll wash your hands before you use it, Ms. Stinky “Ew!” Sock Hands}.

If you’re wondering “what in the heck would I do with a Cameo?”, check out the Pinterest boards by SILHOUETTE AMERICA. You’ll see that you can use a Cameo not just for scrapbooking but for loads of other things – t-shirts, birthday party favors, home dec, organization, etc. The possibilities are endless.

And if you need some resources once you get it, check out my Silhouette Cameo board on Pinterest right HERE. I like to gather free cut files, scrapbooking ideas, fonts, and especially how-to’s.

/end enabling

Scrapbook Obsession out.

Scrapbook Novel: “The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society” $1.99 for Kindle

I noticed that “The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society” by Darien Gee is only $1.99 for Kindle on Amazon right now. I don’t know how long that price will last so snap it up if you’re interested!

In THIS post, I talked about why you should read “Friendship Bread” by the same author first if you can.

Happy Scrappy Reading!

Happy (Inter)National Scrapbook Day 2014!

It’s always been known as National Scrapbook Day here in the ol’ US of A but with scrapbooking being such a global community, I’ve noticed a lot of scrappers now referring to it as International Scrapbook Day or iNSD which I think is awesome!

I hope you’re having a day full of scrappy goodness. I have to work today (boo hoo) but – purely in the interest of promoting our hobby and doing something scrappy today – I plan to hit a few of the online NSD sales and see what trouble I can get into ;)

I’m also planning to talk by phone with a long-time online scrapbook friend later this morning. We’ve “known” each other for years but this will be the first time we’ve spoken. I cherish the friendships I’ve made through this blog and the scrapbook message boards I’m on. In fact, one of my BFF’s is someone I met through a scrapbook MB <3.

I wanted to share a freebie that I KNOW you’re gonna’ like – and it’s from one of my fave companies, SIMPLE STORIES.

These free printables go with their brand new “Good Day Sunshine” line and HERE is the link. It can take a while to load so be patient, girlie.

Also, check out one of my other fave companies, BASIC GREY today! You can get this FREE PRINTABLE . . .

and they’re having a great sale, giveaways, etc.

Man, you need to go strolling around the scrappy internet today. There are so many sales, freebies, games, giveaways, and challenges! And THIS is why interNational Scrapbook Day is one of my favorite holidays of the year :)

LOVE TO ALL MY SCRAPPIN’ FRIENDS and HAPPY interNATIONAL SCRAPBOOK DAY!!!!

Scrapbooking Idea Book: “Simple Patterns for Papercrafts and Scrapbooking”

HERE is a new special issue from Papercrafts Scrapbooking I thought you might be interested in:

What caught my interest – and you’ll only remember this if you’re a long-time scrapbooker – is that I wondered if it was anything like my favorite scrapbooking idea book of all time: “EASY PATTERNS FOR SCRAPBOOKING”.

Yes, the date on that blog entry is April 2007!

I’ve used that book SO many times over the years, it’s the only one I’ve actually worn out. The idea goes along with my favorite online scrapbook class ever, “THE PERFECT COLLECTION” by Shimelle Laine. The basic idea of both is starting with a fixed set or collection of papers and cardstock, then cutting them according to patterns before assembling your pages.

I have such a hard time these days paying $15 for idea books that are essentially the thickness of what $6 scrapbooking magazines used to be. I mean, I get it. They don’t have as many ads, the industry is not great right now and they have make money, etc. But it’s still hard, LOL! Especially not knowing what exactly it entails. Here’s the description:

Save time, money, and effort using these fun formulas with an economical array of supplies. Starting with supply lists, cutting diagrams and sketches, you’ll see how to create layouts, cards, tags and even a gift bag with just a few sheets of cardstock, some embellishments, and a fiber or two. You’ll find tips to “step up” the patterns by adding a tool, stamp set, or technique, plus examples that show the versatility of each one no matter what theme, age or gender interests you. Jump into this clever and practical way to use patterns in your paper crafting today!

I also wish it was JUST scrapbooking and not papercrafts, cards, etc. {Hey, did fibers come back and I didn’t get the memo?!?! Shooks, I gave all of mine away}.

I figured, well, I’ll just get the DIGITAL ISSUE. Well, uh, NO! It’s the same price – $15. Sheesh. I don’t pay hardcover price for a Kindle book and I’m not paying hard copy magazine price for a digital version either. Oh well.

If anyone gets this idea book:

1. Come give us a review or link to one on your blog, please!
2. Can I buy it from ya’ when you’re done? Heh heh.

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