Absolutely nothing except that they both have upcoming shows I’m excited about!
Okay, LISA BEARNSON…Nope, unfortunately she’s not on QVC SCRAPBOOKING anymore :( Btw, I REALLY miss her on that show, don’t you? The other hosts try really hard but they just don’t have Lisa’s superior knowledge of scrapbooking products and how to use them. Plus, I miss her playfulness with David Venable.
Here she is with one of her daughters showing their seat belt burns from an accident they were in recently ~ thank goodness they were okay! Something tells me that without those seat belts, they wouldn’t have been….
Anyhow, I found THIS show that she’s going to be on (September 2 and 9, 2009), if you happen to get BYU-TV. You may not think you do, but look through ALLLLLL your cable or satellite channel listings and you might find it. On my Dish Network, it’s on Channel 9403….yeah, it’s way down there. It’s the same channel where I watch SCRAPBOOK MEMORIES, which has some new 2009 episodes. I haven’t watched in a while because I kept getting reruns of older shows but today I checked and am recording an upcoming episode that says 2009. Yippee skip! Love that show…
Okay, back to Lisa. The show is called “Latter Day Profiles” and the info says, “The co-founder and editor of Creating Keepsakes scrapbooking magazine, Lisa Bearnson.” Info also tells me this show originally aired on 6-24-09, so it’s fairly recent. Let’s check it out and then come back and compare notes, okay?
While searching around for shows to record, I also found something for fans of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. On Wednesday, 9-2-09, Fox is showing a special episode with “fan fave routines from previous seasons.” The only bad thing is it’s a mere 1-hour long. WTH? I can’t wait to see it and hope they show some different routines than what were on the SYTYCD finale. There are SO many past routines I love. I could watch them over and over. Then the following Wednesday, September 9th, the new season of SYTYCD premieres, followed by the long-awaited second episode of GLEE! This is a show that won me over the first episode when they performed “Don’t Stop Believin’,” by Journey, my all time favorite band. {If you see me on the scrapbook message boards, I’m always “journey fan.”} Check out a Glee preview HERE; the Journey song starts around 2:45.
So, ya gonna try and catch Lisa B. and/or the SYTYCD episode?
I’m so happy that Michaels is turning over their stock much more quickly than they used to. Just about every time I go into Mike’s, there is something new. Here are some photos of things that were new ~ to me at least. These photos were taken on my last few visits to Mike’s.
Making Memories alpha stickers
They had several colors. The font is cute and I love that there’s an little crystal on each letter.
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A bunch of new bling…
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Journaling tablet stickers by Die Cuts with a View. There were 5 different themes, like Travel, Love, and Family.
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Your eyes are not deceiving you…Those are Thickers @ Mike’s!! The choices are kind of slim so I hope they offer more style and colors in the future. Check out those red, yellow, and blue letter stickers. I swear those have been at Mike’s since 1996. C’mon, Mike’s, just toss them. If they haven’t sold in 13 years, they’re not going to sell now, LOL!
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I’m so bummed this photo didn’t come out! I wanted to show you all these cute little epoxy stickers by Recollections…arrows, flowers, and my favorite, rainclouds and raindrops.
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Blingetty bling bling!…
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I love this K&Co. album from the Cut ‘n Paste line. It’s pricey but maybe someday I can get it with a 40% or 50% off coupon. Yeah, yeah… a 50% coupon! When’s the next holiday?? Oh yeah, Labor Day is right around the corner…
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An overview of a lot of their new albums. The solid colored Recollections albums are on the top row. The ones below are so pretty/cool/cute; there are a couple albums there I would love to have.
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My Minds Eye paper stack, called “Complete Boy”
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My Minds Eye paper stack, called “Totally Girl”
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Cat’s Eye chalk inks ~ my ink of choice ~ and lots of Staz On inkpads.
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Brilliance “Dew Drops” ink pads and Tim Holtz Distress Inks in 6 colors! We’re big time now!
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Cute-alicious cupcake stamps…
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So, here is what I ended up with on trip #1: Some black Thickers. They are the puffy ones, black cursive font, called Rainboots. Also, a pack of American Crafts Slick Writers in black. I really only wanted the fine tip but they didn’t sell them separately in fine tip, only bold. Oh well, won’t hurt to have extra Slick Writers anyway. Used a 40% coupon on the pens.
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On trip #2, I got two of the Journal Stickers Tablets ~ Travel and Family, and some Recollections pearl bling strips in green and teal. Used a 40% coupon on one of the sticker books.
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Here’s one sheet of each of the Journal Sticker Tablets, just so you can see how cute they are. My Slick Writers will be perfect!
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I’m so impressed with Michaels lately. With the demise of so many LSS’s, maybe we’re giving them enough scrappy business to keep that part of the store going strong. I sure hope so….Mike’s is my main source for Scrap Crack….erm, I mean….scrap supplies. What new things have you seen or purchased at Mike’s lately?
There is a sweet lady who posts on the All Moments Remembered message board, goes by the name of “tomocus.” She posted today asking for us to help her nephew win a survey, and I thought I’d pass it on. HERE is her post about her nephew, who was the first round draft pick for the Anaheim Angels Major League Baseball team.
The poll is to vote for the first round player who is off to the best start in the Minors. HERE is the link where you vote. The poll is on the bottom left of the screen and to vote for him, click No. 24 Randal Grichuk. When I voted a few minutes ago, he was in second place! But he was a ways behind the #1 guy, so SCRAPPERS UNITE! Let’s put him over the top and then his Auntie Tomocus can tell him we helped him win, LOL!
Like I said on the AMR thread, we are baseball nuts in our family and we really like the players who work hard, not just take everything for granted. Randal shows up for batting practice 3 hours early every day and is putting the older guys to shame. He’s missing his family in Texas but is overcoming some obstacles and doing very well. Our younger players need good role models like Randal.
{*Cough* MANNY RAMIREZ STEROID JERK *Cough*}
{And my LA Dodgers are stuck with him, ugh}.
Here are couple pictures I found of Randal, in case it motivates you to vote, LOL!
He’s a cutie! And, yes, I can say that because he IS street legal (age 18). {Please forgive me, Auntie Tomocus}. Go Randal! Ladies, I hope you will take just, literally, 10 seconds to go VOTE for him. Thanks!
I know, I know, I need to BLOG! It’s been too dang long. We went camping at the beach last week, and I spent the weekend recovering, LOL! Laundry, unpacking, etc. and then finalizing the school shopping, getting backpacks together, and, oh yeah, it seemed like a good time to shop for a new theme for our kids’/guest bathroom ‘cuz I didn’t have enough things on my plate {insert sarcasm here}.
Well, at Target the other night, I got some fun (non-SBR) stuff including a DVD of the classic movie ROMAN HOLIDAY…
that I’ve been dying to see ever since I read this novel, “ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS” by Kristin Harmel….
SUCH a cool book! It was set in Rome, which is my favorite city EVAH! And it references “Roman Holiday,” which I can’t believe I’ve never seen. I could go on for days about how much I LURVE Rome (or Roma, as the Italians call it), how great this book was, or how I couldn’t put it down the entire time we were camping, but that would bore you to tears. Well, I put it down to play in the ocean and stuff but that’s about it. At Tar-Jay, I did NOT find a copy of the new Colbie Caillat “BREAKTHROUGH” CD I was planning to get; on sale for $10 vs. $14…shoot! They sold out by the time I got there.
Then in the computer aisle ~ where I debated whether I really need to lay out 30 bucks for a laptop cooler fan lap fan thingee (I mean, are they noisy or what?) ~ I saw this little cutie-patootie and had to have it…
Idn’t it little and key-ute! If I’d ordered from the LOGITECH website, it would’ve cost me about $36 with shipping, but at Target all it cost was $25 and the instant gratification was free, baby! This thing rocks. It’s Mac compatible. It’s small and has a little USB plug that pops into the bottom of the mouse when not plugged into your lappie. It’s a big improvement over my current wireless mouse that has a big white contraption with a cord that I have to drag around the house with me if I go mobile. Anyway, this little red mouse will be a great replacement. The scroll button not only goes up and down…it goes side to side! So totally rockin’!! And I adore the pretty red color. After seeing some other fancy ones on their website, like this….
…and this…
…I’m thinking I need to break out some rub-ons, maybe some Basic Grey or Fancy Pants swirly ones. What do you think…should I go for it? {See, a mouse CAN be scrapbook-related, LOL!}
Okay, well I’ve got to work tonight but I’ll start writing up some blog entries for later this week. I haven’t posted any shopping reports in a while, so I’ve got several to give ya’. And some other goodies, too. Stay tuned, homies!
Sounds like another great deal to me! I already have one in my shopping cart before they run out.
MME: Christmas Paper and Accessory Kit
This My Mind’s Eye kit includes (20) 12×12 sheets of double-sided cardstock paper, plus over 40 mix and match accessory pieces.
Retail Price: $15.00
ON SALE Price: $8.75 (Save 42%)
I’m going to use this kit to make my 2009 Christmas cards. Get a jump on them and get started now, so I won’t be scrambling like I always am in December, LOL! If you’d like to order, instructions are HERE. Merry Christmas in August!!!
I found this fun survey HERE and decided to copy it.
1. What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now? Dove and Irish Spring
2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? No, but I wish I did. Had some at a BBQ yesterday and it was guuuud.
3. What would you change about your living room? I need new furniture in such a bad way! It’s old and faded, but at least it’s comfy.
4. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? Clean!
5. What is in your fridge? Milk, coffee beans, yogurt, leftover pork carnitas and tortillas, a bag of tomatoes, and lots more.
6. White or wheat bread? 100% whole wheat
7. What is on top of your refrigerator? Boxes of cereal and crackers
8. What color or design is on your shower curtain? In the master bath, nothing….there are doors. In the kids’/guest bathroom, it’s plain white. We’re getting ready to re-do the theme from police/fire to maps! Something to look at while you’re “occupied,” LOL.
9. How many plants are in your home? Six, I think. That I haven’t managed to kill. Yay me!
10. Is your bed made right now? Yep, I make ‘er every day.
11. Comet or Soft Scrub? Soft Scrub. Works great on my Corian kitchen sink.
12. Is your closet organized? Yes, but it’s full. I need to do some purging. And let’s not talk about my guest closet. (I totally copied this answer from JEN.)
13. Can you describe your flashlight? A big, black MagLite. It’s the one cops use. Don’t mess with me…I will hurt you. Really.
14. Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? Plastic, unless it’s wine.
15. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? Two, actually ~ pomegranate and mango herb teas mixed with Lipton. Love it unsweetened with a buncha ice.
16. If you have a garage, is it cluttered? I like to call it organized chaos. It looks messy but there’s room for my car, and we know where to find stuff.
17. Curtains or blinds? Blinds in every room. I keep meaning to get at least some fabric valances, but I’m not very motivated. Just more things to dust.
18. How many pillows do you sleep with? Two or three.
19. Do you sleep with any lights on at night? Yes, I have to have a night light. I skerred of the dark! I also wake up during the night to check on everyone so I need to be able to see.
20. How often do you vacuum? Once or twice a week.
21. Standard toothbrush or electric? Standard.
22. What color is your toothbrush? Pink. Very cute, dahling..
23. Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? We did but the puppy took off with it. See, he even looks guilty.
24. What is in your oven right now? Nothing.
25. Is there anything under your bed? Winter comforters in Space Bags. On DH’s side, his shoes. On my side, that huge MagLite/weapon I was telling you about.
26. Chore you hate doing the most? Anything having to do with the hardwood floors…dust bunny retrieval, sweeping, mopping, Dust Busting of random messes.
27. What retro items are in your home? We have a cool, old metal fire engine from the 50s that DH’s dad played with when he was little.
28. Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? Yes, it’s a combo guest room/office. We call it the Air Bed Room because when the kids were little, all we had in here was an airbed for when my mom would stay with us. We now have a proper bed and some office furniture, but it will be forever called the Air Bed Room.
29. How many mirrors are in your home? Five? Three in the bathrooms, a decorative one in our room, and one by the door for those moments of “Oh crap, someone’s at the door. Do I have make=up on?!”
30. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? If I did, I wouldn’t tell you.
31. What color are your walls? The living room, kitchen, dining areas are all connected and painted a light golden yellow. The playroom/scrap room that is open and directly off the dining room is the same color, but a shade darker. The bedrooms and bathrooms are varying shades of green and blue. Yeah, we’re not real adventurous with paint colors….
32. Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home? Oh, yeah! But they are safely stored, accessible only to the grown-ups.
33. What does your home smell like right now? Same as Jen….Glade Plug-Ins. They make it smell so nice. And DH made pancakes for the kids this morning, so it still kinda smells like that, which I hate. I’m burning a Citrus Sage candle in my office right now.
34. Favorite candle scent? Anything citrus.
35. What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now? I think a jar of dill and a jar of sweet.
36. What color is your favorite Bible? Maroon.
37. Ever been on your roof? No, never will. A guy I used to work with fell off his roof and is now paralyzed. I’m terrified of roofs. I about have a panic attack whenever DH goes up there.
38. Do you own a stereo? Yes, I have my Dad’s old stereo from when he passed but it’s not hooked up. Just sentimental. He was a HUGE music lover.
39. How many TVs do you have? Play room, living room, master. The play room one has no satellite and no channels, it’s just for kid videos and for me to watch videos when I scrap. I just watched Dead Poet’s Society for the eleventy-billionth time the other night.
40. How many house phones? Five. Kitchen, living room, office, bedroom (all cordless) and a corded phone in the garage for when the power goes out.
41. Do you have a housekeeper? I have three! Me, myself, and I.
42. What style do you decorate in? I’d call it a combo of Comfy, Simple, Durable, and I’m Broke.
43. Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints? Mostly solids.
44. Is there a smoke detector in your home? Yes! And lots of Defensible Space. We’re in California Fire Country.
45. In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you’d grab if you only could make one quick trip? My laptop, my purse, scrapbooks, photos, baby and school stuff of the kids.
Yep, all of these new Bo Bunny lines from CHA Summer 2009 are now in stock and ready to order at Memory Works! I’ll just give you a tease of each line by showing you the Theme Set, which is an exclusive to Memory Works. You get a set of 5 sheets of double-sided paper and 1 shaped paper for only $6.25. Also, there’s a sample layout or two so you can see each line in action. {Layouts are all from the Bo Bunny website, unknown artist(s)…}
DELILAH by Bo Bunny
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KITCHEN SPICE by Bo Bunny
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FLUTTER BUTTER by Bo Bunny
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BOO CREW by Bo Bunny
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TIS THE SEASON by Bo Bunny
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ST. NICK by Bo Bunny
Aren’t those great?!?! We carry each Theme Set with matching Cut-Outs (journaling tags and accents, 12×12, double sided), Buttons and Bling, iCandy Brads, Combo Stickers (a 12×12 sheet with alpha, swirlies, and such), Rub-Ons, and acrylic stamps.
You can see all of our new Bo Bunny stuff from CHA right HERE. I notice that a few of the items are showing Out of Stock, which either means they haven’t been received yet, or that the item was so popular, it already sold out.
Memory Works, along with other scrapbooking materials distributors, has been struggling recently with the fact that vendors are not able to sustain product availability over the whole season like they used to. This is, of course, due to the downturn in the industry of late. MEMORY WORKS has responded by deciding to issue an additional catalog every year. We all hope this offers better service and more predictability to our customers. It’s very frustrating, I know, to want an item and see that it’s already out of stock, and the manufacturers won’t be able to provide any more to Memory Works. It seems everyone is doing their best to make it all work! Thank you for understanding….
Anyhoo, if you see any items you like, I would encourage you to order soon! Just sayin…. LOL :) Click HERE for more info on ordering, or becoming a Memory Works hobbyist or consultant.
I think my favorite of these new BO BUNNY lines is Flutter Butter. I’m a sucker for that color combination. So pretty and so versatile….beach, outdoors, park, family, just about anything. Which one is your fave?
Isn’t it interesting the way God times things in our lives? Giving us just what we need, just when we need it…
I recently posted this layout on my blog, about my Dad who passed away 16 years ago.
In case it’s too small to read, the journaling is simply the lyrics from “THE DANCE” by Garth Brooks:
Looking back
on the memory of
the dance we shared
beneath the stars above.
For a moment
all the world was right.
How could I have known
that you’d ever say goodbye?
And now
I’m glad I didn’t know
the way it all would end,
the way it all would go.
Our lives
are better left to chance.
I could have missed the pain
but I’d have had to miss
the dance.
It’s only the second layout I’ve been able to complete about my dad, even though I’ve been scrapping for 8 years. Doing layouts about him is such a struggle for me. The first one I did was for a Father’s Day challenge at AMR, and the second one {above} was recently done for a Book of Me challenge, also at AMR. Are we seeing a pattern? LOL I only seem to force myself on this issue…if I’m challenged. I’m one of those who didn’t really allow myself to go through the whole grieving process as I should have right after he died. So, here I am 16 years later, STILL kind of avoiding the feelings most of the time. The strange thing is that when I force myself to do these challenge layouts that involve my grief over his loss, I DO feel better afterwards. Part of that is the relief of getting some long pent-up feelings out on paper, and part of it is the encouragement, sympathy, and other heartfelt comments my fellow scrappers make about the layouts. Which I realize are the works of a mediocre scrapper, but do come from an honest place in my heart.
That said…I honestly don’t know when I would’ve done another “Dad” layout in the near future. I’m tellin’ ya’….PAIN. FULL. Full of pain. Right? And Avoidance is my middle name, baby!
Then along comes my homegirl EMILIE at the SCRAP REVIEW {love her for so many reasons; hers is one of the only blogs I make sure to read on a daily basis} to help along with some divine intervention :) She posted THIS about a new blog called GOOD GRIEF. Here is what it’s about, taken from the Good Grief blog:
We here have all experienced a loss. Together, we hope to heal. This site is intended to help in that process…to be a source of inspiration and motivation…and to simply be a place to share and know that others understand. To that end, we (the contributors) have created these scrapbook challenges. For us, scrapbooking about our lost loved ones is therapeutic on many levels. Challenges are completely open…anyone can participate and challenges are very much open to interpretation…take from them whatever helps YOU. Tackle them in whatever format suits you (layouts, mini albums, home decor, anything!). No rules…New challenges and examples will be posted on the 1st and 15th of each month. Between challenges, more in-depth looks at the contributor layouts will be posted. As this site evolves, we hope to add more content between the challenges and will look to you for ideas and suggestions.
And whaddya know? Their first challenge is….USE LYRICS. Bla-dow. DONE. Mwuh. Meant to be. Am I right? So I’m taking this as a sign: My angel, Emilie, was sent to give me the message about Good Grief. And me not being one to ignore angel messages, I will be entering my above layout in their first challenge, and plan to enter more challenges in the future.
Those Good Grief girls are just what I need. Challenge, inspiration, and the knowing of true grief. AMANDA PROBST started the blog ~ You may know her from CREATING KEEPSAKES. When I used to hang out at CKMB, she often posted and I remember when her dad died because, boy oh boy, could I relate to the feelings she was expressing. Like her, I lost my dad suddenly due to an accident, while he was in his 50s, so we are both raising children who are growing up without a Grandpa who should, mathematically speaking, still be here. Amanda was also sweet enough to join us once for Scrap Chat Hour at AMR, back when HER BOOK came out.
So, yeah, it all comes full circle, doesn’t it? I love this online scrapbooking community. It’s full of wonderful women whom I’ve never met in real life, and probably never will, yet they touch my heart in their own little way, at just the right time, with just the right inspiration. God bless them.
Well, you remember how exciting the Pink Paislee GRAB BOX was, right? Here’s another one for ya’….Sass Lass (who, by the way, are now officially called just “Sassafrass”…) is having a big “on location” sale at their office location tomorrow (Saturday, 8-15-09 from 9am to 3pm) and the linkee is HERE. Then, there is an online grab box sale, as requested by their online admirers who don’t happen to live in Utah, LOL. That linkee is HERE. There is no deadline listed, so I assume it’s first come, first served.
HERE is where 2peas is talking about it. HERE is what the AMR girlz have to say. I’m going to pass on this one. I’m making good progress on using the stuff from my Pink Paislee box, and could technically justify another purchase like this. Howevah, I’m not a big enough fan of the Sassafrass lines to be sure that I’d love it all, kwim? I have some Sass Lass stickers from the LSS (Isn’t “Sass Lass” just fun to say? Sass Lass, Sass Lass, Sass Lass….I’m so bummed they changed their name), and one paper pad from Michaels but I’m finding them both hard to use. Just not my usual style, I guess. I love them, think they’re super cute and all – I especially love the frills along the edges of their papers – but some of the prints, I guess, just don’t go with what I typically scrap.
That being said (don’t you hate when they say that EVERY time before they give the nominations for eviction on Big Brother….yeah, yeah, yeah….”that being said,” we know! Get on with the nominations!) … See, I digressed AGAIN! That being SAID, I know that lots of scrappers are huge Sass Lass fans and will dig this sale. Therefore, I LINK YOU. Taa daaaaaahh! Happy shopping.
Tell the truth…Do you qualify to enter the MESSIEST SCRAPBOOK ROOM CONTEST? Deadline is 8-24-09 and you could win a $50 gift certificate.
Check out the TOP BUSINESS TRENDS AT CHA-SUMMER 2009. To sum up the trends: Eco and cheap-o….err, I mean….cheaper! Not cheap as in shoddy, just more affordable to all us broke scrappers, LOL!
I’m so excited for my AMR friend, KELLIANNIE. I’ve bragged about her mad cardmaking skillz many a time, and she’s an awesome illustrator, too, who has gotten into the stampmaking business. At one time, she made her own stamps for sale, and now she’s had designs picked up for manufacture by a major company, UNITY STAMP COMPANY. Her dragonfly stamp is included in USCs August Kit of the Month, which you can order (or just drool over) HERE (hers is #6, the dragonfly on the top right….so pretty!).
Kelli posted about it recently HERE and one of her designs, a double lilac bloom, unbeknownst to her til now, was even at CHA! I tell ya’, there are some big shots hanging out over at AMR. You might want to join up so you can schmooze with them.
Our own JOSCIE CUTCHENS even had a page published in the latest Memory Makers issue. Look for her on page 66. ETA 8-14-09: To clarify, it is the latest and it is the last :(
Speaking of AMR, there will be a SCRAP CHAT HOUR tonight at 8:30 pm CST (that’s 6:30 for you PSTers like me). The topic is sharing scrapbooking tips we’ve learned along the way, so come join us. I’m sure you could teach us, and learn, a thing or four. Also, we have the ongoing BOOK OF ME (aka BOM) project and would love you to join us. Abby gives us layout challenges, we throw around ideas and ask questions, and share our finished layouts. It’s a very good thing to do for yourself….don’t you deserve it?
So, tell me about your messy (or perfectly organized) scrap space, and/or your thoughts on the latest scrapbook trends.
As I mentioned HERE and HERE, we had a member-hosted, online crop this weekend at the All Moments Remembered message board. There were loads of fun challenges, some RAKs, lots of chatting (some topics of convo: rum, margaritas, and hot men), and a fun and crazy scrapbook bingo game…which I actually won! Kind of by default but you had to be there, LOL! I had a lot of fun chatting, laughing, admiring the wonderful work of other scrappers and cardmakers, and I even got some scrapbooking done! Here are two of the layouts I completed:
** I apologize in advance for the poor quality of my photos. My “real” camera is out of commission, so all I have is my iPhone and they all look blurry….
“Sculpterra” for the “Let’s scrap bingo style” challenge hosted by JULIE aka Scrappin{jewlz}. You probably can’t read the journaling but Sculpterra winery has these amazing sculptures outside by artist JOHN JAGGER. They are made of bronze or granite, and are simply amazing..
2-page layout (sorry it’s so small…if I enlarge it, it gets even more blurry)
Left page…
and right page.
Close up of my favorite flowers, which are 2 layers of shiny silk and then chiffon, with seed beads in the middle. They came in a Memory Works kit last year. I need to look up who makes them and get some more if they’re still available. Love!
I mostly used COSMO CRICKET “Fleuriste” that I’ve had for a while, and stamped the title with a cool new font I found at Walmart by AUTUMN LEAVES. I layered two different colors of COLORBOX chalk Inks.
For the bingo challenge, Julie provided a bingo card you could print out that looked like this:
You then picked 5 boxes in a row – up, down, or diagonal – as requirements for your layout. So, for “Sculpterra,” I used the far righthand vertical row.
3 different stamps: Title, hummingbird, and circles
Journaling strips: To label the photos
1-word title: “Sculpterra”
Ribbons or fibers: Black ribbon under teal flower
At least 5 photos: I’ve got 8!
This challenge was fun to do. The first thing I did was go through the bingo card and cross out things I was NOT going to do (like use butterflies, use only 1 photograph, use paint, handstitch, etc.) and circle anything I for sure wanted to include. In this case, I knew was starting with 8 photos, so I circled use at least 5 photos. Then I just picked the row that made the most sense for this layout. Super cool and creative. Thanks, Julie!
So, that was all I got done for crop challenges so far. The deadline to post layouts/cards isn’t until Wednesday night 8/12/09 at 12 midnight PST. I had to work tonight, but I’m hoping Mon/Tue nights are quiet and I can get some more challenges done. There is one about scrapbooking/you and one about using a neglected stamp that I’d really like to try :)
I decided to use the some of the AMR crop time/motivation/mojo to straighten up my scrap space, and to work on some other layouts. This layout was not crop-related. It was actually to try and get caught up with my Book of Me challenges, like I talked about HERE, {an ongoing challenge also hosted at AMR}. Here was the challenge from ABBY aka ScrapbookFrenzy:
The challenge is to scrap a time in your life or in the span of life in general that you’d like to go back to. You can do it on being a child, about your children like she did, or if you wouldn’t like to go back at all for any reason, scrap about why. Build on this challenge any way you’d like. It’s YOURS and for YOUR album….not mine or any other person’s. {You can read the entire challenge and see a sample layout by STEPHANIE HOWELL right HERE}.
So, here is what I came up with. “Oh, to be….his girl again.”
Almost everything is Pink Paislee from my GRAB BOX (except for some old Scrapworks black letter stickers, and Heidi Swapp white chipboard letters that I used green then turquoise chalk ink to color). Oh, and the “J” is Jenni Bowlin, and the Don’t Forget tag is MME. The Pink Paislee silver rub-ons don’t show up well in photos, so here’s a close-up of he silver border…
… and silver letters that say “Cheated of…” (time).
Here are the lyrics up close so you can read them….
My dad died in 1993 and I still miss being his girl. There is just no one like a girl’s daddy to love her unconditionally, protect her, and be on her side. This is only the second layout I’ve done about my dad since he died 16 years ago, and it was done through tears. {Yep, crying as I type this, too. Crap.} So, I didn’t have it in me to write original journaling this time. Instead, I used song lyrics from a Garth Brooks song that was actually a favorite of mine at the time my dad died. Who knew it would end up applying to me? But I’ve always meant to do a layout about my dad using these lyrics, because every time I hear this song, I still think of him. Every. Single. Time. Oh, to have him back again…but I wouldn’t miss the pain if it meant missing the dance we did share for those years. Miss you, Hippy Dad. Miss you so much…. {Crap, so many tears I can’t see to type…brb}.
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Okay! So, moving on… Hope you had a great weekend and not a super soppy, nose-runny one like I did, LOL! How much scrapping did you get done? Did you join us at the AMR crop? And if not, for God’s sake, WHY??? :) :) :)
These stamps are the latest addition to the MEMORY WORKS section called Steals and Deals. You get all 3 sets for only $7.50, which is amazing. I mean, $2.50 for each whole set of acrylic stamps…sweet. They usually retail for $13 each, so you’re getting $39 worth of stamps for $7.50 (that’s 81% off!).
They are from the Cosmo Cricket lines called MR. CAMPY, HAUNTED, and JACK’S WORLD. When I was just over at Cosmo Cricket’s own WEBSITE, I see that they sell these stamps for $11.99 a set (which would still be $36 total vs. $7.50).
I was “oot and uh-boot” Friday evening and did some fun shopping in between the grocery shopping and getting gas drudgery. Here is a report on my adventures, as far as scrappy stuff I found….
Target: Nothing. Same old stuff they’ve had for a while. Nothing on sale. Nothing to report. Oh, except I got the new CK there.
Been chillaxin’ around the house this weekend with it, and am LOVING IT! Such a great issue, chock full of layouts and techniques, as a SCRAPBOOKING magazine should be (unlike….cough, cough….SCRAPBOOKS ETC…..traitor….cough, cough)…
Walmart: Still have a lot of stuff on Clearance. The Cricut carts for $30 each were pretty tempting but I resisted. Not that flush right now. But this is what I bought there on clearance a couple weeks ago and they still have pretty much the same stuff as when I shopped then….
Michaels: So I had two coupons in hand: a 40% off that expired that day, and a 50% off that expires Monday (which is odd, but who am I to complain?). I cruised the aisles quite a bit trying to find something coupon worthy.
There was some new (to me, at least) bling kits, the I-Top brad maker by Imaginesce, and some metal embellishments by Making Memories.
I had the metal snowflakes with bling in my hand, but put them back. Maybe another time, another coupon…
As much as I loved all these new acrylic stamps,….
… and they weren’t on sale so I could’ve gotten a set for 1/2 off, I resisted their magnetic pull with some motivating self-talk…”Just snap some quick photos for the blog. Remain objective. You do NOT like acrylic stamps. You do not NEED acrylic stamps. They hold no meaning for you. No, Erika, not even that adorable set with the butterfly. And, no, you don’t need any more alpha stamps….the 170 sets you have at home are quite enough. Okay, you took the photos, now keep walking. No, don’t pet them. ERIKA!! Hand off the pretty stamps. Good. Now walk away. Dit! Don’t look back over your shoulder. Look! Pretty bling! Let’s go over there!” See, my friends, THAT … is how it’s done.
I found this endcap full of cute, 12×12 postbound albums by Recollections (the Michaels brand).
There were some really cute styles to choose from. They were jam-packed on the shelves like 20 circus clowns in a Mini Cooper. It was hard to get a good look at them all without a struggle, pulling out the first 2 or 3 in each row to see what was behind them. {I tried to peek in the sides but there were other racks blocking my access…hmph}. Many albums that I pulled out had bent corners on either the album itself or the pages (I assume, the result of beingsotightlyshelved….poor babies couldn’t breathe…). I made sure to pick out two unbent ones :) {I get doubles to use as yearly family albums because I scrap too much to get everything into one}. As you can see, the shelf stickers said $9.99 and a sign up top said 40% off. I asked myself, “Self, does that mean they are 40% off of $10, making them a mere $6 each?” And then I answered myself with, “Oh, Self, no! That would be too good to be true. Even Michaels wouldn’t run a deal THAT good!” But I, myself, was …. WRONG! Cuz they rang up at the register as 6 bucks, baby! Did my everlovin’, deal seakin’, penny pinchin’ heart good, it did.
Right inside the front door, they had the rack that usually says “Designer Scrapbooking” but it was full of Clearance items.
From there, I got these Making Memories “Black Tie” white pearlized letter stickers for $2 marked down from $4. For full coupon maximization, I grabbed these Martha Stewart chalk inks from Clearance (for the 50% off) and some Herma tab refills (for the 40% off). However, the register wouldn’t allow the coupon to be used on the inks because they were already on sale. I said, “I thought you just couldn’t use coupons on weekly sale items, but it’s okay if they’re Clearance or Reduced or whatever?” and she thought so too, so she read the coupon. Yep, there in the teensy weensy fine print it said something like, “Not for use on previously marked down items.” Crud. Oh well, I took the inks anyway…they were still 30% off. And the 40% off coupon worked on the Herma tabs.
So, I got two 12×12 albums, Herma tab refills, a stack of chalk inks, and two sets of letter stickers for $30, which I could’ve paid for just one album. Happy me.
Big Lots: Happy? Not so much. When I first turned into the scrapbooking aisle, my eyes lit up because I immediately noticed that the inventory of Thickers had gotten much larger. Yippie skip! (HERE is where I talked about my bad luck with Thickers @ BL). But I was to be disappointed again. There were tons of the shapes ones, one pack of red felt and tons of the naked chipboard ones (which I already got last time), and that was it. They had the K&Co embellishment stickers that the Peas were talking about HERE, but none I had to have.
I thought some of you might be interested in these, so I took a pic for ya….
Great deal and very cute! I love the prints on the inside, don’t you?
Well, those were my latest shopping/window shopping adventures. What kinda scrappy stuff have you found lately at Target, Walmart, Michaels, and Big Lots? Would love to hear in Comments, and feel free to link to your blog if you’ve posted about ’em.
It’s back in stock at MEMORY WORKS!! Whoo to the hoo!
Shockingly, it’s only $29.95 (over $100 value). I ordered this last time and have it; if you’d like photos or have any questions about what’s in this amazing kit, just let me know :)
The My Minds Eye “Bohemia” embossed chipboard is also back in stock. I’m getting some this time, cuz I was so mad I missed out on it before.
It’s only $3; retail value is $8. Can’t beat that, I say…These will be fun to color with chalk inks, alcohol inks, maybe rough ’em up with sandpaper or my BASIC GREY FILE SET.
They will go perfectly with the MME “French Market” set above. Eeeee! Can’t wait to get the chipboard and can’t believe it’s only 3 bucks.
Just click on the “I’m a Memory Works Consultant” up top, or through the links provided, to order these goodies. Seriously, hurry. They went out of stock very quickly last time.
I’m a consultant for Memory Works scrapbooking, and wanted to share a couple of specials we have going on right now, and some new products.
First of all, if you place ANY order with me right now, you will get these stinkin’ adorable letter stickers for free….
Submit an order for any dollar amount and receive a FREE 12×12 Letter Sticker Sheet from the “Cherry Hill” collection from October Afternoon – a $3.50 value absolutely free with your order. Supplies are limited…get your order in early becuase these darling stickers will not last long!
I’m finding that when they say “supplies are limited,” they really mean it. These are first come, first served so if you’d like some free stickers, order soon! Click on the link up top that says “I’m a Memory Works Consultant” for the way to place an order.
Now for the Big Mama of free things…
Here is how you earn it: When you place a qualifying $150 party order, you will receive a FREE MemoryWorks gift pack bursting with products from our participating vendors. Each gift pack contents vary, but has a retail value well over $50 and will be jam-packed with assorted cardstock, patterned paper, cards, rub-ons, embellishments and more!
So, how do you hold a Memory Works party when I live here and you live there? Well, you hold a catalog party! I will send you a catalog and you take orders among your scrappy friends. If you reach $150 in retail sales (before tax and shipping), you get the above gift pack FREE. Or if you just want to place an order of $150 or more for yourself, we can do that, too. Contact me and we’ll work out the details…
I’ve also noticed that the Memory Works website just added a new product category called NEW SUMMER CHA and this cute stuff by Pebbles Inc are the first additions to it.
Aren’t those cute? I’ve always liked Pebbles Inc. for their simple, whimsical style and cool color combos. Let me know if I can order some of this cuteness for ya.
I can’t wait to see what else MW will be adding to that Summer CHA category…..I’m hoping some of the new Basic Grey, Pink Paislee…oh, I could go on and on…
I’m always anxious to see what new lines Basic Grey has coming out and have been obsessively {who, me, obsessive?} checking their site and blog to see the new releases for CHA Summer 2009. Finally, they are here! See all the new BASIC GREY on the blog post HERE. As always, Kelly did such a great job designing layouts and projects to show off BG to it’s absolute best. I love her scrapping style.
Here is a quick look at each new line. If you click on the bolded name above each pic, you can see the line in all it’s glory on the Basic Grey website.
I haven’t been able to say this in a long time, because my relationship with Basic Grey has been rocky in recent years, but … I LOVE THEM ALL!! As in LOOOOOVVVVEE and will NEED to have some of each. I’m sure MEMORY WORKS will get some of the new BG the quickest and, yes, I will be ordering me summa that! Yay, totally made my day. THIS is the Basic Grey I love and I’m so glad that it’s back.
I got this a couple weeks ago but wasn’t able to load the photos to my computer until now. I heard these are still at some TUESDAY MORNING stores so I thought I’d show you what a great deal they are.
Here’s what the tote looks like. I chose this blue pattern but there were others, too.
A close up of the price tag, so you can see what a mega deal this is….and a list of what’s in it (hope it’s readable, though blurry…sorry).
And here are all the contents…
Honestly, I bought this for the bag more than anything. I’ve been looking for a large and cute tote to carry all my MEMORY WORKS stuff in, including catalogs and products. This will be perfect because it zips closed so my things won’t get damaged or dusty; it holds the heaviness of the catalogs because it’s sturdy; and it even has lots of cool pockets inside and out to hold my calculator, pens, scissors, blank price tags, etc. The tote alone would sell for about $30.
And I love HEIDI SWAPP embellies, so that’s just icing on the cake.
According to THIS post (copied below) from the SCRAPBOOKS ETC magazine blog, there will be some changes coming to the magazine. If I’m understanding the announcement correctly, I’m not liking it. Why don’t we all read it together and then discuss, shall we?
Note: All of the bolding is mine My notes are in brackets :)
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Scrapbooks etc. News!
Posted by Michelle Rubin @ SBE at 7/20/2009 5:20 PM CDT
We’ve got big things in the works for the coming months. Here’s a press release on all of our exciting news!
Scrapbooks etc. Aims Broader Readership with New Look & Expanded Content
ORLANDO, FL (July 20, 2009)— Advertisers and industry professionals will get a sneak peek at Scrapbooks etc. magazine’s new look, a first-ever mobile scrapbooking application, and enhanced “etc.” content at a special event here on Tuesday, July 28, the first day of Craft & Hobby Association’s 3-day Summer Convention and Trade Show. The magazine’s enhancements, which hit newsstands on September 8, target the passionate scrapbooker as well as a broadening readership in a changing marketplace.
Under the leadership of Editor Michelle Rubin, America’s No. 1 scrapbooking magazine offers readers creative inspiration in a friendly, knowledgeable manner through ample use of visuals, tips and ideas. To do this, the magazine constantly monitors—and responds to—changing reader interests and trends. For example, today virtually all of the magazine’s readers participate in other forms of crafting, including paper crafts (68%), stamping (67%), and home décor (38%). [This does not necessarily add up to “virtually all” readers. Shouldn’t it have said “a majority” to be more accurate? Also, because they do other crafts, does it mean they want them in this magazine?]
“We’re beginning to see true scrapbookers grow their skills and interests in a way that broadens the definition of ‘scrapbooker.’ Therefore, along with exciting new features for traditional scrapbooking, the magazine has been updated to empower scrapbookers to put their passion, skills and tools to new uses—that’s the ‘etcetera’ in Scrapbooks etc. We are a gateway into everything that is scrapbooking, and everything it can be,” Rubin says.
New features include:
Redesigned cover: A new logo, tagline (create*share*remember), hallmark creative page designs from top designers, and prominent display of “etc.” projects are designed to add interest and promote newsstand sales.
Updated features and departments: Distinct department pages call attention to helpful hints, designer tips and other insights; Dynamic feature layouts add energy and simplify navigation throughout the issue.
Enhanced scrapbooking pages: Including rich photography; bigger scrapbooking layouts and more detail shots; larger step-by-step technique photos; top tips and ideas; product shots near corresponding layouts for easy shopping; “How Do I?” call-outs that anticipate and answer reader questions; special icons to help readers save time, money and more. [This sounds awesome….mad props!]
Etc., Etc., Etc.: To take scrapbooking enthusiasts to the next level with their craft and entice other crafters into the Scrapbooks etc. community, the magazine is introducing:
o Inspired new projects for preserving memories, showcasing photos and creating cards and keepsakes
o Projects such as pencil holders, artwork, and much more—all made using scrapbooking skills and supplies
o Step-by-step instructions and visual detail to ensure project success
“We’re all about giving current and prospective scrapbooking enthusiasts everything they need—right down to the finest detail—to help them enjoy and advance their craft,” Rubin says. “The new Scrapbooks etc. has as many scrapbooking ideas as ever, and now include the latest, emerging trends in preserving and sharing memories.”
First-ever mobile scrapbooking application rolls out
Also unveiled today, a sneak peek of the first scrapbooking mobile application for use with Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch devices, ScrapApp, created by Scrapbooks etc. ScrapApp provides consumers the ability to customize their Apple iPhones and iPod Touches with the hottest scrapbooking styles and gives insider scrapbooking inspiration, exclusive coupons and more. Consumers can download wallpapers from the hottest designers as well as make personalized mobile scrapbook pages.
Scrapbooks etc. Scrap App will be available on August 3 from Apple’s iTunes Store. [I’m an iPhonie and this sounds great!]
The July 28 CHA event will be highlighted on Scrapbooks etc.’s “I Scrap, U Scrap” blog on July 29, 2009 (scrapbooksetc.com/iscrap.
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THIS is the 2peas discussion, and HERE it is on AMR. I love to post these issues to my favorite message boards because I want to hear all the differing opinions. As you can see, there do seem to be two camps: Those that welcome the look at new crafts and those that want it to remain a scrapbooking-only magazine. I don’t think you’re surprised at what side I come down on. Hint: The blog is called SCRAPBOOK Obsession, not All Kinds of Papercrafty Obsession or Pencil Holder Obsession.
Needless to say, I am not happy about this and think it’s the beginning of the end for this magazine. I’m not blaming Scrapbooks Etc. (SBE) for making this change, don’t get me wrong. I assume they’re in a position where they have no choice, or feel that they don’t. But just because I’m not blaming SBE doesn’t mean I can whine, complain, and say this whole thing blows, right? Sheesh. It’s my All American right to complain. So here I go….
1. There are just 2 scrapbooking-only magazines left on the market (Creating Keepsakes and Scrapbooks Etc.). I’ve already endured the huge impact of (don’t shoot!) digital scrapbooking on these formerly paper-scrapbooking-only magazines. I have grinned and I have beared it. But now they want to take me down to, like, 1.5 scrapbooking-only magazines. I’m sorry but I’m gonna’ pout.
2. Remember when Memory Makers and Creating Keepsakes tried magazine makeovers? How’d that work out for ’em?
3. I know what’s done is done and SBE is so far into their makeover scheme that they aren’t gonna listen to the likes of me. But I’m going to let them know my thoughts and I encourage you to do the same. Even if you feel the opposite, and welcome these changes. More power to ya, sister! May the best scrapper win! Wait, may the best paper-only-scrapbooker or papercrafty-altered-cardmaking-scrapbooker win!
I could not find a direct e-mail for Michelle Rubin, so we can go to the BLOG post and leave a comment.
As I get ready to post this, I see that readers are starting to leave both “yes” and “no” feedback, and that Michelle has just left a comment herself that includes this:
Also, thanks for all of your feedback! We are super excited about the refreshed design and want you to know that we are still focused on scrapbook pages and albums. We’re just adding a little more of the “etc.” projects. We have had cards, paper crafting and craft projects in every issue, but now we’re just making sure you don’t miss it!
I appreciate her leaving a comment and staying in touch with the readers. I’m not sure how you only add content without taking scrapbook content away, but okay. Either way, I still prefer a straight scrapbooking magazine. I know I should be all charitable and nicey-nice about this. “Let’s give them a chance. Maybe it will be better!” But I just can’t bring myself to do that anymore. I’ve seen scrap mag after scrap mag disappear and it makes me very grumpy. Okay, whining over….
ETA 7/21/09: Just when you thought my griping was over….They’re going down to 6 ISSUES A YEAR starting in October 2009….grrr…. The paragraph below was added to her blog post after I copied it….sorry I missed it :( And, yet, sorry I see it now:
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About Scrapbooks etc.
Scrapbooks etc. is America’s leading and only ABC-audited scrapbooking magazine. Beginning with the October 2009 issue, Scrapbooks etc. is published six times per year, in February, April, June, August, October and December. Scrapbooks etc. has an ABC-audited paid circulation of 220,000 and is part of the Better Homes and Gardens family of magazines serving American women with a passion for the home and life they create there.
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Sock it to me! What are your thoughts. Don’t sugar coat it. You like the new proposal or did you like SBE just the way it was?
Lots of changes going on in the scrapbooking industry these days. Just want to help you stay on top of it all. On the heels of the HEIDI SWAPP news…
Heidi Grace: She’s one of my favorite designers so I’m glad she’s back. Read about it HERE. Nothing is on her “clever” BLOG as of this posting, but maybe she will address it soon.
Luxe Designs: Unfortunately, Luxe Designs will close. Read all about it HERE. I don’t know much about Luxe, don’t own any of their products, but HERE is their site if, like me, you’re unfamiliar.
Chatterbox: As of last April, MELODY ROSS is no longer with Chatterbox, the company she founded. The news is HERE. She blogs about it HERE. I have always really admired Melody…even wrote about here HERE, way back in December 2007. I hope she’s doing okay and that all goes well in her transition.
A big Shout Out to Nancy Nally of SCRAPBOOK UPDATE, my favorite source for scrapbook industry news. Love that girl!
While I was searching around for any other industry news I could give ya, I found THIS. The article has no links, unfortunately, but it’s a good rundown of industry happenings this year. Depressing, I tell ya’…
I’m also very sad to see that one of my favorite stores, Santa Barbara Scrapbooks, is closing in August 2009. I couldn’t connect with their website (maybe down already?), but I did find THIS article about the closure. As you can see from the comments left by the owner Barbara, she is a lovely woman who ran a pretty cool store, in my opinion. SBS is not in my area, but any time I traveled through SBA, I made it a point to stop. Just for record, I always received great customer service :)
THIS post @ 2peas scared me for a second! But it turned out to be good news, as it sounds like K&Company is thriving, not closing. Finally, some good news…
