My Scrapbooking Blog

Supplies used: Sassafras Serendipity Sunshine Lollipop paper, Close to My Heart Live Your Style stamp set, CTMH Sunset/White Daisy cardstock,
CTMH Chocolate/Sunset/Cotton Candy inks, Heidi Swapp chipboard letters, Graphically Speaking Cricut cartridge, Colorbok Gems, and Kaisercraft Fozz Felt.

The September 2011 Challenge at Scrap Our Stash is GRIDS.  At first I was stumped but then remembered that I have been wanting to do some weaving and I came upon a sketch that got my mojo going.  This layout is loosely based on this Scrapbook Generation sketch.  I changed up the photos and turned it into a one-page layout.

I created my grid by simply weaving paper together.  I cheated and used the Sunset as my base, cutting it part of the way across and leaving together on one end.  I didn’t even measure because I knew the odd cuts would be hidden under my photo.  After loosely weaving in the white stripes, I lined them up with the outer edge and worked towards the inside.

Supplies used: DCWV The Glitter Stack papers, Recollections Glitter Adhesive Borders, PC Stand-Outs, Heidi Swapp rubons, Me & My Big Ideas chipboard stickers, and misc buttons and dew drops from my stash.  I used a Sketch Inspiration Sketch.

The Monthly Challenge on Scrap Our Stash for April is “Bring in the Sun”.  I don’t know why this was so hard for me but I am very happy with the outcome.  First, I was stumped for what I was going to do.  I looked through my stash and didn’t have “sun” anything.  Then I found swim pictures and thought I would focus on the color yellow (one that doesn’t make it into many of my layouts).  Then, I added my own little mini challenge to not use pink.  In the end, I love the layout.  I think because it is so different and that will make a nice addition to my books.  Go over to Scrap Our Stash and join the challenge!

I used to have a Silhouette and I like the idea of being able to cut any image or font on my computer but it just took too much time to get the hang of it and I was “relearning” how to use it each time I sat down.  With my Cricut Expression I am limited to the designs on the cartridges I own but I also have many friends to share with!    It is so easy to use that my 11-year-old has been using it for almost as long as I have.  In addition to crafts she has used it for school projects and girl scouts.  I make sure that the cartridges I purchase are ones I will get a lot of use out of and that helps keep the cost down.  The best thing I did was move it to an easily accessable place right beside my desk.  If you are a Cricut owner I’m sure you love it.  I challenge you to decorate yours to make it your own and if you do, leave a comment for me – I’d love to see!

The pink flowers are Heidi Swapp rubons and can be easily removed if I want to do something different some day.  The “Express” is from “North Pole Express” cut on the Wild Card cartridge.  I just cut off the word I wanted.  The word “yourself” is from Graphically Speaking.  This is the first time I have cut vinyl and I used the Cricut Cuttables.  I will definitely be cutting more for around the house.

Gee, this might turn into a mini series of decorating your scrapbooking tools and more!  It all started when I finally got around to decorating these jars.

Products used: MM organizer, CTMH Tickled Pink papers, CTMH Sparkles, Kaiser rhinestones, Prima Say it in Style Crystals, Petaloo flowers, and Mod Podge.

Products used: MM organizer, My Mind’s Eye papers, unknown flowers, Heidi Swapp chipboard letters, MM paint, unknown ribbon, Dress It Up Glitter Dots, K & Company Grand Adhesions butterflies, and Mod Podge.

Products used: MM organizer, GCD Studios papers, DCWV Glitter stack papers, Cosmo Cricket chipboard letters, Michael’s rhinestones, Darice rhinestones, MM paint, unknown ribbon, and Mod Podge.

Embellish is defined as: to make beautiful, decorate.  This is exactly what I have been doing with all my scrapbook organizers and tools lately.  It makes my scrapbook room even more enjoyable and inspiring.  These Making Memories desk organizers come in a plain white.  They are nice as is but I have enjoyed making them my own.  I bought one from Crop Chocolate and had trouble finding more after that.  I thought I found a good deal on my additional ones and was disappointed.  I learned that even though they advertise with the same picture and they are both MM, I should have bought the ones that were $40 and not $20.  The first one I got is actually wood, solid, and heavy.  The other ones I thought I found at a decent price are cheap cardboard/chipboard-like.  They are very like-weight and will definitely not last as long.  Christine wasn’t very happy with me that she had to trade with me so I could have the nice one but I made it up to her by decorating them.  Now if Michael’s ever gets my set of drawers in again I will show you some other things I have done.  Have a great day!

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AFTER:

Products used: Coasters, Making Memories Simply Stated Expressions rubons, American Crafts MiniMarks rubons, Kelly Panacci rubons, and Heidi Swapp rubons.

For some reason, lighting or their shiny surface, these did not photograph very well but it gives you the general idea.  I found this coaster set at Target for a Christmas gift.  After adding the pictures I just thought they looked PLAIN.  So…I made them my own by adding rubons to them.  I am pleased with them and I hope the recipient enjoys them as well.