San Diego Zoo Layout

Another couple of scrapbook pages to share. These are from the San Diego Zoo.





I love these layovers. Don't use them very often but they really do add some pizazz as long as you aren't using them on every page.

Beach Scrapbook Pages

I have spent the better part of two weekends and I'm STILL not finished. How much stuff can there possibly be??? Well, I spent most all of today organizing PAPER. Good grief! :-) But it is slowly taking shape.

I haven't managed to make any new cards to share - so instead decided to share some scrapbook pages that I found while cleaning. These were probably completed at the last scrapbooking retreat I went to...I don't think I've scrapbooked since then. (Linda...if you are reading this tell Stacey she HAS to start having Scrap Camp again or my poor children's lives will NEVER be documented via scrapbook pages...cause it seems like those retreats are the only time I get anything done! LOL.)

Anyways, here are a couple pages to share. We'd taken the boys to San Diego. I had the pictures developed in both black and white and color. I really like the black and white. And for just a little "pop" I "spotlighted" the boys with the color photo on the second page.





Hope you liked the pages. I have more to share - so come back and visit!

Paper Bag Album...Valentine's Style

I thought I'd share something a bit different today. This is my first paper bag album I made. I made it for my husband a few years back. And since that time of year is approaching...I thought I'd share it here to inspire you.

As with any of my "theme" albums I stuck to a color scheme (red/brown) and style throughout the album. I "distressed" everything by sponging on brown ink (or dragging directly on the ink pad). I stuck with gold embellishments (gold embossing, gold eyelets, gold mini brads). I used hearts throughout as well - in particular I used a heart template and sponged INSIDE the heart with red on the pages and on one of the covers. I also used the same "layout" to each page...a list of things I loved about him as well as a quote about love...all using the same font. Those little consistencies are what (to me) tie an album together.

I had never made a paper bag album before so I "winged" it. I'm not sure this is how it's supposed to be put together...but it's how I made mine (the quick and easy way!). The album is composed of 4 paper bags with the bottoms cut off. For the binding I wrapped some cardstock around the cut off ends and then stapled through the whole thing.

So...let's see the album! I only showed a couple of the pull out pages...I figured you could use your imagination (and dh and I could use the privacy! LOL). If you'd like to see any of the pictures larger...just click on the picture to enlarge.

Outside front cover:



First pull out from inside front cover:



Second "outside" page:



Second "inside" page:



Third "outside" page:



Fourth "outside" page:



All stamps are Close To My Heart. Hope you enjoyed a scrapbook instead of a card for a change!

Jane

Here's the Deets of the CTMH album!

Ok...after yesterday's sneak peek...it's time to share the entire project with details. I'm going from memory here...so no bashing me if my memory fails me.

To start with we used a 12x12 folder (or in the CTMH catalog it's the "True Fit Folio".) With the folder intact we scored at 6 inches one way and then flipped and scored at 4 and 8 inches. Then we opened the folder and folded on the six inch score (so we had one long folder 12 inches long by 6 inches tall). We then accordian folded on the other scores. Once the basic folding was done we reopened the folder and laid it out in front of us. We then covered each of the panels with decorative paper (in my case the paper is from the Free Spirit paper packet) to cover the panels. This paper was cut just a smidgen shy of the 4 inches (otherwise the folds don't fold so well.) Once these were all adhered we took the coluzzle and on JUST THE TOP LAYER we cut out a portion of a circle on each of the five panels to the right. Then lastly we completed it by decorating it and then using liquid glue at just the top to adhere the front of the folder to the back. And lastly...smaller pieces of cardstock were cut and slid into the pockets. I'm still not entirely done (I'd like to add some ribbon to my cardstock inserts. But all in all, I think it's adorable as is.)

Cover:

Supplies used: Solos "U" set, Charm Lowercase Alphabet

"S" page without insert:


"S" page with insert:

Supplies used: Solos "S" set, star from Memory Labels set, tag from Make My Day set

"M" page without insert:


"M" page with insert:

Supplies used: Solos "M" set, star from Star Struck set, stitches from Legendary Moments set

"I" page without insert:


"I" page with insert:

Supplies Used: Solos "I" set, Memory Label's set

"L" page without insert:


"L" page with insert:

Supplies Used: Solos "L" set, Make My Day set

"E" page without insert:


"E" page with insert:

Supplies Used: Solos "L" set, Star Struck, Circle Window Charm (epoxy sticker)

Complete without inserts:


Complete with inserts:


All of these CTMH products can be viewed (and purchased) from Linda, my CTMH consultant. Here is her website: CTMH Personal Site. She is super easy to get along with and not pushy at all (one of the many things I love about her).

Last night I found my stampin' mojo again and made several cards that I really like...so more artwork this week! Yay!

Jane

A teaser...

Just wanted to post one pictures of the CTMH project we did last weekend. I'll be posting full details in the days to come. Want to find out all the stamp sets and such that we used so I can give full details. But for now...a little teaser...

How gorgeous is this little mini accordian album? And it's made out of one 12x12 folder!



All supplies are from Close To My Heart. I'll get details as to the actual stamp sets and the names of the paper packet. I'll also be posting closer up pictures of the folder in the next few days. Just wanted to post a little bit for now.

Enjoy!

Jane

Happy Sunday!

Good morning everyone! It's a bright and shining day here. Probably actually HOT if I went outside...but I'm staying inside today! LOL!

I'm trying to decided what to create for my Design Team application. I would like to do something that is a little different than a basic layout. Maybe a scrapbook in a box? Or one layout and a few altered items? I can't decide and I'm afraid to cut into the paper! Maybe I'll sneak back by the store and try to find the same papers just so I'll have some to cut into and try different things with before I settle on something. I also sent and email with some questions (like can I add some items that I know they carry in the store but aren't in the packet). I'll want to add some ribbon if I'm altering things...and I'll need to make a title for the page somehow.

I don't think I posted a picture yet of my Secret Pal package for this month. So here were my goodies! Lots of paper flowers, some chipboard, a filing kit (I think this is used to file/sand the edges of the chipboard after you add paper to them?), and a few other goodies. My SS is very good at spoiling me and WAY better at getting these packages out in the mail than I am. I'm always late it seems. But I always come through.



Ok...and on to some artwork to share:

I created these pages at Scrap Camp over the summer. They are of my son Dakota's 6th birthday party. He's 7 now...shhhhh! Don't tell anyone I'm a year behind...ok? Remember...to view it larger just click on the photo!

Page 1:



Page 2:



These were taken at a place called Justin's Water World that's been around forever. It's an old fashioned water park. Unfortunately, this past summer they closed it down for good. Dakota wanted to have his 7th birthday there and was so bummed that he couldn't. Glad I have lots of pics!

Have a happy Sunday!

Jane

Christmas in August?

Yep, it's Christmas in August because I'm THAT far behind...or maybe I'm that far ahead! LOL.

Sorry the pictures suck...but nighttime is not the best time for photo taking. Plus I've been having computer issues today. But I wanted to share something. Without further ado...here are the two pages I did the other day.





This was made with a Colorbok kit. Honestly, I'm not thrilled with it. The colors don't match very well. And it took me forever to come up with something I liked. Well, most of the time was spent trying to do the title using the dual alphabets in the sizzix. Regardless, it took me 4 hours to do these 2 pages...and they look more like one hour pages.

I've been spending time today trying to get my coupons and such in order. I used to do a lot of couponing to save money. Then when the kids got older I didn't have the time (and they drove me nuts at the grocery store!) but now that I need to watch the $$ I'm trying to get back into it. The trick is to have multiple coupons and then use coupons when items are on sale. You can save quite a bit this way. But it does require a lot of time and organization.

Anyways, hope everyone had a great Monday! Tomorrow my dh has a job interview. And I'm going to spend the day cleaning the house. I have an Arbonne party on Thursday so want to get the house ready.

Jane

Heritage Pages and New Card Techniques

I have LOTS to share today!

First off...today is your LAST day to enter for blog candy...so make sure you enter. If you've already guessed, you CAN guess again. I will tell you only a few people have it correct so far.

Second...I have a job interview today! Yay! That's good news - although I'll need to find out more about it. It's located MUCH closer to home which appeals to me (about 18 miles verses 30 miles I was driving). For where I live in the boonies...I'm not going to find anything much closer than 15 miles.

AND I have a job interview tomorrow! It's further away - actually pretty close to where I used to work. I applied for a couple positions there so not sure which one they are interviewing me for. So I'll know more about that tomorrow.

Third...ARTWORK!

Here are the scrapbook pages I was supposed to post yesterday (yep, running a day late and a dollar short as usual). These are out of my Mom's memorial album. She never talked about her childhood and had VERY few pictures of it. After she passed away I contacted her twin sister and asked if she'd share anything she had. She was kind enough to share both pictures and stories. So I used that information to complete an album. I chose an 8 1/2 x 11 for the album so I could color copy the pages and give my brothers copies of it. I also stuck to a theme throughout with the same colors and metal/silver embellishments. Here is the first page of the album.



And this second page includes a "photo" of a baby that I ASSUME is my mom. We found it among her things. It was one of the old metal plate photo plates...wrapped in tissue paper with a note about how to take care of the photo plate. But the note didn't say who it was. If the picture looks weird...it's because it's a color copy of the plate itself. The page with the history was bought at the local scrapbook store and then I aged it a bit with ink and tied in the metal by adding metal corners in a couple of the blank squares.



Ok...now on to some new cards/techniques. First off...let me share the UGLY card from the other day that I made with transparencies. I wanted to try stamping on the transparency with white staz-on...which in itself looked cool...but when I tried to layer it on anything the white disappeared for the most part. So then I thought I'd try coloring the back with sharpies. Thus the pink. I left part just white but mostly outlined it. Then I decided to stamp "joy" on it with my black staz-on...but it was dry and didn't stamp well and I'd ruined part of my card. So whacked off the top of the card because it was unsalvagable. Resized the card to make it square. Restamped the greeting with a regular archival ink. Added black faux stitching and ribbon to try and tie in the black greeting. But...all in all...one heck of an ugly card! ;-) See...we all make them!



But the next two cards came out well enough that I'm almost forgiving myself for the ugly one! LOL!

This first card is supposed to use a technique called "emerging color". I don't think I nailed it and will definately have to try it again...but I still like how the finished card turned out. This uses a stamp set from CTMH. This is probably my all time favorite stamp set just for it's versatality.



And I saved the best card for last. This uses the "faux linen" technique. Basically you start with glossy cardstock. Stamp your background or images. Then sand both horizonally and vertically. Sponge on a light brown ink all over. Then sand again. I love how soft the finished card turned out due to the sanding. This stamp set is from Stampin' Up and is called Roses In Winter (now retired).



That's all for today. I need to go get ready for my interview!

Jane

I wanna talk about ME

Are you a country music fan? There is a song by Toby Keith (love his music!) that says

"You know talkin about you makes me smile
But every once in awhile

I wanna talk about me
I wanna talk about I
I wanna talk about number one oh my me my
what I think what I like what I know what I want what I SEE!
I like talkin about you you you you usually
but occasionally
I wanna talk about me!!"

And that's how I'm feeling today. So guess who WE are going to talk about? LOL!

Yesterday I was terminated from my employment. Truly, their loss. There is still a sexual discrimination investigation and a Union investigation pending. I have never been let go from a job for poor performance before. Top of my class in school, National Honor Society,etc. Worked through college. Have gotten along with every boss I've ever had (and I've worked since I was 12 years old). This is the first time I haven't. Anyways, as I was driving home yesterday I was thinking about my life in retrospect. And in reality this experience (and in particular this sexist man) is nothing but a speed bump in the road to run over. I have not led a sheltered life. I've experienced life and all the possible pains that go with it. Losing my job doesn't even come anywhere near the top. Somehow, losing a child (or in my case childREN) puts everything in perspective. Nothing else is quite as important. Also, surviving makes me stronger - and probably due to that strength I was able to hold out at that job as long as I did and make the choices I made in the end. I wasn't going down without a fight because there would be people behind me who wouldn't be as strong. Heck, there are people there NOW who aren't as strong. I've had a couple females from the department tell me how brave I am to do this because they have been too afraid. Others have left and have only said why on the way out. Regardless, I did what I could to help others who will come after me. We don't allow bullying in our kids' classrooms...so why should we allow it in the administration areas?

In lieu of my mood I'm sharing a few pages from my "Book of Me". It's the one scrapbook that is ALL ABOUT ME (yep!) It's not as thick as my other scrapbooks but I do have one. This first page is about Things I Love.

Remember you can click on the picture to make it larger.

The top picture is of me and my friend Kelly when we were younger. She's since been murdered (along with her two kids and husband). The middle picture is a picture that I took of my son Dakota. And the bottom picture is a picture that was taken by the photographer from The New York Times when we were in an article about multiple birth losses. It's a picture of me and my surviving son, Mario.



Next I'm going to share a two page layout. This was done kind of as an "assignment" from my counselor as a self-esteem exercise. The first page is some journaling with more detail than is on the list on page two.



Page two has the list and a photo of me. Boy, I change alot don't I? This picture was taken probably about 4 years ago.



Jane

I should have known...

I should have known it was going to be one of "those" days. I woke up to the alarm at 5:45 and turned it off and then decided I could get a few more minutes so I reset the alarm...but didn't turn it back on! I woke up an hour later, literally the time I should have been leaving the house. So, rolled out of bed, did my hair, threw on some clothes, put on deoderant and perfume (a necessity in 109 degree weather) and ran out the door. I got to work on time but rushed and tripped heading up the steps into the building. Don't ask me how. I took the full force (and I'm not a 90 pound lightweight like I wish I was) on one knee right on the edge of the brick steps. My purse and it's contents sprawled everywhere, a few obscenities flew. It literally hurt so badly that I thought I might pass out. I gathered up my purse and it's contents and went inside to sit down before I did pass out. Called the lead programmer to let him know I WAS there in the building - just not able to make it back to my desk yet. He came up and they got some ice for it. Filled out paperwork and then went to the clinic to have it checked. They just said to put it up, continue the ice and ibuprofen for the day and then they gave me a booster shot for my tetenus (hmm, not sure why...were those steps rusty???)

So, now I'm home early, with a botched up frozen knee. I got some new rubber yesterday in the mail from a 50% off sale - so maybe I'll make something later. One of my coworkers picked up a stamp for me too. I thought that was sweet of her to think of me.

Ok..let's see what I can find on my computer that I've saved but haven't shared yet. Hmm...how about some more scrapbook pages that I made at Scrap Camp? These two pages are from our San Diego trip last summer. This is from the zoo. The light bulb above the pages caused a glare in places...sorry about that! In general, a pretty basic layout. Sanded the cardstock to distress it a bit. Used a transparency overlay.



Also, once I had all the pics I wanted on the layout, there was no space left for journaling. So on the bottom photo on the second page I made a flip up space so the journaling is UNDERNEATH the photo (like the inside of a card). I don't know if you can see the pic of the two tortoises "doing it" but I HAD to include that pic because the boys saw it and asked why the tortoise was climbing the "rock". LOL!



Once again, a pretty simple layout. Sanding and color blocking and then the hidden journaling.

Enjoy!

Jane

Scrapbook Pages As Promised!

I should save my favorite pages for last - but I'm too impatient! :-) This was my favorite layout of the weekend...our beach pics for San Diego. I printed all the pics using "sepia" and then on the one photo I printed it a second time in color. Once in awhile I like to do b/w or sepia pics for a change. Remember you can click on the photos for a larger view.





More to share tomorrow!

Jane

Memorial Scrapbook Pics

Here are some of the pictures I promised this morning. I just took a few representative photos from each album (actually couldn't find my Mom's album...it's hidden in a SAFE place...LOL). You'll notice I decided to stick with a color scheme for each album. I think that helps keep the perspective on the photos and the memories and creates continuity.

The first two are of my daughter Amber. If you click on the photos they will get bigger. My daughters were part of a set of triplets born too early at 25 weeks. One page contains a quote that someone sent me and it touched me. The other page is the first time I saw/touched her.

The next two are of my daughter Cheyenne. One is her two week "birthday". The card is a 3x5 index card (if that gives you size perspective). The other page is a letter I wrote to her after she'd passed away.

And then we are on to my Dad's memorial album. I did a few unique things you'll notice on some of these pages. For example, they gave me some of the shells from the gun volley. I took these in to the copy place and had them color copied to put into the album (yes, they thought I was crazy...but I didn't care! LOL!) I also looked up the history of each part of the military burial and included the meaning for each part along with the pictures. I also carried the theme through with the red/white/blue colors...and included sanding so that the colors were muted on the cardstocks. This uses a kit from Close To My Heart for the base pages.

I already have something special planned for tomorrow...so make sure you come back! I'm going to try and post SOMETHING every day (whether it be a new project or some general ramblings of a crazy woman! LOL!)