Need to prepare for National Scrapbook Day!

Gosh, it's been 8 months since I've scrapbooked or even thought of putting a page together. Last month or so, Carm and I decided to go to the San Diego/ Del Mar Scrapbook Expo. We were going to make it a whole weekend of scrapbooking! After thinking it over, we decided to stay and scrapbook locally and even particiapte with our local Scrapbook stores. Now that we decided on a local location (Scrapbook Cafe), I need to get my stuff ready so that I get as many pages done as possible!

Count down to NSD: 3 days!!!

Simple Steps Plan: Today- Day 1: Get photos developed! Estimated time (2hrs- if i don't goof off.) Next organize what I'm going to take to the crop. My Goal: No more than 2 bags- My offical bag and a office box and THAT'S IT! I always back my whole scrap room and dont end up using any of it and then I feel overcrowded and overwelmed! I might take some stuff and leave it in th car- but I really want to leave that as a last resort...

Thursday- Day 2: Organize my photos in giant ziplock bags with paper, layout sketches and accessories I plan to use. I'll have my laptop and pazzles connected while i'm going this incase I need to cut out any embellishments. I'll also have post-its on hand to take down any journal notes.

Friday- Day 3: CLEAN OUT MY CAR- My trunk has a bowling ball bag and a 50lb bag of Chicken Feed, and a paperbag of every fast food place we've been to in the past month! I need to make room for scrapbook stuff, so this is a "must-do" step for me.

Side Notes: I usually get a 2 page layout down in an hour, so i'm hoping to enough supplies w/ photos to make 16 2-page layouts. This way, I don't get stuck on working on a layout I might not want to do. I'm also going to take supplies to make just one project- this usually helps pump me up into a scrapbook/crafy mood!

okay- gotta go get started!!!

Scrapin' and Craftin'

During the summer shop hop I learned a lot of great ideas... The one above was an idea I had seen at Scrapbook Lounge in Montclaire and at Pinecone Express. I changed my theme to an apple since it was a gift to my boys school teacher. I purchased the powder fruit packets at Costco and can get about 4 tags out of one 12x12 sheet. I also used paper that was dual sided so I didn't have to do much decorating. I used an apple from the 2x2 quickcutz dies and a thank you stamp from hero arts, brown ink from stamp it up.

Picture Day was today, so I thought a cute gift for Miss Deanna (teacher) would be a photobook incase some the kids give her photos. This idea was from an idea booklet booklet from Pinecone Express. They use one 12x12 sheet and fold and cut in certain way so the turns in a small accordian mini album. This album is so easy and cute, I'm going to make a few of these for my neighbors and friends for christmas gifts.

Another project I did was inspired by a halloween goodie bag I did at a Stamp it Up Class. I change the theme to fit a gardening theme. This was a wonderful presentaion of onion bulbs.

I've stopped working on my layout challenges because I've been working on holiday boutique sale items...

Starting A New 150 Photo Packet!

I called Carm to see if we were still on for The Scrappin Table and she said yes, so I had my photos processed through Walgreen's near the scrap store, I googled a coupon code and got the photos printed for 10 cents each! When I arrived at Carm's she said she had call ST to reserve our spot, but was informed that the crop had been canceled... I remember getting an email from Pinecone Express about a crop tonight, so we called them right away and signed up!

We drove to placentia for my pics then headed to Santa Ana... This store had so many idea books and was very well stocked with paper! Then I realized they print the paper and idea books here!!! One of the layout designers is in Carm's sorority and she helped me create some gifts for my kids teachers (I'll post once complete). After getting my creative mojo going, I sorted my photo sorting and before I knew it, it was 9:30pm. So I got up for the 10th time and look around at all the amazing thing that they do with 12x12 paper. I loving nicknamed the store "the $2 dollar store" because all the idea books, stamps and some of the last impression templates we re about two bucks!

It's Done!!!

We ate out a lot on our trip so I wasn't sure how to add in all the different restaurants we went to... I left these photos to the very end of what I had developed not knowing if I was going to have time to scrap them or not...

I am happy to report that I scrapped almost all my 75 pictures that I developed a few weeks ago!

Almost didn't make it today...

Today was a very long day, I felt like I was 15 minutes behind on everything. I got to the event at the park I was hosting late. So I stayed just a little longer to make up for arriving late, then I got home late and didn't get lunch going on time. I took the boys a late bath and before I knew it, it was 3pm and they hadn't taken their noon nap. By the time they settled down, I felt like I could use those 30 minutes to sleep! But I know I have a ton of trip pics to catch up on, so I dragged myself to the kitchen and did these to pages... I felt better after the pages got done and even more better when my hubbie called and invited us out for dinner!!!

Page Maps Free Layout ideas

Sometime I get stuck in a rut and can't figure out how to do layouts. I found this really great site that sends me FREE page layout ideas! It's called Page Maps, check it out and let me know what you think...

http://www.pagemaps.com/sept09maps.htm

Still on a Roll!

I'm getting so many photos done! I've decided to do two page layouts and do the writing and glitz the following day. But that's not going well. so i'm going to stick to my original plan.

Scrap and Stamp Hot Spot Free Guide

http://scrapbookingroads.com/images/scrapandstamphotspots/southern%20california%20scrap%20and%20stamp%20hot%20spots.pdf

If you did the Shop Hop and enjoyed, here's a chance to do a simular one with some of the same stores and new ones in different areas!!! The cool thing about this one is that the guide is free, just click the above link and print it out. If you didn't do the shop hop but want to try it, it will be so much, don't miss out on this event!!!

Even if you opt out in doing this event, check out the guide, it has a great listing of most of the scrapbook and craft stores from santa barbara to san diego to Big Bear!!!

I did it!

I am so excited I did my 30 minute challenge and got for pages done. On Friday I was going to finish up "pimping" out my pages, but opted to help Carm with Bry's bday decor. That was a total of 4 pages or 2 layouts! YAY!!!

I also found a new product during the shop hop call "The Original Static Cling mounting foam" or ez mount, where you can remove the wood block from your stamps and replace it with ez mount foam/cling. Before mounting the stamp to the cling, i stamp the image with my staz on ink (so I can see the image), and then I mount it using the directions. Most of my stamps are from stamp it up, so new ones that i buy, I don't have to worry about removing the wood. PS: both Stamp it Up stamps and The Og Static cling foam are made here in the USA, so when you buy it, you are investing in this Country!!!

I've also decided to scrap on fridays at different shop hop and scrap stores. I noticed a lot of my old scrap tools making a come back; like the heat gun and crimper roller, I need to go thru my garage and look for them!!!

the 1/2 hour challenge!

On Monday, I decided I need to put all my new supplies that I bought during the Shop Hop to use. Then I quickly became over whelmed as I started pulling out bags filled with glimmer mist and chip boards and more stickers! Luckily, I had taken my pre printed pics with me to the scrap stores and purchased stuff that I needed for current pictures. All this while my kids are sitting next to me in the kitchen and coloring. Since they only sit semi still for about an hour, I just had enough time to put my stuff in my scrapbook bag and picture w/paper. That whole morning I kept thinking, I need to get my pages done, even if i only have half an hour. Later while they napped for about 30 minutes I quickly pulled out only my essentials and decided to get a page done (the one on the left). So it looks simple, but guess what, it's done! On Tuesday, I sat down and did the other page, and guess what... now I got a layout done! I have come to realize that I can add my glitter and glam on fridays at crop/workshop, since that's the day my dad or hubby watch the kids.

In 30 minutes you can:
5 min: pull out pics, paper, and stickers (ect)
5 min: layout and trim pics
5 min: mount pics and stickers
5 min: journal
5 min: make notes on post-its of what is missing and you want to embellish with and CLEAN UP!

SMILE you did a page! Before the week ends, you'll have 2 layouts done... maybe one day I'll be caught up again and have time for card making!

Shop Hop Road Trip- San Diego Area!

We decided to head to the furthest store south and then shop our way back up.

Our first stop in our San Diego Area was at Los Coyotes in Old Town SD to pick up hand made flour tortillas for my husband... from there it was easy to get to Scrapbook your life (it's next to the Harley Store). The had a huge selection of plastic templates and all the new fall colors of glitter mist! This store was well stocked with stickers and paper too!

Our 2nd scrapbook stop was Paper Tales... and after seeing shop hoppers and the previous store with their name tags decorated, I decided I was not going to leave this store until I found the perfect supplies to pimp my tag... I found the green, pink, and blue ribbon, and pattern flower paper on the sale table that matched the brown lanyard. So Carmen drove us to the next shop while I worked on my tag...

Cool Scrapbook Stuff had every lasting impression template ever made and idea booklets to go with it! Whole sections were dedicated to glimmer mist, distress ink, quickcutz, and did I mention they had stamps?! Wow!!! they had card making kits that included the paper, pens, stamps, embellishments.

Stamping Details had the whole elephant theme around the store, even the lanyard pin was an elephant (very cute). This store had a take and make where Carmen and I picked all the layout sample to learn how to use the different techniques of Adirondack Alcohol Ink. Another product I learned about here is called Static Cling Mounting Foam. I remove the my rubber stamp from the wooden blocks and place the rubber on the cling foam and now my old wood stamp works just like a clear acrylic stamp! They have classes on Saturdays and Sundays!

The Pink Pineapple Scrapbooks store had a cute lanyard pin with green pineapple tied to a safari ribbon. They also had a very cute make' n take designed by Carmen's favorite designer: Jennifer Priest. We attended Jennifer's classes at another store, her ideas are always new and completely original! We were informed that she is on the design team here! The cashier gave me her blog, and she has some great links to other scrapbook bloggers!

Our final stop for the day was Ever After Scrapbooks. We sat down and did our make'n take there and chatted with the staff. This store was having a pj crop night and a lot of scrappers were arriving while we were there.. The store was well nicely stocked with a little of everything.

Shop Hop is here again!

I feel kinda guilty about not updating this blog... the truth is the photos I was working on I lost them... and though I'd find them and catch up, but it's been almost a year, and still can't find the pictures! I have scrapbooked and every time I do, I can't stop thinking of how I failed my own challenge... but now with SHOP HOP here again, I built up enough courage to start a new challenge! I downloaded photos to Wallgreens and used the "Paradise" discount password (75 pics for $10)and was ready to start a new adventure! Our goal is to Visit all the Scrapstores and spend the $20 bucks to get the free pin on my lanyard! Carmen and I went to 13 stores on the first Friday... 3 stores weren't open yet, so we only got 11 stamps, but they are too far from where I live, so we'll revisit in a couple of weeks.

While every single store was friendly a few stood out from the crowd: Karen's Hallmark had a great idea about making a $20 buck packet to go with the make'n take and it had glitter mist bottles and distress inks (which you can't have too many of)!

Stamp your Heart Out placed a very cute elephant die cut on our Shop Hop Passport and gave us safari snack..yum! I really like a display card and she brought it down from the wall and helped me find the exact pencils I needed to recreate it! While the owner was away on a scrapbook expo, Metropolitan Scrapbook Company had volunteers running the shop and they did a great job showing us how to use shimmery flock a product I had never heard of before. It was fun to work on our make n take and it only took a couple of minutes! Most scrapbook shops were selling the 2nd page layout (2.50), but Scrapping Lounge (SL) included it as part of the free make n take. SL also had a flyer about spending $50 bucks a month in 3 of your favorite stores that you'd miss if they weren't around and how your spending could help make a difference! I'm strong believer in shopping at mom and pop shops and buying food from farmers markets so it's great to see that it actually does help. check there website for more info on that.

So far, all the scrap stores have had great layouts and the pages tend to compliment each other.

PS: take pictures of the make'n'takes at the store, some of the projects don't come with a picture or instructions inside. some stores have it posted on the website, but for me it's easier just then and there snap the picture (just in case).

Doodle Designs! from the Paper Rabbit

All you need is a few color pens and you get some fab layouts! And if you need help doodling, they offer classes!

http://www.paperrabbitmontrose.com/designs.html

Monday- Print Photos

I went to a one- hour photo shop and had my photos printed out. Yay! I'm on my way to completing some layouts. I must admit, I spent a few extra minutes glancing over and over at my photos thinking of how I was going to organize 60 pictures! I had printed photos from May & June (I've scrapbooked chronologically for 10 years). I know most scrap shops are now carrying Halloween and fall (some even Christmas) supplies, I'll have to resort to basic summer cardstock colors (like bright yellows, reds and blues), which will be a good thing since I know I have that in stock at home.

On Wednesday, Carmen and I will be going to CI Scrapbooking for a Lasting Impressions card making class. This will be lots of fun because those stencils seem to be very popular and have lots of uses! Hopefully this won't interfere with my 1 hour a night scrapbooking.

I'm so excited!

Making my Mistakes work for Me!

I finally came up with a new front cover (since my original front cover was on the second page). I turned the second page into a journal intro and decided to paste my membership card on there once it expires!

Upcoming Scrapbook Classes!

Right now is a great time to check out all the scrapbook shops (on the right hand side) for up coming classes. Below are a few that I'm very interest in attending, Hope to see you there!!!



Scrapbook Heaven: Lasting Impression - "Tis the Season" with Suzy Q!Thursday, October 23rd 2:30 - 5Thursday, October 23rd 6-8:30 Join Suzy as she shows you how to celebrate the Fall with Pumpkins!

Celebrate Thanksgiving with the most handsome Turkey you ever did see! Start getting those Holiday cards ready for the Holiday Season! These five great cards are embossed using templates from Lasting Impressions. Dry Embossing is a simple and very impressive craft that you will love! Gain great ideas, tips and tricks that will help you create cards, bookmarks, scrapbook pages, picture frames, gift tags, and more.

Scrappin' in the Hills Class:Halloween Book class
Halloween Book with Jenny

Thursday October 9th

$30 6:00-8:30 PM

Let's go Fishing!

This album was given to me by my sister who purchased it at Scrapbook Heaven. It took me a while to figure out how to decorate it add photos. My biggest issues is keeping my ribbons tied, even with a double knot they seen to unravel. I have more to add to my album, but I do want to show you guys that yes, I am working on something.

For an hour a day, you can do a 2 page layout a week. Monday, go to a 1 hr photo place a develop some pictures. Tuesday, sort out what you want pictures you want to work on now. Wednesday, look for embellishments and papers you'll need for your layout. Thursday, set up your design and start pasting pictures down. Friday, journal in your layout. Sat & Sun go to a nearby scrap store and buy extra stickers and things that you'll need for your next weeks pictures. Or sign up to a class and come home with a really nice layout that just needs you to add pictures!

Walking my Talk: For one week, I'll post what I worked on for an hour.

Price vs. Value?

Wow, Michaels and Joanne Fabrics has those really great deals on getting stuff for 30-40% off and if compared to some scrapbooking stores, it's a HUGE savings. BUT WAIT!!! Have you ever tired asking those staff members for help? They have no idea what you're talking about and if they do, they aren't very helpful. If you go to a scrappin' store, they have the products available for you to use in their crop rooms before you make a long term commitment in purchasing that big ticket die cutter. If you do decide to buy the cutter, they are so helpful with tips and advice that you won't find written in any owner's manual and they also keep you informed on new ideas of using your purchase. Please keep this in mind when buying stuff on discount from craft companies. Let's keep scrapbooking store thriving buy purchasing from them- in the long run, you'll save money because you'll be getting the most out of your product!

We're going to San Diego's Scrap Expo!!!

This friday is the San Diego Scrap Expo! Can't wait to share all the new products and ideas with everyone!

Using what I bought!

After visiting 14 plus scrapbook stores, I was bound to buy a few things here and there- mostly pattern paper, sticker sheets and a couple of inkpads. Toward the end of the Shop Hop adventure, I realized just few stores sold Sizzix and Quickcut dies. So I started to buy 1-2 at each store that carried them. They have helped me to become creative again, not just thru scrapin' but also with card making. I went to 2 birthday parties and made gift cards using my sizzix dies! The cards looked great, now I just need to work on my writing. I also added (quickcut) flip flops and sea shells to a make-n-take mini album I recieved at one of the stores. I also finished off the owl and mini album with my new chalk inkpads, not sure if you can see them, but it looks cool!