Birthday Bash Albums a resounding success

Steve and Carol held thier 9th annual Niece and Nephew birthday bash yesterday and although the weather was not great before supper it all cleared up after so the games could begin. The albums the kids and I made for each family were a resounding success. I did tell everyone however that they would not be an annual tradition. I'll have to come up with something different for next year.

Thanks Heather for a fun class

Went to a class last night at Heather Summers'. Had fun using my new

Garden Whimsey stamp set. Will have to put some of these cards in our Bottomless card boxes that Jenna and I are working on.

Niece & Nephew Birthday Bash Albums finished

Those of you who read my blog a couple of days ago know that I was frantically working on mini albums to give families at this year's Niece & Nephew Birthday Bash. I'm pleased to announce that other than to photocopy 3 pages I missed for one book they are finished. Staples/Business Depot just opened up in town so I can do that quickly in the morning.

Thank goodness my Crop O Dile went through the plastic covers and the 10 page protectors inside like it was butter.

I used Jenna's Provocraft trimmer to cut the plastic covers so will have to replace the blade for her. What did surprise me was that I will need to return the rotary/guilotine Staples paper trimmer I purchased a few months ago. Hadn't really used it until last night when I was cutting

out the 200 photocopies of the pages one by one. I was using the guilotine part of the cutter when the safety guide broke at the bottom screw. It wasn't like I was cutting the 10 sheets of paper that the instructions said it would cut. The product has a lifelong guarantee. Will see what our new Staples says about that.

Score it vs Score Pal

Its just about decision time. I've been wanting a scoring board and now the following are available locally. Which means no shipping charges. Hooray!

I've seen both the Score Pal Scor-Pal®

http://www.scor-pal.com/?gclid=CI6JoO-uj44CFQO1IgodyVUIdg

"creates accurate and precise scores giving you professional looking folds, no more crooked cards. Multiple scores are done in seconds without moving the paper. This is perfect for accordion folds, boxes, fancy fold cards and other interesting projects. It is lightweight and portable!" It retails for $39.99.

My observations are as follows. I've not used this tool but did watch a demonstration.

Plastic board with predetermined grooves and a bone folder for scoring.

can do mulitple scores on paper without moving. Not sure how easy the grid is to use.

Web site has lots of iseas

and the Score it Professional Score Board

http://www.clearbags.ca/details.php?heading=Envelopes%20and%20Card%20Stock&name=Scor%20it%20Professional,%20Quality%20Scores%20by%20Hand

-Professional QualityFast and accurate professional quality hand score lines for all of your card making, scrapbooking and paper crafting projects. It retails for $69.99

My observations. Raised metal ridge in between 2 rubberized pads.

scoring tool is wooden with a groove to slide on the metal ridge.

It has 2 clamps that can be adjusted along each side of the metal ridge.

I find that they sometimes slip. Ruler is only at the top and not running down the length of the board. It is heavier than the Score Pal.

I still have to think a bit but I am leaning towards the Score Pal. Anyone have either? Comments?

Buying school clothes!

Spent the day shopping with Aaron and Jenna for school shoes and clothes. Was more successful for Aaron than for Jenna. Jenna and I will go out on our own to get her some new clothes. Hard to do with a reluctant brother in tow. Had a nice dinner at my Mom and Dad's.
Now back to work on the mini scrapbooks. Have everything cut so just have to put them together. Everything under control.
The boys' Cub Camp has been cancelled for this weekend so it makes our weekend a lot simpler.
Have a great one!

It was a good idea at the time.

Saturday my sister in law and brother in law are hosting their annual niece and nephew birthday bash. Every year, Carol and Steve put a lot of effort and expense into a wonderful family gathering.

When I was at the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Buffalo in June I took a class with Stacy Julian and did a 6X6 album using 30-40 photos and only black embellishments. I chose last year's photos to do.

Now here is what was a good idea at the time. I thought it might be nice to colour photo copy the book and give every family a copy. Well it turned out to be a much bigger project than I had anticipated. The number of books we needed continued to grow each time we went through the list. We were able to copy 2 6X6 pages onto a legal size paper. I didn't think that was too bad but then realized that the book contains 20 pages so that would be 10 photocopies for each of 10 books. Beginning to get the picture. Then it is impossible to get reasonably priced 6X6 or even 8X8" albums so we had to make our own.

I found some nice notebook covers at Dollarama that could be cut down to fit. Purchased a box of 100 8.5 X 11" sheet protectors and sat down to trim the photocopies, the sheet protectors and the covers to accommodate the 6X6" pages. This is still a work in progress and I only have tomorrow to do it. Talk about making my life more stressful than it needs to be. Oh well, I know the books will be appreciated. However I am not setting a precedent that I have to do them every year. Next year I'll have to come up with something less time consuming or start a whole lot earlier in the year.

Scrap/Stamp Day

Eliz and Lizz joined Jenna and I at home for our turn at hosting Scrap/Stamp Day.

We used some of the coasters we bought. 2 square ones for a post it note holder and 2 round ones with an duct tape spool to make a cute trinket box. I'll have to retake the photos because the did not turn out well enough to post.

The real challenge was when I left them to recreate a scrapbook page with a diagonal theme to it. I was making lunch and they struggled. To tell you the truth when I sat down to do mine it looked nothing like the original but at least it was not running horizontally like so many of my pages have been of late.

Thanks girls, it was fun as always. Can't wait until we get together in 2 weeks.

Lots of scrapping today

My friend Carolyn invited us over for this afternoon and dinner. We scrapbooked while the kids played. Can it get much better than that? I finished the title page for my Ottawa album. Thanks Barb for the inspiration. See her original at

http://barbdean.typepad.com/fun_stuff/2007/08/more-pages-for-.html

and 2more layouts. The first one is an TLC Artist choice kit from a few years ago. The second one still needs a title.

Highlights of our Ottawa Trip

Highlights of our week in Ottawa included The Canadian Museum of Civilization, Phathom of the Opera and visiting friends at their Grandparents' house. We had a good time and kept busy.

Too busy in fact to visit a scrapbook store for mom. Oh well may just have to make a return visit.

Quick look at some Stamp/Scrap day projects.

Here is a quick look at the cards we did at Eliz's a couple of weeks ago (They had been buried in my craft room. I have already posted the layout we did and I titled it Tree of Life) and the cards and beaded pen we made at Lizz's yesterday. I won't post the new scrapbook page until we return from holidays because it will be the title page for our Ottawa album.

On the pink birthday card, the cake is a scratch and sniff using red unsweetened koolaid and embossing powder. I don't think I heated the embossing powder enough because the red colour came off on a pile of other cards. Next time I'll be more careful.

The beaded pen has Happy Birthday stamped on it and the card and pen will be a birthday gift for my niece with some money inside so she can put it towards a digital camera.

Notice the cards are sitting on the table in our scrapbook room. It is looking much more organized and with a few finishing touches will be a better place to create.

Coaster Book

Quick bragbook project.
I used the extra photos from the Walkerton camera shoot and BAsic Grey Infuse papers

I used 6 - 4" square coasters
5- 4 X 8 1/4" pieces of patterned paper
2 pieces 4 X 4" cardstock for cover
1 4X4" patterned paper for spine.

While I was making it, Carolyn made a good suggestion: It is better to decorate the inside of the book before adding the spine to allow for the extra space photos and embellishments require.

Cropped til we dropped

Carolyn, Rachel and I cropped til we dropped yesterday. The food was awesome! (You are spoiling us Carolyn.) An added bonus was that we got to soak in the hot tub after consuming the best chocoberry cocktail I ever tasted. Needless to say I stayed overnight so I wasn't drinking and driving. Thanks for your hospitality Ron & Carolyn!
We made this matchbook album as a make and take yesterday at the Cat's Caboose. I couldn't wait to use it on this page to go with my Summer Layout that I scraplifted from Barb Dean. This allowed me to add 10 pool photos to this page. They were taken using a disposable water proof camera.

This was another TLC Artist Choice kit and easy to put together. It is waiting for the perfect photos.
Picked up the brads at Dollarama on our outing and they went perfectly with the paper I picked up for this Epcot World Showcase layout. Not sure what I want to do with the title yet.
I finished this layout I started at our last scrapbook day. Paper and ideas is from Stampin Up. Chipboard letters were covered with cardstock and distressed using chalk ink

Here is another layout I started last month and finished yesterday.
I also made a coaster album entitled Candid Camera and an artist canvas wall hanging that just need a few finishing touches before I can post them.

Late night projects

Last week was the week of late night projects. It was a hectic week with taking Aaron to Science Camp at the University, helping my Mother-in-law with a renovation project and keeping Jenna in a pool as much as we could. It seems like I spent more time away from home than at home. In order for me to feel like I accomplished something I returned to doing what I did when the kids were both little. I spent some time scrapbooking in the evening to have tangible proof to show for my day. The Looking Ahead Layout was a TLC Artist's Choice kit and The Tree of Life paper and layout ideas was courtesy of Eliz at our last Stamp/Scrap day.

Bottomless card box

Jenna and I found some unfinished Wooden Cigar type boxes the perfect size to hold invitation size cards and envelopes. An awesome gift idea came to me and we are both excited about it. It was inspired by the bottomless coffee idea. We snatched up 10 and are going to make bottomless gift boxes filled with cards. Each box will be painted and decorated to suit the recipient. It will be filled with an assortment of cards. Attached to each box will be a note letting the recipient know it is a bottomless box of cards. If it is returned to us empty, Jenna and I will refill it. Have to work on the note and will post when we have one finished.
If you have an idea please leave it in the comment section.

Trip to Ikea

The girls and I took a trip to Ikea and picked up some blank 4" chipboard coasters in square and round versions on the way. Anyone interested in purchasing some please email for details.
Jenna picked out a coffee table she would like for the family room. It even has room for storage.
Will have to make a return trip to Burlington in the not too distant future.

This morning's layout

After a morning of computer problems and restoring my husband's identity in his internet browser and email programs,
(Just a reminder: back up your favourite sites and your email addresses if you don't want to start from scratch)
I finally have some time to post the layout I finished at 3am this morning.

Can't sleep

Arthur is working all night, the kids are asleep and I'm too restless to settle down. I'm craving chocolate (must be pms) so out comes the chocolate chip muffin mix. While the muffins are cooking why not do a scrapbook page? I'll post it in the morning after I've satisfied both my addictions.

What made you start scrapbooking/stamping?

I had some scrapbooking kits in our garage sale and a sample of pages made with each kit. So many people stopped to admire them and the comment I heard over and over again is "I'd like to start scrapbooking but .....,"
So the question I have for you is why/when/how did you start scrapbooking or stamping?

I started when my son was born 11 years ago. I didn't like any of the prepared baby books. Went to a Creative Memories party and was hooked. Didn't have the money to buy an album so worked on a package of refill pages tied together with ribbon. When Aaron was old enough to turn the pages my husband told me I'd better go and buy an album before our little guy destroyed it.

I was introduced to the world of stamping by my sister in law who as a graphic designer created some stamp designs for a local stamp manufacturer. I took some stamp classes in a scrapbook store and have never looked back. I had my own online scrapbook business and worked in a scrapbook store. My best friends and my daughter are all scrapbookers/stampers so I think it will always be part of my life.

Today's stamp/scrap day projects

Thanks Eliz for coming up with today's projects. Lunch was as usual fabulous. Had a great time. Even had a chance to continue to work on the layout this afternoon but am waiting for a photo to be printed and to come up with a title. I will post the layout and the Christmas cards when I finish.

Card making resource

I received a copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Perfect Card and if I can pry it out of my husband's hands long enough I will have a better chance to review it.

My unromantic fellow turned right to the romantic section of the book and the first thing he read was

"Can I have your picture so I can tell Santa what I want for Christmas"

Not quite sure how to take it but I am sure he was trying to be sincere.

I'll let you know if I like it as much as the

Ultimate Guide to the Perfect Word which I have used over and over again for verses for my scrapbooks.

And the winner is:

The winner of my blog candy for giving me the pages of the latest issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today is Eliz. I'll deliver her candy to her on Thurs.
Thanks Barb and Leeny for leaving a comment on my layouts.

Scrapping Saturday

As promised. Some of what I accomplished yesterday. It was a great day. Thanks Shannon for hosting.

Scrap room to die for

I got my new issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine through a subscription offer from Home Interiors and showed Arthur a page with a peg board scrapbook area and he said they didn't know that scrapbookers had too many supplies to hang on one peg board.
Well I got blogsurfing and look at this room. Its to die for.
http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/
She had some great ideas though. I especially like the embellisments organized by colours. Hmmm will have to make some changes to my scrap room.

Thanks for cropping today.

Thanks to my friends who came to crop while I worked today. It was great to see all of you and made the day just fly by.

Some Scraplifts from latest issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today

Ok girls, I admit it. I scraplift like the best of you. What's really great is I found the ideas for each of the pages on different pages of the lastest issue of Scrapbook and Cards today. Go find your copy today and if you can tell me which page number was the inspiration for each of the the 4 pages, I will enter your name in a draw for blog candy.
(Not sure what it will be yet but Carolyn and I are going to the Scrapping Bug in Kitchener tomorrow and I'm sure I can come up with something.
Carolyn, thanks for the wonderful photos. You get an extra ballot.
If you don't have the magazine in front of you leave a post with your favourite summer memory and I'll enter your name into the draw too.
I will draw the winnning name on Monday July 23rd. So here's the chance for all of you blog stalkers to become a poster. If you have any trouble posting just use the email me link on the right hand side of my blog.

But do go and check out the free magazine given out by participating scrapbook stores. (I got mine at Scrapaholics in Mt Brydges) This issue and past issues are available for download in pdf format at http://www.scrapbookandcards.com/magazine.html

Wedding Card

I did this card for our last Stamp/Scrap Day but hadn't posted it yet. Sorry for the quality of the photo. I just can't seem to get it right.

Pocket double slider cards.

There is a story behind why I bought this stamp set. I always thought it was cute but didn't really think I'd use it much. I was at a Stamp Camp at Heather's and she used it for a Father's Day Card. I didn't realize there was a stamp for the pocket so I traced a piece of paper where the pocket was cut out and then started drawing the lines when Heather noticed what I was doing and gave me the stamp. Then I had to have it.

What better to do on a rainy day than to stamp with a friend.
When the cards are closed , you just see the pockets. When it is opened a frog or friends pop out. What cute kid birthday cards.

Here is a link to tutorial for the double slider card. I just tweaked it to fit the size of the pocket.

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/doubleslidercard.php

I'll post my changes when I get a chance.

Stampin Up Party

Went to a Stampin Up party at Jan's this evening. Love the projects Lizz.

You did a great job!

The scrapbook page was done using my current favourite stamp set, Baroque Motifs. I cherish the moments when my 11 year old still cuddles with us. I know soon he will be too big to do that and it will make me very sad. I'm going to do a corresponding page with Jenna and each of us.

A Good Weekend

It was a good weekend and went by too fast. I took a card and gift wrapped in paper stamped with the swirl from the Baroque Motifs set to a housewarming party and received compliments on it. Didn't think to take a photo though. I'll have to play with that set some more and see what I can come up with. I'll have to clear off my crafting table before I can do that so I'd better get at it.

4 " round and square blank chipboard coasters share

Anyone interested in purchasing 4 " round and square chipboard coasters? We thinking of putting in an order with a Canadian source. Minimum order is quite a substantial number so we will have them available in lots of 100 (50 round/50 square). Reply to this post if interested and I'll send you further details.

Wedding card and Jacob's Ladder

The girls were here for our Stamp/Scrap day. We did a Hidden Message Slider, a Wedding card and a Jacob's ladder mini album. We laughed so hard trying to get the mini album together. Then we couldn't figure out how it works when all of a sudden Eliz's started to flip as she held it. Here are some photos of the mini album.

The far left picture is side 1 of the ladder. The 2nd one side 2 flipped. When you turn it over you would think that side 1 would just be upside down but that's not the case. Its magic. The 3rd one is what you get.

The pictures are in reverse order.

If you want to make your own Jacob's ladder here are some tutorials:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/jacobsladder.php

http://www.crafttvweekly.com/player.html?wid=92

I've been tagged by Heather

I've been tagged!
I have been tagged by a very talented blogger, Heather check out her blog!!! http://stampwithheather.typepad.com/stamp_with_heather/
Here are the rules:
I must post 7 random things about me
Tag 7 other bloggers to do the same.
Leave tagged bloggers comments on their site so they know they've been tagged.
I've let you know my favourites already on my blog so will have to come up with other information
1) I was born in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia and emmigrated to London Ontario when I was 3 with my parents and brother. My sister was born here.
2) I have both my E.C.E. (Early Childhood Education Diploma and an Honours BA in Social Work) which I plan to use shortly
3) My mother tongue is Dutch and I can still speak, read and write it. My husband says I'll revert back to it when I get old so the kids better learn it too.
4)Got married when I was 37. Had my first child on our 1st wedding anniversay and my 2nd one a month before I turned 40
5)Will travel on a moment's notice and would never pass up the opportunity to going somewhere exotic.
6)Can find a million things I'd rather be doing that housework
7) Enjoy white wine and tropical drinks.

Fishing Derby in Port Glasgow

The fish were nibbling on both minnows and worms but we were unable to catch them. We tried a few places to fish. Despite that we had a very nice day at the Fishing Derby in Port Glasgow. The kids all received embroidered hats, minnows, a bobber, fridge magnet, pamphlets and a lunch ticket when they registered. They participated in a casting contest and after all was said and done they also received door prizes. Great day and the weather was perfect.

Girl's night in

Jenna and I have a date with our new digital cable service for a girl's night in. We have cool beverages, comfy pyjamas and some treats usually reserved for movie nights.

Bathroom Reno almost complete

Here is the light fixture that started it all. I'm really pleased with the results and I don't have my border or print yet. It's all all coming together nicely now.

Because of the large mirror over the vanity it is difficult to photograph.
Eliz, do you recognize your shells? I painted the shadow boxes with the same paint as the walls to get an exact match. I need the border up for the correct placement of them.

Look what I bought from Ebay

Look what I bought from Ebay. I've been looking at them for a while and have had several unsuccessful bids. This one I caught just at the last minute. All in my overall goal of getting things organized this summer before I return to the workforce.
It is 22" wide x 3 1/8 deep x a little over 18" high and will hold 75 ink pads. Better start buying the rest of the Stamping up colours to fill it.
The seller is in Brantford and I had considered going to pick it up but the shipping was only $12 and I can drive both ways for that.
Not sure if the parcel delivery man will remember me. I haven't had anything delivered since my Wishblade.
Updated: Impressive shipping. Was here the day after it was shipped.