All About ME!

This past weekend I got the chance to finish up several projects that have been hanging around my craft room awhile. One was this cute little accordion book that is, you guessed it, about me! This is one of the free projects from Big Picture Scrapbooking. It was really fun -- loved planning it out, loved taking the photos and loved putting it together. And it is just for me -- which is nice-- I never make things only for me! The tin I used is actually a gift card tin from Michael's and the album is just a 12x12 piece of cardstock (there are directions on BPS how to construct the book.) Anyway, quite pleased with myself how this turned out and looking forward to keeping it in my scrap space.

Speaking of Big Picture Scrapbooking -- I guess Stacy Julian has a new free class there. I plan to check it out after finishing this post. I think it is in partnership with something she has designed for Cocoa Daisy. What I have found is that even if I do not plan to purchase the CD kit, the project can typically be adapted to something else. Anyway, might be worth checking out. (Just checked -- class will not be up/available until sometime this weekend.)

This may be my last post before Thanksgiving. I am working on a gratitude book for the big day and need to finish it and do not know if I will have time to post before Thursday. If not, I will be back next week and enjoy your holiday!

Knit one...

...or how about two??? Made these little bags for a gift for a young girl for Christmas. One is just a little purse that thankfully my mom suggested that I line. The other is an ipod holder, and no, she is not getting the ipod, she already has one, but I thought I would tuck an itunes card inside. The larger bag is from a pattern on Lion Brand's site -- it was free pattern. The ipod case I made up -- basically I just made a smaller version of the first. Buttons are from Wal-Mart -- aren't they cute?? Anyway, I am pleased with the way they turned out and another project I can scratch off my Christmas to-do list!

YOU - Sketch Challenge

Made this quick page for the sketch challenge at 52 Sketchs...52 Weeks. Thought it was cute and simple. Size of this page is 8x8.

Halloween???

I absolutely LOVE how this project came together. Straight from the Simple Scrapbooks special edition Mini Albums in an Evening. The original album that I totally lifted was made by Rebecca Cooper . The album is SEI (purchased at Hobby Lobby for 1/2 off!) and I just got the coordinating stickers and papers from Hobby Lobby. Numbers are an old Stampin' Up set (Quirky). The plan is to keep all my papers together and just add a page per year. I can handle that! Also, loved how this simple album was turned so that it flips open -- size of pages are 8x8. Made 6 pages and the cover in 2 evenings -- but that is only because I talk a lot!
And did you think I would not mention Lain's book today? The launch party is in full swing, so be sure to stop over at Simple and check it out.

Sketch Book

So Danielle and I were talking the other night about what to do with ideas that we find in magazines, scrapbook stores etc. We talked about taking photos, but both agreed that while we love looking at the photos, these can sometimes be distracting when actually trying to create a layout. The problem is that we get too bogged down in the materials used in the piece rather than the design. Photos are good if you are looking at HOW to use a particular product or color combo, but both agreed we love sketches and needed someplace to keep them. We wanted something small that could fit in a scrap bag or purse -- this one is about 3x5. It started out, however, as approx 6x10 -- Danielle cut it in half and now we both have one!! I chose to decorate rather simple since I am thinking if I carry this as I plan, the cover could take some abuse. Just made this little nameplate on the computer. Of course I had to cute it up a little and add some ribbon!!

And, don't forget that the SNIPPETS launch party starts today over at the Simple Scrapbooks site! Stop by, look at the new stuff and drop Lain a message. Have a great day!

One more thing...

If you do not visit Cathy's blog, Bits N Pieces, regularly, do today. The most awesome video on why we do this thing called scrapbooking. It will make you want to hug a loved one and take a photo or two! Have a great day!!

Scrapbook and Snippets

Another page from my scrapbook weekend. Nothing that great, but I think it shows that you can document a fun day with little to no supplies. This was a super quick page and it tells the story of our playdate --- mission accomplished. I think sometimes you can get too bogged down in trying to make a perfect page with "wow" papers and embellishments and lose the true meaning of making the page in the first place, which was to tell the story! (Not to mention you could lose hours in the process). But that is just it -- it is a creative process -- sometimes that takes a while and sometimes a satisfactory product comes from just getting it down on paper. Wow-- that was a bit soapboxish!

Anyway, went to my friend Danielle's house last night for our craft night -- its been a while since I had been, so chatting was fast and furious and ideas where flying. Flying so much that I had a hard time turning my brain off to go to sleep! I hope to post the project that I was working on later today AND Danielle made a nifty little sketch book -- more on that later.

I have been asked about some of the materials I use for my pages and products. I will try harder to include them in the write ups -- truth is I have such a mish mosh of stuff and I am not real good at keeping packaging. But I will try!

So have you read the snippets of Snippets yet????? I am telling you, if you do you will be hooked! And, did you see the price??? Only $9.99 -- great stocking stuffer if for no one else than yourself! Check it out! :)

Time for the bus and to start my day -- stay warm today --- I think the cold weather is here to stay!

Gobble - Gobble - Gobble!!

Anyone for turkey?? My daughter and I made these cute little placecards this past weekend for the Thanksgiving table. Photo is a little dull -- for those of you familiar with Stampin' Up, colors are Chocolate Chip (base card), Close to Cocoa (turkey), Summer Sun, Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie (feathers) and More Mustard for the place where the name is written. Punches were mostly Creative Memories and Stampin' Up but you could substitute what you have. I got the idea from Stamp with Heather, but I thought the folding of the cardstock was a little difficult for my daughter, so I modified it a bit.

More on Snippets....Lain is hosting virtual launch party on November 20 -Novmeber 30 over at the Simple Scrapbooks website. She will be chatting it up on the message boards and there will be some fun contests and prizes. Check it out!

Cool New Book!

Have you seen this new book???? Lain Ehmann of Simple Scrapbooks has outdone herself on this one. It is not a how-to or idea book, but one that has short stories about the scrapbooking world that we can all relate to. The experpts are so funny, I cannot wait to get my hands on an actual copy! You will find yourself laughing, shaking your head in agreement and saying out loud "So True!". Check it out here.

More Scrapbook

Another page that I created last weekend. Used a Becky Higgins sketch and another free Walgreens 8x10 for this one. Still have to journal, but want to use the computer for this and have not yet found the time. When I took this photo I took one of just the blocks to use as accent on the page -- I have done this with leaves and cookies too -- it is a fun embellishment. Either later today or tomorrow, I will be posting some super cute Thanksgiving placecards that my daughter and I made this weekend -- have to take a picture of the finished product!

I am cold today...

So I decided that this page would be a good one to post. Did not get to go to my craft day today because my friend's kids are sick. Disappointing, but do not want to pass the germs! We can do it another time. Finished my book on Snapfish, but site is so bogged down with Oprah Freebie Shoppers (like me!) that it is taking forever!! The page above I made at the crop last weekend. Not cold enough for snow today, but they say we will have flurries before the weekend is over!

Finally Scrapbooking!

These are just the goofiest (is that a word?? looks weird) photos. Taken last year during the blizzard, so we were a little stir crazy! Gotta love the 8x10 on the page. Got that free last weekend at Walgreens during their 8x10 free promo.

Love this layout -- just leftover misc. photos from over a 5 month span. Paper is from Stampin' UP -- I think Petals?? Anyway have had for awhile and thought it worked well here.

Finally getting around to posting some of the pages that I created last weekend at the crop I attended. These two were among my favorites. I completed 15 pages in all -- so I will be a few more I will put up the next few days. Photo quality is not the best -- I do not have a scanner, so this is the best I can do for now.

Worked out a nifty day tomorrow. Getting together with my pal Tiffany for a Christmas crafting day and it just so happens it will be a playdate for our kids too. Hopefully will have more to post for there too!

Cookies!!!

I am just a blogging fool today! Anyway, wanted to post these cute photos of the cookies we make last night. The girls had a blast decorating. We were going for the cute Pillsbury cookies that look like turkeys -- well, ours sort of did! Anyway, it is not the end product, but the process that counts.

Also -- if you did not or do not watch Oprah -- you can get a FREE book from Snapfish if you go to there TODAY (maybe tomorrow) and make and create one.

Stories In Hand

The materials for this class are pretty cool. However, I must say I was not prepared for the amount of printer ink, and cardstock I am using! It makes sense, just was not prepared. Anyway -- totally lifted this idea for the section dividers from the SIH gallery to customize with photos of who each tab is about. I am so goofy --- felt all artsy as I used the sepia tone and close cropped photos. I do like the effect, though. I did go cheap on this -- opting not to buy the American Crafts binder, but just using binder rings. My rings are actually a little big, but this works for me right now. Looking forward to filling this little notebook with wonderful stories. Just reading through the prompts gave me tons of ideas.

Altered Board Book

I love to make little things to send my grandma. This is a little book I make last winter. It started out as a children's board book that I got from the $1 spot at Target (dangerous area!). I just covered the pages with patterned paper and attached photos and ribbon -- really very easy. Did discover though, sanding the pages before putting on the patterned paper helped it stick and that using photos printed on regular printer paper helped cut down on the bulk. I just picked up another board book at Target the other day -- I may create a Thanksgiving book with that one -- not sure yet.

Y is for Yummy!

Creating heritage cookbooks seems to be a trend. Here is one I made for my goddaughter (she is my cousin's daughter.) Just out of a spiral notebook style mini album -- found one like this on Two Peas, and thought it was cute. Attached memories with tags and when I had recipes in original handwriting, I photo copied and put in pockets. I think it turned out cute. Would like to make another one day.

Stories In Hand Extended!

This course just looks so cool and the day one handout came out today to set up the binder. It is a story gathering class -- not specifically scrapbooking -- but if you are the memory keeper for your family check this out and hurry. The class is free and registration was extended through TONIGHT at 11:59pmEST -- so as I am typing this post that is only 3hours!! Below is the message on the website -- if you are at all interested GO THERE NOW!! Oh -- and did I mention that it is TOTALLY FREE???

Stories In Hand (click HERE to access this awesome class!)
Due to the overwhelming number of people that still want to register for the class, we've decided to extend registration by 1 more day! So you have until 11:59pm EST Monday November 10th to register.
Here are the instructions to register for the FREE Stories in Hand class!
Log in to your jessicasprague.com account. You must have an account and be logged in to continue to the next step.
Go to the Access Codes page here at JessicaSprague.com
Enter the Access Code: SIHFreeNov2008
After you enter the access code, click on the My Classes link to make sure that Stories in Hand is listed in your Class list.
Make sure to visit the Stories in Hand class after you register to check out the supply list and what to expect from the class! (oh, and a fun surprise!)

Fall Bookmark

Made these fall bookmarks last year and just pulled one I had leftover to send to a friend. The bookmarks were all the rage last year on Splitcoast and my friend Danielle came up with this nifty card design to send them out. She made Halloween ones -- so cute. Anyway, the inside says "This autumn, may you fall into a good book" Would make a great book club favor. Anyway, super easy to make. This is the link to the tutorial for making the bookmarks.

This weekend was a blast. Mom and I love our scrap weekends away. Food was great and we got a lot completed. I will be posting some of my pages this week.

Little Restless

Was getting tired of the old banner and colors -- decided to lighten things up a bit. What do ya think?

Going on a scrapbooking weekend with my mom tomorrow -- looking forward to getting a lot done, visiting with her and enjoying a little "me" time. It is my little vacation from the real world! Will hopefully have lots to post Sunday or Monday.

Tried to get the journaling complete on some old pages today -- other than that it was a day to enjoy this glorious weather. 74 degrees and sunny -- we spent as much time outside as possible! Hard to believe that it was November today!

Christmas Countdown Book

Have you seen the oh-so-cool Days of December album on Ali's site??? I have always wanted to make an artsy album, did not know how to attack it and this really helped show me the way! My album has turned into a trash to treasure project! Not wanting to spend much money, I decided to raid my craft room -- between large sheets of chipboard (salvaged mostly from packaging), extra page protectors from old albums, a baseball card holder that I cut in thirds, misc cardstock, various envelopes (including a velum one!), tags, postcards -- it is really cool! Had to gather some extra paper as I have used most my Christmas stash -- but for the most part I am so proud that I created this project from mostly what I already own!! Thanks Ali for such an awesome idea!! Looking forward to filling it with many fun memories of this upcoming Christmas season!

You can see my complete book (all pages) at Flickr: December Daily 2008.

I have been tagged???

My -- did not see that one coming. I did not know anyone even read my blog!! How exciting that I am starting to get some traffic! Thanks Tamara!! Well, here are 7 random things about me --

1. I was the 15th person in line at my polling place this morning and the 3rd person to vote in my precinct. I got there at 5:50am and the polls opened at 6:30am.

2. I played the tuba in my high school marching band. I was really bad, but all my friends were in the band and wanted to sit with them at football games. The tuba was a good choice -- I was the only girl and the guys generally took care of my insturment for me and was not required to wear a band hat so I never had hat-head.

3. I drive an SUV and actually wish I had a mini van.

4. I love surfing the internet.

5. I hate putting my hand in a greasy chip bag. I pack my husband's lunch everyday, but I make him get his own chips because this totally grosses me out!!

6. I love storytime at my local library as much as my 2 year old does. The leader is a former music and drama teacher and I just get lost in the voices she uses in the stories. I love it.

7. Fall is my very favorite time of year. I am so glad I live in a part of our country that we generally experience a beautiful fall season.

Ok -- now I guess I get to tag!! Let's see -- how about:

Lain

Beth

Crafty P

Sarah

Nicole

Jennifer

Jennifer

Remember to Vote!

It is a basic right of US citizens. Do not take it for granted. Vote.

Sketch Challenge #44

For this week's sketch Challenge at 52 Sketches...52 Weeks. I really like this sketch -- perfect for a series of photos

Halloween Fun Times

Yes -- I am ready to say goodbye to Halloween 08, but before I do, a few photos from the evening. The weather was perfect and the kids had an awesome time.