{scrappergirl}

Reporting from the road....

The first 5 days have been a realwhirlwind!! We have seen Niagara Falls, the North bridge at Lexington and Concord, toured the Freedom Trail in downtown Boston (LOVE that city!), and enjoyed our visit to Valley Forge! Today we also visited 6 states in one day (MA, RI, CT, NJ, NY, PA)! Tomorrow we are off to Philadelphia to see the sites, Friday we are heading to Gettysburg and Lancaster, PA to see Amish country!! We will be enjoying the 4th in our nation's capital Washington D.C and seeing the sites there! So much to see and do and really appreciating all that our forefathers did to make it possible for us to live as we do in this amazing country of ours!!

The North bridge at Concord.

 

Niagara Falls

I am exhausted and now it's time to go on vacation.....

I have been a bad blogger these days. I am just trying to finish all my Maya Road projects, pack for myself and my boys, try and get the house in order before I leave, and work! Whew, I am exhausted before we even leave! It doesn't help that it is 105 degrees here (with the heat index) and pit dripping humid!! I am very excited to go on this vacation with my boys and my folks. My youngest is such an American history buff and I know he is just going to love visiting Boston, Philadelphia, and D.C. just to name a few places. I am so excited to show him these places he has only read about! I had better finish up those two loads of laundry and get some supper rolling for the kids! I haven't decided whether to take my laptop or not so if not....see you in two weeks!!

Super Summer Sale at Maya Road!!

Maya Road has been busy getting things ready for CHA-S in Orlando AND getting these sale kits ready for their big warehouse sale. Each order is worth over $126.00 but is on sale now through July 10, for only $48.95....and that INCLUDES shipping! What a deal!! Go here and here to check out all the specifics of this incredible sale of incredible Maya Road products!!! Happy shopping!!

Heat embossing tutorial is up on The Scrap Review!

Please stop by The Scrap Review and see my tutorial on embossing. Whether you are new to heat embossing or and "old pro" I think you will enjoy some fun projects I have posted such as embossing a whole chipboard book, heat embossing acrylic, and adding embossing to your layouts!

 

 

 

I have to share this with you......

Awkward Family Photos is the name of this site and it has had me in stitches for days!! Here are just a few! I can't stop laughing....only because I can think of 100's of photos of myself and my family from the early 70's and 80's that would certainly qualify to be featured on this site!!!! :)

 

 

 

My Maya Road tutorial is up!!

 

Come visit Maya Road DT blog to view my tutorial!! Enjoy your weekend!! :)

Birthdays, family time, and projects....

This last weekend was so wonderful! The kids and I spent time with my folks and my brother and his family. It was my dad's 70th birthday bash so we met up in Des Moines, which is half way for the Omaha families and the Iowa City family! I just wanted to wish my dad another Happy 70th Birthday and to say that it was so great for us all to be together to celebrate June 6, D-Day, Don Day!!! (that's my dad!)

 

 

Working and running kids to activities is all I seem to get done these days. I am busy trying to get all my projects done so I can ship them off for CHA before we leave on vaction in a couple of weeks. Lots to do and not enough hours in the day!! (sigh) I hope everyone is enjoying their Summer! I can't wait for VACATION!!!!

Super Saturday at The Scrap Review!!!

Today is Super Saturday at The Scrap Review!! It has been a wonderful raffle week at TSR and incredible prizes have been awarded. But today is SUPER SATURDAY and look what is up for grabs! WOWZA!! I wish I could enter!!! To get yourself entered to win these prizes go here! Good luck to everyone!!

A wonderful weekend and a little Kelly Rae Roberts......

I had a wonderful time with my girlfriends this weekend as they whisked me off to Galena, Illinois, for my birthday get-away! We had so much fun and enjoyed the beautiful weather, the great food and fabulous shopping. I had one purchase and it was this....

 

I SO love the prints by Kelly Rae Roberts and this one just spoke to me! Thanks to my parents for the birthday money to acquire this little beauty! I hope to grab a few more as time goes by. Her work is so gorgeous and you MUST visit her site and check out the photos of her home! INCREDIBLE!!

Today is my birthday!!!

 Yep, today is my birthday! I am half of 90 so you do the math!! Thanks to all of you who have sent me birthday wishes! I am really touched. The best part of my birthday is the surprise that my children have in store for me in one hour (I have no idea what is going to happen) and my best-est girlfriends have told me to pack an overnight bag for tomorrow and that I would be picked up at 4:15. I am so excited and yet so going crazy not knowing what will happen. As a single mom of three kids I am always in control and know exactly what is going on at ALL times. The suspense and loss of control is KILLING me!! However, I am dealing with it fairly well and enjoying every minute! Have a great weekend everyone and thanks again for the well wishes!! :)

Grab a blinkie and win some prizes!

Head on over the The Scrap Review (here) and grab a blinkie! If it is spotted on your blog you can win some incredible door prizes. Emilie and Ashley have come up with a Raffle project that will get YOU some awesome scrapbooking supplies and will help support the running of The Scrap Review. The site runs without the use of paid advertising so the girls have come up with a raffle idea to help curb the costs of running the site and also allow you the readers to benefit too! Please stop by and pick up your blinkie...you never know who might stop by!! :)

Self Portraits.....

I don't like being in photos....I love taking them just not being in them. However, I have been taking some interesting self portraits I thought I would share with you.

 

 

 

 

1. A garden globe   2. Sunglasses on a rack in NYC  3.Astronaut suit at Cape Canavral  4. The wheel of a '57 Chevy in Florida

My mother's Day flowers...

 

I forgot to post these little beauties. I did a little photoshop action on my Mother's Day flowers and added the awesome overlay by Ali Edwards from Designer Digitals! I love that site!! This photo makes me happy!

Studio Calico Love!!

I was fortunate enough to receive this month's Studio Calico kit from The Scrap Review  to review. Let me just say....I am in love! I have stalked that blog, looked at the gallery, and oohed and ahhed at all the scrappy goodness. I loved everything in that kit! I have seen my scrapping friend's awesome projects and heard them rave about this kit club! Now I  know why!! I am planning on joining for next month!! Go check out the reviewshere!  Noel's projects on the first review of Studio Calico totally rocked! Have a great, sunny weekend!!

 

Layout made with Studio Calico May Kit Playground. I also used the paperbag that the supplies were in to make the flower on the page. Sizzix cut the paper, Versamarked it, clear embossing enamel to finish it!

 

Studio Calico kit papers. I threaded fabric through the pre-punched holes in the paper!

Maya Road fabric album....

 

My tutorial is up at Maya Road DT site for this fabric album! Come check it out!

A special request...

A friend asked me to make an album for her friend using the dress she wore at her child's wedding. What a wonderful idea it was and what a touching memento this will be for her friend! I hope to do more projects like this. I love doing albums with a real story behind it and this is the certainly one of those! I hope she enjoys the album! The only thing not from the dress was the Maya Road album and the buttons!

 

 

You need to hear this guy!!

I think Adam Lambert from American Idol has some competition!! :)

Happy Mother's Day!

 

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful mother! Have a wonderful day mom and I can't wait to see you soon!!

What a difference a year makes!

 

I shot this little guy about a year ago when he was born and look at him now!! Thanks Kirsten for allowing me to capture a few moments for you! This makes me so happy!!

My love affair with fabric and scrapbooking.....

 

 

 

 

I am no seamstress but I can use heat-n-bond and Fabri-tac!!!! This was an album I did for CHA for Maya Road using their sheer album and some fabulous fabric I found in a sale bin. My kids and I had just visited San Fransisco that Summer and an album idea "popped" into my head. I love fabric and being able to incorporate it into my scrapping is just icing on the cake. I am currently working on some new CHA albums using fabric too. I can't wait to share those with you too!!

Chalk Walk...and Italian Renaissance art!

I took the morning off from cleaning the house to go visit the annual Chalk Walk in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. What a cool event this was! All types of artists from children to adults come and work on chalk designs on Main Street of this lovely little town.

 

I just about DIED when I saw this!!

 

The artist's name is Dawn Morrison Wagner. I am a HUGE fan of Italian Renaissance Art so when I saw this I about flipped!! It is so incredible to think she did it in chalk and yet so depressing to know that with the first raindrop it will be gone. The beauty of seeing this was just beyond words. So here are a few more shots!

 

 

 

I can not wait to go again next year!

Thanks Lia!!

 

Thank you to Lia for sending me these awesome goodies all the way from Singapore!! She doesn't know how much she made my day!!! With the stomach flu floating around my house and no real sleep for a few days this ....well this, just made my day!! So thanks Lia for being so sweet!!!!

The Scrap Review (now on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and Flickr!)

Emilie has a great post up today on one of my long time favs the Xyron X! I love that little guy! Anyway, while you are there checking that out go on into the Join In tab and see all the ways that you can connect with TSR!! You will be glad you did!! :)

$1 placemat = fun layout page!

 

When I saw this $1 placemat at the Dollar Tree I just knew it would make a fabulous scrapbook page. It just fit my tropical Key West theme perfectly. I was even able to hand stitch on it too!

My review on the Sizzix Big Shot is up on The Scrap Review!!

Come check out my latest review of my first and one of my most favorite scrapbooking tools....the Sizzix Big Shot! You can see it at The Scrap Review! I am tending to a sick kid right now and am hoping the rest of the weekend will be better!!

In honor of Earth Day.....a junk mail paper purse!

The girls at The Scrap Review were all challenged to do something creative with their "junk mail" in honor of Earth Day. See what they all came with here. My contribution was a little purse made out of my local grocery stores weekly flyer.

 

 

 

I heat laminated the paper and the hand stitched this little baby together with DMC floss! The flower is made out of an envelope and ads from my junk mail! Enjoy your day!

And the winner is.....

Amanda Powell! Your name was chosen to win the new Bind-it-all Around the World idea book!! Congratulations!! I will send it on it's way!!

Comment:

I love the fact that it can be used for so many things! My husband binds documents for his work. I can make little memory books for my boys. It's just so useful!! Thanks for the chance! ~Amanda P.

My tutorial is up at Maya Road...

You can see it here! The Maya Road DT blog is just full of great ideas and projects by a talented group of ladies! Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Bind-it-all news, a giveaway, and a BIA for sale!

It's here......the new Bind-it-all Around the World book!! I just got my copy today in the mail and had to share. Here are my projects!

 

 

I am going to give one lucky person a copy of their very own!! Just leave a comment telling me what you love most about the Bind-it-all! I will choose one lucky random winner and announce it Saturday! Also, if anyone is interested I am selling my blue BIA v1.0 for $40 (plus S&H if applicable). It is gently used and I have all the instructions and DVD guide for it! It is a great little machine! The first person to ask to own it will!!! Good luck!

There's no place like home.....

 Although this was quite nice to have as my home for our 3 day stay in Key West! It's great to be home even though the temp difference is about 30 degrees! I had such a great time with my friends and I am so glad we took this trip! We spent a lot of time here....

 

Saw a couple of sunsets....

 

Went to Disney and Universal....

 

 

Saw a LOT of these in the Everglades....

 

And enjoyed some pretty amazing beaches....

 

We visited the Kennedy Space Center....

 

And had a few of these.....

 

Ahhhh....Life is good!!

Enjoying vacation......

I am truly enjoying my time with my good friends here in Key West, Florida! We have enjoyed so many wondeful places and sites along the way. I have to be honest though...I am totally missing my kids! But at 15,17,19 it is easier to be away for a bit but not easy!! However, I did so need the break and I will come back to my life refreshed and ready to hit the ground running. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had in my life and for my family and friends. I am blessed!

I am officially on vacation....

I have long awaited this day and it is finally here! Our "Thelma and Louise" trip is coming true!!! Photos to follow!!!! Key West...here we come!!!

NYC suitcase album {maya road}

 

Here is a little album I did for CHA-W for Maya Road using the new suitcase chipboard album. The full instructions on this album can be found here!

 

 

Special Olympics Polar Plunge...and I do mean POLAR!

 

These kids are C-R-A-Z-Y!! Today was the annual Polar Plunge. Here is a look at Jordan's friends at high school who are part of the Best Buddies group heading into the water. This was a fundraiser for Iowa  Special Olympics. There were 27 teams with 5-10 per team. Here are a few others that were there!

Teachers and friends!

   

Coneheads and Ninja Turtles!

 

The water was 40 degrees and it was very cold and windy outside but everyone really seemed to have a great time. We enjoyed watching and were glad to stay dry!! 

I just had to share....

 

This arrived yesterday and I just had to share the news! I did an album about my youngest son with all recycled items and it has been published in the latest issue of Somerset Memories.  I used garbage ties to bind the book, cardboard, toilet paper rolls as stamps, bubble wrap, masking tape, paper sacks, and cd protectors. There are just a few of the items I used in this book. Here is a peek!

   

   

 

 

Are you looking for some Easter inspiration?

If so....head on over to Lisa Pace's website for her Hippity Hop Easter Workshop! It's only $9.95 for this incredible workshop taught by Lisa herself! You will be creating 3 projects and 4 cards (all with templates and instructions)! There will also be some giveaways to those who post their projects!!

My post on The Scrap Review is up!!

I am so excited to have my first post up at The Scrap Review! Check it out here!  Even more exciting was the fact that I got to review my most beloved piece of scrapping equipment....the Bind-it-all. I have really enjoyed the TSR reviews so far and hope that mine will be helpful to those who want to know if purchasing the BIA is worth it! Here are the projects that I made using the BIA and posted on my review! There will be a Bind-it-all given away just for posting....so head on over!

 

 

   

 

Supplies: Photos transferred onto canvas board, grunge board, plastic sheet, distressing ink, old sheet music.

 

 

Supplies: Baseball card protectors, photos.

Missing my friend...

 

Two years ago today I said goodbye to a very dear friend. We still miss her so very much. I thank God for our girlfriend trips and all the fun times we had together. There is nothing that a girlfriend can't help you get through! As I am getting ready to travel with my girlfriends here soon I thank God again for the sweet, wonderful, supportive,and  FUN, friends that I have. My life would not be the same without them! Here's to girlfriends!!!!!

Pink Sketches #24....

 

I am so glad I got a page done about my son's first Homecoming dance! I have become so involved in "projects" lately that it is nice to follow the Pink Sketches templates and get some pages done!

Special Olympics Mid-Winter Games....

This is where we were this weekend. Jordan qualified to compete at the State level in basketball skills this year. Friday night he and I went to a cowboy themed dinner for over 900 athletes and their families and caregivers.

 

 

Saturday we headed over to the Fieldhouse Gym on the University of Iowa campus for the shooting, dribbling, and passing skills competition. Jordan did a great job and got 5th place! He was so happy to be there and was thrilled with his ribbon!!

 

Some shots from Sister's Garden....

I made my quarterly trip to Sister's Garden for some new photos and some inspiration! I just love that place and thank you Barb for letting me come and shoot at will! I love to visit at each season as she always has new and really cool items throughout the year! Here are just a few of my favs!

 

 

 

   

 

A new layout for Pink Sketches...

 

The new sketch outine #23 is up at Pink Sketches! Here is my take on it. I love remembering wonderful trips with fabulous friends!! :)

Launch day #7 is in the house!! (at The Scrap Review)

Please visit The Scrap Review today and get signed up to win some fabulous products!! Good luck!! Here's peek at a few to be given away!

Hey girls hey....come join us on Facebook!

Come join our group The Scrap Review on Facebook!!!

5 things that make me happy.....

1) It's a sunny...FRIDAY!! (OK that's 2 but I'm counting it as 1 people!)            

2) New fabric quarters from JoAnn's and Ben Franklin! YUM!

 

3) This fabric from Cosmo Cricket! (You can win some at Scrap Review)

4) Listening to the birds chirping as I look out my window from my scrap desk!

5) Counting down the days until my "Thelma and Louise" trip from Orlando to Key West with my bestest girlfriends in 26 days!! (Sunglasses and scraves included! No robberies or driving off cliffs are in the plans!! )

A few new layouts to share...

It's been nice to get a few layouts done in between creating projects. Some days I just have too many ideas and not enough time! So I am now trying to keep a list (I keep my notepad handy) and jot things down as they come to me. How do you keep your ideas and scrap thoughts organized? I need more hours in a day!!

     

Day 4 at The Scrap Review!

Oh...one of my favorite products up for grabs today.....ACRYLIC!!!!!! I love this new album! Go here to have a chance to own it!! :)

Day 3 at The Scrap Review...look what you can win!

Isn't this just the cutest thing ever!! Go to The Scrap Review and win this little baby!

Launch Day #2 at The Scrap Review

Go here and check out the wonderful prizes for today!! Remember you have all week long for a chance at some wonderful prizes!!!! Here is today's prize from GCD Studios!!! Good Luck!

Maya Road tin = new sewing box!!

I am not very good at sewing but I do have a sewing machine and can run handstitch okay but I didn't really have anywhere to put my small stash of sewing stuff. So....I took one of my empty Maya Road tins that the alphabets come in and made that my little sewing box. I used a piercer to make the holes in the plastic window and handstitched the perimeter and then spelled "sewing". On the sides I got out my power drill and drilled a few small holes so I could sew the stems of my flowers. The white chipboard flowers are Maya Road too! I covered the sides and back with new American Craft paper (yummy) and now I have my new sewing box!!