A Scrapping Transition

Let's talk scrapping.  I'm a habitually unfinished scrapper.  I can't begin to tell you how many scrapbooks I have.  I can absolutely tell you how many complete books I have...3!!  It's sad.  Sometimes I just get overwhelmed trying to plan a big ol book in one sitting.  I've scrapped in 6x6, 8x8, 8-1/2x11, 12x12 and all sorts of random sizes in between.  I haven't decided exactly what size is my favorite yet so until I do, I am going to take the liberty of scrapping in whatever size I so choose.

I really do like 6x6 pages for the simple fact that they're easy to fill up. The picture on the top left is me and lil sis the day of her baby shower.  I really wanted to capture that photo for us and this seemed like a nice, logical layout.  (I'll include the page recipes at the end of my post.)  6x6 books are great for new scrappers.  One photo and you've finished a page!  It's not overly daunting and the layouts can be pretty simple.

What if you happen to love the 8-1/2x11 scrapbook layouts.  You'll see my rendition in the middle photo.  I took that original 6x6 layout, added some journaling and Designer Series Paper, and created a quick 8-1/2x11 page out of my original 6x6.  All of a sudden, I'm on my way to a full sized book!

Ultimately, however, I really do prefer to scrap on 12x12 pages.  But let's get honest girls, do you really "see" the 12x12 layout every time or do you "build" it as you go?  The last photo is my official 12x12 transition page.  Here, I took my newly enlarged 8-1/2x11 layout and added it to my 12x12 page with some border photos and journaling blocks.  (Yes, I realize there is nothing in the journaling section of the Modern Label Punches.  Remember how I said I rarely "finish" a scrapbook!)  We call this Transitional Scrapbooking.  Pretty cool, huh?

The next time you think you can't create those big 12x12 layouts, start smaller!  Work on your 6x6 layouts and work your way up to something a little bigger, then a little bigger, then...when you're ready...12x12.  Or you just might like a smaller size. I think you should try it and find out for yourself!!

Page Recipe:
6x6 - Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive and Bashful Blue Cardstock, Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Fast Flowers Wheel, Versamark, Flower Designer Brads, Vanilla Smooch Shimmer Spray
8-1/2x11 - Add Chocolate Chip Designer Patterns Paper, journaling block, and additional matching cardstock
12x12 - Add Modern Label Punch and additional matching cardstock

School Days Scrapbook Workshop

School Days Memory Scrapbook

Grades K-6


Saturday, May 22
12:00pm ~ 3:00pm
~or~
Thursday, May 27
6:30pm ~ 9:30pm

This quick and functional album is the perfect way to preserve your cherished school photos as well as report cards, special projects, and class shots.



Each 2-page spread has a mat for an 8x10 photo on one side and a special pocket on the other for your special memories with lots of space for journaling. All page pieces are precut. We will use die cuts, stamps and alphabets to create this keepsake scrapbook!


Create this wonderful scrapbook for only $35! Additional scrapbooks are only $25 each! Add a 12x12 post bound linen album with 20 page protectors for $30 more. Please indicate if you want Red or Pink accents. Adhesive not included.

This album is available as a Kit To Go for $25.  Please email me for information on the Kit To Go option!  Love the class but don't want to assemble it yourself?  I'd be happy to assemble the kit for you!  A preassembled book, ready for your photos is just $55 for the first copy and $45 for each additional album!

RSVP by May 18 to guarantee your spot! Payment is due in advance and can be made via PayPal, Cash or Check.    When making payment through PayPal, please indicate which session you wish to attend.

A Year In A Day

I'm really on a scrapbook kick.  My little sister is expecting her first child in July and as the proud new Auntie, I want to be sure little mister has some great scrapbooks to commemorate his new life!

Scrapbooks can be scarry, though.  I can't tell you how many times I've looked at a pile of photos, a stack of paper and just went duhhh.  I've always been much more successful with my scrapbooking when I have already created the layouts and all I have to do is add  pictures. 

The Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Pack is a wonderful pack of paper to use in your scrapbooking.  The backgrounds and scene pages make for quick and easy pages.  Add a couple of photo mats and an embellishment or two and you're good to go.  Then when it's time to add photos, you can do a little journaling, add a title and Voila!  You've got a completed page, set or entire book in no time flat!

On the evening of April 30, I'm holding a class inspired by my coach, Ronda.  We're going to create an entire year's worth of scrapbook pages in one Friday evening!  Sound impossible?  It's not!  Using the Sweet Pea DSP, Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Natural Brads, Old Olive Satin Ribbon and some coordinating card stock, we'll make 30 12x12 quick and easy pages that you can use to scrap a whole year of memories.  The page above reminds me of my older son's first Halloween.  We dressed him up as a little pumpkin.  Cute, cute, cute!!  I just hope I can find those photos :)

You can find other photos on my Facebook Fan Page.  Click the link on the right to become a fan and check out some of the other fun and easy pages. 

The projects below were a part of my submission for the Late Night Stampers Blog Tour in May. I had a very good time putting these together and a great time on the tour. I hope you enjoy some of these fun projects. This is a great set that I really have enjoyed working with!

Sense of Time
An Occasions Mini Stamp Set

The Sense of Time stamp set is a part of Shelly's Signature Collection. I just LOVE the clock image and parts. Notice my favorite color theme with this set?? All of these pieces were made using Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, and Old Olive. I love this color combination and to me, it is the perfect fit with the Sense of Time set.

I love alternative opening cards. This card opens from the center with the matted clock overlapping the edge. Each of the pieces has been distressed using the distressing tool from the Stampin' Up! Cutter Kit.

A white Jumbo Grommet embelishes the bottom of the clock. It fits perfectly in the bottom clock circle of the clock stamp. A piece of 1/4" grosgrain ribbon finishes off this sweet card.

Another alternative opening card. I received a beautiful swap card from fellow demonstrator, Joyce Wowczuk with this opening pattern. Both the white and green flaps open "out" to reveal the inside of the card. It's such a fun, unique card layout design. This card uses no embellishments. It is enhanced simply by the multiple layers of cardstock and beautiful stamps from Sense of Time.

This gift bag is super easy to make. It is made from the 2-5-7-10 bag found on Split Coast Stampers. The Designer Series Paper is from the Simply Scrappin' set Taylor Made. I just LOVE the colors. The ribbon is actually the new Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon from the Occasions Mini Catalog. I sponged Old Olive Craft Ink over it to match the bag. With this little trick, there's never a time when I won't have a ribbon to match a project!

Finally, this scrapbook page was created with inspiration right out of the Occasions Mini Catalog. Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper lines the bottom with a 1/2" Chocolate Chip strip on the bottom. The leaves were made with the Stampin' Up! Little Leaves Sizzlits Die for the Big Shot. That beautiful Not Quite Navy flower was created by sponging Craft Ink on a flower from the Pretties Kit and finished off with a Corduroy Brad from the Buttons collection.

This little guy really embodies the stamp "An unhurried sense of time is in itself a form of wealth."

Scrap a Sunshiney Day

I created this punch based scrapbook page for the Late Nite Stampers Challenge #18.

This is a 6x6 scrapbook page that is mounted on Barely Banana cardstock. The polka dot Designer Series Paper is Apricot Appeal from the Hostess Level 1 Designer Series Paper Pack. The flowers are punched with the Scallop Punch and 1-3/8" Circle Punch in Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue and Lavender Lace with the photos punched from the 1-1/4" Circle Punch. The stems are made from Old Olive 1/4" ribbon. The sunshine is cut from Barely Banana and covered with Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter. The sentiment is from Fifth Avenue Floral.

This was a fun little scrapbook page to create that would make a wonderful gift for Mom.

Stampin' and Stampin'

Wow. I don't think I remember a time when I've spent so much time stampin' and playing in my crazy mess of a craft room. I'm doing my darnedest to stick with using only Stampin' Up! products and man, is that hard! I just got my demo starter kit about 2 weeks ago and while it has lots of great stuff inside, there are SO many things I NEED! My first "open house" is on Saturday and I'll be placing my first order. I need ribbons and buttons and bobbles and punches and papers and ink and markers and stamps and stamps and stamps and stamps and stamps..... I think I may also need a bigger stampin' room!


I'm working on designing some classes and fun new projects to share with anyone who is interested. I've had a crazy cough lately which seems to be stifling some of my creative juices. I have plenty of time, tho. Afterall, I haven't even been at it for a month yet!




So, here's one of my late night creations. This is a simple two page layout that I whipped up as part of my beginner scrapbook class that's coming up in April. This is from the Petal Party Simply Scrapin' kit. This layout holdes 4-3.5x3.5, 1-2x2, and 1-4x6 photo with a journaling square. Super simple. Super quick. Super easy. Enjoy!