Unbelievable News to Share!

I'm speechless this evening, well ok, you know me too well, that would NEVER happen!! ha ha!! 

I am thrilled beyond words to announce that I am going to be a part of the Life Preservers Club Design Team for 2009/2010!  http://www.lifepreserversclub.com/

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me!  Thank you also to Von for the wonderful opportunity she is giving to take my scrapping to even more new heights using her beautiful kits! 

The other members on this board are an amazing supportive group of ladies.  When I say ladies, that is not an exaggeration.  They are supportive, kind and very welcoming - so much that it just makes you feel like you're sitting amongst your best college friends or cousins.  In this hectic world of busy, I thoroughly relax and enjoy my moments spent online at the Life Preservers Club. 

That being said, hopefully now you understand why this is such a huge deal!  It's not just about the honor, but it's about the group.  To be a part of something special like this, well it is really a gift.

I’ll be sure to post some more fun tomorrow for you!

Wednesday Fun!

I'm so tickled I just had to share!!!  TreasuredScrapbooking.com selected my mini album of "My Favorite Top 7 Things" as the design team layout of the day!  Woo Hoo!!  What a huge surprise!!

That brought a smile to my day and I just wanted to share!

We are still waiting for word on what is up in the Big Scrapper Guest House...   [to be continued]

Tuesday Musings...

Greetings!  Not a whole lot to report other than the Big Scrapper Guest House is now open.  The producers have graciously placed us into a beautiful new guest house for safe keeping throughout the happenings.  The latest twist is that all of us ousted guests are now going to assist in determining who will win the finale of the BSH, but we won't know how.

Yep, if you're confused that is because you are supposed to be!  Starting tomorrow there will be more information about the latest twist over at LifePreserversClub.com.

The best for last, as usual!...  Tomorrow is also the big annoucement day for the new design team at LP.  There will be 2 new design team members announced.  Take a bounce on over to check things out and see what is new and congratulate the new DT members if you have a moment.

Have a super scrappity day!

It's Checkout Time from the BSH!

Well I'm sad to say that I'm out of the BSH contest over at Life Preservers Club.  It was a fun little game and provided lots of inspiration for some great scrapping projects that I would not have done otherwise. 

A big thank you to Von and Frank for putting it on.  They had fun twists and turns throughout and gave out little prizes along the way to some lucky folks.  Now we have to wait and see who the final 2 will be and then the big announcement of what the Grand Prize will be next week. 

For some reason, I still feel like there will be one more twist to this game.  Maybe I'm wrong, but usually there are 3 finalists and not 2.  Could they play something out for the outted players to get a chance to find the Key and get back in?  Hmmm...  funny if they do huh?  I say ....  tune into the LP site to watch for yourself!

Anyhow...   I'm off to go drown my sorrows in some ice cream. **sniff**

Ok, so I knew that today might be a little roller coaster of a day.  I had gotten a fun email from my LSS "Scrapbooks Too" and for the first 40 customers with purchase today they were giving away a 20 pack of double sided MME paper.  They are open from Noon to 5 on Sundays for the fall and winter.

I made a trip and stopped by.  I found this new tool called a "quickstick" made by QuicKutz to help when working with Bling.  Fortunately I also remembered the secret phrase and got 25% off of it too!  I got a few more pieces of the Graphic 45 papers to compliment others that I have.  I really really love the Fashionista and Communique lines.  To pull it all together I also found some lovely new Prima pearly flowers called "Say it in Studs".  They are amazing and will work perfectly for the projects that I am putting together.
Oh.. the MME papers are Confetti.  Fun boy colors - perfect for me!

My Favorite Top 7 Things... A Mini Album

Big Scrapper House - Week 7 and closer to the finale~

So my assignment this week was to scrap My Favorite Top 7 Things...  Here is what I came up with.  I used this awesome K&Co paper pack that I snagged on clearance for 1.25! 

I also had this great set of chipboard from Fancy Pants that I had in mind for this project.  I used 4 board pieces to make a total 8 pages, 1 page for the title and then each remaining page left over to dedicate to each "favorite".  For this project I just wanted to have a feminine and romantic soft, yet playful and timeless feel. 

These papers had so many fun little parts to them, they really worked for the mini. 

The front title cover.  I cut the diecut plaque with the rose using my Accent Essnentials cartridge for the Cricut Expression.  Next, I embossed using the Sizzix Big Shot and the Lace folder.  I then punched two tiny holes around the rose stem and then tied some green ribbon to accent the embossed rose.

All of the tags were cut using my Slice machine (at lunch!).

Title Tag using AC Thickers and Memory Makers alpha sets. "My Favorite" is from their vintage findings collection.

Top Fav #1:  Travel!

Isn't this post card just the most fun?!  I had to use it! 

The airplane is a creative memories sticker from a garage sale at a crop I went to.

Top Fav #2: Our Family!

Seriously, we are so blessed.  I love our families!! 
The flower on this page is Hero Arts, brad was distressed with ink.  Keyhole is Tim Holtz

Top Fav #3: My Sweet Baby Boys!

Another part of this paper kit that I just had to use!  Its so soft and dreamy!  I stitched on this papers to make the pocket, then distressed, rolled and stitched it up.  I inked the white shimmery flower and layered a few to make them work.

Top Fav #3: My Sweet Baby Boys - Tag View!

Baby #2's tag has a #2 on the top.  : )  I had to do it!!

Top Fav #4: Play and Have Fun!

Life goes by so fast...  I love to play games and just have some silly fun to beat the stress of life.  It's the best!

Top Fav #5: Chocolate!

Or... Milk Duds to be exact!!  I created a pocket using the paper and ripping it.  If you peek underneath, I also inked the naked chipboard just in case you could peek down.  It didn't matter, but it is there!

For the Chocolate "wrapper", I cut out the plaque, then distressed edges, then inked with walnut, then I pop dotted it and then to finish up, I applied a good coating of Crackle Accents.  It took over a day to dry, but wow what an effect!  It ended up warping and actually looking like a real crumpled wrapper.  Unexpected bonus!!  This is one of my favorite pages in the album.

Top Fav #6: Laughter!

I just love to laugh!  On this page I used my favorite wedding photo when I was waiting.  I like candid photos like this.  I hand stitched the pocket, distressing first.  The bling was cut apart to allow pocket to function.  I also applied glossy accents to upper butterfly but you can't see it the greatest.  I will retake these when we get some sun this weekend.  : )

Top Fav #7: Finding Forever Friends!

On this page I stitched the "menu" to the top of the tickets (kind of messily), then I  stitched around the perimeter, omitting the top.  The ticket line is sort of a shallow pocket.

What goes along with a forever friend better than Good Times and Great Food?  I don't know either! 

Seriously, this page is a very fond memory page in honor of one of my forever friends.  She made a page titled this and I piggy backed off of that to put together a little reminiscing on here. 

Hoping I can find more goodies to add to this or better yet -- some photos!

Oh What Fun... Big Scrapper House!

I continue to work away on my assignment and hope to have it loaded up tonight or tomorrow if all goes well.  Yesterday was a long day spent in the ER at the local hospital with my husband.  He's doing better today but we think he caught the same bug that our son had last week.  Anyway -- back to the fun scrappy stuff!

Big Scrapper House - Week 7!

This past week has been about the biggest whirlwind that I can recall in a longggg time!  Our Red and Blue Teams in the Big Scrapper House had a big scrap-a-thon.  Toss into that mix a little twist up, where our Red team earned a choice that eventually helped our team prevail...   Do you want 15 more points for your total, or to take away 5% of the opposing teams score?  That was the question!

Joyce on our team chose the 5% option very wisely and in the end ...  we won by all of 2.5 points!  Next came the elimination drawings.  Six from the blue team and four from the red team.  We were all on pins and needles for each team was going to sadly have some members leave.  Today there are a total of 7 scrappers still in the house.   Drum roll please.....   I'm so excited to report that I (and Jodi!) are still in the house!!!  Yes, I am completely stunned and amazed that I am still in the house! 

I've gotten my scrappy assignment for this week and will be busy working on it tonight!

ScrapFest09!

I started my week out on Wednesday with my 'preliminary' ScrapFest09 experience.  I was lucky enough to get a space for a Cosmo Cricket sponsored chipboad album class at the Scrapbook Store of St. Paul which his now relocated in Circle Pines.  Now this wouldn't seem to be that big of a deal to some, however to me it was huge!  I love their papers and was so excited to get the opportunity to meet Julie and Lindsay.  I love their blog! 

They were a little late getting in from the airport.  Our class began at 4pm and they didn't arrive until 5:30 - however we had such a very good time making the album!  When they arrived they were so much fun and made the class completely worth every second.  The ScrapFest classes were completely booked and it was a special treat to get to take one that was in a much smaller scale and comfy shop.

I'll post some photos so you can sneak a peek at their awesome "Holly by Jolly" papers for Christmas.  I have some tweeks to do on my album, but you'll get the general feel for it.

Rhonda and Lindsay

It's Here! ScrapFest09!!!

I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to participate for the first time ever in ScrapFest at the Mall of America!  It's one of the biggest scrapping events of the year in this great state of Minnesota that we live in.

Tomorrow should prove to be a wonderful experience that I can not wait to share with you all!  I'm hoping to make the time to also go on either Saturday or Sunday depending on our busy schedules.  You all know how that works!  Hope you have a great weekend and I will post some updates later!

Teaser:  I have a nice little Cosmo story to tell you about from Wednesday...

Happy Scrappity Dappity Do News!!

There is so much going on right now it is almost bordering on overwhelming! 

I played along in the 2nd chance contest on Treasured Scrapbooking's "The Big Hunt" annual contest. This morning I found out that I am the winner for the 2nd Chance prize!  Woo Hoo!!  I can hardly believe it and would like to sincerely thank Erin Gudge for supplying the prize, it is a wonderfully packed full scrappy kit of goodies! 

Even bigger than this...  is my next big news (saving the best for last as always!)  My dear scrapping friend Jodi won first place in the contest!  Congratulations and big huge hugs to Jodi! 

It has been an honor and pleasure to watch her jaw dropping, amazing work and follow along.  The talent in the contest was so incredible and all of the finalists really had such inspiring work!  Big congratulations also going out to Rita and Lisa - you are all winners! 

Big Scrapper House

I almost forgot!!  I'm still in the big scrapper house (yea!!)...  and this week is a huge scrap-a-thon.  I like to call it scraporama...  but that's my silly verbiage!

So...  now that I have finished up my other projects, I'm off to do a few new ones.  Thank you to jb for her sweet donation of some basic grey pp scraps.  I'm using them to make some basic fall cards and the colors are just perfect!  I can't wait to share them with you later (probably tomorrow).  I burned up all the batteries in my camera finishing up the pictures for my other projects. 

Wednesday Greetings!

It has been awhile since my last post!  I've been busy with some designs that I was working on that had some deadlines to meet by yesterday.  I'm happy to report that I did get things all done and I'm so thrilled to have them wrapped up.

Tomorrow is a super scrap happy day for me!  My best friend and scrapping buddy is going to come into town for a visit.  She hasn't been to our new house yet.  I wish I were a little better prepared for the visit, but it's all good.  We are heading to the Mall of America on Friday for http://www.scrapfest09.com/.  After that we will scrap at a lss for the night.  A big huge hug and thank you to my supportive loving husband for watching the kids so I can have fun and do this.  He has been working very long days this week.

The kids have been so much fun!  They play together so cute and they are hilarious to watch interacting with each other.  I don't think God prepares you for how overcome you get with joy and love for your children.  Just to watch them is a complete miracle. 

Have a super scrappity dappity day!

Super Scrappity Dappity Do!!!

Imagine my complete shock and jaw drop as I looked at a few comments from the treasured scrapbooking website that I posted "Amazing You at 1!" to this morning for the 2nd chance entry to their Treasured Hunt Challenge #3. 

This layout was chosen for today as their Design Team Layout of the Day!  Yes, that is not a typo.  You may recall that I just posted on Wednesday that they selected "1 First Class Little Silly!" for DTLOTD. 

Ok, lightning does not usually strike twice like this in one week!  I think I may just have to go buy a powerball ticket or something!  Either that or I may just float home on air.

Thanks so much to the kind ladies for the supportive comments and feedback.  We are all in need of a pick me up from time to time, and this just made my entire weekend!  I'll have much more fun to share soon.  Have a super weekend and enjoy the fall bounty that surrounds us.

Happy Friday!

Happy Scrappy Friday!

Good news -- I got my challenge layout done for the Big Scrapper House on the Life Preservers Club last night!  Now it is time to sit and wait!  Things are heating up and although there have not been any eliminations this week, on Sunday things should shake out a whole new direction it sounds.  The following is what I created for this week.  It is my favorite personal snapshot photo of my DS on his first birthday.

There is a hidden journaling tag with the tear fringe under the photo which reads in white ink:
I can't believe that you are 1!  You are an amazing blessing and I'd rather love you as you are right now than be sad that you are growing so quickly.  ~ October 19, 2008  XXOO Mommy

I woke up this morning and said a quick prayer for peace and blessings to those who endured the very tragic events eight years ago.  It is hard to believe it has been that long, and our hearts ache for those who have lost their loved ones. 

Please send a note of thanks to the brave soldiers who protect our freedom every day.  They are truly heroes. You can do so for free here:  http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html

Wow! A Super Scrappity Dappity Day!

I can not tell you how excited and thrilled I was to have one of my layouts - "1 First Class Little Silly!" chosen as the Design Team Layout of the Day yesterday on 9/9/09 at http://www.treasuredscrapbooking.com/ 

What a nice unexpected honor!!  I was busy with a work event for most of the day yesterday and didn't even realize this until my scrapping friend sent me a note. 

I've been busily working on my Big Scrapper House layout for the week and finishing up some other projects as well.  Doesn't it feel good to tie up some loose ends?

My next big project is to have a little spring cleaning in my scrap room.  I just got my ott lite set up and can not wait to use it later on this evening.  Hope you are having a super scrappity day!

Tuesday Musings

Greetings!  I survived another week in the Big Scrapper House - can you believe it??!  I almost can't!  So I didn't win at Bingo which was a slight downer, but it's all good in 'da house.  Now we have split into teams and all I can say is "GO BIG RED!"  : )

I suppose only the true diehard Nebraska Cornhusker fans can appreciate that one.  I experienced Nebraska Cornhusker mania when I lived in Omaha for a few years.  I have fond memories of game day when all the folks would get their flags out, you'd see people tailgating up and down all over the place.  It truly is something to behold!  Fall is definitely in the air.

For this week...  we can scrap anything...  so off I am to get my thinking cap on!  Have a great day!

More Scrappy Goodness

So I can't quite help myself...  We were out shopping at the Mall of America with our friends and I just had to dive into the scrap shop!  I spied with my little eyes in person the Abbey Road dinosaur papers and chipboard.  They were too cute to pass up and I really can not wait to have some fun with them!  I missed out on the LPS Oct. kit because I was too distracted by the cute Halloween stuff!!

Lucky for me, my DH and our friends are very patient (and our children too!).  It was beautiful here in MN today and we had such a fun time.  Got some great new pictures too!

Cricut Design Studio and Jukebox!

I have to share with you how excited I am this week!  I received a box full of scrappity dappity goodness!  Creative Xpress had a super deal on their site for a design studio/jukebox combination so I had to get it.  My dear scrapping friend Jodi said it is the bomb, and of course I believe her!

Installation of the software went pretty well, until the registration process where I hit a speed bump.  I prevailed though and all is set!  Now to just figure out how to play with the software and make it work.  That is usually where things really click for me, so it should be lots of fun!

I'm so excited to be able to use images from multiple cartridges and cut in 1 pass.  This should be very fun once I get the hang of it.  It should be a money and time saver in helping to use a sheet more completely.  Can I tell you how much I already love my Cricut?  It just made my last project so cute!  I really can not wait to do more with it.  Sandra from the Life Preservers Club website just shared a tutorial on how to make some beautiful cardstock flowers and I think I will have to make them very very soon!

Now if I can find out how to update the Slice so it can cut shadow fonts for me, life will be grand!  I love the flourishes that the Slice can cut!

September Greetings!

Big Scrapper House has been so much fun!  So far I'm 11 words into a possible 15 for bingo. 

I survived in the house after picking Door #3, but now have to create a layout using:

• Solid card stock only - no patterned paper
• Pen for doodling
• Flowers
• Some buttons
• It is assumed that you also have paper cutters, scissors, and adhesives. (You may use your distress inks, cricut and embossing machine.)

This was a good challenge, I was so grateful she allowed the use of distress inks!  I can't quite imagine not using those.  I will post the layout tomorrow for you. 

Have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend all!