Never a dull moment around here I tell ya. I am now sporting a pretty black eye after a rough Friday and Saturday. I’m pretty sure this is my first black eye and as much as I’d love to say I was doing something exciting and injured myself, I can’t. Long story short… I took a 1×10 in the face. Yup, you read that right. Later that day Denny fell off the ladder outside while working on our gutters. After that both of us decided to call it a day.

There is a new scrapbook magazine on the horizon. Michigan Scrapbooker is due to debut May 5th. They are targeting the local scrapbook stores and not the big box stores. I know you’ll be able to find it at Scrap Palace too. I’m also very excited to say that I’ll be writing articles for the publication also. The articles will focus around projects step by step with detailed photos. It’s a great opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it. Woo hoo! That being said, I need a photo to go with my byline information, and unless they can use the one I have on hand it will be a little while before I can take a new one… black eye and all, lol.

A few things… sign ups for April Card Kits/Classes is still open. I have one running online this month at MyCreativeClassroom.com and then the usual local stuff. If you are interested in a home card party let me know.

I know, a boring blog update… what can I say? It’s Monday, and I don’t like Mondays!

~j

It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged. I’ve been busy around here and a lot has been going on. I won’t go into it, just stuff. Anyway, I’m here, just pretty much in hiding.

It has been spring break around here so all the kids have been home, and if Ethan hasn’t had friends over here, he has been somewhere else. He’s having fun and enjoys the break but goes back to school on Monday. School on Monday is good because Shelby and I have been working on the whole “potty thing” this week, and one less kid to interact with means I can focus that attention on Shelby getting to the potty in time.

I went out with Michelle to Archivers yesterday. I haven’t shopped in AGES for scrap supplies as I’ve been on a self-imposed use what I have rule. It’s worked out well, and I’ve used up a lot of old stuff. I only bought a couple sheets of paper and a few other things… i.e. Bazzill Chipboard Brackets. Gotta love chipboard, it’s just so versatile. I love raw chipboard myself, I think because it really forces you to dress it up and try new things. Trying new things is always a good thing if you ask me. Challenge yourself people, and comment with a link to your creation, I’d love to see it. Here are some of my favorites:

• Paint it. It’s a tried and true method, and I use it a lot. I paint. I paint and ink. I paint and distress. I paint and outline. The list goes on.
• Glitter it. If you are starting from a raw chipboard base I’d paint the chipboard first in a color to match or compliment your glitter color. If the glitter is thin or doesn’t stick well in one spot or another the paint makes up for that and you can’t tell.
• Add some shine. Any chipboard shape or letter looks nice with some gloss added to it. Someone, and off the top of my head I can’t remember who, (it’s 6am gimme a break), sells chipboard letters already coated with a shine. They are a bit pricey if you ask me so do it yourself. Invest in a bottle of Diamond Glaze or Glossy Accents and coat it on. For this purpose I prefer the Diamond Glaze, but whatever works for you, go for it. I think I’ll talk more about the difference between the two tomorrow, because they are different believe it or not.
• Ink it. You can cover the entire visible portion in one color or stamp all over it, or both. If you are going to stamp it and it’s raw, you might paint it first in a complimenting color.

I was doing my usual blog reading the other day and came across a technique posted on Jana’s blog using a glue pad to make decorative brads. It’s a good tip, but I’ve got a tweak to alter any brad into a custom brad for your projects in no time.

What you’ll need:
Brads
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Adhesive Transfer Sheet
Flocking, glitter, bitty beads, embossing powder, etc. (to cover the tops of the brads)

How to get it done:
Using an Adhesive Transfer Sheet apply adhesive to the top of the brad. Burnish well. Now remove the sheet and simply dip your brad into the flocking (for a velvet brad look), glitter (for some added bling), bitty beads (try this over a colored brad, painted or otherwise for some sparkle and dimension), even use the adhesive to make some embossing powder stick, then heat it up.

I like the Adhesive Transfer Sheets for this versus the glue pad for a number of reasons. First, I’m an instant gratification kinda girl and I don’t want to wait for glue to try. Secondly, in my experience the “grip” of the Adhesive Transfer Sheets is a lot stronger making for less “shedding” of the glitter, flocking, or whatever it is that you are using.

FYI… for those of you that are big Adhesive Transfer Sheet
fans… they are now available in 6″x12″ and 12″x12″ size. These work
great for those of you with electronic cutters and die cut machines!!
The 6″x12″ is perfect for the Cricut!!

Now for a layout share, and keeping with the Adhesive Transfer Sheet
theme I’m going to post some with layouts where I used them. First up, some glittered chipboard…

The word “girl” is plain chipboard covered with a light pink glitter. Sadly, it doesn’t show up very well in the photo. To get this look, place your chipboard FACE DOWN on the transfer sheet. (If you are looking at it all the letters should be backwards.) Burnish well and remove the chipboard from the backing. Now dip or sprinkle the chipboard with the glitter.

Next in line, this layout where I die cut part of the title using a Cricut with the adhesive already on the back of the letters. (The word “BUZZ”)

And one more… Here I used the Adhesive Transfer Sheet to apply transparency items. Specifically the Heidi Swapp Ghost items, (grin, chuckle, smile).

Hopefully that gave you some ideas! Try those sheets, you’re gonna love them. They can be hard to find, so if you can’t track them down let me know and I’ll help you out.

~j

First, I’m still looking for a Stampin’ Up gal… please contact me if you sell it.

Secondly, Shelby and I have been working on using the potty. So far so good. Things are progressing and she seems to be really getting into the “potty party” we all have for her here each time she goes. All the kids dance around and sing… some of the adults too. Shelby thinks it’s fantastic! Hopefully this will keep the ball rolling. All three are going out to the movies tomorrow so she will have some time off from the potty structure, so I don’t know how that will go. Time will tell.

I’ve been prepping for cards. For those of you that needed the kits on the 25th I am sending them Priority Mail vs. First Class so you certainly get them Tuesday in the mail. I had wanted to go first class as I usually do to keep everyone’s shipping costs down, but couldn’t get it all coordinated in time to ship Saturday. (Ethan was off of school on Friday and had a friend over all day, soooo, you know how that goes.) Anyway, I’m good to go now.

We had Easter dinner here again this year. I think Denny and I have always had Easter dinner really. It went well. Food all worked out ok an everyone seemed pretty happy with it. The kids had fun. The Easter bunny brought each of them a season of Sponge Bob Square Pants on DVD. I’m not big on TV so it was a reach for me, but with a big break coming up and the fighting that has been going on here, sometimes I must admit I need it on, I escape to my office, slide the door closed and just sit for a moment and take a deep breath. Then I’m good and can revisit whatever the conflict was. The kids get so little of it that when a tv goes on around here they are so totally in the zone it is as if nothing outside the tv even exists.

I’m sitting here now at 11:30pm waiting for an Ambien to kick in, which I think I feel coming on now. I don’t usually take on unless I know its going to be a bad night… and it is going to be a bad night. Denny has been all over the bed already and given the kick/nudge several times now to stop the snoring. It isn’t working.

Does anyone have a good scrappin technique they want to share? If I can get enough people to post a technique I could send out a prize, woo hoo. Who doesn’t want a prize??? So post a technique in the comments, I’ll find one and use it then award a groovy prize. How about that?

Ok the sleepy haze has started to hit me… no off to scope out a good place to sleep. I’m pretty sure my room is out of the question. Maybe the downstairs couch, it’s always colder down there, which for me makes it more appealing. Although the only time Dilly likes to be close to me is at night so I might go hang out with him in bed. It is all going to depend on how wobbly I am when I stand up here in a second.

Night-ooo

~j

I’m looking for a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator! So if you are one, post a comment, I need a spiral punch! Notice I said, NEED, and not WANT, lol. It’s important to note, that I’m only saying Stampin’ Up because I’ve heard they make one. If you know of someone else, or someplace else, give me a shout.

~j

Denny took me out to the Fondue Room on Saturday night.  We love that place, but holy cow was it busy.  I had made reservations and we still had to wait about 30 minutes or so I’d guess.  Reservation was at 7 and we got out of there a little after 9.  However, as always, it was SOOO worth it.

While we were waiting we wondered around Mt. Clemens to pass the time and dropped into Art-o-Craft.  application card credit mbnacollege student credit card debtuk credit card,card credit secure uk,uk aqua credit cardbank card credit providianbusiness card credit smallcredit card fraud protectioncard credit low rateapproval canada card credit instantcard credit debt reducingconsolidate credit card paymentmy premier credit card accountconsolidating credit card debthsbc credit card applicationinternet credit card processing,internet credit card processing servicessecured credit card applicationdownload metro pcs ringtonesfree cell phone ringtones,free samsung cell phone ringtones,free t mobile ringtones for cell phonedownload mobile mosquito ringtones t,mosquito ringtones,mosquito npr ringtoneskeypress motorola ringtonesfree samsung cell phone ringtones10 caller hotlink ringtones top,hotlink caller ringtones,caller hotlink malaysia maxis ringtonesdownload pc ringtonesnextel mp3 ringtones,free mp3 nextel ringtones,i730 mp3 nextel ringtonesinfo personal polyphonic remember ringtones sagem,info personal polyphonic remember ringtones voice,info personal polyphonic remember ringtonesfree ringtones makercell phone ringtones verizon,phone prepaid ringtones verizon,ringtones for verizon phonedownload free ringtones lgblackberry 7520 ringtones,blackberry ringtones,free blackberry 7250 ringtonesringtones for cingular phone,polyphonic ringtones for cingular phonedownload free ringtones virgin mobileinfo nextel personal remember ringtonescell free lg phone ringtonescingular cell phone ringtonessprint download ringtones,download ringtones for sprint phonesony music box ringtonesalltel free phone ringtonessony ericsson free real ringtones,6030 free nokia real ringtones,free real ringtones24 free ringtonestrac phone ringtonesmake your own free ringtones,free make own ringtones,free make mp3 own ringtonesnextel music ringtoneshot new ringtonesdigi caller ringtonesfree motorola ringtones tracfoneboost free mobile music ringtonesblackberry download free ringtones100 free mobile ringtonesfree nextel real ringtones1600 composer nokia ringtones,ringtones composer,mobile ringtones composer100 free mobile ringtones virgin They have so much stuff packed into that place it’s crazy.  I had been looking around for a new candle melter for awhile and came across this one.  It fits perfect in my kitchen and looks super cute next to my wine bottle lamp that one of the other moms at school made for me.  Notice how car stuff even manages to find it’s way into my kitchen.

As I mentioned yesterday, my car went back to the dealership today.  John came and picked it up last night.  I haven’t heard yet, but I’m sure the service guys eyeballs bigged out of his head when my car showed up unannounced, much to his dismay.  So now, there is this monster car in my garage.  The second I open the door to my garage, (right of the kitchen), I see this:

Honestly, I had forgotten all about it this morning until I opened the door to let the dog out on there it was right in my face.  A scary sight first thing in the morning, opening the door to a car that big about 2 feet in front of your face.    When I parked it I put the log there so I knew how close I had to get to clear the garage door.  So yes, I know there is a log under the car.

I started a layout yesterday, which I didn’t end up finishing, but hope to today.  This marked the first time I’ve scrapbooked at home in uhh, dare I say close to a year.    It felt good and I’m liking the part I have done so far.  Hopefully I’ll be able to share it tomorrow.

No big plans for today really.  We do have dinner plans at the Capital Grille tonight, which I’m looking forward to.  That and I may go up to Dylan’s school today to pick up any papers he has there.  Denny and I decided to pull him out of the school, (his second year of preschool), last week.  They didn’t seem to be covering half of the things that they had covered with Ethan at the other preschool, and frankly, he seemed to have hit his peak of what he was going to get out of it.  So, I’ve been doing projects and workbooks with him at home each morning to help move things along.  I think we probably should have made this decision several months ago, and now I feel like we are behind.  I’m crossing my fingers that things work themselves out by next school year.

That’s all for today… Happy Monday.

~j

First, here is a layout share.  This is an OLD photo of Ethan and Denny at a 4th of July fireworks display.  Judging by the look on Denny’s face I’m sure Ethan is busy explaining something in the sky to Denny that only makes sense to you if your about three.

Technique here is one of my favorites and I’m not sure if I’ve shared it before, but just in case here are the steps/details.  (This works best on dark cardstock!)

You’ll need a VersaMark pad.  I like to use a little cube one for this, but if you have a bigger surface area that full size pad works better, obviously.  Plus, where does it say you only NEED one VersaMark pad??  LOL.  You’ll also need some type of mask.  Here I used a Heidi Swapp “star” mask.

The technique itself is pretty straightforward:

1. place the mask
2. blot the VersaMark Pad over the mask
3. move mask and repeat

Supplies:

• Cardstock: Bazzill Basics
• Embellishments: Fancy Pants Velvet Ribbon, Sweetwater Chipboard
• Adhesives: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L E-Z Runner & 3D Foam Squares
• Misc Supplies: VersaMark, Heidi Swapp Mask

In other news, this past Friday was the Pinewood Derby.  Ethan’s car took 3rd in his Pack.  Way to go Ethan!  Here is a photo of him with his car just after the event. 

He had a good time, and now he and Denny are already hard at work planning how to speed up the car they enter next year.  Now that Denny knows Ethan is “into it,” apparently Denny is going to go all out.  (Which is what I thought went on the first time around, so I’m a little scared to see what exactly “all out” means!)

Ethan also had his model Solar System due on Friday.  Poor Denny and I were stressed out trying to get all his projects wrapped up.  Ethan was a planet painting fool for two days.  FYI, styrofoam is a. far more costly than one might think, and b. soaks up A LOT of paint.

My motto around here, which I’m told I inherited, is “if you are going to do it, then do it right.” LOL.  So here is the solar system model we came up with.  I took this photo right before Denny trimmed off the rod that all the planets spin around.  Denny thinks we should try to sell it on ebay to some other second grade parent overwhelmed with projects.    And yes, the sun does light up.

My Buick goes back to the dealer again on Monday.  Our friend, and favorite car salesman, John is coming to pick it up sometime today and dropping off a loaner for me to use while he takes the car in.  Poor John works for the Cadillac dealer and got me my Buick via another dealership and now he’s suck with the darn thing.  This will be visit three for the car, second visit for the same thing.  Three separate issues with the car in total though.  I think we got a bad seed if you ask me.  On the upside… John is taking my poopy Buick, and leaving me with a nice Escalade.  John is just too good to me.   Too bad I don’t have to leave the house for much this week, lol.

~j

Ginger tagged me the other day… so here are my 7 random factiods!

1.) I have a mustard phobia, lol. I can’t look at it, smell it, see people eat it, etc. Denny asks if he can put it on his food before he does it if I’ll be present and generally I have to leave the room. I have no idea why, just the idea makes me gag. Ok, I’m bothered already. Yuck!

2.) I’m a coupon-aholic. I have a grocery shopping ritual down to only going twice a month and using enough coupons to save me right around $100.00 each trip. Each time I go it’s a challenge to myself to see how much I can save, lol. Sad the things that excite me isn’t it. Anyway, then I come home and show Denny and he acts all proud of me. Frankly, I don’t think he gives a rats-patootie, but at least he fakes it. Last week I saved $109.00 I think. The check out lady really loves me – NOT.

3.) My first baby, Mr. Ethan, was 9lbs, 15 ozs. and I gained 70 lbs. Enough said.

4.) I like to iron. I iron on vacation. I iron baby clothes. Apparently, at least according the Michelle, it isn’t normal behavior.

5.) I’ve been in love with my hubby since I was 16. And I met him while riding in what we affectionately call the Barbie Corvette. It was pink, seriously, Barbie pink.

6.) I really enjoy being alone. It doesn’t happen often, but I could easily go out to dinner and sit all by myself and have a REALLY good time. And no, I don’t talk to myself! It may, subconsciously, be why I love my Fiero so much. Only two seats. Although, as I found out in High School, you’d really be shocked how much you can fit in the sucker.

7.) My favorite band: Barenaked Ladies. I have shirts from concerts that will never fit around my body again, that I hang on to just for the memories. They are in the drawer right next to my “skinny jeans.” Come on, you all have that drawer!!

Onto the next tagging victim… Sarah, Jana, & Jamie!

~j

As I said yesterday, I scrapbooked some this weekend and I think it helped give me a kick in the fanny to get more done around here. Maybe I just needed the theraputic downtime. Who knows! But today has got to be the first day in moths I’ve been in my office and gotten some things done. So I’ve scanned some layouts that I have been sitting here, and managed to pull up the dates for some of the ones I had yet to mark, (I try to date everything).

So without further ado…

Supplies

• Printed Paper: I so totally don’t remember. If someone knows, please drop me a line. It has shimmer and sparkle to it if that helps.
• Cardstock: Bazzill Basics and Prism Papers
• Adhesives: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L – E-Z Runner, Craft & Photo Tape, White Photo Corners
• Misc Embellishments: American Crafts Thickers, Heidi Swapp Jewels, Doodlebug Jewels, May Arts Ribbon, Stickles, ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink, Prima Flowers, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Basic Grey Chipboard, Ranger Paint

Technique Tip:
Altering Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Classic Paper Photo Corners. I altered my photo corners using Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist to give them a pretty shimmer, (hard to see if not impossible in the scan). I’m a bling addict so this is the perfect touch for me. A similar effect can be accomplished by applying PearlEx to the Photo Corners too!

I’ve also uploaded them to the gallery and put some of the February cards up. Less the ones pending publication.

Enjoy!

~j

I know this may come as a shock, lol, but I actually scrapbooked yesterday. It wasn’t work related, or class related, and it was actually for ME. I know, I know, I always SAY I’m going to set aside time to do something for myself, then I never do it. Yesterday was finally my chance. I don’t think I’ve done anything entirely for myself since maybe November sometime.

Anyway, I went for the day to a crop in Brooklyn. And yes, Pierina, Brooklyn MICHIGAN. I was lucky enough not to be the one driving, (thank you Cheryl), so I was all around pretty spoiled yesterday. I got to crop all day, I didn’t have to drive, I didn’t have to cook and I walked away with some cool prizes. I had a good time and met some nice people too. Sadly, the day did have to come to an end and today I’m pooped out. It doesn’t help that today was the dreaded “spring” forward clock ritual that is daylight savings time. Uhhh, spring forward my butt… I had to scrape ice off my car windshield last night. If I haven’t mentioned it a million times before… I hate winter.

I had some things picked up for publication last week. Two cards, which were from the last card class, and two layouts. Some are for a special birthday edition of Ready! Set! Create! and I’m not sure when the exact release date is for that. I’ll post them though after all the issues are released.

So far today I’ve spent the last couple hours watching Denny work on Ethan’s pinewood derby car. Considering Denny works in the auto fabrication industry, specifically in auto racing and modification, this is really his idea of a good time. Ethan just wants it to look cool, and Denny wants the thing to go so fast that it won’t sit still long enough to look cool. Right now the two of them are testing out the wheel alignment across the wood floor in the kitchen.  Sadly for Denny the rules adopted by Ethan’s pack don’t seem to allow for much, if any modification at all. At least not any FUN modification. As a side note, for a childs pinewood derby car, you wouldn’t believe some of the suggestions he has come up with to reduce the friction and give him, err, Ethan the gravitational advantage. There are other people in Ethan’s pack that read this, so I can’t give away any of the “Team Dera” secrets.

Ok I have to go supervise the racing team here. Tomorrow I’ll post some project scans and some of the February cards. As I said earlier, I can’t post them all here, so if you need any photos from the February class, please email me directly.

~j

P.S. We are still looking for people to join us at our Scrap Palace weekend this summer. This is NOT a full service weekend, unlike the regular non-stop pampering that goes on at Scrap Palace, we will be taking turns cooking/preparing meals. At any rate, if you are interested in the $$ involved, email me privately! (Thursday-Sunday stay in June)