WeScrap.com is Busy!!

*Please note that if you are currently on more than 2 DTs, you are ineligible to play. Sorry.


Check it out HERE!

The Sun Is Actually Out!

Yes, I think that ball in the sky is actually the sun! Amazing! Since the weather is finally not too bad here today, the kids and I went over to see a friend that Kyle went to preschool with and who now goes to the same school (though they're not in the same class). They have a trampoline, so the kids had fun outside playing for a bit and then we went in to play as well since it's still not really that warm. Maria, the mum, and I had a nice visit as well. Nice morning!

The little ones are down for a nap and I need to go jump in the shower! Kyle is busy with a project for Sophia - he's making her a crown! I'm teaching this evening, so I think I have my kits and everything in my bag ready to go as soon as George gets home later. I have a full class - or as full as I have materials for which is 10! Should be fun!

These are the layouts we'll be doing in class tonight, so it's some fun birthday stuff with some hand stitching techniques to play with! I just love that Creative Imaginations numbered paper!

Well, better run for now since I have a limited amount of time while the kids are napping!
Cheers,

Ribbon Pleating Tutorial

OK, so this is a layout I taught in a class recently and one of the techniques on it is the ribbon pleating which can, of course, be done on layouts or cards and adds a nice bit of detail and texture. I've found what seems to be a quick little technique for doing this that I thought I'd share...

First, the best thing about this technique is that you really only need some ribbon and glue dots to do this. I recommend a slightly weighted ribbon so that you're not fussing with it too much. If you use something like taffeta, you'll just have to play with it a little more, but it most certainly can be done.

You're just going to fold over the size of the pleat you want and put the glue dot as close to the outer edge as you can get it. Once you've done that, I just finger press the ribbon a little, but I prefer not to completely flatten it since the reason I like this technique is that it gives some dimension.

Next, you're going to put another glue dot just under the top piece of ribbon to help keep things neat and so that it doesn't pop up on you when you're trying to do more pleats.

Then, you're just going to pick up the ribbon again and fold it into the size of pleat you want and put another glue dot under the outer edge where you want the pleat to go (what would be the right side of the pleat in this picture). Here you can see where I left the glue dot under that edge and then you'd finger press again and put another glue dot under that left piece that's up.

***Fold your ribbon and lay it where you think you want it to check the size of the pleat before you add the glue dot. I don't mind my pleating to be different sizes, but if you're worried about making the pleats the same, check before you glue dot!

In this picture, you can see that I put a magnet on the right side of this since it's not adhered to a page or anything. If it's going on something, you can at this point either start putting glue dots under it to get it to stick on the bottom or I actually use the double sided Sookwang tape. The Therm-O-Web Permanent SuperTape works as well. The tape is nice because you put a strip down and then just keep pressing the ribbon against it as you get it where you want it.

Things to try:

- rather than using glue dots, you can actually sew the pleats down by machine or by hand

- you can use staples to adhere for a funkier look

- play with different kinds of ribbon and you'll soon find your favs for this technique!

- use a ruler to measure the folds as you do them if you want them all exactly the same

Well, hope this helps those of you that might want to play with this a little! I know this is one of those things that I love playing with and the more you do it, the easier it gets!

Cheers,

Use It! Challenge Card

OK, so an online friend, Rae Barthel, has recently started a challenge blog called Use It! Challenges. I didn't end up playing the first week, but when I saw her card this morning and she said that today was the last day, I knew I wanted to try something for this challenge today!

The challenge for this week was from last week's winner - Danni. The challenge was to use spring colours, 4 flowers and a tag of some kind. OK, so first of all, these are so not my colours, so I had to go through my stash a bit looking for paper from last Easter when I did some cards with this gorgeous Imaginesce line and then the rest was bits that were honestly just on my table! The labels were done with the Noteworthy MM Slice card and the tag on this is actually the butterfly hence the slightly bigger hole on the top of the wing on the one side. I know you can't see it in the picture, but I outlined the butterfly and the holes on the wings with my Spica pen too for a little added bling!

This is a little different than the kinds of cards I usually do, but I love the result! Thanks for the challenge ladies!

Cheers,

Wahoooooo!!!

OK, I think I mentioned before that I had been called for jury duty for a criminal trial that was expected to last about 40-50 days. As per the instructions, I sent in a letter citing financial hardship what with not being able to take care of the boys and Sophia as well as having to pay someone to care for them on top of that!

We were supposed to show up this coming Monday and I still hadn't heard anything as of today, so I started making some phone calls. I found out that the trial has actually been cancelled for the time being though I don't know the reason and that letters telling us not to worry about coming were in the mail. Hey, as long as I don't have to be there on Monday, it's all good!!

Wahoo! I'm so glad I don't have to think about that now and what I was going to have to do with the boys since George will be back at work next week!

Anyway, a few minutes of quiet around here since George has taken the boys for haircuts. Hope that goes OK since Nathan has a big fit last time and wouldn't let the barber cut his hair. Needless to say, it looks somewhat like a mop right now since Kyle and George are ready for another haircut!

Think I'll go get a celebratory second cup of coffee and then see if I can't scrap a little this morning while they're gone!

Cheers,

Call Me!

OK, maybe not everyone since I don't have enough minutes on my plan for that... lol I'm totally in love with my new toy - a new cell! Still figuring out all the fun stuff it'll do, but we went on Monday and George and I both got new phones and it's a good thing because my old one was giving up on me. Half the time when I flipped it closed, it would shut itself off!

Anyway, George and I picked different phones this time since he needs to have a sturdy one because he carries it in his pocket all day at work. I got a fancy one that does more than I need it to to be honest!

I do have some more pics of what we've been up to on our rainy Spring Break here, but I need to get some sleep since it's George's day to sleep in tomorrow!!

Cheers,

Interesting Day at Work...

Well, things we moving along as usual at work and we were actually fairly busy when we got a little bit of a surprise at work today... a power outage!! At first it flickered a couple of times and we thought it might come back on, but no such luck. We called the store owners and they came down with receipt books and we did some handwritten receipts. The joy of modern technology without power! We were open for another hour or so after the power went out though not too many people stayed. Some left purchases and said they'd be back later for them...

Apparently the power didn't come on for about 3 and a half hours and it was because of a fire, a power station blowout and a 3 car MVA all in the same area though I don't know what happened first or which was linked to which. After the power went out, we did hear a lot of emergency vehicles and one customer said she'd find out what was going on and come back and let us know. Well, I found out afterwards that she's a police officer and she did come and let us know that all of that had been going on within about a block, so I guess it's all somehow related.

We have also had quite the weather day with just about everything you can imagine. It's really windy and rainy out there right now, but we had snow, wind, sun, rain and real cold! You'd sure never know it was Spring Break judging by the weather!

Came home and started watching the Canucks only to wake up on the sofa with about a minute to go and find them winning thankfully! A relaxing evening and it'll be nice to have George off all week this week! And tomorrow is my turn to sleep in!! Yeah!

Cheers,

Challenge Card!

OK, so this was intended to be a card for today's challenge over at 365 Cards Challenge Blog, but after doing it, I realized it was also supposed to be a birthday card! I only got the colour part of the challenge which was Red, Blue and Yellow. Oh well, I used a bunch of scraps and came up with a quick card I really like. Even the debossed piece was in my stash of scraps!

Cheers,

A Couple of New Challenge Blogs to Check Out!

If you're looking for a little inspiration, you might want to try checking out at least one of these. A couple are new and a couple are new to me!

1. 365 Cards
2. Use It!
3. Scrap the Boys
4. Mix It Up!!!
5. The Creative Type

Hope these help your mojo a little and let me know if you try any of the challenges! I'd love to see! I'm hoping to try a few too, but I'm working tonight and the next 3 days, so we'll see what I can get done!

Cheers,

Too funny!

Click on the cartoon for a larger/clearer image!
Cheers,

My Canucks!

Yes, here we are getting to that time of year when we need to talk about the standings and the playoffs. It's been fun watching the Canucks for the last month or so on this run that they're on and I'm on of those fans that sticks with them through thick and thin, so there was no doubting from me that they'd be back after that skid early in the year!

The Canucks currently find themselves in 5th spot in the Western Conference standings, but we have some games to go here and a lot could happen in this conference yet! They only got one point tonight, but we're on again for Friday (though I'll be at work!). Makes for lots of interesting games this time of year!

Go Canucks Go!

Went to help out in Kyle's class this morning and had his student-lead conference. It was interesting to hear him tell me all about his class and the things he likes. Came home and had a relatively relaxing day since I'm still getting over this cold, but it certainly is better than last night!

Cheers,

Achoo...

Yes, it appears I didn't start the Cold FX early enough and I now seem to have a head cold going on though it's not horrible yet. Supposed to be helping in Kyle's class in the morning, so have to see how I feel then! In the mean time, I need sleep!

Of course the -6 degree weather we had this morning didn't help either I'm sure!

Cheers,

Scrapdango DT Call!

Scrapdango Design Team Search March 2009

Scrapdango is looking for enthusiastic artists to join its Design Team. Scrapdango is a monthly scrapbook kit club with exciting scrapbook kits and products from leading manufacturers. If you love scrapbooking and want to be on our Design Team, then please apply.

Design Team Applications are due no later than midnight March 28th, 2009. Announcements will be made shortly after this. Our new designers will cover a six-month term beginning in April 2009.

What We Are Looking For:
We are looking for the following characteristics in our Design Team Members:
*Leadership qualities
*Enthusiastic artists
*Design originality
*Unique Style
*Ability to create layouts with a range of skill from more basic to more advanced
*Creative use of products and the ability to use the kit materials but also think out of the box
*Ability to use a variety of styles and use new and up-to-date techniques
*Ability to work within timelines and under pressure
*Scrappers who are highly involved in online scrapbooking communities with a wide reach to promote Scrapdango
*Ability to create layout sketches
*Active participation on our Scrapdango Forum. Only those applicants who join and participate on our Message Board will be considered. We want to have an opportunity to get to know you and for you to get to know our online community. This will help to assure a good fit. (Please do not join our kit club during the application process – it is not a determining factor in the selection process.)


DT Expectations:
*Designers are required to submit a minimum of 3 layouts and an altered project or two-three cards each month. At least one of the layouts each month must be a two-page spread. Layouts need to be done in time for the mid-month reveal on the 15th of each month. Occasionally time lines are short due to product availability but typically design members have 2-3 weeks to prepare their designs. We prefer 12X12 layouts.

*Active and engaging member of our Message Board with regular posts (average meaning minimum 25 posts per week). We are looking for people who are able to keep the board moving with fresh ideas, positive interaction and an engaging attitude. DT are also responsible for moderating a specific section of the forum.

*Our DT members have leadership responsibilities and our team includes Kit Planner, DT Coordinator, DT Leader, Newsletter Editor, Blog and Activities Coordinator, Forum Administrator.

*Visit and leave messages on member blogs (average 1 member blog each week).

*Participation and coordination of online crop events for Scrapdango.

*Use Scrapdango in signature line with other groups and message boards, as allowed.

*Identify Scrapdango Kit in any layout posted or published.

*Contribute at least one article and tips and techniques for our monthly newsletter during your six-month commitment.

*Provide a sketch for one of your layouts each month - if not a sketch, detailed instructions for completing layout.

*You agree to release the rights of your designs to Scrapdango for display on the company web site, forum and in company materials and publications.

*Must be 18 years of age or older.

The term will run from April 1, 2009 until September 31, 2009

Each Design Team Member receives a full kit (either Sugar or Spice) to create with each month. Leadership positions are compensated with additional product.

For info on how to apply, check out the thread on the message board HERE! Carrie is great to work for, the forums are fun and the kits are fabulous!

Cheers,

Is it really March?

Yes, this really was what I drove home from work in today! Here it is March and we moved the clocks forward last night, but Mother Nature doesn't really care what the calendar says. I didn't have any problem getting home, but because it snowed quite a lot in a short period of time, the bridge closest to us was apparently brutal. So bad that they actually closed it for about an hour to get it cleared, sanded and salted. Thankfully, I didn't need to go over it to get home!

So yes, we moved the clocks ahead last night and I missed my hour of sleep and yet here I am up late tonight when I should be sleeping. I sometimes just enjoy my bit of time to myself in the evenings after everyone else has gone to bed. It's not like I've just been sitting around either since I picked up the living room and did some other chores. More to be done tomorrow though too!

Kyle is having school pictures done tomorrow, so I just have to remember in the morning when we're picking out his clothes. They're calling for possibly more snow again tomorrow, so I guess we'll be putting the boots and mitts on again!

Well, better call it a night I guess. It wasn't particularly an exciting day what with being up early with the boys and work and some chores and stuff tonight, but it just seems to be one of those days that I'll go to bed happy and grateful that I have so many things to be thankful for in my life...

Cheers,

New Printer!

Not too much exciting going on today since I actually worked all afternoon. Had a slightly slower start to the day and got a few things done at home before heading off to work Stopped for a couple of errands on my way and then worked 1-6:30pm. I'm learning how to close too, so that's something new to learn.

On my way home, I stopped and looked at getting a new printer. The one we have doesn't owe us anything by any means and something in it just won't print cleanly anymore. I talked to George about getting a new one since I made some money teaching the other night and we decided to put that towards a new printer. As with everything, it was a little more than I had planned, but I'm happy with the new Canon PIXMA MP620 we got and love that I can just plug my card from my camera in it! I don't print all my pictures from home, but some for sure, especially in irregular sizes. George started to hook it up tonight, but it was more work than he thought, so tomorrow!

I also stopped and got Indian food for dinner since it was right next door to where I wanted to look for the printer. Went in and ordered my dinner first, went and got the printer and dinner was done! Awesome too!

Need to get to bed since I have ANOTHER headache here tonight... Every time I think it's gone, it seems to come back!

Cheers,

Scrap Me Up Reveal!

Supplies: Cardstock is WorldWin DoubleMates and Bazzill. Patterned paper is Creative Imaginations and Basic Grey. Stickers are October Afternoon. Lettering is Basic Grey stickers and American Crafts Thickers. Distress ink is Palette Burnt Umber.

OK, so this is the layout that I mentioned and gave the sneak for yesterday. I'm very happy to say that Ginni was excited about what I had done with her pictures here and that was the best thing I could have asked for. Had fun with this one though working with someone else's pictures is a little stressful too!

I'm afraid I had a massive headache again all day so it turned out to be a good thing that one of the girls wanted to switch shifts with me tonight. I would have gone, but wouldn't have been a happy camper. I have a bunch of things that need doing, but I think the only thing I might be able to do at this point is sleep...

Cheers,

Scrapdango Scrap Me Up

The design team at Scrapdango has been working with pictures from other people on the board for something called Scrap Me Up! It's been fun working with Ginni's pictures, so this is just a little sneak and tomorrow will be the reveal for this and all of the design team layouts!

Was feeling a little off all day today, but managed to feel good enough to go and teach my class tonight and had a lot of fun with it! I really am glad to be back doing a little teaching again.

I was supposed to be working tomorrow night, but another girl asked me to switch with her, so I'll be doing scrappy stuff at home and will work her Saturday shift instead. All good!

Better go get some needed sleep...
Cheers,

Busy Creating...

No time for blogging tonight since I'm madly getting some scrapping done! Be back soon with something to show you I hope!

Cheers,

Good news kinda day!

So yesterday we got a couple of bits of not so fab news...
- our neighbour said they were having water come up in their yard and since the water lines for their house and ours run parallel, he didn't know if it was theirs or ours that had the problem
- our TV also blew up!

Now, today was a different story!
- found out the water issue isn't ours (*though sorry for our wonderful neighbours too)
- went out to look at getting a new cell phone and came home with a 40" TV!

What a difference a day makes!

Oh and before I go, can I just comment on The Bachelor for those of you that have been watching. Now, I was quite excited when I saw that Jason was the Bachelor this season, but with that ending tonight, all I can think is "what a putz"! I know he said "live in the moment with no regrets", blah blah blah, and I admit that I don't know what's happened between he and Melissa, but he doesn't seem like he was working at their relationship that hard after actually proposing to her. And then he dumps her on TV?? I hope that was staged and not the actual dumping. Putz!

Anyway, better get to bed!
Cheers,


PS Went for my massage today and the headache is better though not 100% gone...

Massive headache...

Between my sinuses and my neck bothering me, I have a headache the size of Texas...enough said!

Cheers,