And yeah...I still do

From the last two SiStv kits (Kristina Contes and Autumn Bliss)

Treelover (Autumn Bliss)



Take Off (Autumn Bliss)



Signs of Fall (Autumn Bliss)


Outside the Box (Autumn Bliss)

Miscomm C7215 (Kristina Contes SiS Collection)

K.I.T. (Kristina Contes SiS Collection)

Jump Crawl Push Hike Play (Kristina Contes SiS Collection)

Give Thanks Cards (Autumn Bliss)

Get Me Home (Kristina Contes SiS Collection)

Fresh Cut (Kristina Contes SiS Collection)

Boy Genius (Kristina Contes SiS Collection)

Almost...

...done. Lots of fun stuff going postal.

Mom by choice, sent me the absolute BEST box of love like you don't even know.
Mom with the mostest, supposedly the book you want is in the mail. Depending on when I get that, I'll either forward it as is for your lovely wall of shame OR if I have time I'll rescue the madness and make it into a Blurb book.

On the scrap by choice front...lots going on there. Time to photograph and start sharing again--three kits, two packages (thank you Wilna for the generous box of goodness), a way WAY older package that I totally just want to pull out for the fun of it.

Given that I've pretty much got the wedding all designed up, just need a date. Preferably in 2008, but 2009...would definitely give me lots more time to scrap.

Really...

...this shouldn't count. But I am a woman obsessed. Obsessed with getting things off my to do list. So last night, I went out and bought a few things. To start on maybe finally thinking about doing an invitation. Or some save the dates. Which is kinda hard cause I don't have dates pinned down to save, but that isn't the point. My point is that I want the style and colors nailed down so that I know what my invite will look like and can do the save the dates from there. Yeah...I'm ambitious. Doing my own invitations. This is a disaster waiting to happen. I know this...but still I persist. I just really REALLY want to transfer the excess funds from that over to something far more important to me in the budget so I took a deep breath and said I could do it. Now to only do it. Theme, color, design all notwithstanding. Maybe tonight I'll get to actually scrap. Long day ahead (back to work finally...in the office) so maybe not. Mushroom garden rolls today...yummy.

And How it went down (scrap life)

It was the hardest decision I ever in my LIFE had to make.  Fighter that I am, champion of tug of wars world wide, a very dear, wise friend said to me (well, wrote to me) three simple words.  And as such:

Greetings to one and all,
I apologize for my absence, but from all the posts written about me I am sure you can understand that most of these boards, private messages and emails have been the last place I've wanted to spend much time lately. Whether on purpose or not some of you have said some very mean statements about me that I feel are totally untrue and I can't begin to tell you the pain I have gone through and witnessed others go through over the last couple of weeks. I apologize if something I have said or done has in some way done any of you or anyone any wrong. This is and has never been my intention.

As someone who spent a bit too much time learning the theory behind communication, I am really sad that so many of my posts were interpreted incorrectly. It looks like I need to go out and spend some money brushing up with some practical communication courses instead of spending so much on scrap supplies (smile). I will not go further into detail on the misinterpretations because from the fire storm of comments that have been made it has been proven that anything I say will be twisted, misconstrued and then held against me and this was not what I expected or was hoping for when I made those original posts. In the context of being asked how someone COULD do something and how I DID do it, there was a lot of liberty used in interpreting my statements by not only connecting the wrong dots, but creating dots that do not even exist. This whole episode would be a perfect case study for that communication course I would love to take.

To all those that have supported me through this whole ordeal, I send out my warmest thoughts. I will never be able to express to you how valuable you have been in helping me to keep my sanity. Helping me keep my faith in the "industry." Helping me to realize that in the bigger picture, this isn't what scrapbooking is about. This isn't what I'm about.

For those that truly know me I feel very comfortable that you know I have very high moral values. When I entered the HOF contest and throughout this ordeal, I 110% felt that I was following all the rules and in no way felt that I was going to somehow slide something by someone. I also don’t believe any of the other HOF winners would intentionally violate any rules set out by CK in an effort to game the system. And above all else, I believe CK is a highly reputable company and would never jeopardize their reputation by intentionally overlooking rules for any contestant or entry when there are so many fantastically talented, reputable, ready women and men who could have just as easily been HOF on any given day.

With that said I will raise the white surrender flag and officially announce that I have withdrawn my HOF entry for 2007. This was a very hard decision, but when I stepped back and looked at the bigger picture, at what scrapbooking and sharing memories was becoming, this was clearly the right decision for me, for the contest, and for the sake of us continuing to be able to share our memories with friends and family. With each other. As a wise woman passed on knowledge from her mother to me, in this tug of war, it is time to put down the rope.

Again after all that has taken place I am hesitant to post. Agree or disagree with my decision, I do hope you will have a blessed day. Or at least a somewhat happier day. I hope this will bring you some closure. I hope you will keep perspective. I hope you’ll be inspired by the fantastic work presented in the HOF book this year and for the years to come. I hope you will keep on scrapping and sharing. I know that is exactly my plan…to keep on scrapping and sharing. To keep perspective.

Much love and then some.

An inch to save a mile. And to meet some amazing people in the process and become closer than I ever imagined to others.  Lots more than much love to ya'll.  Or is that ya'lls?  Yalls's?  I'm in Texas (home) and the "ya'll" debate is in full force tonight...

Back to scrappin'.  Get home this weekend, get to play in all sorts of paper.  My scraproom misses me lots!  I miss it even more.

9.18 Tidbit Tuesday

Yes...it is a bit behind.

But I'm committed to getting them back on track.

With that, Tidbit Tuesday for 9.18.

One down, three more to post. Enjoy!

Can you See Me now?

Cause if you can't...best watch out now.

If you can, a few quick notes.

Yes, there will be a Tidbit Tuesday tomorrow. Have yet to figure out the whole "what do you do when your laptop crashes on the road and you can't post bit", but for now, I'll double up with Tidbits when I am in town for when I'm gone. Because I'm going to be gone for a whole lot of time coming up, I anticipate getting everything set up and I think (hopefully) I can time when I post posts and they will forever more pop up on Tuesdays. We shall see.

In the meantime, want a clue as to what last Tuesdays Tidbit was? All "write" then...you know...maybe not after all (smile).

If you pre-ordered they are in the mail. Everything through the mono Tidbits (last ones posted) has been shipped off. Let me know if you don't get your order by Friday.

On other tips, made it to Round 3 of the Bad Girls contest...still strugglin' up a simple layout for the Dares Part2 without going too simple. We shall see. Tally Scrapper also has a survivor contest that I've been spreadin the point love on...now I just need to get my layout posted there as well.

Here's hoping you can see me now and this blog is no longer private (hint, hint Blogger).

Tidbit Tuesday 9.11

So it is that time of week again right? Tidbit Tuesday!

This week it is a set of stamped, grungy, blinged out mini-monograms. I even hand cut them out for you. You get a set of 4. They're about 2 inches on any longest side...good for creating titles, using as embellishments...fun stuff.



$2 for each set, shipping is $1 total for up to 7 sets in the same envelope. Above 7 sets, (or shipped separately to different folks) let me know before you paypal so that I can update your shipping estimate.



henderso@seattleu.edu for paypal. Get em fast--we did have the foaming flowers through yesterday, but those are all out now too. Thanks so very much from the bottom of my heart for keeping me on my toes and on track here.



Oh and yeah--if you prepaid for sets ahead of time, I send out immediately the current set but for future sets, I usually hold off to have at least two sets ready to go for you so that I can combine your shipping. So dont' worry if we sell out here and you've prepaid--that takes into account the sets we've set aside for you as well.



Again, thanks so much everyone! Keep those emails coming!

Bernadette

DT Applications: 10 tips

Okay...so we'll try a pictureless version of this and see how it goes. Here are ten tips I tell folks when applying to law school, applying for jobs and cause this is the way I view it, I think it applies for design team try outs also. I'm by no means a pro. But I've been blessed with more than my fair share of success (and failure--see tip #1) in my scrapping journey. So here it goes!

#10. You can't make the team if you don't show up to try outs. Simply put, be on time. If you're auditioning for the softball team, you don't show up the day after try outs and ask them to make an exception to let you try out for the "team". There is no "i" in team (you know, you know....) but there IS an "i" in exception. If you're expecting one, you're setting a tone you don't want to set that says "I'm a dIva" (yes capital "I") and I expect you to accomodate me.

#9. You won't make the dance team if you show up to auditions without your game face on. Okay...this is going back to high school dance team (I'm from TX) but every girl knew you didn't go to try out day without perfect hair and perfect makeup. Same with DTs. Make sure your submission is flawless. Check your spelling (almost all teams now want some sort of brief writing sample--ie a bio). Make sure your photos are photographed/scanned/copied well.

#8. You won't get most jobs if you don't fill out the whole application. That means don't forget your supply lists. It doesn't have to be as rigid and detailed as in a mag, but at the very least, for each submission sample, give a brief 1-2 line summary. That summary should include the title, if the piece has been published or is going to be published, what was the purpose of the piece and at least a couple notes on obvious/noticable materials. And yes, if you're applying to a DT and you're not trying to niche yourself into the one or two "fresh face" spots, then your work leading up to that application should have a "purpose" beyond scrapping just for you. Remember...you're applying for a job and that job is to market product. That takes many forms from getting published to doing work for tradeshows to creating work for others (even if it is "just" a gift for someone--it has a purpose).

#7. Most jobs require a resume. Personalize and keep your's up to date. No...I'm not talking a "scrapbook resume" from that site, although I do have one there myself. But with Blogger nowadays, you can do something very similar for free. Essentially, have an easy to read running balance of all you are doing. On my resume I did some really simple formatting. If you're struggling because you think "I have no pubs, I'm not on any teams...I just need to catch a break." well read on to number 6.

#6. Give yourself a break. Most folks get frustrated with all the same people making design teams. They make teams because they have a consistent body of work that people can go to and say "I need x by then" and it happens. Get yourself your own break by seeking out opportunities to work under deadlines and consistently produce under other people's parameters. There are lots of challenge blogs, online message board contests, ezines and the likes out there. Try some of those out. As you start getting "published" in the zines (I only say it like that because I'm old school and it took some hard convincing for me to embrace this, but I think of publication more traditionally as "in paper"), you build up a body of work and have info for your resume. If you have NOTHING on your resume, you really may not be ready to try for a particular kind of DT (ie Memory Makers Masters or Scenic Route...one of the "huge showing" calls) at this moment. Doesn't mean you'll NEVER be or that you shouldn't even try. But just go into it knowing that it is a long shot unless you really have and can convey #5. In the meantime, you might be better served beefing up your own resume (instead of fretting other's) by trying for online dt's...etc.

#5. Be passionate, not fake. Be passionate about a company, site, blog BEFORE the design team call goes out and (most importantly in the eyes of authenticity) AFTER the team is announced and you're not on it. If you really love a product, site or blog, it will show in your actions, not your words. You'll be active on the boards (if possible/applicable) well before the call is announced and you'll stay put after the call ends. You'll use their products in your layouts before and after the call. If you are passionate and not fake, it really shows and can make that difference between two equally talented scrapbookers vying for that last shot on the team.

#4. Sell yourself. Well...not like that. But really focus on what it is the team needs (almost every call puts pretty clearly what will be expected of team members) and outline how you can fulfill their needs in detail. I tend to go line by line--must be able to post layouts in online forums...I mention that I'm active (and give them links where they can easily see my gallery and info on my activity) on specific message boards. Go line by line. Match your skill set to their needs. That is key--THEIR needs, YOUR skill set. Match them together with concrete examples beyond "I can fulfill your DT needs."

#3. You sure are talented...so is she. Just remember it isn't (more times than not) about the talent. So you shouldn't necessarily submit your three-five best/favorite pieces. You should pick the 3-5 that best convey a sense of what you can do on the team. While I'm all for getting product specific, if the call does not SPECIFICALLY tell you to use just their materials, use what you like and are GOOD AT but also take time to push yourself. That means starting well before the deadline. More specifically, I'm saying if they want 3-5 examples of your work and they are a company that sells paper, embies, stamps and pens and you only have some of their paper, dont' submit 5 examples using just their paper. Submit 1 or 2 to showcase your use of their product, but then use the stamps you DO have to show what you can do with stamps. Use the other embies you DO have to show what unique ways you can use similar embies. If you truly want to push yourself for a bigger team, understanding the requirements of the team can easily be replicated in real time--just make sure to create all new layouts for the call and maybe even go hunting for that obscure object that you're supposed to use on a page but somehow can no longer find. That will go a long way to pushing you to "experience" what life will be like on the actual team (tight deadlines, not executing just as you thought that idea would and so having to go out and find another set of buttons to retry your idea...etc.) and if you're ready to do that.

#2. Your looks will only get you so far. That said, I think 99.9% of life is in the presentation. Pay as much attention to your presentation as the layouts themselves. I promise the extra time is absolutely worth it especially if there are bigger calls with a bigger turnout where you really need to be able to stand out from the crowd.

#1. Keep trying. Only you can decide this but I have a threshold where I say something along the lines of "I need to 'make' x number out of the y number of things I try for." I use the threshold as a gauge of where my "talent" fits into the field at the moment. I do this by adjusting the teams/contests/etc. I try for to make sure I hit those x and y numbers. For example, if my threshold is that I need to make good on 1 out of every 3 things I try for, then I apply accordingly. Meaning, if I've tried for 2 whatevers and not made it, my third try is NOT going to be for Hall of Fame or Memory Makers Master. I make my own determinations (as you should with your's) in regards to what is "not likely" on an individual basis. But for me, I wouldn't try HOF on a third. Some folks would, could, should and have it like that. I don't. My parameters. Dig deep in your soul for own.

On this Afternoon...

...well...really on yesterday evening, I came to find that I made the October Afternoon Design Team. As if that was not exciting enough (smile), I found out who a few of my team mates are and I am in heaven. Now that I have actually had the opportunity to meet people in person on my teams--especially SiStv, it is hard for anything to match that. But a lot of my fellow sisters are on the team and I even have a Fashionista Partna in Crime! How cool is THAT?

That said, I got asked by a couple of folks and it was a no brainer for me to comply. They wanted to know "Girl, what DO you do to get on the teams?" Yeah you gotta have talent (which I think is so relative and lots more people have this than they think they do). Yeah, you should use some of that team's product. No I ain't no pro--far from it. But a bit of something to help ya along in the design team application process. Soon as blogger decides to not take 4 hours to upload my photos. I'll come back and try to try again. But in the meantime, here's the altered project I submitted with my OA application. Thanks for looking!

Don't forget to check out the

September 4, Tuesday Tidbit!

Tidbit Tuesday 9.04

Tuesday Tidbits #2: September 4, 2007:

Foaming Flowers.

$2 each set of 2 plus $1 shipping (which will ship up to two sets).

If you want more than two sets, email me first at henderso@seattleu.edu so that I can make sure I have what you want.

First come first served. I did make twice as much as last week so hopefully I don't run out as quickly this time. I thank you all so much for all the really GREAT support of this.

Have a great day after Labor Day!

TidBit Tuesday 8.24

So...I finally have gotten back to playing again. Just making stuff for the fun of it. Well almost. One year. One year from now I want to do something big. Something I've wanted to do for a while now. But I can't even begin to imagine actually doing it because you know...economy going down...house plans...work...life. Lots of excuses. So yesterday, in the middle of the night, I thought to myself this:

One year. One year from now, if you don't do it, you won't do it. You have all the time in the world to figure out what the "it" is (crafty related of course) which also set a timeline of one year to get the funding together. Which means...lots of saving, lots of "where else can I be more productive?"

Hence...Tid Bit Tuesday. For a year. Every Tuesday, I'll post here a little tid bit. This week, they'll only cost $2 and for the first week, that will include shipping for the US gals. Email me for a special International dealio. Just a little set of little somethings. Starting next week, They will be 2.50 each plus $1.00 for shipping (3.50 total). Occasionally, the tidbit might be more than a bit in size in which case, I'll update the actual shipping costs that should still only come to like 1.25 or so. Lots of times you won't have to pay anything at all for shipping as well--look forward to those. Lots of other ifs ands and whatnots (smile) like if you order multiple sets you only pay shipping as it is of course charged (ie, this week, I could easily get two sets in for the cost of shipping one set). Anywho...So this week's tidbits:

For two bucks on Tuesdays, you get a set of whatever the tidbits are. Mostly they are stuffs put together for class kits (I make stuff for others...to stuff in their kits...fun times!), but I think if I'm more purposeful (ie, I need to get something imagined, made and posted for Tuesday) I'll be more task-oriented and on it. Which as you know is something I'd love your help with.

So this week's tidbit is the Buttoned Down Felted Flowers. Use them in scrapping, sewing, adorning or however else you see fit. Your set will include four flowers pieced together and sewn all up with a cute little coordinating button. Of coures, you can specify one of the color sets in the picture above, but if you're open to any set, let me know that and you will be handsomly rewarded (smile). The 2 bucks includes shipping in the States this week, otherwise, email me and we'll make the international shipping worth your while.

These are in limited quantities so once they are gone, they are gone. When I post the next week's Tuesday Tidbit, I'll also post some of my own creations using the previous week's creations.

If you want a collection of Tidbits, email me with your contact info at henderso@seattleu.edu. I'll pass along some PayPal info. If you'd like delivery confirmation, tack on another $1 to your total order (not per set, but for your total order no matter how many sets).

One year from now...Well...from September 1. Mark this entry (smile).

This is getting out of hand...

...and I like it. LOVE when my life consists of scrapping, scrapping a little more and still some more scrapping. It makes me really happy. This morning...a couple of new ones:

Congrats to the MMM gals! We'll see names tomorrow but I think I "know" a few folks to be very happy for!

I [heart] scrapbooking

Almost as much as I [heart] this dude. One of my most favorite people in the world right now. Perhaps even my most fave person. Shhhh...don't tell him cause his head will get big.

So utterly and so totally. Lots of people hearing lots of really good news these coming weeks. From the SOY chicas finishing up there to the MMM folks listening to happy calls and the American Crafts ladies getting that happy email...so much excitement around is contagious.

To all of ya'll - good luck! Now let us get to scrappin'! Check out what I've been up to at Scrap In Style TV...plenty more American Crafts, SiStv Collections and if you look soon, more digi fun. You know you wanna look...

Days like this...

Well...technically, like yesterday, are days that make me totally happy.

Way back (feels like forever but was totally not) when SiSTv launched, Kelli Crowe was the first ever guest designer. She designed these awesome papers, did a collectible set of mini flowers (which I still hoard to this day), did some really great webisodes...was just an all around GREAT guest designer. Really set the bar high.

So day before yesterday when I get this email from this really cute email addy, I was like hmmm...what a cute addy...but wait. Is this spam?

Thank goodness my over-agressive spam filter didn't dump it because indeed it was not spam.

Check it out here. I would link the photos but good old blogger is giving me issues as per usual.

CHA Recap #2

So really...you wanted to know what I loved. But of course:

10 faves from the show in no particular order of course (uh huh):

10. Zoom Albums - Right...not album girl but this is a totally hybrid (digitally created then printed) mini album that is so fast and easy to do your photos up in. Totally all over that.
9. WorldUS - for this not album girl they had an absolutely fabu leather one that I totally have to have.
8. Maya Road - chipboard heaven. Such CUUUUTE albums
7. Prima - Seriously. From bling to fluffy flowers to paintable patterned paper...sweet!
6. Making Memories - just like, a given. So many very standard staples...I could spend the whole show in their booth feeling stuff up.
5. Buttons Galore - as if you didn't know this
4. Beaux Regards - ribbon. yeah. And their site is down...I'm so in need of more samples.
3. KI Memories - I so totally would have had a lace paper album if they had it back then
2. October Afternoon - there clear stamps and paper and journaling spots and...newbie!
1. American Crafts - oh swoon felt thickers. And tissue wrapping paper. And nice reps who totally "get it"

Ahh...just scrap already

And so she did. Enjoy!

Memory Lane: AC style

I figured today, I might well give you a little something special. A trip down memory lane, complete with a tribute to one of my fave person's fave manufacturers of all things scrapbooking. Here's a hearty "knock 'em dead" going out to my girls trying for the American Crafts design team. From the follicles on my head to the tips of my toes I cannot think of a better "SiSta" for their team than one of my fellow Fashionistas. I don't know if she's put it out there that she's going for it (we tend to be hush hush about these types of things for some odd reason) so I won't go all out on her name, but she knows who she is.

Without further ado...I bring you a few of my faves with American Crafts products:

Enjoy the weekend!

Relative Perspective

And on that note...

I was at lunch today. You know. My usual spot. Across the street. These two gentlemen are sitting behind me. They order Chai tea...alas, there is none to be had. So instead they request water. With no ice.

Generally, I figure you know--that ice thing is so American. So no big deal. But then the one guy asks the other guy "Do you not trust the ice or do you not like it?"

Coming off of the trip of a lifetime (A bit ago, but still fresh in my mind in situations like this) I had a good ole well times lesson in relative perspective. I yearned for cold drinks abroad because I didn't "trust the ice". Yet I don't wash my hands everytime I touch a doorknob here in the states. Or break out the germ killer. Relative Perspective.

Here's to keeping sight of what is most important when it is most important. Now I've gotta run to the post office or there will be no relativity OR perspective about much of anything...least of all a cell phone bill.

Off to do some scrap funness too. Soon as I find another yellow cartridge for my printer. How I ran out of yellow ink in about 2.2 weeks is beyond me. Really, beyond me.

cha, cha, cha: C.H.A. #1

Wow. What a long, amazing 4 days of scrap absolute goodness. I almost don't know where to begin. As if (smile).

So. I attended CHA as a buyer with ScrapinStyleTV. As such, Jeannette arranged for all the Fashionistas to gather up in groups to create a kit of our own. I was paired with the ever amazingly talented and gorgeous Kerry Lynn Yeary and all of her altered, shabby goodness. Which, when you check out my work, is completely polar opposite to mine. I also was matched up with Lisa Garay--bold, fabulous color in all her works and I totally dig her style--very artsy. Lisa couldn't join us in Chicago, but we still managed to pull off the most amazing kit of all times. Which is saying a ton of stuff when you consider we're talking about a Scrap in Style kit here. I absolutely cannot wait to purchase the kits of all the other teams (there are, I think 6 teams total) and I really need to breath again after re-looking over the amazing kit that we pondered and repondered and Kerry totally sold me on. She is creative genius. I'm the one that just likes to play one on tv.

Speaking of which...on tv. Jeannette came up with the most amazing webisodes. Watching filming was just too much. But participating in one--throwing tape around and all, was just so fun. And you'll have to watch out for the intro sessions she does with each Fashionista. I'm a bit partial to Kerry's intro cause it's a bit different than the rest of our's but so totally TOTALLY cool and her. I can't wait to see it. And Adrienne's too, from what I remember (it really is blurring together), her's was a demo too. One which I totally thought she should keep bottled up inside and remain the creative genius she is BUT...she's giving like that. Totally.

I'm going to need to break this down into pieces rather than a really long post so we'll conclude CHA recap #1 at that. Creating kits is fun!

You know...

...scrapping is fun. Really, REALLY fun. But sometimes, I have to live life to get those memories to scrap. Alas (smile).

Got a pretty major project done and off in the mail last week. And yeah, I was in El Paso last week. Land of no laptop, no internet, and since I checked no bags, no scrapping. I was going through a tad bit of withdrawal but for the project that I took with to finally assemble and get sent off. I was stressing that a bit but as per usual, just got it done. It was a happy happy day to have that sent off.

A couple of more projects in crunch time here. Have a meeting this weekend, but beyond that, I should get everything together and off to the races for Monday. I leave on Thursday for CHA. Shopping one day, filming another day and then wrap up (shopping, saying goodbyes) on the last day. It will be my first trade show and I'm kinda anxious because there are so many things I want to do. One involves a super cool dream that my better half actually seriously wants me to sit down and ponder. A bit overwhelming what I've seen so far, but between the two of us, we have enough degrees and common sense to figure it out. Gulp. Then there are a few shirts to wear--going as a Fashionista for Scrap in Style TV (we might just have a cool t-shirt for that)but also as a Hall of Famer looking to meet others (we have a cool t-shirt for that too) and also as the project head for that anxious air gulping mention above. Lots of people I want to meet in real life--the folks who put me on their teams before "all this" and the folks I work with now. Just overwhelming. And I have not even gotten to the product yet!

Anyhow...in some ways I wish I was just working the show. That is the skin I'm comfy in...I do that sort of thing for a living.

And then she signed off and figured on doing more scrappy stuff. Sunday...more scrap goodness posted with another HOF challenge. I promise to get Shabby Rockstar collection stuff posted...soon as I get it to play with. I know I know...I really WASN'T holding out on you, my PO just doesn't have a clue sometimes. Did I mention I love Fed Ex (smile)?

Oh and you so can't wait. Got some lovely stuff done with the Impression Obsession stamps. That was fun times!

Till then...

Yeppers...still going

Still scrap, just more icognito till our major trade show passes in July. Lovely. But in the meantime, a few fun things.

This is the rak full of goodies I got from Alohi over at SiStv for our swap:

[If only blogger would let me reinsert a picture - what the blip?!]


And I got a BIG HUGE BOX of stamping stuff from Impression Obsession. That is what I'm tearing into tonight.

But I leave you with a layout or two. Fave people doing great things in a fave location. Enjoy!

Little fun guy:

[temporarily relocated--peep this layout here 2nd layout down]


Other Cute guy:

[temporarily relocated - peep this layout here 1st layout on the post]

And...because we got the go ahead to shop these around, here's another one of the layouts I did for my HOF entry that isn't going to be in the book:

[snoooozzz....lose. I'm kidding...it will be back momentarily]


Have a great weekend!

Hall of Fame Layouts

What...you thought I'd show you? But then you wouldn't buy the book when it comes out. All I have to say is this. I submitted some of my best work EVER for that contest. And it was all digi so I know you paper loving gals are all sad. But trust. This book is going to be OFF. THE. HOOK. They finally told me which of the ones we submitted they are publishing in the Hall of Fame Book and I about fell out crying. There is one super special layout that they are publishing. That layout was my whole very reason and being for entering this contest, this year. Their story will be told. You watch for it. Watch for it. I'm so excited. This is one of the few times when I submit something I love to PIECES and it gets picked up. And in no better a book than this one.

Okay. It doesn't come out until like forever so...I should stop. But get excited. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Oh MY WoW!

I've made the bigtime and it's time to pass out, knock my head on the edge of this here scrappin' desk and just float on up to heaven (or straight to hell--depending on who you are).

What a week it was last week. I FINALLY had my all time scrapping dream come true! I got mentioned on the "mean" blog! YESSSSSS!

Yeah. Not so much. I've been told by a good friend that folks don't care for my upgrade layout. Clearly, they are not the Beyonce fan that I am (smile). And something about something else...(really helpful, I know) that I can't remember at this moment. I think it was pretty tame--nothing about the size of my body parts or my man's body parts or how I must drink, smoke or do whatever to create. Something like..."who is she?"

I like it that way. I don't have to flaunt what I do or who I do it for because that's just so not cool. If you want to know who "she" is...google me already. It's simple enough. And entertaining too.

Big time. I never thought I'd make it this far (smile). And that's just the half of it. Raises hand to solemly swear that she will be a better blogger. But trust me, you didn't want me blogging last week. You think THIS is babble...

And part 2...of that long weekend

Yeah I loved that long weekend. Got cut short for a VERY good reason (LOVE that guy and miss him when he's gone).

So what else I do. I did some cutesy stuff. And a serious one. Seriously...first:


Cause we are so each other's upgrades.

And then seriously cute (so I say) but real:



There is TONS of back story to this one if you peep it HERE

And then just a couple more for really fun times:



and



Ahhh...that last was for my boss's baby shower. I went with a bigger card so this one is on my desk still.

I love scrapping. With paper. Back to digi right now since the feds won't let me pack my retractable exacto knife on the plane. Couple more days...then I'm home again.

Tucson is burning up by the by. Wow!

I love long weekends...

Because I get to spend all day doing stuff like this! From Friday through Saturday:

Scrap In Style TV fun with the Kelli Crowe designed Window Shopping collection.
So totally go to Scrap In Style and buy your collection here!

So there's a little something "normal" for the weekend crowd with this Summer Fun layout:


And then I kicked it up a notch and did some doodling for non-doodlers with this Be Bold layout:



And of course you know I can't not make journaling the focus of a layout so check out this non-photo layout called Twisted:


You can peep the journaling to that one by going here.

And last but not least, my fave from that day is Not So Black and White layout. Truly:


Enjoy! More layouts later tonight from all the fun stuff I made Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon.

Giggle...

Okay...two blog winners it is. I can't find winner number 3. Alas. I tried.
Scrap in Style TV--check the catwalk...I love me some RitasCottage over at Scrap in Style TV.
She's so on my catwalk...so totally.

And because I'm in a silly mood and should be home scrapping but was responsible and came to work instead:

Bernadette needs to talk to Arnold!
Bernadette needs to sharpen her subject-verb agreement skills today.
Bernadette needs to work with...
Bernadette needs to grow.
Bernadette needs to find their email addresses
Bernadette needs volunteers!
Bernadette needs me to come to the golf course to check her swing
Bernadette needs to file an address change.
Bernadette needs to see someone.

And my fave...

Bernadette needs little introduction.

Well maybe not fave, but really now you know.

Thanks to Tina for the fun exercise on her blog borrowed from someone elses. Cause stampers are cool like that. As if you didn't know (smile).

It's official--Scrapping has taken over my life.

Because clearly...with this 141st post (compared to the 140th on my "life" blog), I have crossed over to the dark side. R believes this room has a hex on it. I must escape.

But how could I go without sharing this with you:

SISter Love

Can you guess which one is me (smile)? Ahh...life would have been ROUGH growing up with this many sisters in the home. But in cyberlandia crossing over to real life...this is so fun!

What is going down now?

Okay okay. So I need one more of the SiSters who played along on my blog to come claim her prize. You can check the winners from ALL the blogs so far on this Super Special GiGi is Totally Organized "Everything Fashionista" thread.

So what have I been up to you ask? Do tell. Well, for one this little ditty.

I'm so all over the Thickers by American Crafts.

But all that bling by MAMBI. Wowie.

I created a few more layouts lately as well:

And this one in paper too:



Then I did some digital stuff too:



and with less of a message:



Fun eh? Aside from scrapping, other great news to chat about? Hmmm...in the scrap life...

Last week, I made CKMB's page of the day with this layout:



You all know by now about landing the coolest gig on earth as one of the Fashionistas with Scrap in Style TV.

You DIDN'T know that I just got the coolest box of amazing Kelli Crowe exclusive stuff for my gig with them.

You know you want it so stalk The Boutique.

Last but absolutely not least, I made the Impression Obsession design team. Wanna see some cool stamps, be sure to check out the collections under Leigh Hannan. Of course you know I collect lots of rubber stamps and my acrylic collection is getting up there. Oh my we get a good gaggle of Christmas stuff to start with. Which is perfect because really, I honestly DO need to start now if I'm to get Christmas cards homemade this year. That is truly the goal. Truly.

Oh to get to scrap this weekend. Alas, there is more to life sometimes. Sometimes. But next weekend...I need to get some page kits together. Slow week at work, long weekend...I'm so totally getting lots of scrapping done.

Till then!

Wanna Know Who won?

If you live in TX or Virginia, you might be pretty excited. And one more (didn't leave her where) also. I couldn't resist. Check the ScrapinStyle TV Everything Fashionista's board for the lovely "Bernadette's RAK Winner(s)" post. Thanks for playing!

Bernadette

As we await the announcement...

Of the fun blog RAK (Random Act of Kindness) winners, I bring you a little tag play.

I got tagged by Tiffany. In a unique random way. So I'll play and then tag away. Cause like the sister said...I don't play red light-green light and sit the pot. Competition. Good for the blood (smile). Way it works is this:

Choose 7 different random things and blog about them. Not the rules on your blog. Choose 7 people to be tagged and list their names. Leave 'em a comment that they've been tagged and a link to the bloggity blog to check the rules.

Random Thought #1: Why is it that for 5 out of 7 days we get beautifully blue skies and then those two measily days I actually get off, the skies turn gray. And cloudy. And windy too? Solution? I'm going to work two days a week (not necessarily Saturday and Sunday because...I'm normal like that), but then take off the other 5 days. I really think I can work this. Really.

Random Thought #2: Uhm yeah. About that work thing. It's really cutting into my scrapbooking time. And that's just so not good. But the good is that I then make lots of money (relative...I'm a pauper really) to buy more scrap stuff. Because I don't have enough of a stash. But the stuff I buy isn't for me. I justify my shopping habit by giving it away in RAKs. Like the one you're waiting on. It works well for me--I get my retail therapy in, but don't have to figure out a place to put it all.

Random Thought #3: It is a sad, SAD day when you get gifted a new laptop and a new printer and it is like day 502 after and you still won't go near them. Kinda like with the iPod. I have issues--it is more about the journey (ie, winning said laptop, printer, iPod) for me. I have never been a destination person. But this is getting really bad. I do like iTunes though. sort of.

Random Thought #4: I'm really not that practical. I "get" that blooming potted plants are pretty and still alive and should be thought of as a romantic thoughtful gift that someone didn't give you something on it's deathbed that just looked pretty. I am so all about the looks. Give me cut almost dead flowers any day. Any. Day.

Random Thought #5: I have not watched Fargo in almost a year. I am slipping. Really slipping. When I scrap, I always used to put in a video (that I had seen a gagillion times) so that I wouldn't hear when someone entered my home through the garage door on his way up the stairs to kill me. Now...there is so much filth on reality tv today that I just turn it on and go to town. I really DIDN'T hear when the realtor brought in a couple of folks to look at the place the other day. That was kinda freaky.

Random Thought #6: It has to be official by now. My postman hates me. He doesn't like how cozy I'm getting with the UPS man and for some reason, I don't think the blue man likes the brown man. Uniforms people...uniforms. Anyhow, this brown gal (I love me some UPS) will have to play nice since I've no idea where a certain birthday gift is and this is starting to really get to me.

Random Thought #7: If anyone is looking to move to Seattle, I've got this great 2200 (unheard of!!) sf condo you'd love to look at. $374,950. Designer colors, automatic lighting, all appliances...slow down markets...grrrrr....

Okay...so I'm going to tag...GiGi, Wilna, JJ, Adrienne, KA, Keisha, Francine All tagged because I've always wanted to know their deepest, darkest, brightest, most random thoughts (smile). Don't hate...you're it!

You Know You Want it...

So...I seem to have way too much scrap stash. And what better way to thin it than with a RAK? But not just any RAK...a great RAK of NEW stuff (I long ago purged the old stuff in the old move).

How do you win it? Well, by leaving a comment here of course. But about what? Well...there's this amazing new scrapbooking site (of course) at www.scrapinstyletv.com You must check it out. Must. Go now. Wait...remember how to get back here because after you go there, come back here, comment, and your name goes in the hat for my RAK of stuff. Stuff to be included in the RAK? I've got plenty of patterned paper, lots of cool embies, some idea books...just a whole 8.50 (that's how much they cost now right?) big ole "one price" priority mail box to go out. Maybe your name will be on it. But only if you comment.

But wait. It gets better. On real REALY Sunday (as in like early Monday morning for me), I'll post 20 links to places where you can have even more chances to win!

But wait...it gets even better. As best put by Andrea, one of the coolest sisters not really I know:

"Best of all if you comment here on my blog, register at Scrap In Style TV, and then post on the *Welcome New SISters* board (when the site launches on May 15th) your name will be entered into the grand RAK from Scrap In Style TV...a first Collection designed by the magnificent Kelli Crowe!"

That's right--even MORE scrap goodies!

The site launches midnight on Monday (as in middle of the night Monday...when we turn into Tuesday at 12:01) so stay up late and go do your thing. But definitely peep the site. And the new stuff people posted. And yeah...win stuff.

Ready, set, go. Other blogs are here:

1. Sarah Bowen
2 Courtney DeLaura
3 Jody Ferlaak
4 Wilna Furstenberg
5 Lisa Garay
6 Gigi Kennedy
7 Adrienne Looman
8 Becky Novacek
9 Michelle Ramirez
10 Becca Sutton
11 Jp-Anne te Raa
12 Andrea Wiebe
13 Ashley Wren
14 Kerry Lynn Yeary
15 Kelli Darr
16 Jeanette Herdman
17 Claudine Hellmuth

Yeah...and I do still scrap

Honestly...I do. And blog too. For your patience, an old one and two new goodies--one (Boys Will be Boys) is Crop Addict goodness, the other is just for fun.

Enjoy! National Scrapbook Day is this Saturday! Be sure to check out TallyScrapper.com for my journaling prompt challenge. I'll be here there and everywhere on NSD.

And so it goes

They posted one of our layouts from our HOF entry. One of my freebies.


I really liked this one a lot (smile).
Exciting news to share when I get back. Perhaps...about a new laptop??
Off the grid I go. I'm journaling and taking lots of pics along the way so...should be cool!

Until then...

Itchiness...

I want to play...antsy itchy all over I want to play and post. but lots of "grown up responsible stuff to do". Like go and find oh...say...6 cent on the street somewhere to balance my checkbook. Right.

Anyhow.

Got all my midmonth proj's for Crop Addict done. Struggling through May. Not bad product (no such thing with a CA kit) just totally can't sit still for more than 3 seconds without hopping up and going and doing something. And that whole Sunday through Tuesday night stay awake the whole time thing...yeah...I fell out last night and really didn't quite grasp the concept of a power nap.

Waiting on a few rejections so I can post and share with the world. Little birdie told me I should hold my breath for two more days. Luckily, I have Friday off. Luckily, I now have a laptop AC adapter. Luckily, I just reorged my digi scrap goods for the ninehundredthgabillionth time and should be able to easily find anything I want to scrap with. Cause truly, I'm going to go through laptop withdraw for like three weeks here soon. But I can't scrap this weekend cause we're going places.

But in really good news--KI just sent my album back! Doubt it, but if it got here by Friday I would so totally be forever grateful and saved. I suppose Friday I should go out just in case. Or just get it together before then. Lots of ideas for an anniversary gift. Just need to get to gettin' already.

Can't wait. Life is such a whirlwind right now and I love every moment of it. Time to go gobble up the last of the banana nut ice cream. And make some simple pasta tonight. I was going to make yummy nachos before I remembered that we had Taco Bell last night. Be still my stomache.

Scrap time. Ready set go!

I can't believe you missed your call

If ya'll thought I was a bit distraught over missing my call, then comes Robert listening to all the other calls. I think I counted 53 "I can't believe you missed your call...how priceless would that have been for all of eternity?" Needless to say, I didn't tell him that this is indeed a once in a lifetime event and it's not like I can apply again a gaggillion years from now, luck up on a win and get another call. It's the little things that mean so much to people. He's so friggin' proud--I can't wait to have kids with him...I can just imagine how excited he'll be making that announcement. And when we finally decide to settle down? wow...this is just HOF. I know...I shouldn't say "just" in the same sentence, but still...life, relative. priorities. Poor baby...I almost want to fake a call just for him.

Bad Girl...Very bad girl

Okay...I admit I'm such a bad liar. But it was fun to taunt. Yeah, yeah, yeah...that's me. I made CK's 2007 Hall of Fame. I am completely blown. away. Completely. Two folks guessed on me and called me out from my MJBofHOF2007 anon name. Sneaky gals (smile). But the calls are up. I have to get home and listen to what they have for mine. Seeing as I didn't actually get the call and got a message because I'm a moron and can't charge my cell phone. My call story should give ya'll a little laugh though!

Thanks for all the congrats. Wow. This is just too much. Amazing!

So....HOF, HM...SOY...what in the world??

Hall of Fame (as my better half describes it...the Super Bowl of scrapping) calls went out yesterday. Bummer.

Honorable Mention calls go out today and I think they just started. So there is hope for all yet. There are 25 HOF winners and 50 HMs each year. HMs can try again next year. Fingers crossed for everyone out there. You all--well, most of you--rock my world. The other few REALLY knock my world off kilter.

That's about it for the scrap happenings lately. The world stops for this--that is how huge a deal this HOF thing is. Don't believe me? Just log on to the message board at www.twopeasinabucket.com and check out the Sleuth thread. 9 pages of people trying to figure out who is what. We don't get to see their real names (they can sign onto message boards with cool names like: HOF4ME2007) until Thursday. I think the HMs get to tell us immediately who they are. Time to go start adding people to my book of scraps! And try to get some work done.

Tally it on up

Discovered this totally cool new ingenious site:

www.tallyscrapper.com

Don't walk, RUN over there. This site is so totally cOoooL in the way that you dole out praise. It's addicting too. I need to find a way to link all my other faves up. I don't think they are all that fond of 2peas (all sorts of backlash to them...such is the life of the popular girl in the football locker room), but I think I can find a way to post my layouts from Diversity Designs and Crop Addict and note that I did it for those Design Teams off of the kits I got there. Kinda easing my way in to the community at first and loaded just about everything I own and dolling out tally points because there is some GREAT talent there. It's a great way to really track your stuff and it's a great gallery because people have an incentive to comment and give you points and that always helps when you want your stuff out there for some constructive crit. So...love the site. Gotta get off the site and go do other stuff tonight.

Overall had a very productive scrap weekend. Got a lot of stuff up on my Imanisasa gallery over at 2peas--got a whole new album of CKC-Portland Challenges...upt to almost 500 points there. Time to get more done tonight and tally up more points...not at tally scrapper (still, ingenious...love the concept) but at 2 peas for the challenge.

Tomorrow is call day for the HOF folks. Good luck gals! Can't wait to see the hooplah and toots and everything. I'll be pushing on trying not to get a parking ticket. And just kinda hoping the sky doesn't fall down tomorrow. I think I just heard a gunshot. Maybe it was a car backfire. Yeah...and yesterday, I saw a shooting star. And thought maybe, because it was so bright and close, that maybe a plane was falling out of the sky. I live close to the airport. I have a vivid, wicked imagination. I should work on that.

Hp and Scraps = All good!

I love HP. Got one of their printers. On a whim, there was a snapshot diaries contest they ran. I didn't read close enough and thought the grand prize was for a trip to Sundance this year. That's long gone so I figured nothing else of it. Got an email. Good happy email. Until they contact all the winners, I can't quite say (smile), but wow. Not going to Sundance NEXT year (which is when the prize was actually for) but the prize pack I did get...and the placement I made...sweet! I'll have to link ya to the slideshow. Really.

Long weekend ahead! Loving it!

GASP!!! 801 area code?!

Oh my good sweet things that are dear and sacred! I got a call from the 801 area code. But I don't know anyone in the 801 (Utah folks...UTAH...as in scrap mecca of the world...as in "HOF CALL REALLY???").

Yeah. Not so much. Cause...well, first, you have to enter and make sure your entry is there on time. Second, you have to actually GIVE THEM YOUR WORK NUMBER to call you at. Thirdly, I KNEW I had a friend about to call me. I knew said friend's name was Kristen. But somehow, when I picked up the phone and was like "hmmm...direct line call...I don't recognize the area code" (cause, honestly, I didn't recognize the 801 until after she told me her name) it wasn't until just after Kristen said "Hello Bernadette, this is Kristen X" Pause. As if someone was waiting for something major to happen (ie, a scream) that I even started to think "Are you serious???!"

Then we started talking about my old employer (which she is interviewing with) and I started realizing that I spend way too much time on the message boards caught up in the hype. I mean really now...there are lots of things that have to happen before you get an HOF call. Chief among them...they have to know your number--which usually happpens only after you enter.

I need to lay off the message boards. Really. I do.

They love me, they really do

So then CK karma for the week is exhausted. I submitted this lovely layout:

and darned if it didn't win first place in the CKC-Portland Creating Keepsakes Layout competition. I strongly think it was because of the sappy journaling and circle goodness and the fact that it had a theme. Something that almost didn't happen because I didn't quite read the instructions clear enough. Clearly going back and re-reading paid off (smile).

So I also submitted this layout:

which is of my absolutely adorable nephew. I did this for the simple layout contest. Totally overthought it. wanted to add some more but was like "keep it simple". The winner of that contest had a pretty elaborate layout with a simple message. Really nicely done. And her's was a circle layout too.

That was my scrappy weekend. Got lots of scrap goodies from going to the pub dinner (and buying a bit too much stuff) but totally...totally worth it. Guess I should post a pic of all that momentarily too eh?

Any Day Now...

Creating Keepsakes HOF calls will start. I cannot wait to see the new crop of folks. Everytime I get the mag, I'm like "wow...I can see why she's an HOFfer". They got so few entries this time...which for some is like "wow...better chance (almost 1 in 7) of placing. For others, more like "if I don't get picked I'll feel REALLY bad". I'm just really excited to see all the hoopla over it all. Love how excited people get about this.

But on a more personally relevant note...THIS weekend is the convention. This weekend, I'll probably have to walk a mile to the Convention Center from my parking spot. I'll probably get there late because of crazy weather. But I know I'll DEFINITELY have a great time at the pub dinner. Almost tempted to go down, shop during the day and then go to the dinner at night. And I don't mean scrap shop. Do so much digi lately I really don't find much purpose to buying scrap scrap stuff. Get lots of it for free from my DTs so...really...I tend to just buy really unique stuff now. But that's getting expensive so...that's the thing with digi--you can make it yourself and it is so inexpensive to buy stuff...alas.

Gotta consolidate my digi scrap stuff from the laptop (FINALLY got the adaptor for that...can take that with me to the Convention this weekend...free internet!) and vice versa. Uhhhgh. That's definitely a procrastination thing. It's almost 11, but I totally want some banana nut ice cream. Think my grandmama is visiting me again...she LOVED the stuff. And butter pecan syrup. For the longest, when I went to IHOP, I always had my three pancakes individually--one with strawberry syrup (my fave), one with butter pecan syrup (in memoriam and all) and one with warm maple syrup just because...uhhhmmm...I lived in the Northeast for so long and it just seemed the natural thing to do.

But there I got talking about what I'm going to eat on my blog again. My better half made a yummy cake to boot--I'm not a chocolate cake fan, but he did devil's food and vanilla icing...so tasty. Uhhhhmmmmm....