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.