I-Top Intensive Mini-Blog Hop Day 3 {Layouts} AND The Story Matters January!

OK so I owned an I-Top before I was ever on the Imaginisce design team, because I thought it was brilliant.
I could make a brad that matched my project any time out of the paper I was using.
Since then, there are button "daddies", badge/pin "daddies", magnet "daddies", snap "daddies", twist "daddies"... SO many things to make completing projects all that much easier!
That works for me.So when this blog hop was set up, I was sure to jump on board the layout day! I'm a layout girl!
But before we get to my layout-this is how it works:
You can win an I-Top for yourself JUST by "hopping" the three designers of the day

Penny Smith’s blog (you are here) …

Robyn Schaub’s blog then …

Cari Locken’s blog
(AND leaving a comment),
and then "hopping" back to the Imaginisce blog and commenting there!

In addition to the chance to win an I-Top today, there is ALSO a GRAND prize on Friday...
The prize hasn't even been announced yet!
So be sure to join us for inspiration AND a chance to win through Friday!

So here is my layout:
(click to see larger)I misted using a mask... a mask like this can EASILY be made by using the leftovers from Cricut cutting!
I used three colors. Green, yellow and pink. I sprayed green, then moved the mask a bit to the right, sprayed yellow, then moved the mask to the left of the green spraying and sprayed pink.
I made sure to over spray on the top and bottom too.
I put down a chipboard bird too.
He's subtle, but he's there.

The I-Top brads were a way to add the striped paper as an accent, without it being overpowering.
It was also a way to add different sized matching brads to the layout.
I also added a few I-Rock Glam Rocks "Rhinestuds" that match Garden Party PERFECTLY!

The NEXT stop on the hop is
Robyn Schaub!
Don't forget, to be eligible for today's prize you must "hop" and comment on all three blogs AND the Imaginisce blog!
Thanks for "hoppin'" by!
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January The Story Matters Reveal

I will say that with this kit I was hopeful, but I was not sure how I would do with it...
But I was lucky. The creativity was flowin'!
I love that.
When you see a paper or embellishment and an idea pops in your head!
AWESOME!
Wish it happened every day.
I'll take what I can get.
I ALREADY have four layouts from this kit, and I hope to have more with the challenges ahead!
I haven't even used my cute date tags yet!
(See some of the other designers LO where these are highlighted!)
They were an etsy find!

These first 2 layouts were when I got my "punch all over the page" punches by Martha.
I pop dotted around the back edge of the punched shape to the paper was set back and it gave dimension.
So maybe it is time to move on from Christmas... but there is plenty of conversation still going on about whether it is OK or not to have the tree down yet on Facebook... so just one more Santa layout!
The star is also a new Martha punch...
This picture... I LOVE this picture of us! It is SO us! Each and every one of us!
I just put my camera on the trunk of the car, and set the timer, and I will ALWAYS be glad I did!
I will have this picture hanging on the wall at the nursing home! It's priceless!
This is a very simple LO, but I just LOVE this picture of my son, and it worked with the size of the cards and the childlike simplicity of the LO.
(OK, I might be laying it on thick with that comment.)
Notice I haven't gotten over my sewing phase yet? :)
So that's what I have done so far! LOVE it!
You can buy one kit of TSM, and cancel before the next month comes out...
(after sneak peeks so you can check it out first!)
No cancellation fees. No paying extra for one kit. Plain and simple!
Try us out!

Now go check out the other designers/"Authors" creations!

Page Maps January!

I was a contributor to Page Maps January!
YAY me!

I LOVED this sketch!
(the fact that I was so LITERAL with it, says something! I usually turn sketches on their head!)And I LOVED the layout that came out if it!
It is using the December "The Story Matters" kit!
(Still a few available!! You'll LOVE this kit!
You should pick it up!!)
Simple, but so warm for a winter layout!
Gotta love Kraft cardstock.
White Coconut Swirl-which has NO texture (go figure) in white, Black Bird in black and Kraft.
I don't need any other background. Those are my favs.
I kinda panic if I the store gets low on any of these...
When we are out of Kraft... GASP!

What is your favorite staple??

MAD {make a dent} Monday - And be FUNNIER already!

(Warning... LONG entry!)

Seriously.

The people that know me think I am funny.
No really.
Can't tell by my blog most days.
It's all "look at this"...
Ugh.
So I need to be "funnier".
It's who I am.
Of course when I am being more funny, I am usually being more opinionated too.
We'll see where that leads us.
Might get me kicked off the web.
We'll see.

So let's start with why "Make a Dent" Monday's...
Cuz I have too much crap.
Scrap crap.
I hoard.
I save things for that "special" project.
Then is sits too long and it ends up at our LSS garage sale with me saying "I really loved that."
Duh.
Who am I kidding.
I will never be able to use all this...
but I could at LEAST try!
Geez.

Go Me!!

So I am going to do a layout EVERY (cough) Monday,
using ANYTHING that isn't due for an assignment,
or a call,
or a class!
Period.
And I am going to get messy more.
(OK, so I didn't get messy today.
I just got something done.
Baby steps.)

First, the proof...
Now I can show you all those pretty close ups that make it look like a have an awesome artsey scrap space.
That would be a lie.
I mean, I DO have a cool scrap space (well, I think so anyway)
but it is NEVER fully clean or organized.
If I wait to show you the room when it is clean....
...well, we all will be gone...
SO, I'll go with what I have.

So let's start with the pretty close ups, shall we?
Here are a couple of my vintage cameras.
Leave it to me. I never got lucky enough to have a vintage camera perfect for TtV's already,
when I discovered TtV shooting.
Yep, that's my luck.
And a couple of my favorite stamps (I have an owl thing, btw.)
And a wire figure my son made me out of sparkler wire leftovers.
Pretty creative if you ask me. (He gets that from me. snort!)

Another of the shelves... another camera, a bingo card,
and some random doll I thought looked like my son
(or would anyway) during an ugly ebay stint years ago.
Lots of purchases that made no sense really.
What these shelves REALLY looks like?
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

And above the shelves...
I love that picture of Jerry and I.
It is our engagement picture.
(only a tad over 10 years ago... where did my hips go?? There in there SOMEwheres! :) )
It was signed by most of the people at the reception.
And it STILL doesn't have glass!
I might be being a little TOO honest. Eek.
Oh well.
The other pictures are here because they are in frames I probably wouldn't buy today,
but they worked in here because of the somewhat manly green color.

I didn't take a picture, but, I was inspired by Christina Middlecamp years ago, to have my husband and I share this room. (She use to share a space w/husband.)
He has a desk in the corner.
"Side by side" time.
We make comments to each other once in awhile.
It's better than no time.

More illusion...
My adhesive basket that sits on my desk.
It's really more for less used and back-ups.
I have one of those scrap bags you see everywhere at crops.
That's were my adhesive I use regularly lives...
But THAT'S not pretty!

Now the reality...
THIS is my work space.
And I would say it is actually pretty clean right now!

I still can't part with my Autumn Leaves calendar.
What?!? It's only like 4 years old!
That red pottery?
You could just TELL it was made by a kid in school.
And the parents or grandparents gave it to Goodwill!
Perfect for my pens.
One of a kind, really.
See the pyrex cuties and rack?
Well, I chuckled, because when I took a close up,
(I throw loose buttons and brads and things in there that would get lost and never seen)
I didn't realize that one of the dishes was toppled.
I didn't even notice it!
And I am SURE this one did it!
(Notice him sticking his tongue out at me??)
His name is Ashton.
Asherton Peabody.
Ashton Amadeus .
And we KNEW we had the right name for him when my husband said
"And when we are mad at him we can call him "Ash-hole"!
Or was that me...
Never-the-less the cat with 20 names!

Let's back up a second! When you walk into my house, this room is what you see...

So I TRY to keep it neat. (snort-more like hope no one ever comes over!)

OK, so a few more shots...
More evidence that I need to use some of this stuff UP!

The dresser I keep Tim Holtz/Ranger and class set up stuff in...
and things I like to look at on it.
Notice the labels still stuck on it from the person that gave me the dresser.
She actually labeled her dresser contents. (There's an idea. Or not.)

One of my fun finds...
I got this shoe mold holder at Three Potatoe Four.
(Over priced vintage. but they find some cool things...)
I put embellishments that I don't want to fall into the Abyss there.

OH, and if you noticed my FABULOUS workbench
(above in picture from the door)
I got for Christmas LAST year,
Here is what faces me! Fabulous drawers!

Not everything in there is very pretty... I would LOVE to eliminate all plastic.
(Even the "didn't have anywhere ELSE for them to go" wooden shelves are better!)
I keep most of my stamps here:
(there are a TON of stamps stuffed into that floral bag! )

OK a couple more...
...they get messier as they go.
My paper tray and my Ikea expedit 2 cube x 4 cube shelving.
...not very neat, but it conceals much of the mess!
More of that shelving and the mess on/above!
I like having pictures and items that are just for lookin' at!
Like that bingo spinner.
Fun find!

More mess:
Yes, that is a reproduction "antique Italian liquor monkey poster".
Say that 5 times fast!
Those flowers will be headbands one day.
I like the Clip it Up system. Even if it really isn't all that nice to look at.

OK! On to the point!
Let's start easy.
I had a pack of Bella Blvd. "Estate Sale".
And whipped up this:
Simple, but it got these picture that I LOVE on a layout.
Maybe it's crappy... but at least I USED some crap!
(OK, I would NOT let my kids say that word!
What is WITH me!)

I DID sew. I am SO addicted to sewing right now!
Geez!
I'm not good at it.
But I enjoy it!
If you didn't read about the machine I got, I'll remind you.
The Janome Sew Mini. It has the same metal bobbin drop and and needle housing the big Janomes do! I have sewn a lot, and my friends at crops have too... no issues!
It is SUPER light weight, so I take it to crops every time now!

Here is a detailed shot of the layout.
So this isn't a challenge...
BUT if you want to show me something you created because you decided to "Make a dent" in your stash-cool!
Or if you want to share pictures of your scrap crap space-cool!

Alrighty! Go live the rest of your life!
Hopefully I'll see ya soon! :)

PS-Kelli Crowe, you inspired me to lighten up and blog "me"...
You make me laugh EVERY time I go to your blog!
Thank you!

One Little Word... 2011

click to make larger...

Imaginisce "Found" Altered Challenge!

Happy New Year!

This month, (this YEAR) we are shaking it up on the first!
Instead of a sketch, we are going to do an "Found" altered challenge!

Let's start the year out green!
Re-make, re-purpose or re-use something you have or something you find!
(Don't forget to use at least 75% Imaginisce product with that item!)
Create, and then link us up on the blog!

I LOVE to go to the thrift store and see if I can find treasure!

This star was maybe $1.50... or less. I have had it since last summer. It has been waiting for the right project. I think Garden Party is the perfect fit!

So this...
Became this:

I liked the shabby look of this... so all it took to alter this was some embellishment!
Oh, and some i-rock of course!!

THIS is going on my daughters door!

Two Chances to Win!!
Hop the designers blogs for inspiration AND for a chance to win a $50 prize. (Check it out on the blog!!)
YOU MUST COMMENT ON EACH BLOG FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!

Cari Locken

Keely Yowler

Lydia Jackson

Kim Holmes

Robyn Schaub

Michelle Unruh

Samantha Hauzer

Liz Qualman

Tracey Taylor

Aphra Boyler

Sophia Allison
Me
Erin Bassett
Rhonda VanGinkel

Pinky

Doing an altered project yourself, gets ya a chance at a $75 prize!!
(Don't forget to link back on the Imaginisce Blog!)

AWEsome!
So start your year out green!
Grab something from the recycle bin or find your own treasure!

Thanks for stopping by!

Honored to be a part of...

The 2011 Imaginisce Design Team!

I am humbled by being selected for the team AGAIN!

THANK YOU Imaginisce, and Lori, the best DT coordinator in the industry!! :)

I can not WAIT to see what this year holds at Imaginisce!
The best tools on the market, awesome collections to scrap with... what more could a girl ask for??

So go by and check out all the fabulous talent on the team!!

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Shameless plea for "followers"! A GIVEAWAY!! To celebrate my return to the 2011 DT, I am going to give a Petal Roller and a pack or two of flowers to all followers, past and present! :) I will draw Christmas day! Check out this FABULOUS video!


Ya WANT some of these don't ya!?!

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I just want to point you back here...
What a wonderful thing Patti is doing!

Through these donations, someone is going to be able to adopt these little girls and save them from a life in an institution.

Let me tell you... even 2 years in an orphanage did it's share of damage to our precious daughter... imagine, being one of say 25 kdis, with 2 caregivers. No one answering your cry. No one to hold you, "just cuz" your a gift.

So though I am not included to post things like this... this time it is worth the exception.

And hey, may as a bonus, you will win an IPad for Christmas! :)

January TSM sneak...

How did I forget to post about TSM January?

Well, this post will be incomplete... but not for long!
Last night I went to the crop here and got THREE pages done from the January kit!
That is 4 layouts so far! HUH??

I wasn't sure I was in love with this kit... ...but for some reason, it just works and FLOWS!
I thought I was done, then I would get started on another, because the pages just sitting there were calling out ideas to me. YAY. That never happens. Let me tell you. Some days it is just pulling teeth getting a layout of me.

I am really loving the Making Memories envelopes and labels and paper... I was having fun with the snowflakes in so many different colors too.

I bought all the "Punch All Over the Page" Martha punches as soon as they hit the store. They weren't even out of the boxes yet.

So here is the sneak to my first page... I have three more to take pictures of! I think I must get my sewing machine out before they are "done".

Imaginisce "Garden Party" Lauch!

I personally think it is a great idea, beautiful flowers on our paper and in our scrap rooms at a time when there are not many flowers around for so many of us!
And let's be honest. We frequently are scrapbooking out of season. Forth of July in December, Christmas in July.

My sketch layout using "Garden Party" is just in another post below.

I just got the AWESOME "punch all over the page" punches by Martha Stewart ("Whatever, Martha!") THIS idea in punches was a long time coming! LOVE them! I have used it twice. On my TSM layout for January, and now for this layout. (Simple for me (AND 8x10)... but I think it turned out OK!)
I have two other shapes in these punches, but I think I am still stuck on this one!
I love all the large die-cuts suitable for titles and fantastic brads in this collection! There are fabric covered brads that I am still hoarding too!

So go on over to the Imaginisce blog for a change to win the whole collection!

Give a little, save a life.

I am not one to ask for donations for anything...

I understand how hard it is to be able to keep finances in order on a normal day.

But if a lot of people gave just a little it CAN change a life!
I came across this blog (and her plea) via another scrapbookers blog (Stephanie Howell), and since the child the donations are going towards is an orphan in Ukraine AND having seen first hand how hard the conditions are for these orphans, having adopted one AND knowing how the conditions are even WORSE for these special needs children that have NO future, I could not help be called to point you in this direction... even if you can only give a couple dollars... it helps.

Any of these children that can be kept out of an institutionalized life, well, that's a blessing, isn't it.

If you can't give, then please pray. If you CAN give, you might win a ipod touch.

12 Days of Christmas at Imaginisce!!

Today is my post on the Imaginisce blog!

And here is my inspiration!

I used this adorable, but easy to use template from Paper Trey Ink (FREE download)
to create this stocking:The heel of this stocking-packaging!!

And these are the layouts I have created for Imaginisce AND Scrapaganza... the class has been rescheduled for the first week of January-but there will be kits available too!

First we'll use the i-bond to connect these accordion flowers... I made the decorative edge of these accordion flowers by using a Martha Stewart border punch, and using the indent of each scallop as my accordion fold line. The i-bond connects the end in a SNAP!
This layout, we will be using the i-rock to bling it up!!
Once you start, it is like potato chips, good luck stoppin'!
And finally... we'll use our scraps to make this Christmas tree with i-top ornaments!!
So go to the Imaginisce blog for your chance to win a COLLECTION of Cottage Christmas AND an I-Top!
There have been added bonus giveaways many days! Don't miss out!
And if your local, give us a call at Scrapaganza to get your kit OR sign up for the class!!
(If your not local, I am sure the girls would be willing to ship!)
Thanks for stoppin' by!!

Garden Party *NEW from Imaginisce! (& this months sketch!)

So your probably seeing a lot of Christmas and fall layouts. Well I have to be different in SOME way each month... leave it to me. (smile)

I'll be honest. I wasn't sure if I would like this collection (Garden Party). I mean, I was JUST doing girly girl stuff! :)
I am more of a bright colored fan... not so much pink, as BRIGHT pink. BUT I REALLY like how this simple layout for this months sketch for Imaginisce turned out!
Here is the sketch (by the FABULOUS Liz Qualman!)
And here is my take...
This might just be the first time I followed the sketch without changing it much. That NEVER happens. I like to turn them upside down and backwards, usually. But I went with straight forward. And guess what. I actually like it! Shock!
I made the banner above by tracing around one edge of the chipboard under bloom. The die cuts in this collection are HUGE, and there a ton of things that could be used with or as a title! Love it! Make it easy to get pages done! Check!
The paper has a lot of embossing on it... and I REALLY love the background prints. Like the tiny dot of this layout... easy to use patterns.

The launch is coming SOON! So start asking your LSS to get "Garden Party". Might be the only sunshine and flowers we midwesterners see for some months! :)

Now go check out what the rest of the design team created! GO! Commenting and participating gets ya PRIZES from Imaginisce! YEAH! :)