random thoughts... all free today

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So today I did *gasp* 3 LOs.  Did you HEAR ME?  THREE.  As in the number that comes after TWO.  Absolutely unheard of for me.  I can maybe knock one out in a weekend, but 3?  In one day?  Outstanding!

I took part in some challenges over at Scrap Supply this weekend.  They had a big celebration for their 2nd anniversary.  And whereas I didn't win spit I did get some kick ass pages done.  And what's even better than that, 2 of them are for MY BOOK.  JUST FOR ME.  love that.  Their gallery rocks as does their message boards and holy freakin' crap some of the challenges were just the shot in the ass I needed to get my mojo back.  love the mojo, especially when it comes back after splitting on me.

So here ya go:

"Wish I Could Speak Whale" totally hijacked the title from Dory in Finding Nemo but honestly.  I've seen the movie at least a hundred times thanks to Jack and his new fascination with DVDs, particularly this one so I figure Pixar owes me one by lending me the title.  This was for an ad inspiration challenge using the lastest Starbuck's summer ad. 

This was taken at Sea World wayyyy back in 2002.  I was pg with Jack and we had the best time, just the 3 of us.  This brand new baby killer whale swam right up to Connor at the viewing deck and starting chattering away at him.  It was so awesome to experience and I'm still tickled I got it all on film.  Go mom!

"Sweet Happy Life"  The goal of this one was to make a page about things that make you happy.  I had a photo picked out but wanted to use it on another challenge so I went photo-less.  (is that anything like being top-less?)  My "things that make me happy" are the journaled circles throughout the page.  Had a GREAT DEAL of fun with this one, just looking at it now makes me utterly happy.

"Virtual Pink"  this one was a challenge to make a page using your personal color which you can find at Colorstrology.  Mine is Virtual Pink and this is my LO about it.  I'm in a graphic art-inspired scrappin' phase lately.  Can ya tell?

So that's it for today.  my god, isn't it enough?  Off to grab a quick shower, make a grocery list for tomorrow and get my bootie in da bed. 

Graham.........out!

idle hands

make devil's work.  Or so the saying goes.  I gotta agree.  I can get myself into a bunch of trouble if I don't have nutthin' to do. 

So good news (and I know you've been on the verge of insanity waiting for this) I've been a busy little gal.  The kind of busy I like being.  The scrappin', card makin', artistic type of busy.  Oh glorious artisticness. 

Big ole shout-out goes to Syndee and Giggle Graffix and the AWESOME card kits they provide.  They are truly what makes it all possible.  Sooooooo inspiring and fun to work with.  Go get one.  Right away.

Observe:

Delight in the Little Things - 6x6 card

Friendship card - 5.5 x 4.25 card

Birthday purse album

With Our Sympathy -5.5 x 4.25

So Much Thanks - 5.0 x 4.25

Wild Cherry Margaritas - 8x8 Recipe Card

Just Because - 5.5 x 4.25 card

And those are just from last weekend.  Are you completely and totally shocked?  I sure as hell am! LOL!

One more that is from the kit.  Did this yesterday and took pics for an online demo I do for Croppin' Paradise  But I used those awesome freakin' coasters from the kit at Giggle Graffix.  Figured I could kill two birds with one stone.

Here's the front.  Used the coasters from the May kit at Giggle Graffix.  Plus some extra goodies of my own.

The all important guts.  Love this cute little album, so bright and fun.  It's like sunshine on my desktop!

More to come on what I got accomplished today.  I love being productive!!!

~h

stuff from last month

Because I'm so behind on my blogging.  I never added the projects from last month for the DT at Croppin' Paradise.  So here ya go.  We were all to use Lil' Davis, 3 Bugs in a Rug and Bazzill.  I think the 3 Bugs papers are supah-cute but I honestly don't care if I never see another piece of any of these lines.  Ever.  I can only take so much bright colored cuteness. 

Our first contestant:

"Sunshine Smiles" materials used: 3 Bugs in a Rug - Cabana, Lil' Davis and Bazzill.  All courtesy of Croppin' Paradise.  That's Jack and "Missa Qway-o" (Miss Nequal) at the park by our house.  Love this picture of them!

Our next project is one I love so much.  It's currently sitting on my desk at work.  Just looking at it makes me smile.  Oh, and I found Norm's head in my scraproom. I've been looking for it for months.  Take a closer look, you'll see what I mean.

"Altered Family Clipboard Frame" products used: 3 Bugs in a Rug - French Country, Bazzill, Making Memories, BasicGrey and 7 Gypsies.  3 Bugs papers courtesy of Croppin' Paradise.

And last but certainly not least, my last project.  It turned out so freakin' cute, I'm anxious to put all the shots from this summer in here.  What a perfect little keepsake!

  "Summertime Fun Minibook"  Here is the front of the book.  Products used: 3 Bugs in a Rug - Cabana and Bazzill.  3 Bugs papers courtesy of Croppin' Paradise.

Here are three shots of the back.  One closed, and two of the flaps as you open the book.  Products used: 3 Bugs in a Rug, Bazzill and Making Memories.  3 Bugs papers courtesy of Croppin' Paradise.

And here are the inside pages with a closer view.

That's it for tonight.  I'm whooped and tomorrow will be a busy day....

~h

stuff, stuff and more stuff

I never did load the photos of the stuff I've been working on, did I?

See?  I get busy and my whole "other stuff" world goes to absolute shit. 

Anyhow, here ya go:

Mini album and let me tell you this thing is truly MINI.  finished dimensions are 3x2.5  Teeny teeny thing, but so freakin' cute!  The stamping on the flower is an idea I totally stole from Syndee, my fellow DT member and all around awesome, awesome girlie.  Thanks girl!

A peek at the insides.  I love this thing so much but I have NO IDEA what I'm gonna dow with it.  Syndee suggested I put it on a shelf and just admire it from time to time.  :D

And because now I'm hopelessly addicted to these mini masterpieces, here's another one.  I used some of the kit from Giggle Graffix which I'm also a DT member for.  I love love love these papers and colors soooo MUCH!

A teensy peek at the inside.  Love these bright happy colors!  (notice the pink in there, LOL!)

And last but not least, an altered frame I did for a coworker.  She has 3 boys and can so relate with my dilemma of no things girlie in her home except for of course, her.  :D  This was a VERY belated birthday gift.  Her b-day was in February and I just finished this up a couple weeks ago and gave it to her.  See?  My whole life goes to shit when I get busy at work! 

Oh wait.  I said last but not least but I still have one more, ha ha.

A card I made using the April kit from Giggle Graffix.  Love the colors and I kinda suck at making cards but this one turned out not so bad.  Syndee loved it so I guess it can't suck that much!  :D  {love ya, girlie!}

Okay, OFF THE COMPUTER NOW.  Plumber is supposed to be here in an hour and a half and I want to be OUT OF THIS HOUSE when he gets here.  Blech.  Sooooo over people trapsing through my house.  Sooooo ready for the new house to be done.  Oh and speaking of the new house, updated photo!

Tah-DAH!  I know, looks pretty much the same but notice the chicken wire/stucco crap is ALL over the house now.  WOOOOHOOOO!  They insulated earlier this week and started drywalling yesterday.  Only 3 more months before we MOVE IN!  Wooooohoooooo!  :D

Happy Friday.

~h

March layouts (the beginning)

Didn't get much done yesterday, have to work today.  *sniff* *sniff*  I hate working on my day off but it's mandatory and everyone has to be there.  Sucks.

Anyhoo, got this one done last weekend:

"Easter Egg-citement" Letter stickers provided by www.croppinparadise.com.  Everything else is from my own stash (which is pretty large, LOL)

This one I finished yesterday.  My scrapping time is so limited with Norm working on the new house so my pages have been more on the simple side so at least I am getting SOMETHING DONE. 

" Experience Life"

Pattern paper, really big brads and American Crafts Memory Markers provided by www.croppinparadise.com.  Cardstock and letter stickers provided by little ole me.  :D  Yes, I did hand-cut that title.  It was horrible, must worse than any other I've done.  I changed my blade 3 times and it still kept pulling and snagging.  I think either I got a bad batch of blades or I need a new glass.  I also covered it with Diamond Glass to give it that wet look.  Doesn't show up in the scan very well though.

That's it for today.  Maybe I'll be able to get another one done when I get home.  I keep hoping they won't need all of us and I'll get to come home after 4 hours, which would be so unbelievably cool.  I've already put my 50 hours in for the week and today will make nearly 60.  Sucks, sucks, sucks.  I'm gonna miss Sunday dinner with my family, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy and my weekly phonecall with my dad.  :(  What a crappy end to an extremely short weekend.

It rained late Friday nate and all day yesterday.  I mean ALL DAY.  Some places got snow but most of them just got lots and lots of rain.  3" in some places.  Just goes to show you.  We go for nearly 4 months without a single drop and then get bombarded.  And today?  Not a cloud in the sky.  Sunny and cold, but no clouds AT ALL.  Anyhoo, we drove out to the property in the pouring rain, Norm gave me probably the quickest tour EVER and we left and had some lunch at Applebee's.  Jack was having the BEST time spashing in all the puddles (there were a lot of them) and getting muddy as hell.  Because I value my beloved camera, Lola, I didn't take her on our tour and get my typical "4 corners" photos so I got these shots from the truck window.

And I should add that they were going to have 2 crews working all through Saturday to get the framing done by next week.  Well needless to say, that didn't happen.  Hopefully the ground will dry out some and they can pick up again Monday or Tuesday.  I know one thing is for certain.  We're gonna have a real weed problem in about a week or so.  *sigh*

Time to get ready for work, dammit.

Later,

~h

Inspiration strikes

The other day I'm checking out the gallery at CP and I noticed this really cool use of a transparencies:

Sinterklaas Minibook

So freakin' AWESOME how she left the center clear and then scrapped a page on top of that.  I LOVED IT.  Had to make one of my own, or at least play with the idea.  I sat down that same day and did a page.  So here's my take on her wonderful minibook idea:

This is the page propped on my scrap desk so you can get an idea of the see through layer in the center.  I LOVE HOW  IT TURNED OUT.

And here's the scanned view, but the transparent areas are black because of my scanner.  There's just no good way to photograph a page with clear elements!  :D

On photo, used the "diffuse" filter by optikVerve Labs.  LOVE THOSE FILTERS.   

Dh asked me why I take such good photos and them make them all blurry?  I tried to explain to him it's not blurry, it's an effect.  He just shook his head at me.  He just doesn't understand art sometimes.  Well, most of the time, actually.  LOL.

Pattern papers (Scenic Route - Charlotte) provided by www.croppinparadise.com.  And thanks so much Dees for the awesome inspiration by your fabulous mini-book!  You rock, girl!!!

Latest and Greatest (part 2)

Got 2 things done this weekend.  Finished a Birthday Book I've been wanting to do for some time and a LO about my Dad's 50th birthday.  Take a look...

Birthday Book - Scenic Route (Brighton)  Papers and alpha stickers courtesy of www.croppinparadise.com  This is the cover.  View on right is a close-up of the cover.

  These are the months inside, from January to August.  I'm too lazy to post them all individually.  :D

Not to be forgotten, September through December, because they wouldn't fit in the the scan above.  :D

And finally, the back cover.  I can't leave anything unfinished, even the back cover. 

Fabulous 50 - Scenic Route (Brighton)

Papers courtesy of www.croppinparadise.com

Journaling is hidden under the tag and reads:

My dad. There is no one like him and I’m pretty sure there never will be again. He’s an original, the genuine article, the real deal. Never ceases to be able to put a smile on my face or bring levity to my world. On the celebration of his half century on earth, I wanted to give him something special, something that you don’t get everyday. I gave him time. Time spent with me. I flew to California and spent 4 days there. It was the best thing I could have done. I was able to be there to spend his birthday with him, to spend time talking to him, sharing with him, getting to know him even better. Something between us just clicks. Like we have known each other forever not only just met a couple years ago. He knows how I think, what I want to say without even saying it. Time spent with my dad is just easy. No demands, no worries, no pretenses. Something else happened during my time there. The added bonus of spending time with my step-mom, Dee and my half siblings, Misty, David and Lori. Never did I know that in giving such a gift I would be getting so much in return. I love these people. They make me feel like I’m finally home. And for this I will always be grateful. Fifty is definitely fabulous from my perspective. I hope at that age I will have as many blessings in my life to celebrate. Here’s to you, Dad!

So those are my creations from this weekend.  Maybe I will even get a chance to get one more done tonight.  Jack is home sick with an ear infection and I didn't get much sleep last night because of it.  He's still running a high fever so he can't go to school until it breaks which will hopefully be tomorrow because I really need to get back to work.  They weren't too happy when I called in both yesterday and todayl.  Oh freakin' well.  My family comes first and they know that.  Hopefully they will be over their hissy fit by tomorrow. 

He definitely needs to go back to school as well.  What a bust our introduction has been.  He missed 2 days last week and this week he'll miss 2 days, if not more.  I'm sure he's thinking we're nuts or something.  Anyhoo, here's hoping he's healthy tomorrow.  At $165/week this keeping him home is getting expensive.  Gotta run, he's demanding pancakes right now.  :D 

~h

More layouts

Didn't get around to posting these earlier this week like I wanted.  So here they are:

Pieces of Me (good & bad)Basic Grey - Urban Couture line - courtesy of www.croppinparadise.com

Make a Wish - Scenic Route/Treehouse Memories

All product courtesy of www.croppinparadise.com

Latest and Greatest

Worked my hiney off this weekend and managed to get 2 LOs completed.  WOOOHOOOO!

Big Brown Eyes - Crate Paper "Seaweed Collection" sneak peek

All papers courtesy of Croppin' Paradise

Journaling under the tag reads: When I was Connor's age, I wanted brown eyes in the worst way. Little did I know that one day I would have them, they just wouldn't be mine...

Blink and You Will Miss It - Basic Grey "Hang 10" sneak peek

Pattern papers courtesy of Croppin' Paradise

Not to leave Jackson out, one about him too.  I don't know if you can read the journaling or not, but let me tell you, it was a BITCH!  I'll think long and hard before I decide to cut out every single freakin' word again.  Took me FOREVER!  Also used an entire spool of thread on this one.  It was a small spool but I still used the whole thing.  My sewing machine was in overdrive last night!

So that's it.  Tales from my scraproom.  I gotta get started on another one before I have to make dinner.  Working with another one of Basic Grey's new lines.  Mmmmmm.....Basic Grey.....

~h

My 1st DT assignment

Just wanted to share my very first one as a CP DT member.  We had to do an All About Me LO (AAM) to be hung at the store in Utah and also send a 5x7 B&W photo of ourselve that they can use when they travel to various shows and such.  So here it is:

The picture doesn't have that bluish cast to it IRL but sometimes my scanner gets a mind of it's own and I get some VERY weird colors out of it.  It's time for a new scanner, but I'm waiting for this one to completely DIE before I pitch it. 

Thanks for looking at my latest work, many more fun projects to come!

~h