It has been a while

I know... it has been a while. I have been scrapping (not as much as I hope) but I am getting things done little by little. Work and the holidays seems to be getting in the way. LOL!

This layout I created using Basic Grey Recess- I absolutely LOVE this line. Totally awesome. Perfect papers for this "urban cowboy"!! The stitching is all stamped which I think add a certain "roughness" to the layout. Don't you?

9/11 - Happy Birthday Colton!!!

This day is filled with so many emotions especially for me. Today is my oldest son's birthday- he is now 5 years old. WOW, Time really flies. As I was driving into work today, I started thinking about my sons's world. And it made me realize some things that I had never realized before:

- My son will never know a world without a reference to 9/11. And since his birthday is on 9/11, this day holds particular special meaning to all of us.

- My son knows more about computers than some adults.

- My son does not know who Bugs Bunny is or what those cartoons were like.

- My son was amazed to find out that my brother and I use to play with Transformers too. :P

- My son still thinks his dad hung the moon and that his mom is very pretty. These are the years that I treasure with all my heart because I know there will come a time when he will think his dad doesn't know anything and his mom won't be considered so pretty. LOL!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLTON!!! WE ALL LOVE YOU!!!

Club Scrap Kit "This is my Story" Line.....

One of our sponsors at The School of Scrap isClub Scrap. I just love getting a kit each month and creating pages that I would have never thought of on my own. It is like getting a present in the mail each month just for me! :)

For June, the Club Scrap kit is title "This is my story"...and IT RAWKS!!!! The blue and red colors are so vivid and the titles are just fabulous! Thanks Club Scrap!!!

Digital fun with Scrapstreet.com

I just love creating digital layouts. You can really experiment with colors, sizes, and even textures and not worry about "ruining" anything. If you don't like it, just hit the "undo" feature. At The School of Scrap.com, we were challenged to create a layout using the poem "Sick" by Shel Silverstein. Upon looking at some older pictures, I can across this picture of my oldest son and thought...That is PERFECT!!

Thank you to Dora Phillips at Scrap Street.com for creating this awesome digital kit "Touch of Tile".

Sick
"I cannot go to school today,"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more--that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut, my eyes are blue--
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke--
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
By back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb,
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My toungue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is --what?
You say today is . . . Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

Basic Grey and Metal Embellishments

Don't you just love it when a layout just comes together? When the vision in your head matches what actually is viewed on the layout? It is a great feeling, isn't it? This layout was one of those layouts. I picked the photo and the Basic Grey Skate Shoppe paper and the rest just seemed to flow. The strips of paper and circles draw the attention to the photo and accented it rather than distracted from it. Staples formed in a stitching pattern accents the top circle while snaps decorate the bottom circle. The metal embellishments just seem perfect for the Basic Grey Skate Shoppe collection. It just fits!

Crayons and Scrapbooking

The other day I was sitting at my house one day watching my children use sidewalk chalk on our driveway. I watched the colors they were using and the texture of the chalk against the rough driveway. It was at that moment I had one of those "Ahhh!!" lighbulb moments. (Don't you just LOVE those creative out of the blue moments?) That night I picked up a black piece of cardstock and some watercolor crayons and started to doodle. Just to see how it would look. I just fell in love with the look but wanted something more "polished". So I decided to use my Doodle Genie with my watercolor crayons. Viola!!! It was able to draw "polished" flowers that had a childlike quality about them.

So why not try using crayons on your next layout...you will be amazed at the results!

Truckload of fun...With Daisy D's.

I just love the new Daisy D's "Beacon Hill". The whole line offers a patterned paper for every type of scrapbooker. It truly is extremely versatile and the color is so vibrant. This layout "Truckload of Fun" uses Boston Damask, Beacon Hill Stripe and Boston Stripe.

I have been tagged!!!

Lisa from The School of Scrap has tagged me to play Scattagories using the first letter in our first name...so here goes!

Your Name: Kirstie

Famous Singer: Kurt Coban

4-letter word: K-I-S-S

Street: Kesington

Color: Khakhi

Gifts/Presents: Kittens

Vehicle: Kia

Things In Souvenir Shop: Keyrings

Boy Name: Ken

Girl Name: Kristina

Movie Title: Kiss the Girls (very suspenseful movie..YIKES!)

Drink: Kaluha

Occupation: Kite Maker

Flower: Kaffer Lilly

Celebrity: Katie Curric

Magazine: Kaleidoscope

US City: Kankakee, IL

Pro Sports Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Fruit: Kiwi

Reason For Being Late For Work: Keys!

Something You Throw Away: Kegs

Things You Shout: Karoke

Cartoon Character: Kathy

Basic Grey Fun!

I just love Basic Grey- Color Me Silly. This collection really lends itself well to layouts emphasizing little boys playing and having fun. Color Me Silly is so colorful and funky. Have you played with Basic Grey today?

This layout was inspired by using the extraordinary sketches from Ingrid Lingman. All her sketches can be found at
The School of Scrap.

Bringing Texture into a Layout

I just love adding unexpected elements to my scrapbook layouts. There is something about looking at a page and thinking "Why didn't I think of that?". I obtained some screen material (yes, the same stuff used on windows and doors)and was dying to try to use on a layout. After some trial and error, I came up with a reasonable solution with outstanding results. This material not only makes this layout feel "grungy" and "funky"; but it also adds some depth and character. Why not try to use screen material on one of your layouts?

Scrapbooker of the Year

I would like to challenge all of the scrapbookers to entry CK's Scrapbooker of the Year (SOY) contest. This is a great way to develop your own personal scrapbook style as well as create some awesome layouts. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain in participating in this challenge.

For more information visit: Creating Keepsakes Scrapbooker of the Year

BONUS: Any "School of Scrap" student who reads this post and responds will get 20 extra School Bucks!! Anyone who ENTERS the SOY contest and posts it here will be 100 extra School Bucks!!!

1st Layout in Basic Grey Gallery

I am so happy and proud to announce that one of my layouts "Binkey Boy" has been selected to be in the Basic Grey Gallery. This is my first layout ever to be selected for the gallery at Basic Grey. This has been a goal that I have wanted to achieve for a long time. I am just soo excited!!!!!

Here is the link: Binkie Boy in Basic Grey Gallery

Here is the layout which was inspired by Ingrid Lingman's 1st sketch for the School of Scrap! Thank you Ingrid for the awesome inspiration!!!

Fangtastic -Digital Fun

I downloaded a great and FREE digital scrapbooking kit from Fuji films (who would have known!). They had various kits for every season. However, the two Halloween kits caught my eye and my imagination. Both kits had various type of papers, embellishments, tags, titles, and letters to suit every digital scrapper. Fangtastic uses the two Halloween Fuji kits plus some elements from the Shabby Princess kits. The color combination makes this layout eerily pretty.

Shabby Princess "Festival" Digi Pack

Lately, I have been trying to get some experience in the realm of "digital" scrapbooking. At first, I was quite intimidated by the whole process. Once I figured out how use Adobe Photoshop CS2, I have really been enjoying myself in "digital" scrapbooking.

The Shabby Princess website is just awesome. She offers a variety of free "digital kits" that anyone can download. The kits include a variety of patterned papers, embellishments,letters, and stitching/ribbons. This is perfect for any digital scrapbooker.

The newest free digital pack is "Festival". I saw this and just fell in love with the color combination and patterns. The kit includes six different patterned papers, four colored buttons, journaling block, rick rack, brads, alphabets and multiple types of photo frames. What a great pack!!!

Binkey Boy

Lot's of great things are happening over atThe School of Scrap and some great scrappers are actively part of our school. Ingrid Lingman has posted some of her sketches in our School Gallery. WOW! I just LOVE LOVE Sketchz by Ingrid!

This is a layout created from one of her latest sketches - School Sketchz #001. I used Basic Grey Color Me Silly patterned paper. The ribbon is from Stampin Up. The hidden journaling is at the top of the page. Hidden journaling is a fantastic way to add journaling without it being seen by everyone who looks at the layout.

Thanks Ingrid for the GREAT sketch!!!!!

More Club Scrap........

This layout was a lot of fun to do. I loved these pictures of butterflies but couldn't find the proper paper for a layout. This month's selection of Club Scrap's"Refresh" changed my mind. I thought the bold spring-like colors would make a great layout. It was a lot of fun to create the triple mats for the photos. The butterfly embellishments were handmade using the paper from the Club Scrap "Refresh" line. I added the "Fandangles" on the wings to add some shimmer. Plus using the "pop-dots" for adhesive helped make the butterflies appear to be floating on top of the page.

Club Scrap = Bright Spring Colors

The bright colored patterned paper that come in the Club Scrap "Refresh" kit are so easy and fun to work with. They are the PERFECT foundation for spring layouts. So it wasn't hard to select the photos that went with this patterned paper. The layout "Simple Beauty" was an easy layout to create. The beautiful green patterned paper adds color and design that co-exist with the three pictures of the beautiful roses.

Thank you Club Scrapfor the great kits for the Design Team at The School of Scrap.

Club Scrap = Awesome!

Club Scrap is one of The School of Scrap sponsers. The School of Scrap is so proud to have the pleasure of working with Club Scrap and their fabulous kits. One week ago, I had the absolute joy of receiving the Club Scrap kit- "Refresh". OH MY GOSH! I can't tell you how awesome this kit is. So many items, such vivid colors, and great tips on how to use the spritzer bottles and stamp.

I received the following in my "Refresh" kit:
(8) 12x12 Prints/2 ea. Dark Green, Light Green, Dark Blue, Light Blue
(10) 12x12 Plain/2 ea. Dark Green, Light Green, Dark Blue, Light Blue, Translucent
(4) 8.5x11 Prints/2 ea. Dark Green, Light Blue
(6) 8.5x11 Plain/2 ea. Light Green, Dark Blue, Translucent
(10) Delicate Forest Paper Leaves
(2) Spritzer Bottles
(6) Manila Square Tags
(1) Packet Fresh Fandangles
(1) Sheet CS Rejuvenated Stickers
(1) Sheet CS Blank Canvas Mosaic Stickers
(3) Idea Recipe Cards - Fonts, Layouts, Backgrounds & Borders
(1) Scrap Rap Newsletter
(1) CS Side Order (Stamp Set)
(1) CS Side Order (Embellishment Pack)
(1) CS Side Order (Greetings to Go)

This week I will post a new Club Scrap layout that I created using this amazing kit.
If you haven't tried it yet, run over to Club Scrap and order this "Refresh" kit today. You will be so glad that you did!!!!

Using Buttons in Your Layouts

In my Shop class at The School of Scrap.com, I recently challenge everyone to use buttons in their layout. But wait...there is a catch! I wanted them to ONLY use buttons as their embellishments. No other type of embellishments were allowed. It was amazing to see how many people used the buttons in such extraordinary ways. See all the wonderful layouts at the School Gallery. Based on the great response, I am extending the challenge out to you. How many creative and extraordinary ways can you use buttons? Post the layouts in the comment section...Can't wait to see your creation!

Interviews in Scrapbook Layouts

Quite often in scrapbooking we are trying to create a "snapshot" in time to capture a specific moment in our lives. As a mother, I often have the "if only I can save this moment" thinking when my children do something silly, fun, or exciting. One way to capture thoughts of a child (or anyone else) is to do an "interview" that the person. It only take a couple of minutes to write down some questions that you want to ask the person. The type of questions is up to you. The question can be something serious like "Who do you admire the most?" to something silly like "What you rather be a buffalo or a horse?" The idea is to capture the person's thoughts in that particular moment in time to reflect the person's age, situation in life, mood, dreams, goals, desires, etc.

For this layout, I wanted to capture the thoughts of a 4 year old boy who is my oldest son. His mind is so interesting and his thoughts just amaze me. Kids are just so honest. The point of the interview was to capture his innocence and honesty. So I asked him some serious questions along with some silly type questions to get a good range. This interview was a great experience for the both of us because he had an awesome time answering my questions and I loved hearing his responses.

The layout that I created to go along with the interview used photos taken this year as well. I wanted the pictures to make his personality and his innocence as much as the interview. I used some flourish rub-on's on the bottom corners of the pictures to add some color detail. MME Bohemia "Just be You" and "Imagine" lines were selected as the paper as well as chipboard flower with buttons. The stripped paper going across the page which looks like ribbon is accented with the "Spirit" MM metal ribbon embellishment. The title is hand sewn on one side using Stampin Up silver cord for a nice special touch.

1st Birthday Today!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to my sweet little R!
Happy Birthday to you!

Your first year has been awesome and your little personality is just shining through like never before. You are soo loved and adored.

Using Music Albums as Inspirations for Layouts

As many of you know, I am a proud teacher at the School of Scrap. This quarter my class is Music Inspiration. As I parused around the Internet, I found the most fabulous album art that just practical leaped off the screen at me. So I challenged the students at the School of Scrap to use the fabulous album art as inspiration on one of their layouts for the month of January.

After I went home for the day and was printing pictures for my layouts, I noticed a picture of my little one's first tooth. Like a lightening bolt out of the sky, the idea struck me. I can use this photo for the album art layout! The hardest part of this layout was cutting the 1/2 inch x 1/2 inch squares and then placing them on the layout. The rest of the layout just fell into place.

Here is the album art:

Using Non-Scrapbook Items in Layouts

Up until recently, I had always been a bit intimidated about using "non-scrapbook" items on a layout. I was worried that somehow it would ruin a page or make it "not as good". So I purposely branched out, and used these leaves from Michaels on this layout. I LOVE the added depth that the leaves added. Try to add some "non-scrapbook" items to some of your pages...You will be surprised at the outcome and look of the layout!