Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Whirlwind Week

Hello everyone!  Sorry for the delay in posting.  When I got back from my super fun weekend at Lori's, I was exhausted and I've had so much to do to prepare for leaving tomorrow, when I'm going to a scrapbook trade show for the Scrapper's Boutique.  I did have a wonderful time though!  We spent a lot of time in Abilene and had a blast shopping, looking at silly cards, and eating at some wonderful restaurants.  If you are ever in Abilene, you have to check out the Beehive!  Not only was the food fabulous, the owners were so much fun!  They told us jokes, and just made it such a fun experience.

Then, Monday night, I was able to go to the Cowboy's football game in the new stadium!!!!!  It was awesome!  Robby had tickets given to him by a company he works with and we were on around the 20 yard line about 12 or so rows up from the field.  I just can't even begin to tell you how fabulous the stadium is!  You just can't fathom it until you see it for yourself.  While we were there, the big screens in the stadium received the record from Guiness - that was super cool!!  I felt like we were a part of history.  I was there for the first Monday night game in the new stadium, the first win, and when they were inducted into the Guiness record book.  I took over 200 pictures and once they are downloaded, I'll have to share some of them with you.  With my zoom, it was like I was on the field with them - it was so fantastic!  Added bonus - they won - rofl!  Whoo hoo - Go Cowboys!!

Well - I have to run now.  I still have a lot to do to get ready to leave tomorrow.  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!  I should have lots for you next week.  :)
~til next time,
Paula 

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Upcoming Class Sample Photos

Hello and Happy Thursday!  I have to just tell you that I am LOVING this cooler weather.  Especially since it has stopped raining.  My kids are able to go play outside and it's just so nice! 

Today I went to the Scrapper's Boutique and took photos of my class samples so that I can show them to you.  The photos and class info are below:

(I don't have all the info or photos for the Mum Flower Canvas Class yet - but I do know that I will be having 2 of these classes.  One on Saturday, October 17th from 10:15AM to 1:15PM, and one on Tuesday evening, October 20th, from 6:00 to 9:00PM.  I am just waiting on the punches to be delivered so that I can create the "actual" class sample.  You can see a very similar example of what we will be making at the shop.  If you are interested and would like to have first chance at signing up, please contact Cherie to have her add your name to the list.  Everyone who takes the class will have the opportunity to pre-order the punches used in that class at a 20% discount.  That way you will have your very own puches to use at the class and take home with you.  Only pre-orders will be eligible for the discount.)

Junior Scrappers Club – Class 2 (Monthly class) $20
Adults and Ages 8 and up
Saturday, October 10th, 10:15AM to 12:15 PM

This month we will be decorating the cover of our albums. We will also be making a 2 page layout. The layout theme is great for any type of photos. You could use sports photos, photos of friends, or anything you would like.  If you missed the first class, but would still like to join - please feel free to sign up.  You can either just pick up where we are, or I can try to get together kits for you from the first class.

Photos you will need to bring:
One 5x7 horizontal photo for the cover of your album
Two 4x6 photos for the 2 page layout

Students need to bring the following supplies:
12” paper trimmer
Ruler
Pencil with eraser
Tape runner or your favorite adhesive
Black pen
Pen to coordinate with the colors on your album cover
All supplies that you purchased as part of your starter kit (album, 2 yards of ribbon, cardstock, printed paper, thicker sticker letters, and page refills)






Trick or Treat Tag Book $18
Adults and Ages 8 and up
Tuesday, October 13th, 6:30 to 8:30 PM

Come join in on the fun with this adorable fold up tag book. This is a great way to send photos of your children in their Halloween costumes to family members or as a keepsake for yourself. We will be using the Doodlebug “Trick or Treat” papers and stickers while we learn to make this mini book from cardstock.  This would be a great "Mom and Me" project.  Don’t miss this fun and affordable class!

Students will need to bring to the class:
12” paper trimmer
Scissors
Tape runner or favorite adhesive
1/8” wide tacky tape
Ruler
Bone Folder (if you have one)






Be sure you don't forget about the Haunted House Chipboard Album Class.  The photos are in a previous post.  It is a great album packed full of stuff and techniques.  We will be using grunge paper, acrylic sheets, rub-ons, felt stickers, and much more.  It is on Tuesday evening, October 27th from 6:30 to 9:00 PM and is $35.  This includes everything except your basics and adhesives (see list below for adhesives and things you would need to bring.)

I also would like to share a project with you that I did using the left over papers and other stuff from my stash for a contest.  It is a recycled box project, and I used an old NutriGrain Bar box to make this purse.  This was a lot of fun.  The contest is for a site called Creatively Green - here is the link: http://creativelygreen.ning.com/
The contest is under the Challenges section.  The deadline isn't until October 10th - so feel free to make something and join in the fun!  Here's my project:
 
 

 
I probably won't be able to blog again until I get back from my trip this weekend.  I'm so excited.  I ordered cupcakes from Nita King, Cherie's Mom, to take with us.  Ever since I ate one of her cupcakes at a crop at Scrapper's Boutique - I have been hooked.  They seriously are the best cupcakes I have ever eaten in my life!!  So - I just had to order some to take with me.  I hope that you all have a very fun weekend and I'll blog all about mine when I get back!!
 
~til next time,
Paula

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Day at the computer

Hey everyone!  I spent a busy day at the computer today working on a new kit for Memory Mixer.  It is a Halloween one called "Boo To You".  Hopefully they will have it up on the site soon.  Here is a preview for you to get a sneak peek - hehe.



I also had good news today about the punch order for my upcoming flower classes.  After a few bumps in the road - we finally got the account set up and the order placed.  I went and picked up the canvases today and as soon as the punches come in, I'll be making the "offical" sample for the October Mum flower class.  The dates are set for the flower classes.  They are Saturday, October 17th from 10:15 AM to 1:15 PM, and Tuesday evening, October 20th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.  I will have a price for the class after I have the sample completed.  We will also be offering pre-ordering for the punches in addition to the class fee.  That way you could have your very own punches to use at the class and get to take them home to play with more!  I do want to point out that you don't have to own the punches to take the class.  I will have a set for those who don't own them to use and share for the project, but I think once you see what you can do with them, you'll be wanting your own set for home.  The best news is . .  if you pre-order the punches that we will be using in the class, you will get them for 20% off!!  The discount will only apply to pre-orders, but what a great deal!  I will have more details for you later on these classes, but wanted to go ahead and share what I do know so that you can start getting prepared.  Cherie has an example of the October class in the shop now, but with these new punches, the "official" one will be even prettier!  I will be sure to get a photo for you once I complete it next week.  I can't wait!!!!  These will be a series of classes and each month we'll be making different flowers and leaves, and each month you'll be able to pre-order those punches at the 20% discount.  I just think it's a great way to learn and build your punch stash at the same time so that you can do other projects with the skills you will learn.  About my other classes, I'll be going to the Scrapper's Boutique tomorrow to drop off my Haunted House book sample and to take photos for you of the other class samples.  So be sure to check back to see those.  :)

Other than that, we just watched Dancing with the Stars, and then I watched a few of the new shows after that.  Not sure that any of those will be something I'll be hooked on - but right now I love Dancing with the Stars and Biggest Loser.  I'm also eagerly awaiting the new American Idol season. 

Okies - I'd better go.  I'm trying to do better about getting to bed at a decent hour so I'm not dragging all day every day.  I hope you have a wonderful night and great morning!! 

~til next time,
Paula


Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Lots of new stuff

Hey everyone!!  I hope you are having a great new week so far!  This past weekend I was hard at work on some class samples for my October classes and I can't wait to show them to you.  I left some of the projects at the shop, so I'll have to go back and get photos and post them later (silly me forgot to take my camera - hehe).  But - I do have photos for you of the Haunted House Mini Album - see below.  It is using the Little Yellow Bicycle house book as well as embellishments from them, K i Memories, and Queen and Co.  Space is limited, so if you are interested, be sure to call and sign up asap.  :)  I hope to see you there! 

Haunted House Mini Album Class
At the Scrappers Boutique in NRH, TX.  817-503-0777
Tuesday, October 27th from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. 
The cost is $35




You will need to bring:
12" paper trimmer
Scissors
Small xyron (preferred) or liquid glue/diamond glaze/glossy accents
Pop dots - both small and large ones
Tape runner or favorite adhesive and a refill
Ruler
Bone Folder (if you have one)
Crop A Dile (if you have one)
Tweezers (if you have them)

On the digital front, I have a new kit to be released soon at both Memory Mixer and Daisy Trail.  It is "Among Friends" and is one that I had done in the past as a collab kit, but I took my part of the collab and added to it to make my very own new kit with it.  I even added an alpha - hehe :)



I'm looking forward to getting to go visit my dear friend, Lori this weekend in Abilene.  She moved over a year ago and I have not been able to get away to go see her new place and I am so excited!  She has a fun weekend all planned for us.  I'll have to share all about it when I get back. 

On a totally different subject, I had an idea this weekend that I thought would be fun for my blog.  During the course of making several of my projects, some silly things happened to me, and I joked about them.  Then it hit me -  Jeff Foxworthy has his "You might be a redneck if . . ." things.  These would be funny "You might be a scrapaholic if. . ." things!!  So - when things like this happen - I'm gonna have to share with you - hehe!!  If you have some - please leave a comment with your "You might be a scrapaholic if" experiences.  I'd love to hear them!  Ok - so here goes:

If every pair of jeans you own (even your best ones) have ink stains on the thighs, you might be a scrapaholic.

If you go to pay for your scrapbooking purchase and pull out googly eyes instead of coins, you might be a scrapaholic.

If your skin has a glittery shine to it, and it's not from your body lotion, you might be a scrapaholic.

If you almost pee yourself because you have to get that one last thing done on the page before you can get up and go to the bathroom, you might be a scrapaholic.  (I DID say ALMOST - rofl!!!)

Hopefully you are smiling now!!  Have a wonderful rest of the day and . . .
~til next time,
Paula

Friday, September 18, 2009

Crop Tonight - whoo hoo!!!

Hey everybody!!  I've had a pretty good week and I hope you all have too.  :)  I've completed some projects for classes and some for Cherie to display in her shop and I can't wait to share them with you.  I'm planning to take photographs tonight and put them up for you all to see this weekend.  I've also been working on a project for a contest I saw for a recycled Halloween box.  I'll be sure to post that one too when I can.

We had Zachary's 5th birthday party on Wednesday and boy did he have a good time!!  We got a Spongebob cake, cups, plates, and napkins, all of which he just loved.  I was so tickled with him because when he woke up, I told him "Happy Birthday!" and he looked around and then asked me "Where are my decorations?".  Last summer, Kaylee had some of her girlfriends over for her birthday, and we decorated her room - so he just thought that was the norm and wanted to know why I didn't have that done for him.  It was so funny and cute - but he sure knows how to put me on a guilt trip!!  So I took him out to lunch and then we went to buy balloons and decorations and we decorated the dining room for him.  After dinner, we had the "party" and he was so excited he couldn't even sit still.  There were only 2 things he had asked for, a zhu zhu hamster and a frog funkey, and of course, they weren't available in any stores yet, so I went shopping on ebay.  What a beating!!  Those auctions had me so nervous I could just feel my blood pressure rising.  I was feeling like, don't they know I HAVE to have these for my son's birthday - hehe!  Anyway - I was able to get a lot of hamster stuff for him and Kaylee and got him his frog funkey and even another one too.  I guess I did good because he is still telling me thank you several times a day for his gifts.  That makes it all soooo worth it to see his little smile and know how happy it made him!

On a different note, I'm very excited about getting to crop tonight.  I'm going to be getting a new Halloween book to make into a class sample tonight and I'm very excited about it.  Plus - it's always fun to get together with my friends and have some adult ladies time - hehe.

Well - I have a "5 year old" (as he now keeps pointing out to me since his b-day) begging for me to get him out of his bath, so I'd better run.  I hope you all have a very fun and productive weekend and I'll post photos as soon as I can!!
~til next time,
Paula     

Monday, September 14, 2009

It's STILL raining!!

Happy Monday everyone!!  It's dreary and still raining here!  It has rained non-stop since Friday.  I know we need it, but I'm beginning to wonder if we need to start building an ark - hehe. 

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  The rain didn't dampen my fun weekend.  Friday night I got to crop with some of my dear friends at the Take A Break Friday night crop hosted by Joni and Jody.  It's always a good time and I take Kaylee with me to that one.  I have to tell you the funny saga of us getting there.  It was POURING rain and we had no adhesive, so we had to stop at Michaels.  When we got out of the car, the water was over my ankles in the parking lot - and I had worn flip flops - brilliant, huh . . .NOT -rofl !!!   I went running for the door and about 1/2 way there, lost one of my flip flops and had to run back and get it.  Then by the time I got in the store, I was just dripping.  We just stood there on the mat for a bit trying to stop dripping.  It was sooo funny looking back on it - not such much at the time - hehe.  Anyway - then one of the roads to the crop was flooded, but we eventually got there via a back road.  After we dried off, I started working on a project for a class that I'm hoping to do in October.  Kaylee worked on some tags.  Despite everything - it was a fun evening.  Then Saturday, I got to go to my friend, Cindy's house and help her work on a Halloween mini album for her son's class basket to be raffled off.  She was doing such a great job on it and really didn't need any help from me - so I worked on finishing my class project.  We did a bit of shopping too.  Friday night, Pam Frasier told me about a fantastic sander you can get at Home Depot for distressing, so, of course, I had to go get one.  When we went back to Cindy's and told her hubby that we bought scrapbook supplies at Home Depot - he told us that we had just ruined that store for him and now he would have to shop at Lowe's - rofl!!  He cracks me up!

This weekend I also straightened up my work area a little, and since over the past months, several people have asked me to show them my work space, I took some photos for you.  :)  I'm especially happy with the ribbon and button containers.  I love those by Making Memories.  The fact that they are plastic and still look like glass is awesome!!! 
Last, but not least - THE COWBOYS WON!!!  whoo hoo!!  Let's keep it going guys!!
I hope you all have a great start to the new week and . . .
~til next time,
Paula

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Season Opener - GO COWBOYS!!

Well, it's that time again - football season!  Hubby is already downstairs watching the pre-game.  I'm getting ready to go fix the "football food" - hehe.  We will be having chili, rotel cheese dip with chips, and then the kids asked for a cake.  So - I'm off to cook, then hopefully will get to sit and watch some of the game (while working on some project).  I can't sit still without my hands being busy.  I hope you all have a wonderful Football Sunday and GO COWBOYS!!!!

~til next time,
Paula

Friday, September 11, 2009

Grunge Paper Flower Madness!!!

Hey everyone!  I hope you are having a great day and staying dry.  It's very wet and humid here, but the rain is bringing lower temps, so I guess that will be good.  I'm so ready for fall!!  I'm looking forward to spending a little more time outside without baking from the heat - hehe. 

I wanted to share some photos of the grunge paper flowers that I had made for Cherie to display at her shop.  They are a lot of fun to make, but sure can be messy as you will see in the photo.  At least I kept it mainly on my fingers, but it never hurts to wear a multi colored shirt so it's less noticeable - just in case - rofl!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks for looking!!
~til next time,
Paula

Thursday, September 10, 2009

My Distress Notebook for my trip to Houston :)

Hey everyone!!  I am so excited about going to the trade show with Cherie and some of the other teachers from Scrappers Boutique - and getting to take a class from Tim Holtz!!!!  I have just discovered some of his video tutorials on his site and have just been in awe of what all you can do with his products!!  I'm dying to try them all!!  Anyway - when I go to the trade show, I wanted to have a notebook to keep my itinerary and notes from the classes - and I can't take a "plain" notebook into a Tim Holtz class - rofl!!!  So - I made one and I wanted to share it with you.  It has a lot of stuff on there including a little mini album on the cover, a folder with a pull out page inside, and even a grungepaper rose.  I had so much fun making it and I'm thinking about teaching a class to make a notebook similar to this one.  If you live near the Scrappers Boutique and would like to see this as a class, please leave me a note letting me know.  :)

Here it is with the mini book opened:
Thanks for checking out my project!!  I hope to have more to show you soon!
~til next time,
Paula

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Fun Classes and Crop

It's Labor Day weekend, and we aren't really doing much, but I had a great day yesterday. The first Junior Scrappers Club class went great and I was so happy to see how creative the boys and girls were. I love that they aren't afraid to let their creativity show through. Even though they all did basically the same layouts - they all turned out looking different and fabulous. I am looking forward to the next class already! If you have someone that is still interested, you can still sign up. It's not too late. The next class is October 10th from 10:00 AM to Noon and we'll be decorating the cover of our albums and doing 2 more pages.

The Intro To Cards Class was a lot of fun too. Everyone did a wonderful job on their cards and we laughed and just had an all around great time.

Then I stayed and cropped and just really enjoyed having an entire day to spend visiting, laughing, and being creative. I have to brag on Robby now. :) He really started my day off great when he surprised me by having all of my bags of supplies loaded into my Jeep when I came downstairs to leave.

Today, Kaylee and I worked together to make some more items for her shelf at the Scrappers Boutique. I don't know if I've mentioned it yet or not, but Kaylee is saving up to be able to buy her very own toy poodle. She wants a dog of her own so badly, and she made an agreement with Robby that if she saved the money to buy the dog and pay for the stuff it needed as well as the puppy shots, that she could get one. So she saved all of her money from her birthday earlier this summer, and has rented a shelf at Cherie's shop to sell paper piecings and little gifts. She's almost 1/3 of the way to having the money she needs. I'm very proud of her for sticking with it and working hard to keep the shelf stocked with things to sell. She makes pretty much everything herself, but sometimes we enjoy working on them together, like we did today. We're working on some new things for gift giving around the holidays, so if you go by the shop, be sure to check out her creations. :)

On a different note, I want to thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers for our dog, Hercules. He's doing well on the medications. Even the vet was surprised by how well he was doing given the condition of his heart and all. We're just very thankful and making sure to enjoy every minute that we have with him.

I'm off to bed now. I hope you all have a fun and safe Labor Day!!
~til next time,
Paula

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Oh So Fun Saturday and Upcoming Classes

Hello everyone!! I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend and start to the new week! I have to tell you about my awesome Saturday! I got to spend the whole day doing scrapbooking stuff and it was soooo much fun!! I got to attend 2 fabulous classes on Copic Markers (and let me tell you - I am HOOKED!!!). Then I went for a little shopping while I waited for my spot in the crop room to open up - then I went back and cropped the night away with some of my wonderful friends!! We had so much fun and laughed so hard that at one point, I had to get up and walk so that I could stop laughing long enough to breathe. It really was a great day and thank you to everyone who was a part of it - I really needed those laughs!!! :)

More good news - today Zachary started his last year of Pre-K and he had a wonderful day. There were no fits or tears when I dropped him off, which was a nice surprise, and he was full of energy telling me about all the fun things he did during the day. Then, since Robby had taken the day off, after we picked up the kids, we went out in the boat and let them fish for perch. Zachary got a few bites, but never caught one, and after about 5 casts, he was ready to just play with the worms. Then Kaylee and Robby fished and I helped Kaylee when she got her line tangled. (No - I didn't touch the worms or fish - just the line and bobber - rofl!!!) It was really nice to get away as a family and see everyone having a good time. I also have to say that Kaylee is turning out to be quite the fisher woman. She was casting so well and really knew what she was doing. Robby has taught her well. :)

Before I go to finish watching America's Got Talent, I want to tell you all about the 2 classes that I'm teaching this weekend at the Scrappers Boutique. They both have a few spots left, so if you are interested, be sure to call and reserve your spot. The first is Saturday from 10:00 to Noon and it is the Junior Scrappers Club for kids 8 and up. You can see more details on my flyer on the right. The second is also Saturday, from 1:30 to 3:30 PM and it is the Intro To Cards class where I will be teaching 4 different folding techniques for the A2 card size. Experienced card makers are welcome too - we will have a lot of fun and be using some fun papers and elements. I hope to see you there!

~til next time,
Paula

PS - Be on the lookout for photos that will be coming from some projects I was working on last weekend. One has turned into an upcoming class!!! :)