Birds of a Feather…

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Sammy the Cat Album…plus, need your help RAK October 18, 2008

Filed under: Challenges, Day in the life, Family time, Scrapbook Layouts, Scrapbooking tips and tricks — birdsofafeather19 @ 4:49 pm

We had a wonderful cat named Sampson.  He was a farm cat that we adopted and grew to love very much.  He was such a character.   Sammy loved to run and if we didn’t let him outside he would literally bounce off the walls.  Like a toddler, Sammy would play and play until he dropped.  Then sleep like the dead for the rest of the day.  He loved to curl up in your lap for these long naps, but heaven forbid if you tried to move or get up.  You would get the “what do you think you are doing?” look.  When Sammy died last year I had a very difficult time.  At the age of 2-1/2 I never expected to lose him.  However, he got into something outside that poisoned him and he died in my arms as we were taking him to the vet.  I recently pulled myself through the emotions of losing him by creating this memorial mini-album. 

 

 

 

 

Now this last page is where I need your help.  This picture is a typical, sleep all day cause I was prowling all night, picture.  And on the facing page I want to say something about cats, or pets, or something.  Just a cute sentiment to end the book.  But I drew a blank.  Please help me to finish this album by commenting here with your suggestions.  I’ll choose my favorite and send a RAK of scrapbook supplies.

 

Back to the regularly scheduled programming… Challenge with a RAK September 24, 2008

Filed under: Challenges, Day in the life, Family time, Uncategorized — birdsofafeather19 @ 4:19 pm

So, if you know me, you know that I have two out of three children involved in ice hockey.  We live and breathe hockey most days. 

In the summer the schedule seems to wind down a bit so we have multiple days in a row without having to drive to practice or a game.  It’s heaven!!  However, this week we start tryouts so we’re back to the regular chaos.  My husband and I try to divide and conquer but it means a lot of time seperated as a family.  With my impending craziness I have come up with a new challenge.  Being gone at dinner time most nights, I have decided to drag out the old crockpot so I can start meals before work and have them ready to eat when the kids and I get home.  We also hold several pasta parties throughout the year for our kids to ramp up on the carbs the night before a big game so that darn crock pot gets lots of use this time of year. 

The challenge:  Please share your favorite all-day in a crock pot recipe and I will choose a random winner.  The prize:  some fun kitchen related items that will be a surprise!!  Thanks for playing along.  My kids thank you from the bottom of their little stomachs!!

 

Overflowing with Buttons July 7, 2008

Filed under: Challenges, Scrapbook Layouts, Scrapbooking tips and tricks — birdsofafeather19 @ 3:48 pm

As a crafter I have come to terms with my collecting.  When I tried to learn quilting I collected fabric.  Lots and lots of fabric.  And notice I said “tried”.  I never got the hang of it so my huge bin of fabric still sits in the basement.  I also tried making jewelry.  I wasn’t very talented in that arena either.  My daughters swooped up that collection as soon as I set it down.  Now, as a scrapbooker I have found my niche.  I like what I create and there is always something new to collect- paper, ribbon, stamps, pens, ink, eyelets, chipboard, tools, etc. 

 

Lately I have been collecting buttons.  I have been inspired by others layouts and have been picking up buttons in clearance bins and on sale racks for awhile now.  So with this abundance of buttons you would think I have been crafting up a storm.  Not so much.  Until last weekend I had not made a single layout with them.  Now that I have though, I think I’ll be going through my stash pretty quickly!

 

Page One, Trio Competition - 12x12 layoutPage Two, Trio Competition - 12x12 layout

On the left page I photocopied the actual sheet music the girls played, but shrunk it down to 66%.  Then I crumpled it up into a ball and flattened it back out.  I used a sponge to brush some ink lightly over the crumpled pages.  This way the ink just catches on the wrinkles and looks old and worn.   

 

On the right page I drew the wave patterns by hand then cut them out on two colors of card stock.   I placed the buttons on the seam with glue dots.  I actually only had the large glue dots left so I cut them into fourths.  I think I used just one sheet for all these buttons!  (I’m stingy with adhesive! lol)  Here’s a closeup, too.

 

 

So here’s my challenge to you…  Create a project using buttons.  Anything.  Layout, card, altered item – you name it.  Post a link here and I will randomly choose one to receive

a set of two Fiskars USX templates    

and some other goodies from my last shopping trip.  Post a comment with a link here by July 14th to be eligible.