The Aftermath…Scrapfest ‘08 September 15, 2008

Whew!  What a weekend.  Who knew working could be so much fun!  I spent both Saturday and Sunday helping out at the Fiskars booth at Scrapfest and I can’t wait for next year when hopefully, I can do it all again.  It was such a busy event that I didn’t get much time to snap photos but here are a few for the “day in the life” file.

Here is Stephenie, Fiskateer Legend, demo-ing products.  I was particullary impressed that she was able to help out a scrapbooker in line that was hearing impaired as she knows sign language.  The crowds also loved Stephenie even more at the end of the show as she gave away almost every product they brought with!!  Fiskars, Stephenie, Suzanne, Cheryl, Angela and Rebecca were very generous throughout the weekend, not only with product, but with teaching and sharing their considerable knowledge.  I’m very proud to feel like I was a part of that even for just a couple of days.

 

Here’s a full shot of the demo table.  This is at the head of the line so the crafters have some tools to play with and learn about while they wait in line.  An average wait was a minimum of 30 minutes so any break from the waiting was welcomed by all.  The best part was seeing someone learn how to use a Fiskars tool and see how easy it is.  I really love teaching; and seeing that “aha” moment is what makes it fun.  By the way, that’s Fiskars TV host, Suzanne, manning the table. (see the man off to the left?  That’s the kind of look we got all weekend from the non-crafters.  It always makes me chuckle when I see it.)

 

Here are Cheryl, Lead Fiskateer, and Jennie, a Fiskateer from MN, teaching the make-n-take.  Fiskars offered a progressive mini-album thorughout the weekend, with two pages each day.  Each page was a different line from Heidi Grace, Lil Davis and Cloud 9.  Cloud 9 creators Amy and Nancy were also there teaching classes and bringing joy with bright pink Scrapanista wrist bands.  The crowds loved seeing these two ladies!! 

I was lucky enough to get to spend a few minutes chatting with Cheryl before we got down to work and I’m so grateful that I did.  She is one special lady and I look forward to more Fiskateer events that may bring us together.  It’s obvious that her heart is in her job and I admire her for that.

And finally, I had to show this one…My son and his friend tagged along to spend the day at the Mall of America on Sunday.  I think it is so ironic that they were standing in front of the Lucky Brand jeans store.  Because I was “lucky” to get even this one photo of them at all!!

Scrapfest 08 September 10, 2008

I have been away from blogging for awhile.  Life gets so darn busy sometimes that I don’t take time for myself.  But now I am, and this weekend I will be also.  I will be attending Scrapfest 08 at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.

Never been to Scrapfest?!?  Well, if you are a crafter you shouldn’t miss it!  Take a look at the official site here http://www.scrapfest08.com/.  It is three days of make-n-takes, classes and crops.  Here’s a peek at some of the wonderful designers and artists that will be attending – http://www.scrapfest08.com/creative_experts.asp.  This year I will be attending the show on behalf of Fiskars and the Fiskateers.  I am a Cerftified Fiskars Demonstrator and have been asked to help demo Fiskars fabulous products on Saturday and Sunday, 9/13-9/14.  If you are attending please stop by and say hello.  I am so excited to be part of this fun event.  I was checking out the crop and class schedules and many of them are already booked solid!  If you can’t make it this year, save the date for 2009.  I’ll be sure to blog about my experiences at the “mega-mall” (as we Minnesotan’s affectionately call it).  And if you want to learn more about the Fiskateers click here http://fiskateers.com/

Button RAK Winner July 15, 2008

Thank you for taking a look at my new embellishment obsession.  I appreciate the entries into my little RAK.  I could never choose a winner by the quality of the projects because they are all great and creative.  So I chose randomly.  Actually, I asked Queen Bee to pick a number and she chose 4.  Then asked why.  Typical teenager – do first, ask later.  Anyway, lucky number 4 is Veronica!!  Please respond to the email I’ve sent you with your contact info.

Overflowing with Buttons July 7, 2008

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!

 

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.

Fireworks and Hockey July 3, 2008

yes…I said hockey.  I realize this is supposed to be a winter sport. But in the reality I call my life I find myself in hockey rinks on any given day, at any given time and in any given town.

 

 

I hope you all enjoy your 4th of July weekend and when you are on the boat in the hot sun, sipping a cold cocktail, please make a toast to me and my family.  We’ll be shivering and cheering so anything “toasted” is welcome!! ha 

 

Have a Safe and Happy Independence Day!!!  

Board Book – Completed June 26, 2008

My latest project is a Cloud9 Board Book.  It comes in a matching box with a handle.  I’m thinking about making these as Christmas gifts this year.  I completed this project last weekend at the Fiskars training in St. Paul.  I used Heidi Grace’s Midnight Kisses line throughout the book.

 

This is the front of the box.  I covered it with leftovers from the book and used a photo that I had enlarged to 5×7 then tinted sepia.  Then I just added a couple of ribbons on the handle.

 

Here is the front cover.  Nothing tricky here.  Just the black & white floral, shimmer glitter paper and some ribbon.  The back cover is covered the same way.

 

The inside cover.  Floral foil and shimmer papers used here.  New tools I used were the Fiskars Threading Water border punch and Corner Squeeze Punch – ticket corner.  (I had borrowed both of these tools when making the project and then went home and ordered them online.  Can’t wait for that shipment!)  I also added a little ruby bling on the tag and a couple of ribbons where the different papers meet.

 

I made this one very simple.  Not too many frills on this masculine page.  I used some of the Midnight Kisses rub-ons under the Happy Day stamp, but it doesn’t show very well on the black.

 

The rub-ons showed up much better on the white cardstock!  I used a ton of flowers.  The center of these flowers has a foam dot underneath for dimension.  I also accented a few spots with the signature hearts (basically raindots).

 

 

The swirly felt is from Queen & Co.  It comes by the yard and you can cut it to suit your needs.  You could also ink or paint it to add color.  I love it white, though.  I added some clear bling in the little swirls.  I think it’s a great accent for any page.  The felt is also self-adhesive.  This can be a little tricky when working with larger sections.  It will tend to stick together.  Tip – take the backing off in small sections as you place it on the page to avoid this.

 

Here I made another tag using the ticket corner squeeze punch.  The letters are Making Memories.  My youngest was flipping through and said “Ohhh, I get it now! Different branches!”  Like I always say, we don’t catch on quick, but we catch on.

 

The last page.  This is the same photo that is on the front of the box.  I layered papers here.  I love all of this Midnight Kisses line so I tried to get everything in this little book.  I used the Fiskars Round the Bend corner squeeze punch to round all the corners.  A few rub-ons, some bling and flowers finish it up.

 

What a fun project!  I’m hooked on these mini albums now.  I think, mostly due to the instant gratification.   If you see these cloud9 board books at your lss pick one up and give it a try.  I’d love to see what you’ve created. 

My new obsession June 25, 2008

 

I love this new tool!  The Round the Bend corner squeeze punch from Fiskars.  I discovered them at The Scrapbook Shop of St. Paul where I just completed Certified Fiskars Demonstrator training.  I haven’t used corner rounders much over the years.  The first tool I ever bought was a Creative Memories corner rounder and I used it on EVERYTHING!  I think my mind just associates the rounder with outdated scrapbooking styles.  Who knows.  All I know is that I’m now addicated to these squeeze punches.  They’re so easy to use, you can see what you are doing all the time and you don’t have to kill your hand to punch the shape.    Just use it on any corner and you get this… 

 

I also bought the ticket style corner punch (it’s just inverted).  Love that one, too!  I used it alot on my Cloud9 Board Book.

 

I have lots to share from CFD and the crop last weekend.  I’ll post pictures of my newest completed (yes, I said COMPLETED!) project as soon as I can take the pictures.  As for now, I’m packing for another crop this Saturday.  Can you believe it – two weeks in a row!!

Inspiration has struck…I’ve conquered the slump! June 19, 2008

Thanks to all the tips I received this week I am finally back on track. 

 

Here are the ways I conquered the slump:

 

1.  I sat down and made tags/cards to swap with the ladies I will be meeting on Saturday (I’ll post about that soon!).  Even though I made a bunch of the same things, I really had fun doing it.  Coming up with one cute little tag took some pressure off and I’m feeling much better about tackling the bigger projects. 

 

 

2.  I shopped online a bit (couldn’t get to the LSS yet).  Retail therapy works every time!! *wink*

 

 

3.  I flipped through a scrapbook magazine.  It wasn’t a new one, but it does have a ton of little stickies in it from the ideas I had the first couple of times through.  I usually write something on the stickie note, too, so I don’t forget why I liked it.  Such as “not the flower-thingy, use the photo layout” or “try the layering and buttons”. 

 

 

4. One idea that was repeated many times was that sometimes you just have to step away for a bit.  I think that helped more than anything.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?

 

 

5.  I have a new project ready to go.  I packed all the supplies I’ll need in a tote bag that I’ll bring to the LSS this weekend.  If I don’t spend too much time yakking and actually complete the project, I’ll post it here.

 

 

I’m very grateful to everyone for taking a moment to help.  I also hope that these tips help others get out of a creative rut.  Sending you happy, crafty inspiration!

In a slump (creatively speaking) June 17, 2008

***RAK WINNER***  Thank you all so much for your fabulous ideas!  I know I’ll be back on track in no time now.   The winner, chosen randomly, is comment #25 – Sweepnut #3618 (I’ve sent you an email – please respond with your contact info)

 

 

How do you break out of a slump?  I’ve been feeling less than inspired lately.  Maybe it’s because I have a new addiction to surfing blogs and other sites looking at everyones beautiful designs.  I’m feeling a bit intimidated. 

 

Saturday night I went to a friends.  It was a typical night for us; when we can find the time to get together.  Put in a movie, set up the table, the cricut, the supplies, the snacks (of course) and get cropping.  She is single so I love going to her place.  The quiet is unbelieveble.  Usually we pump out a few pages, laughing, talking, movie watching in between.  My friend crops about a hundred times faster then pokey me so by the end of the night we would have been at 10 pages (her) to 4 pages (me).  However, this time was different.  Neither one of us was enjoying the projects we had planned to work on. 

 

I brought out a few sheets of “inspiration”; layouts I had copied from various places online with designs I really liked.  Even that didn’t help me.  So we decided maybe tonight just wasn’t a crafty night and sat down to watch “Catch and Release”.  (If you haven’t seen it and love chick flicks you must see this one.)

 

Even though Saturday night was a bust, I have decided to break out of my slump by trying a new project.  I’m putting together the supplies for a mini album.  Something very different then I usually do.  But I’m hoping it will spark the creativity and get me back on track.  What do you do to pull out of a creative slump?  Leave a message here and I will send a packet of goodies to one lucky person (a RAK – to you Fiskateers!!). 

Digital Scrapbook Layout Newbie June 12, 2008

So, I took the photo of my girls from my previous post and tried out a fully digital layout.  I have played around with them before but never really finished one.  I found some great free digital “kits” online at http://www.shabbyprincess.com/ .  Here is the finished product….

 

 

So what do you think?  I wish I knew more about photo editing.  Because then I could have been more creative about cropping out the men standing behind the girls.  For now I just slapped a photo corner to cover up the one guys crotch area (see original photo below). 

 

As for the process of digital scrapbooking I think if I decide to use it in the future, I will try a hybrid method.  Using both digital and hand pieced pages.  When I did this page I missed using the paper trimmer and adhesive runner.  I missed the scraps and the feel of the photos and papers in my hands.  I guess I’m just an old-fashioned girl.  What do you think about digital scrapbooking?