Using Your Scraps!

Do you have scraps? I have scraps, yes I do, I have scraps, how 'bout you? Okay, that was really cheesy, but it just flew out of my mouth like a peppy cheerleader. But seriously, do you save your scraps? If so, do you use them? I save 'em and I use them- a lot. I even have drawers that the scraps are in and organized by color. For example... If you make a layout like this: ...you are only using less than half of a 12x12 sheet of paper. Sometimes, I save to use on a layout for a different kid (heaven forbid that the same paper be on 2 different layouts in the same book!). When I don't want to do a layout, I make a card! This card, I used the orange polka dot paper and added some matching stripes to coordinate at the top. I had a bit of the stripes left, so I used it to make another card: The pleated paper is another scrap that my friend, Elizabeth had in her trash. This type of trash digging would be called "Ragpickin'" in my family. Waste not, want not, Mom always said! The flower is from a swap that Elizabeth had also discarded- well I sure am glad I saved it, because it looks pretty cute on this card! So, there you have it... a layout, and two cards made mostly of scraps and unwanted leftovers that I fostered into cuteness. Hope you find some use of your scraps and make them feel wanted and loved... that hideous paper is just begging for a makeover!

Book Worm

Good morning... it's cold here, and we are apparently getting more snow. I know some of you are snowed in, but for those who aren't yet, I have a good book for you to get and read.
But first, a little project I made with scraps: My niece, Kendall loves to read. She's in first grade and she's really smart. I got her a book and made this bookmark to go with it. I sent it through the mail so she would be surprised. She loved it! I love to send stuff when people/kids aren't expecting it! :)

Now, on to the book review... The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is a fantastic read. It's a memoir and tells of her life growing up with her crazy parents and 3 siblings. It's amazing the things the children endured and how they survived. It will definitely stick with you and make you appreciate what you have... like a warm bed and food in the pantry. Get it, read it, you'll love it.

I'm off to run in this cold weather. My goal is 4 miles and my reward is a hot bowl of chili tonight for dinner with a cold, dark beer to go with it. Stay warm, people.

Pretty Fast

Here's a pretty little card I made, mostly with scraps laying on my table. I adore the blossom ribbon from American Crafts, it's so versatile! And, thanks to my girl, Sammye Jo, I have it in almost every color! ;) I added some adhesive pearls to the middle of the blossom and the sentiment is stamped on punched circles I cut in half. The stamp is Papertrey Ink, of course! Pretty and fast, just like this post... hence the title. Gotta bolt!
Which I have to also say, thank heavens Michael Bolton was voted off DWTS last night. It was just painful watching him dance and take criticism.

Quickie...

A quick post and a quick card! I made this card using leftover scraps on my desk. A cut here, a snip there, a little glue, a glitter sticker, and voile! A cute card ready to send off! OK- I haven't posted in almost a week because it's so hot. Yes, I use the excuse of it being 109 degrees outside to not do much, and it works for me. Between the heat and all the daggone school supplies I have had to hunt down, I am beat.

I'm dreaming of a cool, 90 degree day with little or no humidity and all of my children skipping merrily to school... 6 more days (for the latter part, at least).

Hello Monday!

Hello there! It was a good weekend- except the Cards lost... I'm glad I got to go to the Friday night game where they played like NBA stars. Last night they played more like high school second stringers. Oh well, we have next season.

I did quite a bit of crafting this weekend, mostly work stuff (invitations) but I did make a scrapbook page and this cute card for a sick friend. I got into my scrap paper stash again and came up with this happy garden themed card. I used my circle and flower punches for the flowers and cut other green strips of paper for the stems, leaves and grass. I stamped the "thinking of you" part in chocolate ink.

On the road...

Going to Indy today for the "Sweet Sixteen"! Go Cards! Stephen and I are so excited to be there rooting on the UL Cardinals, going to get totally pumped up at a Pep Ralley... which I haven't been to since high school. The kids will be home, but they will be cheering from the sofa.

Lately, I have been trying to craft and make do with what I already have (which is quite a lot, actually). I am blessed... I have plenty, especially in the "crafty" department and Stephen never fusses or puts his foot down. In fact, he let me have an entire room in the house that's mine and he got the garage. And let me tell you, my craft room is the B-O-M-B! Anyway, I have a group of "crafty girl" friends and I made these cute and fun gifts for them. These little jotters are made totally of scraps! I am impressed with myself because I made 10! Here are a couple...

They were super easy to make: 2 pieces of chipboard that I covered with paper I already had on hand, embellished with scraps and buttons, then the note paper inside (a lighter weight, 65#) was also scrap that I cut to size. I held it all together with a binder ring and tied scrap ribbon on it for an added "holy cute!" The size of the jotters are 4.25x5.5 inches.

Make one today! Or... wait to receive one from me, you crafty girl!