Pssst: Toys R Us has washi tape!

It's $2.99 for licensed patterns and $2.49 for others.

They're in the school supply section in seasonal in the front of the stores.

The licensed:

Angry Birds, Hello Kitty, Tinkerbell, Disney Princesses, Happy Faces, Big Bang Theory, Avengers and Spider-Man 

The other patterns:

Ladybugs, Owls, Cupcakes, Butterflies, Balloons, Birdies, Mod Flowers, Kisses, Black and White Chevron, Stars, Skulls, Ying Yang, and Celestial

SandiLion makes this and it says Tape Works on the front of the package. There are 50 feet on each roll.

POTD 50/365 Ahhhhh...Can you hear the Angels Sing?

Today I came home from school to find a huge box in my entry.

This is a clue what it was...
















and another...


















Wait









for









it....

















Wait









for










it....



This is it!














I got a Fiskars Anvil Trimmer. I have been wanting this trimmer for about a year now. It's not your average everyday, trim one piece of paper trimmer. This is your super duper, heavy duty, cut a chunk (50 sheets) of paper at once trimmer.

This is the product description:

This trimmer's rotating handle allows optimum ergonomic cutting. The press bar holds paper down as you cut to prevent tearing or fanning. The aluminum surface improves visibility for accurate measurements and the cutting guide allows the measurement to stay in place as you cut. Gear and anvil cutting action cuts up to 50 sheets at a time.

I am so happy right now. I love, love, love this trimmer. I make journals and sketchbooks and this is going to make it so much faster. I can cut the chipboard covers and the inner pages in one 'smooth as butter' cut!

As you can kind of tell, it is HUGE. It takes up about 25% of my table. I can't wait to use it, maybe even tonight.

Thank you Fiskars! You are awesome!

So, the last photo of the trimmer is my POTD:)

Quick Scrapping

Quick scrapping CAN be done... I wasn't so sure about this, since I am NOT typically a quick scrapper. I am so slow and detail oriented that one of those SEI one hour albums takes me weeks to complete, if I work on it ALOT during the weeks. The last time I did one, I think I spent about 40 hours on it. Now, I did add alot of embellies, but I put the layouts together just like they had them in the kit. Which by the way if you have never done one of those one hour SEI kits, has everything precut...yeah, I am slow:P

I am one of those scrappers than can spend days, seriously DAYS, maybe even WEEKS on one layout, then when its all ready to be glues down, think to my self it needs to be better. I have been known to spend 5 HOURS beading a layout. SERIOUSLY, its a joke among my friends. This is NOT conducive to speed scrapping. Remember that. It's important.

I recently had to put together our wedding album for our 25th wedding anniversary. I wanted it to be a surprise for DH. It was 40 pages. It was going to be more, but I was speed scrapping and decided some of the stuff I had and some of the bad photos were so bad it wasnt important stuff.

You need to be VERY motivated to do it and not worry about if your layouts look EXACTLY like you want them to. That's not saying they need to look bad, just get over the need to have them be all day layouts, know what I mean?

I collected all of the papers I had that I would want to use and all of the embellies and rubons etc. I gathered them all in one place on my work table. The papers were stacked and the embellies and such were pu in a container that I could flip though quickly. This right here is what I think saved me the most time. I am notorious for spending hours upon hours digging through my stuff trying to find just the right things to use on my layouts. BUT I wasnt always doing it first, I would do this as I scrapped. This step must be done first for me to successfully scrap fast.

Then I sat down and took all of my photos, got rid of the ones hat werent good or that I decided not to use, and put them in order as to what photos would go on what pages. I put them in page protectors in the album I was ging to use.

I was all set to get this album done fast. I only had a few days and in those few days I really only had 8 hours total to work on it when my DH wouldnt be home. It was supposed ot be a surprise after all.

Since I already had everything I wanted to use and all of the photos sorted by page and ready I knew I could get it done.

I chose a background paper for each set of photos and slipped this in the page protector with the photos.

I started at the beginning, pulled out the photos and the paper for the background and got to work. I gave myself very little time to put the layout together and DID NOT embellish them yet. When the layout was done without embellies and journaling I slipped it back in and moved on to the next.

The layouts looked very sad and not what I wanted, but I knew that in the end it would be okay.

After I got all the papers cut and on the background sheets with the photos, I went back and started at the beginning again.

I took out the first page and embellished it quickly, REALLY quickly, I also included any journaling then. Then it went back into the page protector and I kept this up till I was at the end.

I flipped though the album and decided it needed just a little something else and I still had a couple about an hour left to finish it, so I pulled the layouts out of the protectors again. This time I added these pretty little rhinestones I had, lots of them. I used wet glue so the layouts had to be stacked and not put in the album so they could dry. By the time I got the rhinestones on the last layout the first was very dry and i could start putting htme back in the album.

I actually finished my album on time and it looks GREAT! I am not dissapointed in the least and really, even though I did it a little more simple than I normally do, as I look at it I dont see that.

So, thats how I am now scrapping. I may not do whole albums at once, but I will be using that same method to even put single page layouts together. Everything is chose before and on the table where I need it rather than searchig for it. Even though journialing pen will be there waiting.

Oh, one thing that I know helped me alot to not take so long is that my supplies are all oprganized by color, theme etc. As I was pulling things to put in that labum I didnt have to dig around for ages (I used to ahve to do this) and get frustrated and head to the store for stuff I knew I had but couldnt find. I knew where everything was and I could pull it fast.

Goodluck, you can do it.

I just thought of something. If you use sketches, have them ready too. AND dont be determined to have your layout match the sketch exaclty. This can take too much time too.

BTW, as I look through our wedding album, even though its more simple than I was normally doing, I LOVE it and so does Kirt, he told me it was the really beautiful and I know he meant it, I could see it on his face as he looked through it.

My Birthday, procrastination and a new layout and a YAK party.

So, yesterday was my birthday. It started out all stressful, due to the fact that I am a procrastinator. Yep, thats me. I wait till the last minute... often to do things. They always get done; just sometimes at the last minute or even second before the deadline.

Let me take you back to last Sunday. I found out that I made it to the final round of the Scrappers of the Carribean contest. Monay morning they posted the requirements for the final round. Did I plan immediately? Nope, although thats in large part to trying to get my Masters entry in...at the last minute too. So, Friday rolls around and I decide I'm going to get this layout done. We have new ink for the printer, I have a plan. I can do it. I had my papers and embellishments packed and ready. I even met Maggie at Angels to get it done. I did put the layout together. Just not with the photos. Thats how I scrap. No photos... until its done. So I get home at around 12:30 am and try to print out my photos. Well, the printer is still not working. I have no idea how to burn a CD still. You'd think I'd have learned after last week. So I upload them to Costco.com They should be ready first thing in the morning and I have nothing to worry about. Saturday morning (my birthday) I gte up bright and early, get stuff done around here that needs doing. Costco emails me saying my order is ready. Kirt and I go over there to pick it up. They only printed one order, and it was the second order I uploaded. WHAT?! They tell me sorry, but they ahve alot of orders and cant possibly do it till 1pm. Neat! I have to have that layout uploaded by 12pm. So, I do the next best thing. I call Mila and have her burn the CD for me. I tok the CD to Kinkos; again and printed my photos. They cost so much more there than at Costco. So, I gte home. The computer decides to start acting up. I cannot get onto the internet, Kodak eashy share or anything else for that matter. Heck, I only have 15 minutes left to get that layout up! I finally got it done, posted, entered in contest i have no chance of winning; really, I'm not just saying that, according to the points tally, even if I placed first and the first place girl didnt place I would be 5 points behind her. Why did I out myself through this, you may ask? Kirt did. Mila did. Even Mikey did. Well, I made the commitment to go through with it, so I couldn't just not finish, know what I mean? I think I did it for myslef. I acually liked the challenges. They pushed me to scrapbook which I havent been doing enough of lately. They made me search my supplies for things I dont normally use, like ghost shapes. So, even though I know I didnt win, I'm happy I participated. I completed 4 layouts I like alot. I beleive I've learned that I cannot wait till the last minute too.

So, after all the scrapping stress; I have to package an order for a Yak journal from my etsy shop. This person had emailed me Friday saying they wanted to order my Yak Journal but needed me to gaurantee it would be shipped out no later than the 4th because they're having a "Yak party" Well, that piqued my intrest. I've never heard of a Yak party and HAD to ask what it was. So I'mm told that this customer of mine had been on an "eating new weird stuff" kick. Her ad her friends had been to a restraunt called The Himilayan Yak in New York and were so dissapointed that Yak wasnt on the menu. They decided to have a "Yak Party" They are having yak kabobs, yak steaks, yak burgers, yak cheese and they wanted to have yak ice cream but alas, you cannot get yak milk in this country. The Yak Journal is going to be the prize in the Yak Trivia game. I loved this story. I asked her to let me know how the party went, and decided to do something fun like that with my friends.

Anyhoo, the jounal was shipped. Kirt picked up sandwhiches for lunch. Then we all went swimming since it was so stinking hot, and let me tell you, there is nothing better that swimming with your family to cool off. I would rather spend my time like that than just about anything else. Gracie is swimming in her little Gracie way, she jumps in, holds her breath and kicks to me. Mikey plays his Mikey games that we all are a part of, and it's just fun.

I scrapped with Maggie and Claudine at Timeless too. I got a second copy of my "I Wish" layout almost done. I worked on some other stuff, but can't say I was really all that productive. It was nice to just be in the air conditioning with my friends. We had Wood Ranch salads for dinner. Yummy. I won some new stuff from CHA and Claudine brought a chocolate cake. It was wonderful. :) I love spending time iwth my friends.

So, all in all it turned out to be a great day.

MMM entry went FedEx tonight!

Finally! I had so many problems with this one. "I Wish" was the theme of the main entry. I wish alot of things. Can I scrap them? I dont know. Maybe. I went trhough so many ideas. I made so many layouts, then today (keep in mind today was the deadline for postmarks) I changed my ind completely and went in a whole different direction. I did a fantabulous layout I am proud of. Its so differnt than how I normally scrapbook. Thats not to say its not my style, I just actually got to do what I wanted since all my stuff was here with me and I was cropping at home. I normally scrapbook at my friends homes or at the LSS's around here. I dont ever plan what I'm going to do anymore. I'm too busyu for that, therefore I dont have what I need and usually end up putting together layouts that look neat, but are lacking in my eyes.
I actually did my page with things I have more than one of this year. I will be recreating it this weekend on Saturday (my birthday) and will have my very own copy! Nothig could make me happier. I may frame this one!
Good luck to everyone that entered. I am off work on some other deadlines :)

CKU

Maggie, Lisa and I spend the better part of an hour last Wednesday registering for CKU Anaheim. We hadn't really talked about going much, and just decided at the last minute (literally!) to do it. I talkd to Maggie at about 7 till 5pm on the 16th. I mentioned that registration started in less than 10 minutes. We hung up, I called and left a message for Lisa at Angels. She of course, didnt get the massage, so I called her back at about 5:15. I used both phones and the computer at the same time. It was not an easy thing for this three fingered typer. We wanted to have the same classes an album track. We actually DID get registered, and signed upt for the same classes. The only thing we were a little disappointed with was that we couldnt get into the Study Hall crop. We arent going with a "dorm" and arent planning on doing the dorm type activities. We did hear the other crop (that we did get into) was the better one anyway. Its supposed to be alot more fun.

Scrapping and journaling...

For a long time now...like several years, I've been trying to figure out my scrapping style. After alot of thought, I guess I would just have to call it ME. I like to scrap so many different styles. Usually though, my layouts are linear, and with the emphasis on the photos more than the "stuff". I've also noticed that I don't spend alot of time or effort on journaling. I've been trying to change that. I don't journal too often because I don't think I do it well. Although, the last few layouts I have journalled on ended up turning out great. The journaling brought tears to my friends eyes. (maybe thats not a good thing :P hehehe) No, in all seriousness, I think i am just so unsure of myself and my writing ability, I skip it. So, from now on, I'm going to try working on my journalling on at least 25% of my layouts.

I love seeing layouts that look good and have heartfelt journaling. I myself, dont like to have my words out there for everyone to see, for fear of being ridiculed about my poor writing abilities. Now, would anybody actually ridicule my feeble attemps to write something heartfelt? Probably not, at least not to my face. But I guess it comes down to poor self esteem issues with me. Always wondering if people are thinking "what the heck was she thinking?"

Now, if I could ust learn to type with ALL my fingers instead of just three, I would be doing so muc better. Or I suppose I could just learn to love my own handwriting. HAHA!

deadlines...HOF and more

So, I seem to be a much better scrapper when I'm working with a deadline. I wonder why that is? As I was working on my HOF assignments, the closer the deadline got the better the layouts became. I find this completely bizzare.

This deadline thing doesnt just apply to scrapbooking either. Yesterday, as I was trying to put the finishing touches on that same HOF entry I mentioned previously, I had to help Mikey with his Pinewood Derby car. Check-in was scheduled for 10-2pm. Yesterday also happened to be his birthday. I had been up literally ALL night working on my layouts, had to take a cuddle break with Mikey and then take him to Denny's for his birthday breakfast (his idea, not mine). Oh, and we needed to go to Michaels and pick up the paint and other stuff we needed to finish the car.

By the time we got home from breakfast and Michaels it was after 12pm. Less than two hours to finish the car and my layouts. The car took priority. I would rather have him happy and able to race than enter HOF. So, the car was drilled out for the coins that need to be put inside it to help weight it, painted black, dried and then sprayed with this fantastic holographic fleck spray. Then, we still had to put the rest of the weights on and add the Marah Johnson skull and cross bone rubons. It is now 1:30 and the car still needs to be varnished! The varnish goes on beautifully! Mikey had to carry the car by its wheels to the check-in to give it a little time to dry. They got there within minutes of the close of check-in! He named his car the "deathmobile."

My HOF entry never got sent. The place I was to have my copies done at flaked out on me and the deadline passed. I'm a little dissapointed, but I ended up with the best layouts I've ever done. I can still submit them if I so wish, but I might just hang onto them for another contest.
I put together a layout about Mila, her pregnancy and me becoming a grandma. This was to be my jounaling entry. It was the hardest one. I have a tough time journaling since I seem to not be able to get when I want to say on paper. What I type or write always seems so choppy and out of sync (as can be seen by my blog). Anyway, I digress. I was finally brave enough to have Mila read my journaling (nobody had been allowed to yet for fear of being totally embarrassed by my poor grammar and rambling) and apparently it was great! It made her cry. She hugged me and told me she loved it. I suppose I can submit it to a journaling call if one ever comes up.

Off to the big race. Can't wait to see how the "deathmobile" does.

Bind It ll and Dream Kuts! :)

I know Ive talked alot about these two amazing new tools on several message boards and I want everyone to know, I AM NOT employed by Zutter or any of their affiliates. I just LOVE these tools! If you haven't had a chance to check them out, you can see them here http://www.binditall.com/ for the Bind it All and http://www.binditall.com/4html for the Dream Kuts. I got a chance last night to play with them again at Angels. I was even asked to do a demo with both tools! It was fun, although at the intitial stress of public speaking almost had me NOT doing it. I suppose it was because I haven't had all that much experience with the tools and didnt want to look like a fool. I am fully capable of teaching a scrap class, and dont stress too bad while teaching, though I know what I'm doing, so maybe I just need to play with those tools more so I'm not unsure of myself.

Sheesh, I feel so stupid!

I have had this blog for a long time. Not as long as a couple other ones I just discovered I had. LOL! Apparently I have two other blogs. I do remember setting them up...since I saw the titles, but since we went for so long without a computer I forgot all about them.
I finally remembered my passord for this one. Its about time! This is where I feel stupid, how could I forget the password to my blog? Sheesh!

I guess I should update some photos here too. All of my layouts are old, I should post a bunch of the new ones. I'll have to do that this weekend.

So, Ive been working on some fun layouts for my very favorite LSS http://thescrapbookoasis.typepad.com. with some new stuff! I am having so much fun. I took a few layouts to the store last week while Jenni Bowlin was teaching her class. Wish I could have taken it, but it was full by the time I called to sign up. Anyway, Wendy posted one of my layouts using some new Scrapworks paper and American Crafts felt hearts on the Oasis Blog. I made flowers and a butterly out of the little hearts. I love how it turned out.
I'm just finishing up a few more using some brand new SEI papers form their Citruskick and Morning Mist lines. Such great colors, all bright and pretty! Oh, and a few using some new Three Bugs in a Rug paper with browns, pinks and greens. So pretty!

I have one week left to get my HOF entry finished and sent in. I tend to always wait till the last minute. Why is that? I'm pretty sure it's because I'm so unsure of myself. I've been saving a bunch of layouts to choose from. I think I just need to do a two page one, and the one with the unique technique. This one I have so many ideas for, I just need to make sure they work out the way I have them pictured in my mind. Funny how sometimes (maybe often) they dont turn out the way I think they will.

Tonight I'm scrapping with my friend Lisa. Maggie is all busy with a birthday tonight, so I'll have to wait till next week to scrap with her.

Speaking of birthdays, I have to get to work on the invites for Mikey's 9th birthday party and Gracie's 1st. Both of them are very soon. Mikey's Birthday is the 10th and Gracie's is the 12th. We're doing a Pirate theme for Mikey's party, we have so many fun pirate games planned and swords and velevt pirate sacks for all the kids. Gracie's birthday is going to have a Heart theme. It'll be fun. All of her baby friends will be invited. She should have a great time.