Years ago when I was a full-time scrapbooker, I met a lot of kind people on the 2Peas message board. One was Debbi, who hosted challenges based on my books. Debbi now is over on the CSI Challenge Blog and asked me if I would be a guest. I had to say yes – she had always been so wonderful to me.

But this was tough for me! I hadn’t scrapbooked in a very long time. Very long. And it wasn’t easy. However, I am so glad I did it. I realized I missed working with photos. (More on that below.)

Here is what I created – my first Lila page…

I used various wafer thin dies… and used the words to a song I sing to her every time I put her down for a nap.

And another… using all photos from my iPhone…

One thing is for sure – I am very rusty when it comes to scrapbooking. And I am not “on trend” with what all the scrapbookers are doing these days. And I don’t really like what I created. But doing these pages made me realize something – - I need to scrapbook my photos. But not like I used to. In a new way. I will be sharing this journey with you a bit soon. I originally wasn’t going to, as I try to keep this blog for cardmaking. But I think it will be fun to share sometimes what I will be doing – a card maker and stamper’s approach to scrapbooking. Stay tuned.

(And by putting this on my blog, I am being held accountable – lol.)

Are any of you out there scrapbookers? Would love to know…

As I mentioned earlier, I am trying very hard to finish moving into my new craft space. While doing so, I am uncovering extra goodies that need a new home. If you are interested in buying any of these goodies listed below, please mention which in the comments below and I will randomly pick someone to contact. Here are some current boxes I have:

• A box of christian stamps
• A box of Stampin’ Up stamps
• A box of Papertrey Ink stamps
• A box of 12×12 paper

Thanks!

I just wanted to share a video I did for Studio Calico. I used their awesome March kits, along with Hero Arts Soft Shadow Inks and Mid-Tone Shadow Inks. Here is the video…

Here is the layout. A giant photo of pregnant me in the water. Boy do I wish I was there now.

The Shadow Inks work great with lots of SC kits. Similar colors.

And, of course, this cardmaker needed to make a card…

Lovely products in those kits, I tell ya!

And as often happens, most of these kits are all sold out already. You gotta move fast! But sweet Kelly Purkey said that I could give away one of the kits for Maggie Holme’s upcoming class, Happy Little Moments. (Sign up quick for the class – the last day you can do so is tomorrow.) Here is a bit about the class…

Join Maggie Holmes in our Calico Classroom March self-paced class. Life is full of happy little moments that we often don’t scrapbook. This altered book is the perfect place to tuck them in along with a few sentiments and beautiful hand picked embellishments. Maggie will walk you through the creation process and show you some fun techniques for making a magical and unique album.

Just leave a comment here for a chance to win a sold out Happy Little Moments Class Kit. Do so by Wednesday at 11:59pmEST.

Good luck. See you tomorrow!

I wanted to share with you a video I created for Studio Calico. It shows using stamps in a not-so-normal-way and covering wood accents. (Each month, I will be doing two videos for them – one using their online kits and one using their products sold in stores.)

I adore using these kits. For this layout, I used the November kit called Handmade and add-ons.

I have linked all the supplies below. For more information, click HERE.

See you soon.

I am in full recovery mode right now… trying to recover from the whirlwind of Stampaway! I love that this show is in my neck of the woods and that I get to see many of the same stampers year after year. My Shari was in town staying with us so we could teach together. I miss her dearly, as does my family. Colin asked tonight if she could move in.

So, I thought I would pop in quickly to share a layout I did for Nichol Magouirk’s 2Peas Scrapbook Stamping Class. She is the master of stamping + scrapbooking… something that I think can be challenging. But her pages? Perfection.

Nichol asked me to be a guest for her class for this month – focusing on the resist technique. I decided to white heat emboss flourishes on watercolor paper and then paint them with Distress Stains – a fun form of resist…

Here is a closer look…

To see more on this project along with supplies, click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by. Oh, and the winner of the Kerri Bradford goodies is Mandy B. I emailed you.

I have recently purged my crafting stash. (I do every 2 months.) And I have a lot of great stuff to pass on to a few lucky folks.

But before I get to the crafty goodness, I have a very special giveaway. Very special.

First, I want to share the story behind this giveaway.

Years ago, I was looking for some fabulous little girl photos to use in the yearly Hero Arts catalog. I was looking around 2peas and saw a photo of a little girl named Sarah. I emailed her momma, Erin – who was so very nice – and asked if I could use her photos for scrapbooking. She said yes and I was over the moon.

Turns out that same little girl won the Gap Casting Call – a HUGE kids photo contest. She was THAT cute.

So… every year, come catalog time, I  Erin for great photos of her little Sarah. She is always so kind to share. Her photos are striking and amazing. SO SO SO fun to scrapbook.

Last year I found out Erin was coming to my neck of the woods. I immediately reserved a spot for my family to get in front of her lens. A dream come true. Truly. Between Erin and Lisa, my photo album is complete.

Unfortunately, the girls were out of town while Erin was here, so we didn't get photos of them. But my mom, dad and brother joined us. We had such fun. Erin is beyond talented behind the camera. And so extremely good, sweet, kind, funny, cute and comforting. Erin is a little angel walking around this world. We need more like her.

(Yes, I am getting off the topic.)

And since getting our pictures taken by Erin (which are framed all over my house), I have longed for my photos to have the same "life" in them as hers do. Her photos are simply "alive" and bright. The day after meeting with Erin, Ken bought the same lens she used and other tools, hoping we could capture shots halfway as good as hers.

But I always miss the mark.

Yesterday, I got some photos back in the mail. Bummer. They looked so "dead" and I immediately said to Ken, "I wish my photos were alive like Erin's."

Then I looked at my email. I saw Erin was offering a tutorial video showing her workflow – how she edits photos and brings them to life. Answered prayers. Amen.

I immediately went and purchased the tutorial – Clean Color. I didn't hesitate for a second. I then emailed Erin thanking her for being all around amazing and for creating this product for me.

And what do you think that sweet, generous, kind Erin said? "Wanna give one away on your blog?"

Woohoo! I am over the moon. To share with you Erin's talents? THAT ROCKS. I am so excited.

Now you and I can have photos this amazing…

All photos taken by Erin Cobb.

I just really enjoy people who are truly talented and where God meant them to be – like Erin. If you want Erin's awesome Clean Color download, click HERE. It is simply amazing. Honest.Move quick – she is offering an extra low price just this week only.

Want a chance to win a Clean Color video download? Just leave a comment here by Friday night. I will pick a lucky winner. If you win but have already paid for it – no worries! She will give you a full refund!

Thanks for listening. I love to share my favorite things with you.

Night!

I am not a big resolution-maker as I think they just put too much pressure on you. But one thing I have started to do in the past few weeks is to stay on top of my photos. To take more photos, to edit them and to print them. Novel concept, huh? I was so bad about it for months.

So how about a few favorite photos on a scrapbook page?

I did this one for Tim Holz for his Alterations CHA booth many, many months back. But I don't think I remembered to share it here…

Everything on here is cut with the Alterations dies from Sizzix – the frame, filmstrip, decorative edge and letters. Those fabulous photos? By the remarkable Erin Cobb.

I will link ya to all the goodies I used on here below.

I also wanted to let you know about a Card Drive for St. Jude's. This is wonderful – I hope you can all play. Please click HERE for info.

And we will let you know in a few weeks about Cards for Kids. We are thinking of taking a break from it and instead collect cards for the elderly or for hospitals. What do you think?

Hope you all are doing well!

Page Supplies:

AC Adhesive	Glossy Accents	Tim Holtz Ornamental Die	Big Shot	Multi Purpose Plate
Favorite Trimmer	Favorite Scissors	Craft Sheet	Foam Adhesive	Filmstrip Die
Letter Die	Bracket Die	Gears

Yes, there are a million reasons – with the holidays and time off and all…

But also because the new Hero Arts catalog comes out.

Every year, stores all over the world have Catalog Debut Parties. You can go HERE to see if there is one near you. Anyone planning on going to one this weekend?

There have been lots of peeks over on the Hero Arts blog. Here is one of mine. That is Colin's sitter and my kitter. Oh, and the love of Colin's life…

Love love love new stamps.

And, be sure to stop by on Friday. We will be having a very fun blog hop. This is a special blog hop – we have invited some of our favorite artists and friends to join us.

I need to work on those Christmas cards. You know, the ones that always take more time then I expect?!

Night.

I haven't been very good about updating you all on the Cards for Kids status.

We are still collecting any cards – handmade, store-bought, anything – and I am extending the deadline to 12/31/10. We will then start another round. If you want to send holiday cards, please mail them by 12/16. The more the merrier! Thanks.

Another bit of info. Many people have asked about the Powder Tool I use when I emboss. I love this tool. I just brush it on my paper before I stamp and heat emboss and it prevents random pieces embossing where I don't want. This is SO much better than an anti-static-pouch-thing that makes a mess. This just brushes out a bit – a tiny bit – perfectly. You can find it HERE.

Would be a great stocking stuffer.

Also, I thought I would also share a fall layout I did for Creating Keepsakes. Love these photos of the little man.

As seen in the January 2011 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

So, went to see Santa today. Colin was having nothing to do with it. Was fine the past years. Anyone else have kids like that? Sigh.

Off to watch Dexter. Love. That. Show.

Night!

Hope you all had a good weekend. Did a ton of catching up and a bit of falling behind. Seems that is the way it works.

Thought I would share a few old scrapbook pages for kicks.

This one was in a CK article on coloring. Those hearts are embossed with embossing folders and traced with colored pencils. The journaling goes down the edge of the layout on the right, but another layout was in the way. Wish I would have gotten a better photo of this…

(As seen in  Creating Keepsakes magazine.
Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.)

This one was for a Hero Arts catalog, but wasn't used. That is my grandparents on their wedding day. They were married 74 years before my Grandfather died.

I may have shared this one, but I just love those photos…

I have lots of kitting to do, but before I go, I thought I would do a poll. Thanks for answering…

Boy. What a great feeling that is.

(And yes, I have always loved buttons.)

(And yes, this makes me want another baby.)

Happy day.