I've been a bad bad blogger

Sorry for not updating. Things have gotten a little crazy for me.

I've been to the dentist (not good. I have to go back twice more in the next month)

I've also been short on sleep and a little bit under the weather.

I promise to have a big ol bloggy update tomorrow...

*pinky swear*

Schmoopy!

for the FFOTM challenge on This Is Me Journal Blog.

Used the SIS Shabby Rock Star collection.

kind of groovy.

Daily Card 08-28

card made from: the stranger weekly newspaper, ink, dymo labels.

an ode to rock music. the grungy dirty kind, yeah!

I got me some actions...

in photoshop, that is. :DThought I would share a picture that I was in the process of editing in PS7.

The image on the right is the original pic. This is my friend Sari. Is she not gorgeous?

The image on the left is the one that I've tweaked. I used the E4B Platino V2 PS Action that I downloaded for free on the internet. Then I played with Levels and Color Dodge .

Seriously, PS Actions have changed my life. It's sooo easy to make my photos look all cool and perfeshonal now. (hee hee)

Daily Card 08-27

a cute one about today. it's not nearly as artsy as my other cards, but hey, I did a layout today and my muse is a little tired. :P

card made from: journaling spot, urban outfitters ad, paint, ink, dymo label, mesh fabric, elsie button.

The Skeptical Look

watch out!

Some people get scared when I make this face. It usually means I'm about to call someone on their bs. (did I mention that due to my living situation I often hang with nerdy gamer boys? there's a lot of that with that kind of group)

Made with the August Red Velvet kit. Oh. My. God. I love this kit. I was ascared to cut into it. But I did. Well, I tore into it actually.

I also added a little bling, some foil tape, and some thickers. Mmmm thickers.

Daily card up in a bit.

TFL!

Daily Card 08-26

It's true. Also, any time I see a scooter I just have this little fantasy of myself riding around Rome, with a scarf tied around my neck. And the wind in my hair....

card made from: star brad, elsie fabric paper, elsie scraps, cardstock, ink, photo, magazine picture.

Daily Card 08-25

When I finished this card I looked down at my hands. They were covered in ink and paint. And they were also tacky from all the glue.

I just love making stuff.

card made from: paint, ink, collage papers.

One week to go...

and then it's my favorite month of the year. Ah September how I love you.

Here's a list of why I love September and cannot wait for it to arrive:

1. I love that back to school feeling. You know that movie "Got Mail?" There's a line that Meg Ryan says that's like, "I love New York in the fall." and then Tom Hanks is all like, "I would get you a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils." That line totally resonated with me. That would be the best fall bouquet ever!

2. Scrappy goodness will soon be here. Sept 1st heralds the full view of some kits that I will promply be ordering (if I haven't already pre-ordered). Yes, I am dipping into my fall shoe budget for scrap supplies. It's unheard of, but I can't resist.

Sweet Spuds paper kit and project kit both look fantastic. Loving the whole rad/sweet punk thing that is going on. V. excited to play with Bam Pop as I haven't used it before. Are those ninja penguins awesome, or what?

Also, Red Velvet Art Kit Club looks to have something promising. I am totally excited by the guest designers they have. Silje and Michelle? Too cool for school.

As of now, they I still haven't been able to find Jack + Abby for sale online (yes I know it's pre-selling at SIStv but I want to buy certain individual items that are not packaged together) Come on Two Peas! Gimme some luv!

Ahem.

3. The weather. Best weather all year. Not too hot, not too cold.

4. Fall fashions. Velvet? Check. Cords? Check. Leather boots? Check

5. Upcoming vacation. I always procrastinate and end up taking vacation in September (we have a use it or lose it policy based on our fiscal year). I gots two four-day weekends to look forward to. Can you say "play time?"

6. The relationship anniversary. We always do something fun, like a trip, or a whole date day.. But with a trip to Europe in the works for next June it looks like we are staying home this time.

Have a fantastic day!

Daily Card 08-24

this one is really pretty. I LOVE it.

card made from: modeink t-shirt design, elsie roxy srap, dcwv dots, dymo label.

really really grooving on the whole 40's glamour/Vargas girl thing. even though this looks kind of modern pop art-y. I'm just getting that vibe.

Might have something to do with my Red Velvet August kit.

Hmmmmm....

Daily Card 08-23

we didn't break up. we didn't have a fight. we haven't even had a conversation about this topic in months.

we're actually really happy and more in love than ever.

really. we're going to have our 8 year anniversary next month.

most days, it doesn't bother me. it's just part of our relationship--a unique compromise we made as a couple.

some days it does bother me though. like today.

card made from: dcwv papers, ink, dymo.

This is Me: Hobbies

this was pretty fun. really liked playing with stamps.

Love this frame even though it didn't turn out perfect. Felt is awesome.

Sweet Spuds Sept Sneeky Peeky

is up.....

I am soooooo excited!

Check it out here.

Are you kidding me!?!?

Why have I never heard of these people before?????

Alt+Scrap.

This is some seriously cool stuff.

OMG. I need to hide my credit card.

Seriously. I need to hide it. RIGHT. NOW.

Daily Card 08-22

this one's really called: "let's clean out the scrap vase" Yes, I keep all my tiny scraps in a vase. It lets me see them all. And I keep it on my desk, like a pretty little paper bouquet-thingy.

Card made from: a mess of leftovers and ink.

Daily Card 08-21

sorry for the lateness. I was trying to load it last night but blogger kept exploding.

Me. First thing in the morning. hair all messy. no makeup. Love photoshop actions. Makes this look all dark and romantic. card made from: dymo, elsie scraps, ink, photo

Happiness Is______ Part One

having soooo much fun with this. As you can see, I um, am kind of putting my own spin on stuff.

But seriously, I think this is some of my best stuff. Seriously excited to do more of it. Now if only I had more time in the day....

In My Honest Opinion

This Is Me journal entry #1.

Just did a lil scenic route paper, some fontwerks stamps, gel pens and a lot of stream of conciousness journaling. It doesn't make a lot of sense but it looks pretty cool.

Daily Card 08-20

made from: ink, kraft, elsie scraps, paper source stamp.

Happiness

Finally started working on my Happiness Is _______ book. I am having such a blast. I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow.

I just have to say, Kristina Contes is a genius. For reals.

Card made from: scenic route paper, elsie fabric paper, cardstock, ink.

All the cool kids are doin' it...

There's a new challenge site that I just discovered (and they are just starting out too!) called This Is Me.

I think it's really cool because:

- I am not at the point where I am overwhelmed by the creative projects I choose to do
- I am TERRIBLE at journaling.
- How can self-introspection ever be a bad thing?

The image above is the cover I did for my journal. I used up some more stuff from my June RVA kit and threw on some Scenic Route papers and Heidi Swapp stickers. Also, the skulls are from the new DCWV Rockstar line. Which is btw, on sale and soo cool.

I didn't want to do a photo of myself on the journal cover, because the point about journals is that everything's about you on the inside. I am particularly proud of my choice of the Que Sera Sera (whatever will be, will be) albumn postcard. I think that the song is beautiful and the image of the record really fits what I wanted to say.

I {heart} Martha Stewart

You cannot hate a woman who loves Halloween as much as she does.

I mean, look what she has made possible:

I'm kinda in love (with the stamps, not with Martha)

Why yes, that is a new banner

what do you think?

I kind of like it. It's a hybrid.

Daily Card 08-18

Today's card is kinda silly. I'm currently experimenting with felt.

Card made from: business card, placebo sticker, circle reinforcement stickers, ink

Daily Card 08-17

Ten things that I love right now.

Card made from: cardstock, paint, gel pens, sharpie, ink, 7 Gypsies stamp.

Daily Card 08-16

I love living in Seattle. I'm such a city girl now.

Card made from: starbucks brochure, dymo label, ink, cardstock.

And the winner is....

Rachel!

Congrats sweetie! Send me an email with your address and I'll send you a sweet lil pack o'goodies.

I just want to thank everyone that responded to my post.

I totally got the warm fuzzies from reading about all the wonderful things that you fantastic and caring people have done. Thank you so much for reaching out to others and spreading a little bit of kindness.

I definitely want to do more of these giveaways in the future. Thanks again!

p.s.

I know I have totally been slacking on my daily card posts. I'll try to get them up first thing tomorrow.

Random Acts of Kindness

So, here is today's card. The picture is of a sign I saw posted to a phone pole that was near where my car was parked at work.

It says:

"Your human worth is not rated by

how much money you make

the car you drive

your job

the clothes you wear

your bra size

your waist size

the size of your penis

your gender

your ethnicity

your sexuality

or your age.

You are beautiful just as you are.

I love you very much."

I love that it's a completely random positive message to strangers. We need more of that in the world.

And... speaking of RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS, have you done something nice for someone in the last month?

Thanked them? Given someone some lub or a compliment? Gave up your seat on the bus?

I want you to share with me.

Leave me a message on this post with a random act of kindness that you have done in the last month. It can be little. It can be big. Just anything you can think of that contributes to the spread of positivity to another human being.

By EOD Friday I will draw a winner out of the people that have posted andthey will get a fabulous prize!

The story of my adventures!

Had fantastic adventures with my friend Kareen yesterday.

First, we went to tea shop called Vital Leaf Tea. It was a really amazing experience. The set up of the shop is quite unique. It's kind of like a tea bar. The proprietors were extremely knowledgeable about tea and did a very thorough tasting of chinese teas for us. It was seriously like taking a class. But there was no charge for anything, unless you wanted to buy some tea to take home!

That is the basis for my daily card for yesterday:


After tea we wandered around the market and took some silly photos. You'll be seeing those in some layouts pretty soon. :D

Then we went back to her fabulous studio apartment and made dinner and just had some good old fashioned girl chat time. Her studio was so cute! And it had the most amazing view of the water. Also, sun tea + limeade = crazy delicious.


So today, after work, I drove out to the Eastside because I wanted to visit Ben Franklin and Paper Source. Since G works out there I met him after work for Indian food at this amazing vegetarian restaurant called Preet.

When I got home, what did I discover? My Red Velvet Art kit for August. Whoo-whee.

Can I just say, that is one SEXY kit? I love it! Those luxe papers are just so... decadent. But funky. Very New Hollywood. And of course, I am in love with the Sumner papers from Scenic Route. I also really like the Marilyn Monroe card and the lace. So excited to start playing with that.

Also in the mail was my payroll certification certificate. It's all pretty and on parchment and in a fancy wooden frame. But, hello people! It's August! I totally passed that thing like FOUR months ago. Well, better late than never I suppose.

Scrap Shopping in the Greater Seattle Area

I have had a lot of inquiries on this topic, so I've decided to do one big ol' post on it.

Keep in mind that the list that follows is not all inclusive, as I'm sure there are places that I have not listed because I've never heard of them (so let me know about it if it's not on here, okay?) or they are really too far away for me to visit.

Lasting Memories (Lynnwood)

Always chock full of the latest and greatest products. Has the largest inventory of the lines that I like. Great in the stamping department and for patterned paper. Not so great for alphabets.

The Mad Scrapper (Issaquah)
Another store with a really decent selection of product. Great selection of themed papers and embellishments. This is where I get my Thickers. Mmmm, Thickers....

Ben Franklin Crafts (Redmond)
Fantastic selection of stuff here. The full range of crafty stuff and of much more "fashionable" lines than Jo-Anns or Michaels. Also, they sell Amy Butler fabric. And the rest of her scrapping line. Also, it's right next to a Starbucks. (How can it get any better than that?)

Paper Zone - (SoDo/Southcenter)
I think both locations are good. SoDo is really convenient because it's in my neighborhood, but the Southcenter location always has really good clearance stuff. Also, it's right next to Impress (see below)

Impress (Southcenter)
I know they have other locations but this one is the biggest and best stocked. They also have classes and the staff is always super nice. And the clearance is fantastic!

Friends & Company (West Seattle)
This place is very stamp oriented, but they do have cute notions and a decent selection of tools and paper. (and they are also right by Cupcake Royale) The staff are always nice. This is the place where I discovered Magic Mesh!

Rubber Monkey Love Stamps (Queen Anne)
A basic stamping/card making shop. Nothing really spectacular about it. They do have an interesting selection of punches and a range of basic supplies.

Fun Stamps (Lynnwood)
Just visted here recently for the first time. Very card oriented but they had a decent selection of magic mesh and a lot of really good tools for technique-y altered stuff. They have a punch program and the nice lady said they would order anything that they don't have at the store.

Kinokuniya Bookstore at Uwajimaya Village (International District)
This is the place to find anything cute and Japanese. Unfortunately, you can't get any of the cute stuff through their web site. You have to go in person. They do have some amazing stickers, books and stationary. In the main part of Uwaji's you can also get anything Hello Kitty and there is also a decent section of handmade and origami papers.

Paper Source (Bellevue)
They are kind of pricey (but that's Bellevue). I think their selection of word/phrase stamps is excellent. There are some really unusual things there. Probably better for card makers than scrappers but it's worth a look or two.

I do also buy things from Michael's and Jo Ann's. But usually only when I have a coupon or need something really basic. Lately, I have been stalking the dollar bins at Jo Ann's to scoop up some delicious letter stickers by KI Memories.

Okay, that's all for now. Are there any places that you shop that are awesome and I need to know about? Share! I'd really appreciate it.

Hope this helps, or at least amuses you. TFL!

Daily Something

Here's my daily something! So cool that Ali Edwards has a Daily Something Flikr group going on. It's definitely worth checking out.

I find it so amazing how many people are dedicating time every day to do something creative.

So, this one is all digital...I did print it out and put it on a card though.

The image is a failed attempt to re-make my blog banner. Oh, well. Back to the drawing board!

p.s.

I just want to say, thank you SOOO much to everyone that has reached out to me with kind words of congratulations and praise. Your words and your support mean so very much to me. Thank you.

Oh. My. Goodness.

I am so happy that I am shaking. I am literally trembling with joy.

I just found out that I am on the Design Team for Sweet Spuds. It was just announced tonight.

So, the design team is going to be all these really really good artists:
Jamie Bagley
Shelly Brewer
Mara-May
Holly Terra
Amber Ulmer

...and me.

Holy cats.

I'm super excited (have I mentioned that?) These kits really rock. They sold out their first month. And according to the posting, we get to start designing for September.

Seriously, a dream came true for me just now. Twenty-nine minutes ago.

Whoa. This means that I can do anything...

Daily Card Catchup

here you go:

Yesterday:

Card made from: Starbucks ad, Elsie scrap, ink, dymo label.

p.s. this girl works in my building. I've ridden in the elevator with her. She really does wear a bandanna like that.

Today:

Card made from: Elsie scraps, cardstock, ink, dymo label

Museums, markets and art! Oh my!

Today G and I went down to the Market for breakfast. I had a delicious Flagship, Basil and Tomato sandwich from Beechers. (It still counts as breakfast as long as it's the first meal of the day, right?)

The Market was fun, even though this weekend kicks off an entire week of activities to celebrate their Centennial. Today was puppet day. Not kidding. Luckily we managed to dodge any and all puppets that came our way.

After that we spent several hours happily exploring the new SAM. It is sooo cool. And huge. I'm super inspired by a lot of things that I saw.

Finished up the layout I was working on yesterday. It's about my dear friend Julie. This one's for you babe!

I used more from the Red Velvet Art June kit. It's almost all gone! Luckily there is some more on the way. Hee hee.

Daily card for yesterday and today will be up in a bit. I'm going to go get dinner started.

Hope you are having a fantastic day!

TTYL!

And the trend continues....

....as today was fantastically busy as well.

Woke up early and drove up to Lasting Memories to see what was going on at their huge clearance sale. Got some cool 7 gypsies paper and some SEI that I have been eyeing for a while.

They had all of the new Sumner line by Scenic Route. Love that line. Love the graphics and of course the blue, green and brown. I wanted to by ALL of it. I restrained myself because I remembered that my August kit from Red Velvet Art had a bunch of those papers in it.

I broke down and paid full price for the Roxy image stamps, I could no longer resist their siren song of awesomeness.

Good times ahead with those, my friends. Good times.

I ran out of photo paper *gasp* and had to replenish my supply. Decided to try Costco, and it seems okay so far.

I got a new paper storage thingy so I also spent a lot of time cleaning my out my art stuff. Unsurprisingly, I found some really neat things, and some things that I don't really care for anymore...

I really like the new Basic Grey Obscure line. I don't know if I would use it for layouts, but like most of their paper, it's really just pretty to look at. It kind of reminds me of those really graphic i-pod ads, with a little 70's funk added. That being said, the other two lines, Periphery and Recess look a little bit more useable to me.

Still a little bit more to do but my man wants some attention right now...

Daily card up in a bit...

It's Friday!

Busy busy busy.

Was really productive at work today. Got many things scratched off the to-do list.
Went out to dinner. Walked the three miles around Greenlake. Got half a LO done.
Washed my hair... :D

Tomorrow I'm going to a Garage Sale at the LSS. Major clearance to make way for CHA goodies. Hope to score some good deals. Probably going to have a biiig post tomorrow.

Card made from Ikea ad, ink, dymo label, sharpie.

Today's Candy

Here are cards for today and yesterday.

This card made from: Love Elsie & Sassafrass Lass, cardstock and ink. I really like the "stitches." Here's yesterday's card. Words of wisdom! Currently, my bangs are only slightly crooked, but still... Next time I leave it to the pros!

Card made from: paper company lizard paper, cardstock, dymo labels, sharpie.

I totally forgot!

My "Camera Love" layout is showing on the slideshow on the Scrapjacked site!
It didn't win the EfferJack Challenge, but that's totally okay.

I'm just happy people liked it as it's one of my favorites.

You can check it out here. It 's the 20th one in the slideshow.

Back to school....

Well, sort of...

Yesterday I registered for the Seattle Creating Keepsakes Convention (CKC) that is happening the first weekend in November. So excited!

So, since this will be my first time at a major scrapbooking event, I went a little crazy with the classes:

Thursday November 1
6:50 pm Fabulous Felt with Shimelle Laine
8:10 pm The Reasons Why with Shimelle Laine

Friday November 2
9:20 am Ali's Top 10 with Ali Edwards
VENDOR FAIRE!
2:40 pm I Can See Clearly Now by Paper Crafts
7:00 pm Fun Filled Friday CROP

Saturday November 3
9:20 am Basic Grey - Latest and Greatest

We totally need to hang out if you are going to be there!

Have you taken any of these classes before? Or are there any others that you would reccomend to me? I would totally appreciate any suggestions.

Since I got so many classes, I got free day passes for both Friday and Saturday. And yes, I am taking a vacation day to go to a scrapbooking convention. This officially makes me a scrapbooking nerd.

That's AWESOME.

* * * * * * *
Things have been so crazy lately! Didn't even have time to post my daily card yesterday. I will post it when I get home later tonight... back to work for me!

That's what they call me...

An attempt at a "simple" layout style. Had to really really restrain myself. Goodness I do love that Lola stuff. I kept saying Oooo, let's stick that on, ohh now this. But I held myself in check.
Oh, so exciting, the little brown fiber stuff underneath the horozontal border is papyrus! Real actual Egyptian papyrus! From PaperZone. Love it!


Spent a lot of tonight making my own transparencies. MM paint + stamp equals the green chandelier. The little black circles I made using my glue stick! (The plastic twisty end.) It's not Hambly, but I like it. Also, much cheaper than Hambly.


Also, Photoshop Actions are the best thing EVER. Saves me sooo much time. I just discovered them, how sad is that? The photo in this LO I altered using the Acidify action. Just google Photoshop Action Acidify and you can get a free download. Soo cool.


Here's today's card. Made from Sharpie, hambly rubon, Marcella paper and ink.

TFL!

So excited....

Just pre-ordered my copy of The Dares book. It looks pretty rad. I believe it comes out on August 18th. Really looking forward to it. Those ladies are so talented.

Back to work now!

Keep your fingers crossed....

made from: elsie (roxy math class), cardstock, dymo label, magic mesh and MM word sticker.

The "I wish!"thing isn't meant to be negative.

It's more like "YES I DO WISH!"

I keep trying to turn my "someday" fantasies into reality. We'll see how it goes....

Just spent some time submitting stuff to Creating Keepsakes for publication. The hardest part is listing all the stuff that I used on my layout. Oh yes, and the waiting. That part is really hard too.

(I think some of my friends are laughing at me now...Patience is sooo not one of my strong points.)

I think it would be completely awesome to see my stuff in a magazine. A shiny glossy magazine. Online is cool and all, and I completely LOVE all the positive feedback that all my online friends share with me (really keeps me going; you guys are the BEST), but well, it's a magazine. It's paper and real, and you know how I am about paper....

Another thing is, I also recently applied to be a member on a kit club design team. The deadlines/announcements are coming up so I keep obsessively checking my email....

Again with the waiting! Arrrggghhh.

Ahem.... back to reality. Hope you had a fantastic Monday.

Registration for CKC Seattle opens up on Wednesday. I'm so excited even though it is not until November. I really hope I can get into the classes I want. I am totally thrilled by the thought of taking a class from Shimelle or Ali E.

That's it for tonight. Got some fun stuff coming up... like mebbe a RAK or a contest or a vote for my new blog banner. You know.... stuff.

:D

Peace out yo.

word up. yo.

playing with text papers.

card made from: staples, felt, dymo, ink, scraps from Love Elsie, American Crafts, 7 Gypsies and a Starbucks card envelope.

Camera Love

This is my take on the Kristina Contes Scrapjacked Challenge. You can check out the details of the challenge here.

Interestingly enough, it also meets the criteria for Dare #71 (use fabric on a layout). Hmmm.

This one really kicked my butt. I kept playing and playing with the pieces. I'm pretty happy with it now though. Four hours later!

In honor of Ms. Contes love for designer labels I have used mostly designer labels myself. :D

This layout is made from: Amy Butler fabric, Hambly paper/journaling spot, Fontwerks alphas, Bazill Scallop paper, Magic Mesh, Stazon ink, Dymo label, cardboard and my own transparency made with MM paint and a Hero Arts stamp.

Saturdays are awesome.

Went to the Dollar Tree in search of imitation Thickers but no luck. I did find these cool name stickers which were super expensive everywhere else. Score!

Card made from: ink, nametag sticker, Heidi Swapp letter stickers.

The shops are all full of new things. There was a definite back-to-school vibe. So, I did a little shopping... Okay, a lot of shopping. I got a new pencil skirt, a twill jacket, and two Tripp tops. I love Tripp. It's my favorite brand of clothes.

I also finally broke down and bought these Dansko shoes:

They didn't have them in black at the store so they'll be arriving at my house in about a week.

I was going to buy myself some Fluevogs but the Danskos were much cheaper. Also, much more Fall/Winter friendly. But some day, some day... I will have my beloved Fluevogs.

(I have a thing for shoes, have I mentioned that?) Oooo. I feel a layout coming on...

Scuze me...

True story...

For reals, yo. It was all cool and grey and cloudy this morning but by afternoon it all cleared up and was back to normal hot August weather. Still, I was glad I wore my boots. I missed them!

So... this is a hybrid layout! I designed in photoshop, printed it out and then inked the date stamp on. Totally fun. I used the free Rhonna Farrer kit from 2peas.

I am doing more and more playing with photoshop lately. Doing little projects and things that I cannot talk about... yet.

I think I shall never go completely digi, cuz I loves my paper stuff, but it's a nice place to visit.

Totally thinking about doing a new banner... Hmm...

On another note, G and I had a picnic dinner at Greenlake and then walked the three miles around it. Here's some photo love for your enjoyment:

BTW, see those little rocks in the first picture? I thought that I would go stand on those to get a better photo of the pretty lake, but the rock was all wobbly and I fell in.

Luckily I just got my shoes wet and did not fall completely in. And my camera was totally fine. And Greg only laughed at me a little. :D

More updates this weekend. I promise!