My Springtime Church Ladies

Just wanted to share a project I worked on today for the mantel at Stolen Moments Inn.

I call these beauties my Springtime Church Ladiesl

The base is (of course) from Maya Road. Everything else is a little bit of this and some of that. I think they are all ready for Easter Sunday.

Susie

Weddings are such happy times!

A while back a friend at work asked me to do a canvas for her son and new daughter-in-law. The colors of their wedding on the beach were SO wonderful.

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Before I could get it done (mostly because of my car accident and the fact that I don't have as much stamina right now), she asked me to do a frame for them too.

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Today I finally completed both. And I just love the finished projects. I can't wait to take them to her tomorrow.

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It made me think that it just isn't too soon to start thinking about Christmas presents. Canvas art and framed 12x12 layouts make WONDERFUL gifts.

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What will you do creatively this holiday season?

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Susie

What are YOU doing during the Labor Day Weekend?

I hope whatever your plan, you have a safe and happy holiday.

After church on Sunday we are going to visit a neighbor who has a precious newborn baby girl. You can see an album I made for her here.

On Saturday, we are hosting our Sunday school's Labor Day ABC Picnic. Here is the invitation:

The premise is that everyone brings food that starts with their initials. Since we are the Moores, we are providing the meat.

Even if we end up with a weird combination of food, it should be fun.

We have between 45 and 55 people coming to the Inn for this event and I can hardly wait. Randall is already there smoking the brisket. I am going in the morning to get everything ready.

I am doing a make and take for the teenagers. I found these wooden plaques at Michaels for 25 cents each. I just added some paper and embellishments and voila - a cute doo dad. Of course each person will pick his/her own paper and "stuff". I can't wait to see what they come up with. So for a quarter and a bunch of leftover scraps and a bit of this and that, all the older kids will go home with something fun.

I couldn't leave the little kids out. There is a diversity in ages, so I really made it an easy and quick craft project. I just bought some of those foam kits from Michaels and if they don't add TOO much glitter, they can wear their masks about an hour after they make them.

One of my friends is bringing a bounce house, there will be tons of food and I am expecting a fantastic Labor Day picnic!

I hope your holiday is a great one too.

Susie

More Alaska - digital -quick and easy

I am at home today getting my homework done for my upcoming trip to Utah CKU. It is not like me to procrastinate...but I guess I did because I leave next week and I am just now starting my homework.

I am taking a digital class and the pre-work is necessary in order to get everything done during the class time.

I came across this photo that my son-in-law took as we were leaving Seattle. I just LOVE it. I slipped it into a Quick Page template and 2 minutes later - here is the layout.

Today, I am also working on my challenge for the store. I can't wait to see what everyone does with the same materials.

Susie

My Current Love Affair with Basic Grey & Cosmo Cricket

I admit it - I am fickle. If there is a new paper line - well that's all it takes - it is my new favorite.
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I am not sure if this Basic Grey is all that new, but I am totally truly madly in love with it. I also want to give a shout out to Cosmo Cricket too because I am two timing Basic Grey these days with Cosmo.
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This card is truly easy breezy. I created a grid with my computer and then just adhered squares of the different papers. A layered and stamped sentiment, and I was done. It took my longer to think it up than to execute it!
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Is it a paper-sickness? Maybe. I'm ok with that.

Susie

Luggage Tag Project

Just wanted to share a project I did for some of us who went on the Alaska cruise last month.

If you have ever been on a cruise, you know that at the end of your trip, your luggage sits in a sea of other luggage that looks JUST LIKE YOURS. So I made luggage tags for four of the families who cruised to Alaska.

I was surprised at how quickly we all found our luggage when it was time to leave the ship.

Oh how I miss that ship! No one here cleans my room, makes my bed or serves me dinner on fine china!

I plan to make some even fancier tags for my upcoming trip to Utah with my friend Rebecca. CKU here we come!

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Susie

More Stunning Word Books

Two of the other word books that were extremely popular at the convention were these. First is a picture of the CRUISE book. It has been a big hit at the store for a month or so, but the convention goers were seeing it for the first time. I heard many wonderful comments on this and many, many people buying the papers to make their own.

I hate to limit you to only a couple pages of this book because it is quite awesome. Susie did this book & if you notice in this second photo you will see an acrylic page added into the book. She did this in a couple of spots and really made this a unique book. Looking at the book, I wish I was on a cruise right now--cool water in the pool...ahhh. All the papers in this book are Moxxie papers & I think there are still some left at the store. (with the sale, things are flying out of there)

This second book is the Fourth of July Book. The letters say JULY4 and then if you look on the '4' you will see the "th" completing the cover. Isla did this book as well for us. She scurried right up until 3 or 4 in the morning of the day of the convention working on projects for the store.










On this book, she used the Rusty Pickle Papers, which have nearly all escaped the store. We took them for mini store in the crop room and not many were even left after that. Since Rusty Pickle was at the convention, we kept what was left for the store. I have said to Isla that I think she sold more Rusty Pickle paper than they did with this book.

I hope these give you some ideas on what to do with some of your photos. Even though I couldn't get the full project in here, you can see that the books will hold quite a few photos AND can be expanded with extra pages. Need help doing your first one of these? Come on by the store. We'll be glad to talk you through it!

Card Makin' Mood

I have been in the mood to stamp and create lately. And that works out well because so far this week, I've needed five cards. Here are two that I did tonight and will be off in the mail tomorrow morning.

You know I am a card maker who loves to use scraps and left over do-dads. Both cards fit this description. I do need to add some red Stickles on my father's day card...but then I'll call it a night.

Have a great week.

Susie

Thank Heaven for Little Girls

I am framing this for a gal I work with. She had this precious baby girl 6 weeks ago and is now back at work. I can't wait to give it to her tomorrow.

Everything is from the Basic Grey Sugared line. Just added some Stickles and it was done.

Complete doesn't HAVE to be fancy. Sometimes just plain and simple can make a layout perfect. I am calling this one done.

Susie

Computer Woes

I have spent the last 2 days enjoying the wonder of a computer that was just not feeling too well. The worst part - it wouldn't let me access certain sites that I love - LIKE BLOGGER! .

So now I have restored my computer to its original state, installed (hopefully) all of the software that I use and tweaked and poked and adjusted until I think I have nursed it back to health. Last night it was 3 am. when I finally gave up. Tonight I will be thrilled to be in bed by 1am. And tonight I feel like I actually accomplished something.

But before I head off to bed, I had to share this project with you. This is a 24 x 36 canvas that I did for a lady at my office. She wanted me to come up with a large piece of art highlighting her son and his family. So here it is.

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I was inspired by the 6x6 canvas art that each member of the design team created. So find some inspiration like I did and branch out. Enjoy!

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Susie

PS: pop over to my blog if you have a moment. I posted a digital layout that I recently completed. I am just learning digital and I THINK I love it.

My 2 Sheets of Paper Challenge

I like to challenge myself every once in a while and Sunday night I decided I needed to do this project with only TWO pieces of 12x12 paper. I allowed myself a sheet of black paper too for some matting - but that was it.

The secret to my success was double sided paper and scotch tape. I love slicing up sheets of paper and taping them back together, instead of layering them. The design seems cleaner and the paper stretches further. The paper I used was from the Cogsmo collection of Cosmo Cricket. Lately I am just in mad, passionate love with CC.

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I recently completed a project for a gal at work using the Dutch Girl collection. I think that is when my love affair begain with Cosmo Cricket.

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Anyway, back to my challenge. I truly had 2 little 5x2 and 3x4 bits of paper left when I completed this. So my challenge was a success.

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What can you do with two sheets of paper? We would love to see it at the Crafty Scrapper next time you come by.

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Susie

Canvas Art- You HAVE to try it for yourself

One of the most enjoyable things about being on the design team is getting to create projects that other folks outside of my immediate family will see.

This is my version of an 8x8 canvas that Carolyn asked each member of the design team to create. I didn't have a picture (photo) of me that I wanted to use, so I used words to create a picture of who I am.

All of the canvas art will be on display at the store on National Scrapbook Day. I personally just can't wait to see what everyone has designed. The talent in this group simply amazes and inspires me!

If you are in town, be sure to visit the store so you can see ALL of the canvas art created by the design team.

Susie

Weekend Scrappin'

I pulled together a retreat at Stolen Moments Inn in a really short time frame. We found ourselves unexpectedly without retreaters this weekend. I hated to pass up the opportunity - so I asked 11 other girls to join me and so tomorrow we start a weekend of fun.

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Even though it was short notice, I always feel like I need to do a make and take - so I wanted something quick and easy to prepare. And the fact that I could use this cutie-patootie picture of our granddaughter Izzy, just made it even more fun for me.

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To make this picture frame (or it COULD be a calendar frame in the future) I used a small clipboard from the office supply. I grabbed some papers, paint, a sanding block, a few embellishments and a couple of gross tarnished and paint-splattered screws (they hold it upright) from the remodel of the Inn - and it was done really quickly.

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So I put together a basket of everything the girls will need and they can make their own this weekend. I AM going to get some new screws from Home Depot for their project. But the icky ones actually have extra meaning for me - so I am keeping them on my sample.

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What's in your stash? Can you make one of these from what you already have?

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Susie

A Gift Book and Treasure Box

My daughter asked me to create this project for a young couple in her Sunday School class. They were expecting a precious baby girl - but learned that she would not be able to survive despite the fact that the pregnancy would go full term. She was born last week and went to be with Jesus that same day.

Each girl in their class will be sending a note of encouragement over the next months and also they knew that these brave parents would want to chronicle the short life of their daughter. Thus the book for pictures and journaling and the box to house the handwritten cards.

Their sweet angel is named Hope which means expectation and belief. Even as I write these words and MY tears are flowing, I am humbled by this young couple - so very brave and faithful.

My daughter who is the light of my life turns 25 in a few days. My heart breaks for this couple as I reflect what my life would have been without her. If you are inclined, say a prayer for this family. You will be blessed for the love you share.

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The project is made with papers especially made for the Bind It All. I LOVE this tool and I think it is fantastic that they have made papers just for it. The pages in the book are all different shapes and sizes. Check out this line next time you are in the store.

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Susie

What's on my work table?

....usually I start with a blank work table because I am really good about cleaning up after myself. But presently I am in various stages of 3 projects - so there is a little bit of everything right within my reach.

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I DID have to go through a few stamps to find the ones I wanted, but everything else on this card was begging to jump off my desk and onto the card.

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If you are wondering how I got those scallops around the outside of my card, here is my secret. I used a piece of Bazzil scalloped paper which (of course) was not the right width. So I cut the paper down the middle, lined up 2 scallops and then cut them both. Then I used tape on the back to join the papers back together. Voila! Instant border.

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I plan to scrapbook this weekend. I hope you will too!

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Susie

Anniversary - Who Knew???

Today is my wedding anniversary. I am just crazy about my husband - no doubt. But I know NO ONE who thought we'd last (or survive). Fooled 'em.

Randall loves Vegas, so I made him a slot machine card. I soooooo copied this from someone else. But he won't ever know that!

I have no shame when it comes to copying a great idea. I hope you find lots of great ideas here on our blog to copy!

Susie

Easter Basket

So at 8:30 tonight, I got the idea to make some Easter baskets for the folks at work. We are all on 3 separate floors, so I went to the store and bought stuff for three baskets. Well, one of the floors is just going to have to go to another floor to get their goodies. It is 1:40 and I just finished the second basket. I am calling it a night.

These weren't hard OR time consuming to make...but I spent my second hour undoing what I did in the first hour....then I finally figured out what I really wanted to do. I think my project turned out pretty well. Now I just need some shut eye before my alarm goes off!

Bottom line - take a chance. Fix it if you don't like it and move on. But create - always create.

Susie

Happy Easter Card

When this paper hit the racks, it somehow jumped right into my hands. About 3 sheets of it, actually.

I have been so busy, that my Easter card list shrunk to only 20 - which makes me sad because I had so many more folks who deserved a Happy Easter card from me. But on the flip side of that...am I learning my limitations? Hmmm...maybe.

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So this is my Easter card. I think the paper is so gorgeous, I could have just sent some of that to everyone - but instead I dolled it up a bit. Here is what the inside looks like:

I must now resume my Easter Egg basket making and filling for my friends at work.

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Happy Easter everyone.

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Susie

Black Diamond Stickles

Do you own Black Diamond Stickles? No? Oh my...get up right now and get to the store.

Black Diamond Stickles saved the life of this card...and a few others too. This card was about to soar into the trash - but I felt pity for it and left it overnight on my table.

The next morning I remembered the savior of all pathetic cards - BLACK DIAMOND STICKLES. I applied a generous amount to the flower center and it changed the look of the whole card.

Now this card is signed and about to pop into an envelope. Without the black diamond stickles, I shudder to think where it would be now (the trash man comes tomorrow).

Susie

Digital and Hybrid Scrapper - That's me too !

I am taking digital scrapbook lessons! I am working with Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 and this is the first digital layout that I completed.

I THINK lesson #1 should have taken me about an hour to get through...but it was more like FOUR hours.

The next night, I repeated the lesson without looking at it and I was able to do a layout much more quickly the second time. This week I start on lesson #2.

I have been doing digital and hybrid scrapping for about a year - maybe more. But I wasn't doing it in PSE. I was just arranging digital elements in Word. And that works - but it is rather limited. So now I am trying to break into the more professional type software.

I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Susie