Winner of RAK announced!!!

As promised last month, I put everyone who participated in a photo swap with me into the running for a RAK, to be drawn on August 31. The day has come, my Friends! The winner will receive the following goodies:

A package of Autumn Leaves buttons, a package of Autumn Leaves flowers, AND a little somethin' somethin' extra surprise to be made by me JUST for you. :)

Samantha was my goofy (!!!) assistant:

And the winner is:




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YAY, Theresa!!! I will mail this out to you, as well as your layout!!! :)

Thank you all for playing with me!!!

Which Celebrities Do You Look Like?

My friend, Theresa, brought to my attention this fun little program that enables you to input a photo of yourself to see which celebrities you look like. Part of me DID NOT WANT TO KNOW!!! But I did it anyway, and the results were pretty surprising to me. Here's what came up:

http://www.myheritage.com

Not bad!!! Except for the two guys, LOL!!!
This next one supports that Alex DOES look like me, once you get past the coloring!!!

Samantha looks more like me, as well!!!

Wow, wow, wow!!!

I am over the moon excited because I won the "So You Think You Can Scrap" contest at The Scrapbook Site!!! Eight weeks of super fun challenges that did just that; they challenged us!!! They got us to think outside of the box; to expand our skills; to step out of our comfort zone.

The people there are wonderful!!! The members, the designers, Sarah...I'm truly blessed to have met each and every one of them!!! That to me, is the best prize of all.

But speaking of prizes, I won quite a bit!!! Three fabulous kits, a Karen Foster calendar kit, and the most coveted of all; a guest design team position for the month of September!!! Woo hoo!!! I am SOOOO going to love designing with their talented crew for the month!!! Truly a dream position for me! <3

Here are the Week 7 and Week 8 layouts that I have not posted here yet:

We had to scrap about three things that get us through the day.

We had to create our own handmade embellishments. I crocheted flowers and embroidered stems.

Thank you again to everyone involved with TSS. I'm so thankful for all of the friendships I have formed there.

Tumbling camp videos

Greetings from Baltimore! We just finished a 3-day tumbling camp for cheerleaders held at the nationally reknowned cheerleading gym, the Maryland Twisters. I'm a bit too tired to recount our adventures, but I wanted to share a couple of exciting videos of the girls.

This first one is of Alex landing her double full!!!


This last video is of Samantha throwing her punch front. She learned this over the weekend!!!


That's all for now. I can't wait to share more details when I get home!!!

Happy Mail for Me!!!

I was so pleasantly surprised to find a happy piece of scrappy mail for me today!!! My friend, Karen, fellow Pink Lady, made me a GORGEOUS magnet!!!

Isn't it beautiful? Look at that beautiful chili pepper and how it sparkles, the sweet words, and the so very clever corner treatment with the embroidery floss and eyelets!!! My photograph does not do this justice!!!

Thank you so much Karen! I love it!!!

Week 6 of Contest/ More layout swaps :)

We shall start with the Week 6 assignments for the "So You Think You Can Scrap" contest at The Scrapbook Site. My 6th challenge required that I use 3 photographs, 3 buttons, 3 different patterned papers, 3 different ribbons, a 3-word title, and 3 additional embellishments of my choice, as long as they were not of the same variety already mentioned. Cardstock, paint, and pens were unlimited. Here's what I came up with:

Journaling:
"What are the 3 most beautiful words I could ever hear? What 3 words can put JOY in my heart, SPRING in my step, and touch my SOUL? 'I love you'. -Especially when they are said by you!"

My 3 bonus embellishments are 3 rubons.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned paper: Tinkering Ink; ribbon: Autumn Leaves and Unknown; Buttons: SEI; Rubons: Hambly Studios; Pens: Signo Uniball and Staedtler.
The mid-week challenge was nice and easy! All we had to do was post one photograph of our scrap space (YIKES!) and one photo of a nice way to organize something. Here's what I posted:

Yep, this is where it all takes place at home, my bedroom. It isn't pretty!!! I have lots of stuff and very limited space! We're in the process of converting our den into my scraproom.

I hope this isn't the equivalent of not wanting to eat at a restaurant after you've seen the kitchen!!! :)

TFL! (I think... ;) )

I painted this cute Prima tray and decorated it for the purpose of storing paints in a really pretty way.


More photo swaps with friends!!!

Janette
I had such a good time scrapping Janette's photos. Boy, I wish we lived closer because she has an incredibly fun family!!! They are always smiling and really seem to enjoy each other. I wanted my layout to convey that sense of fun and happiness. Here's what I made for her:

Don't they look like so much fun to be with?!!

Janette made me this SUPER layout of the girls! I love it so much!

Isn't it fabulous?!!!

Pat
Pat gave me this wonderful picture of her and her daughters, Nicole and Dee. They are remarkably close and I just had to make a layout to reflect that.

Aren't they cute?!!

Pat made a WONDERFUL layout that truly captured the playful spirit of Alex and Sam. It's such a fabulously colorful and energetic page:

Isn't it great?!!

Pat had so much fun making her layout that she had someone photograph her with it! Isn't she cute?!!

Thank you so much, Janette and Pat, for swapping with me!!!

Week 5 Challenge/Layout Swaps/Crop Layouts

This is going to have to be a huge post, since I haven't been good about updating lately!!!

We shall start with the Week 5 assignments for the "So You Think You Can Scrap" contest at The Scrapbook Site. We are more than half way there!!! Here is my Challenge layout, where we were required to design a layout based on a song:

My "theme song" is I'm Still Standing" by Sir Elton John.

"Don't you know I'm still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I'm still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind

I'm still standing yeah yeah yeah
I'm still standing yeah yeah yeah"

This is a song of empowerment for me...of overcoming adversity and coming out strong. I love this song!!!


This was the most fun challenge yet for me. I got to play with my Hambly!!!

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Bling; Patterned paper, transparencies, and rubons: Hambly Studios; Letter: American Crafts Thickers; Pens: Signo Uniball and Staedtler. TFL :)

For the Mid-Week challenge, we had to design a card for somebody based on a song, as well:

The song "Count on Me", sung by Cece Wynans and Whitney Houston, inspired this birthday card for a dear friend. Jenn (Lovetocrop72...show her some love in the gallery) is very special to me. We have so much fun together and she is every bit the scrappaholic that I am. But most importantly, Jenn is a friend who sticks through bad times, as well as good. I just wanted to convey to her that she can "count on me" to be there for her during all times, as well.

"Count on me through thick and thin,
a friendship that will never end
when you are weak
I will be strong
helping you to carry on
Call on me I will be there,
don't be afraid
please believe me when I say
count on...me"

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned paper: Daisy D's; Sticker letters: Making Memories; Flowers: Prima; Black gems: K & Co.; Pen: Staedtler; Embroidery floss: DMC

Layout Swap update:

A couple of weeks ago I asked friends if they wanted to do a layout swap with me. Ardelle, Rhi, Janette, Theresa, Debbie, Jenn, and Pat took me up on this fun activity. So far I have made four of their layouts. As we complete pairings, I will share with you what we've done.

Ardelle

Ardelle was fast!!! She was the first to complete her layout using my photo. And what a beautiful layout it is. It looks even more divine in person!!! Check it out:

Isn't it beautiful?!! Thank you, Ardelle!!! <3

In return, I got to scrap a picture of Ardelle's beautiful daughter, Britney:

I had a great time making this! Thank you, Ardelle, for participating!

Debbie

Debbie made me a beautiful layout using one of Alex's pictures. Alex LOVED it...it put a huge smile on her face, as well as mine. Here is the layout that Debbie made me:

Didn't Debbie do a wonderful job?!!

In return, I got to scrap a newborn!!! Debbie gave me a gorgeous picture, taken by Theresa, of her new grandson, Logan. I was in my glory scrapping this photo:

Isn't he a cutie?!! Thank you, Debbie, for playing along!!!

Layouts from the August 4 crop
I got to crop with Jenn and Anne again on Saturday. We had a blast! And I was very productive!!! Here are 3 more layouts that I got done:

This is from the gorgeous Cocoa Daisy "Sunkissed" kit...so much fun to use!!!


These are from the fabulous Label Tulip "Chardonnay" kit...I LOVE this kit!!!

That's it for now! Thanks for looking!!! :)

Week 4: So You Think You Can Scrap contest

This week's challenges for the "So You Think You Can Scrap" contest at The Scrapbook Site required a lot of thought and a lot of journaling. I liked that about these challenges; they allowed the envelope to be pushed. Here's what I came up with.

Mid-Week Bonus: Create an impromptu card for a person who had been influential in our life or the life of our child.

When I found out what the challenge was going to be, I immediately knew that I would make a card for Alex's tumbling coach, Miss Victoria. Miss Victoria took Alex on, as a student two and half years ago and built her up from a person who couldn't even do a round-off to an elite tumbler. Alex is now executing double and standing fulls!!! For all of you who know cheerleading...that is AMAZING!!! Miss Victoria got Alex to tumble passes that are practically what you see gymnasts do on TV during the floor exercises!!! But not only is she an incredible coach...she is an excellent role model who cares about Alex's well-being inside and out. She teaches Alex to have confidence; to believe in herself; to be the best person she can be. Miss Victoria and Alex have grown to share a very special bond...a bond that maybe people will find once or twice in a lifetime.

Miss Victoria, this card is for you! We look forward to giving it to you at next week's lesson!

Note: This might look like a layout, but it's actually a 6" x 6" card. You can tell by looking at the staples for scale. I attached a ribbon loop to the top, in case she wants to display it.

Supplies: Transparency: Staples; Patterned paper: Basic Grey; Flowers and Ribbon: Prima; Gemstones: Target; Ghost butterflies and rubons: Heidi Swapp; Acrylic paint: Ranger Industries; Pen: Zig Millenium

Week 4 Challenge: A Walk Down Memory Lane. A Then and Now type page.
Create a layout about a childhood memory and how it relates to you now.
Some examples
-something you loved or hated as a child and how you feel about it today
-something you see your kids doing that relates to you and your childhood
-how something random today stirs up childhood memories

The journaling is heavy...I'm not comfortable sharing it here. If you're close to me and want to know more, let me know and I will send you the words. I'm happy to share it with my friends :)

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned paper and rubons: Basic Grey; Chipboard frame: Fancy Pants; Flowers: Prima; Letter stickers and Brads: Doodlebug; Pens: Tombow and Signo Uniball.

So the contest is now half over!!! 4 more weeks to go. I can't wait to see who wins!!! Thanks for looking. :)

Week 3, "So You Think You Can Scrap" Contest

This week's challenges were a lot of fun over at the "So You Think You Can Scrap" contest at The Scrapbook Site.

Our big challenge was to create a layout with the theme "7 Things that I am Lucky to Have" or having a title very similar to that idea. We had to use 7 photos, 7 journaling strips, and 7 buttons. Here is what I came up with:

Journaling:
1. My girls are my life
2. My loving husband. I'm so very lucky.
3. My job...So nice to love what I do.
4. My creativity. Art keeps me sane.
5. My friends. So very lucky to have them.
6. Our health and strength. So very fortunate.
7. Our freedom...must not take for granted.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned paper: Basic Grey; Chipboard number: My Mind's Eye; Buttons: 7 Gypsies; Rubons: Basic Grey; Paint: Ranger Industries; Gold leafing pen: Krylon; Pen: Signo Uniball; Other: yarn.

Note: I crocheted the fiber trim...just a simple chain stitch.

Our mid-week challenge was to create a bookmark using patterned paper, cardstock, our favorite quote (or a quote if you don't have a favorite), and a flower. This is what I made:

My quote:
"No longer forward nor behind
I look in hope and fear;
But grateful take the good I find,
The best of now and here."
--John G. Whittier

This quote expresses my desire to live in the moment and to stop dwelling on the past and anticipating the future.

Supplies: Cardstock, Patterned paper, and Die-cut flower: Die Cuts With a View; Journaling Die-cut: Daisy D's; Gold leafing pen: Krylon; Other: Fibers, stickers, and eyelet.

So, we'll have to see what next week's challenge is. Can't wait!!!

Fun Picture Swap with a RAK

Good morning, Friends! This month, and for August, as well, because the month is almost over, I would like to propose that we do a picture swap! I've done one with Rhi before and I loved it! Here's how it works: e-mail me a few pictures that you would like me to scrap for you and I will e-mail you some pictures. We then send each other pictures of the layouts and the actual layouts themselves. I am making an album with the layouts that my friends have created for me.

At the end of August, I will post all of the layouts that I've received and randomly pick a name to win a cool RAK.

I hope you guys play along...I'd love to scrap your pictures!!!

Let me know if you need my e-mail address...most of you have it!

Have a great day!

Week 2 Bonus Challenge for TSS's Contest

Today we received our mid-week bonus challenge for the "So You Think You Can Scrap" contest at The Scrapbook Site. It was a lot of fun to do! We had our choice between two scrapbook magazine covers to serve as inspiration for some sort of scrap project. I chose the Scrapbooks etc. cover to create a little card that I want to display at my desk at work.

I just love this picture of Samantha, taken when she was three months old! She looked like such a cherub...I just had to put some Hambly wings on her!!!

Thank you for looking!

I Joined a Super Fun Scrapping Contest

Saturday, I read about a really cool contest held by The Scrapbook Site. It's called "So You Think You Can Scrap". They say that the concept was based on their love of reality TV. Of course I was all over that like white on rice, being the reality TV junkie that I am! For 8 weeks, you have to enter a layout that satisfies that week's challenge. On Sunday's all the contest participants vote for their 3 favorites via private messaging. All design team members have votes as well. Nobody knows the standings and nobody gets eliminated. At the end of the 8 weeks, the winner will be revealed. The winner will receive 3 free kits (awesome!!!) and a Karen Foster calendar kit!!!

I'm not allowed to post my layouts on any other on-line galleries, but I am allowed to post them on my blog, so I will share them with you as I create them.

Week 1:
Old School Challenge: Create a layout using pictures, techniques, and if possible, supplies from the year you starting scrapping. For me, the year was 2005. Of course I was a little disappointed that I had to make a layout reminiscent of my beginning scrapping days! But it was fun! Here's what I came up with:

Back when I started, I was big into Stampin' Up! supplies, as my sister was a consultant. All the paper used here is SU cardstock. Since then I've discovered textured paper, LOL!

The technique for me was all about paper piecing; from the handmade frame to the title. The title was generated from printing in reverse on cardstock and cutting out with scissors. No wishblade for me...

Embossing, chalking, drawing, and stitching round out my circa 2005 techniques. :) The lizard is a stamp; the other designs are hand-drawn.

Journaling: In February 2005, I went to Arizona to visit a good friend who had moved out there. Boy, was I blown away be the beauty I saw!!! The sky was such that I felt as if I could reach up and touch the clouds…I had never seen such large fluffy clouds so low to the ground before. The landscapes were incredible and woven from many gorgeous colors. The cacti were so prolific… they were almost like weeds. Although I heard that these plants are very old and it takes about 80 years for one to sprout an arm.
This East Coast girl will never forget the beautiful Arizonian landscapes!


Supplies: Cardstock and linen fiber: Stampin' Up!; embossing powder: Ranger Industries; Chalk: Colorbox by Clearsnap; Pens: Staedtler

Week 2
Choose an Elsie Flannigan sketch:
This was a fun one! The rules were we had to select a sketch (and there were 28 to choose from!), use patterned paper from at least 2 manufacturers, and use at least 3 photos. Other than that, we had complete artistic freedom. Here's what I came up with:

Journaling: From the moment you were born, Alex, Daddy and I thought you were so beautiful. Then you developed your sweet and loving personality. Beautiful...inside and out!

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned paper: Junkitz, American Crafts, Provo Craft; Flowers: Bazzill Basics; Gems: Darice; Pens: Signo Uniball and Staedtler.

Thanks for looking and stay tuned for other contest editions!

Quite Possibly the Most Flamboyent Layout I've Ever Done, LOL!

This was TOO much fun...I really channeled Andy Warhol with this one!!! It was in response to a challenge: If we were a color, what color would we be? Thanks for looking!!!

A Layout I Demo'd Yesterday Made the Basic Grey Gallery :)

Yesterday I showed my friends at Express Yourself how they might use the cool new die-cuts included in the new Infuse pack by Basic Grey. I entered it into the Basic Grey gallery and they accepted it. :)


I also made this layout from the Infuse line. They did not accept this one. :( Oh well. I love the expressions on the girls' faces.

I just want to give a shout out to all of my cropping friends at Express Yourself! I have soooo much fun spending time with you all. Here are some pictures I took yesterday:

Waves to Pat, the owner...she's so great!

Pam :)

Sandra, Jenn, and I :)

Tabby and Pat :)

Tagged Again! :)

I've been tagged by my friend, Edith.

My roommate and I once: I've never had a roommate other than my sister or husband, LOL.

Never in my life have I: bungee jumped--I agree with you, Edith! You would have to pay me BIG...and knock me out cold to get me to do it!!!

High school was : Much better my senior year when I moved back to Brookfield.

When I'm nervous : I feel like I could throw up. And I get really fidgety.

My hair : Needs a touch-up.

When I was 5 : I started 1st grade. I was always one of the youngest, having a 12/18 birthday.

When I turn my head left : I see my left shoulder (who comes up with these questions?!!)

I should be : Working. I am home sick today.

By this time next year : I will be in Europe for my mega 22-day vacation.

My favorite aunt is : Although I don't see her any more because she and my Uncle Peter divorced, I would have to say Aunt Diane. She was really there for me when my mother died 21 years ago.

I have a hard time understanding : Why when you pass someone in a hallway at work or wherever and you say "hi", they don't say "hi" back. WHATEVER!!!

You know I like you if : I call you or e-mail you all of the time.

My ideal breakfast is : An omelet with tomato, scallions, and cheddar with bacon on the side and a Starbucks Frappuccino...YUM!

If you visit my home town : You will see about 20 different furniture stores. Geez Louise...do we need anymore furniture stores, Brookfield?!!

If you spend the night at my house : You will wonder when my girls will ever go to bed. They have never required much sleep and are usually up at 11 pm, LOL! We try.

My favorite blonde is : Samantha Birch

My favorite brunette is : Alexandra Birch

The animal I would like to see flying besides birds : How about some pigs?!! Nice question!

I shouldn't have been : So anxious to become older. I always had older friends and didn't like to be one of the youngest. So I spent my twenties wanting to be older. Now I'm staring at 40 in two and a half years and I wish I had appreciated my twenties more.

Last night I: Watched Alex cheer for a couple of hours and gabbed with some mothers at practice, finally updated my blog, and did a layout after a two week dry spell.

A better name for me would be : I can't imagine being anything other than Amy.

I've been told I look like : Mia Farrow. I used to be so insulted because I was told this when I was 18 and she was like 40! But I could see it in a younger me compared with a younger her.

If I could have any car, it would be : I don't know...I'm pretty happy with the car I have...a 2003 Honda Accord with a V6 engine. I only wish that deer didn't hit me in December and left the small dent in the hood. I was VERY luck to have escaped with just that!

I am tagging:

Janette (this will be easy for you, because you've already been tagged! Waving "hi", Janette!)

Rhi, lovelyhead

Jenn (you need a blog, girlie, so I can stalk you! You can answer on your scrapbook.com blog.)

Ardelle :)

Julie (Lexea, who's gone blogging now!!! You get to play tag now, LOL)