Monday, December 31, 2018

12/31/18 - Last Post of 2018

Hi!
Wow, last post of 2108?
That's heavy!
IDK if it's just because I'm getting older but the end of the year is always so hard for me now...
Why does time have to move so quickly?!

Today I am sharing my last 2 completed PL pages.
Last time I posted I shared 43 and 44.
Funny thing when I was placing them in my album I realized I made a date range mistake on one of them and had to fix it...
:DOH:!
First time I did that.

Prior to sharing Week 43 and Week 44 I had already shared Week 45 and Week 46.

So today I am sharing Week 47 and Week 48.
I did a little bit something different w/ them... you'll see.


Both are Traditional Pocket Pages:
 Week #47


-Finished Book #22 of my 25 Book Goal
-Another delicious Snack Nation Snack Box
-My husband got creative in the kitchen, yet again
-Thanksgiving Selfie w/ my son (and Stella Rosa wine)
-A favorite Seasonal Treat (top) and a New-To-Me Seasonal Treat (bottom)


Week #48
This is the "something different" page
I had 2 photos leftover from Week 47 and only a few photos for Week 48 so I decided to combine the 2 into one page.

Top row is the remainder of Week 47
-Our Saturday Date Night to the Three Stooges Film Festival; something my husband has always wanted to do

Bottom row is Week 48:
-A visit to Oak Glen; my son and his fiancé joined us
-Our dog w/ a Christmas Bow...which he wound up keeping on the entire month of December
 
 
To differentiate the two I made sure to include the Week # on the middle photo of the bottom row.
But honestly, even if the viewer doesn't realize it's 2 different weeks, I'm okay w/ it... They can think all the photos are from the same week, I'm just happy to have them in my album!
So all that's left is Weeks 49 - 52 (+2 days).
I already have those pretty much done.
But to make it easier on me, I did them digitally through the PL App so they will be ordered after the New Year, which means you will be seeing some PL 2018 in 2019.

TY for stopping by.
Wishing you a Happy and Safe New Year

Saturday, December 29, 2018

12/29/18 - 2019 The Year of The Pig

Hi there!
I wasn't planning on posting again so soon, but according to my survey results from this post:
Last Day, where I asked, "is there was such a thing as scrapping too much?" we all agreed, that when you get inspired you gotta go w/ it! ::wink::

So here I am with a 12x12
Traditional Paper Layout


"2019 - The Year of the Pig"

Look at me... I'm not done w/ 2018 and I'm already scrapping for my 2019 Album, LOL

Today I found out from my favorite Pig Rescue, Central Texas Pig Rescue, that 2019 is the Year of the Pig!
As a pig grandma, you know I had to scrap about it!
This will be my first page in my 2019 Album.

If you want to learn more about Central Texas Pig Rescue please visit here (Their Instagram): CTPR Instagram
or Here (Their Official Website): CTPR Website

I have been donating to them monthly for the past 2 years and will continue to do so next year.
These are good people making positive changes for Pigs (and other animals) in this world.

Thanks for Stopping by, or as a pig would say, "OINK"!

Friday, December 28, 2018

12/28/18 - "I Like Big Buns..."


Hi there!

Today I am sharing a layout inspired by 3 different blogs!


  • One-
I loosely followed the December 1st Sketch at the Sketch-N-Scrap Blog though it definitely was what inspired the overall design of my layout.
I rotated the sketch to the left and switched the side where I placed my (sub)title :




  • Two-
Challenge #60 at Scrap Yourself : "Your layout can be about anything you like, as long as there is a photo with YOU in the frame somewhere on your page".
This layout is all me, baby!


  • Three-
Challenge #72 at Scribbles Designs: The Challenge is called "Year in Review" and you are allowed to choose any of the challenges that had been presented throughout the year.
I chose Favouring the Feminine: "Make your project girly in some nature--use florals, laces, ribbons or other items suitable for a feminine card or project."
I went w/ pink, hearts, and flowers on my layout.


Here is my layout
My journaling is also my Title: "I like big buns and I cannot lie..."


 A nod to Sir Mix-A-Lot
::wink::
This is a "Selfie I came across recently that I took way back in 2014 and loved, but never scrapped.

I'm so glad I found the 3 challenges listed above to inspire me to finally get it in my album!

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

12/26/18 - 2018 Project Life/Weeks 43 and 44

For the day after Christmas I thought it would be appropriate to share some Halloween layouts...
Okay, not really appropriate but it is where I left off on my Project Life Journey, so here we go:
 
 
A Traditional Pocket Page
-PL Week 43-
 


Documented:
-- Watched the New Halloween
-- Another yummy dessert made by my husband
Journaling:
"My husband surprised me w/ these homemade Pumpkin Spice Mousse desserts. My daughter likes them too; darn!"
-- A yummy Plant Based lunch I meal prepped for work
Journaling:
"Vegetarian Eating doesn't have to be boring:
 >Beyond Meat Feisty Crumbles
 >Sun Vista Jalapeno Pinto Beans
 >Chipotle Rice-a-Roni
 >Asian Style Mixed Vegetables"



.
.
.


This was also my Birthday Week and I have a separate layout w/ the photos of/pertaining to my birthday.
Traditional/Hybrid Layout using the Project Life App w/ real life embellishing:


.
.
.

And here is week 44, also a Traditional Pocket Page...
This is the back of the Week 43 page:


As you can see, learning how to do the "film-strip" style print came in handy!


Documented:
-- I cleaned and reorganized my scrap room
-- Halloween Selfie
Journaling: "When you want to be professional at work and celebrate Halloween"
-- "Mom Bite" - if you don't know what this is look at this previous shared layout***
-- Funny Pig Meme
-- Move over Pumpkin Spice, the Christmas Flavors are here!



***check out the top 2 middle boxes



Wednesday, December 19, 2018

12/19/18 - Project Life Weeks 38 - 42

Before I started mixing it up again I had left off on PL Week 37.
I mentioned I would jump back in time to share previous week's layouts...
so let's keep on going!


Week 38:


When I took a couple of the photos, I purposely left space for me to add journaling spots to add some handwritten journaling.
And though I didn't realize it at the time of it's creation, that "enjoy" circle mimics the Pistachio Oreo really well.
BTW - I want to express just how much I LOVED those Oreos!
I was pleasantly surprised at how well they nailed the Pistachio flavor...
If you do not like Pistachio, avoid these!




Week 39:
This one was tough to scan because of the bulkiness of some of the stickers... the colors are not 100%  true to life.
For example: the "MON" chipboard sticker is a darker cornflower blue, the pig's body is the same color as his face, and the cookie photo is brighter (the pain of bulky scans!)
Moving on...
As the journaling says, this week was short on "everyday-style" photos due to us taking a vacation.
But if we can scrap "1 photo" traditional layouts, why not 1 (or 2) photos on a Pocket Page/PL
Layout, right?


I have already shared week 40: PL Week 40
And as I went to scrap Week 41 - I realized I had only taken 2 photos that week and I that had already scrapped and shared them as a regular layout:
So I just added a tab to the side that says Wk 41 so those paying attention while flipping through my project life album won't think I skipped it:

(remember this layout?)


Finally Week 42:

A mismatch of subjects...but then aren't all PL pages pretty much that way?
Notably: Our first visit to Oak Glen for the 2018 Autumn Season,  David and I saw the original Halloween for the first time, finished book #20 (of my 25 book goal), and won and received a prize from Elle's Studio.


-Speaking of Elle's Studio... there's lots of Elle's Studio (and Studio Calico) goodies on these pages! -

Can't believe I've made it this far!
Only 10-ish weeks to go!

Saturday, December 15, 2018

12/15/18 - "Proof"

 
Today's layout inspired by the December 2018 Let's Get Sketchy sketch:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"Proof"
Journaling:
"Madison is not a girly-girl; she hates pink! She also hates pants; she wears shorts 365 days a year. But here's proof she used to wear BOTH!"

As you can see I changed the sketch just slightly. Besides using a vertical photo, instead of a horizontal photo, I also changed the direction of the bottom triangle.
I've mentioned before (a couple of times) I'm not very good w/ using triangles as a design element so I felt the need to switch the bottom triangle around to make it more appealing to me.
So, you're probably wondering why I chose to participate in a Sketch Challenge w/ triangles as it's main element?
Your guess is as good as mine!
But I'm glad I did because I love the layout and I scrapped a photo that has been sitting on my desk for nearly 4 years!

The BG is from Bazzill Basics, the date spot is a digital from Elle's Studio, the journaling spots are Avery self -stick file labels and the Emoji pieces are from Simple Stories.
EVERYTHING else is from Nikki Sivils.
Who else remembers Nikki Sivils?
I still have quite a bit of her products in my stash!
Which just goes to show you, though I'm constantly buying new stuff...
I do make it a point to go through and use my stash also.


Thursday, December 13, 2018

12/12/18 - "Last Day 2017"

Lately I've been feeling very creative and very productive in that creativity.
Sometimes I think I may be scrapping too much!
But then I think, well I don't know when that next wave of Scrappers Block will hit (we've all been there) so I keep going until I can't!

Here I have for you a layout I created a couple of night's ago
(click on image to enlarge and read the journaling):



"Last Day 2017"
*Note this was before I became a full-fledged vegetarian

A 12x12
Traditional Paper Layout
(only the "celebrate" and "cheers" pieces are a digital that I printed on a piece of paper)

As I was going through my Dec Daily photos from 2017, cuz you know I'm still trying to finish it ::wink::, I stumbled across these photos taken on the very last day of 2017.
Since the very last day of 2018 is around the corner, I felt inspired to scrap them!

I know it's a simple layout but... I really love the way it turned out!

All product, except the BG paper, the 2 enamel dots, and the "2017" alphas are from a mix of my Elle's Studio (monthly) kits.
The celebrate digital is also from Elle's Studio.



And to show you just how wild and crazy we get on NYE, let me show you the other photos from that night in this (previously shared) layout:



#PartyAnimals NOT!

LOL

Do you ever feel like you scrap too much?
For those of you who cannot respond here, please feel free to respond on my Instagram post:
Last Day 2017

TY

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

12/12/18 - PL Weeks 45 and 46


I truly do not like sharing my Project Life pages out of order (call it OCD, I guess) but sometimes there is a need, like when it's for a Design Team reveal.
In this case the "need" is...it's Christmas Time so I want to share more "Holiday" related PL spreads.

If you recall, I said I wasn't doing a December Daily album this year but instead incorporating my "December Daily" into my regular PL Spreads.

Today I'm sharing a couple I recently completed so you can see what I mean and (hopefully) get some inspiration.

I guess I'll just have to call the older ones I share "throwbacks"...
I hope to share a few more soon now that I'm mostly caught up.

BTW - Looking at these numbers, Week 45 and Week 46, just reminds me THAT much more that the year is almost over WOW!

(Click on layouts to enlarge and read the journaling better)


Week #45:



Week #46:



Fun Fact - This year is the most I have EVER used my date stamp, LOL
Another (Not-So) Fun Fact - I have not been able to find that Coffee Banana Smoothie again since!


I wish I could tag companies on here the way we can on Instagram; I would love to give credit to the different manufacturers.
Most items used on both layouts = Elle's Studio, Studio Calico, and Kelly Purkey

Monday, December 10, 2018

12/10/18 - "Use Your Stuff" Challenge #340

A new Challenge is up at the "Use Your Stuff" Blog.
The challenge is called -Inspired By a Book-
This is what I came up with:

(it's a shame the "copper" colored strips didn't photograph better)
 
 
I was inspired by the book "Twas the Night Before Christmas". I used a line from the book as my title: "...a long winters nap".
This is another page for my December (Not-So) Daily 2017
I like that it's not overwhelmingly Christmas-y. Really the only hints of it (maybe) being a Christmas Page is the use of Red, Green and White.
Not everything done during December Daily, or Not-So-Daily, is necessarily Christmas-related.
 
 
I hope you'll come check out the challenge and maybe even play along!
TFSB!

Saturday, December 8, 2018

12/08/18 - Project Life Weeks 35 thru 37

Hi there!

For this post, let's rewind a little...
The last time I shared a Project Life Page I shared Week 40.
But the time before that I shared Week 34 and  mentioned that I had scrapped 36 - 39 but accidentally skipped 35.

Well, Week 35 is finished and today I'm sharing it, along w/ Weeks 36 and 37.


- PL Week 35 -
(the photo of me is a lot less gray IRL)
 
This one is a 12x12 digital layout that I created on the Project Life app and embellished IRL...
No surprise right? I mean by now you know how I roll ::wink::
This is usually not a problem except this time I was having a bit of trouble fitting all my journaling on it as I had a lot to say. I finally decided that the best idea was to dedicate a journaling spot to each photo and since I only had 4 photos, I thought the best way to do that, and make it look cohesive, was to place the photos on the side and to make the entire middle the journaling area. This time I used the same journaling card all the way through.
Like I've said on this blog many times before.... I like to try to change it up.
In this particular case I'm not 100% happy w/ the outcome but I don't "hate" it and there's more weeks to tackle so I'm trying to just let it go!

Next we have...

- PL Week 36 -

Another 12x12 Digital/Traditional Hybrid layout.
Since most of it was about food I dedicated 1 journaling spot to a list of the different food(s).
Another journaling spot was dedicated to my selfie/new shirt w/ a brief nod to Labor Day.
The other journaling is the part under the bunny photo which is a screenshot from Instagram that explains that CA is the first state to pass the law that beauty products can no longer be tested on animals (yay!). As an animal lover that is definitely important enough to be included in my Project Life!
To help decorate it, I have 8 stickers and15 enamel dots on this layout...plus some of my trademark outlining.
Did you notice I dated the photos on this one?
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't... just depends on my mood and/or if there is a significance to the date, for example: Labor Day and National Cheese Pizza Day ::wink::



- Week 37-

Hey look, a Traditional Pocket Page!
I actually really enjoy creating them but sometimes they are time consuming and it's definitely more difficult to include lots of journaling.
For example I wanted to talk a little about that Gillian Flynn book but really wasn't sure how to include the journaling w/out messing up the aesthetics...
In the end it didn't bother me too much to leave the story out.
Later I may create a tag to stick in the pocket, behind the photo...
But for now, it's fine!


Thanks for sticking w/ me through these pages!

Saturday, December 1, 2018

12/01/18 - Do You December Daily?

In case you didn't see my last post...and/or you've been living under a rock...
I'm here to advise you...
it's that time of year again: December Daily!

I'm sure you've seen all the posts and have been inspired (maybe/maybe not).

Last year I tried December Daily again, even though the other year I tried it (what year was that anyway?!) was an epic fail.
Guess what? I failed again, but not "epically" LOL!

I actually did more last year than I did that one other year (again, what year was that?!).

Anyway, thanks to all the posts on Blogs, Instagram, SB.com, You Tube... (the list is endless) I felt inspired again.
Inspired to finish last years.
Besides the layout I shared in the last post I have also created these pages so far:

 

*I have a page I still need to create that explains that llama comment.




 
My album is 6x9 and I bought it, and the page protectors, in the School Section of Target.
Because it is a small size I'm trying my best to use scraps and leftover product.
Though that 3rd layout has a lot of embellishments from my November 2018 Elle's Studio Pocket Page Kit.
 
As for this year...
This year I think I'm just going to try to squeeze my Christmas-related photos into my PL (yikes!).
Actually it might not be too difficult.
W/ my 23-year-old son out of the house and my daughter being 16 and in that "leave me alone" phase and the fact that David and I don't really spend time w/ either of our families... Christmas is pretty quiet now.

How 'bout you... Do you December Daily"?

Sunday, November 25, 2018

11/26/18 - "Use Your Stuff "Challenge #338

"Use Your Stuff" Challenge #338
is also a Collaborative Challenge w/ the "Double Trouble Challenge" Blog.


The challenge is to use this Mood Board from UYS:


and select one (or both) of the following Challenges from DTC:

-Include a Sweet Treat on your project
or
-Include something sparkly



My layout took inspiration from all 3
- Mood Board
- Sweet Treat
- Bling


It is a page I created for my 2017 December (Not-So) Daily.
Yup, I'm still trying to finish it!
(More on that in a later post)




This page not only a great mix of the challenge but a great mix of old and new product!
I actually really love the way it turned out!
Hoping it motivates me to work on more Dec Daily pages!

Also hoping to see you play along w/ one or both of the challenges, however it inspires!


Sunday, November 18, 2018

11/17/18 - CKC Nov/Project #5 (PL Week 40)

I'm going out of order w/ my Project Life sharing.
Not my first time nor my last, and you probably won't even notice it, because really it's not like you're  keeping track, LOL

I used my November Counterfeit Challenge Blog Kit for this one so that's why I'm sharing it today:

12x12 Traditional Layout

"Week 40"

I messed up a little on the journaling, to be more exact  the placement of my journaling on the journaling spot (not sure where my mind was at that moment), that's why the asterisk and arrow... fancy fix right?! ::wink::
Not the best of solutions but it's something I can live w/ since I'm happy w/ the rest of the layout.

Journaling:

- October Snack Box
- I made the "Use Your Stuff" Design Team
- Food* White Chocolate Ding Dongs
*Aesthetically disappointing but the flavor was amazing, and I'm not a big fan of White Chocolate
-National Vegetarian Awareness Month

I tried a new printing technique w/ a couple of the photos; a filmstrip style print...which, I really like the look of!
One thing I really love about PL is you have 52 weeks to try new things!
If it doesn't work out, well...next week is a new week!

Besides white chocolate, I'm also not a huge fan of wood embellishments, but I found this packet of (I think) 5 different styled wood ampersands in my stash and I'm determined to get them used..
A layout with a "list" of different items on it seemed like a good place to start!

Hope you're enjoying your Sunday!

Friday, November 16, 2018

11/16/18 - Sketch-N-Scrap #165 / CKC Nov Project #4

Good Morning!
Hope all is well...
Today is my Friday off so I'm slowly easing into my day.
I got up at 5:15...
My usual time is about 4:50ish.
Apparently "sleeping in" isn't the same as it was when I was a teenager, LOL
I can't even imagine sleeping in until 10AM (or even 8AM or 7AM for that matter)… too much to do!
Including Scrapbooking yay!

I created the bulk of today's layout last night and added a few finishing touches this morning.

I used nothing but my Counterfeit Challenge Blog November Kit and this Sketch from Sketch-N-Scrap:

 

"These Are the Days"
Hey look it's Hamlet, the "impossible-to-photograph-black pig"!
LOL

Journaling: "A Selfie (10.04.18) and Hide-N-Seek (10.06.18), though Hamlet didn't know he was playing!"

I took a few liberties w/ the sketch but all the elements are there:
-2 different sized photos in the same basic placement
-a strip of paper (though the sketch uses two, horizontally)
-a circle banner in the top corner
-a title placed in the same area
-a "flag" shaped sticker to make up for the fact that I didn't use that shape for the title spot

I had a lot of fun working w/ this sketch and it reminded me just how much I miss working w/ sketches!
I have been on 2 Sketch Design Teams in the past and I really miss it!
I guess I'll just have to try to play along w/ blog challenges to get my fix!

Sunday, November 11, 2018

11/12/18 - "Use Your Stuff" Challenge #337


Good Morning!
Welcome to a new week and new challenge of "Use Your Stuff" .
This week we challenge you to use stars.

I created a layout of our Mini Pig Hamlet sleeping, using a star patterned BG.
This layout was very difficult to take a good photo of because of
the shiny gold stars.  
"Dream Big" 


Here is a photo of the layout at a different angle so you can see how absolutely gorgeous that BG paper is … Mega Heart Eyes, amirite?!



Hamlet is a black pig, well all black except for 1 white hoof … the front hoof on the right side (not pictured).
Because he is black, it's really difficult to get a good photo of him without great lighting, and in this case, it was night time so the lighting was at it's worse...that's why he looks brown.
I love this photo so much and I knew, even if the lighting wasn't the best I needed to scrap it, and I needed to scrap it by itself and in a large size; this is a 6x8 that I ordered through the PL App.
Pretty sure I'm not fitting ALL of 2018 into one album... but I'll deal w/ that problem when I get to it, LOL

Also, I used 99% of my November Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog Kit to create this.
Yes, I strayed a bit. I couldn't help myself! When I found that BG paper I just HAD to use it, it was too perfect for the photo! So I used it, but EVERYTHING else is from my kit so I'm counting it!
I know for a fact the CKC Blog is a bit flexible w/ their challenge so it will be just fine; the goal is to get your stuff used and photos scrapped, and I did both!
This makes Project #3 w/ my November Kit.

BTW - poor Hamlet always seems to be scrapped in pink... Oops, LOL

Thanks for stopping by and please play along w/ us at "Use Your Stuff"!

-Products: Studio Calico, Heidi Swapp, Echo Park, Jillibean Soup -


CKC November / Projects #1 and #2

Hello, hello!
Stopping by really quick-like to share 2 of  the layouts I have created so far w/ my November Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog Kit:
 
 
-This is Part of  Project Life Week 32 -
The other page has already been shared (twice)
 
"David's 41st Birthday"
 
For this one I'm just "dipping my toe into" my November Counterfeit Challenge Kit.

It is a 12x12 Digital/Traditional Hybrid Layout
The layout  was created on the Project Life App and embellished in real life.
All the embellishments came from my counterfeit kit: 3 stickers, 8 enamel dots/shapes, and doodling.
I kept it simple because the photos are so beautiful I didn't want to distract from them.

From the Project Life App I used
-Page Design P
-Card Kit "Strawberry Edition"





"Happy Girl/Hello Happy"

12x12 Traditional Page
Using nothing but my November Counterfeit Kit

The photo collage was created on the Project Life App and printed at home on 5x7 photo paper.
(Yes the PL App is listed in my Counterfeit Kit Supply list)

Journaling:
"Silly Selfies with David during my Birthday Celebration"
My Birthday, last year.

I have no date or place information on this because this will sit right next to another page about this event that has all that info.



- Product info: Echo Park, Heidi Swapp, Jillibean Soup, Crate Paper, Sharpie -
 

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

11/06/18 - PL Week 34

Hi there...
Hope all is well with you and yours!!

I'm just here to share my latest Project Life Page.

I actually have Weeks 36-39 done also but somehow skipped 35 so once I get that one done I will share more.

For now, let's bring on ...

-Week 34 -

For my journaling this time around,  I used a mixture of digital and hand written as I find it difficult to always find room to include my handwriting but also miss it being on my pages.
On this layout I made sure to make space for more real life embellishments also, such as w/ my Title Card. When I created the page in the app, I left the section where the week/date goes blank.
When I received the page in the mail I then filled the spot w/ the  the Week and Date info using alpha stickers, planner flag stickers, and a date stamp.
 
You can read the journaling directly from the layout so I won't retype it but I want to add...
if you have Netflix and haven't yet seen "Santa Clarita Diet", you need to; it is HILARIOUS!
 
BTW - isn't that "binge" sticker underneath the Netflix Logo just perfect?!
It's from Kelly Purkey (unfortunately it is no longer available).
And that "Today This is on the Menu" on my oatmeal photo is a stamp from Citrus Twist (Citrus Twist: Food Happens).
I have become addicted to stamps, which is funny because I used to really dislike them, and now I'm trying to make sure I use the large inventory I have of them.
I went from having a few to... a LOT! LOL
I DO get a lot of use out of that Food Happens stamp ::wink::


One final thought: 
As I look at my pages I think to myself...
If I had scrapped these photos as their own individual page (or even a couple of photos per page) I'd probably never get them all done!
Not to mention my 2018 Album would probably be 2 -3 volumes at least, LOL

As it is, because I like to change it up w/ a traditional layout here and there, and occasionally more than 1 page per week,  my book is already pretty darn full:


 
::Crossing My Fingers:: I get the whole year in 1 album! 

Thanks for stopping by...
Have a wonderful day!


Saturday, November 3, 2018

11/03/18 - CKC November Kit Reveal

Hi there,
Welcome to another installment of the Counterfeit Kit Blog!
This is the inspiration kit for November; it's from Citrus Twist.
It is their October Kit and it is called "Little Things":


Here's the link to the website where you can see more photos of it: Citrus Twist Kit
BEAUTIFUL, right?!
I'm fighting w/ myself NOT to buy it, LOL
(Yes, it's still available!)


I always start creating my kit by making a list of what stands out to me.
Some of these ideas came from the actual papers, some from the embellishments.
  • Flowers 
  • Animals 
  • Coffee (because of the "coffee rings" paper, bottom left) 
  • Music Notes 
  • Vines 
  • Clouds 
  • Stars 
  • Cameras
Before I show you my kit I want to tell you I cheated just a little...
But it wasn't intentional, and whether it's cheating or not depends on your personal opinion.

Here's the story.
Last year a "Tuesday Morning" store opened up in a nearby city.
I had heard great things about their scrappy deals and had wanted to check it out but never seemed to have the time or, when I did, remembered to go.
Yesterday I made time, I actually wrote it on my To-Do list (along w/ about 7 other items).
What I heard about their scrappy area as correct; lots of great stuff at low(er) prices!
I was pretty proud of myself as I only spent about $25.

Fast Forward to my drive home when I was looking at my purchases, at a red light of course, and realized that one of the kits I bought would work perfect for my counterfeit kit because it had:
- Music Notes, -Vines, - Clouds, - Stars and - Cameras
It wasn't something I planned I just bought what I liked and it worked out!


So here is my Counterfeit Kit (papers):



Top Left hand side is the kit I was referring to.
Here is a photo of it by itself:



Back to my Counterfeit Kit:
On the right-hand side you will see a Flower PP. That, and the 2 "cut-apart" papers underneath it were also bought at "Tuesday Morning" yesterday. They are from a huge Amy Tangerine Paper Pad I bought for only $6.99!
And as I'm sure you noticed, the "Eclectic" kit was only $5.99.
Yup, deals alright!
You want to know why they're so cheap? Because it's old product.
The "Eclectic" kit is from 2012 and the Amy Tangerine is from 2015.
I don't mind because TBH I miss a lot of the old style of my favorite manufacturers!
I saw some kits for sale that I have already owned, and that I loved, and almost bought them again...but then decided I should get some new (to-me) stuff.
I bought a 2011 Echo Park Christmas Kit ($5.99), some alphas and a few random embellishments as well.

Anyway, let me stop before this turns into a complete "Tuesday Morning" commercial, LOL

All the other papers are from my stash; isn't that Cat Unicorn paper adorable?! That's from Websters Pages
I also have Bella Blvd, Jillibean Soup, Doodlebug, and Crate Paper thrown into the mix!
The mug paper is also Amy Tangerine but it's not new.

Here are my embellishments:

The details:
I found a book printed paper in my stash to mimic the one in the kit.
I pulled out some wood embellishments. I don't even like wood embellishments but they're in the kit and having them in mine will push me to use them! BTW - the "&"s I didn't even know I had until I cleaned my scrap room!
Lots of Coffee and Animal themed items...including cat, dog, and coffee washi tapes
I pulled out my current favorite Gold Alphas, trying to use those up, yet not... (cuz I love them, LOL)
I pulled out 4 stamp sets - Alphas (never been used), Animals (only 1 has been used), Food, and a random fun one with popular Instagram Hashtags like "Taco Tuesday" and "Sunday Funday" (next to the alphas)
A few random enamel shapes and puffy stickers (puffy stickers are Heidi Swapp and are from "Tuesday Morning" also)
A set of rub-ons that are so old I don't even know if they are going to work!
A date stamp
A few other alpha stickers
My Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher
Word Stickers
Random Project Life (like) cards
Journaling Labels
and of course all of my circle making items


Finally -
Not pictured:
-Cardstock in Black, White, Neutral AKA: Beige/Kraft
-Project Life App
-(1) 12x12 Piggy PP that I forgot to put in my paper stack ::doh::!!

I absolutely love my kit, it's one of my faves so far!
Can't wait to get started.

BTW - cast your vote below if you think I "cheated" or not, LOL
(I truly won't get upset if you think I did ::wink::)

Friday, November 2, 2018

11/02/18 - "Penguin Luv"

Hello!
Happy Friday, or Saturday, when you will (probably) actually see this post!

Did I tell you I recently cleaned and reorganized my scrap room?
I know I mentioned it on Instagram but IDK if I did so here...
BTW if you want to check out my Insta, my user name is Mrs_David_Vasquez

Anyway, as I was saying I cleaned and reorganized my scrap room and I am very happy I did... it is easier to find/access my stuff which means it's easier to scrap, yay!
Speaking of "find"ing, I found an old photo of my daughter, and just had to scrap it!

"Penguin Luv"
 
Journaling: Madison went through a huge penguin phase. Here she is wearing the slippers she received for Christmas. I think this may be the only photo I have of her "Penguin Phase", Bummer!'
 
 
As the journaling says, my daughter went through a Penguin Phase. She was obsessed w/ them! And as I also mentioned, I don't think I have any photos of that phase except this one. I'm really bummed about that, that's why even though this may not be the greatest photo (what is she even eating/drinking?!) it was important to me that I scrap it.
 
Do you have any "photo regrets"?
Let me know in the comments
 
BTW - my daughter is now, and has been for many years, a huge fan of pigs. Good thing we hadn't bought her a Penguin ::wink:: (for those who don't know, we have a pet pig)!
 
- I am entering this in the "Any Holiday" Challenge over at the Hiding in my Craft Room Blog.
 
Most of the products here are Echo Park and Studio Calico.
 

Thanks for your visit!

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

10/31/18 - Project Life Layouts Week 31 and 33

Happy Halloween! 
 
This is me, at work, attempting to be professional but still dress up for Halloween:


Dress Pants and Cover up w/ a Snoopy Mummy T-shirt
 
 

Okay, the actual reason for my post today is:
I finished a PL page last night so I decided I would share it along w/ the one before it that I haven't yet shared, in an attempt to keep up, LOL

So here they are:

-Week 31-
(Layout completed on the Project Life App and embellished IRL)


*Week 32  -  previously shared but trying to keep things in order
(Traditional Paper Collage-Style Layout)
See the original blog post here: Week 32



-Week 33-
(Traditional Paper Collage-Style Layout)
The "33" is actually pretty gold alphas/numbers
 
Starting w/ the top left and making a circle:
-Discovering I can still enjoy my favorite ice cream brand w/out guilt because they have a dairy free
line.
-Received an RAK stamp set in the mail, and used one of them on this layout (check out the cute piggy)!
-Not Dairy Free (bummer) but still tasty
-Discovered one of my husbands celebrity crushes is also a vegetarian (she's actually a vegan)
This made my husband laugh because he says our looks, body structure, and style are alike and now this discovery?! Yeah, we're the same person, LOL
 
Just a note:
For those who don't know I am a newly converted Vegetarian. I started thinking about converting when we adopted our piggy (nearly 4 years ago).
I gave up pork right then but slowly started transitioning to a more meatless lifestyle.
I became more strict w/ the transition at the beginning of this year and by August I was full Vegetarian.
I am also Semi-Vegan meaning I try really hard to stay away from animal food products but that's still a work in progress, which is why I'm excited about my favorite ice-cream brand having dairy-free versions of their flavors! 

That's all from me today.
Hope you have a fun and safe night!

Monday, October 29, 2018

10/29/18 - Goals for 2019 (Yes, Already)

Just checking in to say a few things...
First, it's almost the end of the year, wow!
I mean, really...WOW!

Realizing this is what lead me to write this blog post.
I'm already starting to think about next year and my goals...
Is there really a need to wait until "the New Year" to make goals?
I don't think so though I do feel like it would be better to implement them in the new year.

This is what is running through my mind currently:

1) I want to do Project Life in 2019.
Though at times frustrating, I did enjoy doing Project Life this year.
I like having a fairly up-to-date, more complete, look at my year.
Even though the year hasn't come to an end, I already enjoy looking through my almost completed album.
This was my first year and I learned a lot about the process in general and what I like and what works for me.
Also I would like to share my layouts more regularly on here.
I realized that though I am mostly up-to-date on my pages, I have shared less than half of them here.

I haven't decide 100% my plan of action for next year but the gears are turning!


2) OLW - Well, I picked one and I feel like I "lived" it...
But  as far as a project goes, it's not a "project" for me.
I will choose another word next year (or let it choose me) and I will make a page about it, but as far as any other pages about that same word, I just don't find the concept interesting enough to complete an entire album.
Instead, at the beginning of each year, I will complete a page about my word.
And hopefully at the end of the album I will have a page for every year I choose a word.
This way I have documentation of every OLW I have chosen over the years (like what you do w/ your tags, Cindy!)

3) I will respond more to comments left on my blog.
I never did it before because I didn't know if people actually checked back...
and then because I didn't do it I felt like I was rude for not doing it... LOL
I started responding w/in the last couple of months.
Not to every comment, but those I felt needed a response or were more "conversational" in nature
W/ that being said, I'd like to take a poll:
- (In general) Do you ever check back to see if there is a response to your Blog Comments?


4) I realized that despite my title of "Art, Books, and Randomness" I never once discussed books this year on this blog!
I keep track of my books on Instagram, but not here!
I am trying to think of a way to include reading in my blog next year...either that or change my content description, LOL
BTW - as of this post I have read 20 books this year.

Have you started thinking about your goals for next year, scrappy or otherwise?
If so I'd love to know about them, if you're ready to share!

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

10/21/18 - CKC October/ Projects #3 and #4

Hi there!
2 more projects from my Counterfeit Challenge Blog October kit
(projects #3 and #4)
 
 
My first page is a 12x12 Traditional Layout
 
  
"Void"
Journaling: "Void: a Star Wars themed Virtual Reality experience. David really wanted to try it! I was afraid to try it because I'm not any good at video games but it was a lot of fun!"

This is part of my 4 page spread covering our visit to Vegas this past July; this is page 3 of 4.

My favorite things about this layout:
1) the color scheme...
2) the cluster of embellishments around the bottom photo
3) the inclusion of our bracelets... I'm trying to remember to save and include ephemera in my layouts more often

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My second project is a 2-page Travelers Notebook layout for my Pet Themed album.


"Hello Happy"
Journaling: "Hamlet enjoying a yummy apple. Nobody tell him what usually happens to pigs who get whole apples. 03.31.17"

I'm also entering this layout into the "Dotty About Dots" Challenge  over at The Studio Challenge blog seeing as both my PPs have dots on them!

All of the paper pieces on the TN Spread are scraps, including the "Hello Happy" which is from a cut-apart paper that I had already cut into.
That sticker border under the photo is a scrap also.
In my "Void" layout you will see a green butterfly and a circle word sticker: "cherish" (and the other half of the border sticker).
Those came from the same sticker sheet that I got the border sticker from...and it is an old sticker sheet that I bought in May 2016.
So glad I included it in my kit this month!

For having such a shaky start to this month, I feel like I'm accomplishing a lot w/ my kit!

Sunday, October 21, 2018

10/22/18 - "Use Your Stuff" Challenge #335


At "Use Your Stuff" this week we are challenging you to be inspired by this Mood Board:



For me, it wasn't much of a Challenge ::wink::

Any guesses what I was inspired to create?
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Yup, you guessed it...
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"You Had Me at Pumpkin Spice"
 
Journaling: This shirt is 3 years old and still my favorite shirt ever! It is a tank top though, so sometimes I gotta layer in order to wear it, like today. IDK why @ Target insists on making their Fall Themed shirts into tank tops, I mean in CA, I guess it's okay but they sell these shirts in other states too.
Speaking of Pumpkin Spice I had a Pumpkin Spice Margarita at @ Chilis today; its their $5 Flavor of the Month Margarita.
My husband's Bloody Mary's was also $5.
If you didn't know, now you know!
10/07/18

I have scrapped this shirt every year since I bought it 3 years ago...
and I do believe I use the same title or something very similar to it each time.
And surprisingly it doesn't bother me!
Now I feel like maybe it's a tradition I need to carry on.

A bit of notable info:
- the BG paper is older than my (16 year old) daughter
- I used my Big Shot to cut out the scalloped circles; only the second time ever using it despite having bought it over 2 years ago
- I used a light black mist on the BG paper; another item I've had for years and have hardly used

I'm really trying to live up to the "Use Your Stuff" theme!

The journaling was done on the PL App and printed out on photo paper.
Other than that it's just a mish-mash of Fall-ish items, or as I like to refer to it... "use all the Fall things!" LOL

Don't forget this challenge is open until Saturday.

03/27/23 Planning with Urban Journal Season Ink

My printer was having issues and I fixed it but during the interim I was not scrapping and lost my mojo ::le sigh:: But I've still been ...