Celebrating Halloween

For Halloween, we hosted a small costume party with fresh baked apple pie and other treats.

Details: The patterned papers, ghosts, and spider brad are all from the Spook Alley collection by Making Memories. Typewriter letters and spiderweb are from other MM collections. "Beware" rubon is by Pink Paislee. "Halloween" was cut using the Lyrical Letters Cricut cartridge.

Lake Tahoe March 2010

These are pictures from our Tahoe trip back in March with my dad. We like to visit this same park each year on our days off from skiing. The lake, with the mountains as a backdrop, is just gorgeous!

Details: White paper with floral pattern is TIffany's by Autumn Leaves. Dot and grid (swirl) papers are both sides of Little Boy Blue "That's My Boy" Daring Dots Paper by My Mind's Eye. Ribbon is by Stampin' Up. Swirl was cut using the Joys of the Season Cricut cartridge (I linked two of the cuts together with my Gypsy). Flower was cut from Stretch Your Imagination. The title was cut using Lyrical Letters.

McKinney Falls

I shot these photos at McKinney Falls while my friend Jennifer and her husband were having a couples photo shoot done. It's such a pretty park!

Details: Patterned papers are from the DCWV Green Stack. Journaling block is by jillibean soup. Glittery dragonfly rubon is by Colorbok. Green vine border is by K&Company. Title was cut using the Lyrical Letters Cricut cartridge.

You Did It!

I'm so proud of my cousin, Alessandra, for graduating college this spring! I made this card to help celebrate her accomplishment.

Congratulations!!!

Details: Floral paper is from the DCWV All Dressed Up stack. The girl and title are a single die cut from the Lyrical Letters Cricut cartridge. And I gave her a belt with bling.

Love Bugs

Our kitties have a recent habit of sharing the top platform of their post. They don't exactly both fit and it's the cutest thing to see them piled onto it anyway.

Details: Paw print paper is by Around the Block. Spotted paper (vertical strip) and kitty paper are by ki memories. Journaling block is by Basic Grey Max & Whiskers. "Love Bugs" was cut using the Lyrical Letters Cricut cartridge. Cats die cut is from the Meow Cricut Lite cartridge.

Afternoon Bonding

I found Warren sitting in the corner near a sunspot, reading comics, and snuggling with our kitties. So cute!

Details: Graph paper border is by Pink Paislee. Spotted paper is by ki memories. Kitty paper is Color Me Cat by Around the Block. Cat sticker is by American Crafts. Title was cut using the Lyrical Letters Cricut cartridge.

10 Favorite Things

Well, this is going to be a little more than 10. I cheat...

1. Cricut!

I love, love, love my Cricut Expressions. I primarily use it to cut out titles for layouts. But it's also great for cutting custom journaling blocks and accents for layouts and cards. You can even cut some envelopes. I've used my Cricut to make banners for parties and you can also use it to cut vinyl to decorate walls - Jennifer did it!

I also own a Gypsy which adds another level of capability to my Cricut. I can now plan out cuts with software and weld words together, amongst other benefits.

And finally, I have to plug my favorite cartridge for the Cricut. Lyrical Letters is by far the most versatile font cartridge and I find it's the perfect starting point when deciding which font to cut my titles out of.

2. Magnetic Cutting Mat.

I don't use it for cutting, but for laying out a page and holding things still while you design, this cutting mat is amazing! I only wish it came in a 12x24 size for designing double layouts! I have the Basic Grey brand mat. I have seen a few others out there, though.

3. Sketches.

I'm a huge fan of sketches! My favorite place to collect them from is Page Maps. The author releases a new set monthly (with example layouts) and also has a book. The book is fabulous because it contains a deck of cards that are laminated and great for taking to crops.

I also get sketches from scrapbook magazines like Scrapbooks Etc and other online sources.

4. Folders.

To keep myself organized and knowing which photos to scrap next, I have hoarded a large supply of clear 12x12 folders. I use them to prepare page kits for cropping and to just stay organized at home. In each folder, I add photos, page sketches, papers, coordinating embellishments, etc.

Sadly, I cannot find a photo. The folders I use are available at Michael's. They come in a few different colors individually or the clear ones come in a pack of 10.

5. Rotary Trimmer.

I love using my Making Memories self-sharpening rotary trimmer. It's magnetic, so I can hold down papers with the magnetic ruler that comes with it and I never have to replace the blade.

The only downside to the MM trimmer is that it's a bit bulky for travel. I have a slim Fiskars trimmer for crops.

6. Pens.

I love my complete set of ZIG pens. But for white, nothing can beat the Signo Uni Ball white pen. It is essentially white paint in pen form so it shows up crisply on any color paper.

7. Adhesives.

My new favorite tape runner is by Therm O Web - I buy them at Michael's. I use Glue Dots for non paper items like buttons. And for attaching memorabilia, I use clear photo corners.

8. Clear Ruler.

I'm not sure that I would have bought this for myself, but having received it as a gift, I'm surprised just how handy it is. I'm sure there are other brands available, but I have the Tim Holtz ruler. It has markings for measuring and centering, and holes for paper piercing.

9. Journaling Blocks.

I prefer to add a special touch to my layouts with hand written journaling. I often use premade journaling blocks for this purpose and I also use them for layering accents on a page. Some brands I love are: jillibean soup, K&Company, Basic Grey, Making Memories, etc.

10. Letter Stickers.

Even though I use my Cricut for cutting out custom letters, there is a different look when using some of the cute letters stickers available for purchase. I tend to only buy letters made out of unique materials, like fabric, foam, cork, etc. Mostly I purchase Thickers or Making Memories. I love the small glitter alpha stickers by MM.

If The Shoe Fits

Just some cute pictures of Zeus crammed into a box. How Zeus.

Details: Papers and journaling block are by Bo Bunny. Curly cue border sticker is by Doodlebug Designs. Kitty in the boot was cut using the new Cricut Lite Meow cartridge. Finally, a kitty cartridge!! "Fits" was cut using Lyrical Letters. The rest of the title was written with Making Memories glitter alpha stickers.

The Benefits of Apartment Living

This was a simple, and silly layout. And it was amusing finally getting around to this layout now that we're living in our townhome that we own.

Lesson learned: do not dump an entire pot of (overcooked) pasta down the garbage disposal. I backed up the pipes. But thankfully, I could just call maintenance and have them fix it.

The reason I chose to document this occasion was because of the comments the maintenance worker left on the order slip: "Pipes were clogged with noodles." Hubby and I cracked up at how ridiculous that sounds and I joked about getting an extra copy of the yearly garbage disposal dos and don'ts newsletter. Alas, they spared me. =P

Details: Background patterned paper is Blue Fun Circles by K&Company. Blue/green grid paper is from the DCWV Latte stack. July scalloped embellishment is by jillibean soup. "Benefits" was cut using the Lyrical Letters Cricut cartridge (welded with my Gypsy). The rest of the title was written with EK Success Sticko alpha stickers.

Leah's New Addition

Here is a quick layout to highlight Leah's baby shower back in May. She had the fabulous Donna design her stationery.

Details: Plaid paper is from the SEI Moravia stack. Raindrops paper is by American Crafts. "Leah's" was written with Making Memories glitter alpha stickers. "New Addition" was cut using the Graphically Speaking Cricut cartridge.

Tour (Intel)

I finally joined hubby on a full tour of Intel. Here I am with the official sign. (And Warren is taking the picture from the recommended vantage point). We checked out the museum and the gift shop, too.

Details: Flower patterned paper is by Fiskars. Journaling block (behind visitor pass) is by Making Memories. "Tour" was written with Making Memories puffy alpha stickers. October scalloped circle is by jillibean soup.

First Crop

These pictures are from the first year of harvesting on Warren's mom's apple farm in Wisconsin. I really hope I can get out there to visit this coming fall!

Details: Patterned papers are from the Target $1 bins. Circular journaling block (behind apple) is by K&Company. "First Crop" was written with Making Memories alpha stickers.

Joyce's Pre-Wedding Weekend

Back in February, we prepared for Joyce's big day with a Bachelorette Party and Bridal Shower. We had so much fun celebrating with her that weekend!

Details:

Bachelorette Party: Black/white grid paper and black/white paper flower are by Creative Memories. Pink striped paper is by gcd. Circular chipboard embellishments are by Colorbok from the Michael's $1 bin. "One last hoorah" was written with fabric Patchwork Thickers by American Crafts.

Bridal Shower: Purple dotted paper is by My Mind's Eye. Floral patterned paper (umbrella) is by Making Memories. Felt and jewel accents are by Marcella K. "Joyce's" was written with Making Memories glitter alpha stickers. "Bridal Shower" and umbrella were cut using the Sweethearts Cricut cartridge.

Angelina & Brendan

I finally scrapbooked this gorgeous wedding we attended back in October. Friends of my husband that he played a role in introducing to each other. This adorable, happy couple exchanged their vows in a beautiful ceremony at the Carnegie Institution in Washington DC.

Congratulations to Angelina and Brendan!

Details: Patterned papers are all from the SEI Bridgeport stack. Flowers are by Prima. Purple/silver journaling block is by Colorbok from the Michael's $1 bin. Silver ribbon is by American Crafts. "Adore" accent is by Creative Memories. "Celebrate" was cut using the Gypsy Wanderings Cricut cartridge.

Conecat

Here is our kitty, Zeus when he needed surgery to fix an infected scratch on his chin. He was such a good sport even though he looked like this for a week!

Details: Word patterned paper and heart and "kitty" stickers are by ki memories Playful Pets. Dotted paper is Cat Dots by Cloud 9 Design. Journaling stickers are by October Afternoon. "conecat" was cut using the Lyrical Letters Cricut cartridge.

Valentine's Day

A simple layout to showcase the two cards we received from family and friends this past Valentine's Day.

Details: Celebrate ribbon and "alentines ay" letter stickers are from the Target $1 bin. 'V' and 'D' are Making Memories puffy alpha stickers. Heart patterned paper is by Moxxie.

The Great Wet Feet Incident

On the day after Thanksgiving, we wandered the northern LA area, stopping at a farm and then driving along the coast. We got out to take photos, and a sudden wave soaked my feet. I was a salty, sandy mess, and here is hubby being sweet and helping to clean me up.

Details: Spotted craft paper is jibber jabber by jillibean Talk Soup. "The Beach" and "CA" stickers are by Reminisce. "I love you" patterned paper is by Me & My Big Ideas. Ric rac is attached with Fastenator staples. "Wet Feet" is written with chipboard Thickers by American Crafts.

My Very First Laptop

Please welcome my very first laptop to the world! ;) I've wanted one forever and finally had a way to justify it. We seperated my office supplies from my scrapbooking space in our new home, but I still need the internet to stay connected to the world while I scrapbook. So we picked out this adorable, 11.6 inch ThinkPad in red. It's a fabulous machine and doesn't take up very much of my scrapbook desk space! Today we accesorized with a cute little red mouse for editing photos more easily.

Pictures of my new scrapbook space coming soon. I still need to get some layouts logged and tidy it up in here!