Scrapping Servant

My First Digi-Scraped Layout!!! May 14, 2008

Okay ladies… if you were waiting around for today’s post you can be sure it was all the fault of me working on this page (and this post) WAY too long!  LOL!  I hope you like it.

I got inspiration from so many different places…

• I got the template and ideas for it from THIS site
• I got the idea of the brown background form THIS template
• I used my new Cindy Loo Who font from Allie Hoopes
• A fun flower brush from Brusheezy (I heart them)
• A new stitching brush from Scrapbook Bytes (yes I said new, I went and bought it!)

I also re-colored Jess’ bright blooms paper in Photoshop by…

1. Copying my photo as a layer onto the original
2. Choosing Enhance from the top menu
3. Then Adjust Color
4. Then Replace Color
5. Then using the Eyedropper Tool I picked the blue color out of the photo
   • This is why the photo has to be pasted in.
6. I moved the hue, saturation, and lightness sliders around until I got what I wanted
7. … then I had a new color of paper to use!!!  :o)
   • You can’t do that it in handmade scrapping!

I also made the pink paper in my circles a bit lighter by…

1. Selecting each circle of the color I wanted to lighten
2. Going to the Style and Effects box to the right
3. Choosing Layer Styles & Visibility
4. Then I “ghosted” all of my pink paper…. mah ha haa :o)
   • Added to say: I like that I have the choice to just change it right back!

 And (yes - there’s more) I textured my brown background paper by…

1. Selecting the layer that was my background paper
2. Choosing Filter from the top menu
3. Then Filter gallery…
4. Then I chose Texture
5. Craquelure
6. I moved the sliders around accordingly
7. Clicked OK and vah-lah!!  - Texturized Paper!!!  (Can you see it?)
   • Still can’t feel it like you can Bazzill though :o)

 Okay now for today’s CHALLENGE… use some of the same inspiration I did (listed at top) in a digi-design, paper-design, or a hybrid-design… share your design on your blog, link back to this post and be entered to win 1 Custom Family Blinkie button for your blog or website. 

Now go on girls… have fun!  God knows I did!

OHHH!  I’m feeling generous… as a SECOND (surprise) prize share your first digi-layout ever on your blog and link back here.  (And yes it’s okay if you are re-sharing the link to the Bright Blooms Challenge if that was your first digi-layout! :o)

A Layout Challenge! May 13, 2008

After seeing 27 dresses last night with my Joshie and getting my wedding dress out to take pictures of it I realized how precious clothing can be to someone.  In the movie the younger sister was given her mother’s wedding dress because she was getting married first, but she didn’t like it, so she cut it up (or got it altered) to make it into something different!  

 The older sister totally hated her for cutting their mommy’s dress apart, but I see the point the the younger sister had!  She was still savoring the memory of her mommy’s dress, it was just in an altered state!  It still brought all the warm fuzzy memories, but in a different form.      

So my challenge for you today is to take a special piece of clothing or fabric to you, and alter it by making it into a memory on your scrapbook page!  Sound like fun?  :o)

(Oh and please don’t think that I am suggesting you cut up your wedding dress, or someone elses!! :o)      

Here is a layout I made WOW probably 2 years ago or so where I used JJ’s cute little jean shorts right in the layout to match my favorite jean jacket on her in the pictures…  (I wasn’t willing to cut the jacket up, so I cut her shorts instead to make the jacket stand out.)

I also used my client’s ceremonial handkerchief on her layout months ago as a flower (on the left) and a sewn border (on the right), I had a whole half of it left that I tucked in between the layout and the page-protector.  You can see a close-up HERE.

 And here is the next special piece of clothing I have been saving ever since B.Boy grew out of it!  It was TOTALLY my favorite on him!… and here are the pictures for that layout as well :o)

Stay tuned for the unveiling of this layout towards the end of the party :o)  I can’t wait :o)

 Be sure when your layout is finished you post it on your blog and put a link in the comments here so everyone can see.  Happy Scrapping!  Oh… I forgot to mention what you are going to win… A Journey of Creativity Idea book from Rusty Pickle!  

Scrappin’ Sunday May 4, 2008

I am sooo sooo tired after my first overnighter crop!  I left on Friday and came back this morning before church.  We stayed up till about midnight the first night and probably two last night (I barely remember I’m so tired)!  PS. that is the answer to this week’s Bonus Question.  (Did you go anywhere or make anything special yesterday for National Scrapbooking Day? - if you wanna see some of the action check my recent posts :o)

 I took a nap today so I am still up now, but I will have to scan my TA-DA layouts for you tomorrow :o)  I only got two done, but I really like them.  I added the sketches as a part of the bonus question below.     

 And a Bonus Question I missed from February 3rd: Do you sketch your ideas or do you just put things together as you go?  I totally used to put things together as I go, and I still will sometimes depending on the situation, but my time is spent best at crops when I have a plan!  So I will pick my pictures (as shared last Sunday) then I will make a sketch (pictured above with the adjoining layouts), re-size them accordingly and send them to the printers like THIS.

So when I get to the crop all I have to do is cut the white off my photos, pick my paper and embellishments and start laying it all out!  Much more fun and it uses less brain cells when I am cropping with my friends :o)        

Here is my rolling list of TO-DOs…  :o) 

1. Yes - I STILL have to put together my Rusty Pickle make-n-take
2. meet with a new client for her wedding album
3. plan a display album for a friend
4. and a simple mother’s day album for my mom

Scrappin’ Sunday April 20, 2008

Oh dear, here I am again sharing that I (once again) did not get my to-dos done from last week… but I did get one layout done just yesterday because I went to a crop and had some great fellowship!!  (Thank you Joshie for letting me sleep in then kicking me out to crop!  I love you!) 

Here it is my dears… TA-DA…

And my TO-DO… lets look through ALL the ones I have not completed and finish them huh?! UPDATED and added to…

1. put together my Rusty Pickle make-n-take for National SB Day
2. get orders ready for CTMH, Roger’s &  Stampendous
3. pick photos to print for JJ’s 2 layouts of her second year
4. and more photos for B.Boy’s 2 layouts of his first year
5. and (while I’m at it) more photos of GG’s birth
6. take and purchase professional photos
7. put a slit in one of my paint cans to make it a “donation” can
8. finish an engagement invitation for a family member

(I am getting ready to Scrapbook at my sister’s house over night in two weeks :o)  Ps. Give her a visit and a comment - she’s newer to blogging. 

Bonus Question: Where is your favorite place to get craft supplies?  That’s kind of a tough one for me… I guess I like to get them from anywhere because if I like something - I like it- period… it does not matter where it’s from.            

 And here’s a Bonus Question I missed from week 5: Where do you do your crafts?  In my craft room!  On the wonderful table my handsome husband and his daddy made for me.  :o)

My Walk Monday #2 March 17, 2008

Last week I shared with you all about how God was leading me to finally be obedient and let go, well He was really reminding me of this all week, it was amazing to me!  My God is so stinking good to me, I just need to be willing to listen!! 

The first “reminder” was through a new blog friend, (Michelle at Delightful Evidence) God had a song waiting there titled (guess what?!) LET GO!  Listen to the song HERE and check the words out HERE, my goodness!!!       

 The second was another song on the radio in the car by Barlow Girl titled (GUESS WHAT?!) LET GO!!!  Listen HERE and see the lyrics HERE. 

I learned… He wants to supply ALL my needs, I need to stop worrying and looking behind or ahead, nothing will happen unless I’m obedient, I need to trust that He’ll catch me, I won’t make it if I continue to do it alone… and I do feel so alone… but I am ready to live what I believe!     

I was reminded just tonight in my My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers that I need to be still, and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).  I found I need tenacity, which is more than endurance, “It is endurance combined with the absolute certainty that what we are looking for is going to transpire.  Tenacity is more than hanging on, which may be but the weakness of being too afraid to fall off.”  “‘Cause I’m about to let go, and live what I believe, I can’t do a thing now, but trust that You’ll catch me, when I let go!”  Will you let go with me?  I can’t wait to hear how you all have grown just this week, and get to know you better with…      

 Week 2 Bonus Question: How do you minister for the Lord?  Can you share a photo?      

My Answer: My husband and I serve in Youth Ministries, Jr High and High School now.  It has been our calling from the Lord to (as my old youth Pastor would say) “Preach the Word and Love the kids”.  It has been an incredible blessing over the years and I praise God that He still wants to use a wretch like me.  And the photo is an old scrapbook layout (of coarse) of us with our 5th graders :o) 

Scrappin’ Sunday #9 January 13, 2008

Take a looksie here to see what I am up to…

 TA-DA… First of all, I finished my To-Do’s from two weeks ago… I cleared off my scrapbook desk of unopened Christmas toys (if you look in the Preggo Pic below there is proof), and I picked pictures for my Son’s next layouts…                     

But then I took it a step further and went to the Crop at my old church on Saturday in turn getting 4 whole layouts done with those photos!!!  Which is totally great for me… That was even part of my 2008 Craft Goal :o)

Here are the completed layouts.  All but the Scrumdiddleumptious one were layout designs followed from Close to My Heart’s new Imagine Book.  I think following those sketches really helps me get out of “road-blocks” I get into it and get it done.                        

4 Layouts!!!

TO-DO… For this week, I think I would like to organize and chose photos for the two layouts of my daughter being 2 years old. The explanation for only two layouts is in THIS POST from last year.

I would also like to get more photos for my son’s album printed, but we will see about that one… because that requires me to sketch the layouts to know what size and the photos should but and it requires me resizing them which is explained in THIS POST from last year :o).        

Added Thoughts… Lots of computer work, but totally worth it when I am out at crops trying to have fun with my girl-friends…. everything is all nice and planned out… pictures pre-sized, sketches drawn (or chosen from Imagine) and paper picked :o)

Last Saturday I actually went over to my local scrapbook store and purchased 6 sheets of patterned paper (just enough for the layouts I was making that day).  I thought it was great and am thinking that is the way to do it from now on… I had nice product to work with yet spent less money because I didn’t buy everything I liked.  Which brings me to….         

Last week’s Bonus Question: Do you prefer to stick with only big name-brand supplies or do you usually buy less expensive supplies?… I usually just buy whatever I like, but that is also usually big name-brand stuff.  I don’t usually buy it unless it is needed for exactly what I am working on though. I noticed having too much paper or embellishments on hand is wasteful, it just sits, gets old and never gets used.  So it’s quality not quantity with me :o)

This week’s Bonus Question: If you could only do one kind of paper crafts for the rest of your life, which craft would you pick?… I will definitely be scrapbooking for the rest of my life.  It’s a good outlet for me especially since I do it with others once a month as time away from the kiddos.         

 Sorry for all the yammering, but I really like this whole Scrappin’ Sunday thing… helping me plan goals along with sharing accomplishments… it’s GREAT! 

Tackle it Tuesday January 1, 2008

Here are the finished layouts I have been tackling the past couple of times that I only showed you sneak peeks on… they are finally all scanned in…

I got a whole lot done and am glad to be done before my baby is due.  Plus now I can focus on my son’s layouts that need to be completed. 

More Working… and less Tackling! December 11, 2007

Well, here are some more peeks on the layouts I have been working on for my client’s wedding album.

I am moving right along into their honeymoon pictures…. 

… and I’m happy with how much I am getting done, but I am also noticing I am falling a bit behind on other things. 

• dishes
• laundry folding & washing
• gift wrapping
• Christmas card making & sending
• continued tree decorating (we ran out of ornament hooks)
• Bible studying

This is a picture of gifts hiding under clean laundry that I need to fold, lol!  At least it’s useful :o) 

Okay, maybe I am a little more than a bit behind :o)  Though I did balance the checkbook, I did the bills, and I picked up the house.  Pray for me :o)

More Wedding Work December 4, 2007

Well I am still tackling my client’s wedding album and I am having a wonderful time doing so.  I only have sneak peeks for you right now because I don’t usually scan my layouts until I get a good sized pile going.  The first peek is of a flower I made out of a special handkerchief from her ceremony.

The second is a peek of the bling I bought just last night, it’s perfect!

And the third is of some yummy flowers I chalked, jeweled and “glossed” up.

Full layouts will come in the near future, so be sure to check back. 

Scrappin’ Sunday December 2, 2007

Here’s a layout with a picture of Tree Hunting from two years ago.  I thought I would share it since I shared my Tree Hunting Pics from this year yesterday… I guess that shows how far behind I am :o)  …Fun and easy page… ink distressed strips of Basic Grey Christmas Paper, some cardstock, ribbon, mailbox letters, rub-ons and wha-la!

If you are also sharing your Scrapping project today, chime in here.