Congrats!

I have been doing lots of layouts, and I will post them a little later. For now, I want to congratulate Jennifer aka Jingle on being the Guest Designer in October for Use Your Stash! I tried out but didn't make it, but at least it was someone I "know". She is one of my MB buddies from AMR! See that post here.

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If you haven't found Use Your Stash yet, you should check it out. There are challenges, prizes, giveaways, and always inspiration! Kimmie and Corey are always quick to share giveaways from other blogs and are 2 of the sweetest scrappers! They even mentioned my name as the one person who has participated in all thier challenges! I thought that was pretty cool!

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I have also added another gadget to my blog, who is following my blog! Just click where it says "follow this blog" and it is done! This is a great way to see who comes over to see me! Even if you come here via GR or another subscribing site, it is always fun to know who reads my blog.

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I will be back later with some layouts and RAKs I have received. I am in the middle of 3 layouts I want to finish first. Blog ya later!

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Just Another Day...

Here is the layout I did for The Story Matters. We were supposed to scrap about current events/issues that affect us. I chose healthcare.

I used Bazzill cs, Cosmo Cricket Hello Sunshine and Dream Street pp, American Crafts Thickers, Felt Fusion, Glitz Frosting, rippled and stapled my ribbon, and did computer journaling using one of Ali's fonts. The Journaling reads....

"I have numerous medical issues. Having no college, it is very difficult to get a job that has benefits such as healthcare, same with my husband. Right now, we have no medical insurance, so we are not able to get the medical care we need. There are so many people in this country without necessary healthcare. If you have ever been without healthcare, you know that it is a luxury. Medical insurance is expensive, but it also drives the out-of-pocket cost up on healthcare. Here in my state, the state-funded healthcare is only available to children. I would love to see the government do something to help those of us who have no healthcare. I know having a universal healthcare system would be strenuous to our economy, but at least Americans can get the care they need. We may not have good jobs, we may only make $8.00 an hour, but does that mean we can’t see a doctor when we are sick or not be able to get the medications we need that help keep us healthy? I don’t think so. Until medical care costs decrease, good people like me will continue to suffer, and I think that is a terrible thing for one of the richest countries in the world."

Here are my numerous "afflictions". Now you see why healthcare is so important to me.
On a good note, I got some scrappy mail today, I received 2 RAKs from Nicole of Crop-O-Holic's Creations. One was some ribbon she was giving away, first come first served. The stamp set was for her blog challenge. I was the only one who entered, so it was pretty obvious it was me. She just told me yesterday about it and I got it today! Look how cute and organized that ribbon is all bundled up!
This stamp set came with ink and an acrylic block, how cool is that?! I am in desperate need of Christmas stamps too!!
Look at the variety of ribbon she gave me!!
Thanks Nicole!!!

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We have new landlords, and they have been fixing up our building-which is good! The problem is, they are redoing the roof today (and for the rest of the week I am sure). I can't stand the noise!!!!! All I can do is plug my headphones into my speakers, crank it up, and try to block out all the banging, scrapping, and stomping! Thank goodness for Depeche Mode and thier LOUD music, lol! I am just glad they weren't here yesterday, I had such a bad migraine!

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If you are a frequenter of my blog, I would love to know about it. I love my blog readers, you have no idea how much I appreciate it! Also, check out my blog list on my sidebar. Those are all the blogs I subscribe to. If you have a blog, and it is not there, chances are I don't know about it! I am sure you know how overwhelming it is to go searching for new blogs!

Scrap ya later!

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Yahoo for Basic Grey!

Kelly Goree, a designer for Basic Grey, had a giveaway on her blog. It was the kit she taught at Creative Escape! See that post here. Creative Escape is a big deal, I would do anything to go. I am not an expert, but from what I can tell it is a retreat of sorts. There are scrapbook celebrities, classes with the newest products, and looks like lots of fun. There is a lottery to be able to go, so you know space is limited and the amount of people who want to attend must exceed the capacity; and I am sure it is expensive! They even publish a book with all the projects that are taught there! ANYWHO, there were 165 comments on her giveaway post, and I was randomly selected! I am so excited- you know how I love Basic Grey too! I do already have this paper, but I am still thrilled to the max to be getting this kit! Thanks Kelly! I will post pics of my goodies as soon as I receive it!

A Promise Is A Promise!!

I told you that you would see some of my new goodies soon! lol

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This layout is for Scrapbook Cafe's Monthly Contest. I know I won last month, but it never hurts to keep submitting! Especially since this month's product is Basic Grey, and you know how I admire Basic Grey!

I used my new Granola collection, ric rac, misc velvet flowers, Prima Flowers which I inked, Prima Journal Square, Maya Road chipboard (inked), misc brads, K&Co rubons, and inked American Crafts Thickers. I know the journaling is empty, I just haven't figured out what I am going to say-it will be nice though!! :)

EDIT, the subject of my layout requests I take off this layout. I hope covering her face is good enough, because I can't take it off as it is a contest entry.

This is for Pink Sketches, see the sketch HERE. I used my new BG Urban Prairie, MM Noteworthy, felt flowers from the Dollar Tree as well as the butterflies, misc buttons, my new Pebbles Inc foam stamps, and Bazzill Just The Edge cs which I inked.
OH, I HATED THIS RIDE!!! I don't know why I do these things to myself! lol
See the butterfly? It was cut from an orange flower just like the pink one above! They are just adorable!
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Scrappy Retail Therapy ROCKS!

While things have been tight, all our bills are paid and I decided to go do a little scrappy shopping! I did good, really I did! I held off on SO MANY things! While I prefer to support my local scrapbook stores (LSS), I pop into the the big box stores ((BBS), Michael's JoAnne's) every once in a while. I went to Michael's today, and found BASIC GREY! Ok, I admit it, that is why I went. It really irks me that they have some of the new BG before the LSS's can get it, but it is only 2 lines, and you have to buy the pad and no extras are offered. It works for me because ONE, BG is my favorite paper line, TWO, I always buy the collection packs anyway and rarely use the diecuts/letters that come in them, and THREE, they were 40% off this week, making each pad, with 2 of each piece of paper, 12 bucks! These are 12x12. Retail for the same quantity of paper in an LSS is average $32, for only one line! I say I did good, and I promise (I'm talking to the people of Basic Grey), I will still buy the other 3 sets I still want when my LSS gets them! I got Urban Prairie and Granola.

At my LSS, I found some Mr. Campy from Cosmo Cricket. I saw this originally but was not liking it-I think I was stuck on the marshmallow thing! I saw it today and fell in love. These are the only 6 papers they had left! Trust me, you gotta see this is person, it is so cute!!
Here are the backs of the same papers.
At LSS, I also picked up some cs and that new Bo Bunny Dotted cardstock for my fall ATCs at AMR, and found some of the new Bazzill Swiss Dots cardstock! They only had 3 colors cause she herself didn't like it from the pictures, but after seeing it, will be ordering tons more! I am loving this new texture!! I also got a cute Sassafras Lass paper from the Pocket Full of Rosies collection!
Bad photo, but I think you can see the texture here.
The LSS also had these Pebbles Inc Foam alphabet stamps for $1.25 each! These are large sets people, and were originally marked $5! I didn't buy them for $5, but did buy them for $1.25!!
I also picked up some Kaiser Crafts rubons at LSS, and picked up some Staz On at Michael's (used 3 separate 50% off coupons) and also some Staz On cleaner and the foam brushes are 20/$1.00 again at Michael's!
All in all, I did fairly well! I can never figure out why when you get home from shopping, and start putting things away, it always seems like it isn't a lot of stuff!!
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Be on the lookout for these things in the near future!! I am off to scrapbook now!!!
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Sketch 108 at Scrapbook Challenges

This week's sketch is up for Scrapbook Challenges, which means another shot at this prize from American Crafts!!

It also means I can share not only the sketch....

...but also the layout I did with the sketch!

There are 2 more challenges up this week also! The really cool thing I found out, you have all month to get any of them done to be in the drawing. What does that mean? That means it is not too late to get in on the fun! I haven't done any of them yet, but plan of working on them this week. I did manage to figure out what I will be doing for my challenge in 2 weeks, and finished the layout last night. I have to tell you, it is killing me not being able to share it! Two weeks, ugh!

Here are the challenges so far that can get you into the drawing.

1. Sketch 106
2. Use numbers as letters
3. Score a design
4. Sketch 107
5. Use only white, blue and green
6. Don't stick me down (no glue)
7. Sketch 108
8. Highlight your favorite movie
9. Use scraps from a lo to make a card

There will be 4 more DT posted challenges and 2 more sketch challenges this month. Remember, each time you complete a challenge, another entry is put in the drawing for the monthly prize!

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Life Changes, Challenges, RAKS, & Haircuts

I know it has been awhile, I have been busy not being busy! lol One thing I am doing, is trying to figure out how I am going to take better care of myself. Being that I have diabetes, high-blood pressure, gout, and many other afflictions, I really need to start eating better. My main problem right now is living with my parents. Dad is very picky and will only eat about 10 meals-he is very stuck in his ways, lol! I can't use garlic, rice, fish, or anything slightly different. I love to cook, but I am so frustrated with hamburger patties, meatloaf, chili dogs, hamburger helper and tuna casserole, with the occasional bland soup or fried chicken thrown in. Of course, eating better takes money, and that we are lacking! You know it is a sad day when you can buy 8 Little Debbie Snack Cakes for the same price of 1 apple, soda is cheaper than juice, and you can buy 3 meals of red meat and hot dogs for the price of 1 chicken meal. I don't know if this will happen or not, but I am still working out the kinks!

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Good news is we sold that Modis, so we have rent for a couple months, now we can pay bills. Cliff has a job interview this week, for a union position, and would make as much money per hour as the 2 of us combined did at my dad's shop! Keep your fingers crossed!

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Ok, rant over....On to the challenges I have worked on in the last few days.

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This one is for Method Playground. The challenge was to play in or reverse stamp with acrylic paint. I tried the reverse stamping, but my stamps just don't look right, so I used some mesh netting, painted over it, then tried daubing a different color over it, but lost the mess look. I took some more paint (red), covered my brayer, rolled over the mesh again, but this time used the mesh as a stamp. I think it turned out ok. I used Bazzill cs, BG scraps, MM paint (lagoon, cornflower, cranberry), "Best Friends" wooden title painted with Chocolate MM Paint, Bazzill and Kaiser Craft Flowers, button, 1/2 a felt flower from the Dollar Tree, and Scrappy Cat stamps. There is no journaling, but I think the page speaks for itself.

This one is for One Little Word. It did not turn out like I imagined, as a matter of fact, I think it sucks. I will embrace imperfection and submit is anyway. The word this time is LOVE, what else should I use but my husband and I. I used Bazzill cs, American Crafts pp, KI Memories pp, and Hambly Overlay, the leaves are cut from AC pp also (not what I imagined), title is made up of flourish rubons, ribbon is Christmas ribbon from Mikes, ribbon tag is MM, flowers are Kaiser Crafts, then misc buttons.
This one is for Use Your Stash, use chipboard. I tried to use enough chipboard, but without making it look cluttered. I used a mixture of ready-to-go chipboard, and some that I covered or decorated. Letters are Target Dollar Spot (as is), arrow is Bazzill (covered with pp), tag, butterfly and paisley are Maya Road (covered in pp or Stickles), Stars are all Scrapworks (as is), flower is made up of 3 stacked Scrapworks flowers and Stickled, and the owl is glitz (as is). Other supplies are Bazzill cs and October Afternoon pp.
Now for the RAKs...
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This is the RAK I got from the acrylic mini album I did for the August AMR crop, I got it yesterday. Scrappin{jewlz} sent me this arrow acrylic album from Clear Scraps! I am excited about this!

This RAK was in the same package from scrappin{jewlz} and was from another challenge on AMR.
This was from the Ongoing RAK thread on AMR, from Jessica. I didn't have this color and jumped on this bottle of alcohol ink as soon as I saw it!
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Haircuts!

Tigardlilly and I went to get our haircuts last week. We were referred to her by Kelliannie at AMR, they are best friends! Erica did a wonderful job! I was worried the bottom of mine was too square, but everyone here thought it was awesome, so I will have to trust them! I am sharing some photos, but I will warn you, the salon is dark, and the windows were in full sun, so the photos are not very good, the lighting is terrible.
Before...

During...
After...
Mirror image...
Here is tigardlilly, Before...
During...
Checking out the do...
After...
We will be going back to this gal! If you live in the Beaverton area, you can find Erica here. She is offering 40% off all services this month!
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Well, I think I covered everything for now. I will be back tomorrow with this weeks DT sketch and layout.
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My Scrapbooking Wish List

Christmas is coming, and some people seem to find it difficult to find me gifts-though I don't know why, plus a few people have asked for a wish list! Soooo, I have come up with a wish list to help them out I will also tag this post and link to it at the top of my blog for future reference, all the while updating it as I acquire things or new items are released! If you want to know more about the product, just click the link (which in black print) and it will take you there. Most items can be found locally, but some have better deals or only available online. If you are ever interested in a printable list, just let me know.

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Here they are, in alphabetical order...

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Adirondack Alcohol Inks. I need the following kits...Tuscan Garden, Miner's Lantern, Mountain Vineyard, and Rustic Lodge. I have the other kits and Rust. Basic Grey Magnetic Snaps, both small and large Basic Grey Collection Pack-Offbeat
Bind It All, the pink one would be cool too!

Core'dinations Cardstock, All In The Family, any color

Cutter Bee Scissors-titanium, comes in green, blue, and pink
Designer Stickles, Tim Holtz Distress and Suze Weinberg Glitz.

I want all of them, but already have Grape (glitz).
Doodlebug Designs Flock

Dot 'n' Roller Adhesive Refills

Follow the link for the cheapest place to buy them!

Glimmer Mist, I have Juneberry Wine, Candy Apple RedGlue Pad (for stamping/glittering)Making Memories Paint

I have Asphalt, Celery, Chocolate, Cornflower, Cranberry, Dusk, Evergreen, Lagoon, Lemon, Monarch, Plum, Shopping Bag, Sky, Spotlight, Wisteria

Martha Stewart Glitter pack, available at Michael's

Nestabilities
I would like: any scalloped squares/circles/ovals/rectangles, Classic circles/ovals, and Labels 1

Photo Printer, this is an HP A536, but I would love any similar quality (or higher) printer.

Prismacolor Colored Pencils, at least 36 count.
A subscription to Scrapbooks Etc.
Download card for Silhouette
Silhouette Pen/Pencil/Embossing Tools
Staz On Ink

I have Jet Black, Brown Timber, Forest Green, Blazing Red, Azure, and Opaque Cotton White.

Stampin’ Up stuff, contact my demonstrater from the following link, she has my wish list and can process your order.

Tsukineko Dew Drop Inks...
Versa Magic, I have zero
Brilliance, I have graphite black
Memento, I have Sweet Plum, Paris Dusk, London Fog, Pear Tart, Cantaloupe, Rose BudTsukineko Brilliance Graphite Black Re-inker
Technique Tuesday Stamps

There is a huge variety of these stamps, so it would be easiest to tell you what I have versus what I want...

I have: Avalon Lowercase-Medium, Big Timber Line Lowercase-Large, Big Timber Meadow Lowercase-Tall, Big Timber-Small, Calamity Jane Lowercase-Large, Wayfarer Capital-Medium, Wayfarer Lowercase-Medium, Williamsburg Numbers-Small, Williamsburg-Small, A Day To Remember, Beautiful Day, Big Mouth, BoHo Buzz, Borderline: Domestic Bliss, Borderline: Hanging By A Thread, Borderline: Straight And Narrow, Borderline: Time & Space, Friends We Love, Happy, Jet Lag, Kabloom!, Let It Snow, Let Them Eat Cake, Little Labels, Love Me, Loves Me Not, Old World Squares, Pocket Full Of Posies, Produced By, Rocket Man, Simple Sentiments, Simply The Best, Storytellers: Ledger, Storytellers: Remember The Moments, Today, Two Steppin' In The Garden

I want: A Little More Organized, All About Me, Created By Hand, Day In Day Out, Frayed Ends, Little Sentiments, Merry Little Christmas, No Two Alike, Notions, Organized and Inspired, Parisan Market, Read All About It, Seasons Greetings, Well Worn Journals, Whirly Gigs, Whispy Gigs, Words We Love, Any Ali Edwards stamps, Any other Alphabets

Variety of Chipboard letters, American Crafts Thickers (white or plain), Rub-Ons, Bazzill cardstock, flowers, buttons, rhinestones, clear stamps, ribbon, anything will make me happy!

12x12 Scrapbooks, preferable D-Ring/3-Ring Style

Gift Certificate or Allowance to spend at Scrapbook Pal

Gift Certificate for any Scrapbook/Craft Store

Gift Certificate for photo developing-Costco preferred