Preparing for Crops

Here's a tip that I've discovered over the years that really helps me get the most work done at my crops and other scrapbooking gatherings with friends:

MAKE YOUR OWN KITS!

I used to bring my photos to crops and bring as much of my stuff with me as was physically possible because I never knew what I might need. Instead, before I go to a crop, I set aside some time to group photos with the papers and accessories that I will use to create each layout. I pack everything for that "kit" in a 12x12 Craft Keeper and then it's all together making assembly so much quicker and easier.

I hope you'll try this for your next crop, you'll be amazed at how much more you can get done!

Botanical Blooms Thank You

This is the first card I've made using one of this year's Sale-A-Bration sets! The Botanical Blooms is, for now, my favorite 2009 SAB set. I used some of my old stash of supplies to complete this one: including a sheet of retired Real Red Prints paper and some mulberry paper.

Stamps: Botanical Blooms, Wonderful Words
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Real Red
Papers: Real Red Prints DS paper, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, White Mulberry
Accessories: Paper Piercer and template

I think it would have looked better if I had embossed the "thank you" on the patterned paper. I haven't used my heat tool in so long! Quite often lately, my youngest daughter is sitting on my lap while I stamp, so embossing is not always very practical!

5 Days left for Sketch Challenge!

Just 5 days left before I draw a name for the winner of my first sketch challenge! Here's another example that I whipped up last week with some extra kit materials. The details for the challenge can be found here. I can't wait to see what all of you come up with!

Papers: Starburst Storytellers Paper, Tempting Turquoise Textured Cardstock, Green Galore, Real Red
Accessories: Turquoise grosgrain ribbon, Startburst Storytellers die cuts

My first Scrapbook Page

Since I recently finished my 2008 album, I was a little reminiscent about when I started scrapbooking. I'll never forget how I was introduced to this great hobby. A friend of mine named Sue brought me into her car on our lunch break to show me her Creative Memories scrapbooks. We played volleyball together, and I remember her saying that it's less expensive than playing volleyball....now I'm not too sure about that!! I guess it depends on how addicted you are to either volleyball or scrapbooking! Anyway, she invited me to a monthly evening crop at her house, and I started going to all the local stores to get all the "necessities. That was about 10 years ago (WOW!) and here I am still loving it! I thought it might be fun to show you all my first scrapbook page:

This pages is about my precious Abu who passed away a year ago. These pictures were taken when he was only 8 weeks old. What a cutie!

March Layout Challenge

I'm excited to offer my first ScrappyMama Scrapbooking Challenge this month. Since most people I know tend to scrapbook 2 page layouts, I'm going to provide a 2-page layout sketch for you all to try. You can then take a picture of your layout , post the picture on splitcoaststampers.com, your own blog, or some other online gallery, and then link it in a comment to this blog post. For every picture you post, you will be entered into a drawing for this month's blog candy, a page kit with supplies from StoryTellers Club.

The deadline for entry into this challenge is Sunday March 15th. I will be drawing a winner on Monday, March 16th. The winners picture will be posted on this blog that week.

The sketch that we'll be using is one that I found in the March issue of Creating Keepsakes Magazine by Becky Higgins.
The prize drawing is a page kit from StoryTellers Club that is "Love" themed. You could use these papers to make 4-6 layouts if you add some more cardstock of your own, it comes with so many die-cut embellishments. Included in the kit is 2 sheets of double-sided patterned paper, and 3 sheets of coordinating die-cut embellishments.

Good Luck everyone! I'm excited to see what you will come up with!