Girls Only -- Scrapbook Expo Layout

Quite a few years ago (maybe 2008 or 2009???), I started an album for my "girls outings" layouts.  As of now, there are only 3 layouts in this book (including the one I am sharing)--ha ha ha.  I really have lots to catch up on!

I like the spatter look (is spatter only for blood--I've watched too much Dexter, I think).  I used all the mists I have on the page--which isn't much.  Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Primerose and Teal, my DIY Gold, and a white paint pen--I don't remember the brand and the label has come off.

I started off by only using the paint on the first half with the photos of me and the girls, but the layout wasn't too cohesive.  So I opted to do the same on the other side.  I had a lot more photos I wanted to add--the goodies that the girls and the crop gave me--but there just wasn't enough room.

The thing about using the spatter/splatter look is the drying time.  It took me over a day to do this layout because I would come back and forth to allow it to dry.  Also, I think it took so long because I am not too keen on the base color I decided to use, but I didn't want to start all over again.

The current trending looks on layouts is awesome and I tried to mimic them, but it leaves little room for too many photos :(

Added bonus, I finally use my typewriter on a layout.  WooHoo!!!  With my new table, my typewriter fits perfectly under my desk and I have plenty of space to open it without having to remove the typewriter from the case.

Thank you for looking :)

My Ever-Changing Craft Room

Last month, I shared one room of our home remodel…our Office/my craft room.

This was the room right after the remodel in 2007--yellow…against my husband's will.  Since then, I have made many changes through out.

Things that I hated about this room...
~yellow walls (yes, my husband warned me I would)
~open shelving on wall

2 years ago, I finally got the chance to pull everything out and paint it white :)  I also pulled everything off the walls because 5 years after I got my craft room, the wall was pretty much full of magazines and lots of paper…it was way too cluttered.

Seriously…who could be creative in this space!

Here was the update, up until last weekend.

But I was still not completely happy because my work area was so small…(this is a mock layout…normally I have more paper and embellishments I try to dig through on my desk)

I didn't have much room to spread everything out.  So I talked my husband into getting me a larger table.

I really wanted a 48 x 84 inch space, but that wouldn't be possible, so I settled for 39 x 79.  It gave me 14 more inches depth wise and 7 additional inches wide wise.

I love all the space I have now!

Here is the before and after side view

I love that my Ikea Raskog Cart now fits behind my desk!  I also have extra storage behind the cabinets for my crop roller cart and other stuff.

Another new addition I was able to add to my table was a Harbor Freight revolving bin that I've seen many crafters on Instagram and in the blogosphere use.

(before and after)

I still have to fill it up!  I may paint it someday, but for right now, black is part of my accent colors, so it will stay black for the time being.

I do love my updated space, but I am still wishing that:

1.  I had a bigger room

2.  I had a bigger window for natural light

3.  The door to the garage wasn't in this room

4.  I could have an Island (impossible because of 1 & 3 above)

5.  I had longer arms because I really can't reach into the corner now or the back wall very easily ha ha ha.

But none of those can be changed, so for now (until we win the lottery) I will be content with my space.  

Thanks for looking!

3 for 3…Cards

I am 3 for 3 in making 1 card a month so far this year--yay!  

My goddaughter turned 21 this weekend (I know, was I like 2 when she was born?--ha ha ha), so I set out to make her a card.

I was going for the Vegas-y feel…and what better way than using the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada" sign!  I got the cut from Silhouette Online.  I used Arial font for the words: 'Funding', 'for', 'Las Vegas', and 'Nicole'--all bold except for 'for'.  The "Fabulous" I found online and thought it was perfect, then I realized the F is different after I had finished the card :(  I outlined the "Funding" with a silver pen and added some bling.

Paper piecing is hard work!!!  I got glue all over the place.  I even used a Martha Stewart ballpoint-tip glue pen and I still had trouble.  I guess practice makes perfect :D

Thanks for looking! 

Scrapbook Expo 2014

Last weekend, I met up with Liz, Jossie, and Renee at the Scrapbook Expo in Pleasanton to crop and shop and shop :)  It was a great time.

We didn't get a picture of all 4 of us together (I don't know how since we are scrapbookers!).  Liz took a picture of Renee and I and I took a picture of Liz and Jossie, but I didn't like how I looked, so I won't be posting that :D

I set out and was only going to buy some card stock, which I got for a great deal.

The pink bag was free with the purchase of admission to the Expo along with these goodies.

And I knew I wanted to get some Amy Tangerine Plus One products, so here is what I came home with

I love the cute die set (I swore I wouldn't buy any more dies, but I couldn't resist…plus it was like $3 cheaper than online and no shipping!)  I still need to find some more of the line to complete the set (that's not obsessive, right? ha ha ha)

And I know I've sworn off roller stamps, but here are 4more I came home with...

The super duper big stamp was also like $3 cheaper than online!!

On 2Peas, I've heard rumors of this beautiful hard-to-find paper, so I had to buy some when I found it just sitting there calling my name.  "Buy me, Linda…buy me all…"  Good thing there were only 5 sheets left.

And some of the miscellaneous items I bought.  I love the cassette mask.  The Cozumel stickers are for my honeymoon album (that we took nearly 19 years ago!).  The ribbon matches eyelets I bought last year.  I bought more eyelets even though I said I wouldn't, but they had the cutest card on display.  And the 6x6 pad was ONLY $1! :)

Yes, I spent a little more than I had planned, but I had a great time.  Oh and the crop, we got our choice of paper packs with the price of admission.  

And what did I get done at the crop?  Little, very little ha ha ha…

I can't wait for next year!