Nothing, nada, it's just not there

call it attack of the weather. It's actually been a really nice fall, by Seattle standards. This has left me wanting to spend most of my time outside. The thought of sitting inside working on a lO is just so darn unappealing. Thus, my creativity has gone, vanished, disappeared.

I know that scrapbooking is a great creative outlet! I love the fact that you can take a couple sheets of paper, a picture or 2, a little time and create a treasured page. I also like going to the LSS and loading up on all the fun, cute new items, then taking the above and creating a treasured page.

I've been cleaning my scrapping space and realize that I have so much yet I'm still in a rut. I don't really want to sit and scrap. I was so looking forward to the CKC Seattle. Browse the isles, do some make and takes, get my creative mojo back. Scott's on call this weekend so it didn't happen. In fact, it seems that there is someone someplace that is making it near impossible to create.
Last month I wanted to order a paper pack. Told my friend what I wanted to order and it was ok to hold off a week or so (so we could add it to someones order and split the shipping.) Order never came in. I guess it wasn't placed. Yep, my feeling were hurt but I got to thinking maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

I've decided maybe I need to do an "out with the old, in with the new" sale. I'm going to spend the next few days organizing and selling off some stamps and papers. Maybe then I can get back to scrapping! Back to doing what I love to do.
We'll see.

Snowman card

Here's a cute little card we'll be making in my upcoming card class. It uses one of my favorite items-glitter mist! And another great $$ saver-fingernail polish. The stamp is inkadinkado with added color via stickles. Most of my ink pads are from CTMH but I had to stamp this cute guy with the Ranger Archival Ink. I couldn't figure out why the snowman was smearing when I went over him with the stickles. A trip to my local LSS, a few buck for some more ink and I was good to go. Still learning something every day!

Once you get the hand of spraying the mist it is so fun to use and adds that little bit of "splash or bling" to your project. I used some clear sparkling nail polish to cover the plain snowflake brads. The nail polish being enamel will adhere to the metal brads. I tend to purchase the white or more plain brads and bling them up with my nail polish. Works great!! It also works great in a pinch as a glass paint. Fingernail polish and papercrafting, who knew??

Enjoy

Pointessa card

Did I spell that right? All I know for sure is this is a super cute wpc file that I purchased and just had to cut. Of course, I'm having a blast with my stickles, and my new MS glitter glue. They are both awesome products. I have to say that IMO the stickles just hold their shape better. But, both hold their shine and shimmer!

Hybrid stamps

For those who know me you know that I am not a super stamper. Maybe it's because I do mainly scrapbooks and not cards, but, stamping, coloring and then cutting is not for me (as you can see in the pictures)! I never was a color in the lines type of girl.
When I did my Halloween layout I needed a tombstone or two so I went to a font website and downloaded tombstone dingbats. Printed them out, cut and colored and I was good to go. Yep, I could have used a stamp but in this case I didn't have one and was not inclined to drive to the store and buy one.
One of the cards I'll be doing in my upcoming class needs Christmas bells. Small Christmas bells. They type I'll most likely not reuse on a 12x12 layout. Off to the font site I went again.
Some people call this hybrid card making or hybrid layouts. All I know is there is a ton of savings to be found online. I for one, am all for savings!
Enjoy,

Bags and Tags

I've been working on these tags now for over a month. It took me that long to finally rip the page out of an old music book that I picked up at the library's book sale. Books to me are to be treasured, not ripped. Even though I bought the book specifically to make tags it took a while to work up my courage and rip out a page. It's a holiday song book from 1962 held together with brittle tape in places. If it wasn't perfect for the tags, I'd have placed it on the shelf right next to MY old vintage dictionary. I can't work up the courage to rip a page from the dictionary yet. But I keep trying.
These tags and bags are specifically for my upcoming classes at the Senior Center through the Mt. Si. Community Center. I'll also have them in my booth at the annual Si View bazaar. I just love the holiday season!
Enjoy,

2 posts in 1 day

As I was working on my prior post I received a phone call from Michaels bringing me on board! I'm going in on Friday to fill out paperwork and watch a few videos! Wow, this is an exciting time for me! I love that I'll be teaching the SDU class. For those who don't know what SDU stands for it's Scrapbook Design University. It's 4 2 hr. classes that teach the basics (and then some) of scrapbooking. To become certified you have to take a class to acrue the required hours. At first I was a little perturbed. ME take a class? But, I actually not only enjoyed it, I learned!! Tonight I'll be adding features, benefits and more to my website.

Halloween & Product Review

I just love halloween. 1 sheet of patterned paper, 1 sheet of cardstock and a few scraps created this layout of 2 of my children.

I couldn't find a suitable sticker or accent for the LO so off to my computer and dafont.com for a halloween font. The tombstones were perfect, I simply printed on a scrap sheet of white and distressed them. The 3g's are extra CTMH alphabet cardstock. I love that they come in white and are true to color when you paint them.

The guy in the top picture (my oldestson) sat on a chair holding a bowl of candy. He'd wait until someone poked him or asked if he was real. Sometimes he just sat there other times he'd jump up and scare the kids. Luckily, he is smart enough not to spook the little ones. The older little ones might poke him and he'd move his arm or hand slowly. If the porch wasn't so dark I would have been able to get a picture or two but we keep it pretty black to help with his costume.

This layout uses a few distressing techniques on the borders. I used the ink pads (CTMH) for the black and some white chalk but my big move was to the new (to me) dabbers that Tim Holtz has out (Ranger).THEY ARE AMAZING! I used the orange after the black. LOVE it! The greatest part to me is the dabbers themselves don't pick up the color. So there is no black on my orange dabber top. To test them I used them on a glass vase. They really stick to the glass even though they are acrylic. It would just take a sealent to protect the image. I'm planning on doing some orange candle holders for the holiday season. I'll post when I do. In the meantime...
Enjoy,

I should be blogging more...

But, I've been hard at work on my website. I did a few online tutorials so I think it's lookin good.
If anyone would like to showcase a fall or holiday themed layout I'd love to post it. I'll link it back to your site and/or blog. It just needs to be a high def. picture that I can size down to fit the window. And, I'll even send you some blog candy! Guiltless candy and self promotion, what could be better?
Enjoy,

Interview at Michaels

I'm psyched to be going to Michaels to do an interview to become their SDU teacher. I had a previous interview at a Michaels a little closer to home and the manager wasn't there. Granted I've not done a lot of interviews (3 total and 1 of those was over the phone) but being stood up.... However, I love scrapbooking and the SDU theory makes a lot of sense. It's a class I wish I could have taken when I first started. So, I'm going to give it a go. The store is farther away than I would like plus I'll have to fight 405 traffic but I think it will be worth it. Hopefully, the kids will all recover tonight and go to school tomorrow.
Speaking of school, I haven't had time to scrapbook their first day so I'm going into my archives and pulling out last years first day layout that I did. That was Andrew's first day of HS. I (not him) was a nervous wreck the entire day. Until he came home and told me he had a good day. I don't think I ever had a good day in HS.
Enjoy,

Taking a week off

This week I'll be taking a vacation from my blog and working on my website. I have a lot to learn with the site. My previous site was so easy to maintain. I just told my husband what to add! This time, the site is all mine. I wanted it that way. Although, right about now I'm second guessing my decision. My 1st goal is to have it as close to done as I can by the weekend. Over the weekend I hope to take picture of my layouts and by Monday invite everyone to stop by. However if you want to take a peek before Monday, feel free (click here). As I finish a section I'm going to publish it! Leave me any feedback on my blog as I'd love to hear what you have to say.
Enjoy,

8x10 Halloween

At one time I scrapped mainly 8x10 then moved onto 12x12. I miss the 8x10 pages. There are so many times I want to scrap 1 picture especially after scrapping the 12x12 pages for each child's book. This was our last halloween we spent in Texas. As the journaling reads, Ryan was dressed as the "perfect little boy". Not that he wasn't already perfect. More like mom wasn't. I was lucky to get him dressed in the am let alone hair done, socked pulled up and shoes, I don't even like to wear shoes.
Enjoy

Here are the new challenges/blog giveaways and design team calls.

If you like to scrap 8x10 here is a design team call.

Here is a blog hop with some fantastic giveaways and prizes

Here is one last blog giveaway if you a flower lover. And who doesn't need more flowers for their layouts?

And for those of you who are Hive members here is the link to their group of freebies, giveaways and contests. If you are not a Hive member click on the left logo and sign up! It's a great place to BEElong.

Have fun and Enjoy,

Halloween Gift Tags

A couple more tags for tag-mania here at All Paper Crafts. I'm not sure why the picture is so "off" so I'll have Scott fix it later. I'm trying to process the RAW pictures but having a little trouble learning how to do it.
The haunted house and bat is off the "holiday and occasions" Pazzles CD, cut with the pazzle. The cute mummy tag is made with Martha Stewarts Halloween mat pack and the mummy came from the $1 section at Michaels.
Enjoy

My take on the Pizza box

Sometimes inspiration comes at the strangest times-like when you are sitting around the table eating pizza and drinking a glass of wine. I'm looking at this pizza box thinking "I could do better than that" and here's what I came up with. I'm still playing with the dimensions but the fun thing is this box was made with a 6x12 sheet of paper which means 2 boxes per 12x12 paper sheet.
For this box I took my 6 x 12 and scored around each side 1". Then I scored at 5 and 6 inches. I then cut the flaps stopping at the 1" score line. Fold in, adhere the 1" flaps and you are set to go.
I added the enhancements after scoring but before folding the box, making it much easier to stamp and glue.
I'm also working on some videos trying to get my website (and blog) a little more exciting. Be sure to check back for the video later this week.
Enjoy

Peyton's page

I just finished my SDU certification to teach and I thought I'd apply some of the principals that I learned to my new page. I don't journal near enough so I added some journaling. I used the rule of 3 in triangle placement.
I love that I got to use the pink and purple paper. Having 3 boys doesn't lend itself to too many pink pages. I pulled out the cricut and cut the flowers using the George & Basic shapes.
Enjoy,

Coffee Cup gift "box"

I'm ready to get back to some scrapbooking but wanted to post one last gift "box" we'll be making in my upcoming class (December). Sorry for the dark picture. I took a 20oz. take out coffee cup with lid. Wrapped the cup in scrapbook paper, cut a scallop circle and slightly smaller circle for the lid. How's this for a "thanks a latte" gift. I'm thinking it will be perfect for a teacher, with some homemade cookies and a coffee gift card (starbucks) tucked inside.
Enjoy,

Class Cards

This fall/winter I'll be having classes at the Mt. Si. Community Center and/or the Senior Center. At one time I taught preschool arts/craft and preschool science classes through the community center and I thought what a great place to have card making classes. I'll have 2 classes. But, December is still a long time away so I won't bore you with details here (yet!).
Here is a gift card and card combo that we'll do. I've spent quite a bit of time lately working on creating tags and cards. I've watched tutorials and taken a few classes to refresh and think I've come up with some great ideas. Here's the first-
Enjoy,

More Tags....

I can't seem to get to the Holiday Tags..I'm still enjoying the summer ones.

Best Fishes was cut with the cricut wild card cartridge. The bike came from the pazzle. I'm not sure who did the image, I pulled it off the library. And the flower tag is a CTMH creation!

Tag-Mania

It's been a tag frenzie here! I'm teaching again at the Si View Community Center in the fall/winter and decided to do a tags and bags class. While the kids were in their last week of school I got to "taggin" and here's a few I came up with.
Enjoy,

CTMH card

Today dealt me a double wammy-Not only do I not stamp, cards are not high on my creative list either. While doing some heavy duty office cleaning, I came across a CTMH paper pack that I bought years ago when I first started scrapbooking. I figured if I haven't used it yet I would add it to my garage sale pile. Then I had a moment and thought that the preprinted layout spaces would work great for a card. I pulled out my stamps and came up with this.
Enjoy,

Making Cards

I've spent so much of the last few months with my cricut and all the costco demos that I thought it was time for something different. So, I pulled out my pazzle. Here is a quick walk through on making your own card. I promise video as soon as my demo work is over in a few weeks.

First you'll want to make a rectangle. Click on the rectange from the side tool bar and drag to any size. We'll resize the whole card when we finish.

Then you'll want to make your score line or as I call it a kiss cut line. Choose your kiss cut (+ sign on the tool bar) and take it to the top of the rectangle. Click and drag it down. To make it straight hold down the shift key.

Now, lets make sure that score/kiss line is in the center of the rectange. Select both the score/kiss line and rectangle. Then click on your justification tool and choose align center from the top tool bar.

While you have both selected go ahead and change the size. Click "C" which brings up the condense option. You'll want to choose 8.5 x 5/5 for a standard card. Then apply.

Save this as a templete for any size card you wish to make.

Enjoy!

Cricut Demo

I just had to post this pic so everyone can see what I do all day while I'm at work. This past week I worked in Seattle. 15 minutes till close these 2 guys came in and I asked if I could take their pic. as they are not the "usual" customer. After 5 days of working 12-13 hour days this is about as good as I look.
Enjoy

It's been a (long) while

Wow, it's been too long since I've been here! For those that don't know, I got a job where I demo (and sell) the cricut die cut machine at Costco through their roadshows. It really is a great job but so exhausting. My days are 12 hr. long and 99% of that is on my feet. I"ve been at the Pullayup store and next I'll be in Seattle. It doesn't leave a lot of time to create. I've been a little lazy but I'm ready to get back to scrapping. At least until the 5th when I start work again.

I took a trip down to walmart today. They are few and far between in King county. I took advantage of their magazine discount and picked up a few. My favorite scrapbooking mag. is definately Scrapbooking & Beyond. I wish it was monthly, not bi-monthly but I'll take what I can get of it. If you have not seen the magazine head over to www.scrapbookingandbeyondmag.com

Enjoy

Happy Easter

I just love this new paper-the designs are just too darn cute. As the kids get older I find myself just taking 1 or 2 pictures for Easter so my days of 2 page layouts are almost over.
Enjoy

U Rock

Yes, Robby does rock! Not only is taking guitar lessons but he has started drum lessons as well. I have visions of a garage band which wouldn't be so bad but he refuses to play country he'll only play (hard)rock.

Are you waiting

If you were a lucky winner and have not received your gift please bear with me. My son who was/is recovering from mono is now sick again. We've been pretty busy dealing with this. Gifts have been getting out but not all have made it to the post office. Thank you for your patience!!!
Sincerely,

Find the perfect description

Sometimes coming up with the perfect adjective can be a daunting task for us scrapbookers. Yes, my son Andrew is Amazing but he is also artful, adventurous and, agreeable. Looking over his layouts I've done through the years, I failed to mention these other traits. Not on purpose, it's due to my limited volcabulary and the easy of using words I was more familiar with. One would think that I would have used Bing (remember no google for my microsoft employeed husband)before but it didn't dawn on me until a week ago to look for more descriptive adjectives.
Here are the two websites I found useful. I hope they will bring some ease to your scrapbook layouts.

www.keepandshare.com
www.momswhothink.com


Enjoy,

More from Montana

This weekend I ventured down to Kent and visited the Scrapbook Nook! Wow, what a great store! Not only is it huge, it's full of the latest arrivals. I had a great time and eagerly look forward to a class or two next month. I specifically wanted to find some camping paper-walked in and there it was. Of course, I love my CTMH cardstock paper and these designs went so well with it-a match made in scrapbooking land.

Another Song Lyric

Did I mention yet how much fun I had on Date Night? Microsoft put on a great Company party (as they always do). They had these picture booths set up all over the place and after a couple of glasses of wine Scott and I just had to get in and get our picture taken.
They also had a "casino" set up where I learned to play Texas hold em. I lost most of my "money" but that's what play money is all about..bet it all. I did pretty good at BlackJack considering the only type I ever play is with my kiddos. Who knew you bet against the dealer??
Enjoy,

Soccer Time

It seems so long ago that my kids played in youth sports. As they grew older sports became less important (but school and learning more important). I enjoyed my brief time as a "soccer mom" and love going back through the old pictures to scrap.
Enjoy,

And the Winner Is...

Viji Siddharth! If you send me an email with your address I can get the book in the mail to you ASAP. My email is Katusak @ msn. com


Enjoy

Valentines Day

It's just 2 days away. One of the reasons that I am not a huge card maker is that I can't express myself very well. I'd rather go to the store and pick out just the right card that says just the right thing...But, this Valentines Day I am going to be different...I'm going to go all out and make a card...I'm just going to "borrow" some of my favorite song lyrics to help me out.
Here are some of my favorite lyrics. A simple "bing" search (Scott works for Microsoft!) will yield the actual lyrics. You can print them and use them for your card:
Amazed by LoneStar
Forevers as far as I'll go by Alabama
I cross my Heart by George Strait
and my favorite
I love my Life by Jamie O'Neal

Here's my example. When I saw this stamp I thought it was so cute. For those that know me they will be the first to tell you'all that I do not like to stamp very much. I'm more of a stickers person or I'll use my pazzle. But,,,this was so cute and just screamed out "add the lyrics".

You'all Rock

You'all really are the best! Thanks to my fellow Fisk-a-teers who came over to say hi! And those from Spotted Canary-thanks so much. Tomorrow is the big drawing but in the meantime if AK Donna M, oppossumwonam, Susie, Peg, moloneyat, TracyM, Flowergirl, Viji Siddharth, lavendarrose29, Chris C, rstuck2003,artycrafty, Donna,Mary, Colleen,
Send me an email with your physical address to Katusak @ msn. com and I have a little thank you to send your way

It's time for a RAK

Here is your chance to win a great book from the exceptionally creative people at Paper Crafts! Simply say "hi" here or sign my guestbook at www.allpapercrafts.com. I'll draw a random winner on February 12th.
Enjoy,

15 minute layout

Yep, it is possible. What makes a layout come together so quickly is NOT having to search for just the right color or, the perfect enhancement. It IS having everything right at your fingertips. The best way for this is by scrapbooking kits.

This layout went together in a snap. I used a CTMH kit page. All I did was add some coloring to the letters CHERISH, cut out a journaling piece and added the enhancements that came with the kit. I put down some "red" tape and bunched up some ribbon (that came with the kit). Just like that another page is added to our scrapbook photo album.

Enjoy,

Love is in the air

Ready or not, here comes Valentines Day! I love a holiday that lets me eat chocolate and drink wine (at the same time). Here's a layout I did for my husband for our anniversary.
Enjoy

Merry Christmas (in January)

While cleaning I came across this picture. I never really took the kids to get photos done and we only have 1 family photo where we dressed up, went to get our pictures taken, cleaned up the kids (infant and toddler at the time), wait for the infant to stop crying, oops, the infant's hungry, toddler wont sit still ....enough said. Never again! So finding this picture was a true suprise.
I really don't remember too much about the picture so I took my journaling from one of my favorite Christmas songs.
Enjoy

Challenge Entry

Lately I've been doing more and more challenges. It gives me a great excuse to scrap and shop-gotta replenish those supplies. Here is a layout that just begged for recycled paper-I added a few new buttons. All in all the paper was great to work with, I'll definitely get more of it.
Enjoy

A new Blog adventure

A new year means time for the new. I decided to make the change and create a new blog with the same name as my new website. I'm still working out the kinks in the website so I thought I'd post a few layouts here.