National Scrapbooking Day!

Happy National Scrapbook Day!
The RUN for the Roses today here in Kentucky will be MUDDY/Sloppy! I sure hope those fabulous and expensive hats/bonnets make it through to Derby Time. With this said, Art Freckles is having a BLOG HOP! Details are below:

HOW IT WORKS:
Step 1: There are 7 blogs on the blog hop. Leave a comment on ALL 7 blogs and you will be entered into a draw for the Art Freckles NSD giveaway!
Step 2: Check out the challenges on Shannon and each of the DT's blogs. Complete a challenge and link it back to that persons blog in the comment section. For each challenge you complete and link back, you will receive another ballot for the giveaway.
Step 3: Create just ONE layout using ALL of the challenge items from the 6 blogs and link it back to the Art Freckles blog to receive TRIPLE THE BALLOTS!! How fun is that!?

You can check out the prize package on the Art Freckles blog.
Our theme is 'BACK TO BASICS'. Thinking back to the tools and techniques we used when we first started scrapbooking.

For me, this may be hard as I only started scrapbooking back in 2005. So, I thought I would show a few of my layouts and I chose to showcase BUTTONS. Be sure to use buttons on your layout (see step 3 above).

My creations are from the years of 2005 and 2006. It is kinda funny looking back at how I used to scrap. I hope you have a great day of creating and sharing a memory with BASIC Scrapbooking Techniques.
In the above layout:
I used buttons and at this particular time I was really into doodling on my layouts as well.

In the above layout:
I layered the buttons and used twine in some detail with each of the button stacks.

Here are the next blogs you need to visit to gather your layout information!
Good Luck

Art Freckles Blog
Shannon
Lindasueanne
Jamie
Jill

Be sure to leave a comment here and let me know you are on the HOP!

It is JUST COLD OUTSIDE....no doubt about it.

I am seriously over cold weather.
But to warm myself this morning
I created the layout below from a challenge issued over at 3 Scrappy Boys.

The challenge had the following minimum requirements.

3 Patterned Papers
Chipboard
Bling
Journaling
Ribbon

Button
2 Fonts

So, this is what I created using the above formula.I am getting ready to prepare a few recipes for tonight's SUPERBOWL!
All I have to say about this...
GEAUX SAINTS!

Earth Day!

Anyone that knows me will tell you that I have a special passion for the Earth as a whole. Today is Earth Day. Earth Day is every year celebrated on April 22nd. Earth Day has been celebrated since 1970 and it is a day when all around the world we recognize that we as humans must take care of our Mother Earth and all of her resources. The most precious resource she has is water. We also learn that "going green" is protection of Mother Earth and everyone that lives on her great planet.

There are many things that one can do to protector her resources and recycling is just one to name many ways to conserve and keep her healthy. Our family does our part by using N*Vision light bulbs. We changed out our light bulbs over 6 years ago and we have never changed them since first installing them. An example is that the 14 watt bulb puts out the same light as a 60 watt light and they never dim. We also recycle plastics, paper, aluminum, and do not purchase water in plastic with the exception of "sometimes." We also wait to use our dishwasher when it is completely full and the same concept when washing clothes. I try my best to stick with "Earth Friendly" cleaning products. These products not only protect our living environment but their bio-degradable time is considerably less than standard "everyday" cleaning supplies. We keep our air filters clean and use recycled fibers within our filters as well. We take pride in our "dirty" on the outside car as to preserve water as much as possible. I am happy to note that our children have taken up our passion for the earth in the same tradition that we instilled in them when they were home. Several days a year we participate in cleaning areas of the Appalachian Trail where day hikers did not "pack out" what they "packed in." We have lots of areas of improvements within our home life and we try to live daily with a conscious thought as to how we are purchasing products and disposing of them. As a lover of the arts and scrapbooking, I try to incorporate ways to reuse packaging with our crafting and my scrapbooking. Last week I was thrilled when The Scrap Review issued a challenge to "reuse" on a layout and NOT incorporate patterned paper. I immediately took the challenge and I love the layout that I created for this challenge. The challenge simply stated to use "junk-mail" on ones layout. We do not accept 3rd party mailers much but sometimes they slip through at the post-office and make their way to our mailbox. In my layout below I used wording from the "mailer pak" and I also used paperboard that was in a scrapbook club box I received in the mail. I then used an international mailer that I received from an ATC swap from overseas and loved the stamps on it from the Philippines to show the "earth" theme and also to use the paper board by drawing a tree that would go with the stamps. The one thing I am most proud about this layout is that I did not use regular photo printing paper for my photos and I printed on the back of advertisement. The quality was not pristine but I felt it got my point across. My theme is simply this...NOT JUST TREES ANYMORE. I challenge you to reuse packaging or advertisement mailers in a layout and please be sure to let me know of an innovative idea or use for your products. It truly is limited by only your imagination.

So, how are you going to start "Saving the Earth" and incorporate the "GREEN" idea within your own lifestyle? Yes, even we SCRAPPERS can do it!

Save the Planet!

Earth Day Challenge!

I have been thinking about Earth Day coming up next week on April 22nd.

Here is a SNEAK PEEK at what I have been working on today to share my thoughts about an important day for the WORLD!

Cold here in the Southeast...

The arctic blast from Canada has reached the Southeast. It's just crazy. It was so warm last week that my crocus have started to bud and they usually do not come up until February. But, the little "yellows" are definitely showing themselves. They say this is the coldest temperatures we have had in almost 6 years. Windchill temperatures will be estimated to be in the single digits by morning. WOW! However, I am finally settling into my regular routine. I have been doing lots of scrapping here lately and I am finding that I am using my stash. So, I find challenges that help me do this and recently over at Bad Girls there was a challenge where you had to incorporate the following

1. An Owl or a Bird

2. Anything with Glitter

3. Flowers

4. Any kind of Frame

5. Lace

6. At least 3 different types of Patterned Paper

So, here is my creation using the above ingredients...

It is just great fun to use up some of my goodies and make room to purchase more.

Resolutions Anyone?

That's All

I am SO not a "Resolution" person. But I went to Studio Calico's Blog this morning and was challenged to scrap my "Resolutions." So, keeping in mind that I am a "list" and "goal" setter that I in fact could scrap this and display it where I am reminded daily of my goals for 2009. These goals are obtainable and are specific to just "me." I know I can do this!

Scrappy Sunday...

I have been busy creating today in my scrap room. The weather has been dreary for so long that I now believe my eyes can see through the fog! I created more ATC's today and I was so darned proud of them and went back to Art Freckles to show my latest creation for the swap. I read the first post and realized..."OOOPS" all 5 have a different embellishment we were to use. So, back to the drawing board. I will send these as well considering I made these ATC's for the participants anyway. Go figure....I guess I should read ALL of the print next time! LOL

Art Freckles is a new kit club and I am really enjoying the boards right now. I do not feel overwhelmed or feel like I am missing anything and the inspiration is great. I invite you to check Art Freckles out and join in for an upcoming contest. All of the information is posted on the message board and the deadline for sign ups is January 15th. Hey, it does not cost anything because the theme is based on YOUR STASH! Speaking of Art Freckles, here is my latest layout I created for a challenge using felt. Sorry for the quality of photo but lately the rain and no sun take a toll on natural lighting. Thanks for looking and I hope to see you around Art Freckles!