Leibster Award and some fun facts about me

 

 I received a comment on one of my blog post saying a fellow blogger, Chas, had nominated me for a Liebster Award. It's an award that you pass on to a a fellow blogger that you like and enjoy reading their posts. The whole point of this is to let someone know that you like their writing, get to know them better, and then pass the torch on to others that you, yourself, like. I've been nominated for this award before, but this is the first time that it had fun questions attached so I thought I'd share some fun stuff about me and pass this along, but not to as many as 11.  Since I've done this before it gets harder to pass it along again, unless I really start hunting for more and new blogs to follow.  So with that said I'm going to pass this along to a few of the newer ones I'm following. For those of you that I end up sending this Liebster Award to here are the rules!

The Rules:

1. Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves.
2. They must also answer the 11 questions the tagger has set for them.
3. They must create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they have decided to tag.
4. They must then choose 11 special bloggers to tag & award with the Liebster award
5. These bloggers must be told in a comment on their blog

Here are 11 things about me:

1.  I have 4 children- Ashley 13, Jessica 10, Danielle 7, Eric 4

2.  I live in beautiful Pacific northwest

3. I teach water exercise to seniors

4. I'm a military brat and have lived in or traveled through most of the US

5.  If I wouldn't gain weight I'd eat nothing but cheesecake and chocolate

6. My big toe hates me

7. My favorite drink is hot green tea

8.  I don't have time to read books

9.  I really like Halloween

10. I don't do anything close to what I majored in ( environmental conservation and geography)

11.I sometimes think that I can breathe underwater



Here are Chas' questions:

1. What is your favorite restaurant?

I don't have one.  My girlfriends and I make it a point to go somewhere new each time we go out

2. How many ink pads do you own?

13 CTMH that are about 10yrs old,  4 that I inherited, 1 Tim Holt walnut distress, 4 random small pads that I'm not sure where they came from and 6 CM mini chalk ink pads =28 total

3.What is your favorite scent of body lotion? I don't use body lotion on a day to day bases , but when I'm  dry I'll use some coconut oil that we buy by the gallon.

4. Who would like to meet that is dead? Not sure

5. What is your favorite sports team? Oregon Ducks- married an OMB ( Oregon marching band) alumni

6. Do you do any volunteer work? Yes, I'm a girl scout leader, Service unit treasurer, Su camporee registrar and canoe person for all things GS, plus I'm on the SU hiking patrol as the first aid person (working on up grading to wilderness first aider soon)

7. How many pets do you have?  Chocolate bubblegum princess biscuit runner is our blue healer/ neighbor sneaky dog mix (mute),  Midnight (as in black as) is our rescued barn kitten that's now a year old and then there's the 10 chicken which don't have names

8. Do you ever fart and blame it on the children  or pets?  No I'm the silent deadly type that let it go and walk away

9. How did you first start scrap booking?  my husbands cousin was a creative memories consultant

10. What is your favorite scrapbook company? I'm not partial. Anything that I like/ catches my eye and is kind of cheap.  On a budget

11. Name one place you would love to visit on vacation?  No kids vacation- somewhere tropical and warm.  With kids any where with a roller coaster

Here are my nominees: 

Shaunagh http://artjournallingscrapbooking1.blogspot.com/
Melissa http://iamapapermaniac.blogspot.com/
Crystal http://sistersofthecraftersguild.blogspot.com/
Toni http://toniherron.aussieblogs.com.au/
Stacey http://stampinpad.blogspot.com/

Here are my questions for you.

1.What's your favorite food?

2. When did you start scrapping?

3. What famous person would you want to be?

4. Do you have a job outside of the home?

5.What was your major in college?

6.favorite scrap technique?

7. Scrap tool you couldn't live without?

8. Favorite season?

9.Dream house would be?

10.Do you play well with others?

11.  Most creative project you did in 2012?

Idea's Journal

I've been collecting inspirational ideas, sketches and what not for a while now.

A few years back I bought a standard artist notebook 6 X 9.5 inches that I have used as an idea journal .  Well, with all the smash books and mini albums I've seen lately I thought it was time to updated/ beautify my journal.  I covered the front and inside cover with my new Heidi Grace collection and a bit of stuff from my stash ( ribbon, brad, paper clip, heart punch and acetate pocket)

I've gone through it and removed ideas and sketches that I no longer fancy

 and of course added new ones to take there place, but the most significant up grade is the acetate pocket inside the front cover.  I used to just shove the inspiration pieces under the paper clip on the front cover till I had time to put it in the proper place.  Sometimes I'd lose it or it would get wrinkled or damaged .

Now I shouldn't have a problem with that.

So this is my new and improved cover.  No doubt about what's inside

and now that it's so pretty I might just leave it out on my desk this year for a quick bit of inspiration

The color tabs divide sketches by number of photos.

Red=1, orange=2, yellow=3, green=4, light blue=5 to 6,dark blue=7 plus,

 purple = challenges, ideas for punches I own and whatever else I find inspiring

The tabs are paper from my stash that I punched into tags and  folded in half, then stapled to the page.

I used the same paper on the inside and have the top edge of the pocket covered with paper to make it easy to find.  The little heart attached to the pocket hides the end of the paper strip as there wasn't enough scrap to make it to the end.  Love that the pocket is clear so I can see the stuff inside it

here's a peak inside of my journal.  As you can see I have layouts from magazines and catalogs along with sketches I've found online and in blog land.  I also write my self notes

The best part about this book is that I can take it along with me to crops for instant inspiration.

That's the plan for this year anyway

I'm going to link this project to Use it Tuesday, even though I've done a DT project I thought this would be a great addition because I know I'll be using it a lot more in the New Year

walking

I put this layout together yesterday and just didn't have time to post it. 

I used the Heidi grace collection that I picked up on clearance at Joann's a while back

the title is thickers that I got at big lots for a dollar

Everything new to me but super cheap.  yeah

I even got creative with the strip of paper from the top of the pad.  Used it as the border and covered the hole with a sticker border over the top.  Also use a bit of another paper strip to make the photo corners.  Love the bonus paper

Getting back to just crafting

My host duties are almost over as my mom leaves tomorrow afternoon. 

 So I hope to get in a little more crafting. 

 I'm almost done with my term at Use it Tuesday at the end of the current challenge and will not be continuing on.  New team will be announced Jan 1st

I'm also will be leaving Child's play challenge at the end of the term in February. 

While I enjoy being on the DT I find I'm doing less playing for fun and more creating because I'm part of a design team.  Don't get me wrong it's a win, win because I'm still getting layouts done.  I just want more freedom.  Well at least until Girl Scout cookies sales start. 

 Then it's 3 months of slaving away the weekends.

So with that said I'll have to share a new layout with you soon.

Got one done today, but need photos of it to post.

Thanks for hanging in there with me,

Haven

All about 2013 at Use It Tuesday

It's time for a new challenge at Use it Tuesday . 

 This time we're pulling out our scraps and stash to make creations that are all about

 2013

 If you're not familiar with Use it Tuesday, their mission is to get crafty people using what they already have. So show us your layouts, cards, and altered art for this fun challenge

I almost didn't get this one done as I've been busy working on the girls bedroom.  paint and floor are done, Furniture is in and now just working on the final touches.

I'll have to post pictures of the finished room after they get there new lamps for Christmas.  Then we'll be done other then figuring out bulletin or message/ memory board to display artwork

 

I was feeling so guilty and a little upset that I was letting the team down on my final post of the term that I quickly put this together from my stash. 

So glad I did. 

 Feeling much more creative and scrappy (happy)

Everything except for the mist is from my stash.  I 'm still in the trail phase of misting. 

This is my first attempt at using a mask.  Large circle not so bad, now to try something more detailed

The stickers are Creative memories new years collection from a while back. 

I think I got them as an open house gift from my consultant about three years ago

The orange paper is from  CM candy shop collection, also several years old as there are at least three new color lines since this one.  Well at least I think so.  The green is more of the New years stickers cut up and popped up on foam.  I backed them with some of the orange so the wouldn't stick to anything, but you can kind of see a little of it like I meant to edge it.  Happy accident in my rush to get the project done.

I also finally tried colored staples.  I can't really tell that they are blue, oh well

The thicker stickers I bought two years ago at big lots.  Totally love finding cheap thickers there.  Just picked up Elf thickers that I used on my Santa is Coming post.

The bling is also years old.  Not sure how many, but definitely old

Now it's your turn to create a layout, card or altered art project as long as you use items from your stash .

  Just remember to list what items you used from your stash.

Hope you enjoy my creation and look forward to seeing what you create

Please link your creation using Inlinkz by Friday  Jan 4th. No blog? No problem! Just use keyword USE046 when uploading to an online gallery and leave us a direct link so we can find your creation.

Please make sure to mention you are playing along with us at Use It Tuesday  (a link is great too!)

Santa Claus is coming to Lasting memories

 Our challenge this week is ..

"Santa Claus Is Coming"

I wasn't sure what I wanted to scrap until I saw this

 cute letter my daughter brought home from school. 

I couldn't bear to cut it to fit in my album so I scanned and printed it.

  My colors must be running low because the red just wouldn't print. 

I'm kind of glad it didn't as it gave me a chance to do some coloring.

I also added a little bit of fuzz to Santa that I cut off so paper from

a Christmas album that I have been deconstructing

Picked up the Elf thickers at big lots for a buck last week in anticipation of this weeks challenge

If you need a little inspiration

 you're welcome to use this amazing sketch from Tanya.

Hope you've been inspired to join us this week and

don't forget to link up for our monthly prize.  The more you play the more chances to win.  We are also  looking for a December guest designer.  If you'd like a chance just add GDT after your name when you link it up.

Polar Express at lasting memories

This weeks challenge is based on the inspiration photo. 

Wish I could play along with this one, but I'm stilling working on the girls bed room project.

Finished the 2nd and 3rd coats of paint and will be laying the floor today.

Need to at least get the dresser out of the hallway before my mom comes on Wednesday

I'll try to check in to see what you have posted and hopefully have a minute or two to comment

See you with a layout soon

All about Christmas / Haukkah at UIT

It's time for a new challenge at Use it Tuesday . 

 This time we're pulling out our scraps and stash to make creations that are all about

 Christmas and Hanukkah

 If you're not familiar with Use it Tuesday, their mission is to get crafty people using what they already have. So show us your layouts, cards, and altered art for this fun challenge 

I've been deconstructing a pre made Christmas album that's been sitting in the stack of stuff I got from Aunt Diane some two years ago.  So those  festive hexes are punched paper from that album. 

My other stash items are the tree embellishment, stickles on the tree and the photo corners.

I did try something new and misted onto the background page.

This is the second page of a two page and i used this sketch to create them both

and here's the other page if you haven't seen it on my Lasting memories post

Now it's your turn to create a layout, card or altered art project as long as you use items from your stash .

  Just remember to list what items you used from your stash.

Hope you enjoy my creation and look forward to seeing what you create

Please link your creation using Inlinkz by Friday  Dec 21st  . No blog? No problem! Just use keyword USE045 when uploading to an online gallery and leave us a direct link so we can find your creation.

Please make sure to mention you are playing along with us at Use It Tuesday  (a link is great too!)

Change of direction

My creative efforts in the paper realm will be on hold until major progress has been made on the girls bedroom.  We started ripping out the carpet and peeling of the old linoleum tiles.

They are getting a wood lament floor and new paint on the walls.  Redesigned furniture layout. 

Taking the bunks down

here's the start of the project

Looking into the closet and the color palette before the current purple walls.

Going to be a deeper purple and pink

Computer nook next to the closet

Bare floor in the computer nook

Tile that's under the carpet

cloths from the closet.  The were neatly folded and stacked till the next load came out of the dryer

back to more cutting and scraping

Anything but snow at lasting memories #2

This week at lasting memories it's anything but snow.

You can still do winter, but we don't want to see any snow on those LO's this week.

For some added fun this week we're being sponsored by Cedar Chest Designs.

 Katie was kind enough to allow the DT to choose an image (or papers) to work with.

One lucky winner will win a $10 gift certificate to her store. 

There's also an optional sketch by Becky at Page maps

So here is my take on the sketch. 
I was going to use a digi stamp of a Christmas tree from Cedar Chest Design,
 but it has a ribbon of snow on it so no good for this challenge
Remember it's anything but snow

 Here's a close up the sign. 
It's a combo of a embellies from my stash and a little topper I put together.
Nothing to hard.  Rolled some logs out of dark brown paper.  Made a  custom banner.
Stuck on some alphas from my stash and laid down some glitter to pull it all together.  I did have the right color to go with the existing tree lot sign, so I just put a fresh coat on everything.

Hope you've been inspired to join us this week and

don't forget to link up for our monthly prize.  The more you play the more chances to win.  We are also  looking for a December guest designer.  If you'd like a chance just add GDT after your name when you link it up.

$20 bucks worth of stuff

I got $20 in the mail today for filling out a survey for the school district/ health dept/some other research group.  And what better way to spend free money then to blow it on a trip to Joann's. I was already making the trip  to take my daughter to get fabric for her Christmas projects.  So this is what I scored.

Heidi Grace Daydream collection and all 50% off

Now to get crafting

Twas the night before Christmas At Child's Play

Time for our 2nd  December challenge .

 Today we're reading from the classic book, The Night Before Christmas

I thought about scrapping our traditional Christmas eve get together with the family,

 but these photos of our cute little kitten really capture the child like wonder that is Christmas.

I was trying to be witty and journal in rhyme like the story in the book,

but the best I could do was

"Twas the days before Christmas and not an ornament hung."

Hopefully we'll have better luck this year as the cat seams to have out grown climbing the tree

Super quick and simple Layout

I deconstructed 2 pages from a pre made Christmas album that I don't really like.  Salvaged the tag embellishment, added some ribbon and thicker letters for this Christmas Challenge. 

Hope you'll play along with us at Child's Play

Link up your take on this challenge in our DECEMBER Challenges for your chance to win this fabulous prize pack from our very own Wendi.

Snow falling on Cedars at lasting Memories

This weeks challenge at lasting memories we'd love to see those snow bound photo's. 

 Snowy trees, children playing...whatever you've got.

For us in the Pacific Northwest

and especially the southern end of the Willamette valley snow is a rather rare event.

Even more rare is snowfall in November, but that's what we got in 2010.

Hope you've been inspired to join us this week and

don't forget to link up for our monthly prize.  The more you play the more chances to win.  We are also  looking for a December guest designer.  If you'd like a chance just add GDT after your name when you link it up.

Uninked Stamps at UIT

It's time for a new challenge at Use it Tuesday .  This time we're pulling out our uninked stamps and putting them to use.  I have to admit while I do have some uninked stamps in my stash these ones are brand new.  I picked them up during the Joann's grand opening sale here in Eugene two weeks ago.

And while I'm confessing I should let you know that this card was a joint effort of myself and my youngest daughter.  The poor thing had been left out of a couple of rounds of cards because she's a slow reader.  What do you expect from a first grader.  So anyway I let her pick out all the elements and even put some of it together.

So here's the card that Danielle and I made.

We pulled out an old corner punch that I got from my wonderful aunt Diane.  I haven't used it till now and it's been in my stash for over two years.

The stamp in the background is new, but the ink is CTMH Raspberry that I have had for at least ten years.

Same goes for the black on the flourish stamp.  You can tell it's not as dark as it was back in the day.  Time for a replacement, but not to bad for a ten year old pad.  I'm not much of a stamper can you tell.

The "I love you tag" and bread tag I picked up at a garage sale 4 yrs ago and am just getting around to using.  I stamped the little heart on the bread tag with staz-on ink that I picked up a few years ago for stamping glass.  Worked great on the plastic.  The bling is an assortment of different rhinestones left over from various different packs so I have no idea how long I've had them or where they came from.  And of course the paper is also from my stash

now it's your turn to create a layout, card or altered art project as long as you use items from your stash .

  Just remember to list what items you used from your stash.

Hope you enjoy my creation and look forward to seeing what you create

Please link your creation using Inlinkz by Friday  Dec 7th  . No blog? No problem! Just use keyword USE044 when uploading to an online gallery and leave us a direct link so we can find your creation.

Please make sure to mention you are playing along with us at Use It Tuesday  (a link is great too!)

naked Layouts at Lasting Memories

This weeks challenge at lasting memories is naked layouts.

Yes, you heard me correctly.  We're asking you to create layouts without photos.

It's not as hard as it sounds and is a great opportunity to scrap  your favorite poems, newspaper articles,award...you get the idea.

What avid scrapper would forget to take photos of her own birthday? 

I had a camera out because I did take one photo of the wine chiller I made.

Totally Martha Stewartish.   Ice layered with colored marbles.

Time consuming to make, but fun to watch melt. 

Anyway we had way to much champagne cake and a little too much wine to be really productive scrappers during my party, but we sure did laugh  a lot.

the center focal is a basic list of

 who was there, what we ate and what we did or better yet didn't -scrap :(

embellishments were left over from my wedding album that I'm still working on

 and it's been 17 years this past August

Hope you've been inspired to join us this week and

don't forget to link up for our monthly prize.  The more you play the more chances to win.  We are also  looking for a December guest designer.  If you'd like a chance just add GDT after your name when you link it up.

SIT # 92

I haven't played along with sketches in thyme for a while and decided it was time to jump back in.

Here's my take on sketch #92

My poor daughter has the misfortune of having her birthday 4 days after the oldest. 

 Some how this is the only photo I have of her birthday celebration. 

 Better one then none, but I feel bad that it isn't better quality

I change the sketch a bit by doing a giant cupcake instead of circle and dropped the photo location down a bit.  I also used an over sized candle border for the long strip under the title.

The 6 is super glossy because the glitter glue isn't fully dry, but it will look similar to the cherry and photo mat when it does.  Busy day of shopping for Thanksgiving meal so wanted to get this posted before I run out of time.

Stamp those layouts

This weeks challenge at lasting memories is to stamp your layout. 

 You can stamp directly onto your layout,

stamp and fussy cut around it before adhering to your layout

 or even use a digital stamp. The choice is yours 

I decided I would create patterned paper by stamping my background page

 and coloring some of the stamped images

I picked up this cute little stamp  in the dollar bin

at the grand opening of the Joann fabric store in Eugene.

This is what the background looks like after stamping and coloring

And here's the whole layout of my husbands birthday last year.

For over the last decade we have had an unofficial tradition of having track town  pizza ( the Hammer- Pepperoni, linguica and pepperoncini) and an ice cream cake  to celebrate, this year we broke the tradition and went with a take and bake from papa Murphy's.

 Next year it's back to tradition

Close up of all the mixed elements I added to the layout.

I really like how well all the elements came together even thought they are from different companies.

Bingo card is recycled from an actual bingo game.

Making a wish and the die cut candle are Creative memories but different birthday packs several years apart

The present card is from a more recent purchase of Bo Bunny birthday paper.

Almost forgot about the mini gem rhinestones in the middle of my punched boarder.

Starting to feel like Tina ( LMDT sister) who usually piles on the embellies.

Hope you've been inspired to join us this week and

don't forget to link up for our monthly prize.  The more you play the more chances to win.  We are also  looking for a December guest designer.  If you'd like a chance just add GDT after your name when you link it up.

speckled feathers at childs play

Time for our 2nd challenge for the month of November.

Today we're playing  with, speckled feathers.

We all know the old saying "birds of a feather flock together"

Well it is really fitting and very accurate way to describe my daughters goofball friends. 

I love them to pieces but they really are kind of flighty.  Bird pun intended

 I have never used feathers on my Layouts before so I decided I'd play around with different ideas and this is what I landed on.  This is the 3rd configuration of this LO as it started as a 2pager with feathers scattered around, but I must say I like the way the feather embellishment came together and kind of highlights the title.

I also added a small bit of feather to the two birds next to the photos. 

 They help create a visual triangle among the photos.  Which is good because the pictures aren't the greatest.  Guess that's what happens when you hand the camera over to tweens

I hope you'll join us for some speckled feather fun at child's play