Can't go to the Islands?

Create your own Island FUN!! Find a cheap fun platter at a general store. ( I got this flat fish platter at Factory Card outlet for $1.50!) Get some of your favorite fruit & cheeses! the fruit CHEAP but I shelled out a few dollars for our favorite cheese at Sams wholesale... It was $9.95, but alot of it! Good thing about cheese- it can keep a LONG time too! This is smoked gouda! yum! Get a fresh pineapple! Its TONS cheaper, better tasting, & you can use the top for decor! Tiki torch will usually run you around $5.00- $7.00- depending on the quality...comes with oil sometimes!

Wanna make it extra special?

This lil Island theme night was actually a lil surprise for the hubby. He works CRAZY long hours in the summertime. Its been so hot lately I thought I'd surprise him! We are HUGE Kenny fans- so when we didn't get to go watch "Kenny Chesney Summer in 3D" at the movies- I knew exactly what I was going to do!! I headed out on the search for this DVD. NO luck.. Finally on my fan club email- (yep you heard me!) it said it was out and exclusively at Kmart.... $14.99 plus REAL movie popcorn (HOLY MOLY-$7.00- we actually do this all the time- popcorn to-go!) Also the guy at the movie ticket counter gave me some 3D glasses= FREE. :-) Will even participated! mini oreos for dinner there.....

Okay - so this isn't the greatest photo BUT i forgot to get a good one before we started chowing down.... Spruce up your deck or patio with a couple candles (island scented of course) and some island music.. See below for a list of songs I used- Burn a CD and wah-la!

CD playlist: When the sun goes down, Jammin (a jamaican reggae sound with steel drums), Summertime, Jimmy Buffett, Don't worry be happy, captain morgan song, Toes, Old Blue chair, etc...

My menu: Mahi Mahi (buy FZN in grocery freezer) marinaded in a soy, red pepper, garlic, honey sauce, Top with mango glaze. Serve on coconut jasmine rice. Honey glazed carrots and rosemary new potatoes. AND a favorite around my place- MY SOON TO BE WORLD FAMOUS- Watermelon salsa... LOL Dessert was a variation of Bananas Foster- spooned into a flour tortilla and seared until crispy in butter and sugar. :-)

Feature Friday

It's really hard to get my rowdy one to sit down to do ANYTHING - Yes even watch TV somedays... He's not big on cartoons- not big on computer- he's BIG on OUTSIDE and any activity involving running 99 mph. :-) BUT he loves this lil website! You can click on anything and it wont take you back out to crazy computer control panel or anything like that! check it out if you have little ones!!! - enjoy! Thanks to Stacey for introducing this to me! http://www.kneebouncers.com/ Have a GREAT weekend!!!!!!!!!!!! See you Monday!

Tip & Technique

Just realized I haven't had a tip or technique n here in a while. Most of you may have already seen this but its so simple and CUTE!! Take different width rubber bands and wrap around any size block. Make sure to wrap in different patterns and on both sides. "Stamp" your block in to an ink and 'stamp.' Clean on scrubber just like normal and repeat with a different color. You can turn the block sideways so it reveals a different pattern or stamp right along side of the original stamped image.. So fun- I thought this idea would be good for sports pages. Do orange and tan on white paper (my UT ladies) or blue and grey for blue devils (you know who you girls are!!) You can create your own pattern paper this way. Below is a photo of something I've been doing for YEARS! I use to keep these in my desk drawer at work even. Take the glass top lids off of Yankee candles (or same size large glass candles) and scoop out the inside plastic piece. It can be used for anything!!! I almost always have one with loose change, paperclips, extra brads and misc. metal accessories- they are sooo great and hold alot more than you think with that plastic piece out! :-)

Ive been busy......... BUT not busy posting.... :)

What a busy week- sorry I havent been sharing it with ya on the blog! Not been much personal creating. CTMH convention is just around the corner and I am VERY excited!!! This is my first time going and I'm so thrilled about spending a few days with people who love to do the same things I do! I get excited when a new catalog comes out, I get excited to learn a new technique, I get excited to meet others who get excited about this same stuff!! :-) I have been SUPER busy working on "SWAPS." Apparently this is the thing to do at convention. One swap I am participating in is creating one 9 x 9 layout (two pages) for a specific time in convention. I was appointed "closing ceremonies." I have 13 girls in my group so I have to make 13 layouts- yep you heard me - 26 pages (13 identical layouts!) YOWSA! I'd post them here BUT i don't think we are suppose to 'spoil' them so I will share afterward... I have also been working on some pages I need to work up for CLUB in July- We are doing Zippidee for Life Preservers and Cherry-O for Scrapbook Superstars! Below is proof that I am working VERY hard and proof of why nothing is getting done.. :) LOL Talk soon! Oh did I mention VBS is ALL this week- Whew.. Two more nights to go - two more nights to go- high ho......... :-)

Luau Party Help?!?!

I have talked to some of you already about the Scrapbooking Luau I posted a couple weeks back, and have sent applications to many of you- HOWEVER it seems I posted some info about MOPS in general in the post. I hope you haven't had a hard time finding the info you needed to sign up for the Luau- Below is the correct info and I have also changed it on the post! I hope to see you ALL there! It will be great! Sign up for some of the classes they'll be having too! For more info: scrapbookingluau@gmail.com or by phone at 931.303.2695. These girls are very friendly and helpful. You may contact me if you need any help and I can point you in the right direction too! Ltr Tatrs

TALENT TALENT TALENT

I would love to say all my 'big ideas' are original- But lets face it- its easier to "scraplift" when you are surrounded by so much artistic talent! I love to sit down and take the time to come up with a paper project all on my own. When I simply don't have that kind of time- I turn for quick inspiration! Below are Melinda and Shannon showing off some pages! Every idea book I get 'hooked' on a paper pattern... Cherry-O is DEFINITELY this quarters favorite for me! (As if you couldn't tell from my posts!) Melinda is my one at club who is ALWAYS turning the paper- flipping sides- and experimenting with all the color combinations. It always turns out great! I have to say - she stayed pretty close to the Workshop pattern this time.. :-) Okay- so my apologies already to Shannon for the quality of this upload. I couldn't seem to quite figure out how to make the picture bigger without distorting it. You can still see the detail though! The cover of the latest idea book (Below) was a KNOCKOUT and many asked for the pattern and instructions! Well Shannon got hers done. I saw this one in person and this photo doesn't even come close to doing it justice!

Looks great! Thanks for sharing!

Summer reaps FRUIT!

Or VEGETABLES!! Cannot wait to use my new stamp with all of our garden pics!! :-) He is fascinated with the tomato cages....

Oh-No what to do???

Its not heavy... ;)

Mommy's tomatoes!

No Will!

Uh-Oh

Well alright- just a couple more times... :-)

Welcome to "Feature Friday"

For the next few weeks on Friday I'm going to post a website that I visit regularly & think you also might enjoy. To kick it off today I have a VERY special! For my very FIRST "FEATURE FRIDAY" I'd like to introduce you to "http://www.mommasew.blogspot.com/" Her blog name is "High Heels and Sippy Cups!" Isn't that the CUTEST!?!!! She is an awesome friend of mine who is an artist and crafter in so many ways.. While she doesn't necessarily scrapbook (GASP! haha) she is brilliant with fabric, sewing, photography, painting, and MUCH more!!!! Things she and I have in common include looking for bargains at yard sales, she's a stay at home momma, and she LOVES God and her family! I noticed on her blog today she is having a give-a-way! Log in and "share the love" and follow her! She is avid on her posting and its always interesting... Some of my favorites have been advice on frugal shopping, coupons, and killer recipes! So be SURE to check out her Blog Archive!!! There is an awesome 'recycle crayon tutorial' under APRIL! http://www.mommasew.blogspot.com/ See below for photos of the sweetest little gift she made for my son!

Mommasew "I spy" bags!

This is a cute "I SPY" bag she made for my little Will! I was hoping he would play with it in church and sit still for hours with it... NOT so much - he loves to find the 'spies,' but he likes throwing it at Mr. Daniels who sits in front of us better.. :-( HA- He still loves it!

There is the 'train' that is his favorite to find!

Luau PAR-TAY

I am SOOOO pumped about this!! Mark your calenders for an ENTIRE day of fun and more fun! M.O.P.S (Mothers of Preschoolers) in the upper cumberland is having their 3rd annual scrapbooking Luau! I was super excited to hear about something like this in our area. I have traveled to Chattanooga in the past for events like this! Its a fundraiser for MOPS in form of an all day crop in Cookeville! The flyer below is hard to read so I'll post the details on the bottom of here, but I have to tell you it sounds incredible! This is a day filled with cropping until your hearts desire, meals included: bfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks, vendors (including yours truly ;-), DOOR PRIZES, and if that wasnt enough- a GOODY BAG filled with favors from national craft companies, consultants, and area merchants! There will also be optional project/craft classes throughout the day you can participate in for an additional fee. Be there or Be square! :-)

Info: AUGUST 28th, 2010. Space is limited! $40.00 & crop from 9am - 8pm- includes ALL meals, crop space, and a goody bag. Crop will be held at First United Methodist Church in Cookeville TN. (on the square) This is NOT my event - I'll be there as a vendor. If you would like more info I'll be glad to help you (send me an email or call me at 931.261.6033) I can send you an application. You can also contact MOPS at scrapbookingluau@gmail.com or 931.303.2695.

Cherry-O Workshop on the Go

Just had a cherry-o WS last Saturday and I love how the girls make these pages 'their own.' Kelly has chanegd teh paper around a bit to give more to the pink and sweet leaf! Looks great!! Thanks Kelly for sharing! But I have to say...'that's a little too much white space for me on the top.' ;-) (insider) LOL

GREAT LUSTER OR LIGHT; BRILLIANCE; GLORY; MAGNIFICENCE

Do those words describe "Summer " for you?!!? Well how convenient that one of our new summer papers is appropriately titled "SPLENDOR." I've worked up a couple pages uses our 'reflections' how to book with this paper. These colors are just like my title page 'so fun! this quilted page is always one of my 'go to ' pages. if I'm having 'scrappers block' i just do this one b/c I love it will any paper I do it with!

Love Glitter GLUE!!!!! Ithas made my lil flowers on my stamped image pop out!

The stamp set that comes with this workshop is so cute too- silly flowers, sentiments, and a border! The irresistabilities are adorable and fun to color!!

SHARE your ART!!!!

This is Shannon's layout from club a couple months ago.. I LOVE to share my work so I want everyone else to share theirs too! I love to get ideas off others- call it scraplifting, inspiration, or what you want- but its FUN! Below are Holly & Hannah hand prints! (Shannon's daughters) I wanted to do a quick lil demo on embossing and the most precious thing to emoboss are babies or kids' hands! Dont forget to start out when they are newborns and do the 3, 6, 9, & 12 months for frames! Super cute & so much less messy than clay or ink- roll their lil hands in the versa mark, 'stamp' their hand onto paper (wash the hand!) and then powder the paper with your choice of emboss powder color, shake excess, and heat emboss!

My first Acrylic Album

Okay - so remember when I said - I just might use my Perfect Day paper to make this acrylic album I WON for free by 'hitting the jackpot?" Well Wah-lah!! Also - I wanted to use photos that weren't current - just something different. So I was thinking maybe some old family photos when I ran across my senior picture proofs! PERFECT! So remember these are SENIOR photos! ha- so judge me too harshly! Now its been 13 years, a husband, and one kid later! HA LOL Anyway- I was VERY pleased with it. Below are photos and then a slideshow at the bottom for some of the detail and the "before" plain acrylic album! ;-) Please feel free to leave comments!- Know what else is funny? I STILL HAVE THIS HAIR! ;) From the top folks!

Cover is mostly perfect day paper with the cocoa from veranda. I used a metal foundry tab too!

This was a FUN page and I got to use alot of photos. (remember this is only a 6 x6 album) These lil proofs were perfect!

I love these colors! Its like perfect day paper just 'went' with my photos. This is TULIP (one of my favs) with Juniper and cocoa. Metal tokens and filigree charms finish it off! Okay - so I had to throw in some of my second favorite paper -shilouette! I wanted to make the photos on the left look like camera film with the holes down the sides... BUT i couldn't find that punch- i think i sold it at a yard sale! OOOPS!

This is an exact page I made at a scrapbook convention a couple years back. It's still one of my favorite patterns! You can barely see the clear slide on the left side bottom but its super cute up close!

Last page- I wanted to keep this page simple b/c of all the photos- PLUS I wanted to use big chipboard letters! I sponged them with bamboo and then stamped over with cocoa- one of my most favorite things to do with these chipboard letters!

Okay - so I realized i said 'my favorite' a bunch BUT this album was so much fun to do and it was just for me!!!! :-) When you work your CTMH -its hard to find time to do 'your own.' So this was my week- now time to catch up on other stuff!

WONDERFUL DADDIES!

Wonderful Fathers are so great!!!! I had a wonderful father and my son has a wonderful father! I'm a lucky girl! I try so hard to not take advantge of the relationships in my life b/c I know others may not have this blessing. Here is a card I wanted to make with this month's Stamp of the Month. Argyle (sp?) would look great on Easter pages too! Maybe in purple and yellow?!

GREAT GOODIES BOX in June Jackpot!!!

I am such a SUCKER for surprise and this was NOT disappointed!!!!!! This was the $80.00 box that was 60% off - the value when I added it up was well OVER 160.00!! It was AWESOME!! Very few things in my box are 'retired' items.. It was almost like whoever packed this box knew me! HAHA- I got two perfect day paper packs!! Level 2 and 1!! yay!!! Here is a picture of all the items and below are some close ups!!

I got 5 stamps, an ink pad, 2 card kits, 2 packs 3 sheets each rub ons, journaling prompt stickers, door hanger pouch, dimensional elements booksmart, colonial white ribbon rounds, just blooms white daisy, 2 complete card making kits, embroidery floss,foundry tabs, ribbon slides, clear 'believe' tabs, colonial white brads (12 pack), mini album, textured paper pack, level one paper pack, and level two paper pack!!!

Now that I have my perfect Day paper in plentiful - I am definitely going to use it to decorate my acrylic album! I was looking for some different & unique photos that I could do this album with and I found my senior picture PROOFS! YEP! I've already started it! I have the first 2 pages of the acrylic album done! I'll share as soon as I'm done! FUN!

Stayed tuned tomorrow for a fathers day card!