Random Ramblings of a Scramping Addict

Note to Self: Write it Down!

Have you ever gone to add your journaling to a scrapbook page and couldn't remember the details? Well that where I'm at with this page.

I created this one a while back (sometime in the Fall I think), and I intended to journal on vellum and place it over the embossed rectangle on the right hand side. The story goes something like this.....A couple of years back my son came 2nd in the annual ice fishing derby in Wilberforce, ON (thus my title, "not quite first"). And, lucky for him, he won a fist full of money. For the life of me though, I can't remember how much. I wanted to explain that he was disappointed initially when they handed him the envelope (in past years he got to pick a prize from the table), but that once he figured out there was money inside he was thrilled. I wanted to tell the story of what he bought with his winning, but I can't remember. He doesn't remember either since after all, he was only 6 years old at the time.

So what have I learned from this? That's easy. WRITE IT DOWN! I've always heard scrapbookers talk about having a journal, and recording the details of an event shortly after it happened so that it will be easier to recall later, but I never really 'got on board' with this idea. This project proves however that I must. The details are slipping away far too easily.

As a side note, I also want to share a close-up of the snowflake and tags on the left hand page. I just love how this turned out! The snowflake is a Cuttlebug die and the tags were bare chipboard by CTMH that I inked to match the paper.

So as you read this....send good vibes my way that the journaling can finally leave the pen and be set to paper - sooner rather than later. I so want to get this page in the album where it belongs.

Scrapbook and Share

So here's something interesting....Close To My Heart has launched a new site www.scrapbookandshare.com/ to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month (May) AND this site is the home for the totally exciting Scrapbook and Share Contest.

Now you can check out the site yourself to get all the contest details and the official rules and regs, but the gist of it is the contest is open to everyone, you can enter as many times as you like, and you can use WHATEVER products you like (they do not have to be CTMH). The only stipulation is that entries must be a 2-page layouts featuring YOU!

We all need an excuse to put more of ourselves in our scrapbooks so this is a great opportunity. 5 winners will be chosen (one in each of the 5 contest categories) and each winner will receive $150 US retail in their choice CTMH products.

To enter, you need simply create your layout, and email a picture to [email protected]. Your contest entry will be posted on the Scrapbook and Share site for others to view (that's the sharing part!). On or about June 9, CTMH will select finalists in each of the 5 categories and then leave it up to readers to VOTE for the winner.

I for one think this is way cool, and encourage everyone to enter! I can't wait to see what you all come up with.

Redecorating

Call it 'Spring Cleaning' if you like, but I figured it was time to redecorate. It's funny. For the longest time, I wanted my page to look simple, but recently when I've logged in, I've thought it was almost too simple. Boring really. So today -- things are different. I grabbed this free background script from thecutestblogontheblock.com , and I just love it ---but there were so many to choose from, it was really really tough! Perhaps one day I'll try my digital hand at creating something custom, but for now, I'll go with this. I plan to do a bit of work to some of the items in my sidebar too, but give me a day or two to make that happen. So watch for more changes coming soon.

Scrapbook Share

Lucky me.....I grabbed a bit of time on Friday to scrapbook (Geesh it's been a long time since I did that!!) I'm not sure why, but I decided to finally work with pics from a couple of years back - the listing pictures from when we sold our house. I have tried a few times to do something with them, but until this weekend nothing ever came together. I really really wanted to keep this layout simple and let the photos and journalling speak for themselves, but the photo makes it look almost too flat I think. You'll have to trust me that it's not quite so bland in person since the word 'home' is chipboard (brayered in Parchment ink) and Barn Red background cardstock is textured. The challenge I had was the number of photos - since I wanted to use most of them, and I couldn't do a lot of cropping. In the end, I wound up printing the majority of pics wallet sized, and came up with this layout:

Linkworthy: Dry Emboss with a Crop-A-Dile

You know it's amazing what you can find on the web when you're not looking for it. I was surfing for something entirely different this evening and found this great tutorial from Sue Madex on a site called Aussie Scrapbooking. How To Dry Emboss With a Crop-A-Dile. Who knew? Maybe it's just me but I've owned this tool for eons, and never knew it had this kind of functionality! I've only ever used it to punch holes, set eyelets and grommets. Go figure! Thanks Sue for the great tip!

April 30: Emporium Scrapbook Workshop

It's been a LONG time since I hosted a workshop (or did any scrapbooking for that matter), but I just love these Emporium papers by CTMH so I couldn't resist!

{Photo (c) CTMH}

Join me on April 30, to create this beautiful 2-page scrapbook layout using Close To My Heart's Emporium paper packet and leave with enough supplies left over to create 2-3 additional projects at home! Registration Deadline: April 15 (with full payment) You have 3 choices for Registration: BASIC Kit: Includes all materials required to complete your pages as shown plus enough supplies left over for 2-3 additional projects. (I'll even give you some project suggestions!) Cost of Basic Kit Registration is $36.50. With your basic kit you will receive.

• CTMH Emporium paper pack
• CTMH Emporium My Stickease stickers
• Pewter Designer Brads
• 41" Ric Rac
• Workshop Guide

BETTER kit: Includes all of the materials in the Basic Kit, plus the CTMH 'My Connections' acrylic stamp set. Cost of Better Kit Registration is $72.25 BEST kit: Includes all of the materials in the Basic & Better workshop kits, PLUS 20 yards Colonial White 3/8" grosgrain ribbon and one package CTMH Foundry Frames. (see photo area for product pics). Cost of Better Kit Registration is $91.00 With all three options, you are paying only for the product you are receiving and participation in the workshop is free. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or require clarification on the details. Space is limited (and already filling up) so act fast to ensure you get a seat.