Busy, Busy!

I have actually gotten several wedding album pages done in the last couple of days! For me this is monumental, as I am usually a very slow and methodical scrapper. I guess getting most of my tax paperwork was such a relief that my creativity came flowing freely from deep down!

This was our receiving line after the wedding. I didn't have a lot of photos to work with, but made due to a least get a single page out of them. I matted all my photos with silver chrome paper, then embossed the circle mats with different folders in my Sizzix. The ribbon is velvet and the buckle was just in my stash and came from who knows where :) The butterfly is laser cut felt from Multicraft Imports and started out grey. There is a lot of silver Stickles on that guy, and also some clear and black mini rhinestones. I used the right side of the 6-9-10 sketch from Let's Scrap

For the wedding, I had super glued rhinestones on the bottom of my shoes that said "I do". For our first anniversary we stayed in the same hotel in the same room that I got ready in and we stayed in for our wedding night. Before we left for the evening, I got out my silver Sharpie and wrote "we did" on the shoes I was going to wear. The photos are taken on the same couch in the hotel even! A super fun memory for us and in my opinion, made for a great scrapbook page! This is also my entry for this month's Stack-a-holic template challenge at DCWV. I used the Bella Armoire stack.

Of course you can't be legally married without signing the ol' marriage certificate. The papers are all also Bella Armoire stack. The doves are Jolee's I believe. The white flowers (and black one peeking out from underneath) are Color Me Crazy and the two smaller are Prima. The centers are pearls and rhinestones from Making Memories. The dots around the scalloped circles are Liquid Pearls in White Opal. The inspiration for this was from a sketch I saw on Pintrest, but boy I surely strayed far from the path. 

One of my scrappy goals this year was to try some of the design elements that I see on other people's layouts that I like, but shy away from doing myself. So on this page, the mixed title was that thing.

Lot of fussy work on this page. The dress came with a small jacket, that of course didn't fit my football player shoulders. So I hung on that darn thing since before the wedding so I could use pieces of it for this page. All of the black embroidered pieces are fussy cut from that jacket. Of course the beading all fell off when I cut the pieces apart so they are all individually glued back on. As well as the loose black sequins and the tiny rhinestones inside each of them. Whew!

I also made the rose with inspiration and instruction from Heather Corbitt and her video

Coffee, Chat & Kraaft (CC&K) episode 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_aoWK2w-r4&feature=g-high-u. 

I did ink the edge, brush some Stickles on it and shoved some silver ribbon in the center for fun. :)

Papers-all stash

title - "2" is Tim Holtz, "nd" is Colorbok, "dress" is DCWV (actually Mango Frost but I painted them black and added some sparkle paint)

journal tickets - Brilliance Ink pad "Graphite black", Stampin Up! stamp and punch

Sizzix die - Decorative frames #2

harlequin mask - TCW, Colorbox chalk ink "Charcoal" and SU! ink "Illuminate"

mist - Tattered Angels "Silver Sugar"

white flowers, sequins and mini stones - stash

I used the 4-27-11 sketch from Let's Scrap

So again, I am amazed at the amount I got done this week! Tomorrow night a good friend is coming over and we are gonna have a Wine, Scrap N Chat, which I am totally looking forward to! 

Have a great night!

Cheers!

~Mindi

OH ME, OH DEAR!

August? Really? I haven't blogged since August? What a pity! I deserve a blogger flogging! I guess the good news is, I have gotten back to scrapping. Ironically, my last post was the last scrapbook page I did until a few weeks ago. That is a long time without scrapping! I was very busy and I did manage to stay out of trouble, just didn't any layouts done!

As of a few months ago I also became an administrator at Let's Scrap. A challenging position at times, but rewarding all the same.

Onto some scrapping! This layout was started shortly after I posted my last one in August. I did not get finished until the begining of December! I have to give every bit of credit where it is due for this layout. I found the idea on Pintrest and was linked to Virginia's Scrappy Place and her use of a Sketch support sketch. I really loved her layout and searched for the perfect picture to work. This photo is from our engagement photo shoot and I think it worked beautifully for this format.

 This was my first layout using a Let's Scrap sketch since August. This is the 12-5-12 sketch, using just one side. I really wanted to push myself to something new. I always admire the pages like this, with one photo, surrounded by the embellishments with a lot of "white" space. It took every muscle in my body to not put the title in the lower right hand side and spread the arrows out and run more strips, etc! It was worth the mental anguish, as the result pleased me :)

I was without printer when I was working on this layout, so no journaling or title. I guess I could have used my Cricut, but I didn't feel it was absolutely needed. The sketch is 12-12-12 from Let's Scrap. I used some of the fabric that was hanging at the wedding to make the swag on the page. Scrapbooking in its truest form. I do realize that there are 2 photos the same on the left side and that the photo of the disco ball is sideways. C'est la vie I guess. I am not one to re-do pages, so I can laugh at myself in my old age that I was dumb and didn't notice as I was printing the sheet out LOL

This is Let's Scrap sketch 9-28-11 using one side. Not the typical wedding album page, us out having a cigarette, but I love that the photographer captured Mike letting me have his jacket. A great memory for me to cherish. What a gent! 

So, last but totally my fave right now! This is the current sketch at Let's Scrap, 1-2-13. Another example of me not exactly where I am used to being, but enjoying the process. I love the "shabby chic" look, but really struggle to get it on page. This sketch and layout, really got the royal treatment. I kept adding and adding and adding! You just can't have too much bling! I have swirls and sequins and pearls and liquid pearls and even the old keys got blinged! The part of this that is the dearest to me is the "chain" that the keys are hanging from. I used leftover beads from Susie working on my dress to make it :) 

Speaking of my Susie (bestie of 16 years turned sister-in-law), she is expecting her first child! I am so very excited for her and her husband! No due date yet, but she will be finding out more on Wednesday! Wishing her all the love and comfort in the world!
~Cheers!
Mindi

One more before I take a break

So this morning I finished a layout I started yesterday.

Lots of fussy work with this one.
The large paper flowers are K&Company. I painted them black and then added black and silver stickles. The smaller fabric flowers are Celebrate it with liquid pearl centers. The butterfly is Grant Archival and the trail behind it is hand drawn with black liquid pearls. All the rub ons are Kaiser Craft. The black ribbon is stash and the Mr/Mrs ribbon is The Paper Studio. Background and tag are DCWV Bella Amoire stack. I used the RHS of the 8-4-10 sketch from Let's Scrap.

Now the real work begins for me. My web guy stopped by yesterday and I officially own my website domain name. So now I get to design my website. EEK! It seems pretty dummy proof, which is good for me! Then I get to load my items and get my Paypal account linked. A lot of work, but very excited about the end result of having my online store. Fingers crossed this all goes smoothly!
Cheers!
~Mindi

Congrats and farewell

Not farewell to my blog, or my scrapbooking, but to my position as a Design Team member at Let's Scrap. I had the honor of serving for 2 terms on this wonderful website, but there are things around here that need to be taken care of. I will apply again in the future, but right now there is only so much of me to go around. :) I tremendously enjoyed my time on the DT and the gals I worked with are all wonderful and talented ladies. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been involved in such a great group of gals.

Now, CONGRATS!!!!!! 
to the August to November 2012 Let's Scrap Design team


Misty Rushlow
Janet Gregory
Martha Sterbens
Elaine Young
Rachel Myerson
Annie Collins
Michelle Looi
Cassandra Leigh Dyson
Michelle van Wyk  
Denise van Deventer          
Judy Rakes                    
Jennifer Russell              
Kristine Ponte                  
Enikö DeLisle                    
Asmah Zainal Abidin        
Cathy van der Bruinhorst

There are some new names on this list and a few familiar ones. Enjoy the ride gals!

On another note, I was feeling a little bit of creative mojo yesterday, so I got a layout done! I used the Lets' Scrap sketch 7-27-11. I tried a few new techniques on this one. Things I have seen others do, but had never gotten around to trying it myself. I "stamped" on the bottom left with silver acrylic paint and bubble wrap and made a zipper flower. The fabric flowers are also silver (even tho they look grey in the photo) and they have rhinestone and sequin centers. I used my Storybook Cricut cart for the title.

I really had a lot of fun making this. I don't know if I was just excited to have some mojo back or what. Either way I will take it! Anytime I can feel inspired, create freely and enjoy myself is a good day to me!

Have a great night all!
Cheers!

~Mindi

I am a bad, bad blogger!!!

It is horrible that I have not been on here since April 27th!!! I have blinkies from May still! I am hoping to remedy that today. I got some cards done that I was commissioned to make and I gave up on my store website until tomorrow when I have a professional help me! (We all knew I needed professional help!)

So, to catch everyone up a bit. The store is now open and it occupies most of my time. Love it though and thrilled to be able to live my dream. I am sure once the website gets up and running I will be a lot busier! Here are a few pics I took at Grand Opening

There has already been some re-arranging done as I have obtained another paper rack and some other new displays since I have more inventory now:)

The other excitement in my life is that I am making plans to go to California to meet up with my fellow DT from Let's Scrap Cathy Van de Bruinhorst, for the Scrapbook Expo! Very exciting for a small town Montana girl and I am sure I will be overwhelmed at first. I think it won't take long for me to adjust and start shopping!

It is close to time for me to start dinner, so I must run for now!
Scrappy Hugs to all!
Cheers!
~Mindi

INSM

At Let's Scrap we don't do anything small! National Scrapbooking Day is no exception! One day is just not enough celebrating! Since we are such a huge site with so many countries from around the world represented, we are having {Inter}National Scrapbooking MONTH! Yes, that is correct!  A month of games, sketches and challenges! Join us for the fun, starting May 1, 2012!!
If you are not already a member, click here Let's Scrap so you will be ready to join in on the fun and prizes! The link below has some info on the events and some sneak peeks on what the other Design team members have up our sleeves for you!
http://letsscrap.ning.com/forum/categories/inter-national-scrapbooking-month/listForCategory



Happy Scrapping!!
Cheers!
~Mindi

Some progress

So we are making progress. There is a lot to do, but things are moving along. I have a few more pics of what is going on.

 Mike was working on this and his saw battery died. I got the call from the bank to go sign papers and when I got home he had it up! :)

 New lights, YAY!! I love them!

"my room" all cleaned out

Covering up the awesome dark blue with glow in the dark stars

Mike putting up the wall. the window is gonna be huge! I will have my main desk placed so I will be looking out the window. Nice change from the room I have now, where the window is small and almost on the ceiling. You can see my huge desk is already in the room. Much easier to build it in then try to smash it in later (yes, I know, slightly red neck, but work smarter not harder) LOL

Mike peeking from on the roof removing the old chimney

The inside chimney removal

This is what it ended up looking like. Besides that it was just a hunk sticking out of the wall, we knew it leaked from somewhere. After Mike got the brick down, he found where it had been wet, and he had to take a bunch of sheet rock.

Of course, had to thrown in an adorable AWWWWHHH for the day. This little pup loves his mommies elephant toy. He always cuddles with it!

It was raining here, now it is snowing. Not going to be a lot progress for today at least. Totally fine with me, I really do need a day to sit and relax and let my old, sore muscles heal!

Cheers!
~Mindi