Monday, October 31, 2011

The continuation of my Swapping Addiction: Toilet Paper (TP) Mini Albums

You may not be able to tell yet, but I am addicted to swapping.  After the stockings I created, I decided to join more swaps, and more swaps, and more swaps.  This next share, came from an online forum community I like to hang out at - Scrapjazz.  I have been here for years, I feels like almost an eternity really (and not in a bad way).  Anyway, one of the awesome ladies over there, decided to organize a TP mini album swap (Thankyou Lindsay such a great idea!).  I didn't really have a use for a TP mini album, but the idea sounded like so much fun, that I just could not resist!  We were matched with partners, and all of them had the same theme "Favorite Things" - each album was different as they were based on the preferences of the partner - My partner was Lindsay.  She likes the colors Black and Pink - and this is what I came up with:








The nice part of this project: EVERYTHING was from my stash and scraps - seriously, I did not have to crack a single piece of brand new unused paper or other supplies.  If you have lots of scrap paper you want to use up, I suggest making TP mini albums.  Not to mention that you get to repurpose those TP rolls that you just through away.  Seriously, I'm pretty sure I am hooked on this whole swapping thing.  It is a Blast.  And to give a little shout out to my partner (Virginia) who sent me mine (which I LOVE) here are some more beautiful TP mini album pictures:




 I am in LOVE with that handmade flower, it's gorgeous! and Pretty!
 Isn't that Owl just the cutest?  I love it!


 Love those tags!  They all look the same, and they ALL look perfect.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

My Very First Swap

Hello ladies,

I am here to share my experience with you of my first swap.  I realize that some of you may be pros at Swaps, and some of you may be wondering what I am talking about (like I was).  And some may even think "swaps aren't for me" which is what I thought!  But I'm pretty sure that I am hooked!  It's a great way to meet other crafters from everywhere really, and find uses for all those fun little paper crafty things you want to do but don't because you aren't sure if is useful or not!  Well the swaps make it useful!  I go turned onto swapping by a good friend of mine, Nichole - who is a very very very talented Stampin Up! demo, her work is just beautiful and I always admire the things she makes especially for swaps.  Every time we get together, I am excited to see what she it working on.  So I decided I wanted to try swapping, because really, anything she does it awesome and try worth in my book.  This decision lead to these:

Supplies: DCWV Holiday Collection The Christmas Stack, GCD Animal Fanatic, Bazzill (Paper); Stampin Up! (Ink), Spellbinders (Label); Simplicity Halloween Trim (Fur Top); Stampin Up! Tags Til Christmas (Stamp)
I have been dying to make these forever really, I love them and have had a similar idea for ages, but simply did not want to go through the trouble of designing it myself.  The template was created by Claire Brennan and can be found here.  Because I was lazy, I converted it to an SVG file to cut with my Cricut and Sure Cuts a Lot - took a little more work, but a lot less by hand cutting! And here is the inside

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Scrappy Area



As some of you know, the past few months have been months on transition and stalled transition.  A move from our little home, to my mothers, to California all within a 4 month frame.  I can honestly say that my little bit of scrappy heaven space has suffered greatly. I've gone to my own room, to an unused room, and a shared space.  This particular photo was taken mid crafting between projects.  It's not ideal, but it is still a crafty and creative space.  The best part.... that bookcase.  I'll be honest, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the expedit cubbie bookcase.  It's got some nice design elements, but I can put all my stuff into boxes and straight into the cubbies creating a streamlined clean look.  Heaven.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Major Life Changes

That's Right.  I've started school again, and with that has come some mixed emotions and feelings.  It's been nice to have a year off.  Scrapping every day, seeing my man everyday, being unstructured and unscheduled.  But, not all things last forever, and back to structure, separation, limited time.  I'll be honest, I prefer this way of life much more.... if I only had more time for scrappy fun and paper play.  I know.... It's not like I'm good at keeping up on posting anyway.  But, I do want to be.  Really.  But, Time. Is. Limited.  Very Limited.  I have been giving this much thought, and although I fall asleep at my books regularly, and often have candy and redbull by my side for instant energy.... I still want scrappy and paper play to be part of my regular life.  And I love sharing with you all, even if I do not do it very much.  Sharing my creations with others and getting ideas from others for new creations, bring me joy, and my small and growing family joy.  It's good times all around.  So, I did what I am good at.  Research.  Lots of it.  And More of It.  And my conclusion:

It is possible to have both an active craft life and an over active academic life.  Hopefully, I have found a system that will work for me.  The solution.  Scheduled Posts.  Oh. My. Goodness.  This will change my life.  Stay tuned for more!.