must. show. restraint.

CHA just ended and it seems like everywhere I turn, there are sneak peeks and beautiful eye candy of scrapping goodies everywhere!

Must. Show. Restraint.

I'm tempted. Believe me, I really am. But I have to remember that my maternity leave is coming up and I won't be earning the same amount of $$ that we're used to. With a baby on the way, we're going to have to readjust our budget. AND, we want to move out of our little condo by the end of summer so we have a down payment to save up for.

Must. Show. Restraint.

*sigh*

Last night, the nesting bug kicked in - scrapping style. *lol* I didn't feel like cleaning the house, but I felt like organizing my craft room/office. So I worked on inventorying the stuff I have. So far, I made a list of punches that I have. Now I'm working on the stamps. That's going to take me a while since I've accumulated quite the collection.

Other stuff to inventory?
Cricut carts
Quickutz stuff
Cuttlebug stuff
Sizzix stuff
acrylic stamps

Then I want to organize the pictures I have to work on scrapping. I like the idea of this... Currently my pictures that I have to scrapbook are all scattered all over the room - drawers, boxes, envelopes, etc. I don't have an organized system for it all. But I got this idea off of Stacy Julian's Library of Memories class (I'm not taking the class. I can't justify $90!) and I liked the concept.

And then after inventorying my supplies and organizing my pictures, I want to finally purge stuff I want to get rid of. I REALLY need to do this. I was going through my punches last night and I realized that I have a TON of Paper Shapers that I don't plan on using again. But I tend to be a packrat (like my mom) and purging is going to be difficult. I tend to find a way to convince myself that I *may* use something one day. And Carl doesn't help with it either - his philosophy is that if you spent that much money on something, why should you get rid of it for less money or no money at all? *sigh*

I also want to create better storage for my acrylic stamps. I haven't found a system that works for me yet and I have tons of acrylics. I found this video a few weeks ago and really want to try out this system. Jennifer McGuire totally rocks. That's another project I want to work on...

So, as you can see, I have a lot that I want to do, but I don't know if I'll ever have enough time or energy to do it all. I tend to start projects I don't finish, but I'm determined to finish these...

Wish me luck!

me? fabulous?

So my dear gal pal Gabrielle, who has stuck by my blog even though I've been mostly M.I.A. in 2008, awarded me with this cool little award. :) Thanks girlie!

And in the spirit of the award, I am supposed to admit 5 addictions and name 5 other bloggers whom I think are just as fabulous. :)

Addictions:

1. Days off and spending them with the family. I adore my hubby and son. I'm lucky to spend so many of my days of the week with them - Just the 3 of us (soon to be 4!)

2. shoes - specifically UGG boots. I've got 3 pairs and still want a couple more. I think I call that an addiction.

3. my laptop - I'm on it way too much. But there's just something about my MacBook Pro that whispers my name - ALL the time.

4. reality TV - I'm getting better with cutting back the killing-the-braincells kind (examples: Rock of Love Bus, Real Chance of Love, etc.) but I still love me some Amazing Race, Survivor, Jon & Kate +8 (though not as much as I used to), Top Chef, and Real Housewives of Orange County. Can't wait for Making the Band 4 to start back up again!

5. scrapbooking - duh. *lol*

And now I award:

- Corinne - my BFF who hasn't blogged since last July, but I love her to death anyway.
- Jamie - she's been so supportive of me since I've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
- Ady - another gal pal who frequented my blog even though I had nothing to blog about! *lol*
- Kim - LOVE her. And she's having a girl soon too!
- Mars - she takes digital to a whole new level

It's getting late and I should head to bed! Goodnight!

layouts for the new baby...

I never completed my pregnancy with Jonah album... I don't know if I'll ever finish. But I'm determed to scrap a few pages about this Baby Girl! I don't want her growing up and feeling neglected!

supplies: cardstock: Bazzill; paterned paper, die cut letters: KI Memories; felt letters, pens: American Crafts; journaling block: Making Memories; flowers: Prima; mini brads: unknown


supplies: cardstock: Stampin' Up!, Bazzill; patterned paper: Scenic Route; pen, brads: American Crafts; letter stickers: Heidi Swapp

I made this card for a friend whose sister recently passed away. I plan on getting people from my unit to sign it and also I plan to collect money for her family. Her sister passed away before her life insurance went into effect and before she was able to make any payments (next month!). So sad. :(

supplies: cardstock: Bazzill; patterned paper: Stampin' Up! Holiday Treasures Designer Series; ribbon: Stampin' Up Rose Red 1/4" grosgrain; rubber stamp: "For A Friend" set (Stampin' Up!); scallop border punch: Stampin' Up!, scallop oval punch: Marvy Uchida

So, there you have it... I'm on a roll. :)

so awesome for our nation...

I didn't get a chance to post about this earlier... But I do have to say that I'm proud to be an American. So hopeful for the future of our country!

Stamp to Scrap 2009

I found this post over at Split Coast Stampers...

Here's how it works:

For every fifteen cards you complete, allot yourself $20 to spend on supplies. That way you're using your stash but able to shop as you go! (Adhesive is NOT included - you can buy those whenever you need to do so)

If you're a scrapbooker, every five layouts would be $20. If you're big on altering, every ten altered items would be $20.

Put it on your profile and keep it updated on how many you've done and how much you've spent. For instance:

Layouts: 17
Cards: 18
Allotted: $80.00
Spent: $45.00

You can change the amounts as needed for your own budget.

I think Corinne and I tried doing this a couple years ago but we didn't really stay too strict on our goals and we were scrapping like crazy at the time - we totally justified our spending with the fact that we were creating layouts!

But I think I'll do better with it this time... Especially since we're saving up for a house and we've got baby #2 on the way to save up for. NO FRIVOLOUS SPENDING, right?

I DO have exceptions though:
1. adhesive
2. organizational tools - I've been frantically working on cleaning up my scraproom to make it look decent. I really need shelving in there.
3. Stampin' Up! stuff - I became a demonstrator mostly for hobby since their stuff is just too cute and irresistable. BUT as a demonstrator I need to make the minimum amount in quarterly sales. And since I don't host workshops (no time!), the only person who's buying from me is me. So I am left with no choice but to buy their stuff...

AND the new 2009 Stampin' Up! Spring-Summer Idea Book and Catalog just released... 212 pages of stamps and awesome ideas! I can't wait until my shipment box comes in!

To view the catalog without purchasing it go HERE.

If you'd like me to mail you a catalog, email me at joboogie at gmail dot com. The catalogs are $9.95. I'll pay for shipping ($5) OR if you pay for shipping, I'll give you a $5 credit on your first purchase (from the 2009 Spring-Summer catalog only).

RIP Simple Scrapbooks

I guess it was a matter of time before more magazines would cease production. Simple Scrapbooks was probably one of my favorites. I subscribed since the beginning and just renewed for another year (it'll be credited to my CK subscription I guess)... I'm super sad to see it end. It was one of the few magazines that I felt truly inspired that I could actually create layouts for me, not for show.

Here's the official announcement.

So sad. :(

2 cards...

I met one of my goals that I set for 2009! I actually created 2 cards. 1 for a co-worker who I love dearly but is moving to another unit, the other for our assistant manager who is pregnant. :)

Super happy that I used what I had around... AND super happy that I actually got a chance to sit down and have some ME time. It's been a rough week...



(I used mostly Stampin' Up! stuff with this card... I'll add the supply list later...)



(again, I'll add the supply list later..)

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In other news... We're a 29 weeks along in this pregnancy and we've had our ups and downs. This week I was diagnosed with borderline gestational diabetes. And I was devastated at first, but after talking to a few people (whattup Jamie!) I know I can get through it... It's a healthier lifestyle change and it'll help not only me, but our baby girl too.

It's going to be tough - I love carbs. I love desserts and chocolate... and baking... But I have to remind myself it's only for the next 11 weeks or so...

And leave it to my husband to think of the silver lining: "Well, at least you have something to add to baby girl's scrapbook!" And yes, he's right. *lol*

Stampin Up!

A few months ago I signed on to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator... I'm mostly doing it as a hobbyist as I don't have very much time to do workshops and stuff. I love their products and their stamps are just AWESOME.

So, here's a little shameless plug about some awesome promos they have going on right now...


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Inventory Blowout

Dates: January 5-18, 2009

Promotion details:

Get retired, retiring, and current products up to 50 percent off regular price!

Items retiring from the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
109190	180	On Board 9" x 9" clipboard	$7.95	$5.99
107925	181	On Board Bitty Book	$9.95	$6.99
105384	183	Mellow Moss 6" x 6" Linen Post album	$19.95	$14.99
105381	183	Real Red 6" x 6" Linen Post album	$19.95	$14.99
103977	187	Bold Bright buttons	$6.95	$4.99
104389	188	Double Circle punch	$5.95	$4.49
114447	n/a	Country Living Holiday Collection Stampin' Kit	$49.95	$24.98

*Items available while supplies last; page numbers refer to the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog

Retired items from the Spring-Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalog:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
109013	163	Blue Bayou Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109012	163	Groovy Guava Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109011	163	Purely Pomegranate Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109010	163	River Rock Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109009	163	Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109014	163	Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109179	178	On Board Ginormous Pieces	$14.95	$10.99
109189	190	Beachfront Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$7.99
109187	190	District Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$7.99
109188	190	Fairy Tale Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$8.49
109185	190	Jersey Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$8.99
109184	190	Sherbet Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$8.99
109186	190	Theater Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$8.49
109062	191	River Rock double-stitched ribbon	$8.95	$6.49
110716	191	Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon	$7.95	$5.49

*Items available while supplies last; page numbers refer to the Spring-Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalog

Current products appearing in the upcoming Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
111349	162	Tangerine Tango 8-1/2" x 11" card stock	$5.50	$4.49
111345	162	In Color (2008-2009) 12" x 12" textured card stock	$11.95	$8.99
109110	185	Fire Circle Rhinestone brads	$10.95	$7.99
109112	185	Fire Square Rhinestone brads	$10.95	$7.99
109113	185	Ice Square Rhinestone brads	$10.95	$7.99
111325	185	Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware	$29.95	$22.49
112454	185	Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware	$29.95	$22.49
113451	n/a	20th Anniversary Embosslits die	$11.95	$9.49

*Quantities at reduced price are limited; page numbers refer to the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog

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Love You Much Promotion

Dates: December 23, 2008 - January 31, 2009

Promotion details:

Get ready for Valentine's Day with the exclusive Love You Much Bundle (item 115405). The Love You Much Bundle includes the following:

Description	Retail Value
Love You Much stamp set	$25.95
Candy Lane Designer Series paper (Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla)	$9.95
Heart To Heart punch	$15.95
Bundle Retail Value	$51.85
Love You Much Bundle (20% off; item 115405)	$41.48

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Anyway, if you'd like to place an order feel free to comment here and leave your email address... I also have a website that you can order directly from: http://joann.stampinup.net

Happy Stampin'! :)

new year. new me.

Well, not really a new me, but I do have some New Year's goals... I didn't do so well with last year's scrapping related goals, but I hope to do better with BabyGirl on the way... Cross your fingers that I can do it!

1. Use what I have. - Yes, I know. I think I say this every year. But this time I mean it. We're saving up to buy a house and we just don't have room for any more stuff.... Also, I shouldn't spend money that could be used for our savings... And with me going on maternity leave soon, our finances will be spread thin. Time to budget.

2. 1 project a week. - Kind of broad right? I can whip out a card, a layout, a mini book, etc... It's kind of a non-committal type of goal. I can do it. I know I can.

3. Post my work here. - I've been slacking in that department. I scrapped a handful of times last year, but never got a chance to scan or take pictures of my layouts for posting here. My mojo was gone, but I still was able to do stuff. I just was too lazy to share with all of you (there ARE still people out there, right? *lol*)

And there you have it... 3 goals. Almost a year's worth of time to keep up with them. I can do it. I know I can... (just don't get mad if it doesn't happen within the month BabyGirl is born. *lol*)

here are some layouts I did last year that I didn't post here...

LAME!

So, just when I think I've gotten my mojo back and I'm inspired to start scrapping again... I wanted to purchase the new CK KOTM today since it released today... I had it in my cart along with some other stuff and when I went to checkout the site was SLOW, it wouldn't accept my password and email combo when I KNOW for a fact that it's the one I've used since 2000 for their site.

It worked when I logged in to the messageboard but when I went to purchase something it didn't... So now, the kit is SOLD OUT.

Grrr... How LAME IS THAT?! Not a good way to start off the new year. Grrr... I'm hoping they'll offer it again because it was so popular... But I hate the site. Hate it. Hate it.