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).

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...

my first mother's day weekend...

Nothing special happened.

And I really mean that - nothing happened.

Went to church.
Had breakfast with the family.
Got a gift certificate to take Jonah to the Picture People from my sister.
Nothing from Carl.
No card.
No present.
Nothing.

Don't be surprised.
He's like that when it comes to special days - my birthday, anniversary, Christmas, and now Mother's Day...

And he made me cry.
Because it made me sad.

I told him I can't even scrap about Mother's Day.

He asked why not.

I said, What do I have to scrap about?

It pretty much sucked.

*sigh*

Here's a layout...


supplies: cardstock: Bazzill; cardstock swirl, ribbon: Cosmo Cricket; photo corners, chipboard heart: Heidi Swapp; die cut letters ("big"): Basic Grey; mini-brads: American Crafts

Hope all of you other mothers had a better mother's day than I did.

happy friday!

I had been working on this layout for the past few days, trying to steal time when Jonah naps.

I think it's super cute. And I'm really starting to love my Cricut. :) Now I want every single cartridge out there... *lol*

For Cricut owners out there - which cartridge is your favorite? I'm curious. I'm looking to invest in one or 2 more - maybe I can convince the hubby to get me a few for Mother's Day!

supplies: cardstock: Bazzill; patterned paper: American Crafts, Scenic Route Paper Co.; chipboard "thickers", pen: American Crafts; other: Coluzzle, Cricut (for the die cut lettering "shades").

Have a wonderful friday! :)

yay! goals met for the month!

It's not even mid-month yet and I've already met my 5/5 goal... I might consider upping the goal number, but I don't want to get ahead of myself. Who knows? When I go back to work in July, I might have a hard time keeping up with 5/5... So I'll leave it the way it is.

I did pretty good using some of my tools... I used my Cricut (finally!) and I even used my Sizzix to emboss with my new Cuttlebug embossing folder... Guess I don't need a Cuttlebug after all! :)

This is actually a 6x6 layout and I gave doodling a try. Eek. I don't like it. I'm just not good at it. You probably won't see any future LOs with my doodling anytime in the near future. *lol*

supplies: cardstock: Bazzill; patterned paper: KI Memories (I think); stamp: 7gypsies; letter stickers, foam corner, pen, brads: American Crafts; other: stamping ink.

I made these 2 cards for my mom and MIL for Mother's Day... Feels so good to use tools that I rarely ever use! *lol*

supplies: cardstock: Bazzill; patterned paper: KI Memories, American Crafts, Scenic Route Paper Co., Creative Imaginations; silk flowers: Bazzill; die cut letters: Cricut; other: mini brads

And this is a card for my good friend at work. Her birthday is this Saturday... I have to figure out if I'm going to her party or not!

supplies: cardstock: Bazzill; patterned paper, rub-on: Making Memories; silk flower: Bazzill, chipboard letter, brad: American Crafts

Yay!

yay!

I eeked out one more for the weekend... Kind of had a busy weekend with Jonah not taking his naps when he's supposed to and us going to church today - it wore us all out waking up so early in the morning!

Excuse the funkiness of the flower of the scan... Too lazy to fix it! *lol*

supplies: cardstock: Bazzill; patterned paper: Scenic Route Co.; letter stickers, pen: American Crafts; silk flower, circle bling: Heidi Swapp; ink: ColorBox; other: Making Memories tag maker (yes, I used it! :)

digital getdown.

*lol* that was the title of an old 'NSYNC song I loved. Ahh... the good old days when I was young and a teenybopper. :)

I had the urge to work on something digital today so here's what I came up with. Again, I'm still learning so the concept is pretty simple. I'm almost starting to get the hang of it though!

While I still love paper scrapping, digital is pretty cool because 1) less mess, 2) all of my supplies are in one place (the computer!), 3) it looks cleaner to me for some reason.

Maybe I'll add to my scrapping challenge 1 digital layout a month... It kind of pushes me beyond my limits - which I really like. :)

supplies: software program: Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0; all digital elements dowloaded from the "Echoes of Asia" digital kit from Creating Keepsakes (designed by Jessica Sprague); font: Susie's Hand (downloaded from www.momscorner4kids.com)

i'm a terrible mom...

Someday, I hope Jonah will forgive me for scrapbooking every moment of his life - the good, the bad, and the ugly!

Though, this picture does give me and my hubby a giggle every once in a while...

We just love him to pieces! Even when he's angry, he's just so CUTE! :)

Happy Saturday!

supplies: cardstock: Bazzill (kraft and 6x12 white scalloped); patterned paper: Flair, Creative Imaginations (graph paper); B is for boy sticker: Soft Spoken by Me and My Big Ideas; "Oh Baby!" license plate: Sticker Studio; ribbon: EK Success; tab punch: McGill; pen: American Crafts

a card...and a layout! :)

I got pretty lucky today... Jonah slept for quite a bit for his nap this AM and I was able to get some creative time in... :)
supplies: patterned paper: Autumn Leaves, Creative Imaginations; cardstock: Bazzill; stamp: 7gypsies; circle punch, circle template: EK Success, Coluzzle; chipboard letter: Lil Davis Designs; paper frills: Doodlebug Designs

supplies: patterned paper: Chatterbox (flowers), unknown (dotted); cardstock: Bazzill; plastic flowers: American Crafts; rub-on: Making Memories; other: mini brads

I had a great time creating these... There's really something relieving about getting work done and keeping up with my scrapping goals. Hopefully I keep the momentum going!

Happy Friday everyone! :)

awesome...

it's my new favorite word of the moment. *lol*

I got a page done yesterday while running back and forth from tending to Jonah and jumping to my scrapbook room... It's not too fancy... I kind of slapped everything together, but it's cute and I like it.

It forced me to use that paper slab of Magnolia/Wild Asparagus from My Mind's Eye that I picked up at Costco last week. :)

supplies: cardstock: unknown (I've had it lying in my stash of supplies since 2002!); patterned paper: either Magnolia or Wild Asparagus (I threw away the reference), Creative Imaginations; letter stickers, pen: American Crafts; flower border: Doodlebug Designs (one of my favorite things right now!); button: MOD by Autumn Leaves; other: silk flower

layout #2 of 5 - DONE! :)

supplies: cardstock: Bazzil, Amercian Crafts; patterned paper, number stickers, journaling pen, ribbon: American Crafts; silk flower, rhinestone: Prima; journaling tag: 7gypsies.

I guess I have to give myself a round of applause for getting a second layout done this week. It's pretty hard to find the time with a newborn in the house. I feel like I'm not entertaining him enough when I steal time away to work on a layout or some cards... I try to steal the time when he's asleep, but he usually falls asleep in his swing and the swing is in another room from my supplies. So instead, I just have to keep running back and forth... This layout took me a few days to complete. I'm pretty happy with what I did. :)

And I don't know why the scan always cuts the bottom. Grrr.

I also got 3 cards done today - go me! :)

I'm really fond of using the scraps I have... especially from recently completed layouts...



cardstock: Prism; patterned paper: Scenic Route Paper Co.; chipboard letter: Pressed Petals; acrylic stamp: Heidi Swapp









cardstock: Bazzil; patterned paper, ribbon, yellow cardstock: American Crafts; rub-on: Making Memories
















cardstock, patterned paper: KI Memories; buttons: MOD; rub-on: Making Memories

I have an awesome husband.

Despite how tired he may be, he still encourages me to to get out of the house to "take a break" (AKA scrapbook supply shopping) or go and scrap for a while because he knows how important it is to me... He totally rocks. :)

So I came up with a second layout for the day (go me)... It's 12x12 layout even though it doesn't look that way... I've had this picture on my computer, just dying to be a part of a layout. Not too creative, but I'm happy with the outcome...

supplies: cardstock: Bazzill; patterned paper: KI Memories; journaling stamp: Autumn Leaves; tab template: Coluzzle; journaling pen, felt flowers, rub-ons: American Crafts; date stamp, mini brads: Making Memories

2nd layout of the week...

Wow. Go me. 2 layouts in one week! That was really difficult considering Carl worked the past few nights and left me alone with the baby...

Thankfully, Jonah was really good last night and slept 2 4-hour stretches... AND he's sleeping right now as I type this. Hopefully, this doesn't mess with his sleep cycle tonight. Maybe I should wake him up after I post this...

Anyway, here is my masterpiece. Actually, it took me a couple of days to finish it - I couldn't find the lettering I wanted... or I couldn't find the "right" something for it. I know. I'm too much of a perfectionist. Blame it on my Virgo side. I'm terrible and I get fixated on these things.

But I'm proud of it... And I even brought back the old school metal accents from Making Memories. Remember those?

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: SEI, Creative Imaginations, (on the tag - unknown); rub-ons, acrylic paint, foam stamp, metal accents: Making Memories; tag design: I made it courtesy of a make and take at Picture Me Perfect; pen: American Crafts

i scrapped!

Whew! And that wore me out! *lol*

I have to revise my previous challenge to myself of scrapping that photo of me and Carl (see 3rd post below)... I thought I had that picture handy, but amidst all the chaos of this office/scrapbook room, it is nowhere to be found... And it wasn't taken by our camera so I don't have the original on file...

However, I still had to stick to my word and scrapbook one layout by Wednesday and here it is...

Aren't you proud of me?

This picture has been sitting in a pile on my desk forever and it was about time I did something with it... I was particularly proud that I used whatever I had on hand... And I brought back those letter beads for jewelry making back from the ol' school.

Holla at yo' girl. :)

Yay! One layout for the month of March completed!

supplies: cardstock: Bazzill; patterned paper: Scenic Route Paper Co.; metal accents: Marcella by Kay; felt flowers, journaling pen: American Crafts; rub-on monogram: Second Avenue; other: letter jewelry beads, embossing tape

goals - revised.

I got to hang out with my best friend Corinne today. She and I have been best friends through college and we both share the same passion for the scrapbooking and cardmaking hobby... Unfortunately for the both of us, we also share the same passion for scrapbook supply shopping, buying, and hoarding. *lol*

I told her about my goals... and we're going in on this challenge together. Hopefully this will get us motivated to do more layouts and save our money!

The Rules:

1. Instead of my previous goal of 5 layouts and 10 cards per month, Corinne and I agreed to 5 layouts and 5 cards per month.
2. If we complete a layout, we put $5 in a jar (not a collective jar. Each jar will be respective to the other person.) At the end of the month we can spend this money on supplies.
3. We are allowed to buy adhesive in unlimited quantity. (Hey, it's something we need to complete layouts, right?)
   
4. If someone is on vacation and going out of town, she is exempt from completing 1 layout and 1 card... Example: If I go out of town for a week, I only have to do 4 layouts and 4 cards. If gone for 2 weeks, subtract 2 cards and 2 layouts... and so on.
5. If we do more than 5 layouts and 5 cards in a month, the number doesn't carry over into the following month. Example: If I do 7 layouts, I can't credit myself 2 layouts to the following month.
6. Our challenge begins on April 1st, 2007.

I think those are all of the rules we came up with... If I remember any more, I'll post them here!

goals.

Goals are good right? They give us something to strive to achieve... They give us purpose... They motivate us to try to reach a little bit more outside ourselves...

So maybe this blog will help me do all of the above...

Achieveable goals?

• Limit the scrapbook shopping. I am an impulsive shopper. And you know how some people are comfort eaters? Those people who, when having a bad day, tend to turn to food to comfor them? Yeah, well, I don't seek comfort in food. I seek comfort in spending money on scrapbook stuff... How much money have I spent on supplies these last few months? How much have I actually scrapped?
• 5 pages, 10 cards per month. I've got tons of stuff - old stuff. new stuff. duplicate stuff. It's almost becoming ridiculous. And since moving Carl's office into my scrabook room, there has been less and less room for my stuff and the new stuff that I keep adding to the already growing collection. So, in order to get rid of the stuff I have without having a garage sale (like, I'd even SELL anything. If I go through my stash, I can picture myself saying, "I'd use that someday. I can't throw it out..."), I've decided to set a goal of getting stuff DONE. This goal will begin April 1st.

Longterm goal?

• Get published. *sigh* Every scrapbooker's dream, right? But instead of looking at magazines and telling myself each time, "I'm not worthy," my goal is to PUSH myself - think outside the box, try a new techique, find my own style... I may not get published soon, but it will happen someday. At least I hope. :)

So there you have it... in plain black and white. No excuses. This blog will help me get better - photograph better, journal better, design better...

We'll see how it goes. I'll keep you updated.