One More Day...

In my last post I wrote about The Challenge from my hubby.  Over this past weekend I decided to officially start on July 1. This gives me four months to scrap from Summer 2010 to somewhere within 2014.  Four years worth of pictures (we take lots and lots of pictures of our girls and the fur-babies) in four months. Easy peasy. *gulp*

I spent all day Saturday organizing the photos I already have printed and then uploading pictures from our back up drive to our computer and then to Snapfish. We had a computer crash last year so we lost everything from our computer.  Luckily we have the back-up drive for that very reason.  We only permanently lost a few things...like our (get ready for the "B" word) budget.  That's okay though, I didn't like it anyway.  ;)  And my hubby got the opportunity to build a new one with all new graphs and colors.

Snapfish has a 4x6 print deal going on right now.  It expires July1, though, so you need to hurry.  So here is the deal and the codes you need to enter at checkout:

100 prints for $10 - FDP100

300 prints for $29 - FDP300

500 prints for $45 - FDP500

This is for their 4x6 prints only and includes shipping.  This is a good deal.  If you have photos you need to have printed before embarking on your own scrappy challenge, now is a good time to get started.

Today I am going to go through my embellishments and see what I have that will work with the photos I have waiting to be scrapped as well as all of the new ones that I have already been notified are on the way (have I mentioned that Snapfish is fast?).

Here is a quick photo of the drawer where I keep my most current photos I'm working on.  I have a few sticker packs already tucked in with the photos so when I get to that set of photos, I already have the embellishments at hand and don't have to search for them.

The other photo is of one of my embellishment drawers. I need to get that spot straightened out so I know what I have!

Happy Scrapping!

Diane

Challenges

Last week we took a nice vacation along the East Coast.  We were lucky enough to meet up with some good Army friends.  It is always good to see our Army family.

Anyway, while we were on our travels, we were remembering previous vacations and I commented that a certain trip that we had taken was not in the scrapbook yet. It drives hubby crazy that I am so far behind (only four years!) in my scrapbooking.  To be honest, it drives me crazy too but I tend to let other projects get in the way.  This conversation led to The Challenge.  Hubby challenged me to get caught up on our scrapbooks by November 1 (so they are complete before the holidays).  This year.  *sigh* The deal is that I have to be caught up to at least the current year - 2014.

Four years.
Hundreds of pictures. (Possibly thousands...no kidding, we take a lot of pictures of our kids and puppies!)
I can do this... I think.

I need to print this saying out, frame it and keep in my scrappy space and look at it often.

Speaking of my scrappy space, it is now rearranged and a bit more organized so I can access what I need easily.

I have to spend a few days organizing my photos and memorabilia.  I also have to upload and print tons and tons of photos.  I will be keeping my eye out for good deals from Snapfish.  They usually run some good deals during the summer.  I will post any I find.

I hope these posts encourage others to work on their scrappy catch-up too.  As I come across good ideas, or tools that will help in this challenge, I will post them.  Pinterest will be my good friend through this process. My scrappy idea books will get a workout too.  I have already pulled out my favorite book Fast Scrapbooking with 4x6 Photos and marked the ideas I like most so far.  This is a great book because the layouts are fairly simple and they do not require crazy sizes for the photos.  I can also look up ideas by the number of photos I have for a certain event.

So, how about you?  Will you take The Challenge?  Leave a comment and let me know.  I would love to have some company on this!

Happy Scrapping!

Diane

New Dog Toy

I completely blame Pinterest for this one.  One day, while completely wasting time in the time-suck called Pinterest, I came across something about making dog toys using old t-shirts.  I thought it was an interesting idea but moved on to something else.  Probably a recipe for something completely wonderful I might never make or something made of pallets that I know for certain I won't ever create.

Recently while cleaning out the house for a neighborhood yard sale, I came across an old flannel-ish nightgown of mine I don't wear anymore.  It wasn't really in any shape to be sent to Goodwill so I set it aside because I hate just throwing clothes in the trash.  Then I remembered the dog toy I saw from recycled t-shirts!!  Problem solved.

Yesterday I finally decided to make this thing.  I cut the nightgown into nine strips. I separated them into three sets of three and, after tying all of them in a knot at the top, braided the sets together.  Once I was close to the end, I finished it off with a second knot.  It came out pretty well, I thought.  Today, I made another knot in the center since my pups seem to like an extra knot to hold it by.

I also cut the long sleeves off the nightgown, made a knot in the center of each and that was that!  Kind of like you do with old socks before giving them to the dog.  The best part was no sewing!!  I do not sew.  I tried it once or twice and discovered my craftiness does not extend to sewing.  I also didn't have to cut anything straight.  I just cut strips and it didn't matter if they were even or not.  The doggies certainly don't care.

I have to say this was one of the craziest crafty things I ever made.  I was actually pretty happy with how the new toys turned out.  Most importantly, the puppies like them too!

Happy Crafting!

Diane

Froggy Birthday Card

I recently discovered a fantastic website called DoodlePantry.  I am new to the whole digi stamp thing so I am still learning about sizing them and working with the images.  What I love about the images on this site (besides the fact that they are completely adorable images) is that they have the images colored or uncolored.  One of my goals for this year is to learn how to use my new Spectrum Noir alcohol ink markers for coloring images as well as to pull out my Prismacolor pencils and start coloring images again.  I like having something else to do when I watch TV so coloring would accomplish that multi-task well.  They have some images that are completely free, some that are free with purchase, and some to purchase.  

Anyway, I needed to add some cards for my stash as well as add more cards to my Operation Write Home box.  I downloaded this fun froggy image from DoodlePantry and chose to use the pre-colored design to make some quick cards. 

I used some of my green Stampin' Up! card stock that I had on hand and my polka-dot Cuttlebug embossing folder to add a bit of dimension to the background.  The "Hoppy Birthday!" stamp is from My Pink Stamper.  I don't think her stamps are available anymore, but, if you can still get them, I recommend them.  They are decent quality and the sayings are very cute.  They were made mostly to be used with cards, so the sizes are perfect.

I think the next time I make this type, I will use a cute corner punch to help eliminate some of the white space from the image layer and add some dimension as well.

I am working on some other cards with images from Doodle Pantry and a few other fun projects too.  I can't wait to share them with you.

Happy Crafting!

Diane

Oh the Cute!!

This has been a busy week so I wanted to just write a quick post and share a bit of cuteness with you.  This bundle of cute is our six month old Yellow Lab puppy, Wrigley.  He is named after Wrigley Field.  We already had Bear (our 8-year old Lab whose full name is Cubby Bear), so named for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears.  

I was actually lucky to be able to take these pictures of him.  Usually Wrigley pictures turn out blurry because he is always moving.  

The other night I was watching a movie, Night at the Museum (don't judge, its a cute movie!), and fussy cutting some images for cards I want to make for Operation Write Home.  Wrigley decided to join me on the bed and watch the movie with me.  I don't think I have ever had a dog actually watch TV before but Wrigley does it all the time.  He is such a silly puppy.

After a few seconds of watching, he looked over at me to make sure I saw what a complete bundle of cuteness he really is.  Little devil.

Have a great day!

Diane

Play Ball!

Today marks the start of the 100th season of baseball at my favorite hometown field Chicago's Wrigley Field.  While I am not a huge sports fan, I do like to watch live baseball games. I cannot watch them on TV...too boring to listen to the announcers talk.  There is something that makes a live baseball game magical, in my opinion.

I think I have always been a Cubs fan.  I can remember my Grandma turning on a Cubs game from time to time when I was a kid.  I recall walking in the house from playing outside and hearing the iconic Harry Caray talking.  Not a voice any Chicago native from that era is likely to forget.

My brother, however, is a White Sox fan.  Not sure how that happened, since we both grew up in the same house on the Northwest side of Chicago, but it is what it is.

Hubby is a die-hard Cubs fan and was thrilled to take his dad to Arizona last year for some spring training games...and golf, I cannot forget the golf.  

Anyway, I made this sign last year for a raffle donation for a St. Baldricks event my friends hosted.  They had it at a local baseball field on the coldest and windiest night in May but it was still a great event.

Hubby loved this sign when he saw it.  I probably should have made one for him too.  Hmmm...well, I guess I should add that to my crafty to-do list.

The canvas is 12x12, from Michael s.  The baseball glove piece is a pre-painted wood piece I found at either Michael's or JoAnn's.  I designed the wording on my Cricut Gypsy and cut the letters with my Cricut Expression from a dark red glossy vinyl from my vinyl stash.  I used transfer tape to easily adhere the lettering to the cream painted canvas.  Then I just hot-glued the baseball glove to the top corner.  Voila!  Finished, easy-peasy.  My favorite type of craft project.

Today also marks the last day of Spring Break (how sad) so I should get off of here and go get some things done around the house.  I think my house exploded this week with all of the kids at home.

Happy Crafting!

Diane

Look Up when you are down

I write this post with a heavy heart after just learning of the shootings at Ft. Hood.  I pray for everyone there.

We were never stationed at Ft. Hood, but have many friends who have been there and most have said it was a great place and loved it.  

I made this sign with my Cricut and Gypsy last year.  I have one similar that I bought years and years ago that I have always loved.  It always hangs from the side of one of my baker racks in my kitchen.  That way we always see it throughout the day.  

I like the reminder to have faith when things don't look so good.   I think everyone needs that reminder from time to time.

If you are reading this, please take a moment to say a prayer for those affected by today's tragedy.

Diane