Evolution of scrapbooking - a personal story

I don't recall much fuss being made about scrap books when I was a kid. Although it's true that my mother saw most of her vacations and travels through the view finder of her camera, she stuck mainly to slides, which don't elicit much response when attached to the pages of a photo album. Even as a kid I found those family slide shows much too boring to sit through. I have to wonder why we forced those events upon family, friends and neighbors. Not only the blurry out-of-focus photos or 12millionth view of the same subject, but the monotone voice of the man or woman behind the slide machine droning on and on and on and . . .

It can only be described as extreme delight that I discovered Mom did keep a photo album of her years in college. What a happy treasure to have! It covers her college life and summers from the late 1930's to the early 1940's. Black and white photos with within white borders, adhered with photo corners to black pages with descriptions written in white. All bound in an embossed album adorned with a decal of her school, Washington State College, many years later to become Washington State University or WAZZU as we fondly like to call it.

I'm about to share pages from this album with you. I doubt I'll have a lot to comment on and I am sure they mean a lot more to me than to you. But this is not only part of my ancestry, it's part of the evolution of scrapping in my family.

The first page which appears to be an untitled title pages is an aerial view of the Washington State College campus most likely taken in the late 1930's.

College dorm mates of Steven's Hall ready for their first formal dinner. My mom is the woman in the lower left corner.

My mother always claimed to have no artistic ability but this album proves that she is more creative than she gives herself credit for. Notice the left page photos of campus scenes form a "W" for her school.

All dressed up for the "Masqued Ball." I like how Mom cut out some of the figures in this layout.

I think the use of different size photos really adds interest to this album. She was very good about labeling the photos, although I wish she had spent a little time journaling, too.

Mom was a veterinary student and I love that she has photos from her lab classes! In those days it was very unusual for a woman to study in this field.

More veterinary labs....

I really appreciate that Mom put a lot of photos of herself in her album. This is something a lot of women neglect to do! I particularly like this photo. Mom had the honor of standing up with the other woman in the picture when she married. 60 years later I drove Mom to the 60th Wedding anniversary of this same friend.

One of Mom's old flames in the upper right. I don't know who drew the little guy diving into the water but I love it!

More little sketches accent the page.

I love how she put the photos together on this page.

Mom went to school a long way from home (for those days). The couple in the upper photo are her parents (my grandparents) on Dad's Weekend in 1941. The girls in the lower photo are from the cross state rival school... you may have heard of the University of Washington Huskies...

Love the caption on this page... if you can't read it, it says.... "How the Old Maids Club amused itself on the weekends."

Sophomore year (1942) back in the animal anatomy lab.

Another one of my favorite pages.... Mom's sister and brother in law, Aunt Jean and Uncle Ernie.

I like how Mom grouped the photos of herself dressed up for the Veterinarian Hobo Dinner.

Another grouping of photos that I really like.

This page really amuses me. She captioned it, "Snow Scenes" but seems to have cut much of the snow out of the photos! LOL

Once again, I really appreciate the number of photos Mom included of herself in her album. And on this, the last page I will share with you, I love her photo montage in the upper right.

Creative Basics - Jingle

When I ordered my new toys from the CTMH Winter 2009 Idea Book I got a paper packet called Creative Basics Jingle Collection - page 30 if you want to follow along in the book... Last night I cracked open my Wishes Card Confidence program and selected the Celebrations Workshop to use this paper with. This workshop uses only 2 sheets of the background texture papers, 2 coordinating sheets of cardstock and 6 more cardstock for the 6" x 6" cards bases. With that, I can create 12 beautiful cards, two each of 6 designs.

I chose White Daisy, Juniper, Hollyhock & Tulip for my bases. Since it was pretty late in the evening all I did was cut all the papers according to the cutting guide in Wishes and organize the bases with the cut pieces. I decided to not do the same color bases for the 2nd card of each design to see how different they would look. I had time to make up three of the 12 cards. Take a peek!!

The Juniper grossgrain ribbon is included with the Creative Basics Jingle Collection papers. I tied the white craft buttons with natural hemp and sponged them with Tulip and Juniper inks.

More natural hemp (sponged with Juniper ink) knotted and attached to the card with Liquid Glass. Pretty glittery Twinkle Brads adorn the center of the snowflakes.

The Holiday Trinkets My Acrylix stamp set is what I have used for all of these cards. I really like the simplicity of this card, and distressing paper is one of my very favorite techniques!
I have nine more cards to do with this project... hurry back!!

Be still my heart!

I've got two workshops coming up in October using the new Twitterpated Workshop On The Go kit. Putting these layouts and cards together with the kit was a snap and so much fun!! The colors are soft and warm and the patterns so pretty. I think you'll like them!

First the kit... I love Love LOVE this!! Everything in the kit is full size... no skimpin' on the product! It includes a full package of Twitterpated Level 2 papers, a My Acrylix(TM) stamp set made just for this kit, a full package of Designer Ribbon Rounds(TM) Chocolate Collection ribbons, and full color instructions with a cutting guide for making the projects shown here. The full value is $35.95 but it costs only $29.95. After making these projects I still have a full half package of paper and lots of ribbons for other projects.

Next the projects...

This is the two page layout. My workshops for these classes are free after you purchase the kit. There are other fun options to choose, too, like the Dimensional Elements in Color... the little chip board buttons. Cute!!

And of course my favorite thing is always the cards. Instructions are for six cards, two of each of these. Other items used on these other than what I've already mentioned are brads, buttons and natural hemp. So pretty, right?

If you are interested in either of these workshops or just purchasing the kit (instructions included!) just let me know!

Scrap book workshop is on October 7th - sign up ends tomorrow

Cards workshop is on October 14th - sign up ends on September 30th.

Thanks for dropping in!

...and it doesn't stop there!

I needed a quick card for a friend and believe it or not, I had NONE just lying around. But wait, I just made a gaggle of new cards with the CTMH Everyday Celebration card kit, right? I grabbed an unused card base from the kit and used it as a template to cut a new card and *snap* I was in business!!

So when you purchase this kit be sure to make yourself at template from the card bases, save those instructions, and you are in business for any kind of card you need for anytime you need it. Don't be fooled into thinking you can only make those cards with the papers, stamps & embellishments included in the kit - you can make an unlimited number of cards with other stamps, papers & embellishments substituted for the kit supplies...

Now I ask... just how AWESOME is that???

My New Toys

While I have been on my mental vacation the rest of the world didn't stop and wait for me. That's okay, because it means the latest and greatest Close to my Heart Idea Book/Catalog has been released!! It's online now for you to peruse (drool over) or you can contact me personally for a hard copy that you can take anywhere. Follow this link to my Paper Boutique, click on the photo of the new Idea Book in the lower right corner - sit back and enjoy!

Along with our exciting new Idea Book coming out this month we are also celebrating National Stamping Month with our Everyday Celebration card kit. Here's what I got in my kit. It was simply amazing to open this kit and realize that the only... and I do mean ONLY... things not included were a tape runner, paper cutter and postage stamps to mail the cards. The papers are bright and beautiful, the stamp set so versatile, and all other embellishments, inks and tools are included and ready to use, including color instructions to make 16 beautiful cards!!

I had so much fun making these cards with so little fuss. I have no doubt you'll love this kit, too!! The flyer is here, Delight in the Everyday, and you can order the kit either online or contact me.

There is so much more to share, but please forgive me, I really have to get back to playing. Thanks for coming by!

Fight like a girl

It's true, I have been missing in action for more than a month. I was actually surprised to see that I have NO blogs for August what-so-ever. I'm thinking I have a lot of making up to do!!

I went to the Kentucky State Fair last month but sadly forgot to take my camera. No fair photos or layouts will be forthcoming. We saw all types of livestock and crafts and so much more that it's hard to remember.

This little card did arise from my fair experience, however. I saw the saying on a T-shirt a woman was wearing and begged my daughters to help me remember it. From that little saying, a card was born.

Of course all supplies are Close to My Heart. Thanks for stopping by!