Just lost in the playing...

I received a BIA for Christmas and since I had to try it I decided I would put together a small book and use it for "practicing" my stamping. You know a book to play with, lol!
I played with backgrounds mostly so the foreground is just there... Made a lot of mistakes and learned tonz...still learning.
It has been fun, and I've been lost in the playing...
Thanks for stopping by,
~Jill

Lovin my Cricut!!

So, I did some playing... what can I say, I am loving all the wonderful things I can do with my Cricut. I'm still extremly slow, I don't remember what images are on what cartridge so I spend alot of time looking but I think that's how I'm going to get to know my library of images.
I am soooo far behind in my scrapbooking of 12X12 layouts, but I'm also enjoying the world of swapping mini's so a compromise has been reached. I do what I can!!! I gain alot of enjoyment by going thru the process I've met alot of really sweet people that amaze me almost everyday, oh, & I laugh, alot!

This was a lazy drive between Scottsdale and Flagstaff by way of Oak Creek and Sedona, Az in 2008 (I told you I am behind!)

There is nothing like a "Ski-Shot" among friends...lmao!!


There is a ning group online that work at "finish it friday" and even though I don't want to pressure myself with my craft I do get alot more accomplished with a deadline. So I'm making some goals and setting some deadlines.
First, I'm finishing the mini I'm working on for the February mini swap at TWS, then on to the next thing.
Thanks for stopping by,
~Jill

Making More out of what you already own...

DOLLAR ALERT!!!

In todays economic times us crafters are always looking for ways to get more out of what we already have. Re-purpose, if you will.
Yesterday while at Michaels I found the "new" Prima flowers that are being featured ALL OVER You Tube. The first thing that I noticed was that they are basically the same flowers that I already own!! A few adjustments and I think we could recreate these little beauties at home!

Now, I do not own any of the "stammons" (?), but I did see them in the baking section as well as the bridal section of Michaels yesterday. However, I do own a 1 oz container of "Diamond Dust" that is still 2/3 full even after the craze of a couple of years ago.


I hope you all take a moment to "rethink", what wonderfully clever item do I have hiding in my craft space?? Dig it out and lets play ♥

Thanks for stopping by,
~Jill

This is a mini that I created in January for a neighbor of my dd who had a baby shower for her gf. The baby is a boy (obviously) and she wanted to accumulate "words of wisdom" for the momma to be. With the holidays and having Emma for a week then I got so sick to be honest with you I had totally forgot about me commiting to complete this mini... Well, when dd called to remind me I rushed to get it out the door -- funny thing was that I was just as happy with this as any other I have created. I'm enjoying exploring new styles and techniques.

I have joined the February swap with The ScrapBeach and have until the 25th of Feb. to ship a valentine mini to Greece. I am excited, I am going to try a new envelope pocket style that I have learned from Laura at the Paper Trail.

Have a fun weekend (oh, don't forget the monthly virtual crop is this weekend at the Beach) ~~
Thanks for stopping by,
~Jill

This is what I've been up to...

A $.99 Clearance tray from Michael's -


This was made by putting on a base layer of gesso, adhering paper (Paris Nights collection by G.C.D. Studios) with Scotch Quick-dry adhesive. Then trimmed the edges with Ranger Dabber Espresso. For the final "extra-touch", spray, spray, spray with homemade Perfect Pearl Spray made with Distress Dye Vintage Photo re-inker and gold & pearl Perfect Pearls.
This was inspired by Weezie from The {scrap} beach, she shared that she uses a tray to accumulate items for a current project, or to open a "kit" from the mail. I liked this idea because as we all know, life frequently gets in the way, sometimes we have to walk away from something for a moment, or a month, and by using a "special" tray I'm always assured to come back to what I left. Thanks Weezie!

I've been having some fun working on pictures from a road trip that DH and I took in the fall of 2008. More of those later...
Thanks for stopping by,
~Jill

I am going to get better...

Well, I'm not sure where January went but it's gone. I could get corny here and quote lines from cheesy songs but I won't bother...you all get it, it's over.

February is going to be a better month for me in a lot of ways. Personally, emotionally, health, and spiritual. It will be a good month.

Valentines, will be the anniversary of the day that I met my DH on a dance floor in a bar, 28 years ago. Who would have thunk that 28 years and 26+ years of marriage later were still at it. (J/K) But, it has been a roller coaster, my stomach still flutters when we get to the top of a hill. Much to my children's embarrassment.

I did make a video last weekend of my creative space for a friend on the beach and I'm going to try to link it here.


Thanks for stopping by, and happy scrappin.
~Jill