Wrapping Up 2012

It has been a busy year.  I love the year in review concept I have seen in so many blogs, so here goes another.

January and February 2012 - Blogging was all done on the original Scrapbooks and cows (www.scraprageous.blogspot.com) - catching up after Christmas and getting my Valentines (aka late Christmas cards) mailed out.

March - Work Out Wednesday idea listed - no takers, but glitter was tried!

April - Tried three minis.  One for a swap, learned what build a page by Kathy Orta was, and tried something I learned from Creative Cafe?  I can't remember where, but followed my notes to create this fun double type mini.  The two sections at the top are mini's that are stored in the box below.

May - I kept fairly busy and did some blogging.  I learned how to spin yarn, participated in a charger plate swap and got Scraprageous Totes off the ground!  PS - like a tote, check out http://www.scraprageous.com for more information.

June - pneumonia and Achilles issues really slowed me down (sort of).  Used the build-a-page to create a fun interactive card.

July - busy times!  A chicken tour at our place and some dear friends who came and helped get things ready since I was still in a brace.  The outdoors never would have come together and the inside wouldn't have been cleaned either without their assistance.  More work on bags - it is one thing I could do while sitting (I prefer to stand to scrap)

August - my version of a Tim Holtz tag (with step by step photos) and a rolodex class.

September - Back to school time so not too much crafting, new puppies and another ustream class.  This one on Ranger's Alcohol inks.  Also - the highlight was a Retreat in PA with some of the ladies from http://www.scrapbookingfun.biz.  We had a phenomenal time!

October - puppies are growing, building a trebuchet and pumpkin fest.  Hurricane Sandy slowed some swaps, but we decided that better late than lost!

November - Back in the swap grove, a few more mini's and completing some challenges from other blogs

December - it isn't over yet!  However, so far, mini's for Christmas gifts, a mini for me!  (yes, that happens when I decide it is too ugly to give, but all the work involved, I just can't toss.  After some minor altering (more to occur as the year goes forward), I am beginning to develop a fondness for this poor December Daily Lapbook Mini.  More contest entries (I rarely win, but have a ton of fun competing), A really challenging Giraffe Mini as a gift/custom job, and a really fun secret sister punch arrived!

At first I didn't think I had done that much.  Loosing almost 12 weeks due to injury set things off, but with the help of great friends, family jumping in and being understanding as well as helping, I can clearly see God's blessings during the year.

Wishing you and yours a Wonderful 2013!

December Daily - Now a year long binder for me

The December Daily (Paper Phenomenon's site links to instructions on you tube) is finally about finished.  You all know that I decided to keep for myself, due to some imperfections (color, mis-cuts that can't be fixed properly, but they work for me with a bit of altering) and I am happy with that decision.   The Granny's Memories album worked out beautifully for my friend (I forgot to take pics of that as well as the memory album I made for my sister and had people send memories to fill it about 1/2 way before she rec'd.  I guess she cried (joyfully) the entire way through).

Below are a few photos - I found the tags at Archivers last week and the additional paper line is from DCWV Heirloom Paper Stack.  Having a blast with this - my plan - put good memories from each week into different pockets.  There are 68 at this point.  Then I have it to look back on if I am feeling down.

I will continue to alter pages/pockets and add throughout the year.  Definitely looking forward to this.

Calling all Scrapbook Swappers.  Have you ever wanted to try out being a hostess?  Scrapbooking Fun.Biz is currently looking for a few more hostesses.  If you would like to try, register at the site and then send a PM to Scraprageous (aka me) with a few of your qualifications.  Thanks for your interest!

If I am on another board with you, feel free to ask me through that board too.

Diecuts With A View CM025-00030 Box Of Cards and Envelopes-Glittered Natural Solids (Google Affiliate Ad)

All finished

Giraffe Wedding Album - very challenging, but one of the most fun projects I have completed.

And a fun card for Secret sis - love this punch (it was a gift from my secret sis) - Used liquid pearls and distress stickles as well as some metal flower (think it is Tim Holtz - but not sure).  Some paper from Fancy Pants.  I know it is older, but I still love the Holly Jolly papers!

Giraffe Album

Just to show some photos - this is inspired from a book I found online (it went into a box and is located in an earlier post on this blog - Wizard of oz Theme) and this piece from a thrift store.

still some work to go, but getting there

A few more items

for the Hard Core Crop.  Unfortunately I ran out of adhesive, so I will be stopping until I can get some more.  I like my die cut bag and tag, but the double sided tape I found does not work as well as regular adhesive and I didn't want wet glue for this particular project.  The challenge was for a gift bag created with die cuts and can be found on the Scraps of my Life Blog HERE

This was the first time I used my sizzix snowman sizzlet die cut strip.  Had some fun with it, but thinking they would have looked much better in foam or felt, but I don't think those cut that thick.   The snowflake glue on the base of the bag isn't quite what I had hoped for either, but as this is a disposable gift bag, I will still use it :D.  

 I do like the little snowmen and the stickles add just enough to make me happy.  Of course, all the little blue snowmen and the red/white topper are cut or ripped from core'dinations!

Darice C40-AB040 Core'dinations Cardstock 12 x 12 Inch - Case of 20 (Google Affiliate Ad)

I couldn't resist making some more layered tags.  These are from Core'dinations Foundations Cardstock.  Add an Imaginesce stamp, a bit of ink and viola - quick, simple and cute.

These are some fun deco squares for a 12 days of Christmas 'swap' I am participating in.  Can you guess which day?  There are 4 calling birds!!  I know my partner likes Graphic 45, so I used some of their papers as well as more Core'dinations Foundations papers to create a wonderful gift item for her.  I hope she enjoys them (and not telling who in case she visits my blog)!  These are for the Highly Entertaining blog that can be found HERE

Found a different picture to use for this one.  Santa and the title don't quite work, but this is for the recipe challenge.  Real photo has boy/tractor and lots of snow in December.  This is for the I'm Living On Scraps! Recipe challenge - loved this! Blog link is HERE

Hard Core Holiday Crop - Long post

I have had a blast creating.  Just wishing I had seen this a bit sooner as Core'dinations cardstocks are my favorites!  Anyone who has followed this blog probably remembers snow snake layouts and many others.  This cardstock is so much fun to use - if you have time, check out the crop!  You can see the master list HERE

I am going to have links included, hopefully correctly so you can find the contest information.  Deadline to post is December 2, 2012.

I started off with a bling box.  Much as I love core'dinations, using bling and folding is always tough for me.  I like this simple little box and it will be perfect for a particular gift I have in mind.  It is not very fancy as I know many people will toss the box/bag/tag after Christmas, so most of these entries are pretty simple.  I get much more detailed with those I think may be saved.  This little box is my entry for the Craft Time and Cupcakes blog requirements.  The gemstone bling by Core'dinations is always a favorite for my projects.  It adds just the right amount of bling and best - it can run through my cricut or sizzix!  I also included a little button that adds just enough to my project.  I forgot about the tissue paper - it is just kraft colored.  You can find the link HERE

Next is a gift tag entry.  This particular project also has to ship, so keeping things pretty flat is a must.  I used core'dinations cardstock, punched some small hearts, did some sanding, added a stamp, did some ripping and viola!  A perfect tag for a particular teenage girl.  This is being submitted over at the Trine Brandt Lasson blog HERE.  This is my gift package accent for a pink and black item (in case she peeks) going to a terrific young lady living in another state.

Next I found a fun leaf challenge - The leaf was much easier to create than I suspected and Core'dinations cardstock works great to add some veining with sanding.  This gift bag uses core'dinations cardstock, a I am roses flower, and a jar label I made several years ago for sending out my Memories in a Jar gifts.  It is time for these again, so I am making some more bags!  This will be submitted at the Paintbrush goes Spottie blog located HERE

Another simple gift bag for the Living out Loud blog located HERE.  After seeing her wonderful creation, I believe I need some holiday embossing plates.  However, I still like the effects from ripping and tearing.  The to/from goes on the dark green tag with a wonderful silver Sharpie we have.

Next is a layout creating using one of my favorite techniques with core'dinations cardstock.  This is being entered on the Scrap Notions blog located HERE.  We were to use mainly coredinations paper (all the papers I used are core'dinations) and follow a sketch.  Totally loved creating this layout.  The sketch was perfect for three pictures I had with a beautiful smile.

To create the word smile, I placed chipboard letters underneath the core'dinations cardstock background and just sanded gently over the top.

 In the close-up below, you can see I didn't do quite perfect, but that is one of the things I love about this paper - when distressed, the unique characteristics yield beautiful results!

My last entry for now is for the 3D foam and a Sanding Block Blog located HERE    Create a coordinating gift tag/bag set.  Again I used the ripping technique for trees.  Add a Martha Stewart punch for the top of the bag and a stamp to the back of the inked tag (made from yet another of those neon tags I received), and I love the simple creations.

While all my entries are not complete, these few were ready, so time to post in case I can't finish all the challenges today.

Well, my 'free time' for the weekend is shot, but I definitely have some wonderful helps for wrapping and sending gifts this Christmas season!

Starting with some really fun and quick to create magnets, I created these.  I am not happy with the way the floral one turned out - definitely not what I saw, but love the candy one.  I used the Basic Grey candy embossing folder behind it and did a bit of sanding.  I will be creating more of these!  This is for entry over on the Memory Villa Blog HERE.  The bling paper and the blues are core'dinations.

Quick, 10 minute cards?  You bet.  Here is a quick one using the Tim Holtz clock embossing folder, some staples and wonderful Core'dinations cardstock. This is for the Tammy Mae Berry Challenge located HERE.  I didn't realize until the photo - the back doesn't match the front.  Guess I will be changing!

Over at the Scrap Notions Blog, her second challenge was to alter a book or notebook - re-purpose actually.  I had this pink covered little notebook that is now ready for a young man.  Blog is HERE

 Another fun one, creating layered tags can be found at the My Cluttered Corner blog HERE.  these are some of my favorites to create so I didn't stop at two!  I don't know if you can see the dimension very well in the photo, but the tags are nearly 3/8 inch thick!  These will be wonderful on packages.

 Next, some simple embossed tags.  This isn't a Christmas plate, but one from the Nifty Fifties set.  Then add the blot from a creative memories punch and the Green Core'dinations cardstock and these are perfect additions.  These are for the 2nd 3D Foam and Sanding blog HERE

 Finally, another simple card.  The blue is core'dinations cardstock, the white is a scrap.  I used a new embossing folder and some blingy ribbon.  I love the simplicity of this card.  This will be entered over at the Live, Life, Loud blog HERE

That is it for scrappy time now.  Off to check on hay deliveries and such.  Have a great one!