Cards, cards and more cards!

As many of you know I make cards, a lot of cards. I feel that scrapbooking and card making go hand in hand. I tell everyone in my classes that if you are making a layout then you can make a card to go along with it. It is so easy when you already have all of the supplies out and everything is color coordinated. Here are some cards I made with scraps left over from a couple of layouts I did. I have had a hard time with organizing my scraps over the years, but I think I finally have a system that works for me. For scraps that are smaller than 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 I keep them organized by color in a shoe box. So, whenever I make a layout I cut the scrap down to card making size and add it under the appropriate color. For scraps that are larger I have 2 drawers that I keep them separated by patterned paper or solid paper. It works for me now, but who knows what will work for me next year.

This last card I made for a student friend of mine for her birthday. It was so easy, it took me maybe 10 minutes. I hope this encourages you to make your own cards! It can be easy and so much less expensive then a $4.50 Hallmark card, plus it comes from the heart!

PS Happy Birthday, Leah!!!

Creative Process

I am often asked at classes and at Scrap-a-Doodle where and how I get my ideas for projects. I get a lot of my ideas from the internet, classes I take at CK, books, magazines, message boards and some of them from fellow bloggers, however, I need to emphasize that I ALWAYS try to add my own twist in one way or another. I don't feel proud of something I made if I copy it exactly how I see it. For example, I will follow the basic layout of a page but add my own elements and/or switch things around a little. Right now I am working on a basic Cricut and Design Studio class that is in the works. So, I wanted to show you a little bit of what my creative process is...
The class that I am working on entails a page layout with elements used with the Cricut and the new Design Studio program that connects the computer and the Cricut.
I started by looking through an Ali Edwards book and found this layout that I liked.

The things that I liked about this layout are that it includes more than one central photo and the background paper that helps your eye to focus on the subject. Here is my version...
I obviously didn't include it as two layouts and I changed the colors, I also made my photos larger and used one less than Ali did. It always amazes me how different pages can look from one person to another even when you use the same basic elements. I tell people all the time that anyone can create beautiful pages when they use something that inspires them and add their personality to the project!! And, you know what, creativity can be messy, just remember to set the atmosphere that helps you to feel creative and inspired. This is what my space looks like right now.! Note the i-pod, I always have some kind of music going on, it helps me to focus and concentrate and inspires me to try new things. I hope this inspires you to try new things and remember you can be only as great as you let yourself be!!

Snowshoeing with Mr. Knapp's class!

How do you wear out a 10 year old that seems to have more energy than the energizer bunny? Take him on a snowshoeing trip with his class to Mt. Bachelor! Marc went with Tucker and his class to Mt. Bachelor a couple of weeks ago on a snowshoeing trip to Mt. Bachelor. After school Tucker and I had a couple of errands to run, this is what he looked like after only 10 minutes in the car!Marc was pooped out too, he crashed on the couch earlier than his usual 8:30 time!! So, the moral of this story is, if you need to wear your kid out, take them on a snowshoeing trip, but beware, it may wear you out too!Tucker, Taryn, Justin & Ellyana

Habitat for Humanity

This past week some friends of ours from church dedicated their new from Habitat for Humanity. Dennis, Lisa, Jake and Samantha Fischer moved into their new home on Friday and we were there to help out and encourage! The dedication on Friday was a tear jerker!
It was neat to see how much the Fischers really appreciate what they have acomplished over the last year nad be able to call the house their home.
Congratulations, guys!