Happy Father's Day Card

Here's the card I made for my daddy!

Help Celebrate Above Rubies Studio One Year Anniversary

Hi everybody! I am so excited to spread the news that Above Rubies Studio turns One today! Hurry on over to Above Rubies Studio and leave comments from June 10th through June 17th for a chance to win prizes.

Above Rubies Studio strives to help people who use the Provo Craft Cricut line as well as the Gypsy with tutorials and instructional DVDs, see below. She also has the latest testimonials on great products that all paper crafting fans love to use.

Sign up to receive e-mail updates from the ARS website and don't forget to download the free Cricut cutting guide for paper and other materials! I did and I use it every time I cut something with my Cricut!

Tri-Shutter Album Tutorial

I subscribe to Obsessed with Scrapbooking and they have a post today that takes you to Paper Pleasing Ideas which has a tutorial you have to check out!Tri-Shutter Album Tutorial !! - Paper Pleasing Ideas

Warehouse Sale

I grew up reading and using Dover books and they are having a huge sale.
You can use many of their books to make cutting files for your SCAL and MTC programs as well as other cutters. You could even cut out their designs and color them with your favorite markers, inks, or chalk. Enjoy!
Warehouse Sale

Remember photobooths?

Hi everybody!
The challenge this month over at If It's Groovy is to make a LO using photobooth picutes. So, go dig up those old photobooth pictures, go make new photobooth pictures, or make your own by using a website like Big Huge Labs. The challenge ends June 30th and Groovy Deb is giving away a goodie box!!!

Here's my entry as a member of the DT over at If It's Groovy:

 Don't forget to visit the If It's Groovy blog and become a follower.  Invite your friends, too!  Look for If It's Groovy on Facebook, too!
If you love the paper and embellishments, I used K&Company Berry Sweet Paper and Embellishments.

Making New Friends

I love meeting new people who scrapbook and inspire me.  Today I visited a blog by one of my new Facebook friends and I was really blown away by how talented she is.  Stop by her blog and follow her!
http://mistysscrapbookcorner.blogspot.com/

If you ever have any blogs that you think are worth sharing, let me know!  I would love to check them out and add them to my roster!!!

Happy Scrapping!
Natalie

Good deals equal happy me!

The other day I went into Michaels to buy a Xyron 510 because I had a 40% coupon.  As I was walking up and down the aisles I noticed one of their dollar bins as having small containers of flocking.
So I bought each set of 4 colors for $1 a set.  I am glad that they were in small amounts, as I don't use much on my projects, but didn't want to pay so much for huge bottles! 

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8

I am so excited, I got Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 in the mail today!  My dear Hubbs got it as the Deal of The Day on Amazon and then it has a $20 rebate which will bring it to $34.99!  I think our Costco sells it for $80!

One of the reasons I wanted APE 8 is it's ability to open AI files!  This is important when you use a die cutting program like Make the Cut or Sure Cuts A Lot as well as the other programs that go with the various die cutting machines.

If you use APE in any version, you know this program is great for more than pictures, it is also great for digital scrapbooking and making scrapbook sketches.

I would like you to know that I have heard of some people having problems with this product.  I can attest that every once in a while it will freeze and crash.  I can also attest that if I restart my computer before starting this program it usually avoids this type of problem.  I have heard people say they don't like the interface or this and that about it.  However; for what I use this product for, editing photos, creating digital photo creations, and creating scrap sketches, I love it.  I also have used it to convert images into blackouts that I can then save and then cut out on my die cutting machine.  

Here are some links to reviews on this product:
PC World
Photography Blog
PC Mag

Rest In Peace Michael Dupey

I just found out today that Michael's founder, Michael Dupey, passed away on May 1st.  I would like to offer up thanks to him and his vision of a craft superstore, which has allowed me innumerable opportunities to express myself and my fellow crafters.  I pray that his family is comforted in this time of grief and that others will raise up to continue his vision and hard work.

If you'd like to read more, please see this article at Scrapbook Update.

May's Altered Art Project

For May I chose to alter a huge monogram 'H' at the If It's Groovy blog.  I also have a link to the tutorial for the technique.  The finished project looked much prettier in real life, but I don't have the lighting expertise it requires!  This technique was found on YouTube and the link for it is mentioned in the tutorial I made. 

I had a great time learning how to expand my technique repertoire!  I am starting to look at objects I see in retail/craft stores or second hand stores and yard sales as blank canvases that come in many shapes and sizes.

Two great challenges from If It's Groovy

There is only two more days to enter If It's Groovy's April Challenge.  Hurry over and enter to win a prize.

Pay It Forward Day!  Head over to If It's Groovy and leave a comment about a random act of kindness you performed for someone today!

I hope you all are doing well and enjoying Spring!

What are you doing on National Scrapbooking Day?

National Scrapbooking Day is May 1st! 

I was invited by my local Creative Memories Consultant to an all day crop.  I can't make it all day, however I am going for a couple hours.  I am so glad her daughter said she'd play with my little girl. 

I subscribe to Scrapbook Update and they put up some places online that are having activities.  Link.

Don't forget to stop by your favorite blogs and forums to spread the word. 

Ultra Sound Pictures of the Newest Family Member

This is a picture from the U/S I had yesterday.  The baby is about 15 weeks.  Just thought I'd share with ya!

What Can a 7.2 Earthquake do to a Craft Room?

On Easter of this year, April 4th, at around 3:40 pm.  my husband, daughter, and I we driving home in our SUV from the next town.  As we pulled into our development, the SUV started shaking back and forth violently.  We were dumbstruck and then it dawned on us, this was a huge earthquake!  People were almost falling down and cars were bouncing up and down.  The road was rolling and light poles were bucking up and down furiously!  We were terrified that something might fall on us.  The quake lasted 45 seconds!  We crept along and made it home only to have a 5.4 aftershock hit.  It is April 19th and we are still experiencing earthquakes, some as large as 4.4 to 5.1.  We have pretty much calmed down, but I wanted to share with you what it did to my craft room.  Thank goodness for the building codes we have in the US.  It could have been much, much worse!  Some people's craft rooms might look like this all the time!  LOL!

Moving and shaking!
Natalie

Challenge at IIG- If It's Groovy

I did this LO for If It's Groovy.  The challenge was to create a LO with a shadow in it.  Well, this LO has my black cat, Shadow, and his shadow!  Isn't he so cute?  He's so fuzzy!  Go here to see the rest.

Some Monday Night Fun!

Above Rubies Studios is planning on having a Live Ustream on their site at 9 pm EST (6 pm PST) on Monday, April 12th! Mark you calendars!

They will be discussing the new Cricut Cake Machine, the Gypsy A to Z DVD, Club Ruby, Accessories - The Above Rubies Studio Top Secret Mission and much more!

If they can get 1500 viewers they are going to give away a HUGE prize package!  So tell everybody and post it on your favorite forums and your blog!  They are also going to have plenty of prize announcements that everyone will have the opportunity to participate in.

Remember I am one of the new Master Design Team Members for Above Rubies Studios and I'll be making projects for you to enjoy on their site!  I'll let you know when I have a project on their site!  You're going to love what is coming at Above Rubies Studios and the girls over there are terrific!

Altered Hanger Project

This month's Altered Art Challenge over at If It's Groovy is to alter a hanger and incorporate it into a layout that you could hang from the wall.  To join in on the fun go here.

My altered hanger has a nature feel to it and showcases some places where I like to "hang" out in Montana.  It is entitled "Hanging Out In Montana".

I used small and large craft sticks for the title background.  I distressed them with ink to make them look like a wooden fence.  I used some extra silk flower sprays that I had to resemble the sweet little foliage that grows around the large pine trees. 

The locations are, Glacier Park, Ross Creek Cedars, The National Bison Range, the Bull River, and Flathead Lake.

I used my Gypsy and Cricut to make the letters.  I outlined them with my gel pens.  I added some green ribbon and copper wire for some extra texture.  I also distressed the pictures and then wrote the locations on the pictures to make them look worn and loved!!!

Sorry it's been so long...

Well folks, I have been ill for a while and getting better.  I have had a heck of a time getting any crafting done.  My mojo went on vacation!
I did have a project I wanted to share with you that I did over at If It's Groovy this month. 

You can find instructions for this project at If It's Groovy Altered Arts.

I will be posting a new project for April on the 1st of April, and that ain't no joke!  LOL!
Natalie

Meet Jeanie, Guest Blogger and get 30% off her online store!

I am so thankful that Natalie contacted me a few months back…I think it started because we both love Montana. I am so happy for her Master design team call and I enjoy her beautiful projects.

My name is Jeanie and I am mostly a traditional paper crafter…card making, scrap booking, home décor….I think the best source of inspiration is nature and each other.

I love learning new techniques and then putting my own interpretation on them then help others to create…

This winter I have been on a new journey learning digital paper crafting….drawing my own accents, using my own paper and loving it. I love printing and adding things from my stash. This is one of my first pages…done in class with Jessica Sprague.

I will never give up traditional hands on- let me see it and touch it paper crafting. The thing I think we need to remember is it is about OUR stories, it is about connecting past, present and future….who we were, who we are, and who we will become and that connection can go beyond us from who we came from to our children and our children’s children. It is about the things we love to do and being able to remember those times and find peace and rejuvenation from the moments of our journey so scrapbook a picture remember the moments…because every day is a once in a lifetime event and we individually are a once in history event (live inspired books)……….

I just took a break from my digital classes and created 5 mini albums!!! Check them out at http://jeaniesdesigns.blogspot.com/ and find more ideas at the web store www.momscrapbooks.com and connect to our face book page from the web page for more ideas. For all of those here at Natalie’s blog receive 30% off at www.momscrapbooks.com discount code is natalie {expires April 15, 2010}. Have a great paper crafting journey today!!!! =0)

When It Rains...It Pours!

Good news everyone!  No!  Great News!  I applied to be a Master Design Team Member at Above Rubies Studios and I was chosen to be one of 5!  Yay! There are also a bunch of wonderful part time Design Team members that I will get to work with!  What fun!

I am so excited and I have many people to thank for having the confidence to be a design team member.  I especially want to thank my good friend Groovy Deb at If It's Groovy for taking me on and letting me be me!  She has allowed me to grow and has guided me.  The other gals at IIG have also been a part of this growth I have experienced as a scrapbook and paper arts designer.  I want to recognize Jennifer at Scrapping and Crafting Friends, too!  She is so supportive and flexible!

Most of all thanks to Meg at Above Rubies Studios for recognizing in me the qualities she likes in a Design Team Member.  I am so happy I have put effort into developing my skills and have put time into studying scrap and paper art design.  I don't have formal training, but I learn fast!

Stay tuned, as I will be turning out some projects that you'll love!  I await my first challenge!

Remember when....

I said I was going to my first live crop?  There were only 4 of us altogether, but that was perfect!  I was able to get three LOs done amongst the merry making:)

This first one made it into the scrapbook before I realized that I hadn't taken a picture of it.  So that's why it's all wonky!

RASCAL
I used the Cricut and Cuttlebug for this LO.

I am sure you can guess who won this match, she's the one gouging and biting!  The sketch is from www.scrapsketch.com svaughn, 2009.

 U R A Hoot!

I love this LO.  I used paper, embellishments, and stickers from K & Company's Berry Sweet line. 

The font, arrows, parenthesis, and scalloped box are from my Cricut. 

I added ink around the edges and glitter pens to make the objects pop.

I used Stampin UP! ink and a pink Creative Memories journaling pen.
The sketch is from www.scrapsketch.com ssc19 svaughn,2009

LOUNGE

Everybody loves to hang out on our big king-sized bed!

Papers are by Creative Memories, K & Company, Bazzil.

I used alphabet stickers from K & Company for the title.  The flowers are from the Bridal section at Michaels.  Their centers are the acrylic discs found in the floral department dyed with Tim Holtz alcohol inks.

I used a Stampin Up! marker to do the journaling.  The sketch I used is from www.scrapsketch.com 157 svaughn, 2009.


I switched up the sketches a little by rotating them and what not.  They helped me so much and allowed me to focus more on being social!!!  I talked my head off and the ladies at the crop probably think I never get out!  They're right!  Ha ha ha!

Let me know what you think of them!!!

Beautiful Blogger Award

I am so pleased that I received this award from Tanya!  Her creations are so beautiful, just like she is!  I have truly needed some scraplove!  Thank You!  Her blog is The Crooked Cutter and you'll love it!
In receiving this reward I must share 7 things about myself....
1. Christian
2. Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
3. SAHM (go figure)
4. Married for 5 years
5. Montana Native
6. I am absent an appendix and a gall bladder and don't miss them.
7. I have a diamond-shaped birthmark in the middle of my forehead!

I will now send this in to a couple of my scrapfans.  I know I could send it to more, but I am feeling yukky again! 
Judy at Judy's Cardmaking and Papercrafts
Niki Ray at Niki_Rays Niche


Now there are strings attached with receiving this blog award. You have to say thanks to the person who sent it to you, list 7 things about yourself and pass it on to some of your friends/followers.

Sunshine Award!

I received this Sunshine Award from one of my new scrapping friends from If It's Groovy.  Angela Holt has been a real inspiration to me and this Sunshine comes at a time when I really need it!  Her blog is Scrap Journal Of Angela Holt.

I am going to pass this blog along to 6 other creative people who bring sunshine to me!

1. Laurie at Hiding in My Craft Room
2. Bonnie at BonniesScrappyBlurbs 
3. Karen at Karen's Krafty Moments
4. Hope at 4The Memories
5. Kathy at Ready, Set, Scrap
6. Robin at Barbwire & Roses


Now, the rules of the award are:

* Put the logo on your blog or within your post

* Pass the award onto 6 bloggers who are followers of your blog

* Link the nominees within your post

* Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog

* Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award

Thank you again, Angela, for the Sunshine!

Blog Candy

Love 4 Papercrafts is giving away blog candy.  There is a huge amount of goodies in this stash.  She has a cute blog and also many links to others with blog candy!  CRAZY!

Basic Grey February 2010 Newsletter

One of my favorite product lines is Basic Grey.  I love the colors because of the moods they evoke in me!  I love the texture and durability of the paper.  I get their newsletter and I thought you'd like to take a gander at it, too! It has fun industry updates and creative LOs for you to get inspiration from.
Go here to start reading the newsletter.
Go here to see what products Basic Grey previewed at CHA 2010

What's going on at If It's Groovy this month?

There are a lot of challenges going on over at If It's Groovy this fine February!  Most of the groups are hosting a challenge. 
Groovy Deb's Challenge is here.
Altered Art link.
Sweetheart's Scrapping Boys only link.
Sketches link.
Dollbabies Scrapping Girls only link.
Cards link.
Repurposing & Scrapbooking link.
Faithbooking link.
Two page LOs link.
Mini arts link.
Stamping link.
These are a majority of the groups on If It's Groovy, but there are many more. Find them all here.
Come play along and have fun!!!

Well, hello, crop much?

I am out of my skin...I am going to my first cropping session with people I have never met on Friday the 12th from 6 pm to 12am.  I can't believe I get 6 hours to myself!  Well, for myself anyway!  I am so excited.  That's right, I have never been to a crop!  Only online ones and with people I feel like I know!  Weird!  So I have very few ideas of what to take to a crop.  I am using sketches, I have cropped my photos.  I have cut out things with my Cricut and kind of picked out paper accents, embellishments, and such. 

I plan on bringing my SU! stamping spots and pens, as well as distress ink, chalk, sand paper, glue, scissors, paper trimmer, glue dots/adhesives, shape scissors, punches, foam wedges, and some other stuff. 

I can't wait and I'll let you know how it goes and upload the LOs!!!

Soups and Scraps Very First Blog Giveaway!

Hi there! Lauren at Soups and Scraps is having her very first Blog Giveaway! There are several ways to win. Go become a follower and leave her some comment love!
Here's what she says:

1. Become a blog follower!

2. Leave me a comment telling me about your favorite valentines day sweet treat! I am totally a sucker for those gormet sea salt chocolates....!

3. Show me a sweet valentine day project you made, or if you do my altered candy bar project, you get two entries!!!

4. And if you post this giveaway on another forum, blog, etc. and give me the link, you get another two entries!!!

All entries due by Feb. 12th at 12pm eastern...drawing by random.org on Feb.13th! Make sure you leave somewhere for me to contact you at.

 Here's My entry! 

February Altered Clock Project at If It's Groovy!

Happy Friday to everyone!  For the February Altered Arts project at If It's Groovy, I made an altered clock, or two!  I invite you to come over and join in on the fun!  Several others have made some and I have a link to help you get "round" layout help if you need it! I also have a pretty comprehensive tutorial for you as a guide, if you have never made an altered clock before!

 

 

Wonderful Creativity Prompts

I have times where I just stare at the wall of scrapbooking supplies in front of me and my eyes just gloss over.  Sometimes I need some inspiration.  One of the sites that I go to A Matter of Memores, supplies inspiration from all kinds of places.  I suggest you pop over there and look around!  You never know what will catch your eye.

I do feel a little bit like I am recovering from Cropping Mania.  Do you ever experience a little bit of depression after going on vacation or after a huge event? That's how I feel right now.  I feel like all the expectation and the feelings that go with it have crashed.  I just need a little time to recover.  I have never been a part of such a large online crop, nor hosted my own.  I do look forward to doing another one and now I'll be much more prepared for the emotions.

I have shared in jest with friends, that I am a mood scrapper, that's my style!  So I suspect that my next LO will rightfully so, find joy in my source, from the One who sustains me!  I am at a crossroads and I want God to speak from my LOs.  In not only journaling, but also in the pictures and embellishments.  I want my scrapbooking principals to reflect that God comes first.  That also goes for wanting every single new product or only saving money to buy new stuff.  I have been very blessed and it is time to give my time back to God and not spend it on my computer and concentrating  so much on scrapbooking.  I am going to go for quality and not quantity!  I am going to try to go to my local church and find some faithbookers.  I am turning into a recluse and everyone is suffering.

I feel renewed.  I pray that I have the courage to step out of my old ways.  I am so grateful for the talent my God has given me and how I could fellowship with others through my talents!!

Birthday Bash at If It's Groovy!!! Lasts until January 30th 11pm!

***UPDATE:  If It's Groovy is now on NING!  Go here to join If It's Groovy.ning.com.  Send me an e-mail if you have trouble getting on to the site: nataliescreations@sbcglobal.net*** 

In celebration of If It’s Groovy’s Birthday, I am hosting a challenge and the theme is: “Passing The Scrapping Torch”. For one randomly chosen winner, there will be a prize of really groovy scrapping papers and ephemera for your paper art addictions!

So here’s what you need to do to participate: Make a single or double page LO of any size you prefer in which two elements must be present; 1) Your LO must include embellishments made by a child or children of any age. This can include their school art or something they made at church, other groups, or a home project; and 2) Your LO must include one of the following – a) pictures of the school age scrapper(s) and you making the above mentioned embellishments, or b) pictures of the school age scrapper(s) and you doing an activity of some kind together.

I am confident that this challenge will become a fond memory page in your scrapping album somewhere! Make sure you check out my example to help you wrap your mind around how to go about this challenge!

And wait! I am hosting a bonus contest!!!! I am also having a Birthday on January 7th! Leave me a comment wishing me Happy Birthday or some other funny age related comment and be entered to win a beautiful jewelry set hand-designed and hand-assembled by yours truly! This contest will end January 31st as well! Happy Birthday to everyone who has a Birthday this January!!! To see more jewelry that I make visit my bead blog, Patriot Beads.

Have fun, and please tell all of your friends and post this challenge on your social networks and forums!!!

Natalie the Montuckygirl!

Please use the Mr. Linky tool below to submit your completed challenge projects only. I want to be able to come look at your LO and ooh and ahh!!

Make sure your include the URL for the blog or image gallery where your layout is and your name. If you do not have access to a URL of your layout, please e-mail it to nataliescreations@sbcglobal.net.

Remember, the challenge ends on January 31st so make sure you visit all the design team blogs. You can combine challenges, too! To find the rest of the challenges go to If It's Groovy. 

Here are the most recent participant's projects!!  Aren't they cute?

Jen T

Karen H.

Amy A.

Celina

Jessica J

Groovy Deb!

Christina H.















So in order of submission to the challenge there is:
1. Jen T
2. Karen H.
3. Amy
4. Celina
5. Jessica
6. Groovy Deb
7. Christina H
At 11 pm Jan 30th. PST I will be using Random.org to pick a winner from these numbers.  Good luck! You still have 3 hours left to send me your LO as of this update!
Okay,  I finally figured out how to get the image of random.org and here's our winner

Congratulations Jen T!  You have won the Passing The Torch challenge!!!!!
 and

Congratulations to Lauren! You have won my Birthday Wishes Contest!!!

More Entries to Birthday Bash at If It's Groovy

Here are some more entries from the Birthday Bash over at If It's Groovy.ning

This LO was for Celina's Banner Challenge

The candle is from my 35th Birthday.  I don't have
 any pictures of it, so I put it on this page!
I made the banner with my Gypsy and Cricut

This LO is for Theresa's Add a Birthday Card to Your LO!  This is a card my mother made for Hannah's 1st Birthday!

This LO is for Marci's Challenge which was to Add Pretty Ribbon to a LO.  I added the green silky ribbon with warm red thread running down the middle.

This clear card is for Kristi's challenge.  The inside says, " A little birdie told me it was your Birthday!"
I used my Gypsy and Cricut for the bird.

This LO is for Vanessa's challenge Pick a Cupcake.  I picked sprinkles in Martha StewartTM colors.
I used my Gypsy and Cricut for the shapes and title.

The next images are from a 10 page Mini Album I made out of a $1 chipboard album from Michaels.  It is from the Mary E. Collection.  I used my Cricut and Gypsy to cut out the shapes and title.  This was for Nicole/GothamGal's challenge to make a Birthday Minibook.

I used Tim Holtz distress inks to do all of the edges for the whole album.

The round colored discs are clear domed acrylic discs found in the floral area by the glass cabachons at Michaels.  I colored them with Tim Holtz alcohol inks.  The staples are from Making Memories

The Cuttlebug was used to emboss the purple matting for the picture.  I used my Cricut and Gypsy for the butterfly and the flowers were found on a clearance rack at Michael's in the bridal section.  You wouldn't believe how much cool scrapbooking stuff they have in that aisle!

I cut out the winged heart using Lovestruck 2010 on my Gypsy and Cricut.  The swirls are colored paper clip swirls

Again, used the G and C.  Gold foil on the corners which is 20 or so years old, from an old fingernail decorating kit! The crown has rhinestone bling!

C and G for the star.  Acrylic discs died with alcohol ink again.  And a rick rack type of ribbon at the bottom to slide the photo under.

Tag cut with G and C. Purple and white lace from Wal-Mart.  Silver foil at corners.

C and G for journal area.  The swirls are faux rusty ornament hooks from Target.  The acrylic discs were colored with alcohol ink.

C and G for scalloped journal area.  Brads and silk flowers??? They were bought at Target a long time ago.

The back.  I would have preferred to put another place for a picture, but I didn't have a clear protector for the back. 

This 2 x 2 in tile magnet was altered to fit with a Birthday themed mini project for Ange's challenge.  I bought the magnet at Michael's and used my G and C to cut out the scalloped shapes.  I used Stampin Up! ink in Taken with Teal.  The stamps were from Ms, too!  The colors on the tile are Tim Holtz alcohol inks. I coated the whole thing in glossy Modge Podge to protect it.

This LO was based on Lissa's sketch.  The trees and birds are painted on with acrylic paints.

The next two LOs go together and they are for Amy's challenge to have a party hat in the LO.

This LO was for Groovy Deb's challenge to use pictures from yesteryear and today as well as b&w photo with color!

Well, that's it for now.  I have some more to add later!!!Whew!