Tis The Season....

Tis the Season....

I have been quite busy these past few weeks. I am happy to say that as of this past weekend and today...as I have been sick..with bad cold..I got all the Christmas Cards done and ready for the mail tomorrow..We had a great time..me and a friend..what was great was I would cough...take cough stuff...go back to the table..in pj's and keep going...or If I needed to..go lay down..and watch a movie...and rest...I used quite a few stamps..and a few revolution dies to make a few of the cards...I love snowmen..and of course that was fun..building the snowman with his arms and hat...changing out colored scarfs...all thanks to my purchase of Stamping Up product..and hosting a get together here at my house..i was able to get snowbuddies..yay..!! here are a few cards..i created..hope you enjoy!!

Oh Christmas Tree

Oh Christmas Tree, my favorite time of the year, The most wonderful Time of the Year...

Hello everyone..I have been so busy, shopping for Christmas, working, keeping up with the house and the most wonderful part of this time..raising my granddaughter.I have also been upstairs working hard to bring two classes together. The Christmas Mini Album "My Christmas Past" is one that has turned out to be big! Only one more spot available, however, if there are unpaid reservation, that would open up another spot. I am hoping to bring home my Epic 6 home soon. That would mean lots of work being done at the dining room table pre-cutting all the paper.

Sentiment Tiles class, Thursday December 3rd, $22.50, you will complete four tiles with four quotes. The display was made by Jackie, Bob & Rogene's daughter. We have chosen similar color tiles and four quotes to be cut in vinyl. These make a wonderful gift for the last minute gift, yet a special touch to any home. Reserve your spot.

ATC's w/Valerie is up at the store. This wonderful little ATC holder is awesome. This class is reserved for 10 spots, eight as of today. Come join me on Saturday December 19th from 12-6 for a day of laughs, believe me when I say, We Rock that Classroom...with lots of fun. Either keep your ATC project or simply gife as a gift. Using various pattern paper and the ATC punch, I have created a little treasure that I will "cherish"......

All About Scrapbooks has great deals going on, so stop on by...Check out www.aas.typepad.com, link is located here on my blog. Make sure you stop by and see what else is on sale, Quickutz, pattern paper, trimmer, QK pink binder for $11.99, Gingerbread 12 inch border $11.99, Santa 4x4 die only $9.99 and much more. Limited Edition Grand CC Katie, only $49.00

Check out the classes and call and reserve your spot.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays...Hope you can join me on any one of the classes...

My Christmas Past Mini Album...Ready

Well it took a bit..with all that is going on..but My Christmas Past Mini Christmas Album is packed up for display at the store on Tuesday November 18th. I am excited about this lil book, so different from anything I have done. If you are wanting to sign up for the class..call All About Scrapbooks and sign up, you can even pay over the phone for the class. Hope everyone enjoys this book as much as I did making the book.

My Christmas Past

Tis the season...here are some more sneak peaks of the Christmas Mini Album....using silhouette designs, revolution designs, icicles...star dust pen, the new uniball impact pen silver...we now have gold $ silver to go with the black & white...awesome! Love how it writes..traces..and looks!!! I love the tree and the snowman...the pictures are tinted and then printed..found that they looked so much better than the original scanned image! go figure! I am having tons of fun making this special album, its "My Christmas Past"...Call for sign up for this class on December 5th, $45 ...well worth the outcome of this special album.....

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Well I have been working on the new QK Release, Gingerbread Dies..Here are some pictures...stages of the Mini Album in progress, soon to be in All About Scrapbooks for a class on Dec 5th, more information will be coming soon, if you are interested in signing up, call and get on my list or email me, then once I get to the store, I will call and get your payment for the class. This paper is By BoBunny St Nick, so please understand before I start cutting all the pieces, I need payment. If you have never taken my classes, please join us, I promise lots of laughs and fun making something special. I will do my best to keep this album under $50. I am so excited....and here are some preview of the pages in its stages...I am giddy over this album, and I have not began the embellishing..hahahaha. These pictures are just previews of the stages they are in at this time, more pictures to come once complete. I have already had people putting their names down for this class, so call ASAP. Embellishments include stickles, tags, printed lists for pockets, etc. So look for it soon in the store hanging up, completed with photos and embellishments.

If you are interested in the Sentiment Tiles, let me know, class is waiting on cost for tiles and then posted. That will be first week in December I believe.

All About Scrapbooks have new products coming in, K&Company Christmas line, Making Memories 3D stickers, etc..come check us out.

Ballerina Invitation Second Set

Quickutz came out with the Paper Doll...and tons of Outfits..and one of those outfit dies was the ballet clothes...so you know I had to get that!! I am loving this die! I had to make one of the invitations using this adorable die! Savanna wears Black Leotard/Pink Leggings/Pink Ballet Slippers...though on this one I had to add the Tutu....hahahaha...I so cannot wait to get her "costumes"..she will have two..for her recital..one for Ballet and another for tap!!!

I also added to the sidebar to keep on here..the 12x12 layout of her getting fitted at Dance Outfitters in Chespeake. I used tulle to add the Tutu..even though she does not have that yet..but I just had to Thank My Best Bud for this great idea..she had it in her stash..as I was at her house scrapping and did not take my ribbons..(me without my ribbons..shame..holding head down..) I am very please with this layout..as it was a sad time..the camera setting with mirrors in the store was not cooperating one bit..so there are blurry pictures...so what could I do..I used white acrylic paint (Airondack Dabber) with a small dauber..and lightly went around the pictures..to sofen the picture! The second layout is in the works..and I will post soon..as today I spent the day organizing all her BARBIES...and I had to finish the last few invitations for her party..

I even got bold and posted the Fall's Beauty on Two Peas..and the invites from the first set...go check it out and vote !! The next few days will be busy so I thought I would do this now..as I am gonna be working for the two days and both nights I have things going on.

Hope Everyone enjoys my pictures and thanks for looking.

Ballerina Girl, invitations and more

Front & Back of invitation

Inside of Invitation, the actual invite!

I had to make the Ballerina Birthday Invitations. I visited several websites and local stores and no Ballet Party supplies, no invites, meaning I had to get my but in gear to make them. Using The QK Silhouette, I was able to cut out the Ballet Slippers and the ribbon bow..the tiny bow on the slipper. I had a stamp that was just the right size for the actual invitation in the card. I even had an acrylic stamp that was a cake with four candles which amazed me, Savanna turns 4! What luck..

Layout of my Cuddlebug getting fitted for her Leotard, leggings, Ballet shoes and Tap Shoes...the pictures were blurry, with the mirrors at Dance Outfitters made it hard for the setting on the camera. I need to learn more about that camera!! But I used the QK Silhouette for the ballerina, copy and pasted and then I mirrored the copied image and welded it together. Using Airondack Dabber paint and a small dauber..I was able to soften the pictures up! This layout was inspired by a layout I had seen in a book by Donna Downey. I will be posting pictures of that layout when the second page is completed!!!

Fall Is Here

Fall's Beauty

A Fall Center Piece For the Kitchen Table, I found this watering can at Hobby Lobby while visiting in Alabama. Just one of my buys there while visiting my uncle.

This is Fall's Beauty Class at All About Scrapbooks I will be doing on October 28th. I put my QK Silhouette to work big time and came up with Fall's Beauty. Call 436-4300 to reserve your spot. All you see (not pictures) are pre-cut for students. $20.00

I have been out of the loop getting back from our Trip to the Mountains. We had a wonderful time. Though I have to say, I love the colors of Fall, while there we were seeing some beautiful changing in the leaves, which is early for that time of year.

Another project I took on was making my Cuddlebug's Birthday Invitations. I looked everywhere for Balleerina party supplies and invitations, as she wants a Ballerina theme party, all over the place! I have been so busy with work, decorating the home for Fall, working on my layout and Recipe swap! Just not enough time in the day! I am working more hours these days to help Tara at work to get the product back into our computer system.

Getting Ready for a wonderful Fall Season, soon I will be adding labels to showcase what I have been working on and keeping it updated.

Have a Blessed Weekend.

One Last Trip

Well its been a few weeks, sorry! I have been working alot lately and coming home and not getting much done on here! Though I will tell you, dates are set and I will be showing some new things soon on here..yay. Savanna started ballet, lets just say that Donna Downey book I bought, I actually did a page of her being fitted for her ballet/tap shoes and leotard/leggings (if you know me, then you know I took my camera)!! I took pictures of her with the girls heading to their class on her first night...she looked so adorable..though I need to work on getting her hair to stay in that bun!! I am excited about the second page to be done..once I return!

October brings back Fall, I have been inspired to get some things done around the house, changing up decor and getting things the way I want them! After spending an afternoon with my buddy Pam, scrapping of course, her house is what I miss about my house in Va Beach..once we moved here..it was not long after we got our lil granddaughter, so my time went out the door! Now its BACK..I am playing and having some creative fun with my house. It's inspiring.....what can I say!

I will be instructing classes at AAS starting in October. Once I return from this last trip that is, I will be working in the Scrapbook room getting it all in order, I am excited..so watch for my classes and the display coming soon.

Dates for these classes:

Wednesday Oct 28th Fall Is Here...two pg layout.

Saturday November 7th Christmas Times...Mini Album

Saturday December 5th Christmas Times...Mini Album (holding two classes for this one)

Wednesday December 9th Christmas Times Layout

More could be added but these dates are set !!

I will be adding pictures of what I have been doing once I return. I hope everyone has a great week.

Tip for This week: Try using your QK embossing die using Heavy Duty tinfoil. I would love to see what you came up with, send me a picture at ScrappinNChattin@aim.com and you could have yours posted on the blog here!!

hugs to all...

Well we are heading out in the morning for a week, camping at our spot in the Mountains!!

Gotta love the Rules

All About Scrapbooks...my hobby job...

Hello Everyone...the weather is nice...the time is coming up for Holiday classes at AAS...we have great ideas and can't wait to share. I am excited to have started working on the Large ATC/Photo holder by 7Gypsies! The ideas are there, now to get the time to keep going upstairs in my room to work on them.

I know we have the smaller ones in the store, but....as many of you may already know..our computer system has been down for a week today! So only the orders that were put on the floor were the ones that we carried before...reorders..! need the computer to receive the product in...oh joy...and yes that means we have been handwriting all transactions..and the cc machine..."the dinasour"..as I like to call it..is working well for us! Don't let this stop you from comin in..haha...we are getting faster at it..and we just only ask to be patient with us...as we are on day 7 with "writers cramp"...lol.

I have two layouts that will be put up soon, as I have been so busy with working and gathering Ballet/Tap essentials for my Cuddlebug..she starts that in a few weeks..yay..$163 later...hahaha...that included the reg fee, first and last month of the tuition..(will be $40 a month) then the Leotard/footed leggins/Pink leather ballet shoes..(so adorable) and the Ribbon tie Patent leather tap shoes..which she absolutely loves the noise it makes...lol...so not to horribly bad..considering...were are not even five minutes from the studio..which is awesome...My inspiration...is coming from one of Donna Downy layouts in her book...and guess what that is..a ballet layout..of the lil one at the dance studio..so now I can put that layout to the test for me...yay!

Today is going to be a birthday party day..for my nephew..so that is where will be heading in a little while...if that was not today..I would be upstairs in my room..playing...as long as the sinus headache goes away. !

My stamping addiction is not going to be on this blog...as we are now no longer to have it in our personal blog..which makes it feel hard to accept...I am being honest...but I see their point..so there without mentioning what I did with that particular card ..that is on the blog..which I can post pictures of my creations, just can't talk about it..so if you have a question..just let me know..and I will giv you the specifics on the cards...layouts...etc. I will be debating continuing with the stamping business part, as I am not one to create more stress for myself..and right now..its starting to. I have to the end of the month to resign or not! I will pray about it and see where the chips fall, so to speak!

The silhouette digital die cutter is such a handy tool, I was able to cut out the mats that I wanted for my ATC/Photo holder..and mat a pic of my father on it..I have a feeling that I will be doing alot of that..lol. Come see me at AAS and I can or one of the other girls..can demonstrate this great tool to have for your projects. I am in need of a few things..and will be getting them on Friday...but the Tim Holtz line is starting to take a big chunk of space in the tool section of our store...make sure you go visit his blog at www.timholtz.com and see the videos..and watch..he teaches so nicely..very handy tool to have...HIM...he is very talented.

Who would like to sign up for a class with Valerie, if you do, let me know, I am getting back on board with instructing and hopefully you guys will have fun with the great ideas...to use in your own personal way of scrapbooking. Having variety is like having a buffet dinner..you get to choose which way you like the best...no one is exactly like the other..enjoy the samples...each project...card..layout..is your own unique way, nothing has to be the exact same..add a lil more of this..and that..and its your own creation..inspired by someone..but you make it your own, this topic is about Unique..Style...I would be happy to show each person their own unique style, just drop me an email and or see me at AAS...where the fun begins.....

School is starting..so get out that camera...take tons of pics...and play with the color on your printer..or where you have them developed, wait til you see the different styles..we have a great selection of cardstock, pens...adhesive...trimmers...so get inspired...layout the pictures...you can use multiple photos of the bus, the kids...stay tuned for the next layout to be posted...once I am done with it, you will be able to incorporate this with those photos.

Off to get some things done around the house and get me showered and ready for the birthday party we have to attend...Hope each and everyone of you have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend...Be Safe...Have a GREAT TIME !!!

hugs..

Valerie

The Latest

Me and My Bestest..My Sister

Nags Head

Scrapping Weekend

Well I have been quite busy..working alot last week and the weekend and this week...(though a sick lil girl kept me home on Monday)! I have some updates, as we only had three confirmed on the SU Club for Sept 17th...I am moving that date...I will call the gals and let them know. I also will be holding a Workshop here at the house for everyone to attend, you walk away with some great ideas..and a few projects...that will in October.

Next..I have bought a three tier ATC holder...omgosh..watch out...I am now done with crown album, so my next project is the ATC holder...as I am doing the larger one for scrapbooking...for doing small layouts and inspiration tags and such...I am so excited to get this project on the road...I have to get the smaller one when it arrives at the store...that will be for ATC cards..but with pictures...

Next project will be my Christmas Mini Album...using a great BoBunny line..I so cannot wait to start that one...that class will be held in November...so getting the inspiration going...

I took a class...Monday night..I so enjoyed Tara, our buyer at AAS, she is Awesome...she held her first class since being back..and I learned a great deal from her...who would have thunk I could make a palm tree..hahaha...I did...so excited...we all had a great time...and I can't wait to take another one of her classes.

Personal note: I am going to be placing an SU order..so if you need something...let me know...I have let the summer go...considering I was not home much of it...but with everything slowing down after the next camping trip..I am really excited..to get it back going...I love taking and participating in classes/clubs...inspires me..and I love to learn even more...

If you visited my blog, please leave a comment..so I can see who was here...let me know what you think of the blog...:o)

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday...!!

Hugs,

Valerie

Storage, Photos, and Pages, OH MY

Me and My husband..Steve
Layout of me and my daughter
Layout of camping with my grandfather
Picture of my storage unit.

STORAGE, PHOTOS, PAGES, OH MY

Storage:
The feeling of knowing where your treasured Scrappin Essentials are stored..and can be found! I have lots of organizing to do, since I started my Stampin Up business, personal reasons..I joined. I love scrapbooking, but also making cards..I then discovered...hey..I can do both and mix both. Right now..my dining room table is covered with SU product and Scrappin essentials, since being gone alot this summer, I have yet to get to it and organize it and put it where it goes...In my Scrapbook Room. The cubes that have made a hit in my room for me, white..drawers, shelves...is a life saver! This will also hold my stamp sets and product for scrapbooking! I promise once I finish what I am about to start, I will take pictures! I have even bought a metal stand with shelves to sit next to my work area, this holds my laptop,, silhouette and my revolution. This has cleared my work area tremendously. I just received a great storage for my pens! Can't wait to get that set up and put in its place.

PHOTOS:

Photos, organizing can be a tough job, but not to overwhelm you! I have a system now that works for me. Since we all have pictures from negatives we need some where to put them, I have a seven drawer cart that holds all my photos, a drawer for family (camping, etc). Drawer for my sons pictures, another for my daughter, my granddaughter. As I go through them I decide which I am using in a layout, well sometimes I want to use them all, so I will scan them and print them to the size I want, or cut the picture down..if there are others of similar to the ones I am using. Since the digital world evolved and we get the digital cameras, I store all my pictures on a thumb drive, I have a folder for each event named and save to that folder! So easy to pull them up and see what I want to use. From there, I print them however I want..by size..if there tons that needed to be printed, I upload them to an online one hour service and pick them up. Printing your own pictures, use the heavy weight, I use 10 lb photo paper.

PAGES:

Pages...and Pages...Creating layouts to cherish your memories is why we scrapbook, so I have lots of pages that have been done...displayed at work, put into albums! Finding that right way to put it altogether is a task but a well rewarded task. I have my albums set to the side, each time I am done with layouts that are displayed at work, I bring them home and put them in the appropriate album. When I feel like working on camping, depending which trip it would be, it goes into the family album, the long trips go into a specified book for just that. I find it helps me with my inspiration, I can scrap out of order. The albums get filled and its awesome to just sit there and look at what I have done..all put together.

PAPER:

Paper, paper,...and more paper...:I love my paper..and yes..it is an addiction..but this addiction feeds the inspiration and creativity. Scrapbook pages...cards...not to mention I use it for other crafts as well. If you want to be inspired, just look up some of the companies and see their lines..galleries and more...TwoPeas In A Bucket is a good one to get inspired..or better yet..taking classes...paper inspires me to do alot of great things..thats where I started with the stamping up ...using paper patterns and stamping on them to get the image for my cards...and cutting them...loads of fun to sit and think up how you can change a lil bird, stamp the bird image cut it out in a pattern paper, then stamp the image on the surface and the piece you want to use for pattern on the bird..you lay it over the stamped image, amazement goes along ways..with yourself..paper can do alot..AAS has great ideas at the store....and classes. Stamping Up has designer series paper that are awesome for cards..I love the new lines in the new catalog. I like variety, AAS gives me that..and so does Stampin Up. These are the main places I shop, more so AAS...of course..:o)

STAMPIN UP CLUB:

Kick off for the first Stampin Up Club with Valerie September 17, 2009 6-8 pm. $25 for each member, club will last however many months there are members, example: six members equals six months, that gives everyone a chance to be the Hostess for their night and get the benefits. Its a great way to get ideas, build up their wish list, and most of all earn free product. Call for details or email me.

AAS:

Debbie Schuh is coming to All About Scrapbooks, call the store for details...she will be doint three classes, check http://www.aas.typepad.com/ to get details. If you sign up for all three classes, if not mistaken there is a discount. Enjoy.

Mixing & Matching

Just some Inspiration

To Share

Whether Mini Albums, Scrapbook Layouts, or Cards, I am always making something! The Egg Book was all made from using the Silhouette Die Cutter, which I love so very much! It will cut anything! The butterfly card was made during a stamp club which I attended. The next two cards, I came up with, making those stripes with ink showed me a new way of adding another technique! The pink ladybug is actually a baby shower invitation that I made for my niece, a combination of quickutz (Lady Bug), Stampin Up Stamps, Paper, and Bazzill cardstock.

These were a few to share, now its time for me to sign off for the night.

Hugs to All,

Valerie

Blogging and Scrapping

Maya Road Suitcase & Journal Album

At work doing what I do best!

Welcome to the New Blog..My Creative Zone..a place to share layouts and projects and more. I hope to keep this one as the main blog, since changing. I am happy to share and answer questions. I work at All About Scrapbooks! I am an Instructor as well. I have also begun a side business on my personal time, Stampin Up, since stamps have become another addiction of mine, don't get me wrong, I enjoy my acrylic stamps, but my SU stamps have been very inspiring as of lately!

I will be posting pictures in the next few days, as I am working, right now I sit in my recliner and type this..relaxing after working today. We have had a lot new product come into the store, and more to come, being that our wonderful Buyer at AAS attended CHA. Wow..is all I can say !

I will enjoy seeing feedback on this blog, I am hoping to get it completely up and running in this week coming. You will find information on what I am working on, what classes I teach, that will be coming up, and my stampin up addiction!! This is a fun time of year coming up, so watch for some great classes (as usual year long) but even more so with the approaching Holidays. Fall & Christmas is my busy time, I love my house decorated for the season, and everything I do is geared to the season...Family time..Life's Precious Moments...those days as well as remembering my visits to Alabama, Camping and my daily antics.

Fun is here and to stay. Hope to see you on here...drop me a line..and keep up with the blog, I like to share..and learn from you as well. If there is anything I can mention in the blog about events or something, I will be happy to do that, as long as it is related topics and special functions..such as October is Breast Awareness Month..just let me know.

Many Hugs to all of you,

Valerie