May 27, 2009

Guitar Hero and a little peek at June!

This layout uses the May '09 Scarlet Lime kit. I added some ink, paint and marker but the rest is all kit.

Journaling reads:
You are a big gamer, always aiming for the next accomplishment you can share with us. For awhile there you were a Guitar Hero obsessed player and you got really good at it too! You couldn't wait to tell me about each city you made it to. '08

Look for some more yummy projects from me in the coming months. I was asked to fill in on the ScrapFriends design team for a few months. I'm reviewing some AMAZING new Core'dinations cardstock collection packs and totally DELISH Glitz stamps! I'll try to post a few peeks before the reviews come out. You are gonna love these products!!

May 23, 2009

FOR SALE - Books, stamps, misc.

More items for sale:

Books
Stampington & Co. Holidays and Celebrations
Originally $14.95, Asking $7.50

Scrapbooking Roads (A Travel Guide for Scrapbookers, First Edition) is a 256-page softcover directory and travel guide for scrapping enthusiasts. It provides useful information for any scrapper, but especially for those who like to find treasures off the beaten path.
Originally $14.95, asking $7.50

Bluegrass Publishing Ultimate Guide to Celebrating Kids I and II
Originally $19.95 each, asking $10.00 each

Autumn Leaves Designing With Greetings
Originally $18.95, asking $5.00

Stamps:
Kodomo Morning Glory Foam Stamp Set
Sells for $9.99, asking $4.50

Tools:
Cropperware's Page in Progress , Originally $24.95, asking $10.00

Pebbles Ribbon Iron Originally $16.99, asking $8.00

Please email me at pbrell @ hotmail.com (without the spaces) if you are interested.

FOR SALE - Sassafras Lass

The Serendipity Sunshine Lollipop Collection includes: 12 Sheets of DOUBLE SIDED 12x13" cardstock (2 of each pattern from the Sunshine Lollipop Collection) 1 sheet of 12x12 Cardstock Monogram stickers, 1 sheet 12x12 Cardstock Journal Tag Stickers and 1 pack of 6x12 Cardstock Sweet Treats Stickers. Originally sells for $17.49 - asking $8 plus shipping (if shipped).


May 21, 2009

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Say what?

Hey all...hope I didn't scare off my blog lurkers with that last post of mine...tee hee!!

I had a total "SAY WHAT??" moment this morning. Perhaps I still have a lot of country in my bones....it was a damn good place to grow up! So when I heard the familiar sound of a CROP DUSTER nearby this morning it brought back lots of fun memories. Every time the crop duster flew nearby I'd run outside with my breakfast (buttered toast) and watch him. We would wave and he'd wave back and do a few aerial maneuvers above us. We thought this was the coolest thing EVAH.

So imagine my surprise when I overheard the morning news channel state "100's of calls have been received by local police reporting a low flying plane...."

HUH?

SERIOUSLY???

My verbal comment flew out and smacked the news anchor square in the face...."It's a crop duster you idiots!!" And "apparently nobody looked out of their windows to actually LOOK at the plane." Hell, no.

And as I tried to give some leeway for the panic vomit that Americans are so quick to spew, I was shaking my head thinking what kind of life we lead to be so scared and on guard every second of our lives.

It really ties in with my obsession du jour (or maybe the year?) which is Eminem's new CD released on Tuesday, Relapse. The CD has gotten very favorable reviews but also some very loud and far-reaching criticism over his "dark" lyrics.

He often writes in his songs how sensitive people are and I agree. Anyone who knows his music knows to expect some dark inner thoughts, violence, swearing and everything else you can think of that could be shocking to a listener.

So when I see a negative review about how "dark" the lyrics are I'm wondenirg what it is exactly people were expecting? If he puts out a "pop-ish" song like We Made You it's crap, but his true rap style (which is unplayable on the radio) is too dark??

I'll admit that the very first time I heard Eminem I didn't like it. It was shocking! But he was doing something totally different! It's going to feel a bit weird the first time you put it on. It didn't take me long at all to fall in love, especially with his poetic lyrics and my ear for the words and rhyme.

That said, this CD is his best yet as far as I'm concerned. Dark, yeah. Shocking, yeah. Different, hell yeah. Take a listen to it with an open mind. Expect to be shocked, then sit back and admire the insane rhyming skill and the beats that Dre put behind them. It is tight and deserves five stars.

Tell me what you think.

May 16, 2009

VIDEO TUTORIAL - Faux Mother of Pearl Technique

Sooooo....I'm being very brave sharing my first video tutorial with you because (1) my daughter took the video and she was a little unsteady with the camera (sorry!) and (2) I have absolutely NO makeup on in the video. Ack...crazy, I tell ya! But this is the way I typically roll on the weekends, so enjoy.


May 14, 2009

One Little Word - TWO

One Little Word is TWO this month so the challenge this time was to scrap the word TWO.

Title: 2 Cool for Words
Supplies:
Cardstock (Bazzill, Prism)
Patterned Paper, Die Cut Labels (Sassafras Lass)
Die Cut Frame (Provo Craft)
Stamp (Hero Arts)
Ink (Tsukineko)
Foam "2" (Heidi Swapp)
Alpha Stickers (BasicGrey, Making Memories)
Adhesive (Ad Tech)
Other: misc. book paper, buttons

Journaling:
Oh how awesome you look on your skateboard! You are a risk taker showing me your tricks. It is hard to watch sometimes but I love watching how excited you get!

May 11, 2009

Kits for Sale

Cleaning out my scrap room continues! I have four kits ready to go and another 7 that I need to take pictures and itemize before I can list them. All kits are $10 each and shipping is $9.85 (or actual, if less). No additional shipping costs for more than one kit!!

Treasure Cove Kit - $10


Cardstock
5 sheets Bazzill cardstock

Patterned Paper (15 sheets)
3 Cloud 9 Design Naples Collection - “Solid” and “Quad” and Valencia Collection - “Slate”
2 Beary Patch - “Paisley Dark” and “Swirl Medium”
1 Sandylion - Confetti
1 Love, Elsie Abby Collection - “Puzzle Posies”
1 BasicGrey Recess Collection - “Principal”
1 Sassafras Lass Serendipity Collection - “Treasure Cove”
6 My Minds Eye Wild Asparagus (THICK DOUBLE SIDED CARDSTOCK WEIGHT)
- Remember Floral
- Summer Days Stripe
- My Family Stripe
- Summer Days Paisley
- Sisters Floral
- Remember Stripe

Embellishments
1 sheet Pixie Press vellum quotes - “Boy Bits”
1 sheet Wright red flame alpha stickers
1 pkg. Stickopotamus stickers - “t-ball”
1 pkg. Scrap Avenue laser cut - “Giggle”
1 pkg. ScrapGoods string clasps
1 pkg. metal rusty-look nails
Assorted buckles, flowers, buttons, metal charm and eyelets

Blueberry Bliss Kit - $10

Cardstock
5 sheets Bazzill cardstock

Patterned Paper (15 sheets)
3 sheets Sandy lion - “Spring Words,” “Color Wash” and “Spring Flowers”
2 sheets Moments Defined - “Fresh Start” and “Serenity”
3 sheets 3 Bugs in a Bug Jovial Collection - “Ramble,” “Tricky Bold” and “Perky Stripe”
1 sheet Heidi Grace “Woodland Brush”
2 Pebbles Carefree Collection - “Flower” and “Dot”
1 American Crafts Metropolitan Collection - “Museum” (DOUBLE SIDED)
1 Urban Lily Rock Star Collection - “Wild Hearts”
1 Love Elsie Jack Collection - “Abby Linens”
1 Provo Craft stripe pattern

Embellishments
1 pkg. Chatterbox transparency letters - blue
1 sheet sheer astronomy stickers
1 pkg. It Takes Two rub ons - Thank You
1 pkg. Plaid Karen-Marie’s Laser Cuts
1 pkg. Stampendous Class A Peel stickers - Window Spring Art
1 Go West acrylic frame
3 acrylic ribbon slides
1 pkg. blue ribbon buckles
4 mini grocery bags
partial tin Maya Road “Heart in Heart” metal clasps
5 asst. ribbons (each at least 12” in length


Our Neighbors Kit - $10


Cardstock
5 sheets Bazzill cardstock

Specialty Paper
KI Memories Love Elsie Collection “Jack & Abby Neighbors” 12” x 12” fabric

Patterned Paper
Mustard Moon “Ledger Red”
Sandylion “Valentine Stripe - Foil”
Sandylion “Hearts - Foil”
It Takes Two “LS73” (green pattern)
Beary Patch “Swirl Dark”
Beary Patch “Swirl Medium”
My Minds Eye Wild Asparagus Collection “My Family” stripe/blue paper (double-sided, cardstock weight)
My Minds Eye Wild Asparagus Collection “Summer Days” paisley/blue paper (double-sided, cardstock weight)
Dove of the East China Journey Collection “Circle Key Window”
Dove of the East China Journey Collection “Bamboo Poem”
Dove of the East China Journey Collection “Pine Grove”
Dove of the East China Journey Collection “Pearl of Wisdom”
Dove of the East China Journey Collection “Forbidden City:
Dove of the East China Journey Collection “Secret Door”

Embellishments
2 Vintage Travel Sticker Sheet (red/cream and blue/cream)
Pebbles I Kan Dee Twist Ties “Thoughts”
Me & My Big Ideas Soft Spoken Walter Knabe “Congratulations” Dimensional Stickers
NRN Designs “Timeless Treasures” stickers
18” Ribbon - 4 sheer, 1 ric rac
10 coordinating eyelets
large assortment of charms, flowers and watch faces from Buttons Galore, Heidi Swapp, Prima, Dove of the East and more!


Christmas Bits Kit - $10


Cardstock
5 sheets Bazzill cardstock

Patterned Paper
It Takes Two “LS73” (green pattern)
Paper White “Quilted Holly Blocks”
2 Paper White “Stockings & Bears”
2 Sandylion “Formal Stripes” glitter accents
Sandylion “Formal Script”
Sandylion “Patchwork” glitter accents
Be Blessed “Christmas Spirit”
Be Blessed “Then and Now”
Be Blessed “Christmas Glow”
Be Blessed “Green Bark”
Be Blessed “Holidays”
Be Blessed “Stitched Christmas”
Be Blessed “Love Peace Joy”

Specialty Papers
Pixie Press “Christmas Bits” Vellum Quotes

Embellishments
Creative Imaginations “Christmas Tree” stickers
Stickopotamus Metallic Silver Alphabet
6 border stickers
10 coordinating eyelets
Assortment of buttons, flowers, shiny stars and more!

Please email me at pbrell at hotmail dot com if you are interested in any of these kits. Thank you!

May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day! My weekend started with my hubby making me homemade cinnamon rolls on Friday night before he left town. Yummy!!

My daughter presented me with this Bratz drawing with a sucker attached. It says "I wish u a happy mothers day. happy mothers day. I [heart] U."And my son made me this foam flower magnet which is now on my refrigerator:

My weekend was filled with family. My Mom, Brother and Sister-in-Law all came up on Saturday to spend the weekend. My other Brother, his Wife and my Niece all joined us on Saturday for a spaghetti dinner, wine, rhubarb cake, a huge fruit platter and lots of conversation. This is a perfect way to spend an evening in my book!!

On Sunday we played some video games and Jenga before my Brother and his Wife headed home. Later my mom taught me how to crochet some...and I was getting the hang of it....woo hooo!

And then I presented my mom with her gift from me. An altered frame I made using crackle paint, glimmer screens and mist, inks, Bo Bunny and Jenni Bowlin rub ons, gems, Prima flowers and pearls, Making Memories alpha stickers and ribbon. The quote says "Children and Mothers never truly part; bound in the beating of each other's heart."


May 7, 2009

Sunday Scribblings - #161 Confession

My friend Diane told me about this really cool site for writing prompts - Sunday Scribblings. This week's prompt was CONFESSION. This is my first time participating. Here's what I came up with:

The Confession

It was another night of restlessness for Liam. His brain just couldn't stop sputtering between one painful memory after another. The memories that he thought he'd buried, tucked away neatly among other old forgotten memories.

The pain and torment of his inner mind lifted temporarily as Kate cried out softly in her sleep. She'd been tossing and turning in her sleep more frequently these days just as Liam had. Suffering with thoughts she couldn't stop, just like him, he supposed.
He propped up on one elbow to see her clutching the covers close to her chest. Even in this dim light Liam could see the strawberry pink color of her slightly parted lips. The lips that he had betrayed.

His chest ached with the realization that he had ruined everything that was good in his life with one simple act. One regrettable decision. A moment of weakness.

"Fuck" he whispered rubbing his palm over his stubbled chin and cheek as he shifted his legs out of bed and sat up. He walked to the bathroom and splashed some cold water on his face. He stared into his own vacant eyes in the mirror still thinking, still hurting.

Kate stepped in behind him asking "What's the matter?" Liam was speechless. He didn't know how to answer that question. No matter what he said it would feel wrong.

"Nothing, just couldn't sleep" he replied.

"Liam, I know something's going on. You haven't been sleeping and you've barely been eating. Something is not right. I can feel it. Tell me what it is."

"I told you already, nothing! Can't you hear?" he snapped.

She recoiled at his sharp tone, a tear welled and wended its way down her cheek.

Liam noticed the tear and something else too--those damn sweet pink lips of hers were quivering.

"Shit" he said as he walked past her and into the living room, his hands balled into fists as his anger rose.

Kate followed close behind pleading with him to tell her what was wrong.

"So it's a confession you want? Is that it?" Liam screams.

Kate stood confused. "A confession?" she replied. "What do you need to confess about?" she continued, her voice sounding unstable now.

"Why can't you just leave it alone!"

"Liam, ..." she whimpered, fresh tears falling from her eyes as she collapsed to the floor. Her white nightgown pooled around her making it look like she was under the moon's spotlight.

Liam thought she looked like an angel, so soft and vulnerable. He couldn't break her heart. He just couldn't!

He knelt down beside her and whispered "I love you" as the lump of emotion rose in his throat. He wrapped his arms around her kissing each tear soaked spot on her beautiful face until she was smiling again.

His thoughts lifted then, a smile playing on his own lips. "Wait here" Liam said, tapping her gently on the nose. He rose and went into their bedroom.

A minute later he reappeared and took both of her hands in his coaxing her to a stand. He knelt down on one knee before her and took out a small blue box. He opened it to reveal a delicate diamond ring.

"Kate, I can't live without you. Will you marry me?" Liam asked.

She was stunned at what was happening.

"Yes, yes, of course I will!" she beamed. They stood kissing passionately until he swept her off of her feet and carried her into the bedroom. After the rush of emotions they had just gone through, their love making felt brand new and intense.

Kate snuggled up beside him and drifted off to sleep. Liam couldn't believe what had just happened. What the fuck did he just do, he thought. As her soft breath floated over his chest, he realized that life would not be worth living without her and buried his secret even deeper into his memories. Besides, he thought, a secret is only a confession if you tell someone and that will never happen.

672 Words

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Excitement in Books and Movies

I can't believe it's been two weeks since my last Thoughts post. Work has still been very busy and I've also been struggling a bit with the "Who Am I?" question. It was just yesterday while I was emailing a friend that I stated "I just can't get enough creativity to fill me up." No matter how much time I devote to scrapbooking I still want to do more. I have also been considering getting into polymer clay, fabric piecing and possibly starting my own Etsy shop to sell some of my things. I LOVE all of this creativity. My mind literally bursts with colorful thoughts. It is invigorating and intoxicating.

Problem is, what I REALLY want to do, writing, gets pushed aside.

Second, how can I live creatively without neglecting my family?

Some really serious questions to consider.

I have noticed that my writing seems to gather a lot more interest than my scrapbooking does. I should be taking a hint, huh? So, I realize I can still scrap but I need to find a way to accomplish my writing goals. No one else is going to do it for me.

So, how does one become successful?

This is what I came up with:
  1. Engage in self promotion.
  2. Network with others in the field.
  3. Don't be afraid to take risks. A successful person has taken many risks to get where they are at.
  4. Work your ass off.
Three of these are difficult for me to do. I wonder if creative people tend to have a soft underbelly full of fear and doubt just waiting to be called on it. I have to get past that. (Being a Virgo and incredibly self-analyzing can be a real pain in the ass, but it also drives me to succeed in a way that can't be stopped.)

Are there any others you can think of?

My plan at the moment is to stop reading and posting in scrappy forums. (It is one of the greatest sources of time loss I can see.) I will continue to share my scrapbook pages here, but I will not share each one I create. I want to continue the Use Your Stash challenges.

My blog will include a lot more about writing/reading and things of that sort.

And I will establish myself with other writers and get networking.





I really, really need your support and encouragement as I go through this transition. Let me hear your comments, both good and bad.




Now, a bit of news to share.

Hubby's ankle was only severely sprained. No torn ligaments or broken bones. He does have an old fracture that was discovered.

I was passed over for the Urban Anthology design star competition. I had a blast doing it though and think I produced some great work along the way.

I am still doing well without the anti-depressant. Yeah!! It is super nice to only take 2 pills a day versus the 5 a day that I had taken at one time.

And two VERY exciting things to share:
American Ghost Hunter the Movie
Looks AMAZING. I can't wait!! I am so fascinated with the paranormal and have become a huge fan or Ryan Buell through Paranormal State.

I also read an extremely helpful book:
Revision: A Creative Approach to Writing and Rewriting Fiction by David Michael Kaplan


A VERY helpful book to look at writing and revising in a more creative way. It has helped me tremendously.

Now I'm off to put those skills to good use!

May 4, 2009

USE YOUR STASH CHALLENGE - Stickers

I have this really crazy sheet of Daisy D's stickers that I just haven't been sure how to use...so this week I took on the challenge to find a use for them! I used 14 stickers on this page...not too bad I don't think!! Now I challenge you to pull out a sheet of stickers that you aren't sure what to do with and scrap 'em! Ready, Set, Go!

Title: Candid Moments

Supplies:
Cardstock (Prism)
Patterned Paper (Scenic Route, My Minds Eye)
Stickers (Daisy D's)
Punch (Stampin Up)
Metal Brad (K&Co.)
Other: ribbon
Marker (Zig)
Adhesive (Ad Tech)


The Rules: Projects must be NEWLY created for this challenge. Traditional or Hybrid OK. Deadline for this challenge: May 31st. Winner will be chosen randomly and receive a lovely RAK from me! :) Have fun!

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