Piano Hinge Album

I made this piano hinge album the other night. It was sent to me as a thank you gift for hosting a rolodex swap. Wasn't that nice!

The album is from ClubScrap. They are very simple to make. There are alot of websites on the internet with directions if you do a google search. What I like about these is they are interesting looking. You could use chopstix or even sticks from a tree for the spine, which gives you some flexibility. Of course, you have a rainbow of colors to choose for paper. Adding beads to the fiber gives it some pizzazz.

I hope you will check these out. I think they will be a nice addition to your scrapbooking challenges!

Out for Publication

I am getting published in November in an online scrapbooking mag. It's good for the creative juices to get published or win contests here and there. I think otherwise we start to think our stuff is just crap! Another fun thing about getting published, besides the ego boost, is to put up your "Out for Publication" sign where your layout or altered art is posted on scrapbook sites. The particular thing that was selected is some an altered milk can that I have to pull from where it was posted for the month of the mag. I created my out for publication sign using an altered canvas I made a while back and importing it into my photo editing software. I just typed text over the top of it and ta-da!

Sketch Challenge

I'm not a big fan of sketches. It just is hard for me to fit my free flowing brain into that kind of boxed-in environment. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with doing them. I find it is harder for me to fit my brain in that arena than for others. However, I did do one Saturday night for an online crop. The crop itself was lame as the hostess didn't really have anything for us to do..., but that website is kind of odd anyway so I shouldn't have been surprised! Anyhoooooooo, she did pick a sketch from some sketch artist she likes and had us do a layout. I did it, and I think every once in a while we need to step out of our comfort zone, especially if our mojo is on hold for whatever reason!!! I was rather pleased with my results, although my picture makes the straight lines of paper look crooked. they are not. I just couldn't get my scanner to work. I have a great all-in-one printer that is terrific for absolutely everything, except apparently scanning my layouts. I'm not complaining because the photo quality is so good, people don't realize I printed my pictures at home when I'm cropping!
Anyway, here is the sketch and my layout. I did turn the sketch on its side because my pics didn't work with it the way it was originally drawn.

I was in a contest recently at an unnamed website where the prize was $100 worth of scrapbook product for first place and then there were other prizes for 2nd and 3rd. It was 5 rounds. I made it through round 4. I appreciate competition. It brings out the best, and there was some amazing stuff that was done.

More Halloween Treats to Make

Ah the delight young children feel at

Halloween all jacked up on sugary candy, running around in fun costumes, overstimulated by friends... My nephews are just the right age to appreciate getting a box full of Halloween treats I've been making for this challenge at a website. I made these two puzzles today. We were supposed to alter some puzzle pieces, but I didn't have any and I KNEW what kid would want altered puzzle pieces? They want puzzles! Right? These were quick and dirty puzzles that I whipped out on cardstock. To make them more durable, just mount on chipboard. I didn't do that because we get points based on how fast we finish. That explains why these aren't inked on the edges or chalked anywhere. They were just slapped together and cut up and posted!

The pumpkin is an altered CD. Yes, I am the queen of altered items, but even as quickly as I put this together, two other divas beat me to the punch and got more points by posting faster! So you can see that time is of the essence and the details and fun little tricks I might normally do are cast to the wind as I whip these out like Edward Scissorhands. I will put a wire loop at the top of the pumpkin so my lil' guys can hang this up.

They will be receiving quite a stash of stuff. I hope that makes me a fun Auntie!

Halloween Fun Stuff

I'm in this Halloween Derby at this website. We have made some stuff that I will be sending my nephews for Halloween. I think they will get a kick out of it. Things I probably wouldn' t have made otherwise. Check this out!
Door hanger is my own design. You just need a piece of paper that is 4"x8 1/2", a 2" circle punch, and a 1" circle punch and a corner rounder. That's it!

Homecoming Card & Gift

My dd gave her big sis on varsity a gift for homecoming. They exchange for certain games. She asked me to make a card and so I did. I also made this little doo-dad for her. Why not! I can!!! Heather can't believe I made the card. I made a matching envelope with pom pom paper that has a megaphone on it. Oh, how I entertain myself!