About Me

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DFW, Texas, United States
I'm the luckiest woman out there. I'm blessed to be married to my best friend. I have two amazing children, one son-in-law and the most adorable grandson ever with grandson number two due February 2013!!! My passion is people and preserving their memories for generations to come.
Questions, Comments or Concerns:

Email me at craf_t_scrapper@yahoo.com

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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Recipe Card Swap

So, I was a TOTAL ditz on a recipe card swap I signed up on. I completely forgot about the darn thing and had to get my bottom busy the last two nights to get these done so they could be in the mail this week!!! I am usually really, really good at remembering when I sign up for a swap but when I signed up for this one I had a ton going on and it just slipped my mind.

So, apologies to the ladies involved in the swap because I have completely held it up this time and I feel horrible but, I think you will like your recipe cards, at least I hope you do!!!

Here are a couple shots of the cards I made:

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On another note, I have had the most gosh awful headache today. I was really bordering on calling it a migraine but it just never went over the edge. But that dull continual ache was just enough to make a person miserable!!!

This weekend we are going up for my FIL's birthday. Will be great to see everyone again but it will really be a short trip. We won't be able to leave til Saturday night and will have to be back by Sunday night so the kids can get some sleep for school on Monday. Sure was hoping my new assistant would have worked out but she quit on Tuesday - I'm usually a really nice person when it comes to training a person and giving them plenty of hands on training time but this girl was dumber than a bag of rocks I tell ya. So, on the search for an assistant again and working my tail off again.

Happy scrappin' everyone!!!

Over and out ya'll..................Photobucket

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Well - news from the homefront...........

For those of you who haven't known, we've been waiting on news as to how our jobs are going to play out. My husband and I do contract management for companies and have been with our present company for 4 years traveling to different cities to live, work and remotely oversee the day to day operations. It was brought to our attention in January that the owner was interested in selling out this branch of his business. So, since January we've been in sort of a limbo as you could call it not knowing for sure how many more months we'll be here.

About an hour ago I got word that the properties we oversee were going into escrow and the prospective buyer would have 30 days to back out otherwise in 90 days the properties will be sold. Now that is good news and bad news - the good news is that we aren't sitting in limbo not knowing what is going on but the bad news is that we may not have an income after 90 days.

So, if you don't mind, keep your fingers crossed and our family in your prayers for God to lead us down the right path and place us where we are meant to be. This is a very nerve racking but also exciting time.

With this being said I am going to shut down my challenge blog for now. I have quite a few orders for things that I need to get made, purging of our household that needs to be done (I am a pack rat for those of you who don't know me that well) and I also have to figure out where we will be going and what we will be doing with our lives when the time comes...........so, I know I just started the challenge blog but I really do feel that right now is not the time for it so before it gets going too strong (yeah right) it's best I put it on hold until I know I will have my time back to dedicate to it.

Carol I held off on sending your initial prize for posting your blog until this week since you were the only one who participated. I will be putting your prizes in the mail in the morning and I thank you for playing along. I hope that I can resume the blog challenge later this year when things settle down as I was really getting hyped about all the plans and connections I had made for some exciting events!!!

Over and out ya'll..............I hope you stick around and check out my work still!!!!

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Friday, April 25, 2008

New Blog Candy

Check out Lim's blog candy over at The Voices In My Head. It's easy to win - post about her blog candy on your blog and link back - voila'!!!

I'll be back later to ramble incessantly about something - it's still a bit early!!

Happy Scrappin'

Over and out ya'll......................Photobucket

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Pink Cat Studio Blog Challenge

If you haven't checked out the gals over at Pink Cat Studios then I suggest you do so. Not only does Melissa have some rocking stamps she has created, but the talent of her design team and customers is amazing!!!

So, I got my very FIRST shipment from Melissa on Saturday. I have been contemplating for 3 weeks now WHICH stamp set(s) to buy. I want them ALL!!!! But, my budget wouldn't allow me to buy ALL of them right now. So, I opted for two sets and am anxiously awaiting the May 4th release of her newest set to include Milly Moo - check out her blog and have a look see at Milly, she is adorable!!!

Anywho, the two sets I bought were Lily & Tweet and Crafty Kitty. Aren't these awesome!!!

So, like I said I got my stamps on Saturday and couldn't wait to tear into them but I had two orders for Baby books that I had to get finished before I could get into these yummy stamps. Needless to say I have finished my baby books - well, I still have a little embellishing to do on one but couldn't wait any longer to play with my new stamps. I only managed to get ONE of the Lily & Tweet stamps mounted and cut out before I started stamping. These two cards serve a few purposes: 1.) I got to play with my new stamps....YAY!!! 2.) They are part of the 6 to 8 Mother's Day cards I need to make (I make for my Mom, MIL, sister, SIL's, etc.)!!! 3.) Very happily completes a challenge on the Pink Cat Studio Blog!!!! 4.) Used up a stack of scraps from a recent Baby boardbook that I made!!!

Without further delay....................drum roll please.................

Here are my first card creations with Pink Cat Studio Stamps Lily & Tweet stamps:

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Did you notice on both cards how the flower in Lily's hand kind of stands out??? I stamped Lily twice for each card and the cut out the flower and used a pop dot to give it a little dimension as well as added some stickles to the flowers!!!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my work!!!

Happy Scrappin'

Over and out ya'll....................Photobucket

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Scrappin' Queen

Alright ladies - I took this quiz to find out what kind of scrapper I am and with little doubt, I've been dubbed the Scrappin' Queen!!! LOL Like that surprises me!!!

So, my challenge to you is to go take this quiz and comment back here what kind of scrapper you are - go ahead, face your fears, finally come to accept you are an addict!!! I've always said I should start a Scrapaholics group for myself and I know there are several of you out there just like me!!!







What kind of scrapper are you?




You're a Scrapping Queen! You know and love every embellishment, color of paper, album size, technique and tool there is! And you should because you wouldn't be able to run your very successful online scrapbook shop without that vital knowledge. Scrapping's not just a hobby to you, it's a lifestyle! Your license plate says LUV2SCRP, your kids call you by your screen name scraplady rather than mom. Your scrap area is organized, categorized and alphabetized, but it's never completely clean cause your always working on a new layout. Your husband has had to put a padlock on his workshop to keep you from rooting around in there for new scrapping embellishments. Needless to say, scrapping has taking over your life! But when all is said and done, you know it's worth it because you'll have beautifully perserved memories to hand down from generation to generation (even if it means dressing the kids up in their Halloween costumes in August so you can use that new ghost stamp you bought.)
Take this quiz!








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Join

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Over and out ya'll.................Photobucket

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Elvis Lives..........

...........in the form of rubber stamps!!!!

Does anyone else just love Elvis??? I sure do and I know a few others who are just crazy about him as well. I'm not sure if these stamps are new or not, but they are so new to me.

Go over to Cornish Heritage Farms and check out these Elvis stamps plus a few more!!!

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I am really loving these stamps - oh boy, I'm in trouble!!! So many new stamp sites I've found and loving them all!!!

Have you guys seen Pink Cat Studio Stamps yet??? That is the link to the blog - she makes some darling softies (stuffed creations) too that I just love. You can shop all the fantastic stamps over at Pink Cat Studio's store. Let Melissa know I sent you - she'll be glad to see you!!!

I'll post some other new stamping sites I've found soon - I'm gonna be enabling all of you ladies out there to shop more!!! LOL

Over and out ya'll................Photobucket


ooohhhh a PS!!! My Daddy asked me to make two more of my baby books for two girls that work for him!!! I love making those books but I love it more when my Daddy is proud of my work!!!

Monday, April 14, 2008

April 14, 2008 - Katharina's Creative Place

OK, I found a new blog that is full of inspiration, not to mention a contest I want to enter and I wanted to share it with all of you. Check out Katharina's Creative Place for the contest details and your chance to win as well!!! Don't forget to click on links to other things as well - there is no doubt in my mind that you will be inspired by Katharina's work as well!!!!

Today, so far, is uneventful. I had a huge scare on Friday thinking something was really wrong with me but since have discovered the problem and corrected it. So, you see, I have degenerative bone disease at an accelerated rate. At 27 (8 almost 9 years ago) I was told that I would most likely be in a wheelchair by the time I was 35 (gonna be 36 this year) with the rate of the degeneration. Well, I have fooled them so far!!! LOL On top of that, as if it isn't enough, I am also newly diagnosed diabetic - thanks to both my parents, both sets of grandparents and aunts/uncles on both sides!!! I didn't stand a chance getting away from it did I???

So anywho, Friday afternoon I was sitting at the school waiting to pick up Cait. I had been chatting with my Mom and she had to go because the Schwann man was there - yeah, he's more important than chatting with me....LOL. So I hung up and laid my head back on the seat while waiting. About 2 minutes later I opened my eyes because I was feeling whoosie - man, everything was spinning so fast I could not focus to save my life and I just knew I was gonna hurl!!! This lasted anywhere from 2 to 4 minutes and finally subsided about the time Cait and Dyl (thank goodness his practice got canceled) got into the car. I got home and went into the office to finish up and got to thinking about things I had always been told about being a diabetic - too high or too low could cause dizziness, nausea, etc. So I checked my blood sugar and it was a whopping 269 - it had never been that high ever to my knowledge!!! I had started a new regimen for my back which included Glucosimine Chondrointin (not sure on spelling don't shoot me) 3 days prior and for the last 3 days (Friday being the absolute worse) I had been getting light headed and dizzy on occasion. So I looked up those pills I was taking - amino sugars is the first thing wikipedia says about them. HHHMMM, could this be my problem??? So,I barely finished my day in the office and went to bed. On Saturday I refused to take them to try out my theory that they were the problem - I felt fine after taking my normal pills (diabetic and vitamins). So I went Sunday without them - still doing great and blood sugar level has been below 100 almost every time I've checked. So, I have come to the conclusion Glucosimine Chondrointin is not good for me especially being a diabetic. So, if you take these or know anyone who does and they are diabetic and their blood sugar has started getting high check into it - you may find the problem in the pills that are supposed to help people with bone and joint problems!!!

Oh boy - I wrote a novel about bone problems and pills..........sounds like I'm getting old huh??? LOL

Well, tonite i am hoping to accomplish some more scrappy projects I have lined up. Need to work on perfecting my rings - once I get them down I just might share with you my secrets (although it really isn't a secret....LOL) ***wink***.

Off to finish up work, pick up Dyl from baseball, hit Hobby Lobby to check out what embossing folders they have since they are on sale this week and then back to the house to get to creating some more stuff!!!

Happy Scrappin!!!

Over and out ya'll..................Photobucket

Sunday, April 13, 2008

April 13, 2008 - Part Dos - My Evening Creations!!!

Well I promised I would post the rest of what I got done tonite and I feel pretty accomplished!!! So, I showed you the journal already and the rest of the Post It Note keychains. Now I need to show you...................

The clock made by special request from my Mom for a friend - lighting doesn't do it justice but I was too lazy to take a 2nd pic!!! LOL

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These darling little rings I've started making - believe it or not the flowers are supposed to be purple and the dots green but the lighting to take the pics make them look black!!! GGGGRRRR LOL

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And finally..............

drumroll please..............

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A custom ordered altered baby boardbook by Bo Bunny - I really love how this one turned out!!!!

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Well, thanks for stopping by and checking out my stuff. Leave me some love if you like what you see - if not, well, still leave me a message but leave out the bad things....LOL

Over and out ya'll..............Photobucket

April 13, 2008 - Part Uno - The Journal

Well, today was pretty uneventful. I managed to finish up some more Post It Note Keychains and a journal. I have a couple other things on my plate for tonite and hope to get them done so I can show them off!!!

Here are the rest of the Post It Note keychains:

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And here is the journal I made for my friend Julie - hopefully she won't look here for a few days so I can get it in the mail to her!!! LOL

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That is about it for today so far........more to come I hope!!!

Over and out ya'll!!! Photobucket

Thursday, April 10, 2008

April 10, 2008 - Part Deux - Women's Murder Club WooHoo!!!

OK, as the day has moved on I feel better. It has to be them darn allergies. Gonna wait to see if I get the chills and aches again tonite before I decide to go or not go this weekend. I really want to so I'm hoping that I am fine.

I just found out some exciting news though!!! I screamed with joy when I found out!!! I'm not a huge television watcher but I loved Women's Murder Club - a series based on the James Patterson books. Well, it comes back on the air April 29th.........doing the happy dance here!!!

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Now, if Life would come back on too I'd be thrilled!!! Gotta go look for that one!!!

Think I may run to Archiver's tonite - I shouldn't I know. But my friend Polè makes a bunch of Elvis collages for a Mexican restaurant chain down here called Chuy's and I was telling him about the Jolee's Elvis dimensional stickers and told him I'd grab him some next time I was there!!!

And in case he checks here tonite - he said earlier today he would - here is the Elvis clock I made my mother in-law a while back:

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Have a great day!!! Happy Scrappin'!!!

Over and out Ya'll!!!Photobucket

April 10, 2008 - Part Un - Sick

BLEH!!! That is all I can manage to say today!!! I think I am finally getting sick - I made it the majority of the winter without fully coming down with anything and I think my good luck streak has ended.

Yesterday evening I started getting chills, hot and cold flashes (that could be menopause....LOL) and achy all over. I was feeling so icky last nite that I was in bed by 8 instead of the usual midnite to 1 am. This morning I wake to a few aches still, coughing and a head so stuffed with snot that I can't even blow my nose!!!

I am really flustered with the fact that I am getting sick too. I had plans to go see a long lost recently found friend (I've been talking about her in my posts the last couple days) this weekend where I grew up but now I am not thinking I should go. If I did go I would possibly spread it to not only her, but my parents since I would be staying with them and I definitely do NOT want to get them sick!!!

So, off to pop some pills today (Echinacea, Vitamin C and sinus pills) to try and kick this thing in the butt before it gets the best of me!! Wish me luck!!!

Happy' Scrappin'..........Over and out ya'll!!!Photobucket

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

April 9, 2008 - Accomplishment

So on Monday I swore that I would not turn on the monitor after work until I accomplished something crafty. Do you think I did it???


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Well, of course I did!!! I made this darling little stationary box with 3 cards to go inside. I really love the colors and those stamped flowers are my newest stamp purchase. I totally adore them!!!

Check out my stationary box:

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And the inside of the box w/the cards I made:

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And the cards that goes into the stationary box:

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I really enjoyed making this little set.

Last night I managed to whip out about a dozen more of the Post It note keychains but I haven't had a chance to get pictures of them to post but will try to do so tonite.

I spent last nite talking to a dear friend of mine from high school. I haven't sat down and talked with her in ages and we spent 2 1/2 hours on the phone last nite giggling like school girls reliving some of our crazy times and catching up on things in the last 10+ years that we've missed out on in each others lives. It was so great to talk to her - it really felt like old times as if we hadn't missed each other all those years.

Well, got work to do so I better get busy. A/R calls won't make themselves so I best get busy. Take care and have a great day!!!

Happy Scrappin'!!!

Over and out ya'll...........Photobucket

Monday, April 7, 2008

April 7, 2008 - How fast do you type???

How fast do you type???? LOL I found this on a blog I was perusing and me being the perfectionist I am when it comes to typing was curious how fast I type these days. When I graduated high school I was easily 70 to 75 wpm but wondered if I could still keep my fingers moving..................

81 words

Speed test



I guess so huh??? LOL I was amazed to see that not only is my speed still up there, I've improved over the years a bit!!! Wonder how fast I really type if I try and focus on what I'm doing.....LOL

So, ever want to know your names hidden meaning??? I saw this while perusing another friend's blog the other day and forgot to post it...........




What Karen Means



You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life.

You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip.

People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them.



You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.

You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.

You have the classic "Type A" personality.



You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.

You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.

You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.



You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.

At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.



You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.

You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.

You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.



So I wonder if the person who wrote that knows me??? For the most part it's pretty accurate!!!

I got a new pair of shoes this weekend - I must say they are rather comfy!!! Those who know me know that I am a total Crocs girl - they are so comfortable that I could care less if the majority of the population think they are ugly. Well, Rob and I went to the mall yesterday after watching Leatherheads at Alamo Drafthouse and I saw these new Skechers flip flops. They are darling - and comfy!!! They have the holes in them so you can "pop" little decorative buttons in and out to spruce them up a bit - I just love them!!!! Check 'em out!!!!

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See all the little cute things on them??? Those can be popped in and out whenever you want to change them!!!

I am resolving to not turn on my monitor at my desk tonite until I have created at least one layout, two cards or one large altered item or two small altered items - I've been so lazy that it is just ridiculous and I need to get to making something, anything!!! So, wish me luck....LOL!!!

I also need to go touch base with my friends on a couple of the forums that I typically visit on a regular basis - I've been horrible about it. I just haven't had it in me to log in anywhere other than here every few days. I def need to get myself back into my groove. The haircut definitely helped - I'm a little more peppy lately and hope it lasts!!!

Well, that is all I can think of to bore you with - check back often, I actually accomplish something scrappy wise once in a while that is worth checking out!!!

Happy Scrappin'..............over and out ya'll!!!Photobucket

Friday, April 4, 2008

April 4, 2008 - New "Do"

So, today was the day. We got out hair cut!!!

Cait and I got to the salon about 12:55 for our 1:00 appt and she got in the chair first. She chickened out on the total hair color but opt'd for some low lites and high lites in her hair w/a simple cut. She kept the overall length of her hair and just got some cute little layers put in to accentuate her new color - looks so cute!!!

Wanna see???




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I told you it looks cute!!!


Now, for me.........there wasn't much left of my hair when she got done. But, I did tell her I wanted short and sassy and easy to manage cause I just don't do an hour on the hair anymore. Back in high school I'd spend an hour easy just on the hair and it had to look just right but now my hair is the last thing I want to spend an hour on.

So, I showed her an idea I had printed from the internet and she thought it would look cute on me. But she told me that since I was going that short I should go just another inch to inch and a half and donate to Locks of Love again. I thought what the heck, it's only hair and mine grows back super fast why not!!! Last August I donated 10 inches and today I donated 8 inches!!! Will be another year to year and a half before it is long enough to donate again but that's OK!!!

So, enough talking about it, you ready to see it???

OK, here is the before I took of myself last night:

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Totally crappy picture I know but I was about to crawl into bed and thought it would be good to have a before pic!!!

So, on to the new "do":

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And the back:

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OK, be honest. What do you think??? I'm trying to get accustomed to not having a ton of hair on my head weighing it down. I love the back 110% and am getting used to the front. I'm just not used to having short hair - I only went this short (actually shorter) one time in my life and that is when Cait was little and I didn't have time to do the hair and get her ready and get to work on time. I felt so old with that hair cut though - I'm afraid this one makes me look older too and I don't need to look older - younger was my goal.......LOL

So, be honest - tell me what you think??? The new, short "do" or long hair on me, which looks best???

And here is one of the two of us:

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Well, nothing else went on today as we spent the majority of the day at the salon. I'm sitting at my scrappy desk trying to decide if I want to dig into anything tonite or just call it a nite and go to bed, a little on the tired side. If I end up doing anything tonite I'll try to post it later or in the morning but most likely gonna go veg in the bed and watch some TV til I fall asleep.

Happy Scrappin' and Over and out ya'll!!!!Photobucket

Thursday, April 3, 2008

April 3, 2008 - Part Deux - PostIt Note Keychains.....again

So, all I managed to get done tonite were two more of the Post It note keychains. They are just so fun and easy to make I couldn't resist!!!

Check out the two new ones I made. The one with the owls is just so cute I can't stand to put anything on the front of it even though I used my owl stamp and cut it out to see what it would look like and nope, too many owls I guess but I adore the paper. Using K&Co. Berry Sweet line again, misc ribbon from my stash, Queen & Co. Felt flower and misc gem from stash. Thanks for looking!!!

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Happy Scrappin'!!!

Over and out ya'll!!!!Photobucket

April 3, 2008 - Happy Scrappy Mail!!!

What a great day - I got happy scrappy mail!!!!

My darling, sweet friend Stephanie from Canada sent me a yummy RAK!!!

As I opened my packages I found this precious card she made me with such a sweet sentiment inside:

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And then my goodies:

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What you see here is a Fun stamp, blue gingham ribbon, two flowers w/glitter, a Karen Foster chipboard book, a baggie of chipboard epoxy buttons/tags/ribbon slides and a piece of blue striped paper that is very textured (almost like wallpaper and I love it!!!)

How cool is that??? The scrappy mail days are the ones that you don't expect!!! Thank you for thinking of me Steph!!!

Other than that a rather quiet day today. I did hear from an old friend. We were best friends in school and kind of drifted apart when she got married and got back together and drifted some more. I've thought of her many times and wondered how she was doing and out of the blue today she popped up. I wrote her back and am hoping to hear from her again this evening. It's been a long time.

Well, off to get crafty on something before heading to bed early tonite. I have to get up extra early in the morning to get the kids to school, open the office and then pick up Cait at noon to go get our hair done!!! I've been thinking about going short and sassy so we'll see what Kim thinks I need done!!! Maybe some highlights, who knows!!! I'll take a pic and post tomorrow of the new me..........hopefully I will love the new "do" as I sure do need a pick me up!!!

Happy Scrappin' ladies and if I get anything done tonite I'll try to post it!!!

Over and out ya'll............Photobucket

Blog Archive

Followers

Just to cover all bases...................

I am not the best scrapper out there. I don't claim to be totally original, I lift from many places and in many forms from color combinations, to product usage, to technique and so forth. I try to be fair to all scrappers out there and mention them when I lift from them - now keep in mind, there are so many people out there scrapping, card making and altering items that naturally more than one person will have similar ideas. When I mention lifting, or casing as some call it, I mean when you intentionally take a design you see and duplicate it exactly or only change up the coloring........KWIM???

With that said..........

All content, including text, photographs, and concept design elements are © Karen Brooks unless otherwise noted. Content within this blog is shared for personal, non-commercial use and inspiration only and shall not be used for personal gain or entry into contests or for publication. That wouldn’t be very nice now would it???

Thanks and happy scrappin'!!!!