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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Saturday, February 28, 2009

This Is My Happy Face

I love this LO just because of the meaning behind it!!! My darling husband loves to make faces at the camera and makes a purpose to NOT give me a real smile so, I have resolved to scrapping these pictures as his "Happy Face"!!!

Enjoy!!

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That's 2 LO's finished today (even though the first I worked on for 4 days.....LOL) so I am thrilled!!

Rob just got home from work and we are gonna take a nap then go see Rick Springfield tonite!!!!

Thanks as always for stopping by and Happy Scrappin'!!!

Finally!!!

Goodness, I FINALLY got something done!!! I've been trying to finish this LO for like 4 days - I am clueless as to why I made it so hard on myself but I did. I completed this for my AAM challenge at Just Scrappin', Julies "Lift and Flip" challenge at Treasured Scrapbooking and for the 2/27 Freaky Friday challenge at ScrapFreaks.

I used a sketch by Sara at Treasured Scrapbooking:

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My LO really did resemble the sketch must closer when I started but I kind of went my own direction!!!

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Here's the hidden journaling:

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And that my friends is all I've done that I can show right now!!! I did finish up my DT card for tomorrow's reveal so I'll show that tomorrow and hopefully I'll get some more stuff done as well but it isn't looking too good yet!!!

Thanks for stopping by and happy scrappin'!!!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

A Sketch by Katharina

Katharina and Whiff of Joy are looking for a guest designer. At this time I don't have any Whiff of Joy stamps but I tell you they are def on my list of "must have" stamps now! Well, the challenge is to create a card based off the sketch posted so I pulled out my Bella's and chose the cute DaisyBella for my card tonite!!!

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That is all I've managed to get done this week - so far!! I do have another card on my desk that I am working on and hope to have it finished tonite but won't be able to show it til the 1st for the DT reveal at Am I A Scrap Addict - Sketches!!

I hope you all had a great day!!! Thanks for stopping by and happy scrappin'!!!

Blogaversary Celebration

Check out this fabulous Blogaversary Celebration!!! I am so thinking I should do a blogaversary celebration too - wonder when mine is??? I gotta go find out but I bet it has already passed........LOL!!!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

A Mother's Love

My son, as some know, is technically my step son. No, I was not honored to be his birth mother but I love him as much as a mother can. His birth mother, Marni, passed away before his 2nd birthday so he has no memories of her other than stories he has been told. Over the years I’ve worked on a layout here and there trying to capture some of the memories for him. This layout is one that I am honored to be part of – more than just creating it. I completed this layout for four different challenges on four different boards so let me break it down:


From Here 2 Scrapternity:


I used a sketch as posted by Kelly

Just Scrappin’:

Cristal challenged us to do a layout without a title.

Treasured Scrapbooking:


Shirley challenged us to use hearts on our layout.

ScrapFreak:

Jess challenged us to scrap a not so perfect event in our lives. Now, my being honored to be Dylan’s Mom was a perfect event in my life but the tragic loss of life for his birth Mom was a not so perfect event.

So, now to my layout:

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The journaling reads:

A mother’s love is instinctual, unconditional and forever. – author unknown

A tragedy. A life cut short. An opportunity to share my love. Being your Mom is one of the best things that could have ever happened. I know I can never replace your real Mom but I can love you like she would. I <3 you.

I am very happy with how this one turned out. The pic of it isn’t the best but it is 3 a.m. here and there is no natural light anywhere at this moment but I just had to get this uploaded as I am thrilled with it!

As always thanks for stopping by and happy scrappin’!!!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

So...........

...........what's up today? I'm still in a bleh mood for the most part. It has been a rough week after the accident we witnessed last weekend, everyone in my house recovering from being sick, Rob's screwy work schedule (we are just thankful he has a job), some scrapper drama (I hate drama, have I ever mentioned that) and then with the passing of a scrappy friend's daughter it has just been a not so great week for me. So, with this being Saturday evening I am hoping that Sunday morning starts us off fresh and clear for a great week ahead - I want to get lots of scrappy stuff done this week!!!

I did manage to finish up my round 3 layout for the Treasured Scrapbooking "We Love Our Members" contest. The talent over there is just so amazing that I don't expect to come anywhere close to winning but I am really enjoying the time limit to complete and the prompts for the layouts - they've made me think a bit outside my box. The rules state we can show them on our blogs but I am just gonna wait til it is over before I share them so in another week or so I'll have them posted.

I did recently pull out my beads and starting making beaded charms and what knot for my layouts and cards. It also prompted me to try my hand at making some earrings and I've had a blast. I had quite a few beads from back before Rob and I got married. I had made a necklace and earrings to wear in our wedding until I was given the honor to wear a set of pearls that had been handed down through his family so the necklace and earrings got set aside and for the most part my beading did too. But boy oh boy have I had a blast BUYING stuff to work with - I've spent more than I should have but I am so psyched to try my hand at more stuff. I can tell you that I have seen some amazing work from a lady over on Treasured Scrapbooking - Cheryl - you should really check out her work, it is amazing. She made a necklace for a friend of mine, Cristal (who didn't post it on her blog or I'd link it for ya), and I am so in awe that I went and bought some stuff so I could try out the necklaces now!!!

The only thing craft wise I have to share with you are the earrings I've made, I've really been a slacker with scrapping lately but hope this next week my mojo comes home!!!

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I had a lot of fun making these and I think Cait has had more fun wearing them to school this week!!! LOL

Thanks for stopping by. I think I am gonna try to work on a card - I've been kicking around trying out for another DT for over 2 weeks now and the deadline for submissions is coming soon so I really have to make the decision tonite and get my card made if I want to try for it. Send some positive vibes my way just in case!!!

Happy Scrappin'!!!!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Am I A Scrap Addict - Sketchs 2/16 Reveal

Once again, it is that time. But sadly, this time will now come only once a month on the 1st. I will truly miss the double reveal each month BUT............De has 2, yes TWO wonderful teams now for cards and layouts so there will still be twice monthly reveals of sketches and work so make sure you check out Am I A Scrap Addict - Sketches on the 1st and 15th of every month still!!!

So, on to my reveal!!!

Here is my sketch I got to work with:


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And here is my card:

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If you use the sketch please let us know by posting here or at Am I A Scrap Addict - Sketches - we'd love to see what you come up with!!!

Now on to my sketch!!! I am hosting a 2nd challenge at Just Scrappin' this month and it is another of my sketches. There are, of course, prizes involved so stop by and play along!!! The sketch I made for the challenge I am posting today was a fun but simple one - I'd love to know if you use my sketch as well!!!

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I haven't completed a card for this sketch - or the sketch from the 1st challenge because it has been so hectic the last two weeks but I have them on my list!!!

As for non-scrappy - it looks like everyone is on the mend from being sick. Saturday night my parents came up and took us out for Cait's bday dinner since they postponed last week and we witnessed a horrible wreck as we were coming home - it happened on the corner of the road we live on. After 2 hours of being out in the cold and rain we finally got home and it seems like I haven't been able to get the chill out of my bones quite yet - is that a sign I'm getting older?? LOL None the less, it was a stressful situation and has only added to my humdrum mood lately. I have some school work to finish up tomorrow then hopefully I can spend tomorrow night and Wednesday playing in my papers and what knot - I am missing card making!!! I also have a LO I need to get done for the Treasured Scrapbook 4 week challenge going on not to mention several LO challenges on a couple sites I play on!! So much to do and so little time right now!!! Hopefully with everyone getting well it will settle back down!!!

Off to veg with the hubby and kids since he is off work tonite. Have a good evening and happy scrappin'!!!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Yep, Happy Valentines Day to all my friends!! Today is not only THE day of "lurve" it is also a day of great news!!!

As most of you know, I have been designing for Am I A Scrap Addict - Sketches for the past 6 months and loving every minute of it!!! Well, I have been honored by being allowed to return for a second 6 month term!!! I am just so excited as I just love De's sketches and always get so much inspiration from all the girls involved!!! I still have one more release from my current term which will happen on Monday and then my releases will be on the 1st of each month starting with the new term. De has two teams and has decided to do half on the 1st and half on the 15th so even though I will showcase my release on the 1st you should totally check out the site on the 15th of each month as well!!!

Check out my new tag De made for us!!!

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Even though it is the day of "lurve", we won't be doing much since Rob has to work tonite but.................I did have a surprise for him when he got home at 2 this morning!!!! Over at Just Scrappin' and Treasured Scrapbooking Cristal (aka Pinky) challenged us to an altered item gift this month for a loved one. She made a coupon book for her hubby and encouraged us all to do something similar giving our loved ones "coupons" for "stuff." So, I made a board book for Rob and included little "tickets" for "stuff" ranging from Date Night to more naughty things and I love how it turned out - and so did he I might add!!! Wanna see??? Well of course I am gonna show it whether ya wanna see or not!!! LOL

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So, tell me what ya think??? I am just tickled with how it turned out. I don't usually go on and on about anything I make but I've been gushing about this since finishing it up around 1:30 this morning!!!

Other than that I haven't really gotten anything scrappy done at all!!! With the last 2 1/2 weeks being filled with sickies around here I finally got everyone well and have seemed to avoid getting sick myself (so far, knock on wood) so I hope this next week I can get back in the loop of things and knock some challenges out over at a couple of the boards I play on regularly!!!

My parents are due up any moment to celebrate Cait's birthday this weekend since we postponed it last weekend so I am going to wrap this up until Monday most likely - when I'll have my DT release to show ya and hopefully that will be the start of a very productive scrappy week!!!

By the way, the We Love Our Members contest is still going strong over at Treasured Scrapbooking so if you haven't stopped by yet you totally should - the work there is always amazing but the ladies competing are really pulling out all the tricks of the trade to create some fantabulous layouts!!!

As always, thank you for stopping by. I hope that with just one of my posts I can inspire one person to create something beautiful! Happy Scrappin' to you all and I leave you with this on a beautiful Valentine's Day!!!

My Scrappy Kitty Valentine:

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I stopped in to see what Cait was up to the other night in her room and she was scrappin' a bit. She taken the cover from the K&Co. Smitten pad and laid on the bed and the cat decided it made a nice canopy to sleep under. I just love this pic and think I'll do a layout with it soon!!!

Monday, February 9, 2009

17 Years Ago..........................

...............today, I became a Mom. It was one of the proudest moments of my life - the minute I held that perfect little girl in my arms I knew things would never be the same, only better. Yep, today my baby girl turned 17 and wow, how time has passed. I just can not believe it!!! To make matters worse, I stop and think that in 8 months not only will I have one 17 year old in the house, I'll have two! Man, time flies when you are having fun.

I looked for a birth pic of Cait but I apparently don't have any scanned of just her so I'll share this one of me, her and my grandma taken when Cait was just a couple days old:


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And then a pic from tonite:

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Happy birthday my baby girl, I love you!!!


A few more pics from tonite:

Cait opening a gift:

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Daisy giving Cait birthday lovies:


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Dyl, he is getting sick and is taking meds tonite to try and avoid it, he started this whole mess 2 1/2 weeks ago and is getting his 2nd round, I sure hope I continue to avoid it but I am not thinking I will totally succeed!!! LOL

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My poor, sweet, sick DH:

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And the last pic tonite is of my latest creation:

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It's a Hello Kitty pendant!!! How cute is this??? It isn't paper either so it won't tear!!!! I'm so excited because I made it with a couple friends in mind, they just love HK and I have been scheming for over a week trying to figure out the details and once I got it done I made this thing in like 10 minutes!!!

OK, off to bed. Tomorrow starts a new schedule in the house with Rob going to his new work schedule of evenings. Hopefully I can get my school work done early and get some scrappy stuff done tomorrow!!! I have some really cute cute cute new House Mouse Stamps and a new Whipper Snapper Designs stamp and a Boyd's Bear stamp I am dying to use!!!

Thanks for stopping by and happy scrappin' all!!!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Quarantine

Yep, I officially quarantined the house on Friday. Cait had strept throat all week, Rob was diagnosed Friday morning with acute bronchitis, Dyl was sick 2 weeks ago and I'm fighting but feel like I am losing. I have rested every chance I've gotten hoping it will help me continue to fight!!!

We had a crop going on over at Just Scrappin' this weekend and I only managed to get one thing done so far. I am hoping tomorrow I can get through a couple more things but I have some school work to do as well so we'll have to wait and see.

I'm also playing along in the We Love Our Members contest over at Treasured Scrapbooking. Wow, all the entries so far have been awesome! It is a 4 week long contest and we are starting week 2 this week. Make sure you stop by and check out all the fabulous work that has been done. I will be posting my work here when the contest is over but for now, if you wanna see what I'm up to you'll need to come on over!!!

Here's the one card I finished for the JS crop - I am not overly fond of it but it was made while doped up on cold meds so I have an excuse............LOL

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The challenge was by Kelly and based off a Becky Fleck sketch and we had to use orange or purple on the card. I chose to stamp out the flower and hand cut it out - I also stickled the petals. The ribbon has BoBunny rub-ons for the decorative effect and the sentiment is from BoBunny as well. The papers are K&Co. and the line escapes me right now.

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin' - let's hope for a more productive week this next week!!!!

Friday, February 6, 2009

What a week...............

................and it isn't over yet!!! Let's see, I haven't gotten ANYTHING scrappy done this week and that does not set well with me!!! I had so many plans and challenges to get done and nothing, nada, zilch, zero!!!! Why you may ask? Well, Cait woke up Monday morning sick. Her dad told her if she wasn't feeling good to go back to bed - and she did. Now I knew she was sick when she did that because she does NOT like to miss school at all afraid she'll get behind on work.

She slept all day Monday and Monday night as she was moving from the couch to her bed to go back to sleep I checked her throat and yep, the tell tale signs of strept throat were starting to appear - small blisters, swelling, redness - you see, I grew up getting strept throat 2 to 3 times a year so I def knew what this was. Off to the doc on Tuesday morning. Funny that the doc tried to tell me it wasn't strept but I kept telling him it was and he finally decided to test it - he said he saw no blisters on the back of her throat, HA I laugh at him because they were not fully developed at the time just starting out!! Anywho sure enough he comes back to say yep, it's strept.

Spent the week taking care of her and running an errand or two when I could and working on school stuff for me. Last night Rob comes home from work pale and not feeling good and headed to bed way early - I wasn't even out of class when he went to bed. I watched a movie and headed to bed around 12:30 a.m. to him achey with the chills and all the signs of the flu that the doc talked to me about on Tues. So this morning I have an appt to get him and hopefully some meds to knock it out.

I have been trying to reorganize my scrap room all week so needless to say nothing is really in its place right now because I had been working in the kitchen - so half of the stuff is in the kitchen and the other half is in my scrap room. Can't organize now because my scrap room is off our bedroom and I'm not known to be the quietest when I clean...............LOL!!!

Oh yeah, the weekend birthday celebration for Cait has been postponed - she will be 17 on Monday and we were gonna do a birthday gig for her this weekend but with her and Rob getting sick I don't want to pass that along to anyone else so, another time.

OK, off to do something until it is time to go to the doc which will lead to the pharmacy I'm sure and I gotta hit the post office to mail off some stuff, including my payment for my scrapping trip coming up!!!! Woohoo!!

Happy Scrappin' all and keep your fingers crossed that I might get something done this weekend!!!!



PS I just realized - I did get one LO done this week - it is for the "We Love Our Members" challenge at Treasured Scrapbooking. Go check 'em out!

Monday, February 2, 2009

Keep In Touch.........................

......................February Guest Designer!!! I was honored by getting to be a guest designer for Kelly, the owner of Keep In Touch. She had me doing something a little special this month other than my typical cards. I had so much fun playing with the kit she sent, this one:

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Oh wait, that was the teaser pic I showed not long ago, where, oh where.............



...................let me look...........................



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Oh,HERE it is!!! LOL Sorry, I had to tease you again just a little!!!

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OK, so anywho...............enough with the teasing!!!

Kelly sent me that yummy kit to play with and make jewelry!!! Everyone knows how much I love to make the domino necklaces and this is EXACTLY what I got to do!!! I will be doing a tutorial on how to make these easy but cute necklaces in the next week or so as well as showing more of what I made from the kit!!! But for now, enjoy!!!!

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My fav:

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My son's fav - I kept trying to add something to it and he kept telling me, very strongly (he's 16) NO!! LOL

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My daughter's fav (she snagged this one):

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And then a cute little ring - I used alcohol inks to get the rich red color on the ring:

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I hope you enjoyed checking these out as much as I did making them!!! Please make sure you stop by and show some love over at Kelly's shop, Keep In Touch and check out her blog for all these and more from other guest designers!!!

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Scrappin'!!!

Card Reveal..............

....................at Am I A Scrap Addict - Sketches!!! Yep, today is the 2nd, amazing how fast time flies huh??? Anywho, we had another great sketch by Deanne to work from. I chose to do my card in memory of Beverley Todd, a fellow DT member who passed away on Christmas Eve.

Here is De's sketch we used:

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And, here is my card:

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I also completed a card for Friday Sketchers and A Spoon Full of Sugar. Friday Sketchers was, of course, a sketch challenge and Spoon Full of Sugar was to create a Valentine card. This will be the first time that I have played along with these two challenge blogs but I had a blast!!! This is a very simple and clean card - I usually clutter them up a little more but I like this one being plain and simple.

Here's my card:

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I should have some more stuff to reveal later today from my guest DT position at Keep In Touch - keep your eyes peeled, you won't wanna miss the yummy kit I got to work with OR the cute stuff I made (at least I think they are cute....LOL)!!!

Thanks for stoppin' by and Happy Scrappin'!!!!

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'!!!!