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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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Smile................

................is what I'm trying to do. I have so much going on right now I don't know if I remember how to. This card is for Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge #12 - a sketch by Donna. This is far from being my best card but my mind and heart just wasn't in it tonite. My Mom has her heart surgery tomorrow morning and I'm just overwhelmed with the hopes that everything turns out and my craftiness just isn't here so I know I didn't do justice to my Kenny K digi image but I promise next time to be better!!!

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Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

BzzAgent Elmer's/Xacto

..........gave me this fab little package of adhesive/cutting goodies to play with and I just had to share!!!

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In the pack was a great, smooth as all get out, tape runner, 2 pair of edging scissors, a corner punch, a glue stick, some glue dots and a liquid adhesive (which earned its keep in my scrappy stash first off!!).

As with any freebies rec'd I like to showcase them, how I use them and then an HONEST opinion of what I think about them while using them. So, let's get started!!

As I said the liquid adhesive earned its keep almost immediately!! I was trying to use my Tim Holtz Distressing ink with the applicator and as I pulled off one of the applicator ends I pulled off the piece that holds them on entirely!!! AAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!! What's a girl to do? Well, sitting there on the table staring at me was my Elmer's/Xacto package so I grabbed the liquid adhesive and used it to fix my applicator!!

Here's my broken ink applicator:

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Applying the Elmer's Craft Bond:

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Elmer's Craft Bond:

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My fixed ink applicator - just had to give it a little dry time!!!

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As for the rest of the adhesive, well, let's see what I was able to do!!!

The super smooth tape runner was used quite a bit, here I was assembling the Nestie cut shapes:

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Worked like a charm!! I realized I had forgot to emboss the background that I inked (look at the picture above you can tell) and I was so not able to get the piece off without chancing to rip so it def holds!!! I ended up embossing after adhering:

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The next product used was the glue stick. I used glue sticks way back when I didn't know better. The last time I tried a glue stick I was ready to stick my fingers to my forehead so I didn't have to use a glue stick again!!! But...........this Elmer's glue stick was actually awesome!!! I was able to apply it so easily to the small areas of the swing and leaves and BAM (I'm thinking I'm Emeril....LOL)it was stuck to the background just as I needed it!!

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The last adhesive I played with are their new glue dots. So, I'm used to glue dots that are super thin and great for adhering but........then I have to add the foam adhesive squares if I want any height. With these, I get the best of BOTH worlds!!! I was able to use these little babies to adhere my girl to the swing but also give her a little height!

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See how thick they are!!!

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Check out their thin ones as well - they are almost invisible but you can kind of see them!! I do love them, like the tape runner and glue stick they really do stick!!!

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And here is one on the back of her head and on the swing so I can give her a little "pop" off the swing :)

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And then a side view so you can see she has that little "pop" going on!!

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For the rest of the card I used the tape runner primarily and the glue stick inside for the flower (first time in a while I've done an inside......wooohooo):

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Here's the finished card w/all the adhesive products I used. I meant to use the cutting tools as well but I was so excited over the adhesives I totally pushed the cutting tools to the side!!! I do have my Xacto guillotine cutter that I've loved for years so I know the new tools will be just as loved (I did play with them just didn't use for the project)!!!

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With all that said...............LOL................I created the card for the following challenges:

Charisma Cards - Anything Goes

Just Magnolia - A sketch by Dawny.

HHHMMMM...........I swore I had more challenges for this but I suppose not!! I will have to check my lists again but it is getting late so I am a little out of it...........I'm sure I missed one somewhere :)

As always, thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Step It Up

...........w/a step card! I saw this on a blog this past weekend and so loved the idea then couldn't find the blog I saw it on so I could give credit to where I got the idea from!!! The worst part is I always leave pages up to remind me and it wasn't on any pages so, I got nothin'!!!

Anywho, this step card was my first ever and so much fun to make. I truly DO NOT think it is my best work but it was def a work in progress to perfecting the step effect - the measurements are so tricky!!! I will try to get it down and share the measurements with you at a later date and time!!!

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My sweet friend, Amanda, loved the card. She was the temporary technical assistant in the unit I am in. She started the temp assignment my first week in the unit and she has been such an amazing support and wealth of knowledge that aided in training me to do my job. Between her and Barbie (my permanent technical assistant) I have learned so much and actually feel as if I know what I am doing - trust me, there are still a few who don't have a clue!!!

I made this LO for Barbie but forgot to take a pic of it here at home before I took it to her so had to snap this pic with my phone so not the best quality!!!

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The chipboard giant flower has been in my stash forever!!! I've been saving it because I've had an idea for it but never felt the right moment to use it til I saw this pic!!! Kiera (from Walking Tall a few posts back) is big sis to Jordan and this is how she gives kisses to Jordan. My hubby said I should've titled it "MMMMMM Tasty" but I was going for a more "lovey" feel this time around but I'm keeping that title in mind for a more casual pic of K giving J lovies!!!

That's it for tonite. I am off to work on a LO from our trip to Texas of my FIL's retirement party - the idea came to me today during a phone call. My first week back to work has been interesting. Very tired by Friday but that could be because I rec'd another shot yesterday for my headaches and she changed up some of my meds trying to get my blood pressure down - it's working but my body isn't used to it so I feel tired.

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin' - I'm sure you'll see more work from me this weekend!!!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

You've Got Me Wrapped

Last card for the day/weekend. I found this free digi image over at Just Inklined and thought I'd crank out one more card because it was a simple image!!! I used the sketch over at Charisma Cardz to put this baby together very quickly!!! OK, off for the night - I hope you enjoy the card!!!

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Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Back to School and..............

............on a roll!!! OMG I haven't felt this good and felt this creative in a long time. I hate that it had to come on with 2 hospital visits, numerous tests and a lot of blood drawn but hey, I feel my crafting groove coming back!!! And no, I'm not going back to school but my card is ready for Back to School action!!!

I'm working with the Kenny K Digi Images again. This one is a free download though available at Kenny K Downloads so make sure you grab it before the end of September!!!

So, this card completes a few challenges that I found:

1. Kenny K's Krafty Girlz - Stitching

2. SCS Featured Stamper - Casing Kristen where I used this card, Sparkle Henry as my inspiration.

3. Stamping Vacation - Special Month Challenge - Sewing

4. Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes

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So in this pic you can kind of see some sparkle on the hoodie this little guy is wearing - his hoodie, backpack and shoes are all colored over with the Copic AtYou Spica pens and as with my other card, looks much better in person. Also, check out his pants!! I used B97 and B95 to color then...........get this, I learned it at my class to become a Copic Certified Designer, I took an old piece of denim jeans that Cait had made shorts out of, strapped it across my Tim Holtz inking tool, put a little Copic Blending Solution on it and "stamped" it to give the pants more of a "denim" feel. Now, if you try this let me warn you - COLOR THE PANTS FIRST AND NOTHING ELSE, STAMP IT WITH THE BLENDING SOLUTION AND LET DRY FOR A GOOD WHILE. Sorry for caps but in the class our instructor Jennie warned us that if we didn't do it this way that we'd ruin our image as EVERYTHING on the image would have the "denim" look. So, go try it and let me know how it turns out for you - if you do it please link it back to me so I can see!!!

I have to admit, it was AWESOME pulling out the sewing machine. No, I'm not using my little purple Singer machine that I adore, I'm using a new Singer that my hubby bought me last year and sadly, this is the FIRST time I've pulled it out to use!!! When I told him he stepped away from me (wise man lemme tell ya) and made a not so nice comment about how I just really NEEDED the machine last year so I could sew and how I am just NOW using it!!! Eh, it's all good because I just love how smooth it sews and stitches, boy howdy I don't know if I would ever use all 69 of them but your darn tootin' I'm gonnd try each out to see how they look!!! On the card I just used the basic stitch for now as I didn't want to screw up what I had worked hard on!!!

Here's my new, old baby!!!

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Well, I think that is it for me this weekend. I feel like I've been in a whirlwind of creativity and dang it feels good!!! So, thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!

PS When I gave my blog an overhaul I lost ALL of my friends as well as my blog roll. I spent a good amout of time out of touch with friends and the blogs I used to love to stalk so I am desperately trying to make a list of all so I can find you and add you back. So, if you aren't here and you were at one time let me know, I'd love to add you back because I didn't "delete" everyone on purpose, I just didn't think when I overhauled and realized it just a tad too late..............

OK, off to watch the new HBO series "Boardwalk" with the hubby!!! Take care!!

The Spooks Come Out at Night!!!

So as with all things Karen, I am in LOVE with the Kenny K digi images and have used another already!!! This girl is known as Wanda Wicked and what better card to use her on than a Halloween card right?? I used the sketch challenge over at SCS this week, my first time to actually play along over there.

I also added a little "flair" to her but it doesn't show up in the pics. Copics were used to color the image (duh) but the flair was the newly introduced to me Copic AtYou Spica pens. I lightly colored over her dress with the Mint Copic AtYou Spica pen and then her lips with the Pink Copic AtYou Spica pen - again, you can't see it in the image but in person there is definitely a little sparkle.

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This card was also used for the challenge over at Creative Card Crew - Autumn or Fall. Now typically when you think Autumn or Fall you think leaves, pumpkins, Thanksgiving dinners etc, but me, I think Halloween!!! I thought Wanda Wicked was just great to use for my Halloween thoughts!! I wonder who might get this card for her October 31st bday?? LOL

And................This reminded me of the challenge at Stamping Vacation which is Get the Music in You by using "Black Magic Woman" as your inspiration. The song definitely made me think Halloween and all things magic!!!

OK, off to work on something else. Feeling better sure has helped my creativity!!! Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Top 3 - That's Me!!!

Woohoo!!! I should really be going to bed, and about 2 hours ago I said that was exactly what I was doing but....................I just popped over to the Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge Blog because I just haven't been able to go to bed yet and wanted to see all the amazing creations to find the I won this week!!! They choose winners by one of the Randomizer's but hey, I won and that tickles me to death!!! I get to choose 3 of Kenny K's fabulous digi images as my prize!!!! And, I get to sport this fab little badge too!!!!

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OK, off to make the tough decision of which 3 images I want and then, I promise I am going to bed. The hubby is already cranky with me because I didn't rest as much as I probably should have today but I've been bed/recliner ridden since last Thursday other than the two times in the hospital so feeling better def gave me incentive to get up and do something!!!

Night all, thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Stuck???

...........well not anymore! I found a great little sketch blog called, yep you guessed it, Stuck?

The September 1st Sketch was perfect to get me kickstarted after my 10 or so days of misery...........LOL. This LO is for a co-worker who is trying to decide if she REALLY wants to get into scrapping. This is her oldest granddaughter, Keira - isn't she so adorable!!!

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It's a pretty simple layout for me - I so wanted to do more but I am having a time getting back into the swing of scrapping. I went from having all the time I needed to having no time with my new, well not so new now, job. And to top that off, I will begin teaching here soon basic scrapbooking classes - I'll post more about it once I get started as I'm running a bit behind the schedule I set for myself so I don't want anything out there if something else comes up and I don't get it going like I want. Hopefully by November at the very latest I will begin scheduling my classes and they will be over 4 weeks, once a week for 2 hours at a time.

OK, I think I'm rambling right now so gonna call it a night and see what I can accomplish before heading to bed!!

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Back w/a Little Something

I've been wanting to craft and post for a while but the last week and a half I've been pretty down and out with two separate hospital trips and mandatory bedrest so not much has been done.

I did manage to get a few challenges done in one card tonite though - it's the first time I've felt crafty in a while so I don't say it is my best work but it definitely felt good to be doing something again!!! This card is for the following challenges:


Kenny K‘s Krafty Girlz - Embossing

Friday Sketcher‘s - Weekly Sketch

Stamp Something - Digi Stamp

Stamp It Crazy - Girly Girly

Scrap-It Creations - Gotta Go Digi

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And a close up of my Kenny K Digi Girl Delore's D'ammage, she is so schmexy!!! I have to admit I've not been a huge fan of digi images in the past. I found Kenny K digi images when I went to the Copic Certification Class a few weeks ago and met one of the girls on his DT and boy did I fall in love with them!!! While being sick, I had asked my daughter to go to the site and download the monthly freebie so I could try them out and she saw all the gorgeous girlz and bought me 5 of them!!! I was so tickled and thankful, she really made my day with them even though it was a few days before I could print any out and play with them!!! Regardless, I am hooked. I just wish I could afford to get more but after two hospital trips I will be limited to the 5 she got me (yeah, that is 5 more than I would have had if she hadn't been so sweet right? LOL) until we get all the hospital bills paid off but once that happens, I am def gonna grab me a few more, there are about 7 more that I am just really really really wanting and then of course I'd love to have them all!!!

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Update from our Texas trip:

Was a great trip but way to short unfortunately. On Saturday morning we met my parents at a little cafe in Midlothian for breakfast then back to their house for a little nap - we got off at 7 p.m. on Friday night, picked up the kids and drove straight through so we were a tad exhausted! Got up and went with my Mom and Cait to The Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie - man it felt good to visit a great scrap store again. We met my BFF from high school's daughter and her boyfriend there then went back to my parents house where my BFF from high school came out to visit and then we all went out to eat Mexi food - yeah baby, Tex Mex how I miss thee!!!! Sunday morning it was up for breakfast with my parents then off to Springtown to meet up with Rob's family for his dad's retirement party from BNSF. Lots of family and friends and amazing food along with some great visiting then off to bed and up to head back home on Monday morning. So, as you see, a short but definitely fun filled trip to Texas!!! Here are some pics from our trip:

My Mom & Dad

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My Mom, Dad, Me, Caitlin and Dylan

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Cait & Jeff at Mom & Dad's

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Cait, Jeff, Shelby & Brad

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Me & Julie w/Jeff sneaking into the pic

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My gorgeous hubby :)

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My thirsty Daisy girl :p

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Rob's Dad - All smiles because he is officially retired!!

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Pop's retirement cake

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Pop's retirement gift

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Rob's Momma

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Just some of the 14 racks of ribs we had, yummy!!!

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Rob, Cory, Marc, Chuck & Deb

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My hubby & nephew Bryan

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The whole gang

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And then here is a card I did a few weeks ago for one of the ladies I work with. She has been amazingly supportive and helpful during my day to day work and has provided lots of patience and advice/teaching to make me perform my job to the best of my abilities!!!

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You can tell I love the easel cards right!!! LOL I do love making these, they aren't just a regular card as the recipient can display them on their desk, entertainment center, mantle or where ever they choose, I just love the look of them!!!

OK, it is way too late for me to still be up so I best get to bed. Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

PS I do have one layout I completed today as well but forgot to take a pic of it so tomorrow hopefully as I plan on doing a little more scrapping tomorrow too!!!!

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'!!!!