I'm creative...........

"....you can't expect me to be neat too!! My creative space could be 10x10 or 25x25, either way it is going to be a mess. For me, part of the creative journey includes pulling everything out to go through and see what sparks the next level of creativity!!! Karen - 2010"


I was stuck last night, not able to sleep and knew i wanted to scrap. Problem was none of the pics I had printed out and had ideas for were working the mojo. I went to the bathroom and came back to my mess and it hit me, the creative journey is the fun part of scrapping for me so scrap my mess. No, I'm not original on this one and others have scrapped their messes before, but this is my journey and my time so I scrapped it!!

Just for fun here's my mess:



Yep, that is what my dining room looks like after about 15 minutes of me sitting down to scrap. Now mind you, part of this mess is my darling daughter's this time around but I can achieve this look on my own as well!!! LOL

In my continuing search for my mojo after taking the pic of my disaster I went on the search for a sketch that would just help me flow. I have been a follower of Pencil Lines for quite some time but have never used any of the sketches..........until now!!! So this LO is based on sketch 171 over at Pencil Lines. I've you've never checked them out before I truly recommend them - I am off to find more sketches to use for some of the ideas I have flowing!!!


My LO:



Close up of some of the details, I've seen the ribbon folding done before but never really did it til tonite, I felt this piece of lace just screamed to be folded and then I grabbed the stapler because I wasn't getting my adhesive positioned right or something and just gave up!!!



And my flower was made out of two Sassafrass Lass stickers that I put on plain white cardstock so the backs weren't sticky, cut them out and bent the petals this way and that til I got the desired look.



That is all I have to show today but I have 2 layouts sketched out and am off work tomorrow so hopefully I can have a quiet day of just me scrapping!!! But now, I am off to the shower, then to meet a girlfriend for lunch before she goes to class and I go to work!!! Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Wedded Bliss

This week at The Cuttlebug spot we are celebrating with the colors black and silver. I kicked this one around in my head for a while trying to create something stunning and well, I ended back up at the start and grabbed a stamp. Although I don't think it is elegant and stunning, I do believe it is quite cute and befitting the situation!

My card:



Other than my card I accomplished nothing this weekend! I ended up working off and on the majority of relaxed in my recliner the rest - well, I was guinea pig for Cait's first ever photo shoot for class, check out this pic, my fav from the whole shoot :)



Being a lover of photography myself I know the lighting isn't perfect on this one but I do love it!

Thanks as always for sotppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Rock Out............

..............which is exactly what he did! This is Dylan on his 16th birthday hooking up the new amp we got him. I have had this pic printed for a while wondering what to do with it but always coming up empty. When I got my January kit from SD4U and saw the "Rock Out" I knew exactly what I was going to do! I ended up getting 4 layouts completed, my pinwheel flower and sour cream carton all from the 1 kit and I have enough scraps I could make another card not to mention the alphas and 3 more word art pieces that I can use with something else! I am really digging their kits - it is so nice to have a kit club going again. Anywho, it's time for you to............


Rock Out!!! LOL



Tonite I started working on my design work for The Cuttlebug Spot and got this card all finished to realize I wasn't even working on the right challenge........ugh!! I so hate when I do that!! At least I was able to do the card sketch challenge at SD4U with this one!!



Off to try again for my DT work and I have a layout in mind I'd love to get done tonite so we'll see!! Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

A Couple LO's

Not much to show lately - busy week with work but I managed to sit up til 3 this morning scrapping and laughing with Cait. I got two LO's done one using the Honey I'm Home kit from SD4U and the second using Spread Your Wings, also from SD4U!! You really should check them out if you are looking for a new kit club - which I was and am so happy I found them!!! Wait til you see the kits for February, they are amazing!!!







OK, that is it for now - thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Let's Party

That is our theme this week at The Cuttlebug Spot and what a fitting time - we have had the holidays and then started off the year with birthdays for my Mother-in-law, a nephew and then in a couple weeks my baby girl will be 18 along with my nephew celebrating his birthday the same day Cait turns 18!!! We get a little reprieve then til the end of March when it is my darlin' hubby's birthday!!!

I chose to make a super fun pinwheel for my party favor this week. Don't you just remember growing up playing with these and having so much fun with such a simple toy? Those were definitely amazing days when life was so much simpler! I used papers from my Honey I'm Home kit at Scrapbooking Deals 4 U and my nesties to cut out 4 cardstock scalloped circles and then 2 patterned paper circles. I embossed the cardstock circles then cut both the scalloped and patterned paper circles in half and assembled as shown! In addition I threw together one of the cute sour cream containers just to use up the last piece of that paper!!











If you are in the mood to "party" and make some favors please share with us by stoppin' by at The Cuttlebug Spot and linking up to our challenge!!

Thanks for stoppin' by and I hope you have had a scrappy start to your New Year!!! More to come from me hopefully this week if I get some time away from work!!

Snow Puppy

Have I mentioned how much fun I am having with my new kit club? Well, if I haven't let me tell you that the kits at Scrapbooking Deals 4 U are just awesome! I have done 2 layouts with the "Honey I'm Home" kit and still easily have enough for 2 to 4 more layouts without having to reach for anything that didn't come in the kit. I did choose the lazy way out with this layout though, I used a chipboard swirl from my stash instead of pulling out the Cricut tonite to cut the swirl from the cardstock in the kit but hey, that is OK because I am accomplishing one of my goals for this year - use from my stash!

My LO:




This was such a fun LO to work on because I just adore my pup Daisy. She is so much fun and always plays so hard on our outings. She really had a great time back in October when we got our first snow and she and I drove up into the mountains and had a great time!

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


PS Go Cowboys!!! I was on edge the whole game tonite but da boys brought their A game!!!

Amazing Friends

Just a quick LO I put together tonite based on a sketch at Scrapbooking Deals 4 U as well as using a kit from there that I got in the mail today! I was so tickled when I sat down to work on this LO because everything I needed was in the kit - all I reached for was my scissors, adhesive and paper cutter!! I think I can get another 4 or 5 LO's and a couple cards out of the kit easy if I choose to do so!!!

Journaling reads:

It seems just like yesterday I was holding you in my arms as a newborn. Time has flown by and you have grown into a beautiful young woman. I am very proud of you and to be your Mom but I’m most thankful that I can call you a friend as well! I love you Cait!
Mom – 1/2010






Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!

PS If you are looking for a super fun design team to be on for digi images stop over at Robyn's Fetish (see post from a couple days ago) - Robyn and the girls are so amazingly talented and fun!! I chose to step down from the team because I am having printer problems - I can't print on my paper of choice for images and all other paper I've tried bleeds too bad. Plus I had stepped down from Charisma due to a hectic schedule with my new job and the day after I stepped down I was asked to join the RF DT which I wanted to do but didn't think I could commit right now but thought I'd give it a try. Two days later my GOOD printer died and we replaced it with a less expensive one due to finances and it just won't print. So, to save myself the aggravation of fighting with the printer and possibly not being able to keep my commitments for work I chose to step down. So, go submit, the images are awesome and the girls are amazingly talented and fun - tell them I sent ya if you do!!!

We are back!!!

Yep, The Cuttlebug Spot is back and ready to kick off the New Year with a card challenge celebrating New Years!!! We took a little time off for the holidays to spend with family and friends but are ready to see your amazing work once again! So, stop off at The Cuttlebug Spot for the challenge, to see all the amazing DT work and link your card for a chance to win a little something!!!

I used scraps from my Christmas Joy layout to make this card to fill a challenge over at Scrapbooking Deals 4 U. Each of the scrap pieces were embossed with different folders: Swiss Dots, Snowflakes, Moraccan Screen (sp) and Script. Copics used to color and that is it - a very simple, and not so typical card from me this time!!

My Card:



I've had this stamp for a while and a sentiment that I have wanted to use but I've been talking with an old friend of mine from high school trying to help her through some stuff she is going through. I decided this image was so cute and fit the situation as if I were closer we'd go have a drink and talk it out until she felt better. Since I can't be there I figured this card would let her know I am thinking about her and as soon as possible one of us will get out to see the other and have that drink in person!

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

Design Team Call

Hi Everyone,

Robyn's Fetish is a digital stamp and sticker company. We are looking to add a few VERY enthusiastic and dynamic crafters to our amazing Design Team to help to promote our fabulous range of products!!

We are looking for members with great coloring skills, team members that are creative and timely, inspiring, friendly, team players and of course to have LOTS OF ENTHUSIASM!!!

As a Design Team member we will require the following from you:

1. Must have own blog that you post to regularly.

2. Participate in weekly challenges, write in detail about the challenge and creation on your blog with a link to the Robyn's Fetish challenge blog.

3. Complete a minimum of 1 card/project per week using RF digital stamps/stickers and post on you blog and online galleries.

4. Actively participate in special group activities such as new release blog hops, Wacky Wednesday Freebies, etc.

5. Add Robyn's Fetish logo, links to your blog as well as links to your fellow Design Team members blogs

6. Actively promote Robyn's Fetish wherever possible.

7. Promote new releases, announcements, contests etc on your blog with a link back to RF Blog.

8. Lots of energy, interest and enthusiasm!

As a member of the Design Team you will receive:

1. An opportunity to play with a generous range of digital stamps & stickers.

2. Will be promoted as a Design Team member on the RF blog and other Design Team members blogs.

3. Your bio will be available on the RF Blog.

The deadline for this call is Saturday, January 16th at midnight. The Design Team term will be 6 months with the ability to re-apply at the end of your term.

To apply to be a Design Team member please email meredith.winston@gmail.com the following details:

1. Name

2. Mailing Address

3. Email Address

4. Blog Address

5. Link to any online galleries

6. A list of the forums you like to visit (we don't need your user name)

7. Any other design team positions both past & present

8. A bit about yourself - your crafting background, where your passions lie, why Robyn's Fetish would be a good fit for you and anything else you'd like us to know!!

9. 3 samples of your work (cards, alterables, atcs, journal art, etc). They can be things you've already made, no need to rush and make anything special. If you have creations with RF images that's great or if you choose to make some with RF images that's also great but definitely not a requirement at all. Just a sampling of what you think is your best work.

We SO look forward to hearing from you!!!


OK, so what are you waiting for???

Happy New Year!!

I welcome 2010 with open arms and am shoving 2009 out the door with a mighty kick in the caboose!!! The Brooks household had many changes in 2009 - some not so positive and others absolutely amazing. I am thankful for everything we have experienced as it helps builds us and make us better people. I can tell you that I've learned not to expect much when it comes to those you consider friends - I always give more than I get in return which ends up hurting me. I can tell you that I've learned there is more to life than material things - my family has always been there for me and I know from this past year always will be. I have learned that just because you are comfortable in life and content with the road you are traveling sometimes it is good to take a detour and see what else is out there - moving from my home state of over 30 years proved just that. And most importantly I've learned to never take for granted what you have because it could all be gone in the blink of an eye - health concerns between myself, my husband and my daughter brought me back to the reality of life is so fragile and precious.

So, for 2009 I thank you for teaching me many life lessons that have helped to mold me into a better person. For 2010, I welcome you with a passion to grow more as a person in order to be the best wife, mother and friend that I can possibly be!

Now that I am done with the mushy stuff..........LOL. One of the ladies over at Scrapbooking Deals 4 U made a post showcasing her favorite layouts from the year 2009 and as I've done my blog surfing the last couple days I've seen quite a few people doing this as well from their top 5, 10 and even 20. Since 2009 didn't bring about a whole lot of scrapbooking for me I want to do a little something similar but include some of my favorite cards as well since that is primarily what I crafted through the year!!

Some of my fav stuff from 2009:































Honestly, I could post a few more but figured 10 (unless I miscounted and that is totally possible LOL) was enough!!!

I want to thank those of you who have followed me and left so many wonderful comments on my work - it all means so much (I know I'm not the "big-time" scrapper who has hundreds of followers but I like where I am at) to me every time I see your comments! I want to thank my true friends and family for being there for me, supporting me and encouraging me in those moments of self doubt - you mean the world to me.

Happy New Year to you all and I hope 2010 is amazing for all of us!!

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!