Thursday already?

It amazes me how a week can be gone.....just like that.

I've been torn between playing with paper - the good kind...the scrapping/cardmaking kind, and the not so good kind - accounting and finances. Neither is winning though because well.... laundry and dishes speak louder than paper. Especially when there are 5 other people in the house who think that clean items of either are much more important. I don't know why. They are just going to make them all dirty again.

I'm also finding it difficult to think - which is necessary for both scrapping paper use and accounting paper use and this is because I have a knot between my shoulder blades that goes straight up my neck. It's a recurring issue which thankfully hasn't been so 'recurring' lately but yesterday it necessitated the taking of a prescription muscle-relaxer that I adore for it's ability to eventually make me mobile. Unfortunately it makes me less than productive on all levels be it creativity, financial planning or manual labour. In my looped state last night I actually thought....hey, I could work on last weekends challenge. My better judgement overruled that idea. Friends don't let friends play with ink and stamps and sharp scissors and whatnot while under the influence. I'm certain the results would have looked nothing like what I've been sketching and planning for days.....but I bet it would have been interesting.

Tomorrow is Friday - Time for another challenge. I'll be sure to have it posted bright and early in the morning. Hope you will have a chance to participate at some point this weekend (or next week....or whenever the mood strikes).

Also here's a reminder: We are scrapping the day away on Saturday at Minerva Hall if anyone wants to come out and play - even for just a few hours. I only have a few people confirmed to attend so there is plenty of room.

A couple reminders

This coming Saturday - March 21st is Crop Day at Minerva Hall 10am till 10pm for $10.

AND

There are only 7 weeks until the National Scrapbook Weekend Crop the first weekend in May.

TGIF - Weekend Challenge #2

You ready for this weekend's challenge?

I'd planned to have this posted much earlier today but I ran into a snag. I've been wracking my brain trying to think of something fun for this and I wanted something that said "spring" because quite frankly, all that snow - and it's fresh, clean beauty....I'm so over it.

What says "spring" to you? Is it puddles and rain boots? Flowers and green grass? Open toes shoes (with no sock...oh i so can't wait!) and pretty painted toes?



I found this really sweet serving tray yesterday while shopping that shouted "spring" at me. It inspired me with it's brown and green checker board pattern and big white daisy flowers and bright yellow, blue and pink colours. I went back today thining I'd buy that sweet bit of inspiration but I couldn't bring myself to pay $20 for it. I just couldn't do it. Only thing is, I'm stuck on that serving tray now. It's all I can think about and can't seem to come up with any other bits of inspiration. See - it happens to all of us - this creative block.



I popped around the net a bit and came up with a sketch from http://www.pagemaps.com/



This is one of their March 09 sketches.






Use it as your inspiration to be creative this weekend......and if you already have spring where you are - send me some because I'm done with winter.




Happy Scrappin Weekend





Oh.....wait, before you go. I know this is last minute but I forgot to mention it earlier in the week - there is an online crop going this weekend. It startes tonight, Friday - March 13th at 7pm cst. Check out my friend Kat's blog for details and a link to the festivities. Kat's the events coordinator for an online scrapping site & I'm sure she's got some sweet challenges lined up for us tonight. For those who've never heard of an online crop, it's held in an online forum and there are challenges posted, often there are games, chances of winning a prize or two and lots of chatting back and forth between the online participants. Check it out if you have a chance. It will be a lot of fun!

~K

Key To My Heart Contest - Winning Artwork

Back in December / January the CTMH special was in celebration of National Papercrafting Month (January) and along with the amazing paperpack/stamp set, CTMH also hosted a contest.

I had a project in mind. I am way creative --- in my mind --- but entering things into contests that are only figments of my imagination doesn't work well and I just couldn't get it successfully out of my mind and translated into a reality in time.

Many people were able to do this though and the winners have been announced.

Pop on over to Jeanette Lynton's blog and check out the amazing creations of the 15 semi-finalists.


~K

Weekend Challenge Artwork

Yipee! I'm so happy. My sweet sis out in Hamilton (hi Yo....miss you!!!!) emailed me Friday night with a scrapbook page she completed from this challenge. I've almost forgiven her for rubbing it in that she was out in her garden in short sleeves while we were getting dumped with snow. Here's her page. Isn't it awesome!


I was really worried that I wouldn't get a chance to even participate in my own challenge this weekend, but I managed to find a peaceful hour Sunday afternoon - while watching the Princess Diaries 2 and everyone else was out of the house (blissful). This layout is absolutely nothing like what I had in mind when I posted the challenge but this is what evolved once I found this picture of my son. CTMH : White Daisy Textured & Plain Cardstock; Grey Wool Cardstock & Ink; Sweet Leaf Cardstock & Ink; Priceless Love Word Puzzle Stamp Set; Black Marker.

TGIF - it's Challenge Time!

My world is looking a whole lot WHITE today. I cannot believe all the snow that fell from the sky yesterday afternoon. It actually looks kinda pretty. I wanted to go outside and take pictures as it was falling but I had such a huge migraine and it was way too bright out there. I could not wait for the sun to go down (which I noticed is getting to be quite late these days......and on that note don't forget it's daylight-saving-time. Turn your clock ahead an hour on Saturday night/Sunday morning)



This morning I went for a walk in the yard (brrrr...it got cold overnight) and took a few pics of all the heavy, wet snow on the trees down by the creek. My yard looks so nice covered in snow. If it weren't for it being ....well....snow....I'd wish it would stay like this all year around. What's underneath all that pretty is anything but pretty.






After a long, stressful week I know I could use a little bit of time to relax. I wish I could take my coffee outside and sit in my chair but look at all the snow piled on it. I think I'll have to stay inside and play with paper instead.



But doesn't all that white snow looks so fresh and clean and beautiful? Using that as inspiration, I'm putting forth a little challenge to get you in a creative mood and encourage you to have some fun this weekend. Set aside a little scrapping time and make a layout.....or a card.......


Keep it fresh and clean and simple - just a few bits of colour against a white blanket of snow...um I mean paper. Use:

• white cardstock as the background
• one neutral/earthy colour (ie: black, brown, cream, beige)
• one other colour - something bright and cheerful to give your layout or card a small bit of *pop*

Are you up for this challenge?

Even if you just take 20minutes - give it a try.



Post a comment to let me know how you did. I'd love to see your work too - if you are able to share.




Happy Scrappin Weekend!





~K

March '09 Newsletter

National Scrapbooking Weekend

3-Day Crop

May 1st, 2nd & 3rd 2009

Friday: 5pm to Midnight

Saturday: 9am to 2am

Sunday: 9am to 5pm

Early Registration Deadline is March 7th.

That's only a few days away!

Contact me for more information.

**********

March Specials:

• A small selection of stamp sets have been added to the discounted section of my shopping cart with a savings of 40% off regular retail price. What a deal! a. Wisdom (B1199)b. Groovy Celebration (C1232)c. Love of My Life (C1258)d. Card Sentiments (D1111)e. Memories (D1127)f. Follow Your Dreams (D1152)g. Steep and Deep (D1175)h. My One & Only (D1197)i. Friendship's Garden (D1202)j. My Farm (D1219).
• CTMH is offering new consultants a signing bonus during the month of March. New consultants will receive 50% off the retail price of up to two select organizational products (Rolling Tote, Inks Organizer etc). If you are interested being a CTMH consultant, contact me for more information and full details of this signing bonus.
• Stamp of the Month - Butterfly Wings is available until March 31st

Crop Day - Saturday March 21st

• Minerva Hall --- 10am to 10pm
• cost $10 potluck supper ( I'm making veggie soup)
• includes coffee and a few snacks, scrapping goodies, use of stamps/tools etc.
• this month's product demo: extreme makeover-chipboard edition

RSVP via email or phone by at least the Wednesday before each crop day. (contact info is on my website if you do not have it). If I do not have a minimum number of attendees, crop day will be cancelled.

Each month, anyone that places an order during crop is entered into a draw to receive Mystery Hostess Rewards. (number of entries/amount of rewards/number of hostesses depends on total sales) Who will earn free product this month? If you cannot attend crop but would like to place an order (through myself or online) please contact me to be eligible for the Mystery Hostess draw.

Happy Scrapping! Hope to see you at crop day this month. Remember registration is due soon for National Scrapbook Month - 3 Day Crop.

~K