Fiskateers are having all the fun this weekend..

Aren't you sad that you may be missing out on all of the fun? Our very own Angela is celebrating her 38th birthday and it's a swinging online crop.

This is one of the reasons I love being a Fiskateer. It's more than just a love of all thing Fiskar's or of message boards. It's a community of love and encouragement. (sometimes a little constructive critic too)

If you haven't joined yet, Now would be a great time.. click here

hey there CANDI MANDI - you've been scrapjacked!

hey there CANDI MANDI - you've been scrapjacked!

I love to visit the ScrapJacked blog. The are a great group of talented artist. The things they create over there really wow me. So many amazing techniques and photos. I think this month I'm going to try a "jack".

Join me anyone??



So here is my "jack"

An official Fiskateer

A few months ago I had never even heard of the Fiskateer's but once I was invited to browse around their site I was amazed at how different each person was and how united around a love of crafting they were. I wanted in. I applied and was accepted (You can too just visit here). I instantly fell in love with the community and have been having fun ever since. After about 2 months I found out the identity of the surprise gift Fiskar's sends to welcome each new member. It didn't spoil the anticipation though. Now fast forward a few more months and Tah-dah! My surprise arrived. I can't believe that Fiskar's would send such a lovely gift just for me.

It's official I'm Fiskateer #5734. What will your number be?

Laurie Hansen Design

Laurie Hansen Design

Laurie is having a fantastic sale. 50% off all Hero Arts stamps + $2 shipping. Pop on by and show her some support and pick up some goodies for your stash.

How has my style changed

Over on http://tracypscrapheap.blogspot.com/ We were asked to show how much our style has evolved from our 1st pages to our current pages. Here are mine. Say cheese is from March (or maybe April) and the bowling is my 1st completed layout (only 10 months ago). I don't think my style, if you can even call it that, has changed very much. The pages are still very simple, not too many embellishments.

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Now My very 1st page

Cropping for a cause

I'm so geeked about going to crop this weekend. My mojo has been drained almost empty. I think being around some creative and crafty folks will really refresh my juices.
Where is this rejuvenating experience? KateB and Walmart have put together a crop for this weekend June 13th at the Elkridge Fire House. All fees go to support the Children's Miracle Network. What a great way to do something I enjoy and help the lil' ones. So if your mojo is zonked like mine or you have tons to share, there is still time to secure a seat. Check out all the details here.

Now comes the daunting task of planning and packing. I've been to one crop already so I kinda have and idea of what I need to take and what I can leave in the trunk (LOL). For my 1st cropping experience I just carried a large duffel and a tool tote. Simple and functional but heavy. I need to streamline a bit so I've been searching for a tote bag or cart to take my supplies in and ran across a few very well written guides to packing for a crop at Organized Scrapbooks & Memory Workshop & Cropping Corner. So I'm going to look at some storage options with my 50% off coupon. Love a coupon. Hope to find one that is easily stored and will hold the types of supplies I like to work with. We shall see.

My 1st trip to a LSS

Saturday May 30th, I decided I had to go and check out all the buzz surrounding LSS's. I usually am very budget conscious and somewhat frugal so I check for sales and use every store coupon I can get. This week instead of going to my usual spots I took the plunge and headed up to Eldersburg,Maryland to check out Photo Scraps. I've heard about it a few times and the reviews were nice. I visited the blog and liked what I saw, So why not. Right?
Well I was actually very surprised once I got there. It wasn't hard to find at all and the parking was adequate. The sign didn't say Photo Scraps though, it said Scrapbooking & Rubberstamp (or something). Anyway, through the window I could see the Fiskars Punches (Yippee), some papers in white mini-bins, and some other table displays. Once inside my eyes had lots to absorp. There were many products in the store in clearly delineated areas. The front was quite a hodge-podge of goodies and then more specific in the middle and a class area in the back. Like the friendly layout. I was able to wander aimlessly without interruption. I could even spy on the class as I walked past.
I actually took my time and visited ever wall nook and cranny in the store. I really didn't want to miss anything (especially after a 45 min drive). Lots of the things in the store I have seen in the big-box craft stores and some things I had only seen online or in magazines. Lots to Oooh and Ahhh over. My stash is already overflowing with stuff and I don't have an immediate need for anything but I figured I'm going to a LSS I'll set a limit of $25 and if there is anything I think is extraordinary I'll get it. Fair enough. After 3 circles of the store and some sighing from my son, I settled on a few things. Here's a photo:

I picked up some 12x12 acrylic shapes, a rub-on, small Imaginisce notepaper stamp, studio g purple glitter glue, twill ribbon, and a Hero Arts background stamp all for $26. I am very happy with my purchases. Can't wait to use them.