What's Up Friday

Good afternoon! Wow, you'd think that Mother Nature would get her seasons right already!!? This blizzard weather stinks! Thankfully What's Up Friday doesn't stink. There's some great stuff to share!

Starting with another fabulous font download from Paper Crafts magazine! Every Friday, Paper Crafts brings back one of their most popular fonts for download- for free- but its only available for the week. That means, you can only download this particular font until next Friday, upon which a new one will be available! The font this week is pretty cute. Hurry and download yours today!

It's button mania today! I've got a couple button-related items to share with you, beginning with a button giveaway over at FaveCrafts. Head on over to their giveaway page and enter for your chance to win 1500 beautiful buttons. Its the perfect way to start off your button stash. You could use the buttons that you win to make projects like these- straight from the blog pages of Paper Crafts magazine- cute ice cream cone gift tags or beautiful Christmas tree cards, or, if you have a stamp in the shape of a jar, use the buttons to 'fill' up the jar! Or, use them to frame a picture. The list could go on and on! The possibilities are endless! What would you make with all those buttons?! I'd definitely try the Christmas tree card. Its stunning!! And, the jar filled with buttons? Adorable and ingenious! Now I need to find a jar stamp!!

And, since I'm on the topic of giveaways right now, how about an adorable western themed stamp set? The kit includes a few mini stamps (obviously), some bakers' twine, and washi tape (it looks like). This giveaway is only available for a short time, too, so get your entry in!

That's all I've got so far today. Now, its time to start packing up! We are coming into the city for the night- first to have my hair done, and secondly to celebrate a late Easter with my parents and sister and bro in law. I'm stupid excited about it! (I'm also hoping to make it to Michael's to find track down a replacement blade for my paper trimmer. If one can't be found, I'll be investing in a totally new trimmer! Sadly, if that's the case, this'll be #3 paper trimmer. So, either I'll have to do my homework and find one that's better quality than the other two I've owned, or just find one that's easier to replace the cutting blades! Wish me luck. I'm also hoping to find some more card stock, too, if dear husband will let me splurge a little...)

So, on that note, there'll be nothing else from me after today! Until Monday, that is. So, enjoy your weekend!

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Its spring time, and we all know that means its time to start cleaning our homes from top to bottom, donating clothes and other items that no longer fit or being used, and opening up windows to freshen up stuffy houses that have been shut up for too long. But, have you ever thought about spring cleaning up your craft area, too? I think its a novel idea, and I've been slowly working on just that sort of thing. Go through your stash, and break out those papers you've had for ten years. Use them on a layout or another project! Or, donate what you know you won't use to either a school, after school program, or seniors centre. They'll put it to good use! (I'm so sorry--I don't know where I came across the ideas I just shared with you. I think it was either Paper Crafts magazine or Creating Keepsakes--or my 'old' go-to resource, Scrapbooks Etc. magazine. You can still find them online if you want to go searching for these ideas yourself. I'd love to give proper credit for the ideas I found, but alas cannot. My apologies to the ones that originally came up with these ideas!!)

Have a look at this pretty scrap room. I wish mine could look half as tidy and organized and pretty as hers. Oh, mine's a work in progress, but its slow going. What would your dream scrap room look like?

Creating Keepsakes has a giveaway going on right now! Head on over to their blog for all the deets. Its only open until next Friday!

Wednesday What's Up

Oh, there's some really cool things to share with you again today. I came across a really neat rain drop technique that is going to have to show up on one of my layouts one of these days. This technique obviously will be awesome for rainy day layouts, snowy day layouts (just change the droplets for snowflakes) or alligator tear drop layouts.

If you're big into sewing, and enjoy using sewing in your layouts, then this will be right up your alley. Stitch directly on your layout, and adhere brads at the end of the stitching to create rain falling from the sky. You can find the particular layout I'm referring to here.

Want to win a prize worth $130? A company called the Plaid Barn, is giving away 73 rolls of Washi Tape to one lucky entrant. Get your entry in. You don't want to miss out on such a fabulous opportunity!!

There is a lot of inspiration out there. All you need to do is look around you. There are also a lot of talented crafters and artists out there. One of my favorite blogs to follow is Kelly Fosters' All The Pretty Things. She shares a step-by-step tutorial today guiding you through how she makes her layouts. I love her style, though its too much work for me! Have a look- her work is gorgeous!

Calling all digi scrappers- Echo Park and Carta Bella have another One Buck Wednesday happening today, which means some of their digi kits are on sale for $1! Head over to their blogs to get all the deets!

Looking for a unique way to use up your scrap papers? Why not adhere them to a sheet of plain white card stock, run them through your die cut machine, and attach them as embellishments to your cards, layouts, or altered items? This is such a neat idea- head over to the Paper Crafts blog to see how Teri Anderson does it!

Love the look of the sunburst technique, but have a hard time wrapping your brain around how to do it, like me? Then you'll want to save this download for future use! Once again, Paper Crafts to the rescue!

And, one last item I forgot to post to yesterday's What's Up: Create your very own band aid box! Head over here for the tutorial. (You'll need to search for the February 17, 2011 blog post, or scroll down until you find it). She's also got some amazing cards on her blog, too. Browse through it- they're incredible!

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I found a new sketch tonight, and boy does it look awesome!!!! I can hardly wait to jump into this one! Unfortunately, I have a design team assignment that's due first, but once that's out of the way, watch out new sketch, cause here I come! You'll find it at Erin's blog here.

And, even though this project isn't scrapbooking related, I wanted to share it anyways. I know there's lots of mama's out there, and aunties, and this would make a perfect gift or toy for our kids to play with. Head over to FaveCrafts and have a look at this neat felt book!

Not much else to share tonight. Alls quiet on the home front. Happy Wednesday evening. The week is half over!

On a totally unrelated note, FINDING.DORY.

Need I say more?????????!!!!!!!!

Tuesday What's Up

Ok...the kids are downstairs watching the Berenstein bears...lets see how far into this post I get before I'm sabotaged!!!

Happy Tuesday, all! Its overcast and not the nicest here today, and I see that the Weather Network is calling for flurries over the next couple of days. I seriously hope not. The warm weather has been sooo great to lift ones spirits! Wouldn't you agree?!

The great finds out there today are super for lifting ones spirits, too! Check these out!

This is the ultimate dream of mine- and I've been seriously of doing this for the last six months, at least! Crop and CRUISE!!!! What is a Crop and Cruise? Pack all your scrapbooking goodies, some comfy clothes, your CAMERA, and scrap your way through a dreamy cruise. Of course, there'll be opportunities for some sight seeing and (obviously) picture taking. But, you get the best of both worlds- a getaway with nothing more than scrapbooking and crafting, if that's all you want to do. ON.A.CRUISE.LINER!!!!! Sounds fabulous, doesn't it? I know that Canadian Scrapbooker does one, and now I've just found out that Paper Crafts magazine also has a crop and cruise. Read all about it here. Who's in with me??

Fathers' Day is fast approaching, and soon it'll be time to be thinking about what to get/make for the Fathers in your life. There's a free E-book at FaveCrafts.com (blech- if you're interested) and a couple cute examples of great hand made Fathers Day gifts here for you to check out. I personally really like the wreath (but, its SOOO not Kyle). Have you come across any other hand made gifts to make for the Fathers/Mothers in your life? Feel free to share them!

Heidi Kelley, the author (and uber talented fellow scrapbooker) of an incredible blog that I follow shares this incredible Easter egg she made, and the instructions on how to re-create it yourself. I know the holiday is over, but I guarantee you'll be sorry if you miss out on the opportunity to make one for yourself. WOW!!!!

If you enjoy scrapbooking with the use of scrapbook kits, then you'll want to know (if you haven't heard already) that My Creative Scrapbooks April kit is now available. Head over to Izzy's blog to see sneak peeks of the projects she's made with the kit. On Friday, she'll have the full reveal. You won't want to miss out on that, either!!

Wow. Ever made a project using paper packaging- the plastic cup that holds buttons in it or brads, or other small type embellishments? Ever used other types of paper packaging to up cycle a unique project? I have not, as of yet, other than using bits and pieces of cardboard pieces of packaging as borders and paper elements on layouts. Melinda Spinks, over at the Jillibean blog today, shares how she made a candy holder using the plastic packaging portion of a Jillibean button package. Its truly awe-inspiring! I want to try it now!

And, speaking of up cycling and altering items, how about making over a guitar?! Ever thought of doing that??! I certainly haven't. But, this tutorial will blow your mind away! You'll find it here, at the Echo Park blog.

There's one last tutorial to share with you this morning- this time using alcohol ink and transparencies. This incredible tutorial shows you how to mimic the look of water. This technique is great for swimming or hot weather, or sports themed projects. Re-create the look by following the instructions you'll find here!

That's all for now! Phew! Got through it before the kids interrupted me. Whoo!

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There are some really simple and adorable crafts I found on Pinterest today that you should check out! You'll find everything I'm about to mention on my All Things Scrappy board over at Pinterest. What kinds of things will you find? Cute tags and embellishments, bookmarks made from the spines of old books, a denim journal cover, cute little 'you have a message' clothes pins (that when you open them up, says 'I love you' inside); if you like to crochet or want to learn, you'll find a tutorial on how to crochet using bakers twine; Paper Crafts magazine has some really fantastic downloads- from Easter to hey hot stuff to baby under construction. Check them out!

Lastly, I just happened upon this pin, and what this woman does with old books is simply and utterly a.maz.ing. You'll also find it under my All Things Scrappy board at Pinterest. Wow, if only I could be so talented!!

Thanks for dropping by! TTFN

Wednesday's What's Up

                                    Daily What's Up:

Here's a few nifty things I've found this afternoon that you may find interesting, as well!

-With Easter quickly approaching, how about downloading this uber cute bunny template? Find it here

-Are you working on a project, but are stumped on a color scheme? Try this on for size! I've also pinned this color scheme to my Pinterest, under Scrapbooking Color Schemes. If the color scheme isn't the problem, but where to start is, have a look at this beautiful sketch, instead.

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There's a few more goodies I've found!!

-One of the projects I enjoy making are cards, and I try and keep an eye out for simple sketches or cards others have made that I can easily replicate. Or, in cases like this, if a pattern is included, I just may have to try cards like these adorable chickens!!

-I know that Christmas is over, but its never too late to start thinking about things you'd like to make (or plan) for the next holiday. How about making a cute December Daily mini album like this one?

-Like the look of chevron paper, but don't have any? Create your own! Check out this tutorial! (I have also made a chevron type pattern before...I'll have to share that one again! Its uber easy!!!)

-Lastly, Maren thought these were really cool. I think so, too. The first thing I thought, of course, was how a person could work those into a layout?! Heh heh

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So, I'm thinking I don't like the bullet style list I've got happening here. I'm going to have to work on that! But for now, here's what I've found!! I'd love to know if you attempt any of these great projects!!!

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Last update of the day!!

Ursula is up tonight with a really neat layout showcasing Instagram photos. You should really check it out!!

And lastly, the next design team call is open for Lets Capture Our Memories. They are fantastic- I was on the design team early last year, and I had an absolute blast there! Everyone is friendly, the sketches are phenomenal, and it was a lot of fun being challenged to create something new twice a month. They are also a Canadian Company, and another online forum like Two Peas in a Bucket, Scrapbook.com, etc. If you're interested in joining a design team; if you've been dreaming of it like I had, then I urge you to apply! You never know, you might make it, and you'll definitely have a blast when you do!!

I would love to re-apply, but right now isn't the time for that. Maybe one day again in the future. Don't be shy. Check it out!!