Forever "Almost Summer" in Sunny Southern CA!

For those of you who may not know, I just LOVE the weather here in Southern California. To me it's always "Almost Summer" here:)

In order to remind me of our great weather, I recently completed two beachy layouts. Pictured at left is a layout featuring a picture of my grandkids and their friend taken in July 2008. I used my new Cricut Expression (my Christmas gift from DH...Thanks, Billy!!!...you are THE BEST!) to make the scalloped edge, the title (love that REAL SIZE function that makes upper AND lower case letters the same size), and the "homemade" flower.

To make the flower in this LO, I used homemade paper that I stamped with a swirl stamp before cutting it out with my Cricut Expression. I then used a stylus on the back side to make circular impressions on the paper so the flower would have dimension (and look more like the store bought flowers).

The photos in the layout to the right are from November 2008 when my grandkids visited for Thanksgiving. As you can see, it was definitely still beach weather:) This layout also includes some homemade flowers that I made using my Big Shot and a Sizzix diecut, some punches from my stash (and one store bought flower...can you tell which one it is?). I dressed the flowers out with ink and glimmer mist so they would match the layout colors.

Feel free to visit my LO gallery to the right (or here http://s394.photobucket.com/albums/pp23/frugalscrapperphotos/Frugal%20Scrapper%20Pages/) for close-up views of these LO's.

Enjoy;)

Christmas Day:)

For those of you who have known us for a while know that my husband, Bill and I are originally from Philadelphia, PA. We moved to Sunny southern California in 2005. Our oldest son Dan and his girlfriend Stephanie followed us out in early 2006. Our son Sean and his family moved to CA in early 2007. My daughter and her family still live in PA.

In the past, we have traveled back to PA for Christmas but decided to spend our first Christmas in California this year. Unfortunately, my daughter was not able to join us. She was able to spend Thanksgiving with us, though, so we had a very nice visit then.

This picture was taken at Dan's home where we had our Christmas dinner. This was the first time Stephanie cooked a holiday dinner and she did a great job:) Thanks, Stephanie!

Pictured from left to right are Billy, Lori (me), Dan, Stephanie, Dominic, Sarah, Sean, and Shane.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year, too:)

Just the Trash and my Stash Heart Tag

So I was checking out projects using Tim Holtz items (specifically distress crackle paint and distress stickles) for an upcoming make 'n take for a book club I lead at http://everafterscrapbooks.com/. I wanted to make a tag with a vintage feel but had a little "creative block". Well let me tell you...the project on Tim's Blog here: http://timholtz.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/02/february-techni.html couldn't have been closer to what I was trying to invision:)

Since I wanted to incorporate this idea into my "Just the trash and my stash" area in my blog, I asked Tim for permission to use his idea as my inspiration. I sent along my take on his project so he would know what I came up with. Lucky for me, he said:

"Great job lori – of course you can post it. Thanks! -tim"

Whoo hoo! Thanks, Tim!!!

Now, pictured above are the items/products used in my project. Without the Crackle paint, and stickles (and of course Tim's idea), this project would not have been completed.

The "trash" in this project is the tag (throw aways from a bank I used to work for), the wire...not even sure where it came from, but I know I didn't buy it...I covered it with a red sharpie & staz on ink..., and some "chip board" from a box I cut up. Oh, and I also used some "throw away" fiber that someone gave me. Now some of these items aren't typically considered "trash", but all were head for the "can" before I rescued them.

Here is my finished project. Pretty "schnazzy" if I do say so myself:)

I know it's a bit early for a "Valentine" type tag, but New Year's always makes me feel romantic, lol.

Santa Visit #2

Well, I made my second and final trip to visit Santa at the local outlet mall. It was nice to see that even though there were many more people in line than the first visit, Santa was still a "jolly old soul" and was very patient with the kids. This is a picture of my grandson, Dominic. He was anxious to tell Santa he wanted a bike for Christmas.

I happy to report that I think Dominic's Christmas wish will come true:)

My grandson, Shane also enjoyed Santa. I'm sure all of Shane's Christmas wishes will also come true:)

Santa visit

While Jayden and Alayna visited for Thanksgiving, I took them to see Santa at the local Shopping mall. We were pleasantly surprised that we could take our own photos of the kids with Santa. I was able to take quite a few shots and thought I would share a few of them:)

Santa was very patient with all of the kids who were visiting and even made a point of saying that no kids would be rushed...they could spend as much time as they wanted with Santa. What a nice gesture on Santa's part:)

During this visit, Alayna asked Santa for a Hannah Montana guitar. Jayden asked for a remote control car.

Santa then ended the visit with a big hug for Jayden and Alayna. What a really enjoyable visit they had!

Thank you, Santa!

Another "frugal" project (no "trash" involved, lol)

So I was on my way home from work the other day and I thought....hmmmmm...I haven't been to the Dollar Store lately...(this used to be my "favorite" frugal place to buy unconventional scrapbook supplies, lol).

Since I've been OBSESSED with Glimmer Mist recently, I was pleasantly surprised to see some snowflake garland at the store that I thought would make the perfect mask for a scrapbooking project:) Of course, I had to dis-assemble the garland, but those lightweight plastic snowflakes were the perfect size to use on this card.

I started this card by punching out some scalloped squares, then I cut a square a bit smaller than the scalloped one to use as a "mask". I placed the square on the scalloped one with repositionable tape and sprayed Glimmer Mist. When I removed my "mask", I decorated the edges with a Zig Writer.

I then cut a square and layed a few of the snowflakes on it as another "mask". After spraying the paper with Glimmer Mist, I lifted the snowflakes and voila, my own patterned snowflake paper:)

I went around the edge of this paper with a silver leafing pen to add some shine. I then took one of the snowflakes and covered it with alchohol ink, added some silver stickles and I'm done:)

I didn't use any "trash" in this project, but that snowflake garland came with at least 20-30 snowflakes...plenty for sharing AND only $1. Oh, btw, the snowflakes used for the mask just washed right off and are ready for another project:)

P.S. I also bought some paper doilies (round AND oval), some larger snowflakes, some paper clips, tooth picks, etc...so look for more "frugal" projects!

Enjoy!

Just The Trash and My Stash Ornaments

Well scrappers.....I know it's been a while, but hopefully it's been worth the wait, lol:)

I just couldn't let the holiday season pass without making some "frugally crafted" ornaments!

After seeing a flower made from a Starbucks coffee cup insulator thingie....I couldn't get making a frugal project of my own out of my mind...

Then it hit me...I remember when I was a little girl, my grandmother's Christmas tree was covered with shiny Christmas ornaments with gold and silver stripes.

With the help of one of my old Sizzix diecuts, some paper clips, the foil from a poinsettia AND some Glimmer Mist and a silver leafing pen from my stash, I was able to create these adorable ornaments.

There is probably no need for instructions as they are a really simple project that is easy to complete during this busy holiday season...

My grandmother would be SOOOOOOO proud:) (where did you think I got my frugalness from, lol).

ProLiteracy - An ABC Book for Charity

Hello All:

I participated in a project for charity that involved making two alphabet books which are now being sold on Ebay. The funds raised from the sale of these books will be donated to ProLiteracy.

This is the page I created for the upper case book. The books are geared to children just starting to read.

Reading and writing are part of our creative scrapbooking, card making and journaling.

Using our passion for scrapbooking we hope to unlock the power of literacy in someone else’s life.

In the United States, 30 million people over the age of 16 - 14 percent of the countries adult population - don't read well enough to understand a newspaper story written at eighth grade level or fill out a job application.

There were over 100 applications to help make the books and over 50 crafters make two books, one is an upper case book and the other a lower case book.

Each page is unique and individual and is signed by the person who created it.

We are auctioning both ABC Books on Ebay and a brand new Mary Jane alphabet.

The links are below:

Lower Case Book: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380089891866

Upper Case Book: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380090107085

Mary Jane Alphabet: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380090140543

Tis the season for giving....

Happy Holidays!

Lori McCausland
Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

I have been having sooooo much fun scrapbooking Christmas photos recently. This is a layout I just completed using Little Yellow Bicycle paper and some Making Memories Fa La La embellishments.

I also used some new StazOn inks I just received to stamp the swirls on the background card stock. I did the title using a text box in Word that I filled in with green and used the "no fill" font color. Then I used one of my Martha Stewart edge punches decorate the title block. I love the way it looks like white rub-ons over green cardstock:)

I also like the way my Christmas tree embellishments turned out, using velvet ric rac ribbon for the tree trunks. The silver star for the bigger Christmas tree is from my stash...I probably had that for at least 6 years! I LOVE incorporating my stash into my projects:)

Enjoy!

Lori McCausland, FSE (Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire)

December 2008 Dine-O-Mite Recipe

Hello fellow scrapbookers:) It's time to post the December 2008 Dine-O-Mite Recipe!

I hope you are all enjoying this challenge and will play along in December. As I mentioned in the last Dine-O-Mite post, I will now be posting the new challenge each month AFTER my TNT meeting (which is the 2nd Tuesday of each month). We had our holiday meeting last night, revealed our November Dine-O-Mite Recipes and had a wonderful time.

For those of you living in the San Diego area, feel free to join us at our monthly meetings held at Ever After Scrapbooks in Vista, CA. I am the current "Fearless Leader" and have been leading the group since June, 2007.

The meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7-9. For $20, you will receive a kit (retail value is $15) along with several challenges to choose from to be shared at the next meeting. There is also a "most wonderful and creative" make 'n take included in the class fee each month.

Feel free to contact me by leaving a comment on this post if you have any questions about the TNT Group.

Now on to the link to the December Dine-O-Mite Recipe:

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp23/frugalscrapperphotos/TNT%20DINE-O-MITE%20Recipes/DecemberDine-O-MiteRecipe.jpg

Remember to have a "blast":)

My reveal will be posted by January 14th (after the January TNT meeting).

Happy Holidays!

From your "Fearless" TNT Leader
and Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

Lori McCausland

Winner of CropStop.com Random Draw

Hey fellow scrappers!!! I hope this holiday season is going well for you all! I have received an early holiday "present":) I was just made aware that I won the Chuck Green contest at http://www.cropstop.com/.

For those of you who follow my blog, you will remember that I posted this image when I first submitted it in the "Chuck Green" contest. For the rest of you, the "Chuck Green" contest was issued at http://www.cropstop.com/. If you were interested in participating in the contest, http://www.cropstop.com/would send you a "Chuck Green" ("Chuck" because the item was something you would normally chuck, "Green" because you were recycling).

Anyway, we all received a plastic packaging that we were to change into a work of art. For those of you who know me well, this contest was right up my alley. My friend, Gloria Stengel hooked me up with this contest. Thank you Gloria! You can visit Gloria's blog at: http://www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com/

The contest winner was chosen by random draw. I have to say, all of the entries were both amazing AND very creative. If you want to take a peek at them, here is the link to the gallery: http://www.cropstopcommunity.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=134 . When you visit, you will quickly see that these projects were just awesome!

This is a great site, that I'm sure you will visit often:)

Happy Holidays!

Lori McCausland
Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

November's Dine-O-Mite Reveal!!

Well it's that time again......Here is my "vision" of the November Dine-O-Mite Recipe! A huge thanks to Teresa, one of my East Coast buddies for linking her recipe to the November post:) Your entry looks GREAT!

Now all you TNT members...I know alot of you have been doing this challenge, lol. All you need to do is take the next step and post your "reveal" on my blog:)

Thank you, Gloria for posting your October reveal on that post:) (Also a HUGE thanks to one my East Coast buddies, Robin, for also posting to the October post).

As this challenge grows, I do want to start "showing some love" by sending out RAK's by random drawing to one person who posts their reveal to the Dine-O-Mite Challenge during each month...I just need to get this up to AT LEAST 8 posts to make it more fun:) For every month there are at least 8 entries, I will do a drawing and will send out a RAK.

Feel free to spread the word about this challenge. The more the merrier, I always say:)

For those of you who don't know, I lead a LSS book club called TNT (Tips'n Techniques). The "TNT" was the reason for the name "Dine-O-Mite", the "Recipe: came from the fact that I think about food way too often, lol:)

Anyway, the reason I mention this is that the TNT meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Therefore, I'd like to wait to reveal my "vision" each month until after that meeting starting with the December challenge. Beginning this month, The December Dine-O-Mite Recipe will be posted on December 10th. The reveal will then be January 14th.

If you have any questions about this change, please let me know. I will also remind you all of the dates when I post the December Dine-O-Mite Challenge.

As always, thanks for playing along:)

Lori McCausland
Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

50 things that really matter...

I have had the most wonderful week...no, I didn't spend the entire week fulfilling my passion for scrapbooking, lol...I spent the entire week being reminded of the things that really matter...and the primary reason that I scrapbook.

My week reminded me of this book that I've had for several years and have read many times. I will touch on just 5 of the 50 things that really matter as I can relate them to the wonderful week I just spent with my family...

1. Bubble baths - My grandchildren just LOVE bubble baths. Seeing their joy took me back to my childhood when bubble baths were so special to me:)

2. Hugs - I don't think there is any better feeling in the world than a hug from a child. Each time I tell one of my grandchildren that I need a (their name) hug, their eyes light up, I get a huge smile AND the biggest, warmest bear hug.

3. Afternoon naps - How wonderful is it to see small children wake up 2 times in one day and be so excited to find out what surprising adventures await them? Also wonderful is the ability to fall asleep just for a little while and dream about all that has already become a great memory of the day (and re-charge to get ready for the memories that are still to come:)

4. Imagination - I know my imagination kicks into overdrive when I spend time with small children. My husband and I took the 3 older grandkids to a play about The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. My husband and I spent more time watching the grandkids watch the play then watching it ourselves, lol. The stories they told after the play was over were just wonderful!

5. Child's Art - A child's art is something that is so endearing to me...we had lots of fun with canvas and paints this week...and the artwork that was created will be something I cherish for a long, long time.

This was the first time since moving to CA 3 1/2 years ago, that we were able to have all of our children and grandchildren together for Thanksgiving. We had so much fun and took so many pictures! I can't wait to get them organized and scrapbooked:)

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday week and can look back on all you and your family has to feel thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lori McCausland
The Frugal Scrapper

Stories In Hand

I just have to tell you about this awesome FREE on-line class I'm taking!

Ok, so I'm taking this on-line class, it's a free class called "Stories in Hand" at http://www.jessicasprague.com on how to write stories...stories of your life, your family's life, those moments from you past that helped make you who you are today...now I always thought I was good at telling stories (no not the kind you "tell" to keep yourself out of trouble, lol ,as I'm really bad at that)...these are the stories of my past...reminiscing about my life to my children...sharing things about myself, my roots, my family background...

Then I realized...like so many things we "tell" each other, not all are remembered a day, a week, a year, a decade from now. I also have to say that this class has helped me think about so many stories I haven't even shared yet...it also made me realize that I have to not only "tell" these stories, I need to put them in writing...

I am so excited about this process that I will be interviewing my dad when I visit him next month (shhhhh...I haven't told him yet, lol) so that I can learn more about him, too. I also hope to learn more about myself through his recollections of stories about me. I'm sure many of the stories he will share with me are stories I've heard before...some I'll remember, and some I'll think I'm hearing for the first time...the difference with this time is that they will be put in writing and this class has given me a huge # of prompting questions to use during the "interview" process;)

I remember thinking many times over the last few years that I wish I had asked my grandparents more about their lives...and now that they have passed on, that chance has passed along with it.

This class has inspired me to start the process with not only my parents, but my kids too. I will have all of my kids AND grandkids together next week for Thanksgiving. I hope to use this time to get them started on documenting their stories...

Even if you have not taken this class (or one similar), this is a great time of year to reflect on all we are thankful for, all the experiences we have had that helped mold us into who we are today, and to hope that our continued journey through life will present new and exciting stories to tell...I encourage you to start telling your stories AND documenting them...trust me, your family will be grateful:)

Trash and my Stash Refrigerator Magnet

Well, fellow scrappers, I have another "Trash and my Stash" project to share with you. With the holidays quickly approaching and the need for small gifts in the air, I want to share this quick and easy Frugally "Green" project with you.

I used the following "trash":

• Soda can
• "Free" advertising magnet
• Ribbon from a candy package
• "Extra" buttons from a garment purchased

I also used the following "stash":

• Paper crimper
• Punches
• Alchohol ink
• Glitter glue
• Paper scraps

First of all, I covered the front of the magnet with my scrap paper (making a pocket out of the lower paper). I then adhered the ribbon, using the soda can tab as a "buckle". Next, I cut apart the soda can (be careful with the sharp edges) and punched a few flowers. I applied alchohol ink to to the flowers and added buttons to the centers. I crimped some of the soda can and punched out a decorative square. I added glitter glue to the punches and adhered to the magnet.

Voila, a refrigerator decoration in less than 1/2 hour. It would also be very easy to create a picture frame with the supplies above.

This would make a perfect little gift for any occasion.

Feel free to share your project by leaving a comment to this post as you have fun with this creative project using "trash and your stash".

Well, I can't hold it in anymore!!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the holidays!!!! Whoo hoo:) I finally had a chance to make my first Christmas card of the season...this card was inspired by a card sketch I worked on for http://cardsketchaday.blogspot.com/. This is such a fun site! I just love the inspiration!

Anyway, making this card REALLY got me in the mood for the holidays!!! I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but since my daugther and two of my grandkids will be visiting from PA for Thanksgiving our family is going to be celebrating Thanksgiving AND Christmas on Thanksgiving morning this year, so we will have DOUBLE the fun!!! I just CAN'T WAIT!!!

O.k., back to the card...I really love the "olde world charm" of this card. It's not something I would have created in the past...I just had an epiphany and HAD to do it:) I'm so glad that my scrapbooking and papercrafting has expanded so much lately. I just feel like I'm growing every day by leaps and bounds! I hope you all are just as excited as I am for this holiday season...I can just tell already as I speak to everyone I know, that this is going to be a really special holiday time when things are returning to simpler times where spending TIME with those you love is again more precious than the gifts that wind up under the tree. Don't forget to capture all those wonderful moments...and don't stress over what didn't get accomplished so you can celebrate what did:)

Happy Holidays to all!

Frugally yours,

Lori McCausland
A VERY HAPPY Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

Whoo Hoo!! Winner of a Sketch Challenge:)

From the Scrapbookdeals4u site:

"without further adieu...I'm excited to announce week #17's winner:Lori McCausland!!"

I'm very excited to report that I have been lucky enough to be chosen as a sketch challenge winner at http://www.scrapbookdeals4u.com/ . This was the layout I did for my son's graduation (posted earlier this month).

Whoo Hoo!!!

"Chuck Green" Challenge at CropStop.com

Here we go again....I've created yet another "Frugally GREEN" project. This one was completed for a challenge on http://www.cropstop.com/, called the "Chuck Green" challenge. Upon request, http://www.cropstop.com/ will send you an item that is normally discarded and your job is to create a project with it.

I believe the challenge ends at then end of November. Please click the following link to go directly to the challenge details: http://www.cropstopcommunity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=346&p=2705

I created this cute desktop "picture frame" with my "Chuck Green". It started out as one of the plastic packages you get with embellishments inside (sorry, I meant to take a "before" picture, but forgot:()

Hopefully, if you view a close-up, you can tell how it started. This is another fun project made using "trash" and my stash.

I added acrylic paint to the background, accented with a gold leafing pen. I then added some flowers, fiber and diecuts from my stash. I finished off with the photos. The smaller photos on the leftwere actually trimmed from larger photos that were taken at a distance. I thought it was neat to see how they were "transformed" into some really nice close-ups. I also like the way the photo on the right seems to "float" in the frame. Finally, I added embellishments to the "back" of the frame so that when it is closed, it is decorated for gift giving.

To view the entire project, click on this link:

http://s394.photobucket.com/albums/pp23/frugalscrapperphotos/Chuck%20Green%20Picture%20Frame/

Enjoy:)

Frugally yours,

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

November 2008 DINE-O-MITE Recipe

Well, fellow scrappers...it's time to post the November TNT Dine-O-Mite Recipe Challenge. I'm happy to report that this is another amazing challenge! I had a "blast" creating it and cannot wait to see what you've envisioned and how you made it your own:)

For those of you who are new to this type of challenge, consider this the opposite of a sketch challenge (LOVE, LOVE those sketch challenges). With this challenge, you will receive a supply list (ingredients) and directions (mixing instructions) to use in completing the layout....but alas, there is no photo of the finished project...yet, lol.

The link to the recipe is below. If you click on the link, and then click on the recipe, it should enlarge enough for you to read on the screen. You should also be able to print a copy. Have a BLAST as you create with this awesome challenge.

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp23/frugalscrapperphotos/TNT%20DINE-O-MITE%20Recipes/DSC03101.jpg

The cut-off for posting your projects is November 30th. I will reveal my layout on or around December 1st and will also post a new challenge at that time.

I will also do my best to create an "album" at the end of each challenge that showcases each entry.

As always, thanks in advance for playing along:)

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper

"Glitzy and the Grunge" Mini Album

Well scrappers...I'm at it again:) I had an epiphany when I received a wine shipment from a local winery in Temecula, CA...

Why not take the packaging that any "normal" person would discard, lol, and make another frugally made mini album:)

Pictured at left are the main "ingredients" and tools used for this album.

I call it "Glitzy and the Grunge" because it kind of reminded me of the classic "Lady and the Tramp"...you know they belong together, but at the same time, they are worlds apart:)

Well I LOVE the look of grunge board, but being the frugal scrapper I am, I rarely allow myself such luxuries...then low and behold, I see a "grungy" material right in front of me that is just longing to be used in one of my projects.

My grunge is the bottle packaging (if anyone knows what this is called, feel free to share it with me) AND the cardboard box that it came in. Whoo hoo for fancy packaging. I just LOVED the olive green and cream colored stripes:)

I have shown below an example of how I put the glitz and grunge together...I cut a piece of the bottle packaging and ran it through my big shot, using various leaf die cuts. I then inked the leaves with various ink pads in my stash. Then I glitzed it up with stickles glitter glue. I put a drop on a piece of paper, dipped my finger in it and "patted it" on the leaves. I also drew around the outside of the leaves with a gold leafing pen.

A link showing other details of this album can be found at http://s394.photobucket.com/albums/pp23/frugalscrapperphotos/Frugallly%20made%20Glitzy%20and%20the%20Grunge%20mini%20Album/.

Feel free to share your "frugal" projects by leaving a comment on this post.

Frugally yours,

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper

October TNT DINE-O-MITE Recipe "Reveal"

Well...can you believe it's November 1st already? You know what that means...it's time for the October 2008 TNT Dine-O-Mite Recipe reveal:)

This was my "vision" when I created the October Recipe, link to recipe here: http://frugalscrapper.blogspot.com/2008/10/tnt-dine-o-mite-recipe-layout-challenge.html. For anyone who did the challenge but did not have a chance to upload the layout, please feel free to do so. All you need to do is post a comment to the link above. I'd love to see all of your projects:)

A HUGE thank you! to Robin for being the first person to post her layout from the October challenge. Thank you also, Robin for giving the recipe a "shout out" on your blog! I really look forward to having more scrappers giving this challenge a try AND posting their creations.

To see Robin's project, go to: http://robins-rants.blogspot.com/2008/10/this-page-brought-to-you-by.html.

I look forward to posting the November challenge later today:)

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper

The Graduate

It's hard to believe that it's been 8 years since my son, Sean graduated from high school...it was the "millenium year"...2000...wow, do you all remember that year? It seems so long ago...wondering if our cars would start, if the electricity would stay on, if our computers would self destruct, lol...

So much has happened since 2000...my son now has two beautiful sons of his own, but when I look back at photos like this, I still remember my "little boy" as he grew into a (very tall) man.

I just love scrapbooking!! The fact that I could pull this photo out of my collection of photos and reminisce...ahhhhhh...

I just can't believe it took me 8 years to find the perfect paper and the perfect layout for this photo. Again, I entered this layout in a challenge at http://www.scrapbookdeals4u.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=1827&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=0. I love the sketches they choose. I just found this site a few weeks ago and really like it.

The paper I used in this layout was from the LOADS of paper I received as the 3rd place winner of a layout contest at the SD Scrapbook Expo. The embellishments are actually from a Quick Quotes class I took while I was there. I really like the Quick Quotes products and paper selections. You can find them at http://shopquickquotes.com/.

Enjoy!

As always...Scrap frugally,

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper

Frugally made "Acrylic" Album

Okay, fellow scrappers...I felt it was time to start adding some real Frugal Scrapping projects to the blog...

Projects that showcase how this "Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire" got her name...

For this "Acrylic" Album I used:

• the outside packaging for something I bought (not sure what it was anymore)
• The border from an old sticker sheet
• The backing from a legal size tablet
• Scrap paper from my stash
• Alphabet rubber stamps
• Eyelets from my stash
• A sizzix diecut (tag)

I cut the "acrylic" down to size 3 1/2" by 4". Then I cut the backing from the tablet (chipboard) for three pages. The page height is 4". I made each page a different width, one each 2 1/2", 3", 3 1/2" wide. I adhered a different patterned paper scrap to the front of each page and adhered white scrap paper to the back (for journaling/doodling). After cutting out tags, I folded them in half to make "tabs" for the pages. These were adhered with the eyelets. I used my stamps to stamp one word on each "tab", "ME" "AND" "YOU". (this could also be hand written with gel pens, etc)

The album was bound with the bind-it-all (I consider this a "frugal" purchase on a cost per use basis...I use this tool ALL THE TIME). If you don't have a bind-it-all, feel free to use a hole punch and o-rings or ribbon to bind your album.

I added strips from the border of an old sticker sheet to both sides of the front "acrylic" cover. You will see I also inked the front and back cover so you could see them better. If inking the covers, you will need to use an ink like Staz-On.

Voila! You have made a "frugal" mini album.

See photos of complete project here: http://s394.photobucket.com/albums/pp23/frugalscrapperphotos/Frugally%20made%20Acrylic%20Album/

I will try to add a new frugal tip, trick, technique or project to this blog at least twice a month.

If you complete this project (or one similar) feel free to share by posting a comment to this blog. Include any other frugal tips, tricks or techniques you used and would like to share. You may find YOUR PROJECT featured in a future post so make sure you add your contact info to your comment. You can also e-mail me directly at frugalscrapper1@aol.com.

Scrap Frugally,

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

I AM an EMOTIONAL SCRAPBOOKER:)

I've been thinking alot recently about how far I have traveled on this scrapbooking journey...all in all though, there are two things I've been true to since the beginning...my interest in frugal scrapbooking AND always making my photos the STAR on my pages.

This layout was one that I completed at least 5 years ago. After all this time, it's still one of my favorites...not because I used some really awesome techniques (although, I'm sure I thought they were awesome when I did them, lol), but because it is an overwhelming example of why I scrap...my focus will always be on the photos and the "story".

Yes, my name is Lori McCausland (aka Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire)...and I AM AN EMOTIONAL SCRAPBOOKER...

There, I said it:) There is nothing more amazing to me than capturing the "emotion" in the photo. Now I know that there are some AMAZING photographers out there...you know the one's that make it...really make it...I would just LOVE to scrapbook for them! There are definitely times when "a picture says a thousand words", but I still believe that just a few written words along side any photgraph (or sometimes even ONE word) will grab you and hold onto you...

Do you have that one special layout that just grabs you every time you see it, no matter how long ago you created it? I don't just mean that it grabs at your heart strings...it could be humorous, happy, sad, scary, etc. It's just the layout that you love as much today as the day you created it...not because of the paper or the embellishments or the techniques used...just because you were lucky enough to capture photos you could tell a story with...ahhhhhhhh, just one of the many joys of scrapbooking....

Remember, the photos really DO tell a story and should always be the STAR on your pages...the rest of the layout (paper, embellishments, etc) should always play a supporting role in the story line.

Shhhhhhhhh.....if we're really quiet, we may hear those photos "telling their story" now...

If you have a favorite layout you would like to share, please add a comment with a link to your layout.

Frugally yours,

Lori McCausland
Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

They say "a picture says a thousand words"...remember to let your photos do the talking...

Use your Stash challenge

This layout was done for a challenge at http://www.useyourstash.blogspot.com/ where you are challenged two ways...one is to take on the challenge given, the second is to limit the challenge to using your stash!

For those of you who know me, you know this is RIGHT UP my alley, lol:)

I had this picture in my "stash" also for the last, well, almost 4 years since this baby will be 4 next month. I had just never scrapbooked it:)

The challenge issued was to use at least 3 DIFFERENT rub-ons in a layout. I think I used rub-ons from 6 different rub-on sheets (and probably from 6 different companies, lol).

It was fun to use my "stash" and I look forward to future challenges offered on the http://www.useyourstash.blogspot.com/ blog.

Scrap frugally,

Lori McCausland

Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

A rose is just a rose...unless it's a Peach Rose!

I just LOVE this photo! I took it when I visited Solvang with a friend at the end of September.

It reminded me of a story I heard a long time ago about ONE of the differences between men and women...when the male audience was asked what color roses were a women's favorite, most of the men said "red". Then the female audience was asked the same question. Guess what the overwhelming response was (lol)...you guessed it...PEACH!

Based on this photo, are you surprised...I could look at this all day...ahhhhhhhh....

MDC Sketch Challenge - Halloween Layout

Well fellow scrappers...I've definitely caught the "bug". I am totally addicted to entering contests AND doing challenges:)

Not only do I LOVE the anticipation, but I LOVE seeing all of the entries to see how my fellow scrappers have interpreted the sketch. It's great to have a starting point (the sketch), as well as having the creative freedom to choose your own colors, photos, format, etc. I love the ability to "tweek" these amazing sketches to match my style.

I found this challenge on a great site I found called Mothers and Daughters Creations. A direct link to the challenge is http://mdcchallenges.blogspot.com/.

I had lots of fun using some of the Basic Grey papers from the "huge" stash I won at the SD Expo layout contest back in August. Of course, I just had to mix in a few papers from other lines, too. I just love mixing and matching papers from various manufacturers. Some of the embellies are from class kits I took at the expo and some are from the October TNT kit (Tuesday Tips ,n Techniques book club I lead at Ever After Scrapbooks in Vista, CA).

Enjoy:)

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper

Whoo Hoo!!! Winner of Sketch Challenge:)

Well, TNT members...now you know where I got the sketch for our October challenge. I entered this layout in a challenge at http://scrapbookdeals4u.blogspot.com/. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that I won the challenge. I'm so syked!!!!

I took some of this idea from the big boy album I made. I just loved the use of colors, and wanted to use it with softer papers in this layout. I also love to write "poems" when I journal which is what I also did with this layout.

Enjoy:)

Lori McCausland

An Ecstatic Frugal Scrapper!

Well, I've found a "new" love...metal sheets!!! This Halloween Album was made using 6 x 6 metal sheets for each cover. I love the fact that the same ideas can be used on them as with the acrylic albums:) These sheets are not see-thru, of course...but they ARE magnetic!!! Think of the possibilities!

A link to the full album is in my projects section. Just click on the Halloween Metal Mini Album and enjoy:)

These metal sheets can be purchased at http://everafterscrapbooks.com/ in various sizes. I believe they come in 6x6, 8x8, 8 1/2x11, 12x12...check with the store to be sure.

You can also purchase them on-line (for those of you not near EA), at http://kits2remember.com/. This site also sells acrylic and chipboard sheets.

Scrappingly yours,

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper

"As you live the life you imagined, scrap the life you have lived."

Sweet Pea MOSD Acrylic Album Contest

This is an acrylic album I created for the MOSD Big Boy Guest Designer contest. It is a 6x12 album with acrylic covers and 6 chipboard pages.

I had so much fun making this ablum. I love working with acrylic AND chipboard, but this is the first album I have created using a vertical orientation.

I love the way I was able to place embellishments on the acrylic front cover that "framed" the photo on the first chipboard page. Also notice that "Sweet Pea" is on the first page, but shows through the acrylic cover.

I also added some swirl stamps around the album cover with staz on ink (love that stuff, too).

Included in the kit were these awesome "stick-on's" (see arrow on cover). I placed these stick-ons throughout the album and had fun using them, too.

Another exciting aspect for me was that I was able to decorate the album using paper I received in classes at the San Diego Scrapbook expo. I took 9 classes at the expo and was pleasantly surprised to see that many of the papers in each class had similar color schemes. I just love combining paper from various manufacturers and using them on one project.

I also love the way this album stands up. I have it on an end table in my living room. It's interesting to see how everyone that visits will pick this album to see what's inside. Of course, it's filled with pic's of my "Sweet Pea" (granddaughter).

The entire album can be viewed in my "Projects" section.

Enjoy....I know I did:)

Lori McCausland
A VERY Happy Frugal Scrapper

TNT DINE-O-MITE Recipe Layout Challenge

O.K fellow scrappers, get ready to have a BLAST!!! I have added a new link to my blog (see TNT DINE-O-MITE Recipes). I have created these recipes to share with anyone who is interested in "just the facts".

I do want to go over a few "administrative" things:

1. For this TNT DINE-O-MITE Recipe, I saved a Power Point file as a jpeg. While you may not be able to read the screen when opening the link, if you print the file, it is fine. If it doesn't work for you, Oops.....I promise to figure out a better way by next month...consider this a "test", so see how close I have come to my target:)
2. This challenge is FOR ALL! Print it, copy it, share it, toss it, do whatever you want. Just make sure you had a BLAST with it, lol.

TNT (tips 'n techniques) DINE-O-MITE Recipes are instructions designed to get your creative juices flowing.

Consider them the opposite of a sketch challenge where you have a sketch (and I DO LOVE a good sketch challenge) to follow, but no written instructions.

TNT DINE-O-MITE Recipes are layout instructions without the sketch. That's right scrappers...you get Recipe Rules, Ingredient list, and Mixing Instructions...the rest is up to you.

I plan to make a new recipe available each month. Once the month is over, I will post my "vision" of what I "saw" when I read the directions...in other words, I will post my version of how I followed the instructions and completed my DINE-O-MITE Recipe.

Please feel free to post your comments and links to your "vision" of the DINE-O-MITE Recipe!

Invite your friends to join in on the fun!!! Don't forget to have a BLAST!

Happy Scrappin'

Lori McCausland
The Frugal Scrapper

The Crystal Croppers

Once upon a time...a long, long time ago (o.k., it was around 2000)....in a land far away (o.k., it was in Pennsylvania) there was a Frugal Scrapper who "had a dream...".

Her dream was to start a scrapbooking business where everyone could learn the awesome art of scrapbooking without taking out a 2nd mortgage to fund this great hobby.

This dream started out small, she started by researching and purchasing scrapbooking tools on a "cost per use" basis. Soon after, she began to hold monthly crops at her home in her kitchen where friends, family and all could come to crop and share tools. Her husband was very supportive of the crops and was always available to help with setting up, getting lunch ready and tearing down after each crop ended.

It wasn't long before she started teaching "frugal scrapping" at craft stores, the YMCA and through the community education programs offered by the local school district.

Her next step was creating page kits, cards and other gift items and selling them at a local craft consignment store. She also sold her creations at local craft fairs.

Soon an addition was added to her home, part of which included a 28 ft. x 16 ft. scrapbook studio. This studio has windows all the way around on 3 sides which gave it alot of natural light. It also gave the feeling of being in the great outdoors. Each season brought a new refreshing view, perfect for daydreaming and kicking those creative juices into high gear.

Low and behold, though, after a few visits to the west coast, this frugal scrapper felt the calling of a move to sunny southern California. She packed up her belongings (of course the scrapbooking stuff was packed first) and she drove her Honda Accord across country to Carlsbad, California.

A group of her best scrapping buds formed the official "Crystal Croppers" after she moved to California, however the name of the "Crystal Croppers" was derived from the first place this awesome group of scrapbookers met...at 95 Crystal Dr.

To this day, the Frugal Scrapper makes every effort to scrapbook with her Pennsylvania cropping buddies whenever she visits PA. (and she still owns her home on Crystal Drive where it all began...)

Thank you Anne McCausland, Cindy Schwenk, Robin (Fenstermacher) Snyder, and Teresa Fenstermacher for being the best east coast scrappin' buddies a girl could have:)

Happy Scrappin' (and leave the light on, ya hear?)

Lori McCausland

Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

The Best is Still To Come:)

Well, I've finally done it! I've reached the last year of my 40's...but since by popular opinion the 40's are the "new" 30's, maybe I should say I'm in the last year of my 30's...hmmmmm, yes, that sounds much better:)

I spent my birthday at a local park with most of my family where we played horse shoes. And yes, I did get a "ringer"...whoo hoo!

The weather was a bit cloudy here on the southern California coast due to a marine layer that just didn't want to burn off. I never thought I'd say this, but after 3 1/2 years here (originally from Philadelphia), I DO look forward to cloudy days every once in a while, lol.

I've been hard at work on some card sketches I received from http://cardsketchaday.blogspot.com/ and have just submitted two of them. The two cards I submitted are for Sketch "N" and Sketch "Q". Sketch "N" is set to go live on October 10. Sketch "Q" should be available for viewing on October 9. It's a great site to visit so go take a look and let me know what you think:)

Have a MOST WONDERFUL day!!!

Scrap safely:)

Lori McCausland, a happy Frugal Scrapper

Placing 3rd at Scrapbook Expo!

I am so excited to share that I placed 3rd at the San Diego Scrapbook Expo layout contest:) I originally designed this layout for the TNT club I lead at Ever After Scrapbooks in Vista, CA.

Whoo hoo!!!!

The primary purpose of this layout (besides scrapbooking some of my FAVORITE people) was to use wire in the project. In this project, I was able to "dust off" my old paper crimper and crimp some wire which I used in various places in this layout.

Also, since I AM the ultimate Frugal Scrapper, I took the negative space from a sizzix die cut (you know, the part you usually discard, lol) and used it to make my own photo corners. I applied some rub-ons and adhered them to my page with brads.

Enjoy:)

The Ultimate Frugal Scrapper

Scrapbooking has been a hobby of mine way before "scrapbooking" was even a common word used in the hobby & craft world:) What could be more awesome than being able to take your most cherished memories...your photos of family, friends and special events ...and match that with the art of paper crafting and storytelling!!!

I have a confession.....I am the ULTIMATE Frugal Scrapper....I have been known to save the most outrageous "scraps" (most are considered "non-traditional" in the scrapbooking world) and have used them as either embellishments or "tools" to embellish my scrapbooking pages.
I have been teaching frugal scrapbooking since 2000. Now don't get me wrong, I own PLENTY of traditional scrapbooking tools, embellishments, supplies, etc. I just make my purchases using my "cost per use" basis (o.k., by day I'm a banker...go figure).

Because I'm a banker by day and a frugal scrapper by...well...the rest of my awake time...I have the pleasure of using both my left brain AND my right brain...sometimes they actually "argue" with each other, lol. My banker brain is always trying to "create" more effective ways do banking and my Scrapbooking brain is always looking for "more economical" ways to create.
Most importantly, I LOVE to share my knowledge and experience with others. I can't wait to share and receive awesome "frugal" scrapbooking tips.

Have a MOST WONDERFUL day EVERYDAY!