Just a quick little post:)

Hello out there, bloggers and paper crafters:)

I just completed my first blog post to the MOSD Blog and wanted to share the link with all of you.

As I'm sure you are aware, I was recently chosen to join some AMAZING crafters over at MOSD (Midnight Oil Scrapbook Design) as a member of the MOD Squad (Design Team)...I am very excited and humbled as I see the posts of the other new team members. Hop on over and take a peek...I guarantee it is worth it:)

On another note, you may have noticed my Frugal Scrapper blog has been quieter than usual, lol...that's because I've decided to go back to school and had signed up for two summer classes at the local Community College...whew....this isn't the summer school I remember, ROFL!

Talk about INTENSE!!! 16 weeks of classes condensed into 6-8 weeks! My head is still spinning....I'm happy to report that so far I have A's in both classes I'm taking (Accounting 201 and Photoshop)...by the end of this week (Thursday actually), I will be done!!!! Whoo hoo!!!!!

Let's hope those A's stick through the finals!

I then have a month off to get my scrappin' mojo going again before I start my fall session on 8/24 when I have 5 classes...whew...nothing like "jumping in" with both feet:)

My fall line-up is:

English (whoo hoo, I passed the English placement test)
Accounting 202
Spanish
Economics
Guitar (yes, for those of you who know I bought a guitar a while back...I'm finally taking lessons:)

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by:)

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)

Frugal Scrapper 3T...Repurpose THIS!

Oh boy, Oh boy....I am soooooooo excited....I know, I know, I'm ALWAYS excited when I have an awesome new 3T to share...actually, I'm excited every time I get to post to my blog:)

Well, this time, my 3T also qualifies as a "going GREEN" 3T, too:) Whoo hoo!!!!

I've just started using a new adhesive runner called a Glue Arts Glue Glider. I just love the neon pink and green color of this tool:)

Anyway, when I emptied my first cartridge (after MANY projects completed), I pulled out the empty cartridge and thought.....hmmmmm...there MUST be some way to re-purpose this...initially, I considered taking it apart and somehow using the gears in one of my projects...but then I realized...HEY, this cartridge has a cool rubber "wheel"...I know...I can use this as a BRAYER!!!!!!!

Well let me tell you...I LOVE THIS!!!!! It is narrow and has great control. Also the cartridge is big enough and is designed well so that it is very easy to grip...ergonomically speaking...it's awesome!!!! Now I'm not an ergonomic expert by any means, but it's a pretty comfortable fit to me:)

Below are a few pic's of how I used my new "favorite tool"...of course you may notice I'm also using my "favorite" products by none other that T!m Holtz.....

Just apply ink by rolling the "brayer" over the ink pad...distress inks are awesome because they are nice and juicy...kind of like "baby bear" in Goldilocks...JUST RIGHT:)

Next, I just start rolling the ink onto my project. In this case, I'm using white card stock. As you roll, the ink will get lighter. If you want the same consistency along the entire strip, just re-apply the ink and re-roll over the lighter area. I have found this brayer is very easy to control. You see exactly where you are applying the ink.

Pictured above are a few items I used this technique on...the far left is a piece of fabric (of course, this was re-purposed from a shirt that was being discarded, lol)...next I added the inks to a tag and finished adding to my white card stock.

I hope you have enjoyed this post. For more pics of this project, click here.

Now I'm off to submit this idea to Creating Keepsakes Magazine...they have a call for tips, tricks, and techniques. Wish me luck on getting my idea published:)

EnJoy!

Lori McCausland, FSE (Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)

Whoo hoo!!! My first DT position!

I am SOOOOO excited to share some great news with all of you:) I have been chosen as one of the new design members on the "MOD Squad" (Midnight Oil Design Squad) over at MOSD.

Here is the announcement:

Drum Roll Please....

We are thrilled, we are excited, we are beside ourselves....WE HAVE A NEW DESIGN TEAM!First I must say, this was by far, the most difficult decision we have had to make in a very long time. We had over 50 very talented applicants apply for 14 positions on our MOD Squad. Which means we had to disappoint a lot of very talented crafters. This is never an easy task and certainly one we don't enjoy. But the good news is we were also able to spread joy and happiness to 14 incredible ladies (not leaving the guys out here - we only had female applicants...). We also have two members returning from the original team, to make it a 16 member team.

So without further ado, we would like to introduce the new MOD Squad (aka: the Midnight Oil Design Squad). You can find links to their blogs along the left hand side...

Gloria Stengel
Debbie Fitzgerald
Shannon Morgan
Jennifer Hansen
Marisa Faylim
Dolores Cancel
Lori McCausland
Carolyn Lontin
Pamela Jordan
Valerie Chmielak
Naureen O'Neale
KellyJean Gettelfinger
Amy Oxford
Vickilyn Crawford
Erica Hofstetter
Tina Guigui

These wonderful ladies will begin introducing themselves here in the following days. You can also find out more about them at their personal blogs. Then beginning August 1st each of these ladieswill begin posting projects, tips and techniques for your enjoyment right here at the MOSD blog!

Congratulations ladies and thanks in advance for all your hard work!

Whoo hoo!!!!! Can't wait to get started:)

Until then, I'm sure I will defy gravity for a few days, lol...

It's a Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire Sketch Challenge!

Have I told you lately that I LOVE sketch challenges??? I just can't seem to get enough of them. Unfortunately, I've been soooo busy with scrapping projects recently that I haven't had time to visit all of the awesome sketch sites out there:(

With that in mind, I decided to "multi-task" and design a sketch of my own. Originally, my plan was to introduce this challenge at the TNT club I lead at Ever After Scrapbooks. While I did introduce this sketch challenge at our June meeting, I thought hmmmmm....I know all of you bloggers out there just LOVE sketch challenges, too...so I've decided to share these challenges with you, too.

I tend to take a "simple" approach to designing challenges from the angle that I like to leave alot of room for your creativity to bloom. I'd love to see your take on this sketch. Simply leave a comment with a link to your layout. Feel free to use this sketch for any size layout or card and of course, feel free to add your personal "twist":)

Shown below is my "take" on the sketch. Of course, I had to "twist" it a bit for my needs...but oh, what fun I had:)

Enjoy! I look forward to seeing your work!

Have a great day and thanks so much for visiting:)

Lori McCausland

Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)