Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)

For those of you who have been following my blog, THANK YOU, I'm still here and as FRUGAL as ever. I'm just expanding my blog title to further reflect my "altered" muse. I'm still the same (sometimes goofy) FRUGAL SCRAPPER that I've always been and will continue to focus on FRUGAL papercrafting projects:)

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Teresa Collins Mini Book...Frugal Scrapper Style:)


Well bloggers, I can't believe another year has come and gone!  As we all reflect on this last year, I'd like to thank all of my awesome friends for a year filled with LOVE, LAUGHTER, INSPIRATION, ENCOURAGEMENT, and most of all....some absolutely AMAZING memories!

What better way to document these special times than with an AWESOME album!  Furthermore, using the Teresa Collins "FRIENDSHIP" line is just PERFECT for this project...her INSPIRATIONAL quotes are the perfect compliment to this project!

Now, when I think of friendships...I think of those people who touch my life and help make me a better person:)  There are soooo many of you out there, and I just want to say "THANK YOU".

You have ALL made the SUN SHINE brighter in my life:)

One of the things I LOVE about this album is all of the dimension...working with acrylic allows for "windows" through which we see what makes us who we are today...SO MANY LAYERS....as we peel them back (or just turn the pages, lol), we can be reminded of all the ways our FRIENDSHIPS play such an important role in OUR LIVES...

THANKS AGAIN FRIENDS!!!!

Now for the best part!  You, too, can make this book of FRIENDSHIPS.  I will be teaching this class at Ever After Scrapbooks on January 30.  I was soooooo inspired by the Teresa Collins class I took back in November that I knew I just had to use her products to teach a class.....of course, it WILL have a little FRUGAL SCRAPPER EXTRAORDINAIRE twist:)

Check here for upcoming details on this awesome class!

I'm still putting the final details on this book and will share more pics later.

Happy NEW YEAR!

Your FRIENDly Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Frugal Scrappin' for LOVE:)



LOVE is in the air and there is VINTAGE everywhere:)

Now, I know, I know...it's not even 2010 yet, and I'm already pushin' Valentine's Day:)  Well, bloggers this Christmas Holiday season has filled my heart with so much joy that I just want to roll it right into the next holiday where we think of those we love...what better way to get started then to make some warm, vintage, Valentine's cards....FRUGAL SCRAPPER STYLE, of course:)

These cards are the samples for my Frugal Scrappin' class that will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2010 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Ever After Scrapbooks in Vista, Ca.  These classes have been EXTREMELY popular since I started running them in June, 2009.  Initially, I bounced them around from month to month...sometimes at the beginning of the month, and sometimes at the end....even the day of the week changed each month.

I'm very happy to say that the FRUGAL SCRAPPER (that would be me, lol) has finally settled on a specific day each month.  Starting in 2010, my monthly Frugal Scrappin' classes will be held on the 4th Thursday of every month.  Settling on the 4th Thursday does have some major advantages...you can now PLAN your schedule AROUND the frugal scrappin' classes:)  Since we have many students who attend EVERY MONTH, it will be so much easier to plan your schedule this way.  Also, by having the class at the end of the month, there is PLENTY of time for Ever After to advertise (of course, as long as I get the samples in on time, lol).

O.k.....now what HASN'T CHANGED, you ask????  The Frugal price of $15!  Whoo hoo!!!!  In addition, these classes will continue to be FILLED with awesome TECHNIQUES geared toward teaching you ways to USE your STASH...and of course, all those AWESOME scrapbooking TOOLS out there in the marketplace.

Since these pic's are samples for my upcoming class, I do not post specific instructions...HOWEVER...if you do not live in the southern California area and cannot attend the Frugal Scrappin' class, feel free to e-mail me with any questions you have about how to make these cards and I'll be happy to answer them:)

Happy NEW YEAR!!!

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)

Friday, December 25, 2009

Finally...12 Tags of Christmas, Frugal Scrappin' Style:)


Day 1- I coved the tag with concord grape and china blue distress ink, then I used a snowman stamp with some holographic embossing powder on black cardstock.  I added word strips, and some "snow" (snow cap paint dabber).



Day 2 - I used some clear embossing powder and the clock post stamp (from tattered angels) to make a "sled".  I distressed over it with vintage photo and fired brick distress ink.  I then sprayed a white prima flower with candy apple glimmer mist, added a greeting, button and some bling:)



Day 3 - The tag was distressed with black soot distress ink.  Glossy cardstock was covered with various alcohol inks (I think stream, terra cotta, sunshine yellow, and others...).  I added the "tree" stamp and birds with archival ink, then added some beads (from my 10 yr+ stash), some twine and mini brads.


Day 4 - made a memory capsule with pics from a magazine that I distressed.  I added some stickles for effect.  Covered the tag with randome stamps, added distress ink (fired brick, broken china, mustard yellow, and peeled paint).



Day 5 - I used gold embossing powder for the swirl, used a sizzix ornament diecut and an old metal ornament from my stash.  Used a border punch on some gold paper, too.



Day 6 - Made a "free hand" car, used a square punch for windows, added walnut stain distress sticles.  Made a sizzix diecut tree, dabbed with snowcap paint dabber.  Attached tree to the car with wire.  Used sepia archival ink on the swirl stamp and black archival ink on the sentiment.  Old buttons were used for the wheels.



Day 7 - I used a mask for the Santa, added some random embellishments and stickles.  Background is a musical notes stamp from my stash.



Day 8 - I started by stamping with a swirl stamp using blazing red staz on ink.  I tore a vellum sheet and covered it with musical notes using black archival ink.  The Christmas Carols was stamped and cut out.  The key is a sizzix diecut that I covered with a gold leafing pen.  The heart brad is from my stash.



Day 9 - I have to say this is my favorite:)  I took my grandkids to see Santa and the middle guy (Shane) was NOT a happy camper, lol...Dominic and Alex were not afraid of Santa, though.  I used sizzix diecuts for the numbers, covered with a silver leafing pen.  The phot strip is one of t!m's stamps.  I cut out the holes in the stamp with my square punch.  I didn't do alot of other decorating because I wanted the pictures to stand out.


Day 10 - o.k...now I have to say this was my "least" favorite out of the 12 days...I used a sizzix embossing folder, cranberry alcohol ink, and a sanding block to get this effect...(oh yes, I also covered the tag with aluminum foil first)...



Day 11 - Covered the tag with mustard yellow and peeled paint distress ink.  Brushed some white prima flowers with fired brick distress ink.  Stamped the deer and embossed with black soot distress embossing powder.  Added some buttons from my stash.


Day 12 - Well...this was my "second" favorite tag:)  The only reason # 9 beat this one was because #9 has pics of my grandsons:)  I LOVED making these grunge paper flowers.  I did use distress inks to color the flowers (aged mahogany and broken china).  I also used aged mahogany on the on the tag with a french script stamp.  Since I wanted to keep the tag "frugal", I made my bling swirls by hand with stickles.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at these awesome tags as much as I enjoyed making them:)

Merry Christmas!

Your friendly home town Frugal Scrapper:)

P.S...lmk if you find typos...no time to proofread!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

T!m's 12 Tags of Christmas


All good things must come to an end, fellow bloggers...T!m's 12 Tags of Christmas was a HUGE hit!  All I need to do now is get my "frugal scrappin' style"

These are T!m's finished tags for your viewing pleasure.  I'll post my "frugal" take on them within the next week....gotta go create now:)



I'm a winner on Tim's Blog today:) Whoo Hoo!!!!!

WhOO Hoo!!!!!!!!!!  I'm a winner on the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas post today!!!!!!  I'm sooooo excited!!!!!

I posted my ongoing "rhyme" for the 12 tags of Christmas and I want to take this oppotunity to finish the rhyme...

On the 12th day of Christmas tags, with us T!m did share....

Roses oh so perfect and so rare...

the rest of my "days" are below in my winning post from Tim's blog!!!!

Lori McCausland - On the 11th day of Christmas Tags, with us T!m did share.. A tool to cover brads so they'er not bare, 10-Grungeboard with foil..what a pair! 9-for goodness sake that child was scared 8-key and lamp post to show he cares 7-Santa that was stickled with such care 6-Do you have fluffy stuff to share? 5-Golden Flairs 4-A pin for us to wear 3-Play with alcohol inks if you dare 2-Seasons Greetings was the fare 1-there were snowmen everywhere

Isn't this the MOST beautiful tag yet???????



Happy Holidays to all, and to all a GREAT DAY!!!!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas rhyme-Day 11

On the 11th day of Christmas Tags,
with us T!m did share..

A tool to cover brads so they'er not bare,

10-Grungeboard with foil..what a pair!

9-for goodness sake that child was scared

8-key and lamp post to show he cares

7-Santa that was stickled with such care

6-Do you have fluffy stuff to share?

5-Golden Flairs

4-A pin for us to wear

3-Play with alcohol inks if you dare

2-Seasons Greetings was the fare

1-there were snowmen everywhere


That's all folks:)  Finals are ALMOST over!  Can't wait to create!
Lori M:)

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas-Day 10

Good morning!  I can't believe it's ALREADY December 10th!  Only 14 more shopping days!  Sheesh!!!!  I've only gotten 3 gifts so far...I really need to get started!!!!

I've got a busy day today, so I'm posting this before I'm off and running for the day:)  Classes, studying, then more classes...THEN teaching a tag class at Ever After tonight (using TH products of course:)

O.k....on to today's rhyme...I did change day 9 a bit because I just wasn't happy with my first take on it...enJOY!

On the 10th day of Christmas Tags,
with us T!m did share


Grungeboard with foil! What a pair!

9 for goodness sake that child was scared!

8 key and lamp post to show he cares

7 Santa that was stickled with care

6 Do you have fluffy stuff to share?

5 Golden flairs

4 Pin for us to wear

3 Play with alcohol inks if you dare

2 Seasons Greetings was the fare

1 Snowmen everywhere

Have a MOST WONDERFUL DAY!
Lori M., FSE:)

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas-Day 9


Good evening fellow bloggers:)  Just stopping by to update my Tim Holtz 12 Days of Christmas Tags rhyme:)

I'm a little bogged down this week with finals and projects to finish up my fall semester of school...I hate to think I'm trying to rush through my life, but BOY will I be GLAD when December 17th at about 6:00 p.m. hits!  Then I'm FREEEEEE, I'm FREEEEEE (well until Jan 25th when the next semester starts, lol)...for now, I'll continue with the rhymes, after finals, I'll do a marathon to catch up on the 12 tags...

Have a MOST WONDERFUL DAY!

On the 9th day of Christmas Tags


with us t!m did share...

Creativity 'n crying child that was scared

8-key and lamp post to show how much he cares

7-Santa that was stickled with such care

6-Do you have fluffy stuff to share?

5-Golden flairs

4-pins for us to wear

3-Play with alcohol inks if you dare

2=Seasons Greetings was the fare

1-snowmen everywhere

Well, that's all for today:)

Thanks for visiting!

Lori M., FSE:)


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas Rhyme-Day 8

On the 8th day of Christmas tags,
with us T!m did share...

A lampost, key and wreath to show he cares...

(7) Santas stickled with such care

(6) Do you have "Fluffy stuff" to spare

(5) Golden Flairs

(4) A pin for us to wear

(3) Play with alcohol inks if you dare

(2) Seasons Greetings was the fare

(1) Snowmen everywhere

Well, bloggers...at least I'm keeping up with the "rhymes"...since finals are coming up next week, "life" has gotten in the way of my creating time...glad T!m extended the time to submit for his big prize!

At least you can see T!m's take on today's tag:



Happy Wednesday:)

Lori M. FSE:)

Monday, December 7, 2009

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas-Day 7

Good news, bloggers...I read on T!m's blog a few days ago that it is O.K. for us to post his 12 Tags of Christmas 2009 logo AND the pic of the day's finished tag...how awesome is that?

With that in mind, I wanted to post the logo (below) because I think it is REALLY cool...and because I used the calendar stamp for my take on today's tag:)

First I want to show you my take on Tim's tag...then down below, I'll show Tim's tag that we are all using for inspiration. I thought this would make it easier to compare my "take" on it to his. Hopefully, between the two, you'll be inspired to do you "take" on it...if you are playing along, too, I'd love to see your tag...leave me a comment with a link...can't wait to see them:)

Now, since I DID do this tag ahead of time (for use in my upcoming Frugal Scrappin' Class), I'm going to use it for day 7 because it's made using similar inspiration....and it allows me more time to go back and work on day 5 and 6...sheesh...I've still got alot of catching up to do:)


I did use the same masking technique as Tim, but did put a little "frugal scrappin' twist on it. Instead of the swirl stamps that Tim used (which I LOVE), I added a stamped calendar and clock.

The clock was stamped with Stazon ink onto acetate (re-purposed from packaging, of course). I added some glimmer paper behind it and adhered it with a brad.

I then used the BELIEVE stamp which is part of the Stampers Anonymous stamp set I have (along with the Santa I used AND the calendar).

The musical notes in the background are from a stamp in my stash...not sure what company that is from...(sorry)...I DO LOVE that musical notes stamp, though:)

I used the Ranger black archival ink on the Santa stamp, the calendar and BELIEVE. I used black Stazon for the clock and black distress ink on the musical notes. (Part of what I'm teaching my class is that ALL 3 black inks are necessary due to the different advantages each has).

I distressed the tag with Fired Brick and Peeled Paint distress inks...of course I also distressed the edges of my tag, the calendar and BELIEVE...unfortunately, I don't have one of Tim's handy dandy distress tools, so I had to do it frugal scrappre style...with my scissors:)

Now for Tim's tag:
Just BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Here's to having an amazingly creative day!

Lori M. FSE:)

T!m Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas-Day 6 and 7 Rhyme

O.k., fellow bloggers...my weekend got away from me and I'm a day behind on my Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas rhyme, so I'm making today my catch-up day:) As a special bonus, I'm putting a link to each of the day's tags on each rhyme (kind of a "thanks for your patience" gesture:)

Here goes:

On the 7th day of Christmas Tags,
with us T!m did share...
On the 6th day of Christmas Tags,
with us T!m did share...

I hope all of the links work for you (and that I linked them correctly, lol)...I'll do another post shortly with my "day 7" take on the 12 tags of Christmas...I've actually got this one done ahead of time since I saw this technique when I was at the Carson, CA stamp show...whoo hoo...now maybe I can still catch up on day 5 and day 6!

HaPpY MoNdaY!!!

Your fearless Frugal Scrappin' bloggin' buddy:)

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas, Day 5

Oh no!!!! I forgot to post my "rhyme" yesterday, lol...

Well here it is...

On the 5th day of Christmas Tags,
with us T!m did share...

(5) Golden Flairs!!!
(4) Pins for us to wear
(3) Play with alcohol inks if you dare
(2) Seasons Greetings was the fare
(1) Snowmen everywhere

Whew...now on to work on Day 5 Tag...I'm getting behind...ohhhhhh nooooooo!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas, Day 4

I finally had a chance to finish my Day 4 tag...I am having SOOOOOO much fun!!!!!

I'm also happy to report that I will be doing the mnt at the VIP party at Ever After Scrapbooks tomorrow. Whoo hoo, those awesome VIP's are going to have a BLAST!!!!

I can't wait, I can't wait:) I just LOVE to teach...and I especially LOVE to teach using my favorite T!m Holtz products!

Now, off to the drawing board to make my class sample...

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas rhyme (Day 4)

On the first day of Christmas tags
there were snowmen everywhere...

On the second day of Christmas tags
Seasons Greetings was the fare...

On the third day of Christmas tags
play with your alcohol inks if you dare...

On the fourth day of Christmas tags,
with us Tim did share
a tag with a pin for us to wear...

O.k. fellow bloggers, paper crafters, and T!m Holtz fanatics...I'm off to work on today's project:)

Did anyone else fall asleep a their computer as they tried to get through to T!m's blog last night? I'm SO HAPPY for him that this is SUCH a popular event...but BOY, I finally gave up after an hour and posted this morning....hmmmm....maybe this will be the day that the random draw for prizes picks me....come on, LADY LUCK:)

BTW, for those of you who haven't visited T!m's blog (is there anyone left out there who hasn't???), here is a link.

Also, I've made a "similar" project with the memory capsules before, so for more inspiration, check here.

Hope you're havin' a GREAT start to a HaPpY HoLiDaY!

Lori M., FSE:)

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas (Day 3)...Part 2

On the third day of Christmas cards...played with my alcohol inks 'cause I dared...lol...

I just love this technique and was so glad to see that T!m used alcohol inks since I have SO MANY of them! Tryin' to stay on track with my "frugal scrappin'" take on this is REALLY hard, though...

T!m, you're killin' me, dude! I TOTALLY want to shop for stamps, metal parts, and all of the goodies I don't already have, but a girl's gotta BEHAVE sometimes, right?

So, I have used "similar" techniques with alcohol inks and shared one of my older posts with you this morning...well, I then realized I had used the alcohol inks for a class in October and wanted to share my work with you again.

I hope these techniques inspire you the way they inspire me!

Check here for the October class samples:) The "A Perfect Ending..." card is the one using glossy cardstock and alcohol inks. It's an aweome technique that can be used for SO many occasions!

EnJoy!

Tim Holtz 12 Days of Christmas Tags Rhyme (Day 3)

On the first day of Christmas tags
there were snowmen everywhere...

On the second day of Christmas tags
Seasons Greetings was the fare...

On the third day of Christmas tags
play with your alcohol inks if you dare...

Unfortunately, I won't be able to post my "day 3" tag until tomorrow night, but I had time to start my "12 Days of Christmas Tags" rhyme....visit here for some AWESOME inspiration on using your alcohol inks:)

I also used a similar technique in a class I taught last summer. Check here for more inspiration on using alcohol inks in your projects:)

Happy scrappin'
Lori M. FSE:)

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas (Day 2 FS Style:)

Good morning bloggers!!! Frugal Scrapper here...whoo hoo...on to day 2 of the T!m 12 days of Christmas tags...frugal scrapper style:)

So, I don't have the awesomely cool border stamp OR the awesome Season's Greetings stamp....hmph....what's a frugal scrapper to do?

I'm LOOKIN' through my stamp STASH, and low and behold, I find my tattered angels stamp of a clock and clock post...I turn it around and around and think...hey, if I just use part of THIS stamp, it KINda looks like a SLEIGH...sooooooooo...I use old paper distress ink (adlib-ing again), to cover my tag (btw, I got thes tags a MILLION years ago from a bank I was working at...long, long ago in another life...they were throwing them out...remember these Teresa?...:)

Then I use some embossing ink with my "sleigh" stamp and some clear embossing powder...no, I don't have any of that cool distress embossing powder either...(add that to my Christmass wish list, I guess)...

I do have the aged mahogany, fired brick and pine needles distress inks and do use them...then I pull out an old mnt I had not completed and find there are two of the TH metal flowers in it...I add the grungeboard strap (also in the mnt bag along with the knubby thing to attach it)...I add one of my "old faithful" quote stamps, a watch face from an old watch I took apart...and voila, my day two tag is done:)

Of course, I just LOVE T!m's tag, but alas...a frugal scrapper wouldn't be frugal if she didn't try to use what she already has:)

Enjoy!

Until day 3...

Lori M., FSE:)

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

12 Days of Christmas, Part 2

Well bloggers...I was SO happy that I stayed up until midnight last night so I could START on my FIRST 12 Days of CHRISTMAS tag right away...

I stayed up until 1:30 a.m. to make sure it was posted before my head hit the pillow...then I woke up this morning and said to myself...oh, Lori...this tag is NOT finished...you need to add some stickles, and that trick with the "wire" ribbon...GOTTA try THAT!

So, back to creating mode I went...I decided I didn't want to start from scratch because I'm already looking forward to day 2...I just wanted to add to what I already had.

Now, you know I have to try ANYthing I can in my "FRUGAL" style...so what did I do???? I took a bread wrapper tie, pulled off the paper covering and voila...my wire for my ribbon. I was thrilled to look in my stash and see I had a ribbon similar to the one T!m used:) It makes the perfect "scarf". In any event, I made my wire ribbon using T!m's suggestion (with my FS twist, of course)...Mr. Deer needed his "red" nose and I needed to add some "glitter" via my trusty stickles.
Now I'm satisfied:)

Until day 2...Happy Scrappin'

Lori M. FSE:)

12 Tags of Christmas-Frugal Scrapper Style:)

Can you say WHOO HOO!!!! T!m is doing the 12 tags of Christmas again this year:) For the first tag, I did stay up until midnight so I could get a head start on the project. His tag is AWESOME!!!



Of course, I didn't have "quite" all of the supplies T!m used, so I had to adlib "frugal scrapper" style! I still love the way this first tag turned out! (Especially since it's now 12:45 a.m. AND I have class tomorrow morning...) Feel free to visit T!m's post for his instructions. I did use the same distress ink colors and the same technique for the background.

I changed the snowflakes and used white pigment ink and holographic embossing powder. I used the same on black cardstock for the deer. Then I cut him out and adhered him with pop dots. The wording at the bottom is done using WORD and the highlighting tool.


Enjoy:)


Happy Holidays,


Lori M., FSE:)