More info on September's Frugal Scrappin' Class:)

FRUGAL SCRAPPIN'

&

12 "TAGS" OF CHRISTMAS

FRUGAL SCRAPPIN' STYLE

I'm sooooo very EXCITED about the September, October, and November FRUGAL SCRAPPIN' CLASSES at Ever After Scrapbooks in Vista, CA!

This is the FIRST 3 month FRUGAL SCRAPPIN' series where we will work on the same project over 3 months, and at the end will have an AWESOME 12 x 12 CANVAS WALL HANGING just in time for your holiday decorating or gift giving.

This is how this series is going to play out, whoo hoo!:

September 30th we will create the 5 "tags" shown above

October 28th we will create 5 more "tags" (that will be revealed at the 9/30 class)

November 18th we will create the last 2 tags, alter a canvas AND assemble our project

Shown below is the SUPPLY LIST for the SEPTEMBER class:

September Frugal Scrappin’ Supply List


• Paper Trimmer

• Scissors

• Distress Tool

• Ink Blending Tool and sponges

• Heat Tool

• Fabric Tac or similar liquid adhesive

• Tape runner or similar adhesive

• Small/large glue dots

• Xyron X

• Stickles in Icicle and Silver

• Distress Inks in Barn Door or Fired Brick AND Peeled Paint

• Distress Embossing ink or similar clear embossing ink

• Archival Ink in Black

• Acrylic Paint Dabbers in Snow Cap, Pitch Black and Red Pepper

• Embossing powder in Clear and Lettuce

If you are missing any of the needed items from your current stash, feel free to stop by at Ever After Scrapbooks where you can find most of the items.  Some items may be limited, so stop by soon:)
 
Remember, classes run from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and are VERY FRUGALLY PRICED at only $15 per class:)
 
enJOY!

Frugally homemade Distress ink tools...

When I first became a HUGE fan of T!m Holtz, I tried a few of my "frugal" tricks including making my own distress ink tools so I could spend more of my hard earned $$ on the inks themselves.

Since there has been alot of discussion on this subject over on the ATT (All things Tim) yahoo group, I thought I'd share a few pics of my version of this tool.

I started with the regular round disk cosmetic sponges, a sheet of fun foam, some velcro (from a fabric/craft store), and some good liquid glue (I used 3 in 1 Beacon glue).  I used 2" square blocks as the base for my tool.  I found these at a scrapbooking garage sale and picked up a set of 9 for only $2.

As you can see, this "distressing tool" has gotten alot of use (notice the ink that seeped up the sides?).  I glued a piece of fun foam trimmed down to size, then attached the "tooth" side of the velcro (this had a self adhesive backing, and I did make sure to buy the heavy duty velcro).  I then cut the other side of the velcro down to size and attached it to one side of a cosmetic foam.  Then I trimmed the cosmetic sponge to square, too.

I do have to say that the cosmetic sponges aren't quite as good as the TH distressing pads, but hey, when you can get a bag of 100 of these cosmetic sponges for under $5, I'm good with the lesser quality.

These sponges do work for a while, and I noticed when they were "done", I could just pull them off of the velcro backing and glue another sponge on the velcro using the 3 in 1 Beacon glue (fabric tac would also work).

I even got creative and thought I'd decorate my homemade distress ink tools...but the novelty quickly wore off, lol...

Now that I teach "Tim" classes via my Frugal Scrappin' classes, I have "graduated" to the official distress tools, but I still use my homemade tools as well.  I have found that my homemade tools AND the Tim tools play very well together, lol...

You may notice that I have also labeled my distress tools AND distress inks...this has REALLY been a LIFESAVER and TIMESAVER for me.  I just used a plain white sticker page (with no individual labels) and typed a list using the "table" function in Word.  Then I could cut the strips to size.  I have just about enough "tools" to have one for each color of my distress inks.

enJOY:)

What's wrong with this picture?

As my title states...WHAT'S wrong with this PICTURE?????  Well, it's that I have ALL this T!M goodness...AND it's STILL in the PACKAGE, lol!

Now, I have to admit, some of it has been "on my shelves" for a while...kind of a "hoarding" sort of thing goin' on here...ya know, the kind where your MIND SAYS...but what if I can't get this stuff any more?  Then what WILL I do???  ...  then comes a full time job, and a visit from family ... then my son's wedding is right around the corner ... then, this and that ... and then...AHHHHHHH, I just need to sit in a corner with some of my "favorite things" and start creating!

Just one more week until my son gets married ... then a few more weeks after that, all the family is back home on the east coast ... safe and sound (after an AWESOME visit, first) ...then I'm back to scrappin' and creatin' ... I can make it, I can make it....

I'm off to a Phillies game tomorrow (they are playing the Padres out here in SD)...gonna sit above the Phillies dugout...should be fun!

So...Tim's stuff will just have to wait a little longer...hmmmm...maybe I can at least open the packages tonight...

A few more random pics...

My grandson was definitely letting us know that he had enough of the Getty Center...It was a nice day, but definitely not a TOP 10 for a 5 year old boy...

Just a sneak peek at the bonus at the end of the day...ahhhhh...the Santa Monica Pier under the stars...

This one was taken from the top of the ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier...it's really KEWL...but to think it takes SMOG to make such a beautiful foto...what a shame!

Hope you are all having a GREAT day!

I know I am:)

A sneak peek at what I've been doin'

I've been busy this week...and a good busy....I have some little visitors that we are getting ready to take to Legoland right now...I have time to post only 1 picture...more to follow tonight...

I took this "artistic view of Jayden eating an icecream cone on Wednesday night at the Santa Monica Pier (not that you can tell that by the photo, lol).

Then I tried a clipping mask that I haven't tried in a while.  I learned this from Jessica Sprague a year or so ago.  Thanks Jessica!

More later...

A very happy Grandma:)

Frugal Scrapper's "12 ATC's of Christmas" Canvas Wall Art

Hello fellow Frugal Scrappers:)

It's time to do a final "peek" at the beginning of something AWESOME!!!!  Yes, this is my FIRST 3 month series Frugal Scrappin' class!  Last summer, I did a 2 month series and had a HUGE success, so I'm back with an EVEN BETTER PROJECT that will take 3 months to complete!  Whoo hoo...how about that...splitting up an AWESOME project into 3 monthly VERY Frugal payments!  What a recession buster if I do say so myself!

Well here are the samples of the first 5 "TAGS" (or ATC's, if you prefer) that will be completed in the September 30th Frugal Scrappin' class:

We'll start with a traditional Season's Greetings...frugal scrappin' style...now ya know this started out as a plain white piece of paper, right????  Now, I can't "spill the beans" on the AWESOME techniques goin' on here, but you DEFINITELY wanna give this one a try:)

Next...

Now, what's Christmas, unless there's a little Christmas Caroling???  (although, I've been asked to just "lip sync" a few times...can ya get my drift???...apparently my ARTISTIC talents didn't spill over to my singin' abilities, lol)...

Now on to...

A little embossing, a little painting, a little use of "frugal altering" and what do you get????...well, of course an AWESOMELY altered piece of ART!

Let's keep it goin'

Now, we're heat embossin' and distressin' and usin' a little more of my "frugal materials" to make this all inspiring ARTWORK!!!

And for this month, last but not least....

A little bit of "I Believe"...and I "BELIEVE" this is my favorite technique yet!

Now remember, this is going to add up to 12...count them 12 AWESOME ATC size works of ART that we will be placing on a 12 x 12 altered canvas that will be ready for your holiday decorating:)

Our first in this three class series is September 30th and will cost only $15.  Come on this AMAZING journey with me...I guarantee you'll enJOY the ride!  The class is fillin' up already, so don't miss out!

Call Ever After Scrapbooks at 760-630-2767 for more information or to sign up for class:)

Frugal Scrappin', Studio L3, and Holiday class samples...

Since I'm working on a class sample for my upcoming Holiday series, I've been closely following Studio L3's TH challenges and WOW, have I found TONS of inspiration over there!  The crafters taking part in the weekly challenges are SO amazing!  If you haven't been there yet, "hop" on over by clicking here.  You will be AMAZED at all the talent you see!

I haven't always been able to complete the weekly projects on time, and have been more of a "lurker" these last few weeks...but that has changed...whoo hoo!  I was able to complete this week's challenge!  (It doesn't hurt that I've taken a "staycation" this week so I can get my crafting "fix", lol).  My grandkids are also visiting and my husband has them at the pool right now...whoo hoo...what a GREAT hubby I have!

Here is a pic of my challenge entry.  I actually added a technique from a few weeks ago that I didn't complete, so this is doubling up (I covered some old chipboard #'s with old print paper).  For this week's challenge, turn to page 36 in your book of "Compendium of Curiosities" for this wonderful technique called Blending Batik.

The bottom torn piece of paper started out as a pale yellow piece of paper...for the technique, you'll have to refer to the book, but I can tell you that I added peeled paint and barn door distress inks...I love the white torn edge and the red plaid pp on the top...I think the "BELIEVE" stamp kind of tells the story I'm trying to tell.

There will be more sneak peeks of the other ATC size "tags" as I go.  This Frugal Scrappin' class series starts in September and will run for 3 months.  For $15 each month we will work toward completing a 12 x 12 canvas that will hold 12 of these individually created "tags"...kind of the 12 Tags of Christmas, Frugal Scrappin' style...using, of course...all things T!m!

Class Location:  Ever After Scrapbooks in Vista, CA (call 760-630-2767 for more info)

Class Dates:  September 30, October October 28, and November 18.

Class Times:  6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Class Costs:  $15 for each class

When complete:  After completing all 3 classes, you will have an awesome wall hanging that will contain 12 "Tags" (well 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch ATC's) inspired by none other than T!m (and his awesome new design team AND the awesome crafters over at ATT)...

EnJOY:)

Today's gonna be a GREAT day, so here's a sneek peek & StudioL3 Post:)

Whoo hoo!!!!!  Today's gonna be a GREAT day!  For those of you who live in "sunny" southern California, you know that the coast has not been so "sunny" this year!  While my hubby and I feel VERY fortunate to be living along the coast in Northern San Diego County, summer has eluded us most of this year:(

Well, that has changed today!!!!  I think May Grey, June Gloom AND July Cry has moved on out (at least for today), and the sun is comin' up over the mountains!  Whoo Hoo!!!!

I took this picture right off of my deck this morning...at 6:30 a.m.....Ahhhhhhhh, this is WHY I moved HERE!

Hey, are those actually SHADOWS I see there?  Wow, it's gonna be hard to go to work today...

I've been workin' on my newest canvas project that I will teach at Ever After Scrapbooks...It will have a Holiday theme and will be modeled after T!m's 12 tags of Christmas...with a frugal scrappin' twist, of course!  This will be part of my monthly Frugal Scrappin' monthly class, and will be a series...we will complete this canvas over 3 months in Sept, Oct, and Nov...in plenty of time for gift giving or Holiday decorating.  More details to follow...

I've already started incorporating some recycled materials into this project...think soda cans, heehee...add a little paint, a little punchin' (hey, this will help sharpen your punches, too...a frugal BONUS), and a few of my other favorite T!m things..

Now I know this project is NO WHERE near FINISHED, but I couldn't help sharin' a SNEEK PEEK, especially since I could take it on a much eluded SUNNY southern California morning!  Whoo hoo!

I think I will also use this pic as my "project" for the Studio L3 CCC#9 challenge...I'm a day late (and probably a dollar short, lol), but hey it gave me the inspiration to used my crackle paint on my new project!

EnJOY!

As always, I love comments, suggestions, and just plain ole..."hey, how ya doin'?" posts...

Have a very BLESSED and sunny DAY!

You favorite Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)

Look & you will see...

So...I have to tell you, I'm SOOO excited that my 12 x 12 canvas using some of my "favorite" things...t!m things, was such a hit at my LSS...I originally made it as a project for the TNT Challenge Club at Ever After where I was a guest leader in July.

Since it turned out sooooo cool, I decided to leave it at the store after the TNT meeting so it could be displayed with all the AWESOME T!m stuff that EA has for sale.  Due to the MANY requests I received, I have decided to teach this as a class on September 19 from 12-5.  Call 760-630-CROP (2767) and sign up today.

Here is the actual class sample:

Since there is soooo much delicious "T!m" stuff goin' on here, this will be more like a workshop...whoo hoo!  I have recently been dubbed "T!m Holtz in training" by EA's wonderful store owner, Camille Akin...Camille you ROCK!

Since most of you know, I ALTER everything (including the kitchen sink, lol)...so I had a BLAST creating this 12 x 12 Canvas AND class sample:)

Feast your eyes on this AMAZINGLY scrumptious work of art!  I am SO EXCITED to be able to teach and coach and watch my students as they unveil their inner "T!m".  I assure you, you will be SOOOOOO proud of your finished piece of ART!

The theme....Look & you will see...I guarantee, each time you look at this you see something new...

My classes ALWAYS fill up fast (who wouldn't like to work with some AWESOME T!m goodness, huh?), so sign up soon.  Space is limited to the first 20 students.  The entire 5 hr workshop is ONLY $45.  Whoo hoo, what a bargain!

I'd love to hear your comments and hope to see you in class:)

Calling all Frugal Scrappers:)

Well fellow bloggers....I have an announcement!  No, no, it's not an exciting scrappin' or stampin' announcement...but it's an announcement that has affected my scrappin' time none the less....so....just wanna let all you east coasters and mid westers know that SUMMER has FINALLY arrived in Sunny San Diego!  Whoo hoo!!!!!

Now that does have some down sides for those of us who JUST can't stay INDOORS when the sun is out...I haven't CRE8ed in  over a WEEK!...I'm VERY HAPPY that Mr Sun has arrived....FINALLY...but sheesh....I've gotta get back to CRE8ing ART!

Lucky for me, my FRUGAL SCRAPPIN' partner has CRE8ed some REALLY AWESOME cards for our FRUGAL SCRAPPIN' class this month:)  WHOO HOO, Karen!  You ROCK, girl!

Here's a peek at what we will be doin' this month:

Isn't this card just ADORABLE?  Karen is becoming such an AMAZING Frugal Scrapper!  She has a few FRUGAL ideas up her sleeve that she will be sharing with the class this month, so hop on over to Ever After and sign up before the class is sold out!  These classes fill up SIGHT UNSEEN, and we're already halfway full:)

We will be makin' 5...yes...FIVE awesomely CRE8ed vintage cards designed by none other than KAREN, Frugal Scrapper in training, lol...I'm just SOOOOOOO EXCITED and PROUD of KAREN!!!!

We will, of course be using some of our FAVORITE T!m products:

Distress inks (various shades of brown)

Stickles (Icicle and Diamond)

Gold Embossing powder (well, this is Ranger)

Distress Embossing Ink

Snowcap Paint Dabber (or white ink...come on T!m, make us some AMAZING white ink)

Embossing folders (the swirly one and the distressed bricks)

Come on over to Ever After for supplies:)

O.k., so if you made it this far through my rambling, there is a reward...you get to peek at the rest of the cards we will make at the August Frugal Scrappin' class.  Remember, Class is ALWAYS (well ALMOST always) the last Thursday of the Month.  So that means the August Class is on August 26th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.  Hope to see you all there!

EnJOY:)

Lori M.

A very HAPPY Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)