Missing you...Happy Birthday, Amanda:)

It's March 4, 2012 and 29 years ago, my MOST WONDERFUL dear daughter was born.  She has grown into an AMAZING, SMART, TALENTED, BEAUTIFUL woman, and I'm VERY PROUD of her.

Alas, she still lives on the east coast and is busy attending nursing school and raising two BEAUTIFUL children...and I miss her every day!  We talk often and try to visit each other as much as possible, but I still MISS her.  Amanda, this card is on it's way to you:)  Love you dear daughter.

I was searching through some of my buddies' blogs and came across a BEAUTIFUL card a friend of mine made.  It "spoke" to me, so I decided to use it for inspiration as I designed a card to send to my daugther.

For my inspiration, please visit Gloria's blog.  Thank you, Gloria!  My take on Gloria's card is below:)

Supply list:

Patterned Paper - Basic Grey Bittersweet Line
Stamps - Technique Tuesday
Cardstock - Bazzill
Butterfly - from a Michael's pack of butterflies
Straight Pins - from Michael's, altered using beads from the "Bead Gallery" at Michael's

Other - Ribbon, lace from my stash

enJOY:)

Today she becomes...

Happy New Year everyone out in blogland!

It's been a while since I've had time to create, so today is the first day of the NEW YEAR that I've been able to just chill 'n create:)

I've been meaning to start a scrapbook for Dan and Steph (my son and daugher-in-law), but just wasn't able to find the time to sit and get it started...then I saw a great SKETCH CHALLENGE over at the NEW CropStop Challenge Blog.  I'm VERY excited for them.  They have created an AMAZINGLY creative blog that I think is just BEAUTIFUL!

The first challenge on their new blog is a sketch challenge.  I had printed a kind of artistic picture from the wedding and was looking for the PERFECT opportunity to use it in a layout.  Well, the CropStop sketch definitely SPOKE to ME.  Of course, my finished projects always end up being very LOOSELY based on the sketch, since once I get started, my creativity just takes on a mind of it's own...

Let's start with the sketch:

My good friend, Gloria designed this sketch and I love the simplicity...it's not overdone and allows you to run with it and make it your own...GREAT JOB, Gloria:)

Here's my take on it:

I had seen this "artistic" take on a photo a while back and really liked it.  I was so happy to be able to use this frugal foto in my layout for this challenge...in fact I think this is the first actual layout I've done in months!

I used some of my Basic Grey Capella paper pack along with some of the diecut shapes from the same line.  I added some bling from Prima and some ribbon and lace from my stash.  Of course, I had to add a bit of "grunge" so I used some bubble wrap and my Espresso paint dabber to add some texture.  I also outlined the photo and all of the paper mats with the same paint dabber....oh, and the blue paper????  from one of my Tim Holtz paper packs:)

enJOY:)

Lori, FSE:)

Just the "scraps" ma'am at Frugal Scrappin' in July!

That's right, fellow scrappers:)  Whoo hoo...I'm REALLY excited about July's Frugal Scrappin' class at Ever After.  Join us as we go "back in time" and reminisce about those "scraps" we've been hoarding...it's time to bring them out, use them up, and send them out...as awesomely frugally made MAILABLE cards!

July's Frugal Scrappin' class is sure to be a tremendous HIT!  We will "PLAY" with our old favorite scraps as we assemble some great FLAT cards, great for mailing...no extra postage necessary!  We will use layering techniques that will give our cards DIMENSION without the BULK.

I challenge you to bring your favorite scraps and I will show you some tips 'n tricks on how to layer, use positive AND negative "space", make your own "templates", and more!  Of course, in true FRUGAL SCRAPPIN" STYLE, we will use my FAVORITE T!m product...distress inks:)

Below is a sample of some of the cards I've made with some of my favorite scraps...you may recognize these lines from days gone past...a little Basic Grey AND Cosmo Cricket!

As an added BONUS, there will be a little "contest" in class...I'll be bringing out a few of my favorite catch phrases from days gone by...with a word or two missing...all you need to do is fill in the "scrap" for your chance to win a $5 EA gift card!

As always, this class is fillin' fast!  Sign up right away!  Class details below:

Class Date:  July 29, 2010

Time:  6:30p.m. -8:30 p.m.

Price:  $15

Supply list:

• You favorite patterned paper scraps

• Scissors
• Paper Trimmer
• Distress Inks (neutrals and colors)
• Brown/Black Archival or Staz On Inks
• Your favorite adhesive (tape runner, etc)
• YOUR CREATIVITY
 
Can't wait to see you there!

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:)