February Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog Hop!

Hello fellow crafters,

Welcome to the February Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog Hop:)  This HOP is sure to knock your socks off.  There are 30 amazing participants this month, so there are 30 opportunities for you to be inspired with 30 different "takes" on this Scraps of Darkness sketch (as shown below)!

Now for my take on it:

Now I have to tell you, I'm famous for "loosely" following sketches and this layout is no exception:)

I did use my February counterfeit kit to make MOST of this layout, and in addition, used some of the mini-challenges throughout the month as follows:

• The keyhole diecut is my version of the "faux metal" mini-challenge
• The large distressed flower is my version of the "Prima flower look-alike" tutorials
• My "non foto" theme is part of the "Putting Pen to Paper" mini-challenge

In addition, I definitely used some of my favorite T!m products including:

• Silver paint dabber
• Black Soot distress ink
• Barn Door distress ink
• Peeled Paint distress ink
• Alterations diecut (keyhole)
• Also notice that I used the "inside" of the keyhole to make photo tabs

I was so happy at how this all came together.  Using my stash for a kit is such an awesome and FRUGAL idea!  I did also take advantage of the free journaling block download, too:)

Now, so you don't miss ANY of the AWESOME inspirational goodness on this HOP, if you didn't reach this blog from Kylie's Blog, head on back to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog so you can start from the beginning:)

If you HAVE arrived from Kylie's Blog, that's AWESOME!  I want to thank you for visiting and encourage you to leave a comment about your thoughts on my "take" on the sketch this month.  You know us bloggers...we just LIVE for comments:)

When you're ready to continue on your travels, hop on over to Milissa's blog for the next stop on this amazingly fun "blog train".

Whoo Hoo!

enJOY!





Reflecting on...Frugal Scrapping...

So.....I've been reflecting lately on the original purpose of my Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire blog...and I've realized that over the last year, I've moved away from the reason I originally started this blog...to share my ideas for FRUGAL paper crafting:)

With that being said (and with a little help from my scrappin' friends), I've been turned on to some AWESOME ideas for frugal scrappin' & paper craftin'.

My friend Jacquie found this awesome blog http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/ that has GREAT ideas for using your stash and replicating some of those awesome embellishments we all know and love...but, alas...sometimes just cannot purchase:(

FEAR NOT, fellow FRUGAL CRAFTERS, because there is SO much inspiration out there, that we may NEVER need to shop again...well, maybe ALMOST never, lol!

With that being said, I will definitely be bringing this blog back around full circle to what I love to do best...save my hard earned crafting $$ and spend wisely.  Now the newest and greatest paper will still be my guilty pleasure....BUT, going forward, MOST of my embellies on my projects will be "copykat" ideas I've come up with (or found on-line) that I will be sure to share with you all.

LOOK OUT Frugal Crafters...put your creative hats on, and join me on this amazing FRUGAL journey!

You definitely WON'T be disappointed:)

Now head on over to http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/ and leave some love...and tell them I sent you there:)...this is DEFINITELY a blog after my own frugal heart:)

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:)

The Grand Finale:)

I'm so excited to FINALLY share the GRAND FINALE with all of you!  My 12 "Tags" of Christmas canvas is finally FINISHED!  Can you give me a WHOO HOO!

I just LOVE this project.  It has given me such JOY to work on this project...and what an AWESOME way to get into the HOLIDAY SPIRIT so early in the SEASON!  I started working on this project WAY BACK in August!  WOW!!!!  This has been a LONG TIME coming!

Here it is~~~

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions about how any of the mini projects were completed.

enJOY!

Studio L3 Weekly Challenge

Happy Day for me:)

I have my scrapbooking "studio" all to myself today, so a VERY happy Frugal Scrapper is gonna create ALL DAY!  Whoo Hoo!

Here is my entry for the Studio L3 "Compendium of Curiousities" weekly challenge.  I haven't had time to participate recently, so I'm SO glad to have this opportunity this week!

If you have Tim's Compendium of Curiosities book, turn to page 58 and play along:)

enJOY a wonderfully ARTful day!

Lori McCausland, FSE:)

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:)

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' at Ever After:)

It's that time again, fellow scrappers, to share my class samples for the monthly Frugal Scrappin' class at Ever After Scrapbooks.  As I'm sure you know, this class will include some of my FAVORITE T!M HOLTZ products!

FRUGAL SCRAPPIN' CLASS

Class Date:  Thursday, March 25th

Class Time:  6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

This month is just flyin' by AND the class is already full:) There is a wait list for anyone interested in signing up. (Hey...maybe we can even add a second class date...HOW KEWL would that BE?)

I feel very blessed to have such a great group of crafters that attend my class each month.  I am also inspired by their creativity.  They just make my heart smile:)

Now on to the samples:

You may notice that there are only 3 cards shown, so I'm REALLY excited to tell you about a SPECIAL TREAT this month...Now, each card has a very DIFFERENT technique used and I KNOW each person will have a FAVORITE, sooooo....I will have supplies available for each student to go back and try their FAVORITE technique from the class a SECOND time:)  Whoo hoo!!!!

With that in mind, you will end up with FOUR awesomely creative cards to take home.  You can design it any way you want to.  I will have extra stamps available if you want to make something slightly different the second time around.

If you haven't done so yet, come on down (or up, or over) to Ever After and sign up for this awesome class.  It's sure to knock your creativity into HIGH GEAR.

ADDED BONUS!!!!  We have placed an order ESPECIALLY for you that will include the products used in this class.  This way, once you try these techniques, you can purchase your own supplies to use in class AND you can take them home and try them again! 

Whoo hoo!!!!

Happy Scrappin'

Lori McCausland, your friendly Frugal Scrapper Extaordinaire:)

CHA, here I come:)

Wow!!!!  This month if FLYING by!  I've been traveling, working, and surfin' the web to get ready for CHA {twenty-ten}!

Whoo hoo, I leave today to attend the Crafter's Home sessions and Craft Mania.  Then on to helping at the CHA Supershow, working with Ever After Scrapbooks.  Sunday we start walking the CHA floor lookin' for all those goodies we just can't wait to get into our hands:)

So far my favorites are 7Gypsies, Teresa Collins, and T!m Holtz (of course, lol)...get on over to their blogs and check things out!

7Gypsies Blog
T!m Holtz Blog
Teresa Collins Blog

Sorry about the short post...no pics...no projects...no frugal scrappin' ideas today:(  BUT...stop back for some AWESOME CHA pics over the next few days!

Whoo Hoo!!!!!!

Let me know your favorites and I'll try to post a pic for you:)

Creating again...Frugal Scrapper Style:)

Whew....finally, I've had some time to create today:) I feel like it's been "forever" since I've had some time to just relax and create...whoo hoo!

Now, since my time is precious, I've had to create "with a little help from my friends"...my friends being my Paper Craft magazine and the twopeasinabucket webiste...

If you subscribe to Paper Craft magazine (or have the current copy), you may recognize my "a perfect ending to a perfect day" card...I did use my own techniques on this card, but the appearance is similar to one in the magazine. For this card, I used alcohol inks with glossy card stock. I used a few stamps (with my favorite staz on ink, of course), added some ribbon and buttons, and voila, a perfectly awesome fall card.

I also make one card with some leaves from my local dollar store...I used some stamps, stickles and some embossing powder to create a great "Thinking of You" card.

I made the card at top right and bottom left using one of the 2 Peas techniques from their fall stamping tutorials...of course, I was happy to use my distress inks and even a page from an old AAA travel book, whoo hoo for frugal scrappin'!

The tag at middle top was made using various techniques including the use of products such as distress inks, glimmer mist, staz on ink, a few stamps, some ribbon, flowers and buttons. There is alot of layering in this tag and is one of my favorite items for my upcoming Frugal Scrappin' class at Ever After Scrapbooks. This tag will make use of alot of my frugal scrappin' techniques and will allow for alot of creativity from my students.

Wow, it's good to be creating again...

Enjoy:)

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)

Survivor Crop 2009

I have to tell you all about an AWESOME event in it's 8th year...that's right it's 8th year, whoo hoo!

I am one of the committee members for an awesome cropping event called "Survivor Crop". Survivor Crop is an event held in October of each year where papercrafters join together for a common goal...to raise funds for breast cancer awareness...the sole beneficiary of this event is the San Diego affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the cure Foundation.

Up to this year, Survivor Crop has raised almost $290,000 for this very important foundation. For any of you who live near San Diego or would just LOVE to visit San Diego, please consider signing up for this event. You will find more information on the event here.

The event is a 24 hour crop starting on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 9 a.m. and ending at 9 a.m. on Sunday, October 18.

You can visit the Survivor Crop Blog if you need more info:)

As one of my fellow committee members says:

"When life gives you lemons, make Pink Lemonade".

Have a great day and thanks for visiting:)

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)

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:)

Gettin' Messy with Paints:)

I am so happy to share my most recent Frugal Scrappin' Project with you all:) As some of you know, I have been teaching Frugal Scrappin' classes at a LLS in Vista, CA. You also probably know that I love EVERYTHING T!m Holtz:)

I have already taught several classes emphasizing all the ways Alchohol Inks and Distress Inks can be used to alter all of your paper crafting projects.

With my current project, the emphasis is on Acrylic Paint Dabbers.

I had a blast creating this mini album and took the first picture before I had totally decided what to "name" the project.

While I was reading the Summer issue of "Scrapbooks and Cards Today" magazine, I saw an idea about documenting "25 Random facts about me". Now we've all seen those "chain" e-mails where you answer predetermined questions about yourself and pass it along to "at least 10 of your favorite people"...I have a confession to make...I normally delete them because I just don't like "chain" e-mails...

The twist to the "25 Random facts about me" is that you get to document ANY facts you want to. What I think is really cool is that the only rule is to not "over think" your list of 25 facts. You are supposed to just jot down anything that comes to mind. I think it's a great way for people to get to know me, not only because of the facts I disclose...but also because of the facts I disclose...because you will most likely disclose the things that mean the most to you in the process (as opposed to answering questions that someone else has decided should be answered).

I'm sure you know where this is going by now...Yes, I've decided to title this mini album "25 Random Facts about ME" as you can see from the close-up of the new and improved front page.











The last thing I wanted to do is give you a little "sneak peak" into one of the "frugal" embellishments we will add to the book in the class. My dear hubby was "tossing" an old pair of dockers shorts when I said...HEY, wait a minute, I can use those for a crafting project:) You may have noticed the "curtain topper" on the cover, well I've also made "flowers", too, as shown below.



More to follow later:)

Thanks for visiting and have a GREAT week!

Frugally yours,

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)

More of...Just the Trash and my Stash

Hello fellow scrappers:) I haven't posted a "Just the Trash and my Stash" project for a while, although I still do them all the time....soooo....I realized I need to share some more projects with you:)

I made this mini album focusing on my husband's 50th birthday. Our family surprised him by having ALL of our immediate family (kids, significant others, AND grandkids) together for the very first time! Whoo hoo!!!!












I started with a Genuinely Jane Arrow book that I got from Ever After Scrapbooks. This book came with 4 wooden arrow-shaped pages, but being the frugal person I am, I used only two of the pages in the project (which means...I can make another book later:)

I did add pages by using some corregated cardboard (from a cardboard shipping box...i.e...trash). To cut the arrow shape, I just layed one of the wooden pages on top of the cardboard and roughly cut around it with an exacto knife. I then trimmed where ever needed with scissors. When I do projects like this, I always ink around the edges of each page. Since I wanted this book to be masculine, I used a black acrylic paint dabber on the edges.

Using paper from Graphic 45, 7 Gypsies, and the Paper Loft (I love to mix the manufacturers papers), I covered the wooden pages. On the corregated cardboard pages, I used some Tim Holtx masks and glimmer mist on some, and some Making Memories acrylic paint on others. You will also notice that on some of the cardboard pages, I pulled some of the top layer of cardboard off so the corregated core would show through.

I then added some rub-ons, word strips, ink and more acrylic paint (on photo edges) from my stash. Finally I "blinged" it up (in a masculine way, of course) with Stickles.

I also decided to use sepia photos on this book which pulled the theme together.

Enjoy:)

Frugal Scrapper Tips 'n Techniques #4

Ok fellow scrappers, I have quite a few things going on here...where do I start...hmmmm...let's start with the canvas background:) I purchased a few of these canvas backgrounds from the local dollar store (there were actually 2 packaged together). I originally got them for my grandkids to paint on, but then thought...hey, these would make a great altered art project for my blog...I hope you agree.

This canvas measures 7" x 9", but when I bought them (around Thanksgiving) there were other sizes available, too...as "luck" would have it, though they are nowhere to be found now:( If anyone finds them, please let me know as these would make AWESOME covers for mini books, too.

I first randomly painted the canvas with two of my acrylic paints. Then as part of a Prima contest, I used Prima packaging on my project. The "ribbons" on the right side (black polka dots), the strips around the left photo AND the mat on the right photo are from Prima packaging. The aqua mat on the left photo is from another Prima package (it's actually a cool aqua/white brick wall pattern, but it's a bit hard to see in this pic).

I also used the tape that goes across one of the buckets of flowers Prima sells (notice the Prima, Prima, Prima across the top of the project)...it would have been awesome if I had some ballerina pic's as I could have done "Prima" Ballerina...oh well, maybe another time:)

I also stamped on the canvas using swirl stamps with Staz-on ink. I did add paint to the edges of the photo mats and ink around the edge of the canvas, too. Of course, I had to use some Prima flowers and "bling". I really love Prima's product line.

So I guess the moral of this post is:

• Stop by your local dollar store often...you never know what treasures you will find.
• Don't just "toss" the packaging from your scrapbook products. With so many companies going "green" and helping us stretch our scrapping $$, I have found that packaging really is useful...(I've been using the cellophane and acetate packaging for years)
• Acrylic paints AND inks should be a staple in your scrapping stash...they last "forever" if stored properly and are an easy way to alter your projects. I've had some of my ink pads and acrylic paints over 10 years!
• Create responsibly (go "green" and do your part to save the earth)...

I'd love to see how you have used these techniques in your project:)

I'm sure you'll find other ideas for using Prima's packaging here.

Enjoy!

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

My Year in Tags

So I was working on the make 'n take for the TNT scrapbook club I lead at Ever After Scrapbooks and I realized I'm missing a great opportunity to post some great tips 'n techniques...
You see, I've decided that each month's make 'n take for 2009 will be a tag since tags are small enough to complete in 15-20 minutes and are a great embellishment to be added to our paper crafting projects.

Even though I'm getting a bit of a late start, I will add the January tag to this post with a supply list and short description of how it was completed. I did post about the February tag and will link both of these posts to my "Year in Tags" sidebar.

January Tag:
Products used:

Glimmer Mist (Cranberry and Patina)
Picket Fence Crackle Paint
Staz-on Ink (teal blue and black)
Snowflakes (took apart a snowflake garland from the local dollar store)
"Thinking of You" rubber stamp from my stash

Directions:

• Lay a few snowflakes on the tag and spray Cranberry Glimmer Mist on tag
• Remove snowflake "masks" and dry tag with craft heat tool
• Spray Patina Glimmer mist on tag (it's important to dry each glimmer mist layer individually so that the colors won't "blend"
• Apply a bit of crackle paint across bottom of tag, let dry
• Press one snowflake in Teal Blue Staz-on Ink
• Layer another snowflake on top and adhere with a brad
• Add Sentiment (Thinking of You) with Staz on Ink

There, you have it:)

Enjoy!

Frugal Scrapper Tips 'n Techniques #3

Whew, I can't believe it's already Wednesday again! I hope you all had a great week!

This week, I have decided to share a technique I have been doing for a while. When I have shared it with friends it has been popular, so I thought I should post it as a Frugal Scrapper Tips 'n Techniques post.

I started this technique by dusting off some of my old tools and supplies that hadn't been used in a while...my tag punch and my eyelets.

I found I was making alot of mini scrapbooks and wanted to add tabs to the pages for added interest.

I started by buying self adhesive tabs and while I liked them, I knew there had to be a way to make them myself. I first considerd purchasing a file tab punch, but my frugalness got in the way...then I thought...hey, I could make "tabs" with my old faithful tag punch and eyelets!

Not only are these tabs really easy to make but the eyelets make great fastners (as I found that sometimes the adhesive tabs come loose after lots of handling). These tabs are definitely NOT going anywhere, lol.

On these tabs, I added some letter stamps (also dusted off from my stash of old tools). I really like how they turned out:)

If you don't have an old tag punch, a tag diecut would work just as well. If you want to be REALLY frugal, I'm sure you could also make your own tag (or "tab") with just cardstock scraps and scissors, too:)

Enjoy:)

Lori McCausland

Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)

Trash and My Stash Paper Flowers

As most of you know, I've been obsessed with making my own paper flowers lately. Since I haven't seen these flowers on-line anywhere, I thought I'd share the instructions with you:)


The supplies shown above (along with some "junk mail" trash) were used to make some awesome paper flowers that I used in a layout (shown at the end of this post).

These flowers were made as follows:

• Punch 6-8 circles using scrap paper from your stash
• Fold the circles into a "cone" shape as shown below
• Distress the folded edges and rounded top of circle (these are your petals)
• Apply stickles (or some other glitter glue)...in addition to adding the glitter, the glue adds substance to the paper that helps to mold the petals
• Once petals are molded, place on paper, spacing as desired
• Add a button or another circle punch to the center

For this flower, I also used a flower technique I found on Leah Fung's blog. She has alot of great ideas, so feel free to visit her here: http://www.leahfung.typepad.com/


This is the layout I completed using the flower I made. Notice I also made a smaller one for the top of the page. I just took each circle I punched, cut it in half and folded the edges back to make a rounded triangle. The rest of the instructions are the same as above.

Enjoy:)

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...

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....