The Graduate

It's hard to believe that it's been 8 years since my son, Sean graduated from high school...it was the "millenium year"...2000...wow, do you all remember that year? It seems so long ago...wondering if our cars would start, if the electricity would stay on, if our computers would self destruct, lol...

So much has happened since 2000...my son now has two beautiful sons of his own, but when I look back at photos like this, I still remember my "little boy" as he grew into a (very tall) man.

I just love scrapbooking!! The fact that I could pull this photo out of my collection of photos and reminisce...ahhhhhh...

I just can't believe it took me 8 years to find the perfect paper and the perfect layout for this photo. Again, I entered this layout in a challenge at http://www.scrapbookdeals4u.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=1827&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=0. I love the sketches they choose. I just found this site a few weeks ago and really like it.

The paper I used in this layout was from the LOADS of paper I received as the 3rd place winner of a layout contest at the SD Scrapbook Expo. The embellishments are actually from a Quick Quotes class I took while I was there. I really like the Quick Quotes products and paper selections. You can find them at http://shopquickquotes.com/.

Enjoy!

As always...Scrap frugally,

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper

Frugally made "Acrylic" Album

Okay, fellow scrappers...I felt it was time to start adding some real Frugal Scrapping projects to the blog...

Projects that showcase how this "Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire" got her name...

For this "Acrylic" Album I used:

• the outside packaging for something I bought (not sure what it was anymore)
• The border from an old sticker sheet
• The backing from a legal size tablet
• Scrap paper from my stash
• Alphabet rubber stamps
• Eyelets from my stash
• A sizzix diecut (tag)

I cut the "acrylic" down to size 3 1/2" by 4". Then I cut the backing from the tablet (chipboard) for three pages. The page height is 4". I made each page a different width, one each 2 1/2", 3", 3 1/2" wide. I adhered a different patterned paper scrap to the front of each page and adhered white scrap paper to the back (for journaling/doodling). After cutting out tags, I folded them in half to make "tabs" for the pages. These were adhered with the eyelets. I used my stamps to stamp one word on each "tab", "ME" "AND" "YOU". (this could also be hand written with gel pens, etc)

The album was bound with the bind-it-all (I consider this a "frugal" purchase on a cost per use basis...I use this tool ALL THE TIME). If you don't have a bind-it-all, feel free to use a hole punch and o-rings or ribbon to bind your album.

I added strips from the border of an old sticker sheet to both sides of the front "acrylic" cover. You will see I also inked the front and back cover so you could see them better. If inking the covers, you will need to use an ink like Staz-On.

Voila! You have made a "frugal" mini album.

See photos of complete project here: http://s394.photobucket.com/albums/pp23/frugalscrapperphotos/Frugally%20made%20Acrylic%20Album/

I will try to add a new frugal tip, trick, technique or project to this blog at least twice a month.

If you complete this project (or one similar) feel free to share by posting a comment to this blog. Include any other frugal tips, tricks or techniques you used and would like to share. You may find YOUR PROJECT featured in a future post so make sure you add your contact info to your comment. You can also e-mail me directly at frugalscrapper1@aol.com.

Scrap Frugally,

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...

Use your Stash challenge

This layout was done for a challenge at http://www.useyourstash.blogspot.com/ where you are challenged two ways...one is to take on the challenge given, the second is to limit the challenge to using your stash!

For those of you who know me, you know this is RIGHT UP my alley, lol:)

I had this picture in my "stash" also for the last, well, almost 4 years since this baby will be 4 next month. I had just never scrapbooked it:)

The challenge issued was to use at least 3 DIFFERENT rub-ons in a layout. I think I used rub-ons from 6 different rub-on sheets (and probably from 6 different companies, lol).

It was fun to use my "stash" and I look forward to future challenges offered on the http://www.useyourstash.blogspot.com/ blog.

Scrap frugally,

Lori McCausland

Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

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....