Challenge card.

This card is for a challenge that I posted in one of the MSN groups that I belong to. The challenge stated that a card or a layout had to be made using a sticky note, staple and paperclip. I add the sticky note in the picture, because if you just see the card it is hard to believe it comes from a sticky pad. Cute huh? Maybe you should try this challenge yourself.

No-More-Spending Help

How to “not spend” ideas:

1. Try not to take any card (debit or credit) where ever you go, instead be a kid again and try using cash only!!! This way you are more aware of how much you are actually spending.
2. Use your paper!! I know that what we have most is paper. So if you do decide to buy something, but either tools or embellishments, no more paper, and no more ribbon. For ribbon it is good to have the basic plain colors and that is it!
   
3. Once in a while look through all of your stuff, chances are that there are things I you have forgotten about and now you might have a fresh perspective on how to use them.
   
4. If you have to have a magazine each month then subscribe to one, it is cheaper and will keep you away from going inside a store.
   
5. If you can, try to do all of your shopping at the grocery store, they hardly have anything for scrapbookers.
   
6. Avoid the scrapbooking sections in stores. (i.e. Walmart)
   
7. Don't even enter Michael's, Joann's, Hobby Lobby, and if you have to, take your friend or your husband, he is sure to keep you in check. And make a list and stick with it.
   
8. Don't search for good deals. Whether you get coupons by the mail or by emails, just delete them and don't open them. If you are addicted chances are there will be something that you will like and will want to buy.
   
9. When you do decide to shop in those special dates (i.e. birthdays), don't go wild and spend $500 dollars! Look through your magazines and ads for a week prior to that date and select the things that you MUST have and stick to a budget.
   
10. One of the great things about the Cricut and the new software is that the only thing that you really need is paper. So use that to your advantage and make embellishments of your own. It will also make your page much nicer. On this blog I have made some really cute hot glue and Shrinky Dink embellishments. And at http://cricutsoftcuts.blogspot.com you can download some of my files to use with your software. The great thing about these files is that most of the things I have made are using just George, so even if you don't have all the cartridges, at least you have that one.
    
11. For albums 8.5x11” or smaller you can try and do some hybrid scrapbooking. There are some great free digital kits online that you can download, just look them up on google. And if there is a special paper that you like then you can scan it and then use it in your creation. This will save you paper and adhesive, and all you have to do is add a couple of extra elements. To get digital buttons, just scan your own, or ask a friend to scan them for you.
    
12. Of course, one of the best ways to save money is to get help from your friends. Trade with your friend half opened embellishments that you no longer want. And ask them to lend you their stamps, tools, or cartridges that you might not have.
    

You should print these ideas out and post them in your scrapping area to keep yourself in check. Happy scrapping!

Get Blog candy at:

http://destampincorner.blogspot.com/2007/12/blog-candy.html

Just go and follow the instructions. Really cute stuff too. :o)

Christmas cards

I loved making this little set of 4 cards with their envelopes, in total I made 6 little packages like this for six lucky ladies, the only thing different was that each stripped card had a different kind of sticker on it. 24 cards and envelopes in all, but I had fun.

Laura and Mubashir

This is another little fast book that I made for my friend and her boyfriend. These are fun and easy to make, the most useful thing to know when making this kinds of albums is to just know your techniques, and apply as many as you can without adding too much. This was a pretty fast make as well as the previous post was.