Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Tag, I'm it

Along with Sarah, I was tagged by Beth to share 7 random thoughts about myself.
The rules are: each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to blog about their seven things and post the rules as well . At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names.

1) I met my husband while working with him at McDonald's.

2) I am a very sensitive person. I cry easily. Especially when it comes to my boys. They are growing up too fast for me!

3) I also become defensive easily too. As Sarah knows and deals with greatly! :)

4) I stopped biting my nails as a freshman in college when my grandma said she would pay me $100 if I could show her grown nails. She never payed me, but hey I have decent nails to this day.

5) I am obsessed with changing the color of my hair.

6) I am a shopaholic. I can not pass up a deal. Or any clothes that I happen to find that work for me. Shoes and purses are my thing. I will be doing a page about all of my purses some day! Oh...I love paper too!

7) I secretly want to get a tattoo...maybe some day....


Whew...to narrow it down to 7 was difficult! Just kidding. That was fun...

Ok, everyone I know that has a blog has been tagged already. But if you have a blog and I don't know you do, feel free to share your answers!

~Jenn

I've been tagged.

So Beth - our resident Freelance Designer has tagged both Jenn and I. The rules are: each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to blog about their seven things and post the rules as well . At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names.

Okay - here I go...

1. I hate to cook. My husband does ALL the cooking. Not sure why cooking has been such a hard thing for me. My mom is a awesome cook. She is super duper cook. I'm just not into it. My idea of cooking is picking up Applebee's to go. Hmmm... it was my night to get dinner. Can you guess what we had for dinner?

2. I am one of the messiest people I know. I intentionally do not invite my parents over - because my mom would be so disappointed at what a dirty house I keep. Ask Jenn - she'll tell you how messy I am. Up to until recently our office looked like a tornado hit it.

3. I still get tucked in at night. Each night my husband tucks me in. He stands at the end of the bed and waits for me to crawl in, and then he takes the end of the blankets and swings them up in the air and covers me up. As childish as this is, I still cherish this ritual that he does for me every night. P.S. Usually after tucking me in - he crawls in on the other side. Don't get me wrong - I won't go to bed at like 7pm.

4. Friends mean so much to me. I don't know what kind of person I would be without my friends -- plus who else would help you hide a body in time of need? ha, ha.. just kidding there isn't a body, yet...

5. I am a workaholic. I think I get it from my dad. I work and work, and work. There are many times during the week you will catch me working on Scraploft stuff, and reading e-mails, and getting phone calls from work. I think that is why "loving" my job is so important to me. I actually don't mind working. And when I am not working....

6. I love watching TV. I am a proud owner of 2 80 hour DVR's. Not ONE, but TWO. I records tons of shows - and watch a lot of TV. Some of my faves are: The Office, Grey's, House, L&O, CSI, ER, Bones, Hero's. I don't watch a lot of TV during the week - but I totally make up for it on Sundays.

7. Last random thing.... I am a blog junkie! If I know you and you have a blog - I check it. A LOT! I love to read all about others lives... Some of the blogs that I read (most aren't even scrapbook celebraties!) - Beth, Nicole, Linda, Bonnie, Kyra, Nancy, and Alli - and this is just my normal "list" of blogs to read. Here's the catch though.... I usually don't post comments...

Okay - now the 7 to tag... I guess I'll tag the seven I just listed. Since Beth, Nicole, and Linda have already been tagged - and I am just waiting on their responses - that leaves me with Kyra, Nancy, Bonnie and Alli to notify...

Can't wait to see your answers.
~Sarah

More Inspiration..

Check out one of the projects that the Mitchell Kraft created. These projects are so great. I love the "Reflection" page. Mitch has a great use of space. His compositions are always funky and fresh. As most of you know Mitchell Kraft has recently been added to the 2007 HOF. We can't wait to see some of his projects in CK.

This project uses Cosmo Cricket Halfway Café: Amarillo, Barstow, Button Fashions Die Cuts, Fancy Pants Designs Big Board Chipboard: brackets, labels, and tags. Layout size: 6X12

As always - check out his other projects on the gallery.


Monday, April 23, 2007

Home Decor

Can you believe how much scrap booking has turned into home decor? I am seeing it more and more - from picture frames, to trinket boxes, and even to clothing. The scrapbook community is evolving. What once was strickly die cuts and cardstock has turned into a billion(s) dollar industry.

Here are just a couple of projects that Beth has created for the home. Aren't these super cute?


The napkin rings are made out of the Prima Marketing, Inc. Floral Embellishments: Maxi MumFlower Kit Moda, Misc. buttons and ribbon, DMC Embroidery Thread,Needle.

The wine charms are made with American Crafts Greenhouse: Izzy Small Plastic, Misc. beads, Wire

If you would like to see receive directions for the napkin rings be sure to check out the gallery.

Just looking at these project inspire me to create. Beth - thanks for the yummy projects!

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Exactly one year ago today...

Scraploft was born. I can't believe that it has been a whole year. Wow! Both Jenn and I want to say THANKS to all the great friends who have helped us live our dream. We couldn't do it without each and everyone of you.

A year ago today - I met with my business partners - and we came up with a name. We've done a lot over the last year. It almost seems unreal! Cheers to another great year ahead!

Jenn - I am so glad that we are business together. I know that things can get rough and times get stressful - but I wouldn't pick any other person that I would ever want to go on this adventure with. We have so much fun - it makes even the worse of times seem not so bad. Thanks for everything!

P.S. - for those that are wondering - we will have a ONE year anniversary party - we are planning on waiting to celebrate our first year in August when we went live with the website.

April 19th...




One year ago today the little invision we had in our head became...Scraploft. We started with a list of possible names for our on-line store. I was hoping for "Scraploft" during the entire process. Reasons being: the word sounds good, has a certain ring to it, and also if we ever decide to open a retreat center what a perfect name! :)

The first meeting was all about business stuff. Lots of decision making, voting, etc. The piece of paper above is from that first meeting. I took the picture today, a year after the fact. We started with weekly meetings, typed meeting agendas and meeting minutes. Task oriented and organized. Now the agendas are hand written lists. We don't do minutes anymore either. Relaxed atmosphere. More my style for sure.

How do I feel, one year later? I feel good. Though there have been some changes and some bumps in the road, I have learned so much. I do know there is much more to learn and I am looking forward to the challenge. Though my life is still busy and actually feels overwhelming sometimes, I wouldn't change the last year for anything. However, I do still need to find that balance that I am looking for...eventually.
To my business partner and friend, Sarah. I am so thankful for who we are, what we have become, and what we will be. Thanks for doing this with me. It's been grand. :)
So here's to Scraploft. Sarah and I surviving the last year and looking forward to the next. Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. We could not have done it without you!
~Jenn




Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Some great pages...

Does anyone need midweek inspiration? Check out Linda's layouts for March! Such great work.


Linda had a big challenge for March. We sent Linda the new Basic Grey Scarlett's Letter paper and stickers. For this layout Linda used: Basic Grey Scarlett's Letter Collection Pack along with the 7 Gypsies Oval Scroll. As always you can see all of Linda's projects in the gallery!

Be on the lookout for some more great designs. Beth has some great projects for April!

Monday, April 16, 2007

My lists...

So I am a list person - anyone else out there like that? I don't know what I would do without my lists. At work - lists are what makes me successful. So - I write things down so that I can really focus - without distraction on the task that I am working on.


Let's rewind, just a bit - I used to have a list "book" it was a hardcover book that I added tabs to. My life was separated into "home" and "Scraploft" stuff. I bought it at Good Things or something like that over in Eden Prairie - I loved it - and it worked. But soon enough - I ran out of pages and I haven't been able to find a similar book since. I've tried the dayrunner type thing - it works for dates - but the lines are too little to get a good list going...So... I made this...

It is made using the Basic Grey Phoebe paper and Bazzill Blossoms (Lizard), acrlyic pieces are Heidi Grace, notebook is 99 at walmart. Hopefully now with the customized notebook - the lists will go on and everyone will be happy :-)


I also made this recently at a friends Birthday Party. Totally stole the idea from Kyra. It is made using a kit from Joann's and papers from the Scenic Route - Capetown papers.
Kyra - one question for you - how do you display it. If you hang it up by the hook - you can't flip the pages, but it won't stand up by itself. Any suggestions?

Wishing each of you a happy Monday!!

~Sarah

Thursday, April 12, 2007

New Crate!!





We received new products from Crate at Scraploft! There are 5 new lines: Baby Bee, Brunch, Crush, Samantha, and Zoom. I am in love with this paper! That is if you can be "in love" with a piece of paper! Seriously though, the colors are to die for in all of these lines. The collections include paper, die-cuts, rub-ons, and chipboard for each. I can't wait to use all of these lines. Especially the Zoom collection. Perfect for pictures of the boys.


Enjoy!


~Jenn

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Happy Easter!


I know that the day is almost over, but I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter. If you are reading this after Easter, I hope your day was a blessed one. We saw both sides of the family this weekend. It was nice to see everyone. The boys have been sick the last few days and I hope they will be on the mend soon. Ear aches, stomach aches, coughs, and runny noses all make for long nights and days! They did get to open their baskets in their pjs this morning and that brightened the day for a few minutes. Poor kiddos...


Happy Easter to you and your family!


~Jenn and Sarah

Friday, April 06, 2007

Recent Layouts




Here are a couple of layouts that I worked on at Nicole's birthday party last Saturday. It was so nice to see all the ladies of scrapping again. Lots of laughs as usual. Spent 10 hours "scrapping", but only got 1 whole layout done. But, to my credit, I did finish the two page layout that I started before.


The "Gratitude" layout features American Crafts paper and chipboard letters from Heidi Swapp.


For the "Celebrate" layout I used Cosmo Cricket's Halfway Cafe.


So good to see some of my pictures and products being used. Slowly, but surely!


~Jenn

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Ink pads and albums...oh my!



The 7 Gypsies refill ink pads for the oval and round stamps are here. The ink pads come with black, brown and red. I am excited about the red, for sure! We did order the pads for the block stamps as well, but did not receive them yet. We will be looking into that and will keep you updated.


We also got another album from 7 Gypsies. The 8x8 ring album. This album comes with cream pages on the inside and a ring bookcover on the outside. Perfect for altering. Such a trend right now!


~Jenn

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Shoes... and Patterned Paper

So I know that I am super behind, but it's all for me - so it's all good, right? Here's another card - titled shoes... The journaling got cut off a bit, but it's mostly there.
I'm obsessed. I have a problem. I keep buying pattern paper. I probably have enough patterned paper to last me a lifetime. I could literally scrapbook for the rest of my life with what I have for patterned paper. I realized just how bad my habit has become. This is my patterned paper stash... and my patterned paper that has yet to find a home. See the problem?

Current stash:



To be sorted:


It's sick isn't it?

~Sarah

Monday, April 02, 2007

Even more Maya Road...




I finally was able to get images for these wonderful products from Maya Road. The Scalloped Ring Book and the Landscape Binder are both perfect for an altered album. Imagine the possibilities with these albums! Yummy....

The Foundations Journaling Stamps are a must-have on my list. I am addicted to all of the little journaling cards that are EVERYWHERE right now. One of my goals for scrapbooking this year was to journal on my pages as I put them together. And since I don't have a compact computer to bring with me everywhere, I am forced to use my own handwritng. Which I am getting used to by the way. I have a huge stack of pages to go back and journal. Some time soon I will do those.

Enjoy the new products that have come in at Scraploft!

~Jenn

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Weakness of the Weekend


Other than pattern paper, I have found my other weakness in life. ROLOs. Yes those chocolate covered caramels made by Hershey's. These wonderful candies were brought to me by a scrapping friend, Nicole. It was her birthday party and she brought treats. YUMMY! I could NOT get enough of those rolos.


I managed to spend enough money on sb supplies to buy an entire island of ROLOs though!


Good, fun weekend. I love my scrapbooking friends. Lots of laughs...and rolos...


~Jenn