Well, here's what happened! I cut out 2 identical sizes of chipboard. On one, I drew a box 3/4" in all the way around. I used my ruler and craft knife and cut out the center, creating a frame. I painted both sheets of chipboard "cranberry" I then cut the papers into 1" squares (would have been much more precise with an acutal square punch, but we all make do sometimes) and started adhering them to the base red piece, separating each piece 1/8" on all sides. I layered a sheet of acetate on top of that. Used foam tape to mount the frame on top of the acetate and then used a rub on to say July. Turned out pretty patriotic if I do say so myself!

So I’m off to a 3 day scrapbook retreat this coming Thurs-Sun. I am SOOO EXCITED! This will be my 3rd once since I started scrapping about 1 1/2 years ago. It’s more or less a scrap when you want and sleep if there is time kind of weekend. But with no cell phone service and lots of table space- you get TONS done! I bought a few new things for my weekend away- such as a “Round it all” by Zutter, in Pink of course. A new paper piercer since my husband broke my last one trying to unclog a bottle of gorilla glue- I think the gorilla won that match up. I also had to buy 2 new lines of paper that were just too cute to pass up. I know I say that a lot but come on, this stuff is so cute! The first one is by Bo Bunny- “Alissa” although I didn’t buy anything but the papers. See- cute huh!

The other line I bought- and for those of you who really know me, this is out of character- was the Pebbles Inc. “So Tweet”.

I hate birds. No, I should re-phrase that, I hate bird decor, bird papers, bird jewelry etc. SO when I saw this I thought that’s cute and walked away. 10 min later I’m still thinking about the darn bird so I knew he was just to cute to not buy! And yes, I did buy the stickers too! So my goal while on this retreat is to use the So Tweet line AND the bird stickers and come up with something so cute you’ll also have to go out and buy the line! I’ll post pics upon my return- happy waiting!

So I ran across this awesome blog post from Teresa Collins- Blessed. She was given this darling altered Rubix Cube. Once I saw it, I knew I had to make one- my own style though! I posted an ad at work asking for a used Rubix Cube, and I said that it didn’t even have to work! I took me a while to actually finish this cube but I’m really proud of my final product! The pictures from left to right are my son Ace (28 months old), my nieces Emma (4 1/2) and her sister Lexi (1 1/2), Ace and dad, then the top that just says life. I hope this inspires you to create art out of the unused toys around your house!

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By the way- the paper line I used was Cosmo Cricket ‘Lil Man and yes it was the remaining left over scraps from my March Design Team projects. See- still putting the scraps to use!

I was up in Seattle a few weeks back and I went to my favorite scrapbook store in Kent, Scrapbook Nook- (http://www.scrapbooknook.info/). I found the adorable new line "Abbey Road" by Bo Bunny (http://www.bobunny.com/januaryrelease/14abbeyroad.pdf) and I said "I HAVE TO HAVE THIS ". About 2 weeks after my purchase, I decided that I had to do something with the paper. Here's what I came up with!

I've finally discovered the key to utilizing a scrapbook kit. You have to use it all before you move on. When you like a paper/patern, etc., you have to use it ALL and I mean ALL. Whatever's left when you're done throw away, give away, trade, do something with it, but don't put it in your scraps! I created this page with what was left after my first 2-page layouts. (Yes I know it's missing a title- haven't gotten around to that part yet!)

While I was at an all day crop with a bunch of friends and decided I had to do something with another one of my "I HAVE TO HAVE THIS" purchases, which were these adorable naked chipboard letters (also purchased at Scrapbook Nook). Naturally, I chose to spell my name, and since my new philosophy is to use up all of my kit, I figured out how to fit my letters on the papers just right and voila! Now it's hanging on my wall for all to see! (no my wall isn't pink, although that would be rather cute!) I used my crop-o-dile to punch the holes on the sides and bound them messily with ribbon. I used zip-dry to glue the spiral paper clips to the back so I could hang it on the wall. Pretty clever huh!

That was it for my Abbey Road line and yes I did get rid of the rest of it! Horray for no scraps!