My "New" Scrapbooking Sketch Journal

As you all know I'm a major Disney fan.  They make fun of my fandom at work because it is a little over the top.  Although, to use the words of my co-worker, we are all freaks about something.   Me, its Disney, especially Mickey Mouse.  He is my main squeeze, besides my husband and son, of course.  I was asked several days ago why I love Mickey and Disney so much.  What is the draw?  I didn't have to think about it at all.  It's the feeling of happiness and joy and that childlike awe.  Going to Disney World makes me feel like a kid again.  I don't have to cook or worry about meals (thank you Disney Dining), I can laugh and have fun and wear Mickey ears and no one bats an eye.  The stresses of life melt away the minute we drive through those gates.  I therefore love Mickey.  He is my reminder of those super fun relaxing times when I felt like a kid.  These days we can't afford our regular trips to Disney World, but I keep that magic alive by surrounding myself with little Mickeys. 

So, to get to my "new" sketch book.  I love scrapbooking.  I work at a scrapbook store.  I own all the goodies.  I struggle sometimes though.  I really need to sketch out a plan for my pages before I can cut the paper.  What if I cut it wrong?  I can't have that.  I usually have a normal plain 1 subject notebook in my scrapbook tote at all times.  That way I can sketch things out and make a plan.  That works fine.  It's a great system.  It's just not very "Scrappy."  I have had this Disney book in my stash of Disney things for a quite a while now.  I bought it at a thrift store.  I was never really sure what I would do with it, but I thought somehow, someday I would upcycle it.  I finally did.  I first went to my spreadsheet program on my computer and outlined 2  equal boxes to make my 2 page spreads.  I printed that out on cardstock.  I then cut the binding off my book, saving the story  for another time.  I used my We R Memory Keeper's cinch tool to bind my pages and book covers together to make my new sketch book.  I'm super excited about it and can't wait to break it in!  Good thing I have a scrapbooking play date coming up!

Fun

In my last post I told you I was a lucky girl, not the traditional I won the lottery and never have to work another day in my life kind of luck, but the kind where if you have to work at least I get to work at a place I love.  I work at Scrapdoodles, my local scrapbook store.  Today I am a lucky girl because I will get to share my love of scrapbooking and stitching to some  new peeps!  I will be teaching a layout class called, Stitching Some Rays.
I would love to show you some cool photos I took that give a few peeks of it.  But currently am experiencing some technical difficulties.  So please check back.  The dates for the class are Wednesday May 22 and Saturday June 1.  If you are local, come by Scrapdoodles and check it out.  I do have the layout on display!!!

Lucky Me

 So in my quest to get my little man his baby book I've been scrapping quite a bit lately.  It feels good to get pages done and see the pile of layouts grow.  This picture is from Valentines Day way back in 2007.  I said I was behind, I wasn't joking.  I am a lucky girl when it comes to getting the latest and greatest papers.  I work in a scrapbook store, I know I know you are soooo jealous of me right now.  When I saw this paper line, Lucky Charm by Dear Lizzy for American Crafts I had to have it!  Look at those colors and all the patterns!  Two things I love when it comes to paper are lots of pattern and great color.  I know all you see here are little pieces I punched into hearts, but trust me, this line is awesome.  The store I work at, Scrapdoodles, has already sold out of a couple of the papers in the line and it has only been out about 2 weeks! We also got in the new line from Amy Tangerine, Yes Please for American Crafts, all I can say is YES PLEASE!  She has these great new templates for sewing on your pages, I had to have the alpha set because, well, just because I loved it!  I really like the look of sewing on scrapbook pages.  I feel like it gives interest and depth so that my layouts aren't flat yet they are not bulky. 

Don't you love the the way the blue string looks!    I was away when I made this layout and I didn't have the right twine color that made me happy for this layout.  So my friend suggested that I dye the white she had to match my layout.  Dye my twine?  I had no idea how easy and fun it would be, sure my hands looked like a smurf...but man it was fun.  First, I got out my craft mat by Ranger, then I dabbed Tim Holtz Distress Stain directly onto the mat, I misted it with water and ran my string thru it.  Ta da, blue twine!!  (Don't forget to heat it so it dries before you try to sew with it )  I never really saw myself as an inky gal, but I really liked that technique and I see more of those really cool Distress Stains in my future.   
So I hope you liked my layout.  Have a lucky charm kind of day!

Wow, A year...Really?!

I can't believe I haven't blogged at all in over a year, well I can believe it, but really, a year?!    I kind of wish I could hit the delete button on the whole thing and start over with a new Blog, but I love my name....812 miles.
Anyway.....I'm trying it again. The blogging that is. 
So today I'm sharing my latest layout.

I LOVE IT!  Recently my 7 year old asked me about his baby book.   Don't I have a book mom?  Well, mommy is still working on it.  So here I am working on it.  In this pic he is just a few days old, I'm really behind! 
I used Bazzill Cardstock, Echo Park Brothers line, Studio Calico wood tag and Amy Tan Alpha Stencils that just came out with her Yes Please line.