The making of 132 HANDMADE Christmas cards...

*Click on collage for a larger view*

The making of 132 HANDMADE Christmas cards...

132 pieces of white cardstock
132 tree "trunks" - cut from Bazzill Bitter Chocolate cardstock
1,980 hand-punched circles from 8 different lines of Basic Grey (my circle punch is now broken!)
132 hand-tied twine bows (I now have Carpel Tunnel..lol! j/k)
528 rounded corners
2 Colorbox Cat Eye ink pads - Creamy Brown & Dark Brown
1 pad StayzOn Ink (inside stamped greeting)
132 Glue-Dots (for bows)
TOO MANY Duck tape runners to mention!($$$$$)
7 packages of DCWV envies

OH and of course..the 132 stamps at $.41 each! That equals $54.12 and that's not including my Canadian stamps!

And after all that though, I can truly say from my heart that all 132 cards were sprinkled with a bit of my Christmas LOVE! I really did enjoy the process, but we'll see what happens next year! LOL

Crop & shop 'til you drop!!

Come on over to Scrapbooker Online and crop your heart out this weekend!! Starting today, there are oodles of challenges, games and prizes!! All are welcome and we'd love to have you! So, clear your scrap space and let your inspiration flow! Check out the CyberCrop Forum !!

Maryfrances has also set the Specials/Clearance section in the store on fire!! Everything here is at least 40% off or more, while supplies last! Stock up on some of your classic favorites from KI, Chatterbox, Sassafrass Lass and more! Happy shopping!

Scrapbooker Online's November Contest: Clear projects!!

November 2007 Contest Information: CLEAR Projects!!

In November at www.Scrapbookeronline.com we have decided that we want to be able to see thru your layouts & projects!!

To play in our November contest all you have to do is upload your favorite {never posted in the SBO gallery before} layout or project that we can see thru!! So dig out those clear mini albums, transparencies, ghost shapes or any clear embellishments and get to work!!

If you don’t have any be sure to check out all of the clear goodies in the SBO Store –such as Page Frames, One Heart One Mind, My Mind’s Eye and Heidi Swapp products!!

* All images will be displayed in our monthly contest gallery.
* Please include a supply list & journaling.
* Our winner will be notified by e-mail and must respond within 2 weeks of notification.
* Winner will be announced in our monthly newsletter and on our site.
* Winning Layout: Our Design Team will select one winning layout.
* The winner of this contest will receive $25.00 www.scrapbookeronline.com gift certificate.
* All entries must be received between November 1, 2007 and November 25, 2007.
* Only ONE submission per person will be accepted.
* No previously published work will be accepted.
* Open to US and Canada residents only.

Submissions can be made by emailing November2007Contest@scrapbookeronline.com or by uploading it to the "CLEAR" contest gallery.

Good luck!!

Sharing a little card that I made for the SBO Newsletter this month.

Wishing everyone a safe evening tonight and may the Great Pumpkin fill your bag with loads of candy! :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Want to be a Design Team Member?

Scrapbooker Online is hiring a new Design Team for 2008! Come join one of the most creative teams on the net!

Search Timeline:
• December 3rd: Application due
• December 17th: Notification of new team
• January 1st: New team starts

You will be asked to submit three pieces of your work that have not been seen by the public. You will also be asked to submit a written essay, no more than a paragraph or two, explaining why you want to be a part of the SBO team and what interesting ideas/challenges/activities you would bring to the site.

Project Submission:
Your three submitted projects should cover the following themes or ideas:

1. Create a layout about you, your family and your love for life. Show us the real you, the fun you, the you that will shine as a member of the SBO team.
2. Create a layout depicting a challenge or contest you would bring to SBO. Create the ideal layout that would win a particular contest. Or create a layout that would fit for a weekly challenge you would hold at SBO.
3. Show us your altering side. Alter something, anything. Be creative and let you’re your craftsmanship and creativity shine through your project.

Design Team Member Responsibilities
• 6 month term appointment
• Responsible for at least 4 layouts or projects a month, using supplies provided by Scrapbooker Online or manufacturer sponsor
• All work uploaded must be of the best quality. Images or scans of work must be clean, crisp and of the best quality. You will be responsible for cropping and editing work before it is uploaded
• Must maintain a consistent and daily presence in our discussion forums and in our gallery. Consistent is defined as daily, unless extenuating circumstances occur
• Each of the 4 Design Team members will be responsible for at least 2 articles to be published on our site and in our newsletter during their 6 month term. This article will be coordinated through the DT Coordinators.
• Collaboration with other DT members on monthly layout contests or challenges, games or cybercrops.
• Responsible for QOTD (Question of the Day) for one week every two months. Schedule to be agreed upon by team.
• Will participate in Cybercrops
• Will participate in Team Meetings and Online Chats

Team Expectations: Further Explanation

Daily comments in the gallery. These comments need to be meaningful, thoughtful and appreciated by our members.

Our members take pride in our site and team. They have high expectations of the availability of their DT members. Please keep this in mind when applying for this position.

Daily posts in the forums. It is our goal at SBO to have members begin forum posts and to have members keep the boards alive. But, it takes the DT’s presence and creativity to move things along. Daily commenting in the forums is needed. Your presence is made by posting new threads and commenting to posts already made. Your posts should be thoughtful and have substance.

Our members take pride in our site and team. They have high expectations of the availability of their DT members. Please keep this in mind when applying for this position.

Wicked Awesome Thursday (WAT) uploads. It is your responsibility as a team member to keep up on WAT assignments and to upload every Thursday. These assignments are posted in the DT forum. If you are unable to upload on WAT then it is your responsibility to ask someone else to do it for you. If you are on vacation or are sick, inform a team member so no one is looking for you during WAT and wondering where you work is. Consistency is key to the team’s success.

NL (Newsletter) Articles. You will be responsible for at least one article every 3 months in our NL. Your assignment and schedule will be mutually agreed upon by Maryfrances (SBO Owner), DT Coordinators (Carolyn and Nicole) and the team.

Challenges, Contests, Cybercrop work. Your assignments and schedule will be mutually agreed upon by all team members.

QOTD (Question of the Day): You will be responsible for one week every other month. Schedule to be determined and agreed upon by the team.

Restrictions
• Other site DT positions are acceptable along with Manufacturers DT positions. Please be aware that if this in any way will hinder your participation at Scrapbooker Online and performing of the above responsibilities please make this careful decision beforehand.

• Consistent and relevant presence is defined as daily or as close to daily as one can accomplish. We do understand there are times when getting on line is not easy and that is understood. Our members look to our DT to show a consistent presence in both the gallery and message boards. We work as a team at SBO and all team members, both full time and guest, are required to show consistency in their work for us and their team.

• While our selection process is underway we do expect to get to know you. Please come and introduce yourself to our members. Join in on our challenges and hang out on our message boards. We want you to get to know our members and team. By getting to know you, this will allow us to make the best selection and fit for our team and the members of Scrapbooker Online.

PLEASE SEND YOUR SUBMISSIONS TO:
Maryfrances Fabbri, SBO owner
mfabbri@scrapbookeronline.com
NO later then December 3rd

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT APPLY!!

Small catch-up...

This makes me happy...my Paper Source catalog that arrived in my mailbox. I love looking through each page, drooling over the wicked cute projects and paper goods. Makes me feel like I can make anything from bits of paper. They're a bit pricey though, so I've never ordered from them but I'd love to visit a store some day.

Well fall has definitely arrived, finally. Not complaining though. We've had such a warm season and it's been nice. Last year after coming home from our Florida vacation, I felt so down and depressed that I had to come home to snow the beginning of October. After laying on the beach in 85 degree weather, it's a shock to come home to falling snow and 30 degree temps. This year has been a little easier considering I put my fall decorations up two weeks BEFORE vacation and it's been so warm since coming home. They're saying our first frost will be Sunday night. Hoping it'll give Dad some allergy relief. Hate to see him suffer so.

Dan and I took Beijing for a walk on the bikepath this past Saturday afternoon. It was a beautiful sunny day. Took 186 photographs (and scattered them about this post) on our short walk and enjoyed every minute. The trees were such beautiful colors! Beijing rustled through the leaves and enjoyed the exercise I'm sure. A couple of people have said that lately she's putting on her winter weight. She must be getting ready for her Pug hibernation, LOL. We only walked a mile, but for me that's pretty impressive. ;)

My scrapping world needs a little boost. I feel uninspired lately and I absolutely hate that feeling. I know it happens to all of us at one time or another but it's annoying. Even all the new things I've bought just sit on my table staring at me. Sure wish they'd pop up and slap me one. My new CK and BHG have shown up in my mailbox as well, but still no inspiration. Someone better light a fire under me quick as I have SEVERAL projects that I have to get working on!! Deadlines aren't going to wait for me!

While in Florida and driving to Tampa to catch our flight home, I found a little scrap store called Scrap Happy in Bradenton and it was a cute store. LOTS of QK dies, so I bought this palm tree and this sanddollar to use with my Sizzix BigKick. Thought it was appropriate considering I'll have loads of Florida layouts soon to come! Also bought this Heidi Swapp stamp , new AC alpha stickers, Primas, Blue Hills Studio flowers and lots of paper! Now if I can only get scrapping!

Speaking of vacation, it was again divine this year. Lots of laying on the beach, sightseeing, beach-combing, eating, eating and more eating, swimming in the Gulf and in the pool at the house. We rented a PT Cruiser Convertible and it was such a fun car to get around in! Dan came out of the Alamo office in Tampa and said "which do you want...a VW Beetle (Bug) convertible or a PT Cruiser convertible. I went with the PT figuring with all our luggage it might have a bit more room! LOL! And hey...for all you camera-obsessed peeps like me, a convertible is a perfect car to get some great shots in! Just point it up and around and start shooting! ;) Will share vacation shots later...

Since September, I've been basking in the glow of owning a new Canon 30D and 2 lenses (a 50mm f/1.8 and 28-135mm IS)! I've been enjoying every second and have so much to learn. I thank my friend Becky who has ever so helpful in being patient with me, answering my many questions and helping me learn. Thanks sista!

Will post more at a later date. Enjoy the weekend everyone!

Thanks for the tag Leslie!
A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: DH-Dan, my dearest friend Brenda
C-Cake or Pie: White cake with lots of buttercream icing!
D- Day of choice: Saturday
E- Essential Item: ...
F- Favorite Color: Kelly green please!
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Bears
H- Hometown: ...
I- Indulgence(s): Scrapping
J- January or July: Hmmm..toughie. I guess July
K- Kids: Nada
L: Life is Incomplete Without: God
M- Marriage Date: 1997
N- Number of Siblings: 1 older brother, 1 younger sister
O- Oranges or Apples: Eh...oranges
P- Phobias or Fears: Spiders
Q- Quote: Be still, and know that I am God... Psalm 46:10 ~ It seems like all I hear anymore is how "busy" everyone is, running to and fro, having so much to do in a day and I this is why I love this scripture. It seems like a good place to start to find your everyday solitude.
R- Reason To Smile: seems like such a simple ?, but I don't have the words
S- Season: Can't pick just one...
T- Tag Three: I'll spare everyone this time! LOL!
U- Unknown Fact About Me:
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: The good Lord gave us animals to eat...so I do!
W- Worst Habit: Biting my cuticles
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Give me an X-ray...go ahead, I can handle it.
Y- Your Favorite Food: Seems so cliche but I really love pizza, Mexican and Italian (my MIL makes authentic meatballs, raviolis, manicotti and her own gravy!)
Z- Zodiac: Virgo I guess. Not a believer in all the sign stuff.

What's your blog rating?

This was fun! Saw this on someone's blog while hopping around and thought I'd try it out. And I'm happy to say that my blog is rated...



Here's the link... http://mingle2.com/blog-rating Let me know if you do it and I'll pop by your blog! :)

A humble reminder...

Driving home from meeting Dan for dinner tonight, I passed a trailer park on the south part of the city. All the trailers are crammed right beside each other, run down and rusty with no yards for the kids to safely play in. I always pass it and feel for the kiddos playing in their small spaces and the elderly sitting out on their tiny porches alone. Today I passed by and there was a middle-aged man, sitting in a wheelchair. Just sitting there. He was an amputee with a missing leg. He sat there in the sun right by the road that runs close to the trailers and was just watching traffic. He wasn't going anywhere. I could tell he was just sitting there enjoying the sunny day. I watched him in my rear view mirror as I passed him by. Ever since I was a little girl, when I'd see a person in a wheelchair, it's always pulled at my heartstrings. I don't want to pity them, I just wish for their life to be easier. It's times like these that I turn off the radio in my car, tears flow uncontrollably and I start to pray. I pray a lot in the car because it's free time without any interruptions. But seeing this man, I prayed for him...my own private prayer. I don't know what his life is like. I hope he has a wonderful family who stands by him and loves and supports him. I hope he enjoys life to the fullest.
I pray that I also become more humble and thankful for my blessings. It's so easy to complain until we see others in a MUCH more unfortunate position.
I AM BLESSED.

A bump in the road...

This evening, I felt....

like an oddball
alone
empty
weird
like I didn't have anything of importance to say
unworthy
like I was on the outside looking in
like a prude
like I know nothing
worthless
like I didn't fit in
very obese
like everyone was staring at me
unhappy

That was after church...and had nothing to do with church. During church, I felt wonderful.
I felt refreshed, I felt renewed, I felt filled with the His message of letting go of my earthly
fears. I felt reminded that He is with me always. I am never alone. He is in control. So,
when I started feeling these negative feelings this evening, I prayed and ask Him to forgive
me for I am His child and as a child of Him, I should be rejoicing that by grace, He knows
me and I am His. I asked him to take these negative and hurtful feelings from me. I
asked him to give me the peace in my heart that I know He wants for me. None of these
feelings really matter. I am only here a short time and I know "this world is not my home,
I'm just passing through`". I thanked him for his goodness, for His blessings, for his
patience and for his grace.

I feel better and while writing this, this song came to my mind. One of my favorites...

~~~This World Is Not My Home~~~

This world is not my home I'm just passing through
my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

O Lord you know I have no friend like you
if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

They're all expecting me and that's one thing I know
my savior pardoned me and now I onward go
I know He'll take me through though I am weak and poor
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

O Lord you know I have no friend like you
if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Just up in Glory Land we'll live eternally
the Saints on every hand are shouting victory
their song of sweetest praise drifts back from Heaven's shore
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

O Lord you know I have no friend like you
if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Come out and play with the SBO sistas!

Come on over to www.scrapbookeronline.com this weekend for fun challenges and RAK's for the winners! While MF is away at CHA, the Design Team decided to play! So clear your table, print some challenges and meet the sistas! Everyone's invited!

Iced tea dreams DO come true...lol!

My newest "appliance" and it makes me terribly happy! I love iced tea (decaf, please!) and I've made it myself (using my coffee pot) for years but it never "tasted like the restaurants". That's was my complaint. I want iced tea that tastes like I'm sitting in a restaurant people! I think I also brewed mine too strong too and I could never get it right.
So, this week I spent the measly $18.72 at Wal-mart to get what I wanted! I fired it up the minute I got home and brewed myself up a pitcher! Super easy and tastes soooo good...just like the restaurants, lol! And look at the colors...aqua and white~how cute is that? Looks totally hip to me! ;) It's almost like an invitation to plug it in!

Little fish, big fish...

Either way, we all love swimming at my brother and sister in law's house. Thanks to them for being so generous and letting us! ;) It's always a good time for everyone. Click on the collage for a larger view. :)

Dan and I went up on Saturday and swam the day away with everyone. Paula made BBQ chicken pizza and a pepperoni pizza. She makes her crust from scratch and it rocks!! She makes it with all white flour and it's AWESOME, but I'm going to at least try half wheat and half white. Get the recipe here. http://www.allrecipes.com/Recipe/Amazing-Whole-Wheat-Pizza-Crust/Detail.aspx I brought up a green salad and we had watermelon. Just a fun day with the family!

Most of the photos below are of my 2 nephews and some of Dan being King Noodle. He hogs all the noodles and the kids try to get them away from him. Cute.

Lovin' the hot summer days around the pool and my family!

Happy Birthday Marjorie and Kristin!

Just wanna give a shout-out to these two SBO sistas of mine! Today is their special day!

Marjorie is our resident Hawaiian sista on www.scrapbookeronline.com. She's sweet, beautiful, loves her grandchildren to pieces and we all wish we could live closer to her! From your friend way far away, I wish you the best birthday ever! Big ((hugs)) to you my friend!

Kristin is our NY Army wife sista who keeps busy at home with her children. Her husband is in Iraq fighting for our freedom, so I wish her as best a birthday as one could have. Her kids are making her a cake (yellow I hear! ;)) and decorating it allllll by themselves today. Can't wait to see it! Wishing you a wonderful birthday sistsa!!

Happy Birthday and I wish you both many, many more!

LET FREEDOM RING!

Can I just say how much I love Picasa2? Lovin' the collage thing. Man...so easy.

Another Independence Day that I'm thankful for all my freedoms and liberties. There isn't another country I'd rather live in!

It was really a quiet day for us. Hung around the house and watched the fireworks from our driveway. We have the perfect spot and it beats loading up the car and fighting the crowd at the park.

And like a dork, I had my tripod goin' on! Might be dorky but hey...I'm happy with my photos. (well...the power line in some of them kind of eerk me.)

Hope your day was a day of celebration!

This is going to be a fun one! Break out your circle cutters and get going...around and around and around!

July is ALL ABOUT CIRCLES at ScrapbookerOnline.com !! July Contest rules & details: We know you love circles as much as we do, so we want to see your favorite layout using circles!! You can have circles as embellishments, your patterned papers, your photo shapes – even your layout shape.
Let’s see how creative you can get with your circles!!
* Only ONE submission per person will be accepted.
* Please forward journaling in plain text along with the photo
NOTE: No previously published work will be accepted.
1. All images will be displayed in our monthly contest gallery.
2. Open to US and Canada residents only.
3. Please include a supply list.
4. Our winner will be notified by e-mail and must respond within 2 weeks of notification.
5. Winner will be announced in our monthly newsletter and on our site.
6. Winning Layout: Our Design Team will select one winning layout. The winner of this contest will receive
a $25.00 gift certificate for our online store.
7. All entries must be received between July 1, 2007 through July 31, 2007.

*Submissions can be made by emailing July2007Contest@scrapbookeronline.com
Or by uploading it to the "All About Circles" contest gallery
MORE at www.scrapbookeronline.com

Who knew you could use a mason jar as your blender?

I can't help it...this is cool.

Who knew?

I have just discovered a fabulous new recipe blog! Wow, she's got great organization and an endless amount of recipes...WITH PHOTOS! Love these kind of blogs.
Check out Simply Recipes.

Random, odd and off the wall ...

I love Betty Crocker's Ranch and Bacon Suddenly Salad. BUT, why do we have to have freeze-dried peas in the mix? I cannot imagine anything more gross and unfresh. When I make it, I pick through the dry pasta shells and pick out the peas. Ick. I even documented it...lol. But, since I love fresh peas, I throw a handful in when it's all said and done. But freeze-dried is for the birds. And I bet they'd even toss them aside.

Finally found a site that had the song I was looking for...and without video! YAY! I've loved this song "I Can Only Imagine" for a long time now. Hope you enjoy it too.

Saw this over at Krystin's blog and just had to try it out for myself. And frankly, I really don't think I like the results I got. LOL! Try it yourself, post back here and I'll check out your blog for the meaning of your name. Wishing you better luck than I had!

Nicole -- [noun]: A person who falls into an outhouse and dies 'How" will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Father's Day/birthday gifts ordered...

I've seen this presented on QVC a few times and thought it'd be pretty cool for Father's Day. Don't ya just hate when you're grilling and poof...no more propane? Well, hopefully this will solve the problem. I bought one for my Dad, Dan and one for my brother for his birthday. Dan hooked his up yesterday before we fired up the grill and it was good to go!