WOYWW and WOTT#25 and cards galore

Hi and welcome to another round of What's on Your Workspace Weds.(WOYWW) and of What's on Tap Tuesday, where we share what's on our desks this week. My desk still has the remnants of the card I last blogged about. The High Holidays are upon us so I've got to get a few of those out soon. Meanwhile, in my dining room, the table is strewn with most of the cards I've done at my friend Brenda's Stampin' Up get togethers. When I cleaned up the closet of my work room, I found them scattered around so I'm going through them to decide which would be good to donate and which to keep. I have to decide tonight because I'm hosting a pre-holiday dinner tomorrow and I want to set the table tonight. Good thing I have a deadline or else they may have lounged here a little longer!

If you'd like to visit creative spaces around the world-wide, be sure to visit Ms. Julia's blog at www.stamping-ground.blogspot.com

If you'd like to share your space, link in below. Always fun to see another's state of order or chaos. *smile*

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)

FWF and Sweet New Year card

Hello, friends. It's time for Unity's Friends with Flair Blog Hop and you might say it's a bit of a stretch that I call this a Unity card because amid all the embellishments and patterned paper there is just one tiny Unity stamp.... but this stamp is a big favorite of mine.... I use it over and over, so I'm counting it as being enough of an addition. Lol.

The Jewish New Year is about to begin again and, in the past, I would make tons of cards and send them out. This year, I'm doing a little experiment. I've decided to send to the people that send us cards first. The easel card above takes some doing (I wish you could see the heart charm that is dangling off the ticket on a jump ring) and I'm going to see where each patterned paper panel takes me, design-wise, so the cards that do go out this year will be extra special. I hope I get caught having to make a bunch of them. That would be a wonderful surprise.

Anyway, you may have guessed by now that I used the adorable little birdie from the Ippity set, "Quotes a la Happy." Just love that set. This LINK will get you to the Ippity blog where you can use the locator button to find an Ippity chick for a look-see at their cute sets.

Thanks for dropping by. I'm going to try and work on the quality of my photography. I think I just have to break down and get a light box. Lol.

Have a great weekend!

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)

WOYWW#120, WOTT#24 - cards, cards and more cards

Welcome once again to What's on Your Workspace Wednesday hosted by Ms. Julia. Same desk as yesterday's What's on Tap Tuesday where the desk is usually in creative chaos and the calendar blocks aren't always up to date. Lol.

I had to take a break from catching up on my 30 Days Lists in order to get a few cards done. The two that you see on the desk already made are fresh from a Stampin' Up get-together last Friday at my friend Brenda's. I had left them without sentiments so that I could customize them later.

And sure enough, I needed to send a sympathy card today, so that pink card was perfectly appropriate.

Then an uncle is having a birthday next Monday (same day as mine.... sly, aren't I?) and the fall card has a masculine feel to it so I'm going to simply add a cute Lawn Fawn squirrel and a birthday sentiment.

The patterned papers are out on the desk because I also have to make a card for my mom's best friend who is turning 80 on Saturday. By using a current My Favorite Things sketch, I'm able to enter it in their Weds. challenge. I used two MFT stamps sets on the completed easel card card: Time to Celebrate and Who's That Birthday Girl? I love the latter so much because it has number candle stamps that allow me to customize my birthday cards to no end!

In the past, when I've wanted to anchor a sentiment to a bow, I've had a hard time getting my flimsy linen thread to feed through a bow knot. I decided to try using a crochet hook to grab it and pull it through and, voila, it worked. No more cursing at unraveling thread!

One last note. Last week, there were a few comments of concern about what seemed to be a dangerous open can of teal paint on my wobbly, overflowing desk. I've added a photo of that can from a different angle so that you can see it wasn't teal paint at all. Just a teal covered lid to a clear storage can. Besides, have you ever seen me use paint on a project? I'm way too impatient to use something that needs a lot of drying time. Lol.

Thanks for visiting. Back to illustrating lists.... (Come back periodically. I'll eventually have one for every day in September and if they're deemed interesting enough, I'll post them here.)

*smile*

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)

Days 10 & 11 in 30 Days of Posts

Love, love, love the Emmys! But as a result, I only got 2 pages done. I thought that by sitting in front of the TV while I crafted, I'd get more done but there's just too much you miss when you look down. It was a great debut by Jane Lynch as host.

So Day 10's theme was "At This Moment" and Day 11's was "Favorite Things About This Time of Year." This list making has been a fun exercise because now I don't have to feel guilty about all the stickers I've accumulated over the years! Lol. Hope you enjoy these and maybe even become inspired to make your own lists.

Tomorrow is What's On Tap Tuesday where I ask you to share your work desk, whether it's sparkling clean like Lynn's or chaotic like mine. Either way, consider sharing. *smile*

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)
@scrapcollectr on Twitter

Day 9 in 30 Days of Lists....

The extent of the "list" work in front of me is lengthening but I'm not going to let that bother me. These are too much fun to put together. Day 9's list is simply entitled "Weekend Plans" and last weekend was when I was due to document it so, luckily I had saved some memorabilia.

Sorry that I didn't have something fun to contribute to the Unity Friends with Flair but we made an impromptu journey into NYC on Thursday night to celebrate my mother-in-law's 87th birthday. An occasion worthy of the car, train and subway requirements both ways. Tiring, but the newly discovered Beacon restaurant made it really enjoyable. And our Spanish exchange student, Fran, got to experience all those modes of travel into the city. Sadly, he headed back home today. It was a really nice experience having him visit.

Have a nice weekend. I have to make a birthday card to mail on Monday so I should be sharing that soon!

*smile*

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)
@scrapcollectr on Twitter

Day 8 in the 30 Days of Lists

Today I accompanied our Spanish exchange student and his group on a field trip to the Grounds for Sculptures in Hamilton, NJ and then went on to moderate their tour of Princeton's campus. (You can take a wonderful virtual tour of Princeton using this LINK. Don't miss all the great trivia at the bottom of each page.) I got treated to a nice lunch with them in town.... I work cheap. Lol. So, this will be short and sweet because I'm a wee bit tired from my 14,000+ steps today (I use a pedometer daily because I'm trying for the recommended 10,000 steps a day toward good health.) I can't wait to go back to see more of the 270+ sculptures and have lunch in their lovely restaurant..... and Princeton.... well, it's my alma mater and I just love any visit I make there. Enough said.

Here is Day 8. I've got major catching up to do. But I'm happy with how the pages are turning out. There's one explanation needed for this page. When I say that "Toasters like Tina's" remind me of my youth, I'm referring to a story I tell my ds that cracks him up to no end. You see, I had a simple childhood. In the summer, I'd head over to my friend's house to play. I remember how immaculate her mother kept the house and the kitchen in particular. When we wanted to have a snack, we'd go into that sparkling kitchen and make toast in her shiny toaster. My family didn't have a toaster so it was a novelty to me. We'd just sit and watch it toast and pop. The sudden pop always made us giggle. The thought of that warm toasted bread with butter still gives me the warm fuzzies. I can't tell you how excited I was when, one day, my mom came home with our very own toaster. It was even more impressive because it had 4 slots! I thought we'd won the lottery... Lol.

So, check it out. The things that remind me of my youth. So fun.

Have a great Thursday. Hopefully, I'll have a Friends with Flair card to post tomorrow. *smile*

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)
@scrapcollectr on Twitter

WOYWW#119, WOTTT#23 and Fair Barbie found

Welcome, welcome. Wednesday means sharing the madness that goes on on some people's desks. Mine, for instance. I wish it could be tidy like that of other friends, but that's not how I'm wired. Lol.

Last week, I told you that I found a Barbie shoe, so I didn't have to search long for the owner. I had a feeling of where she was vacationing.

Funny thing is .... when I found her she was shoe-less! So now there's another shoe missing. (Shhh! I just paused to listen to a squirrel scurrying through my walls. Dh is responsible for getting the man that's supposed to close the holes in the dormers where this little stinker is entering, but I just may have to take matters in my own hands. I get no rent from the squirrel, after all.)

Anyway, back to Barbie. I'm using her image in the Day 8 list that I'm working on. (In previous posts, I've shared some of the lists I've illustrated for a 30 Days of Lists class I'm in.) In fact, most of the detritus centered on my desk are objects that I'm inspired to use on the two page spread. If you don't see the finished page down below, I'll add it later today but for now this post will contribute to What's on Your Workspace Wednesday hosted by the lovely Julia.

Have a great day and if you're so inclined, link in a blog post about where your creative madness genius takes place. *smile*

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)

30 Days of Lists - Days 4 through 7

I'm going back on my word, aren't I? I said I wasn't going to share them all but I can't help it. I want to share. I didn't realize that.

Day 4:

Day5:

Day 6:

Day 7:

I now have 5 days of lists before I catch up. Let's see if I can close the distance sooner than in the past. Tomorrow is What's on Tap Tuesday. I hope to have something more than a photo of my messy desk to share. You'll just have to come back and find out, won't you? Oh, and since I'm giving you fair notice, why not make your blog post tomorrow about your creative space? There are a few of us that like to link in and go around and visit.

Til then, have a great Monday!

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)

Remembering...

September 11, 2001. It was a breathtakingly beautiful blue sky day. I'm not one to usually take notice but, after dropping my kids off at their elementary school, there was just something about that clear morning that made me stop and take a deep breath of that fresh air. I was a little excited about my day. I had some plans that I was looking forward to so I stopped in at home to gather my things... and then my mom called.

I wasn't a morning TV watcher so she told me in a shaky voice to turn on the TV. I did and she and I experienced the news together. I called my husband. He hadn't heard. His office turned on their TVs. At home, I remember watching the live feed and seeing a sudden explosion in the second tower. The newcasters scrambled to understand it, then they realized that just before, a fleeting shadow behind the building was a second plane. Suddenly, all hopes that the first plane was an explainable freak accident were dashed. I'm sure I was still frozen in place when the towers fell. Horror replaced horror. Suddenly, I thought that I should go for my children. But as I stood in front of the office staff at the school, I had a change of heart. Although other parents were coming in and taking their children out, I realized that it might be better to let them have a normal day before addressing this catastrophe with them. The school was not going to make any announcements. They felt that was every parent's decision on how to go about it. I picked them up at the end of the day and then tried to explain the unexplainable. My 6-year-old, luckily, didn't grasp it enough to be scared. My 10-year-old wanted to sleep closer to us that night. He asked me if the fires in NYC could reach us in western NJ. The next day, we found out that four families in our town lost someone that day. So many towns in NJ suffered losses because we're a commuter state. So much heartache.

Now, it's been 10 years. I'm hoping to visit the new memorial soon. It's seems to have been constructed to be a very soothing, spiritual place. I'd like to say a little prayer for peace. I made the card below awhile back but it's so timely now. If everyone in the world could plant a seed of peace, imagine what would grow.

Tomorrow, I'll share a few more pages from my 30 Days of Lists.

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)

Friends with Flair and Birthday Mail

Hello... It's that time again and I'm glad because preparing for Unity's weekly blog hop makes me focus on getting necessary cards done. My m-i-l's birthday is in a week and now I'm set. I used a K&Co paper pad called "Wild Raspberry" that I found on sale for $5.99 at a local dollar-plus store. I love how the paper is already glittered. With all the lovely busy-ness on the background paper, I was able to keep the images simple. The bird is from Melody Ross' Love Life kit and the mailbox, letter and sentiment are from Sending My Love . I made a small slit in the mail box to slip the special delivery letter in. (Just a reminder that I have a tutorial link for this type of card on my sidebar :-)

Have fun blog hopping!

I'm going to go shake my rain stick in the hopes that poor beleaguered Texas will finally get some rain to put out its numerous fires. NJ has had a week of rain. Wish I could send it down....

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)

Another daily list and a birthday card

Hello.... I'm moving at a turtle's pace with this project, but I am moving.... Lol. It's Day 7 right now in my 30 Days of Lists and I've just completed my Day 3 illustration. I'm going to look for a way to rein myself in a little from now on.... wish me luck. I love that this Smashbook has enough pages that I can do a two page spread for each day. When you want to add pix, you need the extra room.

Then I used the latest My Favorite Things sketch to create an easel birthday card for my brother-in-law. Since I wanted it to be entered in their weekly challenge I had to go with an image that normally I might not have for a male card but, if I'm the woman carrying the cake, it's alright, isn't it? *smile* Plus, I love this set (which is called "Who's That Birthday Girl" because it comes with individual number candle stamps... so easy to customize with.) I just got my box from Pink Paislee's warehouse sale and in it was that cute little metal heart badge that you see on my card. (The adorable paper is from Stampin' Up's latest set called Big Top.)

And, oh yes, I need to announce the random winner from all the lovely fall comments in the Labor Day Blog Hop. Drum roll? ........................ The winner is Donna Phelan! Donna, please send me your snail mail address via email (which can be found in my profile) and I'll get some surprise goodies out to you! Congrats!

Tomorrow is the Unity Friends with Flair blog hop so c'mon back for that. *smile*

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)

WOYWW#118 and WOTT#22

Time for another What's on Your Workspace Wednesday. Oh dear. I went to a PTA meeting yesterday (the first day of school) and I think I signed myself up as a volunteer on about 20 clipboards. I will try not to let the blog suffer... *smile*

In the few hours I have left before heading back for today's pickup, I suddenly have lists in my head of things I'd like to do. One is to catch up on my 30 Days of Lists project. Although I won't be posting every day on this subject, I have given a peek at my Day 1 and Day 2 results in previous posts, if you're interested. On my desk today, I've got some photos and my wedding album because I'm going to be working on "People I Love" list.

The remnants of yesterday's card are also still out and about and front and center is a My Favorite Things sketch that I was hoping to use soon. (They've got new releases tonight at 10pm, by the way!)

Dearest to my heart though is a white Barbie shoe that is sitting on top of some black cardstock on the right side. I found it recently and it reminded me that when the boys were little I bought myself a Malibu Barbie with the reasoning that the little dolphin that came with it would interest them. I have to hunt her down because she must be distressed about her missing shoe.

The added photo today is of the coffee table to the side of my desk that is equally chaotic. I'm so pleased with the revolving pen holder because I found it at a Five Below store for $2. I like having my Copics easier to reach than before.

Gotta get some work done before the clipboard people start calling, so if you'd like to link in your desk for others to see, please do so below and have a great Tuesday!

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)

Fall Fun Blog Hop!

Hello and welcome to the Fall Fun Blog Hop! A group of online buddies decided the holiday weekend in the US would be a GREAT time to get inky together, and so we've put together a fall themed blog hop to inspire you as the autumn approaches. As you meet our stampy bloggers today, you may discover that some have goodies for you, so be sure and visit everyone on the list. We have hoppers from all over the globe today, and they are amazing artists.

Thanks for visiting us - grab yourself a nice fall beverage and enjoy!

Here is the full list of our blog hoppers today:

     Lydia Fiedler
     Libby Hickson
     Kim Williams
     Michelle Single
Lee Murphy
     Sara Henton
     Yapha Mason
     Lisa Adametz
     Jimmi Mayo
     Jeanne Streiff
     Bev Gerard
     Shannon
     Dana Keith
     Joan Ervin
     Maren Benedict
     Teresa Kline
     Hannah Clark
     Dina Kowal
     Wanda Cullen
     Korin Sutherland
     Taylor Usry
     Monika Davis
     Harriet Skelly
     Kim Schofield
     Cathy McCauley
Mary Marsh
     Julia Aston
     Bridget Finlay
     Alison Habetler
     Leslie Hanna
     Sue Farrant
     Michelle Hanway
     Misti Oblander
     Judy Rozema
     Jenna Barber
     Tammy Hershberger
     Eva Dobilas
     Kerri Michaud
     Cheryl Navarrete
     Neva McMullen
     Marianne
     Samantha
     and me, You are Here!


For my part, I created a fun little folding card using a video tutorial I stumbled on by Kristina Werner . Lots of measuring and matting but with the Stampin Up set called Recess and Lawn Fawn's Harolds ABCs alphas, it was all worth it. Used a Stampin Up Ribbon Originals for my belly band. Hope you like it! (If you'd like to be in a drawing for a little surprise blog candy, just leave me a comment about what the best part of fall is for you and I'll choose a random comment next Thursday... *smile*)

The full effect:

Your next stop on the hop is Lydia at Understandblue, our illustrious hostess with the most-est!

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)

@scrapcollectr on Twitter

30 Days of Lists - Day 2

Sorry, I couldn't resist. I had to post this because I put a lot of work into it... lol. They're waiting for me in the car so it's gotta be quick. Hope you like it. Have a nice Sunday!

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)
@scrapcollectr on Twitter

Friends with Flair and Day 1 of 30 Days of Lists

Hello!  As mentioned yesterday, I've joined a group that's doing 30 Days of Lists this month and I showed the Smashbook cover I decorated yesterday. (The link to the group is there if you want to join in.) Today, in honor of Unity's Friday Friends with Flair blog hop, I used Unity images to decorate my first list: Goals for September.

Stamps used:
Banner: Good Times Vintage Banner
List: Love in Return (Ippity)
Dress: May '11 KOTM (Think Happy Thoughts)
Bird: Quotes a la Happy (Ippity)
Books: Books a Flutter (Ippity)
Cow: Simply Home (Ippity)
Other accessories: Thickers alphas (Am Crafts), Pink Sorbet bakers twine (The Twinery), scissors charm and seed beads, Tim Holtz paper clip hanger

You can find the banner stamps HERE and the May Kit HERE. The Ippity website will help you locate a sales rep near you.

Thanks for coming by. Oh, and I forgot to add to my monthly goals that I want to try to blog more, so don't be a stranger! *smile*

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)
@scrapcollectr on Twitter (where I try to offer up interesting links as well)

30 Dayz of Lists

Hello friends! I'm really excited because I'm taking on a project that I'm determined to see through to the end. It's called 30 Days of Lists and it starts today. I'm a day behind because I'm starting by decorating the cover of the Smashbook I'm using. (I used Pink Paislee - Daily Junque wooden letters and die cut, Creating Keepsakes chipboard letters, K&Co patterned paper and Studio 18 rhinestones. Oooh. I love it.)

Tomorrow, I hope to post Day 1 as a Unity Friends with Flair project so that it can be part of the Friday blog hop. I won't be posting about it daily though because that wouldn't be fair to the coordinators of the event. It costs $6 to join in for the month and it isn't too late to do so. Just check out this site for more info: www.30DaysofLists.com .

Thanks for coming by. I hope you decide to join in on this fun!

Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr)