scrapbooker for hire

So none of you are left wondering, I'll just say it:

I resigned from the Rusty Pickle design team and not on necessarily good terms. Frankly, they owe me money and won't pay me (and I've been waiting for more than a year). This was my last project created with their products.

The journaling was taken directly from my blog post about that day which made this a super easy layout. Choosing black and white embellishments and a background that coordinates lets the pictures be the focus of the page (as they clearly should be).

I don't think I've mentioned this at all but a guy that also grew up in the tiny communities of Vale/Willowcreek is on this season of HGTV's Design Star. He's actually one of the finalists (like one of the final two) and this Sunday is when the winner will be announced. I hope it's him, Dan! If you've been watching I hope you've also been voting for him.

Anywho, that's that and you'll be hearing (and seeing) more from me soon.  

Hi there, my name is Alycia.

I'm addicted to Farm Town on Facebook.

Really?" people say. 

"Uhhhhhhhhm, yes." I respond.

What it is? Exactly what I said, Farm Town. I have a farm; all of my friends have farms and after we all send and accept requests to be cyber neighbors we become a town so, Farm Town. Ha! Anywho, it's kind of fun and lets me kill 10 minutes a day. And I can't deny that harvesting my cyber fields of corn and amber waves of grain make my life a feel a little more complete. Only because I can't really grow things like that. If I could, I totally wouldn't do it (as much). I'd just do it for practice. Sometimes. 

Anywho, I feel kind of lame because no one is interested in winning free Rusty Pickle product. So, to hopefully entice some of you to want it (so that you can create something wonderful with it). I gathered it up and took a picture. 

Last month, on the 4th actually (while T was napping that day), I started this sweet little mini. You can view the entire album here. Everything in it is Rusty Pickle and it features one of their newest lines, Rockin' America (which is what I'm giving away). So, if you leave a comment on this post and link me to one of your gorgeous summer layouts (or just tell me about it) you'll have a chance to win 8 sheets (maybe more) of double sided patterned paper, 4 sheets of die cut foiled patterned paper, cardstock stickers, tags, alphabet stickers, coordinating buttons and a cool star shaped chipboard mini.

Happy Wendesday. =) 

An ode to Summer (and a Rusty Pickle give away).

Oh, sweet summer in our new, old house. Having the luxury of our own backyard has made this the best one yet. T and I spend our lazy afternoons out there every day collecting lots of rocks, digging in the dirt and as of lately (because it's been sooo ridiculously hot) swimming in the baby pool w/ the sprinkler on. =)

Haha, yes I'm that girl. 

Products: Rusty Pickle Candy Land paper and alphabet stickers. 

Anywho, this captures the essence of our lazy summer and I just love this picture of the babe.

Speaking of summer, summer CHA is in full-swing...actually, I think this is the last day. The point is that although RP didn't attend this one, they've got some absolutely GORGEOUS new lines debuting. You can see them here. 

And just for fun (and because I have A TON of product) and to get the ball rolling, leave a comment w/ a link to your favorite summer layout that you've done so far or if you haven't done it but, have a great idea for it tell me about it. =) Can you tell I'm in need of some inspiration for all the pictures I've taken so far? I'll randomnly pick a winner on Monday and you'll get a great prize pack of RP goodies. =)

Oh, and if you didn't know Rusty Pickle has added new members to our already outstanding design team and trust me, these new girls put out some STELLAR creations! If you haven't already, check out the Rusty Pickle Blog for links to the girls' bio's, blogs and more! 

Have a great day...I know I will...it'll be 96 here today instead of 108. =)

this one's worth reading. =)

After being super busy, stessed out and totally NOT inspired by anything for way too long, I finally sat down and created something. Well, two things actually. That album I talked about earlier (that I haven't photographed yet) and a layout. This layout: 

Products: Rusty Pickle patterned paper, chipboard shapes, tag, and lace.

On the 4th of July Joe was watering our lawn and as he walked around with the hose T thought it was hilarious to follow him around pulling on it while saying (in her super sweet little voice), "it'sa myyy hose, joe. it'sa myy house. *giggling the entire time*

So, these pictures are of that. =)

P.S. I still can't believe that she's two. Might I also add that she's a sassy two year old who has learned to tune me out and ignore me completely, which is a whole other post in itself. *NOTE TO SELF: Post about T's sassiness.*

And, on Sunday our family expanded. We adopted a dog from Hope's Haven. More specifically an American Bulldog that was totally used and abused. He's three and his name is Boscoe. He has no confidence and the saddest eyes I've ever seen. But, he's the SWEETEST boy and LOVES to love. =)

The day we brought him home we stopped and got him a bed which we won't sleep on, treats that he won't eat and toys that he doesn't even know what to do with. It makes my heart hurt. So, we're going to be his forever home and love him for the rest of his life. =) Which also makes my heart hurt but, in a good way.

Alright, it's bed time.

today was a beautiful day.

T and I spent the afternoon running through the park playing on the play ground, collecting sticks, rocks and flowers and chasing the squirrels. It's days like this that make me wish I had a nicer camera. For the last five years I've been shooting with a Kodak Easyshare something or other and while I'll admit that it's gotten me some nice pictures it absolutely cannot keep up with this girl. Plain and simply, it just takes too long to take the damn picture and by the time it finally snaps, the photo op has come and gone...again. So, I'm putting it on "the list," which is the list of big ticket items we keep in our heads and whenever we have lots of extra money, we cross a few things off of it. =) So, within the next year I'll have a new camera.

Anywho, this weekend is going to suck.  I'd love to take full advantage of the fact that it's mother's day and make my husband wait on me hand and foot but, I have a crap ton of homework and will be spending my days at the library. Tomorrow I will spend roughly eight hours writing mathematical proofs. The next day I will spend however much longer it takes me to finish the proofs, do my calculus homework and then study for my computer science quiz. While I'm on the subject, here's the layout that I completed yesterday reminding myself why I'm studying these things

Products: Rusty Pickle patterned paper, file folders, and alphabet stickers. Basic Grey chipboard alpha and Doodlebug stickers.

The journaling reads: Because for as long as I can remember I've loved numbers. Because in elementary school I thought the timed math tests were fun. Because counting is a favorite past time. Because the more I know the more I want to know. Because from the first moment that I sat in front of a computer I've loved them. Because computer science flourished from mathematics. Because it's learning a new language. Because it's something that happens naturally in the world which we live. Because it's beautifully technical. Because it's awe inducing and inspiring. Because it makes me happy. Because there's nothing else I want to do more.

That's it. I'm off to bed. Have a great weekend!

finally, something worth posting.

Instead of being responsible and taking advantage of the long weekend to do homework and study ridic ulous math ematical proof methods, I scrap booked.   This is a picture from our Louisiana trip. Somehow this little girl from an apartment in the city became a lover of every where and every  thing outside. She kneeled there for awhile and just pulled up the weeds. The friends we visited lived in the forest next to a lake so, needless to say, there was no shortage of nature. Of which Terrance loved every second of. =)

Products: Rusty Pickle patterned paper, alpha stickers, chipboard photo corners and leafs and rubon.

The journaling on the page is about what she's been up to recently: talking like it's going out of style and saying the cutest thing ever like,  "Is k Joe?." Like, are you okay, Joe? Because we ask her if she's okay when she stumbles and falls or whatever and so, being the sweetest thing ever, she asks other people if they're okay. The other day we were at the store and there was a baby in a shopping cart crying and when Terrance saw and heard him she looked at me square in the eyes and said, "Is k mom? Is k?"

"Yes love, he's okay." 

"Is k mom? Is k?"

Awww, she's just so stinking sweet!

These are two cards that I whipped up for mother's day. One is for my mom and the other for my bff's mom, who is like a second mother to me. =) All products on them are by Rusty Pickle, with the exception of the itty bitty alpha stickers, ribbon and the brad.

Both of these pictures of the babe are from the new house. We were there the other day for the home inspection and she passed the time collecting rocks and playing soccer by herself. Not because we don't want to play with her but because when we do she laughs so hard that she falls over every five steps. So, for her own good, we sit out every once in awhile.

 

To all you talented lurkers...

Rusty Pickle is looking to expand our elite design team! 

Ten finalists will be chosen to run an "amazing race" where their talent (and ability to function on minimal sleep ;)) will be put to the test.  Of these ten finalists, five will be chosen to join the Rusty Pickle team.

The deadline for entry is Sunday May 31st at 12 noon Mountain Standard time. Please submit the following 3 projects for consideration: (1) 2-page 12x12 layout, an altered project and a mini album 8x8 or smaller with at least 6 pages.  Projects must contain 100% Rusty Pickle product to qualify.  Email all entries to: amazingrace@ rustypickle.com.

Please limit one email per contestant with 1 project image of the layout, 1 project image of the altered project and one compilation image (six images) of the album (this compilation can be done using photo-editing software). The images are to be no more than 700 x 700 pixels. In the subject line put only your name. 

The ten finalists will be announced Friday, June 5th at 12 noon.  

Thank you and good luck!

i'm thinking Spring.

As promised, the weekend before we headed to Louisiana I was held up in my studio creating  some Rusty Pickle projects and I finally have time to share the fruits of my labor. All of the cards are Spring themed and feature Rusty Pickle patterned papers, rubons, stickers and some of their yummy lace!

That's it for now...I'll be back soon with some super cute pictures of the babe and a new layout or two.

Take care!

an update, part 2: new projects. beware, this is a photo heavy post.

I finished this several weeks ago. It's a congratulatory layout to myself for finally finishing my Associate's degree last December. The layout is a Rusty Pickle project and features the School Daze line along with the Starry Night 12 x 12 chipboard. Both of which are a couple of my personal favs and can be picked up at the Rusty Pickle book this weekend at Portland CKC I also used their new alpha stickers for the title but, as a mask rather than actual stickers. Scroll down to see what I mean.
This technique is really simple, really versatile and really cool. First, adhere the stickers to your layout (card, mini album, or whatever other project you're working on) as you normally would. *Don't push down on them too hard though, because you will be picking them back up and you don't want them to tear your paper.* Once they're down simply trace around them with any pen of archival quality and when you've finished that you can fill them in however you desire. 

Mine are scribbled in from side-to-side to match the feel of my layout. You could easily do anything and everything else from polka dots, to tiny dots, zig-zags, BOLD, or leave it as just an outline. I've also used these same alphas as masks here. The difference is that I first painted the chipboard shape white, then put down the sticker masks and then painted over them and the entire chipboard shape with the blue. Cool, right?

This next project is the only thing that I've accomplished all month (and I mean February when I say that because I have yet to accept that it's already March of 2009, holy sheep shit). One of my very best friends, Mandy, whom I've known since the 4th grade and is like a sister to me is pregnant. Yay! Oh, and her birthday is on Friday. So, in lieu of both of those things I spent a few hours in my scrapbooking room creating this for her.

When I decided that I was going to create this I went through my stash and pulled out all things that would be journaling friendly. Any thing with any sort of resemblence to lined paper was fair game. The idea was to have some sort of line on every page so that she could write everywhere. It was the best way to utilize the already limited space that I was giving her for keeping track of such a momentous occasion. Now that it's complete I don't think it's big enough for a pregnancy journal but, it's gorgeous and one-of-a-kind and I think that those totally make up for the lacking pages.

Because this Rusty Pickle album is spiral bound I was able to easily remove it and work on each page individually. I also embellished a few random tags, a transparency and a pocket and turned them into pages by cutting out the small binding holes using my exacto knife. *I'll point them out to you through out, they all turned out great and I love what they add to the journal.*

 

She's already about 12 weeks pregnant, maybe a little bit more and the beginning of the journal includes pages where she can record how it's been so far and then there's a spot for both her and her husband to each journal their thoughts on the experience thus far.
*there's the first tag that was added.*

 

There's a monthly divider for each month and then a few pages of actual journaling space for the month. Weirdly though, I missed the month 4 pages when I took these pictures so we have to move on.

You'll also notice that there's no rhyme or reason to this journal at all, as far as colors and coordinating goes. The pages that make up the spreads usually match but the journal as a whole is very eclectic and was literally pieced together. *there's another tag.*

 

I think the month 6 is my favorite spread, I love the color combo.

*There's the transparency that I added. It's actually just one of the 4 x 6 My Minds Eye overlays. I stamped the "blossom" on using Stazon, the permanent marker of ink pads.*

 

 

*there's another tag.*

*This pocket was added and is actually a page from one of Rusty Pickle's 3 x 3 albums which will be available in the Rusty Pickle booth at CKC this weekend.*

The journal concludes with a spot for a snapshot of the new babe. I meant to add a bit of embellishing to the photo mat but totally forgot to before I photographed it and then taking the picture made me remember to do it. But then I forgot again and boxed it up already so it's stuck like this. 

And that's it. One custom made journal for my very best friend on her birthday.

Thanks for looking/reading and have a great rest of the week! 

Oh, wait, one last thing. If you are heading up to Portland this weekend be sure to check out the booth for some awesome products, great deals and lots of inspiration! And if you have time, take a class: the ones being offered are listed on the Rusty Pickle blog.  

And no, I won't be there. With only two weeks of classes left I'll be at the library studying this weekend...or if the weather permits, we'll skip town and head to the coast for an awesome day of beach combing.

I am a scrapbooker for hire. If you're interested in me creating a similar journal/project for you please don't hesitate to contact me using the link at the top of the site.

happy valentines day, early.

Love is in the air and on all the store shelves. I've been inspired for days and finally found some time yesterday to sit down for awhile and get something done.

I played with brown and pink paper lines from Rusty Pickle: White Chocolate Bunnies and Chocolate Kisses. I also used a few chipboard shapes, rub ons, butt-ons and bling to make these cards complete.

They're cute, right? They can be all yours just for leaving a comment. And, along with the three cards & matching envelopes I've put together a coordi-nating prize pack full of Rusty Pickle papers, buttons, chipboard, rubons, stickers and bling. Here's the catch: you have to introduce yourself to me. 

Seriously, I'm calling all of you lurking readers out. =) I know people read my blog (because the little stats thing that I've attached to it tells me so) and I want to know who you are. Are you a regular? Is it your first visit? What's your name, where are you from, do I know you in real life, do you have a blog that I can read? Yada, yada, yada...the point is that I want to know who my readers are and I'm okay with bribing you all to find out. Just please, don't make me beg. 

You'll have until Monday night to leave a comment to be eligible for the prize. =) 

Thanks so much everyone and I can't wait to get to know you all. (Or, hear from you again if you do leave me comments already).  

Here are pictures of the goods that you'll win: a complete 12 x 12 Lil Chubby chipboard alphabet, Lucky flourish rubons, alphabet stickers, a variety of chipboard pieces, buttons, bling and 10 sheets of patterned paper.

Oh, and the winner of the tags and the Rusty Pickle RAK from my last post was Pam. Yay!  I'm not sure when the RAK will go out but, I'll get the tags in the mail to you sometime next week.

That's it for now.