Thanks Brenda Ragsdale!!

Thanks Brenda Ragsdale for the "Private Message" on Facebook you sent me Sunday 11-30-2014.  I was surprised that you were sending me a RAK!!!

Everyone!  Brenda saw a layout I created back in September or October and was inspired!  She created sketches based on my layout for her November challenge on her blog.  This is what she posted on Facebook:

Have you had a chance to check out my November Sketch, inspired by Monique Fox? It's a double pager, BUT....if you are not into creating double page layouts, you are allowed to create a layout using either side of the sketch. Click on the link for details of my challenge as well as my two Scrappy Friends challenges: http://granddivasscrappyplace.blogspot.com/2014/11/november-sketch-challenge-and-october.html

Here is the layout that inspired her:

Did you'll participate in her challenge?  Anyway!  Thanks again for the forthcoming RAK!!

20 Simple Scrapbooking Ideas and Tips By Monique Nicole Fox

1.  Print your pictures in color, black and white, and sephia.  You never know what kit or papers you might want to use.

2.  Make collages out of your pictures.  This is great for pictures of different sizes especially if you like to use sketches.

3.  Make sure you sign up receive coupons and newsletters from stores that have photo processing.  You wanna catch deals and sales.

4.  Save your scrapbooking scraps for making cards.

5.  Go to scrapbook crops.  You can get ideas from other scrapbookers, share tools and your stash, meet new friends and etc.  You can even take a class and learn a new technique.

6.  Read your local newspapers to find out about scrapbook yard sales.  You can get supplies cheap!!!

7.  Sign up to receive emails from craft stores in your areas.  Watch out for sales on items.

8.  Shop "clearance sections" at your local stores and scrapbooking stores online.

9.  Join some swap groups.  Swap items you don't want or use.

10.  Instead of carrying your die cut machines to crops, pre cut some designs and put them in a zip lock or scrapbook for easy access.

11.  Dollar Stores have some cute and inexpensive craft items.  Check out the ones in your area like Dollar Tree.  I once scored with some cute totes, stickers, butterflies, glue dots and etc.

12.  When you do go to a dollar store, think out of the box.  Think paper!  A banner can have a cute image on it that you can put on a layout.  A card can also have a cute image and words for a layout.

13.  Enter giveaways.  This is your chance to get some free supplies.  You can setup google alerts.  You can also setup Facebook notifications from manufacturers, stores, and blogs.  You can also follow your favorite manufacturers via blogger.com.  

14.  Recycle! Re-use!  Save those movie tickets, trip tickets, concert tickets, programs, napkins, matchbooks, and memorabilia for great scrapbook layout embellishments.

15.  Look in your area newspapers for FREE events in your area.  Libraries tend to have free crops!

16.  Find a scrapbook consultant in your area.  They will have crops at hotels, their house or a library.

17.   Organize your scrapbook stash by subject/theme in an iris 12x12 scrapbook case.  Why?  When it is time to go to a crop, you just grab that bin for the theme you are working on that day and stick it in your bag.

18.  Use some sketches to help your creativity.  Google these sketch sites or look on the side bar of my blog:  Page Drafts, Page Maps, Sketchabilities, Creative Scrappers, Brenda Ragsdale, and etc.  Stop just matting your pics and putting a title.  Get modernized!  The Creative Memories way is stale!!!!

19.  There are tons of layout inspiration on Pinterest.com.  Create a board with ideas that you can use when cropping at home or when going to crops.  If you need some ideas of what kid of boards to create, visit me on Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/moniquefox/

20.  If you need some layout inspiration, check out online galleries.  My favorite is Scrapbook.com.  http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/

Croppin Fun In Bowie Maryland Saturday 10-11-2014

Saturday 10-11-2014, I went to a crop in Bowie, Maryland hosted by Crop Mania.  It was fun.  Good food, socializing and a free table that I kept visiting.  Someone gave away mini books, blank card packs, alpha stickers, stamps and etc.  And guess what?  My Fall layouts won a prize.  Whoohooo!  We were to put our favorite layouts on a table to be voted on by all the people at the crop.

I got a couple of challenges completed.  Here they are:


I did the October "White With 1" challenge using a sketch from Page Drafts 35.1, http://whitewith1.blogspot.com/2014/10/its-time-for-octobers-challenge.html.

I also did the October "Black With 2" challenge, http://blackwith2challenge.blogspot.com/2014/10/design-team-reveal.html:

Lastly, I did the October week 1 "Lets Get Sketchy" challenge, http://letsgetsketchy.blogspot.com/2014/10/team-october-week-1.html:

Here is a layout I created not based on a sketch or for a challenge.  I was just inspired by Echo Park's "Reflections Fall" collection.

A Super Fun Williamsburg Scrap Retreat: 10-3-2014 to 10-5-2014

This past weekend I went to a super fun scrap retreat hosted by Meka Matthews in Williamsburg, VA at the Holiday Inn Patriot.  I got some scrapbooking done, went shopping, out to eat several times, and just hanging with some wonderful ladies.  I even won some prizes.  I won a USB pink fan.  I also won a competition where we had to design a card with our name on it; basically making a name plate.

I put my last name since Monique was too long to use.  Here is what won:

Here is my prize:

 

Here are some pics taken this past weekend:

This is my favorite that I created over the weekend using goodies by Heidi Swap.  It is a layout of my son and his daddy (my ex).  I took this pic after my sons graduation from elementary school back in June.

 

 

I am a winner over at Scrapbook.com.

Good news!  I am 1 of the winners over at Scrapbook.com for this challenge:  SEPTEMBER* 1 Boy LO, 1 Girl LO and 1 BOTH LO . 

Here is a link to the announcement:

http://www.scrapbook.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/1598321/tp/10/

I am user name "MSD".  This is what I submitted for the both category:

 

A Fun Hagerstown Retreat: lots of challenges completed

I went to a fun retreat this weekend in Hagerstown, MD hosted by Mara.  Here are some group pics:

I got alot of challenges done.  I even did some layouts done I made up off the top of my head.  

First up is my submission for Stuck Sketches, http://stucksketches.blogspot.com/2014/09/september-1st-challenge-and-celebration.html:

I did Brenda Ragsdale's sketch challenge located at http://granddivasscrappyplace.blogspot.com/2014/09/september-sketch-challenge-and-august.html:

I did Paper Secrets sketch challenge located at http://paper-secrets.blogspot.com/2014/09/september-1st-sketch-challenge-labor.html.  This is how I spelled out LABOR:

L - leaves, life word
A - arrows punch
B - banner, boy, blue
O - olive green
R- reflect Reminisce sticker

I did Two Scrapbook Friends sketch challenge located at http://twoscrapbookfriends.blogspot.com/2014/09/september-sketch-and-crafty-challenge.html:

I did White With 1's color challenge (pink and white) located at http://whitewith1.blogspot.com/2014/09/september-challenge.html:

Here are some other layouts I created:

I started Black With 2's challenge at the scrap retreat I just need to add the finishing touches.

My Sunday Fun Day: 8-31-2014

Sunday was a fun day!  Me and my son went to breakfast then headed to church.  After church we stopped by Verizon.  We then headed to Michaels for some shopping.  After Micheals we then headed to the movies and saw "When The Game Stands Tall".  That movie had me crying.  Have you'll seen it?  What are your reactions or thought?

Anyway!  After the movies we went to eat at Golden Corral then we headed home.

I am especially delighted about my "Michaels haul".  I spent $73.63.  I saved $15.37 using 2 coupons; a 50% off one items and a $20 off the total purchase.  I got 4 12x12 paper packs and 1 12x12 paper pad by Simple Stories (2 qty), My Mind's Eye (1 qty), and Heidi Swapp (2 qty). I got 5 Recollections dimensional border stickes on clearance for $.99 that are an Easter and Birthday theme.  I racked up on some other $.99 Recollections dimensional stickers that are cameras, butterflies, word titles/bubbles, cupcakes, and doodling designs.  I got 2 packs of Jolee's circus dimensional stickers for $1.99; on clearance.  I got 2 packs of Michaels flowers (blooming petals and botanical flora).  I got some Heidi Swapp goodies that were 40% off:  1 pack of sheer stickers, 3 packs of outline stickers, 2 packs of themed cards, and 2 packs of banners.  I got some American Crafts die-cut wood cards on clearance for $1.49.  I got 3 Darice acrylic gem border strips.  Lastly, I got 2 packs of Recollections congrats and 2014 dimensional stickers for $.99 each on clearance. 

I really racked up in the clearance section you'll!  And that was my Michaels haul!

Here are some pictures:

Love That Face: once upon a sketch

This is a layout of my handsome son; Christian. I created this for the August Once Upon A Sketch challenge located at http://onceuponasketchblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/august-challenge.html.  There Facebook page is located at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Once-Upon-A-Sketch/150044095058422.

The journaling says:
I love that face.
I love that smile.
I love you my son.
I love you my child.

Supplies:
1. MAMBI Kit # SRK-141, 6678, 55395-2013-06
2. Bazzill Basics Paper, Just the Edge cardstock strips # 303225 JTE III Lily White
3. EK Success punch
4. Recollections creative tags # 318458, 81470-2013-11, blue
5. Recollections mini file folders # 263195, 86955-2012-09
6. Core'dinations vanilla cream premium cardstock, smooth texture, # GX-2200-22