Happy 4th Of July! And: A New Layout (for real!)

Happy 4th of July!

When I was a little kid, a damn adorable little kid, I couldn't sleep before the 4th-  I was that excited to play with sparklers and firecracker 'chickens' and SNAKES.

I wish I could still be excited to light a smoke bomb and jump over the nasty smelling blue smoke.

Instead of possibly blowing off a finger, I decided to stop buying product and USE some of it...
That's right!  FOR REAL!  I sat down at my table and made a new page!

Last week, I was sending pics to Walgreen's for my boss- and threw in a few of my own.  She picked them up and brought them to me the next day.  I've been sitting, looking at them since-  you know how it is, you lay in bed reading blogs and listening to the TV and every so often- glancing at the pile of pictures you intend to work on- and then the moment passes and you find something else lazy and worthless to do...

Well, this morning, I woke up bright and early at 11am, full of the 4th of July spirit and sat down at my table.

First, I sat down on the floor and picked through a mountain of paper.  Most of which I had no memory buying.  I'd like to say that I flipped through paper at a bionic speed- but it actually took nearly an hour and thirty minutes to come up with that little stack of eye-catchers up there...

I should've timed myself-  It feels like this was a four hour process.  I sprayed, cut, stamped, moved and moved and moved things around.  The My Mind's Eye paper with the hexagons made many trial appearances in the work in progress but was eventually left behind.

I used the new 'Washers' border die from Mr. Holtz to cut a 'mask.'  Like I saw someone do somewhere- I'm thinking it was on the Sizzix blog- I'm pretty sure of it...  I love this die.  I recommend it- go buy it.

Here's my new page:

There's a little bit of everything on there-  the base is a piece of plain manila cardstock from Jo-Ann, misted with some Calico White Mister Huey and Frequent Flyer Sprinkler from October Afternoon.  Next layer is some ledger paper from 7gypsies.  The 'Numbers' paper was a 5 for a dollar Michael's brand special.  The light blue with dots and the bone sticker are from Echo Park's Mini Theme 'WOOF' kit.  More 'Numbers,' then a strip of light pink cardstock (I think it's from the Tim Holtz paper- but can't remember).  There's some washi tape, can't remember where it came from, some letters from Authentique- and of course, the photo is of my dearest child, Nelson.  May he rest in peace.

I seem to like to use my handwriting somewhere on every page-  I don't do much journalling, but I like to write something-

I like the way this stamp (from Michaels, the Hampton Art 3.99 big-ass wood mounted bargain stamps) turned out, stamped over the misting in Antique Linen Distress Ink.

Okay, that's it-  I bought a fresh bottle of mixer- uh, I mean, cranberry juice.  It's healthy, dammit.  Good for your... kidneys or something?  Well, adding a splash of it to a glass of vodka is a great way to enjoy the summer afternoon.  From the comforts of the air conditioned den.  And the vodka is healthy, too- it's like...mouthwash.  It's antibacterial or something.

Have a great 4th of July, everyone!

-kory

New York City: a layout with washi tape, misting, stickers, a die cut, some bodily fluids...

I guess you can tell by the title, this layout has a little bit of everything- well, no flowers (Sorry, Paul) and no twine (Sorry, Frank).  Yeahps.  Nearly a little bit of everything, even some bodily fluids.  No, don't run- nothing too disturbing- just a little saliva, where I needed to smudge some distress ink.

I took this photo on one of my favorite trips to New York City.  I think it would be my second favorite trip.  On this specific vacation, I saw Tracey Letts' astounding play, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY.  I also nearly got into a fistfight with a crazy drunk man outside in line for 'street meat' at four in the morning.  And that was after I nearly beat up a cab driver who tried not to accept out fare uptown, because his shift was almost over and he only wanted to go further downtown.  I'm sorry, but after a long night of awe-inspiring theatre and awe-inspiring drinking- a crazy man in line for food or a cranky cab driver is NOT going to get in MY WAY!

About the layout:

The base is just plain old kraft, and I think the light blue background paper with a slight resist pattern is from, well- I have no clue... if anybody knows, I would be much obliged to know.  I outlined/drew a square around the light blue page with a Walnut Stain Distress Marker.  The Chrysler building die cut is from Quickutz- I found it in the Hobby Lobby clearance aisle for two bucks.  The file tab is a punch from Jenni Bowlin/Fiskars.  I LOVE this punch.  

The strip of subway tape is from Mr. Holtz's new set of DESTINATIONS tissue tape.  This tape looks good everywhere.  It can work with so many different styles- I just love it- I need more of it!  

I used four different bottles of misters.  Boarding Pass from October Afternoon's set of "Sprinklers" that coordinates with their genius-beautiful-classy BOARDING PASS collection. Dewey, Heirloom Blue, Calico White- all MISTER HUEY from Studio Calico.  More of "my favorite things."  What did the world do before the proliferation of misters?  And what will we do when we're all sick of them?  And what of October Afternoon's BOARDING PASS collection.  Please don't stare at me blankly and ask what is THAT?!  If you haven't been hoarding up the pieces from October Afternoon's Boarding Pass collection, you must live a horrible life.  I know that my life was horrible until I discovered that line, and every time I buy more of it as I find it, my life gets better and better.  So that's proof.  OA's Boarding Pass equals life, love and happiness.  Yes, I have most of it and a duplicate paper or two- but WHAT will I do once it's gone?!  I want to be able to have a lifetime collection of Boarding Pass papers and embellishments.  October Afternoon, if you're listening:  If you find yourself cleaning out to make room for all the new genius stuff you're making, and you decide to throw out any extra Boarding Pass- DON'T.  Send it to me.  I will not only be the happiest person on earth, I will also do anything you ask.  ANYTHING.  Wink.

Here's the layout:

See the faint skyline stamped along the bottom?  That's a skyline stamp from Tim Holtz's Urban Grunge set, stamped with Antique Linen Distress Ink.  It's faint enough to fade into the background and add to the 'city' look, but still- part of the background.  I feel it adds lots.  

I also used the Quickutz skyscraper die as a sort of mask- and stamped on and over it at random parts of the page, to kinda add another faint skyline image to the right of the photo. 

I had lots of fun doing this page- I relived parts of the trip, I enjoyed the moment I'm in now- and that's part of what scrapping is about, isn't it?  Okay, that's as deep as I'm gonna get- to put it simply,  I felt good doing it and I love the page!

Happy May Day, everyone!

-kory

Washi Tape from TARGET and a few cards to celebrate!

Sure enough- the smart 'n classy ladies over at the scrapbook.com forum weren't tellin' lies!   TARGET has washi tape!

I ran over to Target so soon after work that I'm lucky I didn't break my ankle.   A slight delay on my rush to the office supply aisle when I was distracted by the SMASHBOOK aisle.  Yes, I just had to look- JUST IN CASE they had the new Smash Tape in-  have you seen that new tape?  Whoa, it's sexy.

Alright, what is it with tape?  Why do I love it so much?  Is it the color?  Is it the pattern?  Is it the informal fun of it?  WHAAAAT?!  I don't know.  We'll explore that over cocktails some dark night.

Yes, you did read correctly- Target put the tape in the office supply aisle.  It's with their colorful collection of office supplies.  Here's what the display look-a-like:

That's it on the first shelf below all the hanging things.  There's red/pink, orangey/yellow, blue/purpley, and green/green...ish?

Here it is- unwrapped from its packing and lovingly lined up on my stained-up craft mat, with one of my stained and chopped up cutting boards in the background.  I really know how to stage a photo.

The tape comes four rolls to a pack, for four bucks.  That makes it a dollar a roll.  That makes it a damn bargain.

After Target, I ran to Wal-Mart, to look for the Elmer's washi tape.  Couldn't find it.  Looked everywhere.  Gave up.  Headed back home.  Stopped at 7-11, to get a soda.  Saw two old men doing a drug deal.  They noticed me watching them, and said, 'C'mon! Let's do this outside!'  They gave me a dirty look.  I laughed about it with the cashier.  I went home and made cards.

I'm going to need some thank you cards, tomorrow- two of my coworkers are hosting an Easter basket-making 'make n take' class, at work, tomorrow- it was limited to four sittings and since they kindly gave me a heads up to sign up fast, AND cuz it's a fun, nice thing to do- I'll need to give them some thank yous later!  Yeah- I have tomorrow off, but I'm going in to make my Easter basket with my boss! 

Yes, I have a huge box full of pre-made thank you cards (they're very important in my profession, and I love to write thank you cards- so I have millions, ready to go).  But I love making cards!  I sat down with my new rolls of tape, some stamps from AMERICAN CRAFTS that I love, and - well, wanna see them?!  Here they are!

Card Number ONE!  A spray of Mister Huey's, a line of tape, a stamp or two and SURPRISE!  A card.

Card Number TWO!  This one is my favorite.  I really like it-  I used a light blue paint chip to stamp the THANK YOU on-  taped it to the card with my favorite of the tapes- this light blue stripe, and used this nifty 'lines' stamp on the sides.  I'm really happy with this one.

Card Number THREE!  Wait, what?!  I thought I was making THANK YOU cards?!  Well, I was.  But this Happy Birthday stamp caught my eye, and I wanted to try it out.  Sprayed some Heirloom Blue MISTER HUEYS (dammit I love this stuff!) then sprayed it with the Calico White.  Glued on one of the doilies I'd stamped and cut out, during my October Afternoon Doily Stamp orgy from a few weeks back, slapped on two pieces of my new tape, and used a thick foam dot to attach the HAPPY BIRTHDAY stamp.  I'm liking this card lots too-  now I just gotta find someone who's having a birthday.

Alright.  Gonna go to sleep.  Gonna wake up, hit up JOANN's, go into the office for my coworker's EASTER BASKET MAKE N TAKE LUNCH HOUR PARTY (I'll take pictures!  I'm sure you're all curious as to what kind of place has make 'n takes and what the hell it'll look like) and THEN I'm gonna try to find some summer clothes!  I NEED CLOTHES.  

See ya!

-kory

Oh, HI!

Happy Friday Eve, beautiful people!

I almost sat on a cat.

For real.  Thought it was a pillow.

Anyways- I was sitting around, feeling sorry for myself and- oh, who am I kidding?  I was sitting around thinking, WHOOHAWL, tomorrow is Friday!  Not just any Friday, either.  Tomorrow is the annual Friends of the Library SALE!

Once a year, the 'Friends of the Library' have a gigantic book sale at the OKC Fairgrounds.  It's HUGE.  The best part?  Hardcover books are ONE DOLLAR and anything not hardcover is FIFTY CENTS.

The next best part?  If you pay ten bucks a year to be a member of the 'Friends,' you get tickets to the 'Member's Only Pre-sale' the night before the sale opens 'to the public.'  Now, being a member of the Friends of the Library isn't as exclusive as I might've made it sound.  Anybody with ten bucks is good.  And there are LOTS of anybody's with ten bucks.  TONS of people show up for the pre-sale.  The line starts to form very early- just to walk in at 5, when the doors open.  Holly and I show up around 1pm.  And sit on cold concrete for four hours.  Just in the chances that being the first hundred people through the door is the only thing keeping us from finding a real treasure.

Waiting in the line is fun, tho- we see the same people every year.  We catch up.  Holly and the lady who is always there with her Aunt practice their 'pushing people out of the way of a good book moves.'  We make fun of the woman who talks on the microphone the entire three days of the sale.  We make fun of the 'unexperienced book shoppers' that walk in with dreams and a list of brand new bestsellers they'll find...  and then we make fun of each other.  It's all in good fun, we're not cruel.  Not that cruel.  And then the minute the doors open, we all run inside and forget we ever saw each other- until the next year, that is...

What kind of books do I find?  All kinds of things.  Books I never knew I wanted or needed or ones I've known I've wanted to have for a long time- and each one is a surprise!  I look for (and usually find) lots of scripts, published plays, theatre history books, crazy fiction, literature-  very cool stuff.  I do all this while Holly clears out the Home Decorating section.  I usually end up with fifty to sixty books.  Last year, I picked up a few old dictionaries and an atlas, for cool papers to use in crafts.  This year, I think I'll need lots more.  My old dictionaries are lookin' kinda ragged.  Well, the ones that didn't walk away with other people who needed cool old dictionaries.  I might pick up a few extras, for use in me 'n Holly's online shop.  No, it's not live, yet- so don't get too excited.

Wait a minute, where was I?  Oh yeah-  so, I was watching TV and thought, I can't sit still too long.  Project Runway All-Stars isn't entertaining me.  I decided to get up and work on a mini-album that I started a month ago.  I'm blocked.  I decided to try out a new Tim Holtz die that I bought a week or so ago.  That didn't get anything flowing, either.  I know!  I'll make a card!

I'm still slightly in love with that paper I used on the 'wedding' layout that I did a couple of days ago.  The opposite site is a bright yellow color- and, of course, I was dying to spray some Mister Huey's up in hurr!

I'm a bit proud of this photo.  I attached my camera to the super-nice tripod I found for five bucks at a Goodwill last Friday.  Believe it or not, my hands are not as steady as you'd think they would be.


I used a piece of Kraft cardstock that I bought from Jo-Ann.  This is the best kraft cardstock that I've ever got my dirty hands on- seriously.  It's thick and has almost the texture of a grocery store paper bag- you remember those thick brown bags?  It's slightly rough and is just terrific.

The only other things I used on this (surprise) simple card are:

Crate Paper: Brook Collection- 'Ripple'
My tiny attacher
The 'centers' that the Tim Holtz mini rosette die cuts out
and- Dark Calico and White MISTER HUEYS, for the win, as the kids say.

Here's another view:

Well, I don't know about you beauties- but like the card doesn't say, tomorrow is a new day, too- and I need my rest for a big day of half a day of work and THE LIBRARY SALE.  Wish me lots of luck!

-kory