Art Journal Garden Fairy

 Hey guys I'm up on the Blogger with 2 beautiful images from KCS Designs by Kim. The first collection is called WINGS AND WHIMSY and the other is called VINTAGE DOORWAYS.  Here is a link to her Etsy shop so you can look at all of her collections.

I love the colors in both of these collections and thought they would work magically together.  Today I used:

• IMAGES FROM KCS DESIGNS BY KIM (ETSY)
• 9" Wooden Circle (Dollar Tree)
• 3" Wooden Circle (Dollar Tree)
• Stamperia Media Stencil ( Alice in Christmas)
• Little Birdie Matt Chalk Acrylic Paint (MUTED TEAL AND TATTERED LACE)
• Brass and Bliss die (OPEN GREENERY)
• Paper Studio Adhesive gems
• Rub ons from 49 and Market (Moonlit Gardens)
• Spellbinders flower die (PLUMERIA)

It's all about layering starting with the acrylic paints and working my way to those plumeria flowers!  I really enjoyed putting this together.  I even printed out another image from the Vintage Doors collection on a 8 1/2 x 5 rice paper and used it for some of the flowers and the 3" circle.

Thanks for hanging out with me today...I hope I inspired you to get into your crafty space and be creative today.

Stay Crafty!

Kimberly

Give Away Time at Piece Craft Love

Hey guys it's GIVEAWAY time over at Piece Craft Love!  They are doing 2 MYSTERY boxes full of scrapy goodness! 

All you have to do is head over to their BLOG, leave a comment on the question she asks and you get your name put in for one of the 2 drawings...it's that simple!

Don't miss out on all of their SCRAPTEMBER fun this month and if you feel like doing some shopping while you're at it (because she carries a WIDE RANGE of scrapbooking and mixed media items in her shop), head over to her website and don't forget to use KIMSCRAFTYCREW10 for your discount code when checking out.  It will SAVE you 10% on your ENTIRE order!  Plus, anything over $30 ships for FREE!

I hope you come join me on my YT Channel or over on MEWE🤗

Thanks so much for stopping by and make it a scrapy day!

Kimberly

*Opened to US residents only, ends 10/31/21

Water color background and New Mermaid Flairs!

Hey guys, I wanted to share a layout I did using Scrappin Happy Studio's new Mermaid Flairs!  These are so cute and the colors are amazing!  Jenny (the owner of the shop) makes all of her flairs by hand and does special orders so if you are working on a layout or a card and want that extra pop or personalization for that special someone...just ask and she would be happy to do it!

Be sure to check out her site on Black Friday 2019 for amazing 50% OFF her ENTIRE store including her newest collections!

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Now, on to the layout!  I started with some Oxide inks, using some water and the paint brush technique to bring this water color background to life.  I'm not going to lie, I've tried this several times and most of them turned out to be disasters! I really had to take my time and really work with the water and colors to get the look I was going for.

After using clear Gesso on my white card stock paper and let completely dry, I dabbed the inks on to wax paper, - a cheap trick of mine that I use for mixed media stuff and just regular glueing down stuff.  Dollar store score! The clean up is easy and you can use one piece several times depending on how messy you are!  I applied the ink to the wax paper (one color at a time) I spritz with water and started dipping my paint brush and adding small amounts of both water and paint to the paper.  Once I got one color the way I wanted it I moved on to the other colors.  Using this technique you have to be careful not to move the paper around too much or you will get a drip effect which isn't what I was going for.

I ended up stamping the background with a "fishing net" using Pearl White powder and Versacolor White Pigment ink, it's very faint but in the right light you can see it and it looks amazing.  I pulled all of the ephemera items I wanted to use, added some wood veneer sea life, some mermaid stickers (dollar store score) and some cut aparts from one of my pages in a paper pad and stamped and fussy cut some little mermaids.  Added my picture (backing it with velum paper that I inked in a sea foam blue and added some Nuvo drops and making sure I left room at the bottom for journaling and BAM! The finished layout!

I hope you like the layout and the cute Mermaid Collection from Scrappin Happy Studios!  Don't forget to click HERE for the chance to win $50 (Open on Wednesday 11/27/2019 ONLY so hurry) 

Click for some awesome deals!

Thanks for taking the time to read about this layout and the products I used.  Please come follow me on IG (ScrapbookingForNewbies) or on FB (ScrapbookingForNewbies)

Happy Scrapping!

Kimberly

Moments Worth Remembering - Layout #22 of the 365 scrapbook challenge and what lessons I learned with this layout

Hey Newbies,

I'm here working on number 22 of my 365 Page Layout Challenge 2019 (and the lessons I learned).  I will try to list everything I used below and try to link up to where you can purchase them if you happen to like any of them.

Today I'm doing one of my challenges that I found on a FB group from the UK (yeap, still counting it as part of my challenges.)😬  This one was very specific about what was required.  It required mixed media, BIG stencil work and stitching, which I've never done😱...which was pretty cool because learning new stuff is awesome!

I started off with a heavy red card stock for the background.  I took some white 12x12 card stock, cut it down by an inch on each side and used white gesso on it to do some mixed media work.  After it dried, I did the tear technique at the top before starting the mixed media work.


I used one of my favorite heart stencils and used glass bead gel, it's messy and takes a bit to get the technique down but I do love it.  I used my heat gun to try and dry it but had to let it set to fully dry...so this layout took a while to do.

After the gel dried I made a heart stencil (out of a cardboard) and stenciled the big heart using my ink blending tool by Tim Holtz and blended the ink around the stencil using Stamp Craft Ink in "RED" I bought at Michaels.  I also used smaller heart stencils in the middle of the larger heart using red acrylic paint and the same blending tool. 

I didn't want to leave the paper white, I'm not a huge fan of a lot of white space in my layouts.  I do them every so often when I "lift" an amazing layout  I see on IG.  So I took my blending tool and blended some more of the acrylic paint all around, making sure I don't mess with the glass beads, those are super delicate so I used Distressed spray stain in ABANDONED CORAL on them.

I used my heart punched to punch out some hearts in the same red card stock I used for the background and one out of gold foil paper (I purchased from Michaels, it goes on sale a lot so wait for it).   I backed the one red heart at the top with the gold heart and did my journaling.  I did the stitching on the single heart at the bottom.  Not bad for my first time and no sewing machine!

The photos I backed with black card stock and some of the gold foil paper.  I wanted to pull some of the black out of his shirt and add some other color other than the reds because it was starting to look a bit...red🤷🏻‍♀️.  I used foam backing for the pictures to give some dimension to them and also it's hard for anything to stick to the glass beading so I had to use the foam.

I added the "LOVE" sticker in between the photos to pull more of the black out.  That was from a very old stash and I have no idea where I got those words because I love them!  It's got kind of a rough texture to it...If you guys find them anywhere please leave a comment, I would love to buy some more of those!

I then used the words NEW, ARRIVAL, HELLO, CUTE, on top of the red hearts to pull more of the gold color out and seriously, how cute is this new arrival anyways!  These are so awesome and I WILL be purchasing more of them!  They are Gold Foam Letters from Thickers Goldie (151) collection!  

I sprayed the entire page with Perfect Pearls Mist from Ranger in PERFECT COPPER.  It is one of my favorite colors!!!!

Finally, I used the EACH CHILD IS UNIQUE... and MOMENTS WORTH REMEMBERING from The paper Studio - Children Phrases I purchased from Michaels.

Well, there you have it...number 21 of my 365 layout challenge for 2019.  I tried to link up what I used in case you wanted to try any of them.  Thanks for following along on my journey of 365 scrapbook page challenge that I am doing, and reading about the lessons I'm learning along the way!  Please leave a comment below on what you liked about the layout and if you want to follow me on my 365 challenge please subscribe!

Come join my FB page for more challenges and to share your layouts with the group or come follow me on IG!  

Happy Scrapping🤗

Kimberly

We are a Latte Like - Layout #21 of the 365 scrapbook challenge and what lessons I learned with this layout

Hey Newbies,

I'm here working on number 21 of my 365 Page Layout Challenge 2019 (and the lessons I learned).  I will try to list everything I used below and try to link up to where you can purchase them if you happen to like any of them.

I decided to do a coffee card today!  Those gals over at Coffee Loving Papercrafters FB group are so inspiring and it's all about coffee and I LOVE coffee!

This layout was pretty simple and quick!  I started off with a digi download.  If you don't know what a digi download is click here to read my blog about them.  I found these cutie pies at Crafting Desert Divas website. 

I downloaded them and then re-sized them, each a little different.  The Christmas coffee cups on each side is ribbon that I got from an amazing haul from Joann's!  I glued them down and had to lay them flat for a while because this ribbon is made of a burlap material so it was hard to keep it glued down.  

After the ribbon stayed put, I cut a pice of brown card stock for the face of the card.   I used some brown ink and went around the edges with my ink blending tool.  

I had these awesome alphas that are actually black and gold(ish) in a weave pattern that matched well.  I added 2 sticky brads, adhered the ginger girl and boy with foam dots to give it some dimension, then added the YOU WARM MY HEART stamp at the bottom (next to the...shall I say it...gingerbread cake😱).  

Lastly, and here comes LESSON 1 for this layout, I didn't measure correctly!  I had to improvise so I cut a strip from a border I had and placed it at the top.  It had gold(ish) brown diamonds and it worked!  So...DON'T FORGET TO MEASURE PROPERLY🤦🏻‍♀️ 

Well, there you have it...number 21 of my 365 layout challenge for 2019.  Thanks for following along on my journey of 365 scrapbook page challenge that I am doing, and reading about the lessons I'm learning along the way!  

Please join our FB page for more challenges and to share your layouts with the group or come follow me on IG!  

Happy Scrapping🤗

Kimberly

Today Seriously - Layout #13 of the 365 scrapbook challenge and what lessons I learned with this layout

Hey Newbies,

I'm here working on number 13 of my 365 Page Layout Challenge 2019 (and the lessons I learned).  I will try to list everything I used below and try to link up to where you can purchase them if you happen to like any of them.

Today I did this 12 x 12 layout using one of my new HOT BUY pads from Michael's.  If you don't know what a HOT BUY is let me tell you.  Every quarter or so Michael puts these HOT BUYS on sale.  They are 12 x 12 pads or pocket cards, or envelopes/cards and these items are nothing to sneeze about!  They are the real deal!  They are usually $19.99 but when they go on sale they are only $5 or buy one get 2 FREE!  

So this layout I started off with one particular pad and then added scraps from an really old stash (I would say that was lesson #1 but that was a few blogs ago...ALWAYS KEEP YOUR SCRAPES)!

This pad is gorgeous!  If you read my blogs you know I love shinny and this pad has it!  You also know I hate fussy cutting but I will do it.  One of the papers had the beautiful flower on it with gold accents and I knew I wanted to use it.  I did some fussy cutting and it came out pretty good, but it took a while.  That same page had a gold border around it so I cut the page in half and then cut the border out and used it as part of the backing of the page.  The rest of the gold border I used around my photo as well as a gold foil card that came in the pad (I'm telling you...so much bling)!  I used a 12 x 12 card stock from the other HOT BUY pad for the first layer, and then used a scrap of yellow to pull some of the gold accents on the page and yellow out of the picture.  I found a black and gold polkadot card that matched my shirt (that was pretty awesome) and used to back the photo as well.  The border came from a really old stash and I thought pulled it all together.

Now for the title.  I saw a video on how to use glitter and your X-yron sticker machine (I have 2 and love them both)!  I put the wording upside down and ran it through the X-yron and made the top of the word sticky.  I dumped some gold glitter on top of it and BAM! Instant gold wording (and more bling)!

The last thing I did was use some Shimmerz Paints VIBEZ in GLORIOUS DAY...it has a sparkle to it and went perfectly with the gold accents on the paper!  If you have never used Shimmerz products...I highly recommend them.  There are a few different types that do different things to your layouts and you definitely have to know what they do before using them!  Missy Whidden has a YOUTUBE video (click here) that goes over a few things about using the different ones.  I'm still having a little bit of a learning curve on the whole splatters thing...some times it comes out great and other times...not so much (but that's for an upcoming blog...)

Thanks for following along on my journey of 365 scrapbook page challenge that I am doing, and reading about the lessons I'm learning along the way!

Please join our FB page for more challenges and to share your layouts with the group or come follow me on IG!  

Happy Scrapping🤗

Kimberly

It's a Good Day - Layout #11 of the 365 scrapbook challenge and what lessons I learned with this layout

Hey Newbies,
I'm here working on my 365 Page Layout Challenge.  I will try to list everything I used below and try to link up to where you can purchase them if you happen to like any of them.

This was a special day in more ways than one.  It was my birthday (and brother-in-laws, sister's and mom's husband) are all in September, so we try to get together at my mom's in Florida for a few days to celebrate.  
For my birthdays, my sister gave me a very special key chain with the MS logo on it.  She knows how hard I struggle with this disease.  No matter what her struggles are (and she has a few with an autistic son), she sees mine and that meant a lot!  We had such a great time together this year!
I started out with this amazing paper that I have had for a while.  It's a 12 x 12 paper pad I got from Michaels (Hot Buy!!!) called WRITE YOUR HEART by Craft Smith.  It has such amazing papers in it.  There wasn't much for me to add to this layout.

I started by backing the photo with green card stock paper and with a card that came in the paper pad...and here it is; LESSON #1 - adhering your picture should probably be the very last thing you do.  For me, personally, it will be for now on.  I have ruined 3 photos (luckily they were not my "throw back" photos from way back when.  You know, the ones that you only have the original copy because there were no such thing as camera phones back in my day, so there is no reprinting it.  I have managed to get shimmers, glitter and glue on my photos by not watching what I am doing.  Even when I don't think I have anything on my hand/arm, somehow glue manages to get on the photo.  So this girl will be mounting her picture last from now on.  

I did some splatters using my new Shimmerz Vibes in GLORIOUS DAY on the background (I struggled on whether to use a white or the Glorious Day and I picked the Glorious Day but as it dried and with the embellishments I think I should have went with the White - - and here comes LESSON #2; use a test paper of the same color/design.  Don't be in such a hurry that you don't have time to wait until it is completely dry before making the decision- - just sayin.

Recently I purchased some nestling dies from  Spellbinders and cut circles with my Big Shot die cut machine as well as using my 3" circle punch for one of them.  

Side note: Here is a pic of my new Big Shot...Can I tell you how much I L-O-V-E the Big Shot!  So well worth the money!!!  

The paper that I cut the circles out came from the same paper pad (I told you, I didn't use much with this layout).

I did some hidden journaling by printing on another card from, you guessed it, the same paper pad!  I fussy cut the card out from one of the pages and I cut it in half and then put tape to a piece of 81/2 x 11 paper and ran it through the printer.  I put parchment paper over it to semi-hide the journaling and secured it with a pink brad.  I also found the border from the same pack of paper - I'm telling you guys, if you can find this pack you should purchase it!  It is so versatile!  

I used a pink heart flair from one of my all time fav flair shops...Scrappin Happy Studios, check out her Etsy store, she has new lines coming out all the time and they are amazing and she does special orders!  

 The  puffy stickers "YOU CAN DO THIS", was from Bella Blvd (MAKE YOUR MARK collection); "THIS IS REAL" & "HAPPY MOMENTS" puffy sticker from PinkFresh Studio (BE YOU collection), glitter sprinkles (pink) dots from Doodlebug Designs.  The "CELEBRATE: pink and gold sticker was from The Paper Studio, (AGENDA 52 collection, purchased at Hobby Lobby) and the gold hearts from Crate Paper - OASIS collection

Like I said this layout was pretty simple with this awesome pad of 12 x 12 paper!  I hope this inspired you to get up and get scrapping!  Super quick and easy and only a few embellishments and still have a great layout!

I linked up all of the items I used above in the article, so if something gets you excited, you will be able to find it!

Thanks for following along on my journey of 365 scrapbook page challenge that I am doing, and reading about the lessons I'm learning along the way!

Please join our FB page for more challenges and to share your layouts with the group or come follow me on IG!  

Happy Scrapping🤗

Kimberly

Love, One Day At A Time - #9 of my 365 layout challenge for 2019

Hey there Newbies!  Here is layout number 9 of my 365 pages of layouts for this year (that's my challenge I gave myself and I am a couple of pics behind but I'm going to make it!).

This picture was taken this past summer when we spent a few days in PCB (Panama City Beach, Florida).  We lucked out in a couple of ways.  We found the 10th floor condo on Air BNB.  Kevin and his wife were amazing, when they found out it was my mom's birthday that week they let us check in early and check out late.  We also lucked out because we missed that hurricane that went through there less than a month later!  Their place was untouched, but the City South of them wasn't so lucky - we kept everyone in our thoughts/prayers.

I kept this layout pretty simple because the picture is so amazing...that sunset is just breathtaking!

I started out with 12 x 12 card stock and then cut a corner from another light yellow card stock and glued it to the upper left corner, leaving just a little bit of the bottom card stock showing.
I have a heart shaped stencil (purchased from Amazon) that I've never used before and thought I would try it on this layout.  I used chalk and a finger dauber to stencil it on to both backgrounds.  It's very faint, almost like a water mark.  I liked how it turned out using the chalk!  This is a technique I never tried before - and here is lesson #1; don't be afraid to try new techniques that you have either seen or thought up yourself.  I've done a lot of them and a lot of them haven't worked out (think mists as splatters...nope, a mist is HIGHLY water based so don't even try it).  But this particular technique with the chalk and stencil I saw and wanted to try it and it worked!

I mounted the photo on some old card stock scrap I had - and here comes lesson #2; never throw out scraps!  Even the tiniest ones you want to try and keep.  This is an expensive hobby and supplies are not cheap so if you think you can use it down the line....keep it!  I also used the scrap from the light yellow paper I just used for the corner piece as a second backing to my photo as well as some foam squares to give it a little dimension. 

The darker background had a flower watermarked into it and it went with the theme and it really made the second yellow back ground of the photo and the photo itself POP with color!  I had a really old stash of beach puffy stickers and finally got to use them!  They all went beautifully with this layout.  I wish I had the original packaging but I don't so I can't tell you the name of them.  Trust me, if I knew I would buy more of it.  I'm sure it was from Michael's but it was a while ago so doubt they would even have it now.  

Before I adhered the puffy stickers I did some splatters using Radiant Pearls in MINT JULEP.  After I let it dry (COMPLETELY) I started laying out the stickers.


The "YOLO" and "XOXO" gold acrylic mirror stickers are from PinkFresh Studio. The "Quality Time" was from Jillibean Soup, (COLD AVOCADO SOUP collection).  The clear "IMAGINE", Heart with swirls (on pic) stickers were from The Paper Studio - CHILDREN PHRASES Sticker pack. The "LOVING THIS LIFE, "VACATION MODE", "LET'S GO" were all from Crate Paper - OASIS collection (I did add color to them to match the layout). Finally the "DREAM" sticker was from One Canoe Two (I just like saying that...One Canoe Two), HAZELWOOD collection.

I linked up all of the items I used above in the article, so if something gets you excited, you will be able to find it!

If anyone is looking for a condo right on the beach with AMAZING VIEWS and 2 pools, call Kevin, 229-516-2277 and see if it is available.  I highly recommend that area! 

Thanks for following along on my journey of 365 scrapbook page challenge that I am doing, and reading about the lessons I'm learning along the way!

Please join our FB page for more challenges and to share your layouts with the group or come follow me on IG!  

Happy Scrapping🤗

Kimberly

  

#7 of my 365 Layout Challenge 2019, and the lessons I've learned -Coffee, All Bummed Out

Hey guys, As you know I have challenged myself to 365 pages of layouts for 2019 (being 12x12, 6x6, cards, what ever project gets me going is what I am counting).  

I started this challenge this year because I wanted to complete an album I have been working on for my son that I had started this summer.  It's from the time he was born until he graduated from High School.  Then a few other life events came up like, he got married, I have a new grand baby, my daughter-in-law graduated College, so the albums started adding up and I knew if I didn't start challenging myself I wouldn't get his done.  As of right now, it has its own zip code!  Which means I have to get to a cut off point soon.

I started to get burned out on just doing that one album because of all of the amazing photos I was taking and being sent of my new grand baby and life in general.  So I started doing pages of other albums which really brings me to why I started the 3-6-5 Challenge. I have to get to scrappin! 

This is number 7 of my 2019 Challenge.  It's Titled - COFFEE, ALL BUMMED OUT.  This layout is pretty funny because every time I'm visiting my mom in Florida I some how get on a Starbucks kick or, um, obsession if you will.  It drives her crazy (she's not a big Starbucks fan).  I could sniff out a Starbucks a mile away!  Needless to say, most of the time they were iced lattes in that Florida heat and they just didn't last long enough😕

I started this layout using a technique I saw on YouTube by Nancy Stamps.  The stuff you can do with Versamark is amazing!  I actually had a jar of this shimmer powder stuff that I got in a mystery bag that I purchased not too long ago and had no clue what it was for until I watched her video.  

I used it with the Versamark  and my stamp set from Ink Road Stamps to make my own background.  To do this I also used some Shimmerz Paints in VIBEZ EGG NOGGIN, CREAMEEZ GREAT FRUIT, Shimmeringz -  BRONZED BOMBSHELL and a few splatters of Inklingz BAHAMA MAMMA,  using the packaging and splatters techniques.    I mean look at this Shimmer!  I used an off white heavy card stock with some clear gesso prior to using the Shimmerz and Versamark. 

Of course this blog wouldn't be mine if I didn't have some lessons in it so here is LESSON #1, when using a shimmer powder...it's best to NOT cover the entire page with it (unless that's the look you are going for).  Me, I just wanted the latte cups to shimmer but this was the first time using this powder and I didn't know what I was doing and it got everywhere!  But I'm not gonna lie, I liked it so I used it instead of trashing it.

After making the background, I backed the photos with Pink Paislee -TURN THE PAGE - 6x6 paper collection. 

I found this amazing paper and sticker page from A Cherry On Top Echo Park coffee collection!  The colors of the paper pack were to die for and it matched perfectly with the sticker page! 

I took  some of the paper from Echo Park to do a die cut of a latte cup using my Big Shot and journaled on it!  I loved the way it turned out!

So I used a lot of stickers from this collection.  There were a ton of little stickers that fit perfectly on the "sleeve" of my stamped latte cup!  I thought that was awesome!

I also punched out a heart from one of my Starbucks packages and then added some awesome epoxy flairs from ScrappinHappyStudio.  Guys, if you like flairs, her collection is AMAZING!  She has everything from coffee to kids sayings, to hearts to SPECIAL ORDERS!  I highly recommend her Etsy Shop!

I finished this layout with the ALL BUMMED OUT clear sticker that I in my stash.

Well there you have it, #7 of my 365 day layout challenge that I'm doing in 2019.  I hope you liked it and thanks for following me on this challenge.  I will always try to link up to the items I've used so that if you like something you can find it (and if I can get a discount for you I will link that up too)!

Please come join us on our FB page so you can share all of your layouts and projects, we would love to see them,  We are Scrapbooking For Newbies but we have some experts on our page as well to give us pointers and show some new techniques off!  We keep it a closed group so if you are working on a special album for someone they won't be able to see your work until you are ready to give it to them!  Or come follow me on IG, there are always challenges, giveaways and fun techniques to discover!

As always, Happy Scrapping🤗

Kimberly

What spending freeze???

Ok, so I know I said I was on a spending freeze for this year.  That was my New Year's Resolution and like most New Year's Resolutions (think joining the gym and working out every day)...it lasted for 3 weeks.  Yeap, Three l-o-n-g weeks!   

I went to PetSmart today to pick up some cat food and of course right next door is Joanne's.  I said to myself, self, just go in and browse, you don't need to buy anything, just browse I said.  So in I went and out I came with a new stash of AWESOMENESS for...wait for it...UNDER $20.00 and NO coupon!

They had all of their Christmas stuff 90% off.  Why is that a big deal for a scrapbooking person you ask.  Well, my mind sees stuff and even if it's not specifically in the scrapbook isle or designated for scrapbooking (think, thread, small wooden words, ribbon...you get the idea).  I'm always saying to myself, self, would this work for a layout?  All of the stuff of course would!

Here is my haul from Joann's.  If you have a Joann's I suggest you run there tomorrow before it is all gone! (apparently there is some technical difficulty with uploading the entire video so if you want to see the rest click here to head over to my FB page).

I hope you enjoyed this little haul video and I hope you are able to find a crazy deal like this in one of your go to stores!  Remember, just because it doesn't say "scrapbooking" doesn't mean you can't use it for a layout.  Let your mind go crazy!  If it doesn't work out, start over and what did you waste? Thirty-nine cents and a little time...but how fun if it does work!  You just scored!

Thanks for following me on my journey down this fun world of scrapbooking!  Follow us on IG or Facebook to join in some of our challenges or to share your stuff and give some tips!  We are open to everyone (Newbies or experts...we love when you experts join us and give us a little more knowledge on how to do some awesome techniques)!

Happy Scrappin🤗

Kimberly

Post Christmas Sales!

Hey guys! Do you ever have one of those moments when you just want to kick yourself for not waiting?  Well this is one of my moments.  Who knew there would be SO MANY post Christmas Sales going on in all of the scrapbooking, mixed media stores that I love?  Not me that's who!  

I figured that Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the couple of days before Christmas was the prime time to hit the stores that I love and get the best deals, but low and behold it was not.  It is the after Christmas sales that one should wait for when restocking all of your shimmerz, tools, papers, specialty papers, stencils, dies and cool machines!  Although on the machines (think Cricut Air 2 because that's what I've had my eye on for a couple of months now), they pretty much have stayed the same sale price since Black Friday.  Still an awesome deal but I haven't taken the blunge and if I don't do it within the next couple of days I will have to wait until next year.

I guess I will chalk this up to experience...but hey, don't think I didn't buy anything on these awesome after Christmas sales...because I did!  Now I just have to find a place to hide all of those boxes from the husband!

So what are some of your favorite one line or big box stores to restock your scrapbooking and card making craft room?  Leave me a comment below.  I will post some after Christmas Sales on my FB page as well so make sure to join it so you can find the best deals fast before they are gone!

Happy Scraping!

Kimberly 

Why choose a name like Scrapbooking for Newbies?

Hey Newbies, I hope your day has been filled with lots of scrapbooking layouts and card making for the special people in your life!

I wanted to touch base on why I named this Blog and my FB and IG pages Scrapbooking For Newbies.  Well, I don't share this on my pages but I have MS (Multiple Sclerosis) which basically is a disease that makes your body attack itself. In the case of MS it's the Mylan sheath (which is what surrounds your central nervous system (CNS)) that is being attacked.  When your body attacks itself, it puts holes in the Mylan which is what protects your CNS.  When this happens your spinal cord and brain start suffering, become damaged and don't communicate.  There is no cure and the meds only slow down the progression.  There are lots of symptoms to MS (let me say that again...LOTS of symptoms), one being cognitive.

Some times my cognitive issues go from non existent to mild to I'm not sure what my name is.  So naming my Blog Scrapbooking for Newbies sounded fitting because even though I'm learning new stuff, I'll pretty much be a Newbie the entire time.  I may learn new stuff but may not retain it all which means I have to go back and read notes, watch videos or just jump in and hope I get the technique right (or maybe make a new one, which would be awesome)!

The second reason is, I know that there are a lot of new scrapbookers who get a little intimidated by the other sites because most are experts creating these awesome layouts and cards and have fancy cameras and picture boxes so that their finished product looks amazing.  I'm not knocking them for this, I actually want to become one of those experts one day!

Also, some (most) sites won't let you do challenges or post your layout (because come on, don't we want to share our awesomeness, our one of a kind creations with the world)?  I know I did and since I couldn't find anywhere to do that at I started my Facebook group - Scrapbooking for Newbies.  I also put the word out that anyone can join not just newbies!  We love to get feedback from other scrapers and learn new things, like mixed media!  Who knew!?!?!  

So those are the reasons for naming my Blog and other social media platforms Scrapbooking For Newbies.  I'm hoping you come join us on this journey of learning new stuff, meeting new scrapers and getting some answers to questions on new techniques.  I can tell you, my IG page is full of experts who love to give great advice and helpful hints when ever you ask, so feel free to join me there as well!

Thanks for visiting my Blog and hope to see you on my IG and Fb pages!

Happy Scraping!
Kimberly

Blog Hops and what are they?

  

Hey there Newbies, so today lets talk about Blog hops.
This month I learned about blog hops from Amy Tsuruta  at Coffee Loving Cardmakers! This site is all about card making and Coffee loving and who doesn't love that combo?  (Click here for the link to the actual hop).  They put hops on a couple of times a year, so if you sign up for their news letter or follow their facebook page you will be able to join them next go around!

I stumbled upon Amy's blog via Facebook and was intrigued!  I've never heard of a blog hop nor have I ever made a card so I said to myself, self, why not.  So I did and how fun was it... so much!

You make a card, submit it by uploading it to their site and then winners are randomly picked.  You hop from card to card and make comments (which was one way of winning a prize) visit the sponsor sites, join in on conversations via facebook and keep in touch via her blog and facebook.  The best thing of the entire hop...seeing these beautiful handmade cards that really inspire you.  

I didn't think I had a chance being a newbie and all but I had so much fun figuring out how to make one and learning about digital downloads (that's for another blog another time) and getting to know all of these awesome, coffee loving people on this hop!  Amy was so helpful and took time out of her super busy schedule to help me!

There were thousands of cards (I believe the final count was a little over 1,300!).  There were over 70 sponsors and are you ready for this...I actually won a prize!  I couldn't believe it!  The sponsor I won from was Whimsy Stamps and I was so excited!  This is my entry...

Not too bad for a Newbie (if I do say so myself).  

Well, that's a little info on blog hops and I hope you take some time to visit Coffee Loving Cardmakers! Blog site and learn some awesome ways to make cards.  Oh, one more thing, their Facebook page is always posting S-A-L-E-S from a lot of different crafting sites and who doesn't love saving money!

I hope you enjoyed this blog about blog hops.  Be sure to follow me for more info on scrapbooking and card making stuff for Newbies.  Come join us Newbies on Facebook (it is a closed group only because most of us are working on scrapbook pages that we intend to give as gifts and don't want to spoil the surprise).

Happy Scraping!

Kimberly