GGS October Trade Mini Album

I've been ever so late getting this mini completed. I'm generally not soooo behind with my projects. But, I did go on vacation for a week and then we have the holiday and all the prep that goes with that. So now I'm trying to get caught up with my projects.

This mini was inspired and influenced by many of my wonderful scrapping' sistahs. It never would have come to life without them. Each project becomes the perpetuation of the techniques and ideas each of our sistahs share with us. I could spend all my waking hours in the Craft Cave with my projects. I feel such a wonderful sense of satisfaction when a project is done and on its way to its new home.

I always think of the buttons from my mother's button box on each project as I send them far and wide. A little piece of my family's history is tucked inside each project. How wonderfully terrific is that. I know the essence of my mother influences each project as I add her buttons. I love making the tags and thinking that perhaps the tags will stay with the mini or that the new owner will use them on another project. I know that as each individual makes the mini "her own", with pictures and journal entries, the beauty of the album increase exponentially.

I hope you enjoy viewing this mini. TTFN

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

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Holiday

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!

Christmas morning has opened with lots of smiles and laughter. The Perfect Princes Dylan and Austin have opened their gifts, we've had a marvelous family breakfast and now I'll cook Christmas dinner. Tomorrow the rest of our children and grandchildren will be joining us for more celebration. Christmas Eve we celebrated with Jim's mom and Gene. We are blessed to still have them with us. They continue to weather the storms of ill health so very well. What a great holiday we share. We are blessed to share the love and warmth of family. This Christmas we have it all.

I've been a bit retrospective this year. I've been thinking of the strength we have been given through our friends at this time in years past:
the Christmas we celebrated at home when Scott and Autumn so bravely served our country in Iraq and were unable to be with us, our friends helped alleviate our concerns by keeping us on a positive track -
the Christmas season Jim's mom was diagnosed with cancer and helped us adjust to her cancer by sharing her upbeat and positive attitude -
the Christmas Day my father succumbed to cancer and passed away, our friends and family carried us beyond our sorrow and into the blessings of Christmas.

What a wonder it is to have family and friends to give you strength, to share the delicious times and to uplift you in the difficult times. I only hope that I can give as much to others as they have given to me.

This year I have been blessed to have new friendships change my life - my sistahs from the {Scrap} Beach. What a wonder it is to have found these caring, giving women. So many women who live by the philosphy to "Pay it forward". I thank you all for being a positive changing force in my life. In the coming year, it is my hope to follow in your example and "Pay it forward".

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Projects - unfinished

Wow, what a busy time of the year. I've decided it takes me way longer to finish creating my trade minis than the normal scrappin' sistah. I'm finishing up my trade mini for Ashton in OK. I've been working on it for about a month, sheesh. I have to complete the front & back covers and binding. Then I'll do a vid. I love how this mini evolved.
I used so much from others in this mini. The idea for using pix of vintage seed packets from Kathryn, the fantastic flower technique and Tattered Angel Gimmer Mists from Velma, flourishes sent to me by Roseanne, envelope pocket designs by Marion, Laura and Samantha, fibers from the TWS fiber swap, etc. I never could make a mini if it weren't for the generosity of others in sharing techniques, ideas and products. I love working on my projects; but, this time of the year it seems as though time is much too short. I had hoped to get it in the mail before this week; but, alas alack it didn't happen.
I have so many other projects to start/finish. Tags for Roseanne, Joyce & Steff, a very special mini for Velma, laces to Karina, a mini album for a give-away at the February {Scrap} Beach Virtual Crop and the list continues. I'm not going to sign up for any mini trades for a bit until I finish the honorariums I want to share with others. I absolutely love to have projects "in the hopper" and find myself thinking after I've gone to bed just how I'll be puttling them together. My mind just works faster than my hands.
Alita Long won the November {Scrap} Beach Virtual Crop give away. She sent the most gracious acknowledgment and thank you. It touched my heart to know that she will treasure this mini as a part of her personal collection. Time to go into the Craft Cave to work on my projects - what great fun.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Return to the Real World

Scrubby and I just returned from Thanksgiving week in Florida. No internet, no scrappin' just lots of food, golf and relaxing. We actually went shopping at MIDNIGHT on Thanksgiving Day. Quite the adventure, I must say. I found the most terrific Scrapbook supplies while shopping. I'm anxious to add some of them to my "in progress" projects. And am inspired to start some new projects. While our sojourn in Florida was super great, I'm glad to get back to the Craft Cave, Life on the {Scrap} Beach and my projects.
I recently received an RAK from Velma (of the famed Velma Flower technique) and I am anxious to make a vid of the amazing box of goodies she sent. I have three, count them three, kits from Tiffany to open and vid also. I should be able to get the vids made this week. I'm all a twitter to open the kits and check out the entire box of RAK goodies from Velma. Life is good!! Scrappin' Sistahs are the best!!
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Altered Cigar Boxes

I have been asked if I alter cigar boxes in any other way except to accomodate mini albums. I have altered cigar boxes and made purses. I put together a slide show of these purses. When I finish all my "mini" projects I will make other purses as they were quite fun.

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

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Veterans' Day

I thought it appropriate to thank my son, Scott and his wife, Autumn, for the years of military service they have provided to our country. They are terrific individuals and I am ever so proud of them.

My son and his wife have served our Country in times of peace and in times of conflict. They continue to serve, often putting their personal goals aside. I recognize and honor their willingness to serve, protect and defend. Freedom is never free.

Thank you for watching.

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

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Scrap Beach November Virtual Crop Mini

I've posted the vids of the Give Away Mini I created for the November Virtual Crop. Kathryn will be hosting on 11/07/2009 at 9:00pm EST. I really love the way this project looks. I alway feel gratified when a completed project turns out well. I would love to keep this one in my "collection" and fill it with pix and journaling. I hope the winner will enjoy her new aquisition.

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

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Nostalgia

I've finished the Virtual Crop Mini and will be finishing up the altered box today. It is a tradition of mine, to add buttons from my mother's button box to my projects. I was looking for buttons to add to the altered box and a tremendous feeling of nostalgia hit me. As I look through the mass of buttons my mother saved, I always get the feeling she's watching as I "discover" the beauty in her individual buttons. There are so many, that I constantly find another one with a neat, unique shape, interesting dimension or distinctive color. As I look at my finished projects, I feel fortunate to have this treasure to add and a deep sense of pride. Using these buttons brings warm memories of my childhood when, as my mother sewed and repaired our clothing, I would sit on the floor next to her and look through this button box. As I send off my projects, I think of the visual pleasure adding these buttons brings. I think, in my way, I'm paying honor to my mother for giving me her love and sacrificing for our family.I hope others have an appreciation of the "history" of the buttons on my projects.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Laura Denison's Breast Cancer Silent Auction

This is a must see and do. Laura (Following the Paper Trail) sent out Pink Kits to volunteers who offered to make minis for a silent auction to benfit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Vids of some of the minis are on YouTube and they are amazing.

Here's the info:
The silent auction will take place on her blog. The photo's of the mini's will go up on Halloween! Once they are up the bidding will start! Bidding will end at 6 pm Pacific Time on November 7th. High bidders will be notified after Nov. 7th. They will then go to the event web page set up at the Susan G. Komen Foundation "Passioantely Pink for a Cure" site to make a donation in the amount of their bid. High bidders will receive the mini from the creator as a thank you for their donation!

Be sure to check out her blog:
http://followingthepapertrail.blogspot.com/

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Virtual Crop 11/07/2009 Give Away Mini

I've finished the Give Away Mini and have uploaded the "Chronicles" to YouTube.

I'm working on the altered box for the mini and will post a vid when that project is complete.

Hope you enjoy the vids.

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

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Supplies at the Right Price

I thought I would take a minute and blog about some great supplies I use.

The first info is about the "acetate" I use. This product does everything acetate does except you can't put it through a printer. The product is by Grafix and it's called Dura-Lar (the acetate alternative). The best buy on this is a tablet of 9 x 12sheets for #11.39. The estimated S & H is $7.50.

The URL is http://www.shopatron.com/home/index/527.0.
Pad (25 shts) 005 Dura-Lar Clear 9x12"

Dura Lar is an archival, non tearing, non yellowing polyester film. Available in a variety of thicknesses and finishes including Clear, Matte, Pressure Sensitive, and Metallized Silver & Gold.

Another great buy is at http://www.scrapbookingalley.com/ellison-sizzix.htm
Grafix Medium Weight 12x12 Chipboard Sheets, 25/Pkg. Price: $6.35 with no S & H.

Just thought I would pass this info along.

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

TWS October Mini Trade

When I returned home from the grocery this morning, waiting on my doorstep was the most wonderful package - my TWS October Trade Mini from Sandra. IRL it is a most fabulous mini. I love, love, love it. I will post a vid after I've added pictures. In the meantime, here's the vid that Sandra made. I hope she posts a tutorial for the stained glass window technique. I love swaps. It's so much fun getting to know someone through their projects. Sandra did a beautiful job with the tiniest of details in this mini. I just can't wait to fill it. Thank you so very much Sandra.

TTFN - Live long & prosper,
Weezie

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Homemade Glimmer Mist

A great video tutorial for Homemade Glimmer Mist is Roseanne's YouTube Tutorial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFeiSTHlknc)

Supplies Needed:

Mini Mister (or other spray bottle)
Distress Ink Re-Inker (optional)
Perfect Pearls (This is important because Perfect Pearls have a binder in them so the sparkle stays and doesn't rub off. If you use another powdered pigment product, you will have to add some sort of binder to it - gum arabic, hairspray, etc.)
Water or Isopropyl Alcohol
Popsicle Stick

It's so simple to do:
1. Put a scoop (or two) of Perfect Pearls into an empty Mini Mister.

You can use a popsicle stick to scoop. It's really just a pinch of Perfect Pearls.
The more Perfect Pearls you put in, the more shiny your spray will be. And you can use gold, silver, copper, green, blue, whatever color of Perfect Pearls you'd like. It will color your mist a bit, which is fun.

2. Put several drops of re-inker into your Mini Mister. You can use as much or as little as you want. I like to use one dropper full. I also make Glimmer Mist with just the Perfect Pearls and no re-inker. Experiment a bit for the effect you prefer.

3. Add water or isopropyl alcohol.
Be careful not to fill it up to the top because you will need to shake it up (to mix the Perfect Pearls, which settles at the bottom).

4. Shake that mist and you're ready to spray! I use my heat gun to heat set; but, it isn't necessary. I'm just not patient enough to wait for it to dry.

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

TWS October Mini Album Trade

I'm eight tags and one binding away from completing this project. This mini for Sandra was inspired by a comment she left me on one of the Virtual Crop page images I posted. The album is vintage but has a sleeker look than any others I have made. I really, really like the way it's coming together. I hope to get a vid done today and posted to YouTube. TTFN

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Okay - it's done here's the vid:

TWS Image Swap & CCC $10.00 Swap

I prepared to mail my images for the TWS Image Swap hosted by Kristen and I prepared to mail my items for the CCC $10.00 Swap. All packaged up and ready to go. Off the to post office I went. Well, what do you know, the post office is closed today, sheesh. I'll be mailing the packages tomorrow.

I just love swaps. The CCC $10.00 swap was fun. I tried to vary the items I chose for Karina - a few rub ons, some spare parts, some alphas, a bit of this, a bit of that. I took some pix and thought I would post them.

I used a retired Stampin' Up 2004 Father's day stamp for my image swap. It's one of my favorites. Sometimes it's difficult to find a stamp to use on masculine projects. This stamp works very well.

TTFN - Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Life on the {Scrap} Beach - September Virtual Crop - Vids

Woo hoo - I finally finished the vids of my minis with the September Virtual Crops Challenge Pages. I created these mini's with the thought of "Chicken Soup for the Soul" / "Words of Wisdom for Life" kind of theme.

Several things were different for these minis. The kit I used to create this album was a Girls Gone Scrappy kit I purchased and the pages were 4 x 6. The minis were going to be 6 x 6 pages. I added solid color paper to each page to make them 6 x 6. I wanted to use both sides of the double sided paper; so, I didn't mount the pages on chipboard. I did plan to mount the front & back covers and their inside pages on chipboard.

Originally, this was going to be one mini. When I started adding the pix the mini got chunkier and chunkier. Had to go to two minis. I already had my front & back covers made. I had not mounted the front & back covers or their inside pages.

I had to create new front and back covers for the second mini. As each of the facing pages had relating themes,I also needed to make an additional inside page for the back cover on the first album and an additional inside page for the front cover of the second album.

Going to my photo archive, the titles for these pages immediately jumped at me. So, the first mini closed with the page - "End Each Day With a Kiss". The second mini opened with - "Start Each Day With a Hug". I think maybe those are my favorite pages.

Hope you enjoy my Challenge Minis

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

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September Virtual Crop Mini Albums

I've finished the mini albums I created from the challenge pages of the September TWS Virutal Crop. I like how these minis came together. I've made one video; but, the battery ran out of juice on the handycam and I can't find the DC cord. Sheesh, as soon as I locate it, I'll be posting the two videos to YouTube. I have a couple of other minis I made a bit of time ago and would like to make vids of those (when I find the DC cord, that is.) Stay tuned it shouldn't be long now (I hope, I hope.)

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Life on the {Scrap} Beach - Virtual Crop 10/03/09

I finished all the challenges for the TWS Virtual Crop. As usual, I thought the challenges just couldn't prove to be pages I could use. But, once again I was wrong. Loved all the pages. Virtual Crop challenges always make me think outside my creative box. I love it. View and enjoy. I enjoyed making these pages. I'll be making another mini using them. First, I need to finish the minis I created from the last Virtual Crop pages and make a vid. (almost there) Second, I need to make a trade mini for Sandra. Already have done mental R & D. Third, put pix in the trade album I received from Lisa and make a vid. (Wow, already know what pix I'm going to use.) Guess for now that's my "laundry" list. So much scrapping to do - so little time.

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

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Virtual TWS Celebration Crop

I participated in my very first virtual crop. Wow, did I have fun or what. Finished all twelve challenges. Won a prize. Life is good.

Found out after the end of the challenges, that the #12 challenge was beyond my mortal understanding. I did my page; but, not according to the recipe furnished. Whoa is me. I'll be making another page for #12 challenge. Even though the time is "up". I want to get it right. I'll be posting a pix of the "right" and "wrong" along with the recipe. Maybe I'm really just seeking some approval????? Gonna go start working on that #12 Challenge. I'll be making a mini album with all the pages of the challenges. It should look pretty cool. I already have many of the pix choosen for the album. TTFN.

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Mini Trade Albums

I'll be dropping my GGS (to Jenny P) & TWS (to Mary Mc) Mini Trade Albums in the mail today or tomorrow. I can't wait for next month's mini trades. I hope to be able to take on two trades again. I loved doing two for September.

Life on the Scrap Beach is having a virtual scrap night this evening. Kathryn promises lots of fun challenges. I've never been able to participate in a virtual scrap event; but, tonite's the night. Scrubby and I have a dinner engagement; but, when I return home, I'll be logging on to scrap the night away. (Sleep is way over rated.)

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Mini Trade Albums

My Pink Martini Silent Auction Mini and Altered Cigar Box did very well at the Breast Cancer Fund Raiser, woo hoo. There was a lot of bidding activity. I felt very good about how my project was received.
I have completed my September Mini Trade Albums for GGS and TWS. The vids are done and they're ready to mail. Thought I would add the vids to my blog. I make both of these albums as envelope pocket page (a la Marion) albums. I had so much fun with these albums. I'm thinking I need to change up my next mini and move away from the vintage distress look. I seem to do a lot of that. Tata for now.

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

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Blog Candy Alert

Check out Laura's Blog candy -

http://followingthepapertrail.blogspot.com/

Here's what's in the kit:
(9) 12 x 12 papers for wing pockets, wings, and wing tags (mostly Bo Bunny and Basic Grey papers)
(6) 6 x 12 papers for wing tags
(4) 6 x 6 papers for accents
(5) 18" ribbons
(8) 36" fibers
Lots of Prima and "silk" flowers
(4) prs of special brads
(4) prs of colored brads
Bling, paper clips, buttons and lace
Chip board flourishes for accents and antennae
Pre-cut light chipboard wing bases
Instructions and templates

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Breast Cancer Silent Auction Mini

Here's my YouTube video of my mini. I delivered it tonite to the Silent Auction Committee. We'll see how much it brings.

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Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Silent Auction Mini Album

I have finished the Mini Album. I'll be posting the YouTube video as soon as it finishes uploading. Thought I would add a couple of pix of the final stages of the closure and binding as I changed it up a bit.

The binding is zip ties (cable ties) to which I added fibers and ribbons.



Instead of a paperclip on the hairtie for the closure, I used a short length of 30 guage wire.


Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Breast Cancer Silent Auction Mini

I've completed all the pages for the mini. I need to bind it and add the closure. I also need to alter the cigar box that will house the mini. I took some still pictures of the individual pages and cigar box. I'll be trying a new binding method and will post a video after I've bound the mini and finished the cigar box. I like the way the completed pages look and flow.



Live long & prosper, Weezie

Other Stuff

Now that my August trade album is complete, I need to return to my Breast Cancer Silent Auction project. I've got to have it done by Septemper 7. I've changed my mind about the project. I'm still doing the altered cigar box; but, now I'm going to put a mini album inside and some notecards with envelopes. I think that would be more appealing. The whole purpose is to donate an item(s) that would draw bids. I think the mini albums look great and people can easily visualize exactly how they would use them. Now on with the project. Tata for now.

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

GGS August Trade Album

I have finished my August Trade Album for Laura De La Rosa. I like the way this album turned out. I wanted to do a rather monochromatic album with simple but striking pages. I had this card stock from Club Scrap that just fit the bill - black, grey, white and lime green. It took me longer than I anticipated to complete this album because most of my work has a vintage and distressed look. IRL the album colors are very eye catching and the album looks just the way I envisioned it. Hope you like it.

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Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Wire and Bead Binding Tutorial

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Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Closure Tutorial

I've finished my August Trade Mini to the point I am adding the closure and completing the binding. I'm making tutorial vids for the closure and for the binding. I've posted the closure vid and will be working on the binding vid today.

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Take a look at what Steph's got up her sleeve - http://withagrin.blogspot.com/
Quoting Steph's blog:
"I finished my 'paper bag mini album' project and I'm super excited because I love how it turned out!! AND I'M GIVING IT AWAY AS BLOG CANDY!! heee ..{my 1st blog candy giveaway} So..this is my little way of saying "Hey Everyone!! Thanks for sharing all your techniques, beautiful projects and eye candy WITH ME!!"
So here's the super simple......
BLOG CANDY Details & Rules:
~ Please leave me a comment on this post! Feel free to share what your working on, what you recently bought, what new techniques you've learned --whatever! Just have fun! ;)
~ Add this post to YOUR wonderful blog!!! :) Don't have one? no worries... let me know in your comments how you will spread the word!
~ And.. if you follow or subscribe to both my blog and YouTube channel, I will place your name twice in the bowl!!
~ I will be choosing the lucky winner on my YouTube Channel in 2 weeks....ugh I know.. sorry so far from now..BUT I'm going to be adding some extra 'secret' goodies and I want to make sure I have plenty of time :)
GOOD LUCK!!! :)



Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Tutorial for Wire & Bead Binding

I've been working on the mini I'll be trading with Laura. I have the pages all composed and I'm about ready to put it togeter. Since I'll be using the wire and bead binding on this mini, I'm going to try a tutorial. We'll see how it goes. I'll be taking a few days hiatus from my Craft Cave; but, hope to get this done the first of next week. Wish me luck with the tutorial video. GGS Sistahs are the best.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Blog Candy from Arlene

Check out Arlene's blog or YouTube site. She will be hosting a drawing on YouTube on August 23rd and will select a winner "live" on video. She'll have her5 year old draw the name. You can enter the blog candy drawing several ways. Check out her blog to get more info.
http://www.butterflykisseswithlove.blogspot.com/

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Family

I am ever so proud of my family. My children and grandchildren are all wonderful. My hubby is a terrific match for me. Often I am overwhelmed with emotion when I think of how my family has contributed, each in his/her own way to making life better in this moment than it was the last moment. I happend upon pix of my son and his wife when I was working on my family mini album. I put this together as a tribute to Autumn and Scott. There are many persons on active duty all over the world doing what the military demands of them. I think of the sacrafices they are making and salute their efforts. I hope this vid serves to honor them as well as my loved ones. Tata for now.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie
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Mini Paper Bag Album

I was just on the K & Company web site. by virtue of the naming conventions used on that web site, my family/generations paper bag album could be correctly described as a 6 x 7 paper bag mini album with gate fold pages. Whoot, whoot - now there is a real live description of the style of this mini. I need to reclaim my Craft Cave after completing the album. I don't quite know how my Craft Cave implodes while I work on a project; but, it does. I'd rather go blog hopping than reclaim the Cave; but, alas alack it must be done. Tata for now.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Tutorials

I have had requests for tutorial on the various techniques I use when I assemble my albums. As soon as I figure out how to make a video/slide show that would be an effective tutorial, I'll be posting them. I need to figure out how to mount my camera to record from the correct perspective for videos. On the vids I have thus far made, I have done quite of bit of recording and erasing to get them to the point where I think they are acceptable for posting. I love it when others share their techniques and will be glad to follow suit as soon as I get the "production" elements figured out. Like many of my projects, it's in the R & D stages.
Tata for now.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Paper Bag Mini - Family Heritage Album

It's finally done - what a wonderful work of the heart. This album was a magnificient project. I thought it would be a simple album; but, it turned into a most lovely project. I'm ever so glad I made this album. I'll be starting on another, as I have pix I didn't use in this one that would make a great mini album. Tata for now.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

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Family Mini Album

I have finished my paper bag mini album. Wow, creating this album became a real emotional experience for me. I have mounted 86 pictures in this 6" by 7" paper bag album. I love the way the album came together. I think the look of the final album is quite pleasing. I hope to post a video tomorrow to share with everyone.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

New Paper Bag Mini Album

I've been putting the finishing touches on the paper bag mini. It's taken longer than I anticipated due to the selection of the pix I'm using. I decided to make it a ancestry album. I've tried to locate some dates for my journal entries and I had only moderate success. I really like the way it's developing. I've been playing golf and spending Grammie time with the Perfect Prince Dylan and Perfect Prince Austin. This has slowed the progress on the mini. Ah; but, Grammie time is priority for me. Tata for now.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Found Other Slide Software, woo hoo!!

I found Slide on one of the GGS Sistahs' blog. That's what I'm talkin' about. I deleted the Smilebox slide show and added the Slide show. Gotta love technology. Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Slide Shows on Blogs

Ok, so I'm not exactly happy with the Smilebox slide show. GGS Sistahs, let me know what software you use for your slide shows. Thanks

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

A Return to an Old Project

I started this great mini paper bag album several months ago after viewing Marion's Madeleine album. The basic construction of this mini went great. I absolutely love the basic album. My mojo flew right out the window when it came to embellishing the pages. I set it on the side of my work table and kept thinking, "the inspiration will come, oh, yes it will." Nothing happened and I put it on the shelf with my other "starter" projects.

Yesterday, I viewed Hope Simpson's 2008 American mini and, voila, I couldn't wait to take it off the shelf and start embellishing. Her America mini is dramatically gorgeous. I plan to use so many of her ideas. Thank you Hope.

I've taken some pix of the album without embellies (I'm going to attempt one of those neat slide shows the GGS girls post.) and will post a vid when I have it completed (hopefully by Friday anyway). Usually once the R & D is complete, I move pretty rapidly to completion. (Sometimes I do R & D while I sleep - geez -and hope I remember my ideas when I wake up. It seems anal to keep a notepad beside the bed with an Itty Bitty Booklite to jot these things down!) My family insists that I continue with my daily mundane tasks, i.e. cooking, laundry, etc. even though creative genius is at work here. Do you suppose Monet or Cezanne had that problem? Back to the Craft Cave. To use an old phrase my mama used, gotta make hay while the sun shines. GGS Sistahs are the best.

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

My Happy Heart

I just finished preparing my mini album to send to my GGS Sistah, Hope. I don't believe I've been this excited about sharing one of my "creations" with anyone in a long time. It'll go out in the mail on Monday. I'm sending it Priority Mail because I want her to get it in short order. Connie just posted the slide show of her mini. Wow, it looks great. It inspired me to start my mini from my GGS July kit. It's coming together very nicely. I've used some of Connie's ideas for composition. Thank you Connie. I'm going to use some pix of the Perfect Princess Chloe Elise (dance pix) and Perfect Princess Sara Jessica (karate pix).
I've had some comments relative to the binding method I generally use and the closure I used on my last album. I'm going to take some pix as I make my upcoming albums and hopefully post them with some tutorial information.
Gonna eat a bit of chocolate (yum, yum - dark chocolate is the best) and then it's back to the Craft Cave. GGS Sistahs are the best.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

A Birthday Happening

My Grandson, Scotty aka Deuce (because he has II at the end of his name) celebrated his first birthday July 3. I created this movie for the occasion. This little guy is absolutely fabulous. A very happy little one. Well, just my Grammie opinion.

I've been working on this video for several days. Just when I thought it was done, I realized the Duece had many grandparents. So as I located pix of all the grandparents, I changed and changed and changed the video. With the software (freeware) I'm using, I was limited to 50 pix. Wow, what a job. I'll be purchasing software as soon as I try out several.

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Live long & prosper,
Weezie

YouTube Video Struggle

I was successful in uploading my July, 2009 video to YouTube. I will attempt to post it to my blog. Wish me luck. Okay, I don't have a clue how to embed my YouTube video into my post. Help me, help me. I really would like to get back to the Craft Cave. I already have a plan for my August Mini Album trade. Woo hoo, I figured it out!!!
GGS Sistahs are the best.


Live long & prosper,
Weezie

I completed my GGS July Mini to trade. Made a video and I'm trying to upload it to YouTube. It seems to be taking quite some time to load. I love my finished mini and hope my GGS Sistah will love it too. As soon as, I know I actually have the video on YouTube, I'll be posting it to Hope Simpson. Had a wonderful weekend celebrating my grandsons first birthday (July 3) . Our youngest son had his 23rd birthday on Sunday. With the Fourth of July in the middle, we had quite a good time. Gotta love the fireworks Independence Day brings. Ok, so now I'll try and post my video to my blog and see what that brings. Tata for now.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

I've put the Pink Martini Project on the back burner - for now. My mojo just wasn't working for me on this project. I'm sure I'll get a scathingly brillant creative thought for this project and then finish it with gusto. I've started a 6 x 6 mini album, prepping for the arrival of my GGS July kit. This mini album is going very well. I'm having fun putting the elements together using the papers, embellies, etc. I have on hand. Gonna go play a round of golf this pm. I won't be working on the album tonight. I have a tendency, when things are moving along creatively, to get over focused on projects. I won't be getting back to my mini album until tmo pm. (Golf League on Tuesday am.) Can't wait to post this mini. Tata for now.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Altering the Altered Cigar Box

Ok, so now I've decided to try another theme for my Pink Martini Box. Gonna experiment with a bling theme and a travel theme. It's off the Craft Cave for more R & D. Thank goodnes I don't have to finish this project until September 6. These things would go so much quicker if I could just act on my first ideas. Oh well, life the Weezie way.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Altered Cigar Box for the Pink Martini Lunch Silent Auction

Stationary box with bling:

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Altered Cigar Box for the Pink Martini Lunch Silent Auction

Stationary box with gilded leaves:

Stationary box without leaves or bling:

Live long & prosper,
Weezie

Altered Cigar Box for the Pink Martini Lunch Silent Auction

A friend of mine has asked that I contribute something for the silent auction associated with a breast cancer fund raiser called Pink Martini Lunch she is chairing. She requested an altered cigar box. I decided to make and stationary box and include some handcrafted stationary. I am posting three pix of the front - one with bling, one with gold leaves, and one with only a vintage look. Could you take a look and let me know which you think is best. Thanks for taking a peek and offering your expertise.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

I am absolutely so pumped about GGS. Can't wait for my first kit from Marion. I have visited all the blogs for which I have addresses. You GGS gals are creative beyond belief. I will be learning your techniques, styles and casing your work. I hope to post some more of my projects on my blog. I've never made a video; but, I'll have to take care of that in short order. Kinda of funny really, when you review the videos, the identifiers for each individual are hands and voices.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

I added a slide show of some of my paper craft projects. I have joined Girls Gone Scrappy and hope to post more projects to my blog. All the Gkids are doing well and I'm having so much fun doing my Grammie thing. We've been working on the home improvement front and my time in the Craft Cave has been sparse. Boy, do I miss it. Of course, it is that time of the year when I am most frequently found on the golf course weather permitting. Tata for now.
Live long & prosper,
Weezie

New Baby - All Is Well

Our new baby, Austin Roberto, was born 4/11/09. He came home 4/12/09. We all had so much fund welcoming him home. Big Bro Dylan wasn't quite so excited as the rest of us. He's feeling much better about his baby now that his routine has returned. He is interacting very positively with the baby now. Geoffrey and J are signing the lease for their house today. They'll be moving over the weekend. Alan will be able to finished the remodeling of the lower level in pretty short order. The needed repairs from the flood damage really have been a blessing in disguise. I am making Austin's first scrapbook. It'll be much like Dylan's; but, I'm making a "Wire and Bead" bound book. The scrapbooks I'm making for Izzie are 8.5 by 11. All is good in the world. Until next time, tata for now.
Live long and prosper,
Weezie

Rainy, Cold Tuesday - Craft Cave Spring Cleaning

Today is a rainy, cold, "it's good to be indoors" kind of day. I have been trying to clean up and organize my "Craft Cave" for about two weeks. Gosh, I can't believe how long this is taking. It would probably go faster if I could stay away from the computer and my tendency to check out the blogs I have on my favorites. It seems necessary to check YouTube every day for new videos on my subscriptions. Of course, when I download a video to my Real Player, I have to make some notes for further refining into a written tutorial. I have made it about 2/3 around the room and I can see the end of the tunnel. I took out some pieces of furniture with drawers and shelves. I replaced them with a large set of shelves with glass doors. This helps keep the little fingers of my grandchildren helpers out of trouble. It's going to make it easier to locate the stamps and tools I use when I'm working on a project. Okay, back to the cleaning and reorganization of the "Craft Cave".
Live long and prosper,
Weezie

My First Blog Entry

I was emboldened this day to start a blog. I hope to have a bit of everything posted - pix of my craft projects, thoughts of life as it happens, new info about the family, etc. - Our fifth and newest grandson (Austin Roberto) is due to join the family April 19. Isabel is nesting a bit by getting the infant togs washed and ready to go. As soon as the baby arrives, I want to post pix on my blog. As it took most of the afternoon to set up my blog, my post today is short.
Live long and prosper,
Weezie