Introducing MAGGIE ELIZABETH

This is Maggie. Isn't she just beautiful? She was born on November 16, 2009. She weighed 8 pounds 9 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. This photo was made when she was just 4 days old. She wasn't suppose to be born by Cesarean section, but she managed to turn herself around a few days before and was breach...so that meant a c-section for Kimmer.

I hurried back home for a few days while Kimberly was still in the hospital and managed to get 40 birth announcements finished for her. I couldn't get them prepared beforehand since they didn't decide on a name until just a couple of days before she was born.

The photo I used for the birth announcement was one that I took when she was just one day old. The one from the hospital when she was dressed to go home was just adorable, and I wish I had used it, but this one is cute too.

Did I mention that she looks JUST like her mama? I'm still hoping that her hair will be red. It's hard to tell right now, because she doesn't have too much hair yet.

I was able to go back to Kimberly's last Sunday and stayed with them through Thanksgiving. I definitely have a thankful heart this year, not only for Maggie Elizabeth, but for all of my family and all of my beautiful grandchildren!

Hope your Thanksgiving was a wonderful day. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs!

WIN A $20 GIFT CARD

Ideas for Scrapbookers is having a $20 dollar gift card giveaway! It’s so simple to enter…

All you have to do is FOLLOW the blog.

That's it.

When you sign up to follow the blog, your name will be entered into a chance at a $20 gift certificate to scrapbook.com! If you'd like to have your name entered into the drawing twice, share the news on your blog, facebook, twitter, etc.

You can follow the blog when you log in with google, blogger, AIM, or yahoo. Then click follow on the right sidebar! To let us know that you shared the news on your blog or somewhere else, just post a comment letting us know where you shared the news OR email Pam at scrappingpam73@yahoo.com to let her know.

You have until Sunday, Nov 22nd, to become a follower of Ideas for Scrapbookers. A name will be chosen randomly as a the winner from the followers listed on the blog sidebar, those who shared the news links, and the emails sent to Pam about where you've shared the news. One lucky person will win a $20 gift certificate to scrapbook.com!

Come play with us...win prizes, learn new things, and above all...have a great time!

It's Time for a Change

I been trying to change my blog for the last few weeks. I really wanted a 3-column blog. Everything I tried didn't seem to work. At one point, I lost all the blogs that I follow. I have lost my patience MANY times trying to improve my blog!

Okay, so I got past all that and decided that changing to three columns would have to wait until I have more time to diddle with it. Then I decided that maybe I should just update my blog header. I think I put that off for a while because it was just easier to use a photo than to scrap a header. Now that I've scrapped my header, I have to wonder...WHY did I think it would be so difficult?

All the header is....is a 6 x12 layout! I used a Quickutz die for the flourishes, added a few blooms (some of which I punch, inked and doodled on) and a bit of bling. Super quick and I love the way it came out. The pen was an old sticker I found in my stash. I just pop-dotted it for dimension. The "scroll" was just printed paper that I tore and inked. I added some brown ink splats then highlighted them with glossy accents. The little ink jar was something I cut from cardstock and added a little white highlights and some glossy accents for ink dribbles.

I had fun creating this......Now...once again...WHY did I wait so long?

Thanks for stopping by...and until next time....

Hugs!

Ideas for Scrapbookers - Meet the Contributing Artists

I am so excited about this new adventure!

I have been invited to be a Contributing Artist with Ideas for Scrapbookers! I found out yesterday that I would be a part of this awesome group! If you're not familiar with this site, you need to check it out. Pam has done a wonderful job of providing some great resources and inspiration for scrapbookers, and best of all -- it's free! You can visit the blog at: http://www.ideasforscrapbookers.blogspot.com/

I am so excited to be a part of this great group of scrapping artists and I plan to draw inspiration and ideas as well as contribute to the blog. Formal introductions won't begin until tomorrow but you can check out these wonderful designers by following the links to their blogs, below...

Delaina Burns: http://delainas.blogspot.com/ Danielle Holsapple: http://danielleholsapple.blogspot.com/ Heather Landry: http://miraclesmommadesigns.blogspot.com/ Julie Howard: http://retrojulie.blogspot.com/ Sarah De Guzman: http://redoaklines.com/ Melanie Holzwarth: http://www.arkmom-scrappilyeverafter.blogspot.com/

BTW...Did I mention how excited I am to be a part of this? Oh, and even better, one of Pam's good friends Heidi Sonboul at GDC Studios is having a contest for readers to use one of Pam's templates. Wouldn't you like to participate? Just visit... http://ideasforscrapbookers.blogspot.com/2009/11/chance-at-50-gc-to-gcd-studios.html for more information.

Things will be happening fast - loads of information and inspiration, so visit often in the coming weeks for more fun and excitement at Ideas for Scrapbookers. You WILL be inspired!

Quick - Easy - AND Inexpensive!

I've had a lot of fun this week making a few boxes of gift cards that I'll be using for Christmas gifts. It's a really quick and inexpensive gift...and besides...everyone needs a card occasionally. I wanted to show you a couple of the boxes that I've made this week. I plan to make several more of these in the next few weeks.

The first set is the Christmas card gift pack. The card box will hold five cards and five envelopes easily. The cards were quick and easy to make and I really loved how they turned out. I used plain white cardstock (like from the office supply store). I cut each 8.5 x 11 sheet in half crosswise, which gave me two cards from each sheet of cardstock that measure 4.25 x 5.5 inches.

(BTW...I recently purchased a Scor-Pal...and it was perfect for this project, although not necessary)

For each of the cards, I stamped the Christmas design in black ink in the corner of the card and then added a word phrase approximately 1/2 inch from the edge of the card. Using template (cut it the same size as the card front, then cut a rectangle from the middle leaving 1/2 inch on each edge) or use the Tim Holtz zero center ruler. Using the ruler, I drew a solid black line 1/2 inch from the edge of the card. When I came to a spot that was stamped...I just skipped over it and resumed my line on the other side of the stamped image.

This next set of cards is a set of all occasion cards that I did the same way. The possibilities are endless...and honestly, they're just darn cute!

Now, here's the pattern for the adorable little box. (I must insert here, that this is not my original idea, I saw one at Splitcoast Stampers and I've tweeked it for my use.)

You will need an 8.5 x 11 sheet of cardstock (paper won't work for this part - it must be cardstock).

1. On the 11 side, score the cardstock at 3 1/4", 3 3/4" and then at 8 1/4" and 8 3/4 "

2. On the 8.5 inch side score the paper at 3/4", 1 1/4" and then at 7 1/4" and 7 3/4"

3. Cut the flaps as shown in this photo - by cutting away where the black is.

4. The shorter end at the top is the flap of the envelope box. You might want to round the corners on that and on the side tabs that fold in.

5. Fold on all scored lines.

6. Use very stick double sided tape to adhere the bottom flap to the tabs that fold in. (it folds just like an envelope.)

7. Decorate as desired. I used a small magnet under the flap and on the envelope to snap the box closed, but you could use ribbon adhered with brads to tie it together or a small piece of velcro on each side.

Use your imagination..and remember...it's QUICK, EASY, and INEXPENSIVE! (And it makes a great gift!)

I'd love to see what you make, so be sure to let me know when you try it. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask me!

Hugs!