Musings

Now I get to play catch up!

2011-05-13T21:57:00.003-05:00

Oohmygoodness, I have SO many layouts half finished that I need to catch up on! Since Jeff is gone to Washington, DC, I've had the chance to do some "boredom cleaning." So, I decided to hit my scrappy stash and layout pile in my scrapbook room. Holy Hannah! I found like 25+ half-done layouts. I had no idea I had that many.

I guess I better pin a wiggle on it, huh?

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T10:34:00.000-05:00

Especially to my Mom... who I love and adore and wouldn't be able to make it through some days without. She is not only my mom, but she is my best friend. I love you, Mom!

Men in Kilts IX

2011-05-07T10:09:00.002-05:00

If you're local, come support the Pipes and Drums of the Lake County Sheriff's Department for our 9th annual fundraiser to raise money to travel to Washington, DC. The band has been invited to participate in the ceremonies involved with National Police Memorial Week and will be playing at the National Law Enforcement Memorial at Judiciary Square and the US Capitol Building.

Tickets are only $10 at the door. Children 12 and under are free (ticket includes sandwich and drinks. (Additional food/drink tickets are only $1 each.)

Come join us at the Lake County Fairgrounds 4H building for fun, food, drinks, raffles and plenty of bagpipe music. Last year, over 400 people joined us for a great evening. Doors open at 5pm. We hope to see you there!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T09:37:00.001-06:00

If you're in my area and would like to come see the Pipes and Drums of Lake County play today, you can catch us at any of these locations:

3pm - Mateys (the old Spondos)

5pm - TJ Maloneys

6pm - Buddy & Pals (Crown Point)

6:30pm Crown Point St Patty's Day Parade

8pm - Mighty Micks

8:30pm - Buddy & Pals (Winfield)

9pm - Frickes

10pm - Mateys

11pm - Northwoods

I hope we see you out today! Come support the band!

Scrapdango goes to the library!

2011-01-05T19:05:00.003-06:00

Happy 2011!

2011-01-01T15:47:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year!

Can you believe how quick this past year has flown by? I know I can't! I'm thankful for so many things this year, but one I'd like to share with all of my creative friends is the fact that I am so glad my scrappy mojo finally came back. I'm blessed to be a part of a wonderful design team at Scrapdango and I'm even more grateful for some of the recent requests I've gotten for publications. I hope 2011 is just as creative.

Merry Christmas to you and yours...

2010-12-25T07:46:00.001-06:00

From my home to yours, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

xoxo,

Sandi

Check me out - I made a sketch!

2010-12-20T02:46:00.001-06:00

One of the things that Heather asks of us over at Scrapdango is to make a sketch to go along with one of our monthly kit projects. This month, I chose my "All About the Tree" layout to sketchify. ;) I'm hoping I'll get better at them as time goes by...

Payton the Wonder Dog

2010-12-19T19:21:00.003-06:00

Today I am sharing my third and final project for Scrapdango, using the December Spice kit. I really can't say enough about how fun the Merry January line from We R Memory Keepers is - I adore it! I have like six more layouts in progress that I hope to finish & share soon.

This page is called "Payton the Wonder Dog." My sweet Payte has had SO much fun playing in the snow lately. When he's not freezing and begging to be let back in, he's rooting around in the snow and always has a snow covered nose when he comes in. Hee hee

I used a lot of things from the kit on this one - from the buttons and the chipboard to a ton of papers all over. I used a lot of Glimmer Mist and added some Stickles details in the negative spaces as well. Lots more Stickles on the painted letters and the chipboard snowflake too...

Thanks so much for stopping by!

All About the Tree

2010-12-18T18:50:00.001-06:00

Hi guys!

Today I get to share my second layout made with the December Spice kit from Scrapdango. It features the Merry January collection from We R Memory Keepers. (I think this is one of my most favorite from them yet - I even went and just bought the whole line from my LSS after I got my kit last week! LOL)

This page is called "All About the Tree" and it has pics from my Christmas tree. I love to decorate the tree. I spend days doing it. Seriously. It usually takes me at least a day to get all the lights strung just right and then all the branches adjusted before I will add the ornaments, ribbon and berries. I also loved this little tree embellishment included in the kit and the minute I saw it, I knew I wanted to make a page about my Christmas tree. (Granted, the pics are from waaaaaaay back before we remodeled, but I like them and wanted to use them anyway.)

Here's my page:

I added some buttons from the kit to the tree as ornaments and some extra Stickles on the tree itself to make it more dimensional. I used the felt ribbon behind the title for some added dimension and texture. I want to add journaling in some where but I'm not sure where. Every time I tried to add some, it just didn't look right, so I left it picture only. For now. ;)

Let It Snow

2010-12-15T17:19:00.004-06:00

I'm so excited to reveal my creations using the December Spice kit for Scrapdango. The kit features some of my most favorite papers yet - We R Memory Keepers' Merry January collection. Here's my page:

This two pager is called "Let It Snow" and it shows off some of my favorite pictures from our most recent snowstorm. As most of you know, the Midwest has gotten a TON of snow in the last few weeks. I've only been able to get a few pics here and there (and some are even from my Blackberry!). I included all of my favorites on this one layout: One of Payton, playing in the snow; one of the golf course near my house and one of the street that I live on. I love that my street is lined by all of these old oak trees - they make for the most perfect frame. Here's the left page:

And here's the right page:

I altered the alphabet stickers in the kit so that they would match the snowy feel to the page and added the little swoosh for a "windblown" effect. For the side panels, I dug out my old stash of Heidi Swapp masks and went to town using Glimmer Mist. It adds such a pretty effect in person - I wish it would have photographed better!

Thanks for stopping by!

Some cards

2010-11-24T02:52:00.000-06:00

With some of the remnants of my November Sugar kit from Scrapdango, I made these really easy and super cute cards. The first one I like to call "hi." I think you'll see why:

My second card is called "4 u." (Again, I think you'll see why... LOL) :

Last, but certainly not least is my take on a dimensional card, called "Where does the time go?" For this one, punch several circles in the same size, layering them. Bend the top most layer of circles in half, to create the dimension on the card:

My very first Scrapdango sketch!

2010-11-20T02:48:00.000-06:00

So, I know I am not very good at drawing up sketches in Photoshop, but I'm trying! For my very first sketch for Heather at Scrapdango, I chose to make a sketch of my layout called "First Day". My sketch is pretty generic, so I am sure you could alter it to fit your needs.

I hope you like it!

Easter 2008

2010-11-18T09:40:00.007-06:00

Here's my third project, using the November Sugar kit from Scrapdango. It features papers from the Crate Paper Restoration line- which I am totally in love with right now!

This is a layout about my nieces, Sadie and Madison, and Easter of 2008. Yep. You read that right. 2008. I am finally getting around to scrapping some of the photos I've wanted to use but have missed during my scrappy hiatus. So, expect to see a lot of older holidays and pics from me...

This one is a two page spread, so here's the whole thing:

And then close-ups of the left page:

And close-ups of the right page:

Sweet little thing

2010-11-17T08:35:00.005-06:00

Here's my second project for Scrapdango, using the November Sugar kit. This one uses a picture of me with my niece, Madison. Morgan took this pic after Madie and I got done dancing our hineys off at Sadie's Dance Birthday party. (What a fun idea that was, let me tell you! I think Morgan and I had more fun than anyone else! LOL)

Anywho, here's a shot of the page, uses mostly everything from the Crate Paper Restoration line:

And here are some detail shots:

First day

2010-11-16T08:48:00.005-06:00

I can finally reveal the layouts I've been working on for the new November Sugar kit from Scrapdango! This one is called "First day" and it's about my niece, Sadie's, first day of school this year and how she is just growing up too fast. All papers are from the Crate Paper Restoration line - I just love this one...

And some close-ups of the detail work & journaling:

Welcome to the Scrapdango Blog Hop Crop!!

2010-11-12T00:17:00.000-06:00

It's finally time for the Blog Hop Crop to begin at Scrapdango! If you aren't quite sure what that is, check out the post here at the Scrapdango blog. If you know what this is all about - you can skip down a little ways and learn about me and my fun facts and my favorite scrappy items.

We have a brand new design team and we want you to get to know us while having some scrappy fun along the way. By completing our challenges, you can earn chances to win one of Scrapdango's awesome kits!

If you don't know me that well - my name is Sandi Minchuk. I've been in and around the scrappy scene for at least ten years now and I'm more than honored and excited to be a part of the Scrapdango design team. I've been published in a bunch of different magazines and idea books. I've even won a spot in a pretty big contest. I've been more than lucky. I'm always amazed when I have something picked up to be published. I was beyond floored when Heather picked me to be a part of her team. I used to own my own scrapbook kit club and used to love scrapbooking - but it all got to be just a bit much for me and I stopped, so I could concentrate on kits and shipping and everything that comes with running a business. At the end of last year, I decided that I missed scrapbooking far too much to continue doing what I was doing. So I quit. To make me happy. Looking back, it was very hard but it's been the best decision I've made in a long time. I love scrapping again and can't seem to get enough of it. I've been having so much fun creating with the November Sugar kit Heather sent me- I can't wait to share with you guys on the 15th- during our reveal date. Make sure you grab this kit while you can!

This past November 1st, I celebrated my 13th wedding anniversary with my husband, Jeff. He's stuck by me through think and thin and I really could not have a better guy. I'm very lucky. We don't have any children but we do have one very spoiled Weimeraner named Payton, who we spoil rotten. (P.S. He was named after Walter Payton. Yes, we're die-hard Bears fans.)

Anyway, most people don't know that I'm fluent in French and love anything and everything to do with that beautiful country. I hope to one day go back and explore more of it with someone I love. It's one of the things to do on my "bucket list."

Another fun fact about me is that (until recently) I hated to have my picture taken. Everyone always says I'm so photogenic but inside, I was DYING to have to have my picture taken. I stressed about looking heavy and the light catching too many of my fourteen chins that I'm sure were down there hiding, to come out and humiliate me at just the moment my picture was taken. ;) In the last year and a half, I've slowly (but surely) lost 98 pounds and now I love to have my picture taken - with all of my loved ones. And sometimes I'm brave enough to take one of just me. So, you should look for more pics of me soon - and I'll be using them on my scrapbook pages, so that I can finally be included in them! :)

I have a TON of things that I love to use while I'm scrapping but my favorites are all on this layout, called Winky McGee. It's a layout about my niece, Ava, and me. I took it when we went to a friend's and family day for the Bears a few years back. My current favorite things to use on a layout are #1- Patterned paper (and LOTS of it - as you can see, it's in the flowers and the rolls and in the background and in the foreground and well... just about everywhere.) #2- Flowers - of any kind. I chose to make my own for this layout and use some of my Prima stash. #3- Punches - I'm currently addicted to using my paper border punches. I think I use them on just about every layout I make anymore. #4- Corrugated cardboard - what better way to hide the evidence of a pizza binge than to rip up the box and use it on a layout? ;) And last, but certainly not least #5- Alphabet stickers. I will take alphabet stickers in every shape, size and color but I really cannot get enough of the Doodlebug ones. They are without a doubt, my most favorite. Here's a few pics of my layout:

So, for your challenge, I challenge you to use anything you learned about me in your layout. Use at least 2 facts (I used the fact that I hid behind Ava for the most part in my picture and that this photo was taken at a Bears game - my favorite NFL team.) I also used a whole slew of patterned papers and all my other 5 favorites on this layout. You can either use my 5 favorites or use 2 of my fun facts (you can interpret them any way you choose) OR you can use both and get two draws for the prize!

For the hop part of the crop, here's the order in which you should go:

-Scrapdango blog <----- GO here next

-Sandi (You are here)

Happy hopping!!

Blog Hop Crop

2010-11-09T13:17:00.002-06:00

Scrapdango is having a Blog Hop Crop and you won't want to miss it!! Here are the details:

Hello card - with tutorial

2010-11-02T03:49:00.004-06:00

Good morning, everyone! I just posted my November card challenge over at Scrapdango and thought it might be a good idea to give a step by step tutorial on how this card was done:

Ok, the first thing you are going to do is choose some alphabets for your greeting. As you can see, it doesn't matter if they match or not. I used two different alphabets so that the two l's in my greeting would not be the exact same. Stick them down and leave some room, because you are going to ink around them:

Next, choose a coordinating ink color and generously ink over your letters and onto the surrounding patterned paper:

Finally, peel up your alphabet stickers and discard them. You'll be left with a mask of your greeting and a really great new technique:

Pssstt... Guess what?

2010-10-25T09:16:00.001-05:00

I just found out that I'm one of FOUR girls who made the new Scrapdango team! I am so beyond excited, you have no idea!! I will be on the team for the term of the next six months and I am so excited to be creating again every month. Scrapdango is the most fun site, too- there are always challenges and contests and all sorts of great girls there with loads and loads of creativity. If you've not ever come to check us out, please do - just follow one of the links in this post, or use the link I have in my favorite places over there ----> off to the side. ;)

This is exactly the push that I need and I am so beyond excited about it. At least I'll have some pages that I can actually share with everyone now. Everything else I've been making now I've been submitting right away and I can't share them in case someone wants to publish them. That is such a hard thing for me to do!

Thank you so much Heather for this opportunity - I hope I make you proud!

In need of a change

2010-10-14T02:11:00.002-05:00

So I want to totally change the look of my blog - again. I know that there are sites like The Cutest Blog on the Block and Shabby Blogs. Are there any others? I'm having issues with some of the backgrounds being way too wide for my blog and I can't for the life of me figure out how to adjust that... even though I totally made my blogger background that I have now from scratch.

Can anyone else offer any suggestions or ideas of where else to look for cute backgrounds? Thanks so much!

Gettin scrappy

2010-10-12T09:41:00.002-05:00

I am meeting a new friend this morning at a local scrapbook store to scrap the day away! I'm excited and nervous at the same time - LOL!

I'm nervous because I've not ever met this friend before. She contacted me through a website where we're both members and said she lives close to me. She also told me about a new scrapbook store that opened up in Crown Point where she's gone before to crop and asked if I'd like to meet her there today to crop, so I said what the heck! I'd love to! I just don't have enough scrappy friends that are close to me and am very excited to meet her today.

Hopefully, I'll also have some really good projects to share when I come home, too!

Ten Ten Ten?

2010-10-10T10:00:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure why, but I am just in love with the ideas of 10.10.10. I'm planning on making a page about it, but I'm not sure what the topic should be. Any suggestions out there?

On a side note, if you're a local friend, the Merrillville Volunteer Fire Department (Station Two) is having their Chili Cook-Off today at the American Legion, 7430 Broadway. It starts at noon and you could win one of two big screen TVs! $5 admission lets you sample all the chilis and the guys are roasting up some hot dogs and other fun things. It's all you can eat, so bring your appetite! And if you're worried about missing the game, never fear: The boys have completely transformed the hall into a TV-o-rama - there are sets everywhere to watch the Bears cream the Panthers!

Come support a good local cause!

Congratulations Rob & Julie!

2010-10-09T13:57:00.000-05:00

One of my fellow workers is getting married today - I wish them both a lifetime of happiness!

Wooooty tooot toooooo!

2010-10-07T17:53:00.000-05:00

Ok, so any of my scrapbook friends will know what a toot means... but for those of you not immersed into the scrapbooking world, a toot is kind of a shout out letting people know you have a project getting published.

Yep! You read that right. I had one of my most favorite pages ever requested by a REALLY big scrapbook magazine to be published in an upcoming issue. I can't exactly which magazine yet, but you can better believe the minute that issue hits the stands, I am going to be screaming my head off about it!

I'm so excited, you have no idea... I made this page, saw the call for it and thought "Ahhh, what the heck? Let's see if I still have it." Well, I guess I do!

Woooot woooooottttttt!!! :)

Pink Hair for Hope!

2010-10-06T08:29:00.007-05:00

I'm so excited ... I'm going to get my pink hair extensions today! I got them about 3 or 4 years ago at a salon in South Bend while Kim and I were at Pages in Time, scrapbooking. I loved the one I got then so much, I think I'm going to get two or three this year! I'm so stinkin excited ... I'll see if I can share some pics later on once they are done.

Here's more info on Pink Hair for Hope.

ETA: Here's my pink... what do you think? There are actually two pieces of pink on each side, one light and one dark. The light realllllly blends in with my hair, though so I am not sure what that says about my natural hair color?! LOL My friend, Jody, wants to go in Friday morning and get some so I think I may have the stylist add in two more light pink on each side so they are a little more visible. I'm thinking the chunkier, the better? :)

(Oh - please don't look in the background of my pic. Yes, that is the tail end of a truck in my backyard. No, we do not live in a trailer park. LOL We had the pool installed yesterday and my very tired husband was so sore from carrying everything into the backyard that he had the bright idea to just sort of back up along the side of the house and into the backyard to unload the rest of the brick for part of the patio. He took this picture for me since I couldn't seem to make my arms be long enough to get a good picture that showed off both sides of my head with the pink. We were outside working when I asked him to take the picture for me with my phone and this one was the best of the ones we tried to take!)

Would you like to follow my blog?

2010-10-05T00:00:00.003-05:00

Since I have a custom made blog, it isn't very easy to follow me using Blogger's built-in following gadget. But... I've figured out how to do it.

First, click here. This should take you to your blog management area.

Next, click "add."

Now copy & paste my blog address into the URL box:

sandiminchuk.blogspot.com

Finally, click next and you should be all set to follow me.

I'm sorry it's such a pain in the hiney!

Precious miracle card

2010-10-03T07:05:00.002-05:00

I made this card to go along with the baby album I made for my brother-in-law and his girlfriend, who are expecting their first child. Their baby shower is later on this afternoon.

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Happy World Card Making Day!

2010-10-02T00:16:00.003-05:00

Hi all!

Since I'm going to be at work for most of the day (working a double), I wanted to share a card with you nice & early. I've been making some cards lately, using leftover scraps from pages. Here are just a few...

If you are looking for some great inspiration for card making this month, why not come join us over st Scrapdango. Each and every day, there will be a new card challenge, for their month long challenge, called The ABCs of Cards. So far, we've been challenged to use apples and bling. I can't wait to see what the rest of the month will bring... so fun!

Wide Open Spaces

2010-09-30T10:22:00.002-05:00

I can't believe I never shared this layout... it's an older one, but I made it for a Creating Keepsakes call and then the page never got picked up to be published anywhere so I just kind of hoarded it away. ;)

This is me and my brother, Michael - the pilot. He took me up flying one year for my birthday. After going up with him and seeing the world as he does, I can totally understand now his fascination and love for his passion and career. It is just so blissful up in all that blue...

Harmonie Design Team Call

2010-09-28T12:08:00.003-05:00

I just found out about a great Canadien company, called Harmonie, that is having a new design team call. I looked at their papers and fell in love with their lines. I'm so frustrated that I've never seen their products before... if you haven't seen them before - check them out. There's a link in my favorites section... Here's a link to their blog. Enjoy!

Totally you...

2010-09-26T11:10:00.002-05:00

I tell ya, I love making pages about my nieces, Sadie and Madison. Here's a photo from a few years back when I was able to take them to Pages in Time in South Bend every week while they were on summer break. I found this pic and loved it, so I had to scrap it. They are such little goofballs and I love that it comes through in their pics!

The papers on this one are a bit older, from Scenic Route, but I'm loving going through my stash to look for the perfect paper to complement my photos. You can expect a ton more with older papers coming soon - I think I have about 15 or more pages in the works! I hope you like it!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!

2010-09-24T12:02:00.000-05:00

Today is my Mom and Dad's 27th wedding anniversary! I am so, so, so glad my Mom met and fell in love with my Dad all those years ago... what a different life I would have if it was not for him. I love you both so very much!

Here's a photo of them, celebrating their 25th anniversary...

New day, new page!

2010-09-22T11:55:00.004-05:00

Today I'm going to share a layout that I did for the crop over at Scrapgal.com. We were challenged to make a layout about books and I chose to make a layout about Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight series. It's all her fault that I love reading again... :)

I'm also loving doing these nifty little rolled flowers.... here's a close-up:

Well, shoot!

2010-09-21T20:15:00.002-05:00

I got an email tonight from SEI saying I didn't make the team. I *so* wanted this one. They were very nice, though and said they really liked my work and that I was in their top picks, but to please try again next year...

Tonight, I'm going to bury myself in some ice cream and go scrap a page with some pictures that I took of my niece, Ava, tonight. Little things make me happy. :)

Thanks so much for all the kind comments as I waited - I really appreciate it!

I'm nervous!

2010-09-20T00:13:00.003-05:00

Well, I do have to admit: I'm rather nervous about the SEI design team call. I just went to browse the boards at 2ps and I saw that some of the girls that submitted for their design team call actually got an email right off the bat that said something like "Thank you but you weren't selected..." I got an email that explained what they were looking for and it asked us if we agreed with the terms. It also said they would let everyone know by the 21st of this month. Well, it is now officially the 20th, and I'm really nervous! I would be SO OVER THE MOON EXCITED to be chosen for this design team. I adore their products and I've been creating layouts like crazy the last month. I have like six that I want to submit to all the magazines. I think I can do this. No. I'm sure I can do this... but I'm so nervous!! LOL

Happy Friday!

2010-09-17T12:02:00.003-05:00

Good morning! Lots going on today... I have to work this afternoon, so that will eat up a good portion of my day, but I thought I'd share a few things.

Scrapgal is having a crop tonight. You should definitely head over there and check it out. Such a fun place and so full of inspiration! Tons of faces that I know from Scrapperie too, so that is really nice.

Scrapdango is having a Design Team call and the owner, Heather, is truly a sweetheart. You would be silly not to apply if you are wanting a great team to be on and a great community to call home. Here are all the details of the DT call here.

Finally, I want to share a page that I did quite a while back, but with the gorgeous weather outside today, I couldn't resist. I am so in love with this page. I took the photos when Mom, Dad and I went for a drive to Amish country and just spent the day shopping and having a good

time together. I love days like that!

My page is called "Autumn's Sweet Splendor." What do you think?

Family party night

2010-09-15T22:19:00.004-05:00

Since we have so many family birthdays in the middle of September, we always do a group party for Morgan, Michael and Sadie. the party was tonight and man, was it a fun night! Dad cooked pork chops on the grill, Mom made her baked root veggies that we all love and then we had salad, homemade bruschetta and my pecan pie and cheesecake!

Mom took pictures of Mike, Morgan and me and I will share them when I get them edited - but I really love them! Can you believe it? Pictures of *me* that I actually like! LOL

Here's one of me and Morgan:

And one of me and Mike:

Finally, one of all three of us together:

Did I mention I was on vacation?

2010-09-14T23:06:00.001-05:00

Hehe... just kidding. I know I did.

Even though I really haven't done much of anything, I've had a really nice week, just relaxing and enjoying time with my family. Today, I went to my Mom and Dad's house - to spend some time with them and my brother, who was in for his days off. Mom and I did some running around and then made Mike's pecan pie for his birthday party tomorrow night. For once, I think my pie turned out perfectly! Whatcha think?

After hanging with them, Danny had called to see if Jeff and I wanted to meet the gang at Bridges for the Sox game. Jeff didn't go because he said he still had too much work to do for class, but I went and had a great time. Wings, beer & friends - what could be better?

hello

2010-09-13T23:28:00.002-05:00

I thought I would share a fun little card... it uses some older SEI papers, but what can I say? I love them! I also used alphabet stickers as a mask before inking the patterned paper. What do you think?

Happy Birthday, Michael!

2010-09-13T16:27:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday to my brother, Michael. I can't believe you're twenty-six years old today! It seems as if it was only yesterday that Mom was telling Morgan and me that we were going to have a little brother or sister. I remember bing so excited! My feeling about having you in my life have not changed - you make everything more fun, more exciting and more ... well, just more. We are all so proud of the man you have become and what you're doing with your life.

Keep it up!

xoxo

Happy Birthday, Sadie!

2010-09-12T22:13:00.004-05:00

I cannot believe my oldest niece, Sadie, turned eleven today! Where in the world has the time gone? It just seems wrong that my sister (who is three years younger than me) can possibly be old enough to have an eleven year old! I still think of her as eleven! LOL

For her birthday, she wanted to have a dance party, if her Uncle Jeff would be so kind as to come and DJ for her and her group of friends. When I asked him if he would do it, he got the biggest grin on his face and then promptly called my sister to ask what "toys" he should bring! Needless to say, come Monday morning, anyone who didn't get invited to her party is going to be J-E-A-L-O-U-S! The girls all had so much fun- they laughed and sang and did gymnastic moves for almost 6 hours! Granted, they would all disappear for about 10-15 minutes at a time to go reapply their "make-up" but they would pop back in and dance until they were sweaty. I took so many fun pictures - I can't wait to make some pages... the ideas are endless and just swirling in my head!

After the dance party, most of the girls stayed for a sleepover. Sadie said they stayed up until 4 am doing make up and hair and watching TV. I picked her up today about noon, so we could go have a girls' day and go shopping for her birthday. We started out at Rue 21, where she got a bunch of shirts and some jewelry. Then, we headed out to Michigan City, where we hit Justice, Gap, Hollister and a bunch of other places. She finally settled on getting a skirt, a pair of super cute shorts and a shirt from Hollister. She even spent some of her own birthday money at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

After shopping, it has kind of become our tradition to go to the Lake and just veg - so we went and ate dinner at Swingbelly's first and then made sand castles and walked along the lake front, talking and just having a fun time. I hated to have to take her home... but we had such a good day!

ahoy!

2010-09-10T23:10:00.003-05:00

I think I mentioned the other day that I joined a really fun scrappy website, right? Well, it's called Scrapgal.com and they are having a month-long "crop" with all sorts of fun little games and challenges to get you motivated. I participated in a challenge called "Scrap tag," where I was emailed a lift of a lift of a lift, etc... I was also the anchor for our team and I don't think I've ever scrapped a page so fast in my life! LOL Really. From start to finish, it was just under an hour - which just may be a world record for me.

This is the page I ended up with - and I hate to admit it, but I plan on redoing it. I'm not quite happy with the colors and there 's just not enough "stuff" on it for me. :) Anyhoo - here's my take on the "sketch" I was given:

The background is really not black, that's just my computer screen, which I found makes a really dandy page holder in a pinch. This photo was taken by one of my Dad's crew-mates on board the ships this summer. He had come home just a few weeks before they came to port in Hammond, but he went up for the weekend to work and just generally, help out with the tours & such. I think we were all so surprised to see how small the ships really are and that he lived on board them for three whole months! We are all so proud of him!

Ahhhh... vacation!

2010-09-08T17:58:00.003-05:00

So, I'm sitting here today at my house and I am so happy that tomorrow is Thursday and it's the first official day of my Fall Vacation. I don't have to go to work. I don't have to listen to people who are calling me on (most of the time) their worst day. I can just sit and do nothing, if I so choose.

However, I am choosing to spend my free time cleaning out my pantry. Maybe making some dinner for Jeff and I for once. (I work straight afternoons, so dinner making usually doesn't ever get to happen.) I am also walking, every day - sometimes with Jody (my best friend) and sometimes with Payton. And sometimes, just with me and my Ipod. It makes me happy. The walking, not the Ipod - but well... I guess that makes me happy too! LOL

I am also choosing to spend my free time getting back into the groove of scrapbooking. I have once again joined an online site where I know a few of the members and just enjoying spending my time there and sharing the love of scrapbooking. I didn't really realize how much I missed it until it was gone. I've got lots more pages to share and I think I'll do that over the next few days as well... We'll see how the night goes. I am going to meet Jody to go see a movie and then we are going to walk, so it may be late when I get back. If not, I'll share another one. :)

all just a blur

2010-09-06T02:50:00.003-05:00

If I didn't know it was true, I would never in a million years believe it. I actually made TWO pages today! (I've got another in the works, too but it may need a trip to the scrapbook store to finish.) I'll share one of the pages with you tonight, because that's all I was able to get photos of tonight. This one is a page about my nephew, David. I just simply cannot believe how fast time has flown and how he's gone from a baby to a little gentleman - all in the span of just a few months. I had some really cute photos from St. Patrick's Day, when Morgan, David and I went to lunch at Old Chicago. He had such a good time, sitting like a big boy in the booth next to me. He was dancing to the music and just having so much fun, I couldn't help but snap some pics. I love that they came out a little blurry. It helped me see my inspiration for this page. I hope you like it. :)

Faux Hawk

2010-09-05T00:41:00.003-05:00

I think this might possibly the most simple page I have ever done! It is sooooo hard for me to do simple. LOL This is my nephew, David, with the cutest little haircut when he was about sixish months old. (He's now 2 and a half.... I'm a wee bit behind, eh?)

I used some SEI, some Jenni Bowlin and KI on this page, along with my favorite Doodlebug things - alphabet stickers. I am reallllly starting to enjoy scrapping again! I hope my mojo never leaves me again.

Just me...

2010-09-04T10:17:00.003-05:00

I know that in the past, I've kept this blog just scrapbook related, but hey! It's my blog and I think I want to start blogging for not only my scrappy stuff, but for my own itty bit of sanity. So today I'm going to share some personal stuff. (You've been warned. *wink*)

Most of my family and good friends know that last year, I started to finally get healthier. I was tired of being overweight and tired and loads of other things, so I got my act together and joined Weight Watchers online. (This was the easiest for me since I work Thursday-Monday straight afternoons and most WW meetings in my area are always on Thursdays, while I'm at work.) It's been over a year now and while I am in NO way near my goal weight, (I still have roughly 50 pounds I want to lose to get there.) I am so much happier in my "new" skin.

I've been frustrated the last few months though, because I've plateaued out AGAIN. I think this is maybe the third time. I had a trainer that was helping me work out for a while and he says that my body is trying to get over the shock of losing the weight and that it will take a while for my metabolism to catch up with the rest of me. That makes me grumpy. Silly, but true. I'm really tired of being stuck at this weight and I've tried a bunch of things to get past it, but I'm not having any luck. I've tried eating less, I've tried exercising more, I've tried doing only cardio, I've tried just walking, heck - I even tried, for one month, eating more (not excessively, just more and more often). That did nothing but help me gain back about 5 pounds. I've since lost that and am once again stuck at my plateau weight. So I've kind of just had it and am afraid I may be resigned to being 50 pounds away from my goal weight forever. *sigh*

Is there anyone out there that has any ideas or maybe some thoughts on why I can't lose any more?

You & Me

2010-09-03T23:20:00.000-05:00

This one I made for Sadie, my niece, because she said there were no good pictures of just her and me. I love her so much and I cannot believe she's already ten years old! Where has the time gone?

So guess what?

2010-09-02T18:19:00.003-05:00

I'm about halfway done with a NEW LAYOUT!! Can you believe it? Me! I did it! I really did it! I found my mojo again!! (Can you tell I'm a wee bit excited about this?)

I even found some cajones and submitted a whole bunch of "older" layouts to Scrapbooking & Beyond. I'm kind of excited about it. AND I'm applying for the SEI design team! They have always been one of my favorite manufacturers. I'd be SO stoked if they picked me! Wish me luck?

2 Cute 4 Words

2010-09-01T18:04:00.007-05:00

So, I'm sharing a page that I've had in my stash of goodies for a very long time... it's my sweet as can be nephew, David, when he was only a few months old. I love this picture of him trying to figure out how to suck his thumb.

I cut out the circles from paper and added it onto the grid paper. I also doodled the photo mat and hand-wrote the journaling in and around the circles. What do you think?

Scrappy goodness!

2010-08-31T20:44:00.001-05:00

So... I finally made it out to the new Pages in Time Forever with my friend Jody today. It has been eight VERY long months since I've purchased any new scrappy goodness. Well, it has been eight VERY long months since I have wanted to do anything scrappy. Well, on second thought, I take that back. I've *wanted* to do scrappy things but my mojo had got up and went. LOL I would sit down with a really cute picture and some older papers that I had been dying to use and I would push the papers and pictures around and not get very far.

Last month, I started stamping again and just the simple act of making some cards made me so happy, I couldn't see straight! So, I decided to dig out one of my newer kits from Paper Posies. One of the new kits had some Bo Bunny paper in it and I had the perfect picture of baby David playing in the sprinkler that I wanted to scrap but didn't have anything new to use on this new paper that would match.... so I decided a much anticipated trip to South Bend was in order! I spent WAY too much and got a LOT of stuff and I'm going to sit down tomorrow and actually make a page. I'm so excited I can't even see straight!

A few cards

2010-08-27T17:50:00.001-05:00

Look! I did it! I was crafty! LOL In all seriousness, I made some cards that I'd like to share. All stamps pictured are Stampin' Up! I really enjoy watercoloring, so most of these are done using watercolor pencils, re-inkers and some markers.

It's been a looooong time!

2010-08-23T17:32:00.003-05:00

Looking back through some of my posts, it's been a very long time since I've shared anything even remotely crafty. Opening Scrapperie really killed me creatively... it hurts me to say that but it's the God's honest truth. I took all of my pent up creativity and used it in ways to make new & interesting kits. Sometimes they were successful, sometimes not. Either way the cookie crumbled, I took it personally. So I think I started to resent scrapbooking and since then, I've not been able to create anything. I miss it. It feels like a part of me that I was forced to get rid of, unwillingly.

I ordered a new Stampin' Up! catalog last week and since then, I've been poring over it - totally transfixed on all of the new ways to play with paper. I even brought out some of my old stamps and started to play. Guess what? I'm getting there. It's not anything great that I want to share yet but I'm remembering how to be crafty... and I'm liking it more and more.

One last final blowout at Scrapperie -

2010-04-14T14:15:00.001-05:00

Greetings one absolute final time from the Scrapperie Boutique,

For the last week or so, I have been working on cleaning out not only what was left of the Scrapperie Boutique, but my own scrapbook room. I've come across some great finds that I'd like to share with you- at phenomenal prices. All of the past Scrapperie kits that were left over have been added to and discounted even more. The leftover kits are busting at the seams with scrappy goods and need a new home!

Here's a link to the Boutique: http://www.scrapperie.com/

boutique All of the links on the site have been deactivated, so the link above is the only way to access it.

Oh! Did I mention? Orders will be shipped SAME day of purchase!

Everything is ready to go and I'll be ever so happy to reclaim the bedroom that was the Scrapperie Boutique... won't you help me get it out of here?

Happy shopping!

Sandi

PS: If you spend over $75, you'll get FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING! (US residents only, please) Just mark the option for local pickup and I'll take care of the rest

Scrapperie Design Team call!

2009-12-23T18:25:00.000-06:00

For the new year, Scrapperie is going back to basics! Since I will no longer be offering monthly kits, I've decided to go back to doing what I really love: sharing my passion for scrapbooking with others who feel just like me!

Starting in January, I am going to once again start up our Wednesday Bingo games, monthly crops and weekly challenges. But before I decide which challenges we'll be doing, I wanted your help in the decision making. Will you please take a few minutes and go vote for your top five favorite types of challenges in this thread in the forums: http://scrapperie.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13525 ?

With the new year, I am also looking for a new breed of Très Chic Girls: Since I wont't have monthly kits to offer in compensation, I'm asking you to come share your passion for scrapbooking with everyone on the forums- simply because you love being part of the Scrapperie community. I am looking for one person to head up each of the five weekly scrapping challenges. I will also need one person who would like to be in charge of running the monthly crops and one person who would like to head up and run weekly Wednesday Bingo games. If this sounds like something you might want to do, send me an email at sandiminchuk@yahoo.com with your user name/real name and what you'd like to do. Past and present Très Chic Girls and Guest Designers are more than encouraged to apply!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! I'll get right back to you.

Happy scrapping!
Sandi

Scrapperie's new October kit and month-long Breast Cancer Awareness special SALE!

2009-10-03T17:40:00.002-05:00

Oh how I love October and its crisp, cool weather and the need for jackets and sweaters and great SHOES! This month's new kit, Spice of Life, is a mix of all of Autumn's wonderful colors and some of my favorite things about Autumn. (Okay, I hate to say it, but I couldn't get everyone shoes. You know if I could, I SO would!)

Spice of Life is chock full of papers from Bo Bunny Press' new lines Gypsy and Kitchen Spice and loads of embellished papers from SEI's brand new Moravia line. There are also more interesting embellishments and fabulous finds from around the web and my favorite antique stores. You'll also notice that there are a lot of add-ons this month, too because...

Not only is October a month for enjoying the cooling weather, but it is a month for reflection... at least in my family it is. I started two years ago by commemorating October's Breast Cancer Awareness campaign by donating 25% of all sales to the Susan G Komen For the Cure foundation. This year I plan on donating 30% of ALL SALES (through the whole month of October) to the American Cancer Society, through Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Breast cancer is a disease that strikes very near and dear to my heart and this is what I can do to help give a little bit back. (I love you, Mom!)

All kits are on a first come, first serve basis, so if you want this one, don't wait! All kits will be shipping mid-month and are now available for pre-order.

Here's a sneak peek at the kit, all photos will be up very soon, but all of the contents of the kits are listed in the Boutique:

ETA: I almost forgot to mention the SALE! For the entire month of October, everything (except the new Spice of Life kit) is on sale anywhere from 5-60% off! Past kits, Vintage Ltd kits, Add-ons, everything is on sale! AND if you spend $100 or more, you'll get free shipping (in the US only)!! Simply choose the "in store pick up" option when checking out.

Happy shopping!

Fall Back into Scrapping Crop this weekend at Scrapperie!

2009-09-15T18:25:00.001-05:00

Come join us this weekend, September 18-20, for a fun little weekend crop! We'll have challenges, games and mini contests galore- so many things you'll be scrapping in no time and never wanting to stop! (And you'll have until Tuesday, September 22nd to get your challenges done, so there is plenty of time to hang out with all of us on the boards, play games and mini contests AND get all your scrapping done!) Look for a special new Fall Back into Scrapping challenge area late Thursday night and I'll get the party started!

And don't forget that the September Post the Most contest is also going on and at the end of the month, you could win some really great scrappy prizes!

September Post the Most contest at Scrapperie!

2009-09-02T12:02:00.001-05:00

Let's have a little contest in September and see who can post the most! Please post your starting post count in this thread and at the end of the month, I'll add in your final posting totals. Whoever has the most will win a Scrapperie kit! But there will be runner-up prizes as well- so get to posting!

(Remember that uploading to the Gallerie and praise in the Gallerie also counts toward your posting totals, so don't forget to stop in there!)

Everyone is welcome to play along!

Introducing the September kit from Scrapperie: Country Club

2009-08-24T10:54:00.001-05:00

Country Club is the new manly-man colored kit September kit from Scrapperie. It features brand new papers from Dream Street Papers, fondly named Sam. Mixed in are new papers from My Mind's Eye's Breaking Free line, some Scribble Scrabble Spencer and Autumn Aftrernoon, some Jillibean Soup and some Basic Grey Archaic. (Make no bones about it, there are no dinosaur themed papers here, folks - just the gorgeous hues of the solid and geometric print papers). All of the colors of this kit are based on one of my most favorite possessions- an old tweed sportcoat of my Dad's that I've hung onto since the 80s! It has worn metal buttons and corduroy patches on the elbows- and I've included all of those things in this kit. If you've been looking for the perfect kit to document the men in your life- this is it!

The Essentials - $30: The Extras - $20:
The Trimmings - $10:
All three of the above kits, combined into the Pièce de Résistance - $57.50:

I'm also offering several add-ons kits this month, too. Bazzill cardstock pack - $4.50:
2 different Bazzill stitching templates - each $5.75:

The piercing tool for the templates - $2.75:

Matching Bazzill thread - $4.75:

And two different albums - a skinny one - $5.50: and a square, tabbed one - $9:All of these are available for pre-order right now and will be shipping on or around September 10th. All kits are on a first come, first serve basis - so when they're gone, they're gone! Come get yours today!~

New computer!

2009-06-23T14:53:00.001-05:00

Woo hoo! I'm finally back up and running- not having a computer is like a nightmare! Now, I have a bigger one than I can ever fill up and it is faster than what I am used to... the only thing I have to get used to is this new keyboard. It's kinda funky. And I'll be reloading all my software back onto it for an eternity... ugh.

The new July kit at Scrapperie: English Garden

2009-06-16T12:29:00.007-05:00

Hi everyone!

I'd like to introduce you to our new July kit, English Garden. This kit is full of not only papers but embellishments. With papers from Crate Paper, Cosmo Cricket, K & Co and Sassafras Lass, how can you go wrong?

English Garden is now up for pre-order in the Boutique at Scrapperie. It will be shipping out the first week in July. I put the kit up for sale this morning on the site and they are already about half gone... so if you're wanting it, get it quick (or ask me to reserve one for you)!

Here's a look at the kits:
The Essentials - $30

The Extras - $20

The Trimmings - $10

Pièce de Résistance - $57.50 (all 3 of the above kits, combined at a discounted price)

We've got a bunch of add-ons this month, too including two cardstock packs (either one - $4.50)

Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday Ready, Set, Chipboard! - $5
Crate Paper Lillian Glitter Die Cuts - $4.50Crate Paper Lillian Rub-ons - $4

Spring Into Summer Crop at Scrapperie!

2009-05-11T12:35:00.002-05:00

Come join us at Scrapperie this weekend as we celebrate with our Spring Into Summer Crop!

Starting at noon on Thursday, May 14th, we'll have challenges, games and some other fun surprises to keep you scrapping all weekend long. The majority of the challenges will be listed Thursday and Friday, but all crop challenges won't be due until Monday night at midnight- so you'll have plenty of time to finish them.

The rest of the weekend will be filled with games, contests and other great activities that you won't want to miss out on! So, mark your calendars and invite your friends (because you just might win) and be here to celebrate as we Spring Into Summer!

NSD SALE at Scrapperie!

2009-04-30T12:34:00.001-05:00

Good morning everyone!

Isn't it great to start the day with a sale? From now until Monday morning, every single thing (except the new May Spring Into Summer kit) is on SALE! Prices as low as 60% off! ALL past Boutique monthly kits are now on sale- this includes any of the add-ons that co-ordinate with the monthly kits. Boutique kits are any where from 10%-50% off! ALL Vintage Ltd kits are on sale at 60% off! ALL add-ons are on sale half off! This is one sale you won't want to miss out on!

As an extra perk to any of the customers who have pre-ordered the May Spring Into Summer kit, please select the "in-store pick up" option and I will ship any of your NSD purchases with your May kit order for free!

Also, don't forget to stop in and check out our Gallerie on May 10th, when the Très Chic Girls and Guest Designers reveal their projects... you won't want to miss out on this fun kit!

Come check out our sale here. :)

Have a great day!
Sandi

Happy St Patrick's Day!

2009-03-17T10:28:00.002-06:00

If you're in the area and would like to join in our annual Pipes and Drums of Lake County band tour, here's the line-up:

3pm Spandos (Crown Point)
4:30pm Buddy & Pal's (Crown Point)
5:30pm Z Grill (Crown Point)
6:15pm Buddy & Pal's (Winfield)
7pm Mighty Micks (Winfield)
8pm TJ Maloneys (inside the Radisson, Merrillville)
9:30pm Frickes/Spandos/The Registry
10:30pm Northwoods (Schererville)
11pm Woodhollow (Schererville)

If you're a scrappy friend and would like some fun challenges, go to Willow Traders! They are having their 4th anniversary celebration and Scrapperie is the host today!

Happy and safe St Patrick's Day!

Cherries Jubilee - new March kit from Scrapperie!

2009-02-24T08:53:00.007-06:00

I love March! It's such a gorgeous time of year... the snow starts to melt and brave flowers start to make their way out of the Earth, fresh from a nice, long slumber. The end of March also signifies the beginning of beautiful, intensely colored cherry blossoms- which are the basis for this month's kit. I've also opted to use a color that I haven't used yet- purple! Cherries Jubilee is full of papers from My Mind's Eye brand new line, Penny Lane, richly colored papers from Crate Paper's Mia Collection, and a sprinkling of fun & funky papers from Making Memories' Noteworthy Collection. An abundance of floral and swirl embellishments round out the whole kit. add-ons this month include Copic markers, additional cardstock and some fun glittered die cuts.

Cherries Jubilee is now available for pre-order and will be shipping to customers at the beginning of March. Make sure to check out the Gallerie on March 5, when the new design team reveals what they have done with this awesome kit!

FYI: The kits are already half gone- if you're wanting this one, don't wait!

Here's look at the kits:
Essentials:

The Extras: The Trimmings:

Something fun for today

2009-02-04T12:14:00.000-06:00

The coolest video...

2009-02-03T03:09:00.001-06:00

"Love is in the Air" mini kit from Scrapperie!

2009-02-02T03:17:00.001-06:00

To go along with our Fantasti c February contest, "Love is in the Air" is now available for pre-order in the boutique! Get yours before they are all sold out- there's only going to be 25 of these for purchase at the super low discounted price of $25!

It's full of a variety of papers from Basic Grey, Fancy Pants, My Little Yellow Bicycle and more- order yours before they are all sold out.

This kit is available for pre-order right now, it will be shipping at the end of this week!

Order yours today before they are all sold out!

Fantastic February at Scrapperie!

2009-02-01T03:09:00.001-06:00

There's a great new contest that will fun the whole month of February at Scrapperie- with loads and loads of prizes, challenges, classes, games and more! You really don't want to miss out!

We also just announced our new design team full of Très Chic Girls! Check out this fabulous list:

Amy Wilges
Crystal Brothers
Heather Lough
Jana Eubank
Jennifer Hitchcock
Jennipher Lowery
Lynda Lindley
Marielle LeBlanc
Nathalie Leonelli
Susan Alton
Taryn Stothart

These super talented girls will be joining Collen Heidrich and Michele Brooks or the rest of the year! All of these girls will have the privilege of being Très Chic Girls the entire year and will rotate out designing with the monthly kits. Look for their amazing talent starting with the March kit!

Not only that, but we're also going to have Guest Designers for the rest of the year as well! Congratulations to all of these super talented girls:

Amy Birch
Andi Dickson
Andrea Ancich
Aphra Bolyer
Beth Warren
Carolyn Lontin
Christi Wright
Cindy Buchanan
Debbie Standard
Ginger Graham
Heather Landy
Heather Robertson
Kim Tupponce
Jackie Laing
Jayme Downs
Jenny Adams Powers
Lisa Watson
Mandy Koeppen
Megan Aaron
Melissa Ackerman
Melissa McCartney
Michele Edgley
Nancy Vendenberg
Pamela Palmarini
Paula Gilarde
Rebecca Kvenvolden
Renee Griffith
Rita Barakat
Shana Dilldine
Shannon Morgan
Stacey Hansen
Stacey Michaud
Stacy Cohen
Sue Wojtkowski
Susan Gray
Teresa Matz
Tonya Boone

I cannot wait to work with all of you!!

Just a few more days...

2009-01-17T03:34:00.001-06:00

There's only a few more days to get your "application" in if you'd like to be considered as a Très Chic Girl or a guest designer for Scrapperie! The deadline is January 20th! :)

January kit from Scrapperie...

2009-01-03T03:36:00.000-06:00

It's that time again! A new Scrapperie kit is being revealed... Each and every January, it seems like we are all making some sort of resolution to ourselves. From losing weight to spending more time with family, these resolutions come in every shape, size and request. All except for one: to take time. Take time to enjoy the simple things in life or to simply just take the time for yourself.

Take Time is the new January kit from Scrapperie. It features a great mix of papers from Fancy Pants (The Daily Grind), Kaisercraft (Esperence) and We R Memory Keepers (Nonsense). The embellishments this month are plentiful, too- from great embellishment finds to some fun journaling prompts from Knock, Knock- this kit is sure to please!

Scrapperie is also doing something new in 2009: No more subscriptions! Honestly, it got to be too much of a fight with PayPal and I really don't like to harp on customers to purchase monthly kits. So, I'm trying something new... No more hassles, no more confusion in the Boutique- just pick the kit you want, add it to your cart and you're all set. All kits will now be on a first come, first serve basis. (As always though, if you are wanting to purchase the kit but can't right this second, just reply to this email and tell me which kit you'd like to purchase and I will set one aside, on hold for you.)

I've also decided to try Add-ons for each kit: extra goodies that you can purcahse to go along with your kits, shipped with them, at no additional cost. Cardstock will always be an additional option, but each kit will have different goodies. This month, there are two cardstock options and some great chipboard stickers from Fancy Pants. (The stickers are so cute too because they come in a reusable little chipboad box with a drawer!)

Oh! That reminds me: Shipping costs will remain at flat $6.95 shipping for all US customers. International customers- either choose your shipping costs via the drop down menus or I can send you a PayPal invoice with the balance of your actual shipping costs.

The January kit, Take Time, is now available for order in the Boutique. Here are some photos of all four available kits:

The Essentials ($30):

The Extras ($20):

The Trimmings ($10):

The Pièce de Résistance (all three above kits combined at the discounted price of $57.50):

Would you like to design for Scrapperie?

2008-12-29T03:54:00.001-06:00

Hi there! As most of you know, I'm the owner of Scrapperie, an online kit club and message board. Starting now, I am looking for a new way of doing my design team, currently known as the Très Chic Girls.

In the past, I've had the normal design team "rules" - terms run from 4-6 months and compensation is a monthly kit. But I think that is not working for most people anymore- especially in today's hectic society and crazy economy.

For this next while, I think I would like to go back to having something along the lines of "Guest Designers" who would work with the monthly kits, etc. I may ask you to work one or two months with my kits, or longer.

Anyone who has ever worked with me knows I'm pretty laid back and I don't require a zillion projects or demand you to post on the boards every day. I know life is first and foremost and our hobbies and other things come later...

So, if you would be interested in applying and working with one (or more) of my monthly kits, please drop me an email at sandiminchuk@yahoo.com Please provide a link to an online gallery and tell me a little bit about yourself. Scrappers of all creative levels are always welcome. The only thing we ask is that you encourage creativity and share what you love doing with the rest of the Scrapperie community.

Any questions, please don't hesitate to ask or email me.

Thanks so much,
Sandi

**International scrappers also welcome to apply!

My new Etsy shop!

2008-11-22T01:26:00.002-06:00

My Mom has been wanting me to participate in a craft show or have a trunk show at the house, or just do something to try and sell my jewelry creations, but I just haven't had the time to actually do any of them. So, I've finally opened an Etsy shop with some of my jewelry designs! You can check it out here: Payton Murphy Designs

Will you tell me what you think?

I'm hopelessly addicted...

2008-11-09T23:19:00.007-06:00

...to vampires! LOL My sweet friend, Kim, suggested I would like reading Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series and boy oh boy was that the understatement of the year! I loved it so very much, I think I read all four books in a little over a week. Heck, I loved it SO much I brought back the book club at Scrapperie and Twilight is the November book we're all reading. OK, well, some of us re-reading ;) Anywhoo... if you love to discuss this book and would like to come join us, please feel free. I'd love to hear your take on this books. The discussion forum can be found here: Scrapperie Twilight discussion

Wild & Wacky Wednesday online crop at Scrapperie!

2008-10-28T00:42:00.000-06:00

Are you tired of the same old, same old every week? How about joining in on a fun little mid-week crop to boost your spirits and perk up your scrapping? Scrapperie is having a Wild & Wacky Wednesday Crop this Wednesday, October 29th from 12:01 am until late into the night! And don't worry about having to have crop projects in right away- they won't be due until 11:59pm on Sunday, November 2nd! This way, you can fully enjoy the games and activities we have scheduled without having to rush to finish all the challenges we have planned! Prizes range anywhere from a Scrapperie gift certificate, to one of many RAKs. You could even win an October kit!

So, come relax and enjoy a little mid-week scrappy getaway with the Wild & Wacky Wednesday Crop at Scrapperie- you'll be glad you did!

October Afternoon Weathervane kit!

2008-10-25T03:01:00.002-05:00

Scrapperie is offering it's November kit, Apple Orchard, for pre-sale in the Boutique! It will be chock full of patterned papers from October Afternoon, featuring the new Weathervane collection, along with some Detours and Basic Grey Mellow and Recess, Bazzill, Bo Bunny and KI Memories. Tons of apple and tree-inspired embellies are thrown in, along with two different alphabets. This is one kit you surely won't want to miss- once it's gone, it's gone!

**For the rest of October, if you order this kit (or the October Hocus Pocus kit, featuring papers from My Little Yellow Bicycle and Making Memories) I will donate 30% of all proceeds to the American Cancer Society, via Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. It's just a little something I can do to help give back and hopefully one day, to help find a cure.

Scrapperie's October kit and a Breast Cancer special

2008-10-03T19:47:00.003-05:00

Oh how I love October and its crisp, cool nights... And what could be better than a little frightful, spellbinding fun? This month's kit, affectionately called Hocus Pocus, marries two new lines from Making Memories and My Little Yellow Bicycle with some spooky and festive tricks and treats!

Not only is October a month for enjoying the cooling weather, but it is a month for reflection... at least in my family it is. I started last year by commemorating October's Breast Cancer Awareness campaign by donating 25% of all sales to the Susan G Komen For the Cure foundation. This year I plan on donating 30% of ALL SALES (throughout the whole month of October) to the American Cancer Society, through Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Breast cancer is a disease that strikes very near and dear to my heart and this is what I can do to help give a little back. (I love you, Mom!)

All kits are on a first come, first serve basis! All kits are on pre-order and will be shipping closer to the 15th of the month. I will update the site when they are shipping.

Here's a link to the kits in the Boutique.

Here's a look at the kits: Hocus Pocus: The Essentials

Hocus Pocus: The Extras

Hocus Pocus: The Trimmings

Hocus Pocus: Pièce de Résistance

The Super Sale at Scrapperie!

2008-09-17T12:35:00.001-05:00

It's back to school time and what's better than having the kids back in school than having some time to scrap for yourself?! So to help you stock up on some things, Scrapperie is having a Super Sale! All items in the Boutique are discounted any where from 20-50%!! And I'm doing something I hardly ever do: From now until the end of the month, all past Scrapperie monthly boutique kits are 20% off!

I've also added a new section to the store called Grab Bags. If you're looking for some really great papers and embellies at a discounted price, a grab bag might be a good way to go. Order grab bags in any multiples of $5 or $10 and I'll make sure to mix everything up really well, so you won't be stuck with a lot of any one paper.

Stock up and save! Happy shopping!

LOTS of Stampin' Up! sets for sale!

2008-08-23T03:37:00.002-05:00

Please mail me (sandiminchuk@yahoo.com) if you are interested in any of these sets. Shipping will be $5 (flat rate USPS) for anyone in the US and $9 for Canadians. (For any other, please send me your address so I can figure out shipping for you.) I will happily combine shipping as long as the wanted sets can fit into the flat rate envy. If not, I ship USPS Priority and will find the lowest shipping price. (I can also ship in a flat rate box to US residents for $9.) PAYPAL only, please.

I have photos of all the sets, if you’d like to see one just let me know. I’ve stated the condition of each set next to its name. Most are mounted and varnished (to protect the wood from staining). Some are brand spanking new and never been used, a few have some staining to the wood or rubber, but it in no way affects the stamped image. The number after the set name is the number of stamps in the set.

I really just want all these old sets out of my house so I can make room for new goodies, so if you think the price is not right, make me an offer!

$5 sets
Bold Greetings Mini (4)- mounted and varnished, never used
Borders Mini (foam) (4) - gently used
Handmade with Love II (one stamp missing) (3)- mounted, gently used
Mini Angels (foam) (4) - never used
Scribbles 4 - mounted and varnished, never used
Stamped with Love (one stamp missing) (3)- mounted and varnished, gently used

$8 sets
Border Builders (12)- mounted and varnished, never used
Eclectic Corners (4)- mounted and varnished, never used
Festive Friends (4) - mounted and varnished, never used
Happy Birthday Frame (2) - mounted and varnished, used once
Petite Frames (4) - mounted and varnished, never used
Seasonal Patches (4) - mounted and varnished, never used
Winter Patches (4) - mounted and varnished, slightly used

$10 sets
DD Sunflower (4) - mounted, never used
Floral Wreath (1) - mounted and varnished, never used
Just for You (4) - mounted and varnished, never used
Sassy Seasonals (4)- mounted and varnished, never used

$12 sets
Autumn (5) - mounted, never used
Cuddles & Tickles (7) - mounted and varnished, never used
Forever Friends (6) - mounted, never used
Friendships Grow (4) - mounted, slight staining on wood
Just for You Series: French Twist (one stamp missing) (5) - mounted, never used
Over the Hill (6) - mounted, used once
Paint Prints (6) - brand new, unmounted
Peace & Comfort (4) - mounted, slightly used
Tender Toile (4) - mounted, never used

$15 sets
Baby Announcements (AKA Announcements) (13) - mounted and varnished, slightly used
Bold & Basic Greetings (8.) - mounted and varnished, slightly used (a little staining on wood)Bountiful Blessings (6) - mounted and varnished, never used
DD Daisy (13) - mounted and varnished, gently used
DD Hydrangea (10) - mounted and varnished, very gently used
DD Posy & Bee (10) - mounted and varnished, never used
Fanciful Flowers (13) - mounted and varnished, gently used
Girl Talk (8.) - mounted, used once, slight staining on one wooden block
Joy (6) - mounted and varnished, used once
Just for You Series: Watercolor Wishes (6) - mounted and varnished, never used
Love Always (6) - mounted, never used
Party Animals (12) - mounted and varnished, very gently used
Pineapple Welcome (4) - mounted, never used
Santa’s Helpers (6) - mounted, used once

$20 sets
Basket of Kindness (6) - mounted, never used
Business Memos (8.) - mounted and varnished, one stamp used
Celebration Invitation (17) - mounted, used onceDD Flutterbys (10) - mounted and varnished, used once
DD Old Glory (5) - mounted and varnished, used once
DD Toile Blossoms (7) - unmounted and brand new
Elegant Greetings (8.) - mounted and varnished, never used
Great Greetings (20) - mounted and varnished, one stamp used once
Many Thanks (9) - mounted, never used
More Great Greetings (20) - mounted and varnished, never used
Nellie the Nest Lady (10) - mounted and varnished, never used
Recipe Fun (7) - mounted and varnished, never used
Season’s Greetings (8.) - unmounted and brand new
Versatile Verses (8.) - mounted and varnished, one stamp gently used
Victorian Frame (7) - mounted and varnished, never used

Go Team Green!

2008-08-09T13:04:00.001-05:00

:)

2008-08-02T10:48:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday to me..
Happy Birthday to me...
Happy Birthday dearrrr meeeeeee......

Happy Birthday to me!

;)

Happy Father's Day...

2008-06-16T03:00:00.003-05:00

to all the Dads out there!

Today was such a nice day: My Mom and Dad invited all of us kids out to brunch at Strongbow this morning. (Unfortunately, both Jeff and I ended up having to work over last night at work. Jeff wasn't able to make it out there with me, but he did get some much needed sleep before heading into work as early car today.) Anywho... I drove out to meet everyone and we all ate way too much good food and had fun listening to the girls tell us all about swimming and how (baby) David can already talk! Sadie swears he can say "I love you" but I must say that's pretty darn impressive for barely two months old! LOL (He will mimic (coo) what she's saying in her little sing-song lilt, but it's no where close to real words.) Dad and I both had to work afternoons so after spending some time at their house, we both left for work.

New phone yumminess!

2008-06-10T10:46:00.000-05:00

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am. I got my new phone today! I went from the ickiest phone ever to the most hi-tech one I could find. I'm still fumbling my way through it, though. At least now I can send and receive texts, surf the internet, listen to music, watch TV, all sorts of cool things with it. Here's what I got:

Two more jewelry toots!

2008-06-05T10:04:00.000-05:00

Bead Trends requested two more bracelets for the November/December issue! Since my mojo has been kinda slow lately with scrapbooking, jewelry making has become the thing that soothes me when I come home from a crazy stressful day at work. Anyhoo... just thought I'd share. :)

The Last Day of School

2008-06-02T22:14:00.000-05:00

Today was the last day of school for Sadie and Madison, my sweet little nieces. Since the girls are getting older, they have both opted to have a girl's day where we go shopping, spend the day together, get dinner, that sorta thing. Well, poor Madie had her birthday back in April and since then, we've not been able to do it for various reasons- other family birthdays, vacation plans, etc. So finally, I told Morgan I was going to scoop her up after school and go spend the day with her being silly and just having fun. I had planned on taking her to the beach- something they rarely get to do but wouldn't you know it, I woke up to rain and a forecast of nothing but bleakness for the rest of the day. So, I quickly made up my mind what we would do instead: scrapbook!

So, after the girls got home from school, Morgan and I took them to Strongbow for some lunch and then Madie and I headed to Michigan City to the Osh Kosh B'Gosh outlet (her favorite store). Next, we took a little scenic drive through Michigan and stopped and got some ice cream along the way. I wouldn't tell her what her big surprise was but she was so cute asking a zillion questions about what we could possibly be doing- considering it was pouring buckets outside as we drove. It took nearly an hour to get to my surprise, but the look on her face when we walked into the store was more than enough to make up for it! I took her to Pages in Time (my most favorite scrapbook store in our "area.") Here are a few shots of her making her very first pages:

The bottom picture cracks me up- her front teeth are still missing!

We had so much fun. I've decided that for the summer, every Tuesday (permitting with their busy softball schedules), I'm going to take BOTH girls to PIT for a weekly scrap lesson! Wish me luck! LOL

I've been a bad blogger!

2008-05-30T08:50:00.000-05:00

I've noticed that I've really stopped sharing a lot of things in my blog. I'm going to make a conscious effort (starting today) to blog a lot more often.

Scrapperie DT search

2008-05-28T10:55:00.002-05:00

How would YOU like to design for a très magnifique kit club?

Scrapperie is looking for enthusiastic scrappers to help us showcase our monthly kits and help promote the site. This time around, we are looking for designers to showcase not only the Essentials kit each month, but the Extras/Trimmings kit as well!

As a Très Chic Girl you will be expected to showcase our monthly kits to the best of your ability; participate actively in our forums and take part in our reguarly scheduled and special events. We also hope you would love to talk about Scrapperie to your friends and talk us up on other websites (where allowed.)

If you would like the chance to be a Très Chic Girl you need to be active on the message board to make sure this is the place for you. Then you need to upload 3 creations of your choosing (they do not have to be new- just your favorite pieces will do) in our Très Chic folder in The Gallerie. You will need to decide which kits you'd rather play with and try out for- the standard Essentials kit or the Extras/Trimmings kits. If you love to alter and make mini albums, the Extras/Trimmings kit would be right up your alley. If you're more of a traditional scrapper, then choose the Essentials kit. If you're trying for the Essentials kit, then upload three of your most favorite layouts. If you've chosen the Extras/Trimmings, then upload three of your most favorite altered projects.

The new term will run from 7.1.08 through 10.31.08. (Each term runs for 4 months allowing us to present this opportunity to a wider range of scrappers.)

Next, send an email to admin@scrapperie.com with the following information:

-Your name (and Scrapperie user name- if it's different from your real name)
-Your full address (City, State, Country, Zip Code, etc)
-Your telephone number
-Your email address
-Any other things you want us to know about you- as much or as little as you want to tell us
-What (if any) other design teams you are on and if it is another kit club, etc- that sorta thing

Deadline for submissions is 6.23.08. Designers will be announced later that same week.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. Either PM me, post it here or email me at admin@scrapperie.com

Bon chance!

Memory Makers' Oh Baby book!

2008-05-25T11:05:00.000-05:00

I just got my copy of the new Memory Makers' book, Oh Baby, along with my layout. I only have onle layout in this book but there are such cute ideas in this book! So much so, that after devouring the book from cover to cover, I made THREE layouts of my own! I can't share any of those yet because I subbed them- which is something I haven't done in EONS, it seems! Anywho... here's the layout I have in Oh Baby:

It's a page about my two nieces- the oldest, Sadie, is "reading" a book to Madison, the youngest. (Notice the book being upside down! lol) My Mom made up the cutest little poem-song when I was young and the girls have learned it and asy almost as much as I did when I was young. I just wanted to make sure this little bit of our family's history was preserved somewhere, before I start to forget things. Seems like it's happening to me more and more! It stinks getting older! LOL

The Gauntlet at Scrapperie

2008-04-21T13:11:00.004-05:00

Do you want to participate in an exciting new scrapbooker's challenge for a chance to win some great prizes and maybe even become a Très Chic Girl? To celebrate our first anniversary, Scrapperie will be hosting a new contest to get your creative juices flowing! The contest, called The Gauntlet, will be completed in seven challenge-filled stages and will run from May 1-June 30, when the Grand Prize winner is announced.

Starting on Sunday, April 27, those interested in participating in The Gauntlet must submit one layout into The Gauntlet Gallerie and sign in on the Scrapperie forums. Anyone interested in participating has until 11:59 PM CST on May 3 to sign up and enter an initial layout into the Gallerie. The initial layout may be something previously made, published, etc- it should just showcase your best work. (Any project from that point on needs to be never before seen and specifically made for The Gauntlet's challenges.) Sorry, but any projects submitted to this contest must be primarily paper based. No all digital layouts will be accepted. Hybrid layouts are welcome, but it must be obvious that the layout is mostly tangible products.

Prizes will include a Grand Prize package valued at over $75 and a position as a Très Chic Girl for the upcoming term (July-October). First place is a prize package valued at over $50. Second place's prize package is valued over $35 and third place's prize package is valued over $25. Other prizes may be awarded at the judges' discretion. Everyone entering the challenge will have chances to win Scrapperie gift certificates for the Boutique.

The Gauntlet's winner will be determined by a non-biased panel of judges. Projects will be judged on creativity, originality, design and how closely each challenge is followed. Please come visit Scrapperie's contest forum for complete rules and details of The Gauntlet.

If you're stuck in a rut and wanting to win some great prizes, come play along in Scrapperie's Gauntlet!

Great Gatsby! I've been tagged!

2008-04-06T23:33:00.008-05:00

Ok, I've not done one of these before, so I am hoping I do it right- LOL!

Here's how this is supposed to work:

Link to the person that tagged you and leave a comment on their blog, so that their readers can visit yours. (I was tagged by BOTH Amy and Michele !!)
Post the rules of the tagging on your blog.
Share 7 Random facts about yourself on your blog.
Tag 7 random people at the bottom of your post, linking to their blog.
Let each person they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven totally random facts about me:

I totally love the movies Closer, The Notebook, Super Troopers and Super Bad. I could watch them over and over and over.
I like all sorts of music- anything from my favorite (Pearl Jam) to Mozart and anything in between. I'm also a huge fan of techno. Anything with a bass-y beat and I'm good.
I'm a sucker for a good bottle of wine and any kind of pasta dinner.
I'm fluent in French- a little rusty, but still fluent.
Jeff and I hated each other in high school Most people that we see from back in those days cannot believe we got married. We just laugh.
I've always wanted to travel around the world- seeing little known places and eating weird, exotic foods. (Uhm, no bugs. No beans.)
When I'm upset and need some time alone, I go to the Lake to think. It's the only place where I can hear myself.

Ok, so I am running out of people in my little Scrapperie circle of friends because they were all tagged before me. So, I am choosing Janet, Marie, Megan, Robin, Robyn, Shannon & Sue

A big 'ole toot to share!

2008-03-26T12:55:00.011-06:00

Late last year, I was asked to be a part of an amazing new book published by Memory Makers books: Show It Off! I just received my copy of the book the other day and I am just having so much fun oohing and aahing over it! There are so many great ideas in there on how to show off your scrapbooking and not just keep it hidden in your albums. It's sort of a how-to display things in your home and get cool things up on your walls. You really should have a look!

Here are my projects that are in the book- A little 9x9 framed photo box & pic of me and Jeff (courtesy of Hallmark):

Two wall hangings (one for Sadie and one for Madison and THANK goodness I picked up a third when I bought these frames at Hobby Lobby, because baby David will need one, too!)

Some close-ups:

A fun little paper bouquet:

And a mini album about a trip my parents and nieces took to Michigan one weekend:

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2008-03-17T10:08:00.003-06:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all my friends and family! For any of you in the area, here's our line-up for the day:

noon - The Variety in Gary
2 pm - The Slovak Club in Merrillville
4 pm - Spondos in Crown Point
5 pm - Buddy & Pals in Crown Point
6 pm - Buddy & Pals in Winfield
7 pm - Mighty Micks in Winfield
8 pm - Frickes in Crown Point
9 pm - Spondos in Corwn Point

We hope to see you there! Come support the Pipes and Drums of Lake County so that they can represent the region in Washington, DC for Peace Officer's Memorial Week!

Scrapperie news: There's a sale for today only in The Boutique on all 2007 Boutique kits, all Vintage Ltd kis, all Paperie products and all Add-ons. Happy shopping!

Loads of new jewelry pieces in my Etsy store!

2008-03-13T01:34:00.004-06:00

Being sick really is not so much fun, but it has given me lots of downtime to make some jewelry! I've had such fun lately making bracelets, so I've listed a whole bunch of them in my Etsy store: Retrouvez.

I will also happily do custom orders, so if you see an idea/concept you like but aren't wild about the colors, please just ask me and I would love to make something special just for you!

Sad day for Lake County Police

2008-02-23T12:03:00.003-06:00

little e,

We love you dearly and already miss you more than you will ever know.

J&S

Fantastic February Cyber Crop this weekend!

2008-02-21T23:51:00.002-06:00

To go along with our Fantastic February Challenge at Scrapperie, you won't want to miss out on all the fun we have in store for you this Saturday- February 23, 2008 at our one day cyber crop!

We'll begin at 10am CST by posting all ten challenges and the sign-in thread. (All challenges will be due by midnight that night.) The fun will continue throughout the day with games, challenges and other crazy chances to earn prizes and points towards the February challenge.

Did I mention random door prize drawings ALL throughout the day? You can win gift certificates, mini scrapbook kits and loads of other scrappy prizes from our Boutique. Oh! The Boutique will have all Vintage Ltd Kits on sale at 50% off. Not to mention all the add-ons and papers that are already on sale at 25% off!

You do not have to be participating in our Fantastic February points challenge to participate in the crop and win prizes.

We hope to see you there!

Fantastic February contest at Scrapperie!

2008-02-01T23:47:00.000-06:00

For the month of February, we are going to run a contest that will have everything nutty around here! :)

This will be a points based contest, where you can earn points by posting and chatting in the forums, uploading in the Gallerie and participating in our Saturday Night Fever (SNF) mini crop! There will be games all throughout the month to participate in that can earn you points. We'll also have a trivia based question of the day and by answering it correctly, you'll earn points! There will also be mini challenges posted all throughout the month. You can earn points by playing Bingo every Wednesday night at LeClub! So, how can you earn points?? Here's the breakdown:

Starting a topic in the forum: 2 points
Replying to a topic in the forum: 1 point
Uploading a layout to the gallerie: 2 points
Leaving love/praise for a layout in the gallerie: 1 point
Uploading a layout to the gallerie using a Scrapperie kit: 3 points
Answering the daily trivia question correctly: 2 points
Game participation: 1-5 points, dependant upon game
Challenge participation: 1-10 points, dependant upon the challenge
Signing in at the SNF mini crop: 1 point
Other SNF participation: Determined by challenge, will be announced at SNF
Playing Bingo at LeClub on Wednesday nights: 5 points
Winning Bingo at LeClub: 10 points
Referring someone to Scrapperie: 10 points (They must fill your name out in the space provided when registering)

What can you win, you ask?? How about your choice of The Essentials Boutique kits? Or maybe you'dd rather have The Extras and/or The Trimmings? No problem! You could also win a Scrapperie gift certificate or coupon that you can use any way you'd like in The Boutique! There will be multiple winners and someone just might win a Pièce de Résistance kit!

The Fine Print:

Everyone is welcome to play along with this contest, even our Moderators and Très Chic Girls.
Replying to a topic can not be one word answers and you may not post repeatedly, or "talking to yourself." Let's keep this fair so that everyone can participate and have some fun!
The contest will start February 1st at midnight and end at 11:59 PM February 29th (Leap Year!)

Something fun to share!

2008-01-07T00:01:00.000-06:00

I was asked a month or so back if I was interested in becoming a member of the Queen Kat Blogger's Club and after seeing their blog, how could I refuse? Check me out here. Thank you for asking me, Nina!

Some more jewelry toots!

2008-01-05T23:24:00.000-06:00

I got another email from Tatia at Bead Trends requesting four more of my latest creations! These will be in the May/June book. I also got my copies of the January/February (along with a really generous gift certificate to Fire Mountain Gems) the other day in the mail and I am telling you- the photography and creations in this book are FANTASTIC! My Mom and I sat in my scrapbook room the other day, pouring over it- oohing and aahing over everyone's things. I am just so tickled to be in there and I have to admit- I have really gone back to my roots in jewelry making. I love it. It's something portable that I can take to work and it's something that I can get instant gratification from- something scrapbooking isn't for me. I just take too darned long making pages anymore! LOL

Happy New Year!

2008-01-02T00:57:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year to all my family and friends! Here's to a safe and prosperous 2008!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T11:07:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas to all my friends and loved ones! I hope today finds you happy, healthy and peaceful. ((hugs))