The one about recycling

It's no secret that I am a coffee junkie addict drinker. I CANNOT survive the day without a cup of good caffeine. I often stop at the McDonald's Express at the Mobil station on the way to work. There are just days when the half-caf concoction I have going on at home doesn't cut the mustard when I need to be bright-eyed. I collect these cups like others collect Starbucks mugs. Just kidding. But, it seemed a waste to throw it away. So, like any good earth conscious teacher, I began to stack them up in my classroom. Then the wheels in my head started turning...it has to do something at 1am when I can't sleep.


This cup used to contain my Mc Cafe drink of choice...large iced hazelnut (cheaper than a latte at the coffee shop)...

I asked Lucas the other day if they were coming over on Halloween to trick or treat. It's a Sunday and school still happens the next day. Plus, they live far, far away. He said, "Nini, we always come here to trick or treat. Always."

Crud. Now, I had to go shopping for treats. I also knew I couldn't bring myself to just throw candy willy nilly into their bags. They always get souped up treat bags from me.

It became this...easy peasy when you don't get many, if any, trick or treaters on Halloween. We'll see Lucas and Jacob. If we're lucky, John will come by. Maybe this year Ethan and Lucian will come for candy.
Supplies:
Halloween Flashcards by Mia Caniza
Boo cards from Ali Edwards
Making Memories Halloween Journaling Die cuts (2008)
Maya Mist (tangerine and charcoal)
Studio Calico Mister Huey's (apple jack)
Cricut October 31st cartridge and the Cricut Expression
Around the Block label maker
Crop-a-dile
Eyelets

I printed the Boo cards on photo paper. That was a mistake. It felt like cardstock on the backside... grrrr. But, I have to say, it looks good! The pdf version has 6 on one sheet. I used spray adhesive on the back to stick them on the cups.

I misted the flashcards with Maya Mists in tangerine and charcoal and Mister Huey's in apple jack. I adhered the flashcards to the cups using my ATG. I die cut spiders from the October 31st cricut cartridge (free with my Scrapbook Trends Idea book subscription...okay, so maybe not totally free, but I like that publication). Now, some of the spiders are missing legs (my mat was too sticky), but none of the kids who will get these cups will sit down and count legs.

Each cup is personalized using the label maker. I punched holes and attached eyelets with my crop-a-dile. I made six for the littles.

Put some treats into it...still debating baking some Oreo brownies...the jury is still out on that decision.

If we get lucky with other ghouls disguised as kids, they'll get treats thrown into their bags.

The one about reunions

Was it just last week that I went out to dinner with a bunch of classmates from high school?!?!? For some reason, it feels like it's been longer.


I took these pictures from my wall on Facebook. Gotta love those tags!
Supplies: Studio Calico "On the Easel" kit and add-ons (Water Color and En Plein Air), Studio Calico Mister Huey's Color Mists in sunshine, apple jack and classic calico.

These pictures came from Lucas' sixth birthday celebration. Is he really six?!?!? I did some stitching a la Amy Tangerine's workshop. I used the upcoming kit from The Scrapping Spot. SHhhh!
Other supplies: The polaroid stamp came from my Studio Calico "On the Easel" kit and I used some Mister Huey's color mist in Cream Calico.

I think I've seen the last of that EK Success embossed scalloped punch on my layouts. It got stuck a few times and is now seriously stuck for good. I even tried popping in the freezer for a while. No dice. Maybe I'll try some WD-40... but first I have to go borrow it back from Dominic.

the one about journals

I have been a "journaler" since elementary school. I had one of those 5-year diaries, only I couldn't be confined to the 4 or 5 lines they allotted for each year. I guess I have always been a "rebel" in disguise.

I visit a few scrapbook message boards daily. And by visit, I mean scan and run. LOL I read that Amy Tan was doing an online workshop and was so intrigued that I signed up and bought her kit as well.

While I can't give the exact details of the workshop itself, I can share what I've been doing. I usually only do scrap stuff on the weekends, but making these journals were so fun that I did them one night before I went to bed. It was fun hunting for paper scraps in my bags and bins.

First handmade journal! Lots of different scraps here.



I am not adept with a sewing machine. I can't even cut a straight line WITH a paper trimmer so I guess I can't sew a straight line either.


Tried out hand stitching a title. This one says "AROUND + ABOUT". I'm going to use this one for random things I do around town.

I sprayed a shipping tag with Mister Huey's atmosphere by Studio Calico using punched out butterflies (MS Monarch) to hide the fabulous stitching. I also got the fiskars "in stitches" punch in the mail today and tried that baby out. You can see a peek of the polaroid stamp from Studio Calico's "On the Easel" kit.

I made this next journal yesterday afternoon while waiting for the wash to be done. The hand stitching goes by fast!

Here are the three journals I have made so far...

I also tried making my own "washi" tape. I had colored masking tape at work and a few permanent markers. I was waiting for my students to finish up some independent work so I went to town on the tape. Forgot to buy some fine tip sharpies while I was out shopping today. Next time...gotta put it on the list!

10.10.10

10.10.10...with numbers like those, today should be an awesome day! I know two people who celebrate birthdays today. Happy birthday to them.

This post is going to be about TEN things you may or may not know about ME!


I really don't like talking on the phone.
I suffer from insomnia...melatonin is my friend.
I'm famous...HA! I am in 3 commercials for Paradise Fitness Centers Guam.
I can't get through the day without coffee.
I read at least one paperback book and one book on my kindle a week.
I never have less than 5 tabs open on my browser.
I set two alarms because I've had nightmares of waking up late for work.
I LOVE Glee!
I sleep with my MacBook next to me.
I can only walk barefoot in the homes of relatives and close friends.

Creative weekend

As far as weekends go, this one was successful in the creativity department. I made two layouts using some Studio Calico kits. The first was a layout about my new skyscraper shoes. I'm going to have to wear them to Nisha and Joe's wedding in June 2011. Oh, the practicing I'll have to do!



I had some pictures of Lucian from a family lunch we had in August. He was not having a good day. I got the idea to play on the book title, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" by Judith Viorst.


I also made three cards today for World Cardmaking Day. I joined the challenges at Studio Calico.

The first one is from an old old kit...Garment District. The challenge was to use kit leftovers.


The next card's challenge was to use the Studio Calico stamps that come in our kits.


The last card's challenge was to use a posted sketch.

Totally random post

It's been a busy few weeks. I made a big decision and now I'm just waiting to hear about it. Fingers crossed even though I can't reveal what the decision is just yet.

Last month, I started a fitness journal of sorts using Cathy Zielske's layered template. I'm not ready to reveal to the whole world what's on those digital layouts. That's akin to putting my heart on a platter and letting everyone take a stab at it.

My kindle came in two days after my last post. I love it!!! I'd rather be reading on my kindle than surfing the web. I'm reading a whole bunch of books that I downloaded back when I only had kindle for iPhone/iTouch. I still can't believe that I would read on that tiny thing. Oh, when you're desperate...

My shoes for Nisha and Joe's wedding came in. Oh. My. Gosh. They are HIGH. Have to practice staying upright. I do have 8 months...

What I've been working on...
Excuse the black stamp pad like smudges...apparently my stamp pad was in a jumping mood. Grrr.... I have two more layouts that I did today, but the pictures I took of them came out blurry so that will have to wait. Now I'm off to remove all the ink from my fingers before Mass tonight.