My computer just wiped my hard drive and reset itself to the factory setting. OMGosh. Trying really hard not to be completely pissed about this. Any suggestions on how I can get all my info back. There is literally now documents, musics, files, or anything on my computer right now. Completely wiped!!!!!!! Help......please.

Tool Spotlight: Zutter Distrezz-It-All

Hey everyone, 

It's been a busy busy weekend here in the Scrap Sugar Studio. As you can see I tried my hand at some CSS coding {please forgive me if that's not the correct terminology} and redesigned the website to make it a little simpler and I'm liking it a lot. Not loving it yet so there may be a few more changes in the next couple weeks or months. 

Todays tool that I'm spotlighting is the Zutter Distrezz-it-All. If you remember this post from last week I talked all about Tim Holtz for Sizzix dies and my love of grungy things. I normally keep my cards pretty simple but I love making Mini Albums and I tend to grunge them up quite a bit. If you've attempted to grunge chipboard and the multiple papers that are included in a mini album then you know it can be a bit time consuming. Well Zutter and Donna Salazar have come up a solution. 

Description from Zutter.com:

Add antique, shabby chic look to your paper craft projects in the blink of an eye. The tool that everyone wants....the all new Distrezz-it-All makes hand sanding and filing a thing of the past. Distrezz cardboard, chipboard, wood, leather, fabric-covered projects, up to 12 sheets of cardstock at once! Hand held or desk top application. 

Demonstration:

Here is a great demo video from Noell Hyman of Paperclipping.com

Price: $39.99

    A quick google search resulted in prices around $39.99. Hopefully Hobby Lobby or Michael's will offer this product and we will be able to use a 40-50% coupon. Don't you just love coupons?? 

I think this is a great tool for the crafter who makes multiples of everything. (Um....that's me). When you have your assembly line set up this tool will cut your distressing time in half or more. Furthermore did you see how easy it was to distress that chipboard?? Awesome. 

Let me know what you think. Would you use it? Would you purchase it?

Hugs & Sweetness, 

Angee

Card Positioning Systems 162 - Thank You

Hey everyone, 

Today I'm being inspired by sketches. Love love love sketches. Todays is from Card Positioning Systems.

 

Details: With this card I grabbed some patterned paper from .....Ok really I don't know where it's from but it's super cute. I have to start keeping up with the collections. The solid cardstock is from Stampin Up!, buttons from Papertrey Ink, and the Thank you stamp is from Cosmo Cricket's Jacks World stamp set. 

What is your favorite sketch site??

Hugs & Sweetness, 

Angee

5 Things about Me.

1. This has been the best year of my life so far, and I've come a long long way. I was engaged for 2 1/2 years before calling off the wedding last year. It was the hardest experience I've ever gone through but I'm so much stronger having gone through it.

2. Scrapbooking has turned into an unexpected business for me. I started out making cards for just friends and family...Birthdays, anniversary, holidays, etc...and now after only 1 1/2 years I am actually getting custom orders. How crazy is that??

3. I'm an extreme home body and I don't like having people over. I can't say that I'm anti-social because I love being around people but my home is my haven and I love my private space and time to be just that....Private. Weird, I know.

4. I never knew I was a dog lover until I got my first pet as an adult at the age of 25. I'd grown up with pet as a small child but I was always afraid of dogs. One day my former fiance' (we're still friends) took me to meet his family and his aunt had a minature schnauzer. I totally fell in love and decided I needed to have one and so I searched online for a breeder in the area and went to pick up this little guy. His name is Teddy and he's 2 years old. This is how tiny he was then I first picked him up at the breeder. He slept in my lap the whole car ride back home (45 mins). When I went to pick him up the breeder showed me 3 dogs. One was smaller than Teddy and a total spaz. He kept running into walls....um. No thanks. The other was not that cute and Teddy came right up to me and climbed into my lap and sat there cool, calm, and collected. I knew he was the one for me.

This is him playing with my brother on the floor of my scrap room.

5. My desire for this year is to be a published designer in one of the major scrapbooking magazines.

CPS 161: 4U

Hey Everyone, 

I've been totally inspired the last few days by sketches. Who knew sketches could be so motivational? Apparently everyone except me. I've found so many sketch blogs since I began my search and I've made 10 cards in the last 2 day. How exciting, right? Especially I've been getting custom orders and requests for everything from thank you cards to birthday invites. It's so much fun but also a real pressure cooker right now since I'm a bit of a perfectionist and want to give people a great product. So off I go to create and be merry. 

Here is one of the cards I created over the weekend. I've seen and heard much about Card Positioning Systems, however, this is the first challenge that I've actually participated in and it was so much fun. 

Thats all for now but more to come. 

Hugs & Sweetness

Angee

Here is a card I submitted for the ScrapsofColor Sketch (http://scrapsofcolor.ning.com/forum/topics/new-card-sketch-challenge). What do you think?? I've had a surge of inspiration the past few days so expect a few extra posts here and there.

Hugs & Sweetness,
A

Hey all. I'm listing my cuttlebug for sale. Please make me a reasonable offer including shipping. Thanks. Comes with the green machine, A, 2B, & C plates. Only used a handful of times. thanks.

Email me: abutlerdesigns {at} yahoo {dot} com

listening to the "Wicked" soundtrack while crafting. Loves it.

Tim Holtz: Alterations Line

Hey everyone, 

I don't know if you'd consider yourself a grungy girl but I certainly am from time to time, and no one does grunge like Tim Holtz. I have my eye on a few of his things for my haulage (which is getting a bit out of hand actually......however my justification is the fact that it's all reusable tools....again, my JUSTIFICATION...he he).

Check out this video of Tim debuting his new Alterables line then leave me a comment on what you're thinking of buying. 

 

 

 

What I'm looking at: 

Tim Holtz for Sizzix Tattered Florals

Tim Holtz for Sizzix Hardware Findings

Tim Holtz for Sizzix Elegant Flourishes

And pretty much anything else that TimHoltz.typepad.com makes including all of his dies (have you seen his on the edge dies.....OMG), the distress inks, and alcohol inks. Man, who knew crafting could be so expensive. Is there a hoarders group for craft supplies?? Someone sign me up. 

Later sweetness, 

Angee

my newest favorite digital scrapbooking freebie site.....deliciousscraps.com

my newest favorite digital scrapbooking freebie site.....deliciousscraps.com

Stampin Up! Color Renovation

Hey Everyone, 

We're gonna make a change.......(Having a Michael Jackson moment there.....*tear - Miss Him!)

As I'm sure you've heard or are finding out right now on ScrapSugar (shameless plug...he he) Stampin Up! is moving out with the old and in with the new. New Color Collections that is and they're bringing back some of their favorite "In Colors" to do so. 

Beginning with the release of the 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog on July 1st Stampin Up will be debuting their new Color Collections, no longer called color families, with 40 Stampin' Up! Core Colors in four color collections (10 colors in each):  Brights, Neutrals, Regals and Subtles

DOWNLOADS:

New Color Collection Chart (Displayed above)

Fond Farewell Retiring Colors Chart

In Colors (old and current) make the regular line-up of Core Colors:  Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, River Rock, Soft Suede, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi

Introducing five new Core Colors:  Daffodil Delight (the perfect yellow), Early Espresso (deep brown and delicious), Cajun Craze (rich, rusty orange), Cherry Cobbler (relevant red), Marina Mist (not too green, not too gray shade of blue)

Brights Collection:  Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Real Red

Neutrals Collection:  River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake (formerly Kraft), Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Basic Black

Regals Collection:  Elegant Eggplant, Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Always Artichoke, Garden Green, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Riding Hood Red, Cherry Cobbler, Bravo Burgundy

Subtles Collection:  Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, So Saffron

STAMPIN' UP! COLORS HEADED FOR RETIREMENT ON JULY 1:

Almost Amethyst, Apricot Appeal, Ballet Blue, Barely Banana, Blush Blossom, Bordering Blue, Brilliant Blue, Brocade Blue, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Gable Green, Glorious Green, Going Gray, Green Galore, Handsome Hunter, Lavender Lace, Lovely Lilac, Mellow Moss, Only Orange, Orchid Opulence, Pale Plum, Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Sage Shadow, Summer Sun, Taken with Teal, YoYo Yellow.  Download Retiring Color Chart Here.

2010-2011 IN COLORS:  5 new In Colors will be introduced with the Idea Book & Catalog July 1  (you can be sure you'll see sneak peeks from me in June).  The new In Colors will be available for 2 years!  Starting next year, there will be a total of 10 In Colors with five rotating out and five rotating in every year.

HOT NEW ITEMS:  Watch for details on new color kits, Stampin' Up! markers for all  Core Colors (including former In Colors and the newest colors), expansion of colors for Stampin' Pastels and Watercolor Wonder Crayons and an awesome Color Coach tool that will make color selection better than ever!

SPECIAL THANKS:  To our Stampin Pretty Pals leader Mary Fish for always providing us with great info and exceptional leadership. And also for letting me pull most of this info from her blog. he he. She's the best. 

Techie tuesday

Hey y'all. My kids are taking the TAKS test this week so please forgive me if my blog is a little bare.
I did get a chance to stop by nest buy today. I'm trying to get my laptop computer screen replaced.
Nevertheless (don't you just live big words like that) I stopped by the Apple display to check out the iPad up close and in person and I have to say it's really cool. <--- what an accurate review right. Lol.
Anyhoo I snapped this pic my blog on the iPad and I wanted share.

Well true to form I can't for the life of me figure out how to get the pic from my photos into this blog post on my iPhone. Did I mention I'm not liking the tyepad mobile app, and this situation tells you why.

Later.

Techie Goodness: Apple iPad

Hey everyone, 

Do I want an iPad?? Of course. Am I going to get one? Seriously do you even have to ask. When am I going to get one?? When the next generation comes out. (rumored 2011).

On to the techie goodness courtesy of SoldierKnowsBest and iJustine. 

Unboxing by SoldierKnowsBest

Walkthrough by SoldierKnowsBest

Pure Funny 

Bib Necklaces & Sizzix Dies

Hey Everyone, 

It's April already and I'm so busy right now it's been crazy. Graduate school, Teaching, Crafting, Blogging, and so much more. I'm having the time of my life though. 

My latest find has been bib necklaces. You may remember them from this post. I've seen them on so many blogs and I kept thinking to myself I think I can do that. Mind you I say that about most things that I happen to find, lol. But really I innately knew that I could do that, so on I went googling my little heart out and finally I found some great tutorials on how you can make the flowers for these particular types of necklaces.

 The first time I say this necklace on Maggie Holmes blog I was shocked and amazed. First off how gorgeous is Maggie in this picture. Secondly, I knew I had to have that necklace. My first search led me to Etsy and I was shocked to find out how much money was being asked for these necklaces, and I just knew I could (a) make it for myself (b) make it for way less money than was being asked (c) be so thrilled about it. So yes, I placed my order and I'm ready to get a move on it. 

Here are a couple of tutorials I found on Youtube from Christie Daugherty:

Here are some gorgeous altered lollipop flowers. 

Here are some beautiful flower rosette's....

Here are some awesome Fabric flowers

She used Stampin Up dies which I have on order right now from Stampin Up, and you can get them from my site, just CLICK HERE and click SHOP in the top right hand corner.

In the first video she used:

 Originals Circle # 2 Die (Product # 115970)

In the second video:

BIGZ XL Table Setting die (Product # 116819)

In the third video: 

 XL Flower Folds Die (Product # 115970)

I got a few other things that I will post when I get the box in the mail. Love getting boxes don't you??

Stay tuned for more. 

Angela

Reference: Card Bases

Hey everyone, 

If you're like me then you like to have things in more than one place, preferably in your head and on paper somewhere filed away for mind lapses. So for all us card-makers out there, even the one's who don't know their card-makers yet here is a little guideline I found. Hope it helps. 

Crafty sweetness coming soon. 

Angee

If you want a pdf copy of this file click here. 

Tool Spotlight: Spellbinders Presto Punch

Spellbinders Presto Punch

What are your thoughts? Are you planning to buy one? 

Additonal Info: 

All info from Spellbinders website.  

Presto Punch™, the first automatic Punch and Embossing System!  Presto Punch™ offers the easiest, most convenient solution for paper punching. Its innovative design and one touch operation virtually eliminates the need for a multitude of bulky, space-consuming punches.

With Presto Punch™, consumers can cut and emboss effortlessly and store more than 30 punch designs in the space of just one standard punch.

Included with Presto Punch™ are 7 punch templates, in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as a punching envelope and an embossing envelope.  See below for sizes.

Presto Punch™ is automatic and easy to use.  It is battery operated, and uses 8 AA batteries, and weighs only 3.8lbs. An electrical adaptor will be available.

Presto Punch™ is compact sized and light weight, making it easy to use, transport and store.  Presto Punch™ Templates are small and light weight as well, allowing crafters to utilize the versatility of punches hassle free!

Presto Punch™ Templates are recommended for use in the Presto Punch™ System.

Approximate Ship Date: April 2010

Approximate Dimensions:

L x W x H- 5¼ x 4½ x 7"

Approximate Weight- 3.8 lbs

Punch Templates:

Circle: ½" round

Star: ⁷⁄₁₆ "

Square: ½ x ½"

Tag: ⅝ x ¾"

Flower: 1 x 1"

Leaf: ⅝ x 1"

Heart: 1 x 1"

SNQ: Sentiment Placement #2

Hey everyone. 

It seems to have been the longest week of my life. I've been busy everyday this week after school and boy and I exhausted. Plus, grades are due tomorrow and I'm so behind. To all the parents out there who hate the fact that their children's teachers don't keep their grades updated..........I'm sorry. There I apologized. The end. 

But seriously I've been feeling icky today and my kids even noticed so I'm taking medicine now in hopes that I will feel better by monday. Did I mention I have to work over the weekend?? Ugh. 

On a great, fabulous note: I sent my paperwork off to the state of Texas to get my business license and I'm so super excited. Yay. More on that later. 

And in haulage: Thanks to ebay I got my hands on a Coluzzle set (which are now discontinued). I'll post pics when it gets here. 

Today I'm featuring a card that I made after my big Stampin Up Ink haul. And again I can't seem to figure out where to place the sentiment. I usually just stamp my sentiments on a piece of white cardstock, cut it out in a square or rectangle shape, mat it on coordinating cardstock, and mount it on the card in a corner opposite of the main embellishment. I need new inspiration for sentiments. 

Where do you think I should place the sentiment??

Love Link: Photoshop CS5 Sneak Peak

Congrats: Teacher of the Year

Hey there. 

It was my first day back from spring break and I surely could have used a couple more days of rest and relaxation. And the time change over the break didn't help at all with my snoozing and oversleeping this morning. But it's time to get back into the swing of things and I'm happy to see all of my kids again. I sure hope that at least a few of them are saying the same thing about me. lol. 

I'm sharing a card with you today that I made for a dear friends mom, Mrs. Carter. We are co-workers actually and she was nominated for the Teacher-of-the-Year Award. I'm in such awe of this awesome lady because she has been teaching for 30 years, compared to my meager less-than-one, and she is so well respected by all of the staff. No one has anything negative to say about her and I just admire that quality in her. 

I'd just recieved all my Stampin Up inks in the mail when I decided to test them out and create my own patterned paper. I just love the look of this card although I didn't like the look of the full sheet of the patterned paper that I made. I used So Saffron, Creamy Caramel, and Cameo Coral inks to create the paper and used scrap cardstock to back it and stitched a line across the top. I added some Papertrey Ink Terracotta Tile buttons and handwrote the congrats on the card just before giving it to her. 

One thing I love to do is make cards without sentiments and keep them in my purse for moments like these. I can just simple handwrite the sentiment (very carefully) and I have a ready made card for any occasion. 

  

The Worst Form Of Loneliness Is When You're In A Relationship With The WRONG Person

is blog hopping and finding wonderful creative ladies online. Updating my Typepad people lists.

March 19, 2010: Angela Antics

True Story: 

I've never been outside of the country so I'm getting my first passport at the age of 27. Sad, I know but it is what it is. So today started off with the scraps of the  to-do list that I didn't  fully complete yesterday

TO DO List

Get your passport pictures taken at Walgreens/CVS

Go to the post office and pay the gazillion dollars for the passport

I started off my day at CVS taking photos. Not only did they take the pictures with a standard point and shoot digital camera, they also used the Kodak kiosk to print them. And you charge $8.99 when I could have done all that myself, plus the picture is semi-horrible which is typical for me, so no surprise there. Mind you, I went to Walgreen's yesterday and took pictures. They came out horribly also, especially since the clerk forewarned me that the pictures weren't going to be that great because my white shirt would blend in with the background, and my transitions lenses were dark because I'd just come in from outside. BTW: Great weather in Houston the last few days.

So off I was to the post office with a certain aire of confidence since I'd already had my passport application filled out and ready to go, or so I thought. So I get to the post office and much to my surprise there is no one in line. "Thank God", says the impatient ADD child in me. I walk right up to the counter and again I'm shocked to find that the clerk is, dare I say, nice. She's nice and actually said, "Good Morning". "Wow", I thought, "my day is going so well." He he. 

Of course my confidence was dashed when she asked me for my birth certificate. "Um, what??" Here is about the moment when I realized that I hadn't really read the instructions on the application so I'm not aware that I need additional identification outside of my driver's license. And then the clerk points out that I didn't fully fill out the application, meaning the entire back side of the application is blank, probably because it has been in my car for the last 3 months. Um, yeah. 

So off I go back home to locate my birth certificate. Surprisingly I'm not frustrated or anything yet. A little disappointed in myself for not being on top of things but I'm used to my little nuances by now so I'm not perturbed by this little snafu. Upon arriving home I go through all my files and stacks of papers only to come up with NO BIRTH CERTIFICATE (the caps indicate the level of my frustration compared to my previous sentence). "Yes, I lost my birth certificate again," is my first thought, but I realize that I'd recently gotten it replaced when I was carjacked earlier in 2009. (Another story for another day). So that meant that I have to have it but I just don't know where it is which is still not helping the situation. 

At this point I am aware that I need to take a step away from this situation so I go into the living room and proceed to flip through my expensive cable channels looking for a distraction when I realize exactly where by birth certificate is..........

As you know I am a first year teacher and this school year has been a whirlwind. Amid the whirlwind I had taken my birth certificate to the HR office of the school district to put in my employee file and then I filed my birth certificate in my personal items drawer in my desk AT WORK. Yes, I know where it is. No, I can't get it today because the school is closed because of spring break. Wow, I'm proud of myself for actually filing it away in safe keeping. Of course, it's someplace that's not convenient when I really need it. 

Did I mention I had a serious case of insomnia last night?? Sleep deprivation is no joke people. 

This is my life people and reality blogging at its best. lol.

After all this I'm still having a great day. Hope you are too. 

My Love Links: Flower Necklaces

Here are my love links for this week: 

Click on the Photos to be directed to the sites for more info.

www.lovemaegan.com

ohsohappytogether.blogspot.com

Pretty-Ditty.blogspot.com

Mrspriss.com

The Splurge: $299 OMG - WOW!!

BejewelledBespoke   

Technique Tuesday: Copic Markers - Sketch

It's spring break and I'm so glad about it. Being a first year teacher I'm amazed at how much work you put into these children, how invested you become, and how much the holiday breaks are needed. I truly love my job, my students, and my co-workers, however, I so needed this break. Recuperation time is an absolute must and I'm just glad to be in a career where they are mandated. I

I'm the quintessential workaholic. I've been working since I was 15 years old. Except for my first two years of college I've always worked and I never took vacations. Of course I took days off (we call those mental health days now) but I never took a vacation where I left my home and went away for the express purpose of rest and relaxation. Vaca-WHAT?? 

Thanks to my co-worker/friends I am going on 2 vacations this summer. I'm going on a cruise with the girls for my good friend Ilene's wedding in July, and I'm going to Napa Valley with my good friend Mike also. I can't believe it but I'm so looking forward to it. 

In the mean time I'm investing most of my time to my favorite hobby paper crafts. In the next few weeks I'll be posting my original designs, links from my favorite blog hops and crafty ladies, and videos of techniques and cool things that I may find. 

As a scrapnewbie I'm a blog stalker. Yes I admit it. I mean, that's what they are there for, right?? So i've come across many blogs where the awesome crafter has used Copic Markers to color images and I'm just amazed. I haven't purchased any copics of my own but I have plans to own them. 

Here is a great tutorial by Amy Rysavy from Prairie Paper and Ink on how to color with Copic Markers.

Here is a great intro/tutorial with the new Copic Airbrush system. 

Copic's ABS DVD Series Promo from Pushplay Productions on Vimeo.

Do you use copics? Where do you buy them? Where do you get your images?

That's all for now. Have a great week. 

Angee

Epiphanie Bags is having an *awesome* giveaway!!! Actually two.

    For all us photogirls out there we all know a truly awesome camera bag is a must. And as much as we like to be stylish and fashionable most of the camera bags out there are just plain drab. Thanks to Maile at Epiphanie Bags we can now fulfill the greatness within all while taking fabulous photos to capture the moments of our lives. 

    

    Donna Downey hosting a giveaway from Epiphanie Bags on her blog. Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a gorgeous epiphanie camera bag. 

    If that isn't awesome enough for you, go on over to Epiphanie bags blog and follow the simple directions for a chance to win an Epiphanie camera bag AND Canon 5D!!!!!! Yes you read that right and that is an AND not OR. I've entered. Have you??

 

Stampin Up! 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog

Stampin' Up! 2010 Occasions Mini (Jan 5 - Apr 30)

blogging has become my obsession.

Happiness Always

Hey there, 

    I've been having the best time making cards with all my new supplies. If you haven't already gone out and purchased the Janome Sew Mini you need to do that now. Go online and order it. You will be pleasantly surprised by how much this can spur your creativity. 

    On that note I have a pretty little card to share with all of you. In addition to my buttons galore and my sewing sweetness, I also picked up a new embossing folder from Michael's yesterday (So I totally threw away the packaging before I looked at the name of the embossing folder....Sorry).
I just love the pop of purple in the center of the flower bundle. Can you tell that the white flower is actually Stampin Up's scallop circle punch. Yes it is, Yes it is. 

Supplies: Stampin Up - Stamp Set: Whimsical Words, Ink: Bold Brights Lovely Lilac Miscellaneous: Cardstock and Ribbon from Michaels. Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Sultry Collection

 Hope you like. Let me know. 

 Angela

Tool Spotlight: Xyron Creatopia

Good Morning Scrappers, 

    If you didn't already know I'm a total gadget geek. I love gadgets. I can't even keep a wishlist because it's forever changing based on reviews I find online, mac rumors I hear on blogs, scrapbooking debuts from various companies in the industry, and shopping excursions all over Texas and even online. In the midst of all my shopping shenanigans, I've come across a great video for a product I've had my eye on for quite some time. 

I was first interest in this item when I started looking into letterpress. 

    Can you see how beautiful this is? The texture, the clear crispness of the heavy weight paper, the clean impression of the letters, words, and ink. Oh this makes me happy. 

      Anyhoo, I love paperclipping.com and all of their crafty podcasts and I'm also subscribed to their youtube channel. Although I planned to attend CHA Winter 2010, I wasn't able to make it this go round, but thanks to Noel Hyman and her camera crew she gave all us scrapping youtubers an inside look at all the wonderful companies and products that debuted. One of those products and my top pick that has been added to my non-existent (he he) wishlist is the Xyron Creatopia. Take a look at all it can do: 

    I've seen prices for this machine range from $100 - $150 depending on how many attachments come with the machine. Do you love it or hate it? Would you buy it? Leave a comment and let me know and if you find it on sale please post a link. 

That's all for now. Happy Scrapping. 

Angee

Your Too Kind

Happy Monday,  

    Hope your weekend didn't go by too fast. I had a super fun, busy weekend full of crafting, movie going, adventure, and socializing. 

Here is one of my many projects from the weekend. 

I got all my new supplies in from my orders from Stampin Up & Papertrey Ink and was so excited to use them that I didn't think to film my unboxing........so I jumped right in and put them to great use. I purchased the Janome Sew Mini from Overstock for less than $45 including shipping. I caught a great deal because the shipping was only $1 and I was able to get a warranty. As you can see from my card it's so easy to use and is totally fabulous. I

In addition to the Sew Mini, I also purchased all of Papertrey Inks buttons. Yes I said all of them (there are 21 bags of buttons on my crafting table and it's fantastically awesome.)

 Last but certainly not least, I purchased all 4 sets of Stampin Up Classic Ink families. (Earth elements, Bold Brights, Soft Subtles, and Rich Regals). These inks are so versatile and has opened up so many doors for my crafting. There is a color to match almost any type of patterned paper I have in my stash. (And as a scrap newbie my first obsession is always patterned paper).

 I'm so excited about everything I've purchased. It has really sparked my creativity (hence me posting at 11pm on a school night). But I'm off to bed now. Teddy's already asleep on his bed and I'm a little jealous at the moment. 

Stay tuned for my sweet scraps. 

Angela

Having issues with my typepad.com url. www.scrapsugar.typepad.com is not working but www.scrapsugar.typepad.com/thesweetlife is? What's up with that?? I'm confused.

trying to figure out typepad.......

Happy Birthday

Here is the final placemment picture for my happy birthday card for my student. A big thank you to Mary Fish @ stampinpretty.typepad.com for the suggestion.
-Angee

Blog posted here.

I'm in the process of updating my blog and moving it over to typepad. Any tips??

SNQ (Scrap Newbie Question): Placing Sentiments

Good Morning everyone,

It's the day after TAKS Testing and I have a card to share. One of my students requested a card for his Aunt for her birthday. He wanted something pretty and girly so of course I thought butterflies and flowers. Girly right??

So here's my issue: Where do I put the sentiment. I love the papers. I love the butterflies and the flower, but where in the heck am I supposed to put the sentiment? On what paper? What shape? See my point. The options are endless.

Also can someone please tell me the standard card sizes so I can order envelopes. Thanks.

Angela

formspring.me

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/angeebutler

Blue Green Thank You

Here is a great little card for a co-worker of mine. She's helping me with the design of a new project I'm working on right now. She's been a real doll and I wanted to give her a little token of thanks.

Card Recipe:
Cardstock - Stampin Up, Patterned Paper - Basic Grey Offbeat collection, Stamp: Stampin Up Elegant Thank You, Punch: Fiskars Threading Water border punch, Miscellaneous - Ribbon from Michaels

Scrap Goodies on the Way.

Hello there,

It was been a wonderful start to a brand new year. I'm 12 weeks from the end of my first year as a teacher. I teach 8th grade so a big thank you to everyone who prayed for me and sent positivity my way. Secondly I passed my PPR certification exam so now all I have to do is complete 2 more college courses over the summer and I will be fully certified. Yay me!!!

I started off the year with the hardest break-up I've ever been through and I'm glad to say that I'm better and wiser for it, (plus we are still friends). So I'm single again and getting used to being not-committed and available, and I must admit it's totally weird to me now.

I also have new things going on in the Sweet Studio. I'm so excited because I've finally let myself get some new scrap goodies.

• Big Big News: I am now a  Stampin Up Demonstrator. I debated this decision for months and months and I'm really excited about it. 



• As you can imagine I've gotten new stamp sets, ink, and cardstock so my creative juices are flowing


• Secondly, I'm totally obsessed with Papertreyink.  They have the most beautiful cardstock (so thick) and lucious buttons, stamps, ribbon, ink, and now dies. How can you not love PTI???



• And yes I ordered every color of buttons they make. I did. I did. and I don't deny it. Plus I plan to purchase more from them soon.


• Lastly, I ordered a Janome Sew Mini sewing machine. I've been wanting to sew on cards for the longest time but never had a sewing machine. In a few days I will, I will. 

As you can see I'm so excited and motivated. With spring break and summer break coming up (oh the benefits of being a teacher, love it) I will have much more time to create than I've had in the last few weeks.

Also, I'm still trying to find a home for my blog. Blogger is working for me right now but I want a bit more control of the design, content placement, and overall usability of the blog, so a typepad switch may be happening soon. I would like some feedback on typepad so if you have a typepad blog please let me know why you like is compared to the free blog sites like blogger. 

That's all for now. 

Love ya,

Angela 

Scrapbooking Templates Tutorial w/ Cathy Zielske

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial from Cathy Zielske on Vimeo.

Here's a great scrapbooking template tutorial using Cathy Zielske's Amazing Template. Stay tuned for my scrapbook page featuring this template.

Enjoy.

I want to be a Mac....I will be a Mac soon.

I'm also in the market for a new computer and I have my eye on the 27" iMac however, I'm waiting for Apple to work out the kinks i've been hearing online for the past few months. I'm also debating whether or not to just go with the 24" iMac. Since both are super expensive, IMO, I'm taking my time in making this decision. 

In my hopes of obtaining clarification on this issue I took a little quiz. he he.

You Are a Mac

You are creative, stylish, and super trendy. You are a bit obsessed with gadgets, and you like owning the newest devices. You aren't the type of person who separates work from pleasure. In your opinion, all work should be fun. You love creating.  Aesthetics are very important to you. You like to be surrounded by beautiful, sleek things.  You demand the best - even if it costs an arm and a leg.  Of course I am. Also check out my gadget wishlist page on the blog. Until the next time. Stay sweet.  Angela

The Newness of the Blog

So I had to come up with a 1000 word description of my blog to register it to a ring of black women bloggers. Seriously 1000 words. Come on.......Anyway here it is. Pretty much self explanatory.

Just a girl who loves pretty things like paper, buttons, contemporary furniture, and a vintage feel. Very random but sweet.

I'm an Stampin Up Demonstrator, a Mary Kay consultant, a girl from Houston, a natural sister, a 8th grade English teacher , and so much more.

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This blog is going to chronicle my life in it's entirety. My plan is to be as transparent as possible but i know that is going to take some time but this is my attempt. I want to chronicle my hobbies, makeup and paper crafts, as well as my friends, and my travels.

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I don't quite think I'm bold enough to chronicle my romances. I'm a single girl in a married world right now at 27 years old. Most of my friends are either married and happy, married and settl(ed or ing), or divorced. Yes crazy right. Can't believe that at my age I know people who are already divorced. That is why I am taking my time and making sure I take things slowly.

Can you tell there was a character limit on this description from my random blabbing. :-)