Winner Winner... Chicken Dinner!

Wow!! Did this week FLY by!! I ment to post this on Tuesday! here it is Sunday!! Man!! Time FLIES by!!
Regardless... I do have a winner for the Really Reasonable Ribbon Rak!!!

The winner is.....

Stephanie said...

What a sweet picture and a beautiful LO. I love all the details you have included. I'm a follower.

Please email me your mailing address to tinamcdonald(at)xplornet.ca) and I'll get your ribbon in the mail!!

Thanks SO much for your patience!!! I promised new projects... and they are coming... I promise!

Till next time...

10 days till I'm off to ARIZONA!!!!!

Happy Scrapping!!

~TINA~

Creative Scrappers Featured Designer

Hello!!! What a GORGEOUS day!!! I plan on getting out and enjoying it some too!!! Hope you can as well!!
I am pleased to share that I am today's Featured Designer on the Creative Scrappers blog! This is a fabulous sketch blog run by a local New Brunswick gal... It has gained huge popularity and is full of inspiration! You really need to check it out if you haven't already!! Thank you Kristine for this opportunity!!
I got to play with this FUN sketch!! It had my name written all over it... figuratively of course! ;) you know me and my circle addiction... :)
And here is the layout I created from the sketch inspiration! I did change things up a bit... but had started out really close to the sketch... inspiration just took me in a different direction! :) Love when that happens!!

FAMILY PHOTOS

The brown border is created with Spellbinders die templates from the Parisian Accents set. I LOVE this set to pieces!!!
I fell in love with this collection from Bo Bunny... the colors are stunning... I reach for it every time I scrap lately! I think I better hurry and use it up quick! :)
In creating this page, I used Helmar Premium Craft Glue to hold the majority of it together. The journaling strips are adhered using the Quick Fix Adhesive runner, and the embellies with the Liquid Scrap Dots!
TIP: I was clear out of the letter "L"... what did I do? I grabbed a 7 and turned it upside down! :) It did the trick!!
Thank you so much for stopping by!!
I have lots more work that I haven't posted on the blog yet... so I am hoping to have a busy blog posting week coming up!! :) Stop by often! And remember... I have a ribbon RAK up for grabs... check out THIS POST...
So... until next time... enjoy the spring weather and HAPPY SCRAPPING!!
~TINA~

Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hello all!!! First off... no one in this house is sick at the moment! Can we get a WHOOP WHOOP!!?? It's been a long winter... but I think I see light at the end of the tunnel!!

Today I'm thrilled to say that I am a guest designer for me at Really Reasonable Ribbon!! Thanks to Bonnie and Erika for this opportunity!! And to those visiting from the RRR blog... WELCOME!! I'm so pleased you have stopped by!

These ribbons are SO beautiful!! They are such beautiful pastel colors... and you get lots! love ribbon? You really should check them out... they have monthly ribbon assortments... really helps your ribbon stash to multiply!! :) Be sure to drop by their blog today to see my other 2 projects... and their fabulous ribbon!!
So, I shared 2 projects on the RRR blog today. Then invited all those blog viewers over here to my blog to see one more project!! AND for a chance to win... but first let me share my project...

My Baby Brother

For this layout, I created a sweet ribbon flower out of the pale yellow satin ribbon. Here is a link to a tutorial for you to learn to make these sweet little beauties on your own!
Now, did someone say that I'm giving away ribbon? Yep! I sure did!! Thanks to Bonnie for the second set of ribbon, which I am pleased to be giving away to one blog reader... along with some yummy ribbon from my own stash! How do you win? You have to leave me a comment in this post... and you have to be a follower of my blog! Easy Peasy!! You have until Monday, March 21 midnight! I'll post the winner on Tuesday!

Thanks SO much for stopping by! I love having you visit... and I love your comments!
Until Next time... Happy Scrapping!
Tina

Best Creation Mini Book Blog Hop!!

Hi and Welcome to the Best Creation Mini Book Blog Hop!!
How would you like to learn how to create a fun Mini Book out of one 12x12 and be inspired to make 20 different versions of it?

Well get ready to hop- because today on each of our blogs we will share with you some fun and creative ideas to make the simple book we made at the CHA Winter Show.
****************************************************************
At the Best Creation blog, you learned the basics of the book. You have hopped to many amazing blogs and seen some fabulous takes on this simple design. I have one final take to share with you before you hop on back to the Best Creation blog!
My minibook is a little brag book for my purse! I have been meaning to make one for quite a while, and this was the perfect opportunity! I kept it pretty simple, so that there is not a lot to fall off or get caught on things in my bag!
Here are some pics of the cover and a couple of the pages. I won't bore you with showing you them all! :) I have 5 children, and there are 5 double page spreads in my mini. So each child has a double spread. I rotated my book so that it opens on the top, to give it a bit of a different look, and to incorporate my 4x3 photo's perfectly!

I kept my inside design super simple. This is a photo album... It will be seen by lots of people who are not into paper crafting, so I want the focus to be on the photo's... not all the fancy stuff... just this once! ;)


I used the Glitter Basics paper for my basic album. Then I incorporated the Bella paper collection to add some fun color.
To create the binding, I hand stitched the pages together. Then i added the strip of striped paper using Helmar's Premium Craft Glue. After punching 2 holes I tied some ribbon and then scored the pages to fold. Simple as can be! :)
The entire album is held to gether using Helmar's Premium Craft glue and Quick Fix Adhesive runner.

Be sure and leave a comment at the bottom of this post and then hop over to our Best Creation Blog for a chance to win a huge prize pack of goodies and 3 more chances to win if you sign up to be follower or join us on facebook!

Alicia Barry
Sandy Ang
Tracey Taylor
Petra Offrell
Irit Shalom
Kim Holmes
Debbie Sherman
Emily Branch
Sarah Mullanix
Karen Thind
Katarina Damm
Jona Saavedra
Kim Arledge
Nicole Wise
Jodi Wilton
Julie Walton
Liz Chidester
Karen Taylor
Tina McDonald <-------------- You're Here!!
BEST CREATION BLOG <--------------- YOU GO HERE NOW

Thanks for stopping by!! Happy Hopping!
Tina

Overwhelmed

Do you ever feel so completely overwhelmed that you hardly know what to do?

Warning... this blog post is not very encouraging or uplifting. It is however filled with real thoughts, feelings and happenings in the life of a mother of 5...

If you're still reading... don't say I didn't warn ya!! ;)


I'm not one to often share negativity on my blog or online. I want to express positive things... to brighten peoples day. To be an encouragement. However... today it's my turn to share the realities. This winter has been the pits! There has been someone sick here since November. Yes, that is 4 months. We've gone thru everything including colds, flu, throwing up, bladder infections, infected teeth, ear infections, strep throat, pin worms (ew), chest infections, and I'm sure there is more that I'm just not thinking of. There is almost always someone on antibiotics, which i dearly dislike. I have hardly been outside of the house in the last month and a half. I'm sure I could count the times on one hand. I'm going completely stir-crazy!
We had to cancel so many things... my family coming to visit over Christmas, DS's birthday party outing, several dates, church, play group and just general getting out. Hubby has been getting groceries... what a guy! But there are things that you just don't think to put on a list... things you just get... like Kraft dinner... I NEED TO HAVE KD in the house when I feel like crap! :)
I try to keep positive. Be thankful that my kids are generally healthy and that none of these issues are serious. No one has been hospitalized. No one has been hurt. We are all together. But it is so hard. I am so overwhelmed.
And now I'm sick too. My chest hurts so bad... I have a hard time breathing. AND I have 3 kids sick and 2 I'm trying to keep healthy. My head feels like it's going to blow off, and i have so much laundry to do it's just not funny! I have been trying to see that everyone is eating and drinking enough... that no one gets double dosed on Advil or Triaminic... I have to write down when they take what and their temperature, or I'll get it all balled up! My brain has just stopped functioning!
I have scrappy assignments that I'm trying to get done... I know life comes first, but I also take my commitments seriously as well, and like to keep up when I can. My internet was down for the weekend due to the 40 cm of snow we got. Oh, did I mention It's now storming again, with another 15-20 cm due by morning.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! ENOUGH WINTER!!!

Alright... I'm done... None of this is written for your sympathy. I just have to get it out. I have to vent! Hopefully now with my thoughts written out, the bugs and germs will go away!! :)
Here's hoping spring is just around the corner!!! :)

I think I'm going to EXPLODE with Excitement!!!

Taken from the Spellbinders blog...

2011 Spellbinders™ Design Team!

Kimberly Crawford

Tonya Dirk

Christine Emberson

Judy Hayes

Lesley Langdon

Tina McDonald <--- THAT's ME!!!

AJ Otto

Windy Robinson

Gloria Stengel

Shanna Vineyard

Michelle Woerner

Latisha Yoast

It has been exciting to pour over the wonderfully creative art submitted by so many talented entrants. It has beem so difficult make decisions that exclude talented people. Thank you to everyone for your heartfelt submissions. We understand and appreciate the effort that goes into your artwork.

Our new Design Team Members will gather in Phoenix, AZ the first week of April for a Design Team retreat, and their first assignments will be due on April 30. We look forward to meeting our newest members and welcoming our returning members!

************************

I think this is the most amazing thing in the entire world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't share my final round projects with you... unfortunately. They are now the property of Spellbinders. But I can share the card I created for the second round...

Thanks so much for sharing in my excitement!!! I really think I just might burst! :)

Have a fabulous day!!

Until Next time... Happy Scrapping!

~TINA!~

FINALLY... I can blog!

Man oh man!! What a stretch! Sick kids, sick me... it feels like it's never going to end! This morning I have n kids with a fever, and no kids sounding like they are going to caugh up a lung... so it's looking like a good day! 2 are still on antibiotics and one is still home from school... but it's still a better day!!
It gets so overwhelming when the little ones are sick! The baby was even sick... and was up a LOT at night. Needless to say, if Mamma isn't sleeping... things fall apart here!
However... i slept last night! (we won't mention DH's snoring... ;) So I feel decent today! Decent is much better than horrible! So here I am... blogging away! :)

First order of business... i have 2 raks to give away!!

#1... Best Creation Blog Hop RAK:

mommyof5kidz said...

ABSOLUTELY ADORE your layout! GORGEOUS! Your ribbon flowers are super cute, too...and they look GREAT with your overall layout!

#2... ONE LITTLE WORD Rak:

EstherT said...

My word for the year is follow-through. I'm forever promising myself that I'm going to start inviting people over to lunch, take the time to call an old friend, or I'm going to start some new program and then life gets busy ... This year I'm going to make an effort to do these little things within a reasonable amount of time from when I think about them.

CONGRATS girls!!! I'll be in touch to get your mailing addresses to get your goodies out to you!!

I also have a couple of toots to share...

*I have a LO requested for Canadian Scrapbooker summer 2011!
*I have another LO requested for Scrap Street Ezine for April 2011! I think it's my first time in there! It's a Best Creation layout too! :) And of course, it uses Helmar Adhesives! :)

Now I suppose I should share a page with you... since you've been so patient with me these last couple of weeks! :) This page was done using the Travel Forever collection from Best Creation! I honestly struggled with this line. Not because it is not GORGEOUS! But because I don't travel very much... so that's what I decided to scrap about!

A GIRL CAN DREAM

The fun thing about the new collections from Best Creation is that they have die cut papers, die cut sticker sheets, mini alpha's AND Chipboard!! Yeah!! LOT'S of fun coordinating embellies!! Most of this page is BC goodies. I added some Jute, "DREAM" is Pink Paislee alpha, a couple of random eyelets, a Jenni Bowlin die cut and some card stock! The rest is all BC goodness! Of course I used my Helmar Premium craft glue to hold most of it together! Some liquid scrap dots was used for the flowers.I loved this die cut paper! What die cut paper you ask? The one that I cut the top and bottom off and added together in the middle of my page! I hid the seam using a die cut sticker border!! Such fun!

Thanks so much for stopping by! There is so much scrappy stuff going on... some fabulous design teams to apply for... waiting for word on Spellbinders... (EEK!) Some creating that I can't share yet... and this week I've committed to making nothing but cards! EGADS! Can you believe it? Me neither, but I want to get better at them... and that takes a bit of work, right?
So, off I go to tackle some cards! :)
have a fabulous day!!
Until Next time... Happy Scrapping!!
Tina

MIA

Hello all!
Just dropping in to say that I've been dealing with a house full of sick little ones... and now I've joined the ranks of those feeling like crud! So... I will be back in a day or 2 to share some new creations and to draw the winners for my RAK's. I appologize for the delay... but it's one of those times where life happens...
Be back soon!
((HUGS))
Tina

Best Creation Spring Flower Blog Hop

Welcome to the BEST CREATION Spring Flower blog hop! We are so glad you have dropped by! If you just happened upon this post today, please start at the beginning... the BEST CREATION blog.
We are having our First Blog Hop of the new season today and our theme is "Creating Handmade Spring Flowers". On each blog you will find lots of incredible projects and ways to create and use spring flowers that you can make yourself! In order to win our Grand Prize be sure and collect the kinds of flowers made on each blog and send the list to teresa@bestcreation.us. Also be sure and leave comments along your way on each of our DTs. blogs and especially on the Best Creation blog at the end of the hop. Be sure and check out www.bestcreationinc.blogspot.com. for the list of prizes you are going to win.
Here is a list of the blogs in case you get lost along the way.

Jona Saavedra
Brittny LeJeune
Nancy Burke
Kim Arledge
Petra Offrell
Liz Chidester
Jodi Wilton
Kim Holmes
Irit Shalom
Sandy Ang
Julie Walton
Alicia Barry
Nicole Wise
Katarina Damm
Emily Branch
Karen Taylor
Karen Thind
Sarah Mullanix

Tina McDonald <----- YOU ARE HERE

Tracey Taylor <--------YOU GO HERE

Teresa Horner
*******************************************************
For my project today, I chose to create some flowers for you made out of ribbon! You are seeing SOO many beautiful paper flowers on this hop that I thought I would change it up just a little bit for you! These flowers can be created out of any kind of ribbon you have around. You can also use tulle, fabric, canvas or anything you choose!

I LOVE YOU BERRY MUCH

Supplies: Best Creation Patterned paper, Assorted ribbon, Prima flowers/vine and pebble, Magistical Memories chipboard fence, Martha Stewart butterfly and border punch, Fiskars lace circle punch, Helmar premium craft glue, quick fix adhesive runner and liquid scrap dots.
Here is the project I created for you. It is using one of the older Best Creation lines. This line is filled with strawberries, flowers, swirls, polkadots, birdies and butterflies! Swoon! This creation was made just for me... I'm sure of it! :)
In creating this page, I did a lot of fussy cutting as you can tell. It is a little bit time consuming but so worth the effort! I layered some of the flowers using Helmar's Liquid Scrap Dots to give them a little bit of dimension.
The ribbon flowers are seen on the bottom left corner of the photos. See how well they blend into the overall design of the page?

To help you learn how to create these super simple flowers for yourself, I have put together a quick video tutorial. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section!

If the video is not working here for you, feel free to visit this link to view the video as well.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I have a little RAK of goodies up for grabs from me personally! If you would like to have your name entered into this draw, please make sure you are a follower of my blog and leave a comment in the comments section! It's as easy as that! :) Then stop by on Friday Feb 11th and I will announce a winner!

Now... please note that these flowers are called RIBBON FLOWERS. Be sure to jot that down and add it in your email to Teresa at the end of the hop!

Ok... off you go to the fabulous blog of Tracey Taylor!!

Magistical Memories April Guest Designer Challenge

Hello All! I have a layout to share with you... but first, some FUN news!! I mentioned in my last post that i was a finalist for the My Scrapbook Nook DT... well, I did not make the DT, but I was asked to be a guest designer! I am more than thrilled!! So I'll have more info on that for you when i have it! :) Now...
Every month at Magistical Memories we have a challenge where the DT chooses a winner to be our Guest Designer! In order to play along, you must complete a layout based on this sketch... created by yours truly! :) For more details on playing along, please drop by the Magistical Memories blog.
And here is the project that I created using this sketch along with the Magistical Memories Chipboard film strip! I LOVE this piece of chipboard! I need to get about 500 more of them!! ;)

BE MINE

Supplies: Little Yellow Bicycle patterned paper, transparency and cardstock stickers, American Crafts Alpha's, Fiskars Lace Circle punch, Queen and Co chipboard xo, Pink Paislee PP, Magistical Memories chipboard film strip, Helmar Premium Craft Glue, Quick fix adhesive runner and 450 quick dry

I have so many little details to show you on here... so bare with me for all the detailed shots...
The chipboard... I inked it with black ink, leaving it slightly distressed looking. Isn't it a DIVINE chippie!!??
I had a ton of fun with my sewing machine on this one!!! Check out the pleating on the paper and the stitching thru the title... a new addiction I think... :)
This pleated heart is how my page began... I started with that and the rest came together from there. I am actually working on a tutorial for this technique to share with you so stay tuned later in the week... :)
I have to admit... I think this has now become one of my all time favorite pages... It just came together so well and I love it to bits!... Kinda like the little guy in the pics! ;)
I hope that this page inspires you... Give the sketch a try...
And tune in again for the HOW TO...

Oh... also Tomorrow BEST CREATION is having a Handmade Flower Blog hop... it's going to be AWESOME! Please drop by... you'll be glad you did!
Until then... Happy Scrapping!!

Best Creation Sneak Peeks

Hey everyone! Bracing ourselves for another snow storm here today! Wow... that pile of snow is getting bigger and bigger! Kids are loving it though!! :) I'll have to get some pics! :)
I have been doing lots of scrapping lately, but I am not able to share it all with you yet! Spellbinders competition pieces are not allowed to be seen until the team is announced, and all of my creations for Best Creation using their new lines have to wait until they appear on the blog! however... I'm sure it's ok to share some sneak peeks with you! So shhhh... it'll be our secret! :)

Using the TRAVEL FOREVER collection from Best Creation...
And this is a sneak from a layout using the SAFARI BOY Collection...

Since that is all I can share with you for now, I'll let you be with that. I'll be back later today with a project I did for Simply Renee! I LOVE it... :)
So until then... Happy Scrapping!!
Tina

Magistical Memories meets Paper Trunk

Hello to everyone on this ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL day!! The sun is shining and it is super warm in the house!!... for the end of January that is! :) It WOULD be much warmer though... were I in LA for CHA... ;)
I have been doing lots of creating, only I can't show it to you yet! Best Creations sent me some beautiful lines to work with... Safarri Boy, Travel Forever, and the new St Patricks theme collection! I've been creating up a storm... but you're going to have to wait to see it all! :)
I have a quick simple page to share with you today using some Magistical Memories chippies. MM has partnered up with Paper Trunk... so I have had the chance to work with some of the Rockabilly collection! It's full of fun colors and designs! Here's what I came up with...

See that cute little banner? It's a stamp from Basic Grey! TOO CUTE!
Anyway... gotta run and enjoy this beautiful day! Hope you have a great one!!
Until Next time... Happy Scrapping!!
Tina

Clip-It-Up 2011 New Releases!!!

Clip it Up All-In-One Organization System – CHA Booth 2860

With the Clip it Up All-In-One you're in charge! Choose the components you need to create the storage that works for you. Mix and match. It’s all up to you!

The All-In-One Base allows you to add and adjust components for your personal needs. With its sturdy, yet simple design, grooves are placed every inch apart to allow maximum use of the entire frame.

Want more ribbon space? Check out the double-sided ribbon holder.

Add the multi-purpose trays for the loose items you need organized but want within easy reach.

The All-In-One uses the classic Clip it Up rotating storage arms that continue to be a favorite of crafters, scrapbookers, and quilters everywhere. Now the opportunity to have it your way is combined with the unique visual storage concept of the Clip it Up line of products, all in one location.

01-045 All-In-One Base
MSRP $95.00

• The trays and rotating rings can be adjusted up or down the base unit poles
• Takes advantage of the vertical space in your craft room
• Eliminates the horizontal clutter of things spread out on a desktop or tucked into shelves
• See it, reach it, use it, yet keep it in its place
• 78” tall, 33” wide legs 26”

03-007 Clip it Up Tray
MSRP $50.00

• 18.5” diameter with 6 divided sections
• Perfect for tools, embellishments, paint, glitter, threads and more
• Spins for quick and easy access

03-005 Floor Model Arm
MSRP $35.00

• 15” Diameter Ring
• Holds hundreds of paper, embellishments, fabric, notions
  and more
• Spins for quick and easy access

03-008 All-In-One Single Ribbon
MSRP $45.00

• 32” of ribbon storage
• Accommodates different sizes
  of ribbon
• No dowels –No unraveling
• Simple to add and remove ribbon

03-009 All-In-One Double Ribbon
MSRP $70.00

• Doubles the amount of
  ribbon storage

This new system will be available approximately May 2011!!!

Oh.... My... WORD!!! Spellbinders Finalist!!!

Well pick me up off the floor!!! I have been BURSTING at the seams since I found out this news... I am in awe... I'm thrilled... I'm amazed and I'm EXCITED BEYOND belief!!!! I am one of the 22 finalists for the Spellbinders Team!!! This is the final round! I have this final assignment and then the team is announced! I am so excited to have made it this far! I want this SO badly!!! Here's the announcement...
Taken directly from the Spellbinders blog....
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This announcement is earlier than promised, but we wanted to give our Finalist Round Qualifiers a bit more time to complete their assignment. Please know that we appreciate the work and creativity that was put into the projects submitted by the all of the Second Round Qualifiers.

With that, we congratulate the 2011 Spellbinders™ Design Team Finalists!

Lindsay Amrhein
Carolina Buchting
Melyssa Connolly
Kimberly Crawford
Tonya Dirk
Christine Emberson
Allie Gower
Judy Hayes
Lesley Langdon
Lori Leng
Kristina Markford
Mary Marsh
Tina McDonald
Julianne McKenna-DeLumen
AJ Otto
Windy Robinson
Gloria Stengel
Kim Teasdale
Shanna Vineyard
Michelle Woerner
Latisha Yoast
Deborah Young

In the final round these ladies will be sent Spellbinders™ Paper Arts product and asked to create an assignment. They will submit an essay of approximately 500 words, sharing a little about themselves personally and as a designer. This will be due on February 18.

We will announce the 2011 Spellbinders Design Team Members on February 25, 2011 right here on the Spellbinders blog.

********************************************

Congratulations to the other finalists!!!! So disappointed not to see some names on the list however... :(

So, this is the final round! I can't wait to see what gorgeous dies we will be sent to work with! Thanks to you all for your kind words... I hope to have GREAT news for you all on Feb 25th!!! :) Until then... send me all the scrappy mojo vibes you can spare!

Until Next time... Happy Scrapping!!!

Tina

Blog makeover

Hello all! I am in the process of doing a home renovations job on my blog! :) If there are things that appear out of place, please feel free to email me or let me know... otherwise just be patient and I'll get it all worked out soon!
Thanks so much! What do you think of the new look so far? I'm doing it myself using a blog kit! i just love it!! :)
Thanks for stopping by!!

Spellbinders Warmups...

With my challenge for Spellbinders Design team Round 2 being a card, I had to dig deep... REALLY deep and find my inner cardmaker! And guess what... I did!! I created several cards and had SUCH a hard time deciding which one to send in!! So I decided to create just one more... and that one was the winner in my mind! It was my absolute favorite... it represented my style of work perfectly and i feel it was "THE ONE". I am completely comfortable with it and feel that if I do not make it thru to the next round then I'm ok with that... (if I HAVE to be) because this card is some of my best. So... it's been sent and the waiting begins!! Feb 4th we find out who makes it to the final round! It's going to KILL me to wait! LOL!
So... I thought I'd share with you a couple of the other cards that I created while finding my inner cardmaker. I am not able to share my submitted card until the team has been announced.

HELLO

This first card was my warm up card! :) It is the first one I made during this process. It is simple but I just love the colors!
Supplies: Basic Grey Papers and chipboard, Jenni Bowlin shaped paper, Zva pearls, MME Chipboard alpha, Ranger perfect pearls, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Helmar Acid Free Glue, Helmar 450 Quick dry

YOU ARE

This is actually the second card I made using this design. I'm still not 100% happy with it. I think it's the yellow... Not sure...
But I really had fun with this design! I absolutely love Martha Stewarts AROUND THE PAGE punches! But how much easier would this card have been with a SPELLBINDERS die?
I love the swirlies around the circle on this card! I seen Tracy Taylor do something like this one time and was excited to adapt it to suit my card! Isn't it fun? It is actually the same punch used for the border... but trimmed off and rounded around and under the circle! Too cool!
It's hard to tell in this photo, but this card has lots of dimension! It is popped up using Helmar's Zapdots... both the large circle and the center "you are" parts! There is also some distressed stickles around the edges to give this a little bit of distressed sparkle! :)

Supplies: Pink Paislee PP, Unity Stamps, Martha Stewart punches, Fiskars circle punches, Color Box ink, Ranger distress ink, Ranger stickles, Helmar Acid Free Glue, Helmar Zap dots

THANK YOU

I think this is my favorite of the three. It's so simply beautiful. So elegant... so much of everything I love! I was leaning towards sending in this one to Spellbinders... but once I created the last one, I fell in love with it even more! :)

Supplies: MME and Scrap within Reach PP, MME Diecut, Jenni Bowlin pins, Pink Paislee artesian shape, Scenic route chipboard, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Ranger inks and perfect pearls, ribbon, Helmar Acid free glue, Helmar Zapdots

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time...
Happy Scrapping!

I Guess I lied...

Sorry... I guess this post was NOT my last post for Simply Renee!! LOL!! Thrilled beyond belief to have received a phone call from Renee last night asking me to stay on as part of the new Simply Renee Design team! Heck yeah!!! She is just the sweetest gal! We chatted forever!! :)
Here is the post... and here is the new team!

Natasha Naranjo Aguirre

Misty Willis

Sarah Mullinix

Barbara Lochridge

Audrey Yeager

Tina McDonald <------- THAT's ME!!

Let me tell you... I visited these girls blogs and was BLOWN AWAY by their talent!! I am honored to be on a team with all this incredible talent! Check them out!!
Thanks again to Renee for this fab opportunity!
Until Next time... Happy Scrapping!!
~Tina~

My Little Word

I realize that it is no longer the beginning of the new year... but since we are still in the first month, I think it's still a great time to share with you my word choice for the year.

**CONTENT**

–adjective

satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.


In 2011 I aim to be more content... to be satisfied with what I have... to be thankful for what I have and focus on those things rather than on what i do not or can not have.

So often I get caught up in the negative... what I do not have, what I can not do rather than realize what I DO have... what I CAN do. In this coming year, I want to change that. I want to be overwhelmed by what I have! I want to realize how greatly God has blessed me and how much love he has surrounded me with. I am blessed with an amazing Husband, 5 healthy, beautiful and incredible children, a fabulous home, a "hobby" that I am passionate about and am able to pursue, I am healthy, I have a God who loves me... I am blessed beyond measure. I am content...

I realize that the journey to contentment is just that... a journey. It will not be achieved in one day or even one year. But being aware is the first step...In order to document this journey, I created a little journal to record my thoughts and experiences thru this coming year.

This little album is from Jenni Bowlin. It is adorable! It is 4x4 in size and the inside pages are all lined papers! Exactly what I want for a journal! So, I decorated the outside and I was good to go! For this project I used Helmar's Acid Free Glue to adhere the paper to the chipboard album and to each other . I also used 450 quickdry to adhere the ribbon. I used the Helmar Fray Stoppa to help the ribbon from fraying. I wanted this journal to have a closure as well, so i used a brad and the ribbon for that. I added some Fray Stoppa to the hole in the ribbon as well to keep it from stretching any further.
I used a chipboard heart from Magistical Memories as a little dangle element on the ring of the album along with the tulle.Supplies: (Jenni Bowlin) Journal album and pin, (Pink Paislee) Papers, (Cosmo Cricket) Alpha's, (Making Memories) Alpha's, Journaling paper, (Recollections) Brad, (Magistical Memories) Chipboard heart, (Ranger) Ink, (Craft supply) Tulle, (Helmar) Acid Free Glue, 450 Quickdry, Fray Stoppa

Thanks so much for stopping by! I have some cards to share with you in the next couple of days! Yes... you read that right... CARDS! :)
I would love to hear your WORD for the year... or your resolution! :) Hmmm... I think this just might call for a RAK (Scrapbooking goodie bag! :) )! Share with me your word or a resolution and I'll enter you in a draw for a RAK of goodies from me!! You must be a follower of my blog to play along... so make sure you are FOLLOWING me!! I will do the draw on Jan 28th! :)

Until Next time...
Happy Scrapping!

Thank you to Simply Renee

Today my last post went live on the Simply Renee Clip-It-Up blog! I have so completely enjoyed my time on this fabulous team! Thanks so much to Renee and the team for their generosity and for giving me this fabulous opportunity! I am looking forward to seeing the talent brought on with the next design team!
In my blog post, I have another video... This one is of my clip it up and how I stire it and use it. It's not great quality... I have a hard time watching my own video's because I'm so critical of myself... and i hate hearing my own voice! LOL! But if you can stand to hear it, feel free to check it out on the Simply Renee blog!
I would like to share with you the project I created for the blog post. I also shared it on the Magistical Memories blog, since it uses the cute little chipboard clouds designed by Amy Teets!

REFLECTIONS from 2010

Supplies: Patterned paper (October Afternoon, Pink Paislee) Alpha (October Afternoon, Cosmo Cricket, Pink Paislee) Felt Embellies (Sassafras Lass) Tag (Tim Holtz) Journaling Spots and mini shaped paper (Jenni Bowlin) Journaling card (My Minds Eye)chipboard clouds (Magistical Memories) Flower (Maya Road) Acrylic star, chipboard arrows (Heidi Swapp) Butterfly sticker (Glitz) Border Punch (Martha Stewart) Template (Crafters Workshop) Premium Craft Glue, Quickfix Adhesive runner (Helmar)

I was wanting to do a page that kind of wrapped up our year... and once I got going thru my photo's on the computer, I decided to choose one thing from each month to document on here. It could not be a birthday... so here is a photo from each month. The journaling is around the outside done by hand... GASP! I know, no journaling strips! LOL!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I want you to know how much I appreciate each of you and how encouraging your comments are! Keep it up and I'll try and improve my tips, techniques and perhaps throw in a video or 2 along the way...
Until next time...
Happy Scrapping!
~TINA~

Barn Star Video Tutorial

You asked for it... here it is! A Tutorial for the BARN STARS that I made for the Helmar/Core'dinations blog swap!! ADDICTING... I warn you!! :)
Now... I want to appologize in advance... this is my very first video tutorial. I am an amature... to say the least! And for the brain fart... forgetting the word SCORE... I am so embarassed! LOL! But, here it is... flaws and all! The next one will be better... I promise! =)

Thanks so much for your patience!! :) If you have any problems viewing it, please let me know! You can also go direct to my youTube by clicking here...
Any questions... please ask!! I'm open to tips, comments and questions! Just be easy on me! this is my first... :)
Here is a template for you to print. Trace it onto cardboard to be able to keep for multiple use! Just right click it ans save it to your computer, then print! :)

Until next time...
Happy Scrapping!!
~TINA~

Spellbinders Round One finalist

Well pick my jaw up off the floor!!! I simply can not believe it!! I have been chosen as a finalist for the Spellbinders Design team from Round One!!! See the entire list here! I am in shock!!! But I am just giddy with excitement!!! My goal was to make it thru the first round... but now that I've done that, I want to make it thru ALL of the rounds!!! :) I absolutely would LOVE to be on this team! There are some incredibly talented girls on this list... which contains 45 names... Many of which I have or do design with! Steep competition there! Time to step up my game BIG time!!! :)

While I'm here, I have a project to share with you that I created using Helmar Adhesives and Core'dinations cardstock! We've had a blog swap this week... check it out here...
I have created some of these in the past... but these ones are by far much more beautiful!!! The Core'dinations cardstock makes them absolutely breathtaking!!! I promise that i will prepare a tutorial for them in the next couple of days!!!
These small ones adorned my house this Christmas season. Tree, stairs, garland, kitchen, gifts... everywhere!!! ADDICTED I tell ya!!! I have everyone who walked into the house making them too! No joke! :) I knew I wanted to make a large one as well... so I did! Here's how that turned out...
LOVE IT! The Core'dinations cardstock is from the Jenni Bowlin Core Impressions paper stack. It's absolutely gorgeous paper!!!
Helmar 450 quickdry held my buttons and flowers on these beauties! Can't go wrong with that!!

As promised... tune in by the first of the week for a tutorial! :)
Until then... WOHOOO for Spellbinders round one... and send me all the creative mojo you can spare!!
Happy Scrapping!!
~TINA~

Beginning my year off with Best Creations

I am so thrilled to share that I have been asked to join the Best Creations design team for 2011!!! If you are not familiar with Best Creations, here is a peek at some of the new lines they have coming out for CHA Winter!! They have papers, stickers, cutouts and chipboard!!
Their papers are DIVINE!!! They are embossed, glittered... double sided and GORGEOUS! Check out these peeks for the Travel Forever line...
Check out the glitter and embossing! It's gorgeous! Can't wait to get my hands on it!!!
Want a chance to win this collection? Check out how right here on the Best Creation blog!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Scrapping!
Tina