Christmas Layers

Doreen has done a great job with Christmas layers here. There is Christmas paper layers, word layers and my face is the tissue paper layers! Cute right?
Deb♥

Christmas Bags Made by Natalie

Of you are unfamiliar with Smilebox, it is a great service. Please click on the play button to see many Christmas bags Natalie has made. She would like to share them today.

Thanks, Deb♥

Customize your own photo collage

Christmas Inspiration from Natalie

Taking pics with Santa is such a special part of so many children's lives. My kids have always been so shy! I was too, so I cannot say a word. I will just enjoy the ones who aren't so much like Natalies little girl shown here in this fab layout!
Deb♥

Christmas Inspiration from Doreen :)

I am a big fan of anything with doodles and that includes this lo! Take a look at how Doreen doodles around the pics and papers of her Christmas Tree memory! Cool right?
Deb♥

DICTIONARY CHALLENGE: GROOVY DEB♥

It's My Turn to show my Dictionary word on a layout :) Since I no longer have a hard copy dictionary in the house, I logged into a word of the day site and the first word I saw was "Marvel". I knew right away the pics I wanted to use with that word. These were taken by my then 8 year old right after my youngest was born. I treasure these photos and memories. TFL! Come join in the challenge!

DICTIONARY CHALLENGE: HEATHER

Oh WOW! That is how I felt when I saw Heather's latest layout for us to see! Her word: PLETHORA
Deb♥


When we were instructed to "open the dictionary" for a layout, I was pretty interested!!! Not something you normally think about doing, but, aha, that is why it is called a challenge!

I picked the word "Plethora". Now, I know I have heard this word over the years. I must admit that I had always taken it to mean "a lot", which is basically accurate. But the definition that I liked best for plethora was "overabundance". Yes, I think I like that! I think I will scrap it! I will even scrap a page about ME for my BOM (Book of Me)!

The journaling says: "I am filled with a Plethora of . . . Silliness, Peace, Fun Times, Happiness, Love, Crazy Moments, Compassion, Faith, Laughter"

My little man, Jackson, took these pics of me being silly this summer out at the campgrounds. (He loves to be behind the camera like his momma!) I tore a page out of an old (honesty here) thesaraus. Hey, it was all I had that was from an old book that was yellowed and tattered and that came close to a dictionary! Of course, I gave it a little extra distressing!! You would expect no less, right! I then added some lace and a gorgeous prima flower and some bling! Not things I get to use a whole lot of but I sure love how it turned out!

I encourage you all to make sure that you are not always behind the camera and to take the opportunity to scrap yourself! There are many generations to come that would like to also know about YOU!!!!

Hope you enjoy! - Heather

Do You Know Guest Designer,Sandy?

I enjoyed a project created so much by Fiskateer friend Sandy, that I asked her to be our guest here at IIG today :) This is a good one just in time for the beautiful holidays ahead! Check out the very lofty goal she has set for 2011!!!

Let me introduce you now to Sandy with the questions I asked of her and the project I mentioned above. Be sure to visit her blog to say hello :)
Deb♥

Tell me all about the start of your art, How did your scrapbooking begin?
I began scrapbooking at a very young age. If you look in my scrapbooks from when I was 5 or 6, I was already writing in them about my party or gift. It's not a lot and rather hard to read, but Mom felt the stories in my scrapbooks should be mine, so I wrote some and she wrote some with me. The art side of my fun just came naturally when I started incorporating items of nature into my altered books, then came ink and the rest is history.

Do you have a stand-by element/paper line or tool that you must use when you scrap?

There isn't any one tool or element that I must use. I work very hard at stepping outside of my box and trying something different or from a different view. I do use a lot of chalk or ink because I love adding color to the edges. Sometimes it's distressing and sometimes it more of a cloudy look to just add color.


Do you have a favorite technique?

I actually have two favorites.

-I love using my stamps to create water color looking images. I don't use it a lot, but I do love the effect of coloring my stamp, spritzing with water, stamping, then spritzing again, stamping, and if I'm lucky, I'll get a third image from the stamp before I re-ink.

-I also love the effects of detailed masking. It's so cool to see a scene come alive just by using different stamps or stencils.


If you could not shop for one year...would your scrap space be emptied or would you still have product?

Funny you should ask. I don't plan to buy any consumable products during 2011. That includes paper. Not only will I still have product, but it's very possible I won't need to buy any adhesive during this next year, (or ink, or cardstock, or stamp cleaners, or paint, or, or, or...)


If you could make one outfit out of scrapbooking paper what line would it be from?

Hmmm. This is a tough question since my clothing style is not the same as my crafting style. I think Heidi Grace and Fancy Pants both capture some of the materials I might use to create blouses or vests, but my first choice (don't laugh) would probably be Bazzill. I love solid colors with accents and in the case of my current clothing the accents include ink and bleach spots, from a few, very fun, crafty sessions. My scarfs would be made from Anna Griffin, K & Company, or Wild Asparagus. My colors choices are black, red, gray, and white, but I seldom wear these the way I like because it is very warm here and layering, blazers, etc. just don't happen.


Can you tell something about yourself that others would be shocked to learn?

I love being alone. I do not like social gatherings and I would rather watch and not talk.


What makes you a Groovy Chick?

I say “Cool” and “Very Cool” a lot. Does that count?




Where can we visit you Groovy Chick?

This has been a teaching blog until now. I hope to start posting a little more often with tips, tricks, links, etc. Here is the address: Sandy :)


THE PROJECT:

Snow Globe Cards


















Supplies:

- Very sticky two sided adhesive. I like Thermoweb sheets, and spray adhesive works too.

White Cardstock

Cardstock for base card, cut 11” x 4 1/4”

Cardstock for creating sentiment (cut, punched, or using nestibilities or die cuts for shapes)

Crystal glitter, the largest flakes you can find.

Stamps to create scene

Stamp for sentiment

Pens to color the scene (or any bold coloring medium)

Tape runner for creating actual card

embellishments


(I'm not used to creating a supply list. I usually just bring the supplies, so I hope this is complete)




1. Start with a circle the same as, or slightly less than, the width of your card. Because you will want a base on the snow globe, the card will always be a vertical card. Our circles for class today are 4” circles (with a 4 1/4” card), because it was convenient to use a die cut and that is what was available.




2. Cut both, a piece of white cardstock to stamp your globe scene on, and the sheet of adhesive, in same size circles. *See foot note.




3. Stamp scene on white cardstock circle and color with bold colors that will show through the glitter. Stamp your scene in a good detail black ink like Rangers Archival ink.




4. Peel one side of protective sheeting from your adhesive circle and adhere it to your stamped scene circle. Set aside.




5. Create your base for the snow globe. With the 4 inch circle we are using in class, a 2” x 4” piece works well. Add shape to your base by cutting angles on each side. Decorate your base with any stamped images or sentiments you prefer. Hold off on adhering anything with pop dots until after you've added the glitter.




6. Carefully peel back the bottom of the protective sheeting to expose just enough adhesive to attach your base. Lay the excess sheeting back down on any exposed adhesive and set aside.




7. To create the easel fold card. Cut cardstock 4 1/4” by 11”. Score at 5 1/2” and 2 3/4”. Fold both in the same direction. Set aside.




8. To create the base of the card that will hold your easel in place, you can use anything with dimension. In class, my samples have a sentiment stamped on card stock and trimmed with a reverse corner punch. I then layered this onto matting cardstock that is also punched with a reverse corner punch. The original cardstock (matting) is approximately 3” x 2”. You can work with almost any size you want, as long as it's not too tall and will hold the easel fold in place. I used pop dots under my sentiments to ensure a good hold but I have seen cards where they used items as small as brads to stand the easel up. When deciding how big to make your easel support piece, consider propping your easel at approximately the half way point.




9. From here, you can add the **glitter to the remaining exposed adhesive, or secure the scene to your card and then add the glitter. To secure the scene to your card, place the scene on the bottom 2 3/4” fold of your card and mark the back of your scene where the cardstock ends. Apply tape or glue to the back of your scene to your marked line and attach.




*Another option is to prepare your scene (keeping in mind the actual size of your circle), on a piece of cardstock larger than your intended circle. Cut only the adhesive circle. When your scene is ready, peel one side of the adhesive circle and carefully lay it over your scene, then cut around it. This ensures a perfect match up of edges, but it's a little harder to make sure your scene is centered since you are looking through the protective sheeting.




**It is important to use a large cut glitter for this card. If it is too fine, you will not see the scene through the glitter. I found this at Michael s in the children's craft section. Be sure it is crystal (the color) and not iridescent.

Friday Night Sketch from Natalie

Tonight we have another great sketch from Natalie! Come in from work, relax for a minute, and then get creative! It's a wonderful way to start out your weekend dontchathink?

Natalie will be back after the new year with great new sketches :)



Would you like to take on the challenge of using her sketch? Feel free and then be sure to email me at groovydeb@yahoo.com and I will show it right here for all to see!

Christmas Fun

I oftentimes start a Baker's Dozen challenge on my favorite board, Fiskateers and so I turned this home dec project out by using these 13 items and then some :)

1. Christmas Song as a Title
CHRISTMAS COOKIES BY GEORGE STRAIT
2. Colors Purple/Black
CHECK
3. Christmas Stamping
UNDER THE BIRD
4. Distress Ink
UNDER THE BIRD
5. Emotion/Feeling
SMELL, MOUTH WATERING WHEN I THINK OF GINGERBREAD ON THE TIN PAN
6. Glitter
ALL OVER :)
7. Brads
4 CORNERS
8. Circles/Ornament
4 CORNERS
9. Gingerbread Cookies/Gingerbread House/Christmas Candy
LOTS!
PUNCHED CANDY
10. Star/Snowflakes
GINGERBREAD BOY HOLDING SOME STARS
SNOWFLAKES IN CORNERS
11. Greenery/Poinsetta
PUNCHED GREEN HOLLY LEAVES
12. Birds/Pears
BIRD ON THE LEFT STAMPED CORNER
13. Ribbon/Trim
GOT IT!




This took the ordinary out of scrapping a 12x12 and became a home dec project for my wall :)

Take a Stand

I shake my head when I think of all of the freedoms our children have today. This is a great idea! Listen as Jeannie describes how she created a safe and honorable approach on this subject with her family...
Deb♥






Friday September 10 and 11th, I was able to attend a women's conference called Time Out for Women. It was and incredible experience. One of the speakers, Jill Manning, tackled a very difficult topic. One that we all want to pretend will just go away on it's own. Her presentation was titled, "The Uncensored Truth About Pornography" Why this topic? Jill says, "Because women are impacted by pornography in unique and profound ways, we play an indispensable role in the fight against it. Although the statistics are daunting, we know that pornography cannot win, in light of Who and what is on our side."

At the end of her presentation, I have to say, I was moved and I did feel empowered, thinking that if all the women took a stand against this, we could really make a difference. We were all given a printed card that was a card to take home, go over with our families and children and take an oath to make good choices, while online, while watching TV, etc.

Most of you know, I have a lot of kids, 7 to be exact. I took one look at that 5 x 7card and thought there is not enough room for all us to sign. So, I have made my own version and have used the exact same wording that was on the CLEAN & SAFE MEDIA PLEDGE, that was given to all 2,400 of us that were there.

My design in based on the free tote bag that, again, all of us attendees were given. I took one look at that bag and knew, that was a layout waiting to happen. Being that I was so inspired to do something about this pledge, I combined my inspirations for this project. If anyone has any questions about the pledge, just let me know! When IIG reveals this layout, I will have a whole blog post dedicated to my experience and things learned at this wonderful weekend I was blessed to attend! Hope you all like what I have done.

The PLEDGE is done on a transparency sheet. I was able to find an awesome frame at Michael's, for $3.00, WOW!! All the bluebirds, are done with a FISKARS punch I won from entering a FISKATEER contest. On each bird, you will find everyone of our signatures that we agree to take the MEDIA PLEDGE! There are 9 birds...9 of us agree to "keep our home a happy and healthy place to be." (Wording taken from the PLEDGE)

DICTIONARY CHALLENGE: DOREEN

Hey Everyone! Here is a new layout from our newbie DT member Doreen! It is her version of our challenge this month...just look at the amazing smiles, Deb♥

It took me awhile to find a word from the dictionary that stood out to me.
Not only did I have to look for a word that grabbed my attention, but I needed it to also, in some way, fit with a picture in my stash.
There was much flipping, back and forth through the dictionary…but then my eye landed on the word ‘glee’. No, not the TV show (although I hear it’s quite good)!

Glee is a noun that means: “lively joy; gaiety; merriment” and I instantly thought of this cute picture I took of my son, daughter, and nephew last Christmas!

Not only does ‘glee’ work great w/ this picture, but it could work w/ any ‘happy’ picture. Think about how many times you wanted to scrap a happy picture but have already used the word ‘happy’ in one form or another as your title. Not wanting to recycle titles makes it hard to come up w/ a new one, right? Well, now you have another option – “Glee”.

Hope it works as well for your layout as it did mine!

Open the Mailbox!

It's Christmas! Have you made Christmas cards yet? No! Here is some inspiration from Jeannie in case you need to pump out a few today, hurry hurry!
Deb♥

Friday Night Sketch from Natalie!

Tonight we have another great sketch from Natalie! Come in from work, relax for a minute, and then get creative! It's a wonderful way to start out your weekend dontchathink?



Would you like to take on the challenge of using her sketch? Feel free and then be sure to email me at groovydeb@yahoo.com and I will show it right here for all to see!

Here is Natalie's take on her own sketch :)

DICTIONARY CHALLENGE: DARLENE

For our challenge this month I think Darlene chose the perfect word for her lo. Read on!
Deb♥



I had these photos of myself from my high school graduation that I never really got a chance to scrapbook. I didn't quite know what to do with the multiple pictures because I normally use only 1 or 2 photos on a layout, so I decided my best bet would be to do a double sided layout. This worked like a charm! I found the sketch for my design from

So It's 8 Days In...

to Adventing! Have you put out a count down for the kiddies? Why not try something like this one? This is made by our Groovy Chick Jen. Hop on over to her happenin' blog here and see what she has to say about it. I love it!
Deb♥

Innocence with Sweet Daddy

Here, here!
Deb♥


The pictures in this layout were taken with my first really good digital camera, a Nikon Coolpix 8700. I was still learning how to focus and use all the buttons. I took these pictures in black and white for fun and even though they aren't the best pictures I've taken, the blurriness lends a softness to the situation captured in the picture.

Everyday my daughter and I wait with anticipation for Sweet Daddy to come home from work. She had just gotten a brand new, unstained rocking chair from Michaels bought by her grandma and loved sitting in it and watching TV. So this day she sat in her new chair and waited for him to come greet her. I thought it was sweet how she reached out for his whistle and he touched her head against his. Innocence briefly touching the hardened world. A hero in my own home.

Natalie

DICTIONARY CHALLENGE: JEANNIE

Check out the word Jeannie chose for the challenge this month: FLORIFEROUS! Now how often do you use that one??? I hope you will feel inspired to try something new this month and open your dictionary and scrap the first word you see!
Deb♥






After I read this challenge..I thought, I will just grab the dictionary and start with "A" and scrap the 1st word that inspires me. Then I thought..what if we all do that and we all have words that start with "A". So, I started with the F's instead. I came across the word FLORIFEROUS and BINGO!, I had my word. "Bearing flowers in abundance." If there is one thing I have a weakness for, it is flowers. Stamps, stickers, paper..I love the floral stuff! I had a die cut of a huge flower, that I cut in half to be my back ground. (HINT: Now I have the other half for another page.) I cut some wonderful layered flowers with the CRICUT and used some iridescent mylar flowers that I had. I attached everything with cute brads. I love the way this turned out. As usual, my last step was to add some extra fun with my I-ROCK tool. I just can't seem to get enough of that little gadget!

Hey Everyone! All entries from last month are in for the bird challenge and I am happy to show the winner today :) This entry came from Kristel and has a fabtabulous trio of birdies! This is going to be perfect when she gets her photo in place.

Thanks for all who entered! This month don't forget to choose a word out of the dictionary and include it on your layout. Try the Mr. Linky over to the right and up top to add your entry! This month you will once again be receiving goodies for entering so send in your entries!

Now on with the winner from November. Please respond within 30 days with an address to send your scrappy prize! Congrats, Deb♥

A thanks.

Thanks to Katherine at for the stamp goodies she sent to me for winning on her blog :) I created this card using the stamps I won. I ♥ C2M♥ stuff! Thanks Katherine!!!

More from DT Member Heather about "The Guys"...

Hey remember last month when Heather talked to us about being a mom of the guys? Here is some more from her :)
Deb♥

Bluegills you say? That IS what I said! As I mentioned before, going fishing on a beautiful Saturday isn't all rest and relaxation! But it is one thing our family (boys and hubby especially) enjoys doing! For mom though, it can be a stressful day!! Six people on a fishing boat . . . 2 parents, a tween and triplet 4 year olds . . . six fishing poles, meaning 6 hooks with worms flying around your head . . . tangled fishing lines . . . hooks stuck on a stump (or my fingers . . . 1 "Cars" fishing pole dropped into the water - which I was able to rescue - thank you very much! Sound like your idea of a fun day???

So, what did we catch you ask? You got it . . . 3 Lil Bluegills . . . all caught by Grant within 5 minutes of each other! Yup, that's it!!!!

All the stress and chaos of the day was totally worth it though when I saw the look of pride and joy on Grant's face when he and Daddy caught those 3 Lil Bluegills!!! Would I do it again? Absolutely if it meant another proud moment like that!

Friday Night Sketch from Natalie!

Last month was so much fun having a sketch from Natalie that I have a few more this month to share with you too! Come in from work, relax for a minute, and then get creative! It's a wonderful way to start out your weekend dontchathink?

Would you like to take on the challenge of using her sketch? Feel free and then be sure to email me at groovydeb@yahoo.com and I will show it right here for all to see!

Beautimus Repurposing ")

Thanks to Darlene for sharing a great layout and reminding us how to repurpose some of the materials we know we have laying around and in her words...Beautimus!
Deb♥


I have had these same border strips in my stash since the beginning of my scrapping history back in 2008- don’t we all have border strips just laying around? I was inspired by the new strips backgrounds that I have stumbled upon in the blog world, and decided to repurpose my not-my-style border strips to something beautimus. This was my attempt.

I took all of the border strips I could find in my stash and tried to arrange them in a way that flowed well. While in the planning stage of this project, I came up with this zig-zag pattern strips for a sequence of 3 or 4 lines and a straight edged break between the next set of wavy lines, and repeated this pattern to the bottom of a 12x12 sheet of cardstock. Once I had designated where each strip was going to lay, I carefully pulled the strips from off the cardstock and slid them off to the side in the order they would appear.

The next step is to adhere the strips down to the cardstock, making sure to leave some space between each strip. For this step I was not using my head- clearly!- because I ended up using almost an entire refill of tape runner on the cardstock, instead of doing it the easy way and using a glue stick. In any case, the tape runner worked just fine for keeping the strips down. :)

I trimmed the excesses off the edges of my 12x12 paper and that was nearly the effect I wanted, but it was too busy for my own tastes. I took it one step further and I took out some white gesso and white acrylic paints to paint over the entire 12x12 sheet and all the nooks and crannies. I painted in a horizontal and vertical pattern, leaving a slightly color-washed strip background- the colors are very very subtle in real life. I was pleasantly surprised with the finished product. :)

Certainly, you can use this technique on a smaller sized base or just cut the cardstock out into whichever sizes you need for a card, or some other project as well, but I found it to be ideal for a layout as a background.

I decided to keep the design very simple on this to balance the background’s texture. I used a single scrap blue tag laying around, some old chipboard, a bit of tulle, and some fabulous handmade buttons.

DICTIONARY CHALLENGE: NATALIE

This month as we create layouts based on opening the dictionary and using a word we did not know I think Natalie has chosen the perfect word to accompany her lo. Again we find that we need to sometimes scrapbook the not so wonderful moments in life and I personally think Natalie has found a great way to document one of those times. Thank God for all the wonderful things in life and the healing hands of doctors who can give a new perspective on the lives of our beautiful children!

Read on, Deb♥

p.s. Come on by and create a lo using your dictionary too!



The doctors called it "curly toes", but to us, they were cute, perfect little piggies no matter how crooked they were. This how the journaling starts for this very special layout. It is special because it marks a momentous occasion for my husband and I as parents. We had to voluntarily let surgeons put our daughter under anesthesia to operate on her crooked toes. We agonized over this for weeks and were just moments away from canceling the surgery the night before due to great fear, that what if we never saw her again. What if something happened in surgery, a surgery that wasn't necessarily life or death? What if....it was too much to bear. We gave it to God and He carried us through. I almost died watching the nurses take her back to the operating room, praying that was not going to be the last time I would see her.

I had a wonderful memory to take with me. Just moments before, in a counseling room, one of her surgeons commented that she was "precocious". I pride myself on a large and varied vocabulary, but did not really know what precocious meant. I looked it up on my smart phone. "Exceptionally mature qualities at an unusually young age" was the quick definition on one page. That was and still is my daughter! She made it through the surgery; recovery was a little rough, but we gave thanks to God and He healed her up. Those casts didn't slow her down a bit as you can see! Her toes are beautifully straight and she walks around on her tippy-toes all the time! I am praying my new baby girl does not have to repeat this!
Natalie

FOR THE BIRDS: DOREEN

Have you entered our challenge this month? Today is the last day and here showing you one last bit of inspiration for this challenge is our newest design team member Doreen. Way to bust down the door Doreen!
Deb♥


My layout for the “For the Birds” Challenge is my first layout for “If Its Groovy”.
The funny thing about the layout is it may be the first for this challenge, but it is not the first layout I have made of these pictures. The truth is, I scrapped the pictures before, but after I finished the layout, I just wasn’t happy w/ it. I am not a believer in re-doing layouts because, well really…who has time to re-do a layout when there are so many more that need to be done?! But, I just could not stop thinking about it… I literally woke up and went to bed still thinking about how much I hated the layout! Crazy huh?! Well, I decided that if it bothered me that much, I would put my ‘rule’ aside and just re-do the darn thing! So I did and here it is! Ta-da! I am 100% happy w/ it now and what a scrappy-relief it is too! This experience taught me 2 things:
1. Be thankful for the digital age when you can just re-print or re-order pictures whenever you feel like it (I had to throw the originals away when I destroyed my layout)
2. Some rules are okay to break! It is okay to go back and re-do old layouts if it would truly make you feel better.
I know not every layout I make will be a masterpiece and I am okay w/ that…most of the time. But when I’m not, I now feel okay w/ the fact that I can try it again!

Meet The Newest Groovy Chick, Doreen

If It's Groovy is uber excited to have added a new member to our team and it is time to introduce this lovely lady! Meet Doreen!

Hello!


Allow myself to introduce….myself… :0)

My name is Doreen… I have no nicknames, well none that I can share… my hubby has one for me that is cute but might offend - LOL!

I have been married to the love of my life, David, since July 2001, so that makes us married…over 9 years.

I have 2 kids: Joseph (15yrs) and Madison, or Madi as we like to call her, (9yrs in January).

We have 3 fur-babies: a mutt named Spotty, a boxer named Daisy, and a poodle named Ivanna.

We have had Spotty for a number of years but Daisy and Ivanna came to us last year when my Grandpa died and we took them in. Ivanna is my buddy and when I am home we are literally inseparable!

We also have 3 goldfish: Marbles, Bubbles, and Orangey --- but don't ask me to tell you which is which – LOL!

I work full-time as a Payroll Supervisor for the County of Riverside . I have worked for the County, in various positions for over 13 years.

In my spare time, which is rare, I love to scrap, read, watch my favorite shows: "Grey's Anatomy", "Private Practice", " Cougar Town " and "Supernatural" and take naps (I really need my sleep!).

I was born in Spain but came to the US when I was around 5 years old. Since being here I have lived in Southern, CA. Spanish was my first language, but since I did move here at a young age, I do not know any Spanish.

I love all kinds of music, I'm not really picky, but I prefer dance music.

I have been scrapping since Joseph was a wee-one, but have really taken it more seriously w/in the last 3 or so years. I enjoy it, a-lot! Almost to the point where it's an obsession! :0) I need to watch it before my friends and family decide to hold an in intervention!

I am very excited to join the Groovy Chicks and look forward to the inspiration I know I will be receiving from them. I just hope I will be able to inspire as well.

Well, as you can see I love to `talk' but I must stop before I turn this intro into a novel!

Thanks for having me and I am looking forward to seeing where this new chapter in my life takes me.

Hugs and kisses xoxoxo


Now we asked her one of the stand by questionaires for fun too!
Read on...


WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

Yes. My birth name was Dorotea (Spanish for Dorothy). Dorothy was my Grandmother's middle name. I had my name legally changed to Doreen my Senior Year of HS when I became a citizen.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Can't really remember… I think it was when I watched the Season Finale of Grey's Anatomy. I'll probably be crying this weekend when I watch last night's episode of "Private Practice" --- it looks really sad!

DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Ummmm….yes, most of the time.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey

DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes, a boy and a girl

IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes, but not on Mondays --- I hate Monday's and it shows – LOL!

DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? All the time!!!!!

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? "H" to the "E" to the double "L" NO!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Honey Nut Cheerios!!

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Yes. I have to wear my shoes tied tight, so I cannot get them off unless I untie them!

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically no – I'm quite wimpy. Mentally and emotional – depends on the situation.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Mint Chocolate Chip – Hands down!

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their clothes – I love fashion!

RED OR PINK? Pink please!

WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My legs --- they're thick, like tree trunks!

WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? No one

WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black boots

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Bacon, egg, & cheese breakfast burrito

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? "Beat It" by MJ on Pandora Radio

IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Brown – My fav color

FAVORITE SMELLS? Kim Kardashian's perfume and the smell of baking cookies or brownies

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My boss

MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE? Beach House

FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? None… but if I have to choose – women's gymnastics

HAIR COLOR? Right now it's dark brown, but ask me again in a month!

EYE COLOR? Brown

DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes – but during the week, at work, I wear glasses. Save my contacts for looking good on the weekend!

FAVORITE FOOD? Nachos, Nachos, NACHOS (w/ everything on it)!!

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Neither - Comedy

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? " Shutter Island "

WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? A brown and white striped thermal from American Eagle --- love it and I think I look quite cute in it!

SUMMER OR WINTER? SPRING OR FALL? Fall

HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs

FAVORITE DESSERT? Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO? Cardio – "Just Dance" anyone?

COMPUTER OR TELEVISION? Both - I love TV but I spend a lot of time on the PC so I watch my shows while on the PC.

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? No books right now --- but lots of celebrity gossip magazines!

WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? No mouse pad

FAVORITE SOUND? A silent house – LOL!

ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Neither

WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Hawaii

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Nope – Unless you count being a really good speller a talent

WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Barcelona , Spain

WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW? San Bernardino , CA

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE? Tan w/ dark brown trim

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR? Red

Friday Night Sketch from Natalie!

Each Friday Night this month I will be showing you a new and exclusive design by our very own Natalie. Come in from work, relax for a minute, and then get creative! It's a wonderful way to start out your weekend dontchathink?



Would you like to take on the challenge of using her sketch? Feel free and then be sure to email me at groovydeb@yahoo.com and I will show it right here for all to see!

Thanksgiving Freebie!!!

Did you fill your memory card yesterday taking Thanksgiving pics? I have a great deal for you to check out today! Go here to Walgreens for your FREE 8x10 Collage. I have done these every time they offer them and I am never disappointed. Get yours too! The deal ends tomorrow, so chop chop!!!

See you back here tonight for Natalie's Friday night sketch!
Deb♥

Thankful for You!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Here is a card I made to share today. I am giving it to my parents. We have a lot to be thankful for this year since my dad's health was so compromised for much of the year. Thank you to all of my online bloggy friends who took part in sharing prayers for his recovery! I am thankful for all of you!!!
Deb♥

Autumn and Thanksgiving Decor

Have you carved a little time out before the big holiday weekend to decorate something to hang up? Jen is helping us with a festive thought here today...
Deb♥

I am probably one of the few people that do not put up there Xmas decorations 'til after Thanksgiving because I like to have my Autumn and turkey decorations up for Thanksgiving...I
really wanted to make an Autumn banner for my house....my friend and I first decided to make them by buying the shaped chipboard which is actually a chipboard album taken apart. I used a GCD chipboard album set, then cut and covered each piece with MME paper then inked the edges. After that I used thin Martha Stewart string to tie each one together to make the banner and topped the tops with flowers (Petaloo embossed flowers and vintage buttons from the thiftstore).I cut letters from my Cricut machine in brown cardstock. The I glue dotted the lace trim on that I got from a thrift store, made loops in the string on the ends and used the binder rings that came with the chipboard to hook it onto my curtain rod to display. Oh! I almost forgot I
stamped leaves and then cut them out and added them under the flowers to add more dimension.

Jen had enough leftover to make this great lo to share today too!

FOR THE BIRDS: JEANNIE

Are you a Digi Scrapper? It's a fun way to work on our challenge this month :) Here is one with digi options from Jeannie!
Deb♥






For the Birds, now that was a fun layout to do! I used a DIGI STAMP by a wonderful artist named Therese Travis. You can find her at theresetravis.net. This was originally a DIGI STAMP, but I told her what I was doing and she created this .svg file for me to use on my CRICUT. The inspiration for this page comes from a glass bird I used to have. It was called “THE BLUEBIRD OF HAPPINESS.” You can find the folk lore behind the “BLUEBIRD OF HAPPINESS” by Googling it.
I made my birds all in shades of blue and the Whimsical bluebird on my frame is a cut file from MYSCRAPCHICK.COM.
I love using my Cricut on my projects and with the world of .svg files out there, I can make almost anything in my head, come to life on paper. I hope you enjoyed my happy page.
The phrase on my page says:
“My Bluebirds of happiness….” The fine print reads “and my insanity, lack of sleep, messy house, etc.”, meaning they are the cause of it ALL for me! In their defense, they get a lot of help (especially in the INSANITY dept.) from their five older siblings!!

Scrapbooking Tough Subjects

I often times would like to go back and scrapbook pictures from previous relationships and know how hard that can be. I think Darlene has shown us a wonderful way this month to overcome another subject that could have been hard. Read on and take notice of the ruffle matching her mother's dress! It is so awesome!
Deb♥


Although my Mom and Dad are now separated, they did get married back in the 80's and stayed together for over 16 years. I felt that it was my duty to document what once was between them. I didn't know exactly how to title this layout as it wouldn't have fit under another more romantic phrase such as "I thee wed" or "happily ever after" so I went simple and decided on a safe title, with no implications, "just married."
I tried to use a romantic color scheme but not too frilly and this is what I came up with. I used scraps of paper from my "surmount" graduation layout (last month's Dictionary Challenge), and for that added something, I pleated silky ribbon, with added pearls to cover the stitching in the center, and handmade silky ribbon roses. I used a handmade hat pin that a friend had given me as another element of pizazz. The swirly dots on the bottom left corner are actually on transparency paper and made by another friend with, I think, nail polish (my friend used an existing rhinestone bling to trace onto the transparency paper the swirl design) from which I closely trimmed the excess transparency from. I think I am rather fond of the contemporary romantic feel of the patterns and colors, and also, the positive memories it brings me to look at these photos and have a reminder of a happy time in my parents marriage.

I hope this inspires you to scrapbook a memory that you no longer find relevant today, but perhaps one day, you can look back and smile at what once was.

FOR THE BIRDS: DARLENE

Do you ever find it hard to scrapbook important events such as weddings or religious ceremonies? Darlene has shown us in her layout today that monochromatic is the way to go. Let the picture(s) take center stage!
Deb♥

I hardly do any dainty, subtle-colored layouts and decided to give myself an extra challenge to match this photo and occasion. This is a photo of my little, now 14 year old, sister who made her First Holy Communion and Confirmation last Easter Sunday. She didn’t like me posing her to take these photos, but she was a good sport anyhow and these frame was the one I liked best of the photos. Doesn’t she look like a little angel?

I spent the majority of my time working on finding the “perfect” papers and elements for this layout, because my style lately has been loud and bold, I have very few sheets of feminine/elegant papers and coordinating embellishments.

I ended up using 2 sheets of paper by Die Cuts With a View in their Luxury stack of paper for the main papers, 2 bird chipboard pieces from Glimmer Angels Crème Collection of Glimmer Chips that I misted in a shiney pearl, one sheet of a bling set to sit on either side of the layout, beige lace and pleated white lace (that I misted to get a pale pink color), strings of pearl to line the center borders, and lastly a journaling tag by American Crafts’s Sparrow line- with a Prima center on the tag/title. Although I initially struggled with the design, I was happy to make all of the very different manufactures elements work together well on a layout.

Creative Excuses!

I am so silly! I decided when my daughter needed an excuse for missing school to "doctor it up" a bit, lol! I watercolored the words...HA!!! Just had to share ")

Hope your kids and you are feeling well at this time of year!
Deb♥

Heather's Hubby

Have you taken a pic of YOUR hubby this new year? Take one today and create a lo he will not forget :)Heather did!
Deb♥


Sometimes I get so wrapped up in scrapping my kids - heaven knows that there is a lot to scrap and I am WAY behind - that I forget that my kids would probably also enjoy seeing layouts of their father and what an amazing fun dad he is!!

These pictures were taken out at the campgrounds this summer during my nephews birthday party! A spontaneous water gun fight broke out! It was lots of fun! And as you can see, my hubby participated in the fun, but somehow never had to get out of his chair!!!

I took some Timmy stamps and used a white ink pad to stamp the edges of the black cardstock. Loved how it turned out!! Then I cut the shape on my cricut, distressed the edges and then used some silver and black smooch for the lines around the edges. A little distressing of the paper strip and the hearts (with a brad through the middle of one) and ta-da! Fun simple page! Not heavily embellished but just the look I wanted!! (Side note: Hearts and title cut from Don Juan cartridge.)

So, don't forget to scrap those "older" men in our lives, as well as the little ones!!

- Heather

Friday Night Sketch from Natalie!

Each Friday Night this month I will be showing you a new and exclusive design by our very own Natalie. Come in from work, relax for a minute, and then get creative! It's a wonderful way to start out your weekend dontchathink?


Would you like to take on the challenge of using her sketch? Feel free and then be sure to email me at groovydeb@yahoo.com and I will show it right here for all to see!

FOR THE BIRDS: JEN T.

Paper Piecing, love it!!!
Deb♥

I just love this picture of my oldest daughter of her at Easter!....so when doing this page for the
for the birds challenge, I remembered a title in a magazine a while ago that I knew I could use.
So ,I pieced together some cute birds from patterned paper and stickers and added that cool title
I liked with her pic and this is the page I got from it. TFl!