Thank you to my ladies with whom I shared a fantastic National Scrapbook Day. 

I managed to complete one project and two layouts in one day.  That’s a record for me. If only I could have a few more days like this one and my daughter’s first album would be completed in no time. For now, I’ll just be proud of what’s already been accomplished.

The first project I tackled on Saturday (“Adored” Album) which I picked up at the In a Pinch Designs booth at Scrapfest 2009 last month has to be my favourite purchase from the event. Believe me, there were quite a few but, this one takes the cake and will be treasured forever. 

The dainty detailing with the products from Cloud 9 Design’s Baby Girl line gave it just the right amount of soft femininity.  For those who know me and just how much I love anything and everything feminine can picture just how much I adore this perfect little gift for my princess to treasure. The ladies at In a Pinch Designs have surely outdone themselves with this one.

 

 

We each walked away with one of these.  Look at it. I mean, how could one resist such and “Adorable” little album?

Secondly, I managed to complete the following layout which has been sitting incomplete for months now.  What can I say, I was hit with scrapper’s block on this one but managed to break through it and finish it.  Not exactly one of my favourites but, the thought of not having to sit there and contemplate anymore gives me great pleasure.

 

 

 

Last but not least, my last accomplishment on Saturday, or should I say early Sunday morning (by the time I was done) was well worth the headache the next day.  I finally found a reason to use those pink sparkles I had stashed among the many other products. It took me a couple of tries trying to figure out which adhesive would work best to apply the sparkles. I discovered good old Liquid Glass works wonders for sparkling chipboard. It’s nice and thick and the paper won’t wilt or get soggy as paper usually tends to when using this product.  I was so impressed with my new discovery that I decided to add some to my stamped title and VOILA! It added a nice touch, balancing out my overall layout.

 

I knew eventually the abundance of supplies I’ve accumulated would slowly come to good use, haha!

 

I had an AWESOME time at Scrapfest 2009 in Kitchener this weekend.  Being my first scrapbooking event ever (outside of the usual crops with the girls), I was pretty impressed with the opportunity to learn about new techniques and product and meet some really nice competitors as well as  some not so nice competitors

 

When we arrived we weren’t sure what to expect or what direction to go in for that matter so we simply followed our fellow giddy scrapbookers.  Much to our delight, we realized we had reached the Marketplace, which seemed to be open earlier than we expected. 

 

Friendly faces, make ‘n takes, product galore, gorgeous kits, more product, draws and giveaways, bags full of goodies…did I mention all the product?!  By our third vendor’s booth in, we were already overwhelmed and in over our heads.  I wanted it ALL! We were in scrap heaven having a great time when reality hit us and we realized we only had 5 minutes to make it to our class. We managed to break free from our shopping obsession of chipboard, embellishments and MORE needless paper and headed to our class.

 

I was very excited that I was able to get us into “Easy, Detailed, Expert’ being taught by Kerry McRorie, Founding Editor of Scrapbook and Cards Today.  Allison was also very sweet and patient with us.  Thank you Allison! Kerry provided us with a beautiful layout using BoBunny’s Sweetie Pie line.  I can now cross that off my list of wants.  What made this class more exciting is that now I have a perfect layout for a few pictures I’ve been meaning to scrapbook.  Time has been saved and new techniques have been learned.  What more can I ask for at a class?!

 

Lucky us, there was a BONUS.  We each walked away with a free giveaway.  Mine was a 6X6 album which I chose after Kerry shared with me that she had created one for her Dad’s 60^th birthday….thank you Kerry for the idea because I now have the perfect gift for my father’s 65^th coming up this summer.

 

I will post my finished class layout once I’ve completed it.  You see, as much as we were enjoying Kerry’s class, we just couldn’t get our minds off all the vendors below us and how much we still had left to see (and buy) so, we decided we’d pack it in and finish the rest at home….time was just flying by!!  You know what they say don’t you??

 

So, after a fun-filled night and another dent in my pocket, I managed to leave with some amazing kits and beautiful product which I can’t wait to use.  I realized that next year I’d much rather be there as a vendor.  With some planning and a lot of work ahead, I will hopefully see you all in Kitchener at Scrapfest 2010 as owner of The Scrapbook Boutique.

 

A special thanks to Tree and Su for the laughs and Dave for your marketing efforts as well as patience on Friday night.

 

FINALLY!  After much anticipation, long hours and many ideas, we’re up and running.  We’re still adjusting and adding here and there but at least we’re somewhere, right?

 

As a crazed and obsessed scrapbooking Mom, friend and family member, I was determined to offer a convenient place that is easy to find a wide variety of products with lower prices than the competition and BOY, is there a lot of competition out there.

 

There is also A LOT of product and it can be very overwhelming at times but, a ton of fun also.  I get to shop for my website and spend no money doing it.  I call it pretend shopping….music to my husband’s ears.

 

 I’m looking forward to the next crop with the girls.  Over 40 pages later (mainly two-page layouts) and I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel for my first album.  I can’t wait to share it with you once it’s completed.  It’s dedicated to my Ella “Bella” Grace….my inspiration for everything in life.