you NEED to know...

...That yesterday I had what might be THE BEST BROWNIE EVER at Home Ground (the coffee shop 2 doors down). It was amazing. Unfortunately, I ate it too fast.... I didn't expect it to be as spectacular as it was, so I didn't get take a picture. (This is a picture I stole from a cooking website. And I can tell by looking at this brownie that it is no where near as good as the one I had yesterday). So if you're having a bad day, or just appreciate a good brownie, stop by Home Ground (I am crossing my fingers that they make some today as well).

New

This new book from making memories is packed full of great ideas (not just 12x12 layouts!). If you've had a chance to pick up some of the new Animal Crackers line, then you'll want to get your hands on it today. But the best part? (Drum roll please) It is $19.99 US and Canadian. Heck yeah!

Fellow Bloggers...

If you frequent Sheep River Scrapbook Co. (or just my little blog) and would like to have your blog linked to ours, post your address in the comments and I will link you up.

I will only link blogs that are related to scrapbooking/crafting/really cute shoes/being a woman/being a mom/a day-to-day-account-of-your-insane-life.

So if you have a blog that does not feature naked bums (over 5 years old), perscription (or otherwise) drugs, radical political or religious movements and/or chihuahuas (I just dont like them) just let me know!

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Cravings by Haley Ross
I've had lots of them. I tried to make this look like a recipe card, did it come off that way? More Thickers by American Crafts.... yeah, I'm addicted. The green ribbon is from my stash but the paper is all new, and I love it.
Materials: Patterned Papers: My Minds Eye; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts; Flower: making memories; Button: My Minds Eye; Pencil Crayons: Heidi Swapp; Pen: EK Success.

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Belly by Haley Ross
Simple scrapbooking. It's saving me. And have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE the Thickers by American Crafts? They seem to be all over my pages lately. I couldn't resist this 29th Street Market paper. It's so pretty and distressed that I didn't want to cover it up. The big white, fabric covered brad by Bazzill was the other "new product splurge". Love it. Love fabric. The rest of the little bits I had lying around... felt good to use up some of my leftovers.
Materials: Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Alphabet Thickers: American Crafts; Tiny Alphas: making memories; Flowers: Prima & making memories; Brads: Basic Grey & Bazzill Basics; Miscellaneous Eyelets, Buttons & Brads.

That Darn Cat!

If you think you're sick of seeing layouts & projects featuring my cat, just wait until I have a baby...
Everyone will be muttering "there's that Ross kid again....".
I LOVED this project. The transparent pages and accents all came together in a kit by Fancy Pants called Bracket Book & More. Love it. I completed the whole thing in about 2 hours (it's in the store if you'd like to have a peek inside). I usually choose a theme with mini albums (Black & White for this one) because it makes things so easy. Easy. Plus: Mini albums can be made with very little paper. I used ONE 12x12 piece of cardstock and ONE 12x12 patterned paper.
What OLD product did I use up (it's my goal to use at least one OLD thing on each page/project)? The ribbon. There is no shortage of ribbon in my stash. Even after making this book I struggled to fit it all back in the jar. Shhhh. Don't tell Brian.
Materials: Book Kit & Transparencies: Fancy Pants; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: making memories; Stickers & scalloped ribbon: American Crafts; Tiny Alphas; making memories; Ribbons: ki memories, making memories, May Arts.

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Mom & Dad by Haley Ross
See? I totally have been scrapbooking! I'll admit it... I got lazy. And I stopped going that "extra step" with my layouts. I got to the point where it was too much of a hassle to clean a paint brush, clean my rubber stamp or find that specific tool. But I took the time to pull out my sewing machine the other day. And I am so happy that I did. An hour later: Another page for the baby album. I love this paper, it matched perfectly. And I have been using those tiny alphas stickers like crazy (a great deal@ $3.69 a package. You get a ton of letters!). And, in keeping with my goal (using something OLD on each layout), I found the pink chipboard tags & some of the flowers in my stash.
Tool Tip: I know I can't sell them, but Creative Memories makes the best circle cutters out there. Hands down. If you don' already have a set, you NEED one. (I know of a gal that can hook you up, just ask.)
Materials: Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Tiny Alpha Stickers & chipboard tags: making memories; Flowers: Prima & American Crafts; Eyelets: We R Memory Keepers.

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*at peace by Haley Ross
I haven't posted one of my layouts on here since February 5th. You'd think I quit scrapbooking all together. Not true. I've been scrapbooking more than ever. Simple scrapbooking. And I love it. I am journaling more than ever before, and my albums are filling up fast. I am still a bit of a patterned paper fanatic (I used 6 different papers on this one layout), but I am also using up some of the supplies that have been in my stash forever (I think I bought the confetti stickers in the top right corner in 2004!).
I loved this layout so much I am re-creating it for our Hour Long Layout class tomorrow night (there's still room, and the class is a great deal@ just under $13 for the Class & Kit fee combined.). Call 939 23891 & choose from Girl or Boy paper packs.
Materials: Patterned Papers, Buttons, Brad, Rub-On & Alphabet Stickers: Basic Grey; Confetti Stickers: making memories & Colorbok; Staples: making memories; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics.

I'd Rather Be Scrapbooking

It's Spring. And there's a baby on the way. Which means it's time to get stuff done. And it makes me just plain grouchy that I could be scrapbooking. Instead I have to clean closets (check out the one below which is in the future baby's room and is now serving as a place to keep linen/purses/Christmas lights/winter boots/ baby stuff). What a nightmare....
Brian is busy tiling our kitchen. I picked Tea Green glass tiles (which are his nightmare). They look fabulous. I am so lucky to have such a handy-man.

Tonight...

Join us for "A Baby Bunch" tonight at 6:30pm.
Create three unique baby layouts with great new products from Basic Grey, making memories & Autumn Leaves.
Call & let us know if you'd like to attend & if you'd like boy or girl packages. (403 938 2391)

If I wasn't pregnant...

I would still be 100%, head over heels, in LOVE with the new line from making memories. Animal Crackers has two lines, Ella, for sweet baby girls, and Jack for tiny little boys. Both lines are soft & fresh. Perfect.
Like most FAB making memories lines there are great patterned papers to choose from, but even better embellishments (they can do no wrong).

Epoxy Buttons. Felt Buttons. Stickers. Velvet Brads. Ribbons. Journaling Cards. And ooooh, you'll love the albums & embellishments kits to match.

I'm suddenly wishing I knew if I was having a boy or a girl....

New from Crate Paper

I love crate paper. I loved them from the moment I first laid eyes on their textured patternend paper. And like a fine wine, they are just getting better with age....

There are four new lines. FOUR! Blue Hill & Static (shown here) as well as Sweet Branch and Katlin. Each line had great textured, double-sided patterned paper. Also watch for matching die-cuts, buttons, brads, chipboard & rub-ons. I love.

WANT. crave. COVET. yearn. DESIRE

I WANT it all. I really do. But how am I going to find the time to do THAT much scrapbooking. It's calling at me in my sleep (my VERY uncomfortable pregnant sleep!).

There's so much great new stuff. Look for sweet new products from:

Scenic Route

(Grafton shown above)

Dasiy D's

(Bambino shown below. Who doesn't love a sock monkey???)

American Crafts

Cloud 9 Designs

Creating Keepsakes

and a bunch more.

Please Send Help.

KaiserCraft

A friend of mine tipped me off to this great company from Australia called KaiserCraft (Thanks Char!). And I loved their products so much that I brought in all FOUR new lines!

Rough & Tough (as seen above) is a vibrant line full of earthy & rustic tones. Perfect for creating boyish layouts.

Sorbet, a totally cute girly line.

And lastly, Little Miss & Little Mister, two cute co-ordinating baby lines with loads of great pastel colors.

Did I mention these are all double-sided? Woohoo!

Come see these great paper lines & smart rub-ons to match!

Why Slice?

Introducing the making memories Slice...

I Love it. Not suprising? Here's why?

* Less than 2lbs & only 5" square. Totally portable.

* Cuts vellum, vinyl & photos.

* Easy to use. (Really easy. Go to youtube.com for a demo)

* making memories has already created hundreds of useful images. These images are available on several inexpensive design cards (approx. $46.99 CDN each).

Pre-order your Slice today and SAVE (Big time!).

The Slice will be available in July. Order yours now to ensure you recieve one from our first shipment! Here's what you'll get:

*A Basic Shapes design card, a 6x6" glass cutting mat,power cord, blade replacement tool & repositionable adhesive (so smart!).

The in-store retail price in July will be $219.99.

Order yours before June 1st & pay only $179.99.

That's a $40 off the original price!

Limited number of machines available. Order yours today.*

*A non-refundable deposit of $19.99 required.

Oh Boy!

We LOVE the new Zach's Life from My Little Yellow Bicycle (not just a cute name!).

Check out boyish new Rub-ons, Stickers, Brads & more.

Watch for their girlier lines (Vita Bella) to make an appearance later this spring!

Sneak Peak!

If you've signed up for the April 22nd class "An Easter Layout", then here's a little sneak peak. This layout is stinkin' cute. I love it as much as I love the great Scenic Route products JoAnn used. Learn how to use the new Big Bite from We R Memory Keepers, paint raw chipboard & more.
If you haven't signed up, there's still time.
Class starts at 6:30pm. Approx. 2 hours.
Bring pictures & leave with one double-page layout.
Class Fee $8 + Kit Fee (Materials) Approx. $15

Sometimes....

...things just work out.
My friend (and resident teacher/scrapbooker/photographer) Michelle Gier showed up at my house last Sunday with Starbucks in hand. (Yeah, I know, great friend). I had totally forgotten we were scheduled to go take some "belly" shots.
We went down to the Sheep River (my favourite place in town) and Michelle clicked away. My husband Brian was so uncomfortable it was almost hilarious. But as he loosened up, the shots got better and better. Michelle did a fabulous job. AND, she did all that without her camera (she used my unfamiliar camera and my brand new lens which I am in LOVE with).

This is one of my favourite shots. Makes me cry.

Thanks Michelle. Blessed am I to have a friend like you.

Thank you Lord, for not giving me stretch marks, yet.

New

White Out - Frenzy from We R Memory Keepers is here.
Eight great double-sided papers. Bright primary colors. Totally cute designs. I've already done a layout (we got it yesterday). Lovin' it.

New from My Minds Eye...

Wild Asparagus 4 is here. And just like the Wild Asparagus before it, it rocks. Love all the little die cuts! Lots of themes to check out.

29th Street Market (above) has 8 new lines with 8 papers in each. Not to mention all of the goodies (great matching embellishments!). If I had to pic a fav?....I think Peaceful would be it. Love it.

Just Dreamy features two separate paper lines (one for boys & one for girls). There are die cuts & buttons (yay!) to match. This paper is too cute and has a very CareBear feel to it. Might work well with all of those terrible photos I have of myself as a child in the 80's.