RUB ONZ!!!

So I decided to try using the Grafix rub onz film I had been reading about lately. Paper pals happened to order some and I figured what the hell, if it works, I'll have some bitchin' rub ons...if not, well, back to the drawing board....

I must say...they work amazingly! I was somewhat skeptical at first, nothing I've tried so far has worked really well. This film paper is amazing! All you have to do is print or draw your design on the rough side of the film, apply the adhesive paper to the printed side and smooth over. Then you cut out around the design, remove the adhesive paper and adhere to your project. I tried it on chipboard, using the little skull patterns that I've been cutting out and epoxying onto the chipboard....and it was flawless! the film around the picture is clear and the design came out beautifully! I strongly strongly recommend using this for home made rub ons. SO awesome! The film is hard to find online, but dickblick has it and of course Paper pals does too!

Hope this is helpful, I've been trying to find a successful solution to rub ons since i fell in love with the basic grey buttons...so i had to share!

Happy Holidays!

Hope that the holiday season finds you all well! I will admit I would have been more than willing to postpone christmas another month but hey, what can you do? So much of my job revolves around this time of year. And I do get a certain satisfaction out of knowing where all the books are (yes i really do try), recommending gifts, and having my day fly by. There is a certain sense of urgency and deadline that many of us creative and time-management-organizationally-challenged spirits thrive on. Oh, sure, we get things done. We just do it better and faster once we smell smoke. he he he.

I've been on a sort of learning curve lately. Learning about myself, learning about my job and how to do it better. I've been learning and experimenting with both my painting and scrapbooking styles. There is just so much to try out! Looking back on the last two weeks it may seem like not a lot has been accomplished but in reality I have learned so much, and without absorbing some of this, without failed attempts and trial runs, I wouldn't be able to keep going.

So, I'll share with you a few of my successes:

A painting I finished for my mom...
I used the Liquitex modeling paste around the edges and then
inked over it for the shown effect. Using a cheap painting
knife i could easily manipulate the paste into whatever
design I desired. It was so easy to use. It dries hard so a
word of caution, DO NOT use a stamp pad that you don't
intend to throw away shortly after. this will tear up your stamp
pad pretty badly, but it makes a really quick and easy
aged look.

I tried the transparency home made rub on effect here, note to self:
it works great on the paper, not so hot on canvas. I ended up
trying to blur the paper side to even out the effect. Thank God
for sharpies and ball point pens.

A couple of layouts i was really happy with...

All you greys anatomy fans will appreciate my quoting...

Thats all I have for today. Been wanting to post some pictures for awhile now so I figured i would do so while I had a day off....even if it is Christmas! Have a wonderful rest of the holiday!

Good News!

So, I have been invited to be a member of the paper pals design team in pullman! Yay! This is so exciting! I have been so blessed to be able to get to know Karen and Shawna over the past few months and they are such neat ladies! Can't wait to work on my new projects in January and meet some new scrappers!

Also, I've been working on both some new layouts and some paintings. the paintings are presents for Christmas but I was particularly inspired by some of the things Donna Downey has been doing on her blog recently. I bought some of the modeling paste and have been working with that as a texture medium. Soon as I can get some good pictures I will share. I have such poor lighting in the apartment that its hard to take good shots. Will work on it and share soon!

Off to play pool with some friends and unwind...this weekend will be the busiest one of the year!

Merry Cookie making...and more

Long picture post today....


Oh Yes, Purple. For the love of Purple! Just a little fun :) My hair is now black an d purple and I like it. This week has been crazy, between work and Christmas preparations and hanging out with everyone...I'm nearly pooped. Luckily no school for me or I would be really crazy! We did make some awesome christmas cookies though!


Tara Cutting out cookies...Step 1


Frosting the cookies with the sweet bright colors
I mixed up...and don't forget sprinkles!


Tara's boyfriend Kent frosted this! A league of
his own for sure!


My Friend of 9 years, Tara...and her bf Kent



Some things are just meant to be...up down and in
between. Somehow I can't resist that face :)



Oh, my sweet little Abby dog!


A face only a mother could love...
luckily that's me! So cute!

And here is my holiday survey....

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love, love, love wrapping paper!
2. Real tree or Artificial? REAL: but I don't have one because Abby would probably eat it.
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the second week of Dec or so. (Haven't yet)
4. When do you take the tree down? I try to get it down before the end of January :)
5. Do you like eggnog? OMG! I freaking love it! Eggnog latte and blended eggnog with white Christmas...yummy!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Probably my baby alive. Those things were creepy!
7. Do you have a nativity scene? No, but my Grandma does and it has little indians and a tee-pee and is the coolest nativity set I've ever seen.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My dad, hands down. He hates receiving gifts but loves to give :)
9. Easiest person to buy for? Christian, he's a gadget boy!
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? An I-O-U the year before I got my baby alive. Only my dad would tell me Santa ran out at the workshop. No worries, I was plenty spoiled, but an I-O-U from Santa? Oh, the memories!
11. Mail or email Christmas card? MAIL
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Christmas Story.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Three days before!
14. Have you ever recycled/regifted a Christmas present? No
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Our traditional Seafood dinner on Christmas eve!
17. Favorite Christmas song? Don't really have one
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Wish I could travel to see the fam, but it looks like I'll be stuck at home :(
19. Can you name Santa's reindeer? You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen...Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen! Ha!
20. Do you have an Angel on top of the tree or a star? Nothing yet!
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One present the night before, rest in A.M.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Cranky Shoppers!
23. Best thing about Christmas? Seeing friends and family

Now, I'm tagging everyone who reads this!

Showing Some Love

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Basic Grey? Look at some of the lovely buttons I made using the Euro rub ons! Wow, button making will cease to be the same! Oh, I am so excited to use these on a project...yes, I'm being stingy but I had to share them anyway! Have a great week!

Christmas Goodies!

I'm feeling creative! I've been cooking up more button ideas and doing some cool paintings. Just taking a break from things when I can. If anyone has any cool ideas for buttons let me know! I want to do some snowmen...how cute would that be? ha ha. Hating the snow here but loving the busy bustling feel in the bookstore...I love all the Christmas chatter and people looking for gifts! Makes the days go by faster! And alas, the full 15 of the RVA buttons I made.