Confessions from a Dirty Scrapbook Room

I thought I was organized UNTIL I took pictures. Now it is all becoming very clear to me why I cannot seem to get ANYTHING done in here. For starters, there isn't a clean surface in the room except for maybe on the top shelf and since I need a ladder to get up there, that doesn't seem like a practical place to create or work.
Apparently the cleaning fairy didn't come last night (or any night for a LONG time), so I'm going to have to do it.
Now, I have to say, last year (or was that two years ago?), I decluttered like crazy and gave 12 Priority Boxes of scrapbook supplies away, so I definitely don't have as much to do this time. This actually looks more like actual trash.
So here are the BEFORE pictures.

Nodes AKA Construction Points-What the heck are they anyway?

This is one of those questions that I know...I do okay explaining it in person, but I'm lousy at putting it into the written word. Anyway today while reading my email I came across one of the best descriptions of this. I asked Jack if I could post it on my blog and he graciously said yes, so here is a GREAT description of what nodes/construction points are and their function.

"Yes, 'nodes' are the same thing as 'construction points' -- your
cutting file for any design basically consists of a list of
definitions for 'vectors', or lines that when followed, will cut out
your design. The nodes and lines define a 'path' for the cutter to
follow. The nodes are really the end points of these lines (straight
and/or curved). What you see on your screen are representations of
those lines, generated by the software, using the vector definitions
to 'draw' the lines that will later be cut.

Most of the time, these vectors will be connected at their end points
(nodes) and when cut, the blade will follow each line in a continuous
cut (i.e., path) without lifting the blade. To cut pieces that can be
lifted from the mat in one piece, all of the lines defining its
outline must be continuous, with no 'open nodes'. Some lines for cuts
within a piece may be intentionally 'open', such as slits, dashed fold
lines, etc.

When you use a command to 'simplify path', what you're really asking
for is to reduce the number of lines needed to create the design by
combining connected lines and eliminating the node between two lines
that are going in 'almost' the same direction -- thus smoothing out
some curves, making two lines into one straight one, etc. Always bear
in mind that even if they look clever, all computers are stone dumb --
REALLY dumb -- and any decisions about what nodes to eliminate is some
programmer's guess at what you might someday want. Sometimes they get
it right, and the file is smaller, cuts faster and better --
sometimes, combining two lines means eliminating a detail of your
design that you didn't want to lose.

When you magnify a design and see lots of excess nodes, there are a
number of ways to clean up your design, which can be tedious, but only
you can make consistent decisions as to what is a collection of excess
nodes and what is a critical part of your design.

Remember, every node generally represents a point where the cutter
blade will have to change direction, and sudden sharp corners and
reversals of direction will be hard to cut cleanly. Often you will see
spots on what should be a smooth curve or straight line where there
are two direction switchbacks that form a sort of 'Z' shape in the
line. Unless you really intended for this to show as part of the
design, eliminate them and your design will cut much cleaner.

Hope this sorts a few of your questions out...

Jack"


Thanks Jack for sharing your computer knowledge to us and helping us understand better why and what we are doing.

Amazingly Simple Home Remedies

I had a friend share these with me and just had to share with everyone.

Amazingly Simple Home Remedies

1. If you're choking on an ice cube simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat. Presto! The blockage will instantly remove itself.

2. Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold while you chop.

3. Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by using the sink.

4. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.

5. A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

6. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you'll be afraid to cough.

7. You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

8. Remember: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

9. If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem

Happy St. Patricks Day Gift

Here is a quickie paper piecing I created just for you. Click on the PHOTO and you can download your very own cutting files.

If you are going out tonight...be safe.

Turkey Paper Piecing Tutorial

BBQ Pig

I was at a crop this weekend and I had fun doing some paper piecing from fun clip art I have found on the Internet. This is one of them...I hope you enjoy it.

Scrapjazz Interview

I just wanted to share an interview that I had with Lisa Wallace, she writes off and on for Scrapjazz.
Click HERE to go to the interview.

My 2009 Show and Teaching Schedule

Here is where I will be in 2009....I would LOVE to see and meet you at them. PLEASE, be sure to introduce yourself if you are able to come.

2009 SHOW SCHEDULE DATE
CHA January 25-28 Anaheim, CA
SCRAPBOOK EXPO February 13-15 Costa Mesa, CA
CREATING KEEPSAKES CONVENTION March 5-7 Portland, OR
SCRAPBOOK EXPO Mar 20-21 Pleasanton, CA
CREATING KEEPSAKES CONVENTION April 2-4 St. Louis, IL
CREATING KEEPSAKES CONVENTION April 16-18 Mesa, AZ
SCRAPBOOK EXPO May 1-2 San Diego, CA
GREAT LAKES MEGA MEET May 7-9 Great Lake Michigan
CREATING KEEPSAKES CONVENTION May 28-30 Buffalo, NY
GREAT AMERICAN SCRAPBOOK CONVENTION June 4-6 Arlington, TX
GREAT AMERICAN SCRAPBOOK CONVENTION June 26-27 Chantilly, VA
RUBBERSTAMP AND SCRAPBOOK EXPO August 15-16 Loveland, CO
SCRAPBOOKING USA EXPO Sept 11-12 Salt Lake City, UT
SCRAPBOOK EXPO October 9-10 Ontario, CA
SCRAPBOOK EXPO October 16-17 Sacramento, CA
CREATING KEEPSAKES CONVENTION November 5-7 Seattle, WA

If you can read this....I'm Playing!

I am finally getting to my project basket and working on each of the items in there. This has been one I couldn't decide what to do for it.

.
I knew I wanted it to say "Elora's Toys", but I got inspired today because it was empty and her toys were strung all over the house...and she was PLAYING...LOTS

She is now "ZAUSTED" and sleeping, but when she wakes up, all of her bones, animals, balls, etc will all be back in their spot.

Now, if I could just her to pick up after herself.

So here you go...I have to say...I LOVE IT!

Whoa!!!!

Time just passes...........bye.

Etching on Glass using Etch All Cream

I showed this technique at the Sunday night class. I thought I had recorded it, but I made a mistake, but the class did not record, so I did a tutorial to show you how to do it.

Happy Holidays

No matter if you celebrate Christmas, Hanakuh, Kwanza, Solstice or any other holiday, I hope you have a WONDERFUL one.

Simply Steph's Castle

My friend Simply Steph is an amazing designer. She designed this in the Pazzles Inspiration Studio Software and cut it on the Pazzles Inspiration. I just love it and now we are offering it through my store.

There are files for all 7 pages, which include two lines (one for the acrylic and one for the paper inserts to fit the shape nicely) Also, the the window and door pieces are pre-done on a file too, so all you have to do is cut and assemble.

Click here to go to store

A Year in Review---All together...and DONE!!!

Here is the entire year in one post...I have typed about each page to let you know what techniques I used. Also, be sure to Watch HSN on Monday, December 22, 2008 at 10am EST. These pages will all be on the Pazzles segment.


January-for the snowman, I did simple circles, and then used the distortion tool to get more of an oblong look, and the snowballs...simple circles. I used fluid chalk to give my paper a little more color and then stickles to make my snow sparkly.

February-I used my freehand tool to draw the hearts. I just messed around with it until it looked like I wanted it to. I just used chestnut roan fluid chalk for this. I wanted to keep it simple.

March-The rainbow took a little time to figure out to get exactly what I wanted. I ended up using circles and using the tool to add as many circles as I wanted. Then I took my cut line tool, cut them in half and created each arc by itself. After doing it, I figured there were easier ways, but by then...it was done. It was fun to use a shiny gold paper for the coins and the title.

April-This started out as clip art, but took a drastic change after I messed around with it in the software. I finally got the look I liked. I used Crystal Lacquer on the boots and raindrops to make them look wet.

May-I used just basic ovals to create the petals and circles for centers. I inked the edges and stickles to add a little pop.

June-This page is actually created by my good friend, Simply Steph. These are pieces that are actually off of her Summer Fun page that is on the Kloriginal Designs presents Simply Steph CD Volume 2

July-I had so much fun creating this one. The watermelons are 1/2 circles and then layered. I cut the "seeds" out of the red paper and then backed it with black. After that, I used crystal lacquer, it makes it look real.

August-I used my free hand tool and drew all these pieces, except the shovel and bucket. I created a series of squares and rectangles to create them, then used my corner rounder to fix it.
The sandcastle is a series of rectangles, then i used the replace segment by arc to get the castle look. I really love that the fluid chalk gives the sand dimension.

September-This is another page by Simply Steph. She and I are in the same swap and she did this absolutely amazing page.

October-I used ovals for the pumpkins and then layered them. The frame with vines is from the Pazzles Lace CD. I just love that CD, it has some great designs on it.

November-The pumpkins were ovals that i welded together, then i distorted them. Of course, I love the fluid chalks...between that and pens, you can really get some great dimension.

December-I wish you could really see the dimension with the poinsettia's. I used the free hand tool to do the leaves/petals. I did one, then duplicated it, mirrored one of them and got the look I wanted.

I really loved doing these. I hope you enjoyed them too.

Okay, It's OFFICIAL...

I have LOST it....LOL...I got a piece of email that made me look twice. The title said something about "Winterization Projects". I was so excited and opened it up and was stumped....I thought it said 'VECTORIZATION PROJECTS'.....

And the year continues....

I need to add some buttons or ribbon to this layout...but I wanted you all to see it before I send it off to Chris.

Time "March"es On

Only 7 more months to go...*grin (remember, October and July got done earlier)

More Year in Review

Here are two more layouts that I have done for my Year in Review album. After I am completely through, I will make the files all available for download so you can do one for yourself if you would like.

Tis the Season for....

Depression for many people. I am one of those people that literally fight it off this time of year. I am a Prozac lifer. My anthem...."Give me Prozac or Give me Death" (or others around me might die...bwahahaha...just kidding...mostly)
Anyway, I have decided to talk about this here, in hopes that it will help others and me to make it through. Depression affects people different ways, for me I do two things. I sleep and I sit at my desk thinking I should do something. I TRY to do stuff, but I just don't have it in me to pull it off, so I read email, attempt answering (with varying degrees of success) and play games (Spider anyone?)
Well, I finally recognized what was going on and decided I was going to kick off the depression (so I laid down and took a nap to think about how). Almost 4 plus weeks into this 'funk' I have had a few moments where I would say, okay, this is it, I'm going to make it through this time. (then I'd play a game and decide just one more game and then I'll do something) Finally, I MADE myself get out of bed, shower and dress in street clothes (pj's are my standard depression dress) and I went to run some errands...my list was quite long, because of hibernating for nearly a month and while at the bank, I looked up and a saw a sign that was looking for volunteers to ring the bell for Salvation Army. Now I had thought about volunteering for the last few weeks, but the phone book was ALL THE WAY in the other room, so I never made the call. Well, the phone number was right there, so while my deposit was being made, I made the call and volunteered to ring the bell at Hobby Lobby for 2 hours one day and 2 hours another. Well guess what? I did both of those volunteer times and after both of them, I felt a little lighter (in my heart, not weight...because, oh ya, I eat when I'm depressed and I've gained another 10 lbs...oh well, more of me to love) I was able to come home and get a few things accomplished that I needed to.
Well, I'm not home free yet, I can still feel the pull and call of my pillow, but I feel like I'm making steps towards functionality again. This is a good thing, because I have a bunch of tutorials that I want to get done and I'm getting excited about it again, so that means you all will be having new stuff soon.
Thanks for sticking with me while I have my yearly (sometimes bi-yearly) fight through depression.

If you are fighting or have depression...go see your doctor and get help. I am so thankful for the medication that I have (I'm actually bi-polar...hereditary..thanks dad) Most of the time it is enough to keep me on an even keel, but I do have times when it is more of a fight. But knowing there is help, helps me.

On another note, it is the season for love, kindness and giving. Don't forget to love yourself, be kind to yourself and give to yourself this season....sometimes we get so busy doing for everyone else that we forget to take care of ourselves....

Love you all and I hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season.

My Anniversary

My husband left me this note in the comments...but I know not everyone reads the comments....*grin

Anonymous said...

Is my wife frigging awesome or what?
Thank you for all the love and support you give her.
Happy Anniversary Kloie! Still in love and having fun, let's shoot for 23 more yrs, it will probably whiz by like the first 23. Do you know how old we will be then? 69 DUDE! Well almost, anyway, thanks for a most excellent adventure Ted, uh, I mean Klo. How does mexican food and margaritas sound?
I LOVE YOU...BOING!
Your first dude of scrapbooking Jeffy
Why anonymous? Cause romance needs a touch of mystery besides a Steph Plum novel.

Puzzles for Holiday Gift Giving!!!

Here is a puzzle I created for my grandson for one of his Holiday Gifts. Instead of using chipboard for this one, I chose to use acrylic.

I printed onto cardstock first, then I used a spray adhesive to attach it to the acrylic (Photo against the acrylic).

After allowing it to be good and dry, I put the acrylic on the mat face down. I cut in one pass with the Blade at 3, speed at 2, and Pressure 30. I then pulled the acrylic apart (instead of trying to pop it out) I find that I prefer this method over 3 passes. If you prefer to do more than one pass, so that it is completely cut, that is your choice.