Letter Press Give Away

Heard of the Quickutz Letter Press? Want one? Well, click HERE and visit the Creativity Room for a chance to win one. This will be an awesome prize for someone...why not you? (Or, me...I signed up to win too.) Hope someone I know gets it...what a neat feeling to help someone to win such a fabulous prize.

Smiles!
Gwen

Congratulations to me...

Well, maybe not me...my sister. I'm going to be an Aunt again and she is having her third baby. I just found out today. It will be good to have another little one in the family. Who can resist the soft, sweet innocence of a new baby? They are the most precious gift of hope.

Praying for Barbi, Ben, Hayden and Hannah that all goes well and that she has a safe and healthy delivery.

Love you little sis.

Gwen

Long Absence...

It seems like forever since I added a post. I've not been well, on a number of levels. Sometimes the need to be strong and take care of everyone else gives way to the fragility of our own human limitations...apparently, I'd had my limit. I'm feeling much better now. Not completely 100% but getting there.

Hope to see all of our DCRU followers over at the challenge this week. If you like girlie stuff...and really is there a woman alive who doesn't secretly have a little girl in her heart who begs to get out and play with glitter and feathers...well, if you have one of those inner-girls in you, you'll love this challenge. You get to create a "girlie" project! How much fun will that be. I'm hoping to get my very own girlie project posted later tomorrow...why don't you all join me and post one of your own? It will be so much fun to see what you all come up with.

Keep those hands busy...

Smiles!
Gwen

Winner of Digi-licious Give Away!

I apologize for the late hour ladies, but it has been a crazy day. I'll spare you the details for they are just not very interesting or important.

I'm excited to announce that the winner of my Paper Crafter's Field Guide is...Linda!

Linda found out via the DCRU DT Blog and has already emailed me her address (thank you so much, I really appreciate it). Please stop by the blog to check out who won our other team member designs.

Tomorrow I'll have a post on the DCRU DT Blog too. It would be great to have you stop by and check it out...then...peek over on Tuesday, because I've totally got the CHALLENGE! Love the challenges...

Hope to see you all over there at DCRU.

Congrats again to Linda! I'll be getting your prize to the post ASAP.

Keep your hands busy!

Smiles!
Gwen

Wow Wednesday...

Wednesday...Hump Day...the day before my post at DCRU DT Blog. Guess what I'll be working on? (insert giggle here) Yes, I've got a wonderfully fun spotlight to work on. I'm loving this one it is going to let me play with some of my favorite things.

Aside from the playing I've got to make time to read. I'm reading Twilight for the first time and the story is finally sucking me in. I have to admit, I was worried at first but now...well, now it has become something that I must finish. After this one I'm going to move into New Moon and I'm hoping to finish it before the movie comes out. I plan to take my Anna to see it. She has read each of the series and is so excited about the release. Ah...to be young and in love with a fantasy...

I would like to find some great pics on line to make Anna a special Twilight based project. So, I might be doing a little bit of surfing too. I think a personalized bookmark is in order since she is letting me read her books.

I'm off...pre-school aged children are staging a coup de'tat in the other room.

Keep those hands busy!

Smiles!
Gwen

Use your Nestable Shapes @ DCRU Challenge

Join us this week at the DCRU DT Blog for our Tuesday Challenge focusing on nestable shapes. We have highlighted the Spellbinder Labels Nine in our projects, but you can use what ever you already own to join in the fun. Here are my projects below:

Ready for another sweet treat? Not only did the DCRU Digi get a name this week...not only are we giving away lots of fun DT Designed Projects to our followers...not only did Claudia get the new TGF Twinkle Tots Stamps in stock and ready for purchase on Sunday...(wow, could there possible be more?...oh, YES!)...the long awaited Quickutz Santa's Workshop Limited Edition Gift Set is being released TODAY and Claudia has it too! Could this week get any more exciting for all of us? Please stop by the DCRU Store and check out this exciting new set scheduled to launch around noon. Don't let it take off without you.

Smiles!

Gwen

Digi-licious Give Away Fun!!!

Its time to reveal the new name for the DCRU Digi. That means its time for a little fun and the chance to win some creations made by our very own Design Team Members. What do you need to do for a chance at one of these original works of paper craft engineering? Its easier than you might think.

1) Leave a comment on my blog (you are already here) under this posting...

2) Visit the Die Cuts R Us Store Blog and leave a comment there...

3) You are done! Its that easy...All Winners will be announced on Sunday, November 8th.

Would you like a sneek peek at what you could win from me? Here she is "?????" digital image exclusively at DCRU. This is a little 6x6 field guide I put together complete with sections to keep you organized with online sites, your projects and space to plan projects. You'll spend less time trying to figure out where to find things and more time for crafting. Woo-hoo!



Now, I left a lot of space in here for a reason...so that you could personalize this. You've got places for pics, doodles, stickers, notes, etc. There is even a small note pad in the back of the book for your wish list of paper crafting must haves!



Don't forget to visit all of my Design Team Sisters at DCRU to get a chance to win something totally fabu from them too. Just click on the names below and you will go directly to their blogs.

Amber

Lori

Cara

Margie

Jessica

Sarabeth

Sammye Jo

Don't forget to stop by the DCRU Store to check out the new items listed for November. Then jump over to the DCRU Store Blog and see what name Claudia chose for the digi. Can't wait to find out!!!

Must See Post at DCRU

Wow! All I can say is...Wow! If you don't know our newest designer on the DCRU DT now is your chance for a gorgeous introduction. LORI BOYD has done a wonderful post on the Crop-a-dile and its many uses. Her projects for this post...Incredible! Stop by and take a look...be sure to leave her some "love" in the comments section. OH, and maybe a congrats too...Lori has a new line of stamps that are coming out on Monday.

Smiles!
Gwen

Wow Wednesday...

Today I'm going to finish up a project that I'm making for someone special. Then, I've got to put my product highlight together for DCRU...you'll have to stop by tomorrow to find out what it is. I've also got to get my machine out and jot down it's serial number so that I can send off for a free CD full of digi art that I can embroider. (Thank you Mom for taking care of that for me.) I've got drawers to organize and all kinds of messes to clean up. It just never ends with the kids constantly exploring and destroying...

Hope to be in bed at a decent hour but...I may stay up for a wee little while to read while the girls sleep. I just started the Twilight book and want to finish it so I can move on to New Moon. Anna wants to go to the opening night of the movie when it comes out. I might just have to indulge her on that one...it isn't too unreasonable to manage. We have a couple of other people lined up to go too, Moms and their teens, so it could be a lot of fun.

Well, the monkeys are calling...

Until next time...keep those hands busy!

Smiles!
Gwen

TUES CHALLENGE @ DCRU

Here it is boys and girls...the

"boyfriend challenge" the DCRU DT Blog All of our DTs made really great projects for this one, you won't be disappointed with the inspiration. The focus is on the Cosmo Cricket Boyfriend papers (which, are on sale now at the DCRU Store) and embellishments. Drop on over and check it out. While you are there leave a comment for our designers...they really did out-do themselves. Then round up your supplies and join in the fun.

Here is my sample card...

made with the

Boyfriend Collection

from Cosmo Cricket.

Isn't that little Edward

stamp from The Greeting Farm adorable!

Hope to see you there!

Smiles!

Gwen

New LO Starring Whimsie from Whimsie Doodles!

Okay, it actually stars my girls...what else? This is a little LO I did to mark things we do in our lives as a family. We all went to the health dept and the girls each got their H1N1 vaccinations. Yes...I took pics. Hope you enjoy this, it makes me giggle a little bit.

Many special thanks go out to the Whimsie Doodles site for this free digi.

After you get done peeking at this...hop on over to DCRU DT's Blog and check out the Tuesday Challenge.

Smiles!

Gwen

Product Spotlight on DCRU

Okay, I know another spotlight on a product...we sometimes get overwhelmed with all of the products on the market. Still, this is a pretty good spotlight and the best part...the sale that comes with it!

Sarabeth, one of the DT members at DCRU has put together a fantastic spotlight on the EK Success papers. If you have no interest in getting more paper (c'mon already...what paper crafter doesn't want more gorgeous papers?) you still need to stop by and check out her amazing sample projects.

Oh, don't forget, tomorrow is Tuesday and that means a new challenge at DCRU DT Blog. Make a visit to check out the details and join in the fun.

Hope to see you there!

Smiles!
Gwen

Matchbook Mini Album Tutorial

Items needed for this project include:

Cutting tool with a 12" capacity

Scor-Pal or ruler with 1/8" measurements and a scoring tool

12 x 12 card stock of your choice
Adhesive

Photos cropped to a 2x2 square or equivalent shape and measurements

Magnetic strips with adhesive backing (for closure)

Journaling pen Estimated time to complete basic project: 15 - 30 minutes

(a more elaborate book will take more time, this estimate is for a very basic book)

To begin this project I decided to go with a double sided pattered paper. This will eliminate the need for additional paper cuts for decorative purposes and will save a considerable amount of time.

Trim the 12x12 paper to the following measurements:

Strip 1) 2.5 inches wide by 6 inches long (this will make the matchbook cover)

Strip 2) 2.5 inches wide by 10 inches long (this will make your accordion album page)

Next you will score to the following measurements:

Strip 1) 1 inch mark and 5 inch mark, then you score 1/8" from those marks to give you a nice fold for expansion.

Strip 2) Score every 2.5 inches (2.5", 5", 7.5" )

Now fold on all of your score marks to create your cover and your accordion page.

Once the folds are complete you can add adhesive to the back of the first square on the accordion page and adhere it to the inside of the cover as shown.

Now you get to place your photographs where you like them, add any journaling and decorations. It is important to do this prior to adding your closure because the thickness of your book will be determined by the amount of papers etc. that you use. (If you like a lot of embellishing you may need to adjust your cover length to accommodate the additional thickness.)


Now that you have everything inside of your album, fold it closed to see where your cover meets. Take one side of your adhesive backed magnet and adhere it to the bottom of the cover where you desire your placement.
Next, take the other half of the magnetic closure, attach it to the first magnet, then peel off the backing. With the two pieces together, you will fold the top of the cover over and press firmly to attach the second magnetic strip.

Your project is now complete! This is a quick and easy project that would make a great little gift for someone special. It is also a great way to use up some of those photos that aren't good for scrapbooking due to poor composition, business, etc. Just crop what you can use and put it in your little book.

(Now, if you were paying attention, you probably noticed that I glued my mangnet right over my title for the book on the inside cover...it was okay...I wrote the wrong thing. I used the inside of the bottom flap to write the correct title of the event. )

Have fun with this one...and remember, you can make these as wide and long as you want to if you do some minor adjustments. The possibilities are endless...

Keep those hands busy!

Gwen

Where does the time go?

Okay, Okay...its been a few days. Right now, it is way past bedtime so, I'll make this brief.

Sunday afternoon is going to be my post a tutorial day. That is right I'm finally going to break down and post the tutorial on the matchbook mini album. I hope to have a few cards finished too, so that I can post them as well. My project for the DCRU DT Challenge is needing finished and sent off to Sarabeth. She is hosting our challenge this coming Tuesday, so keep an eye out.

Until this afternoon...

Keep those hands busy!
Gwen

Wow Wednesday...

Is it really Wednesday already? Today is going to be another fun day spent with the children and then, after lunch...Child Well Check appt. with the pediatrician. We love our pediatrician, Dr. Seema. She is such a lovely person. However, her office called today and said they have so many ill children that her appts. have to be changed so that the healthy check-ups aren't exposed to all of the unhealthy visits. I don't mind the change. I'd much rather have the girls kept away from any unnecessary exposure to viruses and goodness only knows what else.

The real adventure will begin when it comes time for the vaccinations. (Yes, I'm a Mom who does vaccinations. My feeling on the issue is that the risk is just too high not to vaccinate. I do respect the choice of those who do not because of their own personal beliefs.) We have to get flu shots. That means: Girls x2 (flu shot x2)= screaming and fussiness x2(headache + very long afternoon)2. Yes, I've reverted to an algebraic equation to express my general concerns regarding the after effects of the visit. Sad...yes! Honest...absolutely!

Aside from that, I'm hoping to do a little scrapping. I've got some pics that need to be put into an album and I've got some upcoming posts for the DT that I'd like to work on. There are bills and budgeting that need my attention. I'm still working on sorting closets and weeding out the outgrown clothing for the girls and myself. I also need to go to the hardware store and see about picking up another shelving unit for my walk-in closet. The unit I have is a little unstable and I just don't trust it around my curious little explorers.

Hope everyone else is doing well today. I'll be making my rounds to see what you are all up to. Until then, keep those hands busy...

Smiles!
Gwen

TUES CHALLENGE @ DCRU

Its time for another fantastic challenge at DCRU's DT Blog. This week Amber is heading up the team with some fabulous inspiration. If you didn't get a chance to see her great Stampin Monday Post...well, click HERE and you will see some very cute cards that she made. Wonder what her challenge is for the week? I bet you do, but I'll never tell...hehehe. You'll have to check out the blog and see for yourself, I can guarantee that you won't be disappointed. So stop on over to the DCRU DT Blog and see what fun we have in store for you.

Speaking of store...Claudia has stocked some new papers in the store this week. They are so cute and so going on my wish list. To see what is new click HERE and enjoy.

Before I go, I'll treat you to a little peek at one of my challenge projects this week. See if you can guess what it is before it's big reveal on the Challenge Post.

Keep those hands busy...

Smiles!

Gwen