MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! It's Christmas day. The rush to get it done, the hustle and bustle, the panic you have waiting for that final gift to arrive in the mail, it all ends today. Last night we watched A Christmas Carol with George C Scott then off to bed. This morning came the presents and laughter. We read our Santa wish lists from about nine years ago, (I had them in our stockings). Our daughter home for the holiday is the best gift of all. I love seeing how she and her boyfriend look at each other. She has been welcomed into his family just as we have welcomed him into ours. He is a good man, steady, strong, with good family values.
I talked to family back east, sharing their Christmas joy. Now it's time to watch our favorite movies, relax and enjoy the warmth of each others company. Speaking of warmth, we have to run a cord to the trailer so the kids can have heat tonight so I gotta run.
See you out shopping tomorrow!
Patty

I finished the Family Tree I was making. I really liked the way it turned out. A bit more time consuming than I had thought, but well worth it. I almost mailed it off without taking any pictures so I didn't set the tree up with all the photos hanging. Just took some quick pics for reference. Send me feedback and suggestions if you have any. Merry Christmas.
Patty

Last night we went to an open house held by one of our San Diego Fifty-Sixers members (we all collect Dept. 56 villages and set up displays at Christmas). I met a lady named Kim who was there representing the GCT (granulosa cell tumor of the ovary foundation). Kim is also a survivor. I talked with her about possibly doing a fundraiser with SBR. Plan to talk with Elena in the next few days and then get back to Kim. To find out more about GCT go to their website: www.GCTF.org.
I entered my answer on the SBR blog to todays' question. Hope I win. Yesterday I forgot to enter the second part of the question. Typical brain damage.
I am making a chipboard family tree for my brother and his family. I printed out photos of our ancesters going back to the 1860's. The pictures in frames will hang from the tree, and he can change them around. I better remember to send him a list of names so he will know who is who.
I will post a picture of the finished product, which means I better finish it tonight and get it in the mail tomorrow. Christmas is only 9 days away!

Merry Christmas! I want to let all my scrapping friends know about Scrapbook Royalty. I have been involved with Scrapbook Royalty since the very beginning several years ago. A friend of mine, Elena Etcheverry, came to me with an idea. Elena wanted to find a way to raise money for charities through scrapbooking. Out of our first meeting, Scrapbook Royalty was born. We created Charitable Crops for Causes. Twelve hour crops with free classes, free food, give aways, and a prize for the Queen of the Crop (the person who raised the most funds for the charity). So what makes SBR different from other fundraising organizations you ask? Why should I check them out? Scrapbook Royalty is completely volunteer run. All of the money raised goes to the Charity. No one takes a salary. It is truly amazing what a group of caring dedicated women can do when they put their minds to it. Just this past week Elena celebrated SBR becoming a non-profit organization. It took almost two years and tons of paperwork, but she did it!
Right now you can go on the website and enter the daily contest from now until Christmas. While there check out the upcoming Royal Slumber Party crop set for March 2009. Help raise money for charity by using the links on the site to do some shopping and seraching: goodshop.com and goodsearch.com. Better yet sign up for a crop and find out how much fun giving truly is!
Hoping to see you in March,
Patty

Going to scrap tomorrow at Pink Pinneapple. Tuesdays they have free scrapping.

I can't believe I have been so busy with the holidays that I haven't posted in over a month! I have missed scrapping, even in Big Bear I didn't get anything done. Well no more complaining. I found some great Daisy D's Christmas paper and a tag book kit by them. I plan to make a cookie recipe book for next Christmas. I saw a sample at Collective Treasures in Riverside. Cruising through Michaels' I found two special brushes with the edges feathered and cut. I'll try them with my paints tonight to see what patterns I can create.

An idea: I would like to hear from other scrappers any tips they have. Simple things that you do that make things easier. Doesn't matter what, just leave a comment. Once I have some, I can post them in a list for easy browsing.

I was in Everafter today. The place is dead. I guess Jon's brother quit and went home. Lauren is leaving on Thursday. They haven't hired enough new people. I was going to sign up for a scrap night, but only 3 people were signed up. The last Fri scrap I went to ther were only 3 people signed up, but Sheila and Liz stayed so they wouldn't cancel. I know I haven't been spending time there like I used too. The place just isn't the same. Bookclup is cropping this Sat. I hope I can get my Hawaii album done. Christmas is coming sooner than I can get in the mood for it.
Joann's has Christmas ribbon on sale 60% off. I got some really cute ribbon to use for scrapping.

Survivor Crop 2005 is over. I made it all 24 hours! Only got about 8 pages done. They didn't have the printers they were supposed to, so I couldn't print my pictures. I was a little disappointed this year. There wasn't any personal feeling from the owners. It felt like we were an afterthought. At one point the owner even said that she brought a lot of giveaways back and divided them between Survivor and her new store in Escondido. I understand her focus being on opening their new store, but not so much that Survivor is in second place. The worst was not having anyone up on stage talking to the group, keeping their energy up, for 3 hours during the dead of night. From 3-6am there wasn't any music (it was broken) and no MC. This is the hardest time of the crop, and basically I felt deserted and ignored. Then came breakfast, cold bagel and cream cheese, or oatmeal. No juice, milk, coffee, cold soda. We really need some warm nutrition at this time of the crop. How about a microwave, or toaster? Maybe a danish, yogurt? They did have yogurt, but it had been sitting in a cooler without ice since 1am.
I think there could have been more little giveaways throughout the evening. Maybe going to each island and doing it that way rather than the whole group. Personalize it more.

I learned some things about myself, and I have some plans to make for next year. I need to be in better physical health. Time to start an exercise program. I plan to join a different table, or start my own with Phi Kappa Scrappa. I will not take on too much preparation work like I did this year. I was exhausted before I started. I know this effected my ability to enjoy myself. No reserve nothing to pick you up in the middle of the night. I will bring my own ice chest with plenty of ice for drinks. One table brought their own computer and printer, and had a special table set up just for them. Next year I could bring my laptop and printer for our table. Definitely less decorations on the table, they take up too much room. I liked the island that kept track of their pages each hour. The hostess has to make sure the members are having fun. Check in individually throughout the evening. Plan special events, picture taking time, get in some exercise, have back-up music and player available. Lots to think about between now and next year.
Even with my complaints, Survivor was a success because we raised over $37,000 for the fight against breast cancer. At the end of it all, it's the money that counts.

Our island met today to finalize plans for Survivor Crop. Such a great bunch of women. Scrapbooking really is a sisterhood. I am so proud to be a part of this great event.

I went to several real estate agencies to try and raise funds by selling the paperbag directories I made. No luck at all. In fact several of the people were down right rude. So to wreak my revenge on them I plan to take a photo of their office sign and include them in the list of those who wouldn't support the cause. I plan to go again on Friday, in the morning. I think I will have more luck if I can catch some agents actually in their office. Guys don't respond to the gift directories, severe lack of creativity! I also think not too many of the agents these days know how to cultivate clients for themselves. In the olden days agents had to work to sell a house. The housing market today is so easy agents barely have to work to make some money.
I may also hit some property management places. They could give new tenants the directories as a courtesy or welcome gift.
I have the material for the pillowcases all cut out. Tomorrow I will sew them up, then on Saturday Jo Ann and I will put the Charmed Ones logo with each person's nickname on the cases. Countdown to Survivor Crop has definitely started and is shifting into high speed.

Ever After Scrapbook store has purchased Magical Memories in Escondido. Everything is 50%off this weekend. The scrappers in Escondido are lucky. After having to put up with the rude staff at Magical Memories, the courteous, helpful staff from Ever After will make it seem like thay died and went to heaven. I can't wait to see the remodeling. Of course Camille and John must be nuts to be doing this 3 weeks before Survivor Crop.
A note to bookclub members: Sandy, Millie and I worked on the Birthday suprise book. Some of the color combinations Pine Cone Press had were awful. The library pockets have a big problem also. They are NOT all the same size, and one side is cut crooked. I think this is like my paper bag problem. The manufacturer makes them this way. So the ones in the Rusty Pickle kits have the same problems.
Our TIP: measure each library pocket before cutting your paper to cover them. They are each a little different. If you want the rounded tops to be even, adhere your paper first, then use a corner rounder to make even round tops.

Hurry! Michaels is selling those little sponge paintbrush 15 for $1.00! Must get them today. I will try and pick up some extras for those who don't make it. See you at book club.

Yea! My first real comment from Dawn and Bridget. I am also making a gift for my fellow Charmed Ones. it is definitely time to start planning for Survivor Crop. Last year I was new to scrapping and Survivor. This year I am going to plan pages and have them organized in advance. Then at Survivor I can assemble instead of spending time planning. Hopefully I will get more done this time. I think I am going to focus on our honeymoon in Hawaii. Yes it was 29 years ago, but the island theme does seem to go with Survivor. Hope to hear from more of my friends hear on our blog.

Last night was book club meeting. Our leader brought in a NEW scrapbooking magazine. It is terrific!. These people really listened to what scrappers needed, and they responded. This is a must buy. The magazine came with a CD full of instructions, and lots of extras. Give it a try, I know this will become the #1 magazine in no time. It's called SCRAPBOOK ANSWERS.
Look for it at Barnes and Noble.

Everafter called and invited me to crop Friday night. There were only six of us there. We had so much fun. I was able to finish the gifts for the Charmed Ones. Now I need to get hot and heavy on my fundraisers. I have been thinking about what I want to scrap at Survivor Crop. Our honeymoon in Hawaii would be fun, and it would fit the island theme. Yes, that's what I will do. I can work on the photos here and then at the crop. I also thought about doing the old family photos and family tree, but I'm not ready for that. Next year I plan to have a table for Phi Kappa Scrappa. We will be the Sorority Survivors. I hope some of my fellow scrappers will start sharing their thoughts here soon.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I stayed home for the holiday. Every evening I sat on the patio, listening to the fountain and the birds. So peaceful and relaxing. I watched the movie The Notebook yesterday. It's the one where the husband reads his wife a story, the story of their life together, hoping she will remember. She has dementia and has no memroy of him or her family. What a love story. I am lucky, I am loved by someone so completely it feels as though our very souls are connected. I wish everyone could know this feeling of being loved. The woman in the story had written the story herself, in case there came a time she lost her memory. I thought how important this simple journal was to those she cared about so much. I think it is like the journaling we do in our scrapbooks. The simple telling of our everyday life is what makes us who we are, the everyday moments that will be remembered. Pass a part of yourself on to those who will follow. Journal what you feel!

I made a Starbucks' run today for the croppers at Everafter. It was nice to see the girls. Marah Johnson has some new papers coming out that will be perfect for our many camping vacations and travels. Time to start planning pages for Survivor Crop. I want to be organized this year so I can get more done. Next year I hope to have a table at Survivor for Phi Kappa Scrappa. We would be the Sorority Survivors.
The recent disaster of hurricane Katrina had me thinking. For myself I scrap the good times. Life isn't all happy and fun. I think I will start to look for ways to include the trials and troubles of life. This is often where we find our true strengths and weaknesses. Our descendants will learn more from a full picture of our life than just a happy portrait. Maybe just including a journal note about a difficult time that occured around the same time frame as the fun things we crop. Let me know what you think.
Patty

There is a six drawer scrapbook cart on sale at JoAnns through Sept. 3. The drawers are removable cases that hold 12x12 paper or whatever. The cart is on rollers. Just go to http://www.shoplocal.com/ , click on JoAnns then go to page 5 of the sale flyer to order.

When you come to Phi Kappa Scrappa, simply click on the 'comments' and that will take you to where you can sign up and then post your own comments. If that doesn't work you can go to the link.

We went to the Tall Sails in San Diego event today. There were 15 tall sailing ships docked in San Diego Bay. We purchased a passport and were able to tour all the ships. My personal favorite was the HMS Suprise. This was the ship used in the movie Master and Commander, the Far Side of the World. I can't wait to scrap this! They had all the uniforms, cannons, officer's dinning room set with china, etc. I will try and post my pages when they are done.
Hope to have some visitors to the sorority soon.
Patty