Paper Popsicles is just bursting at the seams with fun activities for the month of July!

First up, we the NEW Design Team members are hosting a FRESH START CROP on Tuesday, July 8th. We've got some really fun classes and challenges planned for you that day along with fab prizes for the winners, so be sure to stop in. I know, I know, its a Tuesday. A little mid-week fun will be a very welcome escape from the daily grind. You'll have until noon on the 9th to complete any challenges...so you'll have plenty of time to do one or all of them!!!

(I"m going to let the cat out of the bag....I'm planning a project for you that requires you to find your circle punch.)

As if that isn't going to keep us busy enough, Paper Popsicles is also hosting a contest over at 2 Sketches 4 You on Monday, July 14th. We are offering a nice prize so be sure to check it out on that day.

******I just added a calendar of upcoming events over on the left side of my blog roll to help you find these events easier. I'm gettin' much better with blogspot...its not so frustrating anymore because its finally cooperating with me now. ******

Seriously, I don't want this month to end. I'm having a fabulous scrapping month. My layout of Susan just got accepted by Basic Grey this morning. So here's the link to Susan the Suuuupahstah over in the BG gallery! I'm so very stoked!!

Thanks for continuing to let me share my good news. Its been a tough month for me emotionally so all this "cotton candy" goodness is a very welcomed remedy. :)

I'm still recovering from last night's dinner. We went to a Korean BBQ last night in the heart of Koreatown for an all you can eat MEAT-fest!! I really lost track of how many plates of meat the waitress brought us. But let me tell you, I literally rooolllled out of the restaurant last night when I left. I also smelled like the best marinated BBQ pork, beef, and kimchi - it was in my clothes, my hair, and oh my face was steamed to perfection! No wonder the FurBaby was all lovey dovey with me last night licking me like I was her next gourmet meal or something.

Here are some pics of what we dined on (and can you tell the ONE picture that was taken by a non-scrapper? lol)





Dinner was delicious and most of us gave it a thumbs up. Some will probably go back with their co-workers and other friends to check out their lunch specials. So, another thumbs up to me for picking a winner as dinner hostess!

Although it's uncomfortable to move today, lol, I can't contain my excitement anymore!!! High Five me people!! I was just chosen to be on Embellish-Online's Design Team this morning. What a week or two its been for me, huh? This is the same site I won the random drawing of the BG Sultry prize package from Barb. They carry alot of Basic Grey and Crate paper which are some of my faves. In fact, I just completed this layout using BG Sultry papers and the BG flourish stamp of my dear friend Susan who I've known for at least 5 years now? Maybe 6? She first came to one of my crops when I was hosting monthly 12 hour crops and bi-annual 3 day retreats through a friend of a friend. Lo and behold, over the years, we've become very good friends and I consider her to be one of my very best friends.

So, Miss Susan, my BFF who's the whitest girl I know, I've been waiting for a very beautiful, classy AND clean paper line to come out to do justice to both you and your photo. The quote says "She who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway" which, to me, is the definition for "a friend to cherish" indeed! Thank you for your love and friendship Susan.

And thank you Barb and Suzy for selecting me to be among your uber-talented Team. I look forward to getting to know and work with you and all the girls.

That, my dear friends, concludes my application news. I will be a very busy bee the next 6-10 months working for both Paper Popsicles and Embellish-Online, and teaching classes at Scrap N' Yap located locally here where I live. These 3 places and people are the best fit for me, and I'm very very excited to be blessed with these opportunities to really challenge myself creatively.

Well boys and girls, I'm officially stalking my postman as Melissa has shipped my first goodie box yesterday from Paper Popsicles. I'm going to guess-timate that it will arrive on Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Wanna see what I'll get to work with???

Here are some sneak peeks for yah for their August monthly kits at Paper Popsicles.

August Kit #1: Telling Secrets
It includes the following: 10 12x12 papers by 7gypsies; 1 funky sparkle edge paper by Making Memories; 1 Heidi Swapp overlay; 1 sheet of Fancy Pants rub-ons; 1 pack of chipboard butterflies by Scenic Route; 1 package of Making Memories metal frames; 1 package of Thickers alphabets; 1 bottle of Stickles; 1 package of 7gypsies rub-ons; 1 package of 7gypsies velvet brads; and 2 12x12 coordinating Bazzill bling cardstock.

August Kit #2: Busy Body
It includes the following: Features 5 12x12 papers from Pink Paislee; 2 decorative edge papers by Pink Pasilee; 1 overlay by Pink Paislee; 1 Bazzill large scallop edge 1/2 sheet; 1 alphabet by Pink Pasilee; 1 sheet of arrows by Scenic Route; 1 pack containing 8 photo mats by Scenic Route; 1 Pebbles Inc. paint; 1 card of Sassafras Lass buttons; 1 pack containing 24 Heidi Swapp Jewel Brads; 1 Technique Tuesday acrylic stamp; 1 package of ribbons by Pebbles, Inc.; and 4 individual 12x12 sheets or coordinating cardstock (not in photo).

August Mini Kit
(This Sassfrass Lass line is my current FAV right now so I'm so glad to see it as a mini kit.) It includes the following: 6 12x12 papers by Sassafras Lass; 1 sheet of cardstock stickers by Sassafras Lass; 3 pieces of color coordinating chipboard; 1 sheet of rub-ons by DCWV; 1 custom stamp set by That's Jazzy Stamp Dreams. Stamp Details: You fit the owl with a hat, or the top of his head, words will create questions such as - Whooo made you boss, Whooo loves you; Whooo wants to know; Whoo are you.... (includes the words you, said, to, are, made, loves, the, wants, whooo, boss, think, know, I, do)

And here are the August add-ons:


Paper Popsicles still has a few limited June and July kits available that are shipping now. Seriously check these out!

I'll post some sneakie peekies as soon as I get some samples done.

While I stalk the postman, tonight I'm headed out to a Korean BBQ Dinner with some friends at an unpronounceable restaurant in Koreatown here in LA. lol...its always those hole in the wall restaurants that have the yummiest food! Here's a link if you wanna see what I'll be subjecting myself to tonight!

To escape the record heat here in So Cal (I'm sure it was well over 103 degrees!). It was absolutely unbearable. Thankfully, I had signed up for a 12 hour crop over at Scrapbook Land which is just a mere 3 freeway exits from where I live. For those of you that know me, you'll know that I'm used to driving all across town and then some to attend events and/or meet up with friends. So THIS was a very nice change of pace for me.

I got this one done as I've been wanting to use Scrapbook Land's spiral ribbon die for some time since I first saw it a few months ago, and I finally managed to get all the stars aligned correctly by having all the right materials with me for this layout.

Jim, I know you read my blog, and I hope seeing this picture is making your body shudder with uncontrollable laughter at it's sheer cheesiness! I found this picture this past month when I was cleaning and purging all my scrapbook supplies. I was instantly flooded with memories. This was when we decided to go on vacation together remember? You agreed to come with me to see Suessical the Musical, and humored me by taking this picture. It was ridiculous and we were trying not to laugh too hard (hmm, or was it that we couldn't get into the pose and needed major prompting from the photog?) Anyway, we look ridiculous in this photo and it just sums up our friendship, as typical of all the shenanigans we've gotten into. You and I have gone through alot together - alot of serious heart to heart conversations about our loves, lives, career, money, losses, etc., and, of course, all the totally fun impromptu things we've enabled and joined each other on, i.e. late night ice scream treats, movies, festivals, dinners, etc. Jim, you are my BFF for sure.

Ok, enough with the warm and fuzzies, I did manage to start two other layouts and got as far as I could with the supplies I had on hand. Later that afternoon, I get "the" phone call.....from Michelle the owner of The Scrappin' Table announcing that I've been chosen as one of the finalists for her Design Team openings. I'm stoked!! I have some decisions to make since The Scrappin' Table expects exclusivity which is understandable. I did let Michelle know that when I applied to her store, I had several other applications that were in progress (one other local brick and morter store, and two online stores that were out of state). I reiterated this when I talked to her yesterday since I wanted to be upfront.

Nevertheless, its exciting to have made it thus far. :)

So I just dropped off my double page layout at Scrap N' Yap in Monrovia, CA. I'll be teaching this "Whatta Man, Whatta Man, Whatta Mighty Good Man" double page layout class on Sunday, July 20th from 1-2:30pm. It features the all new Chatterbox Eclectique line with its wonderful teals, yellows, oranges, browns, and black and white whimsical hues. The colors are perfect for masculine pages, for your big man or the little guy, or for those upcoming warm lazy summer pages as well. We'll be combining lots of patterned papers to play up the textures and do some freehand drawing as well.

I along with the other class instructors will be at Scrap N' Yap this Sunday for their Hot Dog Days Open House where you can see all the details of my class project in its full glory as well as the yummy classes the other instructors will be offering you. Scrap N' Yap will have TWO MONTHS'of scrapping classes for you to preview.

You know what they say, the early bird gets the worm. Come on by and be the first to sign up for the classes before they sell out - Do so THIS Sunday, and you'll receive a 10% discount on all the classes you sign up for at this event. Or feel free to call the store to sign up too, sight unseen!

I'm very excited at this opportunity as I haven't taught in years! Wish me luck everyone, or better yet, come visit me and keep me company this Sunday at the Open House. :)

I think I seriously need to run out and buy a lotto ticket today. I just logged on to find that my Laugh card was chosen to be spotlighted, along with cards designed by their other two incredibly talented designers Michelle and Annie on the Embellsh-Online Blog for today!! I'm sooo stoked!!

Seriously, the ladies over at Embellish-Online are super sweet with top notch customer service on top of it. They just got in the new Basic Grey Euphoria line as well as all three of the new Crate paper lines. Both are just beautiful!!!

This Blue Hill line from Crate is my favorite by far. You can get this line along with Crates' other two lines AND the new Basic Grey Eupohoria lines at Embellish-Online.

Thanks to everyone's response to my Laugh card I posted yesterday, I submitted it to Basic Grey before I left for work this morning, and guess what? I just got an email saying that it was accepted and will be showcased in their online gallery!!

How cool is that? I haven't submitted in close to a year (and BG is the only place I've ever submitted) so now I'm 4 for 4.

Hehe, here it is!!

Just wanted to keep up with my positive self affirming thoughts. Thanks for letting me share my good news.

I finally got to play with my BG Sultry stash that I won from Embellish-Online last week, and here's a card I came up with using that 6x6 pad of BG Sultry papers. I used the sketch challenge for the month of June that's taking place at Paper Popsicles as my inspiration to create the circular shape.

Materials Used: BG Sultry, Prima and Hero Arts Flowers, AL buttons, HS bling, Stickles, May Arts Ribbon, Lil Davis chipboard, Martha Stewart labels and circle cutter.

I don't have anyone in mind to send this to right now, so it'll be here at my desk at work to cheer me up. :) Thank you Barb at Embellish-Online. I absolutely love this paper and so do my friends who have seen it in person!!

This was the first time I've ever worked with the 6x6 pads and they were perfect for creating this card. I'm working on a 12x12 layout now and I love that there's no waste since I tend to use a combination of various pattern papers anyway. I'll post that when I"m finally happy with it.

For now, if you want this BG Sultry 6x6 pad, run to Embellish-Online. Their service is impeccable!! I received my package in just a few days after winning the contest. Their customer service definitely RAWKS!

Please check out the June monthly sketch contest at this Paper Popsicles thread to see the sketch. Create your own circular shaped card and post YOUR entry here in this thread by June 30th. Winners will be announced by July 2nd and will receive a RAK! Whoohoo, and who doesn't like receiving RAK's in the mail, right?

Barb over at Embellish-Online.com has her new July contest up. I won their June contest recently and received the BG Sultry, BG Flourish Stamps, Altoid tin and Glimmer Mist remember? I just entered but thought I'd share it with you all. Good Luck Girls!

We're giving away a Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder, Fancy Pants Storybook, Journal Block Clear Stamp and some great little Crystal Clear Pillow Boxes!

Enter to win the much sought after Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder, a Storybook from Fancy Pants, Clear Pillow Boxes set of 5 and the Journal Blocks Clear Stamp from Basic Grey This is a $30.00 value! Drawing will be held on July 31st, 2008 and will be announced on this page and in our forum.

Winner will be notified by email. Drawing is open to all US and Canadian residents.
Please give us your blog or website address too! You don't have to, but we would love to see your card or scrapbook creations!

Enter the Contest HERE at Embellish-Online

I'm very excited and honored to design for such a wonderfully fun and amazing site. And I'm loving how organized and detailed Melissa, our DT Coordinator, is.

I"ll admit that I only started submitting to these type of things about 2 weeks ago, so this is wonderful to have some sort of recognition so soon. Ok...so, I'm going to be be a scrapping fiend for the next 6 months.

This totally caps off a really wonderful week of great news!

I am thankful that my friend Robin opened her home to about a dozen of us scrappers for a few hours to set up a Scrap Yard Sale.

It was HOT for sure since we were out in Corona, and I and my wares were parked out on her sidewalk right in front of her garage and lawn to avoid the sloping of her driveway. I literally had tons of stuff and in the 4 hours sold a modest $80. Even though it seems that we all advertised within our own networks, I think most of us were really disappointed at the turnout. Very few people came out. Was it the location (I.E instead of L.A county)? Hmm, was it the economy?

Don't ask me what I was doing with my hair! lol...it was hot and we were all kinda restless and anxious waiting for the stampede of crowds to come. Then Kari, Jessica, Cynthia and her friend and I all went to cool off at Islands for much needed drinks and food before heading off to Julia's crop in Chino. Thankfully, there were a great group of women there who expect 2nd hand scrap sales so I was able to unload alot more stuff for a total day's sale of $260. Kari and Jessica did pretty well too.

The preparation for this sale was very overwhelming for me as I must have individually priced over 600 items for this sale. Yeah....pulling out stuff that I bought way back because a) I just had to have it, b) It was on sale, or c) I will use this someday, etc. and to price them for a mere fraction of what I paid for it, is extremely good therapy for me. I believe this exercise has really cured my thoughtless shopping habits for "doodads" as espoused in the financial education board game "Cash Flow" I used to play with my friend Maylene. Plus, my Pack Rat self needs to learn how to feng shui big time.....or else you'll find me underneath a pile of boxes one of these days.

So, 5 less boxes and $340 more cash in my pocket!! Whooohooo!!

My friends and I have really been enjoying Moments-2-Remember and their community. Its the concept of earning virtual charms along with everyone's incredibly welcoming and friendly spirits that make that place so fun!

Well, apparently I'm a suuppahstah you see....

BIG Congratulations to one of our newest members, CHING....who was awarded the SUPER STAR charm this morning! For going above and beyond!!! THANK YOU CHING!!!! You are awesome! Now, go check out her BLING!~~Robin - Happy M2R Owner!

Thank you to my friends Laurie, Karen, Eva, Stacy, Kari and of course Susan for joining the board and staying to make the place even more extra fun and cozy.

I know, gotta love it huh? The small simple things can sure delight!

Wow, looks like I'm the random winner for a prize package with retail value of $30 for a 6x6 pad of Basic Grey Sultry, Basic Grey flourished stamps, a bottle of Glimmer Mist and an altoid tin ready to be altered!!!

Thank you Barb at Embellish-Online.com!! Thank you thank you!!

Its been awhile since I've had a blog (hmm, back in 2005 I believe) and I thought it was high time I start blogging again. Let's hope my life is interesting enough to tempt people to come back and visit me. :)

I had to think long and hard about what to call my blog. I just couldn't think of anything cutesy and scrap related that wasn't already in use by others.  So, with no further ado, if I had a bottle of champagne right now, I thee christen you....Not Left Standing. Its my current state of mind as I have been engaged in a series of get up off my ass type of actions in an effort to achieve more meaning and purpose in life.

So I leave you with a pic of me and my friend and coworker Jack at the SITC brunch.

  Yep, I'm practicing my photoshoping skills here. :)