Scrapbooking and the holidays

Now that Christmas is just 10 days away, are you even thinking about scrapbooking? I've been purging a bunch of supplies that I have had in storage for over a year and have final come to grips that I just am not going to use them!

I went through a phase of collecting a bunch of mini albums for "some day"... I actually have only made one mini album that wasn't for my scrapbook business. It was a gift for my mother in law to keep photos of all her foster children in. Turned out great, but I just don't do many themed albums like that. So...I'm getting rid of all my mini albums.

That's going to be my question of the week. What is something scrapbook related that you've held on to for "some day" that you really should get rid of?

On a shopping note, I stumbled upon this awesome site that gets you a bunch of discounts for other scrapbook sites. It only costs $37 and you get $100's of scrapbook goodies! Check it out.

Now, if you've been shopping for a Cricut, I saw them at my local Wal-mart for $179. Not bad compared to what I've seen them going for at Michael's. Plus they have the tote, cartridges and lots of other goodies. Might be worth giving Santa a little hint to head to Wally World before the 25th!

Another thing I spotted there was the rolling tote I use for my own scrapbook supplies. It's a Stanley tool chest on wheels and, if I remember correctly, it was priced around $22.00!! Yes, that's just $22, not $220!!! It's black and yellow and was actually part of one of those center of the aisle displays at our Walmart. I must say that for the price, you really can't beat it. After all, it's built for men and their tools, so it can take a beating. Take it back to the craft dept. to see how 12 x 12 papers WILL fit in the bottom. It's got lots of storage and your husband or boyfriend won't feel weird buying it for you. Plus it will leave more $$ in his Christmas budget to fill it up with other scrapbooking goodies!

Well, that's all for today. Don't forget to check out this site with the scrapbook goodies I found today!

Scrapfully yours,
Susan

More fun in your Inbox!

Here's what I found in my Inbox this morning from one of my FAVORITE scrapbook sites, Scrapbook.com:
"Today, we're giving away the Sassafras Lass's "Flip Flop Flowers" Exclusive Clear Stamp Set.* Place any order in the Scrapbook.com Superstore for $20.00 or more and get the fun, 2-sided, layering, clear stamp set for FREE.

That's a $4.00 value, absolutely free. Quantities are limited so act quickly! Here's how to claim yours:

1. Go to Scrapbook.com and search for "Flip Flop Flowers" and add the clear stamp set to your shopping cart. (Limit one per customer. If you'd like to buy additional sets, just add them to your cart.)

2. Put a minimum of $20.00 of additional scrapping supplies to your cart.

3. Enter your coupon code at checkout and the price of the clear stamp set will be taken off your order. Your coupon code is cs878 (That's a $4.00 instant discount)Remember, your coupon code: cs878

Please note that there are only a few hundred of these available. When they're gone, they're gone.

*$20 minimum purchase is required (after any coupon deductions and before shipping charges are applied). Only shipped orders qualify for this giveaway, therefore it's not valid on downloadable orders (i.e. digital and printable products). Orders must be placed before midnight (PST) on Thursday, December 7, 2006. Limit one per customer; offer valid while supplies last. Orders placed during the "12 Days" promotion are not combinable. No exceptions and no extensions can be allowed. Thanks for participating!"

Just a little something to brighten your day!

Happy Thursday!

Susan
www.BarefootMemories.net

Not sure how to get started with Digital Scrapbooking?

Well, I have some answers!

I just got an email from ComputerScrapbook.com and they are giving away a FREE e-book on how to use E-Cuts, some digital scrapbook supplies, for free today only!

I know I don't usually post on Saturdays, but this offer was too good not to pass along!

Enjoy!

Susan W

Top 10 gift ideas for the Scrapper!

With the BIGGEST shopping day of the year just around the corner and the BIGGEST Online shopping day just a few days later, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of my "top picks" when it comes to scrapbooking gifts! Here are my 10 TOP Scrapbook related gifts for this Christmas and Holiday season.

1. Bo Bunny Press Calendar Kit - Too Cute!!
2. Heidi Swapp Jewel Art - Bling! for your layouts!
3. Making Memories - Wall Text Alphabets - I already have something similar and EVERYONE comments on how much they like it!
4. Cropperware Outside the Box - Pages in Progress Box - LOVE the magnets to keep things in place!
5. Basic Grey - Fruitcake Collection - Yummy!
6. SEI - Doodley-Doo Girl - Rub Ons - Great for stockings.
7. Fiskars 12" Desktop Rotary Trimmer - Cute colors and very functional!
8. Die Cuts with a View Adhesive Ribbon - Need I say more...it's ribbon AND it's adhesive!
9. Doodlebug Designs - Goodie Box - Christmas Collection - It's embellishments in a candy cane shaped box! What can I do with the empty box? Hmm....
10. Bazzill Basics - Bazzill Bling Trios - Shimmer Cardstock - Perfect in the blues for Winter layouts!

That's it...my top 10 picks and the BEST thing is that I can order them all at Scrapbook.com! Purchase all your Christmas scrapbooking supplies from the Scrapbook.com Superstore!

Now, if you feel like your top pick should be on my list, just hit the comment button below and tell me about yours!

Hope all my US friends have a great Thanksgiving! Happy shopping, too!

Susan W

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If you had an inside connection ...

...to Santa, what would you ask him to give you for Christmas?

Yep, back to starting off with the "Question of the Week!" again. I can hardly believe how the marketing for Christmas has already been coming so hard! Didn't we just have Labor Day and Back to School???

Of course, I'd love to know what your answers are that are scrapbook related, but really anything goes.

Our family recently put together some "dreams" that we'd like to accomplish in our lifetimes. One of those is a 15 x 15 scrapbook room with plenty of work space along the walls and TONS of storage.

One of my non-scrap related wishes is a REAL vacation! Not one away from the children, but just one away from the daily grind of reality. Let's just say I've had my fill of daily loads of laundry, washing dishes and just trying to "stay ahead" of the tidal wave of housework! I'd love to take a trip to Disney World for a whole week and just really enjoy ourselves.

Do share your wishes! Oh, and if you've got a little scrapbooker or artist in the family, you might enjoy this website: Kidz Worxx.

Just click on the comment link below to leave your "wishes" here...

Susan W

I think I've gotten all the bugs!

I am pleased to announce that my new product, "How to Plan a Highly Successful Scrapbook Crop" is now ONLINE!! After staying up WAY past my bedtime and it still not being done, to finally getting it all on the net after ironing out a few "bugs and glitches", I am so glad it's finished!

I hope you will check it out. It's been the main focus of my attention for the past couple weeks and now it's available for you! I've got an introductory offer you won't want to pass up. I can't say how long it will be there, but the faster you act the better! Basically it will teach you how to hold your own scrapbook crop for profit.

Now that this project is complete I can focus on getting some Fall theme titles to you. Here are some that "came to me" after being inspired by the beautiful foliage here in North Carolina:

Falling for Autumn
Leaves Galore!
The Colors of God's Handiwork
Cool Breeze, Fall Trees
Pumpkin Patch Fever

I'll try to bring you some more next week when my brain is more functional than it is right now!

Have a Happy Halloween!

Susan W

Pet lovin' scrappers unite!

Our family has been living in sort of a zoo lately...and I'm not even talking about the 4 children!! Our family has grown to include a hound mix puppy named Trooper (who weighs in at 50 pounds of solid muscle!), an 8 week old kitten named Sambo, and a mouse named Minnie!

Trooper is our first dog and it's like having another toddler in the house! He's really a very sweet dog and great with the kids. I know we will love having him be a part of our family for years to come...we just need to work on some obedience training for now.

With our mini zoo in mind, I found this website for scrappers who love their pets. It's VIPetScrappers.com and they have a kit just for pet lovers. The site is small, but they do offer a discount.

Well, I am going to keep it short today. I have been working feverishly trying to get my new audio ready for release next week. I can't remember if I told you what it's about! Want to know?

It's about having a successful scrapbook crop, and I am not talking about the kind where you just have a few people over to your house and snack on M&M's all night. I love those, but this product I've been working on is for those who want to make money hosting and organizing a scrapbook crop.

Now, if you remember from last week, those who buy my 50 Scrapbook Crop Themes ebook from my Scrapbook Ideas website will be getting a free copy of this audio and accompanying files. This is a TREMENDOUS value, considering that the cost of this new product will be at least DOUBLE the price of that ebook.

So, from now until October 31st, anyone who buys the 50 Crop Themes ebook will get the audio free...no strings attached. It's just my way of thanking you for being a customer.

Well, it's late and I have more typing to do! See you next week!

Susan W

What a week!!

You know, I have gotten SO used to my computer and phone that it is HARD to live without them! Well, I got a taste of life without the "extras" for about a week when our house got a major surge of electricity when a lightning bolt struck somewhere very close to our house! Our main computer got fried...there was smoke coming out the back...and our phone lines got cooked too!

The kicker is that all my photos were on that computer and I don't know if we can get them! Guess that's the bummer about going digital. I just never thought it would happen and I never got hard copies of about 7 months of photos! UGH!

This leads me to my "Question of the Week" for this week. How long after you take your photos do you actually turn them into a hard copy? This goes for 35mm and digital scrappers because I know many of us keep undeveloped rolls of film around for AGES before we make a point of getting them developed!

So, let me know I am not alone, ok? :o)

Also, just in case you have some cute baby photos around, DotPhoto is holding a baby photo contest. Not only can you enter their contest, but with Christmas coming, you can Create personalized gifts with your
photos! Join dotPhoto today and receive 50 FREE Prints!


Until next time...

Susan W

P.S. Oh, I almost forgot! I have been hard at work (while my internet was down ;o) working on a recording about how to host a highly successful scrapbook crop. I plan to release it on Halloween, October 31st, but as a special "Lightning Bolt Sale" it will be a free gift for those who have previously ordered my scrapbook crop themes eBook! So, if you've been thinking about ordering my Crop Themes eBook and have been putting it off, now is the time to get it. After the 31st, I will be combining the 2 and raising the price! Visit my scrapbook crop themes page to order now!

You know how you never expect it to take as long to unpack and get settled as it ends up taking, right?? Well, it has proven to be true in so many ways for our family! Take moving and add two trips, broken washer and dryer and 4 kids and you get the picture! Thankfully, all the travels are done (for now, anyway!) and we're starting to hang pictures on the walls and actually have a place for almost everything!

One of the big things I have yet to tackle is my scrapbook space. I have taken over our computer armoire and I think it is going to work very well for me! It's deep enough and just might have enough space for all my goodies! I can hardly wait until I have time to sit down and USE it and even just get it all organized. Funny how organizing scrapbook stuff can actually be fun, but organizing a coat closet is a chore!

Well, with October just around the corner, I thought I would share a few "Fall" ideas with you. I love taking interesting photos to use as accents in my layouts. Why not take a photo of the inside of a pumpkin before you carve it out? Or snap a shot of the seeds that you roasted?

A neat perspective on the changing leaves might be to take a photo under a tree looking up. I think this would be great for a child's layout of them looking at a tree.

Fall is apple season, too! You could make a mini album with all the yummy recipes you make from apples! This kind of album also makes a great gift for a new bride who would love to have a bunch of family recipes.

Want so fall titles? Try these out for size!

Falling for You
Leaf me Alone! (Temper tantrum outside?)
Red and Yellow Orange and Brown
A Chill in the Air
Raking in the Fun

Breast Cancer Awareness month is October, so be on the lookout for products you can buy to support this worthy cause! I know 3L adhesives has some pink products in their collection. You can find them at Scrapbook.com.

Now, for all my newsletter subscribers, I promised you a special something on my blog!! It's a $5 gift certificate from Photoworks! They have these Photo Books that make SUPER gifts and you can get a head start on all your Christmas and holiday projects by using this free book! Click here to get your free $5 gift certificate from PhotoWorks.com and be sure to use THIS coupon code: c699-38-5111-41
and, YES, you are welcome to share this link with your friends and family!

Well, I decided NOT to do a question of the week because this post is getting too long. Have a great week and hope to see you in October!

Scrapfully yours,

Susan W

From South of Mickey's Home...

Well, in spite of all the boxes in our home, we left to visit family in South FL...right after Ernesto gave them a TON of rain! And you know, for being the "Sunshine State" we sure have seen our fair share of rain...everyday of our trip! That's ok though. The girls and their daddy managed to have a blast at a local county water park and basically had it all to themselves because everyone else is in school!

Now, a while back I told you I got the Memory Mixer software from Lasting Impressions and told you I would write a review once I had a chance to play with it. I have to tell you that my mind has been spinning with all the possibilities of this software!

First of all, I LOVE the variety and selection of digital embellishments that come with the program. You have the option to buy more, but it sure would take a while to go through everything they already have loaded into the program. One nice thing is that you can stretch and turn the embellishments without the image getting distorted. VERY impressive!

Now, the things that really got my creative juices flowing have to do with the special options like adding movies and music. Imagine having a digital prom album for your daughter that includes the prom theme song!! Or a wedding album with photos of the bride and groom taking their first dance WITH the music of the song playing in the background! Or, better yet, include a video of them dancing from the wedding! Is this AWESOME or what??

I think the thing about this program is that it is very obvious that the designers either did a TON of research on scrapbooking or they're scrapbookers themselves. I did two pages with photos of my three year old in just a few minutes...much less time that it would have taken me to get all my scrapbook gear out, find the photos, coordinate all the embellishments, and put the page together.

Am I going to stop scrapbooking the traditional way now? Not likely, but I will definitely be doing much more videos now that I have a great way to incorporate them into a form I might actually use!

So...I give the Memory Mixer (full version) software a hearty 2 Thumbs Up, WAY UP!! This was my first attempt at digital scrapbooking and I must say it is GREAT for a beginner, but has enough "extras" to please a more advanced user. You have GOT to check it out.

Ok, enough about that. I guess I get a little chatty when I haven't posted in 2 weeks! My question of the week has to do with vacations. I wanted to know if you have ever taken a scrapbook vacation. Have you ever gone on one of those scrapbooking cruises? What about those retreats that seem so wonderful? Let us all know what you've done and give us some pointers!

Well, I better sign off now! In case you didn't know, September is National Sewing Month, so dust off your sewing machine and try stitching on some layouts this month! Hope you had a great Labor Day weekend!

Susan W.

Sorry it's been so long, but...

We're in the midst of getting settled and we just got our internet working! We had to get satellite interenet since Embarq failed to tell us the truth about not being able to service us in our very RURAL property. How rural are we? Well, if you imagine the boondocks (or the "sticks", depending on where you're from!) and we live further out than that! It takes us about 15 minutes driving on 2 lane country roads to get to Walmart, but once we get to town, there's plenty of everything...even a Chick-fil-A, my favorite fast food stop! Yummy!

Country life sure is different! We have been eating lots of great homemade desserts made by my mother-in-law with fruit from our "mini-farm" and our girls barely complain about all the bug bites they're getting playing on the 1+ acres of cleared land we now own.

Cell service? Forget about it! We're lucky to get 1 bar! We just got long distance service straightened out yesterday and we STILL are living on the bare necessities of furniture while we wait for the movers to bring the rest of our stuff!

But, I do have all my scrapbook supplies and have already made plans to make a "Before and After" album for all the progress we've made. My in-laws have been a TREMENDOUS help painting, securing shelves, tearing out half-walls and watching the children.

So, my question is regarding "Before and After" albums or pages! I would love to know what you did, how you documented it and what types of embellishments you used. You can even email me a photo if you like!

Next week, I probably won't be writing again because I will be buried in boxes, but I will TRY to sneak away and post!

Scrapfully yours,
Susan W

P.S. I just installed Memory Mixer and plan to try playing with it soon! Now, if you're already into Digital Scrapbooking, you HAVE to go to ComputerScrapbook.com this week! Use this coupon for an amazing 30% off!! The code is AUG3NE and they also have some great free stuff!

P.P.S. I just read through my post and found a BUNCH of typos! Sorry about that! I think my brain is damaged from the oil based primer we were using. Those of you who have ever used it will know what I mean!

Finally!!

We've finally arrived in North Carolina and it's not only VERY green, but it is also VERY HUMID!! You forget how sticky the air can be when you're in a place as dry as San Antonio is! After four days driving with 4 children, a BIG utility trailer and a car top carrier on a minivan, we made it!

As we travelled, I lamented not having made a scrapbook to document the 10 years of miitary service my husband has had. I am not exactly sure why...it just was "life" and I am only beginning to realize how different it was than most other families we know.

Then the idea dawned on me to create an album that has pages that sum up years instead of every little event. This will be MUCH less daunting of a task and one I think I might actually be able to complete!

This leads to my question of the week and probably applies more to those who have lived longer and fuller lives and just recently began to scrapbook. I want to know how you have tackled years and years of photos and memories in your scrapbooking. Do you do just special events like birthdays and holidays or summarize an entire year on just a one or two page layout?

With digital photography, this would be much easier, but I have photos going all the way back to our honeymoon 10 years ago that are just waiting for me to scrapbook them! I've also toyed with doing a simplified scrapbook using one of those photo albums where you just slip the photos into the sleeves, but using some sleeves to include a small journaling block. Do let me know if you've tried this and if it went well for you!

Oh, I almost forgot! For an early birthday present (my birthday is Sunday! YIKES!) I got the Memory Mixer software for digital photos. With all the moving, I haven't had time to check it out yet, but it sure looks fun! One feature I think I will really like is that you can incorporate videos into your pages! This is wonderful and solves the problem I have had with integrating our home videos into a format that will be viewed more! I will post a detailed review once I have had a chance to play!

You can check out the software at Scrapbook.com.

See you next week!

Susan W

Have you ever tried ...

Shopping for scrapbook supplies on eBay? From time to time I actually have listed some items that I haven't used or no longer need. You'd be amazed at some of the great bargains to be found there. There is a lot to sift through, so I thought I would share a gift that can make bargain hunting MUCH easier!

It's called The Auction Search and it was created by one of eBay's first Platinum sellers (you know, a BIG wig!) and is such a gem, I can't believe he's letting me give this to you for nothing. It's a great tool if you shop OR sell on eBay. Grab your f-r-e-e copy right here! I hope you like this great freebie!

Now, along these lines, I want to pose my question of the week! If you're an avid shopper on eBay, I want to know what you like to buy there. For example, I bought, just this morning, a fun card making template. It was such a steal at under $4 WITH shipping! Ebay is THE online shopping place with just about anything you can think of. You can get great deals, especially using the Auction Search tool to find items that have just been listed with "Buy It Now" or items that are about to end.

Let me know what you like to shop for!

Your scrapping friend,
Susan

P.S. Next week's newsletter will be coming to you from the beautiful state of North Carolina! Yes, after months of waiting and praying, we are finally moving. I tried to post a photo of our new home/farm last week, but it didn't work. I will tell you that it's out in the country, just far enough away from everything to be nice, but close enough that I don't have to take a cooler with me to the grocery store to keep my food from spoiling on the way home! ;o) We can hardly wait!

Something you can sink your teeth into.

I know so many people who scrapbook would love to make money using their hobby. Most of them end up becoming a consultant with various companies, but not everyone is a good "fit" as a consultant. Fortunately, there are more ways to scrapbook for a living (or at least for a few hundred extra $'s) outside the party plan business.

Want to know where to find the Best Books on Scrapbooking Businesses on the Market? I highly recommend the books from Fun Facts Publishing. They are, by far, the most comprehensive guides to help you start, manage and grow your own profitable scrapbooking business.

It doesn't matter if you want to make scrapbooks for others, open a store, organize events, be a direct sales consultant, or anything in between - these books will guide you every step of the way!

You'll learn how to get your business off the ground, promote on a shoe-string budget, increase your profits, and much, much more. I can honestly say these are the best guides on the market to help you make money in scrapbooking industry. You can learn more here.

Once you get up and running, consider emailing me about putting YOUR AD here on my blog or on my website www.BarefootMemories.net. I am not offering ads to anyone except my readers right now. Back to school is a great time to get a scrapbook business going or recharged before the holidays. Email me for more info: susan@ barefootmemories. net (take out the spaces).

Well, my question of the week is a little "off." What I mean is "off the page"...the scrapbook page! What types of altered projects do you like to do? I have done altered canvases (and LOVED them!), altered clipboards, altered composition books, paper bag albums and more. The other day, on a trip to Garden Ridge (a local craft/home decor store) I found some NEATO monograms I am going to decorate for my girls. They are by ProvoCraft and are about 8 inches tall. I can hardly keep typing because I want to go get started on them!

So...how do you "alter" your projects? Inquiring minds want to know! ;o)

Susan Whitehead

P.S. Next week is our moving week! Yipee!! I tried to upload a photo, but Blogger won't let me! :o(

What would you do if...

...you had a whole weekend to scrapbook?? Yes, I am starting off with my question of the week today! I'm just wondering what type of scrapper you are. If you had a whole weekend to scrap, would you rather go "solo" or with a friend or maybe a whole bunch of friends?

Would you concentrate on a specific theme and do a whole album (or two or three??) or just continue scrapbooking the day to day photos in your stash? Would you try out some new techniques?

I got to thinking about this and am pretty sure I'd rather scrap alone. Yes, I am a bit of a "loner" and really enjoy having some quiet times all by myself. With 4 children under 8, I rarely get a quiet moment alone. Even when I took my shower last night, I had to have the baby in the bathroom with me so she wouldn't wake the rest of the family!

As for what I would do alone, I would just bang through the regular photos in my stash, but would really take the time to try techniques I wouldn't normally do. Like, I enjoy using the acrylic glaze stuff (can't think of the name right now!) that makes things look wet! Love that! I'd also probably use my Sizzix more and my printer.

So, let me know what you would do with a whole weekend to scrap! And if you need a great online store to get some prints, check out dotPhoto. They have a special 10 cent print that is just for digital photos. And if you have ever wanted to try free lance photography, Sell photos online at dotPhoto.com! Join Free – no start up costs! dotPhoto pays monthly and handles everything from order to delivery.


Have a great week!

Susan

Just in case you weren't aware...

I am a "closet" consultant with Memory Works. What I mean by that is I am a consultant just for discounts! Memory Works has been getting lots of attention recently because of the full page ad they took out in the most recent issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. If you've never heard of them, they are a SUPER company to be a consultant with if you love name brand products at a discount. AND another thing I like is that that to stay active, you only have to order $75 per year! Ummm, I think I spent that in just one order last time, but I won't go into that right now! ;o)

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know about them. They have a low start-up of just $35. Since they are NOT an MLM (multi-level marketing) company, you do not have to recruit anyone to join, but they do give you a $15 product credit for referrals. Go ahead and check them out at www.Memory-Works.com. Be sure to tell them I sent you...my ID is #487. I'd really appreciate it!

Oh, have you seen the Crop-a-dile?? It was featured in our last Memory Works newsletter and with good reason! If you have ever wanted to put eyelets on chipboard or metal (like those cute little pails they sell at craft stores), you will LOVE this tool! It's basically a heavy duty eyelet setter without the noise! Memory Works reported that the first month they had these available, they sold more eyelets than in the previous 6 months!! This is awesome for me because I have collected so many eyelets and found myself not using them because I didn't want to mess with getting all the tools out to set them. Not any more!

Did I mention you can get the Crop-a-Dile with a Memory Works consultant discount of 20% off??

Alright...I know it is Saturday and I won't take up any more of your weekend! Hope it's a great one!

Susan W

You're gonna LOVE this!

I got an email today on a totally non-scrapbook related topic and found an amazing software program you can download online that won't co$t you a thing!!! The website is http://ambientdesign.com/ and is available in Windows AND Mac! Not too often you see something available for Mac users!

Basically it is a program you load onto your computer that allows you to paint! It even has a tracing feature where you can upload an image to trace. I have only just begun to play with it, but it looks really neat!

Now, thank Heather for the inspiration for this week's Question of the Week. Last week in her comment, she asked if anyone has some scrap tools you don't use so much. For me, it's also my Sizzix because I haven't got a great place to store them so they are readily available. I hope to change that VERY soon! Another is the glazing stuff...the tube that you can use to make things look wet or like acrylic. I really liked it when I first tried it at a crop, but I never remember I have it when I am scrapping.

So, share your least used tools! Maybe we could hold a scrap-tools swap?? Give me your feedback and I will see what I can do!

Susan

Need a way to preserve July 4th Memories?

Here's a great offer I have arranged through Photoworks! Get a Free Compact Photo Book - $12.95 Value!

I have used Photoworks in the past and they offer great quality items at great prices. My sister-in-law got one of their Photo Books and I was amazed at the quality. You can basically create a digital scrapbook and have it "published" for yourself or as a gift.

Check out this offer because it won't last forever!

Susan W

Happy Fourth of July!

Hello fellow scrapbookers!

I hope all my US subscribers are enjoying a relaxing Independence Day! For everyone outside the US, I still hope you have a great July 4th! I am such a patriotic person. In fact, my wedding colors were red, white and blue! I love to decorate with our nations colors, too. Once, I had a party at my home and the "game" was a list of about 30 things in my home that were patriotic in nature. Guests had to figure out the clues and write down what each item was! It was a blast!

Now, just because you're not an American, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy some of my patriotic/Independence day titles! Hope everyone enjoys these!

Land That I Love
Friends Like You Make Life "Sparkle"
Let Freedom Ring
I Love This Land
God Bless America, My Home Sweet Home
Fireworks Are Scary (will have to use this one for my girls!)
Fireworks Frenzy

Here are a few quotes to fill up some empty spaces...

"It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you." ~Dick Cheney

"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves." ~Abraham Lincoln (WOW!! That's an awesome quote!!!)

There is no such thing as being too independent. ~ Victoria Billings
(This one would be cute for a layout of a toddler trying to do something all by themselves, wouldn't it?)

Ok...now for my question of the week! I was wondering if there was ONE or TWO things in your scrapbook stash that you just couldn't do without, what would they be? Now, to make it easier, don't include paper/cardstock, paper trimmers/scissors, pen, or adhesives. Now, if there is something extra special about these things, you can list those, but I just wanted to make it easier!

For me, I'd have to say I would not be able to do without my chalks or my new acrylic stamps. I have been in love with chalks ever since I got some. I love the Pebbles I-Kan-Dee ones. I have the brights and pastels. Now, stamping is something fairly new to me, but I really like how easy they are to use and how you can see what you're about to do! Love that!

Alright, now, if you've been looking for an inexpensive scrapbook related eBook with lots of great ideas, you've got to check this out. Why not treat yourself this week to some great scrapbooking ideas?

Have a great week!

Susan W

I'd never have guessed...

I'd still not be moved out of Texas!! Sorry to those who love Texas, but you see, I am an East coast gal all the way. I grew up in FL, went to college in South Carolina and have, since the time I first drove through the Carolinas on a family road trip, wanted to live in the Carolinas. The end should be just around the corner, but in the mean time, all my scrapbook supplies are stuffed in a utility trailer waiting to be unpacked at our next home!!

Which leads me to my question of the week! How long did it take you to get your scrapbook stuff all unpacked after your last move?? This will be my first big move as a serious scrapper. I am hoping to get a dedicated scrap-space, but may be stuck in a closet again! :o(

Now, to keep me sane, I have been thinking about starting to digi-scrap. I have seen some nice looking software at Scrapbook.com called Lasting Impressions. I'd love to know if you have tried this and what you think of it, i.e. is it worth the $$? Is it good for beginners? If you don't use this, what do you use? I've got Photoshop, but am always messing things up!!

Ok...that's it for this week. I'll bring some you some patriotic titles next week!

Susan W

Have you heard about this?

I know you probably get tons of scrapbooking newsletters, but I had to share what I've learned in case you don't get these!

The first one is that ScrapJazz.com has been acquired by one of my favorite sites, Scrapbook.com! I always liked the articles in the ScrapJazz newsletter, but now they've teamed up with a scrapbook-powerhouse and the results should be some really great stuff for us!

One of these is the current sale on the Scrap Tutor scrapbook lessons CD's OR online classes! I personally own both Volume 1 and 2 and now they're on sale! You can get both volumes for the cost of one! If you aren't familiar with the product, they have videos and tips on how to create the scrapbook techniques you see in every magazine. I love the tips and photos of how to create things step by step. You have to check them out!

OK, now if you love specials, head back over to Scrapbook.com because they are giving away Glue Dots with every $20 purchase. I LOVE Glue Dots!! Now, they come in a more easy to use format than the rolls they used to come on. I love using them for buttons, especially.

Well, that brings to mind a good question of the week...

What is your favorite non-traditional scrapbook embellishment AND adhesive?? Kind of 2 questions, but they are related. What I mean by non-traditional would be like bottle caps, keys, paper clips, etc.

Oh, and just so you know what's going on, from now on, I am just going to be sending you an email notice that my newsletter is up online. My subscriber click-through rates have really gone down and I think it's because SPAM filters are eating them up! Anytime emails talk about F-R E-E stuff, unless I type it in an unusual way, there's a good chance SPAM filters think the email is junk. So, now you know what's going on!

Hope you have a great week!

Susan

Have you done this yet?

Just wanted to let you know I have only a few spots left on my survey page, www.BarefootMemories.net/survey.html. I can't tell you how much I appreciate everything everyone has said and all the input I have gotten. Your answers have been a tremendous help in shaping this project idea. To thank you, I am going to be sending out one more special bonus present, so this is your last chance to get your opinion heard on the subject of Scrapbooking for Others or Scrapbooking for Hire and grabbing your fr.ee goodies.

Now, since my survey was all about scrapbooking for others, I thought I would share this little resource I found on just this subject! In case you weren't aware, I am always trying to stay on top of all the new trends in scrapbooking, even if I don't have time to do everything myself...it's still fun to learn about them. Well, one is the growing market of people who scrapbook for others as a business.

If you really love this craft, there is some serious money to be made by just getting the word out that you scrapbook for others. Imagine getting paid as much as $20 per page PLUS the cost of supplies!! Yes, I have actually seen some professional scrapbookers who charge that much! Well, if this is something you have an interest in, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of Making Money Scrapbooking for Others. It gives you information on how to get your business going and much more.

Ok, for my question of the week...let's dream a little. If you could get any scrapbook artist on the phone, who would it be and what would you want to ask her? I think my pick would have to be Becky Higgins and find out where she gets all those ideas for her sketches! Oh, to have her brain for one short day!

So, let me know who's brain you'd want to pick and what you'd want to find out! Maybe, just maybe, I have a special surprise up my sleeve, but I am not going to put forth much effort unless I get lots of replies. So, just click the comment button below and leave me your reply!

Hope you are having a great week!

Blessings,
Susan

P.S. Don't forget to fill out my survey and pick up your copy of Making Money Scrapbooking for Others!

Great coupon at ComputerScrapbook.com

I know I don't usually email anyone on Friday afternoon, but I just got this in my inbox and wanted to share it with you:

30% Off Everything In The ComputerScrapbook.com Store

For a limited time, take 30% off everything in the ComputerScrapbook.com store! There's no limit to how much or how many!

Use coupon code JN6862in the coupon field at checkout and 30% will be automatically deducted from your entire order. Hurry, this offer expires Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at Midnight MST.

Just click on the ComputerScrapbook.com link (it's in the middle of my "LINKS" at the top right of this page) and save!

Have a great weekend!

Susan

P.S. Oh, and if you haven't taken my survey yet, scroll down to the next post to click on the link. There's less than 25 spots left before the survey closes and you can't get my fr.ee gifts anymore!

Need YOUR help with a Scrapbook Research project

If you're anything like me, scrapbook facts fascinate me. I love to know who scrapbooks, how they do it and such. Now, I am going to do a little research of my own, but I need as much help as I can get!

I have a short one page survey I need as many people to answer as possible. The people don't have to be scrapbookers themselves, but have an interest in the craft. My target "audience" members are people who scrapbook for others or those who want to AND people who might be interested in hiring someone to scrapbook for them.

Now, I don't expect anyone to just do all of this because you like me ;o). I have some fun gifts that are craft/scrapbook related that everyone who participates will get once the survey is emailed back to me.

So, are you interested? Thought you might be! Just visit www.BarefootMemories.net/survey.html to get your survey for some F.R.EE goodies!

Now, for the question of the week. As a mom of 4, I often have trouble scrapbooking with all the little ones around. How do you manage to scrapbook with children around?

My oldest girls have their own scrapbook bag full of scraps, stickers, scissors, glue sticks and more. When I scrap and they are around, they can dig into their own stash and do their own thing.

I'm always open to other suggestions, so PLEASE share what you do!

Have a great week!

Blessings,

Susan

P.S. I just found this really awesome website online that will send out REAL cards to your friends and family! Not only will they mail them for you, but you can personalize them with digital photos! Now this is a website to bookmark! Visit CardStore.com... you still have time for sending that last minute Father's Day card!

Yucky Rub-ons!!

Ok, I just have to rant about Rub-ons!!!

When I was making the album for my father-in-law's 50th birthday, rub-ons were on sale at my FAVORITE store in the whole wide world...Hobby Lobby. If you don't have a Hobby Lobby near you, I am SO SORRY! It really is my most favorite store in the world and I could easily spend a thousand dollars there in one trip! No JOKE!

Anyway, I bought several different brands of rub-ons and was so disappointed with most of them! I wish I had written the names down of the ones I didn't like, but I have run into this problem before with some I had bought from Die Cuts with a View...you know the kind that come in little pads and cost an arm and a leg? UGH! I have such a terrible time getting those to come of the paper onto my layouts!

The few that I can think of off hand that are terrific are Hobby Lobby's own brand called Stickabilities and the rub-ons by Top Line Creations. If I figure out the names of the others that work, I will share them, but this is also my question of the week!

If you use rub-ons, I want to know which ones you love and which ones drive you so crazy that you end up getting splinters in your fingers with the popsicle stick they came with to "supposedly" rub them off onto your project!!

Can't wait to hear what you've found that works!

Blessings,
Susan

It's done and now we move!

Thanks to everyone who helped with the hunting pages! I finished 20 pages and now they are ready for photos and journaling, most likely to be done by my mother in law and her daughters! Just in time, too! We are in boxes right now as we prepare to move tomorrow!

I think the album turned out very nice and hope to post some photos of it on my website's gallery. Have you check it out? It is VERY bare with only one photo on there. So if you have some cute photos of projects you have done, you can be one of the first people to share your works.

In the future, I hope to run some contests where everyone can post their projects and we can all see them and vote for our favorites. Sounds neat, eh?

Oh, before I forget, Leaving Prints is having a HUGE Memorial Weekend Blowout sale! Here are the details:
75% off select Die Cuts
25% off select Scrapbook Kits (These are my personal product favorites!)
75% off select Stickers
$14.95 JUMBO Paper Pack worth $80!!

Visit my Leaving Prints website at SusanWhitehead.LeavingPrints.us to shop today!

Ok, now for me question of the week before we move. We are sleeping on our bed for the last time in who knows how long. Oh, how I will miss this mattress!

Have you ever done a "My Favorite Things" scrapbook page? You know the song from the Sound of Music when Frauline Maria spends her first night in the Von Trapp family home and it starts to storm and all the children get scared and end up on her bed singing about their favorite things! I think I have seen that movie at least 30 times...we have some big musical fans in our home!

I've seen this topic covered many times in various scrapbook magazines, but since I don't have a personal scrapbook (yes, slap my hands for being a bad scrapper) I have never done one. I think I should probably do one for my girls on each of their birthdays documenting their favorite color, food, ice cream flavor, animal, etc.

If you have done one, please share what you wrote about to give me some inspiration!

Have a great Memorial Day Holiday! Remember those who serve our country and paid the ultimate price for our security and freedom!

Blessings,
Susan W

Got any ideas??

Hi again!

Thanks so much for taking the time every week to read my e-zine/blog! I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy writing them. This week I have come down with a lovely summer cold. 2 of our girls have had it, and my husband has it, too. Thankfully, my in-laws are in town to help! Perfect timing!

Well, my post today will be short and sweet! My question of the week has to do with a Hunting Scrapbook I am putting together for my father-in-law's 50th birthday. (Yes, I have YOUNG in-laws!) I need some help putting the last few pages together! If you have any hunting quotes or pages you'd like to share, I would REALLY appreciate it! It's hard work putting together this album because I am making it so he (or his wife, rather) can put in any photos he has.

So, that's my question of the week: What tips do you have for hunting pages?

Thanks in advance for all your help!
Susan

Crazy Dayz

Well, I have to apologize for any strange things I might type in this! Life has been totally upside down lately. Our family still doesn't know when or where we'll be moving next, so my newsletter may or may not come next week! We've already gotten rid of our satellite service and the children don't know what to do! Thankfully we still get local channels, so we can watch the Survivor finale on Sunday night! Oh, priorities!

Thanks for checking out my mother's day tutorial. If you didn't get the chance to grab it at the low price I originally offered it at, you still have a chance to snatch it up! I've got it listed on eBay now and raised the price, but you can still get a great deal. My eBay ID is micnsu if you want to search for it or just go to Scrapbook Idea Books and you will see it as a Featured Listing!

Well, did you all have a great National Scrapbooking Day on Saturday? I hope so! Do you think it is a coincidence that it is the weekend BEFORE Mother's Day??? Maybe someone was a little behind on her Mother's Day gifts and decided to make a scrapbook day to get some stuff done for mom? Just a guess!

This week, my "Question of the Week" is all about making excuses! What? You don't make excuses? Ok, so maybe I am the only one that does, but just in case I'm not, I want to know what excuses you use to keep buying MORE scrapbook stuff!! Your husband sure would like to know the answer to this one, wouldn't he!

As for my answer to this question, I don't have a good excuse. Sometimes it is just because something looks cute or because it is on clearance! I have had to keep this kind of spending at the bare minimums since we're moving, but I still manage to browse every chance I get! Let me know your excuses...maybe I will borrow one or two!

Now, I just have to tell you about something I found on the subject of eBay. I know not everyone does eBay, but for those who do and use it for more than just getting rid of junk, you'll like this. It's an eBook called "The Silent Sales Machine" and has tranzformed the way I look at eBay. The writer even goes beyond the sale by sending out videos every week with new ideas on how to make $$ on eBay. If you've ever considered trying eBay to make some additional income or for selling pre-made scrapbook products, you have to find out how to make money from auctions in an unconventional and legal way!

I look forward to reading your replies to my excuses questions. Now, don't make an excuse not to answer this! Just click on the comments button just below this post!

Blessings,
Susan

Offer for F-R-E-E adhesive at Scrapbook.com

I know many of you already get Scrapbook.com's newsletter, but for those who don't, here's what the offer is:

"Just place an order in the Scrapbook.com store for $25 or more (*see below) between now and Sunday, May 7, 2006 at midnight (PST). As long as your order is in on time, you'll receive a FREE Kokuyo Dot N' Roller Permanent Adhesive (with dispenser) in your shipment. That's a $9.95 value, absolutely free. "

Now, be sure to read all the fine print, but how easy is it to spend $25 on scrapbook supplies??? And when do you get anything for F-R-E-E?

Just thought you'd like to know! Check it out!

Susan

And the winner is...

Thanks to everyone who participated in posting baby related comments to all my Questions of the Week! After a very scientific experiment, namely my daughter Joy drawing a name from a pile, the winner of the $10 Leaving Prints gift certificate is Lynn Bridges! Woo hoo! Lynn, just go to my website http://susanwhitehead.leavingprints.us and shop and let me know when you're ready to order and I will send you your gift certificate code!

Now, I hope you are all enjoying these questions. I will definitely keep more coming. If you want to see what everyone wrote on my blog, just click on the "Comments" link just below each blog post.

For this week's question, I hope we gets loads of replies. Here it is...

What are you doing on National Scrapbooking Day? National Scrapbooking Day is THIS Saturday, May 6th! This day was started a few years ago to commemorate all the great things about scrapbooking! I'm not positive, but I believe it was started by the National Scrapbooking Association and has really taken off!

So, what are your plans for this big day? Are you hosting an event or attending one? Are you going to set aside some time to scrap or shop for scrapping supplies?

Speaking of shopping, Leaving Prints is having a HUGE, I mean GIGANTIC sale for such an occasion, so head on over to my site at http://susanwhitehead.leavingprints.us see what's on sale!

I personally won't be able to scrap this Saturday. :o( I know...it's terrible isn't it! Our family is waiting on word as to where we will be moving and we have a very sneaky feeling it is going to be SUPER short notice. I have already been packing up pictures and linens in anticipation of our move. Also, this is a "heads up" that I might not be able to post next week if we are travelling. I will do my best, but I can't make any guarentees.

Now, since it is May and Mother's Day is right around the corner, here are a few titles you might want to try out.

Mom of the Year
Nobody Loves Me Like Mommy Loves Me
Moms are Made to Love
Grandmothers are Moms who are Aged to Perfection
My Mom can do Anything
Super Mommy
Who needs Super Nanny anyway?
Mom: Special in Every Way

Hope those give you a little inspiration for your Mother's Day projects!

Have a great week!
Susan

Mother's Day Tutorial is now Online!

Well, after a few hours of fiddling, I finally got a SUPER Mother's Day Scrapbook Album tutorial up and online! If you're in the market for a great and simple gift that you can make for your mom, mother in law or for your students, if you're a teacher, this is a great project to try.

So, without further ado, check it out right now at http://www.BarefootMemories.net/mothers.html

Let me know what you think!

Blessings,
Susan

Last chance for Baby Scrapbook Contest!

This is the last week you can post an answer to my baby themed question of the week! Remember, I will choose one name from those who have replied to win a $10 Leaving Prints gift certificate!

Well, do you want to hear this week's question of the week? Alright...

What is your favorite layout that you have made for your baby and why? My personal favorites are ultrasound photos because of the excitement and anticipation of who the baby will look like and be! I also LOVE first birthday photos, especially those of our 3rd daughter. She really got into the cake and had it everywhere...even on her thighs!

So...tell me your favorites and you could be a winner!

Now, since I have had "baby" on the brain, I have been creating a baby shower website! Yes, as a mom of 4 I have gone to TONS of baby showers, even though I have only been to only TWO of my own! Yes, my 2nd and 4th had no showers and I had 2 planned for my 3rd, but she was born on the night of the first one! Thankfully, my wonderful friend Melissa rearranged her schedule to move my 2nd one to another date so I could actually be there!

I'd love for you to go check it out. It is in the growing stages, but I need people to check out the links and make sure everything is working. For some reason the "links" page isn't loading and I don't know why. If you have some internet "know how" I would LOVE to get your help! The website is at www.BabyShowerIdeaCenter.com Thanks!

Now, back to scrapbook stuff...I have been working with my girls on a great Mother's Day Scrapbook project! I took lots of photos and will be typing up instructions VERY SOON. If you have a bunch of old Christmas card envelopes and some scraps, this is a great project to try out. It takes very little time and turns out SO cute. I hope to post instructions for it later on this week, so you might get another email from me in the next couple of days.

Oh, I wanted to tell you all about some great scrapbook sites I found! If you like to comparison shop, you just might like ScrapbookFinds.com. They are a growing site that show comparison pricing for scrapbook items ONLINE!! How cool is that! You need to check them out.

Also, if you are interested in digital scrapbooking, check out www.ScrapGirls.com. They have some great digital "how to" articles on their site, plus a store. I haven't been able to spend much time on their site, but it really looks info-packed!

Well, I better leave with that. If you enjoy reading my newsletter, feel free to pass it on to your friends and check out some of the ads on this blog and my website. They help keep everything F R E E for you! Oh, and have a look at some of my favorite scrapbook shopping sites on the right hand side here. Lots of great stuff to see!

Have a great week! Don't forget to post your comments for the question of the week!

Blessings,
Susan

New Baby Scrapbook Article

Hello fellow scrappers!
I have been busy writing a bunch of new articles to post on my website, but since I have had baby on the brain this month, the first one I am going to load is my ABC Baby Scrapbook article with words for each letter of the alphabet to inspire your layouts! Check out my new article at www.BarefootMemories.net/babyABC.html

Now, before I forget, be sure to read my "secret" post from last week with the 10% off coupon code for Scrapbook.com. If you've been needing to add to your collection, the sale ends tomorrow and I know everyone loves a great deal!

Ok, I know nobody likes a sales pitch, so I am just going to tell you about this new tool I have discovered. I like it SO much, I have actually created an entire article around it! It's called the Kreate-a-Lope and if you enjoy card making, it is a LIFE SAVER!! I'd love for you to read my article, but if you don't want to wait, you can go check it out now.

For my question of the week, I want to build off the baby theme in a new way! I want to get visual with you! Show me the baby...layout, that is! I want to see photos of your favorite layouts! Now, keep in mind that if you send me your photo it will be posted either here on my blog or on my website, so by sending it to me, you are giving me permission to post it. So, lets see those cute baby layouts! Remember, every reply to my question of the week earns you an entry into my drawing for the $10 gift certificate to Leaving Prints.

Well, I sure hope everyone had a nice Easter. The weather here in South Texas has gone from pleasant to HOT and the girls have actually gone swimming! Can you believe it? I know much of the US is still too cold to even think about bathing suits!

Take care and go ahead and check out the Kreate-a-lope before you forget!

Susan

A Coupon for Scrapbook.com

Just wanted to post a quick note...
I get a newsletter from Scrapbook.com and this week it included a coupon for 10% off your entire order!! "Not too shabby!" I thought and realized that you all might like to know about it too!
So, here's the details from their newsletter:

10% Off Everything

As an added bonus, you get 10% off everything in your wish list
(or anything you've been wishing for). That's right, for a
limited time, you get 10% off everything superstore-wide! Just
enter your coupon code at checkout and 10% will be automatically
deducted from your entire purchase. Your coupon code is HS89659
Hurry, this coupon code expires Wednesday, April 19, 2006 at
midnight (PST).

Again, your coupon code is HS89659 Use it on anything you've
been wishing for!

So that's it! Here is the link to Scrapbook.com . I had to share it with you ASAP because it wouldn't give you enough time if I just gave it to you next week!

Also, don't forget to claim your free scrapbooking gift on my website at www.BarefootMemories.net/topten.htm AND my special Easter eBook of recipes, games, crafts and more at www.BarefootMemories.net/easter.html.

Have a blessed day!

Susan

Easter Gifts

This week I have a special Easter gift for you and and Easter gift idea book, but for now, keep reading...

Well, it seems as though I am not the only one with baby scrapbook pages on the brain! If you don't subscribe to Memory Makers Magazine, you might at least consider buying their newest issue. They have some really cute ideas for an A-Z baby album. But they didn't steal my thunder because I still have a contest to run and a $10 prize to give away! So let's get right to it, shall we?

I know it's not totally scrapbook related, but since scrapbookers are paper crafters, my question of the week is...

How did you announce the birth or adoption of your child or children? Did you order baby announcements or create your own? Did you include the announcement in his or her scrapbook? Did it get a page of its own or not?

All of our girls' announcements were homemade. The first two were simple fill in the blank cards I made before going to the hospital. Our third daughter's announcement was a photo of her behind vellum that was printed with all the important info. Our fourth was ordered online, like the baby announcements from Shutterfly.

Now, if you are a brand new subscriber to my email or at least visit my scrapbook site fairly regularly (you do, don't you?), you will have noticed that I have a NEW gift for all my subscribers. Now, don't get all upset...I am going to offer it to you, too. Just visit www.BarefootMemories.net/topten.htm and you will see the info on my new subscriber gift. It is totally scrapbook related, so I hope you LOVE it. Feel free to share it with others by using the link. The file is too large for most email programs to tackle without thinking it is spam!

Also, I have gotten my hands on a very nice Easter eBook, Family Fun Easter Activity Collection! It has crafts, recipes, games and more. Just go to www.BarefootMemories.net/Easter.html to check it out. I think you'll love it!

Alright, that's all for me tonight. My laptop is in the shop and I feel lost without it. I have been using our main computer and it's just not the same!

I wish you all a very blessed Easter! Take lots of photos! Oh, and why not go ahead and click on the comments button below and let me know about your baby announcements and scrapbook pages!

Susan

A little about Customer Service

I'm a little off topic this morning, but I had to share. If you've ever been treated like a second class citizen, you'll appreciate good customer service when you see it! Well, I recently ordered some contacts and accidentally shipped them to an old address. I contacted the company and they are going to issue me a refund (to the tune of about $80!) for the contacts, even though they might never get them back!

I was shocked and thanked them via email, but I wanted to tell everyone I know about VisionDirect.com. I have been a customer for years, but this great service really made me loyal! Not only do they have super low pricing, but they ship quickly and obviously care about their customers. So, if you need contacts, VisionDirect.com is THE place to get them from. And just so you know, I don't get a penny from them for this. I love hearing good reviews about companies I can trust online and hope you do, too!

Oh, I forgot to mention that VisionDirect.com is part of the EBates shopping network! When you click on the VisionDirect.com link through EBates, they will give you 7% back on the purchase price! I used EBates for all my Christmas shopping and got a nice check back! In all, I think I have gotten over $150 in rebates from them! Not bad for doing something I already was doing! Check them out. You literally have nothing to lose. In fact, they will give you $5 just for joining!

Alright, back to scrapbooking! I hope you didn't get a big prank pulled on you on April Fool's Day. I toyed with what I could do to my husband, but never came up with anything.

Want some April titles? Here are a few for you to try:

Some Bunny Loves Me
Here Comes Peter Cottontail
Egg-cellent!
An Egg-stra Special Girl/Boy
April Showers bring May Flowers
Spring has Sprung
Daffodils, Jonquils, Tulips, Oh My!
Resurrection Sunday
Egg Art

Now, if you want a bunch more titles and even some great scrapbooking tips, you really should check out Lasting Impressions. It is a resource with over 5000 Scrapbooking Titles, Phrases, Captions, Quotes, Sayings and Ideas!!! Now, I know I could never come close to making up that much info. This is why it's so great. You can download it right from the internet and start using it today. No waiting for shipping or having to pay for shipping. Check it out today by clicking the link above.

Ok, are you ready for the question of the week? Here goes nothing:

Think about some of your favorite baby scrapbook pages you've done. Tell me 3 things that you like about them or what makes them different from your other pages.

Did you focus on some of their precious fingers and toes? Did you have the nurses in the hospital stamp his or her footprint on a pre-made scrapbook page? Tell me what makes the pages special!

Now remember, of everyone who submits answers to my baby questions in the month of April will be entered into a drawing for a $10 gift certificate for Leaving Prints. You can use it to buy anything you want...even the new clear stamps!

Well, when you're done reading this blog post, be sure to go by my personal Scrapbook Idea Site and look at some of the new articles I've gotten up there. I am working hard at trying to make my site one of the best scrapbook idea sites on the internet! I've got a way to go, but with your help, I know I can. Be sure to check out all the links...you just never know what you might find when you click!

As always, have a blessed week!

Susan

Baby, Baby

Well, we've been getting some much needed rain here in South Texas! I really should do a simple scrapbook page about it. I have been astonished at how it seems like most people here don't know how to drive in a little rain! Growing up in South Florida, I learned how to drive in some serious downpours that came just about every summer afternoon, so a little sprinkle here and there is not a big deal. But it has been SO dry here with drought conditions and state fire bans, I guess they just aren't used to rain.

I should take a photo of all the backed up traffic (for no reason, mind you!) and the wet roads. Just a simple scrapbook page.

Anyway, I wanted to remind you about my need for your help! In April, I am going to be asking baby related questions. I am trying to get some good information on baby scrapbooks for my website and I would love to have as much input as I can get. The only condition is that you need to be willing to "publish" your info. You can either just answer my blog "question of the week" by posting something in the comments OR send it to my email account on my website.

Oh, did I mention my website has been under renovation? I have been working on several informative topics, found lots of great sites and products you might like, and basically been working hard on it! I have taken the focus off of my Leaving Prints business and put it more towards general scrapbook interests. Go check it out and let me know what you think!

Ok, so now for my Question of the Week!"

Since I have baby on the brain, I wanted to ask if you scrapbooked your baby BEFORE his or her birth. Now, I don't mean you had to have pages done before the big arrival, but did you document your morning sickness? How much weight did you gain? What were your thoughts about being a parent? How did you react to the first ultrasound? First heartbeat you heard?

Now, I don't want all the specifics, just trying to explain what I mean by pre-birth pages.

As for me, I did a lot more introspective (wow, that's a big word for me!) journaling with my first baby. Everything was so new, but with each new child, the precious blessings became more special because I had a greater understanding of how much could go wrong! We have been spared the heartaches of finding out something wasn't "normal" with our babies at birth, but I have also learned from other moms how blessed you can be with a baby who isn't perfect by the world's standards.

So, let me know how you documented your pregnancy! I can't wait to hear! Oh, and for a little incentive, I will draw a name from everyone who either posts or sends me their baby info from now until the end of April and give the winner a $10 gift certificate to Leaving Prints! How's that?

Oh, and I almost forgot!!! I finally got all my scrapbook stuff up on eBay! It ended up being about $700 worth of stuff!! My husband's jaw dropped when he proof read the auction for me and questioned why I would start the bidding at only $0.99. I just thought it would be fun to see how the bidding went starting so low! I already have some people watching it, so if you've been wanting some serious scrapbook supplies, check it out!

Also, for those of you who have been considering ordering my Scrapbook Crop Themes eBook, as soon as the auction on eBay ends for this product, the price will be going up. The auction ends about 10 am Eastern on Thursday morning. After that, I will be going in and updating the price. Be sure to get your order in now if you want it at this reduced price. The best place to order and get instant access is at my Barefoot Memories website.

Whew! This ended up being a really long post! Thanks for taking the time to read it! I will look forward to all your posts and replies about BABY scrapbooks!

Susan W

Digging deeper

What a weekend we had! After spending all day Saturday in pain, I went to an urgent care clinic to find out I had pain coming from my right ovary. Not exactly what any woman wants to hear! The pain was so intense that I actually laid down on the floor of the waiting room! Those of you who know me fairly well know that I must have been out of my mind to do that!

Anyway, I had an ultrasound Sunday morning and they couldn't find anything! The Dr. thinks it might have been a small cyst that ruptured, but since there was no fluid, he couldn't be certain. After talking with a few women who'd had similar things happen, we think that is what it was!

You should have seen my poor husband wondering how he would take care of our nursing baby Caralyn who has never even seen a baby bottle! He was quite relieved, as I was, to know I was fine. I am basically back to normal now...I even made a trip to Wally World with the girls today! (Oh, Wally World is Walmart for those who don't know!)

So, this weekend I got some great questions from Heather that I can use for my questions of the week AND I found some more at Scrapjazz. So I am going to ration them out slowly and see how long they last.

Also, with reworking my website, I am working on putting together some scrapbooking pages on a variety of different subjects and thought I would recruit anyone who would like to help out! Basically I am looking for any articles that other scrapbookers would find interesting. If you have photos of your scrapbook room, you can write an article around them. If you are into altered projects, you can share how you do them. If you have some ideas for pages, especially anything baby related, let's hear them!

If I decide it is something I can use, I will let you know and there's a really good chance I will e-publish your article on my website with your own page and possibly in a scrapbook e-book I have been thinking about! What do you think about that? If you are chosen, you will get a free copy of the eBook, of course! Feel free to pass this along to any of your friends. The more the merrier! Just visit my website (www.BarefootMemories.net) to email me and I will get you more info.

So, enough of that...let's get to our question of the week!Drum roll......

How do you overcome scrappers block?

I know, this is a toughie. I usually dig out my sketches and search through them or pick up any scrapbook magazine that is handy. I also like using any Leaving Prints instructions I have since they are step by step to design a simple layout.

Well, how do you get over a slump? I look forward to your replies!

Until next week,
Susan

P.S. Thanks to everyone who responded to my plee for help in getting rid of some of my old scrapbook inventory. I still have a bunch left and am going to do a HUGE auction on eBay later on this week, probably Sunday. It's got over 25 POUNDS of scrapbook stuff, so if you've got a few friends that want to go in together on all this, you will be getting a great deal. The bidding will start at $0.99, just for fun, and we'll see who wins! I think the retail value is well over $400, but don't tell my hubby that! Just scroll down to see my previous post for the link to my eBay auctions or search for my User ID micnsu.

Something new to think about

Well, it is encouraging to read that most scrapbookers are behind!! I guess it's partly due to the fact that we are not only scrapbookers, but avid photographers as well. It is some consolation that I don't take as many photos as I used to, but I do find that I take photos to scrap, not scrap my photos, if you know what I mean.
So that lead me to my new question on the week...do you scrap your photos OR take photos to scrap? I try to do a little of both, but after Caralyn was born, I knew I wanted to take some photos of her hand compared to mine and close ups of her precious little baby parts...you know, like those famous photographers do and get the big bucks for!
If you take photos to scrap, what are some of the odd, unique or just plain silly photos you have taken with a scrapbook layout in mind?
Can't wait to hear your replies!
Susan
P.S. I have been reworking my current website to tailor more to what YOU want and less about me! I hope to be releasing it very soon, so be on the lookout for my big announcement!

Question of the week...

I got a great idea from Rhonda (thanks for your comment! :o) and was wondering how far behind is everyone on their scrapbooking? Basically I just want to feel better about how far behind I am. I am doing one album per daughter (4) and don't even have any family albums. I think I am up to about August 2005 in each album, although the baby wasn't born then, so I am only 5 months behind on hers! UGH!
So, post your comments. Let me, and others, know how far behind you are on your albums. If you aren't behind, PLEASE share your anti-procrastination tips!
Until next time...
Susan <---who is currently barefoot!

March Already?

Yes, it seems like it was just yesterday that we were celebrating the new year! Are you getting ready for spring?

I have already begun some spring cleaning and I sure could use your help! Some of you know that our family has been in a temporary living situation for a little while (our family of 6 in a small 3 bedroom apartment!!) and my previous inventory from Top Line Creations has got to go! It has literally taken over our 2 youngest daughters' closet!! Just take a look at the photo above!!! (You can see Caralyn's Crib at the top and Brynne's Blanket on her toddler bed on the right! What you can't see is my husband off to the left with his mouth wide open in SHOCK when he saw all this stuff!)

Now I have already been listing a bunch of these things on eBay and I plan to add more this week, but since I HAVE to get rid of all this ASAP, I need your help! Most of my kits are listed as Paper Bag Albums because I thought they would sell better that way, but you can always just use the kits without the bags and use the bags for lunch! :)

My husband has also gotten pretty upset about all the scrapbook stuff I have sitting around here. He's threatened to "clean up" my scrapbook table and you KNOW what that means!

YIKES!

PLEASE forward this blog address to your friends that scrapbook and go check out my auctions on eBay here:
http://stores.ebay.com/Barefoot-Memories_W0QQsspagenameZMEQ3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm

When you win one of my auctions, be sure to put in the payment notes that you saw this on my Blog and I will include a special FREE gift!!

Thanks for your help...and my daughters and husband thank you, too!

Susan ********************************************************************************** St. Patrick's Day is coming!

Here are some fun titles you can use for these holiday pics!
A Kiss For Luck
A Little Bit Of Blarney
Best O'Luck
Feelin' Green
Happy St. Paddy’s Day
My Little Leprechaun
Searching for a Pot O' Gold

(Some titles taken from thePerfectTitle.com)

March Newsletter Changes

Hi everyone!

I am trying something a little different for my newsletters. Instead of bogging down your inbox with a long email every month, I am going to start typing here on my new blog and just sending you a quick email reminder to check it out!

I want this to be a place where scrapbookers from all around the world can come and chat with me and with each other. Oh, and shoes are optional!

Be sure to introduce yourself and tell me what your favorite thing is about scrapbooking and what you wish you knew more about. This will give me some ideas for topics to cover in future postings!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Be sure to check out the links on here. You just never know what you might find!

Scrapfully yours,

Susan Whitehead, aka Barefoot Susan
www.BarefootMemories.net