Oct 17th Class at THE DOO Let's "Get Sketchy With It!"

Join me at my next class at Scrap-a-Doodle Doo

Thursday, October 17th, at 6:30pm and LET'S "GET SKETCHY WITH IT!"

Have you ever WANTED to try to enter a SKETCH Challenge/Contest?

Are you NOT SURE what they are all about, or even how to "DOO IT?"

Have you NEVER worked with a SKETCH before and are not sure WHY you would want too?

If you answered YES to any of these question - then....

Please join us on Thursday evening, October 17th at 6:30pm and we'll not only answer

those questions, BUT you will ALSO LEARN how much FUN and VERSATILE SKETCHES can be!  Class Cost is $18.00

In this class, we will show you how to make a 1 page 12x12 layout

using the sketch from Scrap-a-Doodle Doo's October Sketch Challenge.

Here is a SNEAK PEEK - the sample is in the store!

You will ALSO be automatically entered into "THE DOO's"
October Sketch Challenge, and be eligible to be selected (by a random generator,)
to WIN a $10.00 Gift Certificate to Scrap-a-Doodle Doo!

SPECIAL DEAL!!! - DURING THE CLASS  ALL HALLOWEEN ITEMS will be 20% OFF - (excluding classes and kits of the month) FOR STUDENTS ONLY!

The layout you will be making in class will be Halloween Themed,

and will be all ready for you to add (2) 4x6" photos (one Vertical and one Horizontal.)

We will also show you layouts with different themes,

to show you how you can use a sketch over and over again.

(Students will receive copy of the sketch in their kit,

and most elements will be pre-cut for you.)

SEATING is VERY LIMITED for this EVENT!  We hope you can join us!

Please CALL the Store at 201-818-7060 to reserve your seat before they are all gone!

THANKS! ~ Sherri

Experiments in Mixology!

A friend at work told me about a Martini she made with Lemoncello last weekend - I decided to give it a try last night, but tweaked it a little bit. 

 

Here is my version -

I am calling it a "COSMOCELLO" - and it is for sure a KEEPER!!

 

 

 

It is pretty simple to make, and if you are having a party,

you can make it by the pitcher too!

 

2 parts Cran-Lemonade*

(*I found this at the supermarket -it is marked "NEW," if you can't find it - I'd substitute regular Cranberry Juice and increase the fresh lemon juice.)

1 part Vodka

1/2 part Lemoncello

Splash of fresh lemon juice

Lemon rind twist for garnish

 

Enjoy -but be careful - they go down pretty easily!

 

Oct 26th Steampunk Spells 2 page Layout Class - New Windsor, NY

Hi Everyone!   I will have the opportunity to attend a CROP in New Windsor, NY, for the first time, with a new bunch of ladies next month ( Oct 26-27,) and have been asked to be a guest designer / teacher while there!!  I am very excited to meet this group, and to be teaching this class!!

It will feature Graphic 45's HOT NEW "Steampunk Spells" Collection, (just in time for Halloween)  and it will be filled with lots of FUN techniques! This 2 page layout (SNEAK PEEK below,) also features, Flowers, Feathers, Gears, Gems, Punchinella, even a Spider and a Metal Key!!
  
Students will learn: Water Distressing, Paper Tearing, Edge Distressing (with Ranger's Distress Stains,) Stamping, paper layering, and how to get the most out of your patterned papers. All techniques that you can use over and over on future projects too!
 
Class / Kits are LIMITED to 12 - Many components will be pre-cut. Complete Instructions will be included! 
  

I LOVE the colors in this G45 paper line and I'm happy with how this 2 page layout turned out!

If you are in the area, and are interested in attending - you do not need to attend the crop.  Just contact the organizer through the Meet Up Link to see if seating is still available.

PS - If any of you are attending Scrap-a-Doodle Doo's November 1-3rd Weekend Crop - I will be teaching this class there too!

Thanks for stopping by!
~ Sherri

Kissing Daisy!

Here is a layout I made earlier this month.   It highlights photos from my 50th Birthday Trip to WDW, in Sept of 2011 - yes, I know - I am and will ALWAYS be "BEHIND" in my scrapping!!  I am not a chronological scrapper - I work on whatever photos / memories "call to me!" LOL!

These photos make me laugh!  Daisy wanted nothing to do with me at first and was flirting with my hubby Phil something awful!! LOL! - We were happy to be able to see Daisy too - as in past trips to WDW, Daisy's always been "kind of shy" and hard to find.  ( Yes, I LOVE WDW and all the MAGIC and PIXIE DUST it brings with it!!)


I also LOVE to MIX IT UP when scrapping and this Layout incorporates patterned papers and elements from many different manufacturers and includes lots of different textures.  I hope you like it!

 

 

All of the products used on this layout were purchased at SCRAP-A-DOODLE DOO, in Ramsey, NJ - you can purchase from them ON LINE TOO!

 

I used 3 different shades of pink Bazzill cardstock to mat my photos and the entire layout, and 2 of them were Swiss Dot.

 

All of the edges were inked with Ranger Distress Stain, in either Peacock Feathers or Picked Raspberry.

 

I love the Teal Punchinella -don't you?

 

The papers used were from My Mind's Eye - My Girl "Fancy Free" and "Multi Plaid," along with Remininsce "Magical Princess."

 

I added feathers from Bella Blvd, and the wooden embellishment is from Studio Calico. 

 

Add to that some Teal and Pink Bling (which I grouped in 3's to make Mickey heads,) a few flowers, and some Teal Thickers - and there you have it.

 

So try "mixing it up" when you are creating your next layout - it's LOTS OF FUN!

 

Happy Scrappin' !!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



"Attitudes are the only Disability"

My AMAZING UNCLE, Mr. Robert M. Zito, passed away on the morning of Sunday, August 26, 2012, just a little over 1 year ago.

Today, September 7th, would have been his 63rd birthday.

I have promised myself, that I would not forget, and that I will continue to share his amazing story.   One way we are doing that, I am happy to say, is with a yearly scholarship awarded in his name and memory, at his High School Alma Matter.  We presented the first of what we hope will be many awards, this past May, to a young lady who will be going into the nursing field.

I will share his story every year, to celebrate and remember his life on his birthday. May it provide you with inspiration....


My AMAZING UNCLE, Robert Zito, passed away on August 26, 2012, at the age of 61.  He had been in a wheelchair for 47 years, since he broke his neck in a backyard swimming pool accident, at the age of 15.

Even though his injury defined him as a quadriplegic, he never considered himself disabled or handicapped.

With just partial use and strength in his arms, and the use of just one finger on each hand, he was able to accomplish so many things.

Some things that those of us with the full use of our arms, legs, hands and fingers, would never be able to do, and do on a daily basis.

He drove a 2 door car -before there were handicap vans, and pushed himself in his wheelchair, before there were power chairs.  He would transfer himself by sliding from his chair, to a board, and then into the passenger seat of his car. He would then fold up his chair, put it in the back seat behind him, and slide himself all the way over to the driver's seat, and off he'd go, using hand controls.

We were not allowed to help him - we had to stand there and watch him - He had to do it all on his own.

He graduated from Hawthorne High School with his class in 1968, and then from The Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts. He was a gifted artist. 

He went on to learn computer programming and got a job in New York City, with Met Life as a graphic artist. He drove into the city every day, parked his car, and worked in the Met Life Building, until he was transferred to the Lebanon, NJ area about 15 years ago.  He got married and had a son.

All of this with just the partial use of his arms and 2 fingers.

He touched so many lives by just being Bob.  Just a guy, who happened to be in a wheelchair. He never felt sorry for himself, or complained.  His favorite T-shirt said "Attitudes are the only Disability."
 
He had a way to make people forget about the wheelchair - he never let it define him -he never let it stop him.

He was a strong man who was put to so many tests. Weaker men would have given up long ago. He lived a very full and wonderful life, until his body got the best of him over his last 5 years or so, which were spent in and out of hospitals. Even after he lost a leg from the hip down due to bed sore complications almost 3 years ago, he kept on going. He was even doing community service, helping senior citizens use computers at his local library up until 2 months before he died.

So I ask you, please remember my Uncle Bob and go through life ignoring and overcoming your "disabilities"  - however big or small they may be - don't say you can't do something - have strength and try your best to overcome adversity and reach your goals.  

He was a crazy, funny man who loved life, and loved us. Besides asking for "Spirit in the Sky," "Born to be Wild," and "Magic Carpet Ride," to be played at his wake, he also asked that we BE HAPPY.

So I will ask you, please remember my Uncle Bob and go through life ignoring your "disabilities" - however big or small they may be - don't say you can't do something - have strength and try your best to overcome or reach your goals, and most of all Be Happy.

He fought a good fight, but now it is his turn to rest and no longer struggle. He leaves a hole in our lives, but has filled our hearts with love, laughter and wonderful memories.

This is one of my favorite photos of him, my Mom and I. It was taken in April 2012.

I LOVE YOU and MISS YOU Uncle Bob, I will NEVER forget you, and I will  always try to be strong like you and live by your example.  Thank you for being in our lives.  ((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

September Challenge at THE DOO!

Hi Everyone!   Sorry, I've been slacking in my blog posting, but I've had a busy last 2 months, with a Graduation Party for my son - then vacation prep, and a wonderful 2 week relaxing vacation with my family in August.  I almost started shaking, and going through "Scrap-Withdrawal" these last few weeks, and while I REALLY enjoyed the party and the vacation -I'm happy to be able to get "my scrap back on" again too!

It's the 1st of the Month - so that means it's Sketch Challenge time over at Scrap-a- Doodle Doo!
(FYI - THE DOO - is our Local Scrapbook Store - and an On-Line store too!  They have all the latest and greatest scrapbooking supplies - and lots of hard to find items too.  With THOUSANDS of items in stock - you are sure to find what you need! - Check them out - www.scrap-a-doodledoo.com and SUPPORT our Local Scrapbook Stores!)


They chose a sketch from Pinterest again this month - there is such INSPIRATION on that website!!
(CLICK on all the photos below to see the details)

Now, for those of you that know me - you know that I'm all about layers, and mixing patterned paper.   This sketch was a challenge to me at first, with all that white space!!  After a trip to THE DOO - I found this AWESOME NEW Paper Line "SNAPSHOTS" from Bella Blvd and I just "had to have it!!"  I decided it was perfect and used it to really put my own twist on the sketch by filling that white space in!  What do you think?......

These photos are from our trip to North Topsail Beach, NC, a few weeks ago. We had a great time relaxing, and I had a blast "Snapping Pics!"  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the layered banners!!!  I'm going to have to use this idea on layouts in the future!! 

Here are some close ups for you:

These are Tim Holtz Grungeboard letters that I bought at THE DOO -years ago!  I colored them with Distress Stains, then glittered them with my new  HOT NEW "ZIG" Wink of Stella Brush with CLEAR Glitter - the added a coat of DIMENSIONAL MAGIC to make them even shinier! - By the way D*O*T*D noted on the first photo stands for "Drink Of The Day" - which is a "must have" when Chillaxin' on the beach!

I also used my ZIG Wink of Stella brush to highlight and go over some of the doodling on the Bella Blvd "Family Chaos" paper below, and above on one of the elements that I cut out of that paper, matted, then pop-dotted as an embellishment on the layout.

More Glitter swirls from the ZIG brush, I highlighted the word "together" and glittered all of the heart doodles. You can see a close up of those lovely banners -edges inked with Ranger Distress Stains!
 

Here are the items from The Doo that I used:
Bella Blvd SNAPSHOTS - Family Chaos
Bella Blvd SNAPSHOTS - Point of View
Bella Blvd SNAPSHOTS - Borders

My Mind's Eye "Cut and Paste" embellishment pack

Ranger Distress Stain - Peacock Feathers
Ranger Distress Stain - Ripe Persimmon
Ranger Distress Stain - Black Soot
Bazzill Cardstock 
ZIG Wink Stella Brush -Clear
Scor-Tape
Dimensional Magic
Tim Holtz Grungeboard letters

SO - Head on over to THE DOO's BLOG POST with all the info on how YOU can play along!

Thanks for stopping by!
((HUGS)) ~ Sherri