Steampunk Spells Mini Album plus a "Lushious" Good Time

Hello and happy Monday. I apologize for my absence the past week. I have a good excuse which I will explain in a bit.

BUT, for now I want to share my Steampunk Spells mini album I created using the Graphic 45 large tag album and of course the fabulous Steampunk Spells paper, chipboard and double-sided cardstock. Take a peek here at the project, then hop over to the Graphic 45 blog to check out my video walk-through plus tons of close-up photos of each page. It was SO much fun to make!




Graphic 45 is also doing a giveaway this week, so be sure to visit there each day and leave a comment. You might win! This week's feature is different ways to use the Graphic 45 tag albums. Fellow G45 designer Maria Cole shows us a beautiful gift bag she made with the tags today too. You're sure to get all kinds of wonderful inspiration all week long.



Okay, so here's why I was absent last week. Got Memories Getaways crop/Orlando was this past weekend and some of my best gal pals and I attended. It's become our annual tradition, this being our fourth year. So last week I spent several days preparing. Just check out the mess...







Finally, after prepping all week it was time! Friday morning we all met at the beautiful Caribe Royale Hotel for a weekend of scrapbooking and crafting. This is the one time of the year when I actually get to scrapbook my own personal pages, so I had a lot to do.



But first, the important task of setting up our table decorations. This year we decided to come up with team name for the five of us. Since indulging in a bit of drink during our weekend away has been our modus operandi, we decided on the name "Lushious Scrappers." (no..., I didn't spell it wrong.) Here Tiffany and sister Cindy are setting up the banner while Charmin is getting ready to fill balloons with the helium tank we brought with us. (I told you there was lots of preparation.)



With the help of fellow Lushious Scrapper, Sherry, I made this fun banner with Graphic 45 Bohemian Bazaar papers. Sherry used her Silhouette to create the cocktail glasses. We got lots of compliments on it throughout the weekend.



And just in case you missed it in the above photo, here's evidence of why we chose the name we did.



We had arrived a little past 9 a.m. that Friday morning, set up the banner and added the balloons. Then before I could get my scrapbooking supplies out of my bags and get my table set-up, I was already asked (10:30 a.m.) the question, "Okay, what are we drinking?" So began the tedious process of preparing layered shots. (I look like a scientist in a lab.)



First, peach schnapps. Then with the back of a spoon to disperse the flow I added cranberry juice from a hair-coloring bottle so that it trickled ever-so-slowly onto the schnapps layer, making sure not to allow the cranberry to mix into the schnapps but for it to set atop of it. Then finally a layer of vodka which also had to go in the same way. Aren't they pretty? 



Happy girls in our custom Lushious Scrappers t-shirts from left to right: Charmin, Sherry, Cindy, Tiffany and myself. Salute! 


Time to scrapbook...


I couldn't resist purchasing some Graphic 45 Typography paper and chipboard from one of the crop vendors "Gypsy Corner." I would link to her website, but the store is so new she doesn't have one yet. The shop is located in Kissimmee, FL and I'm planning a trip there in a few weeks. From the looks of her booth at the crop, she's got all the very best of the newest products. Here's her Facebook page if you'd like to check things out. Be sure to "LIKE" them. I'm hoping to teach Graphic 45 classes there soon!



There's lots of fun stuff that goes on during the crop and one of them is a visit from this cute version of Mickey Mouse. Obviously not the real McCoy, but still fun to take a photo with. As you can see, I had a huge case of the giggles during this one.



...and this one...



Then I finally sort of got it together for this one. By this time, even Mickey got the giggles.



I've never known two sisters who get along so well and clearly enjoy each other's company so much. These girls are the best!



Somehow since the beginning, it has become tradition to take a photo on the bed in our room. So here we are. Since I'm the photographer, I have to set the camera timer then take a flying leap onto the pile at the last second. (More giggling ensues.)



As you might imagine, there are several takes until we are all happy with the shot, so I sometimes take advantage of the situation. Here I'm pretending to whip my bitches into submission.  By the looks on their faces, they don't seem too bothered by it.

(Note to self for next year: pack whip.)



Great photo op in the beautiful Florida sunshine by the pool.



Back inside to get more drinking scrapbooking done.



We had a little fun with our finger laser lights while Tiffany was trying very hard to have a phone conversation with her son.



Okay, just to prove that I actually DID do some scrapbooking, I'll share some of my pages of one of my fondest memories from 2013 so far. Ranger University. 



Not completely finished; still have some journaling and stuff to add.



This one is still in the page protector because...


...I added some layered flip-flaps to the outside of the page. I'll add journaling to the inside left of the flaps later.


Flip Flaps are great when you want to add more photos, but don't want to have to add more pages. You can get them here. I also have a great video on YouTube showing how to use Flip Flaps in your scrapbook pages. Here's that link.



My pages are simple, but I love them because they remind me of what an incredible experience I had at Ranger U with all the other amazing people there.


To sum it up, I completed everything I brought with me. 2012's scrapbook is finished and 2013 is half done. A great success! And an absolutely great time with great friends. 



Thanks for stopping by today. I'd love to hear about your cropping experiences and if you set aside time with your friends too. Have a great day!


Comments

  1. Looks like you were all having way too much fun. LOL This was a fun read. TFS!

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  3. What an amazing time you had and I love the team name. How perfect to have shots while you scrapbook, that is my idea of fun. Your pages are looking so good too. What a creative year you are having x

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  4. annette, great post today, looks like a great time was had by all. tag album is very inspiring, thanks for sharing the deets on how to get the look.

    annette, is there an EXITING youtube video you could link to me on that tag binding method you used for your album. Just need a bit of a warm up on that one?
    ava
    cottagerca@yahoo.ca

    thanks for sharing

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  5. This looks like a blast! Wish I could have joined in on all the fun!!

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  6. First, can't believe I'm in your album....lol LOVE your steampunk book! Looks like you had an awesome time! Thanks for sharing.
    Hugz, Zandra

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  7. I just had a quick question on the hole for the tag album. Do you punch the the papers and if so what size punch? I have been using the 5/8 inch but it is a bit too big (leaves too much kraft showing) so just curious as to what you use. Thanks

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  8. To answer your question, Traci, I used a 1/2-inch punch. It's a little tight so I used my fingernail to burnish it and force it to fit snugly around the grommet. Have fun creating!

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  9. Hi! Really enjoyed your pix from your fun weekend of scrapping/gorgeous shots (not the photography kind!). I've been planning weekend getaways for my scrapping sisters over the past 5 years or so and they just keep getting better, whether the hosted ones or the unhosted type - have our next one coming up in just one month and it's all everyone can talk about! If you ever come to Michigan I can refer you to some of them - hoping to meet you in person maybe someday because my sister lives in the town right next to you! Really enjoying your blog and all your scrapping ideas - keep up the great work - Bye, Cathy C.

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  10. What a fun weekend! My longtime friends are all quilters, so my get-to-gethers with them are at quilting retreats! I quilt a small amount, but my passion is scrapping. We do have a wonderful time though with lots of shenanigans and laughter. I'm usually hoarse by the time I get home. I'm heading off to one at the end of the month and really looking forward to it!

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  11. Beautiful mini album Annette. looks like you were having a great time away. Karen.x

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  12. That looks like so much fun! That's the best part of scrapbooking - fun times with friends.

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  13. Looks like you had a blast. Layouts are as amazing as always!!

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