March Challenge

Wedding Shower by Debbie

Reader Debbie sent us this page from the wedding scrapbook she has put together. Her description follows: The shower was attended by my aunts and cousins, mother and my sister. It was a great afternoon of family fellowship, food and games.

I was married 31 years ago and saved the pictures, cards and mementoes from the bridal showers all these years. I had always wanted to put the pieces I had saved together in a book but 30 years ago the papers, supplies and tools that are so abundant today were not available.

The old pieces on this page are the pictures and cards and the new part is paper. I have only been putting together fancy scrapbook pages for myself for about a year but I find it relaxing and rewarding to be creating.

Don't forget today is the deadline for your submission to the March Old / New Challenge. See all the details below.

Our Spring Cleaning Challenge will continue through April. So it's not to late to start - get those Before pictures in and get cleaning:)

April Guest Design Team Member

Meet another of our Guest Design Team Members for April:

Hello, I'm Laurie Marmon from Mountain View, California. I'm originally a Midwest girl from Iowa but came out here in 2009, the same year I married my best friend. Together we have one furbaby, Hannah, who likes to star in many of our photos and ultimately my scrapbook layouts. I've been scrapbooking since 2003 after accumulating too many good pictures to just be kept on my computer or stuck in albums. I now enjoy expanding my craft skills with a good layout sketch and trying new techniques with stamping. I love putting lots of photos on a layout, the more the better! I definitely have quite a stash, so coming across this Scrap Our Stash blog has been great in making me use what I already have, especially my neglected embellishments. My current project is my honeymoon book for my trip to Peru.

My project: This is a small 8x8 of Hannah that I did recently. I'm making Hannah her own 8x8 book since she has so many cute pictures. This layout uses one of the first pictures I took of her in our new place in California. She instantly took residence on the windowsill in the living room due to its great vantage point in overlooking both what we do and the outside world. I kept the photo the main focus but had a little fun using some of my kitty embellishments I've gathered specifically for her book: the paw print punch and the "Mischief Maker" tag.

April Guest Design Team Member

Meet our April Guest Team Member Stephanie Gruss. She lives in Butte, Montana and has been crafting since she was a little girl. She stated that until recently, she was too scared to share her creativeness with the world. After living with Laurie Marmon (also on this design team) for a Summer internship in 2009, she felt inspired to start a blog and share her craftiness. In addition to scrapping and card making she also crochets, cross-stitches, sews, and pretends to be artsy! This is her first stint as a Design Team Member and she's happy to be a part of the SOS team! This is one of the project that she submitted which won her a place on the Guest Design Team.

Birthday Card - by Stephanie
Meet our April Guest Team Member Stephanie Gruss. She lives in Butte, Montana and has been crafting since she was a little girl. She stated that until recently, she was too scared to share her creativeness with the world. After living with Laurie Marmon (also on this design team) for a Summer internship in 2009, she felt inspired to start a blog and share her craftiness. In addition to scrapping and card making she also crochets, cross-stitches, sews, and pretends to be artsy! This is her first stint as a Design Team Member and she's happy to be a part of the SOS team! This is one of the project that she submitted which won her a place on the Guest Design Team.

March Challenge

The Scrap Our Stash March Challenge is to do a project using something OLD (from your stash) and something NEW. This can be anything you want to do - just stick with the OLD / NEW prompt. Your project does not have to be a card or layout - it can be anything you want to create. Once you have completed your project email a picture and a brief discription of how your project related to the Old/New prompt to scrappinpsycho@live.com .

Each entry will be posted on the blog for everyone to see. Your entry must be received by Noon on March 31st. A winner will be chosen and announced on April 1st (No foolin'). The winner will be offered the opportunity to be a Guest Design Team Member for the month of May.

We will be posting projects daily from the Design team, Guest Design Team and readers entries. Please use these as a source of inspiration to join in the challenge and also to scrap your stash. Check back daily for a new project.

We can't wait to see your New/Old project.

Meet our April Guest Design Team Members

Meet Rachel Hawkins Guest Design Team Member for April. She has been scrapping for as long as she can remember; collecting stickers and hoarding birthday cards and pictures from a very young age. She is a full time graduate student studying Professional School Counseling and Expressive Arts Therapy. Her favorite subjects to scrap about are her relationship, her family, and herself!

This is the layout that won her a spot on the Guest Design Team. This was her submission for the Special Valentine Challenge. She wanted me to be sure and note that the flowers were created with patterned paper, brads, ribbon, and a lot of patience!

We're looking forward to seeing what Rachel will be contribute in April.

Be sure you come back and check out all the Design Team, Guest Design Team and Readers' contributions in April. And how about playing along!

It's not to late to enter the March Challenge for your chance to become a future Guest Design Team Member. Check out all the details below.

March Challenge

Guest Design Team Member, Stephanie, had this to say about her March Old / New Challenge. "So, not too long ago I got some pretty roses and a card from the hubster. Also, not too long ago, I was in my LSS and I saw a set of stickers that I just had to have. (I'm getting somewhere, stick with me!) Last night, while the hubster was riding away on the exercise bike I snuck away to my craft cave and made this sweet card for him. A little background - this summer I went to the SF Museum Of Modern Art and I saw the famous Robert Indiana "LOVE" painting. I fell in love! Does that explain why I just had to have these stickers?Enough with the sappiness, here's the scoop on the card. It's for 2 challenges, the March Scrap Our Stash challenge and this week's Die Cuts R Us challenge it's a recipe - 3 jewels/buttons, ribbon, 2 die cuts, and one stamped image. I used my (old) first set of Nesties (labels 3) to make my two die cuts and couldn't keep my hands off of the fuzzy flocked paper in one of the (new) DCWV stacks I got for Christmas (Downtown Loft). I pulled the shades of brown from my (old) stash of cardstock and did the same with the ribbon. The stamp is from the drawer of doom (aka - clear stamps without backing live there) and I used Al A Carte embossing powder. My jewels/buttons are, in fact, jewels but you can't see them very well in this photo. There is a pretty heart one on the LOVE sticker and two little round ones accenting the embossed swirly. As you can see, I still can't tie a bow...but that knot is HOT!

Have you submitted your March New / Old Challenge yet? See all the details below.

Good News - Bad News!

So which do you want to hear first?

The Bad News is: we are loosing 2 of our original Design Team Members.

This is the last month for Danielle who is needing to spend more time taking care of her health. She has been a great contributor to the blog - and will be greatly missed. We're hoping she will get healthy and be back soon.

Megan will be leaving us to spend time studying to become re-certified in her original career. Her talent for stamping and "detail" will be missed. We want to wish her the best for her career and hope she will contribute to the blog whenever possible.

If you'd like to view Danielle or Megan's work - just click on the label with their name.

I appreciate what each of these talented ladies have contributed to this blog not just in the projects they created - but also in their encouragement and support. I will miss them both!

Now for the Good News!

Tere and Wendy our March Guest Design Team Members have been invited to become regular Design Team Members. They have both submitted great projects in the past, and I am confident you will not be disappointed in their future contributions. Wendy or Tere's past projects can be viewed by clicking their labels in the sidebar.

More Good News:

Amy, who has been on a break, due to computer problems, will be rejoining us. She was only here for a short time, before her computer "died", but she was very instrumental in the start up of Scrap Our Stash - and was even able to sneak in a project in February. Check out her projects by clicking on the Amy label in the sidebar. I am very excited to have her back!

Would you like to become a Guest Design Team Member? If you have not submitted your March Old / New project, it is not too late. Please check out all the details below, and get them in before the deadline.

March Challenge

Emma's Birthday Party by Kimmarie

When I originally posted Kimmarie's March Challenge I thought this picture was posted too. Somehow it did not post. So, this is the second layout (no title) of Kimmarie's daughter, Emma, getting her nails done at her Birthday Party. To see the original post go to labels - and click on March New Old Challenge, Kimmarie.

The Old embellishments are Sandy Lion Essentials stickers and purple ribbon. I have had these stickers for years and Emma asked me to put them on this layout which fit perfectly with this month's challenge.

The New goodies are pattern paper from Glitz Design Divalicious paper pack and rhinestones from Michaels.

March Challenge

Making a Splash by Robin

Design Team Member Robin submitted this Lay Out which was inspired by one of the March PageMaps sketche, for the March Old & New Challenge ...
She says, "This layout, which was inspired by one of the March PageMaps sketches, fits into this challenge in a couple of ways... the photos are actually older photos that had gotten "lost" in our many moves. While sorting through a box of photos, I came across those from our trip to Mexico in 2004! I have decided to "re-visit" these photos and try to finish the album and make some new layouts!

To create this layout, I used some new patterned paper (new to me anyway) from MME... Bloom & Grow and then used some buttons that I've had in my stash forever"!

Now it's your turn - lets see your old / new project. See all the details in March Challenge below.

It's not to late to join in the Spring Cleaning Challenge - send your before pictures now - and then your after pictures when you are done. See all the details in Special Spring Cleaning Challenge below.

Scrap Our Stash Blinkie

Well, it doesn't really blink - but it is a available for anyone who would like to place it on their blog. Feel free to copy and paste the logo on the right sidebar. Let the world know you're a part of this awesome blog.

Make sure you come back daily - for new projects to view and hopefully inspire you to Scrap your Stash!

March Challenge

Welcome Card by Rachel

Guest Design Team Member Rachel
created this card for the old / new Challenge.

Here is her description: "The old (but not TOO old) supplies were the Pink Paislee, the Martha Stewart Punch and the lace and the new supplies were the card base and the flowers. I've really been trying to narrow down my stash and not buy any patterned paper until I've used the majority of my stash. I made this card fairly simple because I'm going to mail it and didn't want it to be too heavy that a regular stamp wouldn't take care of it."

March Challenge

Spring Mini Album by Tere

Guest Design Team Member Tere submitted this "spring" mini album for the Old/ New Challenge.

Here is her description: It has no pictures yet but has plenty of room to add them later.

For the old thing I used my Stammping Up Scalloped circle punch. It is one of the first punches I bought. The flowers on the cover are made by using the punch. I learned how to make the flowers by watching a video on You Tube!!!

For the new, I used free supplies I got from an online store, I know these are past collections, but they are new to me!

You can see more pictures on my blog...plus I'm giving away the mini album... come and check it out!!

Now it's your turn. Send your New / Old project for a chance to become a Guest Design Team Member. See all the details below in March Challenge.

It's not too late to be apart of the Spring Cleaning Challenge - send your before pictures today. Check out all the before and after pictures by clicking on the label marked Special Spring Cleaning Challenge.

March Challenge

You Love Apples by Joni

Design Team Member Joni created this cute layout of her son using the March Old / New Challenge. Here is her description:

New: Tim Holtz Crackle paint (red - used on letters & apple edge)
Old: "LOVE" chipboard frame-y thing.... I can't even tell you how old that is? Everlasting Keepsakes

Other items are "medium old" (not old, but not the newest stuff either): PP is October Afternoon, Chipboard apple is Maya Road, Chipboard alphas Thickers. Plain strips of chipboard to frame the PP & a Bazzill Just the Edge strip. Journal spot & accent are Jillibean Soup. I used "Teardrop Raindrops" by Cloud 9 for the seeds in the apple.

March Challenge

Cards by Megan
Design Team Member Megan has submitted these cards for the March Old / New Challenge.

She said, "I made some cards for another challenge, but I used old and new items so that they would work for this challenge too.

On the green polka dot card, I created the background with a new polka dot stamp set I purchased recently. The old part of this card is the apple stamp that I’ve had for almost 9 years. I also used some eyelets on this project to hold the lollipop. The saying on the front of the card says: “Don’t be a sour apple…” And the inside of the card says: “I think you’re sweet!”

On the circle card, I used some really old paper scraps from when I taught one of my first vintage classes and I paired it with some Jollee’s pear diecuts (also very old). The new parts on this card include the Making Memories journaling notebook page (I cut it up and only used part on this card) and the border punch is a newer purchase that I use all the time.

The next card says “I *heart* you more than chocolate” and I created it with some old chocolate chip paper I found on clearance several years back and I used a Heidi Swapp journaling spot (also older) for the first part of my title. I also used a border punch that is one of my favorites. The heart was created with a new punch and I added some new Rock Candy distress stickles to it. The ribbon and stamps I used for my title were also older from my stash.

This last card says “You’re so berry sweet”. I used an older House Mouse stamp and colored them with colored pencils and gamsol. The Making memories journal paper is new to me, along with the Rock Candy Stickles I added on the colored berries. I also used a glitter pen to write the word “berry” and the stamp “you’re so sweet” was an older stamp I have had for awhile, but never used yet, so I’m counting it as new.

Now it's your turn to take the March Old / New Challenge. Submit your project with a brief description to scrappinpsycho@live.com. You could be our next Guest Design Team Member!

March Challenge

Ride like the wind Bullseye - by Kathy

Just about everything is Old in this layout - except for Jonathan - he's only 3. These are actually pictures of Jonathan in "my Bullseye" costume. Did I tell you I collect Toy Story toys too!

The paper is of course ancient. The chipboard letters (and they are real chipboard) are new and so are the Thickers used for the rest of the title.

Your turn to take the March Old / New Challenge and submit your project and a brief description to scrappinpsycho@live.com .

March Challenge

Meeting Cousin Eva by Monica

Design Team Member Monica submitted this layout for the March Old/New Challenge. She said, "This lo has more old than new on it.

For the NEW I used my new Martha Stewart punch that my mom gave me for Christmas, I love it. Also the buttons are farely new, they came in a MM page kit.

For the OLD I used some old paper. I bought it over a year ago and had been saving it for who knows what? :) I thought it worked perfect with the colors that both kids have on. The stickers are old too. I actaully got them at a yard sale!! The lady owned a scrapbook store she closed, I got tons of great stuff.

The pictures are also from one year ago. My cousin came to visit from Florida and it was the first time our kids met! I used a NOV.09 pagemaps sketch for this lo."

Now it's your turn to take the challenge. See all the details in the March Old / New Challenge post.

March Challenge

Glow by Joni

Design Team Member Joni says this about her submission for the March Old / New Challenge.

"For the title, I used Heidi Swapp mask letters (medium old) and spritzed with Glimmer mists (new...the red color was just released at CHA Winter and I had won it as a prize). I used some really really old "mesh" and an old Queen & Co felt border . I found it really difficult to scrap this photo because of how dark it was. I struggled with it for a long time...I finally just added the journaling and called it done. As I look at it now, I'm glad I did. It's easy sometimes for me to want to "add more" but sometimes, simple is best.

Submit your project for the March Old / New Challenge today.

$$Frugal Friday Tips$$

In light of our Special Spring Cleaning Challenge I decided that this week's Frugal Friday tip should pertain to organization of our Stash.

The most frugal thing we can do, is use what we already have. This is best done when we know what we have - and when we know where it is.

Instead of me giving one tip - I have decided I'll give a tip - and then ask that everyone leave a "tip" in the comment. We will keep this up and going as long as there are more tips to share. If you have pictures you'd like to share - email them to me and we will add them along with your tip.

My tip is: Organize your stuff to go along with the way you scrap. We tend to look at some of these awesome rooms and think oh, I like the way they stored that - but it could be totally impractical for you because of the way you scrap.

I usually scrap by color - I usually get my color theme from the pictures I'm going to scrap. So, it only makes sence for my paper and brads to be organized by color. I don't pay any attention to brands or manufacturers - so it doesn't make sence for me to file my paper by manufacturer - but if you on the other hand, do pay attention to that - and maybe post your projects with a product description - then, that may be the way for you to file your paper.

What organizational tip would you like to share? Just post it below in a comment - or send it via email to scrappinpsycho@live.com.

Spring Cleaning Challenge

Before by Mary

Reader Mary finally got up enough nerve to send her Before pictures for the Spring Cleaning Challenge. This is what she had to say, "OK! I know you know that this would "not" bother me in the least!!
I could not bring myself last night to get these pics sent!!
I was actually sick to my stomach!!! I am rather appalled by them, and am
stressing over it greatly!! UGH!! But.......I MUST get it done!!!
So.......here goes!
So....feel free to use as many.....OR NONE....of these pics, once you have
"regained consciousness" from the shock of looking at them!!"

If Mary can do it - you can do it! Send your before pictures to scrappinpsycho@live.com and join in the Special Spring Cleaning Challenge - see details below.

March Challenge

Big Sis by Kimmarie Design Team Member Kimmarie submitted the following two 8 x 8 layouts. They are part of her daughter's 7th birthday album, that she is currently working on.

Here is Kimmarie's desciption: "Emma had a party where the girls got their nails, hair and makeup done. After all the pretties were done, they got dressed up in popstar outfits and did a fashion show and karaoke. What a great birthday party it was.

Title: Big Sis
The Old embellishments that I used for this layout are the Queen & Co. flowers, an inchie square (top right) that I received from a friend (Patrizzia) during an inchie swap a couple years ago and pink ink.

The New goodies are the papers from Glitz Design Divalicious paper pack, ribbon and rhinestones from Michaels, Thicker Stickers and my Martha Stewart border punch.

The second layout (no title) is of my daughter, Emma, getting her nails done after her hair was up.

The Old embellishments are Sandy Lion Essentials stickers and purple ribbon. I have had these stickers for years and Emma asked me to put them on this layout which fit perfectly with this month's challenge.

The New goodies are pattern paper from Glitz Design Divalicious paper pack and rhinestones from Michaels."

Now it's your turn! Take the challenge & send in your March Old New Challenge - see all the details below.

And don't forget to check out the before pictures in our Spring Cleaning Challenge. We challenge you to join us!

March Challenge

There's No One Like You by Kathy

For the March Old / New Challenge, I did this layout of Madeline. The journaling says "Madeline, you are definately one of a kind! The kind we all love."

My old is the paper - the background is from one of the first slabs ever, the strips are scraps, and then the title was actaully stamped with old stamps! My New is the shape behind the title. It is actually a Sizzix Flower die cut that I recently purchased.

This was a fun challenge - I liked having to come up with something old and something new and put them together in one project. Now it's your turn. Check out all the details in the March Challenge below. We'd love to post your project.

March Challenge

Blocks by Mardi


April Guest Design Team Member Mardi completed these blocks for the March Old / New Challenge. Here is her description:

This was such a fun challenge! I used the following supplies:
The new
Graphic 45 On the boardwalk pp collection
The Old
QuicKutz alpha
Colorbox chalk
Prima flowers
misc. brads
I wanted to alter some baby blocks, but unfortunately I do not have any, so I decided to create a template to make my own out of heavy cardstock. Please feel free to use the template. I created five different square boxes and wanted to make sure I could spell a few different words from them for inspiration in my scrap room and as an added bonus, one of the words I could spell with the letters I placed on the blocks was my name.

Now it's your turn. Submit your March Old / New Challenge project soon. You could be a future Guest Design Team Member. See all the details below in March Challenge. Also, don't miss the Spring Cleaning Challenge detailed below.

March Challenge

Mini Album by Brittney A.

Reader Brittney A. submitted this mini album that she made to showcase all of the ATC's completed by the talented Young Scrappers group on Two Peas. The patterend paper and the clips are both old and from the Making Memories "Love Notes" collection. What's new is the ATC book by 7Gypsies. She said she definitely had fun putting this together!

Now it's your turn to take the Challenge and have some fun! See all the details below in March Challenge.

Have you got the Spring Cleaning bug? How about joining in on the Spring Cleaning Challenge. See details below.

March Challenge

Sisters by Wendy
Guest Design Team Member Wendy submitted this layout for the March Old/ New Challenge.

For her Old stash she used: letter buttons, big brad, pattern paper, and vellum quote. For her New she used rhinestones and the felt border.

Now it's your turn - you know you have something OLD just waiting to be scrapped - and I'm sure you have something NEW you can't wait to scrap. Take the challenge and you could be our next Guest Design Team Member. See all the details in: March Challenge.

How is your scrap area looking? Does it need some minor straightening up - or a major overhall? Send a picture of your Before - and then when you get done spucing it up, send us an After picture. See all the details in the Special Spring Cleaning Challenge.

Can't wait to see what you have to share!

March Challenge

"Me got 'dopted" by Christine
Reader Christine submitted this layout for the March Old / New Challenge. Here are her comments:

"I did this page a few days ago. The OLD is: pictures (we will celebrate 10 years this year of having Ryan) and the paper is old that had the "Families are Forever"....I guess I figured I should wait to use it when I was sure our family was complete ;) The NEW is that I used my Silhouette for the letters.

Ryan told everyone after we went to court that "me got dopted". He was and still is quite a treasure. He certainly did make our family complete.

Now it is your turn. See all the details in March Challenge below. Also, don't miss out on our Spring Cleaning Challenge. Send a picture of your BEFORE now. and then when you get your "cleaning" complete send an AFTER picture. This is not limited to scrap rooms. Check out all the details in the Spring Cleaning Challenge post below.

March Challeange

Soak it in by Danielle



Design Team Member Danielle contributed this layout for the March Old/New Challenge. She said "When I first started teaching scrap classes 6 years ago, I couldn’t wait to use my earnings to buy the new Making Memories rub-ons that came in those little swivel books. After years of having them around, it hardly looks like I made a dent in my collection.

I decided to use the challenge and see how many I could use out of my stash. The Bo Bunny paper is a new summer line that I had purchased in December. Yeah, I know it was winter, but this is South Louisiana. LOL!!!"

Unfortunately, this is the last project we will be sharing from Danielle, as a Design Team Member. She has decided to step down at this time and take some much needed rest. Hopefully, she will continue to be a part of SOS and will contribute on a regular basis.

Thanks Danielle, You've been a great part of this awesome team - and you will be missed!

What have you been collecting instead of using? Put it together with something new and submit it. See all the details in March Challenge below.

March Challenge

Thank you Card by Tere




Guest Design Team Member Tere made this card for the March Old/ New Challenge.

Tere said "One of the very first tools I bought is my Heat Tool, my sister in- law taught me how to heat emboss and I love it. I used it in this card to emboss the polka-dots on the brown card stock."

For her NEW items she used a Hero Arts butterfly stamp that she recently purchased, and also her new Martha Stewart border punch.

Now it's your turn. Send us your New/Old project - see all the details in March Challenge, below. Also, check out the Special Spring Cleaning Challenge below!

March Challenge

Grass by Joni
Design Team Member Joni has submitted her layout about grass for the March New/Old Challenge. Here is her description:
I love love love this picture of my son (isn't he cute?). But he's growing up way too fast!!
Anyway, this is all about grass, which we don't have much of here in Phoenix, hence the point when he gets to go into the Arizona Diamondbacks Bullpen, he love to roll around in the soft lush grass. For those not sports savvy, that is our professional baseball team.

I used my February Scrapbook Circle kit, which had some of the new Cosmo Cricket Material Girl line and some of the recent Basic Grey Origins line. I also used some of the new Elle's Studio flashcards for my title. Now, for the old... those squares to the left of the photo are those Architexture pieces that EK Success put out a few years back. I loved them, and bought sooo many, but I hardly used them (maybe 1 or 2 layouts). So, it was my goal/plan to use those on this layout from the very beginning. I think it looks ok and doesn't look like they are an "old" product. So, don't tell anyone ok?

Now it's your turn. What can you do with the Old/New prompt? Check out all the details in the March Challenge below. See how you can become a Guest Design Team Member here at Scrap Our Stash.

Special Valentine Challenge Contest Winner

And the winner is:
Laurie















It was a close race - so I have decided to go with the top 2. So, we have two winners. Our second winner is:


Rachel H.
























Thanks to all who participated. I can't wait to work with both Laurie and Rachel H.