Imagincse having a great giveaway!

It has been awhile since I have visited here. Early new Year resolution-blog more often.
There is a great giveaway on Imaginsce. Check out their new Garden Party!

http://www.imaginisceblog.com/2010/12/garden-party-blossoms-banners-and-bows.html Check back and I will be here more often!
Merry Christmas!

Fiskateers having fun and raising money for charity!

Wow! Camp Crop is a success!

The planning for Camp Crop has gone on for weeks. Yesterday was the day. We got in the building a 7am and turned a beautiful banquet hall into Camp Crop for Lupus. We put up a tent , build a campfire (yes, I know it really was not real). hung butterflies from chandeliers, put out centerpiece, personalized candy bars and a box of candy for everyonw. We had so much great food. The food table was decorated with a birdbath and butterflies and nets. We set up the table and put out all of our auction items. Then Rebecca Peck, lead Fiskateer, arrived.
Other fiskateers started arriving and it was so much fun to make new friends and see old friends. Before the day was over we were 100% fiskateer.
Everyone was given a sash and there were a number of badges you earn for various things throughout the day.
The food was wonderful. Robin made madanrin orange cupcakes with handmade butterflies. She is my daughter, but I am so proud of how she helps and it really is Fiskateers that has made her the cupckae queen. When we went to Greenville they gave out books on how to make cupcakes and she has put hers to good work.
As much as I love the fun and the prizes, the auction has to be the highlight for me. All of the funds go to the Lupus Foundation of American and we made 50% more than we made last year.I have to thank everyone who donated items for the auction. We raised over $3,400.00 this year.
I want to thank all of my friends, Fiskars and anyone who helped make this a FISKA-FABULOUS day.

What would a fiskateer basket look like?

Fiskateer Gail Hutchinson just came in and donated 2 baskets to be auctioned at Camp Crop on Sat., March 27. If you want to see want a fiskateer basket would look like- well, here they are.
What a great treat someone will have enjoying these beauties in their home. They are absolutely one of a kind treasures. Her basketry skill is fabulous. I know I will be bidding on one of these!

Fiskateer Camp Crop- Only 2 more days!!!!

We are heading down the home stretch to Camp Crop. The excitement is at a high pitch!
The names tags are done, the candy ( a must for a crop ) is ready, packing is starting and we are sure that it is going to be a super duper crop. We have so many items for auction! I am elated that we can possibly beat last year's total for the amount donated to the Lupus Foundation of America.
There will be photo ops. Here are a couple more sneak peeks at auction items. A scrapbook that is already done and a dollform, Fiska-kissed!
The reason that this cause is near and dear to my heart is the death of my brother in law, Jarrell Bledsoe. He was one of the kindest, giving and compassionate people I have ever had the honor of knowing. He died from complications of Lupus almost 3 years ago.
I cannot help him, but I think he would be proud that I have chosen this cause. I hope to raise awareness and money that could possibly help find a cure for this terrible disease.
We can have a fun event and still do something that REALLY matters!

More Sneak Peeks for Fiskateer Charity Camp Crop

We are really starting to pull things together for Camp Crop. Today I worked on things needed to decorate and badges that people will earn Saturday. Time is growing short and I do have nerves on edge, but I am certain that we can finish things off and have a wonderful crop and raise money for the Lupus Foundation of America while, at the same time, meeting new friends and seeing others that we haven't seen for a while. Can't wait to see Rebecca!!!Our auction items list is growing. Leave a comment on any of the crop posts and someone will win a Fiskars tool after the crop. Wish me luck!
Today is a sneak peek of a frame that is loaded with pictures of the Fiskars 360th Birthday Bash, a collection of the dress forms that are finished (more to come) and a movie basket filled with movies, popcorn, tissues ( for those sad moments) and all the goodies a person could ask for to snack on.

5 days and counting down to Fiskateer Camp Crop

We are working hard at fixing our doll forms, making badges, fixing lots of auction baskets and trying to organize the decorations. This is proving to be a large, but fun, event. We will have about 60 fiskateers at Camp Crop. All proceeds from the crop is being donated to the Lupus Foundation of America.
I can't wait till it is time! The auction baskets are piling up. Want to give you another sneak peak!!! Suzie has made a red hat hot mama and we have a basket filled with fiskars, orange items and the mickey mouse ears and water bottle from the Florida Fiskars 360th birthday bash!
If you are going to be near Barboursville, WV on Sat, come and enjoy a day of eating, meeting new fiskateers, prizes, auction and, of course, scrapbooking!

One more week until Fiskateer crop!

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I can't believe that we only have one more week until the Fiskateer Camp Crop. Preparations are in full swing and we are heading to the finish line. We will be working until the opening time to improve on all our ideas. Wish I could tell you all of our plan, but that would spoil some of the surprises we have in store. I am working on more baskets and badges today!
Then this evening I am going home to the whole family and then some extras that I can't wait to get to know better.
Well, a sneak peek today! We will be auctioning an Apronology magazine, signed by one of the artist published in the book- our own non-chocolate candy loving, Angela Daniels. She was kind enough to include a couple of tools that she used to make her apron.
Also, a Domestic Goddess basket, filled with Ed Begley cleaner and many other household goodies, including cheetah print cleaning gloves. Any woman would have to feel like a goddess with these gloves on while cleaning the toilet.
Any fiskateer will love the purse we have to auction. It is a brand new Fiore, by Isabella Fiore. Orange is the color, soft leather gathered into a rose and if that wasn't enough- a lime green lining.
Back to work now, but will be revealing other things all week. Happy creating!

Fiskateer Camp Crop- 8 days and counting

Getting ready for Camp Crop. I've got my orange shoes and shirt!
Wow, what a blast we are having just getting ready. When all the fiskateers are here and we are having so much fun- that will be super. Truly, I really am already so happy that I know we are going to raise a significant amount of money to donate to the Lupus Foundation of America.
Camp Crop will be the crop that no one will ever forget. Last year we had a super fiska-fabulous day and this year is going to be even better.
The charity auction is going to have a large selection of things this year. The Fiskars basket and lime green Rachel Ray cookware are among the items. I will be posting more every day!
If you are in the area on March 27 and want to join us, just call 304-733-9414.

10 Days and counting till Fiskateer Camp Crop

Only 10 more days until the Fiskateer Camp Crop in Barboursville. We have received lots more items for the charity auction. While on a Fiskateer chat the other evening, I won a small collage piece and book by Roni Johnson. The framed piece is absolutely amazing with detail and dimension. She also sent a heart and wings necklace and a small decorated box.
We have around 55 coming so far. Rebecca Peck, a lead Fiskateer, will be in attendance. The fee is $30.00, all of which is donated to the Lupus Foundation of America. We will crop, eat, have fun, and have a charity auction that evening to raise even more for the Lupus Foundation.
Everyone is helping me make this the best crop we have ever planned. The food will be wonderful. If you need further information call the Scrapbook Page at 304-733-9414 (11am-5:30pm).

More Auction items

Three Weeks and counting! That is how long it is until Camp Crop! One of the favorite times of the day is the charity auction.
Candy Rosenberg, director of education for Graphic 45 has sent two items that will be on the block that evening.
Another dress form has been done. If you love the americana style this doll is for you.
The girls and I are planning and trying to organize a little tomorrow. There will be more orange stuff that one person can imagine. Do you know they have orange Peeps at Target. A box for every table. Green and orange tic tacs, yes, they have them at Target.
The weekend is coming, but I work tomorrow. Might be time to do Monday's kits. Sunday is grandson and kids day. Also, I LOVE Nascar!

Fiskateers make a difference

I was featured in this month's issue of Scrap n art, an online magazine that has fabulous articles and layouts in it.
I credit my mother with making me the person I am today. She taught me to care for others. Most of the article deals with the charity events that I have participated in since become a fiskateer.
When someone asks what is Fiskateers, telling them it is an online crafting community is only the tip of the iceberg. I have done several events to raise money for different charities. I have enjoyed every one.
Just wanted to share the article online now!

Dare to Care

Scrapbookers, as an overall community,

are a caring group. Whenever there is a

need, whether it is providing pre-made

scrapbook pages to sick children in the

hospital, cards for US troops overseas or

scrapbook supplies for women in a shelter,

scrapbookers are ready to do their share.

Maxine Hodges is one such scrapbooker

who is always ready to do as much as

she can to help those around her and has

made her scrapbooking passion an integral

part in her charitable contributions.

Elena Etcheverry of Scrapbook Royalty

said, “Maxine is one of those scrapbookers

who uses her affi liation with the hobby

to make a difference.”

Maxine began scrapbooking when she was invited

to a home party in 1994. Maxine said, “I

collected many tools and materials, but then

the newness wore off and I did not pick it back

up until 1997. My son got married and I had

grandsons and the passion was back and has

only grown over the years.” Also in 1994, Maxine

began working at her local scrapbook store

and soon became the manager. She was employed

there for over 10 years when in 2006,

the owners decided to move to North Carolina.

“On a Tuesday, I was the manager and by

Saturday, I was the owner of The Scrapbook

Page and More in Barboursville, WV. I love my

job and love to come to work everyday,” said

Maxine.

The scrapbook store provides a perfect venue

for Maxine to combine her favorite hobby and

her charity work. She has held Scrap Pink crops

and now holds a yearly crop in support of the

National Lupus Foundation, the charity which

is closest to her heart. “My brother-in-law, Jarrell

Bledsoe, was one of the most compassionate

and giving people I have ever known. He

suffered from this disease for fi ve years before

his death. The disease presents itself so differently

in each person, it is hard to diagnose and

even harder to treat. I could not help him, but

I think he would be proud I have taken on this

cause to help other families who are dealing

with it,” said Maxine.

Maxine’s involvement in charity work is not

limited to her activities at the store. She is also

an active member of the Charity Fiskamittee of

the Fiskateers. Fiskateers are Fiskars Crafting

Ambassadors. They have an international online

community and members also get together

for real life local events. Maxine is currently

the 2009 Fiskateer of the Year. Through the

Fiskateers, Maxine has been involved in Sock

It To Poverty (collecting socks for the homeless),

Cards for the Troops and collecting food

for her local food pantry. The Fiskateers have

also become involved with Maxine in her work

for the National Lupus Foundation. “The First

Annual Crop for Lupus was held in 2008. I really

did not know exactly what I was doing, but

the crop and a corresponding auction raised

$600.00. I was so proud, but determined that

the next event would be so much bigger and

better. And it was! In 2009, Rebecca Peck, a

lead Fiskateer, agreed to come to the crop and

the attendance started getting so big, I knew

my shop would not hold everyone. The crop

fee was donated to the National Lupus Foundation.

My landlord was kind enough to let

me use an empty space close to my

store. We decorated walls and tables

and even made up a Fiskateer song.

Rebecca did a make and take and

we scrapbooked and enjoyed meeting

so many new people. We turned

the town orange (Fiskateer color)! We

had an auction and raised $2400 for my charity! We are currently in the process of planning for

the 2010 crop,” said Maxine.

To Maxine, there is no greater satisfaction than helping others. “As a child, my mother taught

me the meaning and satisfaction of doing for others. We made dinner for my aunt, who had cancer,

every weekend and spent every Saturday evening with her. We always collected for Unicef.

During high school, I was in service clubs which collected money for charitable causes. In Junior

Womans Club, I helped raise funds for a new volunteer fi re department in our small community

and as PTA president, I raised funds and got grants to build a playground at our new elementary

school. Since childhood, I have learned the gratifi cation of giving and helping others,” said

Maxine.

Make sure if you are in Barboursville, West Virginia to stop by and visit Maxine at her store, The

Scrapbook Page in the RiverPlace Plaza (304-733-9414). Who knows, you might just be lucky

enough to join her as she crops for charity! If a trip is not possible, then check out her blog at

makingmemorieswithmaxine.blogspot.com

Dare to Care

by Melita Chow

Page 27 Page 28

Maxine Hodges

Dare to Care charities are chosen in conjunction with Scrapbook Royalty.
Scrapbook Royalty is a 100% volunteer run organization whose

Camp Crop- Charity Crop on March 27 for Lupus

Camp Crop- March 27
I have received official word that Rebecca Peck, one of 5 Fiskateer leads, will be joining us for our 3rd annual charity crop for the Nation Lupus Foundation. The crop will be held here in Barboursville and anyone who loves scrapbooking, fun, food, the color orange, prizes and getting to help a charity in the process will have a fantastic time. The fee is $30.00, which is donated to the charity. We will crop from noon until 8:30pm. Also, during the evening we will have a charity auction of varied items. If you would like to sign up call me at The Scrapbook Page- (304-733-9414). I can guarantee a good time!
The altered dress form- Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend is just one of the several dress forms that will be auctioned. Candy Rosenburg and Roni Johnson will have creations that will be auctioned to help raise money in honor of my brother in law, Jarrell Bledsoe. He died October, 2007 from this terrible disease.

Finally finished

I have been working on a project for about a week now. I had a paper mache dress form and decided to cover her in silver and rhinestone. I am a girl who loves bling. There can never be too much!
I went and picked up 10 dress forms and gave them out for others to decorate in their styles. If the police had stopped me, I could have been charged with bringing bodies in bags across state lines.
We will be auctioning them on March 27 at our charity event, Camp Crop. All proceeds from the day will donated to the Nation Lupus Foundation of America. These donations are made to honor Jarrell Bledsoe, my brother in law. He lost his battle to lupus Oct. 17, 2007.
This project was hard because I would never have believed how much jewelry it would take to cover it. Thank goodness for ebay and shopgoodwill.com. I made many purchases to cover her assets.

Post on Scrapbook Royalty About our Camp Crop

As most of you know we are having a charity scrapbook crop on March 27. All proceed are being donated to the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
Scrapbook Royalty, which a great non profit organization, has posted a link on their website. I thank Elena for her help and support! She is one of the best!




March 27th, 2010 12 am till 8.30 pm
Camp Crop to benefit the National Lupus Foundation

The crop will be held here in Barboursville and anyone who loves scrapbooking, fun, food, the color orange, prizes and getting to help a charity in the process will have a fantastic time. The fee is $30.00, which is donated to the charity. We will crop from noon until 8:30pm. Also, during the evening we will have a charity auction of varied items.

Rebecca Peck, one of 5 Fiskateer leads, will be joining our 3rd annual charity crop for the Nation Lupus Foundation.

Rebecca Peck is a Lead Fiskateer and one lucky gal! As a brand ambassador for Fiskars, she gets to share her love of all things crafty with people everywhere, whether it be on the Fiskateer website - www.fiskateers.com – or at crops and crafting events all over the country. She’s also an altered artist, a rubber stamper, and a seamstress whose work has appeared on the cover of, and in, various craft magazines (and the local Halloween parades). Concocting wacky Halloween costumes is one of her specialties!

Rebecca is fortunate enough to spend the rest of her time with her two kids, who just happen to share her love of crafting, and one very, very patient husband.


http://scrapbookroyalty.com/camp_crop.html

So many projects, so little time

I am working on 2 special projects and making next weeks class today!! The class will probably not happen as they are call for ANOTHER snow storm Monday. Sometimes I feel that there is not enough chocolate to get me through days like today! I burnt my finger with the glue gun and the paper transfer, which should be so easy will not work in my printer. The transfer is essential to finishing a little but elegant project. I feel like time is not my friend today.
Fiddle-Dee-Dee, Tomorrow is another day! Also, as Scarlett said-I want to go home! It is not Tara, but it is warm and comforting!
This is a picture of one of my unfinished projects!

Obviously, I have too much time on my hands

I don't know how to explain that I sat for 7 hours yesterday and watched a nascar race. Yes, there were two red flags that allowed me to cook a Valentine's dinner for my husband. However, I sat and watched track workers patch a hole on the track. I could go out any day and watch the dept. Of highways do that. Yes, I admit it! I love Nascar. Carl Edwards and Jr. are my favorites. Just ask my husband who heard me screaming for Jr to press the gas pedal harder at the end. I do assume if he could have, he would. Plus, I realize that talking to the drivers on TV probably isn't going to help. I try my best to help them. I find myself pushing my gas pedal leg down hard. I hold my breath when the cars are driving tightly together.
Well, that was my Sunday. Jr did come in second and Carl was 7th, I think. Maybe I did help them.
Well, will probably do the same thing next week.

Webster's Pages class for Monday, Feb 15

This is the class that we will work on on Monday. Webster's Pages is also one of my favorite papers. I used the front and back of the mannequin paper. I love to layer paper with Fiskars adhesive strips. I cut the awning and flowers and birds that are in the three corners of the second page and popped them up for dimension. I used the middle of the awning paper and cut two ivory mats. I love to layer the mats so I added the mauve and teal mats. I adhered the mats. The bottom mat on the second page is placed after cutting the mannequin and placing some of the picture underneath.
The title is printed on the paper- Life is beautiful!

A Winter Wonderland!

For the last three days we have had an abundant amount of snow. Like so many others on the east coast we have come to a stand still. However, my stand still includes a 7 year old grandson who is out of school. I have not opened my shop and we have played and ate all day. The Wii is a blessing. I laugh as I watch him play. He moves , jumps and kicks while watching the Star War lego characters move. We are going to make snow ice cream tonight. This is something I remember my mother and grandmother doing for us. For those of you who do not know what this is:
Mix in a large bowl
about a cup of evaporated milk
1/2 sugar
a dash of vanilla.
Take the bowl outside to a CLEAN snow pile , leaving any area of yellow totally alone, and spoon snow in and mix to a consistanecy of homemade ice cream.
I had planned on starting my anti-resume to apply for fiskateer lead. I want to do my very best to achieve a goal that would be a dream come true. However, on a snowy day with a grandson, family comes first.
I have the rest of the month to apply, but these special days with Ben are priceless!

A valentine layout

I love to layer papers and mix up patterns that some people might call busy! The class tonight takes only paper. No expensive embellishments. We make our own so many times by cutting out design in the paper and popping up using Fiskars foam adhesive strips.
I used Making Memories paper. I cut out the middle of one of the squares to make the heart mats. I, also cut the quilt patterned paper into strips to weave on the first page. Then, we cut hearts and the title out of papers. Voila! A beautiful Valentine layout with just paper.

THE WINNER IS.......

The winner of a limited edition Fiskars squeeze punch is Teresa #6857. So glad that so many people played along!

Why are you watching the Superbowl?

The kick off is almost upon us. Millions of people around the world are watching the Superbowl. I really don't care who wins. I will probably do something crafty or possibly cook my husband dinner before he gets home from work. The announcers keep telling me how millions will be watching. Now my question is this to the women who are watching. Are you watching because you have a true love of the game? Are you wtching because it was a good reason you could get the husband out to meet with friends? You are maybe watching to see the new commercials (that's me). Or perhaps, you are not watching at all.
I used to be a diehard football fan, but in the last few years I have become a Nascar fanatic. My super bowl is next Sunday-the Daytona 500!
If I get 20 post on this before the game ends, I will send someone some happy mail. I will offer one of the new spring Fiskars limited edition punches.

Crop Fun on Fiskateers

I had the pleasure of being asked to be one of the crop hostess on Fiskateers while the leads were at CHA. I made the schedule for 13 fiskateers who got to be a hostess and present a challenge each hour on Saturday.
Then, I was the hostess for Monday and Tuesday. It was such a total blast to think up challenges and see all the different ways people created layouts using the same criteria.
The most interesting challenge of the day was a roll call of who was on the message boards and where they were from. We had 26 states represented, 6 from Canada, 2 from New Zealand and 2 from Austrialia.
I held a chat two evenings. I provided the prizes for the Saturday chat and all of the other prizes were provided by Fiskars. I love the chats. We can get in some of the craziest conversations and by the time you answer, we are on another subject.
I was a bit sad when Tuesday night came because my time had come to an end. What a wonderful time I had.

Camp Crop- March 27

I have received official word that Rebecca Peck, one of 5 Fiskateer leads, will be joining us for our 3rd annual charity crop for the Nation Lupus Foundation. The crop will be held here in Barboursville and anyone who loves scrapbooking, fun, food, the color orange, prizes and getting to help a charity in the process will have a fantastic time. The fee is $30.00, which is donated to the charity. We will crop from noon until 8:30pm. Also, during the evening we will have a charity auction of varied items. If you would like to sign up call me at The Scrapbook Page- (304-733-9414). I can guarantee a good time!

New products!

I have been so busy over the holidays that I have not updated like I should.
Here, at the Scrapbook Page, we are full with lots and lots of brands new products.
Of course, we have everything you need to make great Christmas layouts, but that is only the beginning.
I have Bo Bunny, Snowy Serenade and Frosted from Fancy Pants.
Today I received the 3 newest lines from Graphic 45. They have become one of my favorite companies. Their papers make beautiful vintage pages, but still can make a layout for something that happened yesterday.
We also have Valentines lines from Bo Bunny, Fancy Pants and Making Memories.
As many of you know, CHA ( an industry show) is starting in a few days. We need room to put new product.
On Sat. January 16 everything in the store in on sell. Come help open up some shelfs for new products. Everything is 20 % off.
Come by and stock up.