***Winners Will Be Annouced Soon***

The CSDivas Mansion is hopping 

with excitement.  

 We want to offer a huge and sincere THANK YOU 

to all of those who support our blog 

and to all of those who participated in our

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop.

We were ecstatic about the amount 

of projects that were linked up 

and hope that you were able to 

check a few "to do" items off of your Holiday lists.

We are all collaborating our efforts to gather 

all the details to choose our lucky winners.  

Please stay tuned as this will be announced soon!  

Thank you for your patience !!!

Sincerely,

CSDivas Admin and DT team!

Welcome our new Design Team Member!

At the begining of the month, we introduced you our Guest DT Michelle Sanchez, today we are excited to inform you that Michelle is not a Guest anymore, she is part of the Design Team at the CSDivas Mansion!!!  yay

Here is a little information about Michelle, just to refresh our memories.

About me...  

Michelle, married 15 years. No kids, 5 dogs

How long have you been scrapbooking?

Scrapbooking for 11 years. About 1 year ago I got into copic markers and card making.

My Blog... 
Michelle's Happy Scrappy Place

What is your scrapbook style?

My SB style I would think is simplistic. When I SB I do like to use at least 3 to 4 pictures per page layout or up to 5 pictures per 2 page layout. I am a little OCD when it comes to SB layouts. ;)

Where do you create your projects?

 I used to get together with my sister and friends once a month at each others houses but now I have my own craft room so that is where I do my crafting and scrapping.

What is your favorite scrapbooking tools/colors/techniques?

I love to use muted tones or jewel tones.

Where do you find inspiration?

Magazines and websites

What is favorite scrapbooking tip?

For my layouts , I really love the ripping of two sided paper and using the distressing inks.

First, I would like to say how happy I am glad that the ladies at Creative Scrapbooking Divas have decided to stay.  I get a lot of inspiration for your blog and from all the ladies here.  Secondly, I want to express my excitement to be the first Guest DT under the new monthly challenge format.  It is truely an honor, and I am extremely excited. So let's get started! 

 

Michelle will be sharing atered items, 3D items (boxes, bags, etc.) and cards. 

(psss psss... her first post as DT will be on Monday! It´s a secret, let´s keep it that way!!!).

 

Please help us welcome Michelle, we are sure she will bring lots of fun and inspiration to all of us!

 

W E L C O M E    M I C H E L L E ! ! ! 

Our Blog Tour

Hello Divas,

Welcome to CSDivas... the Blog!

We want to give you a little tour of our new home, the CSDivas Blog! 

First of all, our design team Divas.  You can find out all about them here in our Diva Intro page.  The DT Divas will be sharing ideas, tutorials, tips with the same great groups that we had at the other site.  Each DT Diva will be heading up a "group" and posting bi-weekly. You will be able to find the current posts in the center column of the blog.

To keep our "groups" organized, you can find them at the top of the blog, filed in pages.  For example, if you want to find all the card posts here on the blog, you just have to click on that particular page tab at the top, which would be Thu: Cricut- Cards/ Mini Albums.  Friday will be a special day filled with tips and tutorials.  You'll never know what inspiration you may find!

And of course, we can't forget the challenges with prizes!  CSDivas will be hosting one every week with a prize! On Sunday, a DT Diva will post the challenge.  You have all week to complete and link up with Mr. Linky at the bottom of the challenge post.  On Saturday, a winner will be chosen and posted.  Not only do you win the prize for the week, your blog will be featured here at CSDivas!!!!

In the right column, you will find all of the DT Divas' personal blogs and pages.  In the left column, you will find our Facebook badge, that will take you to our Facebook page.  Also we have our following Divas' blogs.  If you would like to be added to our blog list, just leave us a comments here and/ or Facebook.  It is so nice to follow you too!

Lastly, please grab our blinkie and post on your blog, we will do the same!  And don't forget to leave comments.  We all know how nice it feels when comments are left.  It makes all of this worthwhile!!! And you never know when we will have a little rak for our blogger Divas that comment (hint, hint)!

Happy Blogging Divas,
         CSDiva Design Team

Welcome to the Divas from Asarasota!

Hi! My name is Alecia, and I'm living in sunny Southwest Florida. I've been papercrafting two years now, and it has become my favorite pastime, ahem, obsession. A WAHM with 2 kids, I love alternative radio, swimming at the beach, and spending time with the family.
I lead the Cookin' and Cookbookin' blog group, where we scrap our family heritage recipes and have our own handmade giftbook at the end of each year. Look forward to meeting and scrapping with all of you! Please also check out my blog, http:freakalecias.blogspot.com. Thanks!

Hi from Stephanie!

Hi there! I'm Stephanie and I'm joining you in my second term as a Design Diva in the Fun Techniques & Products Group!

1. Tell us about yourself (you, your family, and scrapbooking accomplishments):
Howdy from Texas! I'm celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary w/ my college sweetheart in July, and couldn't be happier about it! He is truly the man God made for me, and we are blessed with two children, Cade (5) and Macy (3) and two dogs. I'm in my 3rd year of being a stay at home mom after teaching 7th grade for 6 yrs. and most days I love it! My husband is in the Army Reserve after serving actively for 6 1/2 yrs. so we are five yrs. short of retirement! I love all things Twilight, Texas A&M football (my alma mater) and photography (my second hobby love!). I blog about our everyday life over at The Magic of Ordinary Days, (offering blog candy for comments & new followers!) along with my craft projects, tutorials, and photography shoots. As far as scrapbooking goes, I've been lucky enough to teach classes at my local LSS before it closed, won a banner contest over at mega scrapbooking website Two Peas in a Bucket, and am now blessed to be a CS Diva Design Team Member!

2. How did you get started scrapbooking? I got hooked about six years ago when a friend of my mom's showed me her album of RV travels, & I was drawn in by the patterned papers, stickers, and endless possibilities for dressing up my pictures. When my son was born in 2006, my husband was away at a 5 month Army school and I needed an outlet to distract me, keep me sane as a new mom on my own, and scrapbooking was that creative outlet. I've come a looooong way since those first pages, and it's my goal to be published in a magazine someday!
3. What is included in your basic scrapbooking tools case/tote: The better question is what's not included? To name a few: paper trimmer, Cutterbee scissors, tape runner, distress inks, patterned paper and photos. Too many embellishments to mention!
4. What is your go to: tool -cutterbee scissors gadget -Cricut technique -combining patterned papers
5. What is your favorite color combination? This changes by the layout because I choose the colors based on the photos I'm scrapbooking, and whatever time of year/season it is. BUT - lime green goes with anything, and is my favorite color.
6. If you were a scrapbook supply, what would you be? Patterned Paper!
7. Do you have an embellishment or technique that you always use in your projects? I use a variety of techniques and embellishments, so that's hard to say, but you will see a consistent use of vintage and retro images. It's definitely part of my scrapbook style!
8. Where do you create? Well...for the past 5 years I've had a huge room all to myself. It's 18'x20' and runs the length of our house and my friends who have seen it jokingly tell me I have so much product that I could open up my own store! However, as my daughter is now older, she needs more room and my summer project is to switch rooms with her. Translation: some major downsizing! Visit my blog to see the before and after pictures!
9. What do you like about CS Divas? Compared to other sites, our community is small, but that's one of the things I love about this site because you get to know one another on a closer level. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see us grow and add more members, but I love the friendships I've made, the support from our members, and the variety of skills and ideas here.
10. This or That: Cardstock or patterned paper? I'm a sucker for patterned paper! Brads or eyelets? Brads - eyelets have totally passed! Neat & clean or Messy scrapper? ugh. messy. Traditional, hybrid, or digital? Traditional all the way, but I'm interested in hybrid. Early bird or night owl? I've always been a night owl. Tea or Coffee? Neither! Diet Dr. Pepper!

I know I talk too much, so if you've made it this far, you've read a lot! Thanks for sticking with me and I hope you'll join me in the Fun Techniques/Products group. There are soooo many things to learn, and I hope you'll want to grow in your style, get outside your comfort zone and try some new things with me! Here is a sample of my work and projects I've made for the CS Divas ~
Happy Crafting!
Stephanie

Hello Divas and Welcome. I am Jessica :O)

Hello Divas, Jessica here in the Buckeye State.  I will be heading up the Home Decor/Gift Ideas Group here at Creative Scrapbooking Divas.  My first project is going to be posted on Monday, July 11th, so be sure to mark your calendars to join in on the fun.  I will be alternating with DT Yolie every other Monday.  She will be posting about Scrapbooking Techniques and Projects, and I will work on new projects for Home Decor/Gift Ideas.

I started following the CSDivas about 6 months ago, before the transition to blogger, and I feel quite blessed to have made a lot of friends along the way and gain some wonderful inspiration in the process.  I am BEYOND excited to join the CSDivas as they make the transition to Blogger.  I am in a place where words are difficult to express the true meaning of how I feel to have been chosen to join their Design Team.  This will be my very first DT position since starting my blog at the beginning of the year.  The Divas have been warm and inviting, generous in the support and ideas, and overall, I have felt like I gained a second family!

I have always loved the Arts and I am no stranger to paper crafting since it has served as a constant in my life over the last few years.  I enjoy working on creating wreaths, painting pictures, wood crafts, and altering an item into a masterpiece.  Definition of masterpiece ~ anything that can be seen with the eyes, admired, and enjoyed.   I am fortunate enough to have found and fallen madly in love with my soul mate, Lance.  I am also blessed to be able to stay at home with my 5 lovely children whose ages range from 16 months to almost 16 years old.  I love the color purple, all types of music, and strive to make people smile!  A few of my favorite life mottos are "Laughter is Good Medicine", "No questions is a dumb question", and "Don't forget, Karma bites".  So to sum it up, "Live by the Golden Rule, ask lots of questions along the way, while laughing whenever possible!"

Below are a some of my own personal favorite projects that I have.  I will add a link to the original blog post highlighting the steps I followed (if applicable) to complete each project.

I can't wait to meet many more friends and gain even more inspiration from new and past followers!  :O)
Please feel free to visit my personal blog at Jessica's Craft Shaque.

4th of July Wreath

OSU Memo Board

Double Sided Wall Hanging 

Wishing Well (Wedding Decor)

Hello from Pammie Kay!

Hi girls. It's Pammie Kay. I have the first tip of the week, but first I want to tell you a little bit about myself.
     I am a retired SAHM of 3 grown children.  I have 3 Grandsons and a Granddaughter (I'm sure you'll see lots of them!).  When my daughter joined the Navy I purchased a very small scrapbook store and became SOOO obsessed with the craft.  After 4 yrs we moved to Chicago area so I had to close my store.   I still stay very close to the store in my town, as it is run by my friends!

     This is the only design team I have been on. I've been on the Administrative Design Team for a year now and I must say it has been fun!  My duties recently have been to head up the Mini Albums and Book of Me group. They are really 2 different groups, but sometimes they run into each other! I enjoy the BOM group because  I love talking about me!  But more importantly I want my kids to know how I feel about certain things and how I became who I am.  I am an un-apologetic Christian, in love with God who created all things.  And I hope my love comes across in my layouts. 
    My favorite scrapbook tool is my exacto blade.  I use it on almost every project and layout.  My style has become very artistic of late, but I still revolve back around to simple layouts!
     Thanks for joining us!  To see some of my work, you can browse my gallery at Creative Scrapbooking Divas. 

       It's my first post here and I can't tell you how stoked I am about this.  I will miss the chatter in the forum, but we can do the same here with comments.  My first assignment is to give you a tip..horse #4 in the 3rd race!  Ok, maybe not THAT  kind of tip.

   Those who know me, know I never do anything according to directions!  Call it being a free spirit, a rebel, impulsive...I'm all three!  I just have to add my own touch to things.  That's why I get kits and never finish them..I used to feel boxed in by THEIR ideas!  So the tip is...let yourself go!  Do your own thing!  Throw away the instructions and go wild!  Ok, the last one may be a step too far!

   Here is a card that was in a kit from Pine Cone Press (love their stuff).  I loved the birdy and the circle bottom...but being me it needed to be more!  So after I glued the circles to the back of the mat, I fussy cut around them to make a scalloped edge. 

 The thing I dislike about home made cards is that the outside is so adorable, and the inside is "just there".  Even card kits don't give you an idea about inside decor or sentiments.  BORING!  The sentiment on the outside already called for  some scribbles around it, so I carried that to the inside.  I inked it up and took a scrap of coordinating paper for a large mat.  I feel it made it look complete and leaves room for me to write a short note.

  So that's my tip.  I have a little blog candy, a card kit I put together, for anyone who shows me how they added some doodling to their project.  Just leave a link where to find it, and I will randomly pick a winner. 

Do something Divalishous with some paper today!

Pammie Kay

See you all soon!

Admin DT Diva Sandy

Sandy will be in charge of the Cardmaking group posted on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month!

Let´s get to know more about Admin DT Diva Sandy:

1) Tell us about you (yourself, your family and sb accomplishments)
My name is Sandy Hentzel from Youngstown, Ohio. I have a wonderful husband, Chris,married for 6 years. We have three little toddlers (Jessica 5, Samuel 4, Emily 2). I am also a full time Occupational Therapist in home health. This is my first DT and am very excited. I love giving paper crafts as gifts and making projects for family, friends and church. I'm making cards for Operation Write Home and our church card ministry.

2) How you started scrapbooking?
I started scrapbooking as a teenager and have evolved over the years. My first scrapbook was a cruise I went on. I used a brown paper scrapbook, decorative scissors, photo corners and crayola markers. I think I have gotten better since then, lol. I didn't start making cards until I found CSD. Now I'm hooked.

3) What is included in your basic sb tools case/tote?
My basic case has tape roller, pop up dots, glue pen, paper trimmer, bone folder, ruler, glitter pens, scissors, my favorite MS lace punch, stapler.

4) What is your go to:
Tool/gadget - CRICUT EXPRESSIONS and GYPSY I can't scrapbook if they are not on next to me, lol. I love my embosser too!
Technique - I love using embossing powders and gun. They are usually on the table next to me along with my stamps.
Embellishment - Prima flowers and jewels are my favorite. I also like demensional stickers/chipboard and glitter glue.

5) What is your favorite color combination?
Depends on my mood, my favorite colors are greens and burgandy but I use all colors depending on project.

6) If you were a sb supply, what would you be?
I would be a Cricut Expression and Gypsy!

7) Do you have an embellishment or technique that you always use in your projects?
Die cuts, pop dots and color glitter glues.

8) Where you create?
At my dining room table.

9) What you like about CSDivas?
The laid back atmosphere and close-knit feeling. It is not overly busy with projects like some of the other sites. I don't feel stressed to HAVE to do a project. I love the level of work from all the scrapbookers here. I am so inspired when I look in the gallery.

10) This or That
- cardstock or pattern- cardstocks, I can spend an hour trying to get pp to work, frustrating!
- brads or eyelets- brads, hands down
- neat & clean or messy scrapper- messy but I am trying to be neater!!!
- traditional, hybrid or digital - traditional LO!!! But I am getting into digi stamps! Love them.
- early bird or night owl - night owl, I have three little ones and work at 8am, and can't get anything done early, lol
- tea or coffee- mocha frappe!!! Love flavored coffees, can't stand tea of any kind, shape or form! LOL

Here are a couple of my favorites...

Looking forward to see you on Thursdays and If you miss a Thursday post, you just have to go up to the Thursday tab and catch up with me :D   Happy Diva Scrappin'

Hello from Luisa!

Hi Divas... this is Luisa!!!

Let´s get to know more about Admin DT Diva Luisa:

1) Tell us about you (yourself, your family and sb accomplishments)

My name is Luisa Morgan.  Am Mexican, Mother of 2 young ladies whom I adore, Gemini gal (and loving it), HR Specialist and a passionate (or should I said addicted) scrapbooker for the last 6+ years. 

I love the ocean smell, breeze and sound.  Am an avid reader and crafter - actually "the craftie" of my family. 

As far as a scrapbooker accomplishments, my best experiences has been a member of Artes Laura and Card Cupids Design Team as well as Co-founder of CSDivas!!!

2) How you started scrapbooking?

It's funny for almost 2 years I watched a TV show "Cuts and Memories" and always liked what they presented.  Then one day I was at Michaels looking for some flowers and I ended up at the scrapbook aisles.  Immediately search for a paper trimmer, exacto knife, scissors, self healing mat, some papers and tons of stickers...  I remember this happened in January and by February I attended my first Scrapbook Expo at San Diego and here I am...

3) What is included in your basic sb tools case/tote?

- Paper Trimmer

- Scissors

- Paper Piercer

- Sanding Kit

- Black and Brown Distress Ink

- Black and Brown Pens

- Sponges

- Staples
- 1" circle

4) What is your go to:

Tool/Gadget: Distressing  Kit, fully loaded with all the accesories!!!

Technique: Distressing!!!  From sanding picture edges with a sanding file, to using distress inkpads directly onto paper or with a sponge!  I love to distress things...

5) What is your favorite color combination?

Brown, Cream, Green, Blue!!!  But I also like Brown, Pink and White and lately Black and White with a bright color like Red, Pink, Yellow!  Edited 7/4/11 Recently discover the Grey hues with bright color combo and am loving it!!!

6) If you were a sb supply, what would you be?

Ribbon or Buttons!!!

7) Do you have an embellishment or technique that you always use in your projects?

Technique: Distressing. 

Embellishment:  I would say ribbon and bling bling!

8) Where you create?

In my SB Area, which is like 60% of my bedroom.  Am saving for my dream SB Room to be build next year!

9) What you like about CSDivas?

Camaraderie, the challenges, since am a "challenge girl" and above all the great friendships I have made at CSDivas!

10) This or That

- cardstock or pattern- patternpaper

- brads or eyelets- brads... I don't like eyelets.  Have a few for challenges!

- neat & clean or messy scrapper- As messy as I can! 

- traditional, hybrid or digital - Traditional 85%, Hybrid  10%, Digital 5%

- early bird or night owl - Definetely a night owl

- tea or coffee- Coffee, Coffee, Coffee!  Coffe is "the beverage".  In my mind you drink tea when you are sick! lol.

Well, you know a lot of things about me now.  You may also want to know that I will be sharing Organization Tips and Ideas as well as Project 12 sketches and layouts!!

What is Project 12???  Well is a monthly review layout, where you gather a bunch of pictures of the events and highlights of the month.  It's an approach that work great for me, because sometimes I can not scrapbook the whole event, but if I do my Monthly Review Layout of the month.  I have them in an album and everybody enjoys watching them... Will share more about it in my firsts posts!

Here are some of my Project 12 layouts:

For August 2010 I added back to school pictures, my job summer picnic pictures, mini pizzas my daughter and I bake and granny in pajamas and modeling!

For January 2010 I included a ´cousins´ pictures, 3 Wise Men celebration at work and my art journal!

For July, 2010 I choose pictures of another summer picnic from work, me at my office, our garden and William (our pet) at the Park!

For June, I included pictures of my BD Banner at work, cupakes from a GNO, Granny pictures, the BD cake my daughter cook for me and my sister new house!

For May 2010 I included pictures of my blog banner, William at bed and sleeping, my niece with her Graduation dress, my daughter with William and my new itso cubes at my sb area!

For October, 2010, you guessed right!  Iincluded Halloween pictures [actually behind the Shrek custom guy, my cousin, are 9 more photos of our Halloween Party], my cousin Lupis BD party, wrestling match fight [I love them and it´s my dark side! lol], a group photo from a boothcamp at work and William!

Did you notice that some months have a lot of events and someones don´t?  That is no problem at all!  Add dayly life pictures, your places, your family, your pet and you!!!

At last but not least, here are June and July's sketches from http://www.scrapbookandcards.com/ , should you want to start creating your layouts!

June 2011 sketch!

July 2011 sketch

Welcome to "CSDivas, the Blog"  We have exciting plans scheduled and am sure you will love being a Diva!!!

Hugs your way...

Hello from Alabama, US!

  My name is Vanessa and I love being on the DT here!  I am married to the love of my life, Dana.  Together we have seven kids from 4 to 22, a daughter in law, a future son in law, and a brand new grandson!  I am a stay at home mom and I have and continue to homeschool all of our kiddos.  Life is crazy and amazing!

I love scrapbooking and stamping.  I love paper crafting!  I am a budding photographer and I have fallen in love with Photoshop C3.  Paper is my passion, but I have learned to love digital scrapbooking because my sweet little grandson lives away from me.  (His daddy is a soldier.)

I am DT for Faithbooking.  I love my Jesus, my faith, my church and what all that means for me and my family.  I try and incorporate all of that into my layouts.  I want my family and my descendants to come to know what was most important to my heart.  My God, My husband, My kids... and whatever comes next.

Here are a few of my favorite layouts:

I look forward to spending time creating with you!

Welcome to CSDivas...the Blog!!!

W E L C O M E  to Creative Scrapbooking Divas (CSDivas)!

We are so excited to launch our new site: our new blog!

CSDivas has been around since February 2010 as ning community! Back then, Theresa Amlong, 2 girlsfriends and I decided to create a site where we could share what we love!  Then our first Design Team join us and we were sooo fortunate to have Lori, Sandy, Alecia, Pam and Ann to join us. In 2011 Yolie, Vanessa and Stephanie join as part of our Design Team and our most recent Design Team member Jessica Shelton join the Design Team also.

Basically, we are a group of passionate crafters who love to share our projects, ideas, tips and challenges.

And who are these talented ladies?  Am so glad to present to you our current Design Team:

Sandy Hentzel who will delight us with Cards ideas and cricut tips and projects!

Sandy - ScrapBook Blessings http://www.scrapbookblessings.blogspot.com

Alecia Harper who is excited to share great Cookbooking ideas and layouts!

Alecia - Welcome to Alecia's http://freakalecias.blogspot.com

Pam Funk who will share with us great minialbums and Book of Me ideas!

Pam – Dreamers Klub http://www.dreamersklub.blogspot.com/

Vanessa Carlson who will inspire us with Faithbooking challenges and tips!

Vanessa – Creating Sensations http://creatingsensations.blogspot.com

Stephanie Marshall who will share great ideas for fun Techniques and Products!

Stephanie – The Magic of Ordinary Days http://todaysmagical.blogspot.com/

Yolie Burke who will share great layouts ideas and challenges!

Yolie – Just Yolie, Just Create http://www.justyolie.com

Jessica Shelton who will be sharing Gifts and Home Decor projects!

Jessica- Jessica's Blog  http://jessicascraftshaque.blogspot.com

Luisa Morgan who will be posting Project 12 sketches and layouts as well as organization tips!

Luisa - Creative Designs by Luisa http://www.creativedesignsbyluisa.com/

Over the next 2 weeks Design Team members will be introducing themselves and share more info about their themes!

And... to kick-off our blog, we have schedule our first blog hop:

Xmas In July with the CSDivas!!!

When:    July 9th, 2011

Where:  CSDivas Blog!!!

What:    Blog post on the CSDivas DT blogs!

SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE DATE SAVE THE DATE!

There is a prize included for a lucky winner!!!

But wait, what about the challenges?

Well, we will have weekly challenges posted each Sunday and we will choose a winner from players who post a link to their project following the challenges requirements using the Mr Linky tool!

First challenge will be on July 17th!!!

But wait... you don't have to wait until July 17th to win with the CSDivas!

What is next...  We will be very happy if you:

1- Become our follower (button in the right sidebar)

2- Signup to receive updates via email!

3- Help us spread the word about our blog hop by posting in their blog about our new Mansion and Xmas in July blog hop!!! Please post a comment in this post with a link to your blog post.

We will choose a lucky winner to receive a RAK among people who do any of the 3 things above mentioned.

Each person doing #s 1 and 2 will earn 1 ticket and if you do #3 and post a link will earn 2 tickets! You can do as much #3s as you want and earn more tickets!

Have a blessed day and thank you for joining us!

CSDivas!!!