Quote of the Week

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”―Albert Einstein

Christmas Scrappin...

I LOVE Christmas. All the lights, the decorations, the family get together, the food, the giving, the getting and most of all the true meaning of Christmas; Jesus and his birth. But one thing I don't like about Christmas is scrapping it. I have the hardest time with holidays and go figure that is when one takes a ton of pictures.

I find myself always buying all the new holiday lines when they come out, but then I donot use them and they collect dust in my scrappy area. I have been having a hard time scrapping lately, lots of life changes, so I decided to reevaluate how and why I scrap. And figured why not tackle something I think is hard for me and see if I can do it. If I can, then the rest should come easy, right? J

I bought some new Doodlebug Christmas Candy this winter and decided this was it; I was going to do some Christmas layouts. Doodlebug is a timeless scrapbooking company. They always have the cutest papers and embellishments and they stick with what they know works. While I do love trends and the companies that supply us scrappers with that, I also love that I can pick up a Doodlebug paper or embellishment and mix them with some from a couple years back and they mesh together perfectly.


For example, this layout below uses papers and stickers from this Winters Christmas Candy release, yet it also uses buttons and letters from a couple of years back…which I found easily using my organized Clip it up! Would you notice that if I did not tell you?? That is what I think is great about Doodlebug. It is simply Timeless!

This is my last post for Clip it Up. It has been a pleasure working with such talented ladies and working with a product I completely believe in!!!! Happy Holidays to all and may 2010 bring peace, happiness and joy!!

Happy Scrapping
Susan

Last Minute Gift Ideas

Do you still have some last minute gifts to come up with?  Roberts Arts and Crafts has the perfect solution, using the Clip it Up Zip Bags.  View the video below for details or visit Good Things Utah.  (This presentation was presented by Good Things Utah and Roberts Arts & Crafts).

Design Team Status

We are soooo excited about the response to our Design Team call! We’ve been reading through all the many applications and because we want to be give everyone our complete attention and have time to look at each blog, read carefully what they’ve written and check out their work, we are going to need a little bit more time.

Also because Christmas is in a few days and my son, his wife and my two grandkids are here from Pennsylvania for the holidays (and if any of you are grandmas, you know they are top priority) so I’m taking some time off work to be with them. We plan on announcing the new design team by the end of the year. What a great way to start the year for some lucky and talented winners! I know all of you who submitted applications are anxiously waiting, and I’m sorry for the delay, but I hope you’ll understand.

On behalf of all of us here at Simply Renee Inc we would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas. May your holidays be filled with family, friends, gifts from the heart and joy as you celebrate the end of this year and the start of a new year.

Merry Christmas!
Renee

Quote of the Week

“The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.”―Ben Stein

Have you tried scrapbooking in shapes!?

I seem to be addicted to circles!!! So many companies, have fun, die cut papers these days and circles are my favorite!  Today I chose to work with My Little Shoebox products.

The background is yellow, but I did lots of layering!!!   I cut 3 strips of patterned paper (brown, purple, and pink).  I then cut along the edge of the circle with my Exacto knife.  Then I just slid the paper strips underneath.  I then added some ribbon and the green die cut.

For the title I used an overlay and added Stickles to it.  Then I used some yummy chipboard and little alphas to complete it.

I then hand cut some flowers from patterned paper and added Stickles to the center.  I then pop dotted two of them to add some dimensional interest.  

I hope you take time to try scrapbooking with die cut papers!  I think you will be as addicted as I am!!!

Danielle Holsapple

Winner of the CIU Mini...

Thanks to everyone who entered the drawing.  We received so many wonderful ideas, I hope that you all will follow through with them and decorate a CIU.  If you do please send me pictures, I'd love to post them on our blog and website!!!

The winner is.....Robyn Schaub!  Congratulations please contact us at clipitup@gmail.com to claim your CIU Mini!!!

For everyone else-keep checking our blog for your next chance to win.

Happy Holidays!
Bobbi
Simply Renee Inc.

Quote of the Week

"When the world says 'Give up,' Hope whispers 'Try it one more time'." - Author Unknown

Organizationally Challenged?

I know I've said it a million times before, but I was born organizationally challenged!  Whenever I scrapped I could never find anything I needed and that was very frustrating! I am proud to say that I have gotten much better since I've discovered all of the fabulous Clip It Up products and my scrappy life is the best!

There are so many great products you can purchase here, but I want to tell you about a wonderful little organizer. 

Here is the Under the Shelf Rod.

This rod is usually used by attaching it under a shelf and hanging things on it.  That works great, but I needed something that would not only organize me, but something that would also allow me to see the product.

As you can see, I have a pegboard that I adore hanging right above my scrap space. I loved the idea of the long rod, so instead of hanging it under a shelf, I decided to attach it right to my pegboard in plain eyesight. Since I use buttons on just about everything I make this was the perfect spot for them. Easy to see and easy to reach. Now I don't have to dig through a ton of buttons just to find the right one. All I have to do is look at them and go right to it!

Enjoy your day and blessings to you and yours!

Robyn

Quote of the Week

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." -Confucius

What to do with Christmas Cards...

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is to get Christmas cards. I love looking at all the pictures of my friends and family, and to see how each card depicts the holiday season. My problem is what to do with them after. I can't bring myself to throw them away and I don't like them piling up on my desk.

Here is my solution:

It's a Gold Clip it Up Mini!!!

We've had several people complain that the black Clip it Ups don't match their craft rooms, so I decided to show you how you can 'customize' your Clip it Up!!!

It's easy all I did was go to my local craft store and purchase Krylon Gold Metallic spray paint. I sprayed the round base, pole, handle and tri-arm (remove the metal ring). Then used Tattered Angels gold glitter spray to add some shine. Next we decorated it using My Little Yellow Bicycle's 25 days of Christmas collection (Love, love, love this). Lastly we added some Christmas ribbon to the bottom and top.



Now I have a creative and fun way to visually display all my Christmas cards!!!

Leave me a comment on how you would decorate a Clip it Up and you'll have a chance to win a FREE Clip it Up Mini. I'll hold a drawing on Dec. 15, 2009. Make sure you come back and check to see if you won!!!

Bobbi
Simply Renee Inc

Countdown to Christmas

Something new we started last year is counting down to Christmas with a book each day. I wrapped up 24 Christmas books and let the kids take turns opening one everyday and then we sit down together as a family and read one each night.

To get started, gather 24 Christmas/Winter themed books. A great place to build your stock of books is the dollar section at Target, Marshall's/T.J. Maxx andScholastic book orders via your child's school.


Make up 24 countdown tags. I used Doodlebug papers and stickers for my tags and then stamped on the numbers.


Wrap up all the books (let the kids help and let go off any perfectionist tendencies...it was hard for me!). Make up 24 tags to countdown the days and number your books. We count backwards to Christmas in our home so we start with 24 and work our way to #1. I numbered all the books randomly with the exception of 'Twas the Night before Christmas' as we always ready this Christmas Eve night.


Then put them all in cute bin (mine is from Target) and enjoy!


Lisa Day
My Blog

Quote of the Week

Wishing to be friends is a quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.
-Aristotle

Design Team Call

We are looking for 3-4 talented designers to participate as members of our design team.

To apply please email:
· Contact Information
· Headshot or Photo
· Short Bio
· Resume including publication (if any)
· Link to your blog and usernames on pertinent online forums
· jpegs of 3 projects (any combination of altered art, layout and/or cards)

Expectations:
· One picture of Simply Renee’s product setup and in use (does not have to hold scrapbooking products) and short review
· 5 blog entries about recent scrapbooking projects
o Including pictures and instructions

Compensation:
· Free Clip it Up product/s (to be determined)
· Bio complete with headshot, link to your blog and resume on Simply Renee Inc.’s website
· Link to your blog on Simply Renee Inc’s blog

Simply Renee Inc retains the right to approve or disapprove of any blog content and to change it accordingly (writer will be notified of changes) and to use the design team member’s likeness, designs, comments, blogs for publication or as we see fit, giving the design team member full and proper credit.

Submissions will be accepted now through Dec. 15th, 2009 at 11:59 MST.

Contact Bobbi at 801-280-0505 or clipitup@gmail.com with questions.

Free Ribbon Organizer Give-Away

Confessions of a Cropaholic blog is giving away a FREE 36" Ribbon Organizer. Visit the blog for details!!! Hurry the contest ends Thursday at midnight!

If you don't win make sure you take advantage of our AMAZING sale. Order a 36" Ribbon Organizer for ONLY $45, available at www.clipitup.com from Nov. 27-30, 2009.

The Winner Is...

Polly A said "I am Grateful for the Men and Women who wake up everyday and fight for our right to be free. I am Grateful for every sunrise because it means I get to enjoy life for another day!"

Congratulations Polly- email us at clipitup@gmail.com to claim your prize!

Thanks to everyone who entered. We'll be having December drawings as well so check back to enter.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Simply Renee

Yes, Yes I am OBSESSED……..

with my Clip it Ups (yes that is PLURAL)!!! So Much that I even have a Clip it Up closet! So far I have 5 Clip it Ups and soon that'll increase to 6.

I love to sort by color. It is easier for me to find what I am looking for. I've tried many different ways; theme-which I still do for an obvious theme such as Christmas or Halloween, manufacturer-which didn't work for me since I love mixing companies and finally I tried color and I LOVE IT. I even have my brads sorted by color.

My two regular Clip it Ups came in quite handy for my regular colored-normal sized alphabets and embellishments. One is full of alphabets and one is for my embellishments. But I soon figured out that too many packages of letters and embellishments are numerous colors and some are even packaged in 12"x12" packages.

When Renee told me she was making a Jumbo Clip it Up. I was ready to order it right then...but it was in the process of being created so I had to wait. When it came out, you got it, I had to have one. It has helped me tremendously with those items that are multicolored and hard to fit into my organizing scheme.

On the Jumbo CIU, I have things divided into color groups instead of individual colors. Listings such as "blue-greens, "orange-blues" or primaries for example.

I received the Under the Shelf Mount in my DT box and at first I was super bummed because the room where I have my scrappy stuff does not have a shelf that I "thought" would work. But like I mentioned above, I AM obsessed and felt the need to use ALL my CIU stuff. So I dug around for some strong twine and used it to mount it that way. This is PERFECT for my large alphabets that are one color but are 12"x12" and do not fit on the CIU.

How does this all work for me and make me more productive you ask? Well, let me explain. When I know I want to make a layout such as the one below, and I want to use the colors Pink and Blue. I go to my Clip it Up closet and go through a process. I first go to my two regular CIU and twirl them around until I hit the colors I need. I go through and take off the items that match what I want to use. Then I go to the Jumbo one and go through the hues on there to make sure there is nothing in the multi-packaged items that would work with my color combo also. Then finally I look up to my Under the Shelf rod and see if there is anything ther I could use. I then bring everything back to my desk, and with a pile of goodies all in the color scheme I want right at my fingertips the only thing left is to create. I don't even have to get back up...well unless I need to go take care of the munchkin or something. Now for me, that is IDEAL and I will always be thankful to Renee and the Clip it Up team for helping me find an efficient way for me to scrap!

Susan Lush

Quote of the Week

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”―Oscar Wilde

This Week's Winner Is...

Tracy said "I'm just glad that there's so much to be thankful for, as evidenced by all the previous posts. You are all so lucky! Its inspiring :)

Tracy-Thanks for your comment. Tracy doesn't have any of our products and she just got a new craft room, so we've decided to send her a Clip it Up Main Base to get started!!!

For everyone else don't worry we still have 1 drawing left- November 25, so check back then. If you haven't commented on what you're grateful for then post your comments here and you'll be added to our drawing!!!

Thanks
Simply Renee Inc

Babies

Lately, I have lots of friends and family that are pregnant! Babies everywhere! The Graphic 45 line “Brides to Baby” is a beautiful set just perfect for baby themed projects.

I started with this card for a friend that just had a baby girl. It isn’t overly pink, which I kind of like for a change! I also added a little messaged inside.

Sadly, I had a dear, dear friend who lost a baby last week. Having lost a child myself, my heart breaks for her and her family. I created a sympathy card for her using this same Graphic 45 papers.


I also made a mini album for her as a special place to house and display photos of her sweet boy. Lots of Glimmer Mist was used on this project – I wanted it to feel sparkly and angelic.

Danielle Holsapple

Quote of the Week

“Each day, and the living of it, has to be a conscious creation in which discipline and order are relieved with some play and foolishness.” May Sarton (1912-1985)

November Drawings!!!

I love this time of year. It is always a reminder of all the wonderful blessing I have in my life. As a special thanks to all our friends we're going to have 2 drawings for Clip it Up products this month. To enter all you need to do is add a comment to this post about what you are grateful for.

Everyone who adds a comment will be put in the drawing. We'll draw a winner on Nov. 18th & 25th. Make sure you check back to see who the winners are!!!

Hurry and leave your comment!!!

Phyllis's Ribbon Organizer

We met a lovely lady, Phyllis Dobbs at the International Quilt Festival. She purchased our 36" Ribbon Organizer and wrote a review about it on her blog.

Thanks Phyllis for mentioning us and it was so nice meeting you. Our favorite part of the shows is meeting all the talented and creative women.

Don't forget the 36" Ribbon Organizer will be on sale Nov. 27-30 for an AMAZING price of $45 on our website only!

Cards & Butterflies

Everyone who knows me knows how much I love making cards. I'm always looking for that perfect stamp and paper that coordinate perfectly to create them. Well, when I got this beautiful paper by Graphic 45 and these amazing stamps from Cornish Heritage Farms it was love at first sight!

I love absolutely love the butterfly images and sentiments that are in this lovely stamp set. They would look wonderful on any project. And I can't say enough how beautiful the Graphic 45 papers are! If you've never had the pleasure of working with their papers then you're in for the time of your life! These papers are absolutely gorgeous!

If you have projects you've made using either these stamps or papers I'd love to see them! Have a great day!

Robyn

Quote of the Week

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1912-1985)

Red Clip it Up

Colors, colors, colors!!!

Ivonna Natal painted her Clip it Up Apple Red using Rustoleum paint. What a great idea!!! Thanks Ivonna for sharing!

We'd love to see how you've decorated your Clip it Up to match your craft room. Send us pictures to clipitup@gmail.com.

Simply Renee Inc

Graphic 45 Cards

This time of year gets really busy in our house. There's a lot going on all the time and quite often I think about sending someone a nice thank you note or just a quick hello, but it always gets put to the side because I just don't have the time to make a card and since I have all the supplies I just can't bring myself to go to the store and buy pre-made cards! (sound familiar?!)

.

So I decided this year I would make a stack of simple note cards that I can use when I want to send a card. No more putting it off until later! Now, I have a set of cards I can actually use...or give as a gift if needed! I plan on making many more and putting them in a cute holder right on my desk!

I made these really simple, yet cute, cards with just a vintage stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms and some paper from Graphic 45. They paired perfectly together and took me seconds to make! I love the simplicity and multi purpose feel of the cards!

Lisa Day

My Blog

Quote of the Week

“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.”―A. A. Milne

Show off your Layouts

I know how much time everyone spends on designing the perfect layout, but what happens after you finish it. You put it in a book and tuck it away.

Pink Paislee has a fun way to display that page so everyone can admire it, then after a few weeks (or months) you can change the layout for a new one.

All you need to do is cut a wood dowel to 12" long. Tie a ribbon from one end to the other. Attach 2 Clip it Up clips to the ribbon and then clip up your 12"x12" layout. Make sure you use a Clip it Up clip grip to protect the paper from clip marks. Hang it in a special location and now you and your loved ones can admire your layout for days to come.

How easy and cute is that? Thanks Pink Paislee for sharing!

Simply Renee Inc

So when I was lucky enough to make the Clip It Up DT, not only was I able to get some AWESOME Clip It Up goodies but they supplied us with some other fun goodies as well. It was really great for me as some of it I had never worked with before.

Last month I was able to work with Graphic 45 for the first time and loved it. This month I got to work with some very pretty, sparkly, shiny Doodlebug Sugar paper! At first I was not sure what to do with the whole sheets but then I realized how great they all looked together as one. And wow do they pop and shine against white and black.

I used some Prima Acrylic letters and backed them with the sugar. I also used the papers to back up the black Prima felt border. Then I punched some hearts out. Now that was fun. I punched a ton, actually too many to use on this one layout but what can I say, the sparkly paper made me punch happy. BUT, I got a little baggie and put them----you got it----on my Clip it Up for later use!

Anyway, this is a layout of me and my fluffy woofer. She is a crazy dog but she is mine and I love her to pieces. I made the mistake of not scrapping the other dog I had until she had passed and it was just to difficult to do, so this time around I am scrapping the moments! Thanks for looking and HAPPY SCRAPPING!

Susan

Quote of the Week

"Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential."
- Winston Churchill

Clip it Up Valence

We met Kayla at CHA Winter 2009 and she is such a fun, creative person. A few weeks after the show she emailed me asking if she could purchase some Wall Mounts because she wanted to use them to make a valence for her scrapbook room.

What creativity!!! Here's her final result:

She used paper from Graphic 45.

"I can't think of anything more appropriate for a scrapbooking room than a scrapbook paper valance! The best part is the paper can be taken down and used if I want to change it. The ribbon is glued to the triangles, but the 12x12's are intact and usable. I also modge-podged my category drawers to go with the valance - a little too much fun with that paper! lol. " Kayla

Kayla thanks for sharing!!!

Simply Renee Inc

Organize stickers, felt & chipboard

I simply cannot tell you how much I love my Clip It Up! I really can’t explain! So can I show you in photos?!?!

I used to store all my letter stickers in a basket. They were constantly getting crumpled, stickers would fall off, they would stick to each other, and I would lose them. Some of them would get lost in the pile and I would forget I even had them!!! But, oh my! My Clip It Up keeps them all together! I was shocked just how many fit on the lower tier!!! And my many, many mini alphabets fit perfectly on the top tier!!!!

Impressive, right?!?!

But that is just the beginning of the awesomeness!!!

I have quite a bit of felt that was just floating around my scrap room. You know that the packaging from the felt is less than ideal for storing those strange shaped pieces! Well, the Clip It Up Zip Bags work perfectly!!!!! I chose to organize them by color!

The Zip Bags are also perfect for my large selection of chipboard letters!!!!

All that chipboard is really quite heavy. But when I hung them up the Clip It Up didn’t become unbalanced at all!!!! Sweeeett!!!!

I am soooo in love with this product – I just may purchase another!!!!!

Danielle Holsapple

My Blog

Quote of the Week

“There aren’t enough days in the weekend.”―Rod Schmidt

Spooooky Door Hangers

Don’t you just love decorating for the holidays? I know I do! No matter what the holiday is, it’s always fun to brighten up my home with festive décor. Here’s an easy project that’s a snap to make. It’s a door hanger! I love door hangers because you can make every door in your home unique and festive for very little money and time.

There are tons of templates out there that you can download for free, but I made my own. I simply cut the base of my door hanger to be 9 x 3.5 and rounded the edges. I then cut a 2 inch circle in the top half of my base to fit around my doorknob. After that I simple layered paper on top of the next until I achieved my desired look. I made sure to continue to cut out my circles on each layer, using the first circle as a guide. I decorated with fun stickers, ribbon, and glitter and that was that! Voilla! A fun decorative Halloween door hanger!

I would love to see what kinds of festive door hangers you make! Post a link to yours and I’ll send out a RAK to a lucky poster!

* All products used to make this project are by Doodlebug Designs*

Robyn Weatherspoon

My Blog

Quote of the Week

"Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it..."
~Wilferd Peterson

Domestic Goddess

It seems like every year as soon as it starts to cool off and the seasons shift to fall I feel the domestic mood settle in. Lately my biggest thing has been meal planning. The more time I spend cooking for my family the more centered as a parent I feel. I figured honoring that and creating a layout was the fitting thing to do. The domestic goddess line from Graphic 45 screamed at me to make this layout. I created a quilt like pattern for the background and stitched the blocks to finish the look (still working on the whole stitching thing, but it's fun trying!).

How's your fall going?

Lisa Day

My Blog