Blog Posts - Forever Scraps

Woohoo! It's National Scrapbooking Day!

5/5/2018

Happy National Scrapbooking Month!!!

This monthly Close to My Heart is celebrating with the release of an awesome paper pack called Postcard Perfect. It's full of brilliant colors, palm trees, and flamingos. This is a limited run so it's available until sold out. I have a feeling that we will sell out before the end of the month.

The main kit comes with paper packet, coordinating card stock, D sized stamp, 3 Quick layouts with titles and complements. I've taking this kit and stepped it up by designing 5 more layouts. If you are interested, please visit my ordering website at laurafairbrother.closetomyheart.com, click on May EZ Invite, and order your kit for $53.95. I'll email you the PDF full color instructions on how to cut and assemble the layouts below.

Gimme Some Sugar Please!!!

3/11/2018

Some of you may know that my son is in culinary school and comes home each night with incredible goodies. His teacher also loves to take photos of the students surrounded by all their creations. It's a scrapbooking mom's dream come true especially with a son who hates to get picture taken!!! I can't tell you how excited I was to have a cooking themed paper packet to work. Just couldn't wait to get my hands on this paper and create a layouts that I can use to house all his awesome photos.

Since cooking doesn't always lend itself to creative pictures, I tried to create layouts that could be used for other themes. If you are interested in purchasing this kit, you can order the Gimme Some Sugar paper packet (X7228B), coordinating cardstock (X7228D), Complements (X7228C) and the cute cork shapes (Z4153) for $30.80 + tax and shipping from my website at laurafairbrother.closetomyheart.com and click on the EZ Party button. Once you've ordered, please send me a quick message via at https://www.facebook.com/foreverscraps or at foreverscraps@gmail.com and I'll send you the detailed cutting instructions in a full color PDF file.

Please keep in mind that the instructions guides are offered for free to anyone who purchases the kits off my website. I do not charge for designing and creating the instruction guide. My hope is that the guide and cutting instructions will help you unleash your creativity and make the most out of our awesome paper products.

Brrrr... It's cold outside, bring back the sun!

3/3/2018

Spending the day creating with the ladies in Shelton. Thanks Laura for inviting us to join your group. Absolutely love the new location at the community center, so much room to spread out. Getting a lot of stuff done. First on the agenda was putting the finishing touches on the layout class for Scrapbook New England's Berkshire crop this month. Hope the ladies like this layout.

Have you ever been to a craft store and saw something you just had to have. That was me last weekend at Papercraft Clubhouse. Saw this beautiful and intricate Koala stamp and die kit by Hero Arts and just had to have. Made a dozen of card this morning and can't wait to send them out. Who needs a HUG today! Also bought the whale stamp, just waiting for the dies to come in. Will post that card soon.

Spending the rest of the day working on a layout kit featuring our Gimme Some Sugar paper packet. Hope to have this ready for purchase by the time the Berkshire's rolls around.
Lastly, our Chelsea Gardens kits are going quick. The gems are already sold out. If you are interest in purchasing, please visit my site at laurafairbrother.ctmh.com. If you purchase the paper packet, coordinating cardstock and complements, I'll email you the instructions for the layouts kit I've designed which includes 5 double layout patterns.

Is that the sun I see?

2/21/2018

What an amazing February day, almost 70 with sunshine warming the skin. Makes me remember all the spring crops that are coming up. I've updated my events list for those looking for an venue. Better hurry cause spaces are filling up in all Girls Gone Scrappin' events. Can't miss a weekend with Shannon and Amanda!

I've been neglectful in updating my blog. If anyone was with me in November, my computer crashed and died a horrible death taking with it all my diecuts, about 6,000 or more. I'm in the state of rebuilding my once awesome list of creations. If anyone has any that they need for an upcoming retreat, please shoot me a message on Facebook. I'll be glad to work on it prior to arriving.

My next event is up in the Berkshire's with the lovely Laurie and Carol from Scrapbook New England. I know this crop is full but please visit their website to check out their other events.

This week hasn't been conducive to scrapping and my office is still full of boxes from last weekend's crop. I hope to have my latest Chelsea Gardens kit up by weeks end. You definitely don't want to miss owning this paper before it leaves us in March.

Countdown to Halloween

10/20/2017

Only 11 days till Halloween, where did the time go? Pulled out all the old costumes and found my favorite. Might be decked in it tomorrow for a crop. I'll be vending Close to My Heart tomorrow from 4-12 at Sterling House in Stratford. If you just have to have the latest paper patterns, please drop by and say hi! Or just drop by and see me dressed as ______!!!

I'll have on hand these awesome instructions to make my latest kit using Cats & Bats. It's super cute and easy to cut and assembly. I've make the instructions extremely easy to follow. Hope you are excited as I was make these layouts.

If you are looking for a crop in Fairfield county, there's an awesome fund raising event at Jonathan Law High School on October 28th. Come join me for fun, food, and raffles. Shoot me a quick email if you need information on how to register.

Scrapping at last

10/9/2017

Seems like forever since I had a chance to scrapbook and get all creative. Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of joining Shannon and Amanda at their new scrapbook retreat, Girls Gone Scrappin'. It was awesome!!! Not only did I get to spend time with 30+ amazing scrapbook artist, I also got myself caught up on a few more personal pages. There were many bumps in the road, including a major hard drive crash and the need to purchase a new computer. Which couldn't have happened at a retreat where I didn't print out any photos with a plan to print as needed from my pc. My bad!!! All things considered, the retreat was a blast and I can't wait until their next one.

This past weekend was centered around clearing, cleaning, organizing and perfecting a happy scrapping space. My son helped me design and build a new cabinet to house all the storage cubes from Michael's a few weeks ago. It turned out better than we imaged. My main living room TV got this nice, thick line down the side, so instead of throwing it away, we hung it in my scrapping room. Still have a few more things to do but I think it's ready for a few classes!! Wondering what the interest would be in a card class, layout class or maybe a silhouette class. Let me know your thoughts!!!

Over the past weekend, I wanted to dig into the one of our new paper packets in the Seasonal catalog. Cats and Bats seemed like a perfect place to start with Halloween just around the corner. I've designed this kit with the help of our new layout guide. This kit contains 4 - double page layout, two Halloween themed, two everyday. The kit comes with a full cutting and design instructions, paper packet, coordinating card stock, complements, enamel dots and black shimmer trim for $41.00. Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing.

Don't miss the opportunity to scrapbook for a good cause. I'll be vending at Jonathon Law's Crop and Notre Dame. Both great fund raisers.

Kits Galore

5/31/2017

I'm super excited to announce the release of our catalog featuring four new paper packs: Jack, No Worries, Prickly Pear and Little Dreamer. These beautiful papers encompass the best of Spring and Summer. With vibrant colors and bold patterns, there is something for everyone to love.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on all four paper packs and wanted to announce arrival with four unique layout kits. Using the Coordinating Cardstock paper packs, I've designed a 5 double layout kit for each paper. Each kit features the coordinating complements, gems/sequins, and ribbon. Full detailed color instructions with cutting diagrams will be included.

Prickly Pear or No Worries Kit - $35.75 (+tax & shipping) and includes:

Paper Pack
Coordinating Card Stock
Complements
Sequins
Blue Burlap Ribbon

Jack Kit - $33.75 (+tax & shipping) and includes:

Paper Pack
Coordinating Card Stock
Complements
White & Black Dots
White & Gold Twine

Little Dreamer Kit - $30.80 (+tax & shipping) and includes:

Paper Pack
Coordinating Card Stock
Complements
Gems

To order, simply log onto my online address at laurafairbrother.closetomyheart.com and order the items above. Send me a quick note via this website, blog or Facebook and I'll email you the instruction guide.

If you're interested in completed the kits in a workshop setting. I'll be offering classes on the following dates and times at my home in Bridgeport:
June 22nd from 6:30 - 8:30
July 1st from 4:00 - 7:00
July 13th from 6:30 - 8:30

Please let me know if you need any assistance with ordering the items needed for the kits.

Who wants a free Diecut!!!

4/4/2017

Can't believe I'll be joining all the ladies at Crop on the Lake in 3 short weeks. I've been gearing up for the event for weeks with tons of new die cut designs and shoring up my inventory. I'm still working on a few new Disney & Beach items, and will showcase them this weekend on my Facebook page.

Last weekend I was sick as a dog and when I'm sick, I scrapbook or devise ways to make my life more crazy. One of my crazy thoughts was to open an online store with all my die-cuts and layout kits. After much research, I've decided to go the crafty route (an much easier detour) and start an Etsy shop. It's already up but I've only added a few layout kits. More will be coming over the weekend and as I get more comfortable with the set up process. My hope is to have all my custom die-cuts and layout kits featured online. Hope everyone can stop by my shop and let me know your thoughts next Sunday. PS. If you have an Etsy shop and want to pass me along any hints to make set up easier, I'm All EARS!

Also, I'm always looking for fresh ideas when it comes to Die-cuts. What do people need? What can't they find at their local craft store? Things like Girls Field Hockey and Lacrosse or maybe a new Pixar character that your kids are in love with. Anything that would make your layouts shine and help you tell as story.

To help me redesign my inventory, I'm holding a contest. To enter the contest, like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/foreverscraps/, and give me an idea or two for new and exciting die-cut. I'll randomly choose a winner at the end of the month who will receive the die-cut you recommended for FREE!

Looking forward to hearing everyone's ideas!!

First Classes offered at new home!!!

4/1/2017

Amazing how quickly the first quarter of 2017 went. Here it is, April 1st, still freezing outside, but you can feel spring just waiting to explode with color and life.

You know what follows April, why May of course and National Scrapbooking Month. Close to my Heart has created a perfect paper to celebrate the awakening of spring composed of beautiful flowers, vivid colors, and textures. I was lucky enough to get my hands on this paper early to play with. I spent some time designing an amazing kit title "Living Fabulously" using our Living Beautifully paper pack and stamp set.

I'm so excited to announce my first classes at my new home in Bridgeport, centered around creating this kit. Starting the 2nd Tuesday in May, and every Tuesday after, I'll be conducting classes starting at 6:30. We will walk through cutting, stamping, and piecing together this kit. If your a novice crafter or an expert scrapbooker, I'm sure you'll find this class entertaining and educational.

If your interested in this kit but unable to attend, you can still order and it will be shipped directly to your home. Please email me if interested.

Living Fabulously Kit is designed to make 4 double layouts and 10 cards
Kit includes the following:
   - Living Beautifully Paper Pack
   - Living Beautifully Stamp Set
   - 16 Sheets of Cardstock
   - Gold Foil Tape
   - Gold gems
   - 10 cards/envelopes
- Full color cutting instructions
Kit - $65.00 (additional cost for shipping)

Space for class will be limited so sign up today by email me at foreverscraps@gmail.com

Surprises just around the corner

3/14/2017

First, I just have to grip a little bit. Mother nature gave us an unpleasant surprise and is really throwing us for a loop up here in the Northeast. The snow today was insane, coming down almost horizontal for most of the morning with wind gust up to 60 mph. Can't believe how freaking heavy it was. I'll probably be hunched over for days from shoveling. I think it's time I got my big girl panties on and bought an adult sized snow blower, one that takes gas & oil. My electric plastic thing wouldn't even move this mess.

On to the Scrapbooking! I've added two new events to my scrapbook calendar. I'll be vending in April and November for Laurie at Scrapbook New England. They offer an incredible event and beautiful venues. It's like a mini vacation with scrapbooking rolled into one. Shoot me a quick message in Facebook if you'll be attending either of these events and need anything precut or ordered.

Lastly...on the down low... and super top secret...shhh... Can't post any pictures but there is one incredible paper pack coming in May. The patterns and colors are to die for and it has a matching stamp set. I spent most of the weekend and today putting the finishing touches on an incredible kit and can't wait to premier it. To celebrate, I'd like to put together a kit/card making class for the second weekend in May. Let me know if anyone is interested in attending this event at my home in Bridgeport.

Hope everyone stays save today!