Ask Sally

I recently discovered I actually have readers! So I guess I'm not always talking to myself!!! tee hee Well I decided to share some email correspondence I received (hope that's OK Alison) and feel free to put in your two cents if you have additional advice to share, just post in my comments. Also, if you have a question of your own, email me!

Dear Sally,
I really enjoy your blog and scrapbook layouts. I would really like to start scrapbooking, but feel a little overwhelmed. I never have enough pictures to make an entire book. Sometimes I don't even have enough to make a 2 page by page layout.
I have a friend who just bought a 3 ring binder and when she would ever have one page done she would add it. When you would open the book, the 2 pages had nothing to do with each other. Even if I did start a small book, what is your first page normally about? Does it have a picture or just something about the theme? I would love it if you had any ideas or suggestions for me.
Thanks,
Alison

Alison,
Wow, thanks for the compliment! I guess one thing you should do is start taking more pictures! *wink*
Well if you know my style, you know I like to use a TON of pictures, but every once in a while, I do a layout with just one. It's a nice change with the right photo. You can even get larger prints and mix it up!
When I have too many pictures for one page and not enough for 2 (or I'm trying to avoid a 3rd page) I sometimes hide some in a little flip out or pull out element. I just did that yesterday with a page as a matter of fact. I folded a strip of patterned paper in thirds and attached it to the page with one picture on top. I put a little folded piece of ribbon at the bottom so you can tell it opens and when you lift the top piece there are two more photos...then you can fold down the inside and you see the journaling. Super easy!
If you do this just cut a slit in the page protector to provide access to the hidden elements! Another thought is to alter the size of your album, you could do a 6x6 or 8x8 instead of 8 1/2 x 11 or 12x12. As far as having pages that compliment each other inside your book, a sure way to accomplish that is to do themed albums. Some people do an album for vacations, one for birthdays, a Christmas album...etc. This is perfect for someone who doesn't want to scrap EVERYTHING. I personally prefer to just scrap chronologically....but I'm on a mission to scrap EVERYTHING! hee hee I was actually in a rut for a long time because I was stuck in the late 90's, but one day I decided to do some current events and I was liberated. I got on a roll that hasn't stopped yet! I have about 5 albums going at the same time, but it helps me stay interested and continue to scrap. Do whatever makes you happy! If I didn't answer this right or I missed something, let me know! You are welcome to call me too. I never get bored of talking about scrapping!
Sally Saenz

Something that I realize now that I did not address is an intro page when you first open the album. I have one book with a page in the cover that conveys what you'll find inside, but I don't usually do a page in the front just to "announce" the rest of the book. It can be frustrating if you find that you want to begin with a DPS, so in that instance an intro page would be appropriate...it could be something as simple as "Saenz Family 2006 - 2007" or if you are doing a themed album, "Christmas with the Saenz' 1995 - 2000" you get the idea!

Here's a few examples of hidden elements:

These were just done Saturday during VSBN, and this is the page I was describing to Alison in my email response. The photo on the upper right of the page has a little loop of ribbon and you can flip it up to see more pictures.
I didn't take another photo of the bottom photo flipped down, but the journaling is under there.

This next page just has a pull out where the journaling is. It probably could have used a little tab of ribbon as well, but if you slit your page protector and leave it sticking out, that should be a clear indicator to give it a tug!

Hmmmmm

If you were something I could buy at the LSS (local scrapbook store), what would you be??? Take this quiz and leave me a comment, I'd love to know what YOU are! Quiz me!

Here's what I am:

You are Brads!

Your life is all about the details! You like to embellish your life like you embellish your scrapbook - with lots of details! You tend to be a perfectionist and like everything just so. You make time to stop and smell the flowers and try to fill your life with things to make you happy. You don't like to take a back seat in life - you like to stand out and are often in leadership roles. People love you because you always seem to have it all together. But Brads Beware - Your life can be overdone with details and can find yourself with too many projects on your plate to finish them all. Try to stay focused and prioritize more.

335 other people got this result!
This quiz has been taken 42010 times.
2% of people had this result.

November News

Do you get email notifications when I post new entries here? If not, use the subscribe feature on the right!
That way, every time I post something new, you'll get an email to let you know!

I have posted my November Newsletter with upcoming Stampin' Up! events and promotions...patterned paper is on sale!

You can use the "Newsletters" link under my profile or simply click on this:

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

A Nifty Little Coaster Book!

I told you about VSBN which started yesterday, and one of the challenges was a mini accordion book made from square coasters. I didn't have square coasters so I cut some cardboard that came in a paper pack to 4x4 square and rounded the corners on 2 sides!
The complete tutorial is on Nicole Heady's Blog, Capture the Moment, and it's a pretty fun little project. I wanted to use the last of some patterned card stock from an old Simply Scrappin' Kit, so I made mine with a vintage look and dug out some old school pictures of my friends in 8th grade!
Here's the front:


I considered additional embellishments, but really wanted to keep this one simple...not to mention the constant interruptions from my three year-old - it's been one of those days!
The inside contains two mini accordion style "booklets" that fold out to reveal pictures and journaling. This was really easy, and with the right pictures, it has gift potential!

Secret Scrapping...Shhhhh

Well I did actually scrap a page last week. I had it almost finished Thursday night and then Friday after work I put on the final touches!!! Wanna see!? Ooops sorry, it's top secret!

Yeah, really! I can't show it to you until Saturday the 3rd when I challenge YOU to scrap a page following my own set of "rules," hee hee!!! Well I hope you are curious, and plan to tune in for the unveiling and it would be AWESOME if you play along too!

VSBN (Virtual SCRAPBOOKING Night) on Splitcoast starts Saturday 10/3/07 at 11:00 AM CST, my challenge will be the final one for the day at 9:00 PM - that's 6 challenges 2 hours apart Saturday, and then the fun starts all over again on Sunday...same schedule 11-9 CST!!!

Also, in the spirit of the upcoming Holiday, here is another somewhat "secretive scrapping thing!" My good friend and fellow SCSer posted a spooky menu for creating a page, and it's too fun!!! If you are a SCS member, just post to the thread and she'll reply with the details, if not send me an email and I'll follow up for you! Here's the link:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7574237#post7574237

Well since I can't share anything NEW with you today, here are some fun Halloween pages I've done...enjoy!

Keeping the Creative Flow Going

I made this sketch for one of the weekly scrapbooking challenges on Splitcoast. We post 3 challenges every Friday, and I'm a junkie! This one is today's SKETCH (SBSC112)!

There was a time when I was scrapping them all every week if I could manage it. But even with my current time constraints, I never miss one! I'll be taking the girls to the pumpkin patch this weekend and I'll be using those pictures ASAP to participate in the THEME challenge too! Sadly there are plenty others that have sparked my interest, I can envision the perfect series of photos and everything, but again where's my time!? Luckily for me, and for you, I have them all saved for future scrapping endeavors, and I share them as downloads on Splitcoast as well...you just never know when you'll steal a little "me time" for scrappin! And if you're going to a crop, this can be a GREAT resource for preplanned pages!

I also want to tell you about VSBN! I've mentioned it before, because we have one every few months, and it's when I usually lay down the law with my DH (dear husband), barricade myself in my craft studio, and SCRAP!!! The next one begins with a preview Saturday October 20, 2007, at 1:00 PM Central time -- TOMORROW! A new challenge will be posted every 2 hours for a total of 4. THEN, Saturday November 3rd our BIG WEEK-END begins. There will be LOTS more challenges, including one from yours truly. Hope to "see" you there!

A Chuckle for YOU

not so CREEPY things...

Well I promised you Halloweenish things last week, but as you saw, I was knee deep in Girly things instead. It was worth it though! I'm posting a pic or two on my Yahoo blog today...man now THAT is a neglected blog!



Have I mentioned yet that i LOVE the new Designer Series Double sided paper!!! This Halloween version is too cool, the paper in the background is part of the set, along with all the patterns represented in my projects! Ain't they CUTE!? I made the treat pouch on Tuesday, but just never found the time to post it here...what'cha think? This was a really easy project I learned over a year ago from my upline, and I actually have a tutorial you can download!

I've been wanting to make a shadow box picture frame for a while now, and decided it didn't need to have a "real" photo inside. I enjoy decorating my home for Halloween and this will look great in the family room among my baby pumpkin collection and assorted candles...I might just make a couple more! It's about an inch deep and the "photo" inside is mounted on TWO cardboard squares to make it pop! The overall size is 6X6, pretty simple design I just cut cardboard with a craft knife. Here's how I did it:

TWO 6x6" cardboard pieces - Cut a 3 1/2" square piece from the center of one. Then trim the piece you removed down by half an inch to a 3x3, cover with paper and set aside. Cover the frame completely with a 6x6 piece of paper. Slit the paper in the "window" with an X from corner to corner and fold in the excess to secure. Cover the other piece front AND back.

ONE 2x2" cardboard square for under the photo mounting. Adhere to inside piece of frame in the center and then attach the 3x3 piece you covered with paper over it. This will allow the center photo to "pop." I suggest adding your photo before you "sandwich" the top and bottom of the frame together.

FOUR 1x6" strips of cardboard, glue them one by one around the edge of the top piece, on the inside. You will need to trim 2 or 3 of them slightly to make it a perfect square along the edge.

FOUR 1 1/4 x 6" strips of patterned paper to cover the sides after the whole thing is glued and set...you might take your own measurement and make sure this will cover the sides completely. I did a little stamping on the front of my frame...and I dredged the edges through my black craft pad too -- imagine that! hee hee Now it's your turn!!!

Creative Crunch!

This past week-end was MEGA busy! I had a sick little one on Friday, but managed to utilize that time to get my laundry finished and clean house in preparation for my 6 year old daughter's birthday party! Another MAJOR accomplishment was finishing these tins I'd started on Wednesday.

Sydney hand picked this patterned paper at Michael's and helped me adhere them to the tins that same night, but bedtime kept us from completing the project. On Thursday night she did the scallop pieces all by herself and I added the ribbon. I found the other sheet of paper in my stash, and picked an alpha to stamp the names with, but again bedtime crept up on us, so I didn't finish them until Friday.

The party itself was a blast!!! It was kind of a spa theme because I took the kids to a salon for a facial, and nail painting. So inside the tins I put nail polish a sleep mask, lip gloss and each tin had differing bonus items! hee hee

I also had to whip up a birthday card for my girl, and decided to finally mount and ink up a retired set I got as my final "hostess" purchase! It has a BEAUTIFUL butterfly in it after all! ;)

It's a really simple card, more doodles than stamping, but I was really happy with the result, and Sydney LOVED it!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On Sunday my AWESOME sister came over and I did her One Sheet Wonder class with her one-on-one! Now THAT'S service! ;)

The project entailed cutting one sheet of 12x12 double sided designer paper into a specific configuration. Believe it or not, add 5 sheets of solid card stock, a few scraps and a mere FIVE hours later you'll get this whole set! 10 cards and this adorable tote to store them in!!! I'm totally in love with this project and look forward to applying this strategy to make additional sets! Who wouldn't LOVE to get one as a gift?

$$$Dolla Stamps$$$

You would think as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I would be able to resist buying stamps when I find myself at a craft store...but Noooooo!!! If you are an addict, you are an ADDICT!!! hee hee
These little $1.00 cuties from Michael's just begged me to bring them home, and how could I say no!?
I also just got the new designer series Halloween paper, so I'll be sure to play with that too! :)

October is HERE!!!

Well to get you in the mood I posted a music video for my ALL TIME FAVORITE movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas! As far as crafty stuff, I'll have some cool "Halloweenish" thingies to post before the week is out, so stay tuned!!! ;)

Sally's Song-Nightmare Before Christmas

Scrappa Dappa Doo!

I managed a little free time last night and this afternoon to complete the sketch and create a second page using most of the remaining pictures. This was a fun layout, and I may just use it again with a single large photo, but I'm pretty pleased with this composition. My scanner made the patterned paper look different, and I hadn't noticed before I posted in my gallery, so I opted for a photograph of the entire DPS here, click on it for a closer view. Hope you like it!

Stimulate Your Senses

I have been called upon to host the sketch challenge this week on SplitCoastStampers. I did it last week as well, and will be hosting a few more over the next few months. You guys know how much I LOVE sketches, so I will be posting some of my own creations, but for this week I simply did not have the time. My girls have kept me craZy busy lately!
However, I would be lying if I told you I didn't even try, but I wasn't happy with where it was going and haven't had a chance to get back to it and prefect it. So here's a sketch that I had saved on my laptop for a rainy day. Unfortunately I can't give credit to the person that created this sketch, I have NO idea where I found it. It's not fancy schmancy, but it has interesting angles and the user should decide how to make it their own with all the little extra details that will make it truly FABULOUS! Check back soon, because I will be scrapping this one to post here over the weekend!!!

...Everybody Must Get Stoned!!!

I wanted to share this with you for Technique Tuesday, but instead will call this the "technique of the week!" ;)


If you've never seen this before, it's one of my all time favorites and the effects can be downright breathtaking!!! I felt it was the prefect compliment for this stamp set, which happens to be on promotion this month for 30% off, contact me if you'd like to know more about the promo!



The technique is called POLISHED STONE

Supplies:
Glossy white cardstock
1 metallic reinker (or a metallic craft pad)
2 or 3 classic reinker colors
Stazon Black ink pad
Acrylic sealer
Rubbing alcohol
cotton ball




On your glossy cardstock drip the metallic ink in several places, or if you are using a pad "smudge" it onto your paper directly. Either method works fine, in my example I used a reinker.





Then soak a cotton ball with alcohol, not "dripping wet," but well saturated, and apply a dot of each additional color to the cotton ball - not the paper!







Now things get a little messy...
"Pounce" your cotton ball all over the paper until you are satisfied with the ink coverage, there is no right or wrong to this. Just keep pouncing until you like what you see, and be careful of any stray cotton fibers that may want to stay behind on the paper!





I generally allow the paper to sit a few minutes and then I seal it with an acrylic sealer. This is important because the craft ink will smudge if not sealed on the glossy paper. You may also elect to do this step outside or near an open window...peeee-eeeeww!!!






Give the sealant a few minutes to dry, and you can tell by the way it looks, and then stamp an image with Stazon right over your polished stone! I love the way these colors blended together!!! Then simply trim any excess, if desired, and finish into a card or scrapbooking masterpiece! :D

STAMPIN' SUPPLIES: Stamps: Thoroughly Thankful

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Glossy White

Ink: Stazon, Copper, Vintage Violet, Close to Cocoa, Cranberry Crisp

Accessories: Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware (brads & ribbon slider), brown grosgrain ribbon

Backpack, Backpack - YEAH!

On Monday we were enjoying the holiday as a family at the park. As I watched my girls playing I realized my baby girl is going to be 3 next week, and we hadn't planned a thing! We were at the Frisco Commons, and it dawned on me...we should do it here!!! The girls LOVE to go to that park! It's HUGE, it has a nature trail and a great playground. They call it the castle park! So with this in mind I had to figure out the details, I was running out of time.

We decided since Natalie loves Dora the Explorer so much, that would be the theme. We're having the party on the 15th, so I started working out what to do for invites on Wednesday thinking I'd have time to do them and get them passed out today. My dear friend Donna suggested Backpack..."oh I LOVE that idea," I told her, and then what did she do? She linked me to an example of one and it was perfect. Thanks Kelly for posting this simple design!

I had a plan, and I stayed up until 12:30 last night making 17 of them! I didn't use my SU! card stock for them, and I had forgotten how flimsy other stuff can be...WOW! I had to use 2 different shades of purple, but they both work! ;) I used my sewing machine for the stitching, but without thread...it was faster. Then I just drew the "stitches" on with my white gel pen. I think I saved a ton of time doing that. For the inside I was going to just type the info and print on white card stock with a Dora image, but when I looked for one on Nick Jr's website I found a free printable invite and it gave me a GREAT idea! I personalized them and then ran them back through the printer putting a simple map to the park on the back. After cutting and rolling them up I added Map's face and voila! Not too shabby for a rush job!

A teeny tiny Card

I love 3x3 cards so much I cut down full pages to make them sometimes. I was playing around a few days ago and decided to share this for "Technique Tuesday!" (Sorry about the picture, not sure why I couldn't get my camera to focus right)
The card base is Very Vanilla card stock cut to 3x6 and scored/folded down to 3x3. Of course I smeared a little Creamy Caramel around the edges, and then I made the pinwheel.
Using double sided paper I punched six tags with the small tag punch, and simply folded them down one side using one of the "peaks" as my guide. I threaded a button with hemp and taped it all together. Too easy!!!

What to do, when it has to be BLUE!

I snapped up several pocket folders when Staples had them for a penny, but didn't have our school supply list yet at the time. I thought I was cool bringing 2 of each color to the counter, but my dreams were quickly shattered when I found out I could only buy 10, and I had 14. :( *poo*
Well the supplies list came out weeks ago and we didn't need white, but I use those for SU! parties anyway, so it's all good, and I was glad orange (yuk) was one of the colors I discarded. But OH NO, I'd put back the blue ones in lieu of the purple!!! If you know me, you know I LOVE PURPLE, but sadly the supply list called for yellow, green, red, and blue.
Today after work I zipped over there with my *snif, snif* purple folders to exchange them for blue, and they did NOT have any with brads! *totally shocking* So what could I do!? I decided to exchange the purple anyway and get 2 more white ones...

Trying To Stay Crafty! *wink*

I got these giant clothes pins from Oriental Trading a while back and had only covered one with paper, so I decided to do another. After using some scraps I had from that last DPS I decided it needed more than just a little piece of ribbon as an accessory, so I added one of these cool little buttons...new from Stampin' Up!® :-)



All I did was use some clear drying adhesive and I glued a paper scrap (pretty side up) to the underside of the button. Then I poked through the holes with my paper piercer - a straight pin would do it! I cut around the button when it was dry, and sanded it a little to make sure it was flush. Then I just adhered it to my project and voila!!! I like to use these clothes pins to display scrapbook pages...they are especially great for little 6x6's! Maybe that's my cue for scrapping another page, and 6x6 pages are quick and easy!

Oooo I LOVE this New Paper!!!

Since I've been on a roll with pages, I took some time to do a layout today using my yummy new SU! designer paper "Outlaw." It does have a western flair, but you don't have to limit yourself to western themed pages, I didn't!

You may remember a few of these pictures from a frame I did earlier this year. That was the purpose of these photos, and it was such a challenge to get Sydney to stay still and smile, not to mention LOOK at the camera! *sheesh* Natalie was just a bit fidigity and several of her pictures were blurry, and she doesn't always "smile on command." That experience makes me REALLY appreciate the pros!!!

I totally LOVE the On-board Lowercase Simon Alphabet. It is way easy to cover with paper and stamp on. I like to smear craft ink on them too...Who am I kidding? I like to smear craft ink on EVERYTHING! ;)

I also used my Scallop punch for the first time -- love it too! It's fun to add the little punched circles around your "petals," and yes I smeared craft ink on it too! Another technique I used was rock-n-roll. The smile stamp was inked in Mellow Moss and then I "rock-n-rolled" the edges of the stamp with chocolate chip ink before stamping. You can do it a lot, or just a little like mine!

VSBN!!!

What fun I had scrambling to complete as many of the 12 posted challenges as I could possibly manage! My oldest hosted the kids challenge early on Saturday!
This is her with her page!!!

I got warmed up by doing a double page spread (Naked Butt!) and then because of the normal-crazy activity level at my house, I did a digital page (Thinking About Tomorrow).

Sunday I did my favorite page which features my mom and my sister in 1968, and then I did another DPS! Can you tell I'm an addict? hee hee

On Monday I did a planned page (I gathered my papers and photos I would need the night before). My oldest has Tae Kwon Do on Monday nights, so I sat at a table during her class cutting patterned paper and taping it down with pictures! By the end of class I was just a few pieces shy, so as soon as the tooth brushings were done, stories told, and jammies were on, I stamped the title and added a few flowers!!!

Tuesday was a "free night" and I honestly was given some time to myself to scrap (throwing some leg quarters in the oven bought me an hour!! *wink wink* I completed the "Stapers Club" page in about an hour and a half. I was really on a roll...

Ahhh, it's Wednesday. The deadline for uploading was today at 4:00. I took my lunch break today and left about 11:10 AM...made it back to work by 12:20 and my page was done!!! Is this pathetic? Well I did kinda promise the hostess I would give her challenge a try. Not the best page I've scrapped in this bunch, but it has it's good points.

I managed to participate in 7 challenges, and I got 9 pages done. It feels good to have some pages completed and the more I scrap, the more I want to scrap! Maybe I should start a few more planned pages...hmmm, there's a crop coming up!

To see what I used to make these pages visit my online gallery!

Thinking Out Loud

This is the little "shrine" in my kitchen with pictures of my girls. It was a Christmas present for myself one year when Sydney was still pretty small. You know the type, your gift shopping and something strikes your fancy...so you get it for yourself and wrap it up. It was under our tree, "for Mom, love Gloria & Sydney." Hey if I hadn't done it, no body else would. Gabe is just not a shopper.
I was admiring it yesterday, but also thinking maybe an update is needed. Maybe add a little paint to the frames? But then I don't want to distract from the wallpaper. Maybe I should change out the photos for something more current? The little picture on the end of Natalie was an add on after all, and it's too dark anyway...
I completely missed out on the wildflowers this year. Having a job so close to home, I rarely venture outside of Frisco, and most of the bluebonnets and other wildflowers line the Texas highways! :( So I'm not sure what I would replace these with, gotta have outdoor pics! ;)
I still LOVE the picture of Gloria and Sydney together, but since Natalie's missing I feel obligated to change it out. There is a similar problem in the main hallway of our house. I have a big collage of photos and little Natalie will point and name names, and sometimes stop and say "is that me?" I have to say "no baby, that's Gloria."
So I guess it's time for a change. I can still display these pictures if I want to, or maybe I should just scrap them together on a layout. Decisions decisions, where is a field full of flowers when I need it!?! And as I type this we have more rain yet again!

Read Any Good Books Lately?

Happy Tuesday!!!

I want to share a cool idea for "Technique Tuesday" with you!
Sunday was not only the day of my most awesome card workshop, but it was also the preview party for our next Virtual Scrapbooking Night (VSBN). As always all the challenges were great, but one in particular caught my attention, and I had to do that one FIRST!

If you have an old hardcover book you don't mind altering, give this a try...
Cut an opening in the front cover and use a strong glue or adhesive to cover the book with patterned paper. Then from the inside of the cover attach an overlapping piece of card stock to create a pocket you can slip a photo into. It's that easy!!! Stamp on it, embellish it to your liking...whatever. I thought this was a unique project and if I had been online Sunday myself, I would have finished mine much sooner!!! Visit my Splitcoast gallery for more details on what I used to make mine.

Christmas in July

I'm having a Stamp-a-stack!!!
On Sunday July 22nd from 11:00 - 3:00
7500 Preston Rd., Frisco, TX 75035
(Kroger - in the community room upstairs)

Make the three cards pictured above in sets of 4 for a total of TWELVE cards to take home!

• Bring a friend and receive a gift
• Free project sheet featuring all three cards - so you can make more at your leisure!
• Envelopes included
  
• Door prizes
• Christmas tunes to get you in the mood
  
• Learn new techniques
• bleaching
• embossing
• watercolor with pencils
  
• direct to paper
  
• frayed ribbon
  
• $15.00 registration fee - $10.00 off if you place an order!
• Copies of the new Fall-Winter Collection 2007 Catalog available
  

Contact me if you plan to stop by, it's going to be "snow" much fun!!! hehehe

Wants, Needs, and MUST Haves

I am thrilled with the new Stampin' Up!(R) Fall-Winter 2007 Collection! Yippee!!!

I want nearly ALL the paper, and ALL the ribbon, and there are some cool punches and tools, OH MY!

Just thought I would share my new stamp wish list:

Item# Page# Description

109363 27 Batty For You

109689 27 Batty (Jumbo wheel)

109284 29 Haunting Halloween

109266 35 Big on Christmas

109463 39 Merry Merry

107926 67 Double-Line Doodles

109314 72 So Much

108634 73 Flowers & Flourish

109421 91 Elementary Essentials

109405 95 Big Flowers

109290 101 Garden Whimsey

109260 117 Priceless

109683 117 So Swirly (Jumbo wheel)

109256 127 Illuminations

109503 130 Labelicious

109473 130 Totally Tabs

109481 133 Stem Sayings

109397 143 All Holidays

109308 150 It's All Good

109298 154 Calendar

109568 160 My ABC's (wheel)

Now my BIGGEST problem is what to get first! hee hee

Tagged Again

I decided to post about being tagged on my other blog. If you want to read my "confessions," click on the link at the left, and if you're not on yahoo 360, feel free to leave any comments here!!!