Don't forget that today is the last day for my Guest Designer appearance on Melissa's Blog featuring some of my projects using Graphic 45.  Be sure to stop by and leave me some comments for you chance to win a $50 gift certificate for Melissa's online store!

I want to thank Melissa so very much for allowing me this opportunity.  She is a terrific friend and mentor!  This has been a great week and I have loved reading all the comments people have posted.  It has also been very encouraging and a great boost of confidence.  I am always the worst critic of my own work. . . but then again isn't everyone!

My final posting is an altered box.  I took a plain pine box that you can pick up anywhere and stained it with Walnut Distress Stain.  Out came some more of Graphic 45's  Ladies' Diary Paper and embellishments.  I decided that I needed  a tray for the inside so made my own with chipboard.  I love this little box and am thinking I now need to go make a version of this for my husband. . . hmmmm what will I use??? Perhaps some MORE GRAPHIC 45!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I have a major love affair with Graphic 45's products (its a minor addiction. . . but I am really OK with that!) and realized while redoing my room that I have over 4" of their paper alone. . . .I think I need some more!!!!!!

I hope you have enjoyed the week of postings!  I'm off to finish up my Christmas shopping!

Well here is an altered tray I "whipped up" using G45's Nutcracker Sweet.  This project is made with nothing but white paper, stamps, embossing powder, markers, distress inks and stickles.  Of course I added some tutu ribbon (made flowers from it too) and and some bling and roses.  I love the way it turned out.  Sometimes it is so nice to see what can be created using nothing but blank paper, stamps, ink and ribbon!  Don't forget to stop by Melissa's blog and leave those comments for another chance to win the $50 gift certificate!

Well well well. . . where has the time gone.  So much for my once a month blog posts! lol!  This time I really do have some good excuses.  Not only was I teaching classes, but the hubby and I have been renovating (which is an ongoing process)!
One of the projects was to change the flooring in my scrap room from carpet to laminate. . . ."YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!"  Then it happened. . . .the realization that I would have to empty the entire room in order to make this possible. . . . all I can say is OMG! WHO BOUGHT ALL THAT STUFF?????  Obviously some intervention is needed!!!  Who knew?  It honestly took us longer to empty the room than it did to change the flooring!!! I have been putting it back together for over a week!!!!!!

I should also probably tell you about my new cabinet!  I found it in the local classifieds . . and fell in love.  My hubby went to check it out and said we would be back the next day to dismantle it and take it home. . . easier said than done!! This cabinet was 8.5' tall and over 6' wide!! It was located up 2 flights of stairs in a store.  It took 4 trips to get it all down the stairs!!! But after some minor modifications (chopping off the top of it!) it has now made its way down to my room.  Yeah! So that is it in a nutshell. . .the room is almost finished . . I have to admit I got sidetracked and had to have a play day!  I promise to post new pictures in the next few days. 

The other exciting thing that took place was that after gentle prodding from Melissa I finally submitted something to Graphic 45!  Within a few days they put the photo up on their site and by the end of the week they had ran it on their blog!!! I was shocked!  

This is another exciting week!  Please check out Melissa's site!  Not only is she running some of my Graphic 45 creations BUT she is also having a giveaway of $50 for her online store! LOVE IT!!! Be sure to check back daily and leave a comment every day for your chance to win!!!!!

Well despite being a crummy day I did manage to make something just for me.  I am not a girlie girl but when I saw the  Ladies Diary collection from Graphic 45 I knew I had to get some!  There is just something about it. . .maybe it is a wish for a simpler life, or to be a part of a different era. . who knows!  So a big thank you to Melissa for having it in stock when I needed it!

In an earlier post I said how I hoped to take the time to start to create stuff just for me.  Well I finally made good on it.

Holy cow!  Where has September gone to?  I can not believe that it is already October.  The weather has changed drastically and the leaves have fallen.  At this rate Christmas will be right around the corner!!!

I have had a couple of great classes and have some more scheduled.  I am not sure if it is the classes that are great or the people that come to them!  This month I have the Christmas Stamp-A-Stack, and a Triple Time Stamping technique class.  November will be Christmas ornaments and gift tags.

I have a few "play projects" on the go right now. . .which is why this post will be short. . headed off to play!!!

Stay warm!

Well here we are.  The summer has come to an end and the kids are ready to head back to school.  This means it is time to get my craft on! lol!  Despite spending most of the summer in the pool, I did manage to get prototypes made for fall classes and I have even picked my dates for those classes!  AMAZING! How did that happen????

Fall always seems to be the time where I get thinking. . . .thinking of  what I would like to accomplish . . . (somehow I don't seem to fit the norm of using New Year's for my "resolutions" lol!)  I am not sure why this is. . . I always have these ideas of things I want to make, teach etc. . but somehow the every day chaos of my daily life, kids, hubby etc seem to make them fly right out the window.  Where does the time go????  How come at the end of the week NOTHING has been accomplished??  These questions are like "wonders of the world"!!!

So this year i'm going to take a new approach. . . . maybe a more realistic approach.  Since I already have increase how many classes I am doing and my fall class ideas/prototypes are ready to go I have narrowed it down to the following:

1) Blog on a regular basis;
2) Take 1 day a week to make something (big or small) just for me!

Here's hoping!!

Here is my September Class:  BURLAP BINDER BOOK which was inspired by a lovely project I did from my good friend Melissa Samuels.

Ok, so I am beyond terrible at this blogging.  I apologize.  Despite the fact that I have been crazy busy with my kids' activities I am happy to report that I have been crafting.  Norma and I continue to do 2 or 3 classes a month at various locations and that keeps us out of trouble. . .or helps anyway! :)  I am also trying to do at least 1 class a month at home.  This of course always needs to take a small break during Feb & March with dance festivals and spring break.  I am happy to say that the gerbil is still running and if only there was enough time in the day to get half the stuff done that are swirling madly around my brain!  Hope everyone is getting their crafty groove on!

                                             APRIL FRAME CLASS