Cards, cards and more cards

Well as always time is flying.  I have been busy with the Time to Flourish Papers from Graphic 45 creating a 6 class series of card classes.  It has been wonderful to get inky!  It is truly amazing how many techniques a person knows and even more amazing how many we forget we know!  If I could remember half of what I have forgotten I would be a walking book of knowledge!   I love to ink and add diamond glaze or glossy accents to enhance beautiful paper and sometimes I forget that the simplest thing works the best.  Sometimes it is nice to let the focus be the papers!  My plan is to get these class prototypes wrapped up so I can do some projects for myself. . . . . here's hoping!

For the past year it seems I have been a collector of all things crafty. . . I have stacks of paper and buckets of embellishments - RIBBON, METAL and BLING OH MY!  It is time to get using it . . .yes it is because I have my eye on more new stuff!  So ladies its time to get our craft on!  What are you working on???

Card Class

You just have to love when an idea comes together!  Happy to say that the creative juices are flowing yet again.  Loving the 8 x 8 Time to Flourish paper by Graphic 45. . . .they make some very pretty cards.  So very glad the group of gals enjoyed making the first batch today!  Now off to get next weeks ready!  Have a great weekend!

2015. . .will it be the year?

Well where or where has the time gone.  Sadly I see it has been over 2 years since I posted. . .so much for getting better at it!  Seems life gets in the way. . .day to day stuff, kids, family, health,  moving, renovating etc.  The list is long.  We all have things on our plates and things that get in the way! 

Well it is a new year. . . so here's hoping!

As I mentioned we moved at the end of 2013 and spent most of our down time in 2014 renovating and updating our house. . . excepted of course during "Pool Season". . NOTHING gets done during that time! lol!

So again in this house our basement is my craft area. . we are back to a work in progress type area but it will get there.  We have found a few new little items to repurpose and I know that will continue. Sometimes you stumble upon the best items when you least expect it!  Funny how my husband finds lots of projects to makes for my craftroom! 

Some things never change. . . no matter how good my intentions are of "cleaning up" my space I always get sidetracked!  Then when I finally set out to create something my table suddenly shrinks and the once tidy space is down to a 4" x 4" space!  Ahhh the magic of the ever mounting craft supplies!

Well my hopes for 2015 are many.  I hope to start to use some of my ever increasing stash. . . to not be afraid to use that favorite paper . . . you know the ones I'm talking about. . . . . . Those "what if I make something and then I think of a better use for it and have none left" papers!  We all have them. . . those papers and embellishments that cause us to become a hoarder more than a crafter lol!  So this is the plan.  To CREATE as much as I can. . . to push myself and possible throw in a class or two! Maybe just maybe I will even actually art journal. . .dare to dream! 

First on the agenda. . . . creating some cards and possibly a perpetual calendar from Graphic 45's Time to Flourish collection. . . . . . . now where are those paper packs!  Ha Ha Ha!

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

Bad bad blogger!

Ok, I wish I could say I have some fabulous excuse for being such a slacker when it comes to blogging but I don't!!

I have been busy in my Lil' Red Workshop creating Christmas Cards like crazy. . .sadly none of them are for me yet!!  I think I have kitted 500 of them so far. . . not sure if or when I will get any made for myself! 

Since our local scrapbooking store closed Norma and I have been busy at a few of the retirement communities around town doing our monthly card classes with the residents.  It is very rewarding and we are sure we get more out of it then they do!!! 

I am also back to selling Stampin' Up. . .and yes, I am one of my best customers!!!  Between it and Melissa Samuels I am having no problem keeping my room very full of supplies!! 

Last weekend I hosted a small Stamp A Stack down in the Lil' Red Workshop and had 9 lovely ladies attend.  I think most of them were amazed at my set up downstairs.  Everyone had a fabulous time and each created 12 cards to get a jump on the Christmas season.  Now I have been asked to come up with some monthly classes for them.  Time to put on the thinking cap. . . .no pressure there!

November seems to be booked up and I am still hoping to squeeze in a few events in December. . .time will only tell!!   

Summer

Well obviously the summer time is not a great time to try and be a faithful blogger! lol!  I can honestly say it has been a wonderful summer.  Lots of relaxing and enjoying the swimming pool.  The kids have been busy with various activities but not too busy!! 

With summer slowly coming to an end its time to think of  ideas for upcoming projects and possibly some class ideas.  I have recently re-activated with Stampin' UP so am busy going through the catalogue!  Sometimes I swear that catalogues for crafters are better than the Sears Christmas Wish Book for children!!! 

I have managed to work on a few things over the summer.  I am still in love with making mini albums with beautiful papers but not necessarily for any particular picture.  It really is a great way to use papers that I have been "collecting" afraid to use because I'm waiting for the "perfect project". . . .HELLO??? I will be old and completely grey before that happens!  You really can't be afraid to use your stash of goodies. . . .especially when you are constantly accumulating new ones!!  I write this as I am patiently waiting for a 13lb box of goodies to arrive from Melissa  http://www.melissasamuels.net/store/index.php?route=common/home!!!  I haven't dared mention to her that I have more in the cart! LOL!

I am posting a picture of a canvas project I made today for a lovely young lady that once upon a time many years ago I had the privilege of babysitting. . . now she looks after my girls!!  She is heading off to college and we are going to miss her like crazy!

Wow!

Where has the time gone?!  Ok, I wish I could say I have been creating like a mad woman for the last couple months but that my friends would be a lie!  I have managed to make a few little odds and ends but seem to be in a rut!

The last few months have been full of activities ending, the flood beginning (again and again or just non stop!), my favorite local scrap store closing, and wishing for the rain to end so the swimming pool that is scattered all over the backyard could be finally assembled!

With only a few weeks left before school comes to an end I need to find my get up and go and get my room put back together.  That has been 1 step forward and 3 steps back. . . . I may need to hire a maid just to organize that space because I seem to get sidetracked so easily down there and end up playing instead of painting and organizing! lol!  I did get some painting done yesterday but now I really need to organize and shelf my 4" + stack of Graphic 45 papers. . . and all the other stuff I have some how accumulated!  My obsession/collection of mists, glams, paper and bling are steadily increasing. . .sometimes I wonder who keeps buying it all????!!!! LOL!  The more I try and clean up the more piles I end up with that need to be organized!!! I do believe I am in a losing battle!!!!

I have been creating and enjoying making mini albums with no purpose what so ever!  Sometimes its nice to just sit and play with products you like and create something that isn't specific for this picture or that picture.  I must say I am loving Maya Road's Zipper Trim. . . .love it!

Now for those of you who are wondering now what that PBS has closed. . . .please let me know if you have anything in particular you may like to see a class on.  With the terrible weather I should really start using my time to plan ahead for some fall classes. . . so please let me know if there are any products, techniques etc you would like to play and create with and we'll see what we can do!

Happy Scrappin'!

Another day. . .

Well it seems I am going to have to get "on the ball" when it comes to this blog! lol!  I am happy to tell you that I did finish my little binder using Graphic 45's Once Upon A Springtime that I will use to house all of my daughter's little "notes" and momentos that she gives us when she is both happy and sad.  My plan is to tuck it away for when she has children and needs one of those "TOLD YOU SO" moments!  There are tons of little envelopes and pockets within this book to hold everything!

 
Jo and I spent the entire day on Good Friday making the absolutely darling Spread Your Wings Album from Melissa Samuels!!  It is absolutely beautiful and was a terrific project. . .thanks again Melissa!

I am not the only one that has been busy. . .my husband has always been the first to jump at an opportunity to "build" storage or shelves for my scraproom. . . .he seems to "enable my habit".  So he has made a fabulous organizer that holds the Distress Inks and their reinkers!  I must admit that he made it for Jo. . and i'm not sure who was more excited. . .Greg to give it to her or Jo to receive it!  Anyways it turned out beautifully and I have decided that I totally need one too!  He is more than willing to make them for anyone who would like one.  So email me if you think its something you'd like! 

Anyways off to my youngest daughter's spring concert tonight!  Have a great weekend!

Its another day. . . .

Well last night was supposed to be a productive night of creating for Jo Jo and I . . . .of course it turned into a hen fest with way too many laughs! LOL!  We were like two little kids on Christmas morning going through our box of goodies from Melissa.  Then of course Jo Jo had been away for the weekend and had come upon some more goodies to add to our ever growing collection of  BoBunny`s Gabrielle and Time Piece collections!  We had so much product spread out all over the tables it took a little time to get ourselves organized to create!  Our little gerbils were working overtime with all the ideas that we were coming up with!  Of course neither one of us wrote any of them down . . . .so it will be interesting to see what we cook up with it in the future!  **NOTE TO SELF. . . . Write stuff down! **
Anyways we did get some of our project started . . .but of course we have realized we need to pace ourselves so that we have to have more play dates together! 

Tomorrow I have a kids Easter bunny box class. . .the kids will hopefully love making the box.  There is no doubt in my mind that they will be thrilled once we fill it with candy!!

I have been making some progress in getting my room completed.  Still have some painting to do and then the decorating will begin.  I thought I would share a few pics with you now though.  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and gets some time to create! 

Happy Scrappin`!