Designs With Heart

This is one of my 2 workshops that I'm retiring :) This workshop was about details. I believe the "heart" of our layouts are the details - details that enhance our photos, our journaling, and our memories.

There might be a few kits available. If you are interested, email me at momtwoangels@yahoo.com, and I'll get further info for you.

All the materials are included and most parts and pieces are precut, as well as full instructions and a color copy of the 5 projects.

jiggety jig

Home again, home again, jiggety jig...where is that phrase from? lol After a wonderful trip to Boston, staying with my friend, Lynette Carroll, and teaching at Right at Home in North Attleboro, I'm home again.

If you are ever in the Boston area, you MUST check out Right At Home - such a huge selection of scrapping products. You name it, they got it (well, that is if Lynette and I didn't buy it ;), lol). I'm sending out another big thank you to Lisa and Sharon for allowing me to teach there, and a shout out to all the wonderful ladies in my 2 workshops. We had a very full day of scrapbooking, and lots of laughter and fun too.

Lynette introduced me to her husband, Brian, who put up with our constant scrapbooking chatter (now there is a keeper, lol). I appreciate them for sharing their home, their friends, and their time with me. I had an absolutely wonderful time! And my hubby deserves some high marks for taking such good care of our two girls in my absence. I couldn't do this (travel and teach) without him.

As CHA approaches

I'm looking forward to new products from favorite companies, as well as new companies. Thought I would share a few projects I did for K&Company last fall with their Memory Trends releases.

BHG Scrap-A-Faire registration is OPEN

Very exciting!! Some of my favorite scrappers are teaching online classes, and I can't wait to see what else Scrapbooks etc. has up their sleeves for this 5 day event. I've designed 2 classes called Supply Smarts - girl and boy versions. I was able to play with 2 of Chatterbox's Memory Building Kits. "Garden" for girl and "Guest Room" for boy. Since Chatterbox products have long been favorites of mine, it was fun to create with all the patterns and embellishments included in the kits. All I use in the class designs besides the Memory Building kit is cardstock. I wanted to show how you can take a group of supplies (in this case, a manufacturer kit) and get the most out of it. I use a variety of techniques and themes and create 3 layouts per class, with step by step photos, tips, and instructions. I've even included some bonus projects at the end for those leftovers.

There is a "Contact Us" banner at the site for help and info www.scrap-a-faire.com and I bet those guys know their stuff :) I'm still learning, too, as I've never taken an online class before. But if you have any questions about the event, the awesome classes offered, or how the online classes will work, just post and I'll do my best to answer.

spring class peeks

Almost finished designing for spring! Here are 2 more small peeks at some of the projects. The Mustard Moon products combined with some 7Gypsies goodies, ribbon, and stamping will create a warm home/family tag book (2 hour class), and the My Mind's Eye papers and rubons, combined with some CI chipboard, and some Autumn Leaves stamping will be part of a 3 hour 6X6 binder album workshop.

Right At Home

I've booked my tickets, and I'm going to Boston!! Never been there, and my friend, Lynette Carroll, will be my guide. I'm looking forward to meeting the gals at Right At Home in North Attleboro on Saturday, Jan. 13th. I'll be teaching 2 workshops - Designs With Heart and Handmade Blooms Family Album (www.rightathome.typepad.com). I just got a big box of product, so you know I'll be kitting like crazy. These workshops have lots and lots of pieces - ask my hubby. He traveled with me last month, and promptly bought me a Cricut, in hopes of cutting down on the time HE has to punch and cut, roflol. It's all worth it though. I'm big on details (I've probably said that before), and if I prep the details for my students, then they have more fun putting them on the page ;) Hope to see some of you there!

It is that time!

Or will be any day now. BHG Scrapbooks etc. will be hosting an online event called Scrap-A-Faire (www.scrap-a-faire.com), and I'm honored to be a part of it! I'll have 2 classes that I've been working on during the holidays - registration should open any time now. My classes are called "Supply Smarts - Girl" and "Supply Smarts - Boy". In each class, we'll complete 3 12X12 layouts using some awesome Chatterbox product - their Memory Building Kits. I'm giving you a sneak peek of 2 of my favorite layouts from the classes. I can't wait to see what the other instructors have been up to :D Check it out!

one more peek

If I wasn't so tired, I'd love this :) The colors are perfect for this rainy winter day, and I had just the photos for this project. This is another little peek at a spring class, and some yummy Heidi Grace flocked and glittered papers and accents...and a bit of bling too from MAMBI and Heidi Swapp too.

highlight of my day

Being able to capture this on film :D Most people might not know I have a brother. He likes to avoid me when I have my camera, but today was another story. HUGE love of fishing, HUGE catch...and I got to be there. Thank you, brother, dear.

Spring class peek!

It's pouring rain here, and I'm working on classes. Some for BHG (have you checked out the Scrap-A-Faire site yet?), and some for my upcoming trips to Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts (not for Jan, but later), and Alabama.

I just finished up a 5X5 book with Fancy Pants, Petaloo, and 7 Gypsies...does it get much better than that?! :D Here is your peek, because I just can't stand it, lol. And, although this Fancy Pants line works beautifully with Christmas/holiday stuff, expect to see me using beach photos in my book ;) It is that versatile!

Hope your holidays are happy ones!

projects for Paper Crafts

Received some projects back from Paper Crafts this past week along with my complimentary copies. Their magazine is AWESOME, don't you think? So many wonderful ideas not only for cards and altered items, but ideas that can be applied to layouts and mini albums too.

Be sure to check out their latest issues!

Exciting online extravaganza!

I'm thrilled to be part of BHG Scrapbooks Etc.'s new online event called Scrap-A-Faire. Here is the link so you can listen/read/learn all about it!!
http://presentations.inxpo.com/Shows/Scrapbooks/Website/home.htm

Lots of product info, techniques, wonderful classes, and top-notch instructors.
I'm honored to be teaching 2 classes - Supply Smarts Girl and Supply Smarts Boy using gorgeous papers and embellishments from Chatterbox. More details coming January 1st when registration opens!!

And that is my cutie, Michaela, on the banner of BHG's home site:
http://www.bhgscrapbooksetc.com/ I created that mini clipboard for K&Company using their adhesive rubons and glitter.

Be watching for more sneak peeks of my spring classes. The next 2 weeks are going to be WORK, WORK, WORK. I'll be traveling to Right At Home in mid-January - on my birthday to be exact, and it will be my first time to Mass. Let's hope there are no blizzards, ok? :D This Mississippi girl would freeze to death!

Crop-Paper-Scissors in Waco, TX, will be my first stop in March teaching my all new spring classes. Hope to meet some of you there!

Very Merry Christmas, and talk to you after the holidays!

Warmest holiday wishes to all!

I've been under the weather. Not working/scrapping, not blogging, and my shopping and wrapping isn't finished either. But, it's not Christmas yet ;)

I wanted to share a few photos of some of our favorite ornaments on our tree this year.

I also wanted to wish all of you who read my blog the safest, happiest holiday season possible. May God's richest blessings rain down on you, your family, and friends. May we remember the great love He showed for us by sending His Son and our Saviour, Jesus Christ, to earth, that we might have life everlasting with Him. Merry Christmas, friends!

because I believe in the power of prayer

I ask that all my friends pray for a boy named Joey. Our prayers for his health and happiness can make a difference. Also remember his family and his caregivers, that they might have strength, wisdom, and much love during this time. Thank you, friends.

blog neglect

My blog has been suffering, huh? Sorry about that. I will make up for it by giving you a peek at a new class I'm developing. I'm working on quite a few, hence my silence lately. In addition to visiting stores next spring, I'm also hoping to teach at some events. I plan to be at Scrapfest in Mandeville, LA, in March. It is my goal to offer EIGHT classes. I know, I'm nuts! Are you a fan of black and pink? I am :D

and they lived

Scrappily Ever After! I visited SEA this weekend for a day of classes and fun, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Lisa and Bonnie have a beautiful store in Mandeville, LA, with a selection of products that I couldn't resist (I tried to be good as dh was looking over my shoulder). Thank you to both Lisa and Bonnie for inviting me, and to their wonderful customers who scrapped and laughed along with me on Saturday. I look forward to visiting Mandeville again next March for Scrapfest with all new classes!! Check out http://www.scrapfestproductions.com/ for details coming soon. I have a feeling another familiar face will pop up on the instructor list also ;)

my favorite scrappy colors

Blue and green! So the December Poppy Ink kit was right up my alley :D

And you can see a peek at my dill pickle living room walls, which I'm lovin'!

December?

How can November have flown by so fast?! I've got 3 words for December - I'M NOT READY, lol. I may not have time to post over the weekend, so be sure to check out the December Poppy Ink newsletter (www.poppyink.com). I had such fun with Heather's blue, green, and black combo for December! Lots of sparkle too. If you've been wanting to jump on the PI wagon, you need to preorder January by clicking on the preorder button, and you can choose 1 month, 3 month, or 6 month subscription. These preorders are available at approx. 12AM mountain time (1am central, 2am eastern). They go really fast, so if you don't see the preorder button, they've already been swooped up. This is also the time you can grab Add-ons for December. They sell out quickly! Heather is working on a new site, and hopefully, in the near future, she'll have plenty of kits to go around. She's trying to keep it manageable right now, while working on the new site with great features. PI is worth the wait :D

And I know there are A LOT of you who got a kick out of my early layouts ;) Next time post a comment. I love hearing from scrappers all over the world.

five years ago

You guys took me seriously! lol I normally have about 25 hits by 10am and I have almost 150 this morning :D You just can't wait to see my moldy oldies, huh?

Okay, so here is my story: I began submitting in the summer of 2001. About 3 months later, September, I think, Simple Scrapbooks requested the left side of a 2 pager for their magazine - "Joy of Discovery". About a month later, Paperkuts requested "Big Steps for Little Feet", and it actually appeared in print before "Joy". You might notice they are both layouts of my youngest, Michaela...and yet most people seem to "know" my work by my oldest, Olivia, lol. I've never counted up how many pages of each have been published. They don't keep count either :) It's probably pretty close. Olivia has been on 2 covers. I'll show you those on another post later. I would like to get Michaela on a cover if at all possible (a girl can dream, right?)! I just thought it would be fun to celebrate my pub anniversary by showing where it all started.

little lace

ETA - I can't get the first layout to load fully, but if you click on it, it will show the full page.

I've been working on new stuff, but nothing I can show. So, I thought I'd post some older ones that I love. "Shine" was in Memory Makers last spring. I pulled out this expensive bit of lace leftover from my sewing days and put it on a page with lots of ribbon and pink. Totally girly page here :D "Swim" is a layout design I never tire of - 3-5 photos across the page. And I enjoyed using some HS tape on that one.

And tomorrow, I'm doing a REAL blast from the past - my first 2 published pages ;) All the way from 2002!

Mandeville, here I come!

I've been busy getting prepared for my classes in Mandeville, Louisiana, this week! Very excited about the trip, and meeting Lisa at Scrappily Ever After, her staff, and her customers :D I've never been to south LA, so it will be all new to me. I'm also in the midst of preparing my new spring classes that I will begin teaching next March. I need to get those ready before the holidays. December and January are not my most productive months...meaning, with girls here I find it hard to do scrapwork, lol. Add to that decorating, baking, shopping, family time, and just sitting with my feet propped up and it doesn't leave much time to scrapbook! And I've got a surprise coming up that demands some attention too ;) Yes, it is scrap-related, and I promise not to make you wait too long.
On the Christmas front, I have begun my shopping. Hoping to get that finished really early, so I can do some handmade gifts later (when the malls are so crowded). I'll put the tree up after my trip this week. The girls can't wait. I'm thinking about buying some lights for outside...the girls have asked the last 3 years, and Rich made the mistake of saying he'd put up whatever I brought home! lol We'll see about that ;)

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you and your's have a safe and wonderful holiday! Enjoy the food, family, friends, and fellowship!

moments to grab

Chatterbox makes some of my most favorite scrapbook supplies. I combined their paper and alphabet stickers with a bookplate from BasicGrey, and a bg from Cosmo Cricket.

happy feet

Have you seen it? You HAVE to go see it. The movie is wonderful! We laughed, sang, and danced in our seats. You AND your kiddos will love it!

poppy day

In addition to being a scrappy day, it's been a poppy day :D You know how much I look forward to getting my Poppy Ink kit in the mail. It's one of my scrapping joys - the thing I do just for me (well, and for PI, too!) And, since I have several other irons in the fire this month, I thought I should start working on something - you know, check some things off of my "to do" list. Little did I know that once I started, I wouldn't be able to stop! So, 3 layouts and 1 mini album cover later...I'm feeling that "I accomplished something today!" high. Okay, so there are still dishes in my sink, and piles of ironing, and that kitchen floor could use a mopping...but, hey, I couldn't help it! I think that is why I'm still scrapping 8 years later. Because the joy is still there. I still love putting my photos onto paper and telling the story, while making the page look pretty. No other hobby has lasted this long.

News and sale

One of my favorite online sites for shopping, inspiration, and friendships announced they were closing yesterday (Down Memory Lane Co). Jill has always been top notch in customer service, as well as being a great person and friend. She's having a huge sale, with some awesome deals. I should know, because I shopped already :D So, pop on over to www.downmemorylaneco.com and check out the sale. I send my best wishes to Jill and her family.

album in a tin

After I posted the card keeper, I realized some of you might not have seen this album in a tin that I created for Creativexpress.com. This is for Olivia to document a year in her life with notes, memorabilia, photos, artwork, anything she wants. Each month has a layout on the backside for a photo and journaling. I attached a couple samples of those.

card keeper

Are you looking for Christmas gift ideas? I created this card keeper for a friend, and it can be seen in the Dec/Jan issue of Paper Crafts (love that magazine!) I should do a couple for Christmas gifts, because I really enjoyed it. Are you creating any handmade gifts this year?

new kitten on the block

And Puddin' isn't really thrilled, lol. Puddin' is our 2 year old cat that is accustomed to having the place to himself (since his mother, Prissy, came up missing in June). But Taffy is such a relaxed, loving kitten, I'm sure he'll warm up to her. The girls are in love!

Two

My two. One is home very sick today...the other scampered onto the bus when it arrived, but she seemed hesitant to leave her sister. I am blessed...sleepy, exhausted, but blessed. This layout appears in the MM Quick and Easy Scrapbook Styles idea book.

Destination Fun

Older photos that I wanted to scrap. Created this one at a crop with friends....would have never thought it would get picked up (CK Scrapbook Idea Annual). So for those of you submitting - don't hold back. You never know what they might need.

Turning 40

wasn't as bad as I thought. This layout was a lot of fun to create. It is found in the CK Scrapbook Idea Annual that just hit the shelves.

November?

You are kidding?! It can't be. I want more October. We are having the most beautiful fall colors here...the best in years. The girls played with their cousins and a neighbor in the leaves yesterday. Didn't hear a peep out of them all afternoon except the occasional "I'm thirsty" or "I'm hungry", lol.

Hoping today will be a scrappy day. I haven't created any layouts lately, and I've got piles of goodies that I want to play with. Odds and ends - velvet rick rack, some CI lime scalloped edged paper, AL Savannah bag of buttons...sounds yummy, huh?

and last but not least

I'll leave you with our family jack-o-lanterns :D Someone at 2 Peas posted a link to some Cinderella patterns. I loved them because they were small, and I chose
Lucifer, while M chose Jaq. Olivia was the rebel and wanted Wacko Jacko, lol. I wish I'd had 3 of the same candle, but I didn't so mine is not as bright. M transferred the complete pattern to her pumpkin and I did the carving for her. We were very pleased with our pumpkins! Enjoy!

I told you I would be back

and happy to share a layout I created for Scrap Supply (www.scrapsupply.com). I was thrilled to contribute to their November newsletter. Wendy and her team provide wonderful inspiration and ideas, and then there is the shopping ;) You can see all of the dt layouts plus a couple from me in the newsletter, or in the dt gallery at the site.

So many fun things

to post about today. First off, Poppy Ink posted their November kit and dt gallery. If you are interested in signing up for kits, you can preorder December NOW - or at least you could a few minutes ago. Click on the subscription buttons beside the SOLD OUT November kit. I've seen a sneak, and you WILL want December :D Heather used one of my layouts on her home page. That layout was inspired by Heather's "My Love" page in her February gallery. This month she gave each dt member an assignment to scraplift another. Check out the newsletter link for all the details! And Heather outdid herself on that Poppy Project too!
More later.