leftovers

Do you use them? I'm trying to be better about utilizing my supplies. These are 2 layouts I created with leftovers from a CBX kit. They were quick and simple, as I limited myself to the bits and pieces. But, they don't all have to take hours, right? ;)

I need to get busy creating some new stuff - it seems like forever since I scrapped for me!

April BHG Scrapbooks Etc

I was very excited to see the April Scrapbooks etc. yesterday. I loved working with the Making Memories kit for the Supply Smarts column. The whole issue was beautiful, and I hope my copy arrives soon! And that is my cutie pie nephew in the Make It Yours column :D

Scrapfest wrapup

(click photos for a larger view)

I had a great time scrapping with the ladies who traveled from all over MS and LA to attend ScrapFest in Mandeville this past weekend. My students made the 8 straight hours of teaching each day fly by. Teaching is hard work, but I do love it, and I hope that it showed :D Thanks to Meagan and Lisa for inviting me to teach, and for their hospitality! Loved hanging out with Heather Preckel - we even caught a movie on Saturday night - Lyrics and Music, a lightweight comedy that we enjoyed. Thanks for being a great roomie, Heather!

I do have a limited number of kits leftover from the classes I designed specifically for ScrapFest. You can see them pictured above. If you are interested in purchasing, the double page spreads are $18 each plus shipping, and the tag book is $20 plus shipping and they include color copies and complete instructions. Just email me at momtwoangels@yahoo.com. If you ordered my fall kits (Designs with Heart or Handmade Blooms Family Album), I'm ready to ship this week! Thank you for your patience :) If you haven't heard from me in the next day, please email me again.

ScrapFest is near!

This has been a crazy week - flying home from Waco, and immediately diving into prepping 200 kits for ScrapFest in Mandeville/Covington, LA. I'll be rooming with Heather Preckel :D Going to be a fun weekend...well, once I figure out how to get all of these kits on that airplane ;) Looking forward to teaching and meeting new friends and scrapbookers, shopping, and maybe even squeeze in a movie. Have a great weekend, everybody!

She turns 7

this month, and it's hard for me to remember when she was tiny...she grew up way too fast! She's a stinker and knows it - always has a twinkle in her eye. Happy Birthday, M!

WOWSA, Waco!

Well, I learned one thing - if you are going to teach all day, and I mean all day, Crop Paper Scissors in Waco is the place to do it :D First of all, Emmalie Welstead, the store owner, invited me to stay at her home - and it was beautiful! She loves antiques, and her home was warm and welcoming. The guest bed was SO comfy, lol. Her little dog, Ellie, was a sweetie too. The store was one of those that you wish was right up the street. And the staff was so helpful and they always had smiles on their faces. Those ladies in Waco are so lucky! The crop room had these huge comfy chairs (not that I got to sit in them, you understand ;) ), but what made the trip the best was the wonderful ladies who took my classes. They were so much fun, and they made the day a great one for me. Yes, my feet were hurting after 12 hours, but Emmalie, Matt, and Emmalie's parents took me out for a delicious Mexican dinner on Saturday night, so the feet were forgotten ;)
For those of you that took photos, please email me copies!! Thank you to Emmalie, her staff, and everyone in class - it was a wonderful trip and I look forward to seeing you again someday!

Thank you, Scrap-A-Faire attendees!

Wanted to send out a thank you to all who participated in BHG's first online event!! Another thank you to all who took my classes :D I hope you enjoyed them, and I hope the ideas presented will inspire you to have fun with your supplies, and create many pages for your albums!

Olivia in a bubble

Yes, I'm covered up in kits for my Waco and Mandeville classes - not to mention laundry and dishes and...well, you know :) But, I had to take time out to watch Olivia and her classmates present a very fun program about bubbles! Her G.E.M.S. class (gifted) has been studying bubbleology (sp?), and to finish out the section on bubbles, they did a program that included showing their handmade bubble toys, reading their bubble poems, performing their own commercials promoting their bubble toy, and some wonderful bubble tricks. This photo of Leah putting Olivia in a bubble was called "kid in a bubble". The first graders who were watching along with us parents LOVED the whole show, as did I :D

BHG Scrap-A-Faire opens tomorrow!

The event officially opens tomorrow, with shopping, classes, prizes, and chats with all sorts of people. My scheduled chat time is 5 or 5:30pm...I'll let you know tomorrow, after the doors open and I can verify that. But, I'll be popping in and out of the Lounge tomorrow and Thursday. I'm knee deep in prep work for my classes in Waco on Saturday, and kitting for the 8 classes that I'll be teaching at ScrapFest in Mandeville, LA, next weekend. Fun, fun! :D

Waco, Waco!

I've never been there, but a week from today I will arrive to teach some classes and attend a crop at Crop Paper Scissors :D I've been working, working to be ready for the trip, and I'm looking forward to it!

We are having beautiful weather here - 60s in the day, and high 30s at night. Love that! If this keeps up, my girls will be asking for their shorts, lol. They love to rip and romp outside, and with weather like this, they are thrilled.

What kind of weekend are you looking forward too? We are going to attend some (more) basketball games - our local high school girls' team is hosting the North Half tournament, and it's been fun for the whole family.

Have you seen this?

Scrap-A-Faire is almost here! And I'm including one final peek at my Supply Smarts Girl class - this is one of the 5 layouts presented in the class and my favorite :D Still time to register at www.scrap-a-faire.com.

BHG photo challenge

In the Feb/Mar issue of Scrapbooks etc. I have some photos as part of a photography challenge article (photos of my daughter and our cat). They also included some in the online feature that goes along with it. But, for some reason, those photos look really bad, so I'm posting them here. For this particular challenge, I was asked to pay attention to the frame around my subject. It was a fun challenge, and I got some photos that I love! I hope you enjoyed the article :D

New favorite song

Did you see Medium last week? Well, I only saw 25 minutes, and I still cried at the end. I especially loved the song they played and after some research, discovered it was "Like A Star" by Corinne Bailey Rae. Bought the cd this weekend. You gotta check it out! Got a current favorite song? I'd love to hear what your fav is right now.

Basketball and more basketball

Our high school teams were playing the district tournament here in town last week. We sat (and sat and sat) on those bleachers 3 nights, watching basketball - and loving it! We have a neighbor, a cousin, and a friend from church all on the starting team for the girls, and another friend from church starts on the boys team. Olivia even took her nose out of Harry Potter to watch and root for her teams (another story - but she read the first HP book 2 years ago, liked it, and began reading HP 2 and started having nightmares. She hasn't had any interest in trying them again until now, and in the last 10 days, she's read the first 5 books!) Michaela and Olivia have also been playing basketball on Saturdays, with practices during the week, so we've gotten plenty of the sport lately. Not over yet either. We'll be back in the gym Monday and Tuesday night as North Half playoffs begin :D Scrapping?! What's that? lol No, really. I have been finishing some class designs and kitting for my upcoming dates, but no layouts for myself in a while. I'm also trying to get more organized here in my little space. It's overflowing!

Valentine Treats!

Happy Valentine's Day! I managed to squeeze in some time at the last minute to help Olivia and Michaela create special treats for their friends and classmates. Although Olivia is in middle school now (5th grade) and they don't have parties, she couldn't NOT take something (she said), so we whipped up these little suckers for her friends and teachers. Michaela had the best time putting together her treats (all products by Bo Bunny). The design was inspired by Melodee Langworthy and Linda Beeson (as seen in Paper Crafts). Thank you, ladies!

Hope everyone has a beautiful day!

One Fine Day

That's the name of one of my classes for ScrapFest, and as promised, here are 3 little peeks at the double page spread. I'm going to add some journaling strips to those circle accents you see, but this gives you an idea about the colors and patterns we'll be using :) I like the flowers, but I will also have circles available for those that don't want to add more flowers.

retired fall workshop kits

ETA: All gone now! Thank you so much!

I wasn't sure I would have any, but I've ended up with a very limited amount of kits from the 3 hour workshops I taught this fall.
I have 2 of the album kits (pictured here):
http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1071271
The kit includes product for 6 of the 10 pages, and instructions for the other 4.

and 3 of the layout kits:
http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1066877

Everything is included in the kits, except the stamp used in both (a heart stamp with script writing that you could easily substitute for, or leave off). They include color copies and full instructions, and most all the parts and pieces are precut, for easily assembly.

She Means The World peek

This is part of an embellishment for the double page spread class designed to celebrate a mother, sister, grandmother, or friend that I'll be teaching at ScrapFest. Sepia or b&w photos are perfect for this layout!

ScrapFest questions

I've gotten a few questions about my ScrapFest classes. I promise that I'll post sneak peeks as soon as I finalize the designs. I'm working on the last 3 this week. So soon, very soon! If you have any specific questions - feel free to ask. But, remember I can't respond to you directly from your comment (it's a Blogger thing). So, check back on the same thread as your question to find my answers.

Must Be Summer sneak peek

This is a peek at a class called "Must Be Summer" for ScrapFest in Mandeville. We'll be creating a 5"X6.5" tag book from scratch, and decorating it.

bunches of K&Co samples

These are from last summer and fall. K&Company likes lots of dimension, patterns, and embellishments for their samples :) I think my usual style is much simpler and graphic, don't you? The clipboard was a fun one with the glitter transfers. And, K&Company makes the most beautiful papers and embellishments. People were going nuts over the new Girl Scout/Brownie lines and Amy Butler's line was also a big hit. I can't wait to get my hands on one of those totes!

ScrapFest classes and peeks

I don't think I told you about ScrapFest in Mandeville, LA, and it's coming up FAST. Lisa Stampp, co-owner of Scrappily Ever After in Mandeville, invited me to teach at their yearly festival the second weekend in March. Heather Preckel, along with a large list of instructors from the area, will be joining me for the 3 day event. I'll be teaching a total of 8 (maybe 9) classes. I'll list them below, but you can also click on their link in my sidebar for more information about registration, etc. I'll be posting some additional sneak peeks as I put the finishing touches on some of the new classes developed just for ScrapFest. Hope to see you there!

1) Bloom, Shine, Grow - This class project is bright, colorful, and filled with details. Decorative edges, tags, pockets, ribbon, rick rack, epoxy accents, and rhinestones all make this 6X6 K&Company Neopolitan mini book a treat. $25 Level: Intermediate

2) No Place Like Home - Home can mean many things. This tag book can be customized for photos of your home, things that mean home to you, family members, or even a family reunion. We'll incorporate techniques such as inking, stamping, and distressing as we create a 3.5"X6.5" 7Gypsies tag book with Mustard Moon papers in warm reds, golds, and greens, mixed with black. $35 Level: Intermediate
sneak peek link: http://my-rich-life.blogspot.com/2007/01/no-place-like-home.html

3) Must Be Summer - Learn to make your own mini book from scratch, as we create and decorate this summer or vacation themed tag book with products from Memories Complete. Hemp, buttons, and mini brads along with stamping details will make this a perfect home for those fun summer photos. $35 Level: Intermediate
http://my-rich-life.blogspot.com/2007/02/must-be-summer-sneak-peek.html

4) She Means the World to Me - This class celebrates that mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, friend...that special "she" in your life. Using the Boho Chic line from Making Memories we'll create a 12X12 double page spread with details to make her feel special. Decorative brads, felt flowers, ribbon, and lots of buttons will enhance the beautiful colors of this spread. $25 Level: Intermediate
http://my-rich-life.blogspot.com/2007/02/she-means-world-peek.html

5) Butterfly Kisses - Photos of a loved one will shine in this 5X5 chipboard mini album. Using the Fancy Pants Clair De Lune line (rich browns, reds, greens, and turquoise), we'll create a custom butterfly cover and decorate seven pages with gorgeous patterns, distressed die cuts, Prima flowers, ribbon, and stamped details. $35 Level: Intermediate
sneak peek link: http://my-rich-life.blogspot.com/2006/12/spring-class-peek.html

6) You Gotta Have Friends - Girlfriends, that is. We'll be creating a 12X12 double page spread that puts friendship in the spotlight. Mustard Moon's Sew It Seams line of pinks, reds, greens, and creams will be combined with rick rack and buttons, and we'll incorporate a cool framing technique to show off your photos. Shabby chic techniques and some inking will complete this beautiful spread. $25 Level: Intermediate

7) Spring Bling - We'll create our own 4X6 accordian album with chipboard cover, and decorate it with the flocked and frosty bright pinks, limes, and oranges of Heidi Grace's Bouquet line. Add in lots of ribbon, Heidi Swapp bling, and black and white details, and you have a mini album perfect for your "bloomin' pictures"! $35 Level: Intermediate
sneak peek link: http://my-rich-life.blogspot.com/2006/12/one-more-peek.html

8) One Fine Day - This 12X12 double page spread gets the WOW of color. We'll use Sweetwater's AtoZ line full of primary colors and fun patterns. You'll discover the ease of combining patterned papers with black and white cardstock, and you'll also learn new ideas for adding circles to your layouts. Buttons add the final touch to this spread suitable for boys and girls or any fun event. $25 Level: Intermediate

Headed to Birmingham

I've added a new date to my spring schedule. I'll be at Scrapbook Mania in Bessemer (Birmingham), AL, on April 20th and 21st with new spring classes :D Thank you to India and Nonna for the invitation! I'll be teaching 4 classes - Spring Bling, No Place Like Home, Butterfly Kisses, and a new one that I haven't posted any sneaks of - Titles in the Round. They have very limited seating (10-12 per class), so if you are interested, contact them quickly to reserve your spot. I've posted their link on my sidebar.

I know it's been a week

But, it's been a really busy week! lol
I attended CHA in Anaheim, CA - a large craft and hobby show where all the manufacturers display their new releases for 2007. I was there with K&Company, and we did make & takes for 6 hours a day. Thankfully, the design team members rotated, and each worked 3 of those 6. I was able to see some of the new stuff, and meet old and new friends. That is what makes shows so fun. I can always see the product later, but these shows are a chance to see friends from all over the country! :D It was a great trip (except for that migraine on the first leg of my journey home), but by day 4, I was missing my girls and husband pretty badly. They made it great without me - I knew they would. I couldn't travel and teach if I didn't know how good Rich is with the girls when I'm gone. And my mom and sisters help out if they are needed. I think Mom spoiled them with a huge supper one night and leftovers the next night ;)

I had lots of favorites from the show - products I can't wait to work with for my summer/fall classes :D

Scrap-A-Faire peeks

For those of you still on the fence about taking some online classes, let me tell you this - I've seen some peeks of the other classes and WOW - they blow my socks off! These ladies have spent hours putting together such wonderful ideas for you...you don't want to miss them! And with the discounts they are offering for multiple classes - it's a bargain. If you have any concerns or questions, just email me at momtwoangels@yahoo.com, or use the "Contact Us" button on the Scrap-A-Faire site.

I put together a little montage of 4 of the layouts in each of my classes (one peek in each square is from a bonus layout.) My motivation for my classes was to help scrappers use up those products we all buy and love ;)

Another question I've been asked about my Scrap-A-Faire classes - "Would someone that scraps mostly girl photos be able to use the ideas and designs presented in the Supply Smarts Boy class?" Definitely! The boy designs tend to be a bit more graphic (and less flowers), and the colors in the kit are blues, greens, and browns, but the ideas for making the most of your supplies are universal. The designs could easily be adapted for a more girly look.

I'm CHA bound! If you see me there, please say hello!

K&Co sneak peeks

K&Company has quite a few new lines coming out. This is just a bit of Sparkly Sweet.

Mustard Moon sneak peek

Today Mustard Moon (new Sew It Seams and Got Paper), tomorrow a bit of K&Co!

No Place Like Home

And home for me means family. This tag book celebrates that family. Just a little peek at one of my new spring classes :)

new banner and enabler alert

A girl can dream of the ocean and the sand, right? :)

Have you guys checked out the deals at www.downmemorylaneco.com? They are going out of business, and my friend, Jill, is STILL marking things down....wayyyyy down. And usually, when you put it in your cart, it goes down some more, so if you are interested in an item, put it in your cart to see if it does. She's going thru by manufacturers now, so you can watch the list on the shopping home page to see which ones she's done final markdowns on. I just got some stuff, and I know I'll get more - can't beat the prices!

online class questions

I've had a couple questions about how online classes work.

Michele says: "I have never taken an online class and do not understand how they work. Do you get the kit and instructions in the mail and then have access to be able to ask the teacher a question?"

I'm going to try and explain how the Scrap-A-Faire classes will work by going thru a sample registration, class sign up, and taking a class.

"Brenda" visits the Scrap-A-Faire website, clicks on the Classes tab, and browses thru the class descriptions. She notes classes that she's interested in taking. The supply lists are available for viewing also by clicking the Materials List tab. She then clicks on the Registration tab and registers for the event and classes that she wants to take. Each class is $15 and has a complete materials list. You are responsible for gathering/purchasing your own supplies for the classes, but you don't have to buy everything on the list. In many cases, you can substitute with something you already have. There are also some links provided to online sites that carry specific items, or harder to find items, that you might want to purchase beforehand. Since my classes are specifically designed to get the most out of a prepackaged kit, my list is pretty short. But, many of the classes are teaching techniques or presenting ideas that don't require that you have the exact same supplies.
Okay - on to opening day, February 28th :D
From 2/28-3/4, all the classes you have purchased will be available to you - any time of day. You will be watching a presentation/slideshow, in many cases with audio, that you can start and stop at your own pace. You can do half a class, make dinner, and come back and do the other half. You can watch the presentation multiple times, if needed, during those show days. Depending on the class type, there could be supporting photos for each step of the process. There will also be a mini PDF version of the class for you to download/print. This version will contain instructions and finished samples only (due to file size restrictions). So, if for any reason, you are unable to take your class during the event, if you download this PDF, you will still have the instructions and samples for later use. Michele asked if you would be able to ask the teacher a question. Yes, you can post a question on the message board, and we'll be checking in with answers and any help we can give. And don't forget - during the event there will be shopping, chats, a message board, and a gallery!
I hope that helped!

Handmade Blooms 9X9 Family Album

Another 3 hour workshop that I taught this winter. Kits included supplies for the 6 pages shown, but their were color copies and instructions for an additional 4 pages. It also includes a 9X9 Heidi Swapp album with 20 page protectors.

The classes were fun to teach, but I'm ready for some new spring stuff :D

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!