in honor of my best friend

My best friend is turning 60 tomorrow. She also happens to be my mom :D I thought it would be good to pull out some layouts from the past that feature her (not enough of them, I can tell you, and I plan to remedy that). First up, an 8.5X8.5 album I created several years ago, with some of her childhood photos. Lots of sewing and distressing on these pages. She sewed for me, and her mother loved sewing too, so I wanted to incorporate that aspect into the album.

Fall on the way?

We went to play tennis tonight, and there was a bit of a cool breeze! The end of those 100+ days, I hope :) A while back, I posted a teaser for this layout. I fully intended to share the whole thing, but it got picked up shortly after. The little owl stamp that we used for the tags is from Poppy Ink (kit club). This layout, along with 2 more of mine, are in the October issue of Scrapbooks etc. Hope you'll check out the magazine, as I think it's a great one - full of fun ideas to try.

Scrapfest at Mall of America

I just returned from Minneapolis where ScrapFest was held. The show is organized by Archivers and consisted of about 30 booths set up in the mall aisles. Each booth was manned by top scrapbooking companies like K&Co, Fiskars, KI, SEI, Creative Imaginations, MAMBI, Hero Arts, Bo Bunny, etc. Attendees could do make & takes with the latest products. There were also a large number of classes taught throughout the 3 day event and crops at various locations. Many of the classes were sold out, crops were sold out, and make & take lines were sometimes long. I was surprised at the HUGE turnout, but I think that is was typical for this very well organized event. I helped K&Company with make & takes in their booth, and I also taught a class each day. The projects for the class were 3 double page spreads using K&Company's Amy Butler lines (pictured above). These greens and pinks are difficult to photograph, but are so rich IRL. The embellishments are sparkly, glittery, and textured. I was also pleased that Amy herself was there for Saturday and Sunday. I know the students enjoyed meeting her, too. She is very sweet, and I enjoyed getting to talk with her between classes. She's just a very classy lady.

Archivers had staff helping with the classes - they were very organized and were a big help. Pam Lange (K&Co Senior Craft Designer and DT Lead) and Kara Ward (instructor and fellow DT member) were on hand to see that things ran smoothly (in other words, they worked their fannies off, lol). The rest of the K&Co team (Therese, Cherie, Michelle, and Sarah) were working hard in (and out) of the booth, but they were always ready with a smile. Attendees felt the K&Co Tim Coffey Halloween treat bag make & take was adorable and the line moved quickly. And I ate some great food, and shopped some too (hey, it was the Mall of America, after all!) My friend Vicki Harvey ate supper with me one night, and an "old" college friend met me for supper another night (he's going to love that "old" part, lol). I was able to grab lunch with Dana Smith. That girl is amazing - she taught a bazillion classes, and she still had energy to share. She also has a smile that doesn't stop! I was able to meet Susan Weinroth's little one, Evan. They claimed he had a little fit before I met up with them (too long in the stroller), but he was being a perfect angel when I saw him. Imagine them telling tales on him like that ;) Susan looked great, as I expected. Being a new mom agrees with her.

A note about Simply Southern Scrapbook in Huntsville in October - online registration ends on September 15th. Prices for all classes will go up for tickets purchased at the door. Just a little reminder, if you were planning to attend. I've got less than a month to get 8 classes ready, but I'm looking forward to it. I can actually drive to Huntsville in under 2 hours :D

weekend catchup

Another photo from my weekend in Carmel. From the left, Julie, myself, Carolyn and Peg, friends who drove down from Michigan, and Valerie.

This weekend I'm headed to ScrapFest in Minneapolis. If you are attending the Archivers event at the Mall of America, you can find me in the K&Company booth. Please stop by and say hello!

Weekend in Indianapolis

It was a blast! Not only did I get to hang out with a good friend, but I met and made new friends as well :) Here are a couple photos from the class at Memoirs in Carmel, and one of Val and I. I'll post some more very soon (waiting on a friend to forward them to me). Valerie Salmon, her son, Ian, and I were able to share a wonderful lunch with Julie Scatteregia. I had met her long ago when I took one of her classes at CKU (Nashville, I think). I've always been an admirer - not only of her work, but also of her teaching style, and her sincere smile. I wasn't disappointed in the close up version either ;)

I taught classes at Creative Resort, and I met the owners Julie and Ron Sturgeon. Julie has the most incredible blue eyes (no photo, so you'll just have to believe me), and a positive attitude that won't quit. She and the ladies at CR (you know who you are!) made my time there a joy.

But, after 4 days, I was missing my family, so I was glad to see them on Sunday :D

Introducing Zeke and Zorro

The girls are thrilled to have 2 new kittens to lavish their attention on. I haven't taken many photos yet (it's been so hot here), but you can see they are like 2 peas in a pod. Zorro was being bashful :)

Creative Resort/Indianapolis

I'm knee deep in product, kitting for my upcoming classes at Creative Resort in Indianapolis. I'm excited about visiting Julie at her brand spanking new facility for scrapbookers, paper crafters, parties - you name it. Lots of space, all the tools we scrappers need, and space to store your supplies, if you want that "scrappy home away from home." To celebrate her Grand Opening, she's giving away 2 Cropper Hopper backpack/luggage carriers (worth $129 each). One name will be drawn from the people registered for one of my classes that weekend (Aug. 24th/25th). Each class you purchase is another chance to win. The other will be given away on August 31 from among the membership sign-ups during her opening month. In addition, I'm bringing along a $50 prize package of scrappy goodness. I'll also draw a name from everyone registered for my classes - and this includes people who are purchasing kits. (To spread the love, the winner of the backpack will not be eligible for the $50 scrapbooking prize package.) Stop by Julie's place and see what she's been up to :D Come by on Friday night or Saturday (24th and 25th) and say hello to this gal from Mississippi! www.creativeresort.com

partying with Dee and the girls

Last weekend Dee (in the orange) celebrated her one year anniversary of Dee Scrapbook Store in Ft. Myers, FL. I was pleased to meet and hang out with her and all her scrappy customers for a couple days. Thanks to Jen White (in the white baby doll tank) for sending the photos! Please ignore my red nose and bloodshot eyes (suffering from a sinus infection), and while you are at it, just ignore the 10 lbs I've gained this summer too! lol

Memoirs class peek

Still putting finishing touches on the 2 double page spreads I'll be teaching in a couple weeks at Memoirs in Carmel, IN. With a little help from a friend (and she knows who she is), I think I'm finally happy with this second layout (peeks of the first layout posted below). This one will work for lots of different photos and themes - boys, family, pets, fall, etc. No flowers, I promise! :D Actually, I love flowers and all kinds of floral embellishments and papers. But, they don't work for every occasion.

back in the groove

I was beginning to worry. It's been 4months since I scrapped a "just because" layout. I've done a few for assignments or for classes, but this week is the first time I've tried to just have fun and create. I was reeeaaaalllllyyyyy rusty. Meaning it took me a long time to get it going on :) Here's a peek at my latest. Words of advice - JUST DO IT :D Go scrap something!

PS. Those rhinestones aren't red - but I did have a red shirt on, lol.

Can you hear me

SCREAMING?!!!! Can you see me jumping up and down, and smiling like an idiot?! I just found out who'll be sponsoring my class next April at the Scrap Etc. 2008 Event!!! Who makes the COOLEST papers and embellishments? Want to guess? Should I keep you in suspense? Well, you know it isn't Scenic Route (a fav of mine), because they are sponsoring Vanessa's class. It isn't 7Gypsies, because they are doing their very own class on Thursday night. It isn't Fontwerks or Junkitz, because they are going to be there too, with something up their sleeves. Danelle and her Creative Cafe are going to be all over the place on Friday night. And Gretchen snagged American Crafts and their super cool products for her class. So, who is left? How about





















BASICGREY??????????!!!!!!!!!!

Simply Southern Update

One of my classes for SSSC sold out pretty quickly - "So Very Beautiful Mini Album". We added 10 spots this morning, so if you were wanting that class, better grab it fast. We won't make it any bigger, as our room will only hold 40.

Last time to get summer kits

Just wanted to give you a heads up on 2 summer classes that are being retired at the end of this month. I will be teaching "Beat The Heat" (3 12X12 layouts)and "French Twist Tag Album" (5X6.5 mini album) for the very last time at Creative Resort in Indy. I don't expect to have any leftover to sell (as I sometimes do with retired kits). If you want one, I know Julie will ship. Click on the link in my sidebar, and you can get her number and email. Thanks to everyone for their support of my classes!

if you are on the fence

about attending the Scrap Etc. 2008 Event, now would be the time to JUMP! Jump and register, I mean. With over 350 people registered in the first 3 days, I don't think the remaining spots will hold up long. If you've never visited Nashville and the Opryland Hotel, you are in for a treat. And add that together with a jam-packed weekend of inspiration and classes and make & takes and freebies, and you've got scrapbooking bliss. It's a huge party that you don't want to miss, so act now! www.scrapetc.net Oh, yeah, and I'll be there to party with you :D

fire trucks on the runway

Lots and lots of fire trucks. Thankfully, whatever caused our pilot to issue a "state of emergency" with the tower in Atlanta wasn't serious enough to have us exit the plane under emergency conditions. After landing, the Fire Marshal circled the airplane, gave us the thumbs up, and allowed us to taxi to the gate. I never know when I go on these scrapbooking trips exactly what will happen going and coming. But, I do know that I will meet some AWESOME scrapbookers, and I'll enjoy myself - well, I did enjoy myself at Dee Scrapbook Store in Ft. Myers, despite having a terrible sinus infection that caused me to cough and blow my nose quite often, lol. And despite the fact that I arrived home at 1:30AM this morning, and had to be up bright and early for the first day of school for my girls. My hubby tried to convince me to just get a hotel in Memphis and drive home after I slept. But, although I've missed a few birthdays, I did NOT want to miss the first day of school if I could pour enough coffee down me to keep me awake for the 2+ hour drive home. I can nap today, right? :)
Thank you to Dee and all her lovely ladies who came out for classes and cropping this past weekend. I know they gave up precious time with family and friends to hang out with me. Dee is so much fun, and I'm glad I was able to spend her first "birthday" with her.

K&Co paper crafting kits

K&Co released a bunch of new kits at CHA this past July. I designed 4 different ones (as shown here). 3 door hangers (front and back), and 1 frame design that comes with a mini clipboard (not shown).

Class Kit Info

Many of you have expressed interest in purchasing kits from my classes. Usually, you post on my blog, and Blogger won't allow me to email you from that posting. So, I'm responding here, in hopes that you guys will see it :)

Most of the stores that I visit are very willing to sell my kits to long-distance customers, plus shipping charges. On my sidebar here, you can click on the link to the stores that I'm visiting, and it will take you to their website where you can find their phone number. Give them a call, and ask to purchase a kit for an upcoming class. If we use stamps in the class, I will stamp the items before I leave, and they can then ship the kit to you.

I typically teach a set of classes for 5-6 months. These summer/fall classes will be retired in October. 2 of the classes (Beat The Heat and French Twist Tag Album) will not be taught again after August, so contact Dee Scrapbook Store or Creative Resort, if you are interested in those 2.

If you purchase a kit and have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me :) Thank you!

another oldie

But it's one of my very favorites, and it took many hours to complete. One of the last times I spent this kind of time on one spread. But, in the end, it was worth it. Click on the photo for a larger view. Most of the product is K&Company.

New Scenic Route in the house!

Scenic Route Paper is one of my favorite scrapbook companies. And, their new papers and embellishments don't disappoint :D I'm teaching a class at Memoirs in Carmel at the end of August, and that new class will become part of my spring lineup. We'll be creating 2 double page spreads. Yes, you heard right. I've gotten SO MANY requests for 2 pagers that I decided to add a class for you all of you "strictly double page" scrappers to my next round of classes. The ladies at Memoirs will be using the very HOT Scenic Route papers, chipboard, and shaped journaling die cuts, along with buttons, brads, Prima flowers, ribbon, cardstock, and some of the new Mustard Moon alpha stickers in one of my favorite fonts. Here is a small peek of one double page spread!

sad goodbye

Our dear kitty, Puddin', was accidently killed yesterday. We are very sad that he won't be with us anymore. He was more like a dog, than a cat, and was much loved by all of us.

These are 2 pages from my Family Life Mini Book Class that I'll be teaching this weekend in Ft. Myers. I'm really glad I have photos of the girls with Puddin' in my little book.

New Class Dates

I updated my travel schedule with my spring dates. I'm excited to be making return trips to Lasting Memories, Savannah Scrapbooking, and Crop Paper Scissors (dates to be finalized soon). Seeing all the new CHA products was just what I needed to get me in the mood to cook up some brand new stuff! Scenic Route papers just released at CHA Summer are ON THE WAY for a new class I'll be teaching at Memoirs in Carmel next month. Stay tuned for sneak peeks :)

Enjoying summer?

I hope so! I know I am. Our kids go back to school really early here, so we don't have much summer left. We are ringing every drop out of it :D I'm also kitting for my upcoming trip to Dee Scrapbook Store in Ft. Myers, FL. Dee is celebrating her 1 year anniversary, and I'm pleased to be included in the party! Pictured above are 2 of my class kits. Lots of little details, but I wouldn't have it any other way :)

Digging around

in my older files, and I found some layouts that I don't think I've ever shared. Here's an oldie with some favorite summer pics. I created this one for Deja Views a good while ago.

K&Co CHA Summer Valentine

More yummy pinks! And glitter paper, and pearls :D

K&Co CHA Summer Christmas

Loved these new papers and embellishments from the new Christmas line! Maybe that's because I loved all the pink and green :) I worked with prototypes, so you just gotta imagine the papers with more depth and richness, and the embellishments with tons of glitter and shine! Click on the photos for a larger view.

K&Co CHA Summer Halloween

Finally able to show some of the projects I created in the past few months. Tim Coffey designed a new Halloween line for K&Company. His designs are always so whimsical and fun. Tim is a truly nice guy IRL too :) I'm glad to see something from him for this show. These are the projects I created with the papers, rubons, dimensional stickers, and some glitter letters from an earlier release.

Are you in the mood?

What do you do to get in the mood? For scrapping, that is ;) I decided to edit and print some photos today. I think that might motivate me to match the photos up with papers and get scrappy :) In the meantime, here's 3 oldies but still favorites. I created these in the spring of '06 for a contest at Scrapbook.com (great neighborhood and shopping site).

What a weekend!

I visited NY and CT this past weekend, teaching at a retreat organized by Julie and Barb, owners of Lasting Memories in Somers, NY. I had SUCH a good time! Approximately 60 scrappers gathered over the 3 days to scrap, scrap, scrap! I had a comfy bed at the Sheraton, time to unwind and shop (something I don't normally have time to do), and lots of gab time with scrappers who love this hobby as much as I do. The hours flew by - really, they did. My students were the best! I miss them already. Thank you, Julie and Barb, and all the new friends I made, for such a good time. Send me some photos, pretty please, and I'll post them here :)

A little news - Scrap Etc. in Birmingham, AL, launched a new website for their spring inspiration event yesterday. It will be held at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN, April 17th-19th, with a great lineup of instructors. I'm happy to be one of them :D My friend, Vanessa Hudson, drew all the graphics for the site, and it turned out darling! Turn on your speaker and visit the site for more details - http://scrapetc.net/event_2008/

I just added a new class date to my calendar! I'll be teaching a brand new class at Memoirs in Indianapolis (got my fingers crossed that I'll be able to get the new Scenic Route papers), in addition to my classes at Creative Resort (more about that later). If you aren't familiar with the store, my good friend, Valerie Salmon teaches there, as well as Julie Scattaregia and others that I hope to meet when I'm there. I've only met Julie once, when I took a class from her quite a few years ago. I remember her spunky, infectious spirit, and her wonderful teaching style, as well as her big smile. Val sells out classes every month, and I totally envy her ability to do double page spreads! Actually, she does everything right from layouts to cards to mini books and altered items. I'm thrilled to be asked to teach at Memoirs, and hope to meet a bunch of new friends :D I've been wanting to visit Valerie for years, and now I'm getting the chance! I might get comfy in her scraproom and never want to leave ;) Nah, just teasing you, Val. I'd miss my family, but I do admit your scraproom is gorgeous (check out her blog - http://www.valeriesalmon.blogspot.com/ for photos).

Not sure why Blogger won't let me put a title??

This is a new set of peek photos for my "Girlfriends" class - this is exclusive for Simply Southern Scrapbook in October (click for a larger view).

With my trip to CT coming up quickly, I've been in full kitting mode. Finishing up projects, doing the photography, and writing complete instructions that go into each kit, as well as all the prep and packing for each of the kits. Of the 5 classes I'm teaching, 4 are brand new. And I've been gathering up door prizes. It's always fun to give out prizes in my classes. And then I've been shopping - you know, the age old problem of "I have nothing to wear". But, in my case, it is true. Here at home I can throw on shorts and a t-shirt with flip flops. But, I have 3 trips in the next 6 weeks, and I don't want to look sloppy when meeting new friends :) Hope to see some of you soon!

Simply Southern Scrapbook Update

Registration for this October event opened up last week, and I'm very pleased with the response. If you've been holding off on registering for classes, I'd say "do it now!" Some classes are already sold out, and I have several that are very close to it. The instructors are offering a wide variety of classes - something for everyone :) Don't wait and miss out on your favorites. www.simplysouthernscrapbook.com, and click on classes. Hope to see you in Huntsville!

Eleven

This layout was published in Scrapbooks etc. Isn't that polka dotted ribbon FAB? That came in one of my Poppy Ink kits and I think it is May Arts. The accents are heat embossed, but it doesn't show well in the photo. Also love these Heidi Grace papers with glitter, clear embossing, and flocking.

Updated French Twist Album

I'm headed to Lasting Memories next week (weekend retreat), so I thought I better put the finishing touches on my French Twist Tag Album :) I think the papers are great for beach, but also for any summer or girly themed photos. Students will get the whole set of Scenic Route rubons that they can use on their album or save for later.