Monday, July 27, 2009

Baby Album Class



Join me for a Little Sprout album class where we'll create an album in just a few short hours that will include a year's worth of memories. We'll be working with Crate Paper's Little Sprout line of double sided patterned papers, glitter diecuts and borders, alphabets, buttons, brads, ribbons and trims...and lots of fun extras that you're sure to love, almost as much as your own little sprout! Perfect for you own kids or as a gift for a mommy-to-be.

Saturday, September 12 - 2:00pm
Right at Home Scrapbooking- North Attleboro
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Saturday, July 18, 2009

Summer Class

At the end of the month I will be teaching another class at Times to Treasure in W. Boylston



Water Fun/Patriotic Layouts - Wednesday, July 29th @ 9:30am & 7pm
Complete two summer layouts with some of the newest papers from Bo Bunny & Best Creation. In class you will also get the sketches & sketch variations to inspire future creations. Class fee is $20.

I hope you can come!

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Sunday, July 5, 2009

May Challenge: Results

Okay, so I didn't quite get to my June Challenge yet, but last month was plenty challenging as it was. I have only been mildly motivated since my marathon week of teacher & coaches gifts. I got a lot done that week but got minimal sleep, so it took a little while to recover!

During June I did finally cross out a couple layouts on my "To Do" List though. I created two birthday layouts for a class, which was my May Challenge. I still can't say I am caught up on birthdays, as Cameron just celebrated his 2nd in June, but I am getting closer!

"Birthday Girl" - Daniela turns 2

"Four" - Daniela's 4th Birthday


Layouts created with papers from Collage Press & letters by Pink Paislee, all from Right at Home Scrapbooking.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Is it Summer Yet?

I have to say, with all of this rain it hasn't really felt like summer lately! Here is my summer "anti-rain" dance, scrapbooking style...

Two projects for weather warm enough to swim in...



[From my April Design Team Assignment from the Scrapbook Cupboard, featuring the Cosmo Cricket Snorkel Line.]


And one for a dry Fourth of July (Daniela is running her second road race - 2.5 miles)...



And one more in anticipation of our July trip to Story Land, which I hope will be dry again this year...



[more Cosmo Cricket :)]
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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Teacher Gifts

What am I staying up late tonight doing?

Making a second one of these...



Yes, there is a star page...




There's nothing like a deadline!
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Coaches' Gifts

What was I finishing at the last minute before the gymnastics show? This mini-ablum...


I think it came out great! It has spaces for the coach to fill in their favorite pictures from the year, and I gave it with a Zig Marker, a box of photo tabs and a sheet of sticker letters so they can complete it.

Now I just have to make two more...
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Thursday, June 11, 2009

More classes!

Guess what?!? I am teaching two more classes this month! I am pleased to say that when coming up with the designs for both of these classes, I tried to touch on themes that people can easily identify with. I was able to check things off my "To Do" list and hopefully so will you!

In the first class (Sketches) we will be doing a 2-page layout designed to highlight several events during a school year, sports season, etc. and a strawberry-themed 1-page layout. Like last month there will also be a handout of sketch variations given out in class.

In the second class (Sweet Shoppe) we will do 3 layouts. This collection is particularly good for birthdays, Easter & ice cream pictures, but can also be used for other everyday photos as you will see in class.

If you want to see the layouts in person, stop by the stores for a peek. *Please note that these classes are at two different locations.* And don't forget to tell me you are coming!


Here are the class details. They are also in the blog sidebar for future reference. (The sidebar will continue to be updated with additional classes --- a couple are in the works for July...)

Sketches with Kristin
Make two layouts each based on a different sketch design. Learn tips & tricks about using sketches that are sure to get your creative juices flowing!! Class fee is $20.00.

June layouts will feature the Basic Grey "Lime Rickey" line and Doodlebug "Tutti Fruitti" collection.

Wednesday, June 24th - 9:30 & 7pm
Times to Treasure- W. Boylston
please note - I will not be teaching the 9:30 class, but you will still be doing everything I will do in the evening class


Sweet Shoppe Layout Class
Love Collage Press patterned papers?...then this class is definitely for you. During class you will be working with one of the newest Collections from Collage Press, Sweet Shoppe, along with ribbons & trims, buttons, bling, chipboard and more to create three scrapbook layouts that are sure to hit the spot. Class fee is $25.00.

Thursday, June 25th - 6:30pm
Right at Home Scrapbooking- North Attleboro
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Sunday, June 7, 2009

June Challenge

In case you weren't following along, here are the challenges I have given myself since the first of the year...

January - use up some Valentine's Supplies by actually making a page for Valentine's 2009 and making at least one non-Valentine's layout using Valentine's Papers.
~ not done, but I did take pictures

February - Use the pictures that have been sitting around to create layouts.
~ did 4 layouts!

March - Make title pages for yearly albums, baby & Disney
~ did 2 title pages

April - Color Challenge: Fancy Nancy (pink, orange, yellow, purple w/ frills)
~ not done - but I have been collecting supplies

May - Catch up on Birthday layouts for both kids
~ not done - but I have made some kits

... so, if I haven't done 3 of the 5 challenges, why bother with one for June?

Well, because challenges get me thinking about something I want to work on and am inspired by. I don't always get to them right away, but sometimes it is the thought that counts! So with that, here is my June Challenge...

Create layouts about the technology in my life.

Lately I have seen cool layouts in magazines using Facebook status updates and using a "screen shot" to make a page about blogging, etc. So, since those are major parts of my everyday life, I think they should be captured in my scrapbook for future generations to see. Perhaps someday my grandchildren will laugh at how primitive technology was "way back in 2009"...

And stay tuned, if I get all of my class materials and teacher gifts created, I might just get to one of those old challenges...

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

"Weekend Creative" Project

Two weeks ago, while following along with Ali Edwards' Weekend Creative project, I documented our activities for one weekend. Lots of photos were taken - even a couple of them by Daniela, so I could be in them.

I took this opportunity to try some hybrid scrapping... using traditional paper methods along with new digital ones. The layout is primarily paper scrapping, but I did use Photoshop Elements to add the words "Saturday" & "Sunday" (from Designer Digitals) to two of the pictures before printing them. It was a learning process, but now I think I would be able to do it again without much difficulty. Yet another new technique to pull out of a hat from time to time.

Here is my layout. Click on it for a closer look :)

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Design Team Peek & Other News

It has been a super busy week!

On Wednesday I taught my first Sketch Class at Times to Treasure. Before class I was worried about having enough time to finish, but instead we finished early! Personally, I think early is better than late, but next time I think I will try to do more.

I spent my Friday evening creating a fun 2-page layout for the Scrapbook Cupboard using the newest line from Scenic Route, "Garden Grove". I love how it turned out! Here is a peek, stop by the store to see the whole thing. The Scrapbook Cupboard is participating in the Summer Stroll discount program, which is great reason to check it out if you haven't been.


And in between, I have been sorting through my stash to prepare for tomorrow's Yard Sale at the Scrapbook Cupboard. I have several boxes of stuff ready to go! Stop by & say hi!


Next week will be even busier, as I am preparing demos for some upcoming classes that I can't wait to announce! Oh - and trying to find time to put together teacher gifts! Ahhh... where does the time go!
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Eco-friendly

Remember this layout I posted for Earth Day?


Well, I am excited to report that it won an Earth Day contest sponsored by
Scrapbook Calls and Paper Trunk. Paper Trunk is a great new company that makes eco-friendly scrapbooking supplies - and I got some of their great goodies to play with!

How did they know I am sticker letter fanatic?!?
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Friday, May 22, 2009

Busy, busy

I have spent the last week working on a special project. More to come, but here is a sneak peek - it features the Crate Paper "Little Sprout" line.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Birthday Book

Planning week has turned into a productive weekend so far. Tonight I created another birthday book for one of Daniela's friends.



And I am snapping away, and even getting the kids to help, for my Weekend Creative project. I think I'll do a 2-page layout with the pictures, though I typically stick to single page layouts to keep my albums from getting too thick. I downloaded the freebies from Designer Digitals and might even make a point of doing a hybrid layout to expand my horizons... more on that later :)
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Friday, May 15, 2009

Projects for the Weekend

This week was a "planning week." I often have a planning week when I can't take out all my projects due to space or time issues. So I spend time with my magazines, my sketch book and at my computer looking through pictures. I plan different projects, put sticky notes in my magazines, order photos and sketch out ideas for future layouts.

After a week of planning I am looking forward to tonight, because after the kids go to bed I am going to "get messy." Yes, scrapbooking involves a lot of creative mess when I do it. No matter how hard I try, I end up with stuff everywhere :)

Then I am going to document my weekend. As usual, Ali Edwards has a great Weekend Creative project posted and I am going to play along. I think this will be a perfect weekend for it.

TGIF!
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Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Kid of the Week!

Daniela is Kid of the Week on the Kids Can Scrap Blog. Go here to see her page...

Kids Can Scrap

She is super excited... she has requested that Cameron go take his nap "right away" so she can get out her scrapping stuff to make another "project"! I love that she enjoys the things I enjoy :)

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!

Once again, I have done a holiday project and not mailed it on time, so...

Happy Mother's Day Mom! This will be arriving in your mailbox soon. Sorry it's late!


Monday, May 4, 2009

Progress

Okay, so I haven't posted much work lately but I did want go on record that I have been getting things done! I made a 2-page layout for a magazine submission, did two design team projects (1 layout, 1 mini album), created 4 sketch class layouts, put together the Jessica Sprague Stories in Hand book, made 1 mini-album gift (to be posted after it is given) and ...


That's a pretty good month, I think! Six months ago, I scrapbooked occasionally. When I had time. And everyone knows that you don't just "have" time you have to "make" time. Now I have made scrapbooking a priority and am really pleased with the progress I have made. I can't say I am caught up, but who is!

I can't wait to see what the next 6 months bring!

Friday, May 1, 2009

May Challenge

Okay, so I haven't completed my April Challenge (or my January Challenge, for that matter), but that isn't going to stop me from creating a new challenge for May...

Birthday Layouts!

In looking back through my albums, I have discovered that despite the numerous pictures I have from the kids birthdays I have very few birthdays recorded in their albums. So this month, I plan to tackle all things birthday!

**I also have page kits prepared for the January & April Challenges and plan to post some pages soon! I have been super busy lately with preparing to teach my first class :)
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

It's Official!


I am pleased to announce that I will be teaching my first class in May! This "Sketches" class will feature American Crafts' new papers and new wood flourishes from Kaiser Craft. We will complete two layouts in class, and everyone will go home with numerous additional ideas about how to use sketches!

Check out the Times to Treasure website for more information!
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Think Green!

Today I am posting a layout I did for a magazine submission last fall (it wasn't chosen), but I thought it was fitting to post today for Earth Day!


I used all scraps (paper & fabric) to make this layout. It is a technique I should employ more, as I always have lots of perfectly good scrap paper!

Happy Earth Day!
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Sunday, April 19, 2009

Another Design Team Peek

My Design Team projects have finally made it to the Scrapbook Cupboard! Here is a peek at one more project with the Cosmo Cricket Snorkel papers...



After working on these projects with my summer & swimming photos, I am totally ready for some warm weather!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

New Design Team Peek

Here is a peek at the Design Team Project I just finished...


All the products are from the Cosmo Cricket Snorkel Line. Look for it soon at the Scrapbook Cupboard.

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Thursday, April 2, 2009

April Challenge

Last month my daughter celebrated her 4th birthday. One of the characters that is popular with preschool girls these days is Fancy Nancy. Daniela received some "fancy" dress-up as a gift, and it is my inspiration this month...



Not sure where I am going with it yet, but I love the colors, the ribbons, the frills, the beads, the flowers, and of course, the "fancy words"!

Stay tuned for more on this challenge, and more about a couple of other special projects I have in the works!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

March Challenge - Results

Earlier this month, I challenged myself to make some title pages for my albums. Well, after searching through piles of old pictures, and ordering a few more, I have completed two layouts. Now my family albums from the past two years finally have title pages!



Saturday, March 28, 2009

Mother/Daughter Cropping

This morning Daniela & I found some time to scrapbook together... well, it started out with both of us working, but in order to keep Cameron from wrecking her project I had to run interference. She did a great job working with mostly verbal directions.

Daniela was working on the most recent challenge from the Kids Can Scrap blog - a monochromatic layout. It was a great teaching opportunity and she really likes to see it "on the computer" (when I show her where it is on the KCS blog).

Here are some of the "Scrapbooking Lessons" from this morning:

1 - We discussed the word "monochromatic" - it's pronunciation and it's meaning

2 - Then she chose a color and found matching the accents & letters. (We changed colors from purple because "there were not enough things to use" - her words)

3- We did a "letter hunt" to find all of the letters for the title
Letter Hunt - I called a letter from where Cameron & I were playing, and she found it on the sticker sheet & added it to the page.

4- She got to practice with punches, scissors, glue & the stapler

5- She added her handwriting to the page (good practice, but a nice keepsake too)

Here is her final product (using a picture she took):



Have fun scrapping with your kids!
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Saturday, March 14, 2009

Design Team Assignment #2

So, after a brief break from scrapbooking to prepare for & execute the big birthday week, I am getting back down to business! Today I completed some more design team work, you can see it in person at the Scrapbook Cupboard.

Here is your sneak peek...

Lots of cute little animals from the new Die Cuts with a View "Green Stack":


Spring Flowers from Karen Foster:

Thursday, March 12, 2009

March Challenge

Okay, I need some motivation. I have been so busy with my daughter's birthday, that I haven't really spent much time scrapbooking lately. So it is time to challenge myself again...

Challenge - Create Title Pages for Albums!

I don't create chronologically most of the time, but I do organize my albums chronologically. I am usually busy creating specific pages, so I don't always stop and look at the big picture... which is exactly what the Title Page is for. Most of my albums don't have a title page right now. So my task this month is to stop and look back through my photos to create title pages that summarize the album. Whether it is our trip to Disney World, Cameron's Baby Book, or our family album for 2008, I am going to make a title page!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

February Challenge - Results

February Challenge Results: So far I have completed 4 layouts with old photos & I have several more in the works.

Layout #1 - I See You!
Old Pictures & no new supplies


Layout #2 - Project Hat
Old Pictures with some new supplies & some old


Layout #3 - Summer Activities 2008
no extra credit here :) - Old Pictures & almost all new supplies


Layout #4 - Cameron in the jumper
Old Pictures & a class layout that had been photo-less

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Design Team Sneak Peek

A few weeks ago I completed my first Design Team assignment for the Scrapbook Cupboard in E. Bridgewater, MA. Here is a preview... check out all of my first assignment on the Scrapbook Cupboard website. Leave a comment if you need directions to the store!




Stay tuned for assignment #2, coming soon...

Friday, February 20, 2009

February Challenge

I know. I haven't posted much lately. Well, unfortunately, I have a good reason for that. My computer isn't working - again. Due to the computer issues, I have been working with a new challenge...

Challenge: Use the pictures that have been sitting around to create layouts.

Benefits:
~Fill in empty spaces in albums
~Cross things off the to do list
~Less photos lying around taking up space

Extra Credit: Don't shop for new supplies!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Mommy & Me Valentines

It's that time of the year. Time to decide, to make or to buy? The choice - make. Buying character valentines might have seemed easier, however, after taking a look, I don't think Daniela (nearly 4) could have written her name small enough to fit on the cards, nevermind writing the names of her classmates.

This evening we got down to business and made 18 valentines for the school party tomorrow - nothing like last minute pressure! I did the prep work in advance, so Daniela could help with as many tasks as possible.

The design criteria:

1- enough supplies on hand to make 18 cards exactly the same (don't want any hurt feelings at school)

2- large enough space for preschooler to write her name and recipient's name

3- use her favorite things - glitter, stamps, punches, brads (she calls them "nails")

4- take under 2 hours to make (including her writing the names)


I was able to come up with a design that she could really help with. She did the stamping, names, punching the "Happy Valentines Day" circles, bending the tips of the brads, rounding the corners, gluing the front elements on and applying the glitter stickers. She is quite proud and wanted to stay up even later to do more :)



On the front: wrap around of the striped strip, a die cut heart glued to a circle with a brad through it, and a punched circle with "Happy Valentine's Day".

On the back: stamping "to" & "from", plenty of space to write the names, a striped strip across the middle and a glitter heart sticker.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Publication Update

I am excited to announce that I have my first two items in publications right now.

#1 - The Princess Purse Mini-Album I made a few months back is in the January issue of Scrapbook News & Review Electronic Magazine. You can see it by subscribing at www.scrapbookingnewsandreview.com . There are tons of ideas in each issue - very inspiring.

#2 - My "Pregnancy Brain" Layout is in the Becky's Sketch section of the March Issue of Creating Keepsakes Magazine. My copy has not arrived yet :(, but my friend Amy let me know that it really is in there. I really hope my copy comes tomorrow!

Finally, I know I haven't been posting many projects recently, but I have still been hard at work. I have completed my first design team assignment for the Scrapbook Cupboard, and hope to post that soon. I have also been working on several submissions, which I will post if they are not chosen for publication. One layout is a current favorite of mine (and took a lot of work) so I really hope it gets picked up!

My next project is a collaborative effort --- Daniela & I are making Valentines for her class at school. I will post them when they are done.

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Thursday, February 5, 2009

On the lookout...

For the March issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. It should arrive any day now! I've been waiting since October to see my first published layout. More to come...

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Wishing for Spring!

Here is a super cute shape book, just in time for spring!

(again, this will be a birthday gift, so it has no pictures in it.)




Thursday, January 29, 2009

Birthday Shape Book

This is how I spent my snow day yesterday.

A great gift for the next birthday party my daughter is invited to!