Don't be scared, be thankful

I know it is the day of all things frightful but we don't really celebrate Halloween.  We used to go to parties and occasionally I got to dress up for work - depending on who I was working for.  We had one VP who decreed 'no costumes' by anyone in his departments.  Is there an equivalent of 'Scrooge' for Halloween?

Instead of All Hallow's Eve, I'm looking toward November with All Souls Day, Election Day, Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving.  Election Day will bring a blessed end to all the political ads.  Yeah!  In case you haven't heard, the senate race in NC is the most expensive Congressional race in history and has now topped the $100 million mark in spending.  Think of all the good that $100 million could have done.

Anyway, November is a time to be thankful so starting November 1, I'm committing to blogging about one thing every day that I am thankful for.  Thirty days, thirty blog entries.  Want to join me?

If you don't have a blog, keep a list, write them in your journal, Tweet, Facebook, post on Google+, wherever you like.  Just spend a minute or two each day on your blessings.

So I'll see you back here tomorrow for my first gratitude.  I'll also Tweet, Facebook and Google+. In the meantime, I wish you only treats and no tricks.

When Style Mattered

(Ok, I'm going to start out a bit negative today but it gets better, I promise.)

To me, today's cars aren't all that stylish.  And they all look alike. I can't tell one SUV or car from another.  Plus my Honda van is the most uncomfortable vehicle I've ever owned, but that is another story.

We all want great gas mileage.  I want plenty of space to haul stuff.  The sacrifice has been style.

In September we saw a special exhibit at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta called "Dream Cars."  These were all prototypes.  Many were one-offs, some the designer built just for their own personal use.  They had many innovative features far ahead of their time.  A 1950's model had a backup camera that worked much like the ones today. There was a tiny European car that reminds me of some of those ultra tiny cars in large cities.  Although Ralph Nadar would have had a conniption at the idea of riding around in a glass bubble.

What impressed us the most were the beauty of the designs. We really don't know why many of these were not brought to market.  Some were impractical but we and other museum goers were wondering why we never saw some of these on the road.  They were stylish and just plain fun.

For the layout, I wanted a modern feel even though the cars were quite old.  They were modern in their day.  I used only cardstock including the silver cardstock available from Stampin' Up!

STYLE is painted chipboard covered with a layer of Glossy Accents.

Here is the process video at YouTube:


And here is the sketch:

If you like two pagers, check out Two Page Terrific class with 8 video lessons for a great price.

While I'm not particularly a car buff, I always appreciate beautiful design so I'm very thankful this exhibit was available to enjoy the ingenuity and design.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Don't be a scaredy cat

My dear, dear husband has many talents and he is very intelligent.  He knows all kinds of obscure facts particularly about history.  However, a walking calendar he is not.  Every year, he asks me when Halloween is.  Seriously.   Every.  Year.

Today was that day which reminded me that I haven't shared my one and only Halloween card for this year.  This kitty card is from the Silhouette store.  I have to say that I'm glad it is my only card.  It was a bit of a bear to cut all these pieces in different colors. I did a little bit of stenciling on the pumpkin pieces with Hero Arts Tweed stencil.  

He is cute though and it is on its way to Dillon.  Hope you are having a great week!

Hang in There - 3 4x6 Photos

My husband never passes up a good opportunity for an afternoon nap.

We were touring the High Museum in Atlanta and needed a bit more time.  So we started back to the van to feed the fancy parking meter and he spotted the hammocks. They have probably 50 of these frame set up with a hammock you can leave in place or remove.  Some people were dancing or posing inside the structures.  Lenny used it for its intended purpose - a little siesta.

I tried a few designer papers with these photos, but nothing fit the contemporary feel I wanted.  So I stenciled with Crafter's Workshop 6x6 Mini Cubist stencil and some heavy gel and Perfect Pearls.  The sketch below is what I ended up doing but as you will see in the video, I had another plan at the beginning.

Sometimes things just need to evolve.  You can even sleep on it if you need to ;-)

The video at YouTube:



The sketch:

Thanks for visiting today.  More info on Scrapbooking with Stencils class can be found here:

Scrapbooking with Stencils

Thanks for all your comments on this month's newsletter video.  If you aren't a subscriber yet, be sure to sign up on the sidebar.  I will send a copy of the October newsletter to new subscribers in a few days.

Stamping on Ribbon

Archival Ink by Ranger is just amazing.  It stamps so beautifully on all kinds of surfaces and is permanent.  I first bought it for mixed media so I could mist over or go over with Mod Podge but now I use it on almost everything.  For these cards, I stamped the ribbons with black Archival Ink.

For the background, I cut a stencil on the Silhouette and then went over it with metallic white craft paint.  After it dried, I used watercolors for the blue and purple tones. Easy and so inexpensive.

Creating your own stencils on the Silhouette and many more techniques for using stencils are in

Scrapbooking with Stencils class.

All of these techniques can be used on cards as well. This self-paced class has over 4 hours of video instruction and is only $20 US.  Click on the class name for more info.

Thanks for visiting today!

October Newsletter

The October newsletter will soon be out.  It will be all about the wonderful tried and true 4x6 photo!  I've been using 4x6's in my YouTube videos all month.

In the newsletter, I'll have a video with a brand new layout featuring a 4x6 photo.  We will look at one way to keep a single photo from getting lost on the page.

Plus we will talk about using the 4x6 format to print smaller photos and save money.  And who doesn't love to save money?

Be sure to subscribe over on the sidebar of my blog.  I'll be sending out the newsletter sometime on Thursday with one resend later in the month for new subscribers.

Quick page from a Kit

Twelve beautiful papers and 2 useful sticker sheets for only $6!  I could not pass that up.  Actually, I'd better pass up that aisle at Hobby Lobby or I will have way too much paper because with a coupon, this is their regular price for kits.

I love this Everyday Eclectic line from Echo Park.  It is an older line and the colors are just what I needed for the spring colors we were all wearing on this gloomy day in March.  New friends got together for a crop.  Most of us met on-line.  I haven't been to a crop in years as I'm the kind of scrapbooker who has to let things set a bit as I'm working plus I never know what I'm going to want to use.  For this day, I made cards.  The main thing was fellowship.

For the page, I used my favorite paper for the background so you know I had to cut out the middle :-)  Two of the B sides created large mats for the 4x6 photos.  I needed only a couple of embellishments beyond the sticker sheets.

So here's the process video at YouTube:



And here is the sketch:

The 4x6 theme continues in this month's newsletter.  Be sure to subscribe if you haven't already (on the sidebar).  An exclusive video for newsletter subscribers will be coming your way in a few days.  Thanks for stopping by! 

TrueScrap Winners

Lain has announced the winners of the TrueScrap giveaway.  Check it out here to see if your name was chosen.

If not, you can still purchase a spot and save $20 through Monday, October 13.  Click here to purchase your seat in TrueScrap and use code "HERO" to save.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Rounded pocket and a Pocket Page

I have more Atlanta Botanical Garden photos to scrap.  I am by no means scrapping every photo we took; there were so many pretty things to see.  I like to get quite a few in my scrapbook because honestly if I don't put them here, they will never been seen again.


So I'm turning to a pocket page to make things easier.  I find with pocket pages, it is better to just use both sides for one event.  Leaving one side blank, it never seems to match up with other pages in my album.  I didn't photograph the back side but there are 5 more photos and more pattern paper from BasicGrey's Herbs and Honey.  I just added a few stickers for embellishment.

The main page continues with the round stencil theme.  This time I am using the Byzantine stencil from Crafter's Workshop on the cardstock pocket.  The pocket gives me room to hold my memorabilia for the memories and also for reference as we might go back again someday.






Here is the process video on YouTube:


These pages accompany an earlier layout you can find here.


Didn't the stenciled are turn out pretty?  If you like stenciling and mixed media, you will love my new class Scrapbooking with Stencils.  4 hours of video instruction, sketches and PDF's all for only $20!   Find out more here.

Thanks for stopping by!

4x6 Photo Pages

Oh, hail the 4x6 print!  This month I'm going to use mostly 4x6 photos in my layouts.  I've gotten in the habit of cropping down my photos before printing to a size I think will work well on my layouts.  Often this means a 3x5 or sometimes a square photo.  I don't always have the complete layout in mind.  I just know which photos I think need the full 4x6 treatment and which can go a bit smaller.

This all works great until I want to print a bunch of photos.  Then it is just overwhelming to figure out sizes for everything.  I did know that I had far more photos for these pages of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens than I could use as full 4x6.  So some of them are cropped to 3" x 4" with two photos per print.  I also cropped a bunch to 4x4 which will be on another page later in the week.  I was printing these on a Walgreens special of 50 photos for $6 so I did quite a few more 4x6 and those will be coming up in later pages.

So this month we celebrate the 4x6 print with lots of layouts.  The first one has 12 photos.  If you use truly 4" x 6" prints, you would get 7 of those plus one cropped down to 4x4.  However the sketch below is adapted, it holds a lot of photos.

The page also features some stenciling that picks up on the theme of the creatures created from a frame filled with plant materials.  Stenciling often fits in so well, I don't need a lot of other embellishment. To learn more about the most versatile tool in the scrapbooking world, check out Scrapbooking with Stencils class.  It is amazing what you can do with a few stencils and many products you already have!

The garden exhibit was called Imaginary Worlds.  My husband liked the snakes best and I admit they were spectacular.  My favorite was Mother Nature which was the largest sculpture with a waterfall spilling over her hand.  I also chuckled at the chimpanzees.

The process video at YouTube:



And the sketch:

More about the rest of the garden will be coming along later in the week in another spread that has a pocket for memorabilia and lots of journaling.

Don't forget my giveaway through Thursday.  Click here for yesterday's post to put your name in the hat for a drawing for a free pass to TrueScrap coming up soon.  It is a $99 value so you don't want to miss your chance!

True Scrap ***GIVEAWAY*** chance

I have a very special giveaway opportunity today through Wednesday here on the blog.  Read the post carefully so you can qualify for a chance to win!

There is a full day scrapping event happening later this month called True Scrap.  Eight inspiring and talented scrapbooking instructors will come right into your living room or wherever via your computer.  You can even participate in your PJ's if you like.

With True Scrap 6, you get great on-line education and everything is LIVE so you don't lose that feeling of community and excitement that comes with an in-person event - but no packing and travel expenses! On October 18, True Scrap 6 takes to the internet with a full day of scrapbooking and papercrafting inspiration, hosted by producer Lain Ehmann and with classes from:

• Noell Hyman
• Nichol Magouirk
• Tracy Banks
• Donna Salazar
• Jen Gallacher
• Layle Koncar
• Kelli Crowe
• Katrina Kennedy

Yes, it's all streamed live... AND it's all recorded so you can revisit your favorite classes again and again!

I'm giving away one spot in this one-of-a-kind event. Here's what you need to do:
1. Visit www.truescrap.com and watch the short video at the top of the page.
2. Return here and leave a comment below by midnight, October 9, about which class you're most excited about.
3. Check back on 10/10 to see if you won!

And here's something for EVERYONE... Not sure you'll be lucky enough to win a spot? No worries... you can use coupon code “HERO” at checkout to save 20% off the regular registration rate. Just head over to www.truescrap.com and get yourself signed up! (Coupon expires 10/13).

About True Scrap: True Scrap blends the best of on-demand, web-based learning with the excitement and energy of a live, in-person event. True Scrap events have delighted thousands of ecstatic students over the past three years. Produced by Lain Ehmann with previous instructors ranging from Heidi Swapp to Shimelle Laine, True Scrap events are sure to inspire, entertain, and educate. Find out more at www.truescrap.com.

Rules and guidelines: One entry per person, please. Contest closes to entries on Thursday, 10/9 at midnight Pacific. Winners will be chosen by random drawing on Friday, 10/10 and will be posted on Truescrap.com, and spots must be claimed by Sunday, October 12. If you have already purchased a spot and subsequently win a spot,  you may transfer your prize to another person or receive a credit from your original purchase towards a future True Scrap event. No cash refunds will be given.

So be sure to watch the video and comment here on MY blog for your chance to win this spot.  I'm excited for everyone to have this opportunity.

And if you want to go ahead and register for TrueScrap, click here.

If you are a new visitor, I hope you will check out my other pages on the blog and subscribe to my YouTube channel. Check back tomorrow for a new video from me using a bunch of 4x6 photos on a two page layout.  Hope you have a great week!

More Christmas Cards

Here are a couple more of the cards from last weekend.

I CASEd this design from Susan over at Rainy Day Creations.  Check out her card here.

I changed the design by stamping rather than die cutting my background.  The tree design is stenciled rather than stamped using Crafter's Workshop Aspen Trees stencil.  The little bird is from Stampin' Up! and the greeting from a Raisin Boat set.

To do the stenciling, I went over the stencil with sponged on ink and then used a marker to color in the bark on the birch trees.  I misted the entire thing with a light aqua mist to add some shimmer.  These are my favorite cards so far.

To learn more about using stencils on your projects, check out Scrapbooking with Stencils.  While the class examples are scrapbook pages, the techniques can apply to any project including cards!

For this card, I used some wonderful BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses 6x6 paper I won as blog candy.  The stamp is Stampin' Up!  I'm repeating this design from last year just with different papers.  My mother and I send cards to different people for the most part so I don't think a few repeats will matter.

Saturday is National Cardmaking Day so I hope to get in a card or two.  Will you be crafting this weekend?

From our garden

It was a wonderful growing season here this year.  Just the right amount of rain and sunshine brought us and all our neighbors a good crop of whatever we planted.  For my husband, the gardener in the family, he picked buckets of tomatoes from his two plants, more cantalope than I could possibly eat and he is still harvesting watermelons even in late September.  The only casualty were the peaches which were hit by a late frost.

The journaling on this page is an almanac we can refer to in future years.  I particularly noted how the one tomato plant he staked did so much better than the one he let sprawl all over the place.  He has used tomato cages in the past but they always seem to topple over. This year he discovered that using rebar (used in construction) works great.

The papers are from BasicGrey's Herbs and Honey 6x6 and some 12x12 papers.  The wood veneer is from Studio Calico.

After I got started on the layout, I realized the upper right corner was kind of bare.  I added this paper and die cut from the collection.  Since staking the tomatoes was part of the story, I cut some very tiny tomatoes and a vine using my Silhouette.  I think I now know just how small you can cut and still get a good image.  It may be smaller than my hands can manage to glue easily :-)  I might even need to get an extra pair of reading glasses for my craft room.  Or, it could be just that the bulb on my light is getting bad.  You think?

Here's the process video on YouTube:


And here is the sketch:

If you like sketches, check out the 2013 Sketchbook with 52 sketches to scale and links to all the process videos for pages using the sketches --  Sketchbook.

Thanks for stopping by today!