A PSA then on to our regularly scheduled programming . . .

Last Sunday I was rear-ended by a hit-and-run driver who had been drinking. Thank goodness my girls weren't in the car with me and thankfully nobody was injured.  But I was totally flabbergasted when she immediately drove off without stopping . . . and this with the front of her car completely bashed in and smoke billowing out from under her hood!!!  At that point it didn't even occur to me that she might have been drinking because it was during the day on a Sunday.  But I didn't want her to get away with it, so I followed her for almost two miles as she made left and right turns down different streets (which I assume was her panicked attempt to flee).   My husband likes to embellish the story and say that I engaged in a "low speed chase" through the streets of Los Angeles, but it was easy to safely keep up with her because she wasn't driving at a super high speed.  She was an older woman and her car clearly sustained a lot of damage, so I'm sure those two factors slowed her down a bit.  

I called 911, at which point she finally pulled over and got out of her car.  I immediately smelled the alcohol on her breath and could tell she was a bit impaired.  I did everything I could to stall her until the police got there, which wasn't for another 30-40 minutes. There's more to the story, but I won't bore you with all the details.  I'm just so relieved that my girls weren't in the car with me at the time and that she didn't harm anyone.  To the lady who rear-ended me: Please get some help so that you don't do this again and possibly cause serious harm to someone or yourself.   As I somberly told you at the scene: Luckily nobody was injured this time, but the next person you hit might not be so lucky.  My PSA for the day:  don't drink and drive!

Now back to our regulary scheduled programming . . .

Here's a Prima layout I made based on the September BAP:

I used Prima's bright and colorful Alla Prima line and mixed in a few bits of lace and other goodies from the last release.

On another happy note, today is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.   A few weeks ago I received a lovely email from Dafi Barilan, a sweet scrapper from Israel.  Dafi and her colleague, Rachel, have created a new line of Hebrew alpha stickers and sticker phrases that say "Shana Tova" for Rosh Hashanah. You can find them here:  http://mastikim.co.il/.  She was kind enough to send me some of these stickers to try out.   Here are a couple Rosh Hashanah cards I made:

The phrase sticker packages are great because you get the individual alphas on one sheet and the negative on the other side.  Great idea!  I don't know how to read Hebrew so I needed a little help with the stickers.  I'm embarrassed to admit that I initially put the Hebrew phrase upside down on both cards, but they are fixed now.  Oopsie.  Thank you, Dafi!  And Happy New Year!

Have a wonderful day!

CKU Blog Hop

Hi and welcome to the CKU Blog Hop! We’re sharing some projects that we hope will get you excited about CKU Reunion, whether you’ve already registered, are planning to come, or wishing you were coming. The blog hop is from Friday, Sept. 23 at 10:00 am MT until Saturday, Sept. 24 at 10:00 am MT. If you get lost during the hop, come back here for the hop order (below). Have fun hopping!

Mou Saha  http://collagecollagecollage.blogspot.com
Teresa Collins http://www.teresacollins.typepad.com
Stacy Cohen (you are here!) http://www.stacycohen.blogspot.com/
Piradee Talvanna  http://www.piradee.blogspot.com/
Laura Vegas http://www.lauravegas.typepad.com
Stacy Croninger http://lifestacycstyle.blogspot.com/
Michelle Hill http://www.polkadotwhimsy.typepad.com/

Megan Hoeppner http://meganhoeppner.blogspot.com/

Kim Watson http://kj-starre.blogspot.com/

If you’re following the CKU Blog Hop, you should have come from Teresa Collin's blog. If you stumbled upon this blog post and want to see all the CKU Blog Hop participants, make sure to go to Mou Saha’s blog to start from the beginning.

Join us at CKU Reunion in San Diego, CA October 27-29 for a weekend of creating, connecting, and inspiration. You’ll spend one day completing an album that will be ready for photos when you get home and another day creating in four 90 minute classes including mixed media canvas art, fabric creations, jewelry, and more. Plus, there are evening crops, bonus classes, goodie bags, a commemorative tote, and so much more all for only $295! And you’ll be learning from some of the industry’s finest such as Lisa Bearnson, Teresa Collins, Stacy Julian, Michelle Hill, Megan Hoeppner, and other inspiring teachers. 

This is one of the awesome classes that will be offered:

Album Track: Got Your Number - taught by Megan Hoeppner
We've got your number in this incredible 11 page 12" x 12" album class. Join us as we count the ways numbers impact your everyday life. You'll look back on important numeric events in your life, such as memorable milestones (marriage, graduation, etc.), and significant (and playful) quantities (the number of children you have, the amount of times you indulge in your favorite vice every day, etc.). And you'll have a blast personalizing your album with numbers unique to you-your home address, your lucky number, etc. Plus, as you add up the numbers of your life, you'll learn innovative techniques such as coloring with Twinkling H20s, stitching, and misting all while using Pink Paislee's NEW Daily Junque line. Top it off with clever ideas for using unexpected supplies, such as cupcake liners, washi tape, bakers twine, and more, and you've got one fresh album. Whatever your digit, this album is rated a 10.0 for fun and creativity!

To give you an idea of one way you can use numbers on your project, here's a layout I created a while back using photos of my daughter at ages 4, 5, 6, and 7.  I added the age number next to each picture.

Now head on over to Piradee Talvana's blog!

Once Upon a Sketch Mid-Month Challenge

This week has just flown by!  I spent a good portion the last few days editing, re-sizing, uploading and ordering pictures.  Why does the process take me so long??  There must be a faster way.  Lately I've been printing my photos on my home printer on an 'as needed basis', but with the high cost of printer ink, it's much more economical to have them printed by a photo lab.  I like to use Snapfish, Costco, Winkflash or Scrapbook Pictures.  So off went my order for 200 pictures yesterday.  That should tide me over for a while.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm honored to be a Guest Designer at Once Upon a Sketch this month.   Here is the layout I created for the September 15th challenge:

All of the products on this page are Prima except for the gauze.  I love using gauze on my pages.  I think it creates an ethereal feeling.

Journaling Criteria: "Journal 2 lines directly on your photo. You can write on your photo, you can print your writing on your photo, you can use journaling strips on your photo etc. There is no theme this time, just a journaling technique criteria."

Here's the sketch:

Head on over to Once Upon a Sketch and play along!

CRAFT Blog Hop and Giveaway

Welcome to the CRAFT: Creating Reflective Art for Transformation Blog Hop! This event is brought to you by the team at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out, the premier source for inspiration to explore your inner world. I’ll be leading a creative and meaningful workshop, using some of the latest and greatest products from our generous sponsors, at this intimate, boutique event right on the beach in beautiful Santa Monica, CA, November 11-13, 2011. You’ll spend a magical weekend focused on embracing who you truly are and gaining the skills, techniques and tools to use our craft to understand yourself more deeply on an ongoing basis.

I'll be sharing my style of layering, dimension and texture with you in this workshop where you'll explore an accomplishment in your past, and a dream for your future in two detailed layouts. How will you bridge the gap between who you were and who you want to be, and what will you take with you? Sponsored by Prima, you'll love the elegant colors, shapes and of course, FLOWERS that we'll be using along with trim, Thickers, glitter and more.  Here's a sneak of some of the products we'll be using in my class:

CRAFT:

Three full days of crafting, creativity and camaraderie for only $450

(three consecutive monthly payments of $150 each.)

Spots are still available for this unique, pampering and heart-expanding getaway. 

Register now at the event blog HERE.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• 6 emotion-focused, technique-teaching personal workshops ~ All CRAFTers participate in every class. No need to choose ~ they're ALL yours in
CRAFT’s ocean-view, beautifully styled, creative space
• 4 special Art & Soul experiences
• Scrumptious breakfasts & lunches from Hollywood hot spot Urth Caffe
~ Friday, Saturday & Sunday
• Sweets, treats & beverages all day long
• Transportation from The Ambrose to and from the Annenberg Beach House for all workshops and activities via the CRAFTy Cab
• Oodles of workshop supplies

(you’ll just need to bring your basic tool kit – checklist to be provided later)
• A fabulous welcome gift, a CRAFTy tote filled with goodies,

valuable giveaways and fun prizes!

*Lots more details on girls’ night out dinners, airport transportation, location, hotel and event venue and more are available HERE.

For questions, comments and special requests, please email event coordinator Paige Ramos at craftbeachretreat@gmail.com

The Dates: November 11-13, 2011
The Times: Workshops from 9-5 each day, broken into two sessions.

SPONSORS:

 

 

  WHY SHOULD YOU COME TO CRAFT?

 

What really sets CRAFT apart is the unique mission of Scrapbooking from the Inside Out, kit club, inspiration source and online community. Thousands of participants all over the world have used SFTIO’s resources to explore their deepest emotions. They’ve lifted themselves and each other exploring Freedom, Gratitude, Anticipation and Wonder. They’ve faced their inner doubts and fears delving into Regret, Yearning, Loss and Vulnerability.

SFTIO’s trademarked and industry-exclusive approach to artistic motivation is the heart and soul of what makes them unique. Their monthly inspiration page with hand-selected music, stock photography, quotations and deep journaling prompts elevates scrapbooking to an expressive art form where members are guided to truly explore their inner worlds. Click here for links to past Inspiration Pages to see more.

SFTIO raises the bar even more by providing challenges using the prompts that add a design twist, teaching members to use ‘visual journaling’ – powerful symbolism – to combine right and left brain expression. The result? Meaningful, rich, pages and projects that reflect all of who you are, Inside and Out.

CRAFT workshops will incorporate a variety of tested, proven multimedia inspiration tools combined with the special talents and techniques of a stellar teaching staff, supported by Art Therapist Rita Coufal, PhD and Artist/Therapist Joy Mauldin.

Growth is a journey…not a destination. And it’s a most personal one…only you know what you need out of this experience. In the intimate, supportive setting SFTIO has created for you, you’ll have the opportunity to practice being more and more yourself. Their take on scrapbooking and creativity isn’t about a quick fix, or a set of ‘positive thinking’ reminders. It’s about a deeper approach, telling your truth – pretty or not, looking at both sides of the coin, and leaving the weekend together with the creative skills and tools to be more fully expressed in your life.

THE INSTRUCTORS:

While you’ll be learning amazing techniques, styles, tips and techniques in every workshop, these are not cookie-cutter sessions – you’ll be challenged to dig deep, learn about yourself and tailor your project to reflect who you are and who you want to be.

American Crafts Design Team and Product Designer
Hambly Screen Prints Design Team

Mixed Media Designer
Copic Certified Designer

Creating Keepsakes Dream Team 2011
Lily Bee Design Team
Jillibean Soup Design Team

Copy/Creative Editor for Northridge Publishing
American Crafts Blog Hostess/Design Team

 Founder and President, Scrapbooking from the Inside Out

And yours truly . . . 

Creating Keepsakes Dream Team 2011
Prima Design Team

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
REGISTER NOW.

And now for a giveaway! SFTIO is giving away FIVE kits to FIVE lucky readers…make sure to leave a comment (before Noon Pacific Time on 9-15) on each blog you visit in the hop to increase your chance of winning. Tell us please, in your comment, what emotion you’d love to explore in your scrapbooking! Winners will be chosen from all blog comment entries and will be announced on 9-16 on the SFTIO blog.

Are you just beginning at this blog? Make sure you begin at the SFTIO blog so you don't miss all sneaky peeks and your chance to win one of six kits! If you get lost, here's a list of all the stops on the hop:

 SFTIO: http://scrapbookingfromtheinsideout.blogspot.com

Stacy Cohen: http://stacycohen.blogspot.com/

Linda Barber: http://milesofpaper.blogspot.com/

Paige Ramos: http://thebumpyride.blogspot.com

Amy Tan: http://amytangerine.blogspot.com/

Paige Evans: http://chrisandpaige.blogspot.com/

Tammy Onderdonk Klass: http://createdreamlive.blogspot.com/
Seven Gypsies: http://www.sevengypsies.blogspot.com/

Ly T. Le: http://www.lytlescrapper.com/

Melissa Elsner: http://theprofoundbrunette.blogspot.com
Jillibean Soup: http://www.jillibeansoup.typepad.com/

Rita Barakat: http://letsembellish.blogspot.com/

Kai Baldwin: http://www.enjoytheridetoday.blogspot.com/

CRAFT Blog: http://craftbeachretreat.blogspot.com/

For your next stop, make sure to check out Linda Barber’s blog.

 Good luck and we hope to see you at CRAFT!

Back to school and CK Budget Issue Giveaway winner

Shhhhhhhhhhhh . . . can you hear it? Yep, that's the sound of QUIET, something I haven't heard in my house for the past couple of months. My girls started back at school yesterday (2nd and 4th grade . . . where does the time go??).  As much as I enjoyed having my girls home with me during the summer, I'm happy to be back on our regular school schedule and have some much needed time to myself.

Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner of the Creating Keepsakes Special Budget-Friendly issue. The Random Number Generator picked #2, which is Romy!  Congrats Romy!  I'll contact you to get your address.

Here's a closer look at a layout I did for the budget issue.  The article shows how you can stretch your scrap supplies further by sharing them with friends.  In this case, several of us used papers and stickers from a single Basic Grey collection, along with a circle punch.  We all came up with very different layouts.  Here's mine:

Copyright Creative Crafts Group.  Published with prior permission from the publisher.

I cut the flowers out of the patterned paper and used them as my main page accent, and I used a circle punch to create a layered page border (accented with Shimmerz paint on the edges for a little sparkle).

I hope you're getting a nice dose of YOU time today!!  
 

Once Upon a Sketch Guest Designer

I'm honored to be the Guest Designer at Once Upon a Sketch this month!  If you haven't heard of this fabulous sketch challenge site, you should definitely check it out!  There's a sketch and a journaling prompt twice a month.  This is the layout I created for the September 1st challenge:

Journaling Criteria: A memorable year - Your title must be a year, and you must journal at least 2 lines on why this year is memorable for you. Examples: the year you got married, the year you graduated, the year you moved to a new house/country, the year you started a new job, the year your child was born, the year you lost someone dear. Your journaling can be in any language and any format (written, typed etc).

Here is the sketch:

Head on over to Once Upon a Sketch and play along!