Here kitty, kitty . . .

If you haven't had a chance to pick up Creating Keepsakes' new special issue: Scrapbooking with Fabric & Notions, you really should!  There are so many great ideas for using fabric, trim and notions on your scrapbook layouts.  Here's a layout I created for the issue.  I used premade appliques and fabric to create the butterfly accents.  The layout features our sweet kitty, Smokey.  He was a stray cat who walked into our house one day.  We sent him on his way, but he kept coming back . . . and the rest is history (read this blog post for the full story).  The journaling says:  I remember the day in November 2010 when this precious little stray cat walked right into our house like he owned the place.  We immediately named him Smokey.  He soon become a beloved member of our family, and now he pretty much does own the place!

As seen in Creating Keepsakes' Fabric & Notions 2011 special issue.  Copyright Creative Crafts Group.  Published with prior permission from the publisher.  The papers are Studio Calico.

I bought two sizes of butterfly appliques from my local fabric shop, traced them onto fabric multiple times each, cut them out, then layered them to create dimensional fabric accents.  I added hooks & eyes and rhinestones to the center of each butterfly.   Here's a close-up:

I can use the appliques again and again as quick shape cutters, or I can use them "as is" on a future page.

Thanks for stopping by!

CK giveaway winner + a Prima layout

First off, the winner of Creating Keepsakes' new Scrapbooking Holidays & Celebrations 2011 special issue is . . . . cvanholstein!  Congrats Corina!  I'll contact you for your address. 

Here's another Prima layout I made for the CHA booth last summer.  I used products from the beautiful Romantique collection.

That's my quick post for the day.  Have a great one!

Happy CK News

I'm so happy to share this little bit of news . . .

I've been asked back for another year on the Creating Keepsakes Dream Team.  Being on this team has been such a wonderful experience.  I absolutely love working with CK's fabulous editorial team, my fellow Dream Team members, and the contributing writers.  Seriously, these women are the bestest! I've made some forever-friends, and for that I am most grateful.

Thank you CK for having me back for another year.  I'll try and do you proud!

Winner of CK Fabric & Notions issue plus ANOTHER CK giveaway!

Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner of CK's new special issue: Fabric & Notions.  The random number generator picked #5, which is the comment left by Jamilie!  Congrats Jamilie!  I just left a comment on your blog with my email address.  Thanks for playing along! 

And the good news is that CK has another special issue out called Scrapbooking Holidays & Celebrations 2011. And yes, I have a copy to give away to one lucky blog reader! Don't be shy.  You're all welcome to throw your name into the hat even if you don't regularly comment here.  Come play along!  Here's a peak at the cover:

Whether your holidays and celebrations are casual get-together or formal events, this special issue from Creating Keepsakes magazine is sure to be a trusted source of scrapbooking inspiration! The gallery of 50 outstanding ideas is a quick source of scrapliftable layouts, and you'll also discover ways to make your relationships shine on your scrapbook pages, photo-taking tips to catch meaningful moments and details of your celebrations, and journaling ideas to capture the points of view of your loved ones. Learn ways to create easy holiday accents and even ideas for storing your holiday-themed supplies. Pick up this issue today for non-stop scrapbooking inspiration for all your celebrations during the upcoming year! 

Here's a little sneak of one of the layouts that I created for this special issue (the 2-pager on the bottom):

To be entered to win a copy of this special issue, just leave a comment here before the end of the day next Monday (November 21st) and tell me your favorite Thanksgiving dish or food.  If you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, just tell me about your favorite main dish at family meal time.  Or better yet, email me the recipe! Heeheheeeeeee.

Happy Birthday to my sweet little girl!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little daughter! Danielle turned 8 yesterday (where does the time go?!?).  I'm still trying to recover from her slumber party last night.  We had a bunch of VERY rambunctious little girls running all over the house.  It kind of reminded of the frenzied antics of that old cartoon character, the Tasmanian Devil.  Remember him?  He did those tornado spins and left a path of destruction wherever he went. 

I'm kidding.  In actuality, all the girls who came to the party were very sweet and well-behaved.  It was a nice group of girls.  But wooooooooeeeeeee do they have a lot of energy!  Even though it was a "sleepover" party, there wasn't a whole lot of sleeping going on. Nonetheless, a good time was had by all.  Danielle was overjoyed and said it was one of the best birthdays she's ever had. Hearing that makes me a happy Mama!

Here's a Prima layout I made of my sweet Danielle.  It's one I created for the Prima booth at CHA this past summer.  I'm obviously still way behind on posting.  I used puffy paint (the kind you heat with a heat gun) with Prima's cool brick stencil. 

I just adore the white resin pieces and the beautiful rose vines from Prima's Summer release!

To go along with the window theme of the page, I created a recessed window using several layers of paper separated by 3D adhesive . . . kind of like a shadow box.

 
Happy Birthday, my darling girl!!

Now I'm going to go finish getting ready for the workshop I'm teaching at CRAFT Beach Retreat tomorrow.  Are any of you blog readers attending?  If so, I'll see ya then!!

Creating Keepsakes Special Issue and a Giveaway!

Creating Keepsakes has a great new special issue out, Scrapbooking with Fabric & Notions, and it's starting to hit stores this week!

Discover how to enhance your scrapbook layouts using buttons, fabric, thread, and other materials from the sewing world. From using quick, pre-made accent options to creating beautifully sewn backgrounds, we'll help you learn the ins and outs of adding homespun textures to your layouts with patterns, step-by-step instructions, and more. You won't want to miss this "sew" special issue from Creating Keepsakes.

Here's a sneak peak of a layout I created for this special issue:

My layout focuses on cross-stitching with ribbon, yarn and embroidery thread.  I'll share more details in the coming weeks.  

As usual, the generous folks at Creating Keepsakes are allowing me to give away a copy of this special issue to one lucky blog winner.  For a chance to win, simply leave a comment here before the end of the day on Sunday.  I'll announce the winner next week, at which time I might just have another special issue to share and giveaway!

CRAFT Beach Retreat -- single class and day passes now available!

The CRAFT Beach Retreat is only 8 days away, and now you join us for just a single class or one day!  This is perfect for people who are local to Los Angeles and can't get away for the entire three-day event which runs from November 11 - 13.  Here are the options:

• Single class passes include a fabulous 4 hour deep and meaningful emotion-focused workshop, an eco-friendly tote filled with CRAFTy gifts, a delectable meal catered by Urth Caffe, treats and snacks and a chance to win fun giveaways. $80

• A full day pass includes all of the above plus an additional 4 hour workshop, an additional meal, an even bigger gift tote, more chances to win giveaways and a bonus 'message in a bottle' craft project kit - plus a discount for buying the full day pass. $150

• For the entire glorious pampering weekend, you'll get six 4 hour workshops, a supersized gift tote, 6 delicious meals and 4 bonus art and soul experiences - a guided meditation, the 'message in a bottle' project kit, a henna painting workshop and our exclusive nametag project with collectible and tradeable meaning-filled charms. $450

Click here to register for any of these options.

I will be teaching my workshop on Sunday morning, November 13th.  The focus will be bridging the gap between a past dream/accomplishment you've already achieved and one that you hope to achieve in the future.  We will be creating two layouts using beautiful Prima products and some other shabby chic "accoutrements" from my vintage stash.  There will be lots of layering and texture, and you'll have several options for altering the embellishments to make them your own.  We'll be playing with mists, ink, chalk and glitter (plan to get a little messy!).  Here are the layouts we'll be working on in class:

 

 

 

Hidden journaling:

Thank you Prima and Creating Keepsakes Magazine for your sponsorship!  Other products we'll be using in my workshop include Fancy Pants, EK Success, American Crafts and Clearsnap.

It costs only $80 for my four-hour workshop, which includes over $45 in product, plus a gift bag and a delectable breakfast.  Here's the link to the registration page.  I hope you'll join me at this amazing event!