Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone!  We're gearing up for a fun night of trick or treating tonight.  My 10-year-old is going as a devil, and my 8-year-old is going as an adorable 50's style car hop waitress.  I plan to take a lot of photos!

Here's a Halloween layout I created for Creating Keepsakes magazine.

As seen in the September/October 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes. Copyright Creative Crafts Group.  Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

I used micro beads to create a sparkly title (the word "witch").

To make the micro bead title, I used the negative portion of individual chipboard letters as the stencils.  I simply positioned each letter on the paper, filled the empty space with white glue, then I poured micro beads over the glue to fill the space. Once dry, I removed the chipboard negative and was left with a beautiful sparkly letter.  I did this technique one letter at a time.  When they were all done, I outlined the letters with a gold paint pen.

Have a spooooooooooooooooooooky Halloween!

The November/December issue of Creating Keepsakes is out!

The November/December 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes is out, and it's an awesome issue!

The gorgeous mini album on the cover was done by the very talented Suzy Plantamura. 

I'm excited to share that I wrote the Supply Savvy article for this issue!!  It's about creative ways to use doilies on your layouts. Inside this issue you will also find:

• creative ways to photograph and scrapbook the holidays.
• clever ideas for using tags and bags on your layouts.
• impressive tips for incorporating subway and word art into your layouts.
• festive, helpful hints for keeping your holiday memories alive in your scrapbook pages.

Would you like to win a free copy of this issue PLUS a free one-year subscription to Creating Keepsakes magazine? Go to the Creating Keepsakes Blog and leave a comment there for a chance to win! 

Queen & Co. -- Fun with washi tape and twine

Washi tape and bakers twine are hot, hot, hot right now in the scrapbooking and cardmaking worlds.  Queen & Co. has a HUGE selection of both these popular items.  Check out Queen & Co.'s Trendy Tape and Twine Twist.  I recently had the pleasure of designing some projects with Queen & Co's newest tapes, twine, and rhinestones.

First up is a layout I created. I cut out stars in varying sizes, then I placed the Trendy Tape (aka washi tape) on another sheet of cardstock behind the openings. 

I outlined the stars with the twine. 

When I finished the layout, I had the cut-out stars left over.  I didn't want them to go to waste, so I used them to make a card.  I covered them with strips of Queen & Co's Trendy Tapes, then I matted each star on black cardstock. I added a rainbow of twine and rhinestones.

These bright colors make me very happy! 

Upcoming Classes at Treasured Memories Scrapbook Store

Hey all you Southern California scrapbookers!  I want to let you know about a couple upcoming scrapbook classes I'll be teaching at Treasured Memories scrapbook store in Oak Park, CA on Saturday November 17th.  I'll be teaching two, 2-page layout classes that day.  The first class features Prima's beautiful new Romance Novel collection, and it includes an array of flowers, chipboard, crystals, pearls, lace, ribbon, washi tape, cardstock doilies and more!  Here's a little sneak peek:

The second layout features products from Making Memorie's gorgeous Modern Millinery line, and it includes a mix of feminine embellishments, bling, gorgeous trim and doilies. All of the paper doilies in this kit will be individually die-cut by me using acid free cardstock.  Here are a couple snippets from the layout:

If you can't attend the classes, both can be purchased as kits. Photos and detailed instructions included! 

There are more details about the classes (i.e., times, cost, etc.) on the Treasured Memories Blog and the Class Calendar.  You can sign up for one or both of the classes by calling Treasured Memories.

I hope to see you there!!!

Role Model

Hi everyone! Today I want to share a layout I did for a Creating Keepsakes article about "Role Models." My page features my wonderful, kind-hearted, and incredibly loving mom. She is such an extraordinary person, and I am very blessed to be her daughter.

As seen in Creating Keepsakes magazine.  Copyright Creative Crafts Group.  Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

The journaling says:

Dear Mom,

I thank my lucky stars every day that I’ve been blessed with a mother like you.  Besides being the best mother and friend a girl could ever ask for, you are also my role model.  You have completely shaped the person I am today.  Through your actions I have learned compassion, kindness, integrity, responsibility and generosity.  You have also shown me that it’s possible to possess all of these wonderful qualities and still be able to be assertive and stand up for myself . . . in a nice way.  From the example you set, I am continually learning how to be a better wife and mother.  When I see how kind and patient you are with Rebecca and Danielle, it reminds me to take a breath and be more kind and patient with them myself.  You have become an important role model for them by teaching them how to handle situations with grace and integrity.  Someday I will have grandchildren of my own, and I aspire to be the kind of loving and generous grandma you are.  Honestly, I have never known anyone who has a bigger heart than you.  You always set a good example for all of us. Everyone whose life you touch is richer for the experience. I thank you for all the guidance (spoken and unspoken) you have given me throughout my life.  I’m so very grateful to have you as my mother.  I love you with all my heart.

Love,

Your Darling Daughter (as you affectionately call me)