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!

Creating Keepsakes Budget-Friendly Scrapbooking and a GIVEAWAY!

Creating Keepsakes newest special issue is out!  It's called Budget-Friendly Scrapbooking:

"Prepare to make your stickers, papers, die cuts, and more go further than you ever imagined possible. With the tips and tricks in this special issue from Creating Keepsakes, you'll learn how to create beautiful scrapbook layouts using your scrapbooking leftovers and minimal supplies. Whether you're a new scrapbooker or have been creating for years, we'll show you how to stretch your scrapbooking budget to its fullest."

Here's a little sneak peak of a layout I created for this issue (I'll share a close-up in the coming weeks):

As usual, Creating Keepsakes is graciously allowing me to give away a copy of this special issue to one lucky blog reader.  To be entered to win, simply leave a comment here before Sunday evening and tell something you do to stretch your scrapbook supplies and/or make the most of leftovers.  (One thing I do is save all my scraps of patterened paper and cardstock.  I keep them in drawers in arms' reach of my scrap table. Whenever I need smaller pieces for cards, page accents, stamping, journaling, etc., I reach into my drawers of scraps.)   I'll draw a random winner and announce it here next week!  

Altered embroidery hoops + Prima blog feature

I'm going to keep this post short and sweet because I have a very long post on the Prima blog today where I'm the featured Design Team member.  I've shared some little tidbits about myself along with a couple projects and a tutorial.  Here is one of the projects you'll see there.  It's a set of altered embroidery hoops that I made for Prima's CHA booth. 

I cut three circles out of white fabric and misted them with a rainbow of colors. I then added a plethora of color-coordinated flowers, leaves, a butterfly and a bird from the beautiful new collections. I plan to hang these on my scraproom wall.

I also shared a quick and easy tutorial on the Prima blog showing a fun way to use Prima's new cotton Writer's tape.  Go check it out!!  Here's the link to my post:   Prima's Writer's Tape tutorial.

An owl, a fox, a bear and a hedgehog . . . OH MY!!

I created some little woodland critters and printable paper piecing templates for Club CK's Summer Camp event.  Here is my owl, fox, bear and hedgehog:

I also created a PDF pattern for each of these animals that you can print and cut out, and Creating Keepsakes took it a step further and turned these into SVG files that you can download and cut with your SVG compatible die-cutting machines! You can find the printable PDF files and SVG files here at Club CK: Stacy Cohen's owl, fox, bear and hedgehog.

Have a fabulous weekend!!

Prima layout

Just a quick post before I run out today with my girlies.  Here's a layout I did for Prima's CHA booth using the new Londonerry line:

Gotta love pop dots! I use them on every layout.

This layout is actually a scraplift of one of my earlier layouts . . . this page that I created back in  March:

I like working with this little grid format, so I think I'll try some other variations.

Thanks for stopping by!

A 2-page layout

Happy Friday everyone!  I'm officially in a very relaxed summer mode . . . sleeping in, hanging out by the pool, staying up late and watching my favorite reality TV shows, etc.   I haven't been scrapping much at all over the past couple of weeks and I've just been enjoying time with my family and friends.  Ahhhhhhhhh . . . so nice.

I'm often asked to do 2-page scrapbook layouts for my Creating Keepsakes assignments.   For me, making 2-page spreads is very different from making 1-page layouts.  But they're fun to do because they challenge my creativity.  My 2-pagers always come out looking more "clean & simple" and linear than my single page layouts.  Here's one I did a while back:

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

I made the tree by hand-cutting fabric and coloring it with Shimmerz Spritz.  I cut the trunk from some specialty corrugated cardboard.  I made the apples by coloring plain rhinestones with alcohol ink. 

I created a quick little video for Creating Keepsakes showing how to do this simple technique:  Coloring Rhinestones Video

Another close-up:

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!

CRAFT Beach Retreat

First of all, we have the winner of Creating Keepsakes' new special issue, Scrapbooking Tips & Tricks: Summer Fun & Travel.  The random number generator I used picked commenter number 4, and it is . . . da da da da da da da da da da da (that's my impression of a drumroll) . . . Caroline Hackney!  Congrats, Caroline!  I'll contact you to get your info.

I want to give you more details about the upcoming CRAFT Beach Retreat, where I'll be teaching a class chock full of beautiful Prima goodies.  This is going to be an amazing and unique event that you won't want to miss!!!

The Dates: November 11-13, 2011
The Times: 9-5 each day, broken into two workshops.
The Workshops: Six emotion-based scrapbook and mixed media/home décor sessions.
Plus four bonus ‘art and soul experiences’ will be right before and after classes, and a few in the evening at the hotel. Some secret…but including a henna painting workshop, sand art/message in a bottle and more...

The Instructors: Linda Barber, Paige Evans, Ly T. Le, Amy Tan and yours truly!

The Location: Beautiful, sunny Santa Monica.

The Venue: The classes will be held at the beautiful Annenberg Beach House, right on the sand off Pacific Coast Highway (also known as HWY 1). 

The space we'll be in is an intimate room, the Terrace Lounge, with floor to ceiling windows...every seat has a view of the ocean. Right outside the door is a lovely seating area with a fountain where you'll be enjoying your lunch breaks.

The Sponsors:  Creating Keepsakes, Prima, American Crafts, Lily Bee and Jillibean Soup.

You can get more of the details and sign up here:  CRAFT Beach Retreat.  This will be a scrapbooking retreat like no other!

Creating Keepsakes Special Issue and a Giveaway!

Creating Keepsakes has a great new special issue out: Scrapbooking Tips & Tricks: Summer Fun & Travel:

Summer is the perfect time for adventure, fun, and travel. In Scrapbooking Tips & Tricks: Summer Fun & Travel you'll learn the best ways to capture all those memories in your scrapbooks. You'll see ways to take and use scenic photos, learn colorful ways to enhance your summer and vacation layouts, and discover money-saving ideas for using found objects, maps, and travel memorabilia on your layouts. In addition, you'll be inspired by a gallery filled with 94 ideas for scrapbooking your summertime adventures.

Here's a little sneak at one of the layouts I created for this special issue (I'll share more about it in the coming weeks):

 

You can get a copy of this issue from Creating Keepsakes' online store. Use the discount code CKFUN10 for free shipping in the US on all orders of $25 or more (Expires 8/8/11).

As usual, Creating Keepsakes is graciously allowing me to give away a copy to one lucky blog reader.  To be entered to win, simply leave a comment here telling me about your favorite summer activity.  You have until the end of the day on Sunday.  I'll announce the winner next week!

Just a quick post . . .

Just a quick post to share one of the layouts that I created with the new Prima products that will be showcased at CHA in a few days.  Prima has done it again . . . so many fabulous new goodies!!  This was made with the new Printery line:

I printed the journaling on Prima's new Writer's Tape:

Gotta run . . . I have a sick kitty who needs my attention.

Funny Girl

For those of you who celebrate the 4th of July, I hope you had a great one!!  While I'm busy working on CHA products, I thought I'd share a layout I made for the last CHA (I never got around to posting it here).   My little Danielle is a total comedienne and she makes us laugh every single day.  Funny girl . . .

I'm so grateful for the all the laughter and joy she brings into our lives.

On another note, The CRAFT Beach Retreat event is almost sold out.  So if you want a spot, you better  hurry scurry over there and register!  This amazing scrapbooking retreat will happen here in Los Angeles (Santa Monica, to be specific) from November 11-13th. Check out the site for all the details.