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)

Now that my kiddos are back in school, I'm going to try and start blogging on a (slightly) more frequent basis.  I have a couple dozen projects that I've haven't shared yet.  Here's a project I did for Creating Keepsake's blog a few weeks ago.

Over the summer my family took a wonderful trip to Hawaii.  Because this was our first big family vacation, I went a little overboard with the picture-taking. I took hundreds of photos. Obviously I can't scrap them all, so I wanted to maximize the number of photos I can get on a single page.

One way to get a lot of photos on a page is to create a mini flip book on a layout. The beauty of this is that you can use standard full-size photos (i.e., 4″ x 6″ or 3″ x 5″). 

I got this fabulous flip book idea from a layout made by Joannie McBride in the Sept/Oct 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine.

I created a vertical stack of tabbed layers that can be lifted up to reveal the photo underneath.

My flip book has six layers. This is enough for six or seven photos, depending on whether you place a picture directly on the paper underneath the bottom tab. You could easily add more photo layers to your page by placing each layer closer together, and you can double the number of photographs by attaching a photo to both sides of each layer. Another variation is to create a horizontal flip book going across the page.

I hope you've been inspired to create your own flip book!

CK Special Issue Giveaway Winner!

So sorry for the delay in announcing the winner of the giveaway for Creating Keepsakes' new special issue: Better Digital Photos & Scrapbooking.  As always I used a random number generator to pick the winning commenter, and the winner is . . . Kait!!   

Congrats, Kait!  I will try and contact you to let you know you've won and to get your mailing address, or feel free to email me at the address on my sidebar.  

Another year older

Yep, I'm turning another year older today.  So far it's been a great birthday morning, with my husband and my girls spoiling me rotten.  They gave me quite a chuckle by waking me up all wearing Groucho Marx style fake glasses, noses and mustaches.  I'm so grateful for my wonderful and wacky family!

As I'm getting older, my birthday becomes less significant to me and I really like to keep the celebration low key.   Though I do milk my "my birthday week" (yes, birthday WEEK!) for all it's worth, and I get my hubby to do all sorts of nice things around the house.   He even -- *gasp* -- cleaned out the litter box last night and again this morning!  

I'm going out for a nice lunch and dinner later, then after dinner I get to have birthday cake from my very favorite bakery: Hansen's Cakes (seriously the BEST cake place in Los Angeles).  Yummo! Here's a birthday layout I made a few years ago.  The girls always help me blow out the candles on my cake.

Thank you for allowing me this somewhat self-indulgent post!

Creating Keepsakes' Better Digital Photos & Scrapbooking -- Blog Hop and GIVEAWAY

Creating Keepsakes' newest special issue is out! Better Digital Photos & Scrapbooking:

Increase your photography and photo-editing skills and discover new ideas for sharing your photos with the tips, tricks, and tutorials in Better Digital Photos & Scrapbooking, a special issue from Creating Keepsakes. Whether you're a traditional scrapbooker or prefer to create pages digitally, you'll love how this issue will help you better capture your family's stories. Whether you use a point-and-shoot, a DSLR, a cell phone camera or a mixture of these, you won't want to miss out on this essential photography and scrapbooking guide!

Here's a sneak peak at a photography tip I contributed to this special issue.  When taking portraits outdoors, try to avoid the harsh midday sunlight.  A great time to take outdoor portraits is just after sunrise or right before sunset.  To illustrate this point, I took photos of my daughter at different times of the day.  This first photo was taken in the early afternoon when the sun was shining brightly.  The sun caused my daughter to squint, and it also cast some shadows on her face.

This next photo was taken of my daughter in the same spot just after sunrise.  Her skin looks evenly toned and nicely lit.  You can see the beautiful color and detail of her eyes.

If you happen to be photographing your subject in the midday sun, there are some things you can do to minimize the negative effects of the harsh sun.  Try to find a partially shaded area where the sun's bright rays are blocked by a tree, a wall, etc.  Or position your subject so that the sun is shining down from the side of you both (rather than behind your subject or behind you).  This will avoid squinting and unflattering shadows.

Here's the link to the paper edition: Better Digital Photos & Scrapbooking - Paper Edition
Here's the link to the digital edition: Better Digital Photos & Scrapbooking - Digital Edition
And as always, I get to giveaway a copy of this special issue to one lucky blog reader!  To be entered to win, simply leave a comment here before the end of the day on Tuesday, September 11th.

For more chances to win a copy of the great special issue, be sure and visit the other blogs on this blog hop:

Autumn Baldwin - http://itsalwaysautumn.com
Joey Manwarren - http://everydayimagination.blogspot.com/
Laina Lamb - http://www.lifeonthelamb.blogspot.com/
Adele Beck http://dleebug.wordpress.com/ 
Erika Hayes http://www.thinkingthroughdesign.typepad.com
Jana Morton http://janamorton.blogspot.com/
Mou Saha http://collagecollagecollage.blogspot.com/
Gretchen McElveen http://www.gretchenmac.blogspot.com
Iris Uy http://www.irisbabaouy.typepad.com/
Ashley Harris (The Scrap Review) http://www.thescrapreview.com
Lain Ehmann http://www.layoutaday.com
Susan Mintmire http://www.designteamcalls.com
Patty Cieri http://thegreenhouseonthehill.blogspot.com/
Ashley Horton http://ashleyspaperdoll.blogspot.com/

Paper Shoes

First off, I drew a winner for last week's Creating Keepsakes' September/October 2012 issue giveaway.   The winner is . . . Cyndee K.  Please email me with your full name and address (my email is on the right sidebar).  Congrats Cyndee!!

If you've been following my blog, you know I'm addicted to making paper shoes.  I created a couple pairs with Making Memories' Modern Millinery line for their booth at CHA last month.  Pair #1 . . .

I used my Slice to cut the layers for the roses.  

Pair #2 . . .

Creating Keepsakes September/October 2012 issue -- GIVEAWAY!

The September/October 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine is hitting the newsstands!

In addition to back-to-school scrapbook pages, crisp fall layouts, and spooky Halloween inspiration, the September/October 2012 issue is also Creating Keepsakes' Top 10 issue! This issue offers 30 extra pages of top-ten goodness, including:

• 10 ways to use itty bitty scrap supplies
• 10 new tips and techniques
• 10 fresh journaling ideas
• 10 ways to breathe new life into your supplies
• 10 layouts from first-time contributors
• 10 trendy product combos

You can purchase a copy of this jam-packed issue from Creating Keepsakes' online store or at your local newsstand.  But as usual, CK is generously allowing me to give away a copy of this issue to one lucky blog reader!  To be entered to win, simply leave a comment on this post before Sunday night, August 18th.  Just for fun, tell me what you look forward to the most about the fall season.  I'll draw a random winner and announce it next week!

Back home

After several days and nights at the animal hospital, our sweet kitty, Smokey, is back home and he seems to be doing better.  We're so happy to have him home and I can tell that he's happy to be home. We're keeping a very close eye on him.  Fingers crossed that he stays healthy.  I really appreciate the supportive comments to my last blog post and the good wishes.  Thank you!!!

I have a layout to share today.  This was something I created for the "Kitchen-Inspired Scrapbooking" feature in the May/June 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes.  I used a paper doily as a template for hand-stitching.

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

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Worried

Today I'm worried about this little guy . . .

Our sweet boy, Smokey, had a urinary blockage yesterday (an emergency situation), and he had to have a procedure to have the blockage removed.  He has to stay at the animal hospital for a few days with a catheter and IV in him.  I just went to visit him and he seems to be doing okay.  But I'm very worried about him.  We'll find out tomorrow if he gets to come home or if further treatment will be necessary.  I'm also worried because apparently this problem can reoccur, and it can be life-threatening if not caught and treated immediately.  Do any of you cat people have experience with feline urinary tract problems or obstructions?

Good thoughts and prayers for our beloved Smokey would be much appreciated!

Giveway winners!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!!  I posted two giveaways on my blog last week: one for Creating Keepsakes' Mixed Media Scrapbooking special issue and the other for Making Memories Modern Millinery products.  I used a random number generator to pick the winners.

The winner of Creating Keepsakes new Mixed Media Scrapbooking special issue is: Valerie. 
Congrats, Valerie!!

The winner of the Modern Millinery products is: Kris Berc.  Congrats Kris!

I'll contact you both to get your mailing addresses.  Thanks for playing along everyone!

I also want to let you know that CK Summer Camp 2012 is happening this week on Club CK and the CK blog! The theme is mixed media, and today the focus is Markers and Pens.   I created a fun page for a coloring challenge today on Club CK:    Markers & Pens: Coloring Challenge plus a free printable coloring page    There's a great prize package being offered!!

Making Memories GIVEAWAY -- Modern Millinery!!

**GIVEAWAY ENDED last Sunday.  Thanks!

I shared one of my "Modern Millinery" projects a couple blog posts ago and I told you how much I absolutely LOVE this entire collection.  Well today Making Memories is allowing me to giveaway some Modern Millinery products to one lucky blog reader!!  Before I tell you how you can win these goodies, I want to share a 6x6 mini layout I made with this gorgeous collection.

And now for the fun giveaway part!  Would you like to win some beautiful Modern Millinery products?

To be entered to win, simply leave a comment on this blog post before Sunday night telling me your favorite Modern Millinery Product. I'll draw a random winner and announce it next week!    Please note that the giveaway ended last Sunday.  Thanks!