Trick or Treat! Halloween Mini Album

Ok, I am finally posting the Halloween mini book/mini album I did last year. It's a 6x6 mini, with black mat board pages.

Cover

I used Tim Holtz' trinket pin and Philosophy tag along with a boatload of ribbon and a couple of cute Pumpkin bells.

Back Cover

Recognize the Fiskars' Threading Water punch? I love it.

Inside Pages

Each pocket holds 3 tags with photos on both sides. The last tag on the right side has several bats from the Martha Stewart punch.


Last pocket page. Used American Crafts vinyl thickers on both for titles. It's kinda hard to see the "treat" on the right page. They didn't stick too well so I had to reglue. I like the chipboard and Puffy alphas from AC a lot better than the vinyl.


This page is kinda busy. I designed and created this book before I gathered the photos. I'm not going to retrofit design any more. It really shows it on this spread.


It's a bit hard to see, but I used the MM foiling paper here. I love that paper. I don't know why it isn't more popular. So versatile. I also used the Little Yellow Bicycle felt borders stickers. I also had to add some adhesive to these, they just kept lifting up. I used it here to hide a beat-up plastic lawn chair at the pumpkin patch.


Added the LYB epoxy "Spooky" sticker. So cool. The LYB pumpkin stickers are so cute, too!


The centers of the black chipboard flowers are the Doodlebug Jewels in jet. Those are some of my favorite bling. Reminds me of black Tahitian pearls!!


I love the simplicity of this spread. The Bo Bunny paper had this wavy text so I tore it following the wave.


This last page, I used the MM's foiling again and the Glitter Check. On every other square, there was a circle-punched, ink-edged and pop-dotted graphic (if those aren't true verbs, they are now! lol!)

Supply List
Used wonderful Bo Bunny papers (Spooktastic-Stripe, Haunted, Grim Dots and Smell My Feet); MM papers (Funky Stripe, Glitter Check, and Foiling); Thickers Sprinkles (Black and Orange); Bo Bunny Chipboard (double-dot and alpha licorice); chipboard Shimmer Shapes Halloween; other papers (Orange Crush; Oh Baby Peapod; Moroccan Floral Curry; Pumpkin Bead Board); Doodlebug Tuxedo jewels; Black Diamond Stickles!
All from www.OneSingleSeed.com's paper store!

Great Product...going...going...going....

I'm so sad, as are many of you, to learn that the LuminArte company is closing. Little did I know that they are based out of Fresno! It's one thing when a California company goes out of business, but more importantly, it is privately-owned by the woman who "invented" this product.

You are probably more familiar with their product line, especially the twinkling H2Os. I've been a painter for a long time, including some watercolor. These are in pots and infused with mica. These are super fun, especially for cards, tags, journaling and scrapbooking, of course.

Once word got out of their impending closure, they were inundated with orders. Rather than just say, "Sorry!" they have been working night and day to fulfill the orders. It's especially difficult because most of the staff was gone by then and they were just working to close the warehouse.

Anyhoo, I placed a large order and they've just sent notice that they will stop taking orders soon. They announced the closure in February (I think) and were planning to be closed by March. So here it is almost May!

I hope they manage a comeback, but in the meantime, place your orders. You may not see this product again. Here's the link.

Tim in town

Tim Holtz just posted his schedule and I cannot believe he will be in our neck of the woods 2 times this year!! He'll be at Stampers' Corner and Scrapbook Territory in Berkeley.

Wahoo. It's like Christmas for me!! Last year, I took classes from him at the now closed LSS, My Daughter's Wish - it was such a great store...

7Gypsies Caravan

It was really the Lucky 13 Gypsies!

Had a super time this past weekend at the 7Gypsies Caravan at Green Tangerines!

"Made" (more accurately, worked on) 3 projects. The photo carousel spinner, mini-book and another semi-transparent mini book.

We had an awesome group and GT did a fantastic job of making this more like a retreat. We had 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners (Morton's Steak on the last night, no less). Our group was great! There was lots of sharing and encouraging and I love LOVE those kinds of environments to create in.

Autumn was kranking out the first album as a 43 Things album. Her album came out really great.




I'm doing mine on 25 Things About Me (that you may not know and may surprise you). A kinder, gentler way to say, "The skeletons are out of the closet!!" JK! But I'll post when done. I've just finished the list today so I need to figure out the photos and journaling - you know, the EASY stuff.

Here is our Gypsy Guru, Brandi, who was just fantastic. Super enthusiastic in her gypsy attire and so helpful in the instructions, samples, supplies!


Here she taking a photo of Rebecca who picked up on all the techniques so quickly!



This is "The Boss" - LOL - otherwise known as Zaragina. She is working diligently here, when she's not counseling Autumn! LOL



This is Debbie who came with her sweet friend, Shelly (sorry I couldn't get a clear shot of you Shell!). She had the most awesome ribbon ring that made us all drool and add want to add that to our shopping lists - along with the stacking bins. They were so nice. Hope to see you both at future events at GT!!


And this is Paula-one of the Big Green Tangerines! Oh I wish I had a picture of her in her gypsy garb - oh so cute with turquoise (my favorite color) and a tamborine. She is just great!



I'll have to get back to these projects soon and I'll post. I have some other projects in the works that come first. Also, I'll post the cupcakes and t-shirts I made for my DS' 4th birthday! Let's just say we had sprinkles and I had to break out the vacuum cleaner! LOL. Have a good one everybody!!

Hello 2009

So, I've been nudged into making a blog post sometime in 2009. It's so much fun reading other people's blogs, it's a different animal to keep up your own. Doh!

Catching up:

Went to Red Hawk casino this weekend. Had a fabulous Prime Rib dinner. Only wished my potato was bigger and the meat smaller - spoken like a true non-carnivore! LOL! But the creamed horseradish and au jus were fantastic. I really wanted the Fresh Strawberry shortcake, but (dang it) got too full. I didn't take a picture. I was admonished roundly the last time I took a picture at a casino.

Red Hawk is brand new and really a great design. Great covered parking, eateries (not just a food court), and kid's area. I always cringe when I see strollers and kids in and around the slots and tables. :(

Took my mom to an ice skating show. She is a die-hard fan, not one of those fickle-fans who drift away once all the controversy is done and over with. It was a good show, lots of good music, great costumes, choreography and lighting. Maybe it was due to the economy, but it was only about 1/3 full. Michael Weiss, Ilia Kulik and Shen and Zhao were truly impressive. No matter how big or small the town or crowd, they give 110%.

Now, only a handful of days earlier, we took our DS to the Monster Jam. I am continually amazed at how arenas can take a basketball court, turn it into a dirt-filled, smashed car/bus berm-laded track, and then a lovely, pristine-white ice rink! I'll post some photos soon. But I have to say, I LOVE it! I was secretly thinking that I would. Love the speed and action and the graphics on the trucks! LOL. Lots of fun and so glad we brought ear plugs.

Just received the Christine Middlecamp kits - packed full of a ton of creative goodness. I can't wait to experiment with her layering style. Check out her blog! She has pictures of a new Staz-On product for transparencies. I LOVE working with transparencies and Tim Holtz' alcohol inks - every since I took classes from him at (the now closed) My Daughter's Wish store. I'm ordering from Treasures To Scrap nowadays - where it's 35% off everyday. Tracy also ships super-fast.

I'll post some photos later. And remember, Make Stuff Everyday!!

Where has the summer gone?

Ok, give me the big L for being such a lame blogger. I've been so busy this summer and yet, can't really think of what I've done. CKU Provo comes to mind as a highlight, but my mom and I have both had some health issues.

Part of me is still waiting for summer to start and the work-side of me is already into the holidays (publishing and advertising). Anyhoo, had some time to slow down and catch some simple fun outtings. I'll have to post soon about the CKU happenings.

However, I wanted to post this simple truth that my son said that I often repeat to myself several times a week (since I am naturally somewhat of a cynic and have a circling-the-drain perspective a lot). He's 3-1/2 years ago. I asked him if he was happy. He said, "Yes!" I asked him why and expected an answer like he had fun playing with his friends, or liked his toys or something along that line. But he looked at me quizzically and said, "Because I WANT to."

Choose happiness. It's always there, you just need to let it in.

Cards

Here are those super simple cards I made for the birthday party. White cardstock base with patterned paper cut into quads. Coordinated paper circle-scallop punched, edges inked. Another coordinated PP, circle punched, couple different layers of stamping, edges inked. Inside had a coordinated side strip border and punched butterflies flapping around inside-giving the inside some dimension.

Also, included a photo puzzle for each attendee-packaged in clear cello. Heard some really nice comments from parents about these since they were toddlers and just starting to be exposed to puzzles. Had a lot of fun doing these.