A Creative Handmade Gift Idea

Happy Holidays everyone!

Today I want to share a holiday gift I made for my grandmother this year. At age 91 she is by far the most difficult person on my list to buy for. She has everything she needs, and swears there is nothing that she wants or honestly that she doesn't already have. I figured a handmade gift would be a welcome surprise to anything I could find at a department store, and it would remind her that she is loved every day of the year when she comes through her front door:

For this "Welcome" sign, I started with a page from our Bare Elements Conrad Ring Book since it was just the right size for what I had in mind. I dressed it up with a few of my favorite Creative Imaginations papers and embellishments, including some fun Luminarte elements on the chipboard frame and paper flowers:

It all fell into place so nicely, and it's a gift I am definately excited to give this year! Hop on over to the Creative Imaginations blog and check out our 12 Days of Christmas feature for more spectacular gift ideas from our very creative design team!

My First ATC Card

ATC Love!

I'm not gonna lie. When I saw the ATC challenge posted a couple of weeks ago on the Creative Imaginations blog I thought to myself "oh no!" I am pretty much a scrapbooker plain and simple. I don't do a lot of mixed media, home decor...or even hybrid. ATC's with all their media options are just way outside my comfort zone.

So of course I had to try one.

And wow, what a blast! Of course with so many awesome Creative Imaginations products at my fingertips, it was hard to go wrong! So without further ado, I am honored to share with you my very first ATC ever:

I used a little IOD "Devotion", a little Mara Johnson music note paper, a little Luminarte Radiant Rain, and some fun new stencils...and I am really super happy at the way it all came together. You can bet I'll be doing a lot more ATC from here on out!

Hop on over and take a peek at the rest of the Design Teams ATC's over on the CI Blog, and while you're there...check out how you can win some awesome CI product and become a part of their traveling ATC road show just for playing along!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

I'm thinking a layout class is the perfect way to kick off the season! How about four 12x12" layouts featuring the super cute "Orchard Harvest" collection from Samantha Walker and Creative Imaginations? This collection is overflowing with rich browns, oranges & yellow...perfect for those photos of turning leaves, pumpkin patches, and Thanksgiving tables. Did I mention this class kit will be stuffed full of product? You can expect a full glitter alphabet, a full package of multi-sized bling, two sticker sheets and a full die cut pack in your class kit...lots of leftovers to take home and play with! We will learn some fun cutting and folding techniques, and of course enjoy snacks and even a couple of prizes. And don't worry...if you can't make the class, you can always purchase a kit with color photos and instructions!

In addition to your basic tool kit, please be sure to bring the following to class:

•Craft knife and GLASS cutting mat if you have one

•Brown detail pen.

•Glue dots

•Foam tape (Pop Dots or equivalent)

•Scissors

Join me for this class at:

Scrapbook Daisies in Long Beach
Saturday, November 19th
from 10:30am-1:30pm
Call 562-377-0302 to sign up!

OR:

Memory Lane Scrapbooking in Los Alamitos
Sunday, November 13th
from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Call 562-799-0506 to sign up!

OR

Perfect Day Scrapbooking in Huntington Beach
Sunday, November 20th
from 11:30am-2:30pm
Call 714-369-2862 to sign up!

A Layout, A Door Hanger and a Gift Bag (Oh My!)

Finally, I'm back in the saddle and teaching a new class for Halloween!


And talk about "bang" for your buck...In this you will create a two-page layout, a Halloween door hanger, and a gift bag all for just $30! These projects feature the super spooky "Apothecary Emporium" line from Echo Park and you will receive an entire collection pack for your class...which means you will have oodles of leftovers to take home after class! We will learn some fun pleating, glittering and layering techniques, and of course enjoy snacks and even a couple of prizes. Of course, if you can't make the class, you can always purchase a kit with color photos and instructionsenjoy snacks and even a couple of prizes. Of course, if you can't make the class, you can always purchase a kit with color photos and instructions.

In addition to your basic tool kit, please be sure to bring the following to class:

•Crop-A-Dile

•Strong salon-style emery board

•Glue dots

•Foam tape (Pop Dots or equivalent)

•Zip Dry, Helmar Quick Dry, or Beacon's 3-in-1 liquid glue

•1/8" Scor Tape or Red Line tape
•1/4" Scor Tape or Red Line tape

•Scissors
•"Quickie" ball point glue pen

You can catch this class at:

Scrapbook Daisies in Long Beach
Sunday, October 16th
at 12:00 pm
Call 562-377-0302 to sign up!

OR:

Memory Lane Scrapbooking in Los Alamitos
Wednesday, October 19th
at 6:30 pm
Call 562-799-0506 to sign up!

Relay for Life: Team Hope Garden

Team Hope Garden is a Relay for Life team benefiting the American Cancer Society. We started our team in honor of our dear friend, Patty Donnelly, an oncology nurse who was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2001. In all her 25 years of being a nurse and walking in many charity events for her patients and friends, no one has ever walked for this loving and giving woman until now. Team Hope Garden will be participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Lake Forest, Ca on Saturday, October 1st, 2011 beginning at 10 am at El Toro High School.

Relay for Life is a family-friendly event and is for everyone who wants to participate… whether you can only walk one lap around a high school track and can only donate $5 to those who wish to run marathons and donate more. Relay for Life is a 24-hour event where our team will walk for a full 24 hours. Each team participating in the event is required to have at least one team member on the track at all times… yes, even at 3:30 in the morning… remember, cancer does not sleep. Our team members will camp out overnight at the school while live music and movies are played. You’ll be inspired and motivated, and will have a good time while doing it. We encourage you to come join us… whether you choose to donate to our team, or come and walk for a couple of hours with Patty (even a lap or two), or become a full-fledged team member.
Please join Team Hope Garden on Wednesday, September 14th at Applebee’s in Fountain Valley for lunch or dinner, or both! Present this flyer and Applebee’s will donate 15% of your check to Team Hope Garden!

The fine print… you must have a flyer with you in order for your check to count so be sure to print this flyer and bring it with you. If you plan on joining us for both lunch and dinner, make sure you have two flyers. Simply click on the image above, a new page will open, and print it from your browser. Team members will also have extra flyers with them that day so be sure to see a team member if you forgot your flyer.

We will also have a silent auction and raffle between 6-9pm. Raffle winners need not be present to win. Hope to see you there!

For more information about our team or the Relay For Life event, please visit the Team Hope Garden website. To make a donation to a particular team member, please click on his or her name in the right sidebar and you will be directed to their individual Relay for Life fundraising site. You can also choose to donate to our team as a whole or better yet, join our team! Simply click on the Team Hope Garden link in the right sidebar and you will be directed to our Relay for Life Team Page.

We hope that you will continue to visit our site to stay up-to-date on our team’s progress and to find information on our upcoming fundraising events. Thank you so much for your support in helping us find a cure for all types of cancer!

A New Class!

Date: Thursday, August 25th
Time: 6:00-8:30pm

Cost $35.00

If you're not busy, why not join me over at Memory Lane Scrapbooking in Los Alamitos for this classic and elegant mini album designed to showcase 6-8 of your favorite and most memorable photographs. This chipboard mini book has oodles of gorgeous product from the Crate Paper "Portrait" collection. In fact, there is so much product in these class kits, I promise you will have plenty of leftovers for other projects and scrapbook pages. Journaling cards, crochet flowers, ribbon and rhinestones adorn each page along with 2 entire alphabet sticker sets for you to personalize and truly make this book your own. In class we'll be doing lots of layering, plus we'll learn a handmade flower technique. And don't forget, if you can’t make the class you can always order a kit with color photos and instructions!

In addition to your basic tool kit, please be sure to bring the following to class:

•Crop-A-Dile

•Strong salon-style emery board

•Glue dots

•Foam tape (Pop Dots or equivalent)

•Craft knife & cutting surface

•Favorite tape adhesive

•Cat's Eye chalk ink in Creamy Brown (or equivalent)

•Scissors

Layouts to Share

Hi everyone...long time no see!

I'm back between life crisis' to quickly share a couple of projects. This month, Martha gave me some of the "Summertime" collection by Echo Park to play with and make some store samples. This line is super bright and colorful, perfect for all your fun, outdoor summertime activities, including finger painting!


And wouldn't it put a smile on your face to receive this happy little card from someone special just because?


These are just two of four projects I enjoyed creating with my Echo Park "Summertime" kit. Two see the other two, including a two-page layout soon to be available for purchase, stop by Scrapbook Daisies and check them out!

New Sketch Challenge!

I don't know about you, but for me, there's nothing worse than staring blankly at a 12" square of white paper! Planning and starting a scrapbook page is arguably the hardest part of scrapbooking, and that's why I love sketches so much! They make getting started so much easier! So if you're looking for a little inspiration today...a little jumping off point...pop on over to the Creative Imaginations blog and check out the new layout sketch challenge for May based on my layout created with the new "Heidi" line by Samanta Walker:


As always, you could win a prize package worth $25 just for playing along!

Just a Quickie

Stella and Rose from My Mind's Eye is another paper line I've been awaiting anxiously for since it debuted at CHA. Well, Martha got some in at Scrapbook Daisies recently and asked me to make a couple of layouts to display with the collection.

Twist my arm...right?


Yep, still a little obsessed with the doilies. And baker's twine. The title letters are a wooden alphabet that I just LOVE from the Daily Junque collection from House of Three. I left them raw here, but have been having a blast painting, misting, sanding, and altering them on a few other layouts I have in the works for the Lytle Scrapper retreat in July (stay tuned for a lytle sneak peek).




That is NOT another doily peeking out from under those flowers. Okay, it is. But in my own defense, you can barely see it. Had some fun misting flowers and butterflies and I even whipped out my stamps and stamped on a tag. Can't remember the last time I did that!

Thanks for stopping by, I gotta get over to Michaels to pick up a new pack of doilies with my 40% coupon.

Creative Imaginations & Memory Box

They go together like peanut butter and jelly...like salt and pepper...like...margaritas and salt even! Go check out the C.I. blog and see what the Design Team has been up to with Memory Box's gorgeous rubber stamps and Luminarte! And when you're done drooling over there, pop on over to the Memory Box Blog and see what their talented team came up with over there! PLUS...Don't forget to comment while you're there for a chance to win some great Luminarte and Memory Box prizes!! Here's what I came up with using a super cute butterfly stamp and some Twinkling H20's: The photo is my now 88 year old gradmother when she was just about 24 or so, and that's my mother on her lap. I just love this photo, and I love the way this romantic little frame showcases it. Step-by-step instructions are over on the C.I. blog in case you want to try your hand at one of your own. Either way, thanks for stopping by!

Hope You'll Join Us!!

I'm Baaaack....and with a challenge!

In the mood for a challenge? Wanna win a bunch of Creative Imaginations goodies? Well, you came to the right place...a new sketch challenge is up on the Creative Imaginations blog! Simply create a one page layout using at least 80% C.I. product and then upload it into the Gallery in either the March OR April Sketch Challenge folder before April 30. That means you have almost 6 weeks to enter!!

Ready? Here's your sketch:

For my sample, I couldn't wait to get my hands (paws) on the new "Forest Critters" line by Helen Dardik! The colors are so warm and rich, and the critters....well...they're just too cute! Check it out:

Isn't that little bunny just too stinkin adorable with it's rosy cheeks? I think he'd look pretty cute on the front of an easter card...but we'll save that little gem for Alice and her Card Feature!

Hope you'll play along! And if you do, why not leave a link in the comments section and share with us here, too?

A quick layout or two

For one of my DT assignments for Scrapbook Daisies, I got to play with the beautiful "Restoration" line from Crate Paper recently and wow! I wasn't sure this line was really for me, since I tend to lean toward more bold and graphic collections. But I got to playing and came up with this layout that I am super excited about.

The wedding photos are getting a little old, but I wanted to share just how well this line worked with romantic, sepia toned photos and well...yah. So here they are again. And I don't know about you, but I think this works well with the wedding photos even though this paper line was not necessarily intended to wedding pics.

I also recently designed a really cute 1-page Valentine's Day layout that I am kitting up now and will be putting on sale soon at a LSS near you! It features the "Be Mine" paper collection from Echo Park, plus some unique paper flowers and felt butterflies:

If you are interested in a kit, please email me and I will make sure you get one before they are sold out. And for you "2-page" people, extra paper and embellishments will be available for you to purchase if you'd like.

And now, back to the work table. I have some more adorable Crate and Pebbles paper calling my name...

Just in time for Valentines Day...

The February card sketch is up on the Creative Imaginations blog....just in time to make a special handmade card for your sweetie! You should totally hop on over there and play along...it's a win-win! Not only will you have made a special gift for the one you love, but you could win some yummy new product as well!

Here's the sketch:

And my sample:

Wouldn't a heart shaped doily look cute on here behind the tag elements? Dang! Wish I would have thought of that sooner...lol!

Speaking of Valentines...there's still time to sign up for my "Be Mine" mini book class this Saturday at the Scrapbook Garden at 2:00pm. We're going to have a ton of fun with glitter and misting techniques, plus snacks and prizes. Call Melissa at (714) 841-1801 quick!

If this weekend doesn't work for you, I have also added this project to the class calendar on March 3rd over at Memory Lane Scrapbooking in Los Alamitos. You can call Christy at (562) 799-0506.

I think that's it for the updates for now. I've gotta get back to the scrap table...I've been so inspired since CHA and have been scrapping up a storm. I'll be back with some layouts in a day or two.

Thanks for stopping by!

The Big Day!

Scrapbook Daisies in Long Beach will be hosting it's official grand opening celebration on Friday, February 18th starting at 10:00am and we couldn't be more excited! Here's a list of what you can expect:

• Ribbon cutting ceremony with the Mayor of Long Beach at 2:00pm

• Drinks, Hors d'oeuvres, and cake!

• A goodie bag for the first 50 customers

• All day long discounts

• Make & takes

• Prizes and raffles...including a Cricut Machine and a Gypsy!

PLUS: Teresa Collins will be teaching classes Friday and Saturday! The first one is Friday at 6:00pm and features her just released super sweet "Posh" Collection:

Then on Saturday, Teresa will be teaching two more classes. The first is at 10:00 am and features another brand new release, "On The Edge":

And finally, at 2:00pm Teresa will teach a class featuring yet

another brand new collection, "Timeless":

These classes are sure to sell out in record time, so be sure to call and sign up right away at (562) 377-0302! Hope we'll see you there!

I Love CHA

Seriously. Love. CHA.


Even in downtown L.A. Even though they charge $10 for a lousy hotdog. Even though my feet are killing me by the end of each day, and I am beyond exhaused by the time they close the doors for another year.

Because sometimes I make awesome new friends and get to hang out with some seriously talented & inspirational chicks:

(Ly Le, Jenny Stockard & Guiseppa Gubler)

Because the new tools and product never cease to amaze and excite me:

(We R Memory Keepers)

(Maya Road)

Because it's always exciting to see my work up in the booths:

(Creative Imaginations Booth)

(Petaloo Booth)

And because there is literally no limit to the inspiration I get from admiring all the beautiful new paper and stunning project samples:

(Kaiser Craft)

(Pink Paislee)

*Sigh*...until next year CHA...I'll be waiting anxiously!

I'm so excited...

...about my upcoming Valentines Day mini book class! This 5 1/2" X 10" chipboard and polka-dotted acetate book features the super cute "BE MINE" paper collection from Echo Park (*swoon*) along with it's coordinating journaling cards and stickers, plus one of a kind trims and handmade embellishments. In class we will stamp a little, glitter a little, and make a cute little rosette for the cover among other techniques. Inside, it celebrates that special person in your life featuring 12 of your favorite photos. The overall feel of the book is a little romantic, a litte parisian, and a LOT of lovely!

I'll be teaching this book at three different stores just in time for Valentines Day:

Scrapbook Oasis

Friday, February 11th

6:00-9:00pm

(949) 756-2729

Scrapbook Garden

Saturday, February 12th

2:00-5:00pm

(714) 841-1801

Scrapbook Daisies

Sunday, February 6th

12:00-3:00pm

(562) 377-0302

And when you come, be sure to bring the following:

•Scissors

•Emery Board

•Stapler or Tiny Attacher

•Crop-A-Dile

•Corner Rounder

Plus a Plethora of Adhesives:

•Scor-Tape or Red Line tape in 1/2" and 1/8" widths

•Foam Tape

•Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks if you have one.

•Quickie Glue Pen

•Quick Dry Liquid Glue (i.e., Helmar, Zip Dry, Beacons, etc.)

I will be dropping off a sample at each store over the weekend, so if you get a chance, pop on over to the store nearest you and check it out! And of course during class we will enjoy yummy snacks & great prizes while we make a wonderfully scrappy mess...Hope you won't miss it!

Welcome, Hoppers!

Welcome to your next stop on the Scrapbook Daisies Blog Hop!

If you've arrived here first, you'll want to hop on back over to the beginning at the Scrapbook Daisies Home Blog. You'll be glad you did!

Have you heard that the Scrapbook Daisies brick & mortar store is now open in Long Beach CA? In addition to carrying the absolute bestest, latest and greatest in all things scrapbooking...the "real life" store also offers great classes, monthly crops and unlimited inspiration! In fact, this month's crop is just this weekend and includes two fun make & takes! The first one is a card designed by your's truly and features Echo Park's "A Walk in the Park" collection:

The other make and take is a one-page layout designed by everyone's favorite Lytle Scrapper and features some really cute paper and techniques, but you'll just have to wait till you get over to her spot on the hop to see it!

So hoppers...if you're ever in Southern California and find yourself in need of some super cute paper and embellies, we hope you'll look us up!

And before you go...did you know that the Scrapbook Daisies message board hosts several fun challenges with chances to win Scrapbook Daisies kits each and every month? There are sketch challenges, color challenges, scraplift challenges, journaling challenges and more to choose from! Complete as many of the challenges as you'd like to earn chances at being chosen as the monthly challenge winner! It's a great way to get lots of layouts done and earn entries to win an awesome prize to boot! So when you're done with your hopping, why not pop on over to the message board and check out all the details...we'd love to have you join in the fun!

And don't forget to become a "follower" of the blogs in the hop this month...the design team is super talented and will continue to inspire you each month with their reveals, challenges and techniques!

Gloriosa Daisy

The final step: don't forget to email Misty @ mistyw@nctv.com with the list of daisies you've collected along the way, jotting "Scrapbook Daisies Blog Hop" in the subject line. That way, you'll be entered to win an amazing Scrapbook Daisies Monthly Kit!!

Now hop on over to Misty's Blog and see what inspiration she's got to offer featuring one of this month's Scrapbook Daisies kits!

Happy Hopping and Good Luck!!

Adios 2010...Don't let the door hit ya on the way out!

I'm not sure what was up with 2010. It was a rough year for just about everyone I know...financial woes, family issues, job stress...you name it. I know I personally struggled with all of the above, and I gotta tell you that I am so OVER it and completely ready for a new year...a new decade...a clean slate.

That's why I love January.

It feels so fresh and clean and full of possibilities. I really try not to ruin that with a bunch of self inflicted stress inducing resolutions, so suffice it to say that I have begun the this new year with nothing but a fresh perspective when it comes to my blog. I won't say I promise to be a better blogger...because let's face it. I will forget to blog. Some days I won't feel like blogging. I've just decided that no matter how long I go between blog posts, it's still ok to come back when I feel like it and blog without feeling guilty that I've been a bad blogger.

And that's it.

Nothing earth shattering. Just blogging again when I can, when I feel like it, when I have something that I am excited to share. Like crafty projects and photos of family and friends. It's what works for me.

That being said...I've already got lots in the works for a great 2011. I've accepted a design team member position at Creative Imaginations after being a contributing designer for a few years now. So I'm working on some fun projects for CHA and organizing some great classes for the upcoming year to teach at some great stores. Hoping to have some scrappy stuff to share pretty soon.

Here's to a great 2011!!