What I learned: A travel themed mini book

Hello everyone!
I've been holding this project back for over 3 months but I decided it was time to share it and get your feedback.

I've made mini books before- my December Daily project from 2011 is an all time favorite of mine.
But this mini about our family road trip from New York to Salt Lake City was a challenge.

Here's a look:

I found you CAN spray Hambly transparencies!
Just let them dry out over night.
Materials: Hambly Screen print cover, Maya Road Tangerine mist, washi tape from Target,
American Crafts layered embellishments and Ormolu journaling spots.

I wanted try out two things with this new book:
1. A transparent Hambly Screenprints cover with a machine stitched spine
2. Border sewn and gessoed interior pages for an art journal look.

I used brittle vintage travel magazine pages for the inside of my book so
I covered most of them with gesso to guard against breaking.
The resulting pages are a joy to turn!  

The sewn spine became a challenge when I tried to run the finished pages through my sewing machine.
As I quickly found out, hand sewing a couple of stitches to keep the pages together BEFORE you run the whole thing through your machine is a very good idea- especially when working with slippery transparency material.

The mini quickly became an art journal project. Here I'm using a chipboard stencil from Retro Cafe Art.
 I also tried to make a confetti page with a glassine envelope but the resulting look was down right ugly so I ripped half the envelope off and just left one side. 

I made three false starts and punched holes all over the place before I got anything resembling a straight line.
Washi tape now covers the holes.
Unlike fabric, paper does not recover from a missed seam.

The gesso also provided plenty of journaling space for my travel memories. I really wish Hambly hadn't gone out of business- I love their products so much! A left over piece of their "Uncharted" design holds two of my favorite photos from our family vacation.

Stitching the gessoed page edges together made them sturdy and gave them the flexibility of fabric.
I no longer worried they would crumble apart and HUGE bonus- it feels great to touch and turn the pages.

Also, Hambly transparencies don't bend very well.
I used my Martha Stewart Score Board to make the spine but the material is so thick it resists permanent bending and doesn't close properly.
I used a piece of washi tape to hold the book shut this time but next time I plan to make a little fabric button hook for the closure.

Jenni Bowlin Studio kraft tags and Studio Calico car veneers-some of my favorite CHA summer 2012 items. The quote snippets from from a Glitz print from 2011- I wish I had gotten an extra sheet because the quotes are amazing.

Photographing the book was a dilemma as well. 

Since it doesn't lie flat I had to hold it while shooting.

Next time, I will use a knife to score a line on the transparency which should get it to lie flat for photos (and reading!)

The mini has very few actual embellishments. I used a pack of October Afternoon die cuts, Hambly camera rub-ons and  an arrow from A Flair for Buttons. The compass stencil on the right-hand page is from Prima. Stamps are from Studio Calico, Studio AE and Viva Last Vegas Stamps (which is awesome- check out their website)

Here is the back cover- I loved the texture from the stenciled gesso so much I left it mostly blank.

The Greek coffee cup was such a New York City corner deli thing!
It's not really available anymore so this stamp from Viva Las Vegas has major nostalgia factor.
The bubbles stencil from Studio Calico is AMAZING- I just reminded myself I wanted to try it again on another vintage paper project- the writing shows through the borders and looks really beautiful.

So what do you think?
Any tips?

Lots of tape used in this mini. Most of it came from Target and the Recollection's
brand sold in Michael's but I also used American Crafts Amy Tangerine tape and
Tim Holtz NYC subway tape (FAVE!!!!)

I'm very glad I pushed my technical limits with this project. 

I loved working with gesso even if I had to wait 48 hours for it to dry evenly.

And the final take away? Never be afraid to make mistakes while making what is essentially a "memory" project.

You can always go back and fix those mistakes.

Or you can decide- like I did- that the mistakes are part of your process.

The next book will be better but only because I took so many "risks" with this one.

Halloween cards made with Paper Source die cuts and stamps.
(Someone's been having fun at work!)

MuChoS SmOoChEs!
Michelle

The first Scrap FX Facebook Challenge- Are you up for it?

If you're looking for the Die Scrapperin Magazine Blog Hop please scroll down to the next page.


Scrap FX has their first scrap challenge ever up Facebook.
Swing by and check it out: Scrap FX Australia (Facebook) 
I joined in my usual way- I barely followed direction and felt my way around the design till I had a page I liked. 
This one:

Can't even tell you where that diagonal print is from- My Mind's Eye maybe? Echo Park? Fancy Pants Halloween? Who knows?! I wish I had a few more- I LOVE diagonal stripes! Also- I obviously touched my lens at some point because I can't read the journaling.. ACK!
MATERIALS: Scrap FX title chipboard, A Flair For Buttons chevron buttons, Hambly Studios NOOO! come back!!) rub-ons, Sassafras Lass stickers, Crate Paper buttons, Studio Calico Fab-Rip, Maya Road pins, Heidi Swapp neon gel pen in pink. 

So here are the rules:

• Use the following palette:

• Background should be a neutral color like black or white (HO! I managed to break the rules without even trying!)

• Email entries to scrapfxchallenges@live.com.au by midnight 14th August EST.

Here are some detail shots:

I Love You.com chipboard #2209334. Freaking AWESOME!

A Flair For Buttons yellow chevron and black arrow chevron.
I'm thinking you may want to swing by this shop- there are styles for everyone including
Project Life folks, mixed media and ephemera specialists and anyone who loves bright color.

So perhaps the page should have looked more like this? True Xoxo Girls July Challenge 

True Xoxo Girls June Challenge page. The July challenge is easier-
you have an hour to make something- easy right?

And lastly because it's midnight and I'm supposed to go to bed now. 

A shot of my Lola- after she ate an ant. (Those are ants she's holding in her cute baby pincers- ants dying as you watch- UGH!)

That's right- I CHOMPED it. 

MuChOS SmOoChEs!

Michelle

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES! Die Scrapperin Magazine Blog Hop is HEEEERE!

Hello from downtown Brooklyn, New York happy people!!

Welcome to the  2frollein Party Hop! 

Please come celebrate 2frollein´s first year anniversary

with Felicitas and Janna, the  designers, guests designers and friends of Die Scrapperin.

Join us for our Anniversary Celebration Blog Hop!

Find a wonderfully eclectic mix of fabulous celebration projects on 35 international blogs.

One year ago, preparations for the first 2frollein creative online class began. Scrapbooking and Mixed Media classes have followed since.

In November 2011 2frollein did their Impro-Scrap and since January 2012 they have also published the magazine, Die Scrapperin.

This would not have been possible without your support so we would like to say, "Thank You!". 

Please come and celebrate with us!

This is how the Party-Hop works:

A real party needs presents! And we got lots of them for you today :)

If you hop the Design Team blogs you have a chance to win the following: 

 a bundle of Die Scrapperin back issues (issues 2,3,4,5),

 the current May issue (no. 6),  or the August 2012 magazine issue (released in mid-August).

If you hop the Guest Designer blogs,

you have a chance to win 1 of 4 spots in our upcoming online classes

(September or November 2012). Please note: classes are in German!

If you visit our creative friends' blogs, you can win 1 of 2 craft product prizes

 with items from 4heures37, 7 Dots Studio, Kaisercraft, Kars, Nath's Design and Scrapbook Werkstatt!

Do you hop through ALL the blogs or only certain segments? YOU decide!

Important: you need to leave a comment in each blog hop group you decide to visit to be eligible for that group's prize!

When you're done, please come back to the 2frollein blog and leave a comment in the Party-Post

letting us know exactly where you've been (designer, guests, friends or all 35 blogs).

We will draw the winners from all comments left at the 2frollein Blog.

The Hop ends on the 25th of July 2012, 8pm CET.

Wieners will be announced on the 28th of July 2012

Ready? Let's get hoppin'!!!

Aurélie Pennec (Frankreich): http://liliema-scrap.blogspot.de/  

Birgit Krasenbrink (Deutschland): http://scrapinfeacted.blogspot.de/

Birgit Ott-Wiedmer (Deutschland): http://scrapissima.wordpress.com/

Cathleen Kick (Deutschland): http://cathisscrapblog.blogspot.de/

Clivia Schmidt (Deutschland): http://herzskoenigincs.blogspot.de/

Imme Hansemann (Deutschland): http://made-by-imme.blogspot.de/

Janine Eulert (Deutschland): http://janinee.blogspot.de/

Magda Bolinska (Großbritannien): http://mumkaa.blogspot.de/

Marinette Lesne (Frankreich): http://www.scraptherapie.com/

Marjan Pel (Norwegen): http://diekleinemeerjungfrauscrappt.blogspot.de/

Nina Stenzel (Deutschland): http://www.meinlebeninscraps.blogspot.de/

Petra Schwarz (Deutschland): http://einfachpe.blogspot.de/

Sandra Dietrich (Deutschland): http://mojosanti.blogspot.de/

Ania-Maria Wolniak (Polen): http://annamariawolniak.wordpress.com/

Antje Müller (Deutschland): http://www.iloveschnipsel.blogspot.de/

Bérangère Denis (Frankreich): http://chiknana.canalblog.com/

Claire Donovan (Großbritannien): http://www.hearthandmade.co.uk/

Daniela Gouletsas (Deutschland): http://augenblycke.blogspot.de/

Gaelle Ly (Frankreich): http://pouponnieredesfe.canalblog.com/

Kasia Krzymińska (Polen): http://czekoczyna.blogspot.de

Michelle Hernandez (USA): http://myanaloglife.blogspot.de/

Paula Castells (Brasilien): http://paulacastells.wordpress.com/

Aki Iinuma (Japan): http://kawaiisb.blogspot.de/

Anna Wach (Polen): http://i-like-grey.blogspot.de/

Beata Krowicka (Polen): http://by-lejdi.blogspot.de/

Birgit Kunte (Deutschland): http://www.biscrapt.blogspot.de/

Emma Boissot (Frankreich): http://carnet-de-scrap.over-blog.com/

Jasmin Schramm (Deutschland): http://www.cherishtheeveryday.blogspot.de/

Jenneke Knol (Niederlande): http://jenneke-justwhoiam.blogspot.de/

Kasia Tomaszewska (Polen): http://worqshop.wordpress.com/

Leah Farquharson (USA): http://amusing-to-create.blogspot.de/

Michelle Lagler (Schweiz): http://crela.ch/

Tanya Batrak (Ukraine): http://www.tanyabatrak.com/

Yana Smakula (Ukraine): http://www.zrobysama.com.ua/

Zarah S. Peterson (Schweden): http://www.zarischka.com

My work is mostly about my family and what's zinging about in my brain.

For my celebration themed page, I wanted to introduce the person who inspires me most- Miss Lola.

Thank you so much, Janna and Felicitas, for giving me this wonderful opportunity to share some work with your readers. I am honored to be sharing hop space with many of my all time favorite designers.

Printed my photos on resume/document paper by mistake and LOVED IT!

MATERIALS:

Paper Source Luxe white cardstock

Scrap FX retro flowers chipboard

Prima flowers

K & Co Smash washi tape

Hambly Studio mini transparencies

Studio Calico Mister Huey- Gold

Krink permanent paint marker

Maya Road star pin

Dew Drops- clear

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Gauche Alchemy Goodness- color, pages, messy fun-ness

Once again I am struggling with lack of mojo.
Not because the ideas aren't there but because when I approach the table, my mind goes completely blank!
How could this be?

In bed? GENIUS IDEA! OMG can't wait to wake up tomorrow and get started!
In the park with Miss Lola? AWESOME motif and journaling ideas! Can't wait to get home and KICK PAPER BOOTY!
In the shower. woo hooo paper pattern combo to die for!!! Lemme just finish washing my hair...
While I'm walking. Oooo! PHOTO! PHOTO!!! layering technique madness!
IDEAS! Flow! Excitement!
Step up to the plate?
blankness
seas of white
tv static- brain ones

The secret to get over it (I've heard and have started putting into practice) is to work through it.
NO! Don't throw away that perfectly hideous piece!
Stop
Look at it.
Why did you feel the need to add that color?
Why did you choose that photo?
The papers or embellishments?
If you find your temples thrumming take a step back.
Ok walk away entirely and do something else for a while.
But try to come back, ok?
There is a reason for everything.
You may not find out why you made that first version of your project but you may dig up a kernel of something you can work on next time.
So here are 2 "first drafts" (which I really like)

Why is this a first draft?
 I love the color and that I used a photo that was printed on the wrong side of the paper by mistake (hence the title) but the design is lacking (or frankly, non-existent). I thought I should paint a window in the Hambly transparency but soon realized I would have to use a craft knife to make a blank space for the photo but my hand cutting skills are severely lacking so I chickened out. Next time I'll take this to the next level and cut that window out.

A page using the Gauche Alchemy Monstrous Mutant Robots from Outer Space Kit and some blue punchinella.
This is up over at the Gauche blog today. I've used washi tape on both these pages to make random lines- I love that design element. I also love triangles and arrows so they go in. This is actually a SECOND draft. The first one was too strange looking. Here I ignored the crowded print and decided to just flow with the robots and add as much color to the page as I could. There is a more effective design solution for this- I haven't found it yet.

WHOA! Now that I see the pages together I see I've scrap lifted myself! That happens a lot lately- I really need to start making sketches in advance.
Also? LOVING the strips of circles or arrows!! Will be doing that more!
See? Already winning!

And you?
What are some mojo kick starters or pages you think are "almost there"?
Leave a comment!
 I can swing by and help you out (or most likely- leave raving love all over your blog)

Street poster- so cool!!!

Thanks for spending time here!
Michelle

Funny story. WHY HAMBLY??? WHY? And also, SWAG!

A card made with Gauche Alchemy's Neon Color Kit.

Happy Monday folks!
The plan was to get all emo with my latest dramz but all that has to be pushed aside because frankly- who the heck wants to hear all that nonsense, right?
We ALL have trials and tribulations.
I was in the subway yesterday and this dude was asking for money and his story reached "The Iliad"proportions so I gave him a dollar and a smile.

I usually avoid the smiles when I had over the duckets (that's a link to the Urban dictionary- read definition number 5 and laugh yer tail right off)
Smiling signifies an approachable nature and before you know it, you are listening to a smelly dude talk about space aliens zapping people to make them compliant.
TRUE. STORY.

By the way- were you one of the lucky ones who got to see the partial solar eclipse yesterday?
LUCKY YOU!!!!!!
Am I gonna get to see a photo?
LINK IT UUUUP, YO!

Nasa' s "projection" of what you got to see if you lived in
the western part of the US. I won't hate on you TOO much.

Anyway, back to my story...
So about a year ago, this smelly homeless guy sits next to me as Lola and I rode the subway to Central Park. He talks very closely and  intensely about aliens and their culinary particulars for 4 entire stations. (The equivalent of an eternity in terms of nasal comfort).
All because MISS LOLA was all cute and cuddly and smiled at him and said "GOOO!"
BETRAYED by my toddler!
I managed a hasty: excusemeIgottagothanksfortheveryinterestinginformationbutthisismystop...
as I got up and rammed our cheap 35 dollar Chicco stroller into a random pair of ankles in my NEED to expeditiously extricate myself from said conversation.
BING BONG! Slam! went the subway car doors behind me.
Whew! SAFE!
MISS LOLA! NO MORE STARING AT DUDES ON THE SUBWAY!

The smile that attracts thousands- not MINE! Hers!

So I don't smile.
I wear the dog face.
Luckily, the new and improved terrible Twos Lola (or LOLZ 2.0) is more interested in screaming at the top of her lungs that she MUST walk around the subway car and impersonate a human pin ball right this very SECOND! NOW! NOW!! NOW!!!
Which does WONDERS for magically rendering subway seats empty and cancels out the yammering of alien tale-tellers (but not the smell- alas).

So I give up the goods if someone impresses me with their personal version of Paul Bunyan's flap jacks.
Some people would say I'm a fool to encourage that behavior.
Well, I love me a good story and this guy had a major brain disease, Iraq War veteran status, 3 hungry kids (WHY always 3? ALWAYS!) and an electric bill to pay. (electric bill? POINTS FOR RANDOM!)
But WAIT that's NOT all!
He had gotten stabbed several times and was showing the wounds to anyone interested.
HELLO! Positively Homer-rific!
So I paid up.
It's what you do when you live in the city.

By now you are all "I've lost 10 minutes of my scrap blog reading time! WTG MICHELLE!"
Sorry guys.
Maybe you are all: "Why all the emo, Chellster?"
(You can call me that- it would make me happy)

Hambly has decided to call it quits.
If I can't get emo about that I don't know WHAT is worth a good cry.
I've heard rumors that Art Director Allison Kreft Abad is now teaming up with Echo Park so it's not ALL ruin and devastation.
If you can confirm this piece of news for me I would GREATLY appreciate it.
AS IF Echo Park could possibly get MORE awesome!

Also this (which cancels most of the regularly scheduled emo):

I KNOW! Right?
Totes SWAGADOCIOUS!
(NOPE! I did NOT make that up- you can look it up in the Urban Dictionary- my source of choice)

I went to the Keith Haring exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum last weekend.
If you have the chance you should go. 

MuChoS SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Ormolu Friday (so it's a DOUBLY GREAT day!)

I'm not even gonna front.
This is me hoping I can somehow land a spot on the Ormolu design team this summer.
I love Ormolu.
I love how versatile their products are.
How green the print process is.
Ormolu prints on recycled cardstock with soy inks.
They even use wind power for the process!
I love their clean and simple designs and their blog.

SO the question is- WHY haven't I submitted yet?

Here is a card I came up with last night:

ALL my current faves!!! Ormolu, Hambly, chevron and washi tape! WOOT!
Materials: Ormolu Fact or Fiction journaling spots, flair button and kraft letters from packaging
tags set, Hambly transparency, Stayz On Dove Grey ink, Studio Calico Chevron background
stamp, Orange/Yellow washi (from Target!), grey washi (from Gauche Alchemy),
Green washi (from Amy Tangerine's line),

I made this for a certain love of my life who's been especially awesome lately.
Thanks Dave!
Here's a quick close up of a fun trick I often do when encoutering an alphabetic bind:

I wanted the card to have an unusual message and I wanted to use the color palette set by the journaling spots from the Fact or Fiction line.
I had the kraft tags- these:

I. LOVE. the new Hispstamatic Loftus lens!!!

So I took and H from the "Happy" tag and a U from the "About" tag, layered them, cut the H down and boom- instant M.
Now the colors are consistent since I seem to have billions of Thickers but nothing in that Kraft color and COOL font.

GRATUITOUS CUTE TODDLER PHOTO!!!!!

Noemi was a year old lipsticked menace once.
(hee hee! She's gonna kill me!)

I wanted to let you know about a new FABULOUS company with incredibly exciting scrapbook products- it's Polish and it's AMAZING.

Swing by Sod^licious to check it out for yourself!
(I didn't want to step on any copy right toes by putting photo without permission here- sorry)

I just need to figure out how to import their entire catalog without robbing a bank first because their stuff is bright, modern and completely fresh.

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

The call of the WILD- Neon Color Challenge

Ok scrappy friends yesterday's post (you can scroll down a post if you are curious) got all emo and serious so today I dedicate to FUN.
Side note- Girl with a Dragon Tattoo? Too awesome for words. See it.

Isn't it sad the bathroom people aren't shining? AWWWW!

Amigas- I need your help!
My Neon color challenge doesn't have any entrants yet and there's 9 days left to link.
The last day will be April 6th.
Can you- will you- join the fun?

Here is another inspiration piece:

Ok so THIS was REAL fun!
First I tried using black gesso on a Crafter's Workshop template but OH NOOO it bled right through the borders so I had to use white gesso to stamp the borders of the template back on.
I made the pin wheels myself and If you remember the 80'd were not complete without stripes and polka dots so the blank side of the paper got special attention.
I used a Bam POP! paper pad I've had a VERY LONG TIME. I bought it on a whim and got scared of the totally 80's neon print. I also used Hambly mini trannies that I LOOOVE and will be getting more of as well as my go to item- Gauche Alchemy punchinella in black.
Last minute yellow twine.. there's probably too much happening here but hey- take this as your moment to teach ME a lesson on restraint! I don't mind!!!
I LOVE SCHOOL!!!!

I turn to you my FIERCE and loyal readers! (Yes all 3 of you!!!)

Go on out to Target and get some neon index cards or  some price stickers or maybe a child's paint set and GET TO WORK.
Link up here pretty pretty please with a nice cherry on top. :) 
Perhaps you want to stick around and to take a look around Yvonne's blog?
Her work is amazing!

Detail shots:

I haven't used the word "rad" since last week so I made sure to add it to my page to
make super duper SURE ya'll got the HINT. If you aren't slam dancing to Billy Idol
right this very second you are making this short Puerto Rican girl cry.

Pinwheel! Makes me happy!

So there you have it- a shameless self promoting plea and a call to action.

GRATUITOUS TODDLER PHOTO!!!

The Hipstamatic can easily provide neon photos to match neon layouts.
I use an iTouch- it's cheaper and doesn't require a data plan.
Plus you could score a great one online used- who wants an iTouch
when the new iPhones have better cameras? (ME!!!)

Muchitas gracias!
Michelle

The NEON Challenge!!

2012 is the year neon came back!
I'm seeing it everywhere.

Even on the lace bows of expensive french lingerie! 

Who wears neutral underwear with blindingly bright pink bows that cost 200 just for the bra?

MATERIALS: Bazzill grey card stock, Cocoa Daisy stamp, Cosmo Cricket’s DeLovely paper,
Crafter’s Workshop 6x6 chevron stencil, SC Mister Huey in white and chipboard from
Crate Paper, Sakura Gelly Roll pen outlines in fluorescent yellow,  neon pink twine,
Cosmo Cricket Heart In The Dark alphas and Jenni Bowlin flying bird punch.

To celebrate, I'm hosting a challenge over at DO MORE WITH LESS.
Yvonne Yam's awesome scrap style is both clean, modern and full of messy techniques such as paint, upcycled items and glitter.
How does she manage to pull it all off with nary a finger print or stray pencil mark on the page???
I aspire to that kind of control over technique.

This project was shaping up so well! Those finger prints are
UNINTENTIONAL and decidedly UNHAPPY accidents!

Perhaps you have some generic price stickers or neon pink twine lying around?  Most of Hambly's entire inventory qualifies. I've also found lots of great neon in Basic Grey (Out of Print) and Crate Paper's Random line.
Cosmo Cricket totally saw the trend coming because the entire DeLovely line is neon and it came out last winter.

Martha Stewart NEON GLITTER! EEEE!
25 dollars for the pack! Coupon time!

If nothing else Sakura makes neon gellyroll pens. (EEEEE!)
I tend to buy these every time I go to the scrap store because I use them on everything.
And there's always the 89 cent bottles of craft acrylic paint from the kids section at the arts and craft store.

Price stickers, 89 cent paints and thread.
At 5 bucks a pop perhaps thread is the purchase you want to save till
you've decided you love neon.

Swing by Do More With Less- you probably are already a follower- she's that awesome.
Thank you so much for the opportunity Yvonne!

My second project-you can do better I'm SURE! I do like the border. REDO TIME!
Materials: Basic Grey Life of the Party, Ki Memories NYC puffy, woodgrain fabric circles, Hambly
woodgrain washi tape,  EK Success peg alpha stamps, Scrap FX flying bird chip board, American
Crafts Zing embossing powder, K & Co Smash tape, Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam in Mermaid.

Ah bribery- the BEST way to drive traffic.
Here's what you get if you win the challenge:

GRATUITOUS TODDLER SHOT!!!!

MuChoS SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Favorite Project of 2011!

I love these posts!!! I like reading other people's posts and I like trying to choose just 10 projects for mine. This year I went for 12- 1 for each month.

This made me feel so much better about my "talent". My love of graph prints is in full effect and obviously I will NEVER be a clean and simple scrapper- even though I strive to be so.

And so, in no particular order:

Sketchy Thursdays January  GDT application page- I was so sad to see I had missed the deadline to vote!
Voting challenges are hard for me because I hate asking people to vote- it seems so conceited- not that I
mind voting for my friends when asked which is kinda two faced right? ;)

This page came outta NOWHERE and firmly established Sunshine Broadcast as my favorite collection
ever- how I'll miss Sassy! It got picked up by several websites- it's time for me to start submitting for pub calls- if I can keep the due dates straight!

This is also from a Sketchy Thursdays sketch- love the radioactive quality the colors took on when
I shot the page in blue tinged shadow.

From a sketch provided by a website I no longer remember- this was so FUN and I really love that
I finally used my apple picking shots from 2010.

This was made way back in January of 2010- it's messy and much more genuine than some of the forced stuff I do now.

Favorite photo of my Mom- she looks so beautiful here. I'm excited about her next step- her upcoming retirement- wish I could buy her a trip to Australia as a present.

Studio Calico winner for second week of June- Vee left a comment and I almost died-
she's one of my FAVE artists ever along with Emily Pitts and Sasha Farina. FANGIRL!

This was for my DT application for Elle Studio- naturally I got nowhere as it's a little naive but
I love the girlie colors and the photo- my Lola was so vulnerable at this point.

I made this for this year's Paper Issues Blog hop- it's about the culling of Canada Geese in NYC parks- something I deeply disagree with. I made this page in 30 minutes!!!! I STILL can't believe it.
By the way- there's a great Numbers challenge up this week- swing by and check it out: http://paperissues.blogspot.com/2011/12/weve-got-your-number.html

A page for the True Xoxo Girls November challenge- love the clean design of this and Ormolu is SO AWESOME! When they have a DT call I am SO applying! Check us out! http://truexoxogirls.blogspot.com/

This was a page for Punky Scraps- I used a roller to get the mist to spread evenly- this was the first time I actually made a PUNKY page for them. Swing by and check out this month's latest challenge: http://punkyscraps.blogspot.com

This is my first Gauche Alchemy project. I write for their website so I no longer have much scrapping time but I love their funky products check out the BLOG and ARTFIRE STORE.

Before I forget- Carmina of PasigMom fame has asked that I tell you 10 THINGS ABOUT ME.
Here goes:
1. I used to be eat cherries by the pound but I'm now allergic to whatever they put in them to keep the bugs away- WAAAH!
2. I like writing this blog as much as I like actual crafting.
3. No white hair yet but I see the frown lines and wish I had the moolah to pull a Nicole Kidman.
4. I love Terry Pratchett, zombie novels and Batman comic books.
5. I can be annoying. I am aware of the problem and work on it constantly.
6. I love the colors red and pink together.
7. I'm a paper hoarder- wish I could say I wasn't- really.
8. I use scrapbooking as a way to develop my photo skills and technological knowledge.
9. I've made more friends and had more fun doing this than any other hobby I have ever taken up.
10. I like plants. (smiling)


MuChOs SmOoChEs!