Inspiration Elevator Challenge- Christmas photo memories

Hello hello!

Perhaps you've been wondering where I disappeared to for a month.

I started a new full time job with a schedule I haven't been able to squeeze spare time from.

I've wanted to get back to blogging and creating but this hobby sucks up time like no other.
Or maybe that's just my process- I knew what I wanted to do with this page- I just needed 4 hours to do it in- lol!

One of my all-time favorite Christmas spot is Macy's Department store in 34th street.
We won't  be in New York until Thanksgiving so I used a photo from last year.

That's Lola scribbling a "Letter to Santa" from our visit to the store last year.
She's literally just making lines but I LOVE the look of intense concentration on her face!!!

For this page I used some Studio Calico paper I got at TJ Maxx, wood star buttons from Prima,
red tag from Cocoa Daisy and a star flair from A Flair For Buttons.

You may recall that the purpose of the Inspiration Elevator challenge group is to take our scrapbooking to the next level, to stretch our creative process and to mature as artists by embracing challenges that make us think, work and grow. You can view all of the challenges at the Inspiration Elevator Blog.

I have a very odd ideas about proper/good parenting.
One of my biggest quirks is the tell no lies rule.
It's absolute and can land me in plenty of social hot water.
Lola has no idea who Santa is- funny how this doesn't seem to interfere with the magic
and meaning of the holiday.
Here she's writing "Santa" a letter.
She has no idea why but that doesn't take away from the fun.

We are thrilled to welcome guest artist Misty Russell and her eclectic, artistic style to Inspiration Elevator this month.

 November's challenge comes from the very talented Joanne Burton. Here's the challenge she posed:

"November's Challenge: Back in Time.  I love looking through old photos (or not so old photos!) and remembering the great memories that go along with them. Some pictures evoke a strong emotional response while others just bring a sweet smile to our face as we recall the details of when it was taken. With that in mind, I would like each of you to pick a favourite photo and go back in time! I want you to take your photo and actually revisit the place where the photo was taken. Then take a 'picture of the picture' in it's original setting and scrapbook your new photo. **If you are absolutely not able to revisit the place where the photo was first taken, then pick a favorite picture with lots of memories attached to it and scrapbook that. 

In either case, I want you to journal the story behind your photo. Make your journaling and photo come together in such a way that we feel like we are back in time with you!"

 I hope you will stop by and see what the rest of the incredible Inspiration Elevator designers have created:

Joanne Burton 

Jodi Wilton 

Michelle Hernandez 

Ann Jobes 

 Laura Whitaker 
Cathy Harper

Lisa Moen 

Lisa Spiegel 

Guest Designer Misty Russell 

If you feel inspired to play along with our challenge this month, please share it using the linky tool on our Inspiration Elevator blog and/or our Inspiration Elevator Facebook page. We'd LOVE to see what you made!

Have a great weekend!
Michelle

Scraplift challenge! 1 hour "lucky" scrapbook page

Hello there!
I've decided to move my scrapbook "hot topics" post to sundays.
I suspect most of my readers don't want wordy posts on wednesdays.
If you feel otherwise please feel free to leave a comment!

Today I want to share a 1 hour project I made for the True Xoxo Scrapbook Challenge Blog.
I've been scrapping with these gals since the group formed in 2010.
I stick around because group leader, Lindsay, comes up with THE BEST challenge ideas!

Here's my page:

Materials: Studio Calico "Darling Dear" paper, Glitz filmstrip transparency (which comes with those
awesome mini windows! LOVE!), Heidi Swapp Teal mist, Sassafras Lass woodgrain alphas
and red alphas from Joann's. Teal tape from Target.

Xoxo has two scrap lift challenges a month.
The way it works is you swing by and pick a page to lift. Then link the page up.
Simple!
The winner of each month gets a GDT spot on the team which is nice since we get to chat.

The only family photo in front of a fantastic sunburst mural that is gone now.
Dave and Lola were complaining mightily so
all I got was this one photo. I find Lola co-operates with smiles more if she
sees what is happening in the camera- which makes sense, actually.

The March mid-month challenge theme was "lucky" in honor of Saint Patrick's Day.

By PURE luck, I picked out a paper that had a teal title on it and some washi tape to match.
The scanner turned the teal green and I decided that was also a good thing.

The film strip comes from the AWESOME Glitz Design "Color Me Happy" collection which is one of my favorites this year.

What's this? Swing by the A Flair For Buttons Blog and read all about it!
(Please and thank you!)

Swing by True Xoxo and join the challenge.

Thanks for swinging by!
Michelle

Manic Mondays with A Flair For Buttons

Hello!

Wow it was a crazy monday!

First- someone hacked or cloned my email- if you got an email from me with a link DO NOT OPEN IT!

I spent half the morning trying to figure out how to hook up a google account.

So now I have a new email- yay! 

It appears on the upper right hand corner there.

My brother (computer genius) assures me I'll no longer get Canadian Viagara emails which is nice.

 Then I posted this over at the A Flair For Buttons blog:

My latest A Flair For Buttons page. I love their new Photo booth pack- swing by the blog and check it all out!
I am IN LOVE with Crate's "On Trend" collection! Jewel tones- lots of fantastic black and white prints- it's PERFECT.
2012 was crazy with work schedule drama but we pulled through. 

Then I went to the dentist and was told the root canal I thought I needed is elective (YAY!!) but I have three cavities.
ACK!
I am really good with brushing after last year's bloody root canal.
(My dentist asserts the pain was all in my imagination as root canals don't hurt. !!! Yeah ok dude! That jammie hurt like a MO FO!)

Then I started this:

Cleaning up? Hardly!

I must be CRAZY!!!!
I've had enough with the mess and clutter in my "scrap space".

I considered doing a bunch of give-aways but realized it would take weeks and weeks to organize everything.

All the while I would second guess everything and drive my family crazy with boxes all over the place.

I need this room clean and accessible to The Lolster ASAP.

I will be giving 40% of my unused scrappy stuff to Materials For The Arts which connects teachers and after school programs with the supplies they need to make awesome art in NYC schools.

Not because I'm particularly awesome.
Because I'm a crazed shopping maniac who's realized her kiddo needs room to play.

Lately she's been going around pointing at things saying Mommy's stuff, Mommy's stuff, Mommy's stuff- MY STUFF.

That was the biggest condemnation of my out of control spending I could have ever received.

She deserves her own space to play and dream.

Michelle

A challenge of Olympic Proportions! True Xoxo Girls Scrapbooking

Hello!
If you're here for the Punky Scraps Blog hop please scroll to the post right under this one!
Or swing by http://www.njmacs.blogspot.com/2012/07/punky-punky-back.html for a chance to get on the team for 2012-13!

The True Xoxo Girls Olympic challenge is here!
Perhaps you would like to use the colors of the Olympic flag in your layout.
Or maybe you'd like to make a heritage page about a sports event your family was inspired by.
The possibilities are endless!
Swing by the True Xoxo blog and pick a page to scraplift.
You can also vote for your favorite page from the June and July entries.

Here's my page for the August challenge:

Materials: A Flair For Buttons arrow pin, Studio Calico paper, Crate Paper border, Fiskars Jenni Bowlin
ribbon punch, American Crafts glitter Thickers, American Crafts "Alex" Delights, Pebbles flag, Fiskars
corner rounder, gold gel pen from Sakura, gold mini brads from American Crafts and Mister Huey Gold mist.

That's my sister Melissa.
She's a pro boxer.
She changes weight divisions once in a while but mostly she's a Bantam weight fighter (and now a world title belt holder- WOOT!).

I rarely talk to Melissa about "the boxing thing".
It REALLY bothers me that she risks permanent injury every time she does her job but she loves what she's doing and she's good at it so I've learned to keep my reservations to myself.

I kept the page simple to focus on the spectacular photos (that I DID NOT TAKE-  I promise to track the name down of this photographer- he did a fantastic job)

I used my favorite Studio Calico print, cut some 1/2 inch strips from a Crate print for the border and tried to use Diamond Stickles on vellum.
The water-based Stickles glue crinkled the vellum but I liked the wonky effect so I kept it in.

A whole bunch of fun new flair pin sets are up over at the
A Flair For Buttons Etsy page!

Now you!
Join the Xoxo crew and show us your Olympics inspired page!
Swing by to check out the other DT work- lots of great pages this month (as always!)
True Xoxo Girls Challenge Blog.

OH! Before I forget!

3 pages of mine are in this issue! German Art Scrap Magazine
http://www.diescrapperin.de An online preview will be coming your way soon!

I have a page in the August issue if Scrapbook Trends as well.
I would show it to ya but I need to go to Joann's to pick up a copy!

Have a scrappy day mi gente!
Michelle

No time! NO time! A True Xoxo Girls 1 hour scrap CHALLENGE!

It's SUMMER TIIIIME!
Free concerts in the park!
The pools are open!
The beach (and the latest tawdry best seller) are calling!
You have football matches, the US Open- the OLYMPICS to watch!
Who has time to scrap?

We do! We do!
True Xoxo has the challenge for you!
You have one full hour to make a page.

Here's mine:

I took 1 hour and 17 minutes to finish this page. I blame the Studio Calico stars- the package always manages to walk away while I am mid design. I had no plan and luckily I won the "Take Note" collection in Echo Park's last blog hop so all I had to decide was WHERE to put all this stuff? My only regret? That I put in that journaling card- it distracts from the design. The photo and sticker speak for themselves.

Close Ups:

A Flair for Buttons Here & Now flair pack.

I hear the the SC veneer stars are incredibly hard to come by?
 I got mine on pre-order from Stop and Scrap and it took them 4 months to send them over.
I'm currently waiting for the summer release- let's just say I'm on pins and needles.

Go on- steal away for an hour and join the challenge. You have until July 31st!

TRUE XOXO GIRLS 

Challenge 31- I don't have time for this!

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Tuesdays are better! A Scrap FX Post

HALLO!
I hope you had a great Mother's Day weekend!
I will be celebrating next saturday since this weekend was don't disturb The Hubs who's studying for  finals week.

I've been struggling mightily with staying creative while also chasing a very active 2 and a half year old around a very small apartment.
It seems every time I turn around she's got a pair of scissors or some glue in her hands- not the friendly versions.
The ones that make me squeal in motherly terror.

I made this for Scrap FX but feel it's due for a make over so here's version one and you'll see version 2 there in a week or so.

Materials: Scrap FX Dinosaur mixed pack (2007287), Itsy Bitsy Bets "Typewriter" 2005103,
I altered several frames to make the "instant" ones here. Decorative frame "artsy" 2012044,
Simple frame A rectangle 2012047. I also used Studio Calico paper, Gauche Alchemy washi tape and
punchinella, A Flair for Buttons "Love You" button and regular staples I colored black using a marker.

Detail shots:

A Flair for Buttons "Love You" and Scrap FX Simple frame

Love this Tyranosaurus chipboard! I couldn't help
adding some stacked buttons left over from my shadow
box project. I love that look now.

I had a "brain wave" to use vellum for my journaling
to soften the look but it was see through so I had to back it
up with white paper. I nixed this project after using
watered down acrylic paint and warping the paper so badly I had
to cut it down to 8 by 11 size.

This week I sat down and started doing research on Mommy and Me craft projects because Miss Thang gets really crazy when it's raining and she can't go on her usual 4 hour walk.
NOPE! I'm not EVEN kidding.
It's walk her till she literally falls asleep or deal with mini Hulk.

So if you see I'm posting less or not getting around to your blogs and leaving much deserved love it's because I'm conserving time for the kiddo.

She's only 2 for so long.

MuChoS SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Get messy and kick start the mojo!

So it's 5:22pm on May 9th. Really.
Already.
I feel like I'm on a moped speeding down the highway over here!
Only it's more boring than that- like maybe it's an electric bike- not a Vespa which would be awesome actually.
My husband would take offense at my electric bike dig.
Electric bikes are apparently the sliced bread of motorized mobility.

Been on a "so many ideas, so little results" down swing lately.
I have the motivation and the inspiration but it's all going to pot on the page right now.
Last night- at around midnight I might add-
I made this.

Materials:  Red punchinella, plastic white embroidery grid and washi tape from Gauche Alchemy,
Crate Paper Storyteller paper, "I love" pin from A Flair for Buttons on Etsy, Heidi
Swapp "Epic" photomat, 7 Gypsies tape, American Crafts star border punch, Studio Calico wood
veneer hearts, camera, arrows and stars. Mister Huer in Schoolhouse red and Cream, Prima
Chalk ink stamp pad in cream and yellow.

Just trying to get over the hump and get cracking.
It's probably due to the piles and piles and PILES of crap on my desk.
Seriously- piles- it's not remotely fun to look at it since it's begging to get cleaned.
I'm starting to show on my pages.

 Here are some detail shots:

Creepily accurate map!

Perfect for Project Life or for those who prefer smaller embellishments on their pages.
I bought a "choose your own mix" pack of 12 flair buttons and got to mix and match.
A Flair for buttons- Etsy.

I've had these GCD Studio paper strips since last summer but they were hidden away in a
random flower pot I was supposed to alter. I found them while searching for my bag
of sewing machine thread which has been missing for over a month. 

I watered down some neon yellow paint and spilled it on the page.After it dried, I sprinkled some black Mister Huey mist on it but everything ran together. I finally realized I don't need to buy black staples. I can just use a permanent marker on the ones I already have. Brain? Where have you been?

GRATUITOUS CUTE TODDLER SHOT!!!!

May 7th- Wants to walk the dog but refuses to take the hat off. It's 70 degrees out.

UPDATE!!! Studio Calico just released it's Summer 2012 collection!! HEXAGON MASK!!!! Mistable fabric Ali font Thickers!! SUNRAY STAMP! And typewriter wood veneers! It's gonna be an AWESOME June!!!

MuChos SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Pie charts RULE!!!! A Studio Calico challenge page

So I've always had a "thing" for graphics, pie charts and other office related graphics meant to keep you awake during snoozefest meetings.
I just never thought to use them in a layout!
TOTAL lack of imagination!!!
Must correct ASAP!!
Here ya go:

So my LOVE of neon and washi is in full effect here. I used a while bunch of techniques I have learned from other crafters- SoapHouseMama and Miae to be specific. More on that below.
 Materials: Studio Calico Classic Calico paper, washi tape from Hambly, Smash and MT, vellum title from DCWV, Awesome word bubble from A Life Handmade on Big Cartel, Smash date stamp, gel pens from Sakura Martha Stewart multi butterfly punch and pin from American Crafts.

The layout is from a sketch by Vee Jennings for Studio Calico for their latest Sunday challenge which I encourage you to try!

My idea of a good scrappy time? Throw the paint on the page and watch it spread out or drip down, SHOVE the vellum into the sewing machine and hope a general circle shape emerges from my tugging and pulling.
My husband absolutely FREAKS when he sees me work.
He gets all itchy looking at the crooked lines, paint splatters all over the work table or the sewing machine wrestling (mostly because I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SEW.)

Some detail shots:

I bought this random travel themed DCWV pack at TJ Maxx
and I really like this vellum material. Some of the phrases
are a bit cheesy but this one has a great font and size.
Love that word bubble! I really wish I could afford a Silhouette!

Silver gel pen for the journaling. The butterfly was
colored using pastels I bought at the dime store. 

Ok so here is where I credit my scrappy friends.
SoaphouseMama (Ashli Oliver) gets credit for the stacked lines. I see this motif in her
work and I just like how it adds visual interest without distracting from the main design.
Miae of  Making Scrap Up gets credit for the wheels because I see her doodle these all
over the place!!!  Using the sewing machine was time consuming but I love the effect.
The hanging ends were something I saw  a french blogger do and it just made my jaw
drop.  I don't remember who it was (it was before I learned about Pinterest)
but if you recognize who I'm talking about lemme know ok?

I encourage you to let loose today.
Just slap some paper onto other paper, dash that paint on, take your favorite stamp and go hog wild- whatever.
If you hate the final result it's ok- go back to your regular work style!
But maybe you'll discover a new technique.

NEW PHOTO SEGMENT!!
What I learned from my two year old TODAY:
A fool and her washi are soon parted or
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH WASHI.

I used this page to get my engines ready for some design team assignments I really want to get right. So keep your eyes peeled over at Gauche And Scrap FX- you'll see iterations of things I learned making this page.

GRATUITOUS TODDLER SHOT!!!!!

Cute right? She pulled the ugliest 30 minute tantrum when it was time to go.
This is at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. GO! TODAY!
The Cherries are blooming!

MuChoS SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Kick up your heels with Punky Scraps

Hello there!
It's friday and that means it's time for a new Punky Scraps challenge!
Here is this week's photo inspiration challenge:

Roses, skullies and acid green? YES PLEASE!

Earlier this week I wrote in an "About Me" post that I can't wear heels.
I used to think I just "needed to get used to it".
By "it" I mean the wretched sharp Kudzu KNIVES that LEAP up my instep when I try to wear anything over an inch tall.
So like Peter Jackson- I gleefully sport Birkenstock (but not the cargo shorts- I'm not an Auteur).
It's not hip but HIP can go jump in a hot fuming lake of lava and take it's numerous medieval torture devices with it.
But not THOSE (pointing up). I can look at those foreverrrrrr.
And so I came up with this page (in less than 30 minutes- you can TOTALLY tell right???):

Core Impressions paper is the BOMB!!! Chevron embossing!!! This one is a rather sickly shade of mint green but look what happens when you sand it down a bit and shoot it in open shade! LOVE! There is also light beige one which is incredibly beautiful but only comes in the Pink Paislee Core Impressions Pack (linked- click away). Get the pack, say I.
Materials: Core Impressions Pink Paislee paper, Studio Calico exclusive script alphas, Jenni Bowlin flying bird punch, Basic Grey brads, Making Memories metal ampersand (LOOOOVE!!), Martha Stewart doily and multi butterfly punches, Doodlebug chunky glitter in white and white acrylic paint.

That shoe photo makes me sigh with unrequited materialistic love.
I would get them in Canary Yellow and wear them with snazzy dark wash jeans rolled up to show my fabulous calves.
I have awesome calves.
My ankles are fat though.
But lemme be positive. I have awesome calves.

Not a picture of my calves- that would be weird.
That rules is a sticker from the Dear Lizzy Neopolitan collection.
I wish they would include multiples of some of those designs-
they are so beautiful!!!!

I have 12 pairs of shoes in my closet- a very large collection if you saw how big our apartment was.
I wear TWO pairs.
My Birks from April till November 1st.
My Nike street kicks for the horrible months.
Here is how I look. ALWAYS.

ZOMG! I just love them!!!!

The other pairs are all event related and never see the light of day.
I prefer "events" that don't require I wear inflexible shoes- call me crazy.
If I hear one more fashionista declare that comfortable is ugly I will be very indignant.
Comfortable can be awesome.
Just layer the color and try to stay away from the cheap and stretchy stuff.
Enough said on the subject of "fashion".

GRATUITOUS CUTE TODDLER SHOT!!!!

Can you guess which apartment contains 1 little girl?
The  lobby of fill in the address here. :)

Join us this week over at Punky Scraps- we'd love to see what you come up with.

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

The Butterfly Effect- Pinterest & True Xoxo Girls Challenge

The Butterfly Effect
According to Wikipedia it's the sensitive dependence on initial conditions. 
How a small change in one place in a non linear system can result in a large differences in a later state.
It's Chaos Theory- unpredictable, unstable- highly complex.

The True Xoxo Girls Challenge for March is Pinterest Inspiration.
Use those lovely boards to make something and show us what you come up with! The prize is a GDT for April!
My piece has been scrap lifted from a beautiful digital design by almadr on Flickr. Click here to see the original.
Materials: Scrap FX butterfly chipboard, My Mind's Eye paper and stickers, Sassafras Lass border and photo corner stickers, Gauche Alchemy Wedding Night white mixed media color kit, Liquid Pearls in yellow, Studio Calico alphas and Mister Huey in Calico Cream and White

For this Month's True Xoxo Girls Challenge I found myself knee deep in an ethical dilemma.
I love Pinterest. I think it's the Beez Kneez- the ultimate fun time inpiration tool for artists of all stripes.
I use Pinterest every day. Or rather, I used to.
I am now considering deleting all my boards.

Here is why: (direct from the Pinterest User's Agreement)
By making available any Member Content through the Site, Application or Services, you hereby grant to Cold Brew Labs a worldwide, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, royalty-free license, with the right to sublicense, to use, copy, adapt, modify, distribute, license, sell, transfer, publicly display, publicly perform, transmit, stream, broadcast, access, view, and otherwise exploit such Member Content only on, through or by means of the Site, Application or Services.
Putting aside all worries about potential lawsuits from disgruntled artists, designers, photographers, architects, fashionistas- basically- anyone who has a digital presence. That clause in the User Agreement hasn't been proven in court yet so there's no reason to panic- YET.

Don't FEAR it. BE IT.

How do I feel about participating in the wholesale high-jacking of individual copy right? 
That is what the legal booty covering above does. 
If you come on this site and pin one of my scrapbook pages, Pinterest now has the right to sublicence, use, copy, adapt, modify, SELL, LICENCE, and OTHERWISE EXPLOIT my image as they see fit in perpetuity. 
It's Non exclusive! Woot! I guess I should be happy about that? 


Pinterest- you can take the scrapbook page- it's made with other people's designs anyway. 
The photos are MINE. 


Here is a code that allows you, me or ANYONE to opt out of the Pinterest madness- 


Just add that bit of HTML code to the top of each and every blog post you don't want pinned. It will disappear when you add it .. right here...  no here...
Let me make a photo- the code really did disappear into this post. 

If you don't block Pinterest assumes you are ok with them acting as a royalty free imaging super store where YOU- your family, your pet, your life's work are the product. By the way- Facebook has a similar clause but here's the difference- I can upload images and control my story on Facebook. I decide what family photos might end up for possible sale. Not so with Pinterest. 


Flickr has implemented a simple YES/ NO button on their site to prevent pinning: 
This is great for those who would prefer their personal websites get the traffic (We all know it's rare for people to visit the actual website- for many, it's just pin and get on with your life)
Read about it here: http://mashable.com/2012/02/25/flickr-pinterest-opt-out/


Let me just say- I don't mind being pinned. I get immediate feedback on what people like which helps me design more effectively AND I feel appreciated and influential- what's not to love? I don't judge people who disagree with me or don't care about this issue and just want to look at pretty things. I understand and feel pretty much the same. I love my boards! I spend time looking and thinking and learning to cook. I love the idea behind Pinterest! But it's good to inform yourself so you can protect yourself.

My beef is with is the Pinterest User Agreement that allows Cold Brew Labs to sell my photos IF and WHEN THEY DECIDE.

Scrap FX chipboard and vellum.  The "photo" is an Instax print that came out blank 
because I loaded the camera wrong. Those babies are a dollar a pop. I'm using them!

I might annoy a lot of people who will deflect my arguments with FAIR USE! FAIR USE!
Here is a link to FAIR USE as defined by the US copyright office.


If you are taken to court in the near future, you have already lost. 
You will have to hire a lawyer and pay them to defend yourself. 
It will be easier to "settle"out of court which means you will PAY for those pretty pretty pins.
Why are you fighting Cold Brew Labs' battle? Are you getting affiliate link kick backs from pinned item sales? According to a recent New York Times article you aren't. OOPS! 

Pinterest works the code (on the DL) so they also get affiliate sales!!! 
Aren't they just SO AWESOME?

Innocently swimming through shark infested waters.

MuChOS SmOoChEs!
LA PELEONA

Fun news! Ormolu reader feature

Just wanted top drop by and give a small toot that I'm featured over at the Ormolu blog today.
Yaaaaay!
I LOVE Ormolu products- they are the perfect small size, super bright and GREEN!

This page caught me completely by surprise.
I started by getting all Jackson Pollock on a piece of Jillibean Soup kraft paper and almost threw it out when I thought it looked to messy.
I starred at it for a while telling myself- SELF- YOU CAN'T THROW THIS OUT!! That paper was a DOLLAR.
I'm kinda strange.... But you knew that.
I then added the tone on tone Scrap FX chipboard which immediately focused the page and added the Studio Calico stamp on the bottom right to anchor the design.
The Sassafras Lass triangles went next to add some contrast to the chipboard and lastly I added the night photo, Ormolu "Super cool" tag and fabric flag on top to give it more pop.

The paint is watered down acrylic- the only thing that will show on kraft
I took apart an Amy Tangerine layered embellishment for the
"wish you were here".

When I was done I realized I was working with my lizard hind brain again- going forward with no real plan.
Very cool.
So thank you Ormolu- I got a lift on a rainy day!

GRATUITOUS CUTE TODDLER SHOT!!!

Learning to skip rocks.

MucHoS SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Scrap FX. RAD awesomeness- scrapified!

Scrap FX is having a design team call.
Their first ever.
This. is. monumental. Exclamation points. Many. Lots.
I love Scrap FX product. As in, I LOVE it.
I don't USE it.
I COLLECT it.
Like my Mom collects Lladro porcelain.
Like a jealous squirrel preparing for a long winter.
Have you ever gotten between a squirrel and her winter hoard?
It's not pretty.
Squirrels are TOUGH and they jump pretty far.
STOP LAUGHING.
A chittering squirrel advancing upon you in short barky hops is TERRIFYING.
You know it's giving you the old-school dress down.
Especially Manhattan squirrels- such SNOBS.
A. NY.WAY
5 projects are needed for the application.
This is my first:

You'll be able to see this page in the August 2012 issue of Scrapbook Trends Magazine

I've had that New York chippie in my stash since summer 2011. I bought it in Salt Lake City for 5 entire dollars.

Yes that's FIVE DOLLARS. FIVE! I loved it too much it had to be mine.

Materials: Scrap FX New York Chipboard,  Jillibean Soup Fresh Mushrooms paper,  Sassafras Lass In Retrospect paper (diamond stars), bicycle clip from World Wide Co, Studio Calico Awesome stamp, American Crafts Zing powder in black, Ormolu chevron fabric flag, tin pin and "cool" spot, Amy Tan hearts fabric strip and "wish you were here" sentiment, My Mind's Eye journaling card, white acrylic paint for splatters

I have weighed the ramifications stemming from an application for weeks.
Do I have the time to participate?
Do I have good ideas to to share and break out into tutorials?
Am I able to sell the product in my writing because I use it and love it so much?
Yes, yes, Oh HECK yes!
Am I awesome enough?

White acrylic paint watered down just a bit. All white colored
mist products just disappear into kraft card stock.

That last question is of most importance. I can't really answer it.
I have decided to just go ahead and throw my hat into the ring anyway.
Fingers crossed they will like my artsy urban Brooklyn girl style.

Things I love:
Insta frames, stamps,  iPod photos, the word awesome, woodgrain,
arrows, fabric embellishments, pop up elements and kraft paper. 

If you haven't heard of Scrap FX before, let me show you why I love them so much

(All product photos copyright Scrap FX).

These are my favorite products from the latest release:

Brick pattern good for mini book covers, misting to use
as a template or RAD city life themed projects!

Chicken Wire- I like to break these up and add them as layering to a page.
 Like here: (click on this link- please? smiley face)

I love all the different styles in this mini pack.
Great for adding emphasis to journaling,
pointing out the funny bits in a photo or to sprinkle
on a page to give it graphic UMPH!

Ampersand. Scrap FX offers an ampersand pack with
a different fonts- imagine that!
You could sprinkle them all over the page like HERE. 

The deadline is March 9th.
Are you awesome enough?
I think you are.
Go on and apply.
Here's a US distributor if you need to hoard up.

GRATUITOUS CUTE BABY PHOTO!!!!!

New Hipstamatic Loftus lens and DC film from the Foodie SnapPak.
LOVE the lens blur and crisp color!

MuChoS SmOoChEs!