Let's Get Trendy Now- NEON

Happy monday folks!

Today I'm sharing my page for the Let's Get Trendy workshop.
The scrapbook trend I'm covering is a definite favorite- NEON! Woo hoooo!

There are other fantastic projects (including gorgeous cards and two sketches) on the Let's Get Trendy blog please swing by and check those out.

I love neon and I tend to go overboard when using it.
I make no apologies for this.
But it leads to pages that are certainly out there even for me.

I know the going wisdom is that you should use neon sparingly.
I've seen many gorgeous pages and cards made with just a hint- a touch - a zing- of neon.
I'm not part of that party.
I say slap it on, slather it all over and have fun with excess.
Viva the Las Vegas GLITZ of it all!

Materials: Paper Source Navy blue cardstock, MT pink washi tape, pricing stickers from the dollar store,
Sakura gelli roll pen in white, Crafter's Workshop pie chart stencil, vellum from Paper Source, Studio Calico
paper clip, Crate Paper tags, neon pink tag from Lawn Fawn, raindrop stencil from Scrap FX, Liquitex
neon pink acrylic spray paint, Mister Huey in black.

Neon items I highly recommend:
sequins
washi tapes (especially since they can be layered)
glitter (go. all. the. way!)
embroidery thread
chalk bistro markers (these are how Starbuck's gets perfect chalkboard menus)
stamp pads
acrylic paints- there are so many of these- you can go with high end Guache water color or a kid's set from Ikea

Two of my current favorites:

Sakura Gelli Roll and Souffle pens.
Souffle is so awesome- you get pure gorgeous neon PLUS a funky embossed effect. You can also use embossing powder on these because they dry slowly.
Molotow is a graffiti art brand.
These are paint marker refills with open droppers so you can either drip directly on the page or squeeze out and use a brush- the colors are pure energy- great for using on unfinished chipboard.  

Liquitex acrylic spray paint. Expensive and has a tendency to clog but still AWESOOOME!!!
Micheals' carries it.
It's usually locked in a cage to keep crafty teens from defacing the world with it. (snicker, snicker)

You can always layer over whatever bits you don't like.
Whenever something makes you uncomfortable I say WORK IT
Get out of that comfort zone!

You might just like swinging through the jungle growing outside.

Have a GREAT (colorful) week!
Michelle

Project 30 bags in 30 Days and some December Daily love

Hello!

I'm making some headway into my 2013 resolution to clean up and simplify my home.

I've joined a low key project called 30 bags in 30 days where you organize and throw out at least 1 bag a day for 30 days.

Almost everything in this box got donated to Materials For The Arts.
Only the Basic Grey prints made the cut and I'm using those for a Valentine's Day
project coming soon to a blog near you.

Scrapper and Photographer Becky Novacek has many beautifully organized space photos posted on Instagram and her blog Becky Novacek Photography, head on over for inspiration.

Several friends on Facebook have already expressed interest in joining along.

If you'd like to join us- there isn't an official group or web page-
just use the hashtag #30bags30days on Instagram or Twitter or post photos on your blog and let me know through Facebook and I will swing by your blog and cheer you on.

The art wall behind my computer got a thorough dusting.
I also threw out all the computer related ephemera that had snuck onto my "inspiration shelf."
I'd like to switch out some of the objects but that is a later project- first clean the mess I've made on the floor.

I haven't taken photos of my seven bags so far.
Mostly because I'm so distraught about the mess I'm making while cleaning that I forget to shoot the bag or the room.
I think it's going to take more than 30 bags to rid me of the mess I have in this very small space.
But I'm trying anyway.

Here are my latest December Daily pages.

Red, silver and white are SO awesome! Can't help throwing in some black to ground things.
The rock star badge is From A Flair For Buttons on Etsy.

Crafter's Workshop snowflake stencil and Crate Paper vellum number. Washi tape 
and "Love" wood veneer arrow from Freckled Fawn.

I later added kraft as a color since I love how it looks when paired with silver.
Scrap FX mini chipboard shapes and new arrows are the perfect
 addition to this project. Silver glitter embossing powder from Paper Source
is now an all time favorite product.

Last year I made a page a day but I was home all day so it was easier.

This year I decided to make the album larger using 6 by 8 flat cards from Paper Source as my base.
Last year's "cute" loose ring binding failed- it exposes interior pages too much and I've had too many pages fall off.
This year I will bind the album using traditional book binding tape- a tutorial on that coming soon!!

Now get going, you! Life is awaiting!
Michelle

This New York City Area Scrapbook crafter wants to capture your personal stories and memories

Hello!

I recently realized that New York City may be in need of a creative and enterprising paper crafter/ scrapbooker to help capture and illustrate it's many weddings, birthdays and other special events.

I can help!

What I can do:

• Help conceptualize and organize photos and memorabilia into a cohesive story.
• Design modern and colorful scrapbooks, photo montages or shadow boxes that fit your personal style.
• Create single pages or whole books to fit a specific need such as a birthday, anniversary, wedding or other special occasion.
• Create paper based gifts or keepsakes that will be cherished by you and your family.

Why have I decided to offer my services?

When I talk about my hobby (obsession!) to others here in New York City, I hear that they would like to do the same but don't have the time or "the creativity" to do so. 

I believe everyone has the creativity and "the eye" to make their own scrapbooks or pages but even I must admit it's intimidating and overwhelming to get started. 

Then I realized I could blend my past experience as a photo editor and current paper crafts hobby to help you stage and preserve your personal stories.

It was literally my AHA! moment and it made me really happy and grateful, because it's joining two things I do well into one.

Some samples of my work:

Travel and Adventure

Family life and every day moments 

Sports and Entertainment

Engagements, Proms and Bar /Bat Mitzvahs 

Family portrait displays for home or office

Weddings and other special events

Fun cards for any occasion

Family or holiday themed mini photo books

Shadow boxes and birth announcements

Please feel free to contact me at hernandm1@yahoo.com.

I'm ready to help and would love to make some real world scrappy friends to meet up with as well!

Have a great weekend!

Michelle

Using Your Smash Book to kick start your scrap Mojo.

Hallo scrappy people!

I've wanted to start an "art journal" forever but it seemed like double effort since I tend to experiment with color combos and materials on most of my projects.

Some pages work out. Most fail the awesomeness test.

Michelle's Page Awesomeness Test

• Are the colors, patterns and item sizes vibe-ing with (or BETTER yet- against) each other? 
• Does this page make me wanna do a karate chop while yelling "DAUM! That's HAWT!"
• Does this page do something different from the ones I've done before?
• Do I feel like I used up all my energy and ideas making this?

If the answers are yes- we are good to go.
If not, I redo the pages at a later time.
But, while educational, that way of working is getting incredibly inefficient.
A solution was needed.

Enter K & Co's Smash line.
I've actually had 2 of these books in my stash for over a year without ever opening them up!

Then I got the "Eco" Smash book as homework.

My assignment:
Fill 5 pages using only products available in the store.
The book was to be displayed to hopefully entice shoppers to get their own.

What I came up with:

Sorry for the crappy iTouch photos.
These were meant to record the page as a sketch for my next project.

All stamps, papers and embellishments are available at Paper Source.

The book on display:

So how did this help my with my scrapbooking?

1. I made a page made in about 2 hours (a third my usual time).

2. The Smash pages helped define color combos, embellishment placement and photo sizes.

A Flair For Buttons Sunburst White/Color and Woodgrain Days of The Week pins. LOOOOOVE!!!

3. It helped me define what I actually wanted to say. 

I had 3 theme ideas and 6 photos all jumbled up in my mind. This is actually a huge sticking point for me in a lot of pages and I avoided it entirely this time. 

Scrap FX Kraft journaling notes item #2012191k

I'm also glad I finally got to use some of that Basic Grey Wander paper.
When I first got this in a kit a year ago I really hated the colors. Not anymore!

I also found some graph pattern vellum online. I did a little jig for joy when I saw the listing! You'll be seeing a lot of it in all my pages.

GRATUITOUS TODDLER SHOT!!!

Salome at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Sound off!
How do you kick start your creativity?

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Deconstructed Edge- A Punky Scraps Sketch challenge

Good Friday Morning happy people!

The latest Punky Scraps Challenge is all about deconstructed design.
By "deconstructed" I don't mean that I took a hammer to it.
Deconstruction as a style, plays with design norms and assumptions.
Here is a GREAT blog article on how it relates to fashion- major food for thought and written in a very clear and concise manner- Fashion Medium.

Needless to say trying to tackle this challenge was a lot harder than I thought.

It would help to have a really good handle on graphic design principles.

I'm still on a learning curve for those.

Here's the page:

Lots of "thought" went into this design. Can you tell? Needless to say there are much better practitioners of this style but I love it so I'll keep trying to get a full handle on it.  

I'm currently reading "Graphic Design for Non-Designers" by Tony Seddon.
It's kind of a hard read since he's talking about visual issues with minimal illustrations and examples.
If you have a better design basics book or website let me know ok?
Some detail shots:

A Flair for Buttons on Etsy "Moments" pin
Cocoa Daisy "You Are Here" stamp
Honey comb Flower stamps from Paper Source 

Can you even SEE the clear arow from Fancy Pants here?
Yeah I thought so- will have to think of ways to make that more visible.

I had some help in the fantastic sketch Nat provided but I'm not happy with the final result.
I wanted to redo the page for this entry- yeah no- I barely have time to write this very post!
Here's the sketch- why not join in?
Punky Scraps Challenge Blog

A fashion related sketch if I ever saw one.

I'm in NYC tour leader mode for this entire month which is why I barely have time to think.
Lots of family outings to random places which can be exhausting but so fun.

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

Travelin' Fool- Mixing it up with silver and kraft paper

This page is one of those that just turns left mid process and totally surprises me with how great it turned out.
I wanted to try silver embossing powder from Paper Source and this heavy weight kraft paper I found on sale from 2 dollars for  pack of 25 at Joann's.
The combination seemed really strange to me but I love I love the contrast it provides.

Materials: Prima Travel themes masks, Studio Calico Atmosphere mist, Viva Las Vegas chicken wire stamp,   Wood Veneer stars from Studio Calico, silver glitter Thickers from American Crafts. Silver paint stick from Farber-Castell

I REALLY wish I had bought all the packs because it turns out The Paper Company brand kraft paper is AMAZING- thicker, darker and more flecked than the more refined kraft paper from Bazzill or American Crafts (which I also love but it's nice to have the variety).

Some detail shots:

Playing with semi transparency-I love common gift wrap tape in layers!
I love these water droplet embellishments from Sticko for the same reason I love vellum-
lots of  detail but not the crowding you get when using color embellishments.

The Viva Las Vegas chicken wire stamp is amazing!.
The edges aren't squared up so you can layer it more organically.
You can also order it mounted on wood, unmounted or
foam mounted  so it can be attached to an acrylic block. 

Ok I'm off to try to make a new project- this is my only day off this week so I have to make it count.
Tomorrow I teach my first class ever!!!
I'll be leading a "Girl's Night" over at the Paper Source on 75th street and Columbus. We'll be using the Zutter Bind it All to make a birthday card organization book.

I must admit I'm a little scared- 4 students means it should be fairly easy going but I have been reviewing videos and practicing proper binding technique just in case.

GRATUITOUS TODDLER SHOT!

Check out the new "Jane" lens on the Hipstamatic.
No strange effects, just the ability to shoot square photos and mix them up with other Hipsta films.

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Learning, playing- working? YES! It's possible!!!

One of the reasons you don't see me around as much lately (sorry!) is that I got a paying gig!

I'm now working at Paper Source!
Can I hear a "WOOT! Woot!"?

Paper Source isn't your typical crafty shop- I am amazed by the depth of their crafting collection.
Sure they sell paper (gorgeous artisanal paper) but they also sell all kinds of paper crafts tools and materials I haven't gotten around to discovering yet.

I wanted to share just a few of the projects I get to make during my rigorous training- seriously guys- it's like crafty boot camp (without all the shouting and dropping to do 250 push ups).

Like a fish needs a bicycle notebook
Materials: Paper Source Nautical and Bicycle wrapping papers, Zutter Bind It All (I got to use it for the
first time ever. I MUST have it!!!!), Paper Source card stock in Pool, Uni Ball silver gel pen,
Fiskars 1 inch circle punch and hole puncher- brand unknown.

Wedding Invitation Suite.
 I had an hour and 20 minutes to come up with a design and incorporate it into an Invite with envelope, RSVP card, table tent, place card and favor box- it was bananas! I tried to keep it as simple as possible. I didn't include the favor box as Lola promptly destroyed it thinking there were chocolates inside.
Materials: Paper Source Luxe card stock for the A7 envelope, pocket folder enclosure invite, 4 bar folded card and envelope as well as table tent. I also used a cherry blossom stamp, Ranger Queen's Gold embossing powder and Mums Gold on Cream Lokta fine paper. 

I learned to bind my own book! I also want to learn how to sew the actual interior pages
together but this is a start- best of al it was easy to do this with the Paper Source kit-
 everything is measured and cut out- all you need to do is put on your brave "I can handle wet
glue" face. Italian coast map print paper! SWOON!

Best 2 hours I've ever spent at "work"! I learned 3 new stamping techniques and so much about inks and
 embossing it was embarrassing. Did I think I was an experienced scrapbooker? HA!
I definitely recommend you swing by your local Paper Source branch and take this class!

So can you believe I just learned to wrap a gift properly? Yup! I failed at wrapping before
 but now I WIN. I also learned to make perfect bows which solved a life long dilemma and MAJOR
 pet peeve! LOVE IT!

On my shopping list right now:

• Faux Bois wrapping paper
• Zutter Bind It All Machine and 1 inch black wire
• Color Box Pigment ink (slow drying so perfect for embossing effects)
• Versamark embossing pen (love!)
• Cherry Blossom stamp
• Lokta grid and batik papers
• Super tacky double sided tape in 1/8 and 1/4 sizes so I can add some glitter stripes to everything I make
• Goldfish stamp (ZOMG!!! TOO CUTE!!)
• Sakura Souffle pens- Puffy NEON color pens?? MUST HAVE!!!!
• Savoy 100% cotton 8 by 11 cover weight pack (a MUST HAVE for water color and embossing projects)
• Extra fine embossing powder in clear and black
• Paper Source mixed color cardstock pack (loved playing with different color combos- everything goes together)

So enough salivating for now. THANK YOU Shanti for recommending me- you have a loyal friend for EVER! :)
ALSO... (OOOPS!!!)
Happy Father's Day everyone.

GRATUITOUS CUTE FATHER/DAUGHTER SHOT!

Bokeh effect!! FINALLY! PicFX app.

MuChOS SmOoChEs!
Michelle