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

Michelle gets PUNKY!!!

Woo HOOOO! I want to announce that I've been chosen as a 2011 Design Team Member for Punky Scraps!!! YEAH BABY! I love this challenge blog! It encourages you to be precious OR bitchy- which is what most people are- variable, changeable and sometimes inexplicable but always TRUE.

What's THIS???

I wish I had a Punky project to share but I've been concentrating on a much delayed wedding invite project for my sister, Leticia, whos' getting married July 30th in Minori, Italy.  AAAHH I just LOVE SAYING THAT!!

I promised Letty I would have everything together before she got here for her annual April visit. Letty works in London as a sports and health educator for a private school (her title is very British and I constantly forget it so I call her "Coach") I love my sister- she's awesome- she's also a true free woman- do NOT tell that chick what to do OR ELSE.

Original design concept. I look at this now and go- meh!
I like Letty's crazy butterfly parade more.

I dilly dallied on the invites. It's my first big card project. It's a WEDDING. The groom comes from a TRADITIONAL Italian family. One word-BASILICA. 

I got... skeered.

I waffled like a mid-term presidential candidate on the paper order. 

I delayed putting together the final design. 

I ordered and re-ordered ribbon samples. 

I FREAKED over the printing of the actual invite. 

I set my self up for many a neurotic break down and spasm away I did. 

Way to over-think it right?

Here are my two faves of the design fest:

On the left is my original color scheme.
On the right is Letty's color improvisation.
We made 88 of these babies! WHOOP WHOOP!

I ran my poor open-minded sister ragged over the placement of butterflies and length of ribbon. I yelled over what I called "Glue Glops".  

I actually said to my sister- THE BRIDE- as SHE HELPED ME instead of enjoying her week off in NYC: "NO Pink! You must follow PROCEDURE!!!! If you're gonna help YOU GOTTA DO WHAT I SAY!"

Oh yes I did! Told you I went completely mental!

I like the final outcome- no card is the same.

More photos, vendor details and a complete list of evil things I said will be coming next week. Right now I'm celebrating my PUNKY SCRAPS acceptance!! I will also be their  one of the DT Coordinators. Promise I will not tell you guys to FOLLOW PROCEDURE. :)

YAY!!!!! So gonna rock out on these pages!!!!

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle