A Passion for Scrapbooking, Decorating and Shopping

Where Women Create, the blog...

When I discovered Jo Packham's books, Organizing Your Craft Space and Where Women Create, several years ago, I was delighted to see books dedicated to three of my favorite pastimes:  crafting, decorating and organizing. 

Sometimes I believe I spend more time attempting to create and refine a dedicated space for crafting than actually doing the craft itself.  Quite frankly, I sit in my craft room thinking about crafting. Thoughts of making a mini album for family or a journal of my favorite things, even a photo cube for my niece which is half finished. 

It takes inspiration to motivate me.  And friends who influence me.  I do try to think for myself but I can't help but be inspired by others. 

The introduction of the magazine version of Where Women Create guarantees me continued inspiration on how artists surround themselves with objects and supplies that give them the desire and passion for their craft.  It is almost like taking a peek into one's handbag.  These are the things that are a part of their daily existence. 

And now Jo Packham hosts a blog entitled appropriately, Where Women Create.  A great gathering place with a plethora of information to keep the inspiration circulating. 

Speaking of continued inspiration, in searching for Ms. Packham's books on Amazon I discovered there's a book she has co-authored with Jenny Doh due for release in April 2010 - Where Women Create: Book of Inspiration: In the Studio and Behind the Scenes with Extraordinary Women. 

All I had to see was the title and immediately pre-ordered it.

This entry is my way of keeping the inspiration circulating.  See it all for yourself and enjoy.

BUST Holiday Craftacular...

The following is a bulletin from BUST Magazine, who very kindly asked me to share here for all crafters to read:

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Vendor applications due November 2nd! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Happening at: THE METROPOLITAN PAVILION (125 West 18th street, NYC) BUST Magazine’s Holiday Craftacular is set for Sunday, December 6th in NYC and is set to be our biggest yet! BUST Magazine will be hand-picking over 200 of the most unique and talented crafters from across the country to stuff your holiday stockings with the very best in indie-designed and handmade wares! Take care of your entire shopping list while browsing thousands of ware that will include knitwears, jewelry, beauty products, ornaments, vamped up vintage clothing, silk-screened apparel, gourmet sweets, handbags, chic and original iPod cases, funky home décor, books, sassy soaps (for the naughty and the nice!), cards, the best gear for babies and more. Then take a break from shopping as the BUST DJs jingle your bells on the Craftacular dance floor. Independently owned and operated, BUST Magazine has been a leader in the crafting movement since 1993. Now in its 16th year, BUST continues to support and influence the handmade revolution though constant editorial coverage, sponsorships, and events such as the Holiday Craftacular. Always on the cutting-edge, BUST is a revered and trusted authority in the DIY and crafting community. The Metropolitan is located at 125 West 18th Street Seventh Avenue, between 6th and 7th Avenues. Subway to Manhattan: 1, 2, or 3 to 18th Street, or F, V to 23rd street. BUST Magazine’s Holiday Craftacular will take place 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM on December 6th. Your entry ticket also gives you a shot at winning a BUST-load of booty in the Craftacular Raffle! 1. Fill out our online vendor applications today! Apply here: http://www.bust.com/craftacular/apply.html 2. Pay the required non-refundable $10 application and processing fee that is payable at the time you submit your application. Checks and money orders should be made payable to BUST Magazine (78 Fifth Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10011, Attention: BUST Craftacular 2009) and must be postmarked by November 5th, 2009 for your application to be considered. We will notify all applicants of their status on Friday November 6th, 2009 for NYC and November 18th, 2009 for L.A. and London. If you are accepted as a vendor, your deposit will go towards the full booth fee of $250 due by November 27, 2009. All application and processing fees are non-refundable. For a list of frequently asked questions, go to http://www.bust.com/Craftacular/FAQ-NYC.html Got questions? E-mail us at craftacular@bust.com. Be a sweetheart and jingle-tell your crafty pals about BUST' Magazine’s 2009 Holiday Craftacular by forwarding this news widely! See you under the mistletoe, BUST Magazine

Organized surroundings...

The past couple weeks I have dedicated time to organize and pare-down what surrounds me in everyday life. 

I started by participating in a neighborhood yard sale and managed to rid ourselves of a few items that we no longer use. 

Ideally, it would have been nice to have sold everything but I think we are all in a state of mind where buying less means more to us than ever before.  The magazines I displayed for free went very quickly (I do not like to throw away magazines, if at all possible).

I finally found success with Craigslist after a few attempts by alleged shady buyers trying to take advantage of a newbie like me.  This is definitely a venue you must proceed with caution.  Gladly, a number of furniture items found new homes and I can now walk into our storage room without stepping over anything.

There's a collection of books I discovered when I regained access to our storage closet, so I've listed them for sale on Amazon.  It's another great venue to purge reading material and make a few dollars to re-invest in new reading material.  ;-)

The USPS has come in handy with the number of packages I've sent my sister lately with items her family will put to good use.  If you send at least one of your packages via Priority Mail, the mail carrier will pick-up everything from your doorstep for free, including parcel post.  So I always make sure I have a lightweight package to send via Priority Mail to combine with parcel post packages.  It saves time from standing in line at the Post Office.

While I was away with my girlfriends scrapbooking last weekend, I included time to file-off almost every photo on the hard drive of my laptop, although I have a back-up external hard drive.  I stayed up until 3:00am to accomplish this task, and boy, do I feel good about it.  I had 3 years-worth of photos on my hard drive.

The tools I included in my gear for the crop were a label maker and my entire collection of patterned paper.  Every sheet of paper was separated and alphabetized by manufacturer into Cropper Hopper paper pouches.  It took me an hour to sort through everything and label the dividers. 

The good news is I managed to make a set of 20 holiday cards and a layout while I organized what I could at my fingertips.  Regardless of what I was doing, I accomplished a bit of crafting as well as organizing. 

On my iPhone, I added the Flickr application where I can now upload photos from my phone as a back-up with the push of a button. 

Organizing and maximizing my time is an ongoing ordeal in our household.  There are days I feel wonderful about achieving a flawless day without chaos and there are days I do not know if I'm coming or going.  And I hope to have more flawless days as I continually try to gain control over the chaos.   

More studio inspiration...

Under Studios That Inspire, I have added a few more studios to the list for your perusal and enjoyment.

Liz's Black & Gold Haven is stunning.  The color scheme and how well organized her space is leaves me yearning to get my space in order.  She incorporated a twin bed using the same color scheme, giving it perfect harmony for a space that serves more than one purpose.

 

The passion and talent for bringing together a creative space runs in the family with Liz's mom, Pam, whose haven is downright charming and oh-so functional.  How do you like the painted phrases on her desk.  I enjoy how folks express themselves creatively. 

 

If you admire antiques, you will take great delight in perusing Karen Russell's scrapbook room/office.  What I was intrigued by most is her treadmill desk. 

 

My lack of motivation to use our treadmill as often as I should might improve if I had a desk where I could read and/or have the ability to use my laptop while burning calories at the same time. 

Let your eyes take-in what technology and crafty folks like ourselves are willing to share.  And fill your minds with inspiration.  Enjoy the journey.

This & That - Tuesday Edition...

As I turned the page in the recent Tracy Porter catalog, I discovered a mirror that I am taking quite a fancy to.

Quite gorgeous in all it's gold glory.  It's quite inspiring and is making me have all sorts of thoughts about where to place it in our home.  I better move on.

Anyone seeking organization for their craft space?  Did you know that Overstock.com carries the Scrap Box Armoire?  There's a smaller version too called the Craftbox.  All the nooks & crannies and cubbies are enough to make my organizational heart go thump thump pretty quickly.

I was going to start this sentence with 'If I had the space, I'd love to add this piece to my craft room' but I won't go there, if you know what I mean.  Consider this a shared fantasy with all my scrapbooking & crafting friends.

Lastly, these John Derian paperweights are classic and stunning.  An ideal accessory for the sophisticated workspace.  Or any workspace.  Truthfully, a paperweight like this on top of a 'to-be-paid' bill pile would look good.

I hope you are enjoying your Tuesday, folks. 

Cricut's Joys of the Season...

Recently, I added a new Cricut cartridge to my collection:  Joys of the Season.

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays but that is not why I purchased this cartridge. 

I purchased it because of the topiary die-cut.  Can you understand and/or relate to my rationale?

My magic ball says it sees Christmas cards with topiaries in my card-making future.  I'm going to give it my best shot.

Big Picture Scrapbooking & Jenni Bowlin...

As of 10pm EDT on June 29, we have named a winner - JennA.  Looking forward to joining you in Jenni Bowlin's class at Big Picture Scrapbooking.  Congratulations!!

A few days ago I posted about Jenni Bowlin's class at Big Picture Scrapbooking.  I'm very excited to be taking her class and would be even more excited if I had a friend to take it with me. 

Generosity abounds tonight as Big Picture Scrapbooking is offering free enrollment to one individual interested in taking Jenni Bowlin's Re-Purpose, Re-Think, Re-Invent class that begins on July 2.

Please post a comment if you are interested and the selection of a winner will be announced Monday evening, June 29. 

It will be fun to share this path to inspiration and into the creative mind of Jenni Bowlin.

Best of luck to you all.

Re-purpose, Re-think, Re-invent...

Seeking and absorbing inspiration is what I like to do.  It might explain the hours I spend online and perusing periodicals looking for something to hit an inspirational nerve.  I'm addicted to inspiration.  It feeds the adrenalin in my soul.

Like this photo:

See the architectural element above the lovely framed photo?

Just look at those lovely salvage pieces in the above photo.  What sexy curves they have. 

I know my friend, Pam, would love these antique shakers.  You can re-purpose them into glitter shakes.  Right, fellow crafters?

Oh my.  The physical features of the frame and lamps are truly speaking to me, loud and clear.  Hello there!  Wanna come home with me?

Add the name 'Jenni Bowlin' combined with these photos and you have an entirely inspiring recipe for re-purposing, re-thinking and re-inventing. 

Having just learned that she's teaching a class with Big Picture Scrapbooking on this very topic is enough to convince me to participate in her online class.  Not only am I seeking inspiration, but I'd love to learn what inspires her and how she interprets it into her crafts and scrapbooking. 

What makes you tick?  Me, why it's anything design-related.  More specifically, architectural elements.  I love shapes and curves.

Do you care to join me in some inspiration via Jenni Bowlin and Big Picture Scrapbooking?  Her class begins July 2.  And I will be there will bells on.  That is, shapely bells with lots of curves. 

Update:  You can enter to win enrollment into Jenni Bowlin's class here (by Monday evening, June 29).  Good luck!

Treasured Timepiece...

Tejae Floyde exposed us to the wonders of polymer clay at Inspired.  And in her class, we created a decorative timepiece that I adore in many ways.

This was new territory for me and it was quite gratifying rolling the clay into various shapes and stamping the clay with images before baking.  I then dabbed acrylic paint onto the stamped images and wiped some of the paint off so the color would fall into the crevices of the images.

As I was working on this project I was constantly thinking to myself how much my nieces would enjoy making jewelry with polymer clay.  I'm envisioning polymer clay supplies as a Christmas gift in their future.  Then we can play together.

That's how I would describe Inspired...us gals playing together.

Canvas Collage: Two

Back to Inspired. 

The ever-so-talented Jennifer Stewart taught a class using various techniques, including bees wax, on a canvas collage.  I thoroughly enjoyed her class.  My project is nearly complete but I wanted to share what I have thus far to give you a taste of what we experienced at this event.

To get a better sense of what the class entailed, please go to the Inspired website to gain a little perspective.

My best friend had her mind set to finish this project and stayed up past midnight that evening in order to complete it.  Now that is determination!

Jennifer is very kind, patient and knows her stuff!  I have never dabbled with bees wax before.  For me, that was a fun adventure experiencing new techniques.  And oh how I love the window frame.  I love how she incorporated a bit of architecture into the collage.

I foresee this piece hanging on our 'family' photo wall which I've yet to even begin working on.  Another project for a rainy day.

As soon as my project is complete, I will share updated photos. 

Tidbits..

Just a couple of quick bits of info I want to share this evening. 

First, questions regarding the stamp "Keep Calm and Carry On" I used in the fabric project mentioned in my previous post is one I borrowed from my inspiring friend, Pam.  She has listed the details of where you can find the stamp on her blog.

And for anyone who appreciates red wine, I have a recommendation for you.  Last week I discovered a Shiraz from our local wine shop called "Layer Cake".  It's from Australia and is absolutely delicious.  The next time you are shopping for wine and are interested in trying something new, I highly recommend this wine.

Finally, we are in the midst of a painting project in our master bedroom.  And if all goes well, I hope to share some photos tomorrow night.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

A journey into the world of fabric & sewing...

I ventured into unfamiliar territory at Inspired when it came to Susan Edmonson's class. 

Our task was to create a fabric book.  And it involved use of sewing machines, which intimidate me because I do not have a clue where to begin. 

With thanks to my best friend, I own a sewing machine, and she as well as my 2nd mommy have demonstrated how to operate it.  Because I do not use it very often, I have a tendency to forget what I just learned. 

Thank goodness for patient friends who are willing to not only hold my hand throughout the class and show me the way but select and purchase the fabric for me.  (I was unable to join them when they paid a visit to our local quilting shop.)

I developed a small bit of confidence and even got fancy with my sewing using a zig zag stitch on the machine and layering the fabric as shown above.

Stamping onto fabric was quite a liberating experience as well.  I could have spent the entire class stamping on fabric.

This class was a 'journey' for me, a journey into unchartered waters.

And I will be amazed when the project is completed.

A Journey of a journal...

In Carol Wingert's class at Inspired, we created a journal that included a variety of techniques.

One technique was covering the butterfly-shaped chipboard with embossed cardstock and air duct foil tape.  The first thing I did upon returning home from this event was visit Home Depot and purchased a roll of air duct foil tape for future projects. 

Here's another example using the same technique:

We also applied Tattered Angel's Glimmer Mist over their Screens on a piece of canvas (fyi, there is canvas with adhesive already applied to the back of it available at Scrapbook.com).  You can see it very faintly in the background as I sprayed very lightly onto the canvas.  I was a little nervous of getting too carried away with the glimmer mist.

And in the corner of the canvas I stamped an image using Tattered Angel's acrylic stamps from the Compass selection.

We also included pockets in the tri-fold journal as well as stitched a booklet. 

Carol never ceases to amaze me with her great knowledge and creativity.  That is why I am always willing to sign-up for her classes at any opportunity I can get. 

Now that I am stocked up with air duct foil tape, let's see what kind of creative trouble I can get myself into.

Ten Seconds metal art...

At Inspired, I learned how to emboss metal and create great works of art using decorative templates by the teachings of Cheryl Darrow, owner of Ten Seconds Studio. 

It was liberating using a variety of templates and a paper stump to help us get a feel for how the process works.

We created a dog tag in which I personalized for myself on one side:

And included one of my favorite design embellishments, the fleur de lis, on the opposite side of the tag:

A DVD/CD from Ten Seconds Studio was included in our Inspired goody bag that shows how to draw letters and shapes on metal using tools from Ten Seconds.

The CD contains 56 designs of words, shapes, alphabets and quotes along with how to turn them into designs and incorporating them into collage elements. 

This form of artwork is very new to me and I enjoyed stepping outside my comfort zone.  It was quite gratifying. 

I am now dreaming up ways to create a piece of metal art depicting a topiary.  You know, one of those rainy day projects!?  I hope to have one of those rainy days real soon.

More from The Black Lion & beware of the dog...

I soaked up every aisle at Black Lion last week.  And in addition to the topiary silhouette I shared yesterday, I came upon a wall shelf with great architectural features. 

It's happy home is now over our kitchen desk.

I also discovered an adorable cherub holding a wire basket. 

 

I thought I could fill it with craft supplies, such as paint brushes and other odds and ends we crafters tend to collect.

 

Their prices are affordable and the selection was endless.  It was actually quite overwhelming trying to take it all in.  If you ever find yourself in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, Black Lion is worth a visit.

We also paid a visit to the Northlake Mall and hung out at Z Gallerie browsing all the latest and greatest in home furnishings.  It is where I discovered this adorable dog with floppy ears for a fabulous price, thanks to my best friend's discovery of a small blemish on one of it's ears that a little polymer clay & distress ink couldn't take care of. 

 

We'd love to have a pet but do not have the ability to devote time to one right now.  So this dog, which I gave to my guy as a souvenir from the trip, is the next best thing.  He is nameless at the moment but we are already taking great pleasure in having him in our home.

I have more to share this week from my trip, including projects from the Inspired event.  The 2 days we devoted to learning and creating were such an adventure for me.  And I look forward to sharing it with you.

Preparing to be Inspired...

I am preparing for a big event this week, Inspired '09, in Charlotte, NC for a few days of creativity and girlfriendship.  And as I gather my supplies for each of the 6 classes we will be taking, I decided to separate the supplies and tools by each class into Ziploc baggies.

I'm relieved that I have duplicates of certain items as I do not want to have to carry everything with me at once.  On Day 1, I will carry 3 classes-worth of supplies and tools and the same on Day 2.  And if I do not have what I need, thank goodness I will be with my friends.  We play well together and always share.

My past experience with craft / scrapbooking events is to dress comfortably and bring an apron.  And in my effort to pack light, I decided not to bring my Canon 20D, rather I will carry a portable Canon point & shoot to try and catch some memorable moments with our long distance friends.

I hope to find an opportunity to visit a furniture shop or two along the way. How can we visit North Carolina and not partake in some window shopping of casegoods and accessories for the home?

And the crafter in us must visit places not available in our neck of the woods like Hobby Lobby and Sonic. 

It's the little things that mean a lot.  I'm happy to have my best friend along who enjoys it as much as I do. 

We are ready to be Inspired.

Tools are not just for boys!

Spending my Sunday afternoon at A Happy Stamper with the ever-so-talented Simone of Fashionable Cards was filled with inspiration, learning new things and downright fun.

We used My Favorite Things (MFT) acrylic stamps and created cards that are quite girly.

I learned how to use the Copic Air Brush system.

See the two-tone background behind the gardening gal?  I was able to achieve that with Simone's know-how using the Copic Air Brush.

I was so inspired that I began thinking of the possibilities of using an air brush.  I could air-brush a picture frame with a lovely Copic pen color, perhaps our walls??  Then Simone suggested using a mask.  Brilliant idea!!!!

As the ideas continue to run through my head, let me share with you an acrylic stamp set my very kind teacher gave me (all students were recipients of Simone's kindness):

A do-it-yourself themed stamp set just for gals by Hanna Stamps.  And I can admit there is nothing more powerful than holding a power drill in your own hand ready to take on a project.  In fact, I am seriously considering purchasing a nail gun. 

So I agree, tools are not just for boys!

Dazzling scrapbooking products...

I'm spending a little time tonight catching up on all things scrapbooking-related and see that the new VersaMark Dazzle Watermark Stamp Pads (in Frost and Champagne) and are now available at Scrapbook.com. 

I've seen ads in some of the craft magazines and am happy I can finally order them online.

There is an organizational sale going on at Two Peas in a Bucket.  The Unmounted Stamp Books by Cropper Hopper are my new favorite.  They remain nice and secure and are sealed so if any stamps come loose, they do not fall out of your binder.

The Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher is another new favorite of mine.  I'm having lots of fun with it in my layouts.

And ScrapbookPal.com has some new Cricut cartridges available for pre-order.  My favorites are the Bath Decor and European Decor. 

I've got a number of scrapbooking opportunities next month and do look forward to playing with some new toys. 

Matchbook party favors...

Inspired by our Stampin' Up! rep., Nancy, I created some girly party favors using a memo pad styled matchbook (available at Vippies). 

 photo by Denise

On pink Bazzill cardstock, I stamped a crown using Versamark ink and embossed it with Tim Holtz's Distress Embossing Powder in Black Soot.

It was a quick and easy way to create party favors, personalizing it to your satisfaction. 

My goal was to keep it simple because when you are mass producing, I did not want to over-complicate things which has a tendency to make me feel overwhelmed. 

I was happy with the outcome and glad to have had the opportunity to use my heat gun for the first time (I purchased it 5 years ago).  At least I had it when I needed it.  And that is what I have to say about any craft supply purchase I make.  You never know when you are going to need it, right!?

Scrap for a Cause...

Are you doing anything on May 2?

Will you be in the northern Virginia area on May 2?

Do you like to crop?

If your answer is yes to all these questions, go to Scrap for a Cause's website to learn more about this charitable crop.  Spend time with friends indulging in your favorite hobby while helping to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  

 

And there's nothing like cropping with friends.  

Our friend, Korie has begun rallying together friends to join this fabulous fundraiser.  It simply boils down to friends helping friends. 

Awareness is important too.  So don't forget to check out the American Cancer Society website to learn more. 

Classy & Fabulous...

Thanks to a touch of insomnia, I am entertaining myself with the discovery of some rooms that are quite inspiring.

If I may, I'd like to share them with you.

An eye-catcher here.  Layering this bedroom in neutral colors is very appealing to me.

This living room room is amazing.  The dentil moulding and neoclassical mirror along with a neutral palette are great classics.

And the "x" design in the cabinetry of this kitchen island is incredibly classy and fabulous.  The architectural detail is what makes it so attractive.

You want to know what else is classy & fabulous? 

These stamps from Stampin' Up!.

"A girl should be two things:  classy and fabulous"
  - Coco Chanel

I could not agree more with Coco Chanel's quote.  It reminds me of what my Father used to tell us gals while growing up.  "Be a Lady however painful."

And he was usually repeating that when we were doing something un-lady-like. 

Sharing a little bit of home decor mixed in with a small bit of stamping.  It's nice when the two worlds collide. 

More fashionable cards...

Our favorite Angela's instructor, Symone, spent last Sunday introducing me and my friends to more colors in the Copic family as we dressed up our pretty stamped images.

We layered colors and colored till our heart's content (check out the highlights in the girl's hair below). 

Symone has a great ability to coordinate colors and mix & match patterns. 

I'd like to hire her as a wardrobe consultant and help me coordinate my own outfits. 

Below is my favorite card.  I call it "Who'll Stop the Rain"...you know, CCR?  Great song.

And to have Symone's guidance in putting together patterned paper & cardstock for layouts (I miss It Kit Studio already) would help me scrapbook more often.  I waste more time staring at papers & cardstock than working on the layout itself. 

I know one thing, I appreciate Copic markers more and more with every class I take.

Friends who enable & influence...

If I may, I'd like to first share a fundraiser on behalf of my friend, Marirosa.  She volunteers with the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep organization (NILMDTS).  It's a very heartfelt way for photographers to donate their skills and time to families where they find their newborn will not survive the world they just entered into.  The NILMDTS photographer/volunteer captures images of precious moments that parents in these situations have but only a little time with their newborn.  

 

By voting in the National Charity Model Search, each vote is $1 and raises money for the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep organization.  If you'd like to help, you may go to www.sandypucvotes.com and look for the Washington, D.C. region.

I'm always amazed by the stories Marirosa has shared concerning her experience with this organization.  It truly is heartbreaking.

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OK, I have 2 recommendations in the world of papercrafting tools:

The Wild Card Cricut Cartridge.  It started with one friend who recommended it and prompted many of us to seek it out.  And another friend referred us to ScrapbookPal.com where they offer free shipping for orders over $25 and have very competitive prices on Cricut cartridges, adhesive among many other tools and supplies.

Our orders were placed on a Friday and promptly received the cartridge on Monday.  Now that is service!

The cartridge creates a variety of cards in numerous sizes along with decorative envelopes.   I think I may have found my resource for holiday cards this year.

Note that you have the ability to use this cartridge on the Cricut up to a certain size, depending on the shape of the image.  The Cricut Expressions is able to accommodate larger size cards and envelopes.

The new Fiskars Premium Crafter's Trimmer.  Again, a friend's influence prompted a number of us to purchase one.  Actually, it was my best friend's mission and we jumped on the bandwagon.  I'm glad I did.

Features include a 6" wide deck base and the ability to lock the rail.  It's lightweight and is now designated as my portable trimmer.

 

It has a wire the blade runs against when trimming. 

 

And a lock for the bar so it doesn't flip open in your tote bag.

We actually found the trimmers at our local stamp store, Angela's yesterday and wiped them out of their stock in a matter of minutes.  Scrapbook.com has a great notification system that will email you when the product is in stock.  And trust me, my best friend has searched high and low for this trimmer locally and online. 

One more thing.  I just learned that Cathy Zielske is teaching a class at Big Picture Scrapbooking that involves one's use of Twitter and/or Facebook.  Truly, I am very intrigued by this class as there are many using some form of social networking.  It is definitely worth looking into.

Have I influenced enough? Look at it this way, I am circulating the information.  So pass it on! 

A Craftacular...

The folks at BUST Magazine asked if I would share information regarding their upcoming Craftacular. There are vendoring opportunities, and if your plans include a visit to Brooklyn on May 17, this event sounds like the place to be. 

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS!

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Vendor applications are due April 11 for BUST Magazine’s 2009 Spring Fling Craftacular!

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ONE DAY ONLY! SUNDAY, MAY 17TH, 2009 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Happening at: THE WARSAW Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 261 Driggs Avenue.

BUST Magazine’s Spring Fling Craftacular is set for Sunday, May 17, and it's a grand ole’ Garden Party! So dress in your best florals, don a pair of dainty white gloves, and top it off with a whimsical straw hat to get into the real spirit of Spring! While shopping, sip on spring-y cocktails and nosh on pierogies, learn about guerilla gardening, how to grow your own food and supporting local farms. Get your groove on with rockin’ DJs, while you curtsy around in dainty white tea-time gloves and twirl through the garden of crafty delights. A $2 admission gets you into the Garden Party, and also gives you a chance to win the BUST spectacular Craftacular raffle featuring a special Singer Quilting machine! BUST is literally growing green and showing you how to host a true Garden Party in style. So be sure to don your gardening gloves, your snazziest straw hat and flirtiest floral skirt, and we’ll see you at the Spring Fling! If you are a crafter, you should apply stat, as sign-up starts now! Independently owned and operated, BUST Magazine has been a leader in the crafting movement since 1993. Now in it’s 15th year, BUST continues to support and influence the handmade revolution though constant editorial coverage, sponsorships, and events such as the Holiday Craftacular. Always on the cutting-edge, BUST is a revered and trusted authority in the DIY and crafting community.

How to apply… 1. Fill out our online vendor application, which can be found at http://www.bust.com/craftacular/apply.html Applications will only be accepted online and must be submitted by April 11, 2009. 2. Pay the required non-refundable $10 application and processing fee that is payable at the time you submit your application. Checks and money orders should be made payable to BUST Magazine (78 Fifth Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10011, Attention: BUST Spring Fling Craftacular 2009) and must be postmarked by April 11, 2009 for your application to be considered. We will notify all applicants of their status on Friday April 17, 2009. If you are accepted as a vendor, your deposit will go towards the full booth fee of $225 due by April 24, 2009. All application and processing fees are non-refundable. For a list of frequently asked questions, go to http://www.bust.com/Craftacular/FAQ-NYC.html Got questions? E-mail us at craftacular@bust.com. Be a spring chicken and tell all your crafty pals about BUST' Magazine’s 2009 Spring Fling Craftacular by forwarding this email widely! See you in the spring sunshine, BUST Magazine

Tuesday's gone with the wind...

Does that tune sound familiar?  If it does, then we're probably in the same age group. 

Tuesday is almost gone and am summarizing here my thoughts, inspirations and just plain ordinary stuff that is filling my brain today.

I won't bore you with the details of my work day but will share that I am a big fan of a wine club I belong to at our local WineStyles shop.  Each month I get 2 bottles of red (you can do 1 red and 1 white or both white as well), sampling wines that I would not ordinarily go out of my way to purchase.  And I keep a wine journal, only tracking those I like. 

My guy did suggest I track those I do not like because I do not want to run the risk of purchasing a bottle I do not care for.  Good idea.  Perhaps I should create a wine journal of wines I do not like.  Well that is a project for a rainy day. 

There are a number of retailers in our neighborhood that we are trying to frequent as often as possible.  With the economy in the shape that it is, we have found a number of local businesses will or have closed.  So we really strive for supporting our local economy as much as we can. 

So in support of our local economy, I decided to pick-up dinner tonight at zPizza (and I will use any excuse not to cook).  Oh how I love their wheat thin pizzas.  Mine is topped with roma tomatoes and black olives with extra sauce.  It is so delish and is not over the top when it comes to filling the tummy.

With a full tummy, I began hanging a shelf that fits just right in between the two closets in my craft room. 

Previously, decorative plates were hung in this spot.

I decided though that utilization of every nook & cranny was what I needed.  The Making Memories Embellishment Center was just a little too wide for the space so I opted for the shelf shown in the photo.

It's a good thing the photo is not too crisp and clear as I have not vacuumed in this room for some time now.  When my guy vacuums, he typically avoids this room.  He says it makes him claustrophobic.  It's on my to do list this weekend.

We are nearly half way through the week.  I hope your week is filled with productivity as well as creativity.  It's the best of both worlds. 

Enjoy!

The woes of being a lefty...

Learning to go through life as a lefty has not been too bad.  It has it's advantages when trying to exercise the opposite side of the brain while utilizing your right hand because you have to. 

I've learned to use my right hand when working on a computer that is set-up with a right-handed mouse. 

It does not bother me to use a spiral notepad with the spiral clearly in the path of my hand while writing. 

I have not been able to grasp a golf club properly when using right-handed clubs.  I tried and it was downright ugly.

As I demonstrate in the photo below, using Fiskar's Scallop fabric shears (which cut like but-tah) require some finger strength as I must turn the shears upside down in order to get the proper scalloped edge when cutting. 

It's awkward but I manage.  My friends often help by volunteering to trim the cardstock for me. 

So I'm not the perfect lefty trying to fit in a right-handed world. 

Wallpaper...

I have a new appreciation for embossed wallpaper. 

Inspired by Carol Wingert's good teachings, my dear friend Kitty spent time with me this weekend sharing what she learned.  And we created the most endearing, old-world looking journal.

Sewing sheets of cardstock and patterned paper has turned this old world book into quite the journal. 

I am now highly motivated to purchase a double-roll of embossed wallpaper to do all sorts of crafty projects.

And that is just what I am going to do.  Off to Lowe's I go...

Crop prep...

After 7 years of scrapbooking and cropping, I am slowly learning that less is more when it comes to packing for a crop. 

My weak back is celebrating with each crop that there is less and less to carry each time.

My challenge is to make do with what I have.  It's fun searching for the ideal patterned paper and embellishments for your layouts but what is more gratifying is creating something with what you already possess.  We'll see how I do this weekend when I am among girlfriends and Black Bubbles Sparkling Shiraz. 

I anticipate a great weekend scrapbooking and hanging out with some of my best pals.

We strive for an organized life...

I'm glad to know I am in good company when it comes to organizing and reorganizing.  And I know when it comes to our creative space, we seek proper placement of supplies and workspace along with a bit of good karma to help us along. 

My very first creative space was in the basement / laundry area of our previous home.  And the only photos I could come up with were of ones when my guy cleared out a section of the basement before we moved the furniture in.  Not impressive for a scrapbooker to not have photos of their haven, but hey, I was brand new to the hobby at the time.

Quite shiny, don't ya say.  To be surrounded by insulation is such a design statement.

I recall how excited I was to have dedicated space for my new-found hobby, circa 2002.

And I have been organizing, re-organizing, re-tooling and just plain puttering around in my craft space ever since. 

Without further ado, I'd like to announce that JulieP is now the owner of the organizational product I mentioned yesterday. 

Your comments and suggestions were much appreciated.  May we continue to strive for an organized life together. 

Organizational product...

Can you ever get enough when it comes to organization?  I will organize a closet or a kitchen drawer and contentment will remain with me for a short period of time before I discover a new method to organize that closet and the kitchen drawer. 

Re-tooling, re-doing, re-organizing.   

It's periodicals like Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living, Better Homes & Gardens among many others that help provide the ideas that inspire us.  Motivate us.  Constantly yearning for better ways to simplify our home and everyday life. 

It's the websites and online resources such as The Container Store, Organized.com, Stacks and Stacks, and Simplify 101 that showcase ideas, products and tools to assist with our organization tasks. 

Tonight, I have decided to share a few of my favorite organizing accessories with fellow organizing fiends by giving away what you see below. 

 

They are a part of my latest obsessions in an attempt to keep the craft room organized.

 

I do like Stampin' Up! storage accessories.  Their embellishment carousel is a favorite of mine.

 

Snapware is one of my latest obsessions, helping to keep my Copic markers in order and other various craft supplies tote-able.  

And ArtBin's Super Satchel Slim compartment box is what I like to store stickers and rub-ons by topic, such as "travel". 

 

The hanging project cases, found at Target, are a wonderful way to keep thick and loose items organized and have the ability to hang it in a file organizer.

I've also included a handy and foldable tote from Target.  I like to carry magazines in the car with me when we have a lengthy road trip or when visiting the hair dresser, doctor's office, etc.

The ammo box has been in my collection of storage paraphernalia for some time now.  They keep alpha pixie stamps organized so neatly and easily retrievable when seeking a letter or two.

The Cropper Hopper paper organizer is something I like to keep ongoing projects filed in.  When attending a crop, you can just grab it and go.

So, fellow organizing fiends, I plan to select a winner from those who leave a comment by tomorrow (Monday) night.  And if you have any tips, suggestions or product recommendations, please feel free to share them.  I am always open to new ideas and new product. 

May your Monday be a productive one.

A showhouse of inspiration...

Traditional Home Magazine's website features a showhouse with a multitude of inspiration.  Here are some of my favorites from Oceans 3 Showhouse:

It is a challenge for me to think outside the box.  With photos such as the one above, it helps generate ideas.  For a sofa, my inclination would be to place a sofa table behind it.  The designer placed an oval table with 2 stools which I think is a brilliant idea and somewhat unpredictable.

Mirrors with graphic images as shown above has my mind wandering with ideas with what I could do in our own home.  The first thought that popped into my mind are the Hambly Screen Prints.  Using one of their overlays over an appropriately sized mirror....just thinking of the possibilities here.

This home office is very chic.  And I am now looking around my home for a decorative mirror I can hang on my bulletin board to add a bit of chic-ness to my little world aka the craft room.  I would have never thought of that idea on my own.

The task among tasks in our household is to paint the master bath ceiling (and the master bedroom one of these days).  And metallic wall paint is an idea I'm toying with for the ceiling.   The above photo shows a great depiction of that concept. 

I am completely and utterly inspired by these photos and I hope you find inspiration in them too.

Everyone loves product by Heidi Swapp...

I am amazed at the response to the purge giveaway.  So much so, that I decided to end it tonight vs. last night.  To have enough product to give to each commenter would have been absolutely ideal.  My excess was not excessive enough. 

So, the winner of the majority of my stash of Heidi Swapp product is Stephanie Matlack. 

I have goodies for other participants and you know who you are as I sent an email note to each recipient. 

And as I have the chance to purge more from my craft room, I will gladly share more here.

Thanks for the extremely kind and generous comments and for playing along.

Enjoy your weekend!

From my craft room to yours...

Motivated by Paula's recent purging of excess supplies from her craft room has convinced me to do the same.  And "excess" is my middle name.

Tonight, I am starting with a stash of Heidi Swapp product I've accumulated over the years.

This is only a portion of Heidi Swapp product I currently store in my closet, like her masks in all shapes and sizes.

I recall when I was first introduced to masks during a class taught by Ali Edwards at a Get Croppin' event in 2006.  Here's a pic of the project:

I was extremely impressed with this technique.  So much so that I sent an email note to Heidi Swapp raving about the product as well as the good teachings by Ali.

In addition to the masks, I have chipboard alphabets and shapes in a box exclusive to QVC.

And silhouettes in a similar QVC-exclusive box as well.

There are also chandelier crystals, playing cards and a Creative Escape-exclusive journal.

Not pictured is a brand new Heidi Swapp calendar as well.

Any interest in these products?  Please leave a comment and I will select a recipient of the whole kit-and-kaboodle tomorrow (Thursday) night. 

Good luck and good night.  :=)

Marker storage & Diet Dr. Pepper...

I started with this Snapware Craft Box...

to organize this growing collection of Copic Ciao Markers.

I yearned for trays that were not as deep, allowing me to separate the markers by color family without creating a tower the size of the Empire State Building of Snapware to transport to classes and crops.

Thankfully, one of my favorite organizing resources, Organize.com, offers extra trays with less depth (1.25 x 6 x 9 medium rectangles) for the Snapware system.

I am so happy.  It's the ideal home for these wonderful coloring instruments.

Let's toast to wonderful storage containers with a coupon for a free Diet Dr. Pepper.  Cheers!

Hodge Podge Sunday...

It's a new month and a new page on the calendar.

Lovely.  (Note:  For any Bon Jovi fans, you can go to Oprah's website and see personal photos of Jon and his family during their time in DC and the Inauguration.)

Today, I went to see New In Town with some girlfriends.  We shared good laughs and I was tickled to see  familiar props in the movie, such as glue sticks, cardstock, scissors, even this tote.  And Blanche Gunderson is one enthusiastic scrapbooker.  You can read an interview with Siobhan Fallon Hogan, who plays Blanche, by ScrapScene here.

At this moment, my guy is preparing some Superbowl delicacies including the ever-so-simple Crockpot Chili Dogs cooked in a slow cooker.  He made them for the first time last summer and we've enjoyed these Chili Dogs several times since.

For dessert, he made Barefoot Contessa's peanut butter cupcakes. 

This man of mine is a peanut butter fanatic.  It is one of his favorite guilty pleasures and at times, can be one of mine too.  A very dear friend of mine introduced me to peanut butter on toast.  Now whenever I have a hunger pain, particularly at night, I will make toast and slather creamy peanut butter while the toast is still hot. 

It is dangerous for me to discuss food before bedtime, so I will wrap it and leave you with serene & peaceful visions of a color palette I favor for the bedroom.

Good night, friends.

A shortcut...

Shortcuts are the best timesaver.  To find the quickest most efficient way to complete a task is what I constantly seek. 

Last fall, I began to see ads in various scrapbooking and papercrafting magazines for the new Sizzix Big Shot Express.  And it is now making it's way to various retailers.  This machine could make a girl's heart go thump thump on Valentine's Day, including this girl right here behind the keyboard.

Call me lazy but the less steps it takes to accomplish a task like this allows for more time to focus on the craft itself, right?!  No more hand-cranking.  Your die will be cut within 2 seconds.  How lovely.

My father always said "time is money" and in this case, it will take money to save some time.  So let's hope for tax refunds and give cheers to tools that simplify die-cutting. 

Metal Easel Flip Book...

If you have ever taken a class with Carol Wingert, you know it will be technique driven.  And for someone like me, I am always learning something new from her. 

I definitely learned a lot from her Metal Easel Flip Book class at The Queen's Ink weekend before last. 

I was impressed by what Liver of Sulfur can do to a sheet of copper.  And let me add that I never heard of Liver of Sulfur until this class.  Now I am interested in purchasing a bottle because I want to demonstrate this technique to my guy, who may enjoy this as much as if Mr. Wizard had done it himself. 

Embossing on copper was a gratifying process.  I enjoyed it as much as coloring with Copic markers.  

Using a spreader and applying Delta Texture Magic over a Heidi Swapp mask was a technique I enjoyed too.

With Pam's help, I created some depth onto this wooden surface.

Spending the day with Carol, showing us the ropes was one creatively productive day my soul needed.

New In Town...

Have you heard about the new movie New In Town?

 

It stars Renee Zellweger (Lucy Hill) and Harry Connick, Jr. (Ted Mitchell).

 

I cannot resist a movie with Harry Connick, Jr. (he was quite endearing in a cowboy hat in Hope Floats).

And scrapbookers have something in common with New in Town's character, Blanche.

 

Blanche Gunderson (Siobhan Fallon Hogan) is Lucy's best friend and an avid scrapbooker.  Do you suppose they are flipping through a scrapbook in the above photo?

You can check out the movie trailer here:

And below is a synopsis of the movie:

Lucy Hill (Renée Zellweger) is an ambitious, up and coming executive living in Miami.  She loves her shoes, she loves her cars and she loves climbing the corporate ladder.  When she is offered a temporary assignment -- in the middle of nowhere -- to restructure a manufacturing plant, she jumps at the opportunity, knowing that a big promotion is close at hand.  What begins as a straight forward job assignment becomes a life changing experience as Lucy discovers greater meaning in her life and most unexpectedly, the man of her dreams (Harry Connick, Jr.).

Lionsgate and Gold Circle Films present an Epidemic Pictures and Edmonds Entertainment Film A Safran Company Production – NEW IN TOWN starring Renée Zellweger and Harry Connick, Jr., written by Kenneth Rance and C. Jay Cox.  Directed by Jonas Elmer.

There are some of us that can relate to these two ladies (I won't name names).  Lucy loves shoes (and she is career-driven) and Blanche enjoys scrapbooking.  Top it off with dreamy Ted, and we can call it an ideal evening at the movies.  And that is what I am going to do. 

The movie opens January 30.  

Writing instruments...

An observation I made tonight in my craft room is that I do not lack for writing instruments.

At every turn, there is something to write with within an arm's reach. 

Can you tell that I have a penchant for pencils?  There's nothing like a No. 2 lead moving smoothly across a good sheet of paper.

In the above photo, I like to keep my favorite journaling pen (American Crafts Precision Point pens) in a vase all on it's own.  So when I'm ready to journal in my scrapbooks, I know where to find it.

And below, keeping a couple of White Signo's available comes in handy while working on projects at the table.

I could stand to go through and test some of the pens in this turnabout as I have not used them in a long while and are probably dried-up at this point.

And I do love Stampin' Up! markers.  Oh yes. 

Pens & markers are even hidden in drawers. 

It is beyond ridiculous.  Do you have a fetish for writing tools?

There are also ballpoint pens.  It's a staple, whether you are at home, at work, in your car or keep them in your handbag or your shirt pocket. 

There's a few I keep in a repurposed gift box from Jo Malone (honestly, I will not throw those boxes away). 

Keeping ballpoint pens in my handbag is quite challenging.  I seem to lose them as easily as losing my lip gloss.  Somehow I manage to do that quite often.

The pencil drawer in the desk of where my laptop sits is full of good writing paraphernalia. 

Last, but not least in every sense of the word (my bank book can prove it), the world of Copic markers that I have been living and breathing the last couple months.

Snapware does wonders for organizing markers and tools. 

So, this brings me to the question:  What do you like to write with?  Perhaps there's some great writing instrument I am missing out on.  Inquiring minds want to know...

Carol Wingert & the Queen

...as in the Queen's Ink.  I have never been to the Queen's Ink in Savage, Maryland but will get my first taste of this paper arts store on Sunday when I take Carol Wingert's class.   She's teaching all weekend - The Love Book,  French-Flavored Junque Book and Metal Easel Flip Book.

I look forward to checking out the store and having the opportunity for continued inspiration from the oh-so-talented Carol.  My hat's off to Carol as she is traveling from warmer climates to the lovely winter weather of the mid-atlantic region.  And if it is as cold as predicted this weekend, long johns are a must!

I hope you will join me and my friends this weekend for some creative fun.  The more the merrier = more body heat 'cause I think we will need it!

Bellas & Copics...

Thanks a Latte, Simone, for giving me the time today at Angela's Happy Stamper to be inspired by your color -combining when it comes to Copic markers and Bella Stamps.  For it is where I can spend time learning techniques in your class, while at the same time, have the opportunity to be a girly-girl and hang out with my friends. 

As a result, I feel rejuvenated by the quality time spent with you and my friends and productive for having made the most adorable cards to share with other friends.

You do so well with color-combining that perhaps you could help me with my wall color dilemma in our bedroom.  Can we test out some colors with the Copic markers?  Wouldn't that be nice and easy. 

And darn you, Kathy Y., for showing off your new Glue Glider Pro.  I am succumbing to the peer pressure and purchasing one of my own.  If you keep this up, I may not be able to hang out with you any longer because I cannot afford to be your friend (just kidding, sweet friend). 

Let's not forget Kitty.  It is because of her that I now collect Copic markers. 

You can say that I am easily influenced by my friends. 

Etsy & Big Picture...

Shopping and browsing all the goods available on Etsy is a favorite pastime of mine.  Therefore, it is only appropriate that I share some gift ideas from talented crafters. 

Starting with Creative Thursday offering artwork that is suitable for adults and children.  And this print is currently my favorite.

AW Style Studio is all about handmade jewelry.  I do admire the hammered style and that is why I love this necklace.

Watercolors by Mary Ellen Golden is one of my favorite artists.  I own a couple prints that hang prominently in our powder room.

Say It With Letters offers all sorts of wooden shapes and letters.  I used one of their fancy schmancy letters as a design element for my sister's bridal shower last year. 

Claudine Hellmuth is a collage artist whose prints and original artwork provide a whimsical side to life. 

You can find more whimsical artwork at LadyBird Land by Allison Strine.  I made my first purchase just the other day and can't wait to receive my first piece.

If you admire fabric by Amy Butler and Heather Bailey, you will like Silly Jilly Boutique.  Her store includes camera straps and hats.

For the 2nd half of today's entry, I'd like reiterate that there are some great classes at Big Picture Scrapbooking in 2009.  Two classes I took this year are available again early next year - Library of Memories and Get Organized, Be Inspired.  I HIGHLY recommend both classes.

And I signed up for A Life Well Crafted that will begin very soon. 

There is also Elizabeth Dillow's Red Letter Days and May Flaum's Scrapbooking in Season. 

If the gift-giver is not sure which class to sign-up the recipient for, you can rely on gift certificates that are now available at Big Picture Scrapbooking.

The gift of creativity and learning new things is a valuable deed for the soul.  And as for Etsy, there's nothing like a handmade gift, even if it is made by someone else.

In my next entry, I will include last minute gift ideas as Christmas is, believe it or not, next week. Oh my!

More gift-giving ideas...

We've got a marathon of gift ideas going on here where I am continuing to share them by interest:

Travel Well
Paris Double Handle Cosmetic Case and Roller Duffle bag by Room It Up are a chic way to travel.  And a Dual Access Rolling Computer Case is convenient when traveling by air as it has a separate compartment for your laptop (which you can easily access and remove when you go through security) and one for your clothing.

There is also a Wheeled Underseat Tote that fits underneath a seat of an airplane.  This appeals to me because I do not like lifting bags. 

A masculine Passport Case makes for a nice gift for the international traveler.

Scrapbooker
A pair of Scrapbooking Girl socks would make a great stocking filler.  And Copic's Spica Glitter pen set are delightful pens that add just a touch of sparkle to your cards and layouts.  They are my current favorite.

Dymo's Caption Maker (pink) is a wonderful label maker with tape in a variety of colors.

Sports Fan
A do-it-yourselfer as well as sports fan would appreciate a Baseball & Football Hammer.  Perhaps a NFL jersey?

Cosmetics
Bare Escentuals is a favorite among my friends as well as myself.  And their Ruby Collection ia gift set worthy of gift-giving.  For a stocking stuffer, John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Hair Spray is a favorite.  It's hard to find locally, so AmericaRX.com has helped keep my medicine cabinet well stocked.

Sentimental
A nativity by Willow Tree is one I can personally recommend.  It brings serenity and can become an heirloom for future generations to enjoy.  Also, a crystal ornament from Waterford is a nice family gift and keepsake.

While shopping for gifts, whether it's online or at the mall, I like spoiling myself with a Gingerbread Latte from Starbucks.  It slows me down, believe it or not, as I sip and savor a few minutes of solitude.

I hope you too take the time to do something for yourself during this busy time of year as we prepare for the holidays with our family and friends.

And I promise to provide more ideas as I continue to finish my own holiday shopping.

Gifts for passionate people...

Today's gift-giving ideas are for those who are passionate about something, like:

Astronomy
Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium can locate and identify up to 6,000 stars, planets & constellations with GPS technology.  There is someone in our household who would love a toy like this.

Fly Fishing
Black Walnut Wheatley Fly Box is crafted mostly by hand and a special gift for a fly fisherman.

Handbags
Any gal who likes to coordinate her outfits down to her handbag would appreciate a Pouchee Purse Organizer.  I know someone who just received one as a gift and loved the quality of material and all the compartments.  They are also available in pink.

Cooking
All-Clad 2-pc. Nonstick LTD Panini Pan with Press is a favorite in our household.  And Giada de Laurentiis 17-oz. 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be a treat for a chef who appreciates fine olive oils.  It's the ideal stocking stuffer too. 

Baking
Barefoot Contessa Pantry at Stonewall Kitchen.com contains the perfect ingredients for wonderfully baked goods.  And good baking dishes are essential too, so check-out the Spode 15.5x11-in. Baking Days Baking Dish, Red.  It's red with white polka dots which evokes a festive look without screaming "holidays" so it can be used year-round.

Sleep
If your passion is sleeping, then pillows play an important part. Woolrich Flannel Sheets are our favorite for cold winter nights.

Papercrafting
There's nothing a papercrafter likes more than tools.  Zutter's Bind-it All and tool accessory kit can help any papercrafter create books in all shapes and sizes. The Provo Craft Cricut Jukebox and Cricut Essentials Kit are both excellent accessories for the infamous die-cutting machine.

Single Malt Scotch Aficionado
The "Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch" is a handy reference guide for those who appreciate good scotch.  And Riedel Vinum Single Malt Whiskey Glasses, Set of 2 is the perfect accompaniment to the book.

Wine Aficionado
Great wine like the Award Winner Pack from My Wines Direct is wonderful for someone who appreciates wine.  And Wine.com shares their popular red wines, providing some nice options for your consideration.  The Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator is a contraption any red wine-drinker will appreciate to help speed-up the breathing process.

Coffee & Tea
I have learned from my friends that the Keurig B70 Gourmet Single-Cup Home Brewing System brews coffee very quickly and is quite convenient.  Not only does it brew coffee using k-cups with a variety of brands, including Coffee People K-Cup Obama Blend, but you can brew your own coffee grinds using a Keurig My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter.  There are also teas & hot chocolate available in k-cups for your drinking pleasure.

Photography
An appreciation for photo-taking can take you down an expensive path of toys.  I have though received great recommendations for items that are reasonably priced.  A Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens has a multitude of great reviews listed on Amazon.com.  And friends that own this lens rave about the quality for the price.

The Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Pink) with Selphy CP760 Photo Printer (Pink) is an adorable set that includes the pocket camera as well as a mini photo printer.  I keep this camera in my handbag at all times now as I do not want to miss any photo opportunities in attempt to capture everyday life digitally.

As ideas continue to pop into my head, I will gladly share them here.  I've also got some favorites from Etsy, so please stay tuned.

It's all about fashionable cards...

My friends have me hooked (funny how I always place blame on them).  They took a cardmaking class at Angela's recently involving stamps called Stamping Bella.  I simply needed to see it all for myself.

So today, I joined my friends in a class taught by Simone, making Winter Bella cards using this incredibly girly line of stamps and the highly-talked-about Copic Ciao markers.  I enjoyed the little touches to bring the images to life using the markers as well as a white Signo pen and glitter pens by Copic called Spica.

And Simone stamps the images onto Stamper's White Cardstock by PaperTrey Ink and a black Memento ink pad.

You can see the cards we made on Simone's site here, here and here.

It takes me back to the days of Barbie fashion plates and colored pencils.  The class was a nice distraction for a Sunday after a holiday.  A motivator to begin working on my holiday cards, for sure. 

Thank you...

There are many ways to express our gratitude.  By saying thank you to a gracious host, a kind gift-giver, a caring friend, a loving family member, a supportive spouse.  It never occurred to me to record what I am thankful for until I participated in Kolette Hall's class at Creative Escape a couple months ago.

And today, I am thankful for this site where I record thoughts, ideas and information-sharing.  It's like having lunch with my girlfriends and dishing about the latest and greatest in scrapbooking, admiring the new handbag a friend just purchased, where the latest sales and bargains can be found, and seeking ideas on what color paint to use in the powder room.  We feed off each other. 

That is exactly how I feel about this blog.  Having the opportunity to share what comes to mind on a particular day is extremely theraputic for me.  And I do love to dish about the latest and great in almost anything and everything.  Guess what I read in the latest issue of House Beautiful....or the new hair dryer I just purchased dries your hair so quickly.  You get my drift.  We speak the same language, so to speak.  ;)

If I hear of a sale where lingerie is 20% off, you will be the first to hear (if you didn't know already).  And Lord & Taylor is offering 25-30% off designer handbags.  Or did you see the room decorated by Candice Olson in the latest episode of Divine Design?  Where do you like to shop for home accessories...Pottery Barn...so do I!  Did you know that Ali Edwards is teaching a gratitude project on Big Picture Scrapbooking?  Now that I'm sure you've heard.

This is the sisterhood of scrapbooking, decorating and shopping.  And I am VERY THANKFUL to those who find this site of any interest.  Truly, I am grateful, very grateful.

Get Organized and Be Inspired 2009...

If you are in need of gift ideas for yourself that you'd like to share with family and friends, I'd like to make a recommendation, particularly if you are a scrapbooker.  My suggestion is enrollment into Wendy Smedley's class with Big Picture Scrapbooking titled Get Organized and Be Inspired 2009. 

I took this class earlier this year and it inspired me to revamp and organize my craft room.  (I share my experiences with Big Picture Scrapbooking here.) 

It is where I got the idea to create a box specifically for journaling supplies.

And to have a catch-all for new supply purchases.

It is where I was inspired to categorize and label drawers filled with supplies using stamps by Technique Tuesday that were made specifically for this class.

And using Wendy Smedley and Aby Garvey's book, The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker, as my guide.

I am thrilled to see that Wendy will be teaching this class again in '09.  Her approach to helping folks like us get organized was at a steady pace without feeling too overwhelmed.  It kept me motivated for the duration of the class. 

I haven't changed a thing in my craft room since I participated in the class.  My space has function and supplies are very easy to find.  I do not spend a lot of time searching for things. 

And now my space is conducive to crafting and being creative.  I have made peace with my little haven. 

Wine & Cheese...

Do you receive Lowes Creative Ideas for Home and Garden magazine?  If not, I recommend signing up for a subscription.  It's a free magazine published every quarter where they share numerous do-it-yourself ideas. 

Their latest issue features tablescapes for the holidays, including one called Tuscan Christmas.  I am fascinated with the make-it-yourself cheese board.  And in the tablescape they set a cheese board at each place setting, serving individual selections of cheese & fruit.  I love this idea.

 

And to make the cheese boards, they cut a 1x6x6 oak board into six 12" long pieces and sand it smooth.  Then apply butcher-block oil (or mineral oil) to all sides of each board (it is recommended to wear gloves during this step).  Wipe the excess oil using a cloth and allow it to dry.  Apply two to four coats for best results. 

Cheese is a favorite of mine, and lately Gouda cheese is what I crave.  A good Cabernet paired with a cheddar cheese is what I like too.  If I really want to pack-on the calories, triple cream cheeses are delicious. 

I can't discuss cheese without mentioning wine.  They are quite a pair.  Where there is wine, there is cheese.  There are wine & cheese parties.  And in some wine shops, they sell cheese as well as wine.  They are inseparable. 

 While I was at our local wine store today, I discovered a book called Wine for Women, A Guide to Buying, Pairing and Sharing Wine that is going on my wish list.  I typically do not pair wines with my meals but I am learning how food paired with the right wine makes the experience all the more enjoyable. 

And this new journey deserves a wine journal.  With patterned paper from Karen Foster, including wine-themed stickers and Bo Bunny, a wine journal could make for a fun project.  That's a true scrapbooker for you. 

May your week be filled with fun, good food (& if applicable, good wine) and the company of family & friends.

Crazy for Copics...

My first experience with Copic markers has begun a new-found addiction as a result of Laura's recent class at Angela's Happy Stamper.  The techniques involved in creating a particular "look" with these markers gave me a license to be creative with Laura's wonderful guidance.

We created 4 cards.

There's a vast selection of colors and color families.  There are different types of markers, tips and refillable inks. 

I've opened a whole new can of worms here.  And I have Kitty to thank for introducing me to this realm of the stamping world. 

I now add student of Copics to my repertoire. 

Photo triage...

I am a BIG BIG fan of the Library of Memories system that Stacy Julian has introduced to us scrapbookers, either through Big Picture or her books (The Big Picture and Photo Freedom). 

Earlier this year, I organized various photos using the Library of Memories photo triage method.  Tonight, I decided I want to begin working on a special album about my guy and me.  It took me 2 seconds to gather the photos for this project simply by referring to the little box that houses this triage of photos and looking under the tab labeled 'US'. 

Some time ago I knew I wanted to work on an 'US' album, so that is when I began sorting photos into the triage of photos box.  It's such a timesaver.  I don't have to spend hours flipping through albums and photo images on CDs. 

While on the subject of Big Picture, A Life Well Crafted year-long project with Jason & Kolette Hall begins in January and I just learned that you can sign-up month-to-month.  I've just signed up for January and am ready for more creative inspiration from Kolette.  I plan to begin working on projects from her recent class, The Art of Giving Well, over the Thanksgiving holiday.  She included some very creative gift ideas and I've managed to find all the supplies needed for the projects.

And I am up-to-speed on printing assignments from Cathy Zielske's Design Your Life class.  That's a big step for me.  I usually do not keep up with the week-to-week assignments but do print each handout with the intention of working on them when I am able to do so.  My goal is to work on these assignments over the Christmas holiday.

I've got some BIG plans over the holidays.