A gift for Emma

Sometimes I really HAVE to make some traditional scrapbook pages. I took a class, From Something to Nothing...and I didn't exactly do the prompts....but the class did inspire me to create this book for my cousin's 4th grade graduation. I have tons of pictures of her (way more that I just need to have printed) and I have tons of supplies that match her style...She loves owls (just like me) and she loves turquoise (just like me)....and she is my art student! You might notice that she is wearing either turquoise or black in almost every picture below!

This was such a fun album to work on. I hope I can get some more pictures developed and more pages made before the end of the school year. It was so fun using up all of my supplies and making something so lovely. I actually did all of the work at Nelliepallooza, my scrapbooking retreat--the 8 1/2 X11 format allowed me to get lots of pages done in a short amount of time and in the 3-ring notebook, it will be easy to store, add more pages and look through.

My inspiration for this page truly came from Shimelle's class....I have tons of letter stickers...and this set is super old, I decided to use ALL of the letters to create a custom background! I actually used this same picture twice....but I really love it...I may keep this layout for my personal scrapbook!

Here is another layout that uses the same picture twice....Once I get my photos developed, I may substitute one of them for a newer picture....I just had two versions of it and happened to use them both.

I haven't really added any journaling, mostly it is just stickers and papers...with some real stitching.
I know that Emma will love her book...she made ME a duct tape clutch purse for my birthday! She is super crafty and creative. I can't wait until she is older, I know we will be friends!

Thanks for reading!

Picnik Block Party

A few weeks ago, I wrote this post.

The very same day, I got an email of praise from a guy at Picnik (which is owned by Google). Micheal was very impressed with my blog post and asked if I would be willing to host a block party to show my friends all about Picnik. Um, yes, please!

I was super excited for the opportunity so I decided to have the party on Cinco de Mayo so that I could have Mexican food--free food on a night people will already be out and about, my friends HAD to show up!

On the night of the party, I had the food ready--enchiladas, homemade beans, spanish rice, sliced avocado, chips, salsa, margaritas--and I had my computer all hooked up to the big screen t.v. My friends loved the ease at which pictures can be edited with this program. I showed them how to add fun coloring, text, and stickers (like mustaches) to their photos.

Here is a collage we made during the block party using photos from a recent slumber party I had at my house with all the kids in my family!

I had such a fun time explaining all the different features on Picnik. I am a huge fan of the collages...I made a bunch of them for this post....

I used clear display frames around my living room to showcase various collages--my friends thought these were awesome! I also had my scrapbooks/photo albums out for people to see collages and picnik pictures that I have printed at home and had printed through the site (so they could see the difference).

I think everyone had fun. Picnik even sent postcards with a free premium membership for a month to all of my guests!

Thanks Picnik! Super fun block party--thanks to you!!

My Art Journal-Week 1

I am taking the class 'Tell Your Story' through the RVA site. I absolutely love these classes. A daily prompt for 6 weeks--woweee! Tons of inspiration. I shared my favorite class pages from other classmates yesterday, but I thought it would be fun to show you my pages today.

The best part about this class is that some days are techniques and some are just for inspiration but there is some sort of prompt every day....and the prompts really make you think about important things...and the techniques are definitely something that can be done right away and without a zillion supplies that I have to go buy--I have everything right here at home.

This is my cover page. I sewed a doily to patterned paper and stitched on some buttons...I added one of my business cards and painted the background. It is so pretty!

Some of the prompts encourage us to leave the page simple to create an art journal with a lot of variety.

Still filling out my dream list....left one blank for later....

This page isn't quite finished...I need to find the perfect picture to go with my vintage fabric.....A photo of something French...or about my friend Nelly that lives in France......

I hope you have found some inspiration here! I am having the best week--the weather is gorgeous!

Macie, Age 2

As I am busy taking family and friend photo shoots...I am learning a lot about kids and adults...and the difference between a fun hobby and work...this photo shoot was work. We did it on Friday evening...and I was tired...and grumpy...but not nearly as grumpy as this little tot. I would much rather follow her around and get the desired shots at a playground...but it was raining so we had to set up a studio in their basement. The space was lovely, but our subject didn't realize she had to stay in front of the curtain...and look at the camera...and SMILE! hehe....we got some good shots anyway. Hope you enjoy!

(This one is so sweet!)

Happy Cinco de Mayo! I will not be posting a parade this week...I haven't had a lot of time for blogging lately so I haven't gathered up any images....I am having a party at my house tonight--enchiladas, rice, beans, chips salsa--I am excited! What are you doing?

A Ray of Sunshine

Last week I mentioned in my Deer Karma post that I had purchased some new clothes and shoes for a girl at my school. Yesterday I was so proud and happy when she came bee-bopping into school in her new dress and new shoes and new headband...she looked absolutely happy and shiny and lovely...and proud....and it made me feel so good. Her smile was worth a million dollars....

She gave me a huge hug...and even though I told her that the clothes were from the 'teachers' she probably knows that they are from me....So she drew me this picture on the back of her art test.... 'I love you...thank you for a present'....It is a picture of her in her new dress...and the yellow bag I had brought her the clothes in...and some hearts....(*tears!)

 Even though I am counting down the days until summer...I will definitely miss this little ray of sunshine when she goes on to first grade next year....she is truly special!

'Tell Your Story' Flickr Faves

I am totally loving the RVA Tell Your Story journaling class. It is so nice to be able to create 3-4 pages in one sitting or just one at a time depending on how much crafting time I have. I plan to show you some of my pages later this week! In the mean time...I thought it would be fun to share some of my flickr faves from the class with you!! Hope you are having a great Monday!!


Sources:
1. live happy, 2. DSC00167, 3. journal 04/28/2010, 4. Journal Page 5, 5. Today Felt, 6. deep down..., 7. More than anything / Three wishes, 8. Today felt, 9. story of my shop, 10. 3 wishes, 11. 2. This day's feeling..., 12. Dream List, 13. Tell Your Story - Deep Down, 14. Hello - TYS, 15. more than anything, 16. a new season, 17. today felt..., 18. Polaroid for Lesley, 19. Today Felt...Rainbow Detail, 20. Today Felt..., 21. I Want More Than Anything..., 22. [6Tell*Your*Story] 3 Wishes, 23. tell your story - today felt..., 24. Be the change you wish to see, 25. Tell Your Story - Three Wishes [Explored 4/30!], 26. artjournaling1_ 023, 27. Untitled, 28. Untitled, 29. Untitled, 30. MY DEER COLLECTION, 31. Tell Your Story 2, 32. i want..., 33. today i feel, 34. I WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING, 35. what do I want more than anything?, 36. three wishes

Style Sunday {10} Beauties with Cuties

To celebrate ten weeks of Style Sunday Features, I decided to dedicate this week to some of my favorite beauties!! After searching through literally hundreds of photos for my style features, I noticed a common theme of photographing gorgeous gals with a cute animals. These photos are from last.fm