Rather Plus Than Minus

I like that idea.  I like when things feel a little more plus than minus. 

That's how I've been feeling lately.  I have lots of great pluses going on in my life right now.  Getting the kids into the new school year, getting them set up with all sorts of new activities and friends.  Getting ready for the boy's birthday party in a few weeks.  Planning for a fall break vacation to Disneyland.  Awesome design teams to work with, fun challenges debuting.  Learning the ins and outs of how a digital scrapping magazine works and immersing myself in it.  Planning and creating and writing for the magazine.  So many pluses.  But all these pluses have been keeping me from YOU, both from posting new projects here and from visiting all my favorite blogs.  I apologize profusely!  I miss the creative sharing!!! 

I do have one layout to share with you today.  Scrap That Poetry's newest poetic inspiration for you is "Ode To the End of Summer" by Phillis McGinley. 

I was drawn to one line in particular in the poem...

I used the sketch that I made for the Sketchy Thursdays September Guest Design Team Challenge for this one as I really liked the sketch and figured I shouldn't let it pass me by just because I couldn't enter the challenge, lol.

And, while it's too late to enter a layout for this sketch, it's not too late to make something for this week's ST sketch (another by me, woohoo!).  You have until tonight at 10pm EST to enter for your chance to win something yummy from Your Memories Here. 

And speaking of chances to win something, the RAK for the aforementioned Scrap That Poetry challenge this time is a little something from me.  ;oD

We'd LOVE to have you come play along with us!  For many of us, we're entering into the twilight of summer, so why not scrap you own ode to it?

The first day of a month is always a busy one.  There are also AWESOME challenges happening over on The Pink Ninjas ("_________ need love, too") and Category Stories (an embarrassing fact about me...).  Please, please, pretty please check them out and play along!!!!!! 

As mentioned, I'm having a great time getting to know all the ins and outs of the digi magazine Scrapbook News and Review.  If you haven't checked it out, you are really missing something.  This publication is amazing.  Everything from layouts - both traditional and digi - to cards to mixed media to tutorials to product reviews to everything to do with paper crafting can be found in the pages of the magazine!   Every issue boasts over 400 layouts and paper crafts!!!  It just so happens that this month's issue contains 28 of my layouts and 6 cards.  Yes, you read those numbers right.  LOL.  See?  They just had to bring me on board so I'd stop bombarding their submissions box. 

And, did you know they have a very active and lively forum?  There's a ton of information and inspiration from both SNR staff and readers alike.  And guess what?  For the next few days, I'll be sharing some Tips of the Day.  Come check it out!   

Hope you're having a great week!

Heidi

sketchy thursdays sketch is up

Wow, I feel like I've been MIA for quite a while.  I have been crafting up a storm but unfortunately I don't have anything I can share with you just yet.  Soon.  I promise.

And I didn't even make a layout for this week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch, either.  Well, technically, I didn't make anything new for it.  I based the sketch on a layout I'd made a couple months ago, "Hoops Camp".

Unfortnately (or fortunately?) I can't share that layout with you, either, as it's been picked up for publication in one I haven't yet been published in!!!!! 

But, our amazing Design Team outdid themselves, as usual, with some amazing eye candy and inspiration for you based on the sketch.  Check it out!!!!!

You have until next Wednesday to play along for your chance at an awesome Halloween-themed kit from Your Memories Here. 

I can't wait until Saturday.  I'm taking another class from the amazing Bethany Kartchner.  This time it's an art journaling class.  Maybe this time it won't take me over a month to share what I made.  LOL.  (I still need to show you what I made from the last class!)

Have a great end of your week!!!

Heidi

help Make a Wish come true

The world isn't perfect, but here's a perfect chance to make a difference and help make a wish come true.

From August 22, 2010 to August 31, 2010 only, Scrapbook News and Review Magazine is doing its part to make a difference. Just purchase an annual or semi-annual subscription at the special rate of $29.99 for an annual subscription and $19.99 for a semi-annual subscription, and they'll not only double your subscription, they'll match the proceeds dollar for dollar and donate them to the Make a Wish Foundation.

That's two years for a one year subscription and one year for a six-month subscription, and you can either keep it for yourself or share with someone you love. Just let them know and they'll set it up for you.

This special pricing is only available until the end of the month, so make sure to sign up as soon as you can. Please also remember that a month will be archived before the next issue debuts on August 29, 2010, so if you subscribe today, you'll still get that month for a whole week. Pretty neat deal, eh?

Please spread the word so you can make a difference, too.

Sketchy Thursdays Design Team Call

It's RAINING right now!  I mean thunder, lightening, and hard enough wind to blow the rain up to my windows on the back patio which are at least 15 feet under the patio roof!!! 

Woohoo!!!!

I tried to take a picture of it but you can't really see the rain very well. 

I did get blasted by a gust of rain when I first tried to take a picture, though.

OK, enough about my glorious weather.  ;oD

Yep, you read the title right.  We're having a Design Team Call on Sketchy Thursdays!!!

Check out the details HERE.

C'mon!  You know you wanna!!!! 

Party At the Nest

You know how we like to shake things up over on Sketchy Thursdays!  This week we have a card sketch for you. 

Of course, you are welcome to translate this into a layout, but I went the card route this time.

April 2011 issue

Cardstock: The Paper Company; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Hardware: Stampin' Up!; Ribbon: Joanns; Digital Stamp: Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps; Ink: Stampin' Up!; Pen: Zig.

This week's sketch is sponsored by Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps which is where I got that adorable little bird and watermelon stamp.

Hope you're having a great week!

Heidi

p.s.  You've only got a couple more days to get in on the September Guest Design Team Challenge with the killer prize from Snobby Walrus!

p.p.s.  Be sure to check the ST blog this weekend for an exciting announcement!

To Infinithree and Beyond!

Today's Pink Ninjas prompt is "Feliz Cumpleanos!" in honor of the fabulous Miss Ally's 30th birthday this week!!!  (Go give her some love!!!)  I'm dying to share with you a layout I made for her for her birthday but I need to make sure it's OK with her first.  I'll keep you posted.

My son has been a Toy Story fan since before he was 2.  His love for all things TS hasn't waned yet and we're on the cusp of his 7th birthday.  When he was 3 we had a Buzz Lightyear birthday party. 

This layout commemorates his adorable cake.  I'm guessing the people that made the cake weren't TS fans because they didn't get the message I wanted on his cake.  "To Infinithree and Beyond!"  I thought it was brilliant myself. 

I like the way the stitched stars came out. 

Yep, we've seen TS3 a couple times in the theater already.  Anyone else get totally choked up?  (Or, admit it!  Bawl like a baby?)  ~hand raised high in the air here~  The idea that when TS began Andy was just about the same age as my son is now and then seeing him give up his cherished toys and drive off to college just killed me.  Time flies way too fast.   But, he'll always be my baby.

To infinity and beyond, baby.

To infinity and beyond.

- Heidi

home sweet home

Happy mid-month!  Today over on Scrap That Poetry we have the poem "Home Sweet Home" by John Howard Payne for you. 

Found this gorgeous MAMBI paper pad at Michael's on clearance!  I love fussy cutting around elements in patterned papers and tucking my pictures behind them to create a border or dimension on the page.  Doesn't it look like the tag is real because it sits on top of my picture??  It's part of the paper! 

Check out what the rest of the DT made for your inspiration with this wonderful poem.

Have a great day!

Heidi

Patterned Paper: MAMBI; Transparency: MAMBI; Cork: Pink Paislee; Charm: Imaginisce; Brad: Delish; Stamps: Technique Tuesday, Anna Griffin; Ink: Ranger; Crackle Medium: Ranger; Pen: Zig; Other: mini tags, ball chain, eyelet, key.

1st Grade Teacher

I feel like a broken record but we're almost half way through August already??!!!! 

My son's doing well in first grade.  He really likes his teacher.  Which is a good thing considering he should be in her classroom for the next 2 years.  I like the way his school does that...you stay with the same class in 1st & 2nd.  3/4 and 5/6 do the same. 

I'm impressed and elated at how much more confidence The Boy seems to have this year which is evidenced in his easy smile in this picture at Open House with his teacher. 

Played with some of the new Chalkboard Glimmer Mist in chalk (white).  Gotta say, not too impressed.  I expected it to be much more like white paint splatters.  Oh, well. 

It is a little more opaque than regular Glimmer Mist but not as much as I was hoping.  :o(
I am in love with the blue paint I used on the chipboard star. (Thanks Bethany!)  (Carribbean blue by Delta.)

It's hard to see but I also covered the star with a wash of silver paint.  See how I circled both the 1 & 2 on the ruler (for 1st & 2nd grade)? 

I also love these adorable little sticker sets K&Co had right now.  They're grouped by subject or activity such as school, monsters, and individual sports. 

I based this layout on this week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch.  The original sketch is a two-pager but I smooshed the whole thing into a one-pager. 

Come play along with us this week!  You know we always have super yummy prizes up for grabs!!!  This week is a $30 gift certificate to Lucky Girl Crafts!  AND there's a GREAT coupon code for all ST friends.  Check it out!!

Have a great day!

- Heidi

Which reminds me...have you played along with our September Guest Design Team Challenge yet?  Have you SEEN the prize up for grabs?  Snobby Walrus has outdone themselves again.

Also...don't forget we're doing a Sketchy Thursdays tribute to Etsy in September.  Do you have a crafy Etsy store?  Why not sponsor a Sketchy Thursdays challenge and get free advertising for a week?  Check out this post for details.

Please bear with me...

I decided to mess with the layout of my blog again and have somehow screwed it up. 

It's late.

I'm going to bed.

Scrapbook News & Review

I am OVER the moon! 

I am one of Scrapbook News & Review Magazine's newest staffers!!!!

Wooooohooooooo!!!!!!!! 

Guess my strategic bombardment of their submissions inbox wore them down!!!

As you may remember, I had 2 layouts published in the July issue.  I can't wait until you see August, due out on August 29!!! 

Check out the magazine.  Every issue has at least 400 projects for your inspiration as well as articles and tutorials.  For only $4.99, that's a steal!!! 

There's also a great online forum and community!!!  Check out the boards and the gallery!!  So much fun and inspiration.  And it's not just layouts...there are cards, inchies, mixed media...all sorts of crafty endeavors!!!!

Always dreamed of being published but never gotten around to submitting due to one reason or another?  Check out the calls for the September issue!!

Sketchy Thursdays Guest Design Team Challenge

The September (gasp!) Sketchy Thursdays Guest Design Team Challenge is up on the blog!!!! 

I'm pretty proud of my sketch this time, which includes a digi patterned paper I made myself (the text one).  I'm getting better at this digi stuff every day!

You can enter your layout based on this sketch by commenting a direct link to it in the comments on THIS POST on the Sketchy blog by Saturday August 21 at 11:59pm EST. 

This challenge is being sponsored by an old ST sponsor friend, Snobby Walrus Paper Crafts. 

And you will NOT believe the fabulous prize they're offering up.  Take a look.

YES, that's a main kit, 2 splurge add-on kits, and a Smooch ink add-on kit with those two scrumptious colors!  For a complete list of what is contained in these kits hit the ST blog.  If you think it looks like there's a lot in this prize, just wait until you lay eyes upon just how long the parts lists are!   And this is OVER a $70 value!!!!

I have absolutely fallen in love with the Snobby Walrus kits.  The layout I made for Thursday's ST sketch was made from Snobby Walrus's July kit. 

Come, play along with us on ST.  We'd love to have you for our GDT!

And don't forget to browse a bit in the Snobby Walrus store and in their forum and on their blog!

Hope you have great plans for the weekend!!

Stay cool!

- Heidi

Sketchy Thursdays Loves Etsy!

Beginning Sept. 9., Sketchy Thursdays wants to help you show off YOUR Etsy shop! Do you have a crafty store? Do you know someone who does?

We're looking to help promote Etsy sellers with a month of Etsy prizes!! Each Etsy shop sponsor will get this badge for their blog.


If you're interested in being a part of our Etsy sponsorship month, send an e-mail to dianadesigns [at] rochester.rr.com with a link to your Etsy shop, a short bio about you/your shop, and the prize you'd like to offer up for Sketchy Thursday players.

Pass this on!

Share this on your blog or Facebook, comment on THIS POST ON ST that you shared this call for sponsors, and we'll draw a winner to receive a gift from the fabulous Miss Diana!

mmm...ice cream

The Mickey Mouse shaped ice cream bars are the best thing about Disneyland, right?  (Nothing like something that's rock hard one minute and then melting and oozing faster than you can lick it the next, right??!!!!)

The majority of this layout is from the July Snobby Walrus kit.  One of my fave color combos ever along with lots of yummy vintage-looking embellies.   And, although that kit may no longer be available, check out this month's kit!  It's gorgeous also.

Come play along with us over on Sketchy Thursdays for a chance to win an awesome prize from ScrapbookDeals4U.  And check out the coupon code for all Sketchy Thursdays players! 

Hope you have a yummy, ice-creamy day!!

Heidi

Details:  From the Snobby Walrus kit - Sassafras paper, Jenni Bowlin milk cap & journaling tag, American Crafts Thickers, Pink Paislee Pixie Stix glitter (used on Thickers), red flower trim; Other - Colorbox glitter paper, EK Success star border punch (punched out of glitter paper), Glimmer Mist (colored glitter paper), Jenni Bowlin banner alpha, Martha Stewart baker's twine, Zig Millennium pen, thread, unknown denim trim.

Mine! Mine! Mine!

The newest Pink Ninjas prompt is "Selfish". 

As you may know, I've been having a great time over the last month or so taking a couple paint technique classes (Big Picture Scrapbooking @ Home with Claudine Hellmuth & a class at my LSS with Bethany Kartchner).  I'm nearing the end of my trusty sketch book and thought how fun to make another using paint and this prompt since the sketch book is just creative ideas for me. 

I LOVE the way this came out.  It's so touchable, too.  Lots of texture within the paint.

Can you see the relief?  I just want to run my fingers over it.

I decided to call this my "Junque Journal".  I was inspired by the one Bethany Kartchner made.

Even the title is all touchy-feely with Tim Holtz distressed Stickles.

I had to include a paint transfer.  I am so in love with this technique.  It's so cool to take any image and make it part of the paint. 

And here it is, in its entirety.  Can you see the two masks I used, too, sprayed with mist?  There's a giant old-fashioned looking clock near the title and stars at the top.

This journal is made out of one of those black and white composition books.  Can't beat that with all the back-to-school sales right now!  I think it was 50 cents.  I bought a bunch.

I plan to fill this baby with sketches, prompts, colors, clippings, and varied ephemera I want to incorporate into my projects.

Check out what the rest of the Pink Ninjas made for the "Selfish" prompt.  We all had a great time playing. 

Why don't you show us how you're selfish?

Ingredients:  Making Memories paint; Maya & Glimmer Mist; Tim Holtz & Crafter's Workshop masks; Heidi Swapp chipboard alpha; Cosmo Cricket Tiny Alpha; 7Gypsies stamp; Tim Holtz Distressed Stickles; Dymo labeler; Target $1 Spot flair; Michaels ribbon; nest image from Claudine Hellmuth; Elmer's glue; gesso; composition book.

Poe & Sunshine

Is it already August??!!!  Didn't we just start this year?  I always look at my son's birthday as the official start to the holiday season because it's non-stop birthdays, vacations, and holidays from there until January.  His birthday is just a little over a month away!  Aaaaaagh!!!!!!

OK, I'm a little slow on these two layouts.  Both went live yesterday, 8/1. 

The current Scrap That Poetry poem is "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allen Poe.  Such a beautiful poem of love.  My mom requested I create something special for my step-brother and his wife and this is what I came up with, using a picture from their wedding:

The frame is a crochet hoop.  I got the idea for this from the Big Picture Scrapbooking Claudine Hellmuth class I'm taking.  The coolest part...the background fabric...

It began life as some Prima patterned paper!!!!!  I transferred it to some of Claudine Hellmuth's sticky back canvas!!!!

As you can see, it lost a little brightness of color but still!!!  It's so cool, right?  I have so many more ideas for this technique!!!!

If you're familiar with the poem "Annabel Lee" you know it's quite a long one so I only extracted one part for this hanging.  And I took a little bit of creative license with it and changed it slightly.  The original line was, "Can ever dissever my soul from the soul, Of the beautiful Annabel Lee."  Well, of course neither of my subject's names were Annabel Lee (how incovenient, lol!) so I changed it to, "Can ever dissever my soul from thee."  Hey, it rhymes, right?  Hope Mr. Poe doesn't cringe!

I filled in the bookplate with a crackle medium to further the antique-iness of the piece.

Actually, truth be told I futzed with a couple things on this piece.  I cut and pasted the Prima pearl flourish to fit within the circle. And although I had the Jenni Bowlin cardstock butterflies on hand, I liked the pattern on the Prima packaging better for this piece so I traced the Jenni Bowlin butterfly and added my own pearls. 

One other thing I did on this piece that you can't see on the pictures is I painted on their pictures with acrylic paint.  I painted their cheeks, lips, and hair.  I also painted all her jewelry with pearlized paint. 

Being the first of the month,  I also have a Category Stories layout for you, too.  This month's prompt is "_________ is my sunshine."

I incorporated techniques from both the Claudine Hellmuth class AND a class I took last weekend at my LSS with Bethany Kartchner into this.  (BTW, I am so stinkin proud of the mini book I made in Bethany's class and will be sharing that just as soon as I get it filled with some pictures - which will hopefully be asap.)  I am star-struck at having met and played along with Bethany in person.  This woman is ooooooooozing creativity.  I've already signed up for her next class at my LSS which is an art journaling class (with my other amazingly creative friend, Julie, who imparted that she's a bit trepidatious about art journaling but I know she'll make something completely fabulous!).  If you happen to be in the Mesa, AZ area on 8/28, sign up for this class!  It's going to be so much messy fun!  Oh, you should've seen me in the class last week.  I was COVERED with paint...ask Julie.  I am NOT prissy when it comes to paint.  I think it's usually much easier applied by hand. 

First, the picture of my little rays of sunshine is a packing tape transfer (which is indirectly a techinique I learned from Claudine Hellmuth...I already knew the basics of the technique but refined it with her tips). 

~picture detail~
Bethany's class was all about getting messy with paint, mists, and oil pastels and I incorporated all three here!  The sun rays are misted and then accented with oil pastels. 

The sky is a faux woodgrain paint technique that gives a great streaky effect.  I also misted a bit in the sky, too, and topped it off with some painted clouds using a Heidi Swapp mask (which, truthfully, I wish I hadn't done but oh, well). 

The butterfly and alpha silhouettes are created with Heidi Swapp masks and oil pastels. 

~title detail~


Finally, I used an actual Jenni Bowlin butterfly this time, but sprayed it wish mist (thanks Diana for that idea!) and topped it with some Ranger Perfect Pearls (Claudine, again!). 

~butterfly detail~


I really hope you like my project and PLEASE come play along with us!!!  Just click on the links for each above!

I'm off to my craft room.  I'm in a creatin' mood now!

Heidi