Tag Class!

I posted a couple sneaks a few weeks ago, so today I thought I would show you the whole picture. I loved putting this class together. (I got the idea from Prima, love them :) It is one of those classes that just fell into place. I originally made it for myself but when Coleen at Scrapbooks Etc saw it she said I had to make it into a class. I am so glad I did. I put mine on paper to display in my shadow box but I know some of the ladies are already talking about using them for cards and as embellishments on layouts. They are so versatile.
The class is now SOLD OUT but keep checking for a Christmas themed tag class coming soon :) The upcoming Christmas tags would even be good to use for Christmas presents! Be sure to click on the link above to sign up for their newsletter so you will always know when the classes are.

A Little ....

Christmas Spirit!

So Inspired .....

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to get my hands dirty when I scrap. I love to play with paints, inks, and mists. For a while now I have been playing with mixed media books. I love how I can create a page from start (a blank white paper) to finish. I have been talking with Coleen, the owner of Scrapbooks Etc., for a few weeks about starting a mixed media class. She was thrilled with the idea and jumped board. I can't wait to teach these lovely women how to let their creativeity flow onto their pages :)
Here are some prototypes I have been messing around with. I have been working on back grounds. See what you think :)

 

These next photos are a sneak for another class I will be teaching at Scrapbooks Etc in September. See what you think and let me know. 

Fall never gets old :)

A little me time.
I am taking full advantage of this interim I have between the boys first day of school and my first day of school.
I have been working on several projects and thought I would share a layout I created yesterday.
This is using Bo bunny's fall line from last year.
I just love these colors, don't you?
They reflect my style so well.

 

Don't mind the shadows, I took the photo in the morning instead of waiting for noon time :)

School Time!!

I love back to school time. I love taking the boys school shopping. I love buying supplies and I am often guilty of purchasing office supplies for the house because I love new pads of paper and new cool pens. The boys were excited to go back. This will be the first year they are all in different schools. It is a very pivotal year for all of them. Nicholas starts high school, Lucas starts middle school, and Alex will be on his own at the school for the first time. He has always had the security of knowing Lucas is close by. If you know my boys you know that Alex and Lucas are extremely close and do almost everything together. Did I mention the best part? I have a weeka nd a half off before I go back. It is like a vacation or really more of a cleaning spree. I have been deep cleaning the house and getting it in tip top shape to when I am super busy this semester with Church, family, friends, school, and  scrapbook designing/teaching, I can do a quick clean and have the house looking good. I am sure by the time I get out of school in December it will need another deep cleaning.
Here are Lucas and Alex on the first day.
Stand by for a photo of Nicholas :)

Musings

School is starting back soon.NEXT WEEK!!! I think the boys are excited but aren't wanting to show it; a mama can dream. They have their new cloths and shoes. Tomorrow we go for their hair cuts at J C Pennys. They are doing a promotion for free kids hair cuts during the month of August.Why not take the boys? I spend enough in Pennys to warrant a couple free hair cuts. LOL
Check out this photo of my scrap space. I really need to clean it up before I started ANOTHER project :) What you can't see in this photo is the shelves to the left and right of the tables full of stuff as well. *sigh* I would rather make the mess then clean it. Such is life :)

While I am here how about a few photos of the shark fishing tournament the boys were in last weekend. It was supposed to be from 4pm - 8am but they were home by 1am. Not because the boys were tired, it was the adults who had to pack it in. LOL These photos were taken by my husband. I think he did pretty good this time. He is famous for cutting off the tops of their heads but I think I have finally got him trained to take a good photo:)

Avalanche

The creativity is flowing right now.
I have so many projects floating around in my head that I don't know where to start.
I have finished a few already, the Tropical Paradise Canvas as well as a Halloween mini album that will also be a class at Scrapbooks Etc.
I am currently working on a Christmas project that is turning out so well.
I feel like I have been hit by a creativity avalanche.
We all have those times when NOTHING comes to us.
That is usually when I take a class or work from a kit. It helps to churn up the stagnant creativity.
School will be starting soon, for the boys and for me, so that will limit the time I have to create but with a little planning I have no fear that I will manage to carve out some time for creating, classes, and crops.
Stay tuned for sneak peeks for all of my upcoming classes :)

Tropical Paradise Beach Canvas

I am honored to have been asked to design and teach this super cool class at Scrapbooks Etc in Bonita Springs, Florida. This is a free standing double canvas  class using the Tropical Travelogue line from Graphic 45. It is full of techniques and even includes an attached mini album. The opposite side of the canvas (not shown) uses the Copic marker air brush technique and glimmer mist.

There are two dates for this class:
Tuesday, August 14th @ 10am - 3pm
Saturday, August 25th @ 10am - 3pm
The cost of the class is $65.00
Seating is very limited so don't hesitate to sign up.

To sign up, call Coleen or Janet @ (239) 495-9199

Crop until you drop!

I am getting my bags ready for the upcoming three day crop hosted by Scrapbooks Etc in Bonita Springs. I can't wait, this is just what I need to finish out my summer and get me geared up for another school year. I know, it's crazy that summer, at least in a school sense, is almost over. The kiddos go back in less than three weeks and I go back not long after. We will be staying at the Trianon Hotel again and I can't wait. It is such a great hotel with wonderful accommodations and  friendly staff. So if you are free this weekend head on down to the crop :)

School is......

Right around the corner!

I saw this example on this web site and thought it would be cute and fun to make with Alex for his class this year. Lets face it, he is going to 3rd grade and this will probably be the last year I can get away with making anything like this for him. :( My baby is growing up. Anyhow, this is the picture that Denise made, once I have made mine I will be sure to post a photo.
 

 

Here is the breakdown for the supplies:
1 set of round nesting boxes
10 boxes of Crayola crayons
9 two pack Elmers school glue sticks
8 bottles of Elmers liquid school glue
woodens star and rectangle
1 box kleenex
red and black paint
ribbon
mini binder clips
glue gun
ABC scrapbook paper

He Loves Me!

I know he loves me (talking about my husband here). He is thoughtful most of the time. He gets a little relaxed sometimes but what man who has been married for almost 14 years doesn't? I would like to say he always remembers the flowers, but he doesn't. What I can say is that he is there for me everyday. He always listens to me when it truly counts. Oh, I know he tunes me out sometimes but he can tell when something is important and he steps up and really listens. Our lives are defined by how much we depend on each other. I truly cannot fathom living in a world where he is not by my side. It is me and him against the world. Having said that, I would like to share a photo of my new wedding ring he gave me. Our anniversary is not until November but he said I could have it NOW! Since I am a instant gratification sort of girl, that works for me just fine :)

 

 

Can you say, about time?

So I have to admit, I do not like the beach. I really want to like the beach. It is kind of like mustard to me. I don't like mustard but will endure it if I have to. So I just don't go to the beach very often. Like never. The last time I went - until a few days ago- was about 10 years ago and yes I live on the Gulf Coast of Florida. So my youngest son, who is eight, has never seen the beach. Does that make me the worst mom ever or what? So my bestest bud invited us out to the beach for the 4th of July this year. I hesitated to accept because, HELLO, I don't like the beach but she is my bestest bud and my baby boy needed to see the beach. On a whole, the day turned out much better then I anticipated and the kids had a great time. Oh and I came out of it without a sunburn - that is a miracle from Jesus. So here are a few photos of us at the beach.

Lucas and Tessa

Tessa

Alex

Alex

Lucas

Alex

Kristine and Tess

Lucas

Luci and Lucas

Alex

Alex

Butterfly Canvas Class

I am honored  to have been asked to design and teach a class at Scrapbooks Etc in Bonita Springs. Each week a different project will be taught at a 2 day kid's camp. For my week, July 10th-11th, I will be teaching a double canvas butterfly wall hanging. I used a variety of different techniques with this project but tried to keep it simple so the kids wouldn't feel overwhelmed while creating it. Here is the contact information for the store and picture of the project. Give Coleen a call if you would like more details about signing up.

Scrapbooks Etc.

3725 Bonita Beach Rd. #7

Bonita Springs, Fl. 34134

239-495-9199

Butterfly Canvas Class
July 10th-11th
11am-3pm

*Late afternoon childcare will be offered for an additional fee.*

Soap Expansion

I have seen this experiment online a few times and decided to try it with the kids. So we took the plunge and gave it a shot. I wasn't sure how I felt about sticking a bar of soap in my microwave but what could it hurt, it was after all soap and would just wipe out. Luckily, we didn't have any problems and it all turned out great. The kids loved watching the soap expand. For more information on the how and the why of the experiment visit this web site. I simply put the bar in the microwave, turned my rotating plate off, and set the time for 3 minutes. It only took about 2 of the minutes to complete. When the soap stopped expanding I turned the microwave off.

FROM THIS

 TO THIS

SOME SIZE PERSPECTIVE

GLAD I CLEANED THE STOVE TOP :)

The kids loved it so much we did it again. The foamy mound is actually firm to the touch but will turn to crumbles when broken. The kids liked crumbling the soap.
NOTE: There is air inside the soap when you take it out of the microwave, allow the soap to cool for a few minutes before breaking it apart.

Charlie Chaplin

Alex had a birthday. Can't believe my baby boy is already 8. It is so bittersweet. For his birthday he received quite a bit of money. Of course he wanted to go to Game Stop to buy a new game but while at the mall I also talked him into going to the book store. Ok fine, I told him I was driving and that meant he had to go with me to the book store or he was walking home :) He found these cute mustaches at the book store and I had to snap a photo of my miniature Charlie Chaplin.