Month: July 2010

First of all YES – I still do have a few kits available, see the post below this one for more info if you’re interested.

Now, it’s confession time:

1. I fell a bit behind in creating Use Your stash, but I finally got caught back up and class is now 100% complete. LOVE how it came out, and can’t wait for September 2 to roll around so we can start playing! {If you’ve got questions, feel free to ask}

2. That’s my desk right now this minute. It’s scary. I have to clean it NOW, as I have much creative play to make and share!

3. I really want a sizzix big shot. If you know me at all this is SHOCKING, as I’ve never owned any die cutting anything.

4. You know that scary picture of my desk above? Well, that’s the tip of the iceberg. My studio is so scary, my husband won’t even come down the hallway anymore for fear that he might get sucked in by it’s gravitational pull. If anyone goes missing it’s assumed they fell in here. it’s bad.

5. I have yet to put away my purchases from my last scrapbook shopping trip, let alone use them so maybe, just maybe I ought to surf the internet less looking for new scrap goodies, and instead craft more?

6. I found a package of Coconut M&M’s from last summer hiding in one of my sticker drawers today. I love hidden treasure.

7. I just found another package of chipboard I swear I never bought. I’m telling you, chipboard breeds here in my studio. I must have chipboard rabbits or something!

8. When it first came out I purchased Tim Holtz embossing powder and I’ve yet to open it.

9. I don’t clean my stamps. I realize to some this is a heinous crime… I’m sorry. I’m a dirty non-cleaner of stamps.

10. My ribbon is in such a state of disarray, I didn’t even realize my dog had made herself a nest in it. Yes, my 7lb dog nested in my ribbon. I take this as a sign that I need to clean up my act big time.

Now if all that doesn’t scare you, if you’ve got your own craft confessions, and if you want to join me in making the most of your scrapbook stash and having fun with what you’ve got then I suggest you join me in my next Big Picture class. (Info is HERE) I’m not a terribly serious crafter (um, it’s paper + stickers… I’m here for the FUN!), and I don’t have many rules outside enjoying yourself – so if low pressure creative fun is for you I bet you’ll have fun with us. I’m counting the days!!

Shhh, here’s a secret: Looking at my calendar I see that every single day for the next 10 days or so you’ll see new projects from me here. I hope you check back in and enjoy…

Kelly is our winner for the “May’s shopping for her blog readers” prize. Congrats! I’m e-mailing you now as I’m SURE there is more than one Kelly in the comments. This was such a well received prize, you can expect me to do it again.

Know what I love? I love teaching in person. Oh, I ADORE on-line classes and I will spend the bulk of my energy with Big Picture, but once in a while it sure is fun to get out and teach in a store. Want to know a secret? I’ve not taught in a store in over a year!! I know. I’ve been reclusive/hermit like over here… but I’m out and about once again!

That’s me at Scrapbook U in Fremont, CA. I taught a class there just over a week ago, and had sooo much fun. I actually have a few “embellishment + workbook” kits available if you’d like to buy one. It’s $20 and that includes shipping in USA – if you’re outside USA we can figure out if it’s more/how much. It includes the fun 8 1/2 x 5 1/2″ workbook I put together with ideas + some sketches and things like summer favorites, trends to watch, color combos I love, and more. It was a take-home ‘keep the ideas flowing’ workbook for students in class. It does NOT have any step-by-step instructions for projects, but the layouts we focused on in class are pictured within the workbook.

This ‘kit’ also includes TWO rub-on sheets (one ‘pattern’ the other shapes) from Glitz, and an alphabet sheet of stickers from glitz…

There’s also a fun grab bag of all kinds of goodies. Punched shapes, tickets, German glass glitter, an acrylic stamp, tags, journaling papers, fun bits and pieces that will vary kit to kit as well. You can’t even see it all in this picture…

If you’re interested in one e-mail me (mflaum @ comcast.net). I can answer any questions you’ve got plus get a paypal invoice sent to you. I only have a few – first come first serve!! As I said it’s $20 including shipping in USA… a real value for sure.

I do also have just two full class “kits” – that include eight sheets (two/each of 4 designs) of Glitz patterned papers (pictured above), some cardstock, and more little goodies in addition to everything in the other kit. The cost on these is $35 (that includes shipping within USA).

I had SUCH a great time in this class I’ve already decided to do another… the next will be busting out techniques + fun stuff for winter holidays (coming late this fall) AND I’m going to do a Gingerbread house (paper, of course) class too. Where? When? Well that is still undecided! I’ll keep you posted.

There’s nothing like a truly great, unexpected email to lift my spirits. Just as I was feeling utterly defeated, exhausted, and wanting to just go sleep for days I got this email from Jennifer. She reminds me that IT IS SO IMPORTANT to do our own thing, to be vocal about it too. Being a mean girl or putting others down is so NOT the way to go – and standing up and cheering for the happy, the positive, and the good is a much better route. That making things your own way – and making sure to lift up and encourage others is the way to go too. She said I could share her email and some of her (AWESOME) layouts too. Here you go…

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all the inspiration you provide both on your blog and in your classes at BPS.  Just this morning I was watching a debate on another site about 2 page scrappers vs 1 page scrappers and I was seriously disheartened to hear so many of the women say that they think that one is better than the other and we should try to change those who scrapbook differently than we do.  I appreciate that you have such a nice balance of both types of layouts and styles in your classes.  You actually made me like doing 2 pagers again a few years ago and now I have both in my albums.  It just makes me sad that there are those out there that make fun of or in some way try to demean those who enjoy making 2 page, event-based layouts.  I am honestly love to see women telling their stories, saving their memories, and being creative in any form they choose.  So I just wanted to say thank you for how you show us in the scrappy world all types of layouts and styles!  I have thoroughly enjoyed camp scrap and I think I have done 15 layouts so far!  WOW!  That is amazing for me with 3 little crazies at home right now.

You tell it sister!! For real – why would anybody put someone else down for what/how they scrapbook? There have GOT to be better things to do than that, and I happily stand among those who believe in having fun and just enjoying. Honestly? I think Jennifer has mad passion and skill for this hobby, and I feel honored that in some tiny way I played a part in her being productive this summer. Thanks for letting me share your note Jennifer – and thanks for being such a positive scrapbooker!!

Here in the bat-cave it’s been sheer madness! There’s a lot I want to blog about, I’ve got some class kits up for grabs (and a class to talk about!) and more… but I’m trying to take it EASY. That weird flu I had last week? Came back yesterday in form of mega sinus pain and problems. GAH!

Don’t worry – I’m chill-axing. But I have some Scrapbook Update link-age you don’t want to miss.

CHA is just around the corner (and I’ve got FIVE new projects to share with you next week!!!) and that means cool new scrappy-goodness is coming down the line. I wrote an article about my favorite peeks so far (SO NOT a complete list!!) here: http://www.scrapbookupdate.com/2010/07/21/mays-picks-so-far-from-summer-2010-cha-peeks/

Here are just two more that I’ve noted since writing that article…

above a peek from Pink Paislee, below a peek from Basic Grey.

*sigh* I love scrapbook stuff. 

I look forward to reviewing, featuring, and otherwise playing with loads of goodies in the second half of 2010. So much good stuff coming!

Speaking of sweet stuff, I also have a review of the Cricut Cake up – and not only that but you can WIN ONE!!!

http://www.scrapbookupdate.com/2010/07/19/review-provo-craft-cricut-cake-and-a-giveaway/

Enjoy!