Category: Uncategorized

This last week the girls and I got the chance to head into San Francisco and check out the Museum of Ice Cream. I knew there would be a lot of pink, and it would probably be fun… but that was about it. When we first entered a very perky guide started talking about team names and how we’d go through this experience with others and man that made me nervous. Turns out – no worries. It’s totally self-paced, do as you like, and oh – a whole lot of fun.

Continue reading “Museum of Ice Cream SF: celebrating fun”

I’m trying to gift more crafty things this year – and support lovely creative companies! Now a few people (my husband, for example) will really not be getting a craft gift. But many others can and will! A PenGem for my mother in law, a lovely new Traveler’s notebook or Composition cover for my friend, and so on! Today in this blog post I wanted to share a few of my favorite small businesses as well as specific craft companies to shop from this time of year! Note that no company asked me to post this, nor do any of them know I’m doing it. Some links are affiliate links (thank you in advance for your support!) These are simply favorite crafty giftables this year…

This prima notebook is so chic – I think it would make a great gift for just about anyone.

Spellbinders Platinum 6 machine + exclusive dies bundle from Scrapbook.com is a really special gift – one I’d think about getting  for myself if I didn’t already have one!

Websters Pages composition size planner/cover is something I am going to be gifting myself and others- love these!

American Crafts sticker books are an obsession here. I’ll need to get a few of these for some friends no doubt.

Is your friend a stamp lover? Can’t get better than a gift certificate to Ellen Hutson!

What about fancy pens? Always fun – and PenGems absolutely rules in both fast shipping and quality sparkly pens.

Looking for something unusual or new for your crafty or stationary loving friend? A few small business gals I love, support, and shop from regularly include Shop VillabeauTifful, Create with Rebecca, and Simply Gilded.

Of course some 28 Lilac Lane is always a good gift idea! Watch Buttons Galore for some deals as well – I hear there may be good discounts for Black Friday…

I’d love to hear your crafty favorites and best picks. Please do share whether it’s your own wish list or things you’re gifting this year.

What’s new here? The kids are READY for Halloween as Rey the Jedi and the Cheshire Cat, the Cross Country season is ending this week, and the studio is beginning to come together. Here’s a few snapshots from around here!

The studio has a lot of rainbow goodness right now – and I do so love that. I am in the heat of some CRAZY busy deadline weeks ahead (and travel!) so the cleaning and organizing is on hold. That would make me crazy but – no time to obsess.

So off I go with Bandit to pick up our athlete (Elizabeth). He has been the best dog (no injuries, no drama) lately and is currently holding household title of star puppy. It’s a revolving title – I’m sure someone else will take it back soon. Ha! Bandit really loves being in the car and seeing people where people can’t see and/or approach him. He’s not a fan of new people- in fact he prefers sitting in his create to being loose when we have people over. Our shy boy – hard to believe it’s been over a year now since he came to live with us.

Back into the studio (below you can see a Bandit tush) I’m LOVING the feedback and also sharing so much of my own story via True Story my current online class. Check it out and join us if you haven’t already – this is one value packed course!

Me? I’m heading back into the studio to create up a storm. I’ve got some posts scheduled for the next few weeks, a new class to teach at the local shop this weekend, and more than a few things on my plate. In GREAT news though it would seem that a lot of the projects I’m working on are coming together nicely -and I’ll be able to share more soon! I hear we can expect cooler temps and maybe even some rain – so glad to be heading into late fall and (gasp) the holiday season…

What are you up to this week? Any fun happenings? Do share – I always love hearing from you.

Class just began – I don’t want you to miss out!! Below is a bit of info (and a few photos/sneaks!!) from class. True Story is – well it’s a truly wonderful class I am so very proud of. ADORE the 9 guest instructors. Finding JOY in sharing so much with all of you. Here’s a peek & info… 

I took almost a year off from scrapbooking or memory keeping and it at first wasn’t by choice but rather by necessity (no right hand use!). Then I got so badly blocked mentally, and then so overwhelmed by the backlog that I just didn’t have any clue where to pick things back up or what was even a good fit anymore! Now (about a year since I started trying…) I’m so happy with the story telling place I’m at and I decided this is the PERFECT time to bring in a new class focused on the stories.

In the last year I’ve discovered some new things as well as rediscovering old knowledge and treasure. Here are some things I consider fact in my studio:

1. Telling all the stories isn’t possible. So if I simply remove the pressure of quantity, and instead focus on details and things that bring me joy? I’m good.
2. I love travel stories, and I’ll always prioritize telling mine. Big or small – a new to me local hike or epic vacation.
3. Having things organized when I sit down to tell a story helps tremendously (more on this in class…)
4. Regular writing (typing, blogging, social media posting, notebook brainstorming – any form!) helps me pull up stories more easily.
5. There is no rule as to what stories I tell in any given format, nor is there a rule that certain stories must be told at all.
6. There is no rule about how many formats you utilize!

Having notebooks full of writing, albums full of photos & words, and any other format of stories big and small is a treasure to me. I focus on what I am doing, and what I can do to tell bits of my life regularly vs worry about what I haven’t done.

I also have really found joy in keeping things organized – something I never really did with stories & photos until the last few years. The best part? I’m not at the finish line. I never will be. I’m just sharing stories, improving my process, and having FUN all along the journey.

My new class True Story is all about… stories! From styles of memory keeping and scrapbooking to types of writing and documenting, and everything in between I’m compiling all my best tips, tricks, thoughts, and inspiration in one full class. I’ve even got nine amazing guest instructors sharing ideas! You can find all the information and register here.