Craft With May

I mentioned a few weeks back that I want to start posting about people who are telling their life stories in ways that are real and true. People who inspire me. Just a little note of love and appreciation to them, and today I think I’ve got the perfect starting point.

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Stacy Julian, or even if you frequent her blog you’ll probably know what I do – that she’s not only talented and creative but also very REAL. She embraces her life, her children, and her quirks with such a passion. She shares insecurities and things that she wishes and she’s not afraid to dream BIG.

I heard in a recent podcast (Paperclipping Roundtable) that she had gone to CK with her idea for Big Picture Scrapbooking, and they rejected it as a silly idea. Can you imagine? I can, actually as someone who’s had wild ideas shot down many times before. See, that’s the wonderful thing about Stacy. The wildest idea I could imagine I know I could take to her and she’d try and help me think of ways to make it work. (Camp Scrap is a current example!) 

She’s full of brightness and creativity and she’s always encouraging others to be their best selves. I have seen and heard her support women and small business owners and encourage others to do the same. I see her revealing both her high and low points, and admitting when she doesn’t get it just right. While I’m sure she’s not always smiling in real life, I’m also sure that she’s trying to look for a reason to smile. To bring more color into the world. To make it a happier place. I just love that attitude, and it’s definitely been something I myself try to do as well.

Today is her birthday, and she’s celebrating in true style with a list of things about her very real self. I wish her much energy, color, happiness, and love today and every day. I also thank her for being such a positive, happy, looking for the sprinkles and silver linings kind of woman in my life. I’m blessed to know her, that’s for sure.

Thanks just for being so YOU Stacy, and for influencing my favorite hobby (Scrapbooking) as you have. You are so very real, and a bright ray of light in my creative world always.

http://stacyjulian.com/blog/

A few months back I went from thinking Glitz made a few cool things, to knowing that I loved EVERY new product they released. You’re going to see more & more from me with their stuff – I’m so inspired by it! In fact, I’m adding Glitz to my ‘can’t craft without’ list.

Speaking of Glitz, here’s a layout with their Maya line (hot pink + navy = dreamy. Who knew?). They are a friend of Camp Scrap, oh yes they’re doing a give-away in class, and I share a layout in class featuring another new favorite – their Kismet line.

I’ve been having so much fun here in the studio, and this week I’m working on my first in-person workshop in two years!! I took the last 2 years off from teaching in stores (instead focusing my attentions to more on-line classes) and I’m excited to get back to some in-person teaching. I have so many ideas – and I hope to see more people out & about in future.

Some information is posted about my class next month in Fremont, CA – http://www.scrapbooku.com/class_descriptions.html I’m really excited about this one. I’m going to be designing (and printing) a whole little inspiration workbook for students to take home, and we’ll practice many of the things inside it, try products, work on techniques, and scrapbook. It’s going to be FUN!!! There are only a few spots in class – so if you’re interested be sure to check it out and sign up with Scrapbook U!

Note: if you’re not local I might have some kits/workbooks available for sale. I need to work out some details and see…

There’s a new kit club in town – www.littleblackdresskitclub.com  Full of funky finds, buttons, and beautiful products I was excited when they asked me to play with May’s kit. Today I’ll share my projects…

(above) I love stitching and then popping buttons or rhinestones along the stitch lines. Something about it is just FUN to me.

(below) I have a new color of smooch ink, and I used it to edge the pink paislee artistic element I used as the base for my title.

The way I like to treat a patterned paper like this wild one is to use a craft knife and cut some of the flower bits out so that I can tuck my photos under. Just set up your photos and then trim a bit here & there. Remember you can always cut more – so take it slow. It’s fast too –

Remember that the part that will be sticking up is showing, the background will be covered up so don’t worry about perfect on that side. Just have fun and add some dimension to your page.

Another fun thing from the kit – there was some funky pink trim that I folded up around a little circle of paper to make a flower.

I also made a gift-card holder with a special mom in mind…

I stitched the cardboard to the patterned paper (to hold the card in). I think you could do any number of sizes and colors on this. My mind is already roaming for more excuses to whip up cupcake gift-card holders!

Finally I had fun cropping photos of Elizabeth (all were 4×6 cropped down to 3″ wide and 3-4″ high) and making a page about her being 5. The title was easy – just cut the number five (hand drawn) out of a book page that was included in the kit.

Fun creative time and a kit that was a pleasure to play with – what could be better?

I love it when plans start coming together. I’m getting my class for Scrapbook U in Fremont, CA (my first ‘in person’ class in 2 years!!) finalized today, and in the meantime I have some project link-age to share:

Today I woke up to find that my guest post for Teresa Collins is up! I love everything that she makes, and working with this line (a line I also work with in Camp Scrap!) was so much fun. I love it when product lines are themed but work for lots of things.

I also did a sketch + layout over the weekend for Scrapbook Update that you can find HERE.  

Finally, I forgot to mention a spring article I did – so many fun things to see and ideas to try this time of year. I love it! {link to article}

Next Monday (9th) I’ll be chatting with Sudie of UnKit – more info, time, and link to come. It’s going to be fun – and I’ve got two all new projects to share…