5 things I learned today in class.

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I just sat down and caught myself up on days 2&3 of the Tim Holtz online class. I highly recommend it. Here are 5 personal observations and lessons learned tonight.

– I just won’t ever love the way loads of alcohol ink colors look together on any project I make.

– I’m glad I get to visit an awesome store this weekend. I need some new colors of archival and some of this stamping paper.

– I want to play more with watercolor effects

– I don’t need to try all his ideas. Watching and learning is great, as is another perspective.

– making a small tag ring for the things I do try is fun and quick. Also the creative outlet without too much thinking (just mimicking his techniques) is a great warm up to an evening of craftiness.

Layout | In the Sea

This is the first layout I created upon returning from Hawaii. Created the morning after our return actually – and for the always amazing Mr. Tim Holtz (for display at CHA). Today I wanted to share it because it is a perfect example of how I let my photos + story lead the way.

With so much to say about the AMAZING experience that was learning + snorkeling with the Ocean Project in Maui and swimming along side Sea Turtles, these word stickers were perfect to help tell some of my story. The photos sent to us from the experience were very small files, not suitable to print large at all as I normally do. Rather than have super grainy, virtually unrecognizable pixelated photos I just printed off in a strip as seen above.

I wanted lots of journaling space, that I knew. I also wanted some kind of a circle tying it all together and swirling around. I went with it. Added more layers as needed. At the end (you can see it above) I sprinkled UTEE in platinum on my project and heated from underneath to get metallic sparkly little dots.

One of the cornerstone elements of my personal style is that I let my key inspirational element (story, photos, etc) be my guide. This means that sometimes a page will have more product, other times less technique. While that might at first glance not seem consistent, it actually is very much so. Because I let the ideas flow from a place that is real, true, pure. I do my best to keep it that way and not think about what someone else would do, or all the possible ways I could be doing something. I just roll with what feels right.

Sometimes I think that one of the reasons I’m considered a “fast” crafter is just this. When I’m making something I fully focus on it, I’m thinking about my story that I’m telling through words and photos – but also paper and embellishments. I make sure I like what I’m doing and while it doesn’t always turned out as I had hoped, I have a real good time. ALWAYS. There is a reason I’m always saying “Happy Crafting!” I really mean it. I live by it.

I will be sharing the rest of my projects that I created for Tim (for CHA) over the next month or so as well. This one, as the first one I made and a very special one for me as well, just needed to be first. One note before I go – the first 4 items listed in my supplies used below are the new products, and they will be out soon. The links I’ve provided go to Simon Says Stamp – where you can pre-order them. I *LOVE* that I can pre-order so many things from them.

Supplies Used:


two Tim notes of extraordinary interest:

hearts + pink.

I believe in Valentine’s Day as a chance to share love in general. Friends, grandparents, children… I don’t believe in hyping up forced romance. That’s not real to me.

But love in general is always something I’m down to celebrate.

Today I want to share some favorite craft products that feature pink + hearts. Because I won’t lie – I love that Valentine’s Day features pink.

Basic Grey Kissing Booth.  this line makes me so happy. All that beautiful pink + chocolate-y brown. LOVE. The stitched heart paper is my favorite. 

Hero Arts 4 Hearts stamps – they’re a great size + shape, and I find myself using them more often than any other heart stamps. I do love my Hero Arts stamps.  

Tim Holtz heart (mini) dies – I use (and adore) these little hearts almost every week. They’re the perfect size + shape for most all my projects. I’m SO glad to have them! They’ll cut through all kinds of materials too- love that. 

Doodlebug Twine – really anything Doodlebug is cute, but all their “cupcake” and “Bubblegum” colored (pink) supplies are my very favorites. I love their pink! This card of twine has quickly become a go-to for me this month.

Distress Stickles in Spun Sugar – I love worn lipstick, but Spun Sugar is my go-to soft pink distress stickles color. Love!

 Dear Lizzy Neapolitan trims

What are your favorite love (or red or pink) products? Do you like a bit of glitter with your love pages? Like some metallic added in? Or are you all over the map with how you scrapbook loved ones?

I’m off to my Big Picture class to issue a love-related challenge now – I challenge you as well – do some love-related craftiness and share!

 


All of these products + many more love, heart, and pink craft supplies can be found at simonsaysstamp.com

TGIF [technique video]

Halloween is nearly here y’all!!! LOVE IT!

I happen to be sitting here, working out how best to use a technique that I’ve known about but haven’t before today tried. At the same time, I had no clue what to blog about today so I’ve documented what I’ve come up with so far… and added in some major nerdiness. Consider yourself warned:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIu24RASn-g]

supplies used: