Homegrown Hospitality

Already Thursday??

Here I am...so sorry for those who check my blog each day just to realize that I have been away for a day or two..it is because I have been kitting...and playing...and creating...and oh my gosh, If I could share this DANG CUTE CHRISTMAS TREE (from the other day's post) I would, but I can't because I want to save it for closer to..you know, Christmas...well, at least September...

can I just say that "IT IS GOING TO BE THE MOST FUN, BEST CLASS EVERRRRRRR!" (trying  to figure out the "logistics" (that sounds soooo, "smart like"!)

did I mention how stinkin cute it is?

it is.

so, anyways....who is up for some old school scrapbooking? (that thing I "used" to do) If you didn't get a chance to read my"Heart Of The Matter" blog post yesterday at the Teresa Collins Designs Blog..go on over and read it AFTER you finish this.

gosh I wish you could see this tree...it is really cute.

just sayin.

Oh, and just wanted to share this little random project that I created for the Scrapbook.com website based on DISNEY...and well, you kinda know us...we are not much of a DISNEY family although we did go in December (18 of us!) and had the "funnest" WONDERFUL day ( I know, funnest" is not a word, but it should be)

I created a cute little album using "Welcome Home" and the  "Mr. & Mrs." lines and I have to say, it came out pretty nice...

here is a peek, and you can go here to see the rest...

 
and OH MY GOSH......speaking of "scrapbooking" and Disney, here is a look at the page from the book that I am teaching at"Once Upon a Memory" in Huntington Beach next Saturday (and there is a few spots left..just for you!)....

what a co-inky-dink!!!

Have a great CREATIVE day!

Would You...

CHOKE if I told you I was working on CHRISTMAS stuff right now?

well, then swallow your coffee, put down your Big Gulp and then let me say it...

 
I am working on Christmas stuff right now (and you may be wondering, "who the heck has a CHRISTMAS tree" just sitting around just, you know, waiting to be played with"?)

um...that would be me.

and do you want to know what?

I emailed Teresa to ask Ty if there was such thing as "Creative Adrenaline" because I am positive CREATIVE CHRISTMAS ADRENALINE (CCA) is running through my veins RIGHT NOW (even though it is windy and almost 75 degrees at 8:57am) Hey, it is NEVER too early to be prepared...for the holidays...and for earthquakes...which we had this morning at 4:04am.

did I feel it? no, and I thank GOD for that because he, GOD, knew that had I felt it, I would have been TOTALLY FREAKED out and unable to focus on CHRISTMAS...

I just LOVE the way HE, GOD, works....

and just because I remind you of things you usually already know..just that you forget to remember...

there are 283 days till Christmas..just sayin.

Happy Monday.....

I do not want to brag, but it is supposed to be a little over 80 degrees today (insert big happy smile). The weather has been so cruddy here the past few months so I am beyond thrilled to know that the sun will be shining soon and I must FORCE myself to slather in SPF 10,000 to prevent things like this (sorry, but it is a reminder to all of us!)

Here is a little recap of what is going on here...I had the pleasure of meeting "Franklind Roosevelt" (NOT Franklin D Roosevelt) on Friday morning prior to his fifth grade presidential report (which I was banned from coming to, hello!)

and this morning I have to wake up "Olympic Gold Medal Winner Shaun White" for a 2 period Spanish Class Presentation...(we made a wig out of orange yarn yesterday, and it it s really good thing that there are goggles and a beanie involved or people might get him mixed up with Raggedy Ann (and Jack would DIE if he even know I thought that, let alone type it!!!)

Saturday I taught a "Double-Whammy" class at Oh, Scrap! and I must say a BIG  

THANK YOU to all of my creative friends for a great class and a BIG thank you to all that came from near and far (Oregon!) to "allow" me to creatively enable you! (does that make sense?) We had a great day full of paper, laughs, karaoke (that is when I got REALLY tired around 2pm) as well as a little of this, that & the other!  I will be back to Oh, Scrap! in May with BRAND NEW TERESA COLLINS PRODUCT (hint hint)

I am headed to"Once Upon A Memory" in two weeks to teach this class....Please call the store to sign up as space is limited.  The sample project will be in the store later today! (PLEASE NOTE: we will not be making roses in this class)  they will be provided for you by the Creative Enabler (that would be me).

If you would like to learn the rose technique, you canread this post to find out where to get the "Technique Worksheet"

Today I am kitting classes for my upcoming "Spring Break 2010" trip to Arizona...

I will be teaching on Friday night, April 9th in Chandler at the Paper Vineyard teaching this class and it looks like there are only FIVE spots left.  Please click on the link above for store info..

and then the next day, Saturday, April 10th, I will be in Tucson AZ atMaking Memories Unforgettable for TWO classes (details on their site will post very soon)

okay..off I go to start the laundry...

Happy Creating!

The Queen of "Scraps-a-lot"

Hello Friday...the last time we met, I think it was, um............. Tuesday???

Where did the week go?  As I mentioned in my "skype" filled jumbled mess of a newsletter (sorry!) I believe that time wears wings and it is just flying by!

so, I owe you a winner for the shead-teau clean up and clear out pack..and that winner is

DEB

Please email me at homegrown1@att.net and thank you all for the great comments about favorites! Coincidently, as it was mentioned in Deb's comment,  I too was a HUGE Gilmore Girls fan and love "Loralie" in Parenthood!

Okay, so today is Friday which is the day I post at the Teresa Collins Blog and today is about scraps...Three Cheers for Scraps...I tell you, I can McGuyver just about anything creative with my scraps so you need to go over and check out my cute little PINK (!?!) project...but first, here are some cute cards that I created using "pre-printed" $1.00 cards from the dollar bin at Micheal's.

First off, paying ONE DOLLAR for eight cards with envelopes is just plain great and really who cares what color or picture is on them (mine say "sly fox") because here is just a little of what you could do:

start with these

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

cover them with scraps like these

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

then add coordinating scraps to create cards like these

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and use your scraps to create roses like these

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 these things, little strips and lots of scraps, that make me plain happy!

It is the little things....it really is.

Have a GREAT weekend~ 

p.s. now go on over the theTeresa Collins Blogto see what else I created from my scraps!

Favorite Things for a Tuesday

Good Tuesday Morning!

Today I thought I would post a new doodle because I sure have not even picked up a marker in a LONG TIME, but, I still have not even picked up a marker so there is no new doodle.  (you can find my FAVORITES over there on the lefthandside.

Instead, I continued on & completed my example layout that I wrote about yesterday.  I have come to the conclusion that I either need to re-wire/re-bind my FAVORITEbook to accommodate my new pages OR..just start another book.

I know that I have already mentioned this, but want to say it again that working with a different "format" sized layout besides the traditional 12x12/8x8 etc. sure is refreshing and changes, no TAKES AWAY the self-inflicted pressure of creating a layout....

just sayin.

so, anyways, here is the pile I need to get into my book   that I have created since Jan 1. and although it sure is not alot, I am pretty sure that it is MORE than I did all last year! (I am talkin about layouts)

an, "ut Um"...in case you are thinking that you want to try this size layout...IU happen to have TWO classes coming up THIS SATURDAY at Oh, Scrap...and well, if you can not join me on Saturday...you are in luck because I have another class based on this format at "Once Upon a Memory" on Saturday, March 27.....or, hey, since I seem to be on a self-promo roll, all three classes are different...so you know, you could take all three?!?

okay...re-focus
All of this creating with my FAVORITE lines of paper has compelled you to ask me what my FAVORITE Teresa Collins Line is..and well...

seriously, and I am NOT just saying it just because she is one of my friend, but you know when you find a pair of jeans that just fit so well, that it does not matter how much they are, what color they come in or how many pairs you have???

it is the same with me and myFAVORITE product lines.  It just works, and seriously people...I am not just sayin that..I promise, although, I must "boast" a little that this girl is a fantastic dreamer, has a heart of gold, is an amazing artist and designer and a blessing to everyone that meets her....

I do not have just one FAVORITE product though..and to top that off...my new favotites...are not even out yet!!!!  yes, what that means is that the best is yet to come...from Teresa...soon (and in the summer when we all head to Chicago)  but how are you going to know what my new FAVORITES are?

well, you could start of by adding these two sites to your FAVORITES list:

www.teresacollinsdesigns.com

www.teresacollinsblog.typepad.com

so that when it is time for another release, well then, you will know! and since I am on a roll with FAVORITES...TWO years ago I got a new hat that I ran 1 million miles in (well, not quite a million) and wore to the beach a thousand times....you remember...from the "Lost Highway" Tour and I wore the heck out of it...

and then two weeks ago, on "The Circle Tour", I almost choked before the dang concert even started because not only were the new hats not as cute...

I think that they were, um, $40.00...so...no hat..BUT...one of my other FAVORITEfriends did a little "searchey-werchey" and I now have a new one of these....

yippppppeeee....

okay, and one last FAVORITEthing, that coincidently I made while wearing my new hat on a really cold and rainy last saturday....using my very FAVORITE Teresa Collins paper...

and just in case you want to know how to make these lovelies...go here

so..what are your favorites....favorite anything...favorite drink (like Diet Coke), favorite paper(Teresa Collins), favorite TV show (the new Parenthood is REALLY good!) favorite food (Fuji apples from Costco or ICE, yes, ice, from Sonic)

I want to know because I sure have not given anything away in a while and I just cleaned up and cleared out the Shead-Teau...and you know what that means...

so let me know!

and hey...sorry for the typos...I have to go!!!!!

Have a great day!

"When your heart smiles & your mind wonders..." *EDIT*

Are you taking one of my upcoming classes...and/or are you overwhelmed with the amount of photos that you have that you just simply do not know where to start...so you don't? (gasp!)

here is my take, what I do and alot of the new way I am teaching.  I used to tell everyone to not worry about where to start, just do it, start NOW and do not worry about the past 20+ years of photos (You can work on those in your retirement years)

so where do you start???

Start when your heart smiles and your mind wonders....

huh?

You know when you come across an old photo, or a new photo...and you just stop and think...and smile...and reminisce?

THAT IS WHERE YOU START.

for instance, our neighbors gave me a picture on Friday night that was taken on Halloween night.

I have a TON of random memories about this photo that I am going to create a layout about and I will share it with you later today (probably tomorrow) but these are the exact photos that I create my layouts and projects around. **EDIT..Here is what I did just after I posted...and it really took NO time..I used what I had in front of me (and it helps that just about EVERY collection from TC whether it be current or past...go together! 

anyways....

I no longer worry about chronological order (isn't that why the photos are date stamped?).

I no longer worry about scrapping every photo form a specific event because I can add to them later (isn't that what page protectors are for?)

and I no longer stress about being way behind, because besides my wacky wonderful friend Christy & her friend Joy being caught up (what?), it just is always going to be a work in progress....

get it?

go try it.

sit with some photos, look at them, see what memories just pop into your mind and note those thoughts.

Those are the photos I want YOU to bring to class (because you are coming to a class....right?)  Alright, okay, off to work on the layout example...

just a few more things...

Yesterday at church, I swear I was in the third row of a concert because man oh man, it was amazing!!!!!!! If you were there or watched it live on-line you know what I am talking about...AMAZING...James Ingram sang the roof off...four words...

YA

MOH

Be

There

also....I would LOVE for you to join us at our Tailgate Easter party in theAngel StadiumParking lot on Easter....just sayin....

we could hide easter eggs...

The Jonas Bros. are singing....(not at the tailgate party!, I asked but they have to "warm up" whatever!)

okay...

last thing...

promise

Today there is new inspiration at theTC blogfrom Camille "Brave Girl" McClellend" go check it out...and leave a comment...you just never know when someone might win a little something "just because".

Have a wonderful day!

A Creative Enabler Part Two

So sorry for the delay on the "to be continued'..." but I was getting my work done, crossing off lists, placing orders, staying up tooo late and getting even earlier...all in the name of Creating!

Today I posted my favorite sized layout, a fold out  6" x 12", using several bits and pieces from the new TC lines, Bebe Boy, Welcome Home and Mr. & Mrs. and the layout had nothing to do with "bebe's" home or weddings....here is a peek, but you need to really go check it all out here

so, back to my thoughts, and you NEED to read this before I show you my next two classes which are NEXT WEEK:

"I am a very equal opportunity kinda girl.. I just want to make people happy, provide options, promote creativity and teach to promote and to create an income. With that said, you will notice that I am teaching several local stores. What I REALLY want you to notice is that I do not teach the same project twice.  I will use the same products, but use them in different ways.  I will not teach the same class twice. It is not fair to the store and it is not fair to you.  What it does do is create options and enables you to get out and visit (and shop, duh!) in our local stores and that my friends, is a good thing!"

okay, that is the end of my PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT...(just be sure to subscribe to my newsletter so that you are notified of classes) like this "double whammy" class next saturday at Oh, Scrap.

First class is "Oh, Bebe" but no need to have a "bebe" to create this book.  It is a book jammed packed with PINK,   splashes of turquoise, a little brown and some black here and there and of course, roses!

For this class, we are going to spend most of the time working on the cover and embellishing a little more than 1/2 of the pages. Here is where the Creative Enabler" comes in.

When you arrive to class, your book will be "Semi-Handmade" which simply means that I have done 1/2 the work for you by "prepping" the book for you so that you can spend more time creating and less time worried about feeling behind because of folding, trimming and binding"

Like all of my classes, my number one goal is to send you away at the end of class with a COMPLETED" project but this does not mean that it is going to be full of pictures and journaling when you leave...unless you want it to.

My classes are 3 hours long so that we can spend the first two hours playing with paper and creating embellishments and the last hour is for YOU to add your own touches.

Do you have to bring photos??? no, unless you want to and in that case, just bring lots.  Do not spend a bunch of time trying to figure out what you should bring.

These books are going to be created with NO CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER and WITHOUT A SPECIFIC THEME..  What I want you to do is just add in many of your favorite pictures REGARDLESS of the date or the theme.

It is all about the moments and the memories and this is becoming one of the primary concepts of my teaching and the way I will hold my classes.  Of course we want to wallow in the love for paper and creating and will definitely enjoy the process, but at the same time, my wish for you is to get those photos, moments and memories IN A BOOK.

The second class is based on the same concept but in a totally different color scheme and more about family, love, friends and living a beautiful life...sounds good, and it is a beautiful book, if I do not say so myself!

Both books are in the store now so you can go by and check them out, but you will not be disappointed...and of course, like every class I teach, I bring homemade treats for everyone as well as LOTS of extra pieces and parts for you to use on your books!

I am a creative enabler (and LOVE it) and spend many hours creating extra things to add to your books but I do not want to spoil it (clue on the photo above) so I guess this is where I stop and suggest that you call the store to sign up!

I hope to see you next Saturday!

Have a great weekend!!!!

A Creative Juggler/Enabler Part ONE

first things first...

I LOVE TO MAKE THINGS (duh!)

I LOVE TO CAPTURE MOMENTS WITH A CAMERA AND WITH MY MIND

I LOVE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BECOME MY FRIENDS BECAUSE OF OUR LOVE FOR PAPER.

I LOVE TO MAKE THINGS (i know I already said that, but I do)

I LOVE CRUNCHY SONIC "DONUT STORE" ICE (i just wanted to see if you were still reading)

Something has happened in the past 6 months in my teaching.  I have reallystarted to LOVE it, embrace it, enjoy it, plan for it, organize for it and stay up really late working on it.  Please do not misunderstand me and think that I did not love to teach prior to now, but something has changed which now means I can officially add this to my list: 

I LOVE TO TEACH.

When I develop & create a project which turns into a class, my number one goal is for YOU to walk away from where ever we are with a COMPLETE project....BUT because SCRAP BOOKING is a "Progressive" process, that sorta kills my goal, kinda, (but not really)

okay, I am going to stop here because I have GOT to finish store samples for these stores:

Oh, Scrap - "Live a Beautiful Life" class

Scrapbook Oasis - Reflections "Ala Carte" class

Once Upon a Memory - "Dream Believe Love" class

Timeless Treasures - "family HOME friends" class

Pages from the Heart - Home Sweet Home" Box of Roses class

Paper Vineyard, AZ - "Home Sweet Home" class

Making Memories Unforgettable, AZ - "Live a Beautiful Live "

and I PROMISE that I will get you all of the details for these class as soon as I finish...but I can not finish until I go...so here I go.

bye.

Middle of the Week "RAD"-ness

time for a little blog catch up....and mustard (you know I had to say that!)

okay, first, go check out how "RAD" yes, I said "RAD" the projects are today over on the Teresa Collins Blog are. 

Now, remember, I am NOT a fan of PINK (the color, not the singer) but seriously....I feel a change coming on and it has nothing to do with my mid-life age.

I might really start loving, (did I say "LOVING") pink, but only Teresa's pink...sorry everyone else...and only paper and stuff, not clothes, although, I do have some fav. jammie pants that are pink...

oh, forget it..

You know what I mean...

 anyways, more than anything..I LOVE these combinations of colors and am giddy (as well as slammed busy) with designing projects for several classes....  

and a BIG thank  you to all of the giddy, crazy, excited ladies that signed up for my Inspired Classes in North Carolina...I am so excited as well as flattered that the class was so well received...

or is it the fact that I am bring chocolate chip cookies.....one has to wonder!

 and one last thing....I totally DORKED OUT last night because for the first time, in probably, oh I don't know TWENTY YEARS or so...

I drove a "stick Shift" and took "her" (because this car is always refereed to as a "her"?) for a spin to Subway and back..OH MY GOSH....I was sooooooo wiggly! My knees were shaking, I was totally shaking but doing fine until Valentine decided that because I was driving so well that he thought he would turn on some AC/DC REALLY LOUD and I shifted from one gear to the wrong gear (cracking up as I type this!)

okay..gotta go.

have a "RAD" day...

Hello March~Hello Inspired.

March 1st means that the Mini Workshop Classes for Donna Downey's Inspired 2010 are up and ready to be filled...you know, just like stockings!

Here is a reminder of what my class is going to be:

   

and here is a little description of what the class is all about:

Sometimes it is hard for us to create something just about ourselves but is a vital part of the creative process.  I have designed a class that will allow you to dig a little deeper into the INSPIRED YOU while making it fun, inspiring and creative.

In one hour, we will create a 12+ page 5 x 7 bound journal JUST FOR YOU.  It will overflow with a place for photos , journaling and inspiration spots all about  THE INSPIRED YOU….what INSPIRES you, what  your PASSIONS are, what your DESIRES, what makes you happy (& little “happy quotes” for the moments when you are not) and a special place to add information to stay connected to all of your  “Inspired” friends.

We will get our hands “creatively marked” (dirty!) because I will teach you how to create amazing paper roses as well as  “handmade & homegrown” embellishments with felt & canvas. 

I look forward to seeing you in class so that we can share with each other, our dreams, thoughts, inspirations and of course, chocolate chip cookies!

 

and while you are busy looking at all of the great classes, do not forget to check out myBFF Deena's class, too...

 
I hope to see you in class...

Happy Monday..Happy March!