So Marion, Karla, and I have been secretly scheming planning some super fun stuff for you guys. Of course I can't mention it just yet but I'm so excited about all the new Artsy Addict events coming up. But there is one I get to share.
Aren't you excited??
I love blog hops and now we have one all our own.
As you can see this is a technique blog hop.
That means you need to create a project using one of your favorite techniques that you will share on your blog. What technique should you share?Anyone you like no matter how extensive or how simple.
Use the linky below to sign up for the blog hop.
It will only be open for signups until Monday, April 25, 2011 at 8 AM so get your name and your blog link in there quick.
I will compile the list and post it to the Artsy Addicts Facebook Group page on Sunday night along with a blog hop image similar to the one above that you can post to your blog for the hop.
For your blog post, all you have to do is show a picture of your project and give directions showing your technique that are easy to follow so others can replicate it. Then you will post a link on your blog of the person who is listed below you and the last (but not least) person will post a link back to the first person on the list completing our 1st Artsy Addicts Blog Hop. Yay!!!!
And since we're going to be hopping along.......I might just have a "little" greeting farm giveaway to go along with it. Feel free to do the same on your blog.
Did a quick Google search for one of my favorite bloggers this morning. I was looking for a previous post that they'd written about techie stuff, when I happened across SPOKEO.COM. Initially the search result gave me a list of links associated with my blogger but then it showed a map of the USA with all the placed marked where someone of the same name LIVED. I was a little taken aback by this so I did a quick little search of my name. Oh My Word. I did a little more digging and actually found a one search result that showed my previous address as well another one that showed my current one, a picture of my current home with the ENTIRE address listed, my home phone number listed, and my personal email address. WTH?!
I'm a pretty open person and all but I make sure that nothing about me is out there that I don't want to be out there. I Google myself at least a few times a year just to see how long it would take someone (or perhaps an disgruntled student) to find me and and my Facebook privacy settings are check regularly. There are quite a few people in the world that share my name but this information was a bit too much. So I did another quick Google search to find out how to have this information removed. I completed the removal request for both profiles and had them both deleted within 2 minutes. It was easy peasy. Here are the steps.
1. Visit Spokeo.com
2. Use the search bar at the top of the page to search for yourself. You might have to be a little diligent here but most creeps are so you should be as well to protect yourself.
3. After you find the result that lists your information go to http://www.spokeo.com/privacy and enter in the link for your profile, your email address, and the captcha.
4. Spokeo.com will send you an email with a link where you can delete the profile that you requested.
5. Click the link and the profile is deleted automatically. Done and Done.
Just wanted to give you all a heads up. Take care.
Every once and again I get in a very gracious mood. I am fortunate enough to have a few really good friends in my life. They really keep me grounded and uplifted. I've known them since college. We haven't maintained constant contact since college but they are really good people and we are never apart for too long. And when we reconnect that bond that we have is instantly rekindled and we can always pick up where we left off. I'm a very self sufficient person and rarely, if ever, ask anyone for anthing, (besides advice) but these friends of mine are the type to know what I might need when I don't even know I need it. For that I am truly grateful and in that spirit of generosity I sent out a few thank-you-for-being-my-friend cards.
Here's the first.
I put some of my new purchases to good use on this one. I used the MftStamps Notebook Edge Dienamics die to make the edge on the Simply Chartreuse cardstock from Paper Trey Ink. I also used the new Parisian Lace Die from Paper Trey Ink, along with the Labels 14 nestabilities dies. Don't you just love those letter beads? I got that idea from Sasha Holloway a few months back and they had been sitting in my stash for months. Finally broke them out for this card and another layout I did earlier this year and I think I may need to order more. I love those little beads so much. The sentiment is from a Technique Tuesday Stamps set "Everyday Words" by Ali Edwards. I just love her sentiment stamp sets.
For the background I used the Criss Cross Cover-a-Card stamp by Impression Obsession. OMG I'm so in love with these cover-a-card stamps. They are absolutely fab. They are deep etched red rubber cling mounted stamps and they measure 5.75 x 5.75 so they cover the entire front of a standard size card. They are simply amazing. And yes I have more of these on order too. (i have a problem, i know). lol.
Here's the second card:
For this card I used the Paper trey Ink Tag Sale # 4 die with Hawaiian shores cardstock and I used another Impression Obsession die on this card background as well. It's the woodgrain cover-a-card. They stamp so well and you only have to stamp them once to cover an entire card. Oh and the best part is they come with their own mount. It's called a mega mount and it is concaved so it sort of rocks across the card giving you a good impression all over the front of the card without missing spots. The stars are die cut with the Stacking Stars dienamics die by MFTStamps, as well. Oh and the sentiment is from a Technique Tuesday Stamps set "Everyday Words" by Ali Edwards as well.
I'm really enjoying mixing and matching companies and all the great results you get when your organized and you can easily pull lots of things together (because your scraproom is organized and everything has it's place instead of.......i digress). Well I'm off to do more homework.
BTW, both these pics are from my iphone and the Instagram app. Love this app.
It has been a long few weeks of graduate school, teaching, new job responsibilities, and scores of other things going on in my life lately. I took the GRE today and I think my nerves (on top of my hectic schedule got the best of me). That being said I did fairly well but I think I could have done better with more preparation so I might just take it again. At $160 a test I might not. lol. Do you know how many copic markers I could buy with $160 dollars?? Ha!!
Speaking of Copic Markers I got a super great deal on them the other day on ebay. And when I say super great I'm not exaggerating. 80 marker lot for $220. 220/80=$2.75 per marker. You can't beat that right?? And to add the cherry on the top I lost lot of 50 markers the day before in a bidding war and they sold for $202. Score on that one. As my new friend Mel says, "That's the way to lose." I must agree.
On a more crafty note, my dear friend Marion Smith started a great club of women who love to trade, swap, and scrap. If you haven't already heard about our facebook group you should definitely join. Not only to you get to swap crafty stuff every month but you get awesome kits like the February kit that I used to make this card.
Now let me just say that I'm not a victorian-vintagy-lace kinda girl, but the finding in this kit, the papers, and the awesomeness that is Marion Smith really got my creative juices going when I got my kit in the mail today. So here it is.
When I first got the kit I was in awe of all the cuteness and this card just simply came together. I'm loving the Rolled Rose Dienamics from MFTStamps. I was able to get them as soon as they were released, but I had to wait almost 6 weeks before I could get the original Rolled Rose Dienamics because it sold out so quickly. But I stalked it finally got it.
I didn't put a sentiment on this card. Let's just say I did that on purpose. He. He. But seriously as a scrap newbie I still have lots of problems with sentiment placement. Just where would you put a sentiment on this card??? And the die cut already had the word magical on it so I didn't to put anything else on the card with words that might clash with that. I like it. No sentiment needed.
Supplies:
Prima: Patterned Paper, Lace, Leaves PapertreyInk: Cardstock MyFavoriteThings: Mini Rolled Rose Dienamics Misc: Pearl straight pins
It's been a while and I've been super busy. Have you been keeping up with Winter CHA 2011? If you haven't you are surely missingout on all the fun. I've been loving the sneak peaks and debuts. What I'm loving at the moment:
And there is so much more that I could link up here. Isn't this some great stuff?? Keep up with all things Winter CHA 2011 on Facebook, Twitter, and the Blogosphere. I will be there next year, hopefully.
On the update front: I just started my second class for graduate school on January 15th, and in addition I am studying to take my GRE at the end of this month as well. (I have to take my GRE before the end of my current class) In addition to all that I have been working on things for the blog, a wedding scrapbook for friend, a baby book for another friend, and learning new scrapbook techniques. I'm thinking of taking a few classes online this year too in photography. My friends have been requesting me as a photographer recently since they all think I'm creative: Where do they get these ideas?? lol.
Giveaway Alert: My blogger friend of mine Naomi Chokr's husband, Amir, has just launched his blog and he's having a huge giveaway. Pearl earrings anyone?? Click the picture below to enter.
If you know any teachers you know this is a super busy time of year. Students have loads going on and teacher do too. This week we are release testing (practice standardized testing), running a modified schedule tomorrow, kids will be out of class various days this week due to holiday concerts, tours, and loads of other things, grades are due by the end of the week for progress reports, and I'm sure there is something else that I'm forgetting right now. In addition to all that I have 2 more week of grad school before this semester is over and I still have to fit in the GRE test before I take my next class. So to say I'm busy is defintely an understatement. Thank goodness I've been in a Christmas mood for weeks because I've been making and stocking up on holiday cards like this one.
The Deets:
My Mind's Eye Patterned Paper - Holly Jolly collection
Stampin' Up! Cardstock Cherry Cobbler, Mat Stack, and Paper Piercer
Papertrey Ink Stamp- Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers
Simple and easy card. I used Stampin' Up Textured cardstock. I love how rich this color is. Now I'm off to check my schedule to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. I'm sure I have.
Oh and aren't you loving the 12 Tags of Christmas from Tim Holtz? OMGosh, every year I look forward to two things: Kristina Werner's Holiday Card series and Tim Holtz 12 tags. I just love this time of year.
Today I'm relaxing at home cooking pecan pies, my holiday celebration food contribution, lol. Also my dad and I are in the craft room making christmas cards. Want to see what we've done???
What do you think? We're pretty creative, if I do say so myself. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Hope you all enjoy your day with friends and family. I'm off to enjoy some great food courtesy of my mom. Love her.
A few weeks ago I posted here about a project I was working on. My dear co-worker had a former student who was getting married and she had the super awesome idea of using this wedding invitation and save the date card as a commemorative gift. She gave me both the invite and save the date (I so was going o abbreviate the save the date but when I saw it came out to STD I decided against. lol.) And pretty much left it up to me. So off I went.
I did have a bit of direction because the back of the save the date card was in a kind of scrap-booking format with a cute digital layout style. So I used this as a jumping off point and went from there incorporating the colors used, and a little bit of the layout as inspiration.
Here is the layout right before it was finished. I added a few more touches to it later.
Here it is all finished and framed. I can't believe how great the frame looks. It's sort of cream colored and distressed. The purple mat looks like velvet and then it has a small green mat beneath it. My iPhone pics does not do it justice. Linnell brought it to my classroom to let me see and I so wanted it back it was so beautiful. I wish I could say this was my idea to do this but it was all Linnell. All the papers are from a Walmart brand scrapbooking paper pack from Best Occasions punch out paper pack. The hearts were punched with the Stampin' Up! Heart Trio punch, and miscellaneous pearls and ribbon from my stash.
Any other ideas for crafty wedding gifts?? Please leave me a comment below. Thanks.
I'm so glad that it's National Scrapbooking Month. What an exciting time in the creative world of papercrafts, alterable, digital crafting, and so much more. I've been crafting up a storm and having so much fun. Seems that I can't craft when I'm stressed so since my kids have been TAKS testing here in TX for the last week haven't scrapped in 7 days. It's about time to dive into some patterned paper and adhesive. It's the small things that make me happy. he he.
Today I'm spotlighting a great machine that was suggested to me via Rhonda Daniels. I'd mentioned that I was looking into purchasing the Silhouette SD, and she sent me an link to a great Youtube video showcasing the Craftwell eCraft Electronic Cutting System. (craftwellusa.com)
The first video is by Noel Hyman of Paperclipping.com from CHA 2010. She gives some great introductory information regarding creating your own images, selling your custom images online, and much more.
The next video is a demonstration using the purple version of the machine and gives a great tutorial on how to use the machine.
The last video is showcasing the the software that is used with the Craftwell eCraft.
The next video is showcasing the iPhone app that works with the eCraft machine.
Pros:
Beautiful colors
No cutting mats needed
Create and cut your own images
The ability to cut banners from rolls of paper
Sell your images through Craftwell eCraft Central
Can be used to cut edible shapes
Computer not required, but awesome software available
Draws and Cuts at the same time without changing tools
The cutting tray where you can cut multiple images without having to reload individual sheets of paper.
Professional model which can be used as a commercial production machine
Cons:
You paper must be less than 1 mm thick paper
Has not been released just yet. (I'm sure there is going to be a line to get one of these) Projected release Spring 2010
Not MAC compatible just yet.
Only the professional version of the machine will alow you to use SVG images to cut.
Differences between the Models:
The basic unit has a B&W display and will come with one SD Fun Card. The deluxe unit has a color screen and will be bundled with two SD Fun cards. We are planning a unit designed for heavier use that is ideal for craft stores, clubs and power users, It will be equipped with a heavy duty motor drive and other industrial features. All units will have the same cutting capabilities.
Price: MSRP
Basic Model: ~$259
Professional Model: ~ $399
Basic Software: ~ $69.99
Pro Software: ~ $159.99
SD Cards: ~$39
Seems to me this machine can do everything that the Silhouette & Cricut machines can do. But will it create enough of a buzz to compete with such well respected companies?? I'd be really interested in testing this machine out to see if it lives up to all that I think it can do.
Tell me what you think? Would you like one??
In addition to all that I'm also highligting a video posted by Jennifer McGuire (one of my favorite crafty ladies) that she posted on her youtube account last week.. In this vid she shows us her favorite crafting tools.
Some of my favs are the We Are Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, my ATG guns (yes I have both sizes), and dimensional adhesive.
It's panning out to be a very long week for me. My students are TAKS testing again this week and that means restless children who are stressed about testing.
Today I have a card that qualifies for 2 sketches, CPS 164 and 2Sketches4U. Love that.
I haven't done much crafting this week so I'm spotlighting a good crafty friend of mine, Kathryn Krieger from the ScrapBeach. I met Kathryn when I was designing mini albums with a kit club hosted by Marion Smith. I had the best time participating in that kit club and met some great girls.
Here is part one of a great mini album Kathryn is working on. I love watching these videos because she offers some great crafting tips and products. Enjoy.
