A Layout and another update.

Hi all. 

I'm trying to redesign my blog again and it's not going so well. I was using a custom theme builder theme and just changed it to a stock theme from typepad and my blog is not updating. Ugh. On top of that I designed a simple blog header in photoshop and tried to upload it to the blog and it's not working. I also tried the CSS option found here and it didn't work either. 

Needless to say I've put that off until another day when I don't have a million and one things going on. 

I'm working on a wedding layout for a dear friend. One of her former students is getting married and she wanted a commemorative layout made up using their wedding invitation and save-the-date card. What a great idea right??? Here's a little sneak peek. I don't want to post it just yet incase the bride or groom happens by my blog. 

 

(Please excuse the photo quality. I took this photo with my iPhone.....)

I've never really been much of a traditional scrapbooker. Being a single girl I always thought it weird to have an entire scrapbook filled with layouts all about me. But this was so much fun that I might just have to get over my reservations and just do it. Maybe scrapbook for other people? I wonder if people even do that. If you do let me know. 

In addition to all that I'm currently frequenting this particular website for reasons I can't reveal just yet. Lets just say I really love Michael Jackson and will be paying tribute to him through dance. So much fun though. You will see what happens with this soon. 

I did help a friend out with her moving garage sale over the weekend and oh my goodness it was so much fun. You can't beat great friends, helping hands, and weird garage sale junkies. Hilarious. Plus I scored a few goodies from my friend Jess. 

I got a desk chair, a Dell LCD monitor, a Canon EOS RebelG 35 mm camera, 2 XL barstools (not shown), a couple a REAL SIMPLE magazines (that I absolutely love), and loads of books, all for only $60 bucks. I offered more but she turned me down. I just love that Jess.  

Sweet hugs, 

Angee

Wedding Invites, Summer Plans, & Dove Evolution Vid

Hello All, 

 

I know I've been away all week. I'm working on wedding invites for a dear friend of mine, another is moving this week, I reconnected with another, and neglected another, so I'm going to be pretty busy with all that for the next 3 weeks. Did I mention it's the end of the school year time and I have to get my classroom packed up??? Um yes, I'm super busy right now. 

Coming up: 

May 20 - Drake Concert

May 30 - Couples Shower for Ilene

June 4th - Last Day of School

June 6th - Copic Certification Class ....Yippee. 

June 1-July 1 - Summer School (taking 2 classes)

July 9th-12th - Wedding Cruise (my very first cruise ever)

I'm also looking into taking a few online photography classes and adobe illustrator classes from JessicaSprague.com. I just picked up a Canon EOS Rebel G 35 MM camera at a garage sale for $25 so I'm looking forward to seeing how the cruise pics come out. 

Next on my wishlist is:

Canon 50D (A girl can hope can't she....?)

I'm going to try to make the most of my summer this year and take a little time to relax, and craft. Thank goodness I have a place to post all this in hopes of not forgetting to show up somewhere. I've done it before.

I know you've probably seen this video a million times but something about it makes me feel the real beauty within me. 

Sweet Hugs!! Hope you all have a great week. 

Angee

A Mother's Love

Happy Mother's Day

A mother's love is unconditional, more than you can ever want or need, always present, and never wavering. I learn that everyday as I interact with my students and become a loving mother to them. Most of them don't want it but need it, or don't need it but want it. I'm just glad that I'm blessed to have a wonderful mother and that I'm able to demonstrate the love she's given me over the last 27 years to 180 students this year. It's truly been life changing for me. 

In honor of all the great Mother's out there, either by choice, profession, or ministry I say kudos for all you do, and the lengths to which you do it everyday, each year.

Here are just a few more cards that I've made of the last few days. I've been giving them away to my students to take home to mom. It's a joy to see kids this age (12-16) actually care enough to ask me to make their mother's cards for Mother's Day.

 

{Supplies}

Patterned Paper: SEI - Bridgeport Collection

Stampin' Up: Classic ink in Taken with Teal, Basic Black

Sentiment: PTI - Signature Greetings

Punches: WRMK Corner Chomper, Fiskars Upper Crest Border Punch

Misc: Stampendous Silver Detail embossing powder

 

 I've had the most wonderful women in my life. Whether I was born to them, adopted by them, or mentored by them they have truly kept me in line in times when I wanted to stray, and I know that I am so much better for it. I love you ladies dearly. 

My Grandmother - Georgia Lee Holmes

My Mother - Linda D. Butler

My God-Mother - Margaret Walker

My Cousin - Linda Jones

My Cousin - Chantell Davis

My Cousin - Kimmie Holmes

My Friend - Milicent Lewis Lenton

My Former Boss - Yvette Mitchell

There are so many other ladies I can name here. I am truly blessed. 

Sweet Hugs, 

Ange

Mother's Day Cards: I Love you so much

Hi All, 

It's been a terribly long week and I'm so glad it's the weekend. I've been making oodles of Mother's Day cards for students this week so I've been in a crafting and teaching marathon. So much fun and so exhausting as well. 

I have another card for you today. 

{Supplies}

Patterned Paper: SEI - Bridgeport Collection

Stampin' Up: Classic ink in Taken with Teal

Sentiment: PTI - Signature Greetings

Punches: WRMK Corner Chomper, Stampin' Up! Scallop Border Punch 

    This card was for one of my students. He actually wanted three cards from me for this holiday, one for mom, grandmom, and his aunt. How sweet is that??

Here's a little music for you. Love these two. Lisa Lavie & David Sides

Sweet hugs, 

Angeee

Mother's Day Cards: Mom's the best

Hi All, 

Thank goodness TAKS testing is over. It was a terribly long week last week. I even had training all day on saturday, so I've been and still am pretty exhausted. However, I have had time to craft this week and I've been doing lots of it. I have oodles of orders for Mother's Day Cards and I've been busy busy busy since monday cranking them out and boy has it been fun. Please give me some feedback. 

Also I'm donating lots of scrap paper to a few of my favorite crafters in the next few day. If you know of any charities/organizations that I can donate to please leave me a comment or send me an email at angeebutler {at} me {dot} com. 

The first card I'm posting this week is for one of my students. He is so kind, and thoughtful. He asked me for 3 cards for his mother, his grandmother, and his aunt. I sure hope they like them. 

 

{Supplies}

Patterned Paper: SEI - Bridgeport Collection

Stampin' Up: Classic ink in Taken with Teal

Sentiment: PTI - Signature Greetings

Punches: WRMK Corner Chomper

Tool Spotlight: Craftwell eCraft

Hi all.     

    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. 

 What are your favorite craft tools?

Sweet Hugs, 

Angee

Stampin' Up! 2010 Summer Mini

Hi All, 

Here's a quick video showing some of the newest products from the Stampin' Up! 2010 Summer Mini. I've my eye on quite a few things. What's on your wish list??

Click Here to visit my website to order. I'm ordering more (for me....he he) in about 2 weeks. 

Here is the new Summer Mini Catalog.

Summer Mini US Final Small

 Click the photo to download the PDF version. 

Supply List

 

Ta Ta for now. 

Angee

Happy NSD (National Scrapbook Day) everyone. I had to work this morning so I'm celebrating by blog hopping today. I'm sure we all are. Let mw know what I should look at today. Also the new Stampin Up! Summer Mini just came out. What do you have your eye on?

ScrapSugar: Mobile Blog

Hey everyone.

    I'm still TAKS testing at work today so I don't have a new card for you today, but I do have a cool little something to share with you. Hopefully this is working now. 

    As I was internet surfing last night I came across Widgetbox. Cool little site whereby you can create widgets for all types of things. One of the things that I found was a way to create a mobile site. 

    A mobile site is just a website that is designed to be more readable via a mobile device, i.e., cell phone (my prefered is an iPhone). And just my luck Widgetbox has a widget just for creating a mobile website. The best part about the Widgetbox mobile site is that I can link my Blog, Facebook Page, Twitter, Youtube accounts all on this one mobile webpage. 

So you can click the Mobile Blog link from your mobile phone to be redirected right to my mobile site. How cool is that??

Let me know what you think and if you decided to create your own mobile site leave me a comment with the link. 

Sweet Hugs, 

Angee

Challenges, Mini Albums, & more.

Hey everyone, 

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. 

 

CPS 164 Sketch

 

2Sketches4U #54 

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. 

Sweet Hugs, 

Angee

Distress Ink Foam Storage Idea

Are you a grungy girl? Do you love Tim Holtz distress Inks? Have all those foam applicators stored in little baggies? Want a great storage solution? If you answered yes to any/all of those questions then take a quick look at this video by Patti Behan

Is that the cutest idea? And guess what? Stampin' Up! has a matchbox die (114890) so you can make the boxes out of your favorite patterned paper. I would also cut some acetate to put inside the box so that the box won't soak up the left over ink and get mushy inside. 

I thought this was a great idea.

Sweet hugs, 

Angee

Where to find Scrap Sugar online? Video

I've seen these vids quite often on youtube and oh how cute they are.....Sooooo I decided to make one of my own. 

Hope you like. 

Sweet Hugs, 

Angee

Blog Gazing: Scrap Room Pt. 2

One of my all time favorite things to do is watch videos of scrap rooms. And I can't believe I forgot to add this tour to my previous post. 

This is my all time favorite scrapper, Kristina Werner. She is the reason I am a crafter today so here is her scraproom tour. 

Love the height of her work surfaces. I've been having the hardest time finding a desk chair for my craft table because it actually a counter height dining table that I found at big lots for $40. :-D

 Here is a messy pic of my work space. 

As you can see it's pretty messy right now as I've been crafting all weekend as usual. 

Ta ta for now. 

Angee 

Blog Design

Hey All, 

If you visited the blog anytime over the weekend then you may have seen a few changes. And if you're reading this now you may have noticed that those said changes are gone. Well I can be a bit indecisive and I'm not quite satisfied with the options that I have in the typepad designs. Any suggestions on customizing the main column size without compromising the rest of the blog design. I like most of the 3 column templates however I'd like the center column to be slightly larger than the ones offered by type. I've tried custom CSS (on my own....total DIY right??) and it just isn't working for me. I've also been to the typepad community and nothings working for me. Right now I have it set to fluid cells and I'm not liking that. 

Know of any custom typepad blog designers?? + affordable?? Let me know. 

PS. Thanks for stopping by. It's totally amazing that people are actually interested in hearing all of this. Thanks again. Love. 

Sweet Hugs, 

Angee

New Computer + Dailybooth

Hey everyone, 

I'm back and in full effect. <--I just love that statement. he he. Seriously my computer arrived and I feel like someone just pressed resume. It was a struggle not having a computer for the last 4 days but I think I did ok. It was a complete eye opener as to how much I use my computer and how much it has become apart of my everyday life.

I am officially a MAC and it's been a pretty easy transition. I've been a PC all my life so there are some things that take a little getting used to. 

1. The backspace button: It took me all of 2 seconds to figure out there wan't one. Not a biggie though. 

2. The customization: They seriously allow you to choose the position of the scroll bar arrows. How awesome is that??

3. Icons, Icons, Where for art thou Icons: When I first powered on my new iMac that was the one thing I looked for. Um where are my programs? Thank goodness for the MAC video tutorials. They've been my "Must See TV" for the last few days. 

4. Printing is a breeze: Seriously, all I had to do was plug my printer in, find a document to print (that took a little maneuvering to figure out where a document might be) and then press print. Can you believe the computer installed the printer all by itself with no discs at all. Awesome. 

5. Ease of use: I love the fact that it does what I tell it to do when I tell it to do it. Who knew life could be this good?? Apparently, many of you and I'm just finding all this out. Story of my life!

    Other than that I had my first skype conversation today and it was awesome. I was even able to accomplish screen shots to show my aunt pics of my little brother going to prom. Man, I've been missing out on alot with my "noncamerahaving-bluescreenofdeath threatening-respondwhenitwantsto-PC". I have arrived!!

And thanks to my new iSight camera I can now post pics to my DailyBooth account. For example: 

 

    Here's a quick card that I made today following Kristina Werner's 5 Items on My Desk Challenge.

My 5 items were random PP by Making Memories from the BigKidsBoy Collection, and Whimsy Collection, Polka Dot Basics II stamp set from PapertreyInk, Misc Card base from Michaels, Ink from Stampin Up! in Real Red, Chocolate Chip, & Sage Shadow, + Stampin Write Markers in Soft Suede & Dusty Durango. 

*I counted the ink as one item because I keep all my Stampin Up inks on my desk all the time, and I counted the markers as one item because they came in a pack. 

Here's a quick view of my workdesk - Please excuse the mess. I've been getting crafty all day. he he, 

Lots of Stuff, I know. 

Oh yes, one more thing. I'm having issues with my Adobe Photoshop Elements. For some reason it wont work on my new imac. :-( Any suggestions? Whenever I try to open a photo it crashes. I got the software in a bundle when I got my new printer. Is there a special one that I need to have now because I'm on a Mac??

Sweet Hugs, 

Angee  

Adobe Photoshop CS5: Previews

Hi all.

Today I'm showcasing one of my favorite {and most imtimidating} programs, Adobe Photoshop CS5. I had the previous version of CS4 {just the trial though} and loved it. It took me quite some time to get comfortable with it. I spent many hours watching tutorials on Youtube<---I probably watch Youtube more than I watch television.

In a twist of fate, I actually got a copy of Photoshop Elements 6.0 when I purchased my new wide format photoprinter earlier this year. How lucky is that?? I thoroughly enjoy working with it as well, however I'm really looking forward to the new products Adobe is rolling out, i.e., Adobe Photoshop CS5, Lightroom, and Illustrator. I've got lots of practicing to do. Here are two of my favorite demo vids to get all of us familiar with CS5. Enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome stuff right?? Let me know if you know of any additional tutorials that you love.

Sweet Hugs,

Angee

Mojo Monday: MOJO135 & Yes I'm a little late.

Hey All,

Yes I know is late but better late than never right?? I guess it took me a little longer to get my Mojo flowing this week because I'm just posting this today. He he.

In my defense can I mention that I'm a new teacher and I'm working really hard to do my best for my children.

  So today I have my interpretation of the sketch from this weeks Mojo Monday 135.

 

I must say that I'm loving the colors on this card. I order this patterned paper from Stampin Up! a few weeks ago and this is the first time I've used it. I think that sort of seafoam green might be my new favorite color. Doesn't it just say relax with me.

That's all for today. My new computer should be here by friday and I'm so excited. Can you tell??

 

Girly You Rock Supplies:

Stampin Up!-  Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pad (118401-SAB), Paper Piercing Tool (116631) & Mat Pack, Curly Label Punch (112208) Hero Arts - Friend Definition Cling Stamp Papertrey Ink - Craft Cardstock, Signature Greetings Sentiment Misc - Card base & Ribbon from Michaels.

 

Have a great week.

Sweet Hugs,

Angee

 

Quick Post to say Hello!!

Hey everyone,

 

I'm just popping in to say hello. I'm out of commission for the time being until my new computer is delivered so I decided to post an inspiration post. {I'm posting via email and it is the most convienent thing to ever happen to blogging. Thanks typepad for the option. Comes in handy in times like these. :-D} Update: Seems as though there are certain flaws when posting via email: Pictures not posting from Yahoo, etc. So here I am fixing what was broken.

One of my favorite people/bloggers of all time, Kristina Werner (she is the reason I am a crafter today), issued a challenge with today's MACM: Create a one layer card!! 

So with this card I decided to use some of my goodies from my major PapertreyInk haul that was delivered today, (and might I add it came at the perfect time because I was having a not so good day).

I decided to get aquainted with my blender pens. I've seen Kristina use them quite a few times in the past year of MACM vids that I've watched and I recieved some in my Stampin Up! Demo kit and I've just broken them out. I need to get my practice in anyway because I will be getting Copic Certified this June. I love this technique especially with the blender pens because it makes your inks so much more versatile. It does take some practice and for my first time I think I did fairly well.

If you use this technique let me know some of the secrets to success with the blender pen. 
 

That's all for now. If your not a tumblr user then you are certainly missing out. Check out my tumblr account and create one of your own. I post most of my inspirational internet finds over there.

 

Supplies:

Stampin Up!- Classic Ink in Summer Sun, Certainly Celery, Blender Pen, PapertreyInk - Spring Moss Cardstock, Year of Flowers: Daffodils Stamp Set

Sweet Hugs,

 

Angee

Blog Hop: Clips and Cuts

Vicky, over at Clips-n-Cuts.com has invited all of us to join her Blog Hop and connect through our blogs, in order to celebrate 100 posts on her blog. What a great idea! :) When you add your blog's URL, it will show up on everyone else's page too. I've always loved Vicky's blog and her fabulous & creative ideas! Her goal is to reach 1,000 so, if you're interested, add your blog and the code to your page (while in HTML view) and let's help her reach her goal.
Vicky's Blog Hop.....

Fly High...and update.

Hey everyone,

Today I have a card based on a sketch on Amy Rysavy's blog Prairie Paper & Ink. I made this card with Stampin Up cardstock and a clear stamp set by Practicing Creativity Designs called "Look Up".

 
Don't you just love the little Hot Air balloons. I knew I had to have this set. Here is the sketch.

Fly High Supplies: Mostly Stampin Up except where indicated -Cardstock:  Elegant Eggplant (105126) & Pink Passion(102762), Stampin Write Marker in Soft Suede (116329), Modern Label Punch (116630), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Practicing Creativity Designs: Look Up! Clear Stamps, Misc: Patterned Paper.

 

Computer Update:

My new computer is on order and I can't wait. I decided to get a Apple iMac and I got a great deal on a refurbished one on the Apple website. As you know I'm an avid Youtube watcher and for the last couple of years I've been watching videos reviewing apple products and I totally fell in love with what I saw. I'd been saving up for a iMac since December last year and this little computer mishap pushed me forward to get exactly what I was and to find a great deal in the process. (I never buy anything full price....he he).

Now its just a waiting game. As soon as it gets here I will post a review.

Plus I should have 2 more hauls coming from Hero Arts and PapertreyInk coming soon. Scrap goodies galore. That makes me happy. :-D

That's all for now.

In sweet anticipation.

Angela