Why is it weekends fly...

and the week days don't?  While not complaining, I never can quite figure out where all the hours in a weekend really go.  But I do have to admit, mine was FULL.  Friday I joined a friend for lunch and we went antiquing.  I found a really cool metal container with lots of sections that I am anxious to add some life and color back into.  It is pretty rusty, but my husband swears it won't be any problem getting it out.  And now that he has painted an entire car, I know I can talk him into painting "this little thing".  I love all the little divided sections and that the rows are graduated.  I am thinking mini misters will fit in this very well.  My friend suggested paint brushes and markers...hmm, maybe the new Distress Markers By Tim Holtz once I FINALLY get my hands on em!  :)

I know it doesn't look like much now...but a little paint will do wonders.  I am not sure what this container even is or was, but it was a mere $15 and it's mine now. We finished Friday nite by joining our neighbors for dinner at Logan's {one of our favorite places to eat}. 

Saturday was my Scrap Happy Workshop...it was a great class with lots of fun gals.  A BIG thanks to all of you that were there...along with my "mailers" {yes, Ginger, you are one of em}.  If it weren't for you crazy scrapbookers, I wouldn't have my teaching job. 

Today I wrapped up my last project for Tuesday's Do Me A Favor Workshop.  It's one of the 4 favors we will be creating in class.

With all the new product at ETC, it's hard to decide what to use on projects.  Jillibean's wood flags, My Mind's Eye twine, and printed paper from Pebbles and Lily Bee Design along with May Arts ribbon were all incorporated into this little creation.  I am a big fan of mixing product from many manufacturers to create a unique look.  It is amazing that so many of the colors work together.

I still have 4 spots open for my favor class on March 27th so if you'd like to join me, just call ETC {480.854.2303} and sign up.  

It's been a full {and fun} weekend. Now it is off to kitting for Tuesday's class as I repeat to myself "I will not go onto Pinterest today, I will not go onto Pinterest today, I will not..."
Wish me luck,
Kelli
:)

Mini Album

I love creating mini albums to hold some of my favorite photos.  Here is a project I worked on recently.

After gutting an encyclopedia from the early 1900's  I dry brushed the cover.  I sewed fabric along the inside spine and then using waxed linen, I stitched in some signatures of Bazzill cardstock.  The outside was adorned with plenty of vintage embellishments. wool felt, lace and what-not.  While the inside contained the new Janet Hopkins printed paper line by Bazzill. 

I also Zuttered in some pages to the back cover.  After embellishing I glued the entire album onto a thick scalloped piece of chipboard that I had painted silver.  I can't wait to add some photos.

I love working on projects that can be completed in a weekend.  Here's a peek at one of the inside pages. 

Hmmm...what project should I tackle this weekend?

Another favor

This one's a Birthday favor.  It's such a versatile structure that could hold a wide variety of things and could be made much smaller, depending on the treat you wanted to place inside.  This one is holding shredded dictionary paper and 2 cherry pop tarts.  It would be a great size for gifting homemade cookies or baked goods, individually wrapped snacks and of course...chocolate.

This is one of the 4 favors that we will be making one week from tonite in the Do Me A Favor workshop at ETC.  If you are a local gal...there are still 4 spots left if you want to join us!

While I teach a lot of classes I also enjoy taking classes.  I am looking at ETC's upcoming classes and know I will be in a class with Shelley {Ellis}, Louise {Haley} & Theresa {Bitter} and Jenny {Packard} SOON.  They have some wonderful projects that I know I need to make.  I am also taking an on-line class with Tim Holtz...Chemistry 101 where I am learning a lot about properties and techniques.  I cannot wait to master some of these new things to incorporate them into my upcoming projects...including tags.  I love learning {and sharing} new ideas and techniques just as much as the next paper crafter!

Stay tuned!
Kelli
:)

Misting, Stamping, Inking, Aging, Glittering and Embellishing

What fun!  :)  Years ago, I taught a class called "Eclectic" at Scrapbooks, etc.  Some of you might remember that.  It was around the time Bazzill decided to publish a book by the same name.  I was featured in the publication along with Pam Black, Amy Totty, Eva Flake, Margie Romney-Aslett, Jenny Packard, Heidi Lynn Schreiber (then Jones), Becky Blanchard, Dayna Behning, Sandee Traasdahl, Michelle Yassick (then Meisenbach) and Amber Hansen.  It was so much fun being part of that.  I have always loved the "messier" type of crafts and am often showing up places with inked fingers.

As all things evolve, so did I, so did my classes.  And while today I like creating "clean lined, simple {and well embellished} layouts, I still like techniques with ink, glitter and product.  In preparation for my new class, Tag Studio, at ETC this next quarter, I have been creating "mini masterpieces".  Here's a few that I have completed.

Yea, you may notice I even pulled out my old electric typewriter to add some words of wisdom.  I can hardly wait for next quarter...and no, of course I didn't give up teaching Scrap Happy or Do Me A Favor...I just added this new class.

There's lots of great new product at ETC that is arriving daily that is so perfect for tags, mini albums, layouts...truly a paper crafter's paradise.  If you aren't local, I am sure you have a favorite LSS where you spend lots of time {and money}.  I was by there again today and found some "can't live without" things.  Like?  The new "RARE FINDS" paper line {and embellishments} by Pink Paislee {so amaZing!}, the wooden spools by Maya Road, a vintage doily mask by Christy Tomlinson for Pink Paislee {no wonder I liked it} and a roll of Tim Holtz tissue paper {music notes}.  The packaging of the tissue paper was similar to wax paper or foil...super clever.  I can't wait to start using all of my new products.  So am I the only one inspired by new product?  I always feel more motivated {and anxious} to craft and create when I have something new that I love.

Stay tuned for some photos of my upcoming creations!
Kelli
:)

Little Bitty Easter Baskets

Colored with Glimmer Mist and rimmed with German glass glitter, these bitty baskets are ready for their debut in the next Do Me A Favor Workshop that is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27th.

Adorned with pipe cleaner handles, seam binding, gray striped paper straw pennants, paper flowers, dictionary shred and a bright yellow chick...they are ready for gifting.  All that is missing is the chocolate eggs.  Being that it is like 80 degrees here today, I elected not to add the chocolate until I take them in to ETC for displaying later this week.  Creating these little guys is a breeze when done assembly line style.  Hopefully my recipients will love these as much as I enjoyed creating them!

Stay tuned later this week, when I post photos of the other 3 projects that we will be making for the favor class.

What cute little spring projects have you all been working on?  I would love to see them, so don't be shy...share a photo {or two} with us! 

Kelli
:)

Scrapbooking Layouts...

DONE!  What a great feeling to have all my projects done for my Scrap Happy workshop that is coming up {a week from Saturday!}.

This layout features Echo Park (cute flowered paper), Authentique (teeny polka dot and diagonal stripe) and Bazzill (fabulous colors of cardstock that coordinated).  The top of the pocket could be left blank (as shown) OR it is a perfect spot to add journaling.  I wanted to type my journaling on my typewriter, but the ribbon is out, so I wasn't able to. 

This layout combines Anna Griffin (floral print) with Cosmo Cricket.  A 4X6 horizontal photo could easily slide in under the title if you wanted to add a 3rd photo.  Embellished with a little burlap, some buttons, paper flower, washi tape, and a manila tag.  I also added the little bird (which is a punched image from Fiskars).  I use this punch so much and would love it if they made it in a couple of larger sizes.

I am on my way onto Hohokam Stadium to watch our Director throw out the first pitch at the Cub's spring training game.  It's an exciting day for the Solid Waste Department, as we are kicking off our enhanced recycling program at the stadium.  We have a new mascot, "Charlie" {the chimp} and he too will be on hand to remind fans that "recycling isn't monkey business".  I work with some amazing people and I know how much work they put into this project.  Today all their hard work will pay off.  

I am going to use some will power today while I am out...I am going to try and stay away from Sassy's Cafe.  Their cinnamon rolls are addicting AND FATTENING.  I must keep telling myself they taste much better than they look {on me!}.  :)

Weekend Fun!

So yesterday, Jamie and I taught our B Chic class and the gals made the super cute table runner Jamie whipped up.  It was a great class and while not everyone finished the project...they were well on their way when they left.  And honestly, it should have been a four hour class {instead of 2}.  So yes, we did work em hard!  :)

The fabric was the inspiration for the burlap and lace table runner.  It is lined on the backside with muslin and will look adorable down the middle of any table.  The lace and burlap ruffles and flowers were a great addition.  And of course, the Bazzill Vintage Buttons added that little bit of glimmer and bling to finish it off.  Thanks to everyone who joined us for the afternoon...we had a great time with you!

Jamie and I also picked the fabric for our April class.  We will share some sneak peeks on next month's project and hope to have the sample on display in the store within the next week or two so you can see it in person.

I have been working on my upcoming Scrap Happy Class that is coming up at ETC.  We are going to do four 12X12 layouts in class and will have a challenge that students can join in on if they decide to!  Here's a look at what I have created so far...

With all the N*E*W scrapbooking supplies at ETC, I couldn't decide what to use.  On this double spread layout I used Maya Road's new paper flowers, mini tickets and game pieces; Tim Holtz's alpha card and  his honeycomb stamp that coordinates perfectly with Rhonna Farer's new Follow Your Heart paper line by My Mind's Eye; flocked paper {that resembles old vintage wallpaper} by Anna Griffin; the new text weight {polkadot) by Bazzill and of course the coordinating Cardstock by Bazzill.  The new text weight line by Bazzill is amazing...they have polkadots, music notes, dictionary, newspaper ads and script in the line.  It is a great addition to any papercrafting project.  It inks well and decoupages like a charm! 

If you haven't been into ETC in a couple of weeks, you will be awed by the amount of new product that has arrived!  Of course Tim Holtz's new label pulls, drill punch, grid blocks, Bird Branch Sizzix Die and alpha cards were in my shopping cart along with Maya Road's polkadot kraft envelopes, mini spools, mini rulers, dress form paper clips and wooden numbers; Cosmo Cricket's new paper line with coordinating washi tape; Bazzill's Janet Hopkins' new Wayfarer paper line and coordinating pretty buttons, washi tape and text weight paper and adorable "Whittles" clothes pins from American Craft. Don't plan on running in and out because you will need at least an hour.  They also have the new WE R Lucky 8 punch and tons of new BoBunny product that I didn't even get to. 

Well...it's back to creating layouts for this chick!
Kelli
:)

What a week!

While I love my job, I am always happy to have a weekend ahead of me.  This last week was a super busy one, so I am really looking forward to a weekend to unwind. 

I spent time creating these last two weeks and have really been concentrating on marking things off my "TO DO LIST"  I love marking off all the things I accomplish...it really motivates me to be productive {and I certainly get more stuff done!}. 

For the last month or so I have been on this tag making kick.  Here's one that features some of the new product from Maya Road.  Their new product line that is available at ETC consists of the mini wooden rulers and bitty spools.  And boy do they ink up good with the Tim Holtz Distress Inks!  Of course when making tags, It seems I always end up using something Tim Holtz when I create tags.  You can see I used my favorite Fiskars bird punch, strips of old music sheets that I picked up while junking with a friend, glass glitter, washi tape and some little metal scissors to embellish this tag. 

If you are a local gal without any plans this weekend, think about joining Jamie Andersen at ETC on Saturday to make a super cute burlap table runner that is adorned with fabric ruffles, lace and fabric flowers.  I can say it is super cute, because Jamie designed it and assembled it after we brainstormed how we wanted it to look. 

On Saturday, if you are out near the Red Mountain Branch Library, I have friends {a husband and wife team...Dave and Kristi Grimm} who have authored and illustrated a children's book that will be at a local author book signing.  The event is between 1 and 4 .  Pretty exciting stuff!  :)

Here's to a productive weekend!
Kelli
:)