Some ZOE love, and a note about "my process"...

I was one of the lucky DTM's over at A Million Memories to get the Love, Elsie ZOE line as a product spotlight. I really love this line and searched out all of the embellishments, and actually bought the line again separately for myself so I still have a TON to play with!

Working with this line was very fun and therapeutic for me. I've been struggling lately with my design process and what makes my own ideal scrapbook page that I'm truly happy with. So much has been happening (mostly in my head, lol) the past few months so I've been a journaling nut... but when it comes to journaling on my pages I cringe. I'd rather leave my sentiment in a huge obnoxious title, or minute graphic hints... Right now I scrapbook for me but until about a month ago I didn't see anything that resembled me in the majority of my layouts.

That is until I decided to stop caring about when a good layout "should" be and remind myself AGAIN that I scrapbook for ME... ME ME ME ME! lol...

So, my journal remains my journal - full of all the little thoughts and tantrums that help me figure out who I really am as I journey through life - and my scrapbook is my visual representation, which pulls influence from my journal, but isn't bogged down with long journaling blocks or explanation more than what I want to give.

Whew.... way tmi, right? And now you just want the goods... lol!

*Enjoy the Journey*


My take on a two-pager, inspired by my journal:

life is so funny right now
like "ha, ha" not wrong
i'm torn in so many directions
that i can't seem to travel in just one
for too long

there are so many distractions
so many "what-ifs"...
"where's" "when's" "how's"
and "why's"
i find it's so hard to keep from getting caught up...

i forget to chill out and enjoy the ride.


*My Outlets*

Ahh... how I love my camera and my mac. Two best presents EVER! (love you Joey)



and last but not least....

*Meeting the Seesters*

I was SO excited to finally meet Linda & Karen IRL (authors of Visual Chronicles and Journal Revolution) at CHA Summer '08. They are so inspiring and their books have helped me break out and loosen up in so many way... get out there and CREATE!




Check out the Fauxlaroid journaling-flap... totally one of their ideas from Journal Revolution... get it!

Thank you so much to Love, Elsie & A Million Memories for sponsoring me with this awesome product! I hope everyone enjoys what I came up with as much as I do!

{hugs...}

Monday... getting to work

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Today is Monday which means I have lotsa lotsa to do... but first I HAVE to say I love you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the best dad in the world!!


I was looking through all my pics for a good picture of my dad... and I found this from the wedding photos (Tonya Malay... she rocks!). I had totally forgotten this photo and it's one of my favorites from that day. I love my parents so much and miss them... I can't wait to live closer to them (at least in the Northern part of the country, lol) so that I can see them more often. Getting old sucks sometimes!

So ready for some big news!?!

There are some super cool things happening the the cyber-world of arts and crafts that I'm so excited to share...

1) Emily Jones and some of the girls from A Million Memories DT have started a new challenge blog called The Design eXperiment... They have their first challenge up and their next Guest Designer is the fabulous Katie Watson!!

2) Creative Therapy! I'm so excited about this side-project from Karen Grunberg. This is a new kind of challenge blog that focuses 100% using your art as your own creative therapy... her first catalyst is up and I LOVE IT! She also has a ton of great scrapper/art journalers on board so I can't wait to see what the future holds for this self-expression journey!

3) A Million Memories is have a DT Call! It's that time again and A MIllion Memories is looking for a new team. I have been so honored to be part of the AMM team and have had so many awesome opportunities due to the amazing Michelle & Alison who are the bestest owners and friends in the world. I hope I can join the 2008 team! Good luck to everyone who applies!

4) Have you seen the A Million Memories Sneak Peak for April??


Yummy! (I'm so excited to get this one and can't wait to post the whole kit!!)

So now for MY news....

Have you heard of the coolest new everything-crafting critique site.... Craft Critique?

Well, I was asked to be on their new reporting team. I'm so excited! I was so stoked to be asked to join this group who I met at CHA. They have put together an awesome team and I'm really just so happy that they thought of me and asked me to contribute. I really enjoy writing and am a big product junkie so I know this going to be a ton of fun! Be sure to check out the site!

Well that's all I'm going to gab about for right now... we are still waiting on confirmation of the BIG BIG news so I'm not spilling the beans quite yet (although I'm sure many of you already know, lol!)

I hope everyone has a super Monday!

{hugs!}

I MEANT to work....

Things have been so crazy here... BIG BIG news is coming as well as some exciting BIG news. lol. I can't share all of it yet because I want to make sure the BIG news is for sure so I don't jinx it...

But it's Sunday and I hadn't blogged in SO LONG so I wanted to share a little book I did for AMM late last month....









I did this little spring story book from the AMM February Kit... there are still a few left and it's so cute if you want to grab one of the last ones!

Did you see the AMM March Kit???


It's all sold out but was so fabulous! I love the colors and butterflies! Oh and those thickers are just too cool... you won't want to miss April's kit... I'll have a sneak very soon!

You should definitely check out some things happening at A Million Memories... there have
some really great changes in the store and galleries.

Today Joe and I checked out the garage sale area of FleaMasters in Ft. Myers... and I picked up one of these vintage cuties...


Mine isn't this clean... lol! But it was only $4! I'm going to search out some film, clean this baby up, and see if I can't get some very cool vintage photos from it. I'll take some pics of my new brownie later this week and post. Even if she doesn't work I'm so stoked on how cute it is and what a great find she was! I haven't decided what to name her yet (I think she's a she... lol) but I'll take name suggestions. This is one camera that just NEEDS a name! lol....

Okay, I'm off to finish some things so that I can post ALL of my Zoe projects all at once tomorrow FINALLY!

Have a great Sunday!

Home Sweet (and smelly) Home!

Well I've been home since late late late Saturday night and spent Sunday and Monday sick as a dog! Right as I was leaving Cali I picked up the bug that the Melanson family had just gotten over so I've been a bit under the weather (while still very happy to be back in the Florida weather!) I'm feeling much better today and besides this plague-like cough I seem to be A-Okay....

However, I cannot say the same for my house which smells of fresh paint! Today is the last and final day of painting.....


Unfortunately it's the day they finish the kitchen and dining room ceilings (after our waterfall in the kitchen incident last month) so my dining room/scrap table is out of commission until about 2pm! It's okay though because it gives me an excuse to clean up my office/studio which is where I really SHOULD be working. Plus these guys work hard and are out each afternoon so I won't lose hardly any time at all. It will be so nice to have everything freshly painted and finished. I don't know how much longer we'll be living here but I can't tell you how depressing it was to see Wilma Water Damage all over the house for the past year and a half. The house feels more alive now and so fresh and clean!

The dogs have been pretty stressed through this whole painting process and I totally felt bad for Joe having to deal with them alone for most of it. We tried having them upstairs but Roxy was driving Crystal insane and while she HATES the babygate at least she can sit and watch the painters do their thing....


So while I'm waiting for things to get finished up I'm cleaning up my studio, putting away finished projects, and getting to work! I'm also working on editing some photos I took of Michelle and her kiddos on Valentines Day when we made the cutest cupcakes for Miss Chloe Lou's 5th Birthday!



The kids made a mess but they did such a good job of decorating. I have a ton of cute pics but I don't want to post any of the kids until I get permission from mama and have given them to her first!

I'm up to host the DT Challenge over at A Million Memories so be sure to go check it out. It's all about using those "Not So New" Scrapping Supplies in new and creative ways. I got the idea for this challenge from the new Ask The Masters! book by the Memory Makers Masters. It's a great book and I will be reviewing it and the other million books I picked up at CHA soon soon soon.

{hugs!}

I'm getting closer to my...

HOME!

So in just a bit Ali is picking me up to take me to the airport! Then I'll be landing in SW Florida by about midnight. I've have such an awesome time here with my amazing friends... but it will be so nice to give Joey and big hug and kiss and get jumped on by my puppies.

I know I've promised to blog more often, new projects, blah blah blah...

But this time I'm so on it! I've been totally rejeuvenated after this trip and I'm so excited to get back to playing with my scrap goodies and working on new projects. I'm hoping to totally revamp my blog in the next few weeks and will be resuming my inspiration posts to share all the wonderful www destinations I travel to every day.

AND .... check back soon for VIDEO! Yup, I'm going to have Joey turn the camera on me this time to do some prodect demos of some of the fun items we got to play with at CHA! I'm hoping to spotlight Tattered Angels and some Flocking Fun in my first two videos for A Million Memories. So be sure to keep an eye out!

Well I'm off to finish packing!

{hugs}

almost home....

It's been a crazy week and I'm so ready to get home to be with my hubby and puppies!  CHA was really great.  AMM took several people this year so it was so nice to just hang back and take in all the yummy goodness!

I get home on Saturday (staying with the fabulous Alison of AMM) and I can't wait to dive back into scrapping and creating!  I may have been at a loss of mojo BEFORE CHA but now I'm totally energized and ready to go!

One of the awesome groups we met at CHA this year was the awesome girls from Craft Critique.  They are a great blog full of industry releases and reviews and they have some amazing things planned.  Be sure to check out their site and see all the cool CHA reviews and favorites!

Oh... and they gave me Hot Shirt of the Day... lol!  

Okay... my laptop is going nuts on me right now and won't let me post the pic b/c I forgot my mouse at home.  But in a few days this blog will be rockin' with pics, stuff to share, and GIVEAWAYS! 

Yup, I said it... I'm going to be starting my very first blog RAKs and giveaways.  I have a ton of great stuff I've been putting together so you won't want to miss it!

And....

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

I'm so lonely without my best friend and hubby but we are going to celebrate a be-lated v-day together as soon as I get home.  I love you Joey!

Autumn Leaves: Manhattan

This month one of my DT Spotlight sponsors at A Million Memories was Autumn Leaves. They sent the new Manhattan line. I really liked working with this line and the colors in it. I had just come home from Winter in Indiana and the colors really reminded me of the National Lakeshore and the Dunes.


OMG is she getting huge or what?


Then i was totally inspired by the stamps I bought from AMM a few weeks ago from Autumn Leaves by Rhonna Farrer. I was planning on holding onto them for another project, but when I looked around my scrap table and saw all these little bits I couldn't help but make this little set.


I love these stamps so much and it's so easy to make really simple but amazing looking tags from them...


Cards that can go with a gift or even a homemade flower arrangement...


Or even really cute labels!


These labels were so easy to make. I had a few left over square scraps from the Manhattan line and just scanned them into my computer. Using photoshop I cropped the patterned paper into the exact size of the labels. I used Avery 8163 which are 2x4". I saved them as jpegs and inserted the patterned paper graphics into the label Word document just like they were any other graphic. I printed out the sheet and then stamped the image by Rhonna Farrer on each one with Staz-On! Done!

You can see all the amazing work the DT did with this line here!

Now it's time for me to get to work with AMM's Feb Kit! It's really such a cool kit this month with a TON of goodies packed inside. The colors are really cool and once again all the papers are double-sided so there are so many possibilities! Whew!


Think.... A2Z, Autumn Leaves, Scenic Route, American Crafts, Fancy Pants, Maya Road, Basic Grey, Prima... YUMMY!

Michelle is going to have the whole kit up on the site very soon as well as the cardstock add-ons, so don't miss it!

Last Week. In Pictures.

So here's a quick overview of what happened last week. I just started the process of going through all of my pictures and have barely started working with them and looking through them all.

Last Wednesday we attended a Rudy Giuliani rally. It wasn't really that we supported The Mayor, just that he had called and was kind enough to invite us several times. So we figured it wouldn't hurt to grab a beer at McCabes.

There was a nice crowd and we were able to meet up with a very good friend of ours. I mostly used the opportunity to pretend I was "photo-journalist-Meredith" and sneak as close as I could for some shots. It was actually a lot of fun and a good experience I think. I did catch a few shots of a local anchor who was not too happy that the Japanese TV Crew got in closer for a better shot than her station's cameraman did, it was pretty funny!


I really enjoyed the Giuliani rally. It was interesting to see him in public and I liked that I didn't hear anything about any of the other candidates (well besides Hillary).

Then on Friday we took the dogs to "camp" and headed to Tampa for a weekend with the Taylor Family. We stayed with Joe's cousin Nancy. Friday night was a party for Chad (Nancy's boyfriend) for his birthday. And then Saturday was Joseph's Birthday and GASPARILLA!

It was my first Gasparilla ever and Joe hadn't been since he was a page as a young man. It was pretty crazy. The longest parade I've ever been to. This is my fav photo so far...


The pirate costumes were pretty awesome and most were pretty elaborate too. We didn't get to see The Invasion but I'm hoping we'll be able to next year or go next time and take photos of the ship. All in all it was a really good time...



(It was pretty evident when we got there that I wasn't going to need the hat and glasses - sunny it wasn't!)

After the parade we went to The MerryMakers Club. It was pretty cool to see the place since I'd heard about it so much (a lot of Taylor History there). It was fun but I could in no way keep up with the pirates - thank god! We got home pretty early and the whole Krewe of Taylor crashed for the night! lol.

Sunday we went over to our Aunt Michael's house for dinner. Some of the family came over and dinner was amazing (as usual). Then came this....


for Joe's Birthday.

Don't ask, because I have no clue!

Nora & Helen. What can I say?

Joe was a good sport about it and the cake was pretty yummy - so it was a good time.

We stayed the night there and picked up the dogs on our way back Monday Morning!

So there we go. It was a pretty great weekend and really good to see the Tampa family again.

I hope that everyone had a great weekend. I am really looking forward to catching up on some of my favorite blogs, (which I've also been way too far behind on!) I can't wait to hear what everyone's plans are for the Super Bowl. We don't know what we are doing yet but I'm hoping we'll get together with some friends and re-connect to Naples a bit. We'll see!

{hugs}

back home & starting over...

2008 has already seemed to start slipping away from me. There are so many things I have planned for this year - so many leaves I hope to turn over... but January is come and almost gone and I've made little if any headway. So, this is a new start for me. A new commitment to be better about blogging, about creating the art that I love, about having faith in myself and not being afraid to mess up.

Joey and I just got home this morning from Gasparilla weekend in Tampa. It was a lot of fun (and a tiny bit not fun...lol!), crazy pirates all over the place, beads, coins, and advertising paraphernalia flying at our heads (or hitting me in the eye), beer, good friends & family, and amazing food (as always).

I have pictures from that, the Giuliani rally we went to at McCabbs last week, and some fun pics of my hubby's birthday cake.... all on the way. But for now I have a bit of work to do and will catch up on all my photos tonight!

Until then....

{hugs!}

been busy today...

getting my travel plans, hotel, and workshops all planned for CHA in February.  I'm so excited!  It's going to be an awesome show and I'm so excited for the workshops I'm taking this year.  I'm going to be taking a class by Prima called "Exquisite 6x6 Embossed Valentines Album" on Saturday morning and I'm totally stoked that there was still room for me to sign up!  

Speaking of Prima...

Becky Heisler told us over at AMM that Prima had some awesome hybrid news!  I can't wait to see this when it goes up.  I haven't really gotten as into hybrid work as I would like to but I love that Prima is coming out with their own take.  Prima products are so gorgeous and I know I'm going to want to grab up all of these products when they come out!

On a side note... I applied for the Prima DT when I was back home and on their blog yesterday they said they were still choosing their team.  I can't even begin to imagine how many entries they had since their short list is not at 100!  The SHORT list!  WOW!  I still have my fingers crossed.

My other CHA workshop that I've signed up for is on Sunday afternoon and is being taught by Kristina Contes and Nisa Fiin.  I'm really excited to *hopefully* meet them!  Regardless a little birdie told me that they are going to be using some really hot products in this workshop which is based on the Dares book so I'm totally excited!

Like I said today was a pretty busy day.  I've been working with my Autumn Leaves Manufacturer Kit and I hope to have it finished up tomorrow to share.  This is a really different color combo for me so I hope I can do this really cool line justice!

I promised a picture of my Roxy.  I tried to get a few mid-playtime yesterday but it didn't work out too well.  I did manage to grab a little snapshot as she rushed to tackle me...

Joey promised the three of us a trip to the dog park tomorrow so I'm sure I'll have some more to share!  

For now I'm off to bed!

{hugs}

Hello 2008.

I can't BELIEVE we are already 9 days into 2008!

I'm finally back and getting into the swing of life again. It was so nice to disappear from everything and be with my family for awhile. Of course I have some regrets - not enough pics taken, not enough work done... but really relaxing and sharing time with my family is what our trip was all about so I feel good.

We got back into town late late late on Saturday and spent all of Sunday playing with our pooches. Roxy is a monster now! She's so big. But she's a sweetie and it is so nice to have my pups home with me again. I missed my little {read: big} babies!

So now I'm focusing on getting things back in order and getting some work done.

While I was home I did work with the gorgeous MAMBI Sanctuary line. They were so generous to sponsor us at A Million Memories this month. I LOVE this line...


You can see all of the amazing work by the AMM DT Members with MAMBI here.

Speaking of the hotties over at A Million Memories... WE ARE CURRENTLY #2!! We leaped up on the Top 50 Kit Club Site and are sitting at #2 today! YAY! I'm so excited to Ali & Michelle. they work so hard and we watch the numbers each and every day. If you haven't already checked us out please please please do. Michelle's kits are gorgeous and AMM has the best customer service evah!

Also... you can check out some awesome CHA Winter Sneak Peeks...

Cherry Arte
Scenic Route
Tattered Angels

and a ton more here....

I just finished another project for C&T Publishing AND they decided to use my wedding 12x12 album for their COVER ART! You can see the product here which releases in February!

So that's it for now. I have some fun things coming soon and my fingers are aching to take a ton of pictures!

{hugs}

a crazy christmas...

It's been a great Christmas Holiday so far and for Joey and I our vacation is just getting started. We will be at my parents until the 5th of January and I have been taking these days to relax with my family. Things have been pretty busy around here and unfortunately on Christmas Eve we found out that we were victims of identity theft. It's been very stressful dealing with this over the holidays but we are hopeful that once we return home it will all work out. We are NOT letting this ruin our holidays!

Now it's definately back to work though! My mom and I have been doing some scrap-shopping and starting tonight will be playing with all of our new goodies together.

I know I promised some fun photos sooon - and I'm waiting for nightfall tonight to get going on them. Every year my mom does such an amazing job decorating the house and although it's a bit late the house is too beautiful not to share.

A Million Memories released their January Kit a bit early this month and it's so gorgeous....


It''s yummy yummy! You can order it here and don't forget that you can add an order to save on shipping with any leftover Christmas $$!

Also, we are doing a really cute giveaway over at A Million Memories...


All you have to do is visit our Valentines Giveaway thread and let us know what your favorite Valentines Day lines are this year and what fun projects you have planned. Then on Monday we'll be picking a winner and you'll get these two super cute kit boxes from Daisy D's!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and that you and your families have a blessed new year!

{hugs}

missing...

I've been missing for the past week or so and I'm so sorry!

Joey and I got to my parent's house on Tuesday and before that I was a mess cleaning, packing, organizing, shopping, scrapping....

But I'm all settled back in my hometown Hobart, IN and have almost all of my Christmas shopping all done! Tonight I'm taking tons and tons of photos of the house to show all of my mom gorgeous decorations. It feels so good to be back home, in the snow, with my family!

I hope everyone is having an amazing Holiday Season! I promise I'll make a "mega" post later tonight or tomorrow!

{hugs}

a Rusty Pickle giveaway and...

a little sneak peak!

So first off the goodies:

We are doing another Christmas giveaway over at A Million Memories.com - this time we are giving away the fabulous Snowflake & Mittens line by Rusty Pickle! The prize pack includes the papers AND the coordinating embellishments! To win all you have to do is visit the RAK thread and tell us what YOUR favorite holiday line is this year OR from year's past! The winner will be chosen Thursday so get your comment in!

And now for just a little tiny peek of what I've been working on for the past two days...


I am so excited to be working with C&T Publishing. I'm not allowed to really show you the AMAZING new release they sent me to work with... but you will soon as it's set for Spring 2008! I picked up these gorgeous flowers at JoAnns and have had so much fun working with them for the past few days. You are going to love this new product from C&T Publishing when you see it!

I'm also super excited because I will have my first project showing at CHA! One of the new products I designed with a few months ago for C&T Publishing (a very cool addition to their blank board book line) will be displayed at their booth at CHA Winter 2008. I'm so excited to see it there!

So bit by bit I'm getting things finished in my studio so that this weekend I can start packing up all my scrapping goodies to take home with me home for Christmas! It's going to be a fantastic trip home, and I can't wait. I miss my parents and sister so much, it's going to be so awesome to see them. It's been way too long - like 5 months! My mom and I have some scrapping to do and I can't wait to see my newest little cousin! Plus, my little sister cut her hair and I can't wait to see how it looks in real life... her hair has always been super long since high school so this is a big change, but she looks amazing.

Okay, I think I've said amazing about a billion times so I think it's time to get to bed! Tomorrow I finish up my work with MAMBI and hope to get it up to show everyone...

Have a great night & {hugs}

today i am inspired...

as usual by Anthropologie.

I love Anthropologie and have never lived so close to one! I literally find myself there once a week if not to buy something just to oogle and oogle all of the lovely inspiring goodies that they sell there.

So today I was working on my latest release project for C&T Publishing which are these super cute chipboard petal pots (I'm not allowed to show them yet but this spring they'll be released and I can share)... and I decided to share some of the cutest Anthropologie goodies on my wish list that have totally inspired me lately.

First up... vintage-y owls



I ADORE this lamp and freaked out about it when I saw it for the first time last weekend. It's so pretty. And this little sake set is so cute too. They also have a really sweet little snow owl tea set that would make such a cute gift for any owl lover on your Christmas list. Joey thinks I go a little "owl crazy" sometimes so I try to choose my pieces sparingly and carefully! lol.

One of the newest things I've found at Anthropologie are their kids clothes. They are so gorgeous...





Here are a few more random things I pulled....



Yes, that is cutlery on wallpaper! Amazing and I want it! Yes, it's pretty darn expensive but who needs a completely papers apartment? Not me!

So those are just a few of my favorite things there right now. I didn't even attempt to show you all the clothes I love form there because this would be way too long of a post!

I would love to know of YOUR favorite stores that inspire you! I am forever building up my link lists and would love to check out new eye candy!

Back to work, I'll have more to share soon!

{hugs}