This Year...

I always become reflective when a year ends and a new year begins.  I've come to a few realizations and thought I'd share them today.  In fact, I will be sharing more of myself on my blog than I usually do.  I love to write, so I plan on expressing a little more "me" in my words. Hopefully, we'll have a few laughs along the way!

So, this year...

I will make more time to play and experiment.

My first art journal page of the year.

I will relax and do something creative every day.

Graphic 45 Alpha stamp set; Golden acrylic paints; Faber-Castell Gelatos

I will step outside of my box and leave my comfort zone.

Stamps: Prima; LaBlanche

I will scrapbook the heritage and vintage photos that I hold so dear and share the stories.

Staz-On ink and Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous

I will push the boundaries of my artistic abilities.

Prima stamps and Golden Molding Paste

I will work on my novel every day and finish it.  (fingers crossed. lol) This has been one of my resolutions/goals every year for the past 10 years.

I will nurture my friendships.

…and be open to new ones.

I will slow down and breathe.

Hermosa Beach, L.A. California January 2014

I will let my kids see that I can have fun too….and really really try to worry less about them.

I will strive for excellence and joy in my scrapbooking pursuits.

Hermosa Beach L.A., California (Jan 2014)

LOVE being a part of the Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine team! (Anaheim)

LOVE designing for Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L!

I will have more date nights with my guy.

Oops. Wrong guy.

I will feel less guilty…about everything.  (What can I say? I was raised Catholic! LOL)

Now I'm looking forward to the great adventure called 2014! I hope you are too :)

A Christmas Class

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I've been having a wonderful time designing classes using Kaisercraft paper and products.  Here is my latest creation, a 12" X 12" Christmas photo display frame:

I used the beautiful vintage "St Nicholas" collection:

There are some fun techniques involved….like the 3D metallic heart, the frosted glass window and the doily tree.

If you're in the area, I hope you can join me! Click HERE to visit the Treasured Memories blog, learn more about this class and register.  

A Card and a Class

Once in awhile, I do a blog post for Canadian Scrapbooker called "Tuesday With the Team."

Last week, I shared a card I designed using Sizzix dies and embossing folders with Core'dinations ColorCore card stock.

There are more close-ups and a video tutorial on how I made this card on the Canadian Scrapbooker blog.

Click HERE to see that post and watch the video.

I also have some exciting news about a class I am teaching on June 13 at Treasured Memories.  There are limited spots, so register now if you are interested.

I have had such wonderful feedback about a similar Kaisercraft photo display that I designed a few weeks ago, that I decided to make it into a class.  Click HERE to see my other Photo Display project.

If some of you are wondering where I will be teaching in the future, I wanted to let you know that I will now be an independent instructor.  So I will have classes at a variety of stores and events, which I will announce here on my blog and on Facebook.  

I have lots of class ideas and opportunities coming up, so stay tuned.....

March Sketchy Challenge

For this month's Sketchy Challenge at Canadian Scrapbooker, I decided to have some fun with another new Bo Bunny collection called "Family Is..."

I am POSITIVE that the paper designers at Bo Bunny had a real life peek inside MY family when they came up with these hilarious and playful stickers...

Here is Sue Sykes' awesome March sketch...

Immediately I thought of some recent pics of my teenagers.  Sure, I had one "good" shot of them together for DramaQueen's birthday, but why scrap that photo when I had 10 other funny outtakes?  

I love the colourful, bright patterns....a reflection of my chaotic, loud teens!

Using the card stock and chipboard stickers makes designing a breeze...

I also did a fast forward video of how this layout came together. [You can click HERE to go to YouTube and watch on a bigger screen.  You can also click "Subscribe" if you'd like to watch all my videos]

I hope you can join in the fun over at the Sketchy gallery this month!  It's a friendly online community with lots of inspiration!