Thursday, January 31, 2008

Drum Roll, Please...

Well, this may come as no huge surprise...(since she's mentioned so much on here and she's done so much with WIP in the past...

But I'd like to formally introduce Janelle Richmond as part of our Work in Progress Design Team! (woo hoo!) . Welcome aboard! So happy you are now legal and all...ha!

Many of you may recognize Janelle from one of her sketch sites, or from other message boards. She is wonderfully talented, and I hope you take a moment to check out her stuff--I don't know how she does all that she does!So I asked her to jump in and show us her scrap space too...

Again--I'm so lifting the "display your recent work" idea from you and Molly!




And of course, I couldn't let her go without doing the question/answer portion...

The daily item I couldn’t live without: hugs kisses and I love yous from my kids.

Right now I want: to play with all that yummy making memories goodness!

I wish I knew how to: sew!

When I want to indulge myself, I: get some hot cocoa, some chocolate and a good girlie novel, curl up in my favorite blanket.

3 scrap/card related sites you want others to know about:

www.cardstudiodesigns.com

http://janellerichmond.typepad.com/randomchaos/

You’ll never see me: dancing! :p

A childhood memory that scarred you: speeding down the road on a motorcycle when i was 5. Scared the living daylights out of me.

2 things you do every single day: play with my kids, something creative

Music or TV show you scrap to: love my music! Fergie, Alicia Keys, Jordin Sparks, Elliott Yamin, Akon, Nickleback

Describe yourself in 3 words: creative, loyal, passionate

2 scrap related goals for this year: Get published more, redo my scraproom-- hardwood floor, paint the walls, etc.

So happy you have joined us, Janelle! I hope you will all join me in welcoming her! And for you lucky gals who snatched up one of the project kits that sold out in less than 12 hours, Janelle has a special treat for you! She worked with this kit and created sketches exclusively for WIP using this album, and they will be made available to you in your newsletter that will be emailed to you on Friday, along with her sample mini book! I have to say, it is really stunning...


Okay, enjoy your Thursday!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Molly's Studio...

Molly gets extra credit for being so organized after recently moving to Hawaii with three children in tow! I'm not that organized, and have no excuses...so how she gets it all done is beyond me!

Take a peek...


I really love how she displays her works and appreciates them. I am inspired to do that now...






And now for the questions...
The daily item I couldn't live without: My MM trimmer and my tombo mono liquid adhesive :)
Right now I want: Either the Sony A700 digi slr or the Silhouette (can you tell that I am thinking of ways to spend our tax return???
I wish I knew how to: not take so long to finish a layout. I can take anywhere from two hours to a week to finish just one layout!
When I want to indulge myself, I:Well, here, in Hawaii, I am lucky...we have 10 scrapbook stores that I know of here...and one AMAZING stamp store that I just love (gotta love Stamps and Memories off the Kamehameha highway!), so I take myself (usually along with one of my kids), and just browse the stores.
If that isn't what I want to indulge in, then I do a pedi/mani.
If that isn't it...then I read a book.
:)
3 scrap/card related sites you want others to know about:
You’ll never see me:Hopefully, smoking, ever again. I gave it up for good over a year and a half ago, and haven't had one in as long.
Also, you will hardly ever see me drinking to get drunk. Long story to it, but it just won't happen with me.
Also, and this will probably burn some people, but going to a Barry Manilow concert, just not my cup of tea...
A childhood memory that scarred you:Oh my, it's not like I have a lot, but I am the kind of person who buries things like that as far as I can (and yet, who was the psych major in college?). I guess, I would have to say the death of my grandfather. He died when I was in 9th grade, and he was my male role model for so long. I had experienced death before that (my grandmother passed away when I was in the 5th grade), but she had had cancer since I was 4, and that's all I could remember about her. But my grandfather, that was huge. I still talk about him to my kids, just so they know how important he was in my life.

2 things you do every single day: Give kisses to my kids and Paul. :)

Music or TV show you scrap to: Well, I just finished up season one of The Tudors, incredible show, and am working on Dexter right now. That one is a bit harder to get into, but I am trying it out. :)
Describe yourself in 3 words: kind almost to a fault; a people pleaser, again almost to a fault; creative
2 scrap related goals for this year:I have one only. TO HAVE FUN!!!! I don't create for pub's, and the teams I am on, I am honored to be on and would buy their things anyway, so to me it's a HUGE added bonus. Ok, no, there are two...to stay organized! ;) :D

Thanks so much, Molly!

Well, that's about it. Or is it? Stay tuned tomorrow for a little surprise...

Monday, January 28, 2008

It's Anilu's Turn...

Ahhh...yes. The next lovely design team member to share their creative space is the one and only...Anilu Magloire!!!

And I have to tell you all a little known fact. It was first Anilu's idea for a design team. Totally true. When I started the kit club about 12 months ago, she commented that I should do one. It took a while before I got my sea legs with the new business, and when I decided to do an open call for design team submissions, I knew she'd be given the first spot. Not only is she the sweetest person in the world, she gets it. She knows the scrapbook industry inside and out, she is the queen of all blogs and message boards, and she is a personal cheerleader to me for which I will be forever grateful.

And this is where she does it all...


A little info:
- my cubes are Store In Style and I got them as a set of 12 at Oriental Trading.
Love them. Really sturdy and they have lots of space for stuff!

- the desk is a Pier 1 project table. I got it on clearance and with a 20% off since it was the floor model so I really scored!

- I keep most of my little embellies in those great MM magnetic boards. That way I can see them and keep at hand.

- the MM desktop carousel is a must! It has tons of space to keep all the tools I use most right there without having to get up from the desk. Again a bargain at 40% at Michael's.

- the clipboards on the wall are also from Oriental trading and I love them to decorate my awful "rental white" walls. I also like that I can switch the pp when I get tired of looking at it :)





That's it. I really love my little space and I dream of the day when it becomes a room instead of a wall in my bedroom ;)


The daily item I couldn’t live without:
- A shower. Is that an item?

Right now I want:
- A new desk from Pier 1. Soon I hope :)

I wish I knew how to:
- Knit. My Mom does it incredibly well and I just can't learn.

When I want to indulge myself, I:
- Go to the Spa. Haven't done it in such a long time...

3 scrap/card related sites you want others to know about:
- http://www.pencillines.com/ Great for sketches
- http://papiervalise.com/ Super cool, vintagey stuff
- http://amillionlittlethings.com/ My fave store online!

You’ll never see me:
- Outside with out a shower first. I just can't do it.

A childhood memory that scarred you:
- Thank God I can't think of one :)

2 things you do every single day:
- kiss my baby girl a million times
- Go online

Music or TV show you scrap to:
- Depending on the time, whatever show is on TV

Describe yourself in 3 words:
- loyal
- obsessive
- shy

2 scrap related goals for this year:
- To keep enjoying it as much as I have
- To actually use more and buy less. A girl can dream ;)

Thanks so much, Anilu!

Enjoy your evening...

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Finds.

I got this yesterday at Office Max of all places! I've been coveting the Pottery Barn desktop organizer for about a month--a place to house all the stuff that needs charged, messages, mail, etc. This caught my eye, and for $14.99, I was giddy! I left there skipping like a school girl. My husband will drill 2 holes in the back for the cords later today...and I can't wait!The top drawer is divided, and the bottom one is wide open. I seriously am considering getting another one for my scrap room to hold my receipts and such...

Don't you want one?
And I had to mention this, because after you read what this lady did, you will out gathering supplies to make your own as well. Truly amazing idea. Before seeing that, I wanted a Clip it Up...now, I think I may give this a try...

And thanks to Nicole Eshelman, I had to get these yesterday at Marc's (a closeout store here in Ohio.) She sent me something I'm going to knock off and show you later on in the week. Stay tuned. And no, they're not just drawer organizers anymore...
And I'm doing my very best to keep up with the insane demand of the Favorite Photos of 2008. It has consumed my weekend--and I've been a kit making fool for the past 3 days straight. This is officially my last batch I'm making, so if you are interested, please email me at Turay413@gmail.com. I do have it up on the website, but for reasons beyond my understanding, it is charging folks the shipping charge (and I've refunded everyone that has happened to--so sorry about that!) They will all be shipped out by tomorrow, promise! And to also answer a couple of the popular email questions--yes, the kit comes complete, (but you'll have to stamp or do your own stickers for the "2008"). The monthly divider pages are all printed out and ready to go, so you don't need to do any of that. I also send out an email with complete detailed photos, so not to worry. The cost of the kit includes shipping, and is $18. It has been so fun to play with--and mine already have pictures inside! Gotta love that...

Okay gals, Anilu is back from Disney and she's up next with scrap photos and an interview in the near future, so check back! Have a happy Sunday!

Friday, January 25, 2008

My Space.

This is my scrapbook room. It is also my office, and the home to our family pc (which means that while this photo was taken, two of my three children were behind that counter coloring on the floor.) And it's just the way I like it.
I got this counter from my favorite furniture store's clearance center about 2 years ago. Their loft store was closing, and this was their check-out counter. I asked if it was for sale. They laughed. When I returned the next day, there was a price tag on it--and it was way out of my league. So I waited. I waited for weeks. And two hours before the store closed its doors for good, they lowered their prices to 75% off all clearance items, and I snagged that baby up for a song. It is solid English Oak, heavy and 105" long. And I love her.

The view from my perch, behind the counter:


I am a fan of the ladder shelves, but NOT black. It is true--you see everything--dust and all!

This was once a wine rack and a bread box. They are now storage units for journaling.
I got this recently on clearance, and it is my new favorite thing. It catches everything that didn't have a home.
I posted about this before. Got it at one of my favorite stores...Arhaus Furniture.
It houses all my stamps, and a few regularly used punches.
The scissors are from Pottery Barn, and the other stuff from flea markets or antique stores. I took the idea to hang things on a rack from my friend Kelly.
And I decided to organize embellies by color because of my friend Melanie. It really makes more sense in the way I scrap.
And the wall unit is also from Arhaus (but if you're local, totally check out their clearance center--I got this there!)
Two years ago, I was pregnant with my third, and was faced with moving my then scrap space out of the spare bedroom. I recall being so distraught over that now. I loved having my space upstairs, because I scrapped at night and I was close to the kids.

So I thought I'd be forced into the basement. And that would be fine (if it looked like Tina's!), but mine does NOT.

When my friend Jen suggested that we turn our home office into a real office/scrap room, I thought she was nuts. I thought it wasn't big enough, with all my stuff. I thought on it a while, and in the middle of the night, I started moving furniture...and that was the beginning. The thought of being on the main floor of the house, where everyone else was living, appealed to me on one level. But I'm not an organized person by nature--and we love to entertain. So how could I hide all the mess?

When we built the house, my husband and I had parents with illnesses, and we had the forethought to put a garden door on the living room in the house in the event that it may have to someday be used to house one of them. So glad we did that. I promptly sewed a curtain on that door, and can open and close it as I desire. And the door has a lock on it. Perfect.

I live in this room. I enjoy scrapping here sometimes--but mostly I do business work here on the counter. I like to sit on the floor and scrap, leave it out, and come and go as I please.

And I cleaned and purged all week to get it presentable to post these darned pictures. So take a good look, because it won't be this clean again for a while! :)

Thanks for taking the tour!

Okay, the questions...

My process: I love deadlines. Sick, I know. But I work better under pressure. I am usually inspired by the photos first, and that dictates my direction. I am a total sketch whore and don't apologize for it.

Five can’t live without items: My Canon SLR, photo editing software, brads, cardstock, and alphabets.

The daily item I couldn’t live without: Diet coke and my camera

Right now I want: to organize my photos--they're a mess.

I wish I knew : more about photoshop and actions.

When I want to indulge myself, I: read a book in the tub. Alone.

3 scrap/card related sites you want others to know about: amazing cards here,

fun recipes here, and my new favorite blog here.

You’ll never see me: submit layouts for publication. No interest in it.

A childhood memory that scarred you: I climbed up a tree and couldn't get back down! I have a huge fear of falling because of that incident!

2 things you do every single day: kiss my husband and kids and call my mom.

Music or TV show you scrap to: 80's music

Describe yourself in 3 words: passionate, loyal & sincere. I'm also pretty intense.

2 scrap related goals for this year: To continue to teach classes while doing the kit club and to sharpen my photography skills and do more photo shoots for friends and family!

Okay, off to mess up this room...:)


Enjoy your weekend!


Thursday, January 24, 2008

Tina's "Store"

Okay.

I've known Tina Zarlenga for a few years. She and I got to know each other when she took a class of mine over the course of a weekend. I instantly liked her and enjoyed her company. We all bonded that weekend, and she and I hit if off. Auspicious beginnings...

It wasn't until I saw her space that we really grew closer. Because, you see, anyone that can have a space like this...and have more stuff than even I own...is a sister...

And I want her to will it to me. Okay, at least parts.

So without further ado...Tina's scrapbook room...




I wasn't lying.

The crop table will fit 12 people around it comfortably. Total dream.

She used to work at a local store, and when it closed up, her friend gave her some of the fixtures...(because I know your inquiring minds will want to know...) :)

(Now, of all the DT members, Tina is the only person I have seen physically. She and I live about 30 minutes apart, and see each other on a regular basis. And even though the other design team gals are all spread out over the US, I do plan on meeting them all in person one day. In my mind, I picture us cropping together all the time...seriously...)

Okay, so now for Tina's interview...

On her scrap process:

With my basement set up I scrap many times during the week. Sometimes it’s just a minute as I run through the room with an idea I want to put in place and other times I take the time to really play. My room is set up so I can have friends over; we usually get together on Friday nights. My scrap process has no rhyme or reason. Sometimes I’m inspired by the pictures and other times it’s the cool supplies that I just picked up or got in a kit that I can’t wait to play with. There are times when I need a scrapbooking magazine to jump start my ideas and other times I have them as soon as I sit down. I also love checking out blogs and different galleries for ideas.

Five can’t live without items:

  1. chipboard
  2. cats eye inks
  3. clear stamps
  4. rub ons
  5. crop a dile


The daily item I couldn’t live without: Coffee and my camera


Right now I want: play with the Melissa Francis papers!


I wish I knew how to: shoot in manual with my camera


When I want to indulge myself, I: get a hot cup of coffee, a comfy chair and a book


3 scrap/card related sites you want others to know about: fun stuff at - http://www.onehundredwishes.com/, lots of ideas at - http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/,


You’ll never see me: without my camera


A childhood memory that scarred you: when we lived in a split level house and our kitchen was up 3-5 steps from our family room. There was a wrought iron railing going across and I decided to climb through it to get into the family room, however things didn’t go as planned and I was stuck. I couldn’t go back and I couldn’t go forward! For a child that’s a scary feeling (as an adult I crack up at this memory) – my dad thought he was going to have to cut the railing to get me through, but my fear (I guess) helped me slide the rest of the way through before any cutting was done.


2 things you do every single day: drink coffee & check email


Music or TV show you scrap to: Matchbox 20 or U2 – usually I am distracted by television


Describe yourself in 3 words: creative, loyal, passionate


2 scrap related goals for this year: Complete project 365 (a photo a day for a year), graduation album for Chelsea (her daughter.)


Now, tomorrow when I post my scrapbook "nook", don't laugh okay? Seriously, how do I follow that up?

Whose idea was it to post all this stuff anyways? Dang.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Lots of goodness to share...

I love V-Day.

Ribbon candy from Christmas leftover. And these pens were from Target last year.I made this from raw wood and used paint and rub ons. The photo is from 4 years ago, but I made a few to span the years...
And all these were in the Target dollar spot this year...
I got these candy jars at a close-out place for a quarter and filled them with holiday candy and tied random red ribbons on them. They adorn my kitchen window and make me happy!
Okay, on to scrappy schtuff...

I taught this class at the crop in a break-out session. I have now decided to sell them as kits, and if you're interested, you can email me at Turay413@gmail.com. The kits include all the makings for this mini book and an email with detailed photographs of each page. You will need to add your own stamped images, however (swirls and what-nots). The cost of each kit is $18, and it includes shipping. The quantities are limited, so please bear that in mind. Convo me with any questions.

And look at this stack of layouts! This box is a quarter of the way full, and while organizing/re-organizing my scrap space, I collected all my finished layouts that just need "one more thing." I need to get cracking on those babies!
And get a load of my brand new obsession. I took an awesome class this past weekend, and am now going to re-teach what I learned. Be sure to check out the details on the website. I already have people signing up for it, and I'm limiting the space in this class to 10 people because it will be held at my house. We'll be creating two pendants--and the sizes are listed on the site. And the best part? They're also double-sided! I already see the possibility for ornaments on next year's tree...
And I updated other upcoming classes on the site as well, to anyone out there who is interested!

Tomorrow, we'll do more photos of our scrap spaces! Enjoy your evening!