getting ready for this:
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special gift from JessicaSprague.com!
as promised today on my Create to Remember show at www.mycraftchannel.com... Jessica Sprague has offered an amazing 20% off your one-time purchase on her site for my viewers today through Feb 29th 2012 at MIDNIGHT! this deal is not good with any other coupons or sale items... but let me tell you .. this is KINDA A BIG DEAL! it's rare to get a special on her amazing classes-- if you have been contemplating trying to learn a little something-something... now is your chance! i HIGHLY recommend this! with in a class or 2 you can be making your own templates that look like i gave away today! once you learn the basics...the possibiltes are ENDLESS!
PASS IT ON!!
FREE HYBRID printable card...
birthday's SNEAK UP! isn't it crazy! i'll remember birthday and then think, 'oh, it's a month away'... and then the day of, i am freaking out and kicking myself for not just taking care of being thoughtful when i thought of it! do you have that ever? i am a thoughtfulness-procrastinator; which really just means, not-thoughtful. well, or at least it gets stuck in the thoughts. well, here is something for just such an occassion!
YES... it's Wednesday, and yet another new episode of 'Create to Remember' ... my crafty little show on www.mycraftchannel! This week, i wanted to share with you my LOVE for hybrid crafting! by 'hybrid' i mean, that this is something that starts as a digital (computer) file, and then you can print it out onto paper, and with a little scissors and glue, WALAA... you have made something from *almost* nothing! FUN!
this card was made from one piece of cardstock that i printed 2 digital files: one front and one on the back! as i mentioned on the show today... the backgrounds, and files that i used on this card came from a collection called "winter wonderland" that i designed with Jessica Sprague. You can check out the whole collection HERE, it's such a versitile collection! i love it!
on today's show you will see me combine some simple items you will have avail like a tootpick and string... and foam dots
make sure that you watch the video so you can check out my fun little tips and techniques to create this card including how i like to use the fiscars circle templates and even some GLAM by Tattered Angels for making this cute yummy bow! (above)
you'll see me work with this cutter and template from fiskars (i swear by it!)
those that took the very first "Mouse, Paper, Scissors" class with Jessica Sprague and I at www.jessicasprague.com last year will recognize this template... it's such a fun one! here's what the front and back will look like when you cut it all out.
i love how this turned out! be sure to print onto white CARDSTOCK!
have fun making something from (almost) nothing! pass it on!!
ps: i mention on the video that i have something special from www.jessicasprague.com for my viewers... check back for more info! it's coming! xoxo
video rendering...
yikes it's 4am and i have been rendering video after video... it's a killer! i need a suped up computer- clearly my 5-yr-old dinasaur is hobbling along churning out these little how-to clips! however, i am SUPER thankful that it's working! yea, you guessed it, full swing 'art of observation' production! it's awesome
i am sick of looking at myself, i'll tell you that much!
good stuff...
on the bright side, all the 'WAITING' for videos to export and compress and render...i have had time to work on a couple sample for classes and projects for upcoming events! so many things in the works-i had to get a white board! you know it's bad when you have to map things out on a white board!
just announced... i will be teaching 3 classes in San Jose at a shop that just feels like home... 'Scrapbook Island'! i am really looking forward to it, the last weekend of March. Saturday March 31, i'll be teaching a total of 3 classes- watch for all the details... we are just finalizing the classes and times! but i will tell you this... we'll be playing with Memory Files, Color Magic and even making one of my favorite litte creations: a magnetic book! so if you are in the vicinity... or even within a day's drive... come PLAY!
want a marathon runner??
i wish there was some way for me to get 24 hours ahead! yesterday was WED, and so my newest episode of Create to Remember aired, and it was the 2nd installment of last week's MAGNETIC book episode. i must tell you that the book that i made for this segment just made me so happy (although i think i used my life-time allotment of saying the word "tidy" in that video)... but that is really the truth about that book. it's got a really nice precision about it, that is not typical for many of my projects!
as promised in my show... i AM giving away a Bazzill Marathon Runner to a lucky winner... so head over to my Facebook page... if you haven't 'like'd my page yet... please do so!! and then enter your name there on my wall and i'll be picking a winner Thursday evening...
the ART of OBSERVATION
registration is OPEN! class starts APRIL 5th. head over to find out more about the class...
this class was inspired by the presentation i gave at Creative Escape in 2011... so i feel like it's been in the works for quite some time! and yet it's morphed into something quite intersting as i have incorporated using my NEW 'memory file' concepts.
Researchers have found that recalling memories is the most complex action of our minds. ---it's an amazing process of filing, and organizing and connecting all the bits and pieces that are our past. this class is about learning how to improve your ability to take notice... and then put those 'obervations' to work as inspiration, and knowledge, and enhance our ability to recall . well, that's kinda a small 'nut-shell', it was so hard to come up with a description that could adequately describe what i am planning to accomplish during the 12 weeks.
from the class description:
Heidi will help you test unique observation techniques and record your thoughts, feelings and discoveries… she'll then help you combine your findings with photos and her trademark "fabulous" to fuel the creative process. Each week will begin with a clue and a question. An observation assignment will follow, and you'll work together inside the BPC community to combine them with favorite photos and creative techniques…to better and more thoroughly document your life!
it's about 8 weeks away. (don't you think that april sounds like A LOT farther away than a measly 2 months?) it will be here before we know it! yikes!
i have been doing so much work to get ready- creating the weekly projects ... they are turning out so much fuN! using the 'memory file' ideas and concepts is like nothing i have ever created! it's SO FRESH!
here is a taste...
i'll be asking questions...sharing ideas and promoting new ways to look at things through different observation techniques...
then, i get to teach the new ideas i have been exploring using the memory files...
big picture classes is all about sharing IDEAS, all about inspiration... which i love. this class is designed for you to use the class concepts and instruciton, and your own STASH... it's not required to use my new products to participate... you can use any file folders, and i'll teach the rest. it's going to be fuN! i am loving watching my File Box fill..my kids are LOVING looking through them. it's so cute. i can't wait to share these creations!
valentine crafting anyone?
this weekend will be the big crunch for handmade valentines! be sure to check out the digi kit that i worked on with Jessica Sprague "For the Love" ...i love the colors! here are some up close pictures of the valentine book that i made... it's a take off the heart book i have been playing with a lot! i absolutely love, and can't get enough of these heart shaped page books... it's PERFECT for valentines, but totally works for anytime! -- hearts make me happy! this book is engaging throughout w/ peek-a-boos and little windows etc...
go HERE To check out the blog post where i showed all 3 projects that are included in this kit, along w/ all the (total 23) digi papers and elements! the kit is huge - links to the class videos are avail immediately, and perfect for weekend paper-crafting-warriors!
the MEMORY FILEs...
my approach to product design is definatly in response to my own 'process' and my searching for solutions to my needs as a memory keeper, and also a creative. as time passes, and my family has grown, and travelled, and now...i find myself with a very busy family- 5 kids going in all different directions, and each with their own little universe full of activities, interests and accomplishments, i find it all-the-more-challenging...and IMPORTANT to document their worlds... for me, for them... for their children, and even their children's children. as scrapbooking continuously evolves...with cool scrappy products, more advanced camera, and computer technology and that ability to share, save and connect...it's just an exciting thing to me: memory keeping. i like that word. i guess it's really the 'martha' word, but documenting our lives is even MORE than scrapbooking; it's blogging, twitter, instagram, facebook and calendaring. i do it all, and i love it. love to travel back through my photos, mini's, albums and blog posts. i am so glad for everything that i have written down...and i sometimes kinda wonder about what i forgot!
in my own 'evolution'...i have discovered that my process needed an adjustment- often i was faced with more photos for an event than i could fit on a 'double page spread'--and i am talking when i am telling a story, or documenting a vacation or an event etc. SO, that one story, or memory required MORE than a scrapbook page to do it justice. i found myself turning more often to mini-books, or trying to incorporate pockets or extra spots to add more content. additionally... the little creative spirit in me just loved to make 'interactive' components for my books, and pages... i have long been a fan of children's books with flaps, pockets, moving parts, pop-ups etc...and from my very earliest scrapbook pages, i have loved incorporating extra compartments for memory storage--
thus... the birth of the 'memory file'. what if you could create a MEMORY EXPERIENCE...i say 'experience' because this is more of an interactive activity- looking through this...it has multiple aspects documented, and grouped.
here's an example. this 'memory file' contains 19 photos... this is a file about last fall spending time up at our family cabin- it's a very special place for me- and now...for my children. the time we have together there is unlike anything else, and remmebering these times as a family, at all stages is super important to me.
i describe the 'memory file' concept as a cross between a scrapbook page, and a mini-book. one of my long-time scrapbooking mantra's is: ANYTHING GOES!! and that is definately happening inside these files! it's total freedom!! Paint, ink, mist, make mini-books (openables), create pockets, spinners...double up the files for extra space and room to even GROW a memory.
i love the FUN of creating hidden little openings, and tucks...as well as embellishing to my heart's content...which just flat out makes me HAPPY!!
i love file folders... love the basic 'manilla'... love to use them as a base for cards, and books- especially for hybrid projects (right Mouse, Paper, Scissors ladies!?) i have wanted to make deco folders for a long time! so this has been super exciting! i wanted to create some 'interactive' components that would be as cute as they were easy to use- and coud be incorporated onto a scrabpook page, or minibook or card just as easily!
first up- 'sentiment storage'... which is a fancy little envelope w/ cute little card for the inside- now, freakishly enough, these are designed NOT to close! but to serve as little cheeky pockets w/ sassy notes inside... this is the 'no limits' version (the adventure line)... they are small, 2" and 3" in width. (so cute in a card!) ...that lightning bolt just makes my day!
this is a folder 'in the works' (shhh... it's a project sample for my upcoming 'art of observation' class over at Big Picture Classes, i am using some memory file concepts in that class... which is SO exciting!)
i did some altering here, but you get the idea... and you can also see the little book on the right from the 'openables' ... nothing like making up new words for products, right? but that is what they do!
when they 'open'... they look like this:
if you take a look at that page above, i added some stamping and cheetah paper to the binding... so0 fun to customize!
ok...there is also this: 'the fotostack'... it's a piece that you can simple adhere in, and add photos!
then...da da dah... the BOX! the box is GORGEOUS. it's nice and sturdy- it's got sections inside... for the files to sit in.
it's got a great feel...the handle, and clasp are low profile, easy storage... simple, clean.
and it comes in turquoise as well! delightful duo i'd say!
i love that i can categorize these boxes... like maybe there are complete 'memory files' with all the pretties inside... but maybe there are files full of drawings, and certificats or season stats...maybe there are little notes that i don't want to loose, that can get tucked in and kept together- beautifully. even BEFORE those bits and pieces get compiled into something spectacularly executed (wink), it's a memory experience. just imagine what those boxes can hold!... magic!
well... here's a little video filmed by Scrapbook.com in this video, i take you thought a few of the components, and show you a couple fun samples i had at the show. it's kinda crazy how --even though these projects are more involved than a typical scrapbook page, they come together so easily- it's liberating. no rules--just fun! i can't wait for you to get them in your hands! (in about 3 weeks)
THE magnetic closure... so cool!
today is Wednesday, and a NEW episode of Create To Remeber premiered, as my very first TWOpart series... so prepare yourself for the '...to be continuted!'
firstly... huge thanks to Octotber Afternoon for this fab paper... it comes in a totally awesome 8"x8" pad, that was just so perfect for this project... i also used their coordinating stickers and chipboard.. but i also used the Daily Junque Typewriter stamp, and the mistables scallop ribbon. The alpha stickers are from Cosmo Cricket, and the buttons are Crate Paper.
there are 2 parts to this project...
1. the magnetic closure:
2. creating the inside pages...
Today's episode focuses specifically on the magnetic opening... you can CLICK HERE to watch the video on www.mycraftchannel.
so... let me just break it down for you, what you will need:
1 8x8 pc of chipboard- i used black, but you can use whatever you can come up with- this will be the BACK of your book, and it will be covered up.
2 pc of Bazzill Cardstock, for this book, i used 1 black and 1 celery colored (the video i used black and red).
8x8 papers- you can use an 8" paper pack, or simply trim your pages to 8x8. (8" is an awesome hybrid size, cause you can print your papers! i love that) -- this is where i used October Afternoon Boarding Pass
a good strong adhesive-- i like the Bazzill Marathon Runner
4 business card magnets
1. starting with the left flap, cut the black cardstock to 8x12". measure 8" from right, and score 1/2" for the spine. adhere the 8x8 chipboard backer to the black cardstock, and line it up with the score line.
2. the right side flap (in the video) it's red. again cut to 8x12, and measure 6" from right, and score 1/2" for the spine. adhere on the opposite side of the chipboard piece, lining it up with the score line there as well:
you can see that it's 8" on the black side, and on the 6" side, you need to fold that piece right in 1/2.
3. adhere the business card magnets to the right flap, place them to the top, and bottom next to the fold line, and then fold over to create the flap:
you can see here, that 1/2" spine that accomodates for the pages in the book!
4. i added a piece of 8x8 paper to the back to cover the black and red cardstock:
5. next, we need to add the magnets to the left side, where the flap comes over and lays down on the cover.
it's tricky to see, b/c i used black cardstock --i didn't think that through very well!... but you want the last 2 business cards to line up with those inside the flap.
6. because the magnets create a 1/16" of a space, i didn't want that to show when i covered it with paper - i recommend covering over the magnets w/ paper weight paper, the magnets are not overly strong, so you don't want too many layers in between. to make up for that width, i added a folded piece of cardstock to the left of the magnets:
7. layer the paper for your cover over top of the magnets and extra cusion paper, lining it up carefully:
i have to say... i love it sooo much! -- we will be constructing the inside using a 'hidden biding' technique that you will LOVE next week on Create to Remember!
that... i used the same idea to create the 'observation journal' for my upcoming class at Big Picture Classes... i can never tire of this cool concept! i'll share more about my class, and also about this super cute project, but here is a tiny peek:
as you can see... i couldn't resist using my new papers from the Sugar Chic line to cover this book. i created this one for me:
and my quincy wanted an observation journal as well, so we transformed a mini-composition book into this:
Registration for my NEW 12 week workshop at Big Picture Classes opens tomorrow... and those enrolled will have immediate access to all the instructions and video for these cutie notebooks! This new class will start on April 2nd-- which will be here before we know it! ... ok, but more on that tomorrow! may want to get on the Big Picture mailing list if you aren't already...
candy!
we are a week out from Valentines day! i need to swing into action and sprinkle some love around my house! I have been so focused on other stuff! good stuff! but there is still time to enjoy Valentines goodness! i love Valentine's ... i can remember when i was little, we delivered little valentines' on our friends' doorstep, ring the doorbell and run! it was so much fuN! when did that stop? i think we need to bring it back this year... and we are bringing it back with these...
all you need is: transperancy film (avail at office supply), some super cute scrapbook paper... and since my cute "Sugar Chic" collection is not available until March, i suggest this cutie cute collection that Jessica Sprague and I created together "For the Love"...
i printed a little message on the transperancy (it says Love This Candy) --which i do! You will need a sewing machine to make this work... sew around the heart leaving about 2" open on one of the sides. Then fill it with candy. i stuck the hot lips in as far as i could, and that kept it open enough to fill with the M&M's. any candy would work... once you have the candy in place, just sew up the 2" opening.
i had a couple feet of 'heidi swapp' ribbon from the show... (i LOVE having heidi ribbon!, i'll admit it!) so i cut it into small pieces, folded it over and stapled it in place just so it said 'heidi'...
i used my little 6x6 patterns, which is fun cause the scale is smaller- i love that. these were fun to share!