Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Right Place, Right Time

I feel so overwhelmed with shock, awe, gratitude, inspiration....it's been a whirlwind to say the least. Sadly I am almost too exhausted to go into great detail. But, there is always tomorrow, my friends. And tomorrow I will share more...when I feel like I have the brain power to do so.

The least I can do is show you some more snapshots of CHA from the past two days, right? These are things that I am really excited about, or displays that I thought were really cool....I'll go more in depth later. These are just a little taster.

You already know that I was quite taken with the Heidi Swapp booth (can't wait to show more)...

 October Afternoon is a big time favorite of mine. There was a lot to take in...

Of course, Dear Lizzy for American Crafts (W.O.W.)....

Lawn Fawn has some exciting new things happening...

Over the next couple of days I will be sifting through these (and more) bad boys to compile a list of my "favorites," or, "must buy these products... even if it means going totally and utterly broke... making me need to get a side gig as a cocktail waitress (hey, I've done it before, I can do it again)."...

Stay tuned for more from the show. I will be blogging a lot in the next week or so. I want to share my first time CHA designer member experiences. Thoughts on the show....of course, details on the products....AND meeting all of THE COOLEST people (Yes, it's worthy of all caps. And yes, I am shouting.). THE COOLEST. Is name dropping frowned upon? huh. I feel like it's just too cool and unbelievable NOT to drop. I'll have to think about that. It's not like I'd be bragging....more like I am still elated that I was given the chance to meet some of these people in person...hmm.

Since the show began I couldn't help but feel like I was in the right place at the right time. Like I was EXACTLY where I was meant to be in the universe durning those EXACT moments. Not to get all deep on you...but I don't get those feelings often. Not like that, anyway. I really can't explain it. Except that there were so many opportunities for things to be off or go wrong, or for me to screw up royally and be laughed mercilessly out of the business before I even got my foot in the door. (Hey, it's possible.) But that didn't happen. In fact, every. single. element. of my CHA journey played out flawlessly. (Ok. There were a few minor fumbles on my part. But I managed to recover gracefully and slink away with some dignity in tact. I just chalked that up to being such a newbie. Walk it off. Walk it off. No harm done.) Really, big picture wise, everything came together.

Ok.Ok. Enough. It's feeling like it's the right time to hit the hay. (Please forgive my ramblings. I'm so tired!)

Sunday, January 29, 2012

CHA 2012

Wow. What an amazing day I've had. *Up at 330am to make it to the starting line of the Tinkerbell half marathon. *Through the 13.1 mile course (Such a great time! I will blog about this later). *Dashing as quickly as possible from the finish line over to the lobby of the Anaheim convention center for...wait for it...a FLASH MOB! (It's been on my bucket list and I was thrilled to find out that there was one through Charity Wings in conjunction with CHA. Check!) *Then off to shower and eat (Which I desperately needed after that morning!) *Back to the convention center where I met a scrap idol of mine, Suzy Plantamura (she is a CK Dream Team Member and one of the friendliest people. ever. I have a big scrap crush on her) *Then off to a seminar (learning to be a pro). *More trade show time on my weary legs. (I wanted to seek out the Heidi Swapp booth).....ok. ok. photos. I must show photos....

 I'll start with Heidi Swapp... I took these photos on my iphone to post to instagram. I plan to go back and take better ones with my real camera so you can see it all...
because, let me tell you...you will WANT IT ALL! Her new products are Be-YOND amazing. Stunning, really. I feel like they are the perfect blend of original, inspiring designs with just enough popular trends mixed in. The lines are versatile, clever, geared toward the consumer, and can easily pair with other manufacturers products (although, I am so utterly in love with the Heidi Swapp goodies I just may use them together over and over again.)

Here is another photo of her booth. And, can I just say... I was brave enough to introduce myself to her and she was so friendly and sweet. What a genuinely wonderful person. So cool to meet her. I am crossing my fingers and wishing upon a star that one day I will be able to work for her. (More excuses to play with all of these ga-ga-gorgous products! Sign me up!)

 I spotted these lovely little friends in the October Afternoon booth. I have to get my hands on that far right blue one, called "Spring." STAT. oooooh and now that I am looking closer I see several more...oh, what the heck, I may just get them all! I love Sprinklers because they splatter so well. The best.

Something I was really excited to see was the American Crafts booth. I will tell you, it did not disappoint. I was in patterned paper heaven. Epic. I will have to go back and take a closer look at everything so I can give you the play by play. So much to see! I wanted to introduce myself to Paige Evans and Amy Tangerine in person...but they were so busy, and I didn't want to interrupt. Tomorrow. tomorrow, for sure.

 Look at these pretty flowers from the gcd booth. They are made out of tissue paper.... 

How about this tree?!
Yes, those are paper butterflies, ornaments with jewelry in them and beads galore. W.O.W.

Today's to-conquer list didn't allow me enough time to walk around the entire show floor. (My dogs were barking and I was jones-ing for a burger.) Not to worry, I have two more days to take a look around and share here. So come back soon for updates (and better photos, I promise!).

Friday, January 27, 2012

(Almost) Ready Freddy

I can NOT believe I am saying this...but, I am READY!

Ok. Not entirely. But I am so close I can taste it! It's amazing what writing out a to-do list and prioritizing and separating tasks into different days can do. Divide and conquer, baby! boo-ya.  I have a few more loose ends to tie together but I feel like I have everything under control for CHA. Pretty much all of my designer showcase prep is done, I finalized my portfolio, double checked my schedule, and even managed to pick up my marathon bib today. Whew! I feel like this is all coming together so seamlessly (knock on wood, QUICK!). It's almost as if it is meant to be...

Here's some CHA peaks of my own (hey, I can join in on the action, right?)...

This is for my booth...

Mid Portfolio Prep...

My desk during construction...

Well-used washi during the process (can't wait to see all of the new washi releases, big trend this year!)..

I will try to keep you all posted in between show days. There will be a buzz of excitement, for sure. I'll have to take lots of photos and try to glad-hand a lot of scrappers. :) Can't wait to make my debut!...

I am so ready, Freddy!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Did I mention...?!

Did I mention that in the middle of all the CHA madness I will be running a 13.1 miles?! Yes, the Tinkerbell half marathon is on Sunday morning. AH! (Insert panic, heart palpitations, and way too much second guessing my abilities here...) Ok. I'm ok. It's all ok. Moving on....


The good news is that it falls on a day that I have "free" time anyway...nothing on my schedule of events until well into the afternoon... So why not spend that time getting up at the wee crack of dawn to run my booty off and then walk around a convention for the next 3 days while trying to be on my A game? Yeah. I can't think of a good reason not to run it either. ;)

Wish me luck! I hope my wings can carry me as quickly and painlessly across the finish line as possible. Hey, dreams do come true, right?....

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Mad Scrapper

I have been scrapping like mad over here lately. I don't know if it is CHA coming up so fast (I really should be working on stuff for my booth...but I have so many layout ideas I feel like I just have to get them out of my brain!), or inspiration from seeing all of the new releases on the horizon. Either way, the past month has been very productive for me. Hopefully some of my work will translate to a good portfolio.

Want to see what I have been making?...

These with the January Studio Calico kit, County Fair...
 With wave-like journal strips...

 Layers and buttons and ink, oh my...
 I'm in love with the trim(studio calico) and red/white paper(oct afternoon)...oh, and the photo is pretty darn cute too!
That sure was a great photo day...

i digress

 This for a challenge by Green Frog StudioCĂ©line Navarro's blog...
Journaling reads: "Before you know it...He'll be off on his own, finding his way in life. Adult. Independent. I can't believe how fast time goes. Blink and you'll miss it...

This kit is so great, I started creating with it the day after it showed up on my doorstep and just keep going and going...love it.

What else?...

Finally finding a project suitable for these silly photos of Nakiah....
yep, that's sandpaper...

 I think I'm obsessed with Instagram. I love the way the photos turn out...

There are a few more but I will save those for another rainy day (raining here in SoCal today and it finally feels like Winter!). I have a stack of 6 different layout projects with products and photos all ready to be played with. So I guess I better get back to work! I love this "job!"

Thursday, January 19, 2012

CHA-ah!

Ok people. I have to share a little something with you...

I have recently become a proud CHA Designer Member...

In case you don't know what CHA is I will cut and paste a little snippet that explains, straight from their website...CHA is an international not-for-profit trade association consisting of thousands of member companies engaged in design, manufacture, distribution and retail sale of craft and creative products.

Basically this is a fancy way of saying that it puts crafters and creative people and the companies that facilitate this crafting and creating all in the same place at the same time. I am equating it to the Comic Con for crafters (even though I have never actually attended a CHA...I will get to that later). You may of heard of it before simply by following some manufacturers blogs. Typically the couple of weeks before the shows (held twice a year) they will do a "sneak peak," or "reveal," of new product lines (and I am sure, like me, you have drooled over these things and thought, "why can't I have that now?!"). CHA is where it can all be seen live and in person for the first time....but is not yet available for purchase. (This may just both torture me and save my bank account from taking a huge hit.)

Ok. So. Like I said, I've never been to a CHA before. In fact I only heard about it for the first time last year. That's not slowing me down any. Since I am really serious about turning my passion for scrapbooking and photo taking into a career it seems like the perfect fit for me. I applied to be a designer and participate in the designer showcase. I was accepted! (Woo hoo! First step!) The designer showcase is a way for people like me to put their work and name out there to all of those who attend the show and have a need to seek out designers for whatever reason.

I have to admit I do feel like I am in waaaay over my head. Because I have never set food on the CHA floor I feel like I have NO idea what to expect. I have so many questions about how to maximize my time as a designer at this event. I am determined to make a good showing and take it all in. But I am not going to lie ....it.is. intimidating. 

Over the next 2 weeks I will be: gathering all of my best work to create a portfolio to have in my showcase booth....creatomg fun decoration elements for the booth....a bio...outfits so that I can look like someone you'd want to hire (important, right?)...and business cards.....hunting down a mentor so that I can get some of these q&a's out of the way... PHEW! I have so much to do!....ok. it's gonna, be ok.....It's gonna be great....(Sorry, talking to myself for a second there.) :)

So, enough blathering...really I wanted to blog today to tell you what is coming up and show you what I've been working on...Of course when I realized I would need official business cards (it's about time, really) I wanted something unique. Something that will stand out...hopefully make people remember me and my booth. 

So this is what I am working on...

Round one...
 Shipping tags (an element often used in the scrap industry) splattered with ink (a big trend right now)...

Round two...
 A custom stamp with my important info on it. (Stamps are a staple in this community)

Rounds Three and Four...
Adding Washi tape (a HUGE trend right now, I noticed a lot of manufacturers are releasing several tapes this season) and Baker's Twine (Love the look and texture when it's bundled like that).

So, what do you think? Am I hired?!
(man I hope so....)

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Lovin' Sundays

I love Sundays for these reasons...

waiting for basketball to start...
 watching Nakiah block shots, rebound, and make the sweetest pump fake move ever!...
time at the big park...





snacks...
 movies and cuddle time...

in a bit Ev will go down for a nap and i will get to scrap!

then just before dinner i will run 5 miles.

after that I'll hang with Hottie and catch up on some of our shows.

I've got this all figured out and now Sundays really are the best. This is what I meant when I talked about finding balance in my life. Now that I have 3 day weekends I feel like I can do it all. One day dedicated to chores and not so fun stuff. One day to take the kids and do stuff they would like to do. And Sundays are a bit of both with some time for what I want to do...scrapping, of course! 

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Anthro Love

I have a confession to make.

I think I'm in Love with Anthropologie.

I mean, look at this....how could you not?...
A-MAY-zing glassware and kitchen stuff. Including THE prettiest aprons. EVER.

Stunning decor and beyond fabulous clothing/shoes/accessories.

Super cute stationary stuff that is hard to find anywhere else.

Darling furniture.

Crafty bits hidden around every nook and cranny...HELLO old time-y spools! Come to Mama!

A beautiful wall of different colored wood planks. more pretty cups and journals.

Mock Bedroom/Bathroom set ups to. die. for.

Seriously, can I just move in?

I would be thrilled to make my home look like this one day. *sigh* (wistful look off into the distance) one day.

The one and only not so great thing about the store Anthropologie is that it is a bit rich for my blood. Maybe one day I will be rolling in the dough. Then I'll be able to actually purchase some of these to die for items. For now I will just drool, dream, take photos, and be jealous of the people in line who are actually able to take some of these goodies home. ;)  


I was so inspired by my new love that I decided to create a layout...

removed for publication

I used the January Studio Calico kit (Brooklyn Flea) + some extra stuff... like Crate Paper trim, Smash Stamp, and Washi tape.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Make It A Good Day

Today was awesome sauce. Admittedly, it didn't start out great. Luckily I am a believer that things can turn around and that happened. Yeah! (The power of positive thinking is amazing.)

Today I:

*Worked from 7am to 315pm (Like a dog!)

*Threw on my running gear and ran 11 miles. (I kick so much butt!) (Don't look too closely at this picture or you may spot my hairy legs...ew.)


*Drank a d-lish smoothie with fruit, spinach, and protein powder (Thank you Hottie and Vitamix!)

*Got happy mail. (Studio Calico January kit- booya!) and Studio Calico December Daily add-on (Thanks to my friend Susan....you are the BEST!)


*And best of all....Received another email request for layout publication (Toot, toot! Sooooo exciting!)

Wouldn't it be amazing if I could make it a good week? I hope all of you in the blogosphere have many good days and great weeks ahead.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Lucky Girl

My daughter might just be one of the luckiest girls on the planet. Because she has this guy for a Dad...

Journaling reads:  When we found out we were having a girl the two of us were thrilled. Still, I never could have imagined what a Daddy's girl you would be. You favorite place is in his arms, you smile the biggest when he walks in the door, & he is the only person you want to cuddle. The best part is he feels the same way...//This is the best part of the day for you both. Cuddle time.

Loving the trim by Crate Paper turned into flowers, Amy Tangerine mixtape background for the title, and pattern embellishments by Studio Calico(which is no longer available. Hey, you snooze you lose.)


I'm not gonna lie, sometimes I get bummed out that every morning when she wakes up she calls for him first...and lights up most when he's in the room...and wants all of his attention, all of the time...But when I see him with her it makes my heart swell with happiness and pride. Like today for instance. Evareaux has been glued to him since he got home from work...they prepared dinner together...he gave her a bath...made her giggle her head off putting on lotion...and is now giving her plane rides on his legs...while she dives in for kisses...


He is a fantastic father to this little girl. She is an excellent daughter. And for those reasons I feel like the lucky one. (Besides, whenever he's not around I am next in line.) :)