...is turning 7! I can't believe that this little one we prayed for so long to have and honestly gave up on ever having is turning 7 years old! This parenthood gig is a crazy roller coaster! And of course, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! :)

If you know anything about little girls, then you know they are all about parties. Especially birthday parties. Lilli has been planning her party for ages--where to have it, what kind of cake, who gets invited, and on and on for infinity! :) But I think we have it set now for the most part!

Being a crafty girl, you know I wanted to make the party invites! ;) But making 20+ invites for the kiddos in her class didn't sound like a very logical use of my time b/c I know that they'll be smushed into backpacks and be lucky to make it home. LOL :) But the call to the creative side could only be tempered slightly by practicality. Translate that to: I went digi! :) :)

I know! I was shocked too! I love goofing off in Photoshop but rarely do a full-out digi thing. But I did this week! Wanna see? ;)

Gotta say...it was soooo much fun!! :) :) :) So, while I'm feeling digi-lovey-dovey, anybody have any must-see, must-have digi kits? I'll send ya an air-smooch for a link! ;)

Hope you are having a smilie-filled day! ...Staci :)

I got to teach 5 classes this past weekend in Danbury, CT. I had a blast and had such a great time teaching new techniques to everyone. If there is one thing I love that would be techniques. Here are a few photos of the album covers that I taught. You will find all kinds of fun things to learn and play with on them.

This class everyone got to learn how to make ribbon flowers, play with Ranger Distress Crackle Paint and Inks, learn the many ways of using Stickles, learn to layer, layer, layer and layer patterned paper (because I love patterned paper) and accenting felt with a backstitch. It was so much fun and everyone did such a great job. They decided my motto was "No Stress". I took a training seminar once and it was so stressful I couldn't even cut my paper right, find the embellishments etc. I swore right then and there that I would never have a class like this and so far have kept to my word.

Okay next cover...


This class was playing with glitter and distress your paper edges and inking. I am always amazed as to how many are afraid of glitter. Do not fear glitter. Glitter is your friend and is a wonderful accent.


This one was all about painting, covering chipboard, using a craft knife, stickles and again distressing. It was so cool seeing everyone walk out of each class holding their albums that happened to look just like mine.

So if you have these products listed and have not tried them yet break them open and start playing. You are missing out on a lot of fun. My post next week will be about using the Fiskars border punches. If you have these and have not yet used them well get ready for some fun and super easy ideas.

Hugs,
Lisa

Nothing like some new goodies to make ya feel like scrappin'! I've got lots of goodies to play with, but these tags were calling to me. They're a little "prettier" than my usual vibe, but maybe that's what appealed to me. Even a non frou-frou girl can do a little floral sometimes, ya know! LOL :) Kinda out of the box for me. ;) Not to mention my new fave stamps evah!

So, the journaling...yes, I'm feeling sentimental. Van is growing up so fast, despite her screams to the contrary. She can hollar "I not a big girl...I a baby!" till the cows come home, but she can't stop time from passing. And to be honest, even the hissy fit is testament to the fact that she's almost 3yo! (Hey, this sounds like journaling for another layout! A layout inspired by me chattering about a layout...might be a first! ;) LOL) Anyways, this layout is just me hoping that she'll discover herself a bit and not just take bits & pieces of the other kids experiences/personalities.

Hope y'all are having a great week! Maybe some new scrappin' goodies in your midst too? Don't delay...jump right in...and put 'em to work! :)

...Staci :)

Supplies: Adhesive (Adhesive Technologies, Provocraft), Buttons (Doodlebug, Making Memories), Cardstock (Bazzill), Flower (Doodlebug), Pen: Martha Stewart Art, Stamps (Fontwerks), Stickers (7gypsies, American Crafts), Transparency (My Mind's Eye), Misc.: staples

I've been such a bad blogger for the past couple of months that I thought I would try to make up for it! 

No layout today but inspired by Katie's post on the Magazine Editors' blog, I got out my Picture Perfect Home Studio Kit and did a little photo shoot with my kiddos.  Here are a few of Clara (I haven't edited Alex's yet... but he only sat for about seven photos... sigh)...

This one isn't as sharp as I would like (its extremely overcast here today and we have a dark house anyway so I had sloooooow shutterspeeds) but I love her genuine expression (I had just informed her that when she puts her head back when she poses, I get pictures of what's inside her nose)...


And finally... the signal that our little session was over...


Have a great weekend!

Tracie

The scrapping funk cloud that I've been living under for the past month or so that is!  I finally finished a layout today!  I have started several... however, none had made it to the point of being finished.  I'm hoping that my finished layout is the one I needed to get me back on a scrapping roll.

Last week we were in Missouri visiting my parents.  We live in downtown Chicago so it is a nice change of pace to be out in the country with all of that space.  One of Alex and Clara's favorite things to do there is build contraptions with whatever miscellaneous stuff of my dad's that they find.  Here is one of their most recent creations...

The Sister Launcher...

Supplies:
Puddle Jumper by Emily Powers & Kasia Sikorska @wearestorytellers.com
Black Tile Alpha by Emily Merritt @wearestorytellers.com
Fonts - AL Uncle Charles and Arial Black

Journaling:
you just never know what you two will come up with
you actually make a frightening pair...
alex, the engineer, building the contraption
and clara, the daredevil, ready to test it
this day it was a new life for the ramp grandpa had made you for your bikes
tomorrow... who knows what you will create.... (I just hope it’s safe!)

Woo hooo... it's good to be back!  I hope to have more layouts to post soon!

Tracie

http://www.greatamericanscrapbook.com/Show.aspx?ShowId=7

I'm excited!  It is June 20th-21st.  Here is just one class that I will be teaching that weekend using the new Cogsmo collection from Cosmo Cricket::  The Lazy Days of Summer with Cosmo Cricket::

 

 

The class is listed as advance because you need some experience using a craft knife.  In the class I will teach you a fun technique of creating funky frames out of cardstock...Prism cardstock to be exact:D  We will then use the scraps to create a boredom jar to get you through summer vacation;) 

Hope to see you there:D

Love, Tracy Austin

 

With embellishments coming in packs, we often have several left over which we don't want to keep using on our layouts. Because of this, I try to find ways to use up my left over embellishments. Here is a bookmarker I made with the American Crafts Felt embellishment and the Love Elsie Ribbons. I just punched holes on both sides of the AC embellishment and added buckles to hold the ribbon.

Iris