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 Friday, June 27, 2008
Photos of my cutie
I am suffering from mother's guilt. I can't remember the last time I took photos of the kids! I tried fooling myself by telling myself if I had a digital camera, I would be apt to take more photographs. But, that's not entirely true. Indeed I might take more, but more than likely not do a darn thing with those images. So, yesterday I stopped formulating tiresome excuses for my inactivity and shot some photos of my daughter before we headed out to the store. (Pig tails lasted a whole 5 minutes in the car ride. Oh well...at least they are documented at least once;) I developed the negatives when we returned home and printed them in the darkroom last night. I think I am going to set up a photo a day challenge for myself.
Photos were taken on our front porch which faces north and both my daughter and myself were in the shade cast by the house. f/5.6 with a ss 125 using my 50mm lens.
This photo is a scan of an 8x10 that will be framed...and apparently hung in my daughter's room as she won't let me have it...vain child of mine!
Now go forth and photograph those loved ones!
Love, Tracy Austin
6/27/2008 3:56:47 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00) 
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Thursday, June 26, 2008
Christmas in July... well almost!
I made this ornament to hang on a tree in Maya Road's booth at CHA-S in Chicago. I think my Dad is the best Santa ever! This is such a simple ornament to create I thought I would share a little tutorial with you.   Supplies Needed:Maya Road Scroll FramesMaya Road SnowflakesStickles (Platinum)Paint (Gold, Red, Silver) DecoArt Crackling Medium Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk InkCrystal Lacquer Strong Adhesive Silver Glass Glitter Buttons Twine Jingle Bell Jump Rings (3) Page from a book Ledger Paper Floss (white for tag) Seam Binding (white) Gold Eyelets (2) Chain of Beads Rhinestones Instructions:- Paint two Maya Road Scrolls Frames Gold, allow to dry
- Apply crackling medium over painted Scrolls Frames, allow to dry
- Paint over dried crackling medium with red paint, allow to dry
- Paint two snowflakes silver, allow to dry
- Cover snowflake with crstal lacquer and apply Silver Glass Glitter, allow to dry
- Adhere buttons to center of dried snowflakes
- Adhere portion of a page from a book to the center portion of Scrolls Frame, allow to dry
- Ink edges using Chestnut Roan place back inside painted Scrolls Frame
- Adhere photo to Scrolls Frame, adhere Scrolls Frame with book page to back (photo will be sandwiched in the middle of both Scroll Frames)
- Punch hole on top and bottom of Scrolls Frame, attach eyelet
- Adhere altered Snowflake to front and back of ornament
- Attach jump rings through eyelets, attach chain of beads for hanger at the top
- Attach a small portin of chain with beads at the bottom, using a jump ring attach a jingle bell to the bead of chain
- Tie a bow using red and white twine onto the bottom jump ring
- Tie to pieces of white seam binding to the hanger and attach a little tag saying Believe
I hope you give this a try. Lisa
6/26/2008 3:42:15 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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I Inspire Me
Need a little creative boost? Check out this blog. I Inspire Me. What? I Inspire Me? Yup! That means you can inspire you
just by looking around your home. Your home decor, your clothing, the
foods you buy ... all of the things you are drawn to, can be a source
of creative inspiration. I am honored to have been asked to join in on
this week's post (thanks Lana!).
I had a BLAST creating a layout based on some items found in my
kitchen! You are just going to have to check it out to see what I came
up with and while you are there you'll be amazed by the work of the oh-so fabulous I Inspire Me design girls. Amy
6/26/2008 10:08:35 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Back from GASC
A quick note to express great gratitude to everyone who attended and participated in my workshops this past weekend. It was so very enjoyable for me to spend a weekend away with a bunch of lovely women who share the same passion in this hobby as I do. The private blog with all step-by-step instructions, all class images, and all example layouts is up and ready for viewing. Sorry...only for class participants;)
And to Suzanne and Cheryl, my two volunteers, I GREATLY appreciate all that you did for me. It goes without saying there was no way I could have done it without you! Many, many thanks!
After my last class I had to quickly pack up to head back to the airport to catch my flight. Only to arrive and discover my flight was delayed. Once I finally arrived in Memphis for my connecting flight, the airport was closed. Lovely. Frugal as I am I seriously contemplated sleeping in the airport. But...I just couldn't do it. Sensiblity won over my cheap tendancies as my head hurt so badly my vision was blurring and the next flight out of Memphis wasn't until 10 am.
I called for a hotel shuttle and headed up to get my new boarding pass for the next day. It was late. I was obscenely exhausted. There was an older woman standing at the counter and although she was obviously losing her mind with the situation, I couldn't help but notice her beautiful complexion and how well the gold shirt was wearing complemented her beauty. So risking annoying this woman even more than she already was...I offered up the complement. You could see her tumbling mind screech to a halt as her face brightened. She was so sweet and really appreciated the off-handed complement. As we sat and talked for just a bit, she asked if I received my hotel voucher? WHAT?????????? A voucher??? They're giving out vouchers????? I almost piddled myself right then and there with excitement!!!! Not only did they give a hotel voucher...but $20 food voucher! I was beside myself with excitement! That's like winning $100! Karma baby!!! Had I not taken the time to offer a genuine complement to a stranger, I would have never known about the vouchers and stayed the night at some roach motel!
Anywho...I'm now home and now starting to prep materials for GASC in Tennessee in September. Here's a sneak peek of just one of the classes I'm teaching there:: 7gypsies Purse Album. Registration for GASC Chatanooga starts in about a week:)
Thank you again to everyone in attendance! I'm looking forward to the next convention!
Love, Tracy Austin
6/25/2008 4:25:03 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thank you's...
I'm not usually a card maker, but lately I've been full of thanks. ;) And I have to admit that its been fun! Here's a couple of cuties from this week...
Supplies: Adhesive (Adhesive Technologies, Provocraft), Buttons (Autumn Leaves), Chipboard (Glitz Designs), Fiber (Martha Stewart Crafts), Patterned paper (Dream Street Papers, My Mind's Eye, Scenic Route), Stickers (Scenic Route), Misc.: staples
Lovin' the little birdie hollarin' out big love! Just makes me smile a bit. :)
Supplies: Adhesive (Adhesive Technologies, Provocraft), Chipboard (BamPop), Fabric paper (Love Elsie), Label tape (DYMO), Patterned paper (Imagination Project), Pen (Uniball), Rub-on (Hambly Screenprints), Misc.: staples
Hope everyone is having a great summer! We celebrated Summer Solstice by taking a jog to the park for a picnic. Well, Bob and I jogged, the kids scootered and rode in the stroller. LOL ;) But it was nice to hang out outside as a family. We've been doing a lot more of that lately and its sooooo lovely! :) May all your summer days and nights be just as sweet. :) ...Stac :)
6/24/2008 12:16:37 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I'm Baaaaaaaaaaack! :)
* Back from GASC.
* Recovery in progress.
* Voice returning. Actually it held out until the very end. Started sounding like Frogger in the truck on the way home, as I sang (screeched) my heart out! ;)
* Boxes stacked up for *Michigan* next month.
* Lessons learned, fun had, great people met, more fun had.
* Scared some folks with my hyperactivity. Other folks were okay with it. Other folks loved it. No worries, I made sure that I sugared everyone up so they were hyperactive with me. ;) Lots of "energetic instructor" reviews. I'm taking that as a positive...better than being a drone. Bwhahahahah! :)
Yep...that was my GASC weekend!! :)
Wanna see a couple of the projects from a couple of the classes? :) Of course ya do! ;)
Here's the Magic Mesh Mania project...
This class is FULL of stampy/painty fun and mess (wet wipes included). You end up with a cute "pieces of me" layout with lil bits of your personality displayed. And then you have an inspiration "list" of techniques to play with Magic Mesh too. :) Double bonus! :) :)
Here's the one of the projects from the KI Memories class...
This one has fingerpainting fun (wet wipes again), stamping with household objects (a fave for this budget conscious girl! LOL), and maybe scariest of all...doodling! LOL Everyone did really great...dove right in to the fingerpainting, and either doing or promising to do the doodley scallops & title! :) Out of the box for some folks but I loved how everyone jumped in with both feet and eyes wide open.
One more share. This is one of the projects from the Vintage Hip class (Jenni Bowlin goodies). 
This was a TOTAL feel good class. Everyone really responded to this one...the products, the projects, and the vintage vibe. Some folks had heritage pic copies that they were using and the projects went from great to WOW with that touch!
If you were there, I'd love to hear about your weekend too! Fave class (mine or someone else's), projects to share, crop stories to laugh at, pics to love, etc. Seemed like a great weekend was had by all! :) ...Stac :)
6/11/2008 10:05:47 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Tuesday, June 10, 2008
23 at 23
i turned 23 just about a week ago...and although i'm still in denial, i did this layout to document 23 things about me at this point in my life.  journaling: i stay up way too late. i have a shoe obsession. i want to move up north. the office never fails to leave me rolling in laughter. i waste way too much time on facebook. i have paper everywhere. it's taking me a ridiculously long time to read "atonement."i have a boyfriend...it still feels weird to say that. i love orchids...especially taking pictures of them. growing up still terrifies me. i love cupcakes. i still take way too many pictures. i'm having concert withdrawals and would like to go to one soon. i need to clean my room really badly. i love dresses. i can't function without coffee. i spend way too much money on place tickets. i still want a jim. i hate the post office. i need to go to more dodger games. stupid peopole entertain me. yellow makes me happy. i am hoping that 23 will be an awesome year. supplies: Cardstock - SEI. Patterned Papers - SEI, American Crafts. Paper Frills - Doodlebug. Monogram - one bored girl @ etsy. flowers, clips - Making Memories. Rub Ons - Jenni Bowlin. Letter stickers, chipboard - American Crafts. Tag, epoxy stickers - SEI. Stickers - KI Memories. :) --caroline
6/10/2008 8:26:36 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Great American Scrapbook Convention in Virginia is next week!!
Who's going?? I am:D Here's one class I will be teaching at the show...albeit sold out...but I will be teaching the same class in Tennessee come this September:)
(You know how when you come across something so revolutionary that you wonder to yourself, "Why didn't they think of this before now?"...yeah...the Black Board by Cosmo Cricket is like that!)
Supplies:
Cosmo Cricket:: Fleuriste collection
Cosmo Cricket:: Black Board Abby's Album
Happy scrapping! Love, Tracy Austin
6/10/2008 12:08:35 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Saturday, June 07, 2008
Hey all! Yesterday we celebrated my little brother's 4th birthday. Man. They grow up so fast. sniff. Here are a few layouts of the cute little bugger in honor of his birthday. :)  Supplies: Prima Marketing Inc.; Heidi Swapp for Advantus; Adobe Photoshop Elements  Supplies: Prima Marketing Inc.  Supplies: TwelveFridays Kit; Prima Marketing Inc.; Heidi Swapp for Advantus isn't he the cutest? :) Brittany PS...yeah. I just realized that I use blue quite a lot. LOL. ;)
6/7/2008 12:22:53 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Thursday, June 05, 2008
Home Sweet Home
Today is the last day of school for my daughter so tomorrow is
officially the first day of summer in our house. My family is so ready. And how do I
spend my first day of summer... walking the floor at GASC in Arlington.
Can't wait! I have never gone and really want to see what this
convention is all about. I'm hoping I get to see Staci since she will be teaching. I will be happy with just a one second hello but I'm sure she will be swamped. Each of her classes sold out... so, so, so happy for her. Anyway, on to the creative side of life... here is a little card tutorial for a card I created for the National Stationary Show. I love using my scraps to create cards. I have a terrible time being able to throw away even the smallest of scraps. I always think I can use it for something and usually I do.  Products:
DCWV Card
Patterned Paper (BasicGrey Mellow)
Maya Road Office Sheers - Memo
Maya Road Heart and Home
Maya Road Scroll Rubons
Maya Road Jonathan Rubons
Ranger Stickles (Crystal)
Thread (Black)
Chestnut Roan (ClearSnap)
Black Pen
Glue Dots
Instructions:
- Cut patterned paper to fit the top of your card
- Using Black thread, sew a straight stitch all around the patterned paper
- Adhere to card
- Ink edges using Chestnut Roan
- Adhere Office Sheer to card as shown
- Alter a house from the Heart and Home chipboard set with patterned
paper, ink edges and heart using Chestnut Roan, accent house using a
Black Pen
- Adhere to top of Office Sheer, accent house using Crystal Stickles
- Adhere Scroll and Jonathan Rubons
Enjoy, Lisa
6/5/2008 11:54:46 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Sunday, June 01, 2008
Days To Remember
We always have frames which ends up without a glass cover. I counted mine and it totalled to three. So I set out to try and make use of it. Here is what I created. You can view the entire class over at www.badgirlskits.com. Head on over to the forum. Click on "Summer Workshop Classes". You will find everything you need there. All the classes are awesome. Hope you can join us.  Materials: old wooden frame, Melissa Frances paper and resin frame, Jeni Bowlin Mini Calendar Set, October Afternoon Stamp, Music Sheet, Maya Road Chipboard, Making Memories Paint, Ranger Distressing Powder, Lace, Prima flowers and vintage brad, ribbon, Gold paint and gold wax, rhinestone. Iris
6/1/2008 8:39:59 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Saturday, May 31, 2008
Running again!
A non scrapbook related post...but as with everything that happens in your life...there is always potential for a scrapbook related topic;) ...I'm running again. I used to run and following an injury (with no health insurance) I had to stop. It has been about 13 years. It's three miles, three times a week (kickboxing and spin classes mixed in for interest)... It's a start.
To keep my pace steady, I needed tunes...ones to motivate. I always find music used in advertising inspirational. (Think Nike commercial with Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve...which is already on the ipod.) Google "commercial music" and you will find websites that list favorite commercials sporting tunes with links to itunes. So I share with you my new list of inspirational songs (sporting a Beatlesque flavor). Perfect motivation to keep me trudging along.
A Beautiful World by Tim Myers
Her Morning Elegance by Oren Lavie
Let it Out by Starrfadu
The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson
Perfect Timing (This Morning) by Orba Squara
We All Radiate by Average Superstar
Bubbly by Colbie Caillat
And my favorites::
We're All in this Together by Ben Lee
New Soul by Yael Naim
Happy scrapping! Love, Tracy Austin
5/31/2008 9:19:56 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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