Terrific Thursday

I have another day off work, so I am headed back to The Scrapbook Tree to get some more work done. My plan is to work on Pencil Lines Sketch #95, stuff for Pink Sketches, and possibly start a mini book. If you haven't seen it yet, I made a new layout/header for Pink Sketches. I am very proud of it. I think I'm finally getting the hang of photoshop elements.

I can't believe I only have a week and a half until I go to Chicago. I am totally not prepared, I have a million things to do. I don't really have directions to anything. The only sure things is I have my tickets, and I booked a hotel. lol. 

Oh, and I forgot the most wonderful news, one of my layouts is going to be published in Scrapbook News + Review. It's my very first publication so I'm very excited about it! I'll post more details when I get them.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday, check back tomorrow for new layouts.

Sketch Book

Since I'm launching Pink Sketches in a few weeks, I decided to alter a notebook and make it a "sketch book". I'm going to print all my sketches in 4 x 4 size on photo paper, then put them in my sketch book with a little note about them or a picture of the layout I made from them. 

Products used: My Dearest Paper by Sassafras Lass, October Afternoon Give a Hoot Rub Ons and patterned paper, Brown Platform Thickers, a plain white notebook from archiver's.

Front

Sneak Peek Inside 

Back

Hope you enjoyed. It's my first real altered item. If you are also a fan of sketches and would like to join the Pink Sketches Design Team make sure you check out http://pinksketches.typepad.com/

2 New Layouts

I went cropping yesterday and had a great time. I finished 2 layouts, and I altered a notebook that will now become my sketch book (check back tomorrow for that). I love hearing comments so please feel free to leave some. 

Also a thanks to everyone who has applied for the Pink Sketches Blog design team. This is going to be a really tough choice, please keep the entries coming. Your last day to submit your application is August 7th. If you need more info on applying check out the website or email me at kelli11181984@mac.com

Now on to the layouts.

The first layout is for Got? Sketch #65. All the patterned paper is from the Archaic line fromBasic Grey, the ribbon is from my lss and the chipboard letters are from Joann's. The giggle ticket is an adage ticket from Tim Holtz.

The next layout I did was based off Sketch 17 from Triple The Sketch. This layout (patterned paper and embellishments) is made with the Vita Bella Collection from My Little Yellow Bicycle. The letters are grungeboard by Tim Holtz, inked by me. And Prima daisy doodle Flowers in green apple (now available at Michael's).

Exciting News

Over the weekend my package of the Vita Bella Collection arrived from Two Peas. Wow did I get a lot of stuff. lol. I originally thought it was about 40 papers and a few embellishments. Boy was I wrong, lol. I got about 70 papers and just about 2 of every sticker, brad, and embellishment from the collection. I plan on using it for a mini book of my trip to Chicago, but I think I am going to have quite a bit extra. Don't you think??? lol. Hey, who can pass up a 75% off sale? Here it is, sitting on my VERY MESSY desk, don't mind the clutter.

I also have some other very exciting news. I am starting my own scrapbook sketch challenge site. Pink Sketches Blog will launch August 17th. Each week it will feature a different sketch made by myself or the design team. Scrapbookers around the world will get to interpret the sketch in their own layouts and then post them on the site. Right now I'm getting together my design team if you are interested in joining the team you can find out more information HERE.

Today I am off to crop at The Scrapbook Tree. Hopefully to use some of this Vita Bella Collection. Have a great day, and check back tomorrow for some new layouts! 

New Layouts (updated)

I updated these layouts today by taking new pictures. I think they turned out a lot better.

Whoooo Loves You? - I used all October Afternoon patterned paper. I just love the little deer. This layout I did for Pencil Lines Sketch # 94. I think it turned out great I really love it.

Ann Arbor Art Fair 2008 - A multi picture layout, I've never done one with pictures this small. I really like the way it turned out, even though all the pictures are small you can still see the art.

I also started another layout. It's a picture of my baby cousin at our favorite ice cream shop Culver's. I still have to add embellishments.

Dabbling In Digital

I played around a little in Photoshop Elements today, I'm really just trying to get the basics down. Cutting, pasting, drop shadows, rotating. I've pretty much got that all down. What I would really like to do is figure out how to make my own digital patterned paper and embellishments. If anyone has any ideas or site references let me know! I downloaded The Promise Collection from shabbyprincess.com and played around with it a little just moving things around and stuff. It's not finished, but you can kind of get an idea. Please post in the comment section if you have any digital scrapbook reference sites you enjoy.

Happy Thursday

It's finally Thursday, and that means a day off of work for me! Woohoo! I'm heading to Joann's to see if they have any new scrapbooking supplies, then I'm off the lunch with my cousin and my aunt. My order of the Vita Bella Collection shipped yesterday from Two Peas. I can't wait to get my hands on it and start making my mini book. I've also been looking into getting some pages published and joining a scrapbook design team. I think it would be a wonderful way to communicate with other scrapbookers, and a great way to showcase my art. If your also interested in learning about getting your layouts published I recommend Pub Calls it's a blog that lists sites that are calling for a designer/layout etc. 

A big congratulations to Kelly Purkey  for becoming a member or the Two Peas Garden Girls design team!!! If you have never checked out Kelly's blog before make sure you check it out. Her work is AMAZING!

Have a wonderful day!

Check for an Update....

Check for an update on here later tonight. I originally came online to make a post of my new layouts, well i headed over to two peas in a bucket and they had 75% off the Vita Bella collection. So I kind of ordered everything. LOL. OMG this is a sickness. I thought it would be perfect to make a mini book of my trip to chicago. Where else could I get a whole collection with embellishments for $40?????? I think I ordered something like 40 sheets of 12 x 12. It is a beautiful collection and I think it will great with my chicago pics. Have a great day and check back after 8 pm for the new layouts. I'm off to work!

You know you are a scrapbooker if you.......

Im super busy cooking pasta and salads for my brother's graduation party. I think we have cooked around 10 lbs. of pasta, it is crazy!!! So I really don't have an exciting post today. I did however make a trip to michael's and picked up 2 magazines and a few sheets of S.E.I. paper. I was flipping through Memory Maker's Magazine and seen a cute little article that I thought I would share as a post today.

You know you are a scrapbooker if you:

1. Use cardstock to select the paint colors in your home.

2. End up with bits of paper stuck to your shoe.

3. Own a red eye pen

4. Approach every event as a scrapbook layout

5. Photograph your child in a particular outfit because it coordinates with patterned paper.

6. Look at every item in your junk drawer as a possible embellishment

7. Can spot a new paper collection immediately.

8. Think that hybrid is something other than a type of plant.

9. Carry your camera in your purse at all times.

10. Dream of an organized well stocked scrap space.

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone, I am headed to the beach for the grad party. Then tomorrow I am headed bright an early to go cropping at The Scrapbook Tree . So hopefully I will have some layouts to share by tomorrow night.

Ann Arbor Art Fair

The art fair was amazing, but it was way too HOT! I'm still exhausted. I walked all day at the art fair, then got up and worked 8 hours the next day, and after that was out shopping for my brother's graduation party. My feet are killing me. 

I'm hoping to squeeze in a little digital scrapbook today, so stay tuned for some new layouts.

The Start Of My Digital Scrapbooking Adventures

So I took a stab at digital scrapbooking today using Adobe Photoshop Elements for Mac. I went to scrapgirls.com, downloaded a free kit, and literally just cut, pasted, and added a drop shadow. Hey, it's only my first time, don't laugh. lol. I think honestly the most difficult thing is learning how to do things in photoshop. A blog buddy was kind enough to suggest jessicasprague.com. She has a lot of free tutorials, so I will be taking a look at it over the next few days. So here is my super easy, super fast FIRST digital scrapbook layout!!!!

A thanks to everyone who has been leaving comments on the blog lately, I love hearing everyone's ideas. And it puts a face to the people who are visiting the site instead of just a number on the counter. Don't be a lurker!!! Leave a comment!! Also feel free to email me anytime. I love to chat and share ideas my email is under my picture on the left <-----

And make sure to check out Kline Art Studio. They did a little interview with me about Pink Chihuahua Art and put it on their blog. www.klineartstudio.com/blog/

Now it's off to Ann Arbor for the Art Fair, it's suppose to be SUPER hot. But I'm sure a lot of fun. I will make sure to take lots of pictures.

YAWN.......

Wow, I'm am tired, really tired. I can't wait to get a few days off of work.

I finally downloaded Photoshop so I can start doing some digital scrapbooking. There is only 1 problem. I have no idea where to start. I was a print shop pro user on my pc, but now that I've switched to mac I decided I better get the best. So I'll be playing around with that for the next few days trying to figure it out.

The blog really has been booming over the past week. The site counter is already over 2000 hits, I can't believe it. It's sort of switching from an etsy blog to a scrapbooking blog. Which is cool, but I am still going to be working on my etsy stuff too. If you look to the right <----- I am like number 120 on the top scrapbooking blogs. I started at number 298 or something like that, so I think I'm doing pretty darn good. I've had a lot of great response from my pencil lines sketch, and a ton of wonderfully nice emails so thanks everyone!!!!

Tomorrow I'm headed to the Ann Arbor Art Fair. My aunt, cousin and I go every year. There is nothing like it. Hundreds of artists lining the streets of the University of Michigan campus displaying some of the most amazing art you will ever see. If your in the area check it out. Stay tuned tomorrow evening for a review of the Art Fair, and tons of pictures I'm sure.

And The Winner Is........

The winner of The Pink Chihuahua Art double feature blog promo is Art by Mar! 

Now I will be the first to admit that I have never really been a jewelry person. I either lose it, or I can just never find anything I like. But Art by Mar takes jewelry in a new direction. The necklaces and rings are made from original art prints and paintings. It really provides something new and fresh to a category that has so many competitors. I can not believe how many jewelry makers there are on etsy, it really is amazing. It's wonderful to see something so unique. So please go check out Art by Mar!!! Hopefully you find something you like.

I also want to thank everyone again for their participation. I will be extending the blog feature from the weekend. I will leave the post up below until Wednesday. Have a great day and please check back for future etsy promotions.

Pencil Lines Sketch 92

I just finished my first ever Pencil Lines sketch!!! I love it! I think it turned out really good, and I am getting a lot better at taking pictures of my layouts. I'm also really enjoying making one page layouts. I got into the habit of making all 2 page layouts, but one page layouts are just as fun. I can't to see what next weeks sketch is! Make sure you check out pencillines.com!!

Weekend Etsy Shop Promo

I want to thank everyone who participated in the Pink Chihuahua Art Etsy Shop Promotion. Shop owners, make sure you check back Monday to see if you were chosen as the double feature winner! Other blog buddies, enjoy this list of etsy stores. Take some time and shop around!

Pink Chihuahua Art - Handmade polymer clay creations. Ladybugs, bears, bees and more!

Originals By Terry - Jewelry - Blog 

Treasure Field - An eclectic mix of art and jewelry 

Sugar Press Studios - Shabby chic artwork and vintage finds 

Stella Hannigan - Modern bags, totes, journals, greeting cards and more!

Pfeiffer Photos - Digital photo prints and notes - blog - flickr page

Lost River Rags & CandleLights - Hand poured goats milk soaps, goat milk lotions, soy tea tree soap, shea butter soaps and soy candles

Alison Kelley Designs - Handmade Jewelry 

Silver Sunbeam - Shrines out of old mint tins, glitter, flowers and more

Mixology Makeup - Organic Mineral Makeup (The Healthy Makeup Alternative)

Rebecca's Soap Delicatessen - Quality shea butter soaps that smell like delicious favorites from the kitchen!

Half and Acre - Funky fabulous and ridiculously cheerful things to brighten up your home!

Cupcake Manor and More Paintings - Cupcake paintings

Yeah Hello - Vintage jewelry creations :: settling your inner urge to wear unique, fun and funky pieces to stand out amongst the crowd

Snaplife Images - Hand painted custom photo note cards

The Cuddle Shop - Unique handmade sock monkeys, plush, and other sock monkeyish items

Pisces Fly Eight - One of a kind necklaces, earrings, bags and brooches

Stripey Monkey - Handforged Jewelry in sliver and gold combined with precious metals and vintage items.

Colgan Designs - jewelry

Designs By Reese - Unique handcrafted jewelry. Specializing in fine silver semi-precious beads and stones - blog

Made By Dina - Beach tote bags, unique earrings, wish bracelets as wedding favors, and flame resistant b.b.q. aprons

Blossoms - Clay flowers and arrangements - blog

Broken China Treasures - Makes broken china beautiful again

Simple Vintage - Vintage Items

Melt'm Design Studio - Jewelry made from a variety of techniques including sawpiercing, stone setting, casting and more.

Simply Sentimental - Handmade greeting cards, and scrapbook paper piercings - blog

So Bead It Jewelry - Jewelry

Abbydon Kraftwerks - Handcrafted items for you and your home. Jewelry, magnets, bookmarks, keychains, novelties and more!

Miss Indie - Handcrafted indie fashions. scarves, hats, bags, shirts, jewelry and other creative accessories!

Sk Photography - Invites, thank yous, graphic design work, and photography

Pear Blossom Boutique - Children and baby shirts/onsies that have hand-stitched appliques.

TanyBug - Fun and Funky camera straps for your DSLR/SLR cameras!

Sweet Body - Handmade soaps, scrubs and balms.

Chey Lo Creations - Cute and convenient baby and toddler items.

Muddy Muse - Handmade clay creations.

Sweet B - Art and expressive lettering for your unique needs.

Cute and Sweet - simple little clippies, fun woven headbands and cute critters for hair.

Art by MAR - colorful paintings and art pendants

Dressed to Impress

Yesterday was a very laid back day. I spent most of the day working on travel plans for Chicago. Making a list of places we want to see and do and trying to plan what days to go where. So far so good. 

I'm also about to start work on some dress forms that I got at a local scrapbook store. I'm trying to decide if I should use the acrylic medium I have, or if I should try Mod Podge. Any suggestions? Send me a message.

I'm also excited to go to Chicago because they are having a art display on the Magnificent Mile called Where Fashion Blooms. There's about 20 decorated dress forms on Michigan Ave. Some with flowers, some with beads. You can see a picture of one CLICK HERE. Isn't that amazing??? I can't wait.

I'm also headed to a late night crop at the scrapbook tree tomorrow night to work on the sketch challenges from pencillines.com and sketch this. Have a great Thursday, I'm off to work until 4.

2 more layouts

Here are two more new layouts. The first one titled Having Fun is one of my first one page layouts, and the first time I used stickles glitter. It's kind of become an obsession now. It can really bring things out in a layout.

The second is a layout that I am going to frame for my friend. It's a picture of her little one the day she brought him home from the hospital. 

I am also headed to the scrapbook tree and stamp garden tomorrow to get some serious cropping done. I am bringing 2 sketches from the sketch challenge sites pencillines.com 

and Sketch This. I figured I would give it a try and see what happens. 

Also make sure you check out Kelly Purkey's Blog she posted new layouts with the brand new Heidi Grace Halloweeen line. It is so adorable!

I will also be holding a special blog promo for etsy shops this weekend, you can find out more info about that here.

Monday

I have a ton of new layouts to upload, I've been taking my time trying to figure out how to get the pictures to turn out better. I think I may have figured it out, take the pictures outside!!! lol. I tried it today with these, and it seems to help out. One layout is of my brother's graduation day, and the other is from a trip to the zoo we made last month. 

I am also in the process of planning a trip to chicago. My brother and I are going for a mini vacation. I just booked the hotel, we will be going from August 10th - 12th. Just 3 days, but it will be a nice getaway. I've never been to Chicago. I can't wait to take tons of great scrapbooking pictures. So far we have planned to go to The Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo and of course walk the Magnificent Mile.

Have a great day, and check back tomorrow for more layouts. 

Some New Layouts

I decided to finally post a few new scrapbook layouts I have made over the past few weeks. For some reason the pics are a little blurry, I'm still working on taking good pictures of my layouts. If you have any tips let me know. I think the layout of the aquarium is one of my all time favorites. It just all fell together perfectly. I love the colors, and for the first time I used eyelets with the Crop A Dile!!!!!! Hey I'm a beginner don't laugh! lol! Enjoy the layouts and check back tomorrow for more.

Happy Fourth of July!!!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday. I slept in late, and now I just have to get motivated, get my butt off the computer, and get moving. I'm going to take the dogs for a walk then I'm headed to a B.B.Q. with the family, which will hopefully provide some great scrapbooking pages. 

Have you ever gotten on the computer and before you know it, its 3 hours later? That happened to me last night when I started looking at scrapbook sites. I just kept getting more and more inspired and before I knew it I added about 15 websites to my bookmarks as favorites. Here are a few you should definitely check out.

ScrapART Designs -  She made seriously one of the cutest mini books that I have ever seen. The colors are absolutely stunning and the pictures of her adorable pug are even cuter.

Pencil Lines - This is a scrapbooking sketch site. Each week there is a new sketch then scrapbookers from all of the world, post their completed version of the sketch. I think I'm going to try it!

Collection of Moments - I discovered Sasha's site from Pencil Lines. Her pages are just amazingly stunning!! A must see.

Pink Paislee Blog - Rebecca is another AMAZING scrapbooker. Stunning pages, and creative ideas.

Got Sketch? - Another sketch site, that I'm thinking about giving a try.

Getting back into the swing of things...

Vacations are wonderful, but coming back to work and your everyday life is....well.....horrible. lol. So the Original Creative Festival, the one we waited a year to see, was a BUST! They advertised scrapbook make and takes, art dolls, paper crafts.....well they had none of it. 2 tables of art dolls, which were great. And the rest was all quilts. Nothing against quilting, but the quilts that were there looked old and were well..... boring. I don't think we will be returning to the creative festival anytime soon. 

So after the creative festival we went to Newport on the Levee in Newport, Kentucky. It's a really nice area, makes you really feel like your away from home. We got there early because the PENGUIN PARADE was suppose to start at 9:15. We bought our tickets, and waited for the much anticipated penguin parade to start. At about 9:20 out comes 2 ladies and a penguin in a wagon surrounded by plastic, almost like the pope mobile. It was no PARADE. lol. The rest of the aquarium was enjoyable, something different I had never seen before.

All in all the vacation was wonderful, a lot of jokes and laughs. And definitely something to remember.

I also posted a picture of the almost finished Glitter Ladybug, just a few more dabs of glitter here and there and she will be up in the etsy store. If you would like to reserve her, send me an email. Have a wonderful Wednesday, I am off to work. 

P.S. If you haven't visited her site already check out Ali Edwards she is seriously amazing, I lve reading her blog.

Vacation Video

My mini vacation was absolutely wonderful, I will post more on it tomorrow, and I will also be posting a ton of scrapbook layouts that I finished!