Alter This

Christmas Season!

I am so excited about my new custom blog header designed by Lynda, owner of Exquisite Expressions! If you would like to have a custom header made for your blog, website or etsy shoppe, you can contact her through her site: Exquisite Expressions.  Lynda is a true professional and her work is beautiful and fast! 

I love Christmas, the lights, the cookie swaps, shopping for the perfect gift and the get-togethers with friends and family! I have to admit that Christmas Eve has always been a favorite.  Our family has built a tradition that includes an Italian feast, opening presents and sharing laughs and memories.   This year will be no different except that we will have the joy of sharing this season with our two grandchildren, Braeden and Brody.

Recently I taught a few Holiday classes, including a 25 days of Christmas book.  My goal was to fill this book with lots of memories from the season, not necessarily one photo a day but some of my favorites from the season. 

Below are a few photos I took for Day #8.....

The two reindeers need a nap.....:)

In addition to taking some photos this season, I have been busy working on some class projects, new designs for Accucut, and some layouts and projects for Creative Imaginations, all for the upcoming CHA Winter show in Anaheim. Creative Imaginations has some really fun products coming out at the show...including new wood products and luminarte misters, daubers and pods, oh my!
Speaking of Creative Imaginations, they are giving away $25.00 worth of your favorite products every day up until Christmas.  All you have to do is post on their blog each day! One winner will be announced every day and on the 12 day one lucky person will win $100 worth of products! So go and post everyday for more chances to win!

Before I end this note, I wanted to answer a few emails for my kits. I have shipped out everyone who ordered a kit through this past Saturday. If you are interested in a class kit you can email me or purchase one here. {Note, i only have a few left of each}

QOTD:  "Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.~ Larry Wilde

Thank you!

Thank you to so many of you wonderful friends who have emailed me and asked why I am neglecting my poor poor blog!  I don't have any excuses that are good enough! But i can say that i have been traveling so much since July.  I truly feel blessed to have met so many great women who allow me the opportunity to share my work, inspire me to create more and leave me with such warm memories.  Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
A huge thank you to each of these stores and the gals who supported each event

1. CHA Summer - July Orlando
2. Violettes Art Stamp and Scrapbook Store - Lakeland Florida
3. Scrappy Boutique  Orlando Florida   July
   
4. Colorful Creations Hyannis Massachusetts  August
5. Archivers ...Chicago  August
6. Croptopia Getaways - Manchester NH....August
7. Scrapfest 2009 - Mall of America....Minnesota - September
8. Cat's Creations .... TX - September
9. Crafty Scrapper....TX - September 
10. Lone Star Scrapbooking .....TX  - September
11. Novel Approach ...TX - September
12. Croptopia Getaways - Cruise to Bermuda.....October
13. My Scrapbook Mania - Alabama....October
14. Scrap Chic Boutique.....Atlanta....October
15. The Scrapbook Shoppe - Cruise to Bahamas.....November
16. Scrappy Boutique....November 

I am home until after the holidays teaching locally! I am in the process of updating my teaching schedule for the Spring {which is getting pretty full - I am grateful} and adding a photo album from all the great photos over the past few months!

Of course, a post is not a post without my two favorite assistants...

 

 

 

 

 

Be Back soon with some updates, upcoming classes and more photos!

Classes!

Just a quick post to let everyone know I will be teaching two classes tomorrow at Right At Home Scrapbooking. 
First class is a fun Summer Pail and Shovel project - the class incorporates 4 different product lines as well as lots of different embellishments!  This class is scheduled on Saturday August 15, 11:30 - 1:30

The second class called "Magiccal" Memories is an interactive book with lots of product and fun little surprises. This class is scheduled for Saturday Aug 15, 2-4pm

Magical Album Closed

Magical Album Open.
Call the store at 508-695-9290 to order a kit or sign up for the classes.

Be back later today to post some additional class kits and some cute photos of the boys!

Back Home!

I am home after 16 days in Florida! I took a few days with the family to visit Universal, Wet & Wild, and Cocoa Beach.  I also had the priveledge of teaching classes at Voilette's Art, Stamp and Scrapbook Store in Lakeland Fl and Scrappy Boutique in Orlando.  I want to thank both stores for having me in to teach and to all the wonderful women who made teaching so much fun! I miss everyone already and hope to come back soon!

CHA was soo fun and the CHA Supershow was amazing and jam packed with people excited to participate in make and takes, classes and purchasing products from local stores!  I worked with Julie and Lexi from the Scrapbook Shoppe as well as All American Crafts Magazine doing make and takes! Creative Imaginations also had a booth to support the stores supplying make and takes and directing everyone to the stores that were carrying our products!  A special thanks to everyone who took my "magic" class at the CHA Show too!

I wanted to let everyone know that I will be teaching this coming Saturday, August 8th at Colorful Creations!  I am excited to teach "The Perfect Escape" using the new Christine Adolph South Seas and Tidepools collections! Lots of little techniques and surprises along the way! 

I will also be teaching my new release from Accucut called "Pailing Away".  This project combines three different product lines from Fancy Pants, Creative Imaginations and Scenic Route!

Call the store to reserve your spot!! 508.790.7676.

Before I sign off a few photos of the boys first beach day! Missed these two so much - being away that long is hard when you have grandbabies!

a little hesitant with the cold water

Brody was having nothing to do with the water at first, after a short time they were loving it!

Brody checking out Braeden's cracker to see if it is bigger than his...he tried to take it away! Cracks me up!

More projects

Just wanted to pop on and post another project I finished with the new leaf album from Accucut. I have received quite a few emails and wanted to let everyone know that my releases will come with a class curriculumn.  Thanks so much for all your messages and interest!  All dies begin shipping to stores on July 24th.

 

 

Leaf album combines product from Creative Imaginations, May Arts, Graphic 45, and 7 gypsies!

And be sure to check out the Creative Imaginations blog for sneak peeks of all their new lines releasing at CHA Summer 2009. And if you are part of the facebook community why not become a fan of Creative Imaginations facebook page.  

Sneak Peek!

I am at my happiest when I am the busiest, and this past month has been crazy busy! {insert smile}.  I love this time of year when all the new products start rolling out for the consumer show.  I am super excited about all the new products that Creative Imaginations is releasing. Be sure to check the Creative Imaginations blog starting later today for our first of many peeks!
Speaking of sneak peeks, I was blessed to have some drawings made into dies with Accucut.  I am thrilled because this opens up so many opportunities for me to develop some fun and unique projects for stores and for classes.  Included in each die purchase are instructions of a project to use as a class.  Here are my first two releases.

 

Beach Pail and Shovel - This die set includes interchangeable top bands {scallop and straight edge} as well as a wave die. 

Fallen Leaves book - This die set includes 3 large leaves and two smaller leaves.

And a blog post is not a blog post without a few photos of the boys and a quote of the week!

I kept the boys overnight on Thursday and Friday and luckily we had sunshine - hence lots and lots of photos!  This is their first fourth of July and I was thrilled to have them here to celebrate! :)

Braeden and Brody watching my dog, of course!

Finally got a smile out of Brody but they both have cut their front teeth..:(

Brody {aka Ham} for the camera

 

Braeden clearly unimpressed with the whole event.

They both loved the wagon and the bubbles that grampy was blowing to entertain them.

And Brody was standing up in the wagon {usually it is Braeden that won't sit}

QOTW:  "Confidence is contagious.  So is lack of confidence." ~ Michael O'Brien

Chance meeting?

I have always believed that things happen for a reason.  This past weekend was one of those "surprises"  that keep you thinking and smiling all weekend. On Saturday, I ran into someone that I have not seen in several years. I have thought about her and her family alot and always hoped someday to see her again.  As I was leaving my local scrapbook store, she was coming in and I couldn't help but give her a hug.  She is someone who always makes me smile, who's laugh is infectious and who's friendship I enjoyed.   Here's hoping we have many more chance meetings cause this girl has missed that girls smile.  

 QOTD:   "A hug is worth a thousand words. A friend is worth more."

 

Weekend Fun!

We had a terrific weekend despite the weather here in New England.  I believe it has rained here all but 3 days in the last 2-1/2 weeks.  Unfortunately it looks like we are not going to see sunshine until later in the week, rumors swirling sometime Thursday.
We did however have some sun on Saturday and the boys came for a short visit sporting their "Red Sox" onesies.  I had to get a few photos in of course!

 

 

Finally a couple of good photos of Braeden!

 

This one of Brody cracks me up...love the two little teeth. 

 

Brody always hamming it up for my camera! :o)

 

They both are more interested in my dog, Sari.  Whenever the boys visit, Sari {a lab} gets her own stuffed toys and drops them near the boys. {too funny}

On Sunday, Braeden stood up and let go keeping his balance for several minutes.  He entertained us with his new found freedom several times getting more and more daring each time.  Even trying to take a step to move to the couch.  Walking seems only a month or so away...rut ro.

At nine months:

Braeden weighs   18.6 lbs height 27.5"

Brody weighs    17.4 lbs height 27.5"

Off to work on some projects for CHA Summer! I do have something fun to share, will post later today if i get the go ahead! :o)

Have a blessed day!

Father's Day Photoshoot!

A few weeks ago I set up an impromptu photo shoot for a gift for my son, Anthony.  I decided to dress up the twins {because they don't object at this age} in his work attire. I framed a few of these and I plan to give it to him this Sunday.  {Note to self:  think of this earlier in the day and not at dusk} 

That Braeden look cracks me up!

Braeden is not impressed

 

Just a few things before I sign off.  A huge thank you to my friend, Shelley Bastaw for using her photography skills for a personal photoshoot. You are funny, generous and super talented and I am so thankful for your time and talents!

And I am teaching the "Wisteria" book at Right At Home on Sunday, June 28.  This is a technique based class with lots of different products inside.  Note:  wear some old clothes! :o)

And finally, I have started adding some of the class dates along my sidebar.  I have additional dates to add once they are firmed up.  Thank you so much for your emails and your requests. 

Have a blessed Father's day weekend!

A oldy but good Quote of the Day! "A friend is one who walks in when others walk out" ~ Walter Winchell

Thursday's ramblings.......

Still feverishly working on this lil O' blog of mine!  My friend and design team member, Jen Davis created another beautiful banner, she used an altered project that I had created several years ago!  Speaking of this blog, does anyone know how to organize my teaching schedule by date?  I still have dates to enter but I am a tad frustrated that I cannot list my teaching classes in an organized manner.  arrgh! 

While updating the blog, I realized that I have not written down recent milestones for both boys since they were 7 months old.  So here is a list of what each of them has accomplished. 

Braeden

•  Was the first twin to have a tooth, he now has two teeth on the bottom.  He likes to stick his tongue out to feel the teeth.  {see photo}
• Braeden crawls all over the place and even sits on his knees and sometimes I notice his little foot on the floor trying to stand up. Yikes!
• Braeden likes to follow you around the house - he is quick and is always scanning for something to get into  - like my receiver, dvd player, the dog, the dog's toys, you see where this is going......
• Braeden is much more mobile but less chatty. 
• Braeden capitalizes on Brody not crawling by taking his toys and crawling away. 
• Braeden has decided that he doesn't like my camera and I find it is difficult to get a good shot of him.

Brody

• Has two teeth but they both came in after Braeden.  Now I have some trouble telling them apart, Braeden still has his hair slightly longer and that helps
• Brody just started crawling a month after his brother.  He was perfectly happy to sit and laugh at his brother crawling all over the place. 
• Brody is getting good at protecting his toys and even becoming a bit more forthright in taking them from Braeden {see photo}
• Brody is a bit chatter - says dada now
• I have been teaching both boys to wave "bye-bye" now when Brody sees me he immediately waves at me.  {I love that}
• Brody loves the camera, only lately he has been squinting his eyes when i take out my camera...

A few favorites of both boys from a few weeks ago. 

  

Braeden and Brody playing nice....sort of

 

Brody liking Braeden's toy better

Brody being much more forthright in getting the toy from Braeden. Braeden looking very unimpressed.

 

Braeden and his silly tongue hanging out. :)

 

Brody hamming it up for the camera.

I recently starting scrapbooking the babies, here is a few shots of the first album of course, it is still in the works. Lots of techniques going on in this little book.

 

 

QOTD:  "There are people who make things happen, there are people who watch things happen, and there are people who wonder what happened. To be successful, you need to be a person who makes things happen." ~Jim Lovell