Happy Halloween and an October Recap!

How do you plan on spending your Halloween? I plan on taking my lunch break and checking out my son's classroom party and school Halloween parade. He's going to be Indiana Jones. That's a more manly costume and much more age-appropriate look for a very grown-up 5th grader, at least that's what he's informed me.

Then we will go trick or treating if the weather holds. And here in Utah it's anybody's guess whether we'll have sleet and snow or a warm, fall day. Here's hoping for a warm evening rather than layers of coats, scarves, and not to mention costumes.

I also wanted to point out a few items you might have missed on my blog this month.

Memories Made Videos:

This month I concentrated on Layout Design for my weekly Memories Made videos. Make sure to describe to my Youtube channel HERE to view each of my videos as they are posted on Wednesday mornings.

Memories Made #27: Mixed Tapes (Grid Layout Design)


Find the video and layout HERE.

Memories Made #28: Tough (Circular Layout Design)


Find the video and layout HERE.

Memories Made #29: A Boy's Life (Centered Layout Design)



Find the video and layout HERE.

Memories Made #30: Family (Diagonal Layout Design)


Find the video and layout HERE.

Memories Made #31: Life Memories (Off-the-Page Layout Design)


Find the video and the layout HERE.

True Scrap 5: This month I had the privilege of teaching again for the online scrapbooking event True Scrap. I created a little sneak peek video you can watch for the class that I taught. Keep watching the True Scrap website as my individual class will be available soon or you can purchase the entire event if you prefer with full access to all the class worksheets, videos, etc.



Additional Projects:
 
In addition to my weekly blog videos and teaching, I've been preparing videos for both Two Peas in a Bucket HERE:



And for Scrapbook and Cards Today Magazine HERE and HERE.

 
I try to create playlists for these videos on my personal Youtube channel in case you miss any of them.Thanks for joining me this month. Look for new projects coming soon including a very special project from 2Peas tomorrow!

Memories Made #31 Scrapbooking Process Video: Life Memories (Off-the-Page Design)

Welcome to a new month of "Memories Made" videos! This month I'm focusing on: Layout Design Styles!

Layout designs range from grid, to free form, to centered, and more. We'll chat about a few of them this month. In each video I'll discuss one of the design styles and how I approach it. I'll share a few examples of them I've already created, and then I'll share the products I used to create the layout.

This week's memory: Remembering My Nephew as a Baby

Where does the time go? I remember my nephew Wyatt being so little. Now he's as tall as James and so grown up. I came across these photos of him as a little man, and I had to journal my feelings of how he's grown. Here is the layout I created from this memory:



This week's technique: Off-the-Page Design

This design stye requires that at least some part of the layout appears to move "off" the page. In this layout I mounted all of my elements right up to the side of the layout, making them appear as if they're might be more coming. This is a great style to use when you want to shake up your design style. Here are a few close-up photos of how I used this design style:


Tutorial Video:

Want to learn more about Off-the-Page design? Then be sure to watch today's tutorial video either HERE on my Youtube channel or below:



Below are the suggested products for recreating this layout. Consider items that can be cut in half or in part like flat stickers, patterned paper, cardstock, and photos. Look for an interesting place to cut through these items so that they still make sense but are used creatively.
 
Suggested Products (click photos for product information):


Let's Try This Again: My Trip to London

After my initial trip to London was cancelled, I was devastated to say the least. And I was also worried about how I was going to use our airline tickets with all the restrictions provided by the airline. Still there are much worse sorrows in the world and past sharing my sadness via my blog, I really did try to suck it up and move on.

So when Tracie Hudson contacted me about trying to salvage the event, I was both intrigued but more than a little wary. But after loads and loads of messages back and forth, I realized I could NOT leave those lovely ladies without an event so Tracie and I worked some magic and I am now heading to England in November after all. YAY!!!

I have waited to share the news here on my blog as I did not want to jinx anything, but I also didn't want to drop off the grid while I was gone and then suddenly pop on again with a bunch of photos of my trip and have you wonder "what in the world?"

The excitement of the "new" trip has begun to hit me again. I only recently finished up the workshop classes and shipped off the supplies to Tracie (four very heavy boxes). I also finalized my airline reservations and my husband my hotel arrangements, and now I need to start thinking about what I want to see and do while visiting one of my dream destinations.

Tell me one thing you would see or do if you were traveling to London. This is my first time out of the US, and I'm quite excited to visit a place I've always dreamed about.

Here are a few things I wouldn't mind seeing while I'm there, and mind you I'm planning on a rather cold trip but am hoping the magic of chilly weather mixed with the lights of London will make this a special trip:


Thank you for bearing with me on the back-and-forth of this adventure. Once I actually land in London I think the reality will hit me and I will finally get to have all the fun I've dreamed of having.

Product Focus #34: Washi Tape Scrapbooking Products


From time-to-time I'll focus on a particular paper crafting tool or product type that I'm loving at the moment. I share a few of the products that I love and ways I like to use them in a special blog post, and then I'll share a few samples of how I (or some of my favorite designers) have used them as well.


If you haven't yet joined the Washi Tape Band Wagon, I'm warning you right now that I'm going to "talk you into it." Washi tape is such a fun and easy embellishment to add your page. But it has several functional duties as well. I've used it as adhesive to hold items in place while I stamp, die cut, and place items temporarily on my layout. It looks great. Comes in a variety of sizes and styles and works just like regular tape but looks like an embellishment.


Washi tape is everywhere. But here are a few of my favorite picks from the 2Peas store. If you want to find the latest selection at 2Peas simply search by "TAPE" in the store search engine:




Here are some samples of how I've used washi tape on my projects:


Idea #1: As a border across the page.



(Source: Two Peas)

Idea #2: As a pennant or banner in a set of pennants.



Idea #3:To Point Towards Another Embellishment or Title on your Layout.


(Source: Two Peas)


So how have you used washi tape? Do you buy in bulk and share with friends in a "Washi Tape Exchange." Do you use it for gift wrapping presents or for mailing your handmade cards. Are you using it functionally or decoratively? I'd love to hear your best ideas for Washi Tape in the comments section below. I'm sure I'm going to learn a trick or two.


Pinner's Conference: Or An Excuse to Play

I was so excited when I heard about the "Pinner's Conference" in my neck of the woods. I can't remember the last time I was able to walk a show or take a class, and I really needed to get my creative on. Hosted at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah, this conference included booths ranging from cooking supplies, to scrapbook paper, to boutiques, to jewelry. There really was something for everyone; and even though the show wasn't particularly large, I felt like I got (and spent) my money's worth.


I took three classes while I was there. The first was a Junque album taught by the ever-amazing Kristine McKay from My Craft Channel. Have you check out "My Craft Channel's" website HERE? They offer daily tutorial videos from popular crafters and bloggers. Their shows are quite amazing. They also sell amazing crafting kits and really great prices. Here's a peek at the album kit we were given for just over $30:




Kristine shared a few techniques and then set us free to create our own album:


The class was only an hour and you know I need more time than that to play, so I have plans to finish up and share the completed album here on my blog. Here's a little peek at how it's looking so far:


The next class I took was from the fabulous Heidi Swapp. I think this is the first class I've ever taken with Heidi. I've been in a class with Heidi, but at the time she wasn't the teacher as we were taking a Copic Certification class together. Heidi is a very dynamic teacher and enthusiastic about what she creates and what she offers. In this class we got to play with the Color Shine papers and mists in this $20 kit:


While I own some of her mists, I hadn't really ever played with her paper products that match. Ok, this class blew me away with the fun of it all. I haven't really gotten into misting much (as I'm sure you've noticed from my projects), but this class may have convinced me to take the plunge. Here's what the Heidi Swapp spray mist does to her papers and embellishments:


Lovely, right? I walked straight over to her booth and bought Tinsel, Mint Green, Coral, and Seafoam because I loved them all so much. I see a tutorial project video in my future so stay tuned:


The third class I took were from the fabulous Lindsay Moore and Jayme Shepherd from the new company "Hazel & Ruby." We got to play with their brand new stencils and create Christmas ornaments. This class was FREE!

 
These are not your mama's stencils, people. They are soft, pliable polymer alphabet and element shapes that you peel from the plastic backing. They easily stick firmly and completely to your project while you paint, mist, etc. Then they peel off and can be wiped clean with a baby wipe. It totally blew me away. Think of all the fun projects you could make with these:

(Source: Hazel & Ruby)

I'm really excited to see what Jayme and Lindsay continue to come up with. They are both super creative people and one's to watch. Check out their website HERE.


When I wasn't taking classes, I walked the show. My sister Sandy came down for a few hours, and that was heaven since we rarely get to see one another. It was so fun to run into old colleagues like Stephanie Barnard from "The Stamps of Life" who makes the most charming stamps and matching die cuts. Here's a peek at the incredible displays in the Die Cuts with a View booth. I got some specialty pads there including adhesive cork and adhesive fabric paper for die cut and art projects:


I stopped by the Stampin' Up booth for a make-and-take. I can't even remember the last time I got to do a make-and take, and I do love Stampin' Up:



And then I just shopped until my rather impractical high heeled shoes began to hurt my feet. Some of the other booths I enjoyed were the Paparazzi booth where every piece of jewelry was just $5. I'm in love with the new Close to My Heart product lines. I snagged myself a catalog and created a card in their booth as well. I also got a few things that will remain secret as they are holiday gifts for family and friends who may just be reading this blog post. (No peeking!)

Did you know that you can request an event like this in your area? Simply visit the Pinners Conference website HERE. Just think of all the bloggers and teachers you could meet (not to mention the shopping). I really enjoyed myself; and although I had planned to return again on Saturday, I think my wallet and my feet needed a break.

Sometimes a girl just needs to feel pampered and have some fun. And this was exactly what I needed. Be sure to check out this conference if it makes an appearance in your neck of the woods!
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