quietly crafting (among other things)

At California Adventure with the kiddoes

So even thought I've been pretty busy this year, it's been a fairly quiet year for me as far as teaching classes. Fact is, other than the classes I've done at my home, I haven't done any other teaching. It wasn't that I haven't wanted to, but before this year even started I knew I had a big, busy spring in store. I guess I've really just been too distracted to throw myself into the throes of class design  & prep (as much as I wanted to).

At CHA Winter Show with Tammy, Genine & Michelle

As I mentioned in my last post, I haven't been on hiatus from my creative/crafty life. Besides attending and working the CHA Winter show in January and the Anaheim Scrapbook Expo in February,  I also kept busy creating projects for Ready, Set, Create ezine so I've been plenty crafty.

Scrapbook Expo Anaheim - Working with PK Glitz

This month I've been busy getting ready to be a vendor at an NSD crop in Orange County (more on that at my other blog).

Getting my vendor table ready for NSD crop

But the Big Thing that has really got my attention is party planning. My son graduates high school in just a little over a month. And in just a couple of weeks after that we are having a graduating party for him. Seems like there is so much (too much) to do in just 8 weeks.

Trying to remember to take it one step at a time. Oh, yeah... and to breathe.

get your craft on!

In case you don't already know it, March is National Craft Month. That means it's a great time to...

• discover and explore a new craft (or re-discover an old craft)
• expand your crafty horizons by trying a new technique
• add your handmade flair to something that is otherwise ordinary (the link will take you to a blog with LOTS of ideas, if you are up to the challenge)

For me, March has been very crafty. In fact, so far all of 2011 has been one big crafty event. First, there was the Craft & Hobby Association Winter Trade Show aka "CHA" (what? you're saying I haven't posted my pics? eeek! I better take care of that, right?). Then, no sooner was I back from CHA and dove straight into designing/prepping some cards for my monthly crop group using some of the new techniques I'd picked up at the show.

After the crop was history we squeezed in a weekend trip to Disney (not crafty, but very inspirational I'd say). We had a great time and less than a week later I was back in Anaheim for Scrapbook Expo.

That was just about two weeks ago, and since returning I've been deep in crafty-land getting my projects done for the next edition of Ready, Set, Create. I've been in a lovely glittery, inky mess of delight since then.

I will leave you with this sneaky peek at some of my RSC projects, and be sure to look for the new issue when it debuts the first of April (no fooling!)

expo experience

Rock Star Mk-n-tk with Marah & Maddy at San Diego SB Expo

Back home after a jam-packed weekend. Friday at Expo was mostly good tho the heat on the shopping floor was just AWFUL! Despite that, tho still had a great time. Our first stop was at the Ever After booth where we did a cool make-n-take with Marah Johnson of Creative Imaginations. The project was a gift card holder from the Bare Elements line using Marah's new Rock Star products. Her daughter was the teacher's aide--she is adorable and an awesome teacher.


There was some shopping after that. One of the first places we stopped was Scrapbook Royalty. I just *had* to check out the banner that my fellow Good Time Girl Jennifer had made. Isn't it too cute?!


After a little bit more shopping I ducked out for the Li'l Davis class by Michelle Hill. We had lots of fun with glue pads, flourish stamps and glitter in this "Sweet Memories" class. YUM!


Then a little more shopping before our final class from Cosmo Cricket, a wonderful little chipboard album in the Gretel line. Our teacher was the awesome Tina Keyner. What a perfect way to cap off the day at Expo.


From there we were women on a mission: crop till we DROP! We checked in at the hotel and got our crop area set up. Then ran out or a quickie dinner at Rubio's ...or was it Baja Fresh? Due to my tunnel vision (focused on cropping) all I really remember is that it was street tacos and a soda.

Somehow we ended up with a continuous stream of fun movies to crop to. Friday night was "Jerry MacGuire" then "What Women Want" followed by "Overboard". We pooped out before the movie ended, but lo-and-behold it repeated the next morning so we were able to catch the tail end. Saturday's line-up was also great to crop to: Erin Brokavich, Meet the Parents, The Wedding Singer and Drumline.

I was able to get so much done, but relax at the same time. It really was a wonderful weekend.

san diego, here i come

Paint Can mk-n-tk from Costa Mesa SB Expo (designed by Joy Campbell, SGT)

Tomorrow is the day. I'll be up at an unearthly hour (not a morning person here) so that we are on the road bright and early with a goal of reaching San Diego by 9am. I worked the last two local Expos (Costa Mesa and Ontario). Maybe you remember my smiley face from the Scrappin' Good Times mk-n-tk table? Anyways, this time I'm just kicking around footloose and fancy free. If you're at Expo and you see me, please stop me and say hello!

It's been a real challenge to pack for this trip. Not the clothes - but what to bring for cropping, since we're planning to crop Fri night and all day Sat. I'm used to long crops at stores or at home, but we'll be in our suite and no access to anything but what we bring with.

Should be interesting!

i have reservations

Products and project by Rusty Pickle

I am all set for Scrapbook Expo next month in San Diego. Room reserved, tickets purchased, workshops spots saved. Wooo hooo!

I'll be going with my mom and sis. We're planning to visit the expo on Friday and then have an all day crop at our hotel on Saturday. Can't wait.

Will I see you there?