December #SMBiGbloghop

Hello wonderful blog readers!
2012 was such a fun year, and I was very lucky to be a part of such a wonderful group of ladies! For our last hop of the year, our theme was GOALS, which I am incredibly excited to see how the girls made it their own ;] I myself chose to make a mini book, that I will use to remind me of my goals & resolutions for 2013, and include pictures & mementos of HOW I am keeping up with them!

All the products I used for this mini book are from the Studio Calico, Darling Dear line, or the Amy Tan, Ready Set Go collection-- most of the items are still available in my shop on SALE right now!!!

Of course I had to start putting all my goals for 2013 onto one page-- looking pretty good altogether!

These calendar pockets from Studio Calico are absolutely perfect for this project, I cannot wait to slip photos & momentos from each month that have to do with my goals into them!

It is not completely finished, since I want to be able to add in quotes, journaling & whatever I feel goes along with my goals, but I am very excited to keep this project going all year long. I shared my list of 13 on this post, if you would like to read them a little more in detail. Counting down the days until the New Year starts, looking forward to lots of fun times & making life a little bit better ;]

Next up on the blog hop this month is Amanda, head on over to her blog, http://www.somethingsorta.blogspot.com/

ready for 2013.

For someone who absolutely LOVE Christmastime & DD, this holiday season has just not been my favorite, I was seriously struggling with being in the mood, but was trying for my munchkin, and impatiently awaiting it to be over.  I AM excited for the new year, now that the world isn't ending ;] & we got through the holidays. barely. Now we're trapped in a snow storm, so I have LOTS of time to work on some scrappy projects to get my year started off right!

Not only does the new year mean plenty of possibilities, and represents a new beginning to me. Since 2012 was not really what I was expecting, or even hoping for, I am determined to make 2013 INCREDIBLE. Not just a few things, but really life changing. I have a few things I would reallllllly like to make sure happen, which I have a feeling will become my "goals" when that clock strikes midnight. Not specific like a bucket list, which I normally make every year for my birthday, but personal hopes at making me a happier person.

1. Find a Job: First off, this isn't as rude as it sounds, because just reading those three words seems like I'm not doing a thing but sitting on my butt. What I mean by it, is find a job I LOVE. That makes me feel like it's worth it, that can help me get out of this funk && want to go to work everyday. I miss being at a workplace where I matter, love the people and most importantly what I want to be doing.

2. Let it go: I am one of those people who holds onto things, particularly emotions, and I am determined to give it up. The past year has probably been one of the roughest I've ever had, things just didn't go at all how I expected them to. Things I thought would change, didn't at all. Mostly, because I don't let things go & just move on, so I'm really going to focus on this one more.

3. DATE: Let me not bore you with the details of the terrible relationships I have had, although as an outsider, you might be able to give me some comic relief lol I don't want to go out searching for a husband necessarily, but I would like to find a bigger pond. I feel like as big as my city is, it's hard to find someone new. I want time by myself, without a boyfriend. Because the past few I've had, have definitely made me want to choose being single over them LOL So this is to encourage me to feel okay being alone, and taking those chances with someone I may not normally say yes to. [feel free to set me up on blind dates, I will gladly fill out a questionnaire for you ;]

4. One Little Word: For the past few years I have seen plenty of paper crafters participate in Ali's OLW project, and after falling in LOVE with DD, I thought maybe this project would be exactly a kick in the butt to really help accomplish some of my goals for the year.   If you would like to hear more about it, check it out on Ali's blog here.  Now, I just have to PICK my word-- if you're doing/have done this project before, share what words you've used, I'd love some inspiration! I don't know yet if I'll be taking the class, or doing my own thing, but there are some incredible projects out there that definitely make me want to find out more myself.

5. Do well in SCHOOL: I am SO excited about being back in school, and am really liking the program that I chose, why I chose to go back & how it's going. So I'm giving myself a GET IT GIRL and pushing myself to work even harder for something I have wanted SO badly.

6. Make a house a HOME:  I LOVE picking out things to put around the house, but ever since moving back home, it has been a major bummer. So once I figure out number one on my goals list, the most important one will be living alone again. Being a single mom has its disadvantages, and I am determined we will have our own place again, very soon, and can get back to being happy in our own space.

7. USE that DSLR: My family owns a photography business, so I am lucky enough to have an amazing DSLR, that cost me next to nothing & I didn't even pay for the lens. What a fabulous deal for a young single mom who scrapbooks & LOVES pictures? I use it, but not nearly as much as I would like, because I am dying to take another photography class, to kind of "relearn" the things I learned in school, but more specifically for my own Nikon.

8. Be creative EVERYDAY: This is always a goal. It is such a huge part of who I am, and I tried to have the same goal in 2012 and it worked pretty well. It can be working on a layout, a project, something kid crafty with Caleb-- I just think it makes my day better in general if I somehow get crafty.

9. Take time for ME: I don't do this nearly enough. 2013 is going to be all about ME. Making ME happy, and MY life better. Simple as that.

10. Blog. OFTEN: I have a good game plan for this new year, and some changes I want to make, including an entire blog "lift" and I must say I am quite excited about it, and partnering up with some of my faves!

11. Strive to be kind: In light of the nationwide events recently, I think RAK are even more important. The holiday season may not have been my favorite or most festive, but I did go out of my way to send out some happy mail and help those in need, I'd like to continue this all year long.

12. Get into shape: I have to admit in the past year, my unhappiness has made me slack in all sorts of areas, but I can definitely notice the HUGE difference in my weight. I worked at a gym for two years, I know what it takes to stay in shape, while eating what I want, but I've let it go-- and my pant size definitely reflects that :[  So back to the gym I go, starting the first of the year. Not because I want to be model thin, but I would like to not feel so gross when I go out shopping. I miss being able to pick up the size I always was and knowing it would fit fine, where as now I hardly find things I like. I WILL return to a skinnier, healthier me in 2013.

13. Enjoy the little things: For they are my favorite ;] Do you ever have those moments where you realize THIS is what's important? Mine was sitting at a bonfire a few weeks ago with some old faves, and it just really made the world click for me. It was the start of my goals & & resolutions, because I wanted more of those moments. I think in a busy world, sometimes we get caught up in trying to do too many things, please too many people, and I'm over it. I want to make myself happy, I want it to be about what I want, who I love. Realizing that the moments I'm most at peace with the planet are in the little things, and I want to spend more time this year paying attention to them.

&& those are my goals for 2013. I have even prepared a small mini book, which I will be sharing on Saturday for the Social [Media] Butterflies blog hop, and I cannot wait to add updates & pics to it that will showcase how I keep up with my  goals & resolutions in 2013. Thanks for staying with me on this wordy post, I'd love to hear what YOUR goals & resolutions for the year are!

happy holidays.

Merry Christmas from me && my munchkin!

I LOVE the holidays, but this year wasn't my favorite. It turned out to be alright, Caleb had a GREAT Christmas & I ended up some pretty spectacular presents, but I can say I will gladly rush 2012 out of here, and get to welcoming 2013!

As we impatiently await the new year, I say why not have a sale in the shop?! My little elf is home for the next two weeks, and looking forward to being paid to help pack up the items & head to the post office with me. All items are 40% OFF, and from now until the end of the year I will be running specials here on the blog, facebook & my instagram, so we can get ready for the new CHA Winter excitement to start. For those of you who stop by today, feel free to use the code ENDof12 to get $5 off any purchase-- this will stay good through the 31st at midnight EST, even during the flash sales I plan on having ;] There will also be some FAB inspiration the next few weeks on my blog here, using lots of items from the shop-- just helping you spend your Christmas money ;]

I got a Big Shot & some moola for CHA, what crafty items did you get from Santa??

scrap chat love.

I LOVE my scrappy girlfriends.

Some of my favorite people on the planet I have never met IRL, which would normally seen incredibly creepy, but I LOVE these ladies. Chat nights are always among my fave nights, because I get to catch up with these amazingly talented, crafty gals & this month was definitely one of the best EVER. 

Beforehand, I had this great idea to make a page that stood for that love, of our chats, our online friendships & the true community I feel we have over on the Studio Calico message boards. I tried working on it as we chatted, but it was a busy night, so I didn't finish up until last night. I LOVE it. It was one of those projects that I was hoping turned out great, but was crossing my fingers it was as great on paper as it seemed in my head....and I was NOT disappointed!

All the gals I put on here, I was hoping you wouldn't mind, & hope you love it just as much as I do! Here's to many more great chat nights, love ya girls! xoxo

All the supplies I used are from the Studio Calico December kit, 34th street, and Dear Lizzy items from my shop, Forever Young & Crafty, which are on sale here. All items in the shop are 20% off, get 20% MORE off if you go from here & enter the code BLOG20, SUCH a great deal for you blog followers ;] For any questions on how I did something, or what I used, feel free to leave questions below! 

12.12.12

This is the last repeating date that we will have while I'm alive, and I am totally prepared to make it fun && take TONS of photos! I challenge you ALL to participate in take twelve, and make a project with the pictures you do take!

In addition, I am just a few short weeks away from heading to Cali to join some of my favorite scrappy loves at Winter CHA! I cannot wait to see all the amazing new goodies headed our way, and decide what to put up in the shop! To clear out some of my stock and get ready for the new year, I will be having TWELVE sales today, one every two hours, to make room for some of the new goods--- what a perfect way to stock up on some of your favorites?! Each of these will be based on EST time zone, and the codes will only work during the hours that they are scheduled!

[Keep in mind, ALL holiday product is already 20% OFF!!!] Snag these items quick, I'm sure they won't last long ;]

Midnight - 2AM:    FREE shipping on ALL orders over $25, using the code 12GIVE1

2AM - 4AM:    Take $2 off ANY stamp in the shop with the code 12GIVE2

4AM- 6AM:    All paper pads are just $3 using the code 12GIVE3

6AM - 8AM: ANY Studio Calico product in the shop will be an extra 10% off with the code 12GIVE4

8AM - 10AM:    For orders of $15 or more, get $5 off using the code 12GIVE5

10AM - Noon:    30%  OFF all American Crafts products with the code 12GIVE6

Noon- 2PM:    All Thickers are $2 off using the code 12GIVE7

2PM - 4PM:    ANY Amy Tangerine or Dear Lizzy products purchased will be an extra 20% OFF with the code 12GIVE8

4PM - 6PM:    Get ANY wood veneer for 1/2 OFF using the code 12GIVE9

6PM - 8PM:     All scrapperin products are an extra 10% off, just put in 12GIVE10

8PM - 10PM:    Get $10 off any orders over $25 with the code 12GIVE11

10PM - Midnight:  
****SPECIAL**** Look for a special tab in the shop, 12GIVEAWAYS, and for this time block only, these items will be 50% OFF if you spend $20 in the store!

Please jump on over & visit us on Facebook, where we keep you up to date on specials & giveaways, and offer fun coupons JUST for our fans ;] I want to thank each & every one of your for supporting my new shop, and cannot wait to see what the new year brings, happy holidays && enjoy today's giveaways!!! xoxo

december daily: printer post

SILLY me, all that preparation & excitement for one of my favorite projects all year long, where you try & do the pages each day, and I DON'T HAVE PRINTER INK. lol One of those things that might just be reallllly important when you're wanting to print tons of holiday printables & pictures each day-- go figure right ?!?! Don't worry, I've been doing my journaling, and plugging things in as I go, so I'm not totally behind, I'm actually loving what I have done in my album so far! Thought I would share a few images of the bits & pieces that I DO have done:

I have to say on a personal note, this Christmas ISN'T the greatest, things are a little rough right now-- but I am taking this project as a way to really share what's important to me this holiday season. The little details are always what I love anyways, so I'm really trying to share more in this DD, even the not so wonderful parts. [[Including the oral surgery I get to have on Saturday, wish me luck LOL-- Suz, if I die, you get the shop okay?!]

How about everyone else, are we staying caught up with these first few days? What are you loving? What do you wish you would've done differently? Can you believe this month is just flying by?! I mean it's only TWO WEEKS until Christmas, eeeekkk!!!! I did pick up some ink today, off to go do a holiday activity with munchkin & then get to work on catching up-- I'll share the full pages here with you on Friday ;]


 && if you aren't already a fan of Forever Young & Crafty on facebook, make sure you go LIKE the page-- great things headed your way for a day full of sales tomorrow! If you're a fan you'll always get the first chance at specials, sales & giveaways ;] Details will be posted up at 10PM EST xoxo

Dear Santa:

In case you weren't aware, I am much more of an e-mail girl than a remember to throw that letter in the mailbox, unless it's cute & belongs to someone named Caleb. But as we get closer & closer to the holiday season, I MUST tell you my Christmas wishlist, because only you would buy me scrapbooking goodies & what I realllllllly want-- my family doesn't know adhesive from a Silhouette ;] I will EVEN give you links, just in case YOU want a few minutes on your tush before your big night! xoxo

A Very Merry December Mini Kit, available here: 

I mean, I NEED it, ya know? Mainly the stamp set, and the tin pins. But since I couldn't get the OA stuff in the shop as quickly as I would've liked, I might miss out if you don't get it for me.....


THIS cute notebook in the urbanic paper pop up shop is TO DIE FOR. I need a few of them to turn into mini books and carry in the purse I know I'm getting for Christmas ;] One would fit perfectly into my Hello Kitty stocking, don't worry, I checked out the measurements for you.

Come on, we BOTH know I cannot continue to lug around my camera and get tan lines to it, or risk another lens incident [thank goodness the world will never rid of plastic forks!] why not a great camera bag?? Available at Jo Totes if this color sells out before you get a chance to put it in the sleigh, Mustard would be acceptable too.

And if you realllllly think I was good this year [I'm pretty positive I was, if you need me to remind you, I can get a few recommendations!] inside the camera bag you should include this strap from Bluebird Chic:

Mickey's been a great faithful friend, it was cute in Disney, but he's rusting & older than I am. It's about time for an upgrade, especially with CHA just a month away. The bag & strap even match, so I'll be all set to go to Cali!

&& just a few more fill me up stocking stuffers, all from Oh, Hello Friend:
 
 


Thanks Santa, I hope this was really helpful, being so easy to get to the shops & click that add to cart button. We'll have LOTS of handmade cookies & treats for you waiting, and Caleb'll take care of the reindeer too ;]

Whoo do I love?

Lawn Fawn.
is currently having a CHA challenge, where anyone can design a project and try to be one of 3 winners to be featured in the new catalog & Winter CHA booth-- what a dream come true for anyone who loves their stamps & products?! I am lucky enough to be going to Cali next month to attend the event, and it would be SOOOO amazing to see some of my own work up in a booth! Plus, the three winners get some yummy Lawn Fawn goodies so wish me luck! 

Here is what I came up with, this is for the Critters Category, Owl Pine For You:

I won this set from a giveaway over on Ellie's blog, and just KNEW I had to make this card with my love of owls & anything woodgrain! There are some GORGEOUS cards linked up already, I can't wait to see which ones get picked! Make sure you go check them out yourself, and join in on the fun here.

SMB HoliDAYS Day 1

I hope you'll all join me & the other Social [Media] Butterflies as we share some extra holiday inspiration from now until the 12th! There will be plenty of surprises & giveaways, as well as tutorials & ideas to get you through the holidays!

Today I am up with a December journal, and a giveaway from Forever Young & Crafty! Here's a peek of what you could win:

&& make sure you go to the Social [Media] Butterflies blog here to get entered to win! xoxo

Holiday #SMBiGbloghop

Whether you stumbled upon my blog, came from Corinne's blog or are a loving follower, you are in for a treat with today's Social [Media] Butterflies Holiday blog hop! Each of us is bringing you a layout with something to do with the upcoming holiday season, no matter where we are in the world, or what we celebrate & we hope you enjoy it!

Here is my take, using Studio Calico Wonderland:

Next up is Amanda, head on over to her blog: http://www.somethingsorta.blogspot.com/ or if you get lost somewhere along the way, head back to our Social [Media] Butterflies homepage here. Thanks for joining us for another month of blog hopping, & we hope you'll join us for our Social [Media] Butterflies HoliDAYS, starting tomorrow morning on the homepage! Each of our butterflies will be inspiring you to get crafty during this wonderful time of year! xoxo

merry & BRIGHT.

Helllllo loves! I hope you're as excited for the holiday season as I am! Here it's already in full swing-- my DD has started, custom Christmas card orders are almost finished, the tree is up, the holiday photos are planned.... LOVE the holidays ;]

I have a special treat for all of you working on December projects, I am up with a post over on Kristin's blog http://rukristin.blogspot.com/ && would love for you to go check it out! Here's a sneak peek:

merry christmastime.

Who doesn't love shop shipments showing up early??
&& add in that it's Cyber Monday, and it looks like Forever Young & Crafty will be having a special sale the rest of the day!!!! All items in the shop are at least 20% OFF, AND free shipping on ANY orders, anywhere. Make sure to go check it out here!

Make sure to stop by & LIKE the shop on Facebook to keep up to date with all the sales, specials && giveaways!


I'll keep the sale going until tomorrow, November 27th at 2pm EST, since it's starting so late-- Happy shopping!

Small Biz Saturday

How was everyone's Thanksgiving? Hopefully fantastic!

Now, I like stuffing my face with a few items from the feast, and being thankful for everything in life, but I have to tell you I am SO a Christmas girl. I LOVE everything about the holiday season, and even start my December Daily on Black Friday every year! We normally shop alllll day, but this year we didn't even go out! Instead, I was home to join Mammy & Caleb in putting up the tree, and having a holiday movie marathon. Yes, already ;]

Today we ARE venturing out to a few of the stores, and I cannot wait, I LOVE holiday shopping, and the crowded malls. We are also going out to a few local stores, because it's SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY! Of course, we have to support them!

My new online shop is of course getting in on the fun too, I will be offering 20% off all products in the store all day, and you can get FREE shipping on orders over $25 if you enter the code SMALLBIZ. Thank you for all the support of my new store, it is so fun to share it all with you, and I can't wait to see what else is coming! Have a wonderful weekend!

Turkey Day Trot

I know MANY of you will be spending time with your friends and family, enjoying the break from work, stuffing your face & planning out how to attack the stores for those Black Friday specials. Others of you will be sneaking off to instagram, tweet & email for a few minutes of peace from the screaming children big family get togethers are know for ;]     That is why I will be periodically having FLASH sales today, to get you excited && score some great deals on NEW holiday items in the shop! For all the details, head to the Forever Young & Crafty facebook page, and get the heads up on what will be on sale & when!

Here are just SOME of the new products you will find in the shop, and I cannot WAIT to share with you all of the amazing new holiday projects-- PERFECT timing for you to add to your December Daily, Christmas Cards & holiday layouts ;] 

In addition to all of the sales this weekend, any customer who spends OVER $50 will get a special holiday goody bag from me, with fun little embellishments and treats. Thank you for supporting my new little shop, I am SO thrilled to be sharing it with you! 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!! xoxo

gobble gobble.

Who's ready to be thankful for LOTS of food, shopping, friends & family????

I am incredibly thankful for my scrappy loves, and the opportunities that I've had thanks to my love for paper-crafting. Sending much love to all of you, and for the products that keep us all so happy ;]

If you haven't gotten to check out scrapperin products, you DEFINITELY need to. I am absolutely in LOVE with Felicitas very first line, 31 Winterage. I just want it to snow so I can get great new photos to use with the products! lol In the meantime, I treated myself to a little bit of scrappy time as a reward for getting the shop ready for this weekends festivities!

If you would like to order these products, head on over to my shop, Forever Young & Crafty-- the only US store that you can find these products in right now ;] And if you check back after midnight tonight, you miiiiight  just find you can start some of your shopping for Black Friday weekend a bit earlier-- I will be holding specials ALL weekend! In fact, for you lucky readers, if you head over & place an order of $25 or more you will get $5 off with the code TURKEY12.  Hurry, this offer expires at 8am tomorrow!

To keep up to date with ALL the specials this weekend, head on over to the Forever Young & Crafty facebook page, here and make sure you LIKE it!!!  There WILL be a shop update with brand new items, starting at 8am EST ;] Can't wait to share it all with you, & I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends, family & loved ones! xoxo

sketch challenge with Shanna.

Have I ever mentioned I have the BEST scrappy girlfriends? I am SO lucky to have met, online and in person, these wonderful, talented ladies! I especially love when it leads to fun projects, like today's sketch challenge!

Every Monday, Shanna will be posting a sketch challenge on her blog, and inviting all of us to participate. Link up on her blog HERE and you have the chance to win some happy mail ;] This is the first week, and I'm already in LOVE with Shanna's sketches-- here it is:

&& here's my take on it:

That cute journaling card is from Trisha, grab it on here blog here ;] && the little snowman is just a part of the AMAZING sets from Geralyn, check those out here -- some of my favorite holiday goods, for sure! The rest of the supplies are from Studio Calico's Sock Hop kit!

Make sure you head on over to Shanna's blog to see what she's done, and link up your own layout, thanks for joining in! xoxo

embellie kit winner.

Thank you for all the support of my new little shop, I am SOOOO excited to have the support of some of my favorite crafty people! I wanted to come on & announce the winner of my Holly Days embellie kit, the luckiest lady I've ever known, miss Ellie ;] Perfect timing since she's doing a whole week of giveaways for her birthday! Congrats Ellie! xoxo

go here to see the rafflecopter giveaway ;]

happy birthday ellie.

One of my favorite crafty people on this entire planet is my friend Ellie, and this week she is throwin herself the biggest, best Birthday Extravaganza Celebration I've ever been lucky enough to be a part of ;] All week long there are sponsors getting together to help throw her a wonderful birthday bash here on the web, and we want you to be a part of it! 

For my post, I am showing off some products in my online shop, which had it's grand opening yesterday! In case you missed it, make sure to go here to visit Forever Young & Crafty! Because I know giving & receiving packages are a HUGE part of birthdays, and with the upcoming holidays, I decided to use my Holly Days embellie kit to show you how to make the most of the gifts you give. Why not show the world just how crafty you are with cute embellishments on your wrapping?

Brown paper packaging, tied up with string can definitely bring some crafty cute into your Christmas gifts! I stitched these Jillibean soup punches to make a garland that I wrapped around the entire box, added some of the red twine to the Merry cardstock tag and it's all set for a gift to be put in it & sent on it's way!

I am so excited to be sharing my online shop with you, and bring unique new items to you via my shop! The products used in today's post are also available as one of my kits in the shop, perfect for those holiday gifts you've got coming up! One of you will WIN a $20 Forever Young & Crafty shop credit, find out more details on Ellie's blog here. Happy Birthday Ellie!!!! xoxo

[[ If you're here for my Trendy Tuesday class post, go here. Or if you're here to enter the shop grand opening giveaway, go here! ]]

Grand Opening!

Today's the big day!

Forever Young & Crafty will officially be open for business as of today at 10AM EST My little shop will be home of my own designs, handmade goods & favorite products. I will sell my class kits as well as fun project kits that will get featured here on my blog. I've been sneaking products and handmade goods over the past few days, and cannot wait for you all to see what's to come! Here's my favorite item in the shop, my Holly Days embellie kit! 

The first batch of orders will ship on Wednesday, the 14th, and every Friday and Monday after that! Thank you so much for all the support of my little shop, it really means a lot to me!

You can also come LIKE the shop on facebook, and see special coupon codes & events that I'll only be sharing over there, plus sneaks of upcoming things to the store! Make sure to save the shop in your favorites at http://foreveryoungandcrafty.bigcartel.com//. Any questions about a product, or shipping information? Please feel free to e-mail me at sbookinshay29@aol.com ;]

&& of course with something as exciting as a Grand Opening, there's also a GIVEAWAY! Follow, tweet, like on facebook-- and of these options will earn you chances at winning one of my Holly Days embellie kits! Winner will be announced on the Forever Young & Crafty facebook page on Friday! Good luck ladies xoxo



a Rafflecopter giveaway

it's beginning

to look a lot like Christmas.

I don't know if it's all the talk about December Daily, and planning for exciting happenings leading up to the holiday. Or that I volunteered to organize 108 SC users for an international SeCret Santa gift exchange. The ongoing amount of preorders coming in for holiday goodness. Or the amount of happy mail I'm getting, which means it must be time to share my shop with you, so some of it can fly out of here ;]

Earlier this year, I learned the devastating news that my LSS would be closing, after being in business for 15 years. I was heartbroken, I feel like I grew up going to that store-- working there, designing there, meeting scrappy friends and hanging out for endless hours. I didn't want to NOT have access to all the amazing brands out there, and decided no matter what, I was gonna stay in the know in the industry. Thankfully, Brenda opened the Paper Cottage, and so I still have a store to go to when I run out of a color of cardstock, attend crops and see what's new. PLUS, I get to teach again, which I absolutely love. But it's a new store, so it's not possible for her to carry everything I'd like her to, especially the smaller shops.


So, why not open my OWN online shop?

Not to compete with her, I would never do that. I have so many amazing friends around the planet from getting to travel to events, and I LOVE finding the cute etsy shops & small goods, and love sharing them with my friends. Plus, I am back in school for graphic design, because this is where I want to BE in the world, the scrapbooking industry. Some of my gal pals have been lucky enough to hear the whispers and preorder a few of the goods I will be carrying in my shop, but I'd like you ALL to get to hear about it today :]

Forever Young & Crafty will be an online shop of my designs, handmade goods & favorite products. I will sell my class kits as well as fun project kits that will get featured here on the blog. To kick off my grand opening, I will be sharing the new products with you over the next few days, so you can see what I'll be carrying, and the shop will open for business on the 12th! You can also come LIKE the shop on facebook, and see special coupon codes & events that I'll only be sharing over there, plus sneaks leading up to the grand opening, of products in the shop! Make sure to save the shop in your favorites at http://foreveryoungandcrafty.bigcartel.com//.

november classes.

My classes at The Paper Cottage for November are some of my favorite pages EVER. I LOVE the companies I used to design them and that all of them are uniquely ME, but in a class mindset. What I love most about teaching is that my students leave learning something NEW. For me it's not just about showing up to class, copying the layout & leaving. It's more about how I can show them to use what we did on future pages, and maybe fall in love with something new :]

Here are sneaks of all of this month's classes, which can all be seen at the store! If you would like to sign up, please call at 937-912-5324, all classes are just $15. Can't make it? I can also get you a kit-- even for you out of towners! Just e-mail me at sbookinshay29@aol.com

Trendy Tuesday: Metallic Mania

November 9th, 6-8pm

Using Lily Bee designs Autumn Spice papers, we will be using metallic bits & pieces to spice up this layout. Pretty gold sparkles & cut out leaves will make this project a fall favorite!

Trendy Tuesday: & Pumpkin Pie Charts

November 13th, 6-8pm

Pie charts are a great way to put a spin on circles on your layouts. This layout uses the October Afternoon Midway line, and is a colorful layout with lots of space for pictures & plenty of room to add pieces of pie for embellishment!

Trendy Tuesday: Turkey Talk 

November 20th, 6-8pm

Love the speech bubble trend? This layout is a great way to show off what you're thankful for this Thanksgiving! We will be making our own speech bubbles out of vellum, mixed with great papers from American Crafts & a cute Jillibean Soup turkey :]

Trendy Tuesday: Thankful Triangles

November 27th, 6-8pm

Learn how to use triangle rules for design to add to your own projects, and use plenty of triangles in a fun new way! We will stamp, cut, and layer triangles in this fun, trendy class! 

Don't forget to join me here on my blog every Tuesday after every class to get even MORE from your class experience!