PINK heals.

This past Saturday I was lucky enough to participate in a silent auction vendor event for the Guardians of the Ribbon, a non-profit organization that offers support to local families battling cancer. It was wonderful-- nice and sunny even though it was supposed to rain, a gorgeous spread of yummies to eat, delicious pink wine && hot apple cider :] Did I mention awesome ladies showing off their businesses & a pink fire truck?! The event was only a few hours long, and I had a blast sharing my Stampin Up products and handmade items, here's a few pictures from the day:

And THIS >>>>>
gorgeous girl is Amanda Meade, she is amazing! She was the Stella & Dot rep I was lucky enough to get sat right next to, and we clicked immediately! I am so excited to have her as a fellow vendor for upcoming events and get to know her even better! If you haven't checked out Stella & Dot before, make sure you go visit her facebook page, and see the new holiday items! Their products are to die for, so trendy & cute-- totally versatile! PLUS they have all kinds of new items, scarves, rings, bracelets that make perfect gifts! Make sure you let her know I sent you in case you find something you can't live without :]

I feel so lucky to be involved in great community events like this one! If you would like to come see me at up coming events, or check out my holiday classes, go to my Stampin Up calendar here:
http://sbookinshay29.stampinup.net/  My monthly Girls Night In crops are listed there, as well as the Holiday Ornament class paper-crafters have fallen in love with--

MY current special on top of the current Stampin Up promotions is if you book a workshop, class, or party with me before October 31st, you will get to pick out a FREE stamp set of your choice [up to a $25 value!] just for putting your date on my calendar-- this applies to online/book parties as well! This is in addition to the incredible hostess benefits Stampin Up offers you :] If you would like to do this, shoot me an email at sbookinshay29@aol.com

mind blowing.

You know when you find out how to do something AMAZING and you just want to share it with the world, shouting out from the rooftops??? That's how I felt on Sunday, and today I'm going to share it with you :]

Awhile back, Amy Tan had shared a tutorial for writing on instagrams using Skitch, an app that unfortunately was only available for the Ipad, not even to my trusty iphone. MAJOR bummer. Until Sunday, when I was on facebook, and Shanna Noel posted a LO and it said she used the app from her phone! Let me just tell you, the to do list I HAD been working on before that, definitely got tossed aside so I could play! Not only can I draw on my photos now with my own handwriting, but I can SAVE the words [or a friends cool cursive, because mine is terrible] and the app is FREE. Beware, this post comes with a disclaimer, I am NOT responsible for how much time you're gonna spend playing once we're all done lol


It's super easy, you just draw in the app like this:

I wrote the word in cursive, and then an abstract square around it, planning on using it as a 4x6 frame :] The cool thing is, you can also use it to draw on your photos, but this way I got to make my OWN silhouette cuts with my OWN handwriting, by importing the image to my Silhouette Cameo :] Here's what it looked like after I cleaned up the image a bit and cut it:

Today I'm going to show you what I did with my new found knowledge! I got my Studio Calico kit incredibly fast this month [I am reallllly close, so it gets here fast no matter what, but being a rewards member helps too!] so I chose to go ahead and get a layout in with the products, because this kit is just incredible. Here's my LO:

I am also sharing this file, because I know some of you don't have iphones, or ipads, but still have a silhouette. Download the free file [[here]] and make sure to come back and link up so I can see if you use it :] && if you're a silhouette love like me, and want to learn MORE cool tricks about your silhouette, rush on over to Studio Calico for their new class, Cut it Out!

Thanks for stopping by today, happy crafting!

If you were looking for the stash sale, make sure you go here I will be updating it often, as I clear out my space for lots of exciting things happening in the next few weeks :] Buy over $15 in items & get free shipping!

Trendy Tuesday: Lovely Leaves

Hello again, how is your Trendy Tuesday going?
Thanks for those that came to tonight's class, All About Arrows. Using MME Nostalgia, some SC stamps, & silhouette cuts, this class will be a really fun for pictures of direction, where you are now, comparison photos [like a then & now theme] traveling-- I really love using arrows on my projects!
As promised, I wanted to share a few more of my favorite arrow products, a lot of which are available through the store, and are also available at online retailers:

This INCREDIBLE stamp set from Studio Calico, Oh Snap-- available here at Simon Says Stamp.

This absolutely amazing new washi tape at Freckled Fawn, that JUST came out in their shop and am already putting it all over on new projects, go but a roll [or two, or ten] at the shop here.

KP's stamp that screams use me on a travel journal :] Buy it at her show here.

What other cute arrow products have YOU used lately, I am totally into them right now, as you can tell :]

Hopefully I'll get to see some of you again for next week's class, Lovely Leaves. I have to say, NEXT week's class is my personal favorite, I cannot WAiT to teach it! Using the perfect new fall Bella Blvd collection, we will be finishing this single page layout:

The BEST part of the class is that you will be learning how to make these hand stitched, double layered leaves yourself. Included in the class kit is a pattern for the leaf, that way you can use it on more of your fall projects once you get home! To sign up, call the Paper Cottage at 937-912-5324 I also have kits available for those who are unable to attend [like you out of state lovies!] complete with instructions, with no additional shipping charge for those in the US! Email me at sbookinshay29@aol.com if you would like more information!

Stamptember #SMBiGbloghop

Sorry for the delay in my post, I had NO idea until really late last night that for some reason my post didn't go up! Suz pointed it out to me, so I rushed home this morning to fix it! Hopefully you'll get the chance to check it out, I LOVE what the other girls have done this month!

How was your Stamptember?? Hopefully full of stamping, and we're hoping to help you finish it off with a little bit more stamping inspiration! The paper-crafting industry is widely known for celebrating stamps in the month of September, and this month there was definitely NO shortage of cute new sets being released! [have you SEEN the new Kelly Purkey Simon Says Stamp exclusives???!!! If not, go, no RUN to check them out & order them while you can!] Plus all the CHA summer lines are slowly but surely showing up at stores, I myself am addicted to the new Studio Calico stamp sets, and impatiently waiting for them to come in!

See? We go crazy over stamps! Which brings us to today's blog hop topic, stamps of course!
I challenged the girls this month to think out of the box for their stamping assignment, and really wanted to be able to show different ways to use them! For my layout, I chose to emboss one of my favorite stamps sets EVER, this Basic Grey/ Hero Arts Zig Zag & More Background:

I HAD to have this stamp, and I have realllllly been digging Basic Grey the past few releases! This page is made from the Paper Cottage collection, funny stuff-- that's where I work! :] Here's my LO & a few detail shots:

[notice the hand stitching to go along with the BG papers = LOVE]

The colors were perfect for a sepia photo, and there's hidden journaling behind the photo about our friendship-- secrets, faves, girly stuff! LOVE my Sar :]  Next up, you'll loop back around to Jenny!  If you get lost along the hop, make sure you return back to our new Social [Media] Butterflies blog home here. Want to join in on our fun? Email me at sbookinshay29@aol.com if you would like to become a butterfly, we are always looking for more paper-crafters who LOVE to inspire! Thanks for joining us for another fun month!

a crafty celebration.

I was lucky enough to spend this weekend getting crafty & celebrating, and I am SO excited for my classes at the Paper Cottage in October! Fall is just incredible, and I really wanted to mix together all of my favorite parts of the seasons into my Trendy Tuesday classes! Here's a few sneak peeks of the classes that I've shared on instagram:

[[All About Arrows]]
Paper, stamps, cuts-- we'll use a little bit of it all in this My Minds Eye class! Where will arrows take you? To this fun class of course! Join me next Tuesday, October 2nd from 6-8pm.



[[Lovely Leaves]] October 9th
Have plenty of scraps after cutting the base of your fall pages? Why not add a little [autumn] spice to your projects with these handmade embellies?! Get the pattern I use, and try your hand at making your own leaves in this fall themed Bella Blvd class!

<<<
[[Neon in the Night]] October 23rd
Doodlebugs Haunted Manor, pretty pearls, twine && bright neon make this class an adorable take on the trend & how to include it into your holiday!

&& coming soon I'll be able to show you the class on the 16th, Perfect Polaroids-- you WON'T want to miss out on this one!

Visit the Paper Cottage facebook page here to see all of our class offerings and details! We have some exciting events coming up as well, like our Fall Festival and Holiday Open House! Just a reminder that tomorrow's class is Washi Wonder, and there are still a few spots available! Call the store to sign up 937-912-5324. If you can't make the class, and would still like a kit with all the materials we use in class, just let me know, I will gladly get it to you, with no additional charge for shipping ;]

happy birthday

to ME!

Normally I would not celebrate myself, but this year, I was SOOOO excited to get picures of myself done, and to make a 26 before I turn 27 list! I cannot wait to use this list & the pics my friend Julie took, to make a LO later today! Here's a few things on my list---


visit New York City during Christmastime

learn more about my DSLR

do things for MYSELF & less about others

go to a Cubs game

get crafty everyday

eat at a rooftop restaurant



&& you'll see the completed page after I finish it later this week! I'm definitely excited about this, as a list lover I knew I would do it, and thought it'd be the perfect way to celebrate my birthday! My big plans for the day?? getting crafty, of course!


Thank you all for the birthday wishes, I had a scrappy wonderful day && feel very loved :)

trendy.tuesday [Wonderful Washi]

Hello there!
Back again with a view of this coming week's edition of Trendy Tuesday, the Wonderful Washi class! I have a lot of students who see these little rolls of tape all over blogs, on DIY items & at the store, but don't really know how to use it on their own projects! So this coming Tuesday, I'll be teaching you all about WASHI :]

If you yourself haven't gotten into the washi craze, or if you've already started your collection, this is the perfect class for you! Come on by & make this layout:

If you would like to sign up for the next Trendy Tuesday class, Wonderful Washi, call the Paper Cottage at 937-912-5324 This series of unique technique classes are only $15, which includes the supplies [and some extras!] to finish a 12x12 layout and you also get to play with additional products in the class! Not in the area? You can still sign up, and I will send you the kit for the class, complete with instructions!

devastated.

After a not so wonderful couple of days, I am very ready to hold my chin up and move on, no more sadness here.

I cannot believe I missed such a big event, and it broke my heart when I could finally log on and see what fun all the girls were having. I looked forward to it ALL year long, and am genuinely bummed at missing the opportunities I had to work for three amazing companies, and hope that they understand. Missing out on meeting some of my amazing scrappy online friends, going to Typo, this event is my happy birthday to myself, and would have been SUCH a great pick me up. For those of you I am close with, thank you for being there for me, and all of those I let down in any way, I apologize. Somethings in life you just cannot do anything to change, no matter what the situation is like. It was hard to come back home and NOT participate   in Scrapfest, but I absolutely guarantee I will be there next year.

To those of you who were expecting emails or calls, I'm sorry for being so out of touch, and I am plowing through them right now as I write this, I apologize if I let you down AT ALL.

In the meantime, back to classes, butterflies & trying to pretend I don't know that I just missed out on the best event EVER. Ladies who are there right now, I'll love seeing your photos and projects, and it's with a very heavy heart that I regret not being there.

xoxo

August #SMBiGbloghop.

If you're following along on this months Social [Media] Butterflies blog hop, you should have arrived here from Sabrina's blog, which just so happens to be who I chose to be inspired by as well :] I absolutely adore Sabrina's style, how she mixes layering with washi & bright colors. This quote she used for a project in her Studio Calico gallery totally captured my attention, and was SO relevant to how I'm feeling right now! I knew I had to do something crafty with it :] Add in our color challenge, and here's what I came up with:

 

[[yes IG followers, I found my missing E LOL]]

 

I love the pom pon look on these new papers, but thought making my own would work better for the look of my layout! It was a great way to use up the scraps I had from another project with these papers :]

I used products from the Studio Calico Yearbook collection, which will be available sometime in September, and I LOVE it. Definitely my favorite school themed collection ever, and I cannot wait to get my hands on all the great embellishments with this line! I've already made a mini album that I'll be teaching at The Paper Cottage, and then I just had to use it for this layout :] Hopefully you're as inspired by these papers as I am!

Next on the hop is KRISTIN, who has some exciting new to share as well-- she's opening her online shop on Septeber 1st:] Introducing: Rukristin Papercrafts: The Shop! Offering trendy & quirky handmade memory-keeping supplies. Find her shop here: rukristin.bigcartel.com Before it opens, we are giving away Two Brand New Sets of Journaling Cards: 'Days of the Week' and 'Boy + Girl'. All you have to do is comment, follow or tweet using the hashtag #SMBiGbloghop, letting us know which of those you do-- the more of the hop you complete, the more chances you have :] Chances will end Saturday, September 1st at noon, and will be released later that day! Good luck!

 

 

[ sorry ladies for the delay in posting today, NO idea why one post scheduled went thru & not the other!! Hope it was inspiring enough to still be loved! LOL ]

Hello Again!

Welcome back! We are so happy to have you back for the August edition of our Social [Media] Butterflies blog hop! This month we thought we would change it up and have a two part challenge for our members. Not only will we be taking inspiration from one of our members, but we will be using this color palette:

Now go see some incredible inspiration, here's this month's blog hop order:

Melissa P http://www.melissapriest.com/

Ellie http://scrapbookmamaof4kidz.blogspot.com/

Jenny http://mycreativelife29.blogspot.com/

 

Angel http://kindlelover.blogspot.com

Suz http://livealifeextraordinary.blogspot.com/

Patricia http://harmonyhealthandfaith.blogspot.com/

Erika http://erikabardo.wordpress.com/

Trisha http://www.trisha-grace.blogspot.com

Amanda http://somethingsorta.blogspot.com/

 

Sabrina http://vixendeity.com/

Shay http://sbookinshay29.blogspot.com/

 

Kristin http://rukristin.blogspot.com/

 

We hope you enjoy our projects this month, and have a giveaway for a lucky blog hopper-- one of our own Social Butterflies is opening a SHOP! We are so excited for Kristin && would LOVE to show you some of the goodies you'll soon be able to purchase [store opens September 1st]

 

 

Introducing: Rukristin Papercrafts: The Shop! Offering trendy & quirky handmade memory-keeping supplies. Find her shop here: rukristin.bigcartel.com Before it opens, we are giving away Two Brand New Sets of Journaling Cards: 'Days of the Week' and 'Boy + Girl'. All you have to do is comment, follow or tweet using the hashtag #SMBiGbloghop, letting us know which of those you do-- the more of the hop you complete, the more chances you have :] Chances will end Saturday, September 1st at noon EST, and winners will be announced later that day! Good luck!