diecut class

In the past, I've done multiple diecut classes. But this time - I'm going to have a bit of fun with this class. We're going to use the Revolution and use dies as small as 1" x 1"....and as long as 12". I'll show you how to use the big nestabilities in the revolution and more....and you'll go home with this cute storage tin.



What a clever way to store metal backed dies!



And as a bonus - anyone who takes this class will also take home all 3 of these tiny dies. WOW!!!



This class is limited to 15 - so call Scrapbook Your Life! to sign up. Now, if you call and they don't have the sign up sheets ready, just call back this Friday. And if they don't have them ready by Friday - email me - I'll call the store and we'll get them ready!!!

Well, that's it for San Diego Classes. I will try to get my schedule posted on their blog this week. So check over there and then call the store to sign up for the classes you'd like to take.

See you all soon!!!

advanced airbrushing

Isn't it just amazing the versatility of my crafting knowledge? I even surprise myself. But I just pull from my past and bring it forward to the present. Ah! The benefits of age and experience!!!

This piece is made from white paper. So this class will teach you how to use a variety of masks to create airbrushed backgrounds.



Plus...look at this. I've turned an acrylic journal into deocrative clear stamp storage....and even colored the clear stamps to match!!! How fun is that???



Now, go back and look at that first photo. Did you not even notice the miniature starfish (3D) have been airbrushed?

I'll show how to use a variety of items as masks, including nestabilities dies, frisket, masking paper......



diecuts, negative space, torn paper - and show you a clever way to store your paper masks! And as a bonus, there's a segment on using undu - oh, I do love that stuff! Hmmm...looks like someone undid one of my sandals! LOL!!!



If you like airbrushing with copics and live in the San Diego area, contact Scrapbook Your Life! for more details. This is going to be a fun class....and it's limited to just 12 students. And I'll only teach it once!

Something to try

You know, it just never hurts to try something! So yesterday while Susan was here, I decided to try alcohol inks in UTEE. OK, so Ranger's chemist might tell you NOT to do this....but where's the fun in that?



You can get amazingly different looks by changing the process of mixing the elements together. Try stirring, dropping, cooling and mixing, mixing while heating...



Can you see the impressions on this piece? Yet another chemical reaction!



Add in some perfect pearls:




I think this is what I'll have to call "endless play".....you get a different look every time!





With a little flex, you can cut these to any shape you want:

>

and back them with a little pewter!



Yep....another class for San Diego? My next door neighbor has the coin bezels for sale so if you are interested in buying some from her just send me a note and I'll get you the prices. What a fun play day we had!!!

San Diego bound...again!!!

I'm going to be in San Diego from 4/22 - 5/7...teaching again at Scrapbook Your Life! But this trip, I'm going to teach a very very limited 2 classes at Stamping Details in Poway as well. I'll be at SBL! on National Scrapbook day with Susan Mostek - world famous stamper extraordinaire!!!

(OK, I can hear Susan laughing as she reads that to her husband!!!)

So today, she and I had a pre-planning day. I counted. We came up with 19 classes to work up for both stores. WOW!!! And I know at least one of my classes will be showing you 5 different techniques that I've not taught yet....so get those ATCs ready!!!

I'll be doing some layout classes this trip, cards, altered items, paper dolls, lots of technique loaded classes, and we're going to learn how to use copic markers! Here's a great new technique that I totally love...I'm calling it blended airbrush swipe. OK, not the cricut diecuts in the foreground....but look at the background:



It came out simply wonderful....but then I do love this color combination. As in all my classes, you can pick the colors you want to experiment with!

I'm going to do my very best to have all my class samples and the class schedule posted by March 15. But mark your calendars now!!! We're going to have a blast!!!

Who knew?

I own a yahoo group called "Lucy McGoo" and we are always joking about the need to plant a money tree in the back yard so we can buy more stuff.

Then this morning, my sis and I were shopping at IKEA here in San Diego and low and behold.....there really is such a thing!

It's called a Pachira Aquatica......Money Tree! We bought 3 of them!



And then we repotted them and look what you can do with dabbers, a white pen and some black ink!!! Who knew you could decorate a clay pot so quick. Took me about 10 minutes to do this!



We are going to gift a money tree to our friend, Lucky, and take the other 2 home. Do you think they will grow? I guess when I see dollar bills hanging from them I'll be a believer!

Money Trees! Ya learn something new every day!!!

And life is good again!

Found the camera. I had put it in it's little black bag and set it on the top of my black suitcase.....and it just so happened to look like the handle to the suitcase! Sigh. With my "old" eyes....I didn't find it until I knocked it off! But alas, all's well that ends well.

But dang! Here I thought I'd have an excuse to go buy a new camera! LOL!

And my brain clicked into gear and I realized I can just come sit in a Barnes and Noble, sip a fruity drink at the Starbucks cafe and log into the intenet from a comfy, overstuffed chair! Oh yeah! Life is good again!!!

Classes are in full swing and the store looks like it!



We used the airbrush on the palm tree die and added glossy accents:




Amazing how they all come out a little different!

More beautiful seashell epoxy stickers from white cardstock:










And the quickutz palm tree embossed - I think everyone loved this technique!

And then we tried the copic markers on a Crafter's workshop stencil....worked like a charm!

A 5 hour class over in a snap!

And yes, some of us actually really truly work our jammies into the store!  This is Bet - she even wore her leis!  Hmm....wonder if she sleeps in them!

Colleen continued to work on her art clay silver pieces all night long.  Her side of our in-store studio is almost as cluttered as mine!  But how fun to come to San Diego and set up a working studio inside a store!

And here's Sally again - so much fun - wearing her jammies as well!

So, I've been to the beach twice now, we've had 8 classes already and today - my day off!  Camera is found, photos are downloaded, I have a full tummy, what more could I ask for?  Life is good!

Good food!

I do like to eat! But I also like a place that has good service along with good food. So here's one more review for San Diego - off the beaten path, out in Santee, a place called "The Omelette Factory"



Yep, it's breakfast all the time and ask for Barb when you go in! This is Barb and I tell you, she is the best waitress ever. And she is a scrapbooker! LOL!



Leave it to me to find a waitress who scraps! I've been visiting the omelette factory for at least 15 years now, maybe more. Went there when I lived there and have been going back every trip out. They must be doing something right to keep customers that long!



Nope, I don't eat the omelettes! I order scrambled eggs, bacon, country potatoes and flour tortillas and make the best breakfast burritos ever! I was just there Monday morning and I'm hungry for it again! Well, now you know where you can find me next month when I come back out!

7941 Mission Goge Rd, Santee CA 92071 619-596-9686. No reservations needed!

Near to the heart of God

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Saviour meet,
Near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee
Near to the heart of God.


(just hit the arrow to start the music) (it's an old church hymn, lyrics and music by Cleland B. McAfee)

When I visit my place by the sea, I know that I am nearer to the heart of God. If you know Him, you know what I mean.

The music is keyboard being played by my good friend Terry Hendricks who is one of the most amazing artists I have ever had the great honor of knowing. His music inspires me to draw myself near to the heart of God in so many ways. It is music that can give me cold chills. It can bring tears to my eyes in a second.

If you would like to know more about THProductions here in San Diego, just email me and I will put you in contact with this incredible artist. Just imagine - you could have him playing the piano or keyboard in your home for your holiday event! Yes, I've done just that and it's worth every penny - it was the best party I have ever hosted and people are still talking about that night. You could have him direct your production or event, wedding, open house....the list is endless. He can play all types of music, but when he plays this type, my heart really does sing!



His music transcends life and I have been more than blessed these few short years that I have known Terry. And I just want to share part of that blessing with each of you. I hope you will always remain near to the heart of God

My seaside spot

Do you have your spot by the sea? The place you love to return to? Mine is a little off the beaten path, north of Pacific Beach. I try to get there each time I come to San Diego. It's a place I can usually find parking....and where I can see the sea, and hear the waves. At night - it's just incredible as there are spotlights up on the hill that cast light down on to the beach, so I feel very safe going even after dark.



To me, personally, there is nothing on earth like sitting and listening to the sound of the ocean waves. I can easily jump into the right side of my brain and let the sounds take over my soul and never leave. It's probably a real good thing that I don't live within listening distance of the ocean - I'd never get a thing done!



If you don't have a spot by the sea, find one! It's just great!

A picture is worth.....

More than I could ever say! Need I say more? REALLY?












It's been a fantastic week and I've been living in the left side of my brain so time has just flown. I feel like I just arrived yesterday and it's already over! Thanks to Scrapbook Your LIfe! for hosting me, Kristal for putting up with me, Aida for making me giggle, and to all MY students (yes, you are all now "MINE"!!!) for making this one hilariously fantastic week!

Sharkey's on Shelter Island

Well, when you are playing this hard, you need carbs to keep your energy up. So Friday, Liz, Lucky and I went in search of Sharkey's on Shelter Island. A brand new place across from Humphries. And I was shocked to see it is out over the water....how cool is this???



So, of course, you get a "to die for" view of the San Diego skyline!



And can sit and watch all the sailboats in the harbor....ok, I could work here!



And a great view of the inlet at the harbor....



And yes, that's a real pelican on the roof!



But look how close you can get for a photo op!!! No, I did not use the zoom!!! I don't think I've ever gotten this close to one in the whole 9 years I lived out here!



This is my good friend, Jeff. He owns the Classic Malt Shop where I've been going for years and years and now he's opening up Sharkeys. So now you know why we had to go find this place!



You know I love to do restaurant reviews. Well, today, I had the Philly cheesesteak and it was PERFECT!!! And it comes with nice thick fries that are just too yummy! I could only eat half the sandwich, there was so much! But the good thing - as soon as the ovens arrive, they will have pizza, and they will deliver to all of Shelter Island and Point Loma......and....(drum roll)......they are going to make a BBQ Chicken pizza! YEAH!

So now you know where you'll find me on my next trip out to San Diego!!!


We all came back to Scrapbook Your Life! wearing our new Sharkey's t-shirts! We promised to advertise as the place is brand new and I don't think anyone knows about it yet!



I've had such a perfect day! Spending time with my best friends, good food, and loads of laughs. Who could ask for anything more?



Except the chance to be just a little bit ornery!



LOLOL!!!