Has it really been that long since my last post? Where does time go?

The page kits have been flying. In fact, if you didn't get them when you last saw me, they are basically all out. Good news is, I've been working on many new kits and themes. Here's a peek at one of them...

Let me know if you there's any product specific stuff you would like me to work with or on certain themes. Always try to push myself and get out of the comfort zone. Easier said then done. :) And waiting on a huge order from Prima so will be sure to have plenty of flower crazy layouts by the November 21st crop in Northport. If yo can't make it, feel free to contact me to reserve a kit or two.

Giving Credit where credit is due

I just had to post and point out that Sande Kreiger is amazing! If you haven't checked out Pink Paislee's new releases - you must visit their site. They have 4 new lines coming out for CHA Summer. Well Sande posted on her blog that she designed them (Twilight and Mistletoe & Co.). For those of you who are familiar with Sande, you know she is an amazing talent. Her many gorgeous digital designs are available on Two Peas. She also designed one of Scenic Route's best lines a few year's back - sorry - can't remember the name of it but I loved it. Oh yeah - she designs for 7Gypsies as well. I am sure her credits are much longer. Oh yeah - I met her once at a CHA show a few year's back - she is so sweet. And she liked some of the designs I had done. Cool stuff.

Here is what I am in love with for the new lines - The die cuts (pictured to the side), the rub-ons - they are 12" long, the press-ons, the canvas tags, the brads, the stamps, oh the patterned papers. Long story short - I am in love with all of it and all four lines (Twilight, Amber Road, Misteltow & Co and Cupid)

Congrats to Sande and Pink Paislee.

Christmas In July

For the second time of year - it's the most wonderful time of the year - CHA!!! The Craft & Hobby show is just around the corner. Some of my favorites (so far)...

Prima
My Little Shoebox
Pink Paislee

Can't wait to see Basic Grey. Have to wonder if October Afternoon is coming out with anything. Jellybean Soup and Bella Blvd have some intriguing peeks. We shall try to be patient but it is so hard.

That being said... in an effort to bring in as much new product as possible, we are having a sale!!! Yeah!!! THe more you spend, the more you save.

Spend $1-49 and save 20% off entire order
Spend $50-99 and save 25% off entire order
Spend $100- 149 and save 30% off entrie order
Spend $150 or more and save 35% off entire order

It's that simple. Sale good through Auguts 1st. Email janene@thescrapbookdiaries.com for more information.

Oh Happy Day

I know I am a horrible blogger. My dear friend Michelle posted me as a kind blogger - I had such issues I couldn't even post a reply on her blog. Have to love technology. Thanks Michelle. You should check out her blog - she does amazing things with those Copics. Leads me to the next point....

I opened my email and saw an invoice from COPIC. The 12 new ones are on there way!!!!!!! Oh I can not wait. Guessing I should have ordered more than I did. So if you want them, get um while they last. Also, Michelle has been doing some Copic card classes. If anyhone is interested, send an email - janene@thescrapbookdiaries.com. Thanks.

Will try to post some picks of my latest stuff. WIth the move, I haven't been as productive as I would like but I get a little in here and there. Also made my first card with the cute Magnolia stamps.

Karen Russell Is A Genius

I have said it before and I will say it again - if you EVER have the opportunity to take a photography class from Karen Russell- do it! I love her style and the way she break down information so that anyone can understand is beyond amazing. I had gotten my new Rebel Xsi and to be honest - while I love scrapbooking, couldn't take a great shot to save my life. Not to say I can't appreciate those Kodak moments, just didn't know how to get them.

Well, then came Karen Russell who offered an online class. I was willing to try anything. She's a genius! She broke it all down so you can understand. Not an easy task but she mastered it. And hopefully I will master this photography thing. OK - let's not get ahead of ourselves. I am so much better but it will take year's to master, if ever.

These photos were taken on our honeymoon in Bora Bora. A trip of a lifetime. So glad I was able to capture some of the moments this way...

Webster's Pages

I'd like to think I am talented when it comes to scrapbooking but I must confess, the new Webster's Pages products don't require talent for making beautiful projects. They are so simple and gorgeous that you can't go wrong. I grouped some products together to offer two new kits. One is 3- one page layouts using the Sweet Life (I have to say my favorite line) and the other is 4-one page layout using the Magical Wishes line. I love them!

And to make things a little sweeter- Brandin at Webster's Pages is unveiling a new line on May 1st - the sneek looks were great to see. The new lines features cherries. Who knew fruit could be so great! Keep your eyes open. Can't wait to get my hands on them.

Good Weekend

It was nice to see some old friends from YHP thi spast weekend at the crop in East Northport. Great friend Michelle spent the entire day helping me man our booth. So nice to have someone to help and talk to all day.

Busy working on new classes and kits. Will keep everyone posted. The lastest is a 6"x12" book using Chatterbox's new line - Fabulous. Loving it!!! This one is one I finished last week - so much fun. It's a book for secrets or anything else. The lock even works. :)

COPIC Certified

It's official, Michelle and I are COPIC certified! We headed down to Camp Hill, PA this weekend for the certification course taught by Sally Lynn. For those of you who don't know Sally Lynn, she is quite theatrical. Always entertaining to take one of her classes. She filled us with a lot of info and had a chance to play around. Can't wait to place an order and get cracking on some great artwork and great classes. Will be sure to post some ideas and techniques but the masters are Sally Lynn and Marianne Walker. You are sure to get a real art class by visiting their blogs.

And right before heading down to PA, I ventured up to CT to teach two classes at the Lasting Memories retreat in Danbury. Always fun to catch up with Julie and Barb. They have the nicest customers. It had been a while coordinating schedules so glad I got to see everyone. Taught the metal embossing book - still one of my favorite techniques at the moment.

Honeymoon is over - literally

Can't wait to post some pictures from our Honeymoon. It was great! We had such an awesome time in Moorea and Bora Bora. Two weeks of heaven! Now it is back to work and reality but such is life. Good news is we didn't get sick of each other and are still happy as ever together!

The flights were long and traveling is never easy. Poor Dan and those long legs. We got pretty lucky on the flight back from Tahiti because the steward let us have the bulk head row. Thank goodness because the 8 hour flight to LAX would have been very tough for Dan who's legs were so pressed up against the seat in front of him.

Bora Bora has the most amazing water you have ever seen. Every shade of blue. Practically unreal. Moorea has some of the most magnificent views. It's a mountainous island covered in green. We took a tour that gave us views from the top. Amazing! And as we kept being reminded - if you have ever seen the movie - Mutany on the Bounty (either version) - both were filmed there. I haven't seen it so....

Will post some pictures soon once we get all settled and I have a chance to upload. But speaking of photos - thanks to Karen Russell - I think we will have some great memories. Just got through taking her online photography class. Stongly reccomend to anyone who wants to improve their skills or simply wants to learn what all the buttons on your DSLR do (like me). Great course! So much info that was broken down in an easy to understand maner. Can't say enough about it - really.

Lasting Memories Class

Seems like its been a little while since my last entry. Excited to be teaching at Lasting Memories Spring Retreat in Danbury, CT on March 14th. Scheduled to do two classes. One - the metal book as seen on Tim's blog using Ten Seconds Studio products. It is the cutest thing. I got special permission to do this class. Once you play with these tools and the metal - you are totally hooked. Leandra from Paper Artsy did a cool Taco Tuesday video. If you haven't watched the Taco Tuesday tutorials - they are another must. So funny and full of inspiration.

Anyway... back on track with upcoming classes. This is a picture of the other class - I am not the best at coming up with cleaver names so for the lack of ... whatever... This is the Accordion Book of Tags Class. It was a lot of fun to make - I should say build as the book is built from the bottom up with three accordion sections. Pretty cool. Uses Collage Press papers.

All of this just days after returning from Bora Bora! Leaving soon - can't wait!!!! We decided to postpone the honeymoon just a bit - now - could really use the vacation. Will be sure to post pictures when we get back

Design Team Submissions

I finally took the plunge and decided this is the year to get up some nerve and apply to a design team. I have never done so before because I always think - am I really that good? Always amazed by how many talented people there are out there. Could I really be one of them? Hubby said - "what do you have to lose? Do you want our kids thinking their mom was too scared to give something a try because she might not make it?" While we don't have kids yet, he was right. I put my pride aside and said - I am giving this a try. I saw Spellbinders posted that they are in the process of chosing new design team members... What better company to try and go out for their team? This is a picture of one of the projects I used for my entry. So - keep your fingers crossed. All I can do is hope.

CHA - Best time of the year!

If you ask me - it's better than Christmas - CHA time of year. Oh how wonderful!

Some of my favorties this year...
Basic Grey - I don't even like purple and for some reason I am so drawn to the Wisteria line. Porcelain is a close seconds. If I had kids yet, I would probably love the bold colors of Lime Ricky...

Spellbinder's - They just keep coming up with cool stuff. The die-cutting is just the beginning. Their dies emboss and stencil. Creates amazing effects. Also saw they are coming out with a new line (Impressabilities-tm) that embosses, debosses and allows for letterpressing. I wanted to have my wedding invitations letterpressed but it just wasn't in the budget. It is such a great look. Now being able to do it myself.... Yummy! Not to mention the red carrying bag - I am just not a pink fan - red. What better color for sophistication. I can tote it all around town!

Prima - loving the IOD collection - Flirty Little Secrets! they have come out with flocked papers, glitter, printed cardboard.... the embllishments are awesome and who can resist the flowers! and more flowers! and even more flowers! Sure to be something for everyone.

Heidi Swapp - there's been some chatter on the boards that people aren't liking. I am SO excited about this new line! The Invisibles collection seems like a huge breakthrough. According to what I have read... you can use any color medium to create your own work of art. The design element portion will resist the color. How coold is that? I can't wait!

Tim Holtz - well who can resist? No pun intended. I would like to know if there is one crafter out there who doesn't like Tim, his creativity or his products. Great new additions to an already amzing collection. This would include Ranger products (a pen for alcohol inks - way cool!!), Stampers Anonymous (12 new sets - if only I could aford all 12 but it will be hard to chose) and Ideaology line (can't decide it the fancy little stapler is the coolest thing, the ornate frames, the cute little pins and clips...) Very cool stuff.

Count down for new products!

For those of you bloggers tracking all things fantastic... be sure to check out...

Ten Seconds Studio - not only are the video clips hysterical but their products are amazing! Can't wait to get my hands on all of it.

Prima has amazing new products that are presently being unveiled daily on their website. As usual, they have so many new products. My favorite are the stiched mulberry papers and some of the new flowers are nothing short of gorgeous.

Spellbinders has been unveiling new dies daily through a blog contest of sorts. After much consideration and research - The Wizard will be the die-cutting machine I am going to use. Not only does it cut, but it embosses and can be used as a stencil. How cool is that? Not to mention this will go perfectly with my new metal obsession from Ten Seconds Studio.

I have seen a bunch more sneak peaks but will hold off commneting as I don't want to tease and since they haven't been released officially... Will keep you posted.