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.