Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)

For those of you who have been following my blog, THANK YOU, I'm still here and as FRUGAL as ever. I'm just expanding my blog title to further reflect my "altered" muse. I'm still the same (sometimes goofy) FRUGAL SCRAPPER that I've always been and will continue to focus on FRUGAL papercrafting projects:)

Monday, October 21, 2013

IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE!

I am BEYOND EXCITED today because I FINALLY received my long awaited paper pack samples from the AWESOME peeps over at Authentique Paper:)
 
I contacted them a few weeks ago to ask them if they could send me a few samples of their new Christmas/Holiday paper lines so I could use them to CREATE either a Mixed Media project or some page kits...or BOTH, lol...
 
Right away Dan (with Authentique) said "sure" we can send you samples of both lines...and I thought, WOW, how generous and figured I'd get a few sheets from each line...BOY was I wrong!
 
Dan sent me both entire packs...AND he sent me 2 sheets of each paper...along with a few sticker sheets and even some pre-cut die cut sheets.  Can I just say WOW?????
 

 
I have LOVED Authentique's lines ever since they came onto the scene and have worked with their paper lines in several of the classes I"ve taught.
 
I'm so happy to say that this next class will be no exception!  I will be teaching a Mixed Media class at the Scrappin' Escapes retreat that runs December 6-8 in San Diego.  If you haven't signed up yet, you should really consider it.  Tobie and Patti are the new owners of Scrappin' Escapes and they are simply AMAZING ladies!  Click here and sign up.
 
If you prefer to crop for the day or all three days, and you sign up for my Mixed Media class, you will get a $15 discount off of the day cropping price.  For more details on my class AND the day crops, click here for all the information you need.
 
Creativity heaven, here I come:)  If you need me, I'll be in my ART room!
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Saturday, October 12, 2013

Awesome news!

I AM THRILLED to announce that my business partner, Elizabeth Williams and I  have launched an awesome new company called "Picture This Boutique and Retreats"! 
 
We have worked diligently for the last year or so trying to decide what type of company to open.  After much thought, we decided the best route for us is to OPEN a MOBILE BOUTIQUE and HOST weekend BOUTIQUE RETREATS.
 
What do we mean by mobile boutique?
  • Our boutique will travel to local weekend retreats where we will offer our custom packaged paper crafting, card making and mixed media products for sale.
  • Our boutique will also be open for business at weekend BOUTIQUE RETREATS that Elizabeth and I will host.
  • We will occasionally host weekend (or weeknight) sales of our products (kind of like a home party).
What do we mean by weekend "boutique" retreats and what do they include?
  • Our hosted retreats are held in the beautiful town of Fallbrook in southern California
  • Our retreats are limited to 20 participants (providing an intimate setting)
  • Our retreats include:
    • An oh so special welcome goodie bag
    • 54 straight hours of cropping time (78 hours for retreats that start on Thursday)
    • 7 meals (10 for retreats that start on Thursday)
    • 6 feet of personal cropping space with a table top natural OT light
    • Executive cushioned office chairs on wheels
    • Individual trash cans and drink holders
    • 2 nights lodging (3 nights for retreats that start on Thursday
    • 1 Mixed Media class or 1 Scrapbooking layout class (differs with each retreat)
    • Product Demos
    • Make 'n takes
    • Snacks and drinks available throughout the retreat
    • Limited WI-FI service
    • Access to our boutique for your shopping pleasure
    • Extensive tool center
    • Games/contests with prizes
    • Much more!
Please visit and "like" our facebook page that can be found here.
 
Please, also visit and follow our blog here.
 
We hope to see you at one of our upcoming retreats!
 
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Monday, August 19, 2013

Haunted Mansion Printers Tray Class

 
 
Last year, I made a really fun Halloween themed printer's tray using scraps of Halloween themed paper I had in my stash.  It turned out really cute so I hung it in my LSS, Ever After Scrapbooks.
 
Well, this printer's tray has been quite popular with the store's customers and I have been asked constantly if I will teach it as a class.  For those of you who have taught before, I'm sure you know that one of the challenges of teaching is being able to obtain the supplies needed for a class, right?
 
Since many of my projects are made in true frugal scrapping style, I often use whatever I have in my stash.  This normally includes scraps of paper covering several years and several manufacturers, lol. 
 
Last Friday, my LSS owner, Camille, approached me with an OH SO CUTE Halloween paper line and asked if I could create a new printer's tray and teach it as a class.  Well, since I just LOVED the last printer's tray I made, and the paper line she gave me is just OH SO CUTE,  jumped at the chance.
 
Soooooo......using the Doodlebug paper line, "Halloween Parade", I made this NEW printer's tray and will be TEACHING this as a class!  Woohoo!!!!!
 
 
Now, there are definitely some similarities to my original 2012 printer's tray, but I used enough new techniques, that I think this class is really going to ROCK! 
 
One of the main differences is the fact that I did not heat emboss anything!  I did use a few embossing folders, and did use one of my FAVORITE newer PRODUCTS...Viva Inka Gold!  I just LOVE this stuff and it is definitely one of my "must haves"!
 
Of course, I also incorporated quite a few Tim Holtz supplies and embellishments, including this stamp.  I just LOVE this quote!  Can't complete a project without my TH, right?
 
Isn't this open door really cool, too?  Can't wait to show you how I made it!!!!
 
 
Here are the DEETS on the upcoming class:
 
Date:  September 21, 2013
 
Time:  10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
 
Place:  Ever After Scrapbooks
 
Cost:  $45 (includes about $30 in product!)
 
Supply List:
·         Paper Trimmer
·         Scissors (Tim Holtz Tonic scissors recommended)
·         Black Ink Pad (Ranger Archival Inkpad is recommended)
·         Viva Inka Gold in Orange, Violet, and Yellow-Green
·         Quick drying liquid glue (Beacon’s 3 in 1 is recommended)
·         Pop dot glue dots
·         Foam adhesive squares
·         Black Sharpie marker
·         Strong dry adhesive (tape runner or similar)
Hope to see you in class!
 
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Sunday, July 28, 2013

A New Project to share!

I have a new project I want to share with you:)  Details on this project are over at my herartisfilledwithlove.blogspot.com blog which is where I post my mixed media projects.

Click here to check out the details:)

Here is a picture of the finished project.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Good morning, fellow artists!
 
I am so happy to be sharing my newest project with you:)
 
I am sure we all know a Dad, or a Graduate that would LOVE to receive this mixed media canvas as a gift, so hope on over to my Her ART is filled with LOVE blog and check out the details for the workshop.
 
In the mean time, here is the sample:
 
 
The workshop is going to be soooo much fun, so I hope you sign up soon!
 
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Saturday, April 13, 2013

I {heart} Tim's Tags of 2013...

Well, I just can't believe it!  Tim has outdone himself yet AGAIN!!!
 
I think this month's tag is by far, my favorite!  I'm so excited to be able to call this a truly "frugal" project, which is near and dear to my heart:)
 
Without delay, here is my take on this month's tag challenge.
 
 
Besides the fact that these are some of my ALL TIME FAVORITE colors, the fact that I was able to truly UPCYCLE on this project is just the icing on the cake:)
 
I absolutely LOVED all of the techniques on this tag, from covering the background with the new distress paints (I just LOVE the milky, chalky effect that the distress paints create), to the new Alpha Parts...SOOOO EASY to ALTER!, to the distress technique of coloring in the debossed words on the word bands.
 
One of my most favorite things, though, was stamping on acetate.  While I've done this MANY times, it's always been with Staz-on Ink.  I definitely prefer the Ranger Archival Ink and am thrilled at the way my wings turned out.  I was also THRILLED to see how soft the acetate got (it was actually from TH Idea-ology packaging).  While warm and plyable, I was able to curl the wings.  They stayed that way after the acetate cooled.  KEWL, huh?
 
 
I totally think the angle of this photo makes it look like the stamped wings on the tag look like a shadow...
 
LOVE it!!!!!

If you want to play along (and I think you SHOULD), please follow this link http://timholtz.com/12-tags-of-2013-april/ to Tim's site for a tutorial and inspiration!

In addition, if you live near San Diego, CA, please feel free to participate in the LSS challenge that follow's Tim's 12 Tags of 2013...Ever After Style!  Ever After's challenge this month goes from 4/15 to 5/14.  Therefore, it gives you extra time to get your tag into the store.  All participants receive a coupon for 15% off of Tim Holtz product just for participating.

In addition, if you use at least 80% Tim's product (honor system used for this), you are entered into a random draw and have a chance to win $10 in Tim Holtz product.
 
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Sunday, March 17, 2013

Just for fun...

I hadn't really planned to work on a project today...thought I would just relax and take the day off...but then I started to "play" {huge grin here}...
 
I had made a few tattered floral die cuts for a project I was going to work on, but ditched, so the tattered florals were just sitting in a bin.  Next to that was a box of tags  received a few days ago from Staples.  Along side of that is some corrugated cardboard and a 12 x 12 canvas I had painted a pale aqua a while back.  I pulled out a few of my favorite supplies and came up with this:
 
I just love all of the dimension in this canvas.
 
Supplies I used:
Dylusions Sprays
Inka Gold
Silks Paints
Templates
Modeling Cream
Pitt Artist Pen
Corrugated Cardboard
Tags
Tattered Florals (grunge paper covered with aluminum foil and embossed)
Gesso
Mod Podge
 
 
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Thursday, March 14, 2013

A New Tim's Tags of 2013!

 
I'm so excited to announce that we are READY for the March tags at Ever After's Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas - Ever After Style!
 
The tags that can be made this month are SOOOOO COOL, that I've decided to run this month's challenge through the 14th of April!!!  Yahoo!!!  You have two extra days to get your tags into Ever After in order to qualify for a discount coupon AND a chance to win a prize!
 
I loved Tim's version of the March tag that I decided to follow very closely to what he did on his blog here, that I decided to make my tag very similar.  The only difference is that I covered my lable die cut with picket fence distress stain, then ran the label die cut through Tim's brick wall embossing folder for a bit more texture.  Then I brushed some Tea Die distress ink over the tag very lightly.
 
The colors of distress stain that I used on the crinkle ribbon were dried marigold and evergreen bough.  Also the color of alcohol inks I used on the tinsel were sunset orange and clover.
 
My "hoppy easter" is from a VERY OLD set of wood alphabet stamps.
 
I also had some fun making the new sign for Ever After this month.  I used some of the photoshop tools I learned a few years back and was so impressed that I remembered how to use them! 
 
Woot woot!
 
Oh, and I almost forgot!!!!  Our winner for the February contest is Ann Lovick!!!  Congratulations, Ann!  You have won two bottles of distress stains, perfect for use on your March tag:)
 
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Sunday, February 17, 2013

Inspired Beyond Measure...new products at Ever After!

I'm am so excited to share some information on some amazing product I was introduced to at the winter CHA show this year.  I had the pleasure of stopping by the Splash of Color booth and played with some amazing mixed media products I hadn't tried before.
 
Here is a piece I made as a sample for my LSS, Ever After.
 
 
After I covered a blank 10 x 8 canvas with yellow acrylic paint, I used a Crafter's Workshop template to add some Viva Modeling Cream. 
It's hard to tell here, but this modeling cream has a pearlized tint to it which is just awesome!  After letting it air dry for a few minutes, I used my Heat It tool for another minute or two to set the modeling cream. 
The really cool thing about this modeling cream is that due the tint, it could have been left as is and still had that "finished" appearance.
 
Since I also wanted to feature the Inka Gold, I did cover the modeling cream with several colors of Inka Gold in Lava Red, Steel Blue (LOVE this color), Old Silver, Orange and Green/Yellow.
 
I also covered some old Scrabble tiles with the same colors listed above.  Even though Inka Gold is advertised for use on porous surfaces, I have found that it also works well on the non-porous surfaces I've tried.  The butterflies are metal that I embossed with an embossing folder.
 
Inka Gold also works well on "raw" wood, as with the ruler I covered with Green/Yellow Inka Gold.
 
Across the top of the canvas, I wanted to try mixing products so mixed the modeling cream in Champagne with the Inka Gold in Green/Yellow.  I was happy with the color which was a nice mellow sage green.  Using a template from my local office supply store, I was able to create the numbers with a nice amount of height due to the thickness of the stencil.
 
I then repeated the technique using a Dylusions alpha template which is a thinner template and therefore created texture with less height than the office supply store template.
 
Ever After Scrapbooks currently has all of the Inka Gold colors listed above in stock as well as Viva Modeling Cream in Champagne and Pearl.
 
 
They also have many colors in the NEW Silks Acrylic Glaze.  My next project will definitely include use of the Silks...stay tuned...
 
 
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Friday, February 15, 2013

Frosted Designs - Bold Colors

I enjoyed an AWESOME weekend last weekend with some of my favorite scrapping peeps at a weekend retreat.  While I was there I was inspired to make this mixed media project:
 
 
I started the weekend out slow by making some cards and then this piece "spoke" to me.  I used many of the mixed media/altered art stamps in my stash along with some new products that some of my peeps brought with them.
 
This went so well with the F\Frosted Designs challenge this week.  I'm so happy with how it turned out.  I hope you are inspired to participate in the Frosted Designs challenge this week.  It's all about BOLD COLORS.
 
Enjoy!
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Friday, February 1, 2013

Frosted Designs and a bit of LOVE:)

Our Fabulous Friday challenge over at Frosted Designs is all about LOVE this week.  With Valentine's Day right around the corner, what an appropriate theme, right?
 
I had so much fun making this project and am so happy to share it with you now.  I used some embossing folders to create the square metal pieces in the background on this canvas project.  I then added the heart and a few embellies to the canvas, along with a quote that just "spoke" to me (as many do)...
 
HER ART WAS FILLED WITH LOVE
 
I just LOVE this quote!
 
 
I hope this project inspires you to make a project filled with LOVE:)
 
Happy Creating!
 
 
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Tim's 12 Tags of 2013 Entries:)

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to Pat and Jacquie for being the first official entries into the "Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas, Ever After style".  We met at the store last Friday and I got to see their entries in person.  Let me just say...they are AMAZING!!!!
 

Sorry that this pic is a bit blurry...blame it on the fotographer...(that would be me, heehee).  Pat and Jacquie are each pointing to their tag entries.  I didn't do a close-up of their tags because I really want you to stop by the store (if you are in the area, of course) and take a look at them in person.  They are just perfect for this challenge!


Another friend of mine, Chris, was also at the store purchasing some "Tim" goodness.   Since Chris makes awesome interactive projects, I can't wait to see what she does with the products she purchased.

Thank you Pat, Chris, and Jacquie for sharing this moment with me.  You are all AWESOMELY talented and I feel blessed to call you my friends!

Hugs,
Lori
 
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Thursday, January 17, 2013

Home is where our STORY begins...part 2

Hello all:)  I hope everyone is having a wonderfully creative beginning to this new year!
 
A few weeks ago, I posted a picture of a canvas that I wanted to teach...but alas, it just wasn't "speaking" to me the way I like my work to do...I know, CRAZY, but true...
 
So...I REALLY loved the quote...HOME is where Our STORY Begins...so I decided to create another project.  I'm soooo happy with how this turned out and it is JUST as I VISUALIZED!
 
 
I will be teaching this canvas at Ever After Scrapbooks on:
 
Workshop Date: February 23, 2013
 
Time:  11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
 
Location:  Ever After Scrapbooks, 1954 Hacienda Drive, Vista, CA 92081
 
Workshop Fee:  $35
 
Class space is limited, so please call Ever After at 760-630-2767 to sign up today.
 
As always, my workshops are technique heavy and 5 hours leaves plenty of time to "play".
 
As an FYI, the roof of the house and heart are covered in fabric.  If you have a favorite color scheme you would prefer to us, feel free to bring your own fabrics and/or scrapbook paper which can also be used in this project.
 
Here are a few close-ups that capture some of the texture in this project:
 

 
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Saturday, January 5, 2013

As Promised a GREAT Surprise Challenge:)

Ok, fellow crafters in Sunny Southern CA...I am so happy to be hosting a monthly challenge at my local scrapbooking store, Ever After Scrapbooks.  This challenge is based on Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of 2013 and this is how it works:
 
Go to Tim's blog and check out his monthly tag challenge.  After reading about the current month's challenge, head on over to  Ever After Scrapbooks Blog/12 Tags of 2013 Challenge to get the details on how Tim's challenge will be incorporated into an in-store challenge at Ever After.
 
Remember, some of the coolest things about Ever After's challenge is:
  1. You get to see the other entries in person.  You can touch them, and see all of the creative texture, techniques in real life
  2. EVERY participant receives a benefit JUST FOR PARTICIPATING:)  You will receive a coupon for 15% Tim's products for the following month (a great way to stock up on those items needed for the next challenge that you don't already have in your stash).
  3. EVERY participant that completes the challenge using at least 80% Tim's products will be eligible for the random draw...of a prize consisting of Tim's products...at least a $10 retail value.
  4. You can get together with your friends and family at one of EA's crops and make your tag, all the while using not only Tim's on-line inspiration, but also that of the tags at Ever After.
  5. Your friendly employees at Ever After can answer questions on how to use Tim's products you want to try on your tag.
In order for you all to have time to get all of your supplies together for the tag, Ever After will run the challenge slightly behind Tim's challenge.  At Ever After, the challenge will start on the 13th of each month...i.e. Tim's January challenge will run at Ever After from January 13th to February 12th, and will continue each month in the same fashion.
 
Here is my take on January's Tag:
 
 
 
Now, don't forget to also enter Tim's challenge, but remember for his, you need to upload your entry in the month the challenge is given.  At Ever After, you have until the 12th of the following month to get your entry into the store and be eligible for the random draw (just make sure you used at least 80% Tim's products on your tag).
 
Happy Creating!
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Friday, January 4, 2013

Lucky 2013 and a new Frosted Designs Challenge:)

Happy 2013, Bloggers!
 
Wow!  This year is bringing a lot of changes for me, how about you?  Some are planned and some...well, are surprises...fortunately, exciting surprises for me:)
 
So the day after Christmas, I was told my services were no longer needed at my "day job"...you'd think I'd be really bummed about this, but you know what????  This was one of those times when I just had to say, things DO happen for a REASON:)
 
I am embracing this surprising change.  I've been really reflecting on what I'm supposed to do for the rest of my working years...now don't get me wrong, my "day job" came along at a time when I REALLY needed it and I'm very grateful for the opportunity I had, working for the company for 3 years...but I've known for a while that this was NOT my passion anymore...I was a banker for the better part of 25 years, and although I once had a passion for it, the light was flickering.
 
Soooooo, I am going to concentrate on CREATING once again.  I will use this time to reflect and do something that I am REALLY passionate about right now...being the best person I can be, and sharing my love of ART with others.  I LOVE to teach and am looking forward to the opportunity to do so.  With this in mind, I am very happy to share my first post of 2013 with you.
 
I've created this project for a few reasons.  First of all, it goes along with the Frosted Designs Recipe Challenge.  The challenge was to use at least 4 products in our project from a list of 8 items.
 
These items are:
Rub-ons
Transparencies
brads
eyelets
misting/masking
punches
stamps
stickers
 
On my project, I used a transparency (the film strip)...homemade from packaging, a filmstrip stamp and stazon ink.  I also used a brad, I misted the background after applying some distress ink over an embossed tag.  I also used stamps.
 
Here is my take on the challenge:
 
First, I embossed a tag with a Tim Holtz embossing folder, then covered the raised areas with stormy sky, rusty hinge, and bundled sage distress ink.  Then I misted the ink with water and used my heat tool to dry the tag.  Next, I cutout some gears out of grunge paper with my Tim Holtz sizzix "gadget gears" die cut.  I covered the gears with silver and copper metallic paint dabbers and then added vintage photo distress embossing powder and heat dried.

 
Finally, I added some Tim Holtz metal pieces I had in my stash, and stamped my quote on another tag that I then trimmed and placed on the tag.  This quote really "speaks" to me right now...
 
What IF your FEARS and DREAMS exist in the same place...would you still go there?  Well, I'm about to find out this year...wish me luck, lol...I am known to be a bit wimpy, lol...
 
I also plan to enter this in Tim's 12 Tags of 2013 Challenge for January.  Stay tuned for another great surprise to be happening at a local scrapping store near me...Can you say Tim's 12 Tags of 2013 Frugal Scrappin' Style?  More on that in a few days:)
 
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