Studio Calico//Elmwood Park

I decided to start posting layouts as is for easier pinning. :) This month was fun with the new Digital release. I'm a huge fan of Photoshop brushes. To have all the cool rubber stamp designs as digital brushes make me so very happy. If you're new to using digital brushes or don't think you can use them, I created a couple of video tutorials to help you out. Now I'm no expert in Photoshop. It's all by trial and error and a few tidbits from friends. :) These brushes will work with any version of PS, even Elements and can even be turned into Silhouette cuts. Check it out.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hipT3Mf0g-g]

I even show how to take one of the Elmwood Park digital stamps a step further by creating a custom cut inspired from a greeting card. (card is from RIFLE PAPER CO. and it is lovely)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xY8-lTNtsM]

 

an afternoon in Palmer

Tyler and I drove out to visit his grandparents last week. The drive out to their home in Palmer is beautiful in the summer. We stopped along the way and snapped a few photos. I've pretty much given up on getting that perfect toddler portrait of my son and started to appreciate capturing him at his best. He is high energy and determined and keeps me on my toes. Happy Monday

Currents//Happy Things

Time: 11:30 PM Location: living room//couch Watching: Sex & the City//Season 3//Episode 11 Eating: an apple Drinking: water Feeling: good now that the sun has set and I'm finally cooled off Thinking: I need to get to bed so I can be up early tomorrow Wanting: at this very moment, nothing Needing: a better memory Making: editing photos for print//working on the SC July kit Loving: (see photo)

Flame on.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRWYNUvGohY&w=640&h=360]Everytime this commercial comes on, it stops me from what I'm doing.  It's like those commercials that make you want to cry when you're feeling extra sensitive that particular time of the month. Except this commercial gives me butterflies in my tummy and makes my heart beat faster. The passion of those dancers and athletes jumps out of my tv screen and I feel like I'm ignited by their flame to KEEP GOING. Because truth be told there are times when I want to stop because I have failed or cannot execute an idea well. I get discouraged. I'm sure this feeling comes to all creatives and makers.This is the bittersweet emotion that comes with the territory. A failed idea can morph into something greater though or maybe even something completely unintended. That's what makes me love the process. You fail, you try again, you f*cking rock it.

recycle it rad

I have a hard time throwing out pretty mailings, especially when it's printed on recycled, non-shiny paper. It's great to print, write and stamp on. I sometimes use an envelope template to make custom envies when mailing out letters and cards. I wasn't sure how screen printing would work on these pages but I wanted to experiment with making some custom packaging for the new stamps in my shop. I spent a sunny afternoon in the garage printing away and I loved how they came out, some pretty enough to frame. Most went to packaging though. I hope my customers appreciate the pretty wrapping. :) I was going to cut the pages to create a custom envelope but thought maybe the receiver would like to hang the print themselves so I folded and taped with some washi. It's all a labor of love.

 random side notes: I'm seriously into yellow right now. Also have adopted the word "rad" from my friend Jamaica. Lastly, Make Something Today print on Kraft will be making a permanent departure from the shop this week. Get it while you can. I'm making room for the next limited print.

Sriracha obsessed.

Even in the thick of my whole eat healthy personal compaign, I still indulge in my go to comfort food and that's pretty much anything on top of white sticky rice. It's not like I'm opting to go low or no carb plus I'm half Korean. I must have my rice once in a while. Right now I like it topped with some cut veg, a fried runny egg, a liberal sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and my favorite sauce, Sriracha. That's what makes this dish SO GOOD and now that I'm eating better, I've learn to enjoy dishes like this instead of just scarfing it down and feeling guilty about it.

Other obsessions at the moment.

*Girls - aka The Crackcident is my favorite episode. I watched it the other day after I put my son down for a nap and enjoyed every hilarious minute of it. *True Blood - YESSS. So glad it's back on. *Messages - love being able to text message on while I'm working on my laptop. Thanks Jed. *The idea of celebrating what I love rather than bashing what I hate. I need and plan to do this more. *Crisp, sweet apples. *Long jersey knit skirts.

A quick note before I turn in. Stamps are now in the shop and there will be more to come as well as some new screen prints.

Update is done (kind of)

Ok, finally...a shop update. It's not complete though. Still have several other mini prints to put up and the stamps which should be done by Friday. Also gave the shop a bit of a freshening up. Something that was very much needed.  

I, in a way feel like my shop  I really need some freshening up myself. I'm talking new hair, a new wardrobe, and a pedicure. I'm here to admit that I have been trying to live a more healthy lifestyle and with that, I've lost about 7 lbs this month. I feel great both physically and mentally. Much much more mentally. It's easy to let yourself go when you don't have to get up every morning and dress yourself for the outside world. There were a few months where I just did not care what I looked like or how much weight I had gained post baby. Well, a year and a half later, it was time. I can no longer use the "oh, I just had a baby" excuse for my extra weight gain. Enter the green monster smoothie. I've been seeing them everywhere but the spinach made me turn away. Bleh, it's freaking green. I don't want to drink a salad. Well, let me just say they taste nothing like a salad. They're good. Really really good and I'm so glad I gave it a try. I use the original recipe but I like to add either blueberries or strawberries and use ground Flax seed in mine. I highly recommend this smoothie. I've already gotten compliments on my hair being thick and shiny (which is not the norm) and my energy level has gone through the roof. I love that the most.

I'm now at the stage where my clothes are getting looser but I don't want to run out and get new clothes just yet. So I'm stuck with my old wardrobe and with the onset of summer, I just want to run out and buy some cute tanks and maxis. I could probably get away with a new summer dress, no? Maybe I should just indulge in a new bag for now. That will always fit.

Shop Update tonight!

I've been working on lots of new designs! Just trying to get everything photographed and ready to go. Shop update will be tonight. :) I finally found a true neon pink and I'm really excited about it. I'm also printing on a new color that's a super delicate gray card stock shown above. Stay tuned!

happy first of june yo.

Feeling like I'm all talk lately but I really have been working on getting my shop stocked with goods. I've been printing all week and have new stamp designs. ETA on shop update will be Sunday. :)

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Washi Workshop Giveaway

Yes, another post about Washi tape and how much I love it so. Funny thing is I probably photograph it as much as I use it. I'm not sure if it's the precise circles, the vast array of colors and patterns or just that they're so pretty to look at (all of the above really) but I love photographing and admiring my collection. It's strange, I know this. But I ask you to try it because it's fun and it's your collection. You know you admire it from a distance when it's not in use. Go ahead. Set up a little photo shoot and snap your washi collection. I'd love to see! Post your photos here, please? So I don't feel so abnormal? :) It is not a requirement for the giveaway though. Yes, a giveaway and a blog hop so after you post here for your chance to win a spot in Studio Calico's Washi Workshop class hosted by Creating Keepsakes Editor, Megan Hoeppner, be sure to hop to the list below to better your chances!

Maggie Holmes Sasha Farina Creating Keepsakes Studio Calico 

Good Luck!

A few more Washi photo ideas.

Seriously, I'm kidding about the teething toy. ;)

 (pssst..new print in the shop today!)

random bits

Hey.Yes, I am here...alive and well. Just not very blogative lately which is pretty obvious but I'm starting to get the itch so here we go. Random bits.

-I mentioned to Jeff last night that I'll actually get to call my own mother on mother's day and it feels good. Having been estranged from her for half my life, I'm embracing most parts of our mending relationship but I'm still cautious and keep expectations at bay.

-I'm happy with my own Mother's day ritual which is just having time to myself. I'm not a gift person. I'm happy with flowers + a few hours to myself. That's all I ask. I got my "gift" yesterday since my husband works Sundays. I spent the afternoon getting my nails done and taking photographs. Doing just those few simple rituals for myself renews my spirit. I also find it incredibly calming to sit in front of a sunlit window in a quiet room  styling objects and photographing them. As much as I enjoy photo sessions with my clients, it's styling and still lifes that I enjoy most.

(Hello-Paislee Press cards)

-I realized the other day that I'm now a bonafide SAHM. My thought process and routine has done a complete 180. Something made me realize this and I found it funny....I'm trying to remember. Oh well. Memory loss goes with the territory as well.

-I was asked if I was employed when filing out some paperwork at the hospital the other day and for a moment I had to stop and think about it. It was a weird feeling. Not in a bad way, just unfamiliar.

-I can recite every Fresh Beat Band song by heart. There are a lot of things I never thought Tyler would be into or like. It was hard to even fathom a little being running around the living room that was once unsuitable for toddler living. A fireplace made of jagged slate, open outlets, exposed wires, freely walking up the stairs without having to do an olympic hurdle over a baby gate. Furniture is now used as barriers. Blankets cover the bottom of the fireplace. Toys and books litter the floor. And now we watch Nick Jr and PBS rather than Food TV and ESPN. I wish I could say my child is not into tv but he is. He loves anything that dances and sings, especially the Fresh Beat Band. He laughs when things are funny, he dances and sways to the music and points to objects on the tv. We do our Yo Gabba Gabba dancie dances together and sing along to the music. I never in a million years imagined that I would have a son who was so into music. That makes me happy though. It reminds me of my own father who shared his love of music with me. I just hope Tyler will come to appreciate the good stuff when he's older like I did when my dad played the classics.

-Working on a several items for the shop. I keep saying I'm ready to update, then think of something new and hold off. I want to have a full shop with a variety of things. Not just a print or 2 so please be patient. I hope to have a complete shop update by mid-week. There will be 2 new 5x7 prints, a few stamps and a few mini prints that will be the size of PL cards. I won't be doing all the designs that are in the shop now so once they're gone, they're gone. I want to keep renewing ideas and product. I get bored very easily. I know everyone is doing stamps right now. I'm totally inviting myself to that party with a few designs that first started to be for myself but then I thought, why not offer them?

Well, have you? Yes? Great....you're in for a treat. No? Well then what are you waiting for? Go to the Studio Calico website, add it to your cart and mark your calendar for June 1st (that's when the workshop will start). There will be a ton of NEW inspiration on how to use our favorite sticky embellishment. Here's a peek at one of my projects.

-I didn't forget...here's the Brownie add on winner....

ok, well I almost forgot. Please email me by May 16th or I will be forced to choose another winner!

Dang, that was a hefty post. Makes me realize that I need to blog more often so it's not all random thoughts and photos. (shrugging shoulders)

Happy Mother's Day to all your lovely lovely ladies.

First Friday Artwalk

Hey guys!

Just few days away from my first art walk and I'm super excited (and nervous). I'd love if you came by to saw hello if you're in Anchorage!

I'll have several still life photographs for sale and I'm also running a special First Friday deal. Book your session for anytime this year with a deposit and receive 20% off print packages! This a great deal for Seniors portraits!

Hope to see your there,

Currents (and a digital layout)

 

Time: 8:58 pm Location: couch Eating: almond Snickers Drinking: water Watching: Smash (thank you On Demand...I forgot to record it) Listening: the birds chirping Loving: this exact moment Enjoying: the quiet and calm (everyones sleeping and it's bliss) Wanting: to not eat this candy bar but I simply cannot resist Needing: to check off more on my to do list Preparing: for my First Friday next week. My photography will be displayed at the Escape Salon located in downtown Anchorage for the entire month of May! Hoping: to get the summer booked full of senior sessions Thinking: I need some socks...the sun is setting and it's getting chilly! Making: screen prints. I had a bit of snag with a certain pattern but I promise, an update is coming soon.

Paislee Press has released a new kit, Hello There. This is the first time I've used a template and I'm really loving it. Doing a book like Liz's is on my 2012 "to make" list and after doing this layout, I'm ready to get started. Her kits make is so easy.

I've been making.

Guess I've been choosing to create and make rather than blog lately. I suppose I could do both like all other super bloggers out there but I just haven't been feeling it lately. So instead of forcing to write, I choose to make....and catch up on older seasons of Dexter. Here's a few sneaks of my layouts create with May's Studio Calico kit.

I had too much fun working with 35mm. The 2 add ons that appealed to me most were Holga and Leica. Also used the new mists Taxi which is by far my favorite yellow Mister Huey that has been released. And for the first time, I've used a pink Mister Huey, Boss Lady. I never thought I'd see the day. :)

I was asked to work on some Smash which I gladly excepted until I saw it in real life. This particular book is huge but I made it work thanks to Jamaica's suggestion on using it to store my magazine clippings. Genius! I have to say, I'm so thankful to have crafty friends to brainstorm with. I wouldn't get half the stuff I get done.

I'm pretty much misting Calico Shine on everything right now. It's an amazing color. Not quite silver but just enough metallic shine to make a nice tone on tone backdrop. I misted heavily on the cover to have it show more. Yet another reason why I love this color, you can spray a little or a lot with different results.

And my favorite page... Perfectly imperfect cuts of washi squares. Couldn't be more me.

Here's a glimpse of some other pages. This book won't be fully done until the end of the year. I want this to have all my clippings, ideas and sketches from 2012.

Here's a list of all supplies used: Pretty Pocket Smash Portfolio, Adhesive Smash Inserts, Swatch Smash Tape, Mister Huey's Calico Shine, Honey Bee scissors, vinyl stickers, letter stencils, washi tape, Silhouette, AC Precision Pen, ProGlide glue gun, Take Note Gray Strip FabRip, Abroad Filmstip FabRip, Abroad Map FabRip, Take Note Woodgrain FabRip.

Currents

Time: 9am Location: Kitchen Watching: Tyler eating his breakfast Listening: Sesame Street in the backgound Eating: Nothing Drinking: Coffee Reading: imessages from my ladies Needing: a few things for todays printing Wanting: a  vacation Crafting: Smash book + May SC kit Enjoying: the sun shining through the kitchen window Loving: that it's warm enough to wear flip flops