It is absolutely gorgeous out.
Kind of a crime to be in office on a day like this.
Luckily I'm taking Friday off this week to go to the fair which I am sssooo excited about.
Cannot wait.
Trying to decide which food stand to hit first.
Some Studio Calico sneaks for you on this very fine morning or afternoon for some of you.
and my first addition to the Paislee Press creative team.
loving the new Correspondence kit!
(Paislee Press Correspondence & Splended Finns staples)
xot
I don't have anything particularly witty or overly exciting to write about today other than it's gorgeous out and of course, it's friday.
Onto girl loves.
haters gonna hate print. ain't that the truth. (found on a cup of jo)
this dresswhich I purchased and wore this past week. lot's of compliments on my non-maternity dress. paired with my black riding boots and black tights. new fave outfit. wish they offered one in solid black.
would it be super cheesy for son and mamma to match? :)
more from this lovely senior.
lastly, a little tip from me on how to find sketches through your favorite magazines. (Studio Calico blog)
enjoy your weekend ladies & gents!
xot
listening: Golden Shoulders, Hooverphonic.
eating: just polished off a sesame bagel.
drinking: peach italian soda with cream.
wearing: maternity jeans, black tee. too tired to make an actual effort to look stylish.
feeling: unmotivated. i'll kick into gear in about an hour or two.
weather: rain, rain, rain. (this never changes)
wanting: a refill on my delicious soda. can't get enough icy cold beverages.
needing: to fill you all in on my exciting news.
thinking: i don't know what i'm thinking really. i'm just trying to keep my eyes open.
enjoying: the thought of eating my way through the upcoming state fair.
wondering: if I'm too old to wear jeggings.
and now for my exciting news and new adventure.
yep. I made the Paislee Press design team!
I know what the majority of you are thinking....digital?
Hence, new adventure.
I've been a fan of Paislee Press for quite some time and I'm looking forward to expanding my scrapbook skills. I'm hoping that I can inspire those who have wanted to try digital but have been intimidated, like myself. I'd be fibbing if I said I knew the ins and outs of all things digital but I'm so ready to dive in. I hope you'll hang with me while I'm on my new adventure and try digital out for yourself. I'm a paper girl first, there's no doubt about that. But I'm going to make digital work for me. I just hope the digital communtiy does not shun my efforts. :)
So, yeah....that's my exciting news. I'm curious to know how you all feel about digital. Is it something you're interested in or not at all. I know there are some devout hands on paper people and some who are digital all the way. FIll me in on your thoughts.
xot
PS...I have not forgotten about August Break. I will post my photos later this week.
Selina asks:
Do you have any tips for a beginner (intimidated) SBer? And, where do you go to get inspiration/what inspires you?
hhmm...I'll let you know from my own experiences that it helped finding that certain scrapbooker for inspiration when I first became serious about scrapbooking. I think that when I did my first right out of highschool, I put it away thinking it was some what...well, just not my style. This was back in '96. I got heavily into rubberstamping, altered books and collage. I knew that I leaned more on the artistic side of crafting. A few years later, I worked at a local magazine distribution center. At the end of the week, the employees would be able to go through pallets of left over publications. I was immediately drawn to the craft section. That's when I first became familiar with scrapbooking magazines. It was Creative Keepsakes, and Memory Makers at the time. I think, if I remember correctly, it was a combination of Ali Edwards, Kelli Crowe, Jamie Waters, Maria Grace Abuzman, Jenni Bowlin, & Elsie. Those layouts were always dog-eared in these magazines. I never thought to copy or lift these layouts though. It was more about specific techniques that drew me in.
I also participated in weekly challenges like The Dares and Scrapjacked. I'm sure there are several other challenge blogs out there as well.
Another great way for a newbie scrapper like yourself is to sign up for sketch classes. Kelly Purkey is currently holding a sketch class. The ideas are endless. I know the actual layout and placement of photos and paper can be intimidating at first. This is an ideal way to learn.
The Studio Calico blog holds a Sunday Sketch every week as well and it's free!
The one thing that I don't recommend is to basically lift a layout piece by piece. These sketches are meant for inspiration. The only way to discover your own unique style is to make the sketch your own. Can you lift the layout exactly and call it your own? Well, that's up to you but be a trooper and give proper credit where credit is due. Again, it's all about coming into your own as a scrapbooker. Pretty soon, it'll be easy to whip up a few layouts in a week when your new SC kit arrives. :)
The scrapbooker I am today does not purchase magazines purely because of finances and clutter but I will thumb through them while at bookstore. I will buy graphic design books though. I get lot's of inspiration from those. Ali Edwards is still an inspiration. I love her clean lines and the way she tells a story through her scrapbooking.
Sandy asks:
1: Can you show us your creative space? Question 2: Any ideas on nursery?
Here are some photos of my dedicated creative space. I feel very fortunate to have my own little room. This is probably the cleanest it's ever been although I did forget to do a little dusting. oops. 
I find it important to have some natural light in your workspace. Plus I tend to stare out the window when I get stuck on a layout. That desk is the best garage sale find of all time. I paid $75 for it. It's solid wood and has a ton of storage. I keep my essentials in those drawers. It's huge, heavy and I love it.
The plastic set of drawers to the left is where I keep all my unmounted rubber stamps, acrylic blocks, and letter stamps and that Making Memories caddy is the best caddy I have ever owned. 
A few other garage sale finds I keep on my desk. A Longaberger basket that holds inspiration files, templates, invoices and countless pieces of papers with notes on layout ideas. I just picked up the little wooden drawers at the Salvation Army for a buck. It's perfect for my mists and paints. 
This is my catch all for my supplies. I keep papers I want to use in future layouts, letters, rub ons...basically everything I want within arms reach. 
my basket of unfinished mini books. 
next to my catch all shelf is this little stand where I keep a few inspiration mags and books and my dvds. (most watched...SATC series and True Blood)
on the other side of the room is my inspiration board. it changes every so often. below is about 10 years worth of purged scrapbook supplies. this is only about half. the rest is sitting in the hallway. our garage sale will definitely be a crafters delight. 
and the closet. I store things that I don't use very often and use this as a packing and shipping area for my prints. 
my some what attempt to get organized. I did purge A LOT of card stock because there are some colors I just won't use anymore. 
a few other organization attempts....I found a few wire baskets that fit my thickers and other letters. makes it easy to thumb through. 
I keep a small wire basket on my desk that holds photos and other items to use in future SC layouts. I usually clean this out before a new kit arrives.
I do have a general idea for our son's nursery and an inspiration board is in the works. Stay tuned. :)
Genevieve asks:
How are you enjoying doing 'real' sessions? What have you learned so far? Do you have a favourite type of session (kids, seniors, weddings, etc)? -Are you planning to continue once the little mister gets here? -What do you do about the challenges you face as a photographer in a not-always-perfect environment (meaning Alaska and its sometimes crummy weather, etc) I think that our environments are somehwhat similar, so I'd love to know!
My "real" sessions have gone well so far this summer. Definitely learning a lot about the business and about my style of photography. I know after doing 2 weddings that that is not my area of interest. But you never know until you try, right?
The senior session I just had was fun and more up my alley. I like working more one on one with younger adults and children. Newborn photography was something I was interested in learning first but all these other opportunities streamed in.
So as of now, I'll just be taking clients specifically wanting newborn and children portraits. I felt like I needed to be a jack of all trades when I first got started but now I know that's not who I am or the kind of photographer I want to be. Sometimes it's about hitting that specific market and about perfecting what you love to do.
I will continue my business after jr is born because that may be something I want to do rather than working in an office. Ultimately I would love to just do photography part time so I could spend more time being a mom but I'm not going to put that kind of pressure on myself. Girls got bills to pay.
As far as environment. Yes, that's always an issue. I had to postpone my senior session because of the down pour Anchorage has had. You just have to work around it or with it. The only thing that gets me in a pickle is that I rent my lens. Hopefully I can purchase these lenses in the future.
AGW asks:
Do you have a dedicated craft area? Any pics you wouldn't mind sharing? - What's the first thing you do when you start a LO?
Yep, see above. :)
First thing I do is take my printed photo and match it up to patterned papers. That doesn't mean I match colors but really the overall mood of the photo and what I want the layout to say. For instance, I'm currently working on a layout that features my brother with his daughter at a carnival. I want to use some pink but I don't want this to be a "girly" layout. So I'm pulling papers that have teals, greens and blacks. You'll see the final layout in the next SC reveal. :)
Thanks for your questions! I hope you were able to get to know me a little more. :)
xot
I have nothing exciting or out of the ordinary to report to you today. Pretty dull Friday if you ask me.
But it's still a Friday and to that I give a quiet hooray.
I'm pondering the thought of leaving early form work to get find another dress for my brother's wedding. I'm just not happy with the 2 I've purchased from Target. The cheapo I am, I'm not willing to spend $$$ on a dress I will only wear once. Because that's what I do. I buy a dress, wear it, hang it, forget about it.
Does anyone actually care about my narcissism today? No? Good...me neither. Let's move on.
girl loves:
this simple, lovely, so me outfit. (found Unruly Things, Brochu Walker) loving the whole collection.
are you kidding me? how friggin cute are these? (found Loveinthemommyhood, Not Martha) this is so going on my "things to do this Holiday" list. 
Ashley Meaders website.
happy friday!
xot
p.s. q&a will continue on Monday!
Sara asks....
1. How did you get on the design team for Studio Calico? They approach you or vice versa?
The first year Studio Calico started, they held a design team call. I had just started subbing and was highly impressed with the kit. I was new to the kit scene and tried a handful of kit companies with a ton of disappointment. I was subbing to another kit club at the time who was also holding a dt call. I thought, what the heck...let's go for it. I absolutely had no expectations with getting on SC's dt because of the designers they already had but tried anyway. To be perfectly honest, I thought I had a better shot of getting on the other kit club's dt before SC's.
A few weeks later, I get an email from April to call her. I was at work at the time. I remember picking up the phone right away and a very southern accent giving me a cheery hello. I was told I was chosen to be on the dt. My heart leaped out of my chest. I popped out of my office and told the first person I saw which was our old reception. She had no clue as to why I was so excited but I didn't care, I had to tell some one!
I've been lucky enough to be on the dt ever since that day and let me tell, I still am surprised each year when I'm asked back. SC has been a dream to work for.
(I'm trying to locate a photo of my the layouts I submitted but you can see some of my early work in the 2007 gallery to your left)
2. What would be your #1 Alaska destination for an outdoorsy visitor?
hhmm...there really isn't just one thing I would choose. There is SO MUCH to do for an outdoorsy type of visitor. A lot of people like to hike Flattop which isn't too far from where I live. It's really beautiful up there and you can see the whole city of Anchorage from the top.
Alaska is really an outdoorsman's dream, or playground if you will. As much as I complain about the weather, it's extremely beautiful up here. I love being surrounded by mountains. I would recommend taking a drive down the Seward Highway and stopping in Kenai, Seward and if you're up for the long haul...Homer. I've lived here for about 20 years and I'm still in awe of how beautiful that drive is.
Charlane asks....
indulge me and tell me your most magical thought.
I have to say it's the thought of having the gift I've prayed for during the upcoming Christmas holiday. I've been imagining holding my baby boy next to the Christmas tree while the fires going and it brings tears to my eyes. Even writing this makes my eyes swell. The holidays were getting so hard for us these past few years, not only with the whole struggle but you tend to miss people that are no longer in your lives. This Christmas is going to be a magical one and I can't wait to share the day with our new son.
Jill asks....
I've always wondered about your creative process. How long does it take you to complete a page? When do you know that you're "done"? Do you ever second guess yourself? Do you ever "plan" or are you more of a riff-on-the-moment kind of girl?
My creative process starts with a clean scrap room, printed photos and a new SC kit. Because I get new product every month, I tend to be a "new product" scrapper and have gotten horrible about using up older product unless it's absolutely something I love. I find that doing Dares makes me use up other product or try new things like digital kits.
As far as planning goes, there maybe some ideas I have but they don't always work so I go for a more of the "riff-on-the-moment" type of scrapping. I find that suites my style more.
It can usually get a few layouts done on a Friday night (granted I've had a nap after work). Doesn't mean they're complete though. Sometimes I get about 3/4 done but leave it for a couple days to see if it needs more or less. I do this a lot when it's just not flowing. Sometimes it's like that layout was meant to be.
I always second guess myself, especially with SC layouts. I want always push myself for each gallery but that tends to backfire. There are a lot of layouts I loathe after the gallery goes up, some I re-work, some I put away never to be seen again. :)
Miss Rayevich asks...
1. do you guys have a name yet for baby? you don't have to tell, just wondering=) 2. how many cameras do you own? which is your ALL time fav?? and which one do you like to pack around for everyday shots?? 3.what's your fav scrap supply? 4. if you could go anywhere in the world where would it be? 5. what's your fav thing about Alaska?
1. Yes and no. We have a few but are waiting until the baby is born for a final decision. We're leaning towards Tyler or Taylor. Those are our faves.
2. I own quite a few cameras but the ones that work are the Rebel XTi, Canon 5D (my fave) and a little Canon pocket digital. I have a few film cameras that I've played with but my favorite is the Polaroid Land. Everyday shots is usually taken with either my iPhone or 5D.
3, Right now it's cream cardstock, & paint.
4. Somewhere tropical, I really want to go swimming outdoors and walk in warm sand.
5. Just the overall laid back vibe of Anchorage.
I'll answer the rest tomorrow and hopefully get photos up of my scraproom.
xot
listening: beck.
eating: honeydew
drinking: apple juice
wearing: maternity cargo pants,
feeling: tired. as always. stayed up late editing photos and watching the Zoe Project.
weather: rain, rain, rain.
wanting: my new SC kit. can't wait to scrap recent photos and play with new product.
needing: to back up my computer.
thinking: of dubbing a coworker "repeat" since she says the same thing every single day.
enjoying: the thought of using the Slice machine KP is sending me.
wondering:if we're ever going to have a full day of sunshine and blue skies. this rain is bonkers.
So Taylor is officially gone from the Zoe Project? I'm going to miss that girl, bad attitude and all. My goodness, what I would do in that room with the racks of clothes and sea of shoes. Makes my mouth water. More so than watching Diners, Drive Ins & Dives.
A little peak of my first senior photo session with the lovely Stephanie.
questions I received from Monday's post will be answered in 2 parts starting tomorrow.
happy wednesday!
t
I notice that once in a while bloggers will do a "ask me anything" type of post.
I get some questions through you comments...sometimes I answer them individually, sometimes I simply forget.
A few questions from Friday's post.
Maternity wear. I only own one maternity shirt I purchased from Forever 21. Everything else was either something I already owned or purchased from jrs/womens dept. I always tend to buy looser tops so they're working out quite well at this point. The sweater I wore Friday was purchased from the jrs dept at Nordstroms last fall. Which leads me the 2nd question.
Yes, I wear light sweaters some days because the weather in Alaska hasn't been very summery what so ever. It was pretty cool out that day. Layering is key. By mid afternoon, the sweater was gone and the tank I wore underneath got me through the rest of the day.
So while the rest of the country is at the beach or staying in air conditioned quarters, we're trying to stay dry from the constant rain and annoying humidity.
Getting bigger. Thanks to all of you who left me lovely comments on my size. I think it's the constant comments from certain people that get to me. "you're so big!!" I endured this again today and the 2 people that said it got earful of my sarcasm. One being, "yes, I am pregnant. This is what happens when you harbor a child in your ever growing uterus sweetheart." I'm not kidding, every time I see these individuals which is everyday, they say this to me. Hopefully the sarcasm will clue them in.
So, ask me anything, whether it's photography related, pregnancy, scrapping, alaska living....whatevs.
I'll do my best to answer them this week.
The weekend went off with a hitch.
My very first senior portrait session was awesome. Started editing last night. I know Mom and daughter will be very pleased. Some sneaks from that session later this week.
Bridal shower was fun and full of belly laughs, tears of joy and good food.
Jr already getting kisses from his auntie.
And can I add that I'm always a little weary of handing of my 5D for some one else to shoot? I'm wondering to myself...did they get the shot, did they focus correctly, is it the right composition. I really need to just let go otherwise I'll never be in any photos.
laterhosin
xot.
me, Dav, Joy, Nik & Celine
Jamaica
Tina C & Joy
Caroline working the Pink Paislee booth
sweet Liz and the SC posse
Dav, Nik & Walesk
Jen G
Faux lovin' Joy
Walesk, Nik & Greg
April and Margie at the Girls Paperie booth
CHA via Polaroid tomorrow.
Some of my favs from CHA.
Basic Grey:
My Minds Eye:
7 Gypsies:
Core Impressions:
Handmade by K&Co
May Arts Ribbon:
Melissa Frances:
Jenni Bowlin Studio:
Washi tape and Technique Tuesday stamps
That convention center was packed full of eye candy and inspiration. I cannot wait to get my hands on some of these products, especially the washi tape and the chipbord and binder rings from 7 Gypsies.
I'm back to work today but feeling a lot more relaxed about things. Even after opening my work email to find over a hundred messages. I took a deep breath and began opening each one. Here I am. Back in the thick of it.
More tomorrow.
t
Where to begin?
Let's start with day 1.
I am happy to report that the sun was bright and slightly warm when I arrived. I couldn't turn down the opportunity to stretch my legs and walk to the convention center . I was slightly overwhelmed when I walked in as I didn't realize how huge this place was but I was quickly greeted with a shout and a hug from Dav and Walesk.
After receiving my all too important pass, we made our way into the actual convention where booths were being constructed, product being unpacked and people moving at a feverish pace. I walk doe-eyed towards the stylish, clean and almost completed Studio Calico booth to meet the ever so gracious April and her Kentucky Wildcat loving husband Greg or as some of us know as G-man. I also had the opportunity to meet the the rest of the SC crew, Lorie, Kristen and Stephen. All were busy putting the final deets on the booth. 
Walesk taking photos of the booth.
The crew. From the left is Walesk, April, Dav, Lorie and Nicole. 
April and her beautiful hair.
Ok, so on to some CHA peeks from my point of view. Now this is just day 1 of being at CHA and it's not even opening day of the convention so I didn't really get to see a lot of product. I was more fascinated with the production of these booths. I never thought about the time and effort it went into creating these very well designed areas.
My first paper encounter was at Crate Paper. Love me some Crate. The first thing that captures me about this paper is the texture. The designs are so fun and usable. I especially love the chipboard pieces. 
Not much else to report from day 1. Just meeting and greeting more or less.
Some ups and downs...
up
scoring the last open seat on the flight when flying stand by.
down
the neck cramp I endured after falling asleep awkwardly on my shoulder.
up
blue skies, bright sun.
down
forgetting my favorite Coach sunglasses.
up
meeting my online friends and finding out just how much cooler they are in person.
down
leaving friends and knowing I won't be able to see them for awhile
up
also meeting scrap celebs most of which were uber cool (I dislike the work uber by sounds better than "way")
down
the uncomfortable silence after meeting and chatting about the flight from Anchorage and the weather.
I've got much more to report but I've got a dog who wants to be walked and a cup of coffee to purchase.
I'll continue on my CHA antics throughout the weekend.
It's good to be home but I'm already scoping out tickets to the next convention. sigh.
July's kit had the coolest stamps ever. Hello? Ttv frame? Probably the easiest way to produce a ttv image. It is my favorite stamp to date. Unfortunately the main kit is sold out but I'm sure the stamps will be available in the shop soon. There are still some add ons left as well.
Tonights sneak night over at Studio Calico but I don't have to remind you of that right? :)
I should have some sneaks over the weekend as the scrap bug hasn't hit me yet. It seems hard
to translate ideas onto paper lately. I can get something started but finishing seems to be a bit of a
challenge. So yeah, 3 half ass layouts sitting on my table right now.
Plus I've got health issues on the brain. Nothing serious, just a pesky polyp that may need to be removed. Doctor's offices make me nervous...it's never really a joy to be there in the waiting room reading worn out magazines and making accidental eye contact with other patients. *deep sigh*
Wish me luck!
Tina
late but here none the less...my may sc sneaks.
up for grabs tomorrow night.
oh and guess what next Saturday is? Only the most awesome holiday ever...national scrapbook day! hehe...SC's kicking off things right with a slue of challenges and some pretty sweet give aways. Check out the SC blogfor all the details. You've got a week to get the designer's challenges done. Just be sure to post it to the SC gallery and tag it with what challenge it goes to. My challenge is about music. Scrap your favorite song lyrics. What's your top ten played songs on your Ipod? How about creating your favorite mix and personalizing your own cover. One random winner will get this beauty... 
hope to see lot's of great paper creations in the gallery this week and I'm really looking forward to dedicating a whole day to paper and photos. enjoy the rest of your sunday, T
My first ever completed mini. I've started a lot.....never finished. I wanted to document the 29 days before the big 3-0 and I accomplished that. Maybe being 30 has changed me to a "get it done" person rather than a "start but never finish" person. Have to say I'm feeling pretty good about that. 
And this is what we woke up to Saturday morning. I just got my studded winter tires off my little civic. That still didn't stop me from going up to Starbucks though. I just sort of slid around and barreled through the bigger piles of snow so I didn't get stuck. I know, I'm admittedly one of those crazy Alaskan drivers. It was early enough though, no one was really around.
All the snow we got over the weekend is just about melted now. hooray. Let's get a move on with Spring dammit. 
Leaving off with a little FYI. Elle's Studio is having a big blog party this Saturday starting in the early morn. She's got lot's of stuff happening throughout the day including some sweet give-aways so mark your calendars! April 12th starting at 8am.
Tina
