Playing with my new camera.

I've got a lot to learn about photography. A lot. Seriously - a lot. But I'm having so much fun with a camera that doesn't yell at me that I'm "too close" or I "can't focus" or I'm "too shaky" or I "need the flash" or whatever.....that old camera was really getting on my nerves with all it's grumpy-ness and finicky-ness.

This one...........loves me. And the feeling is mutual.

So here are a few of my first shots with my new Canon:

These are all going into my January PAD (photo-a-day) album that I'm working on....a simple book, a few lines of journaling and a photo each day. When it's done I'll post it here as a slide show - a peek into my life this month.

Hugs.
Cathy

my Stamp BOX design team.....

...will be revealed very, very soon. We've made our choices and we're just waiting for confirmation and then we'll do "the big Ta-da" on Monday morning (Feb. 2). Check back here! In the mean time - here are a few more cards I did this past week. I love making winter cards, especially pink winter cards - can you tell? my Stamp BOX has so many sentiment cards for any and all occasions....I may never need another set :) Note: I didn't say I wouldn't ever buy another set...just that it wouldn't be for NEED of another set :)

I'm supposed to be in California right now

I couldn't get the days off from my job but I was supposed to be in California right now at CHA - helping teach my class that I designed for CHA for SRM Press....taking a Copic Marker class from a co-DT member and working at the Clear Scraps booth. Instead....I'm at home, in the cold, puttering around on the internet trying to see what everyone else is seeing at CHA.

Here's one thing I loved drooling over last year - the Queen & Co. booth....and instead of drooling in person this year, I'm linking you to their blog in the hopes of winning a little something :)

Copic markers!!!!

I'm in love with Copic markers...so fun to play with. Here's a place you can win some :)

Crafting and Living in Japan

Winners!

Here are my 3 randomly chosen winners for some Clear Scraps goodies!

Mustangkayla
Andi D
ScrapAddict21

I'll be contacting you :)
Congratulations.

my Stamp BOX Design Team Call!

my Stamp BOX is searching for their premier design team. We are interested in designers with a variety of styles who can creatively showcase my Stamp BOX designs in their cards, altered art and scrapbook layouts. No previous design team experience is necessary.

Team requirements:

* 5 projects per month, including one with instructions for class or blog entry

* Upload all projects to the my Stamp BOX website and 2 other online galleries.

* Submit at least 2 projects per month to print magazines of your choice.

* Occasionally help with additional design opportunities - classes, newsletters, etc.

Team benefits:

*bio and picture on the website, with links to your blog

*a starter kit of stamp sets and additional stamp sets throughout your term

*monetary or store credit compensation for projects published in print magazines.

* 30% discount on purchased my Stamp BOX stamps during your term

Term is 6 months, beginning Feb.1/09.

Please send applications to: mystampbox@sympatico.ca and include your name, address & phone number, a short paragraph about yourself and why you think you'd be a good fit for my Stamp BOX. Also include 5 examples of your work showcasing your stamping ability and style. Call ends Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 New DT will be announced Thursday Feb. 1st, 2009. International applicants are welcome.

Clear Scraps Sneak Peeks - CHA winter '09

Clear Scraps has done it again - more great shapes and albums made of the highest quality acrylic around. I'll show you some of the new stuff...and a few of my own projects...and then I have a question for you at the end of this post :)


Continuing on with their XL line that debuted in Summer '08, this year we have Cupcakes (pack of 2, 11" wide at the widest point)

And of course, more shaped albums - this one is a cityscape...3 pages of varying heights of buildings, in Acrylic and also in laser-cut chipboard.

New this year: A Clear N Chip line of shapes cut into a 12x12 sheet...both acrylic and chipboard in a package I think. Make a mini...use the flowers to embellish...or mix & match them!

And also new this year - these adorable little minis. They measure about 3-4" across and can be used on cards, layouts, as an album, keychain, bragbook...anything you want!

OK...a few of my own creations - currently boxed up and by tomorrow, on their way to CHA. Wish I was on my way, but someone's going to have to let me live it vicariously through them this time around :(

I took the XL cupcake shapes and made them into an album to document birthdays. I sliced off the end of one of the bubbly icing thingies...and bound this with my Bind-it-all. S'what I love about Clear Scraps - no cracking, cut with my paper trimmer....sweetness.

I took one of the mini heart-shaped albums apart and used the pieces on a set of Valentine's Cards....simple red rub-ons from Hambly and some red paint to make them pop.

Here I'm trying my hand at Masquepen, Copics, Staz-on and Stamps...all on the same tag.

And the little tabbed album mini I made into a calendar - very simple, sepia tones but with pink jewels....perfect for your purse (I reinforced the adhesive jewels with a little bit of Diamond Glaze so it could get handled more).


OK...my question.
What's your favourite thing to do with acrylic? Do you paint? rub-on? stamp? flock? Bind? Sizzix? Cuttlebug? I could go on and on...but I'd love to hear from you - your favourite techniques to do on acrylic. And as incentive....if you tell me your fav. thing to do, I'll put your name in a draw for some prizes from Clear Scraps. I'll go one better. If you LINK me to a picture of your favourite technique in action....I'll add your name TWICE to the draw. I have 3 prizes to draw for....hmmmm....I may even let you pick your prize....we'll see :)

I'll draw 3 names on Tuesday, January 20th.

Thanks for playing!!

Got glue?

or any other adhesives, for that matter?
Helmar Adhesives is a partner product with Clear Scraps this term so we've had a chance to try out some of their adhesives (I have the 450 bottle) but they're giving some away and I'd love to try out the adhesive runners (Anyone who knows me, knows I love to find the right adhesive for the job).

Check them out here: Helmar or at Booth #2260 at CHA if you're lucky enough to be going. And if you are, I don't want to hear about it - I'm still a little bitter at not getting the days off :(

2009, already?!

Wow...officially 2009.
I woke up yesterday feeling really old (staying up too late for my age, sore muscles from Wii fit, too many nights in not-my-own-bed, etc.) but ready for 2009! I haven't really made any life-changing resolutions this year, but a few short-term ones...and I think I'll keep the list of resolutions fluid throughout the year.

SBR goals:
*I need to finish all my scrappy projects and get them mailed out for CHA.
*When everything's mailed out, I'm shutting the door (figuratively, 'cause there is no door) to my scraproom for a week. At least when my family's home and I can spend time with them!
*I want to find my simple-style and rediscover my love of layouts and documenting life; rediscover my initial reasons for scrapbooking

NSBR goals:
*Partially SBR, I'm starting a study on the names of God called "His Holy Name 09" and I'm excited about this! The study itself most of all, but also the artistic factor and the accountability factor of posting online.
*Eat healthier
tips on eating 'in the moment' from the Real Age website:

• Keep distractions to a minimum so you can focus on your food.
• Serve small portions. You can have seconds or eat more later if you’re hungry again.
• Stay tuned in to each bite.
• Take a couple of sips of water between bites.
• Give yourself plenty of time to feel full. It may take 20 minutes for your satisfied stomach to send a signal to your brain.
• Aim for three-quarters full instead of stuffed.

* Pray more - for my husband, my kids, my marriage, my job. I struggle with this I think, b/c of a faith gift, if that makes sense? It's like the old joke of the husband saying to his wife, "I told you I loved you on the day we got married....I"ll let you know if anything changes." That's how I pray sometimes.....I ask God for something, and assume he'll do it b/c I have faith....and don't keep asking. I wanna change that slightly.

I'm sure there'll be more....like I said, a fluid list :)