CKC Charlotte

I had a great time at the Creating Keepsakes Convention (CKC) in Charlotte.  I took 6 classes and shopped until I had no more money left (I've been saving for this for months).

The classes I took, along with my reviews:

1. SEI - Sophisticated Style, Expanding Layout Pages

I learned new techniques for adding pictures to your layout.  The class was organized, had a video projection of how-tos along the way, with a good teacher.  

2. Mosaic Moments - Photo Framing Techniques

You really need to know how to do the Mosaic Moment technique before taking this class (which I've had).  It was a good class and I learned new techniques for scrapbooking with the Mosaic Moments paper.  The class was organized, had a video projection of how-tos along the way, with a good teacher (owner Tami Potter).

3. Prima - 30 minute layouts

From the start, this class was not that good.  The teacher was handing out papers one by one to a class of 50 ladies.  It took 24 minutes to get all the supplies handed out and the papers were damaged in shipping.  There was no video projection that showed you step-by-step as the class progressed.  The 3 pages we did were very feminine - a "shabby chic" look.  I did learn how to use Prima's flowers on a page and even use the packaging that the flowers come in.  The "30 minute" part wasn't really pushed - it was more how to use Prima flowers than complete layouts quickly.  I would not recommend this class.

4. Simplicraft - Crazy for Cardstock

The class was organized, had a video projection of how-tos along the way, with a good teacher.  I love it when you walk into a class and they immediately hand you a packet of supplies.  We learned new techniques and I wish I had taken some of their other classes.

5. Creating Keepsakes - Bling it On

The class was organized, had a video projection of how-tos along the way, with a good teacher. I was wary of this because CK is a magazine, not a teacher, but the class was fun and it stretched me in new directions.  We learned how to use the I-rock tool.  My friends were disappointed in the Material Girl class that CK offered, but I enjoyed this one.

6. SEI - Make an album truly yours

The class was organized, had a video projection of how-tos along the way, with a good teacher.  I cannot believe that I completed 8 pages in this class!  And we took time to ink 2 pages too.  The SEI albums are sooo organized and I learned that this is the way to complete an album in no time. 

My friends took the Technique Tuesday and Quick Quotes classes and along with SEI, you can always depend on those companies to give quality classes.  Next year, I'll add more Simplicraft classes too.

The vendor fair this year was definitely smaller - a few vendor booths were even empty.  I still enjoyed the make-and-takes at Boxer, Mon Ami Gabby and PK Glitz.  Here's a view of the vendor fair:



Thanks for reading!

CKC Scrapbook convention

Yeah!   I'm off to the CKC Scrapbook Convention tomorrow!  I'm signed up for 6 classes and saved all my pennies for the shopping.  I can hardly wait.   I'll post pics later. 



Baby Name Collage and FCCB Challenge

I took a break from my mini-album project to make a baby name collage for a friend at work.  Her baby boy, Austin, is due in October and this will be a present for her baby shower.  Her theme is Jungle and her colors are brown and green.

The latest FCCB challenge is "Let's Get Buggy" and it challenged me to include lots of bugs in the collage.  Here's the link FCCB #72.   I'm also linking this to My Pink Stamper's "Favorites" blog hop.  Here's that link: MPS Blog Hop

I just got the Create a Critter cartridge (can you believe it took me so long to get this cartridge!) and I used tons of the images from it to decorate the collage.  I also used the Paisley cartridge.  Here's a closeup of the lion, mushroom, snail, and ladybug:

I used clear Stickles on almost every cut to add some interest, but I didn't want to do too much since this is for a boy.

The monkeys from Create a Critter are too cute!  I used the "Flip" function so the monkeys looked a tad different.  I cut them at 1 1/2 inches and 2 1/2 inches.  I used the Colorbok paper from Walmart because it really cuts well for small images.

Here's the collage in its frame (bought at Joann's):

I may also make some smaller collages to go with this one.  I can't wait to give it to the mother-to-be! 

Michael's and Hobby Lobby coupons

Here's a sheet of Michael's and Hobby Lobby coupons for you to use this week.  Hobby Lobby coupon is 25% off and Michael's coupon is 40% off . Both are valid thru Aug 13th. 

Whenever I go shopping, I print the entire sheet and share it with shoppers at the store.

Happy Shopping!

Hobby Lobby coupons

Michael's coupons



Paper Bag Mini Albums #2 and FCCB #71

I'm spending most of my crafting time on the mini albums I'm making for my girlfriends (see post below).  I've gotten into a groove making the albums, and now the real challenge is to make a cover for each album that's unique.  So far, I've managed to come up with unique album covers.

Since the latest FCCB challenge is to make a fun project for a friend, I'm entering the album covers I've finished this week.  Here they are:

I used the Bargello technique from SplitCoast Stampers to make this cover (here's the post: Bargello)

This tutorial at Operation Write Home inspired me for this cover: Starburst

I cut this balloon using SCAL and an image from Lettering Delight's Balloon Craze.  Love it.

I made a mini banner and used baker's twine to string it on the cover.  "Memories" was written with my Cri-Kit pens and I cut out the embellishments from DCWV's Citrus paper pack.

This was a simple sailboat, waves and sun I cut out using SCAL. 

Since we scrapbook at the beach, I wanted to use flip flops on one of the covers.  I put some Stickles on them to "bling" them up a bit.

That's all I've got for now, but I'm not done yet!  My girlfriends don't know I've got a blog, so they won't see this ahead of time.  I can't wait to give them their albums in October!

Thanks for looking!