aka Trendyscrapper | Musings of a Flower Girl

Reflections that is what today is all about...

 I created this journal to hold all those things I want to reflect on. I will explore feelings and thoughts that make me who I am. I want to understand and gain a deeper appreciation for life and take a more proactive approach in my overall happiness. Last week I decided to place my little girl in day care and for over 4 months I have talked myself out of this move. Now today I am happy to say she is doing so well. She has been in big girl panties every day and no accidents for 3 days. Did I tell you she turned 2 July 7th. So reflecting on this decision I am certain I made the right move. Many of the projects I have created to teach lately have been pretty projects, but not thought provoking projects. This journal I created today and plan on teaching everywhere was designed to make you think. What are things you reflect on and how do they shape who you are? These are the questions I am most eager to explore so if for a few days I ramble about self exploration bare with me it is all part of my journey.
Have a Scrappy Day
Michelle

I am Dreaming Of a White Christmas...

 Ok not really but one of the new classes I have created is for Christmas. this book features some of my favorite new pieces in the Build-a-Book Collection. I love that we now have over 60 pieces and they all work together. I should have posted this a couple days ago but as always time got away from me.

First here is a picture of the cover of one of my new classes. I have some extra kits so if you are interested they will be on preorder as product is just now shipping.
I will also be teaching this class at the Scrappin At The Pink House Extavaganza September 26-28.

 

 

The Very Merry Christmas album features pages from the summer cha collection.

Decorative heart,6x12 scallop pages,ornate frame frame, and stamp edge and of course all the amazing Prima goodness you would expect from a Primadonna Class.

Prima's NEW Build-A-Book Contest!

That's right! Prima has a brand new contest for you! Let's jump right into the details!

......................................................................................

Have you ever wanted to try Prima's Build-A-Books? Now is the time to do that! Simply enter any Build-A-Book project for your chance to win! Build-A-Books offer a clear surface that is amazingly fun to work with. Let your imagination run wild with the variety of art mediums and products that work especially well with Prima's clear albums. Of course you can mix and match any page size or shape...and build you very own customized book! That's what makes Prima's clear albums so unique! For additional information about Prima's Build-A-Books feel free to check out the DT's projects, as well as the Fire & Ice blog. 

BAB design shown by Tish Treadaway

......................................................................................

                             Contest Prizes:
Prima is offering a wonderful Prize Package for 1st and 2nd Place!

                                First Place:
$600 prize package of Prima products (retail value)

                              Second Place:
$300 prize package of Prima products (retail value)

...........................................................................................................................

OFFICIAL RULES AND ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS

 

Eligibility:
Contest is open to legal residents of all countries (as allowed by law). You must be 18 years or older to enter. The Contest is not open to employees, teachers or design team members of Prima Marketing, Inc. or their immediate family members. Affiliated companies, subsidiaries, and advertising or promotional agencies are also ineligible.

Prima Marketing, Inc. will not be responsible for late, misdirected or illegible entries.

Artists may submit more than one entry. Designs previously posted are acceptable for contest submission as long as they meet eligibility requirements. 

Judging:
Judging will be done on the basis of creative use with Prima's Build-A-Book (examples of BAB types include: 890063, 890322, 890247, 890278, 890452, ); creative use of art mediums/product on the BAB's clear surface, design composition, craftsmanship, and originality of project.

NOTE: Prima Build-A-Book clear albums only allowed. Please include the item number of the Build-A-Book product(s) when you are submitting your entry. The item number is located on the back of each package.

.....................................................................................................................................................

Awards:
One First Place winner

will be chosen from amongst all of the entries and awarded a $600 (retail value) prize package of Prima products. 

                                           One Second Place Winner

            will be awarded a $300 (Retail Value) of Prima product each.

A signed photography release will be required from each winner.

All international, federal, state, local and municipal laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited. Any taxes incurred are the winner’s responsibility. 

......................................................................................

Entry Procedure:

How to Enter: 

1. Submit your contest projects by visiting the Prima Marketing Inc. website.  Digital photos or scans are required (upload maximum 150 K). Entries are to be submitted via our web site, www.primamarketinginc.com Click on the "Idea Gallery" tab, scroll down and click on "Contest Entry".  The direct link for the contest entry is: 

 Build-A-Book Entry Link
 

2. Label each submission "BAB Contest" along with the title of your project. You will be contacted separately if additional information is required. Feel free to submit up to 3 photos of the project.

Please enter your email address carefully as this is the only means we have of contacting you if you should win.

Verification emails will not be sent out for entries this time. However, feel free to check with Sharon to see if your entry was received. sharon.laakkonen@primamarketinginc.com  

Do not send actual project to Prima Marketing, Inc. Prima will not be responsible for any entry sent to them.

3. Deadline for entry is October 30th, 2008 Midnight PST.

Please direct contest questions to sharon.laakkonen@primamarketinginc.com.

......................................................................................

We can't wait to see what you incredibly talented designers come up with! Good luck to everyone who enters!

.........................................................

Tattered Angels Rocks and I am so lucky to be on their Design Team.

 I have been bitten by the scrap bug like I said, I have more freedom during the day to get my scrap on. I never knew how liberating it is to have a moment to yourself. I took a bath in the middle of the day. I also went to the gym and was personally tortured by the kickbox instructor who is now Miss. Tampa Bay International fitness winner. So even though I am already super sore i still created a new item. I have been creating 1 new piece each day.

These two both feature Tattered Angels and Prima.
I wanted to make a faux finish and work with screens.
here are my 2 creations I added some close up pics too.

Have a Scrappy Day
Michelle

I Have Been Bit By The Scrap Bug...

 Ok so today was Malia's first day of day care. I of course was a nervous wreck, Lauren called to make sure I was alright. I really appreciated her checking up on me and making sure I had not fallen apart. I dropped her off and yes she cried, but she also got over it and had a blast. I did too I got my scrap on the mojo fairy found me. I will keep on scrappin while the fairy is here. So today I will give you A SNEAKY PEEK of one of my new classes. As always I combined my favorite products Prima, Tattered Angels, and Accucut. This is a single lo class using the new clear paintables and the paper paintables blending the best of both world's.
I am only showing a small peek...
I am teaching six classes at Scrappin At The Pink House September 26th,27th,28th reserve your spot early I hear the classes fill up quick. Some of the other samples are on the link. I also created a mirror tonight but my battery dies before i could get a good pic.

So for tonight this is all I have to show you.
Have a Scrappy Day
Michelle

A Special Invitation for You...

 Today I bought invitations for my sons birthday party. He is having his party at the Karate academy. This will be his first real birthday party since he was one. Here is a picture of him on his last birthday. He was not able to have a party outside of class he could not handle the noise. This picture make me sad and happy at the same time happy because he is smiling but sad because he was so afraid of the world around him. He would never just look at people and could easily explode in a fitful rage. i remember like it was yesterday but thank God that he is so much better. i preach early intervention because it works.
This picture of him with his dad fishing was taken last month. Look at the difference he is a new little boy. He engages the camera and you as a person. This year as i sat down tonight to do his invitations, I am reminded how blessed I am and how happy I am to be a mom.

I bought these adorable invitations at the store and at first was just going to fill them out but in the end. I added stickles and distress ink and made them as special as he is to me. I hope he feels a sense of pride as he hands them to his classmates.

This little boy is my mamas boy and means everything to me. I am counting down the days when I get to celebrate with all his friends his birthday. James will be 6 years old.

Thank you for letting me share my beautiful boy and why making his invitations tonight has made my month.

Now tomorrow I will be posting all about my Prima Extravaganza Weekend at
Scrappin at The Pink House September 26th. Stay tuned for all the details and all the amazing classes.

Have a scrappy day
Michelle

Trying To be Productive and Cleaning Scraproom

 Ok I do not know how it happens, but my scraproom looks like a tornado blew through. I have to admit i still had one suitcase still full of stuff from CHA just in my living room. I than had 2 more filled from CPR so tonight was clean it out night. I had 4 bags altogether that needed to be emptied. The funny thing is I will be packing it all back up to go teach at the pink house.

I made a decision on Friday to place my 2 year old in day care. I think she will really enjoy being around other kids, and hopefully learn life goes on without mommy. It has been a roller coaster deciding weather we should take the plunge and place her in the day care. I went too 12 different places and finally decided on Discovery Point. She starts on Monday my little boy is in kindergarten this year. I also made the decision to place him in a after school Karate program to help work on self discipline.

For those who do not know my son has mild autism. He needs a alot of structure and guidance. He is loving the Karate studio. He keeps asking to go to fight school. I have been wanting to share this it of information for a while but have just been to busy. For those who have a child like mine, I found out that milk and wheat were not a problem for him but corn was the devil. I do not know why but corn in any form makes my little boy plum crazy. Do you know how hard it is to find items without corn???? I have also told my good friend Lauren about my discovery and she has removed corn from her sons diet and it has made a huge difference. The only way I knew it was for sure corn was, I had taken him off wheat and milk products. His new diet consisted of corn chips, popcorn, and all things corn related and he kept getting worse and worse. Si I started to track when the episodes were happening and they were always after his snack of corn. So i told my husband lets reverse this and give him back wheat and milk but remove corn. In a couple if days it was like night and day he started talking more, paying attention, and not completely out of control. so if you are dealing with a sweet little one like my boy give it a shot the worse that could happen it not work the best thing it completely changes your life.

I better go to bed

Have a scrappy day

Michelle

Accucut Featured My Texas Album On Their Blog Plus Other Exciting News...

I was so excited to see my project up on the Accucut blog. I have been working closely with them lately I love all the dies and how they allow me to add extra embellishments to my projects and classes. I was so surprised when I was also asked to be the featured designer in their newsletter. I am not sure if it had gone public when it has I will post the newsletter. They feature 4 projects of mine and that was just too cool. I have not been submitting lately I have been too busy working on classes or project samples.

I also have a few other things in the works. i hope to be able to talk about those too really soon. Here is the actual post...

A new "state" of mind

Posted by Tara Smithberg

Here's a new way to show your state pride or document a summer vacation. Create a customized album using a jumbo die cut in the shape of your favorite state!

Designer Michelle Van Etten created this irresistible Texas album using the jumbo Texas die. She decorated the cover with fabric, ribbons, stars and flowers in patriotic colors. To create the star shapes, Michelle used the large Star-Nested #1 die and covered them with colorful paper and blue sequins.

Decorate the inside pages with photos, items and colors that represent your state. To capture a rugged look and feel, Michelle used fabric scraps with fringed edges.

This jumbo shape allows for plenty of room for photos, embellishments and journaling. Michelle used the space on the inside pages to layer photos, paper and fabric in red, white and blue.

Using a clear plastic sheet, Michelle cut out a cowboy with the large Cowboy #3 die and accented the edges using glitter to make him stand out on the page. Layering the clear cowboy on top of different colors and patterns gives the page unexpected flair.

 

Attach the pages together with a metal ring, and you've got yourself an album that is sure to make your little cowboy happy.

No matter where you call home, we have all the states to choose from. From New York to California, you can find your state here. Costing on average about $50-$65, these state dies are a great investment for many years of use.

These jumbo shapes would also look sharp on any scrapbook page or used as decorations for a party. If you can think of any other unique ways to use these dies, please let us know!

Ok now onto my next great big announcement i am teaching at drum roll please Scrap-a-Ganza in Holland. For those that follow my blog you know how much I heart the Netherlands. I am now going on a diet so when I gain 10lbs from the amazing food i will be ok when i get back. i have already talked to Monique again and we are planning a spa day and a trip to Amsterdam oh how we had fun must find that restaurant that was so super yummy...

My classes are filling up fast and some already full so if you want to come to one of the classes and believe me they both are amazing sign up fast. I look forward to seeing all my friends and making some new ones too.

Ok so I will leave you with another picture from the

Creative Photography Retreat thank you James Ransom for the still life photography tips...

"Capture everyday memories"  and quoting Rita Dubey from Canon "A Picture isn't a Photo till its Printed"

Have Scrappy Day
Michelle

Posted by Tara Smithberg

Here's a new way to show your state pride or document a summer vacation. Create a customized album using a jumbo die cut in the shape of your favorite state!

Designer Michelle Van Etten created this irresistible Texas album using the jumbo Texas die. She decorated the cover with fabric, ribbons, stars and flowers in patriotic colors. To create the star shapes, Michelle used the large Star-Nested #1 die and covered them with colorful paper and blue sequins.

Decorate the inside pages with photos, items and colors that represent your state. To capture a rugged look and feel, Michelle used fabric scraps with fringed edges.

This jumbo shape allows for plenty of room for photos, embellishments and journaling. Michelle used the space on the inside pages to layer photos, paper and fabric in red, white and blue.

Using a clear plastic sheet, Michelle cut out a cowboy with the large Cowboy #3 die and accented the edges using glitter to make him stand out on the page. Layering the clear cowboy on top of different colors and patterns gives the page unexpected flair.

 

Attach the pages together with a metal ring, and you've got yourself an album that is sure to make your little cowboy happy.

No matter where you call home, we have all the states to choose from. From New York to California, you can find your state here. Costing on average about $50-$65, these state dies are a great investment for many years of use.

These jumbo shapes would also look sharp on any scrapbook page or used as decorations for a party. If you can think of any other unique ways to use these dies, please let us know!

Ok now onto my next great big announcement i am teaching at drum roll please Scrap-a-Ganza in Holland. For those that follow my blog you know how much I heart the Netherlands. I am now going on a diet so when I gain 10lbs from the amazing food i will be ok when i get back. i have already talked to Monique again and we are planning a spa day and a trip to Amsterdam oh how we had fun must find that restaurant that was so super yummy...

My classes are filling up fast and some already full so if you want to come to one of the classes and believe me they both are amazing sign up fast. I look forward to seeing all my friends and making some new ones too.

Ok so I will leave you with another picture from the

Creative Photography Retreat thank you James Ransom for the still life photography tips...

"Capture everyday memories"  and quoting Rita Dubey from Canon "A Picture isn't a Photo till its Printed"

Have Scrappy Day
Michelle

Suzy West you rock and so does Picture Me Perfect...

 Ok I know I have been the biggest slacker on my blog. I am trying to do better. I guess people are reading my blog. So as always sorry for the typos and grammar issues.

  As everyone knows I was at CPR last weekend well on Sunday I got a treat I was able to hang out and go teach at Suzy West's
Scrapbook Store Picture Me Perfect in Fremont California.I will be teaching 2 classes the first is my paintables class and the second is my Building Generations Build-A-Book.
  The first class they had so much fun exploring the wonderful world of painting with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist.
I think Glimmer Mist is the perfect medium for the Prima Paintables.Here are some picture from my class. I taught on Labor day weekend so I was unable to meet all of Suzy's amazing mechanics and customers. Here are some pictures from this class.

I have to say Suzy brought a ton of Tattered Angels in and we sold out of almost all of it.
  The creativity in this room was so evident the ladies really enjoyed exploring the Van Gogh in all of us.

                      A True Artist at work.
 
                I am having such a hard time figuring out how to blog forgive me. Here is a finished example of the amazing work the girls in this store produce.

I do not have pictures from the second class. I think Suzy took some. I also do not have pictures from the rest of the night, but i will still fill you in on the goods.

I finished the last class and we were deciding where to eat. Suzy suggested a place called La Fond Du or something like that oh my goodness the food was too die for. A quote from Suzy "You have No Idea". i now actually have an understanding of this phrase because that was truly insane yummy.
Ok so we finish dinner and she takes me to the hotel. The W Silicon Valley oh I had to link you to luxury. I slept on a bed of feathers too bad I had to get up and go home before it was light outside.

thank you again Suzy and the rest of the gang  I had an amazing time.
Hugs
Michelle

Michelle                                                                                

Drive by posting here is pic of my princess Malia

Oh how I love photography and my beautiful model/baby girl.
Malia at Christmas time she sure has grown up no more little baby face.

Taken today on the couch she is such a big girl. Wow I forget how fast they grow up.

The last pics are of James and his big fish. I used a template for this digi lo. He started karate at a after school program today he had so much fun. I hope to capture some great shots of him in his new uniform.
Daddy and James went fishing with papa and caught a big fish. I think I am raising a mini brad pit watch out world...

OK i will post class pics tomorrow must edit photos.

Have a Scrappy day
michelle

MY Review of CPR and my big news...

 California was so amazing words can not describe how much fun I had. I started my adventure at the Creative Photography Retreat in San Jose. The retreat was held at the Double Tree. I met my roomy at the retreat Becky and we had a blast together. We started on Thursday and had the kick off bash where they introduced us to our teachers, and Brian and James were hotties. Always nice to have a little eye candy in class. These guys were super talented too so it was a double bonus. They had a mini class after the kick off bash with Erin Manning. In this class I met Maggie who I hung out with the rest of the event. We also met Alan the one in charge of marketing for Canon he is such a hoot.
Interrupting scheduled blog to give you this sales pitch.........

 Oh by the way everyone needs to buy the wide format printer from Canon this printer is amazing the best ever 10 times better than my Epson!!!!!!!!! They let everyone print 2 jumbo prints 13x19 just to test out this amazing printer. I see many of us making this one of our first purchases upon returning home.

I am also about to dive in and get the new 50D call me crazy but oh my gosh. I am so in love.

One last thing see my new head shot i love it thank you Maggie you rock girly.

Maggie you are the bestest ever

Now back to my regular blog post...

They announced 2 contests on Thursday night 1 hosted by Canon and the other a scavenger hunt by CK media. The Canon one was for major prizes...The Canon contest was the best of San Jose.

So classes started on Friday and yes you all now me and know I had to go out a little Thursday night. So the morning time came very early, but Skye Hardwick www.workofheartphoto.com was my first class. The class was called Storytelling and her pictures our works of art. She also gave us names of some of the best photo software around. I left her class wanting petty coats, and tea sets and so many other fun props for use with kids in photos. I will never look through my lens the same way again.

Next was Photo Finishing Clinic with Renee Pearson she taught us so many techniques spot coloring. How to create frames,vignettes, sketch drawings, and even how to make someone jump out of a photo oh so cool. I loved all her techniques. I also received her new book for early registration Digital Designs2 and I can not wait to create paper.

You have been Framed was next with Erin Manning we learned how to take amazing group and couple shots. How go stage the event without making it look forced. I will be getting her book soon too. She is a great instructor and very helpful with all her techniques. I think one thing everyone should know is that when you do a couples picture or group shot make sure people are at different heights to add visual interest to the picture.

We finished day one with Jessica Sprague and she just rocks. I have worked with her at CKU but never took a class of hers. I have new appreciation for Raw. She taught us how to fool photoshop and let us bring jpegs into the raw editor that will change your life forever in photo editing. We also got her new book too cool.

So class ended I was suppose to go to the macro class but I gave my ticket to my roommate and headed off with Maggie to find all our scavenger hunt requirements and the essence of San Jose. We headed to the Egyptian Museum it was next to a rose garden. On the freeway off our exit I saw Graffiti on the wall that said witness chaos and a old run down train. ok now I was on a mission we both were we wanted photos at sunset on the train and in front of the graffiti. So we took some fun shots at the museum and than we headed off to find the train. Oh did i tell you this was not on the right side of the tracks and in fact very far from it. We turned down a road and I could see the train I tried to get in but the razor barb wire was stopping me. So we had to find another way we asked the 2 people walking a dog about the graffiti and the train. they sad we could get there by the park filled with undesirables just be careful. Ok that is when we asked someone else and he told us another way to get there. So we took the second way and there it was my beautiful old run down train graffiti all over it. I was so excited i started to run over the rocks to get there when I noticed we were not alone someone was in the tent to the left of us. Normally I am brave but something in my gut and hers said admire from a far and just take pictures. So we took are pictures. Still wanting to find the writing on the wall we kept searching. I know i saw both like they were right next to each other. The graffiti was actually in a locked what looks to be power generator place. We found some small holes in the fence and snapped the shots. Well guess what sometimes all your hard work pays off. i won 3rd prize overall in the contest. I won the canon 8.0 pink powershot digital elph and a photo printer.

This is my winning picture
 thank you too all my instructors
who made me look at the world
 a little different for the first time.

So after we found the writing on the wall off to the Cheesecake Factory oh how I love lettuce wraps yum yum. Than we got back to hotel had a night cap at the bar with the canon crew they were so fun.

Next day I knew would be great I had classes with both of the hotties.

Mundane to Magnificent was with James Ransom this class was on still life photography and all the tricks to make these type pictures pop. I needed this kind of class as i am always trying to take pictures of projects. His techniques were great and he really explained all his settings and all the ways to make an amazing still life picture.

Flash it not a dirty word was so educational Brian is a born instructor. He would lecture us on how the flash works in certain conditions than he would show us how to create that better shot. He also was very easy on the eyes and made learning the flash and how to use it properly almost effortless. He even taught us how to pan with flash to create that blurred look.

Nicole Hill all I can say is oh my goodness the class was called child's play but she touched on so much. She has a very clean fresh look. Her photos look so polished and pristine.
I will be using her techniques on how to engage the child for years to come.

Last but not least Writing with Light by Candice Stringham all I can say is thank you. In this class we learned how to meter for the face to get the perfect exposure and how to work with reflectors and angels to make it all come together. She is an amazing teacher and really has a great teaching style.

So class is over and now we have a free shoot time to practice all we learned. Erin was so helpful and really explained how to make the photos come alive and she is a ham too dancing around like crazy.

Than it was the closing ceremonies and the event was over. I was a little sad but I knew we all had planned on hanging out at the bar afterward. My roommate and I met Alan, Brian, and a couple of the staff and we all hung out to the we hours of the night. I left early in the morning to go teach at Picture Me Perfect for Suzy West. I will post all about those classes tomorrow. I need to get a couple pictures from her.

Now that I have posted a book. I hope you all have an amazing day.
I will be looking for beauty and hoping to capture life in a more colorful way.
Have a scrappy Day
Michelle