ding ding...round #2...

The challenge for this week was to create something you can do with a kid. One of my favorite crafts to do when I was a kid was shrinky dinks so Isabel and I updated our designs and materials and made some funky and graphic buttons to decorate a lampshade. It turned out darling...

...almost as cute as my helper...

So, now Round #2 has begun with the voting. This is such a fun contest and the competition is really underway. The other finalists have made some awsome projects - everything looks so fun and colorful. Check it out and place your vote: MM Idol - of course, I would love your vote if you feel so inclined!

MM Idol top 30...

Whooohooo. Thank you everyone who voted me through to the next round! I am having so much fun with this! The next task is going to be so much fun - I will post later on the details. So, as these things go...come back and vote again on the next round. It should be a very interesting round full of awsome creativity!

let the voting begin...again...

Okay - voting has started for the first round of MM Idol - again. The slate was wiped clean after all of the technical problems last week so even if your vote went through, you need to do it again.

Here is the link to the site: VOTE HERE. I'm really looking forward to this fun process and hope to go on to the next round! Go vote and have fun!

good news keeps on coming...

I am so excited and honored to have been invited to join the Junkitz design team! I have gotten to know Stacey over the past few years at various CKU events and just love her not to mention Janna and Teresa (designers) who's talent is as amazing as their personalities are fun and giving.

I really enjoy being on design teams. They give me the creative push I need and keep me current in the latest products and trends. So a big THANKS to Junkitz for giving me this oppotunity - it's gonna be great!

I also wanted to share this "oh so fun" project - a class that I created for All My Memories last week. I call it a Boutique Bag since it just looks like something you would pick up in a fun boutique somewhere. It is also totally unique because it is created by you - no two will ever be alike! This is such a fun way to dabble in doodling - and easy since you use the "stack-em" templates for the doodles!

MM Idol Update...

Making Memories emailed me with their new plan for the voting on this contest...they are starting again from scratch this Monday, March 5th at 9:00 AM MST. The voting will be open until Tuesday the 6th at 4:00 PM MST. So, for those of you who have successfully cast your vote, you will need to do it again.

I have had such wonderful support from family and friends and ask you to be patient a little longer - I think the kinks are ironed out and it should go smoothly. Thanks again to all - this has been so fun!

okay now...vote...

Here is the link to the voting; MM IDOL. After a day of some technical difficulties, they finally got it working. Voting goes until tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 9:00 AM and then we find out who made it to the next round. I'm so nervous - the pictures on the site are so small, it's hard to see the detail...so here is my page up closer:

Thank you everyone for supporting me and helping me out on this - it has been so much fun so far!

mm idol

Wow. I am amazed that I made it to the top 50! For those of you who don't know what MM Idol is, it's a contest that Making Memories is sponsoring and like American Idol, the finalists are voted forward by everyone. This is the first time I have ever been involved in something like this - it's so exciting! This isn't just a layout contest, there are great prizes to be won of course, but there is also the chance to participate in Making Memories publications and become an honorary design team member.

So, now is the time for the shameless plee - to ask anyone and everyone to vote for me. This next stage of the contest is where the voting begins. I have to download a project due by this Sunday at midnight; an All About Me type of glimpse into who I am. Voting begins Monday morning at 9:00 AM and is open to EVERYONE so stop by and cast your vote. You can sign up for an email reminder and every week vote for your favorite. Of course I would love it and greatly appreciate your vote, but look at the layouts and go with your gut - it's fun and inspiring. But in all seriousness - vote for me!

CKU Home Study...

I had the awsome opportunity to develop and film a class for CKU Home Study. The class is called "What A Year" and it's an entire album broken up into levels. The first level is creating base pages from 6 basic templates that are used over and over again for the 24 pages. The next level focuses on monthly layouts with multiple photos, effective journaling, and basic embellishments. The final level is all about advanced embellishments that are added right along side what was just created before.

You can see the same base template for these two pages, but notice how different they look with picture situation, different papers, and embellishments - these are two of the completed pages from the class. If you are interested, check it out here and scroll down a bit. I also created some journaling blocks specifically for this class that can be printed off and used over and over again. I am honored to have participated in such a fun project - I love developing classes and hope to do another soon.

okay, okay already...

I know I've been a bit lax on updating this thing. I have tried several times but it didn't take, or I forgot my login password, or I just didn't have the time. So here it is...an update!

Wow. Valentines Day. This day is my parents' wedding anniversary too. Happy Valentines Day to all! I'm going to make pink rice krispie treats today and I might even share my recipe - it's really good.

CHA was awsome. Such an eye-opener to everything that is out there. I worked the Traditions Studio booth. Made some samples for the catalog, designed some make & takes, and generally had a good time. I am still in awe at how HUGE it all was. It was also good to see old friends again too - like Lara from South Africa! Hey there girl! And Stacey and Theresa from Junkitz - you guys are awsome and look fabulous- as always! And so many others. Here is one of the samples I created for the show and the TS catalog - a new favorite!

My friend and neighbor Meridith was also at CHA with her new company: Lizzie Anne Designs. Such fun and unique stamps. I have had the opportunity to do some samples with these fabulous stamps too like this birthday purse card.

Well - there's the update. I just got back from a cruise and plan to post some pictures from that soon.

what can I say...

...when this is your view after waking up in Japan? Wow, what a way to welcome the day and the adventure of a new country.

...when I have the nicest, most helpful, awsome translator? My new friend Noriko was the biggest help and such a delight to get to know better. All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you, Noriko for taking care of me and helping my class run so smooth.

when the magic of this place makes you do something you normally wouldn't? Sushi - yes - I tried, I ate, I liked! The next table over has Ali, Paolo, Tracy, and Miki, encouraging all of us at our table - Lance, Clark, Katie, Scott, and me.

...such an inspiring and incredible trip I will never forget. Beautiful people with so much humility, respect, and creative ability - my life is changed.

japan...

I am lucky. Basically, that is what it is...luck! Everything I have been able to do in the scrapbooking industry has started from my being in the right place at the right time. I have had the great pleasure (and a little stress) of teaching at CKU's in years past and most recently at CKU-A's - the album version. Such a life changing event - I learned so much about myself and had to stretch myself, learn new skills, but all for a passion that so many of us share...scrapbooking. Preserving those memories that makes us who we are and celebrating life.

This journey is now going on a little trip. Actually, not so little - more like 13 hours or so. I have the honor of teaching on behalf of the fabulous company I design for; All My Memories, in Japan at the Japanese version of CKU - such an awsome opportunity. I have always expected that some time in my life I might visit Japan, but never thought it would happen now. I never thought I would teach another culture a bit of what I love. Just awsome.

silver & gold...

Question: What are the two colors of the medals that Isabel earned from her fabulous Oktoberfest skating competition? Answer: Silver - for the Freestyle level D routine, and Gold - for the Artistic level C & D program.
What an amazing day! It is difficult to describe the proud, excited, happy feelings a mom has when her child works hard, has fun, and skates to the best of her ability. It is such a sight to see Isabel go into her "zone" - she is eight and she seriously goes into a zone - where she blocks everything out and just concentrates. Her coaches are beside themselves watching this girl do something that many much older than her can't do. Where did she learn it? Not from me.

I have been to several competitions for Isabel now, and I think what makes me the most proud is how much fun she is having. Yes, she gets nervous, and she does that zone thing, but she has fun. I must admit, earning the medals makes it that much more fun!

Good job Isabel - you simply amaze me.

brace yourself...

Chloe got braces yesterday. I swear after they were on, she looked two years older. She was a little nervous, about the pain, about what friends and classmates would say, and about the general procedure - but she made it. By the time she got home from school, her mouth was killing her and she didn't sleep too good last night. Evidenced by the bags under her eyes. She turns 12 in a little over a month. Where did the time go?

I teach my Bibbity Bobbity Boo class today at Scrapbook USA. If you get a chance, swing on by. There are many wonderful classes still available.

first day of preschool...

Big day at the Whittaker home today - first day of preschool for Oaken. He was so excited, which says a lot since new things sometimes make him a little nervous. I love having a little preschool just a few houses away - so convenient, we just walk to it every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. As for the rest of the kidlets, we are back on track - YAH! Good stuff.

typical breakfast fare...

Every morning I wake up to a little two year old's voice saying, "Eggos mom. I'ant (combine 'I' & 'want') Eeeegooooos". It's my alarm. Cute little Jilly's voice waking me up to an Eggo request. These are new. French vanilla - they smell like cake when you bake them and taste pretty darn good too.

Also, been a little board with the hair-do lately. I have actually had that style for quite a long time - so it was time for a change. I used to wear my hair short all the time and now that I have dropped a few lbs., my face has thinned a bit and I feel comfortable enough to sport the new short do. I forgot how easy and fast short hair was. You use less shampoo and conditioner and drying time is nearly non-existant. I like.

Been wearing the glasses a lot lately too. Every day to be exact. My awsome husband entered me into a contest to win lasik free and they called. No, didn't win but wouldn't you know it, I'm elegible for a discount! Does anyone win? So, I couldn't wear the contacts for two weeks to see if I can even do the surgery and I found out yesterday that I can. But will I? I don't know yet.

Scrapfest...

Scrap: anything to do with scrapping or scrapbooking, preserving memories, etc. Fest: a festival - fun play, many exciting things to learn, an all around good time. What could be more fun than combining these two for a whirlwind of creativity! And, I will be there. September 8th & 9th - teaching, talking, laughing, and being inspired by others. Too much fun!

upcoming class...

I have the awsome opportunity to teach a class at Scrapbook USA in Salt Lake City. September 22 and 23rd are the dates of this fun event and if you have never been - come check it out (and bring lots of money!). All My Memories is sponsoring again and I can personally guarantee that all of the AMM classes will be fabulous! As always they are very organized, pre-packaged, and full of fun.

My class, named Bibbity, Bobbity, Boo to You is a 4x4 Halloween (could you tell by the name?) mini album and will be Friday and Saturday at 2:30 - 4:00 pm. We will make 13 darling little 4x4 pages using the new Occasion-alls Halloween line and rub-ons and use ribbon to embellish the album too. Here is the link: SBUSA and just scroll down to the 2:30 times.

Here are a few picks from the album, you can see a little bit more detail in these - just cute!

This will be such a fun time - come and join me! Hope to see you there.

extra kits, anyone?

As promised, the Life Lessons extra album kits are now available on the All My Memories website!

They are being sold for only $49.99 - that is a STEAL!! You get the 20 pages (already cut and individually packaged for you) and the 8x8 black album plus instructions. There are a limited quantity, so if you want one, go there now! Oh, here is a link to the page: Life Lessons Album Kit

check it out...

Since I have yet to have an official request for a layout for Creating Keepsakes magazine, I will take this as a definate plus! This is my CKU-A album track; Life Lessons (from the September issue of CK magazine) and three of my favorite pages showcasing some fun techniques from that track. I am honored to be in this particular feature since CKU-A's are my new favorite thing! I love teaching them and preparing for them and everything about them is a positive experience for me and hopefully those taking the class as well.

Four whole pages; that aint half bad! A big congrats (in my opinion, this is a big thing) to the Junkitz girls; Stacey, Janna, & Teresa, for having their awsome album featured as well and to Tim Holtz too, who is so talented and fun to be around! They have the best ideas - so inspiring.

And, for those of you who are wondering about the extra album kits, I believe they will go on sale on our website (link to the right) sometime this coming week. I will post an official update when it goes live.

CKU-A Atlanta ROCKED!!!

My class - and although they are few in number, they were the hardest working and most creative, most supportive, sweetest, and funnest class! Thank you guys for making this such a fun time. Most everyone finished their album (huge accomplishment) and the creativeness (yes, I know it probably isn't a word!) was so inspiring to me and each other. Thank You! It just rocked!



One of the funnest parts of the CKU experience is giving stuff away and All My Memories sets it up right. These two lucky ladies won AMM totes stuffed full of all kinds of product.
Any kind of a trip without The Cheesecake Factory isn't really complete. And not having one in my town makes it more of a necessity too!

Can I just say that Janna, Stacey and Teresa from Junkitz are some of the most fun and genuine gals! Thanks guys, for so much fun and letting me tag along.
After everything is said and done, and the end of CKU-A has come and gone, what fun it is to hang out with good food, new friends, and just laugh. Such an awsome experience - thank you to all! And yes, if you look really close, you can see my head peaking around there right in the middle!