INSOMNIA

I think I have a bad case of insomnia lately. I cant sleep. I have too many things swirling around my noggin. 1am passes and I think I'm tired but then 2am passes and still no sleep. So I create a little, read a little until about 3:30am when I can finally drift away to dream land. But then the hubby's alarm goes off at 6:45am and I'm up for the day. Not because I'm wide awake but because I cant fall back asleep. Even though I'm exhausted. Oh I hope this ends soon. But Im getting closer to getting my project done for CIB. Want a peak?



Theres a lot of pieces you cannot see still. But soon. Just a few more days. I'm having fun with this. I will tell you that it is an advent calendar.

I also started a new book. The traveling pants book #2. I like this series. Its a fun read. I looked for twilight yesterday but the store was out. Surprise. They only had #2 and 3. That will be my next book. I ordered it online so I dont have to go out in this awful heat searching.

The other day I went to my friend Annette's house for a swim party. The pool was packed with kids, CRAZY kids. It was fun. Us moms got to sit and chat about women stuff while the kids ate and played. I tell you theres nothing like good friends, fatening food, and laughing kids. It was a good day. Heres some cute photos.


Heres my cutey. Floating away

And all the crazy boys in the deflating crazy wheel. Thanks Annette. It was a fun day.

Also check this out. And Vote for me;)

Later Gators

Thank You

Thank you for all the kind emails and comments. You all have restored my faith in the art world. Which actually wasn't really lost just bruised. So Thank you!

I have some sad news. Miss Katherine Brooks is no longer able to be a part of Creativity in Bloom in September. She has a business trip that is part of her job. We will definitely miss her creativeness. So instead of replacing her, because she is irreplaceable, we have decided to scale things down a little. We will hold 3 classes on Saturday and one mini class on Friday. Heres a sample schedule.

Friday-
5-7pm Opening night. Vendor tables will be up with all kinds of artilicious handmade items for sale and special discounts will be given just to CIB attendees.
7-8:30pm Class with Sandy.

Saturday
10-7pm
Three wonderful classes with Amy Oneil, Jaime Harper, and Me. A delicious catered lunch, fun giveaways, and more incredible discounts.

And since we will be short a class our new cost to you for this wonderful event is only $135. Can you say WHAT A DEAL!!!! And as a bonus, if you sign up by July 1st you will get a monster goodie bag. (To be delivered at sign up).

The spaces are already filling so call to reserve your space. 480-813-2093. There is still a payment plan. 3 payments of $45 each. Must be paid in full by August 25th.


I had a great class tonight. Pattern Mania. It was a speedy, yet mellow class tonight. Great bunch of women though. Thanks ladies. You are awesome.

My next class is a fun wall hanging. Using acrylic and vinyl in fun summery colors. Its July 10th. the cost is $20. Heres a peak. Well more than a peak.




I have some fun projects coming up. They are almost complete. A completly fun canvas. Using an awseome picture I got from a friend of her mom and aunt playing ping pong in their bathing suits with swimming caps. Oh its a great picture. And of course my CIB project.

Peace out for now.

Vent

I need to vent. No major details but just a general vent.

Art is a love of mine. Paper arts to be exact. I have always loved to create for as long as I can remember. So when the opportunity came to incorporate paper arts with business, of course I jumped on it. I love having a retail store and I absolutely LOVE teaching this craft to others. However I was not prepared for those out there who feel its ok to capitalize on others creations and ideas. Ethically its just wrong. I have to admit that when someone takes a project of mine and makes it for themselves or a gift, it flatters me. It feels great to have someone acknowledge your creativity. But again its hard to see someone take your ideas and make money off of them. So heres my plea to all of you, if you see something you like, make it, hang it up on your wall, put it in your album, but give credit where it is due. Dont take it and sell it and market it as your own when someone elses put their heart and time into creating it. OK enough said. Just had to get it out there. Get it off my chest.




Just thought Id leave you with a funny photo. Heres our 3 lazy labs. They were not posed. They actually sleep like this all the time. The little one isnt so little anymore. Hes getting pretty big. Hes crazy and cuddly all at the same time.

I also spent the day watching Camp Rock 3 times with the diva. Love those Jonas Brothers. And the new comer Demi something has a killer voice. All the talented teens are amazing.

Well off to create. I have a few deadlines Im working with. Thanks for reading my vent.

Pattern Mania

Join me this Tuesday night from 6:30-8:30pm for
Pattern Mania



We will create 2 12x12 layouts using patterns you may not typically put together. I will help you get out of the "same line" rut by mixing and matching different lines.
Kits are available at juSt deVinE also.
Class is only $16. I hope to see you there!

Convention and lemonade stands

Thats right. Convention is just around the corner here in Phoenix. September 12th-14th. I will be teaching 3 classes again.

"Theres no place like home"
Friday and Saturday at 3:10pm



"Counting down the days"
Friday and Saturday at 4:30pm
This is a 16 month calendar on a base made by my dear friend Kim.



And "Sweet Banner"
7:30pm




I hope to see you there. Click HERE for more details and to register.


Lemonade Stands

I remember when I was a kid making and selling lemonade. It was my first buisness venture. Well now my darling daughter and her friends have decided that they want to earn some fun money. So my friend JoAnn and I have made cookies, bought candy, and made some lemonade for them to peddle on the street under our big tree. Joanns husband made them this cute little table and Jenna drew the sign. Let me tell you, they racked in the dough. It must be those cute faces. So they ask to go out there about every other day, in the heat, but they always make enough for the ice cream man or a small toy at the store. Im so proud.



A few new items have been added to juSt dEviNe. Be sure to check it out. Enter the coupon code friend to save 10% at check out.

Thanks

Oh my! Thank you all for your support. Your emails and comments have been great. I truly have wonderful friends.

The winner for yesterdays giveaway is
Tina!

Yeah Tina. You can come in anytime next week and pick it up. Thanks to everyone for playing.

Today!!!!!

Today is the day!!!!
but first. The winner of yesterdays giveaway is ....

Michelle Robb!
send me your address and Ill send you your goodies.

As for todays giveaway

Keep posting today. This is the last giveaway.

Now for my reveal. Click here!
or here

We have gone online! Its small to start but I will be adding things ALL the time. I have a big pile to work on today. I will be be doing custom vinyl along with premade ones, project kits, handmade art, fun embellishments, trims, and more. Go check it out HERE!

Todays winner is.....

Debbie Clifton

Congrats Debbie. Ill get it to you soon. Theres 2 more giveaways, one today and one tomorrow so keep posting. Theres still a chance. Tomorrow is the big reveal day. Im working hard to get it ready. Im really excited! Be sure to check it out!

Heres the next giveaway.

Issues

Im having some issues posting any pictures right now so I am going to extend this giveaway until the end of the day. I will announce a winner and new giveaway in the morning. My reveal will still be Friday morning but I will just add a giveaway.

Keep posting comments. You still have a chance to win!

Congrats Cheryl!!!

Cheryl is the winner today!
send me your address and Ill send it right out. Thanks for playing.


Giveaway #3

More of my favorite things. Wings, bingo cards, trim, stickers, and book paper.

Happy posting

And the winner is.....

Kim Caldwell!!!!

Email me your address Kim and Ill send it right out. For giveaway #2


Grunge board, Melissa Frances yummy resins, vinyl cherished, sheet music, ledger paper, and my favorite color of felt. 4 more days until my new venture begins!!

Give Away #1

Sorry for the delay. Blogger did not want me posting today. But I won. So here it is. Those of you that commented in the last post will be entered in todays drawing.




This is an old Highlights magazine from 1963. There are some fun images and articles in there that are perfect for your altered art projects, a my minds eye rubon, a doily, and some vintage trim. One of my favorites by the way. Ill post the winner in the morning along with giveaway #2. Happy Posting!

New Venture

Im starting a new venture here on my blog. It will be up and running within the next few days. Im kinda excited. Just working out the kinks and then it will be ready to roll. Keep your eyes out for it. It will be "juSt dEviNe"




In the meantime I thought it would be fun to do some giveaways. So for the next 5 days, until my reveal, I will be giving away some goodies. Check back tomorrow for the first one. All you have to do is comment and you will be entered.

Until tomorrow

Create

Thats what I want to do. I have tons of bits and pieces running through my head and all I want to do is lock myself up in my room and not come out for a week. And Im thinking that might just happen. NEXT WEEK! why is it that you always feel the creative bug when you CANT just drop everything and create????? At least its that way for me.

I have CIB to work on and Im super excited. Its going to be a "Holiday Edition" I know it may seem early to start thinking about Christmas but I am. And Im super excited. For my class I think I may do an advent calendar using all kinds of vintage goodies from my stash. I have been keeping things hidden away for a while and I think its time to start taking them out and using them. Things like old love letters written back in 1909 and the prettiest green velvet ribbon. Just thinking about it makes me giddy. Once I start working Ill post sneak peaks. Which will be soon. But here is the info on



Creativity In Bloom-Holiday Edition

Grab your friends and come join us at Devine Memories for a fun filled day of creativity, laughter, and friends.
Friday September 5th (6-9pm)-Saturday September 6th (10am-10pm)
Get a jump start on the holidays with classes taught by:


Katherine Brooks
Jamie Harper
Michelle Devine
Amy O'Neil
And Sandy Elcock


-4 classes and one mini class with wonderful Winter Holiday themes!
-Class fee is $185 for all 5 classes-includes:
-Catered Lunch
-A meet and greet with special artist vendor tables
-Goodies galore
-Free goodie bags and prizes
-Special discounts through out the store and more.
-Registration runs June 2nd-August 20th
-Seating is limited
-Payment plan available.
-Call the store today and reserve your space 480-813-2093
-email any questions to dmadmin@devinememories.net

***BONUS*** Sign up by July 1st and save $20. Making this event only $165. WOW!!!

I hope to see you there. Look out in the next couple of days for some sneak peaks.

Just thought I would leave you with what my oldest son has been doing so far this summer. I tell you he amazes me. This is stop motion filming. Which means he takes hundreds of pictures with a digital camera of these transformers in different positions and then edits them all together to make movies. He has made several. Ignore the messy floor. Ive been trying to get him to clean up but he says hes just to busy creating. Hmmmm. Sounds familiar. i wonder where he gets that from. Anyway watch and enjoy.

Even in Crudy lighting

Back a few months ago around Easter time I had been asked to donate a photo session for our school fundraiser. I was really nervous because I am not a professional photographer. I take friends family photos around the holidays and of course submit my kids to daily photo torture. So I was really nervous when Erica Called me up and said she won the session. But I scheduled it and off we went. This summer sun however, was being stubborn and decided to actually start setting 20 minutes later than the night before. Then it took its sweet time to get to a position I felt semi comfortable with. WE ARE TALKING 7:30pm PEOPLE. Yikes!!! Ok so enough for my excuses. They turned out alright beside some with funky lighting. But even some of those were keepers.








They were are cute family. I hope they dont mind thier faces planted all over my blog. I just had to share. You photographers out there dont be too harsh but im always open to tips;)

Peace out all!