Halloween + Treats!

This year my girls will be Snow White & Minnie Mouse. Here they are at Mickey’s Halloween Party (in Disneyland) with Sleeping Beauty. They’re REALLY into their costumes…

They were really into celeb sightings (aka character meet & greets) and still talk about meeting so many favorites. I’m really into the TREATS of trick or treat, I’ll have to remember to take pictures of my favorite snack sized candy bars as we collect them tomorrow night.

I’m really excited for November & the start of Adventures in Scrapbooking: Using kits next week. I’ve gotten some great e-mails about class, and if you have questions I do hope that you ask me! One of the things I get a lot is people who aren’t sure if they can keep up and/or don’t want to have to buy a kit to start.

That’s OK!!!

See this is why I love kits. essentially, it’s just supplies gathered together. Also, there really are no rules so you can make them work for you in your own ways. So in class you can so totally do your own gathering, work from your stash, and substitutions are welcome and very easy. In fact- I’m going to scrap-lift myself from one of the handouts in class tonight so I can share with you and prove it! As far as keeping up – I make my class handouts really huge – with intent that you’ll download and keep them to use in future beyond class. So really there is no “finished” on this class- you can keep using and recycling the ideas. 

Oh, and there is this: Big Picture now leaves classrooms OPEN FOREVER!!! That’s right, when this class ends you can still hop back in for presentations, audios, the gallery, and handouts whenever. It’ll be there waiting for you. I can’t wait for you to see all I’ve put into this class – we’re gonna have BIG fun.

All this talk of Halloween + kits has me in a mood to put together a kit of my own… no paper in this one – just a cute mini book + lots of stickers & festive fun. Just leave a comment here telling me what your favorite treat is and I’ll draw a winner on 11/2.

I’m in a kit + treat mood – and rumor has it I will be as we count down to class opening on 11/5 – so keep checking back in for more prizes & fun!

Merrymint page

I keep a list (some mental, some actually written down like it’s supposed to be) of “just for fun” layouts & craft projects I want to do. Sometimes, when I find myself with spare energy and time I do one, and sometimes I combine a few to create one project from several fun list items.

I love multi-tasking.

Yesterday I added “make Christmas layout with American Crafts Merrymint line” to my fun list. Then I noticed an e-mail about the class I’m taking from Ali, and realized I really want to get more layouts done inspired by that. I didn’t intend to put the two together, but when I found a childhood Christmas photo during my cleaning, well, I knew what to do!

What I really love about this line is that while some of it is really cute & themed, a lot of it is subtle or not actually themed at all. I love that in my holiday products because it means a) it won’t compete with my photos and b) I can use it for other stuff if I buy too much & don’t have holiday photos for it. Their ribbon makes me crazy too. I won’t tell you how much of it I’ve purchased over the years… just… well… know that I love it & use it a lot.

I was trying my hand at being a minimalist and did NOT have any of the stuff over on right side (ribbons, etc) at first. But when I placed the title up top I just couldn’t leave it alone. I’m not a ‘clean’ scrapper, I like STUFF!!! So off I went happily cutting ribbons and bits of paper. Ah, I feel much better.

The layout is just random thoughts that come to mind when I look at this photo (I’m 9, my sister & cousin 5) at my Grandparent’s house. We call them “the g’s” mostly because they (and we) always spelled it gma and gpa. Good times and happy memories for many a Christmas happened in their house for sure.

The journaling paper is a png file from Ali’s class that I’m in LOVE with. I printed out (just using Microsoft Word) a whole sheet full on kraft cardstock, and I intend to keep right on in all sizes. They’re so great for writing and I’m really enjoying that class. Telling stories = heart of my scrapbooking and it’s good to focus on that.

Have a happy Friday – and weekend!

PS-Speaking of classes- my own BPS class starts in a few days!!! I’ve got some peeks, give aways, and much more coming for you as we count down to start time beginning tomorrow.

Scrapbook Update

I’ve “known” (via internet) Nancy Nally for about 4-5 years now, and when I saw her put out a call in need of postings for her site I answered right away. Her site (scrapbook update) is always full of industry news & a great place to stay posted on what’s going on with scrapbook mfgs and so much more.

I pitched her a bunch of ideas (you know me) and she asked for my holiday scrapbooking one. WOO HOO! A favorite topic of mine for baking, decor, present making, and yes – scrapbooking is of course the holiday season! It was a total treat to do this – and I’m excited that it’s time to share with you!

I wrote up an article + there are 3 all new layouts that I created with American Craft’s Merrymint, Pink Paislee’s Mistletoe & Co, and Basic Grey’s Eskimo Kisses.  So often I used to have people freak when we didn’t have THE holiday item they needed (back when I was a local store manager) & I remember my #1 wish was that companies would make themed product that could be more multi-purpose. I love multi-tasking product lines like these three!

You can see the whole article (and layouts) here: http://www.scrapbookupdate.com/2009/10/29/choosing-holiday-scrapbook-supplies/

There’s an awful lot of product out there these days to choose from – picking favorites is hard work. I had a lot of fun with this article – and if you have questions, comments, etc. I hope you’ll chat with me about it.

JBS

JBS Mercantile = vintage fantastic-ness. Jenni Bowlin’s company not only puts out exlcusive products, but super great kits too. I saw this peek for next month’s kit on the inspiration blog:

Yeah, that’d be my #1 favorite all time rub-on in a new color. Consider me obsessed. I’ll have to do a layout with some of her stuff soon for here – I’m adding it to my to-do for fun list. Wanna know what else is fun and Jenni related? You can enter to win a free spot in my new Kits class HERE on Jenni’s blog right now!

Good luck!

it won’t keep me down. {prize}

I allowed myself an hour or so of pity party today, as I should right now be enjoying the company of one Stephenie Hamen + Fiskars team in Madison, WI and NOT sitting here in bed hacking, sneezing, and other assorted unpleasant flu business. Yes,  I should have been on a plane this morning and YES it makes me steaming mad that this flu wouldn’t be kicked (this is day 5!!!) in time.

Ah but that’s beyond my control, and I’ll be able to visit Fiskars at a future date I’m assured. So instead of moping and more unpleasant attitude from me, I’ve got a give away. A FISKARS give away that’s pretty dang HUGE….

I thought skull scissors were appropriate, with Halloween approaching and all. If you’d like to be entered – just leave a comment on this post. I’ll draw a winner at the end of the week.

We’re hanging in there – still very sick and some fevers – but we’re gonna beat this thing down. I’ll be doing so with a smile and a positive attitude, by golly! I hope to have some interesting blog posts, a kit give away, more class info, and soooo much more ready for you very soon…

- May

Reason #52

If you’re bound to bed (or couch) due to VERY nasty upper respiratory flu, if you had a kit you could cut a bit of paper here and there without sorting through your stash or tiring yourself out.

I’m speaking from experience ladies (and any gents out there). As I sit here, exhausted by merely getting myself a cup of juice it’s nice to have something in my hands to play with so I don’t have to focus on the kids channel (ugh) or if my eyes are tired of reading. Since we were on vacation for a full week, I’ve not crafted in nearly 2 weeks… and my hands are itchy with need! I may be slow moving and very, very, sick… but that doesn’t mean my brain is totally dead. Just a tiny bit of paper play has really lifted my spirits.

Another popular option for me, of course, is to surf the internet.

I spied this on the www.cocoadaisy.com blog, and I’m very tempted. It’s their November kit, and along with the December kit it’s on my ‘coming soon’ kit watch & consider short list. Tricia does such a lovely job with her kits, and it was a real treat to work with one of her past kits in my upcoming Big Picture class. I hear great things about her service, and the kits are wonderful.

I’m back to rest, hydration, rest, PBS cartoons, and just a few tiny fun projects with pre-made kits. The flu: just another reason having a kit can help with productivity and boredom!

pic, winner, flu.

first up let’s get the winner of the ink, ribbon, and brads – Christina Simon! Congrats on being drawn – shoot me an e-mail (mflaum (at) comcast.net) to claim your prize.

next up – the trip to San Diego & Disneyland was mostly great. So much fun & family time – lots of memories and great experiences.

only thing is we came home with “Mouse Flu”. Is it H1N1? Some other flu? Who knows. But E got it first, then J, I held it off while I drove us all back home a bit earlier than planned, and now miss R has it too. We’re calling our house a study in the lifecycle of a flu. Not fun – but with bugs going around & being in heavily populated areas like theme parks, well, it’s only surprising this is the first time it’s happened.

I’ll be back by Monday (I hope!) till then – have a great weekend

happily ever after…

I love Enchanted + this video of course. How can I resist an ever ever after love story???

 

Speaking of loving Disney Princesses & happy stories – right now the fab Flaum 4 (as I sometimes call us) is enjoying some fairy tale magic all our own.

In Disneyland + San Diego – rockin’ out a fall vacation to remember (I hope!)

I’ve been a sneaky girl. See, I wrote up blog posts & pre-set them to go up during our vacation. So actually, if you’re reading this we’re nearly back home now. Know what that means?

Photos + Layouts coming right atcha soon as I can.

Have a happily ever after kind of weekend!!!

~ May

Dear Basic Grey {a love letter}

Dear Basic Grey,

You have held me and my budget captive since the very first release. I remember clearly grabbing up the last packages of it at a hot summer expo, and feeling that same NEED with (most) every release since.

You gave me the sanding tools I never knew I always wanted, the fabric covered brads I adore, heck – I even buy products with “bling” in the title from you despite my severe dislike of that word & usual boycott of it.

I use your products endlessly so I don’t know how to explain the growing stash. I just know that I have kind of, well, a LOT of your stuff. I love it so. It doesn’t hurt that the super awesome & fabulous Kelly Goree is on your team. She’s such a beautiful scrapbooker and I love how she inspires me to get the stash out and use it.

This is a layout with the new Nook & Pantry. I’m so very fond of this line and that you’ve gone to double sided papers. I adore them, and creating with your stuff is always a pleasure. Should you ever need a product tester or anything else, I’m very much available. Ah but you probably know that since I jumped at the chance to be in your newsletter (coming soon blog readers – I’ll tell you when it’s up).

Keep up the good work Basic Grey, and keep putting out fabric too – the sewer in me LOVES that.

All my love,

May Flaum

apple tart for 1

I tried something the other day, oh how I love to test things out in the kitchen.

digital word images are by Ali Edwards – available at www.designerdigitals.com

I took a leftover scrap of pie crust, 1/2 a honeycrisp apple cut thin, a sprinkling of sugar, thin slice of butter, and a healthy sprinkle of cinnamon. Baked at 350 for about 1/2 hour and BAM! Super delicious apple tart made for one. (sigh) I’m in love…