sneak peek into Craft Happy

Hey, wanna see something fun? Watch this video. This project is similar to the projects we'll be making in Craft Happy. I thought you might like to see it...especially if you're thinking of joining me for Craft Happy (starts October 3!)



 Register now for Craft Happy!

Craft Happy

I can't believe it is almost time for my online craft workshop, Craft Happy, to start! Next week!

Here's a sneak peek at a couple of the fun projects we'll make. I'm especially crazy about the coffee cozy. I think I've told you before I'm not great on my sewing machine...but let me tell you, I was cranking these out. Just looking at it here again makes me want to make more. Super fun! And, hello? Fabulous gift! Just perfect for a Pumpkin Spice Latte for your bestie.

 

 

So, I'll start off by showing you how to make your own stop motion movie. It is so simple. Blow your friends away with an animated greeting that you made. And then, every week, I'll share another project with you. Plus, just before each holiday (Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) you'll get a bonus project. Also, just for fun, you'll get a little creativity exercise each week...just a little something to add a little creative joy to your day.

 

The very best part of Big Picture Classes is the community. Really amazing...and instant friends! We are going to have so much fun...and it will be like you are a part of a secret crafting gang, The Craft Happy Club. Yeah!

 

Lucky you! You can now sign up for the class and save $15. Just use the code HAPPYHAPPY at checkout (code expires October 1). So, go ahead and sign up here. And wait, there's more! To sweeten the deal, you can get my other Big Picture Class, Happy Go Lucky Stitchalong, for FREE! Purchase it separately here using the code CRAFTGIRL and it is yours. Save a total of $30! 

love note

I can't tell you how much I love this card Alfredo made for me.

First, how sweet is this?

We have an ongoing contest between the two of us. I say I love him more...he says he loves me more. At some point during the day, after one of us does an extraordinary act of love for the other or if we are the last one to say it or say it more exuberantly, we declare that person winner for that round. Alfredo won yesterday with this declaration...irrefutable since he wrote it at school.

p.s. Alfredo wins every round. He will never concede that I win. The best he will give me is that we love each other precisely the same.

 

Here is the adorable picture he drew on the inside of the card. He's just started making more composed drawings. Before he might only draw a picture of me or a picture of a squirrel. But here we have a sky full of birds, a squirrel climbing a tree, and Alfredo and me sharing a watermelon picnic, the basket between us. I love everything about it.

 

Don't you?

 

Happy weekend!

p.s.
I love you more!

teacups everywhere!

After making 100 of these paper teacups (from Brenda Walton's Sizzix Die), I think I can safely say that I'm an expert. 

 

 

Don't they look sweet filled with these chocolate squares? I made these teacups for a tea that my Bible study is hosting on Sunday. The Bible study, Walking With Purpose, has pink and green as its official colors. It was fun staying in that theme. But a little challenging to find papers, especially 2-sided, in those colors this time of year. And it makes such a difference to use 2-sided paper. So excited to share these with the ladies.

Giveaway winner!

Suzette, it's you! Congratulations on winning a spot in Tracey's class. Shoot me an email amy(at)inspireco.com and I will send your pass!

picture everyday

So excited about taking this class:

It's all about celebrating the beauty of everyday moments of life. Isn't that wonderful? I can't wait! I think it's just the jumpstart and motivation I need to take more photos of our family and life details.

Want to join me? The kind folks at Big Picture Classes have given me a spot in the class to share! Leave a comment below and I'll select a winner. But hurry! The class has already started (today!) so I'll select a winner on Saturday morning, 9am EST.

Here's more information about the class:

Picture Everyday, Finding and photographing the magic in your daily life
seven week workshop taught by Tracey Clark
Starts 9/12/2013 $80

Your life is full of beauty, authenticity, and moments of magic just waiting to be captured
in pictures. All it takes is the right perspective. In Picture Everyday, a new workshop from
photographer Tracey Clark, you'll learn to see your world in a sublime new light—and to use
your camera to tell the story of what you see.
Through 30 surprisingly powerful photo prompts, dozens of inspiring images and videos, and
eight weeks of gentle encouragement, Tracey will help you elevate your everyday—and fill your
soul with gratitude along the way. You'll be focusing your lens on topics like Routine, Spaces,
Places, Details, Connections, and Affections.
Read rest of description here

pots on the fire

I have so many pots on the fire these days that I've forgotten to stir the blog one! So here we go...a big catch up:

Alfredo is doing great in school. He loves first grade and his teacher is wonderful. So much more is expected of him and he's feeling the pinch a little already.

Last night, he was near tears as he was telling me about a little boy, Lucas, who "has a calculator built into his brain" and could do math in his head. And when Alfredo said "I'm not good at math" I almost started crying too. Carefully, I talked to him about how much math he does know..."for instance," I said, "if I give you 2 pieces of pizza and then I give you 2 more, how many do you have?" And that darling little boy said, so seriously, "Wait...did I eat the first 2 pieces?!" We rolled on the floor laughing at that one! So cute.

I have two big projects that I'm super excited about. One is the 12-week online class over at Big Picture Classes. (Registration is open!)  The photo above is a detail of a really cute project that I'm finishing up. Each week, there will be a project with complete instructions and a video tutorial. Plus, there's a creativity exercise each week...and some bonus projects for holidays like Halloween. I have been working for months and months and months getting everything set for this class...and I am so excited to share it with you.

The other project I'm working on is BIG news! I can spill only a few beans about it...but mostly it's hush-hush. I'm working with Dimensions and designing embroidery samplers! They'll be out in the market next Spring...I'm so excited. I think that's all I can say for now. But, exciting, yes?

Also, super excited to be counted among the lucky people who signed up in time for Charlotte and Meleen's Vermont Getaway. I cannot wait to see my friends again...and meet new ones. So excited!

And, speaking of lucky...try not to hate on me too much when I tell you I also signed up in time to go here. My friend Lorraine convinced me that we'd make the cutest travelling pair to tour the Tuscan countryside. I still can't believe it's really happening.

Okay, so that's a lot of news, isn't it?

big wig

 

I am so excited about Chris March's line of foam wigs hitting Target this Halloween. Here's a sneak peek, posted on Target's blog.

 

 

I think I should dress as a cupcake and wear this wig! Fun!

 

(images: Target)

 

paper teacups

I'm making paper teacups using my friend Brenda Walton's Sizzix Die. So much fun! I'm just getting the hang of it...although quite a few of these are crooked. I have to make a bunch of them for a tea party my Bible study is hosting at church this month so I'll get a lot of practice.

Check out the tutorial Brenda created for Sizzix showing how to make these sweet paper teacups: