Noodle Soup

CHA trend spotting: mason jars

Just a quick follow-up to my mason jar trend spotting from last week. Since that post, I've seen a few more mason jar images pop up in CHA previews. I think we have a bona fide "next big thing" on our hands here, folks! ;)

American Crafts/Dear Lizzy

 American Crafts/Dear Lizzy

American Crafts/Dear Lizzy

Crate Paper

Creative Imaginations

 

I'm a long-time jar junkie. I use a variety of them for storage in my home and studio (I'll share pics of that in another post, soon!) and I've been pinning mason jar eye candy on Pinterest for a while. I've noticed the trend has been big in weddings lately, too. In honor of the recent crafting industry mason jar love, I started a dedicated Mason Jar pinboard to collect all my fun finds in one spot. Check it out if you're a jar junkie, too!

Attention, phoneographers!

If you are local to the Rancho Santa Margarita area (or will be in Orange County for CHA next weekend), there are a few spaces left in my January 28 class at Timeless Treasures that you might be interested in!

Phoneography 101: Getting the most from your phone photos

Are you taking more phone photos than ever these days? Improve your smartphone photography skills and learn how to scrapbook and display your phone photos with style. This class includes an informative presentation with lots of handy tips, app recommendations, and examples, followed by a fun guided photo walk to hone your skills with some hands-on practice. Bring your charged smartphone!

You’ll learn:

• How to use exposure, composition, & filters to maximize the quality of your phone pictures
• Favorite field-tested apps for enhancing and sharing your phone photos
• My favorite ways to get prints from phone photos
• Tips for making phone photos look awesome on a scrapbook page
• How to document life more authentically with phone photos

(The class is based on my experience with the iPhone, but many universal tips apply to Android users, and app substitutions will be offered wherever possible.)

Saturday, January 28, 2:00 - 4:00 pm for the screamin' deal of just $12!

If you're interested, you can call Timeless Treasures directly at (949) 888-7151 to register. Spaces are filling up fast!

CHA early trend predictions

The CHA winter show sneak peeks have really started flooding in this week! If you haven't checked out the Scrapbook Update Winter Sneak Peek page, you should. It's my go-to source for all the latest product info.

I'm the type of person who gets a lot of inspiration from product. I know I'm "supposed" to say I'm inspired by my stories and photos, and I definitely am. But if I'm completely honest, it's usually the desire to use a particular product that lights the fire under me to actually pull out those photos and tell that story I've been meaning to tell. So you can imagine how pumped I get when CHA rolls around!

I've only seen a fraction of what will be offered at the show so far, but I am already noticing a few trends emerging, so I'm going to go ahead and call them. Here are some predictions of what we'll be seeing a lot of on the show floor.

Motifs

Spring and travel motifs will abound as usual at the winter show, and in particular there will be a lot of map motifs within the travel category. Florals, birds, and butterflies will continue to be standard issue spring fare. Keep an eye out for loads of bicycles, kites, and honeycomb/hexagon shapes all over the place. Bicycles in particular seem to be the motif of the moment...it seems there's a bicycle something-or-other in just about every line I've seen so far. Banners still seem to be still going strong, so look for them to continue to be incoporated into product lines, both as a printed motif and as an actual embellisment. Ditto for tickets, doilies, and baker's twine. Are you a lover of chevron zigzags? You're in luck, because it seems even more manufacturers are jumping on that bandwagon.

Crate Paper

BoBunny

Studio Calico

 

 

Prima

Jenni Bowlin

My Mind's Eye

My Little Shoebox

Prima

Webster's Pages

Studio Calico

Moxxie

My Mind's Eye

Jenni Bowlin

Jillibean Soup

Dear Lizzy/American Crafts punch-out banners

Prima

Studio Calico

 

Jenni Bowlin

GCD Studios

American Crafts

My Mind's Eye

 

Despite the current phoneography craze, classic and vintage camera images could capture a spot as the next big product icon. I predict that the newest offerings from Amy Tangerine and Studio Calico will spark a camera trend that will carry over to the next show. Vintage telephones also seem to be making a good showing this time around.

Amy Tangerine/American Crafts

Amy Tangerine/American Crafts

Studio Calico

Jillibean Soup

Nikki Sivils

Wendy Vecchi/Studio 490

Claudine Hellmuth/Stampers Anonymous

 

Another trend I believe could be on the cusp is mason jars. I spied one in Cosmo Cricket's Tea For Two diecuts, and a whole sheet of them from Jillibean Soup. Based on what I've been seeing out in the world and on Pinterest, I think we'll see a lot more mason-style jars both in print and as storage or home decor in coming releases. And I wouldn't be surprised if they popped up at this show in booth design, as well.

Cosmo Cricket

Jillibean Soup

 

Products

Washi tape continues to gain popularity, and we'll be seeing it from even more manufacturers in a wider array of patterns at the upcoming show. Also be on the lookout for mini mixed-media books and accessories that capitalize on the Smash craze and make art journaling more approachable for the scrapbooking crowd.

Prima

Cosmo Cricket

Studio Calico

Prima

Prima

Fancy Pants

Studio Calico

 

Colors

I think we can expect fun, happy rainbow brights to dominate the offerings. Hot pink seems to be particularly hot this time around.

 

I'll be tweeting from the show floor January 29 - February 1, so be sure to follow me on Twitter for the latest updates and photos. And let me know in the comments if there's anything in particular you'd like me to report back on!

Operation: Fresh Start

So, my studio is a complete mess. Way out of hand. Worse than it's been in a long time. Fact: I have too much stuff. And when I get bogged down with projects, I don't put things away as diligently as I should. Or, um, ever.

So I've decided the first step in finally doing something about this mess, instead of moving the piles to the side when I need to work on something, is to put my shame on public display. ;)

See what I mean? It's bad.

I want to start 2012 fresh, with a space that inspires me to create, rather than shut the door and avoid it. So Operation: Fresh Start begins today!

Can you relate? If so, play along! I've mobilized a force of like-minded mess-makers on Twitter to start cleaning up their creative spaces with me, and to keep each other accountable. 

All you have to do to start 2012 with your own Operation: Fresh Start is post a before pic of your messy craft area someplace. Link me up here, or on Twitter or Facebook. Then get busy cleaning and we'll all share our after pics while we start the shiny new year with shiny new spaces.

Need a little singing ringing through the rafter

My holiday playlist is getting quite the workout these days, how 'bout yours?

Blasting the Christmas tunes is one of my favorite things about this season. But...my taste is rather eclectic. Nontraditional even. On my list of favorites?

Mr. Heat Miser -- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

We Need a Little Christmas -- Glee Cast

A Great Big Sled -- The Killers

Mrs. Claus Ain't Got Nothing on Me -- Little Jackie

Elf's Lament -- Barenaked Ladies

And pretty much anything from this album --

What are your favorite holiday tunes this year? 

Decking the halls

Welcome, Big Picture students who hopped over from Stacy’s blog!

It’s that time of year, when thoughts turn to decking the halls, trimming the tree, and hanging the stockings.

The thing is, nobody really shows pictures from that week before the bedazzling of the abode begins, when your blog post is due and the crummy-looking boxes are stacked all over the house, and nothing is camera ready.

In the interest of keeping it real, you should know I do not have my holiday hoopla together just yet!

However, thanks to the magic of digital photography, the Ghost of Christmas Pictures Past can lead us on a virtual tour of a few of the holiday decorations I look forward to displaying each Christmas season. :)

Tree lights

These lights were a major score at a Restoration Hardware after-Christmas sale many years ago, and I absolutely adore their retro charm. Some years we add colored lights, and some years we don’t, but these shining orbs are always a staple. Slowing down from the holiday bustle to admire them with a cup of cocoa just never gets old.

 

Gingerbread house

I love our tradition of making and displaying a gingerbread house every year. This one from a couple years ago was one of my all-time favorites.

 

Candle jars

I love Mason jars, and I love the look of traditional Christmas candy. This super-simple DIY decoration is a great mash-up of both. Just dump some hard Christmas candy into a jar, wedge a candle in the middle, and bask in the glow of your handmade cleverness.

 

Do you have a favorite trimming or trinket that signifies the season? Would you love to document those little morsels of holiday magic in a fresh way this year? Don’t miss out on celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas with 12 Big Picture elves who are ready to help you focus on the present moments and the joyful anticipation of this yuletide in a more thoughtful way.

Rather than rushing through the holidays this year, give yourself the gift of happy memories documented in a delightfully doable way!

 

The Big Picture Classes holiday blog tour continues with the fabulous and super-creative Wendy Smedley! Click on through and visit her blog next for more inspiration.

 

That whoosing sound you hear...

...is my November flying by. Holy time warp, Batman! Anyone else feel like if they blink they might just miss an entire month at this time of year?

I'm working my way back into the usual daily groove, after a week off from school. Five jam-packed, fun-filled days were spent in beautiful Lake Oswego, Oregon, visiting my sister and her family. 

This is what welcomed us to our basement digs. Because my sister is secretly Martha Stewart, I think.

There was lots of fun cousin time

...and plenty of outings. A favorite was the cook your own pancakes restaurant.

We were also pretty impressed with the cart escalator at the two-story Target.

And the kids all made their own blown glass Christmas ornaments! (See, I told you...Martha Stewart, right?)

Oh, and we had pie for breakfast on Thanksgiving.

It rained a bunch, but even that was fun!

(photo edited with my new favorite phone app, Halftone.)

 

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I'm launching into full-blown Holiday Mode. I've got a good chunk of my Christmas shopping done, a peppermint mocha by my side, and a couple of fun projects on my table. It's a good time of year!

If you're looking to make (and scrapbook) some fun holiday memories this season, be sure to check out the new 12 Days of Christmas class at Big Picture Classes. (I'm Day 5!)

    

For the 12 days leading up to Christmas, you will receive an email from a BPC teacher with a photo prompt and a list of supplies to gather. Preparing specific holiday pictures and products as Christmas approaches will help you focus on the present moments and the joyful anticipation in a more thoughtful way—without feeling any pressure to scrapbook right away! Then, starting on December 25th, you'll get to "open" a new handout each day, designed to guide and inspire you in pulling together pictures and products to complete a dozen different layouts.

Tomorrow's the day!

Just one final reminder that the super fun TRUE SCRAP cyber event kicks off tomorrow!

My class on taking and using cell phone photos is on Friday at 4pm Eastern time, and I can hardly wait to share it! Plus, I've got a pretty cool surprise up my sleeve for the students who are there during the live class...just sayin'. ;)

There's still time to sign up, so if you've been waffling, do it already! You'll be glad you did!

Apple Season

It's apple season! And I don't just mean the crisp, juicy fall fruit...although, I do love those!

Check out the "apples of my eye" from this past week.

 

1. You betcha I jumped on the the iPhone 4S bandwagon!

The main reason I upgraded is because I just couldn't resist the 8 megapixel camera. Especially since I'm teaching a class on taking and scrapbooking phone photos at True Scrap this week. It's necessary research! ;)

(And btw, if you're not signed up for True Scrap yet, it's not too late. It starts this Thursday. Just click through the link & join the three days of classes, make & takes, fun, and inspiration!)

 

2. I bought this cute apron at Target, to put me in the mood for fall cooking and baking. 

Who am I kidding? I'm always in the mood for stirring up some fall yumminess in the kitchen. But now I'll look super adorable doing it! This would make THE CUTEST teacher gift...if both my kids didn't have male teachers this year.

 

3. Meet my new favorite breakfast food: the grilled apple-and-cheese sandwich!

I'm sure I'm not the first person to discover this culinary delight, but I concocted it on a whim a couple of weeks ago, and it's a keeper. I make it with my panini grill. Just layer cheddar, thinly sliced apples, and more cheddar between two slices of good, whole grain bread. Healthy, satisfying, and sooo good!

Do you have a favorite fall recipe, either with or without apples? I'd love it if you'd share! My new apron needs to be broken in. 

Lucky 13!

According to Random.org, lucky commenter #13 is the winner of the True Scrap registration fee...

Congratulations to Carol in Seattle! Email me (the link's under my picture over there in the sidebar) and I'll hook you up!

And as for the sneak peeks I promised, here's one of the phone photo layouts you'll be seeing in my class if you're signed up for True Scrap:

I had a blast jam-packing this class with info and ideas that I can't wait to share with you. 

And...

Here's a teensy tease of another fun project I'm involved in which will be revealed very soon. Exciting!