What's going on?

In case you're wondering what I've been up to lately while things have been quiet on the blog, here's the rundown. You might want to pull up a chair and grab a beverage!

Spring Training at Ella Publishing

I was thrilled to be invited to participate in Spring Training this session as a Scrapbooking Fitness Coach! Aside from the chance to relive my favorite 80s fashion trends (ha!), I was given the opportunity to help spread some inspiration on two things I'm really passionate about: memory keeping and creative fitness.

I really love the format of this event -- very doable, inspiring, bite-sized assignments with accompanying videos. Everyone can spare 20 - 40 minutes a day for a week-and-a-half in the name of creative mojo, right? 

If Spring Training sounds like just the thing to shape up your photography, organization, scrapbooking techniques, and design principles, you can click on the banner below and enter the code LEOTARD for a 10% discount. 

And be sure to check out my article over at the Ella eZine and a sneak peek of one of my motivational vidoes on the Ella blog.

 

Kidding Around at Big Picture Classes

My Kidding Around summer art journaling workshop for kids is back by popular demand and just opened for registration! I've been having oodles of fun putting together a whole bunch of new content for this class, and recording a series of videos with supply and technique ideas for the kids who want to branch out a bit more. For those who are unfamiliar, it's six weeks of art journaling fun, to keep kids busy, entertained, and using their brain cells over the summer. The content is all in an online classroom, with prompts delivered via email Monday - Friday. I'm recommending the blue Smash book for this class, which will be available for separate purchase through Big Picture Classes. (But any journal can be used.) Class runs June 14 - July 25 for the screamin' deal of $30. Click on over and check it out!

 

Upcoming classes at Timeless Treasures

The Timeless Treasures class preview event is this Sunday, April 22 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Come on by to see what all the great teachers have in store! There's a discount for those who sign up for classes at the preview event, plus you get a goody bag, so win-win! 

I'll be teaching my Phoneography class again on Saturday, May 19 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm for $15. It's a lecture-style class with all kinds of useful tips for taking photos on your smart phone and using them on your scrapbook pages, followed by a short photo walk to try out what you learn.

I'm also teaching a beginning kids' art journaling class for kids age 7 and up on July 11 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. It's slightly different from my online class, with the added bonus of in-person instruction. For $30, kids will get an introduction to art journaling that includes a super cool Artterro art journal. (I love their eco-friendly policy combined with Strathmore quality and fun colors!)

We'll decorate the cover and complete 2 - 3 pages in class, plus everyone will go home with lots of ideas to continue art journaling on their own. It's great either in conjunction with the Kidding Around class at Big Picture as a way to get some additional in-person instruction and hang out with other creative kids, or on its own to just beat the heat for an afternoon and create in the air-conditioned store while giving Mom a little break.

Space is limited in these in-store classes. If you're interested, swing by the preview event, or call the store at (949) 888-7151.

 

Somerset Memories

I was asked to contribute artwork for a really fun article in the Spring issue of Somerset Memories, on the Halftone iPhone app. (Which, incidentally, is one of the apps I talk about in my Phoneography class!) The issue is on newsstands now, if you want to check it out. Here's a sneak peek, from the Stampington website:

 

Creative Crop

Big Picture Classes and Creating Keepsakes Magazine have teamed up to bring you a fun-filled FREE event for National Scrapbook Day. The event will feature hourly creative challenges by 12 awesome Big Picture and Creating Keepsakes regulars.

Here's a sneak peek of my challenge page, which goes live at 7pm Pacific time on May 5. 

There are also some amazing giveaways, like this grand prize that would make any scrapbooker/organization freak swoon!

The event runs live from 9am to 9pm on May 5, but you don't have to be there live to win prizes or partake in the challenges and inspiration. Everyone who signs up is eligible to win, and you'll have forever access to all the content, to refer to at your leisure.