31 Day Challenge Featured Artist- Day 5--Drew (CardofmyEye)

Welcome to Day 5 of my 31 day Challenge. This is getting fun! Lots to take to the post office on Saturday!

Let me tell you about a very talented young man that I discovered on YouTube a few months back. I have watched a few of his Ustreams, and I never miss a YouTube video. His name is Drew and his YouTube channel is: http://www.youtube.com/user/Cardofmyeye

Drew is so talented. I always learn a shortcut or a new idea when I watch his videos, or his live shows. He is also helping me learn the Gypsy. What is really amazing is Drew is only 15 years old. He is definitely on track for a very big career in the crafting world if he so chooses. Maybe the next Tim Holtz?

He puts together cards and mini albums in very creative ways, and is an excellent teacher. He also sells kits a lot on his blog, and hosts lots of swaps. He is very giving back to the crafting community. I loved the story of how he got started. Apparently he saw the Cricut Expression work, thought it was cool, and received one shortly there after, and the rest is beautiful, creative history...

Drew gives a lot of tutorials on his You Tube channel, and does Ustream shows on occasion where he creates projects such as his beautiful mini albums. You will want to follow him, on his blog: www.scrappyhappiness.com
because he is sure to come up with another great idea that will help you to make scrapbooking more enjoyable.

Since he makes mini albums look so effortless, I thought he would enjoy a kit I put together for him . I also created a tag for him, using a lot of Tim Holtz products.

Thank you Drew for your inspiration, and your creativity. I really learn something each time I watch a video.

Hugs,

1/3/11-31 Day Challenge - Featured Artist- Cynthialoowho

Happy Day three of my Featured Artist Pay it forward challenge!

Thank you for all of the great feedback! I am really enjoying putting together the Artist of the day!

Did you ever watch a YT video, and just know that you would get along so well with the artist? Well that is exactly how I felt when I first saw a YT video by Cynthialoowho. Now Cynthia and I have not met, but I feel as though I know her. She is very warm and caring person, and it shows in her art. I honestly cannot recall what video sparked me to subscribe to her YT channel, but I do remember the video of the tribute mini she made, which I thought was incredible. Not only was it a fantastic idea, but the way she made the pages was interesting to me. Gatefolds, pockets, great pictures, just wonderful! And her kindness was rewarded by none other than Tim Holtz! So fantastic and so deserving!



and



Cynthia's style is a lot like I wish I could do all the time, steampunk. But that is not all she does...she makes jewelry, and charms, and 3-D objects, and the list goes on and on. It is all creative, and she shares a lot of great tips. I think she is just wonderful, and she continues to share with all of us. Recently she has opened a ning site, where the community shares her vibe, of creativity, and caring.
http://alilscrapofheaven.ning.com/ membership is free, and I encourage you to check it out.

Cynthia also has a shop, where she is selling products by such manufacturers as Ranger, Graphic 45, K & Co, Inkadinkadoo, Tim Holtz products ( of course) and many more, at reasonable prices. I bet if you were dying for something that she did'nt have in stock she would try and get it for you, because that is how she rolls.

Access to Cynthia's shop is on the ning site. And if all of that were'nt enough, with all of the giving to the art community that Cynthia does...she currently has a YT giftaway for her YT subscribers for reaching 1000 subbies! It is open until Sunday 1/9/11. So become a subscriber to her channel, and don't miss out on what she does next.



So with all of this to consider, I had a little trouble coming up with something to make for her... but them I stopped worrying, and created the tag in the video below:



Hugs,

1/2/11- 31 Day Challenge-Featured Artist- Scrappinology

Hey Ya'll, It's Me....

Does that give you a hint at who my featured artist of the day is?.....Scrappinology...Gina O!

I have been a follower of Gina's on YouTube for a little while. She is such a happy person who shares her creations, and her shopping tips , and she has an infectious laugh and wonderful spirit.

Gina made an incredible Halloween mini in 2010, that so inspired me. I made an attempt, but I still have to finish it for next year. Here is a video of the mini Gina made:



Gina is a very creative scrapbooker, who shops wisely, and gives great tips for making all kinds of things, from mini albums, to 3-d objects, you name it. She also has a great community ning site, where everyone is so friendly, and shares their art.

www.myscraproom.ning.com I encourage you to become a member. There is something for everyone, and just like Gina, the community is so welcoming, and so creative.

Gina can be found on YouTube: Scrappinology is her user name.

Also Gina let it slip in a recent video how she loves Valentines Day, so the items I am RAKing to her speak to that holiday, and also will support he "Stampitis", which I also suffer from.

Thank you Gina for your warm spirit, your generosity, and creativity! Check her out!

Hugs,

1/1/11- 31 day challenge- Inkwell

Welcome to day one of my 31 day challenge! Today's featured artist is ....

Dede Willingham aka Inkwell

Dede is someone I have just met via Ustream, and is definately a huge inspiration, and a Rock Star Artist! She is a very giving soul, and shares her talents via her blogs and Live Ustream shows on Wednesdays and Thursday at 9am EST. I am always bummed out, because I never get to see her live shows, but I do watch the recordings Dede! Not only does Dede have mad drawing and painting skills, she is so wonderfully cheerful and encouraging to other artists of all types. Maybe it is her southern accent, or her wonderful laugh, but believe me, if you have time to watch her shows, don't miss it. She is an inspiration.

And talented beyond measure. Check out her art journal pages on her blog:

http://inkiwell.blogspot.com/

and here is her Ustream link for her Art & Coffee shows:

http://www.ustream.tv/user/inkwell/shows

While I was watching her Stream- a- thon on Friday, I overheard her mention that she did not have many stamps. Well I can help with that! Below is the video I made of a video regarding the RAK I sent to DeDe.

I am very glad to have made her aquaintance, and I cannot say Thank you enough for all of the support and encouragement you have given our Art Community! Thanks you so much!

Hugs,

A New Year and a New Challenge....

Hi Everyone!

Hope your holidays were great! We had a very nice and quiet Christmas with family.

I have been doing my live shows every Sunday at 4pm, and hanging around the art community on Youtube. I heard about a challenge for January that really peaked my interest and thought it would help me.

Marion Smith, the wonderful designer for Prima, and many others, threw down a challenge for January. To try something new everyday and record a YouTube video about your progress. Well, my mind started reeling. I thought for a while about what I would like to improve, and a few things came to mind.

I want to update this blog more often, and I want to record more videos in 2011. I also want to continue in my art. So I thought about what do I love most about my art? No matter how I thought about it, the answer always came back the same, I love making things for other people, and surprising them with a little love in the mail. So, my challenge this January, is to Pay it forward. I am going to select one person a day from my magic address book, make something for them, a card, a tag, or something I think they will like, throw in some things from my stash, and send it off to them.
Just my way of showing my appreciation for all of the artists I have met. It will also help me get through all of this stash, and get it to the folks who can use it. I will record a video about what I am sending or have created, and I will write a blog post about the person. So I will fulfill all my needs. Write more blog posts, record more videos, create for others, and reduce my stash!

So, if you get an e-mail from me, requesting your mailing address, please send it!

So, I am off to create my calendar, of artsy inspiring folks, and get ready to Pay it forward....

I think I am going to run into a little postage cost... so if you like this idea, and would like to help me pay for postage, I have posted a paypal link in the side bar. I would appreciate any donation, and I promise, it will go only for postage costs.

Thanks Marion, for making me think! And Thanks everyone for your support!
I hope you will check back and read about all my Youtube friends, and those I have met on Ustream.

Happy New Year!

Update, Ustream, Giveaway, 21 Secrets

Ok, so it sounds silly...
I have taken my time updating my blog since my last post, because the last post was about Scotia.

Not a day goes by that she is'nt in my heart.

So this is Thanksgiving week, and I have been busy at work buried in meetings and Budget 2011...I have been creating little projects on Sundays, at my Ustream Show. Today we will be doing a Circle Squash album, a very cool project, that is easy to do with basic supplies that you may have on hand. Here is what you need:

4 12x12 sheets of cardstock
2 chipboard covers cut to fit
4 tags
assorted patterned papers of your choice
strong tape adhesive, like score tape
adhesive to adhere patterned papers- I used my ATG
bone folder
9 inch dinner plate for your template
Scissors
Assorted ribbon and embelishments of your choice.
Pencil/Eraser
I have attached a short video link to show the sample project.



I hope you will join us!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/laurelfromnj

11/21/10 at 4PM EST

Also, I am nearing 500 subscribers on YouTube, this morning was 462! So exciting! I have begun to put together a pretty fabulous giveaway, as I have a goal of hitting 500 by the end of the year. So far the giveaway has Stamps, A Tim Holtz Texture fade pack, an On the Edge die, trims, flowers, Archival ink jumbo pad, mini misters, flowers, bling, charms and I am adding to it eash week. I am truly amazed by the community and support from everyone for my art. I hope if you are not a subscriber on YouTube to my channel, you will become one, and help me meet my goal!

http://www.youtube.com/user/scotia9338?feature=mhum

Also, there are only 9 days left to participate in 21 Secrets! Sign Up by visiting my good friend Paula's blog and read the details:

http://messymindcreativesoul.blogspot.com

Hope to see you all this afternoon, off to grocery shop for Thanksgiving!

Scotia, I miss you....

I was wondering why I was in a sad mood today, and then it occurred to me that today was the day two years ago I said goodbye to my best friend.

Scotia was my cat, and she was extra special. I think she was a little person caught in a cat's body, sent to look after me, and help me learn about love.


And love she gave. in her own very special way, on her terms. As most cats do, she was fickle. But she loved everything, and everyone. I miss her so very much. I pray that she knows that my having to say good bye was an act of love on her behalf. As I never wanted her to suffer for a minute, as all she ever brought me was joy.

This year, as this day was looming on the calendar, I was fortunate to meet Dayle, who had also lost her dear sweet dog Bebe. I was struck by how selflessly Dayle thought to ease her pain by creating a card drive in Bebe's honor to create hand crafted cards to be distributed via vet's offices, to those that had lost a pet. I made 50 cards for the drive, and intend on doing 50 more. I can say that participating in the drive, helped a little, but today, nothing seems to help. My heart is just broken.

I have postings on this blog regarding the card drive which is ongoing. If you so desire, make a few cards, and follow in Dayle's footsteps to bring a little peace to someone who needs it.

I have provided the links to my blog post from the day I let Scotia go below, as the feelings are still the same.
http://paperandscissorsrock-laurel.blogspot.com/2008/10/furry-angel-in-heaven.html

Scotia, I miss you so much. I was so lucky to have you in my life for so many years. I think of you everyday.You will always be in my heart.


Hug your furry kids today.