Jennifer McGuire, ink.

Thinking Inking Video... and another...

Hey, there!

New Thinking Inking is up HERE.  It is the last of the Distress Crackle Paint projects for the week.  I really love this stuff.  Even if you aren't into the brown-distress-look, there are great ways to use it in a colorful and clean way.  It is simply about adding texture to your projects.

(c) twopeasinabucket.com - info HERE.

And I thought I would show some old projects I did with the Distress Crackle Paint, too.  I have shared these before, but just in case you wanted some more examples.

This one has a video.  If you watch it, you will notice that I did this before meeting my current best friend - The Foam Inking Tool from Ranger. :)  So, ignore the icky foam piece I use in it...

Here is a card, also using Distress Crackle Paint...

Yes, my use of butterflies started long ago.  I think it started when Scenic Route came out with these rockin' chipboard butterflies...

Well, I better wrap it up.  Have a great weekend.

Another Thinking Inking Video...

Happy Monday.

I have another Thinking Inking class for you today HERE.  I love Distress Crackle Paint and all you can do with it.



Here is the page and the video...

(c) twopeasinabucket.com - click HERE.

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Gotta go do editing of another class video.  If you have anything you want me to show/include in a video, let me know.  Happy to try.

Take care.

A page and links...

Happy Sunday.  I love Sundays.  The only thing I don't like about Sundays is that they are followed by Mondays.  And that means Ken goes back to work.  No likey that. :)

I wanted to share some links with ya tonight...

• Stunning page by Brooke Starnes HERE.  Those colors just make my heart warm.
• THIS page by Laura Kurz is the perfect reminder that a great photo should be the true focus.  And the perfect reminder that I want another baby.  (Which I quickly correct myself that that need not happen anytime soon.  Ha.)
• THIS page by Jamie makes my heart melt.  It is so true.  I often look at Kay and think the same.
• And that stinker Robyn is making my heart scream BABY.  So sweet... HERE.
• Jen amazes me with THIS.  She always does.
• Audrey and I want to make THESE.

And here is an old page I did in CK.  I just love that photo in the center so I thought I would share it here. :)

(c) Creating Keepsakes

OK... off to work on that pile of email.  Hugs.

Next video is up...

Morning.

Just a quick post to let you know that the next Thinking Inking video is up HERE.

Also, just an enabling FYI - 2Peas has a hugs load of Ranger goodies coming soon.  If you are looking to get your hands on some, please go there to get it all.  This class is free, so, as a thank you, it would be great if we all supported them back. :)  Lord knows I do. Ha!

More soon. :)  Oh, and all your Bachelorette folks out there - oh my!  Wes?  Come on!!  Blech.

Photos and stamping...

Hey there.  Forgive me - I have a bit of non-stamping to share first.  (Feel free to scroll down.)  But I know a lot of you are scrapbookers and appreciate photography, so I want to share some things...

So... I have a bucket list.  You know, the list of things you want to accomplish or do in your life.  Most things on my list are places to visit.  But there are 5 that are about photos.

See, there are 5 photographers who I adore for different reasons.  And getting my family in front of their cameras... that is on my bucket list.  And now I am so thankful to say I have now accomplished two of these.  Here are the five (in no order)...

1. Cathy Blackstone Photography

I have known Cathy for many years.  We both won the CK Hall of Fame the same year, and I contacted her and we got together.  We hit it off immediately.  Cathy is as real as they come.  True and honest and fun.  (Want a peek at how great and honest she is?  Click HERE.  Love the idea of "therapy photos."  Took some of them today.)  And when she decided to start a photography business, I wanted to be first in line.  Why?  Because of how real, true, honest and FUN she is.  Well, back in November, we got together.  It was a cold day... Colin was sick... Audrey was grumpy... but we still had fun.  Cathy made us laugh and captured those happy, laughing moments - which is so "us."  (We are a very "laughy" family.)  She is amazing.  If you live anywhere near Columbus, Ohio - contact her.  You won't regret it.  Here are some of my faves - they are so "us"...

My brother was behind the camera making us all laughing like crazy here.  This is SO us. :)

 

2. Lisa Russo Photography

Lisa is another one I have known for years, and was lucky to work with at Autumn Leaves, too.  I can't say enough about what a good person she is.  Back when I had post-partum depression, the doctor suggested I go away and visit a "fun friend" for a weekend.  I instantly called Lisa.  And, I can honestly say, she was a huge reason that I survived.  Soon, she left the scrapbooking industry and started in photography.  For a couple years now, I have admired Lisa's work.  Her photography is perfect in my eyes - classic, loving and timeless.  I would go to her blog and stare in awe... but then have to leave quickly for fear of getting sad that she lives so far away.  So, I started nagging Ken.  :)  Begging him to help me find a way for our family to get to Atlanta and in front of her camera.  A few weeks ago on our lake trip, her family came to stay with us.  We had such fun with her - she seems to have been doing this for years and years - a true calling.  If you are interested in seeing the slide show she made for me (it moves fast since she had so many good ones), you can watch it HERE.  And here are a couple (and more are HERE)...

(Yep, the girls have grown, haven't they?  Kay is taller then me.  I haven't published pages of them in the last few years because they are older and enjoy scrapping their own photos.  They LOVE to scrapbook.) 

(Cathy and Lisa - thank you. love you. owe you. :)

3. Traci Turchin Photography

I met Traci through the scrapbooking industry, too.  She is now an incredible photographer with an amazing eye.  Her photos are also so real... so true.  I love that.  The type of photos you will still love in 20 years down the road.  I hope to someday get out to Colorado (somehow) and get in front of her camera.  Someday.

4. Melissa Deakin

I don't know Melissa very well, but she just has this kindness about her - it is something that is obvious.  And, she is starting a photography business, which makes me so happy.  Her photos also have a kindness and comfort about them.  Simple, sweet and classic.  Who wouldn't want to have photos of their family like that??  I wish I lived closer to Buffalo.  A girl can dream...

5. Erin Cobb Photography

Sweet Erin.  This girl is a doll, and she makes cute babies, too. :)  I have been chatting via email with Erin for a long time now and she is always so generous when I need photos for assignments.  Her photos have a refreshing, cheerful, eye-catching look to them... capturing everyday moments with shine.  Love that.  Huntsville - I need to head your way.  Would love to have my kiddos captured by Erin.

OK... enough photo chat.  But I have been wanting to share that for awhile now. :)  Do you have a favorite photographer?

On to stamping...

Here is a page I did for the Hero Arts Blog.  (In fact, it uses a photo by Cathy Blackstone.)  Just shows the power of black and white...

(c) Hero Arts Blog - for info and supplies, click HERE.

Next up, a quick couple of cards I did awhile back using leftover class kits.  These are examples of the goodies shown in the first week of Thinking Inking Class.  These have inking and stamping with Distress Ink... followed by a bit of water splotching.  Love the Papertrey Ink Damask stamps.

Supplies: Hero Arts notecards and flowers and buttons and stamps (flourish and greeting), Papertrey Ink damask stamps, Creative Impressions ribbon, Distress Inks, twine, white embossing powder

OK... off to watch some mindless tv.  Gotta love it.  Night!

Distress Ink

I just love Distress Ink.

Love it.  And love having inky hands.

The second Thinking Inking class video/project is up HERE.  Lots of Distress Ink.

Here is the video...

Thanks to the many of you who are visiting the class on the Education Board over on 2peas.  You can come in any time and play... no need to sign up or anything.  You can even lurk, but we would love for you to participate instead!

Hey - I highly recommend you sign up to be notified when 2peas has a new video on YouTube HERE.  Kristina Werner, Nichol Magouirk and many more do great videos - you wouldn't want to miss them.

Sorry for the quick post, but think I am coming down with a cold.  Ken took the kids out so I could have a quiet house, and here I am feeling rough.  Boo!  Gonna go to bed early.  But be sure to come back tomorrow - I have video, giveaway and more.

See you then!

(Oh, and Kay, if you are reading this: Happy 14th Birthday.  I couldn't be more proud of you.  And proud to be your Mum.  I love you, admire you and adore you.  Have fun at Grandma's - we miss you!)

Linking...

Hey, there.

Have some fun links for you.  Some are from 2peas, but others are random things I found...

• Kelli Crowe is so stinkin' clever and fun.  Check out THIS project.  Take a good look at it - every detail is perfection.
• Oh my.  That's all I have to say about THIS.  Oh my.  And maybe a WOW, too.
• And THIS.  Amazing.
• Lovin' the colors and design HERE by Erica.
• Another great design HERE.
• Moon's mini album HERE is divine.
• Great cards at KI Memories blog HERE.
• Fun 7Gypsies stuff going on HERE.
• THIS website makes me laugh at least once a day.  I like that.

HERE is one I did for 2Peas using Hero Arts tiny stamps.  Very cutesy... I am going to hang it up by the kids' rooms.  They miss their cousins (in the photo), so this will make them smile.  I made several extra stamped circles for Colin to color.  He loved that.
(c) twopeasinabucket.com - more info HERE.

Tomorrow is my favorite day of the year... the day that school ends for the girls.  That means a whole summer of my 3 kiddos together all day long.  I love it.  First adventure of the summer?  Vacation to a lake in Georgia.  You will have to peel me away from the boat. :)  And - the best part of going to GA for vacation?  I get to see my Lisa.  I have missed her.

Watching Under the Tuscan Sun.  I miss Italy - my favorite country.  The scenery in this movie is fabulous.  Night... :P)

Creating Keepsakes

Hello, Wednesday. Hello, everyone.

I just saw that the recent Creating Keepsakes is out. This was another great issue. I have been really pleased with the changes in it lately. I encourage you to go to a bookstore and check it out. These layouts are fun things to do with chipboard letters. Forgive the bad photos - I should have scanned them before I sent them in.

(c) Creating Keepsakes - July Issue

(c) Creating Keepsakes - July Issue

I also had a few questions about my big class at 2peas that I mentioned yesterday. It is really easy to follow. Basically, three times a week, I will post a thread on the 2peas Education Board. On that thread, I will link to the project, pdf and video. You can leave questions on that thread, and also link to the projects you create based on what you learned in the class. And, yep! Lots of prizes. If you are new to this 2peas class stuff, no worries. Just keep stopping by here and I will link ya over! It is free and fun and easy. But I warn you: start saving your $$. You will want lots of stamps and inks after playing. :)

There are 9 weeks for the class - so 27 videos in all. Each of the weeks will cover a different ink, paint, or technique. And each of the three videos each week, will have multiple techniques. So, you are going to end up learning 50+ techniques over the weeks. A lot of fun stuff. Some of it I learned at Ranger U via Tim Holtz, but I just put my own twist on them. Lots of color, lots of projects (scrapbooking and cardmaking) and lots of ideas. Here is a peek at one of the projects from Week 1.

I will have new things to share tomorrow.  I gotta work tonight - Colin was home from school today, so I didn't get much done. 

Have a good one...

LOTS of good stuff today... Video + more...

Welcome.

I am really excited about today's post.  A few weeks ago, Ali Edwards asked me to be the first special guest in a new series she is doing.  I love my Ali, so I was happy to play along.  (Note: Before you continue reading, go read her post first HERE, in case you haven't already.  Then continue reading this post, as it contains added information.)

I told Ali about how I scrapbook.  I actually have two ways of scrapbooking: the "practical way" and the "playful way."  First up?  The "practical..."

Yep, this is how I scrapbook my events and basic memories.  Here is my "practical" process:

• At the end of the month, I edit/crop my photos to 5x7 (mostly) and/or 4x6.  I order doubles online at Costco.  I prefer larger photos and never crop these smaller than 4x6.  Why?  Because when I look at my mom's awesome scrapbooks from when she was little, the photos are so tiny.  I want to make sure people can really enjoy these in the days to come.
• I adhere photos on 12x12 black cardstock. I then type up my journaling on the computer and print it on white cardstock.  This is the only other thing added to the pages.  No title.  No embellishing.  Fast and easy, and the kids can help.  And the focus is 100% on the photos and the memories. 
• I store these pages in order in 12x12, 3-ring binders.  All the family members pages are mixed together.  Afterall, we are family.
• I keep the doubles of the photos.  I use favorite ones for my "playful scrapbooking" and send the extras to family or friends.  Sometimes I give some to Colin to play with.  He loves to carry them around and show the whole world.

Easy, fast and no pressure.  And that is exactly why I started doing this.  My memories are recorded, checking off a big to-do on my life's list.  This frees my mind and heart to have some fun with my hobby. 

This brings us to my "playful" side of scrapbooking.  Ah, yes, this is my favorite.  This is where I focus having fun and enjoying the hobby.  For me, this means:

• I use my favorite photos, often enlarged.  I often will throw in extra photos, sometimes even tiny ones.
• I love love love to play with new techniques.  That is where almost all of my joy lies.  On almost every page, I include at least one technique, often with stamping.
• I also like to use up product in creative ways.  For me, product is a big part of the fun of scrapbooking.

So, on Ali's site, I shared an example of some pages from a "playful" album I recently started.  It features favorite quotes from my son - which he is known for. :)  This is the perfect example of "playful" scrapbooking for me.  Since I am not really good at design, I decided to keep the basic design the same on all the pages.  And since I am not great at writing, I kept the journaling simple.  But since I love techniques, I made sure that there is at least one area on each page where I can try something new.

Here are my example pages and video.  (For a closer look, just click on them.  For supplies, visit Ali's blog.)

   

Now, I know this wouldn't work for everyone.  But this is what is best for me.  Maybe this will inspire some of you to find a way to make scrapbooking 100% fun and 0% stressful. :)

Moving on...

I also thought I would mention that I have a HUGE class coming up at twopeasinabucket.com starting on June 15th called Thinking Inking.  It is 9 weeks long, with three projects and videos a week.  Yep - 27 videos in all.  I will be teaching countless techniques for stamping, inking and painting.  It will be such fun.  And, of course - lots of prizes.  If you are interested, be sure to keep a look out here for  links, or over at the 2peas education board.

Thanks for stopping by.  I will be back tomorrow with some more shares.  Have a good one.

[ETA: If you are interested in more of my videos, please click HERE.  This will give you links to the three places I create videos for: 2Peas, Hero Arts and JenniferMcGuireInk.  You can easily subscribe and be notified anytime a video is added.

Also, if you are interested in a Hero Arts giveaway, check out Jana's blog HERE.  Many of you know this is a favorite stamp of mine!  Good luck.]

Scrapbooking, cardmaking and blogs

Happy Monday.

And a happy Monday it is - it is a mindless TV night.  Ah, yes.  Gotta love it.  Gilles on Dancing with the Stars?  Ahhh.  And 30 delightful dishes of bachelors on the Bachlorette?  Perfect. :)

(Quickly, remember that you still have time to enter to win a ton of brads HERE. :)

Just wanted to share some projects.  These are ones I did long ago for the Hero 2009 Catalog.  (Again, forgive me if I already shared them.  I have a new system to prevent that in the future - thanks Jayne!)

These are actually matching pages and cards...

(c) Hero Arts - click HERE for all supplies and info

(c) Hero Arts - click HERE for all supplies and info

Here is a page and a few cards I did using some incredible photos from Erin Cobb.  I tell ya, she has the most beautiful family.  She makes cute kids. :)

(c) Hero Arts - click HERE for all supplies and info

(c) Hero Arts - click HERE for all supplies and info

(c) Hero Arts - click HERE for all supplies and info

I also wanted to ask you all about some of your favorite manufacturer blogs.  I am new to checking these out.  But thanks to my very-late-but-oh-so-happy discovery of Google Reader, I am looking for ones to visit.  I am sure there are a lot of great ones out there.  Here are some of my faves:

• American Crafts blog is such fun.  In fact, today they have the coolest page up - go check it out HERE.
• Making Memories' blog has some of my favorite artists.
• Papertrey Ink has wonderful stamps.  Nichole Heady has a great blog featuring their products.
• Elle's Studio blog is so colorful and fun.
• Another colorful one, with the wonderful Shannon Tidwell - the KI Memories blog.
• Kerri Bradford has a fabulous blog that gives a lot of tips for using the Quickutz Silhouette.  
• Ellen Hutson is a great stamper and person.  Not really a manufacturer either, but her Classroom blog is very educational.
• Two Peas In a Bucket isn't a manufacturer, but, boy, does MellyPea's blog rock.  I love when she does warehouse walks - it is a great way to get a close look at products before you buy.
• Last but not least, Hero Arts.  My fave. :)  This week is a green week. Really - it is worth going and reading Aaron's post today.

I am sure I am missing a lot!  Please link me to any good ones you know of.  I will add my favorites here.

OK... off to focus on 30 bachelors.  They have only shown one so far.  And, so far, so good. :)  Night!