Sketchbook 2014!

I am SO so SO excited that Kelly and Studio Calico are working together to bring you another AMAZING class. SKETCHBOOK! 

Kelly has a way of bringing a page together like no other! She inspires me to think of pages and products in a whole new way! Here are a couple of my favorite projects from her! 

Amazing, right?!

While supplies last all students get this WONDERFUL stamp designed by KP!!

Here are some amazing goodies that JUST went live in the store and I am going to scoop up before the class starts,  or they sell out. 

Good Times Die (you can do SO many things with these!) 

Transportation Die

Skyscrapper Die

These ADORABLE Journal Cards!

I seriously CAN NOT wait, so what do you say.. Will I see you in class?!!

xox

Shanna

Journaling Bible | Allowing God To Surprise You

Monday Monday! How are you today?!  :) I have several people inquire about my journaling bible, the process behind it and the products I use so I thought it would be fun to make it a weekly post. I recently taught a small class to some kids at our church, and they loved it... actually a LOT more than I thought they would! I couldn't believe how into it they got, and it was so much fun to see how each one was so unique when they were done. I had some people ask me to do a class, but I think this is something that is better explained as I go. I thought I would update you weekly as I journal in my bible.

First I wanted to say that this isn't for every one and I totally respect that. Some people may think that doodling in your bible is not respectful. I wanted to point out that this is specifically a journaling bible, and for ME it helps ME connect to the word, and the sermons I am hearing. So let's talk about this journaling bible! I got this a couple years ago but only recently got back into it. In the interm I was using Paper 53 on my ipad to take my sermon notes, and though I really like process, for now this is inspring me more.

The bible I use is the ESV Single Column Journaling Bible. Of course that black cover was never going to do so I covered mine with some sticky fabric, paper and washi tape as any scrapbooker would!

This is what my bible looks like when I get home from church on Sunday. Usually I use these magical pens.. but a little monkey (coughADDISONcough) got into my purse, left the lid off and it dried out so this week I used a regular old pen. This week what I really took away from the sermon is that as a Christian society we tend to come off as though we "know" what is right, what is sinful, what is WRONG. Let's face it we can come off very judgemental. As a Christian that is the last thing I want to be, I want to love you exactly where you are at as God does to me. We need to listen more, love more and judge a WHOLE lot less. So in my notes you will see "know less, listen more" please don't take that as we need to walk in blindly, or be uneducated. Not at all. But we need to allow space for God to SURPRISE us! 

Once I get home it is time to start pulling it all together! I pulled out some alpha stamps and ink pad and created a title. I loved the phrase "allow God to surprise you" and decided to add the "today" at the and for a call to action! I used Studio Calico color theory inks (blush, yes peas) I love how they are true to color, and allow the text to show through. 

I am slightly addicted to that "today" stamp! It was a part of (Bessie, currently sold out) the latest Studio Calico release Bluegrass Farms

From here I also wanted to add a title across the top with another line that my pastor said on Sunday that really stuck with me. I feel like it is so relevant to what is happening in the Christian community. I decided to use the beautiful orange alpha stickers in the Pip add- on. 

I usually add a tab at the top so that it is facing the front of the bible (you can see the front of the bible in the first photo, this tab says "know"). Sometimes I sew it on, tape it on this time I used my tiny attacher  to keep that bad boy attached. 

 Here is a view from the top. I love documenting what I am learning, hearing, thinking about in this way. I love that Jaden looks through my bible all the time to see the latest notes, I love that Addison says "Mommy your bible isn't boring THAT'S FOR SURE!". I love that I am able to take what happens on Sunday morning and reflect on it throughout the week in a way that is meaningful to me.

Do you have a journaling bible? I would love to see yours! Thinking of getting one? Share! I can't wait to hear all about it! If you have an questions, please ask away!

Have a wonderful week! Look out for amazing surprises! 

xox

Shanna

Digital Stamps | 6x12 Project Life Stand Out

I wanted to make a stand out 6x12 insert for my project life highlighting Jaden and Jonathan's recent mission trip to Mexico. I plan on sending these over to Persnickety Prints and this will be the front and back of a 6x12 insert. I wanted to design them so that they worked nicely togehter if you posted them one on top of the other. I think they flow nice into each other. To start I looked for inspiration, so where did I head? PINTEREST!!! Of course!

Isn't it lovely? Now mine doesn't come close to this awesomeness, but it has photos of my family and stories they have told, so I will keep it :) 

The digital stamp at Studio Calico are one of my favorite items in the store. For SO MANY reasons! I love that I can use them over and over again, size as need and get the color perfect ANY time!

If I were NEW to hybrid scrapbooking, I would make the Project Life digital stamps my first purchase, why? That xoxoxox stamp is something I see myself using OVER and OVER again,.... like you are going to have to tell me to STOP using it type of thing! :) 

Bluegrass Farm Project Life Stamps

Also, the "today" stamp = true love! 

Bluegrass Farm Scrapbook Stamps

What are your thoughts on the digital stamps?

xox

Shanna

Project Life | process video with Bluegrass Kits

Since I started using the Collect app paired with Persnickety Prints, with my Studio Calico kits, the process is SO SO SO easy, anyone can do this. 30 mins tops on each layout. I wanted to share a little about my process and my thoughts behind how a layout comes together.

I love the idea of a Project Life Kit coming each month. The challenge of using up the kit before the next one comes really helps to keep me motivated. This month's Bluegrass Farm kit is so fun and playful!

As I mentioned in the video, I love how Pip worked so niecly with Project Life this month!

Some other supplies I used from the store: Today Letterpress | Tiny Attacher | Tiny Attacher Refill

See you soon!

xox

Shanna 

Bluegrass Project Life Haul

One of my favorite guilty pleasures is watching scrapbooking video's on YouTube. In fact I often blame Kate for my LOVE of scrapbooking, you see... all of her haul videos made me want to snatch up all those lovely goodies! So I thought it might be fun to make one with the Bluegrass kits from Studio Calico! In this video you will see bit and pieces (not the full kits) of Gertrude, Tabasco and Pip . I love love love how Pip goes so well with these kits! I have ALWAYS wanted Studio Calico to make an embellishment only add-on.. so excited it's here!!

Lucky for you Pip is still available!! Snatch it up while you can!

I will be back soon with my process video for Project Life! :) 

xox

Shanna

The one with People Magazine

Can I be totally annoying and brag about Jaden a little? For her last birthday she asked for money in lieu of presents to go to her favorite charity - Serve A Little - an organization run by her Uncle. When People magazine decided to feature Serve A Little in their magazine, Matthew asked Jaden to be a part of it... showing that really ANYONE can help!

I am so thankful for this little girl's heart. A week after she returned from Mexico, and now this.

Words can't express!!! 

xox

Shanna

Tutorial | Pinched Circles

Here is the truth friends. I have no idea what these circles are called, but doesn't pinched cirlces sounds like something you just need to try, yes I thought so too! :) These are super simple and add just a fun 3-d touch to your pages!

1. Use your favorite circle punch to cut out some circles. 2. "Pinch" the sides together to create the look you are going for. Then I flipped the circle over and measured the square it made on the backside of the circle. I used some cardstock to make a template the size of the square. 3. Cut out as many cirlces from all of your favorite pattern papers as you might need. 4. Use the square template and a bone folder to create all of your fun pinched circles. 5. Arrange in a playful manner on your page! *Tip* You can also use the square template to cut photos to go inside your adorable pinched circles. 

Here is my finished page 

The papers in the Bluegrass Farm kit from Studio Calico were just SO much fun to play with, and the woodgrain plastic alphas are the perfect addition to any page. 

So what do you say? Are you going to give it a try?

If you do, I would love to see and leave some love!

See you soon!

xox

Shanna

Video Tutorial | Using Digital Paper with your scrapbook Projects

I have a quick video tutorial on the Studio Calico blog for you! :) 

xox

Shanna

April Shop Picks

One of my favorite things about the kit reveal at Studio Calico is "sneaking" in before the kits go live to the subbers and stocking up on all my favorite basics. I love that Studio Calico is a one stop shop!

You can combine shipping with your kits anytime after MIDNIGHT EST tonight, but I like to fill up my cart before hand so I am ready to check out once the clock strikes MIDNIGHT EST (or 9:00 PST lol! ) So I wanted to share some things I think work super well with the kits, or fun things in the store I would grab before they are gone :) 

1. Gold Clips,: maybe I shouldn't be telling you this! I don't want them sold out but seriously this +  ANYTHING = perfection! I love how they just add that special touch to any project you are working on!

2. Buttons, oh glorious BUTTONS! I love that they come in an ombre of colors, and I LOVE it even more that these beauties are the PERFECT shades of pink! 

3. Mister Huey Inky Black... I have been using this A LOT this month, these beautiful colors with a splash of black is so much fun!

4. Color Theory Sequins pack, friends, have you seen the CORAL color in person? Because it is MAGICAL and I love it with the colors in the BESSIE add-on! 

5. Today Letterpress Card .. oh my cute. This whimsical card has stolen my heart! You can use it on your scrapbook pages, cards, or PL! (p.s. I used just a regular stamp pad on this card, I don't mind the imperfect look, and I love how easy that is!) 

6. Tiny Attacher Refills.. can I just admit something to you right now? I had a little panic attack when I couldn't find these in Michaels.. don't worry SC saves the day once again! P.S. If you don't already have a tiny attacher, .. it's life changing ;) 

7. Since I started scrapbooking I have become a pen snob. I admit it. You understand right? I was so happy when SC got the percision pens back in stock, my personal fave is .03! 

8. Molding Paste... You know what is the worst? When you open your molding paste to create something amazing and you find a dried out container! NOOOoooOOOO!!! So take it from me! Pick it up while you can! ;) 

So what are your shop picks for Apri?

What will you be picking up when the kits go live? 

xox

Shanna

washi crush wednesday

what? It's a thing.. right? No, let's make it one! 

believe me.. it's worth it.. 

see? totally worth it, right? 

I LOVE the B&W graphic element of this adorable WASHI tape in the TABASCO add-on this coming month at STUDIO CALICO! Kits go live TOMORROW for subbers and you can start filling your carts with goodies this evening! So many fun goodies in the shop, come back later today for my list! :) 

see you soon!

xox

Shanna

Bluegrass Farm Sneaks!

Ya! I am so excited to be back into the swing of things with Studio Calico! I wanted to share a couple sneaks I have from the Bluegrass Farm kits!

My projects were certainly inspired by the next class at Studio Calico, Mixed MEDIA!!!

I just couldn't wait to play! 

Which kits are you looking forward to picking up? 

xox shanna

A little weekend prep and a sneak a the cut files

Happy Saturday! I wanted to share with you (super quick)  as I prep for a little mixed media fun! 

Can you spy the cut files I designed for this class? I love them cut from the Hero Arts layering papers! 

Will I be seeing you in class? Here is more info for you if you are interested :) 

Talk to you soon!

xox

Shanna

oh my stars!!

Happy Thursday! I am a sucker for two things. 

1. stars.

2. metal dies that match stamp (I am a little late to the game on this one!) 

So when I saw this set from Studio Calico, I snatched it RIGHT up!

I just got this in the mail today so I wanted to gather up some star projects that inspire me! 

I love how Alex used color and the stars to create a focal point for this beautiful layout!

Oh my word... RAINBOW stars? Yes PLEASE! I love what Paperpilkitten did with this! 

Jil ROCKED the stars in such a unique way! 

So excited to start playing with these, did you order them? What are you plans?

Talk to you soon!

xox

Shanna

Let's MIX it up!!

With the NEW class at STUDIO calico I am wanting to try some new things. New techniques, new mediums, new COLORS, new words that inspire me, ... whatcha say? Are you with me? I started a Pinterest board to help us INSPIRE eachother as we gear up for this amazing class. Let's jump into class with a running start of where we want to take our skills. I am looking for contributors for my board on Pinterest to help us inspire eachother to TRY new things in the coming weeks. If you would like to join me (I would just love to have you) please follow the board here and leave a message with your Pinterest link :)

Mixed Media Class

Hiya friends! Thank you so much for stopping by! My poor neglected blog, it's time to get her working again! Today I am SUPER excited to be talking with you about the NEWEST class at Studio Calico- MIXED MEDIA with two of the most inspiring people in our community!

Celine Navarro

and 

Anna- Maria

Mixed Media is something that inspiring me, and what I love about it is that there is always something NEW to try, and that is exactly what I want to do in this class, TRY ALL THE THINGS!

YAY! I love a sale a Studio Calico! Here are some goodies I will be picking up for the class

Anything with a roller = exactly what I need! Pick these up first! 

I seriously love this stencil! Hello beautiful bold alpha! Yes please hop in my cart!

My gel medium is all used up so I am super happy to be able to pick some up at SC! 

People.. it's like MAGIC in a bottle,... seriously! 

Also while I was shopping I found THIS BEAUTY!!!! BE STILL MY HEART!

I will try to leave some for you guys.. but seriously HOW CUTE ARE THESE!?!?!

Lisa asked me to make a printable for this class, and I have to tell you...

 I had a TON of fun making these cuties!

So, whatcha say? Will you be joining us for this fun class?

 If you haven't already signed up, do so HERE

Oh! Oh I almost forgot! I am starting a Pinterest Board for all sorts of inspiration! Let's inspire eachother! If you would like to contribute, please let me know by leaving a link to your Pinterest profile in the comments. You have to be following me for me to add you, you can find me here . Just a couple things I will be adding as we speak.. 

I LOVE this MINI from Mimi, so playful!

and 

This beauty from Christin I LOVE how she uses COLOR!

talk to you soon!

xox

P.S. It's good to be back!