Prima Mixed Media Canvas Album

Good morning!

As I type this, I'm taking in a beautiful view of the Yaquina Bay in Newport, Oregon. My husband and I are in town for Easter and then heading to Portland tomorrow to see my side of the family. It is absolutely GORGEOUS today and finally feeling like spring. :)

Well, I have another Mad Scrapper class project to share. I'm teaching this class on April 11th and if you were there for my Prima album class last year, you'll be quite familiar with how to decorate this one. :)

This chunky little mini album that I made using one of Prima's mixed media canvas albums, Engraver paper line, chipboard pieces, and flowers. These canvas albums are amazing and feature a fun resist pattern on the front and back. I chose this particular album because it seemed to fit the Engraver line quite perfectly.

Engraver is perfect for masculine projects. It's a rich, monochromatic line with strong black, brown, and tan hues. :) Most of my students love color in their projects, so it was a blessing in disguise when we found out Prima was out of the Engraver Mini Rose Stems. We ended up getting them in a different line that included the pretty pink and turquoise colors you see above! Here's a couple more sneak peeks:

Thanks for looking! And wherever you are, I hope you have a wonderful weekend. If you celebrate Easter, I hope you have a beautiful Resurrection Day and a great time with your loved ones. 

P.S. - If you find yourself with an excess amount of Cadbury bunny eggs, I know someone who can help relieve you. ;)

--------------CLASS INFO----------------

Date:      Thursday, April 11th, 2013
Time:     6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Place:     The Mad Scrapper
               1590 NW Gilman Boulevard
                   Issaquah, WA 98027 (just 15 minutes east of Seattle)
Call:       425-427-8871

Bring: Your basic tool kit, Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, and Black Soot Distress Ink, Glimmer Mist in Roll Top Desk, craft mat. If you don't have Roll Top Desk, a light brownish red, gold, or rose-colored mist can work, too!

**Can't come but you'd like a kit? Click here to pre-order a kit online. If you don't see the kit yet or if you have questions, feel free to call The Mad Scrapper directly at 425-427-8871. Thank you!

Keep in touch!

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Graphic 45 Design Team 2013 Audition

Hello there!

I am THRILLED to share my audition for Graphic 45's illustrious 2013 design team. It's a long shot, but hey - a girl has all right to dream, right? :)

This past year has been such a blast. From my first audition last March, I feel like I've grown so much. Emotionally, spiritually ... and definitely as a designer. I owe a huge part of that growth and creativity to Carolyn and Kathy from The Mad Scrapper. These ladies took a chance on me and gave me the wonderful opportunity to design and teach classes at their store in the greater Seattle area. In doing so, I've been able to create a few projects with the latest Graphic 45 papers and Staples and not to mention, I've also been able to meet some pretty amazing women who I now call friends! ;)

Most of the projects I'm sharing are projects that I designed and taught - so if I ever made that lucky team, I know I'd be over the moon getting to teach *everyone* some new projects and designs!!

Well, I won't waste anymore time - so I'll start off by sharing my latest Graphic 45 creation: A mini album made with Graphic 45's new large tag album and beautiful Secret Garden paper line! This is probably my favorite Graphic 45 project that I designed for The Mad Scrapper. I love romantic colors, flowers, vintage themes and of course tags, so it was very fun to create.

Next up, French Country. Who didn't fall in love with this line at Winter CHA? I was so excited when the ladies called me from California, asking me how much extra paper I'd like to order for my mini album/organizer class. :) "Um, a lot?"

One thing I try to do with Graphic 45, is when I see an image or a pattern that is so unique, I try to use that as a focal point for a project. Like the arc on my cover below; it was so striking and stately, that it begged to be fussy-cut from the Rendezvous paper. 

Then, we have a 12" x 12" calendar album I made with Place In Time. I'll admit, this was a stretch for me as I'm not a layout person. But ... I always love to challenge myself, so it was fun trying to think up how I wanted each page to look. Below are my favorite months from the project:

When I first saw sneak peeks of Bird Song, I got so excited and immediately thought of ideas on what I could do with the paper. Well, I have this tendency of changing my mind sometimes at the last minute. Not because I'm trying to be difficult, but because the paper just, well, inspires you to do something beyond what you first imagined! 

With Bird Song, I remember laying all the pieces out on the table at The Mad Scrapper and reveling at how beautiful they were. Then I thought how my previous idea just wasn't right. That's when I noticed my papers making a fan shape on the table and well, the idea to make a fan album was born!

And then there's Ladies Diary. I loved this line so much! Again, the pretty, romantic colors and flowers are so my kind of style. But I wanted this journal to feel a little aged and worn, so I distressed the edges using a combination of ink and Breakfast Blend coffee. ;)

Happy Haunting is the nicest Halloween line I've ever seen! I'm not hugely into Halloween, but this line was a must have. I taught this class months before Halloween, but we still had a pretty packed house! I was so excited to use Happy Haunting along with Graphic 45's altered kraft box. The ladies even learned how to make the super funky but simple flower on top. ;)

Steampunk Debutante. An oldie, but goodie. Some of my students are big into steampunk so I wanted to challenge myself last summer by making a project that not only used steampunk imagery, but had a bit of functionality to it as well. For this project, I made a "radio" out of chipboard that folded out to reveal a mini album. In the last picture, the Victorian lady's arm is actually attached with a brad so it has a hinge effect. 

Next is a little shadow box that I decorated with Little Darlings paper. Since I made this for a real nursery, I wanted to keep the embellishments and details simple, yet precious. 

I don't make cards very often, but when I do, they're always chunky! Here are some that I made for Mother's Day using another oldie but goodie, On The Boardwalk. 

I think of all of Graphic 45's lines, Tropical Travelogue is my favorite! While I love pastels, romantic designs, and really feminine patterns, I also love rich and vibrant tropical hues. Maybe it's because I've lived in the Pacific Northwest my whole life, and every time I see some sunshine-y paper, it makes me feel like I'm sitting under the sun. ;) 

This is a children's book I made last year with Tropical Travelogue. I spent hours fussy cutting little jungle leaves and flowers and just got lost in the whole process! I keep telling myself I'm going to make another one someday. And then life happens. ;)

Finally, I'd love to end my audition with my first project that I designed for The Mad Scrapper. It's another mini album using Tropical Travelogue, but it's special to me just because it marked the beginning of a new season in my life. I also used Graphic 45's fun metal hinges and flower Staples. 

Well, that is all, ladies and gents! Thank you kindly for your time reviewing my audition! And thank you so much to all my sweet blog friends and visitors who visit my site. I am so grateful for your encouragement! As I near my two year anniversary in papercrafting, I can honestly say it's been the hugest gift and such a wonderful blessing in my life. Whatever your craft, whether it's papercrafting, stamping, or beading, I hope you continue to pour your heart into your work. There is so much joy in creativity!!

Many hugs,

Maria

Secret Garden Tag Album Class 3/28

Well, it's definitely a Graphic 45 kind of month for me. ;) First it was a French Country mini album/organizer, and now it's a Secret Garden project!

I've been dying to use G45's latest Staple - the large tag album. For those of you who are more 12" x 12" scrapbookers, a 4" x 8" tag album may seem anything but large, but for those like me who thrive in smaller spaces, it is just the right size!

I've been insanely busy. So much, that I've been panicking about meeting deadlines for work-related items, bride-to-be's, and of course, The Mad Scrapper. Yesterday, I begged God to help me start and finish my Secret Garden project this weekend (versus the several days it normally takes) - and instead, I got it done in 6 hours!! That NEVER happens, my friends! I should ask Him for help more often, huh? :)

So the tag album comes with 6 individual tags and a beautiful large copper binder ring. We'll cover each side of the tag album and create little pockets for your best-kept secrets, memories, or photos. I have a feeling we'll get a lot accomplished in class in terms of covering the pages. 

After all is said and done, this will be a pretty hefty little album. I love to pop things up so despite the 6 tags, it will feel like you have 30 once you're finished. :)

And that's it, friends! Thanks so much for looking and have a fantastic, creatively-filled week.

--------------CLASS INFO----------------

Date:      Thursday, March 28th, 2013
Time:     6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Place:     The Mad Scrapper
               1590 NW Gilman Boulevard
                   Issaquah, WA 98027 (just 15 minutes east of Seattle)
Call:       425-427-8871

Bring: Your basic tool kit, postage stamp edge scissors, Picket Fence Distress Stain, Stickles in the following colors: yellow, copper, and light pink (I used Ice Stickles in Coffee Ice), craft mat, and heat tool.

A French Country Affair - 3/14 Class

Hi there!

I wanted to share my latest class project for The Mad Scrapper: a mini album/organizer using Graphic 45's beautiful French Country line.

French Country is so rich and stunning! The papers are just perfect for a home decor project. However, I did not have a fun item for the class to alter, so I opted for a project that could still count in the "home decor" department - an organizer that you can keep on your fireplace mantle or in your kitchen!

In this class, we'll make plenty of pockets to put laundry lists. 

I'll also show you how to make these pretty envelopes! Just another place for all your to-do lists. 

--------------CLASS INFO----------------

The class and kits have sold out. However, you can still contact The Mad Scrapper directly at admin@madscrapper.com to order the instructions and photos. 
Date:      Thursday, March 14th, 2013
Time:     6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Place:     The Mad Scrapper
Call:       425-427-8871