I had created this file to show off layering and in the process I played with turning one of the layers into a piercing line. I really do love using piercing as a subtle accent. It becomes an unexpected textural surprise on the card.
The first Pazzles University Virtual Retreat is now behind us. I think I am over the exhaustion phase and after reflecting on it, I know it was a success! It is always fun to see someone go from hesitant to gung-ho over the course of two days.
In many ways, the Pazzles Craft Room is similar to your own craft area. It is an ever-changing space that occasionally needs remodeling. As you acquire more supplies, you need to shift things around to accommodate them. You also may need to add a new cabinet, or something to make the place more functional. In the Craft Room we do the same thing. Occasionally we need to step back and ask ourselves if there isn't a better way to store or organize what we already have.
If you are a fan of my Facebook page you already know that I am going on the trip of a lifetime to Israel. I only have a short time left before my husband and I board the plane to New York and on to Tel Aviv! We are going with a group from our church and I have been marking maps and learning history, locations, and topography. I hope I get college credit for all this work. :) Now the question is, "How do I save those memories, keep track of the memorabilia and actually finish a scrapbook of this trip?"
One of the hot trends we noticed this year at the CHA trade show is the idea of scrapbooking with pocket pages. Many companies introduced divided page protectors and small journaling cards that fit into the pockets. The idea is that you slip your 3x5 photos into the page protector, add a journaling card and an embellished title card and you have quickly completed a page.
Preparations for our first Pazzles Cruise are well under way and we are narrowing down our choices for the 2013 Pazzles Retreats. We have had a lot of questions concerning the difference between a cruise, a retreat, and a mini-retreat. We have been asked what we teach and what skill levels we address. I will be happy to explain what occurs at each type of event. These will adapt and change over time as we learn more, because you are our teachers as much as we are yours.
Happy New Year from all of us at Pazzles! We want to thank all our loyal Pazzles friends for blessing us with a wonderful 2012. 2013 marks the 10th year since we introduced the computerized electronic cutting system to the Scrapbooking and Paper Crafting community. We knew then that our cutting system was going to revolutionize the way we cut paper. What we could not have known was how our lives would be changed by all the amazing people we have met along the way.
We announced on Tuesday that in the spirit of the election, you could nominate some ideas for cutting files for next week's release and vote on your favorites. Here's the poll!
Christine is on vacation this week and you know what they say: "When the cat's away, the mice will play!" We've taken over today's Just Chatting post to have a little fun. Today is election day in the United States and Americans will be heading to the polls. After you vote for a President, come to the Craft Room to vote for new images. That's right—we are giving you the chance to select next week's new image releases. Tell us what you want in today's comments section and we'll select 10 nominees and announce them on Thursday here on the blog. You will have the chance to vote for your favorite and the top 3 winners will appear in the new cutting files next week. Today, leave a comment with your nomination and let us know what you want.
Have you seen an image you loved but didn't know what to use it for? Have you ever wanted to put together a project but didn't know how to pull all the pieces together? I would guess that most of us can answer those questions with a resounding "Yes!" We all struggle with designing from time to time. It is the reason why we are attracted to paper lines that coordinate and stamp sets with several pieces. They help us envision what the next step in the creative process will be. That is why beginning this Friday, we are adding a new category in the Craft Room Library called Collections.
Have you ever met a person and knew you were going to hit it off with them right away? After the first day with Michelle we all knew she was the perfect person to be the new Pazzles Craft Editor. She has only been here for three weeks but she is already generating new enthusiasm and ideas into the Craft Room.
'Take time to smell the roses.' 'Remember the moments.' I think we all know what those phrases mean but do we really, really ever apply them to our own lives? Yesterday, I was reminded several times what it means to take delight in simple things.
Most of the time we fly in the afternoon before the show or retreat and head home right after it ends. We see the airport, the meeting room and our hotel room and that is all. Often we don't even go outside the during the three days we are there. This time Klo and I decided to stay an extra day in Washington D.C. and create our own adventure!
What are some inexpensive ways to ramp up your photography skills, put your camera to good use, and start capturing some super shots for your next scrapbooking project? What are some photography techniques that have worked well for you?
We want to extend a special invitation to all of our fabulous Pazzles customers. Join Klo and I on a cruise to the Caribbean, February 10–16, 2013! We will be teaching classes on the days at sea and then you can play on the days at port. You can even join Klo or I in an activity if you want! Of course we won't begrudge you time with your special someone either. After all, they are going to treat you to this romantic Valentine's cruise, right?
Recently I asked my Facebook fans for ideas to do with my five grandchildren ages 2 to 9. I got a lot of wonderful ideas from them! (If you want to see more ideas 'Like' my Facebook page.) One of the projects was to make soap in the microwave. It was such a success that I couldn't wait to tell the Pazzles office staff about it. Eventually I concluded that a demo was in order so I packed up the supplies and brought it all to our Pazzles kitchen.
Recently my mother gave me Grandma's jewelry boxes filled with her costume jewelry. What a walk down memory lane! My mom thought the grandkids would like to play with them but I am not really ready to part with these treasures yet. The big question for me is: What do I hold on to and what do I let go? I know that I cannot keep every piece, but it is so hard to decide. Have any of you faced this dilemma? Any ideas on how to chronicle these treasures?
There is a fresh face in the front office here at Pazzles. Kendall has been with us about a month and is already proving herself to be invaluable. I have really enjoyed working with her; she is always ready to do what ever I need with efficiency and cheerfulness. If you are going to the Chantilly retreat, you may have already spoken to her on the phone. I think she is a perfect addition to the Pazzles family.
Have you ever been working on a project and wished you had someone to guide you? Maybe you are struggling with color combinations or how to use a printed paper. You might be trying a new product or technique and can't seem to make it work. Recently, I was faced with that challenge when I decided to try digital scrapbooking.
I feel so blessed to be able to meet all of the wonderful people who own our Pazzles cutters. I have been going to Scrapbook Conventions, CHA and, most recently, retreats for 12 years now! Over the years I have been able to see some of you every year. My one sorrow in not doing conventions anymore was not getting to see my wonderful friends. Now, we have the Pazzles Craft Room! One of the things I love the most about this community of people are the friendships that are being forged.
Over the holidays my husband and I went to a Chalk Art contest in the park. It included professional artists and amateur categories of all ages. Some of the designs were amazing in detail and design. Others were fun and whimsical or just plain weird. The children's designs were colorful and sweet.
Beginning today we are going to have a new blog on Thursdays. Just Chatting is going to be an opportunity for you to get to know us here at Pazzles a bit more personally. We also want to get to know you better.
Once again we have exciting news to share with all of you. We have added another member to our family here at Pazzles, please meet David! David has joined me in the technical support dept, and is extending his knowledge and experience working in the software industry to help support all of you.