free is good.

one of the many reasons for which I love jessica sprague is that she gives free classes.

they aren’t dinky, little information free classes, the things I get/learn from these classes are some of the things that I use all. the. time.

these free classes are also a great way for you “newbies to all things digital” to start out in this most awesome digital world.

(and you know who you are!!!)

so go.  sign up now.

(I already have!!)

the most perfect monday.

maybe it’s because I am finally back to the land of the living, maybe it’s because it’s clean house monday, maybe it’s because peyton went to her very first tumbling class this morning (and loved it!), maybe it’s the weather (perfect open window weather, plus a thunderstorm that turned into a snow storm), maybe it has something to do with beachy/summery new product at jessicasprague?

(click on layout for full credits)

or maybe it’s because there’s a groupon for a rockin’ deal on classes at jessicasprague?

(perfect beginner classes!)

I don’t know.

it’s probably a combination of all the above I would guess.

here’s your friendly reminder..

it starts today, the whole store is one sale and those classes…  those self-paced classes!!!  buy them up now, at 20% off, who can say no?  too busy to do them now?  do them later, that is why they are self-paced!!

my most favorite aspect about jessica’s classes are that the information is yours FOREVER. 

so say you take this one “photo editing” class, you love it, and when you go to use some of your newly acquired skills, you forget one step.  you think you know what it is, but you aren’t sure..

you can go back, access your class information, read it again, or watch the video..

it is still there for you.

forever and ever and ever.

awesome.

can’t tell you how many times i have gone back to the MNAY classes i have taken there to re-fresh this old brain of mine.

(i blame it on the lasting effects of having a placenta (or three) that once resided in my uterus and sucked all functioning brain cells from my noggin.

(just a theory, mind you.)

so you go there, i probably will too, and have a good day!

(now i am off to get my chores done so i really can play.  it feels like a hybrid day today.)

Mouse Paper Scissors

Holy lovefest!

I signed up for this class, needing to get my butt  back in my craft room, and oooh howdy!  Has it ever!

I am loving it!

(Hence the lovefest..)

It is so much more than just creating the assignments, it is getting me back in touch with me.  It is about loving what I can do, learning how to do it better, and learning how to do more.

It has even gotten me excited to do things that have been on my list (on my table or in my sewing bin) for months.

Good, creative energy.

LOVE IT.

(Have I said that yet?)

Just a little of what we have been doing:

I have been a crazy card making lady..

They provided us with this darling template that I have been using digitally, but plan to use traditionally as well.

We also have fun envelope templates.

This card was made with all Crystal Wilkerson’s “Sweet Summertime” stuff. 

I used “Lobster” font on the little label there.

Add in some sanding, “Broken China” distress ink (that I hunted all over for..  helloooo, it is turquoise..), staples, dimensional foam adhesive and good old glue dots.

Isn’t it cute?

Then there’s my cute observations notebook..

We made the cover in class using Daily Junque paper by House of Three for Pink Paislee.

(Early release of this paper just for this class = I feel cool.)

I also fell in love with glimmer mist from Tattered Angels.

(I went and bought three more bottles of it.)

(One of those colors are turquoise.)

(It is an obsession.)

I love how it says “Think Positive Today”.

I so need that!

And then there’s my newest, most favorite tool..

The Martha Stewart scoring board.

AWESOME.

If you love making cards, or paper crafts of any type, get yourself a coupon, go to JoAnn’s or Michaels and buy one.

Today.

 

It really does make life easier. 

I have always used my Fiskars trimmer with the scoring blade on it, I love this so much more!!  I haven’t torn paper once scoring it.  That bone folder comes in handy too.

Right now I am working on a fun (but secret) project, and loving every minute of it!

When this class comes around again (because it had better, it is that good!) jump on it.  Register for it the second you can.  You do not want to miss out on this!

More in Store Monday.

Just a smattering of the new goodies available today at Jessica Sprague.

First up, “Essential Masks v. 3” from Carina Gardner.

Other credits for this page:

Papers & accents:  Carina Gardner “Affection: Mega Kit”.

Font: Antipasto.

New from Splendid Fiins:

“Think Spring Borders”

 

Other Credits for this page:

Paper: “Brilliants” Splendid Fiins.

Staple: Crystal Wilkerson

Photo Frame: Brush from Deviantart.

Font: Firefly Castle.

(I just discovered some awesome staples, and other office supply essentials of Splendid Fiins here.  Love these!)

This layout features products entirely from “In The Making Design”.

“Moments” papers and elements.

Template: “It’s a Start – Templates 2”.

quite excited to get started on my new class this week too.  I got my kit in the mail this last week..

Look at how fun!

All tied up with that darling welcome tag..  all of that fun stuff!  Who wouldn’t be excited?

Did you sign up for Mouse, Paper, Scissors?

Love is in the air…

Valentine’s day is on it’s way, so is Easter, apparently.  I saw Easter candy right next to the Valentine’s stuff at the store the other day..
But further proof that Valentine’s is coming, and is really first is evident in the product available today at Jessica Sprague.
Let’s start off with new templates from Liv…

She designed these with those project 365ers, 52ers, or 12ers in mind.  They also come in 8 & 1/2 x 11 size.
Other credits:
Liv's "Not Quite White" paper pack.
Liv's "Paint Play Swishes" paper pack.
Carina Gardner's "Santa's Sleigh Stamps".
Queen of Quirk "Reindeer Games" accents.
Ric-rack from Splendid Fiins "Feedsack elements 2 Pack".
Font used: “My Type of Font”.
Then there is more splendidness from Splendid Fiins…
First up: these lovely frames..

Other credits:
Paper from Splendid Fiins "Brilliant" collection.
Ric-rack and zig-zag stitching from "Feedsack 2 Elements" (also Splendid Fiins).
White border stitching from "Sew Crafty: Messy Stitches vol. 1" (Splendid Fiins).
And then this lovely quick page from the same lovely designer:

So easy.  Plug in your pix, add your text and ta-da!!  So cute…
Fonts: “Veteran Typewriter” and “Never Let Go”.
The lovely lettering in this one comes from Echo Park.

Other credits:
"Be Mine" papers from Echo Park.
Elements from Echo Park's "Be Mine" element pack #1.
Stitching from Splendid Fiins "Sew Crafty: Messy Stiching vol. 1".
Staple from Crystal Wilkerson's "November Eye Candy".
That stitched banner was created using a single stitch brush I happily added to my arsenal of brushes when I took Jessica’s “Brushabilities” class.  That is the only way to get it, and it is well worth it!  Great class to take to learn or just enhance your learning of the PhotoShop brush tool.
(Here’s the link to that class.)
Font: Veteran Typewriter.

FREE class!!!

Jessica Sprague is offering a free class!!

(Are you even more excited now that you know who it is that is offering the FREE CLASS?)
It’s gonna be awesome..
And did I mention free?
It is for everyone and anyone, not just digi scrappers, but anyone who loves to craft or create.
(And anyone who happens to love FREE stuff.)
(Or who might just happen to love Jessica Sprague..  maybe as much as I do.)
I will be playing, so come and play along with me!

Last week of class. :(

I have truly loved the class I have been taking.  It was so nice to have a group of people, all learning the same things I was, able to comment and give insight into what you were trying to do.  There was a gallery for each assignment plus a practice gallery.  She even gave out creative assignments, which I didn’t do many of..  they weren’t required. ;)
The last few assignments are here:
Manual:
I submitted this:

But should have submitted this instead:

I just COULDN”T submit a picture of birds over my girls..  technically, it wasn’t 100% correct, but I loved it more than the birds, which was spot on.
She told me what I should have done differently with the shot to have it turn out so I could see their faces more clearly, but I was just snapping away at the gulls to the other side of me (the side in the sun) and the settings were metered correctly for that, then I saw these cuties, and I turned and started snapping away.  She gave me good instruction, that I already knew I needed to do that differently if I were to stop and adjust all my settings, but also praised my composition.  They are walking into the frame, their shadows are angled toward me which is more pleasing to the eye..  the shutter speed was also fast enough (thanks to those darn gulls) that every detail of them, even Ashley’s hair blowing, is frozen perfectly.  The lighting being off was the biggest deal to me.
Focus:

I have yet to hear about this assignment…
Light:

I had to laugh at our assignment a little..
We learned all about different types of lighting and how to compensate for different lighting conditions.  For this assignment, we were assigned to take our picture indoors, using indoor lighting.  Now I was laughing, because 2 of my assignments were done indoors.  We were supposed to use outdoor lighting for all the others, but with our weather plus my uncooperative subjects….  that didn’t happen.  It really wasn’t a challenge to me..  I am still waiting to hear what she has to say.
Composition:

This was a hard assignment to decide what to submit.  There were many that I was happy with from my little bribed session with the girls.  I had Merrill look through the gallery of submitted photographs to help me decide which one to turn in.  We both were pretty set on this one from the beginning.  I am still waiting to hear about this one too.
It was a fun class!  I can’t wait for another and another, and another.
In the mean time, I found a book written specifically for my camera model, that I have already learned new things reading.
I just love to learn!

Lessons..

I have been taking an online class in photography for a week now.
I have had two mandatory assignments, which I have learned a lot from.  I find myself applying the things taught to me in my everyday snapping.
Lesson 1 was all about shutter speed.
One taken at a slow speed:
And another taken at a fast speed: The second lesson was all about aperture.
Closed aperture: Open aperture:
I cant wait to be all the way off auto!

March 26th..

Took a trip today..

To the local craft store that is.
There were things that I really, genuinely needed, and then, well.. 
There were just those things that caught my eye (and my heart) and they came home with me.
I know I have PLENTY of projects that are in the works (or just being dreamed of; the parts in bags or in bins, or on shelves), but I have a few more waiting now with them..
Loved these colors!  And yes, some are for projects to be completed before tomorrow..  at least before school tomorrow. ;)
I just can’t seem to pass up a polka dot, ya know?

I really needed ALL of these..
You might laugh out loud if you hear how many spoolS of thread I went through on Saturday..

Hi, I’d like for you to meet my sweet tooth. 
Sweets are a necessity for crafting..  these are new and I am excited to try them!

Hellloooo to this color!


Been using a lot of elastic lately too..  for SOME reason..

And I think it’s safe to say that I buy all the large ric-rac trim they have every time I am there..

And yarn…
*Sigh..*
My night time/bedtime relaxation hobby..
I already have two projects going..  dreaming of more can’t hurt, can it?

I also got into a photography class that I have been anxiously waiting for since last year, when the class filled up extremely fast.  It was quite a joyous moment when I got in last night..  it also helped that I set various alarms on my cell phone and sat at the computer 10 minutes before enrollment even opened, clicking the “refresh” button repeatedly. :)
I did give a good cheer for all to hear when I was successful.

Silly me..

I did this last night for my homework challenge of "putting it all together"..
I was so excited about it, yet I forgot to post it!!!
Four techniques I have learned this far:
- using brushes as erasers to distress
- making custom embellishments
- creating custom shapes
- creating grungy/distressed photo masks
The only elements on this page that I DID NOT make were the notebook paper, the stitching, and the staples.
I made the paper.
This is so cool!!

New classes..

Jessica Sprague is one crafty little devil...
As soon as I finish one class, she sends me a coupon for another class..
Crafty I say...
This one is all about the brush tool in PhotoShop. I am waaaaaaay behind on my classes, but I will show you why as soon as my editing little fingers can. :)
Here's the first three days worth of homework:

Day one, step one:

Day one, step two:

Day two, text + chalk:

Day three, I can't even remember...
But I can do stuff like this, save it as a png. and use it on my layouts! :)
Something, something, distressed..
I am tired..

Collages..

Sadly our lessons for this class end today. :(
I haven't done today's lesson yet.. I am dragging it out as long as I can!
Here is yesterday's project:

Storyboards..

Day 12 has brought yet another invaluable technique..
Storyboards.
I think I might just enter the throes of depression when this class ends..

Day 11..

Today's lesson was on selective coloring.
I had already figured out another way to achieve this look, but she taught a new way, that is much easier as far as being able to edit your mistakes at the same time.
Like I have said a gazillion times before: she makes it so easy and so fun!

Homework is SO fun!

The only homework that I ever remember really loving to do, was art class. Maybe that's why I love this class so much!
I had some catching up to do, and I was looking forward to doing it..
So here goes!


And now, onto the quilt, again...

TTV challenge..

Lesson for the day was TTV. For the challenge, we were to combine many things that we have learned already.
I highly suggest Jessica Sprague for all your self-paced online class needs..
Seriously, she's awesome!
She really knows her stuff, has awesome tutorials, a community that answers questions for you, many MANY references for where to go to find the best in everything digi..
She makes it fun!
Best of all, every class you ever sign up for and take (which a lot are free, by the way..) will be available to you, FOREVER.
Endless, awesome information, there, for you, FOREVER!
I am loving it..
Can you tell?

Takin' a break..

From unpicking the quilt.. I am really developing a love/hate relationship with that thing.
I love the colors in it, and the fact that it will dress-up a big girl bed..
I HATE that it is not working the way I hoped it would..
Oh, well..
So I am giving my eyes and fingers (and scissors) a much needed break, and doing some homework. :)

Hand tinting and mask clipping:


Textures/overlays:

Textures/overlays + frame:


I love all that I am learning!!
And someday, that blasted quilt will be done..