polka dot chicks

I Know!!!!

I know its time to get to bloggin when I have chicks in class tell me that I need to update the blog.

So here it goes...

First, a big thanks goes out to our students from Lickety Squared on Saturday. I appreciate all of you and your patience with my added helper. Teaching alone can be a challenge in itself but, adding my little Koop to the mix was a recipe for disaster. But, with all of you being such great sports about it and rolling with it, it all turned out wonderful. He loved getting to be there and was very sad to have to leave with Daddy. When he got home he called me to ask me when i was going to be home because he missed me. He really did much better then I thought he would, all thanks to you chicks!

Second, to all you "52" class chicks...are you getting excited about starting your book? I am so excited. I have been having to hold myself back. I want to start now.

for those of you who weren't able to come to class let me catch you up. In my December Stop the Press class I taught a 52 week challenge book. I have been wanting to do one for years and finally did it. I figured that 2010 was a cool time to do it. It really is a big deal to be going into a double digit year (we make a big deal out of turning 10 at our house, you wont change digits again unless you make it to 100)

So every week I will be posting, here on the blog a thought, picture, quote or whatever creative thing that inspires me.

If you would like to see the book I will post pictures tomorrow. I thought I had saved them but, I was wrong. So I will take some today and post them.

I do have a limited amount of kits left from class, if you are interested to buying one let me know.

my email is amytotty@mchsi.comthe price of the kit is $40.00 and it includes the shipping. Sorry we don'y have pay pal or our etsy shop set up yet. We are aiming to have it up and running in the beginning of the year.`

I found them.... this is the books front cover

this is the inside and spine   

the pages are a fold out accordions  
  

THANKFUL

We are so appreciative of all the friends we have met because of scrapbooking.  There have been so many of you that have touched our lives, and certainly made them better.  We are grateful that our family puts up with our crazy creations, kitting and over-loaded kitchen tables that often aren't big enough to eat on.  We are thankful for our good health, jobs, great kids and hot hubbies!  :)

THANKS to each of you for supporting us and allowing us to share our creations and thoughts.  You are the best.  Hopefully you too will be enjoying your Thanksgiving with close friends and family.  And once everyone has been fed, the dishes done, conversation has ended and you are feeling antzy...head over to Scrapbooks Etc between 6 and 9 pm on Thanskgiving to start your holiday shopping early...20% off your entire purchase, 25% off one items, lots of goodies to eat, lots of ideas displayed and you can even get a photo with the jolly ole' guy himself...NO...NOT Mr Bazzill, Santa Claus! 

Santa's Elves are pooped...

but each of us made it through class.  A BIG shout out to everyone who joined Amy and I for the annual workshop.  Each of you made the class a lot of fun.  :)  It is always so nice seeing friends and making new ones.  THANKS to those of you who joined us.  And to Judith; April; Dana; and Karen &  her two buddies who couldn't be in class with us,  who took a chance on us crazy girls.  One of Karen's friends just had a hysterectomy and that is why she wasn't in class...she was cute though, she was talking to Karen by cell phone after class was over and she had been released from the hospital this afternoon and was ready for Karen to drop off her kit so she could get started on her projects.  :)  A fellow addict and we love her!  April, thanks for sharing the chocolate to keep us all motivated!  That was "sweet" of you and everyone benefited from your kindness.

And we must give a shout out to our friend, Arlene R who got a cute n sassy hair cut that really is aDorable.  You looked gReat chick.  :)

Chris C, bless you...you were TONS of help and your teaching experience is evident.  :)

Here's hoping that you all had as much fun as we did.  Each one of you are the reason we do what we do.

Gosh, I wish Ms. Claus  lived here to run my bath water and bring me an ice cold diet pepsi while I am soaking away in the tub.  Guess I will have to fend for myself.

Love and good cheer chicks,

Kelli

:)

{UPDATED}The elves are busy...

preparing for Santa's Workshop which is less than 2 weeks away!  YIKES, November 14th from 10:30-4:30 we will be helping you prepare for the upcoming holiday.  We will be busy-busy creating: 12 cards; 6 gift tags; an adorable wall hanging; a fabric covered bulletin board (fabrics will vary) complete with a pocket and push pins; a treat from the kitchen; mini framed quotes; and an easy centerpiece.  This year's gifts will be easier than ever to recreate at home.  There are only 10   8 7  5 2 spots left(as of 11/3 /09) (MAKE THAT 11/9/09), so if you were waiting to use your November coupon...November is here! 

Here is a sneak peek at the fabric bulletin board.  We have selected several fabric color combos, so there is lots of variety!

I had to photograph the board outside since my flash is broken...so no, I don't keep this outside {giggle}.

Love this new fabric that we now carry at Scrapbooks, Etc.  Have you seen it yet?  Bolts and bolts of "to die for" goods; oodles of patterns and books; lots of quilting tools and accessories; and thread to match in several awesome colors. 

The decorative  thumb tacks are hard to see, but there is a vintage button, a tulle flower, a blinged out Bazzill flower, a polka dotted brad, and a blinged Bazzill Chip. 

There is a pocket at the bottom to tuck in extra items to help keep them handy.  And who can't use a cute bulletin board in their home or office?  WHile it will make the perfect gift...you may just want to keep it for yourself once you create it!  Come prepared to make one in class and to buy the supplies to make another if you fall in love with em like we did!

Consider making a coordinating magnetic frame.  Great for leaving little notes, displaying photos or quotes, or just plain ole decoration.  I am taking this one to the store to advertise Jenaye's Junque. If you haven't already checked it out...head on over to http://www.jenayesjunque.blogspot.com/ and tell her that Amy and Kelli sent you!  :)

 

What will $300 buy these days?

Well...if you like crafting, scrapbooking and deals, it will buy boxes of "goodies" purged from my stash!  This go round I have tools, ribbon, trims, flowers, buttons, brads, and other "have to haves"!  The tools include: an oval Creative Memories cutter - never used (imagine that!) and a Photo Max cutter used by photographers.   Some of the supplies are in bulk and others are one-ies and two-sies.

Great for a crafting junkie or group of junkies looking to increase their stash!  Last go-round two local chicks purchased the lot and split it up between them.  Thanks T & V!  :)

If you are interested in becoming the new owner(s) of these goods, please email me at scrapy101@cox.net.  Don't delay...it went fast last time!

Kelli

A HUGE polkadotted Thanks

A HUGE polka dotted thanks to all of the chicks who attended the polka dot party yesterday. I had a great time and I hope that you all did too! It was so nice to get to see old friends and make new ones. The chicks here in South Africa are "amazing" We were able to finish 4 dbl page spreads, have 2 tea times, a lunch, plus a bonus dbl spread all in about 7 hours. That Rocks!

The donations of extra fabric, felt, thread and other sewing notions was over whelming. The ladies at The  Heartfelt Project are going to be so excited to see all of the new things they are getting. Your generosity was amazing. Thanks again for spending the time to find misc items for them to use.

I am very sad to leave this wonderful country tomorrow but was touched by all that I have met. Thank you for making my trip to South Africa such a special one. I keep saying it was a trip of a lifetime. I just have been blessed to be able to now have 4 trips of a lifetime and hope to continue to have more.

Much love-Amy

I made it!

Well Chickies, I made it to South Africa...12 hours, a different airline and a nights stay in Houston later I made it.  It is a pretty long story but I will try and give you a brief recap.

We took off from Houston heading for Paris...all was well. About an hour into the flight the captain comes on the intercom and says ( in french first) that he has discovered a leak and we are loosing hydraulic fluid. So we are going to have to fly around for about an hour dumping fuel so that we can land back in Houston.  So we land with a grand entrance and waiting for us is ambulances, fire trucks, police officers and rescue workers. A bit unnerving. But it was fine they taxied to the terminal and said that they were going to start working on the plane and if it took longer than an hour we would de-board and have to figure out other flights. Its ok, were we safe on the ground and really how bad could it be.

6hours later they finally realized that they couldn't fix it and let us off the plane. So all 350 of us then went and got our luggage and stood in line to try and have the airline figure out new flights for us. I really am not mad or bitter about it at all I just kinda looked at it as an adventure. 4 hours later I was able to get a hotel voucher and went to the Hilton. Finally hitting my pillow at 3:00am

The next day I got up and took the shuttle to the airport and was expecting to wait til later in the evening to catch a flight. They were able to get me on a flight in 30mins. So even with all of that adventure I was only delayed landing in Jo-Burg by 12 hours. Crazy hu!  Lots of people were mad, mad, mad...I just figured I would rather be sitting in the airport then being on the 10 o'clock news.

I am super excited about teaching this Saturday. I have enjoyed "chilaxing" and not being too rushed to get everything done.

I know I came here to teach but I ended up falling in love...

This beautiful, remarkable, happy miracle is Naomi Cousins. The daughter of Lara and Dave. After years of trying and being born 7 weeks early, she is AMAZING. I am in love!

I will try and post more after the event. I will also play fashion photographer again before I leave.

Bye for now from the other side of the world.

Totty

Where's Amy?

Kinda like "where's Waldo" only I don't have any photos for you to look at.  Why you ask?  Because Amy is out of the country in South Africa visiting Lara, who many of you know and adore! 

I would like to have you chicks post a little comment and encourage Amy to BLOG about her adventures.  She only left last Thursday, but let her know you want to hear what she is up to and about all the fun she is having. 

A quick thanks to all you chicks that joined me on Saturday for the SPOOK Tacular workshop.  I had a blast and hope you did as well.  It really put me in the Halloween spirit. 

Have a great week,

Kelli :) 

SPOOKY! {updated}

OK...I must admit I am a Halloween Addict.  I LOVE anything Halloween and it has always been a favorite holiday of mine.  I think I like it because it is the one time a kid can be whatever they want!  No matter if they are rich, poor, or in between...they can be a fairy princess or a pirate...whatever they dream of!  And the reward for their efforts is the same...goodies and treats!  :)

Last weekend Amy and I taught at the Scrappin Sampler at our local hangout...Scrapbooks, Etc.  I promised to put the print work on here for you to down load and our friend Arlene reminded me tonite that I hadn't done that yet...so here it is.

Download Eek! tags

 

 

 

 

I made these simple treat packets by taking a 12X12 sheet of BAZZILL cardstock and cutting into a 6X12 strip.  I then scored at 1.5", 7" and 7.5".  I found some cute Halloween printed paper and cut it into 3X6 strips and matted them on a 3.25X6 strip of coordinating BAZZILL cardstock and adhered the finished piece about .25" above the 7.5" score to create an oversized match book.  I put two holes about 2" from the outter edges through the 1.5" scored flap and the cardstock under it (when it was folded down), and tied ribbon through it to hold it in place.  I tied additional ribbon onto theat piece.  After adhering 3 little chocolate treats on the inside with my favorite PURPLE TURTLE tape (from South Africa), I slipped the bottom edge under the flap to close it.  Cut the little EEK! tags on the gray "cut line" and adhere to the bottom right corner.

 

Since you have the pdf to print these little "eek!" tags you can print them on whatever color of cardstock (or printed paper) you choose to help customize your little trick or treat offering.

If you are looking for a little Halloween decoration for home or work, consider joining me Saturday, October 3rd from 1-4 for SPOOKTACULAR.  We will take some fab Pink Paislee Halloween paper, Bazzill cardstock, Fancy Pants striped Halloween ribbon, and some vintage trinkets including glass head corsage pins, flower bundles, ribbon, trims and purple pom poms. 

In  this workshop we will be using good old walnut ink crystals and Tim Holtz alcohol inks to dye vintage ribbon, rick rack and trims; glitterize a vintage medallion; use embossing ink around a painted little wooden rectangle to turn it into a cute No. 13 tag; and create a few other little unique embellishments to create this "spooky" decoration.  The squares are 6X6, which when completed makes a nice sized banner. 

The decorated panels are placed on 2 pieces of chipboard for durability.

The workshop is $28 and you will leave with a completed SPOOKTACULAR Halloween banner to show off to all the "gouhls" you know.  {giggle}

You can call the store at 480.854.2303 to sign up for SPOOKTACULAR or to order a kit.  Feel free to email me with any questions at scrapy101@cox.net.

South Africa here I come!

In 2 weeks from today I will be boarding an airplane to fly to Jo-burg South Africa. I am so excited to be going again to South Africa to teach at an amazing event. I look forward to meeting new chicks and getting to visit with old friends.  I am super busy trying to get everything finished before I go.  I am sadly traveling solo this time but know that all of the chicks here will take good care of Kelli while I am gone. Make sure that her real job doesn't keep her too busy, ok!  I am going to try and post some sneak peeks of the projects this weekend so check back!