My first ever Studio Calico sneaks. (deep breath)

I'm super excited for tomorrow's Studio Calico reveal. I was crazy under the gun, having started a full time job the past few weeks, and seriously didn't think I would be able to come up with anything decent. Throw Christmas into that mix, and you can see where I'm going. NUTS. Thanks to an understanding husband who let me sit and scrapbook all last weekend, I think I did okay. Reveal for subscribers is tomorrow at noon, and for those of you who don't subscribe ( and you really should!) you'll be able to purchase kits at midnight on the 27th. The Copper Mountain scrapbook kit is right up my alley- full of beautiful bold colours, and has a very masculine, outdoorsy feel which I love. I'm also a subscriber to the PL kit, and it looks completely amazing, but I haven't yet seen that one in person.

Here's a few sneaks to whet your appetite- I'm very nervous for tomorrow, but I'll be at work and won't have time to sit and press the countdown button, which is probably a good thing!

this one uses the main kit & the Slingshot add-on.

My main kit layout, and my fave this month.

and another using the main kit only... also really love this page. :)

I'll be posting these pages in their entirety tomorrow. Fingers crossed they don't boot me off the team. ;)

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Big news deserves a blog update

So, I said a few months ago that I'd be back in a few days, but now I'm back for real, and with a very, very good reason:

Seriously!!! I have no idea why I've had such amazing luck in the scrapbook world throughout the years I've been scrapbooking, but I'm very grateful for this opportunity. I have to say,  I was really shocked when I received a very flattering email from Samantha at Studio Calico a while back, asking me to join the team, and although I'm feeling overwhelmed by everything right now, ( starting a new full time job 2 weeks before Christmas is a great way to throw a monkey wrench into things!) I am confidant that I'll find some kind of rhythm as I stumble through this coming month. It's going to be a bumpy ride, but a really fun one. :)

Here's a few layouts I've made in the past few months that I think helped me land this gig:

Joining Studio Calico last year was probably the best thing I've done for my scrap mojo. The kits are beautiful, innovative, & on trend, and the community there is extremely supportive & close knit. I can't say enough good things about it. I hope you will visit me there, and join in the fun. Just don't blame me when your wallet starts getting skinnier, okay? ;)

Thanks for reading and sticking with this much neglected blog! 

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The Picture Everyday Winner is...

Candice12, please email me your address, and I will put you in touch with the BP people. Enjoy!!

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Big Picture Giveaway

Hello again!
I have the distinct pleasure of reviving this very neglected blog with a super giveaway tonight. If you're new here, welcome! And if you're someone who has visited before, and wondered if I'd dropped off the face of the scrapbook planet, you may be right. ;) In any case, my intention here in the coming months is to share my photography, my layouts, and a bit of project life that I've kind of struggled to keep up with, but enjoy nonetheless. :)

 Onto the awesome giveaway...

The kind folks over at Big Picture have generously offered the chance for one lucky person to win a spot in Tracey Clark's 'Picture Everyday' workshop. If you're interested in taking your DSLR photography to another level and having much fun while doing so, then this class is the ticket. I've taken a few of Tracey's photo classes in the past, and they've been incredible for helping me see ordinary things in a beautiful new light. I'm a fan.

Here's the class description:

Picture EverydayFinding and photographing the magic in your daily life

Your life is full of beauty, authenticity, and moments of magic just waiting to be captured in pictures. All it takes is the right perspective. In Picture Everyday, a new workshop from photographer Tracey Clark, you'll learn to see your world in a sublime new light—and to use your camera to tell the story of what you see.

Through 30 surprisingly powerful photo prompts, dozens of inspiring images and videos, and eight weeks of gentle encouragement, Tracey will help you elevate your everyday—and fill your soul with gratitude along the way. You'll be focusing your lens on topics like Routine, Spaces, Places, Details, Connections, and Affections.

Your final week of class is an exclusive pass to Tracey's upcoming self-paced class, A Photographer's Guide to Project Life. Throughout the week, you'll be inspired to select photos from the past seven weeks to display in a keepsake photo album.

Picture Everyday includes:

• A robust pre-classroom, available immediately upon registration, that includes:
  • a syllabus and class creed
  • a video covering the principles found in Tracey's book, Elevate the Everyday 
  • a video on how to use Instagram
  • a collection of the tip sheets from all six previous Picture… workshops
  • a handout on composition and creativity
  • a suggested equipment list
• Weekly video overview of the theme for the week
• Weekly syllabus of each week's prompts for those who like to work ahead
• 6 weeks of photo prompts to be delivered to your email inbox (one per day, Mon-Fri) followed by a "catch-up" (7th) week where you're encouraged to shoot, compare, connect, organize, prep, and print
• Bonus 8th week of content, providing early access to Tracey's upcoming self-paced class, A Photographer's Guide to Project Life, and a set of exclusive Project Life cards 
• Weekly bonus prompts for shooting and sharing in real time
• Weekends off (for rest, shooting, or catching up)
• Message board to share your thoughts with your classmates
• Private posting gallery to share your work and view the work of your classmates
• Welcome notes from Tracey in the classroom
• Exclusive classroom blog which Tracey will update during class
• Two live chats with Tracey
• Email access to Tracey

Sounds amazing, right? Leave me a comment here telling me why you'd like to take this class, and I'll draw a name to be announced Sunday evening. Good luck!

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Hello again.

I know it's many months since I've made my way to this blog. To all who inquired about me, wondering if I had given up scrapbooking, the answer 10 months ago would have been a resounding 'yes', ( I didn't stop completely, but needed a break from the 'scene'). I'm happy to report that I've found that spark again, and I'm excited to share my pages & photos here. Sometimes a break is good for the soul. 


I'll leave you with an ultra simple page I did this morning- me & my boys this past Mother's Day. Aren't they getting ginormous?! They're big boys now. And I'm really enjoying stamping on my layouts these days- I used some Studio Calico stamps on this one, along with a few new Ormolu tags and flair.

Thanks for visiting!




xox


Melanie

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On a mission

My youngest is away at camp this week, my furniture arrived last week ( gorgeous!) but I wasn't ready.. and after spending/wasting time on Pinterest, I'm going to put those ideas to work getting my dining room set up done. It's incredible how much more time I feel I have since the littlest is gone, not that I don't miss him terribly. I'm sure he's having the time of his young life.
I've decided to paint the one wall  (where the credenza is) a nice taupey dark grey. Shouldn't take me more than a few hours, and if I hate it, I can always paint over it. So I'm off to Home Depot in search of that perfect colour, and hoping it will all be done by tomorrow if I can get it in gear. It's a hot, beautiful day, so I may just blow it off and head to the pool with the big one!

Here's a layout I did this weekend of him.... simple, simple, simple. But I love it. :)

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Summer.

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