DCWV = OMG!

For those of you who have not been to your neighborhood Michaels recently ~ you should probably print this entry so you can read it on the way before it's too late.

Die Cuts With A View (DCWV) has released what I can only assume to be a private Michaels line (I have searched the Internet frantically for these page pads to no avail). They have about 4 or 5 lines of fabulous new paper packs! I was there the other day and went NUTS! I literally bought one of everything (I'm glad I did, too, since the store by my house is now out of stock!)

I remember sitting at every red light on the way home, flipping through each stack. Glittery pages beaming off the car beside me. Drivers looking confused and blinded by the brilliance.

The layout above is one of the new lines (The Family Collection). I really wanted to use this paper, so I had my son and his faithful side-kick pose on the couch (don't act like I'm the only one here who takes pictures based on what paper/embellishments I want to use!) 

I simply added my photos and some Prima bling ~ easy as pie!

Here are some of my favorite pieces so far:

eWillow.com Interview

I recently had the opportunity to interview Charlene, of http://www.ewillow.com/. This unique paper craft website opened in August of last year and is growing larger and more popular every day!


Here is what Charlene had to say about the biggest thing to happen to paper since embellishments:

For people uninitiated, what is eWillow?

eWillow.com is a site for those who love all things paper! It is a place where people who make handmade greeting cards, scrapbooks, and other paper crafts can have a storefront and sell their wares to people who appreciate these types of items but don't have the time or the creative know-how to make them.

What prompted you to start your own craft selling website?

The light bulb went off one night around midnight. Over the years so many people have asked me to make cards and scrapbooks for them. I thought that other paper crafters must get asked to do the same. The worldwide web needed one place that would bring everyone together. There are so many papercrafting blogs out there, and the goal of eWillow.com is to house all of the blogs under one roof to make shopping easier and to give each blog a lot of exposure.

Do you have any hobbies other than crafting?

I love to shop!

What is your favorite medium to work with?

Hmmm...I really can't answer this question. Each aspect and technique used in paper crafting is fun for me. I would have to say that my most favorite method of approaching a project is to be given a creative challenge and then coming up with something from scratch. I was recently asked to come up with a creative invitation for a senior harp recital. I was also asked to create some really cool gift bags for a Mardi Gras party. That is my favorite part of paper crafting...the challenge.

What do you like most about owning your own business?

The answer to this question changes every day! I think the best part is the part that I can't see...the influence that I am having on my daughters. I think it is important for them to know that even when they are full-time moms like I am, it is important for them to maintain their own identities. It's also nice to not have to explain myself to anyone...for example, I had to postpone this interview with you, Genevieve, because I had to take my sick daughter back and forth to the doctor. It was really nice not having to explain my postponements to a "boss."

What has been the biggest surprise since starting this venture?

I have been pleasantly surprised to come to the realization that I can get a ton of work done without even getting out of bed! I mean that in all sincerity. One month after eWillow.com went live, I was diagnosed with mono. There were many days when I was too exhausted to move. However, I was able to keep my spirits up because I was able to accomplish a lot of things that I needed to just by going online. The Internet is fabulous!

What does the future hold for eWillow?
So many things! eWillow.com will be a household name! People will visit eWillow.com to buy all of their greeting cards, party favors, invitations, etc. from the very talented Design Vendors who have storefronts on the site. People will buy scrapbooks and/or hire our Design Vendors to scrapbook for them. What would like to see in eWillow.com's future?

Here is Donny Osmond singing to Charlene and her husband for their 20th wedding anniversary.  She's been a fan since she was 9 years old!

As a special "thank you" to my blog readers, leave a comment and receive 25% off your next purchase at my Gen's Scrapbook Kitchen eWillow shop. 

(You can click on my eWillow icon on the top left of the blog, too...

over...a little further over....there it is!)

Simply email me at gspeegle@gmail.com after purchase and I'll refund your 25% right away. 

Shabby Chic Dreams in a Neon Reality

Living in Las Vegas with a Vintage, Shabby Chic spirit can be challenging at times.  I dream of lovely overgrown acres where children run barefoot while dancing with fireflies.  Chipped white paint.  Antique tea cups with mis-matched place settings.  Dining outdoors under a chandelier suspended from an overgrown tree.  That's not much to ask for right?

Well, these are the things I think of when photographing my crafts.  I want to inspire that sense of warmth and snugly appeal.  A few of my favorite tricks:

*Lightening up my photos*
Even when I take outdoor pictures (I almost always do them outside now), I still take the time to lighten them up a bit.  It makes everything look a little brighter and softer.

*Close shots with some "props" in the background*
I like to add to the style of card I'm working on.  On the pieces below, I wanted to use a little nature and some old books.  I'm so happy with the results!

These cards are available at my hubby's, Just Write Blog, this month:

Now I can imagine a babbling brook in the background, instead of a topless boggle tournament billboard.  Much better...

Don't forget to register for my Spring Scrapbook Giveaway!  Contest ends March 5!

Lent

The beginning of Lent is a reminder that Easter is not too far away!  I'm still trying to get used to writing 2010 (so many scratched out checks...)

Here we are ~ weather getting warmer, birds chirping, bees chasing me when I take product photos outside.  Awwwwwwwwwww, Springtime must be around the corner!

I love walking through the local craft stores and seeing all the happy decor! The background props in these photos is from a cute Vintage looking egg wreath. I think it really adds a little extra coziness to the cards. :)

Spring Scrapbook Giveaway!

Welcome to my first blog giveaway!


This Spring inspired scrapbook lot has everything from card stock to flowers! Ribbon to butterflies!

In order to enter, simply add a link to my blog on any of your own websites (your blog, My Space, Facebook, etc) and then post a comment here as well.

You'll receive goodies from LOTS of fabulous, as well as some Vintage Easter sticker collages by yours truly.  Here are just some of the name brands included in the lot:

My Mind's Eye

Prima

Webster's Pages

Queen and Company

Basic Grey

Cosmo Cricket

Making Memories

Bazzill


The lucky winner will be chosen by a random number generator on Friday, March 5th.  Thanks so much, and good luck!!

The Joy of Upcycling

As a scrapper, I like to find paper and trinkets that I can use on other crafts.  My eyes dart around hawk-like when my family is opening Christmas gifts ~ careful not to miss a fabulous, re-usable bow or tag.  I also scour the catalogs and advertisements that I get in the mail.  Maybe I can cut this or punch that...

I do love shopping for the newest scrapbook goodies, but nothing quite beats the feeling of being able to incorporate a "find" into one of my crafts.  It's taking "scrap"-booking back to the roots of the art itself!

I was so excited with this card!  The background paper and the main collage image were upcycled from the new My Mind's Eye catalog!  I had just received it in the mail last week and noticed how nice the cover pages of the magazine were!  Why throw it away?!  I also saw that the collage of die-cuts advertised made a perfect embellishment!  Together, with a little ribbon, glitter, buttons and other embellishments, I made a very cute and inexpensive card!

Coming to Terms...

I've recently come to terms with actually using my favorite craft supplies.  Sounds fairly obvious, but it really is a big step. 

For years, I've horded all my favorite paper and embellishments.  I wouldn't want to "waste" these on just any layout.

I'd periodically go through my stash to ooh and aww over my favorites; not daring to cut any of them.  Finally, it dawned on me that there is never any shortage of fabulous goodies out there.  I keep buying, but then never using them.  Sometimes I wouldn't even open the package!

Although knowing in my head that it was silly, it was difficult for me to take the plunge and cut.  Tear open those glittery packages and glue it's cheery contents to something! 

Even as early as last year, it would have been a challenge for me to cut into another perfectly good 12x12 sheet of $1.10 card stock just to give my layout a 3D effect.  Once I did it (on the star layout below), I was tickled at how much prettier and more alive it seemed to be.

It takes a lot to let go, but I'm so much happier with the results. 

Springtime in the Kitchen

Please tell me that I am not the only person that looks forward to each and every season or holiday. In August, I start mentally preparing the Christmas decoration layout in our home. Now, I'm dreaming of SPRING! Ahhhhh, the sunny days, flowers and baby birds.

I've started creating with Spring themed goodies this week and am having so much fun with them!