Summer Break

Gals,

I want to take the time to let you know what's in the works. We won't be having a meeting in June. I repeat we WON'T be having a meeting in June. I'm bugging out with hubby and the grandkids to an undisclosed location where magic abounds. Mum's the word as they kids have no clue.

There are times when you get a surprise call in the night and you just want to shout it from the rooftop. I had such a call the other night. I was sitting in my beautiful Dusty Durango colored Lazyboy recliner minding my own business. I think I was either playing backgammon on my cell or Sudoku. Either way I was NOT expecting a phone call. It was rather late for an actual call, but once I figured out the call was from New Mexico I understood. (They are an hour earlier in New Mexico.) It was Dene Van Winkle from Imagine That Scrapbook store in Roswell, New Mexico. She sounded a little apprehensive about the call and my mind was racing trying to figure out why she would call so long after store hours. (Oh yeah it's an hour earlier there, the store might even have been open!) She told me that they had just heard from Tim Holtz and he would be coming in August! I was so excited. I knew the "bottom line" would be a kicker for me, but even after I told hubby the price he was "Sure you have to go". I'm still pinching myself. I paid my deposit and will be saving my shekels so I can pay for the rest of the classes. I'm not sure if all the spots are filled, but if they aren't you'll want to Google "Imagine That Scrapbooks" in Roswell, New Mexico and call them. It's a little pricey, but hey you don't have to bring a thing! In fact Tim insists that his students not be concerned with anything but being creative! I'm so excited. Two full days of altered art, crafting and everything is supplied. Fun and then some.

The Great American Scrapbook Convention in Arlington was last weekend and Vicky Mumme and a couple of her friends attended. By her Facebook post I'd say she had a blast, is exhausted and ready for a nap. She has graciously offered to do a special workshop at my scrapbook house in Gardendale for our July meeting. We have tentatively marked Saturday July 16th for the meeting. We will be doing make n takes based on what she learned at the convention. I will give you more details when I return from my vacation and write my next newsletter. Be sure and let me know if you're interested. Though I have several tables space will be limited and there will be a charge to cover the cost of materials. Vicky is a wonderful paper crafter and I love her work. You will too and won't want to miss this meeting.

Our August meeting (the 9th) will be focusing on creating and submitting things to the Permian Basin Fair. Their theme this year is "Deep in the Heart of Texas". I will have forms for you to fill out while there and you'll want to bring finished scrapbooks, cards or other paper crafts you created from September 2010 through August 2011.  If you have questions you can always contact me at cerwelt@gmail.com. Start looking at the things you've created and also think about creating something for the fair exclusively. Your submission doesn't HAVE to be Texas themed, but they have a special category devoted to Texas and IF you have something already, you'll want to share it. I'll be giving you more details the closer the fair looms. It's so fun to submit and then to win. I hope you'll be a part of the fun this year. I also need volunteers to help me man a booth at the fair. That means we need to decorate a display board with PB & J related stuff and also do "make n takes" at the fair itself. If you can devote an hour on Saturday or Sunday at the beginning or end of the fair I'd be thrilled. It gives me a chance to see the fair, eat and use the facilities. I need you gals, so please volunteer.

So I've yammered on long enough. Please comment on this blog. Also tell your crafting friends to "follow" this blog. It helps get the word out about events in our area. Have a great month of June. I know we will.

Until I return from vacation I will bid you farewell. Stay out of the sun.

Cerise Welter

Stampin' Up Convention 2010

I'm back and still whirling in my mind after all the excitement. I've never seen so many scrapbookers, card makers, rubber stamp users, paper crafting women (and a few men) in one place. It was like being at the biggest CROP in history. I heard there were 2700 women (and a few men) in attendance. I also heard that was down from past years, but for my first experience I think it was the perfect number.

We had classes, workshops, games, parties, swaps (I'll share more about that later), food, snacks, and even a chocolate fountain! I didn't attend all the events, but the ones I did participate in were very informative. I'm rather a laid back sort of woman, so a lot of the hoopla was more than I could enjoy, but for girls who love lots of laughter, music, merry making and girl fun it was perfectly wonderful.

When we arrived we were given THE most adorable purse. It was bright pumpkin pie orange with melon mambo, whisper white and blushing bride pink circles. We were also given three sets of rubber stamps. Through out the four day event I collected all sorts of goodies so my suitcase was really heavy on the trip back to Texas.

The girls in attendance brought boxes full of card fronts and scrapbook pages to swap with each other. They had prearranged to have specific swaps covering specific stamps or subject matter. I was blessed enough to be gifted by a couple gals when they found out I was new and hadn't brought any to exchange.

We had many guest speakers, but I had a couple who turned out to be my favorites. I loved the gal (can't think of her name) who showed us a bunch of ways to use punches. She could sure think "outside the box". Another woman shared business ideas and how to meet the needs of our customers in a load of great ways. I bought her book as I was so impressed with her ideas and her ideals.

Hubby and I came together so instead of spending nights with the gals at the convention we shared quiet time alone and I showed him what I had learned.

There were all sorts of "display" walls set up with card ideas, scrapbook pages, and gift ideas. I am still feeling overwhelmed at all the creative juices that were flowing in that building.

Salt Lake City is a beautiful place. The temperature was right around the low 90s and it even rained a couple times keeping the temps down. We saw all sorts of interesting things after the convention. We had a good time and I was glad I went and that I learned so many new things.

The Love of Our Art

This past weekend is a blur. I can't believe it came and went so quickly! More amazing is that I survived and also made three new friends (amigas). Welcome Ana, Irma y Paula!

I had no idea when my little sister gave my a tiny little chipboard scrapbook that I'd end up having so many girl friends with a like hobby. OK, so some of you are more than hobbyists, but we'll let that be our secret Vicky! Oops, did I really type that Melinda? Yes Ammie I did. OK, so now three women are staring at me with their hands on their hips.

Every time we get together I learn more about the gals. Our instructor at the CROP, Annette, started a game where we recall funny stories. It was there I learned more about the girls who attended this CROP. It's funny, though we had a full house I miss several of the gals I met at Viv's store in Odessa. I miss Lisa and Tina and Cindy. I pray for them cause I don't see them much. I really pray for Viv and Cindy as they have had some real physical issues in the past year.

The world is a funny place and scrapbooking is a vent for some of us. It is also a place to reflect, to remark, to recall, to illustrate and to create. Hopefully no one will write some stupid "rule book" about scrapbooking. I can promise you I'll break every rule they make. Who says you have to have photos in a scrapbook? Who says you have to use little black photo corners? Who says you can't use a computer? It doesn't matter to the gals I play with, we do things our own way. We do love to share the arts we use in our chosen hobby. I refuse to call it passion, I reserve that for the Lord and Him alone.

I'm so in love with what I do that I do it for money! That is very unusual for me. I'm headed to my office in our other house to work on my passion. I don't just do scrapbooking, I also do paper crafting. I don't know why I love working with paper. It's such a fragile art and so susceptible to decay. I just love finding new paper. My friend Vicky is really good at finding paper. I love her style of art. I would love to just sit and watch her work. I haven't had time to do that yet, but maybe we will find time to share just how she gets the results she works for!

I'm learning the lingo of the scrapbooker. I know a few names now and can even "name drop" them with the more experienced artists. Tim Holtz is into altered art and I relish his finished products. K & Company feeds my artsy fartsy side. Bo Bunny has some awesome paper and cardstock goodies. Cricut is always innovating with electronic die cutting technology. Everyone should own a "Big Shot" or at the very minimum a "Cuttlebug". What would life in the handmade card making industry be without the Martha Stewart Scoring Board (Which can be had for $10 with a 50% off coupon at Michael's). Of course I'm a rep with Stampin' Up! and I love their stamps, inks and papers. I'm presently looking for "grungeboard" so I too can join the ranks of the industrial chic!

I hope you will post a comment and also tell others to follow this blog. I crave input and want to meet all the scrapbook artists, card making gurus, and you closet altered artists come share your gifts. If you'll link to me, I'll link to you! Follow me and I'll follow you on FB and Twitter!

May the force of scrapbooking be with you!

Cerise Welter
PB & J Paper Crafters
Ambassador and Evangelist Diva

Vicky Mumme Demos Altered Art

Hey gals,

June 8th, 2010 is our monthly meeting time. Vicky Mumme is going to demo altered art paper roses and other techniques at our upcoming meeting. She has recently returned from the big scrapbooking convention in Dallas and I can hardly wait to pick her brain! Of course her guy, Tim Holtz was there so we know which booth she spent the most time at. Duh!

Come and enjoy an hour and half of your favorite thing; talking about scrapbooking and cards.

When: June 8th (that's a Tuesday) 2010 7:00PM
Where: Barnes & Noble, Midland TX
What else: Great door prizes
Bring: Yourself and a friend
Questions: email Cerise at cerwelt@gmail.com

See you there.

Cerise Welter
Ambassador
Permian Basin Jewels Paper Crafters

Scrap Til You're Happy

May has been dubbed, "National Scrapbook Month" and with it comes the urge to scrap. Yesterday I had intended to rest all day, but instead I went to my office and worked on cards. I knew I didn't want to get in the middle of a huge project and then have a mess to clean up. I had originally went over to get my phone charger which was plugged into the surge protector next to one of my storage cabinets. I just couldn't resist all those lovely supplies so neatly organized.

Early yesterday I had purchased the April "Complete Cardmaking" (a magazine from the UK). It came with some cute card papers and "decoupages". I had seen that term used before in connection with scrapbooking and card making, but had no idea what it meant. My idea of decoupage is to glue a picture onto wood and then to cover it with some sort of protective medium. As I looked at the freebies that came with the magazine I could quickly see that it meant a picture duplicated several times and then cut out. One then layers pieces of the picture to make it look dimensional. I had fun making four cards and then I decided to use some of the brand new Stampin' UP Specialty papers I just bought in preparation for an upcoming workshop.

I inked the papers and the embossing that comes already put on the paper causes a resist look. I inked with some Rich Razzleberry, Pink Passion and Melon Mambo. These are some of my favorite colors. The hidden pattern on the paper is a lattice background. Once I inked the paper with the three colors it became a neat background for some felt flowers and some glittered leaves. Loverly. I added some buttons, a border with 1/8" ribbon woven through tiny holes that came punched in them. It was a great afternoon. Just a couple hours and my creative juices were filled to the brim. So much fun.

Today I have a workshop. We're making Father's Day cards, Cinco de Mayo cards and then playing with the new specialty papers. I know it will be "muy divertido" (very fun).

I look forward to scrapping all through this month. I have a brand new 6 x 6 Stampin Up album and a new Bigz flower die I love using. I can hardly wait to play.

What are you doing during this month to celebrate "Natl Scrapbooking Month"?

Simplifying IS NOT That Easy

I get emails, posts, Facebook updates of all sorts of scrapbook and greeting card layouts. They come to me in droves. One thing I notice is that the projects are so elaborate, time consuming and over the top I know I'll never even make one of them.

I have to face my lifestyle facts; my time is limited. Your time is probably limited too! You get up with the intentions to take the day rolling. You wake up in a great mood, you get all your chores done and then you head out on your day. Some guy starts honking at you half way between where you are and where you want to be. He just doesn't seem to quit. You stare at him wanting to think something or say something you shouldn't and you notice he's pointing down at YOUR car. He's pointing at YOUR tire. YOU have a flat. Thankfully you are just a stone's throw from the Wally World tire center. Can you make it? Yes, you make it, but your schedule is just shot to pieces. The guy tells you it will be an hour before they can even LOOK at your tire. What are you going to do? You're going to walk the store and use that hour for something productive. Wait a minute you're thinking. What happened to the elaborate card we were discussing. That's my point exactly, the lovely card designed by Ralphed Lorenzo went the way of all overly ornate decor. Time is not on our side. But, you argue. I want to make that overly elaborate card. Go get digital software and create and print. All the bells and whistles are there and you simply print it out to look fancy and fru fru.

Reality speaks so loud some times. I'd like to give reality a virtual kick in the hiney. I want to have time to sit for hours (without the neck strain and back aches associated with scrapbooking) and create. I want to make memorable albums that are dug up centuries from now and displayed proudly in the Lourve or the Smithsonian. I have come to the conclusion that the extent of my creativity will have to depend upon small snippets of time I steal from other work I am supposed to be doing. Within those snippets of time I choose projects that look lovely yes, elaborately sewn, embellished, carved, and covered with calligraphy of the Victorian ilk, well not so much.

Simplifying is more like eliminating about half of what I would like to do and then carving about half of that away. I'm left with time for the occasional nap. Yah, that's what I'd like to do. There I have all the time in the world. I can dream of making that card that causes women to gasp and men to wipe their eyes. Yes, the Lourve wants it. It never does reach it's intended recipient, but it does hang proudly in the Smithsonian for all to see. It never reaches the bowels of the museum where about 90% of all they own decays in storage. Like the Mona Lisa it inspires future generations of artists. Ok, who I kidding. I am going to cut some cardstock, maybe a little ribbon, add some heat embossing with rubber stamps and maybe add some glitter. Wait, I have to wake up first. No, I better finish my nap. I have a whole list of things that didn't get cut from my "Simply This" list.

So if you're feeling condemned for not making that unbelievable card, know this. The gal that made it has no life. She never gets out of the house. She sits at her desk, cuts, sews, embosses, die cuts, glues, tape runs, embroiders and never talks to a human being. She just sends out nasty emails full of projects that the "real" women has little chance of ever making.

I will be content to be the real woman who visits the elderly, feeds her chickens, pets her dog, makes pancakes for hubby and plays Webkinz on the computer with her grandchildren and other kids she knows and loves. I will be happy to post reality checks for you here on my blog. Those who can afford to spend $15.00 on a card will make those kinds of cards. I am budgeting myself, my time and my life. I'm worth more than that and so are you. Simplify by doing what you can in the alloted time you're given. If you made that $15.00 card would you want to give it away? I have difficulty giving any of mine away because I know what my time is worth.

Enjoy the cards you get. Most folks go to the local Haulmark store, find one that makes them happy and sign their Juan Henrique's on them. They invest another couple quarters in stamps and woosh it off in the mail. It took them probably a total of 10 minutes to cover their bases and to get that card to you.

Do what you can. That is my newest motto. I'm doing what I can. I'm praying for the gal who is stuck at her desk making Baroque inspired cards. She needs to simplify her life.

So Fun!

We had such a great time at our PB & J Paper Craft meeting. Our subject was heat embossing and using calendars in Scrapbooks and paper crafts. The meeting went so fast I was amazed when I discovered it was 9:00PM!

The gals had loads of good ideas and Cheryl brought a wonderful door prize bag. Ammie brought yummy peanut butter thumb cookies with Hershey's kisses! We have some great gals in our club.

We moved the meeting to Tuesdays after I took a vote via email. So it looks like for the time being we'll be meeting the second Tuesday of each month.

We're doing a workshop in February to make this "Forget-me-not" keeper. It us a wonderful organizational box for all your greeting cards. It has 12 months with a calendar for each month listing your family and friends' special days. We had eight gals sign up for the workshop, but will hold additional workshops should anyone else want to make one. This is a separate event, but open to whoever asks to be included.

I'm working on February's meeting. Looks like we're doing some sort of Valentine's contest, but I'll let you know more after I develop the plan. I'm also working on finding a great guest host.

I will be posting ideas and techniques we learned on upcoming posts, so be sure to join and follow this blog so you'll know when the good stuff is up online here.

Too much fun.

Cerise Welter
Ambassador
Permian Basin Jewels Paper Crafters