Hello again from the STILL frosty north!  UGH!
At least we are dealing with rain rather than snow and ice.  (Sorry little brother!)
OK waaaay back in January my baby girl turned 6 and we had a fun doll/tea party with a bunch of Kindergarten girls...so fun!

We "borrowed" a room in the library. :)
I found tea cups and saucers at the Salvation Army (only about 50 cents a cup).  The Salvation Army also had tablecloths and scrap fabric for table coverings for about a dollar each!

I used the Cricut Artiste to create a gorgeous (if I do say so myself) banner and other little decorations.
I used the Who's Your Valentine Kit to make the treat boxes for the girls as well.

It was cute, magical and fun!  Here are some pictures of the day:

Some close ups of the banner:

 Love that glitter paper! Love the Artiste cartridge.  Love my baby girl most of all. :)

I have been under cover for a few months. :) I'm currently posing as a college student! The classes have been intense and very interesting, however, I am finally nearing the end of my first semester back in school (after a VERY long break) and looking forward to some free time! E (my 5 year old) and I made the advent calendar last weekend...yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it was mid month...the kids have been rushing downstairs each morning to see what is in the treat box for them! (Hint: it's always chocolate.) Speaking of chocolates :) When I ordered the Advent Calendar Workshop on the go kit...which was really easy and fun (you also need the Artiste Cricut Cartridge to cut the boxes out)... I also ordered the Whooo's your Valentine Kit. Sneak peek of new goodies for spring!!! Cute owls, glitter paper, oh my! Get your hands on one I am sure that they will sell out before the end of January. Here's a video with the kit it is even better in person. Well I'm back into deep cover for a week or so...last final is Monday! Statistics?! Why, at nearly 40, am I learning inferential statistics?! Seriously though, I am so happy to be finishing what I started so long ago. :) Life is definitely a winding road. Happy Crafting, Amy

Technique Blog Hop: Alcohol Markers

This is the technique blog hop Welcome to Amy Kaminski's Blog: Creative Agents!

There are 7 lucky bloggers participating this month.  We are using our Alcohol Markers to color.  This technique is highlighted on page 55 of the Fall/Winter 2012 Idea Book.  This blog hop is a big circle so begin wherever you wish and keep clicking to see all the fabulous art work and inspiration; eventually you will end where you started. :)  If you are coming from Shirley Ross' blog then you are on the right track.

Here is a cute little gift tag I made using the Light and Cotton candy pink marker set.  I colored the cupcake pink and the bling too!
How neat that you can use alcohol inks to match bling to every project.

On this bookmark I wanted the trendy blended color look.  I love the bright oranges but enjoyed playing with the blending marker to see what effect it would have on the colors.  Don't you love the look of the oranges and reds blended? (Goldrush and Ruby)  I have been reading for HOURS and HOURS and this little bookmark makes me feel happy. 

Thank you for stopping by, now head on over to Wendy Kessler's blog for even more ideas using this technique.
Be sure to leave a kind comment and happy hopping!
Amy

Studio J using Heritage Photos

My mom and I went to Chicago a few weeks ago and spent some time scrapbooking and shopping. While we were there she gave me some digital copies of old photographs she recovered from her aunt. The pictures bring back so many fond memories for her and help me to feel more connected to people that are no longer living. I also love seeing pictures of my mom, aunts and uncles as children! I hope you enjoy looking at the layouts as much I enjoyed creating them. (Thanks to Studio J I only needed the digital copy and the photos will be preserved in my Album and as a digital copy in case I need to replace them or make copies...hmmm can we say Christmas anyone?!)

These are the first and last pages in the album.

The text is hard to read but these are different pictures of my grandmother 

and her siblings when she was young.

Great-great grandma, great grandma, grandma and mom! 

These are such cool pictures of my grandma with my aunt and uncle...mom is just a few months along. :)

The women in our family didn't have much luck in love but they kept trying and I admire the passion!

The picture in the middle is so adorable!

I love my momma! :)

Hope you enjoyed a peek :)  If you have some old pictures lying in a box try to get them scanned as soon as possible.  You don't need to do anything with the file right away but you will have frozen the image as it is and won't lose any more clarity, color, etc.  The larger the file size when you scan the better.  These pictures will be a bit blurry when they print but they are still precious to me. :)

Alcohol Markers...video!!!

Check it out...the new markers really do rock. More to come soon. :) Your mission: Order some of these bad boys and give it a try. My earlier post shows how you can change the color of the sparkles to match your project with these markers. Go try it. Amy

La Belle Vie...Ooh La La

I finally made time to sit down and get creative with the new products!  Here are a few items I made using this new kit: La Belle Vie and Stamp Set: Jardin (Just click on the names to order.)
 A one page layout that I can't decide what photos to put on...perhaps some wedding or tea party pics?

the smudges around the black paper are Smoky Plum Pigment Ink.  It is impossible to tell in the photo but I added some shine with the metallic silver marker around the frame after stamping in Staz On.  There are also a couple of dots of Pink Glitter Gel for shimmer on the "So Adorable" and "Cherished" Tags

A sweet little gift tag:

For this cutie I just used left over paper (the exclusive La Belle Vie Purple and a sheet of extra pattern paper)  some white rosette ribbon and the pink alcohol marker set...when I get the blending pen I will rework this cupcake a bit!  I colored the bling (from the Boutique Assortment) with the alcohol marker to make it pink and it worked like a charm. :)  You can color the sparkles with these new markers as well.  I wonder how it will look on silver or white brads? Hmmmm.  Oh, I also used a strip of the burlap to make the tag hanger.  Man that stuff is versatile.

A long card: 3 1/2 by 8

On this one I decided an everyday, any reason card would be good.  Pattern paper base with the lightest side inside the card (or you can add a piece of plain cardstock to the inside for a good writing surface).  A strip of black C/S, Burlap ribbon (yep again) and shimmer tape (my new favorite item in the latest idea book).  I added a couple dots of pink glitter gel and stamped some La belle Vie Pink paper with Cotton Candy Ink.  Not sure I would use the shimmer tape again with this one but I do love me some shimmer! :)

A standard-size card: 4 1/4 by 5 1/2

I like the look of the burlap and torn paper edges with this paper pack.  (side note I did NOT think I would like the burlap but I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!)  The phrases are from the "zip strip" at the top edge of the paper sheets.
All the products used  to create these projects are:
La Belle Vie Paper Pack
Jardin Stamp Set
Burlap Ribbon
White Rosette Ribbon
Shimmer Tape
Boutique Assortment
Pink Glitz Glitter Gel
Metallic Marker
Coming Soon: Alcohol markers
Smoky Plum Pigment Mini Ink Pad
Chocolate Ink Pad
Cotton Candy Ink Pad
Staz On Black
Black Cardstock and Bamboo Cardstock (these come in the kit but I think I also used some from my stash)

If you would like to order just click on the names of the products and the link takes you to my website.  Also, you can join the New idea Book Online Celebration and possibly earn some free products.  I am going to run it like a "mystery hostess" event, meaning, everyone who places an order is entered into a drawing to choose free product.  Just be sure to set up an account or send me an email so I can contact you to get your choice of free items.

Thanks for looking and you are welcome to "scraplift"!

your mission: Try something new today!

While Supplies Last= Clearance!

On my website you can shop the new catalog right now.  If you would like to join in the New Idea Book virtual Celebration Click here and then click the "Join" button on the bottom right.

You can then shop as part of the PARTY!  Even the clearance items are available online now.  You shop, CTMH ships and if you place a minimum $30 order you will be entered to win free product credit!  The more shoppers we have the more credits available.  I am guaranteeing that at least one lucky shopper will receive a Workshop on the Go kit of their choice ($29.95 value).

With all the cool new items available from Alcohol Markers to Home Decor and clearance too; there will be something you LOVE!!!

Your mission: Join the celebration!