Hybrid Fun

Before we get to Hybrid Fun--just a quick update on the Website. I'll be launching a new and improved version of http://www.nachattin.com/ on September 15th. Sneak peaks will be available in the coming weeks.

Here's one of my latest hybrid scrapbook creations. I put the 12" print paper (Rouge Le Grange) right into my printer to make that title with a free download online. I used the Wizard to make a circle booklet that opens at the pull of a ribbon for journaling. The same technique is featured in a totally different layout for Spellbinder's October Education Newsletter. I love the versatility of my Wizard which was also used for the vellum letters (Indulgence font) and the white shaped accents (Paisley). The white stars are from an EK Success punch.

The journaling inside tells about this photo of my favorite musician, Bruce Springsteen. He played 5 nights in Washington DC on his "Born in the USA" tour. I was there the night before this picture was taken by a friend of mine.

The "sound advice" within the circle is that if you see no other live rock concert in this lifetime, see Bruce. He is astounding.

I just love combining digital and traditional scrapping. As I mentioned in July, the whole process is easier now with my Epson R1800 printer. (no affiliation, but I love this printer) I also have a new giant scanner for 12" pages, but alas, the surplus sale scanner needs a few repairs that we are gradually getting the parts to do....

This layout came together in under 20 minutes. I'd been meaning to do something with this photo for years--ever since I took it out of my living room in a frame when I got married in 1986.... My first husband didn't like Bruce, that should have been a sign. What was I thinking?

-grin-

Just Enjoy it...

This layout inspires two songs to circle through my mind. Totally unrelated songs in my opinion. The first song is "Buffalo Gals Won't You Come Out Tonight." That comes from the saloon girl get- up I was wearing in June of 1979...yes, that's me.

The second song is "Wild Winged Dove" by Stevie Nicks because of the line "on the edge of 17." She hadn't recorded that song in 1979, but hey, I can't control the timeline of head music.

One of my big pushes in teaching scrapbooking is "scrap the meaning and the moment." Although this layout is by no means the kind of work I think I should submit for publication or sell or teach....it is the epitome of why I scrap--the meaning and the moment. The visual impact is fun and fanciful to match the photo. The pull-out journal card (on the back in time circle top right) talks about this photo being taken as a Father's Day Gift for my Daddy, the minister. He got a kick out of it, as I knew he would. It also talks about what my 45-year-old self would say to that 17 year old self who was at Virginia Beach with eight friends celebrating graduation from high school. I teared up writing the note that very few people will ever even read, but those tears were cleansing and I'm better for them.It's about the meaning and the moment.

Once I completed this layout and my little tear session, I stuck true to my self on another issue as well: Why store scraps when you can use them? so this little cowboy card was born. I've been noticing that Bruce Willis uses cowboy references in his movies. I wonder if that is the writer or him? Anyway, I love these two:

"Yippee Ki Yay"

"It's time to Cowboy Up"

Either one would be a great message line inside this card.

update

CHA has wound down and the new supplies should be shipping into stores soon. My patron company, Spellbinders, introduced some way cool new stuff. I had some layouts, cards, and altered objects on display in the booth in Chicago including this holiday layout featuring the Elf posability die and wreath shapability die called "Elves in Cognito." It was one of those layouts you chuckle all the way through....

I've been really really tired and sore for days. I'm in physical therapy for my bulging neck disk and general fibromyalgia stuff plus getting lots of periodontal work done and seeing the 'regular line-up" of doctors. July has been tough, but I do feel improvements too. I am grateful.

Speaking of grateful, guess what Sir Henry did? He went to the local government surplus sale Saturday and got me a 12" scanner and a 12" printer! How cool is that? Technically the equipment is bigger than 12" but that's what I'll be using it for so that's how I think of it.

The $10.00 printer is the Epson Stylus Photo R1800. It's already hooked up and working. I had the Epson R800 previously, which was a mother's day present from my dog. I just love printing photos on this printer with pigment ink. It's the best one for me.

Sunday I downloaded some digital freebies and did two layouts. I just love the flexibility. I hope Spellbinders will come out with some new digital stuff soon, if not, I'm going to have to purchase some of the great kits out there. I still like the hybrid style best, but I love what digital adds to a layout. Post here if you know some good freebies or sites you like. I'm already crazy about my friend Jodi's Pink Tomato stuff sold on Polka Dot Potato.

I'll have that new scanner up and going before my next post. Blessings to you.

Circle up the Wagons

And grab your Wizards for an great new adventure in die cutting. Spellbinders has introduced a sneak peak of some new dies and artwork through Ellen Hutson. There's a whole new line called "Nestabilities" that I haven't even seen yet. They will be released July 20th.

They work similarly to the geometric dies currently available from Spellbinders. I love these dies. I have the tags, squares, triangles, and rectangles. The new dies will include ovals plus scalloped images--you can also see the designs and pre-order on Frantic Stamper's great site.

The possibilities for these dies are incredible. Just using the ones I have I've done all kinds of cool paper art. I'm posting a card here that I finished this week with some inspiration from Split Coast Stampers tutorials. It's so easy to cut a window from the circles and use cellophane to make the window glitter.

New on the web site this week:

I'm so transparent-layout using Spellbinder's Die Cut Fusion and not published anywhere else. (Third layout down on the page click to enlarge)

Simple Easy Layouts-I had been doing quite a bit of art for hire and I just wanted something easy and fun for me. The first layout pictured used the circles. The second spread has a geometric tag in pink that has been framed in white to match the white frame around the layout. Works out so easy.

Sorry I've been out of touch, as mentioned, I was working on artwork for hire, especially Spellbinder's CHA art plus I traveled to visit my parents in Virginia and I've been feeling a bit "peaked" for a while. I'm feeling stronger now, but still working on healing. Prayers and art are my greatest tools. Joy to you.

Legacy Art Gallery Updates

I thought I'd better upload my Mother's Day Art before Father's Day arrived. Of course, the great thing about mini albums is that they work for all kinds of reasons.

I made my Mom a mini album with photos of her recent visit to our Florida home. This album had all the right ingredients for me--quick, fun, inexpensive, and colorful. The 7-gypsies paper pad was on sale and using those pre-sorted booklets of 6" square paper is really helpful for mini-books.

I detest blue and Mom doesn't really like it either, but a beach visit book needed some heavy blue and I liked how it was balanced with coral and turquoise.

I made a mini album for my sister-in-law too. This one was more time consuming, but not hard. I collected chocolate papers from my stash (club scrap card stock and EK Success kisses) and used inks for background coloring. This book was assembled from the Pine Cone Press library card pocket book set. It was really fun to work with and while I thought the directions were brief--they worked.

While I was out...

Hi. Sorry for the lapse in posting. I had a stomach flare-up and then tried to come back too soon...What have you missed? Well, in between gripping my abdomen and eating saltines I tried to distract my self with some art and I went on two road trips with the family (two dogs and fiance make family...in some cultures anyway).

I'm actually very devious in my planning. We scheduled two outings with the dogs before Mother's Day. I figured that would line me up for a great gift. -wicked chuckle-

Here's me with the kids at Jupiter Beach Park. They allow dogs anywhere there is no life guard. Henry took the pups in the water and we had a lovely picnic lunch overlooking the ocean. I made friend chicken sandwiches....I love picnics.

Then we took a road trip to Miami to see Cesar Milan. Cesar is the Dog Whisperer. He has an amazing gift with canines and a show on National Geographic channel. We don't even get that channel, but Henry's brother Jeff does and he taped some shows for us and got us very interested. Jeff and his wife even bought a dog after watching--a too cute Chihuahua named Sundance. If you read this Jeff, call and let us know what Cesar told us about your dog....

We drove over an hour to Miami with the dogs in the back and me sitting up front sipping Ginger Ale and Gatorade. When we arrived, the line was around the building and growing rapidly. They numbered people by cluster and we were cluster 156. Henry dropped me off to save a place and went to park with the dogs. I'm standing in line, looking at all the other dogs and chatting with folks near me when I hear keening howls and barks and general dog mayhem. When I look back, sure enough, there's my dogs howling and growling their way to our place in the line....A guy about 5 people back yells, "Hey buddy, take those dogs to the front of the line--they need Cesar far more than we do!" Embarrassing.

We coaxed and scolded until they finally adjusted to being around all these animals and all the kids in line were soon petting them and giving them water. Finally, after two hours, we were led into the store for our 2 minutes with Cesar. He was kind and congenial and really worth the wait. He didn't ask my dogs to be on the show, which I take as a good sign....

The next photos are from our adventure with Cesar in Miami. Upcoming posts will feature art I made for Mother's day (two mini albums), prep for Christmas creations, and some training opportunities. Thanks for checking in!

Gifts from the Studio

I just added three new items to the Every Day Art Gallery on my web site. I just love using up my supplies to make clever and thoughtful gifts. Pictured here and larger on the web site is a half-pound chocolate bar wrapped and tagged as a card. All the embellishments here were already in my stash except the letters for her name. The tag on the right slips out to reveal a handwritten message.

Other new additions are "Positive Energy in a Bottle" and "Soap Box." I'd love to hear your feedback or teach these projects for you.