Scrapbook updates and a Steal!

It's definately Fall and the air is growing crisp with that bite that happens before winter.  I'm getting excited about the holidays too, but I'm also having some very creative bursts of energy right now.  Wish I had the time to sit and do it all but I plan to start this weekend!  I'm going to White Eagle for a scrap retreat with some girlfriends!  We are going to laugh, drink, scrap, make art, gossip and maybe get some good girlfriend pics in!  It's always a blast with these girls!  So, I packed my entire art room (okay maybe not that much but at least half of all my stuff!) and have some projects in mind!  I plan on making layouts, altered items, maybe even work on some necklaces and pins for a craft show coming up.  Whatever my little heart desires.  No kids, no hubby, no responsibilities!  I'm bringing 2 bottles of wine and some creative inspiration!  But before I go, I wanted to leave you a little peek at some of my new creations.  I also have an exciting opportunity for you to steal some Nikki Sivils tomorrow!

Pumpkin using Nikki Sivils Boo-tiful papers.  Tutorial here:

 Some cards that I did with Studio Calico papers and veneer shapes!  This card is a gift card holder upcycling a coffee sleeve from Starbucks!

 Let it Snow card using Studio Calico papers and chipboard shapes!  So cute!  The snowflakes are wooden and colored with DMC Gelatos in Metallic blue!

That's it for now!  I'll be back to post what I made this weekend later.

Tomorrow at 9am there will be a Scrapbook Steal for all of you who love Nikki Sivils papers!  Check it out here tomorrow (Saturday 11/12).   I'm off to scrap the weekend away! Ciao!

DesignTeam Calls

Just thought I'd share a really fun opportunity that I had.  I was asked to be interviewed for the new DesignTeam Calls website.  It's a great place to find DT calls, pick up some tips, find opportunities to be published!  If you want to check out my interview... check it here:  http://designteamcalls.com/designer-details-an-interview-with-jennifer-matott/
I'm super excited about having this chance to share my experiences and that they asked me!
Some more exciting projects coming up soon!

October Already???

Here we are in October... REALLY?  Where is the month going?  September FLEW by!  I'm so behind in posting.  So, please forgive me for being absent.  I have a rather hectic teaching schedule this year and keeping up with my oldest's sport practices and games is becoming nuts!  So, in my sparse spare time, I'm creating some.  I'll share a few from my DT assignments. First up Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker.  I love Nikki's lines!  They are so fun with great patterns!  I have a few more to finish and post later! 

Read To Me (using Nikki Sivils School is Cool line)

Just Like Daddy (School is Cool line)

Detail of Just Like Daddy

An Apple A Day (Get Well Soon line)

 

 

My Monster Artist (My Little Monster line)

Check out our monthly challenge at Nikki's blog! I missed out on this one because school started and I lost track of time, but you can still play along!  Don't miss out!

Next up is a project or two from Faber-Castell:

Gelatos with Brenda Pinnick stamps!  Love those Piccidilly stamps!

Secret Garden - altered wooden miniature drawers

You can read more about this project on the Design Memory Craft blog.  I love Gelatos so much and working on wood is fun and a whole different surface to alter... I'm looking for my next fix!

Finally, some random layouts that I thought I'd share.  Why?  Well, because they were fun to create and I need to just make something fun without boundaries sometimes.  This first one was a bunch of random extra pieces and fun punches.

Why?

Curls

 This one was one I made with all Bella Blvd. product.  I love their colors.  The white is Gesso smeared over black paper and stamped into.

Family Outing

Finally, the last one is from the last sketch at Pencillines Sketch blog.  Check out the great sketch here.

My life is crazy right now with sports, teaching, and family.  I promise to post more often... lots going on and fun things on the horizon!  I've been busy!

Truly last Italy post AND back to school!

Okay, so I said the last post was the last of the Italy pics, but well, I have a few more to share.  I had such a great trip there that I just had to share all of these photos.  It's not as good as being there but the photos are here for me to look at and remember all the sights, art and memories we made there.
Here are the last of the photos:

Greve, Italy (in the Tuscany region... Chianti Classico)

Vineyards

Ruffino Santedame Vineyards (makes a variety of local wines as well as Olive oil)

Fig trees growing on the grounds

Eduardo teaching us about the region and why Chianti and Chianti Classico are different in name.

Breathtaking views!

The barrel room

Dinner at another Ruffino estate.  GORGEOUS! 

Amazing etchings everywhere!

dessert... Tirimiso!

My new favorite wine!

Murano glass chandalier!

Leather markets in Florence

All the awardees... final night dinner celebration!

5 courses plus wine with each course!  WOW!  It was a wonderful time!

That is it for my Italy trip!  Let's just say that it was a trip of a lifetime!  I'm so proud of my husband's success and recognition.  I'm so lucky that I got to be there with him! 

I'm getting ready for school to start on Thursday and going back tomorrow for opening day festivities and getting my room ready.  It's exciting and I have butterflies yet again!  It never gets dull!