Febuary Stamp of the Month

Contact me today if you would like to earn this stamp set free.

Don't Forget JUST BECAUSE CARD CLASS

JUST BECAUSE CARD CLASS - STARTS IN FEBRUARY SEE POST FROM EARLIER WITH PICTURES AND TIMES AND DATES OF LOCATIONS I AM TEACHING IT.

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AT ONE OF MY CLASSES. REMEMBER IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT THEN YOU CAN CONTACT ME TO PURCHASE THE CLASS KIT. CONTACT ME TODAY.

TRACY BROWN

My Parents 40th Anniversary Album Vol 1

This is an album that I started well a long time ago and haven't finished but I am getting there. There will be 2 volumes to this book. I put it together for my parents. I have the first volume done but the journal is not done I am leaving that for my mother to do so that the memories will be in her words.

For my parents 40th Anniversary my family all went to Florida (all but one brother and his family made it) We rented a home there that had enough rooms for all of us and well we had a blast. It was a wonderful time and a wish come true for my mother.

I hope you enjoy some of the pages I have completed here. Just click on the title which will bring you to the slide show of the pages.

Some More Pages I finished this evening

Okay - I managed to break myself away from the wireless laptop computer and the big screen tv and went to my office to accomplish some things. I actually felt a little unproductive today - until just a couple of hours ago when I finished these 2 pge layouts for a total of 4 pages completed. Well I have to add titles and journaling.

I also managed to prep around 50 pages today so I guess I wasn't totally unproductive. Now I just have to commit to doing a couple pages every day so I can get this pile knocked down. One of my new years resolutions is to finish a page a day for a total of 365 by end of year!! That would be awesome and yes I have that many pages and then some. However, I am as of today 1-24-10, 20 pages short of that goal. Not to worry though I can do it. My goal just says to finish a page a day doesn't really specify that they have to be done 1 a day so I can catch up. I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can I CAN!!!

Have any of you made your new years resolutions? I hope so. Having goals is a good thing I think as long as they are reasonable. I just have to scrapbook a pg of what they are and hang it in my room to make them more aware to me so I will work toward them.

Anyway - I think I should head off to bed since it is late (technically it is tomorrow 1-25-10). Click on the title to go and view the pictures. ENJOY!!

Using Chalks

You can use chalks on paper (smooth and uncoated), wood, paperclay, papermache, and other porous surfaces. If you should happen to get some chalk where you don't want it ...use a small white or art gum eraser to fix it. Once you are done with your chalking you should use a matte spray fixative or hair spray (aerosol) and spray over it to prevent smears. You can do the following things with chalks. Oh I use inexpensive q-tips to apply the chalks.

Shading - you can do this wet or dry. Blues, greys, or black are good color choices for shadows. Layer the colors by starting with the lighter color and apply a deeper color of the same tone on top of the lighter shades.

Chalked Embossing - chalk will stick to embossing powders, especially white. For the best results start by stamping on dark colored cardstock in the frost white colorbox and embossing in any of our white embossing powders. Apply the chalk to the white areas of your stamped image. After chalking rub with a eraser to get rid of the powdery look and make the image shine.

Chalked Applique - Using the white liquid applique, embellish the details of your work. Allow it to dry before puffing it up with a heating tool and then apply chalk to it. It picks up the color and holds.

I love to chalk in small stamped images for a different look. It is fun and different. Try some chalking today.

Start Scrapbooking

I have many people that want to start scrapbooking and say to me they are worried about doing it wrong. I am here to tell you that there is NO WRONG! There are no scrapbooking "police" taht are going to be looking over your shoulder at what you are creating and telling you that you are doing it all wrong. If anyone tries to tell you how it "should" be done, you can listen politely, say thank you for their input and then go about your business doing it how you want to.

This means you decide what you put in your scrapbooks, in what order, what size, what content, what theme, and all that stuff. Your scrapbook is just that yours. There are some things though that you should keep in mind when starting your scrapbook. Keep in mind that you want your scrapbooking supplies to be acid free and lignin-free so that your photos and layouts will not deteriorate over time. Take time to check the labels of the products you buy to see if they are acid-free.

I hope that you you will take the time to start your scrapbooking journey and not be overwhelmed by everything most of all by doing it wrong. I started my scrapbooking journey about 15 years ago on a limited budget and limited gadgets. Now I have lots of gadgets still a limited budget and a ton more pictures to do. But with all that said, the thing I love is seeing my pages completed and my daughter and husband looking through them and laughing and reminicising about those events in our lives. Really that is what it is all about.

So start a book today and create some wonderful memories for you and your family. If I can do anything to help please feel free to call or email me.

Quick Ideas

Here are a few inexpensive quick ideas to use while your scrapbooking. For a kid-themed page press your child's fingers into an ink pad and create a border from stamped fingerprints.

Go through your paper scraps and make some borders with the paper scraps you have.

Mount stickers on metal rim tags and use on your page.

Rubber-stamp words or letters repeatedly across the paper to drive home a theme.

Use a panoramic photo you have as a border for your page.

Sanding Technique

One of my favorite things about CTMH is their paper. I love the colors and I love that you can sand our paper and get very interesting effects with the paper. I have attached a piece of paper before it was sanded and again after I sanded it. It adds a nice distressing look to the paper. You can also sand it and them sponge some color over it to add a different look. You can use any sand paper I find fine paper works best for me. CTMH also sales a sanding kit. Buy some paper and sandpaper and try this fun inexpensive technique today.

Window Charms Out of Stock

I just wanted to let all of you know that the Window Charms Circles (Z819) are out of stock and will not be reinventoried and is now retired.

I will keep you posted if something new comes in.

Just Because Card Workshop

JUST BECAUSE CARD WORKSHOP!!

You don't need a reason to get or give a card - sometimes the best reason of all is "Just Because" In this class you will create 20 wonderful cards. I did switch this up a little from the description in the Community Education Brochures instead of two of 10 designs we will be making 4 of 5 designs. So come make some cards that you can send out to people just to make their day. Please bring scissors and adhesive (I prefer tape runners) Please click on the title to see the samples of the class. Paper is subject to change. If you have any questions please feel free to email or call me at tlbcreates@comcast.net or 763-390-2972. Thanks for stopping in and looking I hope to see you at a class. The classes are being offered at the following places:

Buffalo - Thursday, February 4 from 6 to 9 pm

Rockford - Tuesday, February 9th from 6 to 9 pm

Watertown Mayer - Tuesday, February 16 from 6 to 9 pm

Howard Lake - Thursday, February 18 from 6 to 9 pm

Delano - Tuesday, February 23 from 6 to 9 pm

Please contact the Community Education office in that city to register for classes.

Birthday Party Time Workshop

This is going to be a fun class. I hope you will enjoy the pictures. Just click on the title and it will bring you to the rest of the pictures. The giftbags are not pictured yet I am waiting for them to dry so I can add the final touches and then I will up load them as well.

This class is offered in Buffalo next week on Wednesday January 13, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. You contact Buffalo Community Ed to schedule.

NEW LOCATION: Rockford this class will be offered Tuesday January 19 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Contact Rockford Community Ed to schedule this class.

Maple Plain/Orono - this class will be offered Wednesday, January 20 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Contact Orono Community Ed to schedule this class.

Howard Lake - this class will be offered Thursday, January 21 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Contact Howard Lake Community Ed to schedule this class.

Delano - this class will be offered Tuesday, January 26 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Contact Delano Community Ed to schedule this class.

Watertown/Mayer - this class will be offered Wednesday, January 27 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Contact Watertwon/Mayer to schedule this class.

I hope to see you all there. If you have any questions please call or email me. Remember you will need to bring Tape Runner of your choice (adhesive), and scissors to class.

Some Fun Scrapbooking I did

This is a shadow box I made last night (early this morning) when I couldn't sleep and I was waiting for some other projects to dry) It was really easy and a lot of fun. Hard to see all the detail in these pictures but thought I would share with you all.