Instructor Spotlight: Jodi Collins

Good morning all!! Today I'm so excited to bring you another instructor spotlight for Stamping Around Connecticut - Jodi Collins (aka Kharmagirl)!! Everybody knows Jodi right?!! She's one of the nicest, most energetic and talented stampers out there! I've had the great pleasure of working with Jodi on the Paper Pretties Design Team but she is also on the Baker's Dozen, the design team for Taylored Expressions Stamps, the Trendsetters - dt for There She Goes stamps and she is also a Dirty Dozen alumni!! Phew - amazing!! Here's a bit more about Jodi:

"Hi everyone!! I am SUPER excited to be attending Stamping Around CT! I have been stamping for quite some time now. I started in high school but then stopped when I discovered tole painting. After attending a Stampin' Up! workshop in 2005 I caught the stamping bug all over again. I love to make cards (I am not much of a scrapbooker) and I do not discriminate! I love tons of different stamp companies, and I love to find (and hoard!) fun and funky embellishments!

My recent addiction are Copic Markers and I find myself wanting to color everything in sight! Stamping gives me a relaxing outlet from my crazy life as a mom, wife and full time paralegal!!"

We are so excited to have Jodi joining us as a teacher at Stamping Around CT!! She was one of the first people to sign up when we had Stamp New England in March - we had such a blast!! I can't wait to see her again! Jodi's class will be sponsored by Taylored Expression stamps so you won't want to miss it - who can resist a cupcake??!!! :) Here's a recent card Jodi made just to give you a "taste" of her talent!

We've seen lots of activity around here lately - lots of you have been checking out the site!! Today is the day to register for Stamping Around Connecticut!! We can't wait to meet you! And stay tuned . . . we'll start spotlight teachers for Stamping Around Vermont soon!! :)

Instructor Spotlight: Debbie Corbari

First, I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to Daisy and Joy at Eclectic Paperie for including us in their newsletter as the eP Friend this week! Throughout all of my personal and "professional" contacts with these two amazing ladies they have been nothing short of fabulous! Both are incredibly wonderful to work with and generous with their time and resources. We are so thankful for their generous support and hope that you will help us out and return the favor by supporting Eclectic Paperie!

Now, on to the spotlight! I'm thrilled to share our next teacher with you, Debbie Corbari - and she's perfect for this post since her class will be sponsored by Eclectic Paperie and she will be using stamps from Our Craft Lounge's exclusive line of stamps - that she drew! Yup, Debbie is one of the talented illustrators for Our Craft Lounge!! Here's a bit about Debbie straight from her:

"I grew up with an artistic mom (specializing in pen and ink drawings) and was surrounded by arts and crafts at a young age. Although it’s nothing I ever studied, it’s always been a major part of my life. In college I illustrated a children’s book for a fellow student. I have no idea what ever happened with the book. I think she paid me $20 for my illustrations, which feels like $100 to a freshman in college so, I was happy! LOL!

When I was first introduced to stamping, about 9 years ago, I was hesitant to buy stamps because I felt I could draw the images instead. Some time had passed before the instant gratification of stamping won me over and shortly after that, as with most stampers, it became an addiction! Since I started designing my own stamp sets my “crafty” time to stamp has taken a bit of a hit. But I still need to get my “fix” every few days and get inky! LOL!"

Debbie is a newly Copic Certified Instructor and will be sharing some great Copic tips with us during her class! I can't wait to meet her - she lives in the Albany area of upstate NY which is my hometown!! Small world isn't it?!

So how about it folks . . . ready to sign-up for Stamping Around Connecticut? We are so excited about our wonderful teachers and fabulous location and cannot wait to meet you!! Remember the deadline for registration is coming right up - June 23 - we'd hate for you to miss out!! :)

Instructor Spotlight: Julia Aston

Are you all ready for a great time?!! I sure am and I am so excited to present another Instructor Spotlight today for Stamping Around Connecticut! If you ever on Splitcoaststampers (SCS) I'm sure you are familiar with Julia Aston (artystamper) - she's such a sweet presence there! And talent . . . just take a look at her gallery to see how amazingly talented she is! Here's a bit about Julia "in her own words:"

Like most people I got hooked on card stamping after attending a Close to My Heart home party followed closely by a Stampin Up Party! Shortly after that I found Split Coast Stampers (I'm artystamper) and started participating in the daily challenges. I work full time as an Admin. Assistant at a Boston Hospital, have a grown son who lives nearby and a wonderful husband who always makes nice comments about all the cards I show him! I have a blog (www.createwithjulia.blogspot.com) that I post to at least 4 times a week and I teach a stamping class once a month at the Papertree in Manchester, NH. I stamp mostly late into the night after work. I love, love, love, card and craft stamping and I look forward to meeting you all at the weekend workshop!

Just wait until you see the adorable projects Julia has put together for Stamping Around Connecticut - it will make your heart soar! *wink* *wink*

See the post below for some important information about the registration deadline - can't wait to see you in CT!! :) Oh, and if you haven't already - check out the Stamping Around VT Brochure - our teacher line-up is AMazing! :)

Instructor Spotlight: Donna-Marie Cecere

I thought we'd start giving you a little sneak peek at the teachers lined up for Stamping Around CT - have you registered yet??? Remember space is limited so don't wait too long - we'd hate for you to miss this fun weekend! Gather up a few girlfriends and make a girls weekend out of it - or, bring along the hubby and enjoy Inn's beautiful setting and great location!

Today's spotlight is on Donna-Marie Cecere. You will be amazed when you see the depth and beautiful layers of Donna-Marie's cards! She has a unique knack for combining elements that just "work" together!! Here's a little background info from Donna-Maria:

I have spent my entire life being "crafty!" My first scrapbook was when I was a Girl Scout and took a trip to Washington, DC (sometime during the Ice Age! LOL!). With all of this creative energy, I decided to choose a career in design. I chose Fashion Design and graduated from Massachusetts College of Art with a BFA. I woned and operated Donna-Marie's Bridal Designs in Boston for several years. The decision to close i and pursue teaching was a much needed change. I wanted to be a part of my daughter's life on a more full-time basis. I have since then been teaching art and design for over 10 years (both high school and college) and could not be happier! I have also been working, teaching, and designing at Wholly Scrap! in North Hampton, NH for four years. I have taughte at CKU in Manchester and recently started my own blog, Donna-Marie.

We're thrilled to have Donna-Marie joining us, please stop by her blog and welcome her to our event, and can't wait to see what she has in store for us!!

Introducing Julie Masse!

Today I have the very distinct pleasure of introducing my friend Julie Masse. Let me just say that this entire stamping weekend is her brainchild, so many thanks for Julie for deciding to get us all together!

Julie, was one of my very first blog visitors when I started writing two years ago, and for sure, she was my very first Blogging Friend! Although we only live a few hours apart, would you believe we met for real for the first time in Los Angeles, California?

However, we'd been chatting via email and on the phone for so long that it was so natural to meet up in person for the first time. Let me say, Julie is one of the most thoughtful, considerate and hardworking people you could ever hope to meet!

In addition to being a simply wonderful person, Julie is an equally wonderful designer! She's a member of several Design Teams, a Stampin Up Demonstrator and she's served as a guest designer for several amazing companies, been published, and I've also spied Julie's name many times on the Paper Trey Ink Honorable Mentions list and she was the Guest Star Stamper in July 2008. Yeah Julie!!

Here's a few quick words from Julie and a snippet of her adorable project! Thank you Julie for EVERYTHING you've done for Stamp New England, you're amazing and I'm simply honored to call you my friend! See you next FRIDAY!!

I am a SAHM of 4 children. I started stamping when my first daughter was born as just a little something fun for me!! My Stampin' Up! demo always used to say, "You should become a demo" but I it took me 2 years to finally take the plunge . . . that was the end! :) Like most of you out there reading I'm sure, stamping has become a bit more than "just a hobby"! I stamp to relax, I stamp to have fun, I stamp with my children, I stamp (best) without them (ha ha!), it's become an obsession, a passion! I've made so many friends through stamping and feel like I can go anywhere in the country and "know"someone - stampers are just the best people! I'm so honored to be a part of some wonderful design teams, Paper Pretties, Kitchen Sink Stamps, Say It With Letters and I do a bit of work for Rubber Soul too! I've had the pleasure of seeing my work published in several Paper Craft publications (including some not yet released) as well as Cards

magazine.

For my project I thought everyone might enjoy giving 2 things a try - working with multi-step stamps, and altering a shape! I designed a new shape just for our class and I hope you all will love it! Let's all get into a Spring-y state of mind!! :)

The supplies you need for my class are already listed in the preliminary supply list we have previously posted but there are also 3 ink colors we will use. If you have them, bring them, if not we will have several floating around for you to use - so don't stress!! The colors are Ocean Tides from Papertrey Ink, and Tangelo & Cantelope from Memento. Your craft knife/Xacto will be important in this class, as well as a file (if you have the Basic Grey file set that's great but a sanding block and/or emery board will work too!). I'm looking forward to meeting you all!!

Welcoming Cindy Lawrence!

I'm so very excited to share that Cindy Lawrence will also be teaching at Stamp New England!  In addition to being an amazingly talented stamper (will you just look at her resume? Its so impressive!!)  When you meet her in person, you're just going to want to squeeze her because she's simply soo sweet! 

Want to hear something so funny - although I'd been reading her blog for months, it wasn't until Cindy and I served on the Splitcoast Dirty Dozen together that I realized I'm in her Stampin Up downline! Isn't that hilarious!  Although, since Cindy's been working for Stampin' Up for 10 years, chances are that many of you might be in her downline as well!!  

Personally, I'm dying to learn some watercoloring techniques from her, but I'm sure she has more than a few tricks up her sleeve.  Cindy's projects are always so perfectly put together, beautiful details, and rockin' layouts.  We have Cindy to thank for coordinating several of our recent event sponsors, and the coordinating eye candy to go with them too!  (Thanks Cindy!!)

When I asked Cindy for a few quick words about herself, here's what she had to say.  

Hello friends!  I was first introduced to the wonderful world of stamping nearly 12 years ago, and I cannot imagine what I did for fun before then! J   I've been a successful SU! demo for 10 of those years. I have also been blessed to be a part of several design teams, including the SCS Dirty Dozen, Flourishes, Gina K Designs, H&M Stamps, Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps, Whipper Snapper Designs, as well as a Featured Sampler for Taylored Expressions.  

My favorite technique is watercolor, but I honestly love all aspects of the craft. It is the best therapy around! When I am not stamping, I enjoy baking, interior design, reading, spending time with family and friends, and church activities. I live in beautiful southern NH with my husband Jim, three sons and a daughter. I am truly blessed! 

Please help me extend a warm welcome to Cindy!  Thanks everyone and have a GREAT day!

Meet Joanne Basile

Is there anyone out there who doesn't know my friend Joanne and her fabulous blog, Just a Little Something??? She is just about the sweetest, perkiest stamper out there, IMHO! :) I still remember the day she contacted me - she was so warm and friendly I felt like we were long lost friends!! I had the greatest pleasure in the Fall of 2007 of being on a design team with her and actually getting to meet up and experience CHA Winter 2008 with her (crazy that we went all the way to LA to meet for the first time!). When I began thinking of pulling this event together I emailed Jo and she was right there with me and had even had the same idea!! I think she created this blog from almost the first time we decided to go ahead, such a one-step ahead type of girl!

Joanne's stamping always makes me smile, she just has a gift for making cards that make you happy! Her personality shines through in every beautiful card she creates and every blog post! Apparently a lot of people agree with me since she's not only on DTs for Gina K Designs and My Favorite Things, but she's also on the Splitcoaststampers' Dirty Dozen - the best of the best! Here's a bit of Joanne in her own words:

What started as simply a guaranteed girls night out with my friends has become a true addiction to paper crafting! I find it to be just such a stress reliever and a fun escape from my hectic day to day as a stay at home mom and daycare provider. Daily blogging has been an amazing way to chronicle my journey. Through stamping, blogging and design team work I’ve made so many wonderful friends and I can’t wait to meet up with in just a few weeks! I’m truly honored to be on the design team for both My Favorite Things , Gina K Designs and the Splitcoast Design Team, otherwise known as the Dirty Dozen.

I recently asked my readers what techniques they’d be interested in learning more about. Overwhelmingly, the answer was Copic markers. I admit that I actually haven’t been able to get to the official Copic Certification classes myself, but I’d be more than happy to share with you what I’ve learned from many hours of blog surfing, countless hours of practice and of course from watching the professionals at work in the Copic booth this summer at the Craft and Hobby Association show. I also had many requests for a step by step on paper piecing and how to add what is probably my favorite adornment to any project, bows! So, I’ve combined all three techniques into my class at Stamp New England.

If you happen to own “Who’s That e-Girl” or “Cupcake Flopsey” from My Favorite Things, then you can pack them for the trip, if not, no worries, we’ll have several sets floating for the group to share!

Stay tuned . . . this afternoon we'll be posting a Preliminary Supply List - things you need to pack! :)

Welcoming Lauren Meader!!

I'm here to welcome another one of our amazing instructors for Stamp New England. Its Lauren Meader!

I know, she doesn't really need an introduction per say, because I'm quite sure you all read her fabulous blog "My Time, My Creations, My Stampendance" already! I'm so excited to meet Lauren in person and I hope that maybe just the teeniest bit of her creative brilliance rubs off on me!

There's hardly a stamp company that girl hasn't designed for - just take a look at this list! I know Lauren has seriously enabled many purchases from me, how about you?

My Timeless Templates © by Lauren Meader for Papertrey Ink* SCS Dirty Dozen-past* A Chemistry With Paper-past* All That Scraps-Senior Designer* Green Grass Stamps-past* Gina K -Stamps for a Cause guest designer* Lizzie Anne Designs* My Favorite Things-Senior Designer* Our Daily Bread Guest Designer-past* Papertrey Ink* Pink Cat Studio* Reporter for Craft Critque-past* Storage Ink & More Guest Designer* Team Member for Scor-Pal*Su Ink & More-Past* Unity Stamps-past* Smile Box Avaitor-past*

We're just thrilled that she'll be joining us for Stamp New England and I'm really looking forward to working with her project.  I just love the out of the box creations that Lauren comes out with. They are always so detailed, and unique!

Lauren has been hard at work designing her project for Stamp New England called "Get a Handle on It" © My Timeless Template © project.  You are going to be so excited because you will be using a NEW!  My Timeless Template © that is due for release in April for this class project!  Here's what Lauren has to say:

I honestly think it is my favorite template to date!! YOU all get to be the first to not only SEE it, but actually make one yourself!! Sorry, that is ALL I can give so far for details :D I promise its worth the wait.

Now for the FUN part!! A chocolate/candy swap!

We need SOMETHING yummy to put IN our special box, and believe me,  it can hold PLENTY, so please bring a piece of your favorite wrapped chocolate/ candy (BITE SIZE). Bring enough to swap, 36 pieces, that's enough for 1 for each person. In the end we will all have a completed template full of yummy chocolates/ candy from our friends!!!

Supplies to bring:

•  Chocolate/candy of choice
  
•  Your listening ears!!!
• Paper cutter with score blade, or Scor-Pal/Score tool
  
• Redline tape
  
• dimensionals
  
• scissors
  
• hobby blade
  
• ruler
  
• Crop a dile (or 1/8 hole punch)
  
• corner rounder (if you have one)
  

Thanks for dropping by today everyone!  I hope you're all getting as excited as we are!!

Introducing Karen Motz and Announcing a Sketch Swap!!

Hi everyone!  We're already busy behind the scenes prepping classes and organizing the details of our upcoming stamping get away!!  To get everyone really excited about all that is planned, we wanted to begin to introduce you our instructors!  

Introducing Karen Motz - The Paper Playhouse

Up first is my friend, Karen Motz, did you know she's practically my neighbor? We met this summer thanks to an introduction from Emily - that's right, Stamping Bella herself!  Right away, we were fast friends - she'll be my room-mate at Stamp New England! 

 

Karen blogs just about daily on "The Paper Playhouse" and has been featured as one of Taylor's Van Bruggen's Cupcake Samplers for her weekly Sketch Challenge!  

Karen will be leading our Friday night make and take with her "Bella Bind-It Book."  This will be a fun and casual project, a great chance to meet all the other Stamp New England stampers and create an adorable sketch journal!  Here's just a peek of what she's got planned for us!

Here's a little bit about Karen in her own words....

"I started out as a scrapbooker, many years ago. Nothing serious, just dabbling in it with photos from occasions and events. Then, in May 2003, I attended a Stampin' Up! party and was completely amazed at the beautiful things we did with rubber stamps and ink. I was HOOKED right then and there. I had never stamped before in my life, but I was completely smitten with rubber stamping. Needless to say, I dove in head first, signed up as an SU demo and built a thriving business. In addition to that, I worked for a couple of years as a rubber stamping instructor at two local scrapbooking stores. Then a fabulous change in hubby's career had us moving from Ontario, Canada to Massachusetts, USA in June 2008, and I had to let go of my SU business.

 
Very shortly after we moved, I met a wonderful stamper, Joanne Basile (who's blog I'd been lurking on for quite some time) thanks to an introduction via email from Emily (Stamping Bella). We became fast friends and for that I'm very thankful. I knew I wanted to continue stamping and start a blog to keep me motivated. After all, I'd been lurking on so many wonderful blogs and Splitcoast, checking out the beautiful creations and gleaning sooooo much inspiration that I decided I wanted to share my creations too. So I started my blog on November 26, 2008. 

I can be found on most days, happily stamping away, using any and all products that catch my fancy, participating in challenges on both Splitcoast and blogs. I also love taking classes, both for the social aspect and because I learn a little something at every class I've attended."

Want to swap sketches? 

Since Karen's project is a sketch journal, why don't we start the festivities with a "Sketch Swap!!"  Please bring your favorite sketch to share with the group.  It can be your own original sketch, or a "go to" favorite.  If you've borrowed a sketch from somewhere, please just be sure to give credit as to where you discovered it!  If you'd like to swap sketches, please bring 36 of them to share.  They should be printed out no larger than 3x5  so that they can be added to 5x7 sized journal pages leaving a little room for notes.  Also, please be sure to print to regular copy paper versus cardstock or else the books will be too thick!! 

Be sure to hop by Karen's blog to see even more of her work, and get searching for YOUR favorite sketch to share with the group!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Joanne