Its My Party, and I'll Cry if I want too! ~Urban Anthology TURNS 1 years old!!

Although I don't design kits for my friend Kari's Urban Anthology anymore, I'm sooo sooo thrilled that she's continued to be a success (eek! that sounded bad the way I said it!). It seems just like yesterday that she started up her new company and we'd spend late nights together at her old condo pouring through catalogs, etc.

Ahhh, the good ole days. Well.....on June 1st, Urban Anthology turns ONE!! And Kari is celebrating with a huge month long celebration complete with games, challenges, blog hops and prizes!!

Come visit Urban Anthology and register in their FORUM if you haven't already. Play along ALL month long, ok??

Kari....I just got a whiff of your June kit. WOW is all I can say!! It's gorgeous, no ladies??

Congratulations Kari!!

Design Team Call & April Kit @ Urban-Anthology

I can't believe its been 8 months already since my good friend Kari opened her own online store / kit club!! Its time again to look for some talented ladies for her next Design Team Call. Check out the details HERE.

And here's the Urban-Anthology April Kit entitled "C'mon Get Happy." He he, we were in a Partridge Family kinda mood when we put this kit together! You can get it NOW by clicking here.


C'mon Get Happy will be shipping before April 15th.

This kit features Sassafrass Lass, Cosmo Cricket, Making Memories, Bazzill card stock as well as many embellishments… some from Prima, and other hand selected from the garment district in Los Angeles! You will be getting 10 papers, 3 card stocks, and 3 - 12 x 12 pages with embellishments… and that doesn’t include the ribbons, pebbles, alphabet, flowers, and more that you will be getting.
I can't wait to get my hands on THIS kit!!

Urban-Anthology March Kit Sneak Peek!!

Its time for a sneak peek of the Urban Anthology March 2009 Kit entitled "Flowers in the Attic." This kit is packed full of the newest products released at the Winter CHA show! And I have to confess, that this one will be my most personal favorite because I finally got to go HOG wild with Jenni Bowlin! {There seriously are perks to designing kits...he he, cuz I get to have all my favorites each and every month!}

Can you see some of the Jenni Bowlin, Prima, and Cosmo Cricket in there? And, the color palette is so soft and beautiful! I cannot WAIT to get my hands on this kit!

I'm also proud to announce that Jenn, who owns Creative Chaos, a wonderful etsy store who specializes in journalling bits, will be designing embellishments JUST for Urban-Anthology!!

Take a look at these precious additions that will be included in the March "Flowers in the Attic" Urban Anthology Kit!!

Stay tuned, as the FULL kit reveal will happen on March 1st, which is just a matter of a few days away. You don't have to wait that long to purchase yours, as you can buy it now to make sure you get this kit. Its already selling REALLY well as of this morning's announcement and there's just a few left now.

Be sure to check out all the sweet journalling bits from Creative Chaos too! {See my blog post below for my projects showcasing items from Creative Chaos.}

Urban-Anthology - February Kit "Modern Vintage" Available NOW

Announcing the Urban Anthology February Kit, Modern Vintage! Get this kit and get ready for spring. The bright and bold colors will help you get out of those winter blues and ready for spring to come. This kit is jam packed full of goodies, including our first ever stamp, from Prima.
Here is a peak at nearly everything that you will be getting in your kit! To buy yours, simply go to the store!

As always you will be getting over $40 retail in product... you just can't beat a deal like that these days. Check out the Urban Anthology Store to get your kit today!

Urban-Anthology - February Kit Reveal "Modern Vintage"

I can't believe we're forging ahead into February already! I'm still recovering from my marathon movie screenings the past couple of weeks due to Golden Globe and now Oscar nominations.

And its time already for my friend Kari to release a sneak peek of Urban Anthology's February kit "Modern Vintage."

This kit features many vintage styles with a fresh and modern color pallet. This kit contains We are Memory Keepers, Autumn Leaves, Making Memories, Prima and Bazzill to name a few. You can also expect to see a few sheets of card stock, as well as many fantastic embellishments, ribbons, and flowers, that are certain to please most anyone!

As always you will be getting over $40 retail in product... you just can't beat a deal like that these days.

You can pre-order "Modern Vintage" now... just head over to the Urban Anthology Store, and it will ship before February 15. Check out the subscription price too and you'll get even more value for your money. I can't wait to get mine from Kari tomorrow when I see her at CHA. (There are definitely perks to being local to Urban-Anthology! he he)

***** SALE ***** SALE *****

Don't forget that Urban-Anthology is having a super duper 40% off sale on the entire store!! We’re making room for all the new CHA goodies!

The store is ON SALE! Get the goods while they last…
40% off almost everything
and
FREE shipping on orders over $75!

Sale ends January 31, 2009,

*Excludes kits & Gift Certificates. Free shipping applies to US residents
only, international orders will receive a $7 credit towards shipping on
orders over $75

Hurry on over to the store now!

SALE SALE SALE @ Urban-Anthology

We’re making room for all the new CHA goodies!

The store is ON SALE! Get the goods while they last…
40% off almost everything
and
FREE shipping on orders over $75!

(Sale ends January 31, 2009,

*Excludes kits & Gift Certificates. Free shipping applies to US residents
only, international orders will receive a $7 credit towards shipping on
orders over $75)

Hurry on over to the store now!

Its that time again for a sneak peek of Urban-Anthology's new monthly kit. This was the very last kit I was commissioned for by my friend Kari, and I had an absolute ball with it. I wanted to go out with a bang! So it has all my favorites in it! There are tons of Webster's, Making Memories, Hambly and ohhh a smidgeon of Sassafras and a bit of Marie Antoinette herself too! (shhhh! dont' tell anyone I leaked that last part out).

You can pre-order "Let Them Eat Cake" now... just head over to the Urban Anthology Store, and it will ship before January 15. December's "Its a Wonderful Life" was SOLD OUT so I'd rush over to get this one before its SOLD OUT too.

I've had an absolute BALL in designing the last 6 monthly kits for Kari at Urban-Anthology because we got to grow our friendship during this time. Its definitely been both a learning and eye opening experience into the industry, and I have nothing but kudos for all those kit club pioneers who came before us. Its HARD work!! But to see the fruit of our labor is sooo sweet!! I'm soo very very thrilled for the success Urban-Anthology has achieved in such a short amount of time. Cheers to you Kari!!

And thank you, Kari, for inviting me to continue as your Kit Designer for the next 6 months!! I"m thrilled and wish you continued success!! (And I can't WAIT til CHA!!! Whoohoo!! We're gonna have so much fun seeing all the stuff IN PERSON this time around.)

TOO Much Fun This Holiday Weekend

Man! was this long holiday weekend jammed packed or what?!?! I think I need another 4 day long weekend just to recover from all the fun I had this Thanksgiving Holiday.

I got some great deals both on Wednesday night and on Black Friday at Old Navy and Macy's! I'm mainly happy over the great deal I got on my new cashmere sweaters. It was amazing how low the prices were everywhere on everything that I really found it hard to spend more than $5 to $10 for most items. But I stuck to just getting some new basics that needed updating, so no overspending this year for me! I didn't turn mush just because I saw a sale sign!

Friday, it was Design Team Leader Suzy Haghighi's turn to host our weekly Friday Challenge over at Embellish-Online which was to use your left over scraps. Click here to see her gorgeous card along with what I came up with for this week's challenge in our gallery.

Come play with us and be sure to use keyword FC18 when you upload your projects to the gallery so we can all see your beautiful work! To see everyone's submissions click *here*

Then, on Friday as well, I spent most of my time at Scrap 'N Yap getting ready for our Holiday Extravaganza Make and Take Event. The staff (Jenn, Erna, Roseann and of course, Elizabeth, the owner) and I, along with Yap customer Julie, cooked up 8 different make and take projects ranging from super quick and easy ones like the tree candy favor box to more time consuming detailed projects like Roseanne's Recipe Book. Click here to read and see all about our super fun day at the 'Yap on Saturday.

I was pleasantly surprised and grateful for my good friend Susan's support when she came by the store for a suprize impromptu visit with her hubby. We had time to chat and have lunch together at Jake's Roadhouse since my pics from my previous blog post seemed to have piqued Susan's taste buds.

Here's the project that I designed and taught which was totally fun especially with customers Allison and her niece Jade. These two were a giggle fest indeed! We made a super cute 6x6 album from American Crafts featuring Teresa Collin's Christmas paper line and Bazzil Dots Cardstock in under an hour!! For those of you that know me, you know that that timeframe was a huge feat even for me!



Sunday was my cousin's baby daughter's birthday. Addison turned one!! She was the Guest of Honor at her very own 10 course Chinese style luncheon banquet. Here are some of the dishes we feasted on today. (We Chinese traditionally do this for our babies at either one month or one year old with red dyed eggs...I'll spare you all the cultural explanation 'cuz I'm in major cooing mode right now.)







Here's Addison with her Mommy, Daddy (my cousin Randy), her big sis, Taylor and big bro, Jacob with her yummy chocolate birthday cake.



I had to take this next picture of Addison and her Grandfather (my uncle) because my Uncle used to "eat" her daddy's hands when he was a baby too just like he is doing to her in this picture!! I thought it was cute because I can still vividly see my Uncle doing this so many years ago. Randy is only 3 years younger than me. :) His son Jacob looks so much like Randy...its very endearing to be around this little boy.



I couldn't help myself when I saw Addison's adorable little golden ballerina slippers peeking out from her matching Princess style birthday dress while she was napping.



Lol...these aren't even MY kids and I can barely contain myself from over-sharing pictures and stories about these sweet, sweet, dear children of my cousin, who I regard as one of my brothers. Lol...can you imagine what I'll be like when I have kids??? OMG! I'll be hopeless!

I have to leave you with one last picture of Taylor, who is now 6, enjoying the lollipop that served double duty as our favors and table place cards. My lollipop indicated that I was at Table #2 - the table of adults who still have no children!



It truly was a super fun party with High School Musical songs playing in the background while we ate, talked and then were later entertained by a full fledged magician. It was cute seeing baby Addison sway back and forth to the music in her high chair. :) (Ok, I'll stop now....lol!)

But the night wasn't over yet. I then drove over to visit my friend Kari and her hubby at their new house that's now located a whooooole 12 miles farther away from me!! Sniff!! Sniff!! She and her hubby were painting their new house to get it ready for their move in a few weeks. It truly is one of the lovliest homes for the two of them to build their family and future in. I'm so very happy for Kari, but sad she's so much farther away now. lol

But what's amazing about Kari is that she's soo on top of things!! She's got her December Monthly Kit, entitled "Its a Wonderful Life," for her Urban-Anthology store packaged and ready to mail while she's in the middle of taking possession of her first home and packing/moving all her stuff! Wow!! I'm not worthy!! I'm not worthy!!! Check out the fabulous December kit from Urban-Anthology.




How cute are they in matching outfits??



But before I go, just one more baby picture. For those of you that know me and my fetish for babies with round heads with soft hair I can pet so that their hair bounces.....juuuust lookkkeee at this liddle baybeeee?? Look at that face! Look at those cheeks!! This one is Christian, and he's TWO!! He's Addison's first cousin, on her mother's side - so no blood relation to me. But he's my current favorite baby in my extended family.



Whew!! Definitely TOO much fun this long Holiday Weekend. Yes, baby petting is very exhausting! :) I'm already looking forward to next weekend for much needed relaxation!

December "Its a Wonderful Life" Sneak Peek & Pre-Order @ Urban-Anthology

Aha!!!! My friend Kari just released a sneak peek of Urban Anthology's December kit aptly titled "It's A Wonderful Life."

This kit has a touch of winter, a touch of Christmas, and just and elegant feel to it with a combination of Melissa Frances, Making Memories, My Minds Eye and Daisy D's! This kit features TONS of vintage jeweled buttons and lace trim that we found in the LA Garment District. (You have nooooo idea how much climbing and hunting at the back of these warehouses it took to find these babies!) Kari and I really try to design kits that are not too theme specific so that scrappers can use the kit contents for just about anything.

You can pre-order "Its a Wonderful Life" now... just head over to the Urban Anthology Store, and it will ship before December 15... so you will have it in plenty of time for the holidays to dress your family accordingly to coordinate with the colors of this kit. LOL!! (c'mon, I know I'm not the only one out there that does this!)

Urban-Anthology New Kits & Sale!!

Urban-Anthology has been off to a great start thanks to all the wonderful ladies that make up that awesome community! Kari has been working hard behind the scenes. Check out the October 2008 Bewitched Kit!

And here are some close ups of all the yummy contents of this kit!

Here's a link to all the amazing things that the UA DT have created with this kit. I'll soon have something to share too as soon as I make some time to go over the pics of my nephew and neice that I took of them Friday night on Halloween! Taking pics of children is really hard! They move around ALOT!

You also need to take a look at what my good friend Eva did with this Bewitched Oct 2008 kit for her DT submission to the new challenge blog, We Kit You Not! launched by an old friend that I met on the UK Scrappers message board, Kimmy.

And here's a sneak of what November's "Calgon, Take me Away" Kit looks like which is available for purchase TODAY:

The DT creations for this kit can be found here. I just got my kit yesterday and I'm still fingering everything. It has such calming happy colors....hmmm, yes, Calgon, Take me Away!

****SALE****SALE****SALE****SALE*****SALE*****SALE****SALE****SALE****

Oh, Oh, Oh!!! But before I forget, Urban-Anthology is having a Halloween Special 40% off Sale through Monday, November 3, 2008! Check out the Urban Anthology Store, where all Halloween products are on sale 40% off through Monday, November 3, 2008. Check out our specially selected merchandise in the Halloween Department. (Sorry our October kit is not included, however, there are still a few available for purchase) Remember shipping is always just $5.

Scrap Pink Cyber Crop @ Urban-Anthology - October 17-19 2008

Come join our first Urban-Anthology Scrap Pink Cyber Crop and help a good cause the Susan G Koman foundation!

This will not be any ordinary cyber crop as we will be cropping for a cause to raise funds to help find a cure for Breast Cancer!

The cyber crop will be FREE, however, there will be many opportunities for you to make donations, get great discounts and participate in fun games, challenges and classes.

We will be having special guest Elizabeth Hicks who is both a Primadonna (Prima DT) and a DT for Tattered Angels (those wonderful people who make the Glimmer Mists). I personally am so bummed that I didn't jump on the opportunity to take her classes 2 weeks ago when she taught at the Scrappin-Escapes retreat I attended, so I'm totally excited to have a 2nd chance. She's utterly amazing with all things clear, glittery, shimmery, painty, etc...you get the idea.

For the Scrap Pink cyber crop, Elizabeth will be showing us how to use what you have on your computer along with teaching us a few new techniques along with using what we already have in our scrap stash to create a fantastic layout! She'll also be around to chat with us LIVE on Saturday, Oct 18th between 8-10PM PST.

We will be kicking off the festivities on Friday night with a crop, so get on those comfy PJ's and pull together those projects you have been wanting to work on, and join us!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2008:

Karen & Keri - Will be host’s of a weekend long chal­lenge

Scrap Pink Kick off On-line Cyber Crop... with RAK's, RAK's, RAK's (Prizes!)... Starts (3 PM PST)
Kristin - Card Making (8 - 9 PM PST)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2008:

Elizabeth Hicks— Layout Project (throughout the day)

Kari - Basic Grey Mini Album (10 AM PST) ***********See below!
Kathi - Layout Challenge (2 PM PST)
Ching - Envelope Accordion Mini Book - (7-9 PM PST)
Elizabeth Hicks - Live Chat (8-10 PM PST)
A few Games & Prizes throughout the day
Late Night Crop 7 PM PST - Until we all fall asleep!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2008:

Kathi - Binder Clip Photo Holder ( TIME T.B.D)
Games & Prizes.

Basic Grey Scrap Pink Mini Album

What would a crop be with projects, classes, and make and takes???

Join Kari, Urban-Anthology's fabulous owner, on Saturday October 19th (time TBA) to make the Basic Grey Scrap Pink Mini Album, which you can purchase at Urban-Anthology. ($10 of the kit cost will be donated to the Susan G Koman foundation, when purchased by October 20, 2008) Join us online and make it with us, or purchase the kit (instructions included) and do it on your own time. Don't forget to upload your project to the gallery! $30 Retail Value!

Basic Grey Scrap Pink Mini Album Kit Contents:

6x6 Scalloped mini album
Basic Grey -Perhaps 6x6 paper pad
1 pkg Infuse Ribbons
1 pkg Infuse buttons
1 sheet Flourish rub-ons (black)
1 pkg Middleset chipboard alphas
Detailed COLOR directions
*** Bonus Prima flowers ***

My Bad Girls Academy Class #2 Submission

I'm happy to report that I've advanced not only past the first week, but also the second week of the competition over at BadGirlsKits for their Top Designer 2008 competition.

As of tomorrow, Monday, we'll be in week 3 of a 6 week competition where we students have to create a layout based on the class, post it and see if we are allowed to continue to the next week. So its almost like Survivor, but for scrapping. :)

I'm having a ball participating in it with my friends Karen and Eva as we are rooting each other on. I'm also loving playing with the kit contents of my friend Kari's Urban-Anthology debut monthly kit called "Who's That Cutie?" I did add a Hambly leaf transparency that I originally wanted to use for something else, but I just thought it works so beautifully here for the fall Lobster Festival that I really enjoy attending here in the LA area. I also added some ki chipboard and some MM papers.

Here's my Week 2 Class Layout for the competition which called for mixing patterned papers that complements my photos.



And here are the details:



I did pass Week 2, but please continue to wish me luck, girls, for the remainder of the competition!

My Bad Girls Academy Class #1 Submission

I never do these competitions simply because I never make the time to scrap during the week. Shoot, for most of you that know me, I just am not a speedy gonzalez type of scrapper! lol...so when my friends Karen and Eva told me about this little 6 week class competition, I thought, sure why not?

So for 6 weeks, there will be a class (to me its more like challenges) at BadGirlsKits and we students have to create a layout based on the class, post it and see if we are allowed to continue to the next week. So its almost like Survivor, but for scrapping. :)

This first week, thankfully I got to "class" on time to be there for roll call, and I created this layout using the class directive to "layer." All the materials came from my friend Kari's Urban-Anthology debut monthly kit called "Who's That Cutie?"

There's definitely alot of layering going on here. All the papers were distressed with my SU distressing tool and then inked with my brown Versafine ink pad. There are chipboard layers, hand cut elements layered (my leaves were hand crumpled, distressed inked and pop dotted underneath the branch), prima flower layers, photo mat layers, title work layers, etc. I think I've fulfilled my class assignment. Wish me luck girls that the judges pass me to next week's Bad Girls Academy class.



Here is a detailed look....



Wish me luck, girls, for the competition!