Annoucements, Announcements, Announcements

This is my kind-of, sort-of quarterly update for all of my Mosaic friends and crop friends! :)  It's a long one, but it's full of great information!         

 

1.  My first order of business here is to express to all of my friends, new and old, what a joy it has been to share this year with you.  I have always dreamed of being able to make money at my hobby and, while I won't be quitting the day job anytime soon, I am RICH RICH RICH in new friends and in inspiration!  My heart is filled with an overflowing abundance of gratitude for all of the various enrichments that you folks have brought into my life!           

 

2.  I wanted to make you aware of some upcoming events that are not yet up on any of my cropportunities groups.  If you are the organizer of any of these events, please post them to reach a larger crowd than my own mailing list!  (See details below)         

 

Saturday, November 3rd in Milford - all day Scrap and Craft to benefit Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers at Faith Church.  Sign up NOW for this event.  I do not know these ladies, personally, but I make it a policy to share any events I know of with you ladies.  Even though I am unable to  attend, I wanted to pass it on for those of you who may.  Contact Shelly Keebaugh with any questions at  shelly@keebs.net

 

Sunday, November 4, 2012 1:30-3:30 - My next class at Stamping Buddies.  I will be teaching the Falling for Fall panoramic mosaic layout that I taught this past weekend so if you missed out, you have one last chance!  Call the store at (513) 891-CRFT to reserve your spot.  www.stampingbuddies.com

 

Saturday, November 10th in Kenwood / Deer Park area - Michelle Diekmeyer and Edith Hulsman's traditional all day Scrap Therapy Day at the Cincinnati Church of Christ.    This includes amazing coupons and discounts with Stamping Buddies  (located right across the street from the scrap).  This year the event will be a fundraiser for local orphans.   Contact Michelle with any questions at  mdiekmeyer@gmail.com           

 

Friday, November 30 through December 2, 2012 - weekend retreat in Traverse City, MI.  One of my favorite companies, Simply Stitched page kits, are co-sponsoring a weekend retreat in Traverse City, MI. http://www.simplystitchedscrapbooking.com/index.html Follow the links on their website for the registration form and details.  Although the forms online say the payment deadline was October 15, please note that members of my meetup group (see below) are elibible for $100 off the registration price now through November 3, 2012!  Now that's a sweet deal!        

 

Friday, December 21, 2012 (maybe Saturday, December 22, 2012)? – This is just some wild hair notion that I got.  Since they are saying the Mayan Calendar says that the world will end on 12/21/12, I was thinking we should have a scrapbooking a’crop’alypse party.  Is anybody up for this?  I know it’s close to Christmas, but we could use it as a chance to finish up all those last minute gifts.  I’ll need imput fairly soon.  If we go low-key with no vendors, etc., I could reserve Miss Bridgette’s with as few as 20 folks at $20 a head – and we could each have our own tables (up to 30 of them) at that price.  If anyone else has any other venue ideas, I am certainly willing to keep an open mind, depending on the level of interest.  Email with your thoughts, comments suggestions. 

 

Saturday, February 16, 2013 in Lebanon, Ohio.  Shelly Allen's and my next big crop day in Lebanon.  Details will be available on our blog: www.scrapbookcropandshop.blogspot.com on November 1, 2012, or use the attached form to pre-register by November 15.  This deadline is a little shorter than our normal early bird deadline, but Shelly and I are hoping to shop for our goody bag items over Thanksgiving weekend when the deals are on!   Don't miss out!!!!   Only early bird registrants (by Nov 15) will receive a vendor goody bag with prizes from all of our vendors.  Classes won't be posted until at least Nov 1, so you don't HAVE to register for classes yet, but make sure to get your early bird cropper registration in before the prices go up and the goodies go down.   You will know you are officially registered when you get an email from Shelly confirming your registration and sending you a link to register for the potluck!

 

3.  New Ways to Update! Rather than sending out an email every time I have an update, I wanted to consolidate the process as much as possible. Please consider joining my (Deborah White (Hitchcock)) "Cropportunities" group on Facebook or joining my new cropportunities group on www.meetup.com.  And PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE share these options with your friends.

          

If you're not familiar with meetup, you might just love it.  It is a place where you can join groups of people who share your interests such as hiking, wine tasting, etc.  Ours just happens to  be for paper crafters.  The sponsors and I pay the money to fund the site so that you don't have to pay to join.  You, as members, have the option to post information about  ANY scrapbooking, cardmaking, or other papercrafting events you know of.  If you know someone who sells Creative Memories, Stamping Up, etc. or a MOPS group or other similar group that does fundraisers, workshops, classes or crops, please tell them to announce their events on meetup.  That's what it's there for!  Right now we have about 50 folks in our meetup group so that's 50 potential croppers/shoppers, etc. that you can market to!  It is not limited to only those of us who sponsor the site to post events.  ANYONE can post any scrapbooking or papercrafting events, sales, crops, classes, etc.        

 Please  note that, through Meetup, we have some great sponsors, including myself and Shelly, who offer perks such as discounts to our meetup members.  Stamping Buddies is offering all our meetup members a GREAT perk right now, so make sure you mention if you're a meetup member when you're in the store!         

 

5.          Upcoming Classes

Depending on student interest, I hope to resume mosaic classes once a month in the Columbus area at Red Letter Journals in Grove City in January 2013.  I am also planning on having a few page kits for sale at the November 10, 2012 Holiday Open House in the Store, although I won’t be there to see your smiling faces!  http://www.redletterjournals.com/

 

At, I am teaching a month at Stamping Buddies in the Kenwood/Deer Park area of Cincinnati (http://www.stampingbuddies.com/).  

 

Details about these classes can also be found on my blog and the store websites.         

 

6.          Share with Me!  I want to encourage all of my students to email me pictures of any mosaics that you create. I would love to share them on my blog.              

 

7.          Cheer for Me!  Lastly, if you are a student of mine (a mosaic scrapbooker) or are thinking about taking my classes in the future, I would be eternally grateful if you would consider 1) joining the Journella website; and 2) cheering for me. Journella is an online journalling website where I (and my fellow design team  

members) post our Mosaic challenge layouts at least twice a  month. (The DT member who gets the most cheers wins $50 in free products.) I believe that I am the only DT member  who actually teaches mosaic classes and it would be a huge  

support to me if my students would join the website and cheer for me. www.journella.com

 

It's free and easy and you'll  

love the features of the site:

             * Collecting of Facebook, Twitter, and Blog postings for organizing and saving.    

             * Add photos to your journal entries for better stories.    

             * Organize memories by category and easily sort with the click of 

 the mouse.    

             * Import family and friend's blog postings to your account.    

             * Share your favorite stories (on story by story basis) with others to our NEW story board.    

             * Read other's stories, cheer them on, and follow your favorite authors. 

             * Many more new features added every month.                      

 

Debbi White    

www.minervamosaics.blogspot.com   
www.scrapbookcropandshop.blogspot.com                    

 

ONE MORE CHANCE

 

 

I am teaching this Tami Potter layout one more time.  I provide all of the photos and papers to create everything you see here.  In the class, I teach Tami Potter's "mending the horizon" technique to meld the four 4x6 photos into one panoramic-looking photo.  This is an intermediate technique, but even beginners can learn.

 

I am offering this class at Stamping Buddies in Cincinnati on Sunday, November 4, 2012 from 1:30 to 3:30.   Get it before it's gone!  :)  

 

If you are new to making mosaics, Stamping Buddies is the PERFECT place to get started because they offer a great deal on your starter kit that comes with the Tami Potter mat, Dotto Repositionable Adhesive, Lil Chizler Tool, cork-backed metal ruler and an exacto knife for $30!  (The mat alone is $25 if you buy it from me)

 

Call the store (513) 891-CRFT to make your reservation!

September Design Team Submissions

Here are my two latest Tami Potter Design Team submissions:

 

 

The challenge for the top one was to create a layout using nothing but 1" squares and buidling on the scarlet paper.  Because I don't take a lot of "flower" type pictures, I had a tough time finding pictures without a lot of faces, or at least without big faces.  This was actually a pretty tricky challenge for me.

 



 

 

The challenge for this second layout was to take photographs of something that we "squirrel" away or collect.  I chose to feature some pictures of my scrapbooking room where I keep all of my "Hoarders" level stash! 

 

To see close-ups with more details of these two photographs, you can check them out on Journella.  Please remember to look at all my layouts and consider cheering me on because that's just one of the ways Tami Potter knows we're out here spreading the word about mosaics.

http://www.journella.com/storyboard/index/story/author/authorid/329

Fridays Are for Friends - And MORE Legos!

A couple weeks ago, I shared with you a comparison of layouts my friend Erika and I had done using lego licensed paper.  This layout focuses on Erika's trip to the Lego Store at Downtown Disney.  I love how she used the close-up shots of legos in the 1" tiles and how she overlayed her lettering on top of the legos. 

What other toys give you mosaic inspiration?  Please share your layouts with me via email and I will share your inspiration with my followers!

Fridays Are for Friends - Lee Ann has been busy!

 

 

Lee Ann sent me these awesome submissions that feature her adventures at the Ohio State Fair.  The pictures tell most of the story but here's what Lee Ann had to say:   

 

"These are my Ohio State Fair pages. My daughter has gotten my fiance to get his fingernail decorated with her the last two years. I just had to take a picture this time. The farm pictures were in the Fine Arts Building. I loved them. They were fiber art pictures. I had to show me eating my funnel cake and my fiance's favorite french fry vendor. We ran into my brother and sister-in-law, not knowing they were going to be there. We love going to the fair every year. It's our end of summer activity before heading back to school."

Those 1" tiles are AWESOME and I love the fact that her fiancee is willing to have his nail done!  Sounds like an absolute blast!!! 

Thanks for sharing, Lee Ann!  Your work is just inspiring.  :) 

Cropping Time for Me!!!

Hey Ladies!  I'm off for the rest of this week.  I leave in the morning to go check out the digs at Crop a Doodle Do!  As you know, they are our sponsor for the grand prize giveaway at our October 13, 2012 crop and I can't wait to see for myself all that they have to offer! 

If you want to check them out for yourself, here's the website:  http://www.cropadoodledo.com/
Before you book, remember they'll have some awesome deals available exclusively to our croppers who book on the date of the October 13, 2012 crop!

Something to think about . . . 

I have one album laid out to complete and another one to get started while I'm enjoying my five days of scrap happiness!

Sign Up for Classes at the October 13, 2012 Crop!

Ladies - The wait is over!!!!!   All of the instructors have posted their classes for the October 13, 2012 crop, now:  http://www.scrapbookcropandshop.blogspot.com/

Please go to the blog and check out the class offerings from me, Creative Memories, Close to My Heart and Stampin Up!  You're gonna love 'em!! 

Please please please pre-register by sending your checks to Shelly Allen at the address on the blog so that the instructors can ensure that they have enough materials on hand! 

University of Cincinnati / UC Bearcats Mosaic Class This Weekend!!

Hey Ladies! 

Don't forget that I am offering this amazing UC mosaic layout this weekend at Stamping Buddies in Cincinnati and there are still some openings. 

http://www.stampingbuddies.com/  Call the store to reserve your spot!

As you may or may not know, Stamping Buddies is THE store where I would recommend you take your first mosaic class.  Stamping Buddies offers the best deal on your basic supply kit - for $30 you get your Mosaic Moments cutting mat (a $25 value), plus the Herma Dotto Repositional Adhesive, Ruler and an Xacto knife!

The class itself (my fee) is $20!

I will also have available for sale some coordinated UC die cuts - including they eyes that are featured in this layout and the UC "C" bearcat paw logo.  You're going to love them!

A Little Labor Day Patriotism???

As some of you may recall, this Fourth of July Layout is one of the first layouts I ever made on my own after I learned the mosaic technique.  I later offered it as a class to students at my crop at and at Red Letter Journals in Grove City, Ohio.



In the class, we worked on the "framing" technique that you see in the center on the left page.  To do this, you have to cut a 1/8" segment out of your photograph to frame the center piece with the outside.  I taught the technique in class using my own photographs, but encouraged the students to use their photographs.  I have a not-so-secret love of seeing my students put their own photographs on the layouts in class.  This makes me feel that these class layouts will end up in albums, not in some drawer somewhere - because the student walks away with a completed layout at the end of class . . . not just a "shell" of a layout.

Lee Ann, whose work has been featured here on my blog heavily lately - because she's prolific and talented, added her own pictures in class, except for the center piece.  Then, she took it home and used remedied the situation by adding that awesome and enthusiastic picture in the middle of the fireworks "frame."  Way to go!!!  Doesn't this layout just make you proud to be an American?

Fridays Are for Friends - Man's Best Friend!

Labor Day weekend is what most of us think of as the last weekend to hit the pool, right?  So what better time to share this awesome layout from one of my Red Letter Journals students, Renee!

When I designed the pool layout for a class to be taught at Red Letter Journals, I tried to keep it "basic" so that students could embellish to their choosing for swim lessons, diving competition, kiddie pools, pool parties, etc.  Well, look what Renee did with hers!!!  Yup, that's right - she used these lively pictures of her dog cooling off in the pool to make a fun layout!  As always, thanks for bringing pictures and completing your layout in class.  :)  You know how happy that makes me!  Great job Renee!

August Design Team Challenge

For the second Design Team challenge in August, we were asked to use "husk" paper and Mosaic Moments pattern  14 – Sixteen Squares

August element options - please choose one or more of the following:

• Handwritten journaling
• Free Download
• Clear Stamps

 I chose to use a couple of clear stamps. 

Please go to Journella and cheer me on:  http://www.journella.com/storyboard/fullview/id/9954/Crafts-Scrapbooks-August-Design-Team-Challenge---Straw-Paper

If you're thinking this layout looks somewhat familiar, you're right!  It is very reminiscent of a layout I did using the same surfing themed patterned paper from BoBunny.  But, it was just TOO PERFECT for this layout and I just had to use it again.  Here's the old one.

Fridays Are for Friends - Erika, AnaFrancina and Barbie!!!

You know the expression "I want to be Barbie; she has everything?"  Well, so does this Barbie layout!!!

There was a Barbie Exhibit at the Indianapolis Children's Museum and Erika used her pics from her visit with her daughter to create this awesome mosaic.  I can't decide which I like best - the strips with the fashion shots or all of the little 1" square elements.  Either way, this is ONE AWESOME LAYOUT!

Isn't It Funny??

The top layout here is one that I am working on for a class / workshop. The bottom layout is one designed by my friend, Erika, and featuring a Lego version of the Titanic. 

We've all talked about how learning the mosaic technique, and making mosaics, changes the way we take photographs.  Well, it also changes the way we shop.  Obviously, Erika and I both saw this Lego paper and though "Mosaic!"  (heck, the potential is BRIGHT as day!)  Yet, we took two totally different approaches to design/layout.

I tried to use a lot of colors and arrange them to make the patterened paper pop!  This is something I do for class layouts at scrapbook stores - I cover all the squares with patterned paper so that pictures can be added in using the paper as a mat only, or the spaces can be left exposed with just the patterned paper showing.  However, upon closer reflection, I think before I take this one "on the road" for a class, I would take out more of the patterned paper and use more lego photos.

Erika used red lego paper and she painstakingly cut the 1/8" segments from between the little 1" squares so that the paper would line up directly with the long horizontal strips across the bottom.  By using only the red paper, she puts a lot more emphasis on the photographs and the title.

Just more proof that while they may seem somehow "formulaic" - mosaics give you so much FREEDOM in design.  How can 10 x 10 1" squares do that?  I don't know, but I love it!

Announcements - Upcoming Mosaic Classes and Events

Saturday, August 18, 2012 - Red Letter Journals - Grove City, OH

http://www.redletterjournals.com/, 614-539-3900

OSU Buckeye Layout – 10:00 a.m. -12:00 noon

If you missed this class, please contact Red Letter Journals for a page kit! (Must have mosaic mat and basic mosaic skills and tools to assemble.)

Reminisce "Real Sports" Football Layout – 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

If you missed this class, contact me for a page kit!





Sunday, August 19, 2012 - Stamping Buddies – Cincinnati, OH

http://www.stampingbuddies.com/, 513-891-CRFT

Cincinnati Reds Layout – 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

We will be using the We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy stitching tool to sew baseball stitches on teh white strip on the right side of the layout. 

 

Sunday, September 9, 2012 - Stamping Buddies – Cincinnati, OH

http://www.stampingbuddies.com/, 513-891-CRFT

UC Bearcats Layout – 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Students who take this class will have the option to purchase additional coordinated UC die cuts from me on the date of the class. 

Friday and Saturday September 28-29, 2012

Creating Keepsakes Convention, Cincinnati, OH http://www.scrapandpapercorner.com/events/ckc/cincinnati/index.html

Tami Potter will be teaching introductory Mosaic Moments Classes

I will be working on Friday (10-3) doing demonstrations in the Convention Booth

Saturday, October 6, 2012 - Red Letter Journals - Grove City, OH

http://www.redletterjournals.com/, 614-539-3900

Falling for Fall – Panoramic (advanced) Layout – 10:00 a.m. -12:00 noon

Saturday, October 13, 2012 - Miss Bridgette’s Performing Arts Centre– Lebanon, OH

SHOP AND CROP TIL YOU DROP – All day Crop (10:30a.-11:00p) and Vendor Fair (11-4)

http://www.scrapbookcropandshop.blogspot.com/

Falling for Fall – Panoramic (advanced) Layout – evening

Sunday, October 14, 2012 - Stamping Buddies – Cincinnati, OH
http://www.stampingbuddies.com/, 513-891-CRFT

Creative Imaginations Football Layout – 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Fridays Are All About Friends! I'm Sharing More of Lee Ann's Work Today

A couple weeks ago, I introduced you to the work of a new student, Lee Ann.  As I mentioned then, Lee Ann had been very busy crafting mosaics in the short time since her first class.  And you know how some things about a mosaic appeal to one person and other things to someone else.  I was immediately in love with the covered bridge layout I shared before. 

My sister, on the other hand, was totally taken by the OP2 layout featured here, with all the 1" tiles.  I love the journaling on that layout, as well.  I think that is something that I often overlook when I get caught up in a mosaic and I love how prominently it is featured in this layout.

The colors and the use of the 9-tile squares on the Schmidt layout featured here today are very appealing to me.  I think the use of the 2 1/8" square with the flower in it, and the use of the coordinating patterned paper, really ties the pages together very nicely.

Thanks again, Lee Ann!!! 

Boys of Summer - August DT Photo Challenge

For our Tami Potter / Mosaic Moments Design Team photo challenge for August, we were asked to take photographs of things that mean "Summer" to us.  These pics show the highlights in Kayden's hair, the tan on his cheeks, and of course the great American pastime - baseball.  What could be more summer than that??

Check out the up-close details of this layout and cheer me on Journella:  http://www.journella.com/storyboard/fullview/id/9924/Sports-Entertainment-Boys-of-Summer!--August-Photo-Challenge

Fridays Are for Friends - More Erika Love Going Around Today!

My Design Team challenge for this week was to take pictures of some things that say "summer" to me!  I used a baseball theme for my layout - check back here on Tuesday to see it - but I couldn't help but think about this layout from Erika.  These pictures at the lake are just AWESOME and I love how  she took the basic design from one of the page patterns that comes on the Mosaic Moments paper packs and modified it with the lake all around the edges and the center photos.  Just inspiring work . . . makes me wish I was at the lake, for sure!!!  Ahhh, summer! 

Thank you, Erika.  Keep 'em coming!

Design Team Challenge - Page Pattern 10 - COVER GIRLS

This Design Team Challenge was:

Mosaic Moments pattern 10 – Five Photo Spots and Multiple Border Spots

Embellishment options - please choose one or more of the following:

• Oversized Title
• A Free Download
• A List

I made the layout a couple of months back, but since so many of my adorable nieces are leo's, I thought this was the perfect time to share!  Happy Birthday to Samantha (August 9) and Layla (August 5)!  :)  I love you, girls!

Here's the link to Cheer on Journella:  http://www.journella.com/storyboard/fullview/id/9635/Crafts-Scrapbooks-Cover-Girls

Fridays Are for Friends . . . and I've got a new one!

Lee Ann is a new student who took her first class with me at Red Letter Journals on June 30, 2012.  She was, much like me, instantly taken with the new technique.  She introduced her friend, Sue to mosaics and together they started creating!  By July 18, Lee Ann already had several completed mosaics to share with me.  I chose this one to show you first because I just love how the strips turned out.  I am also just crazy about the weathered wood patterned paper she used to accent the photos - it's just perfect.  Thanks Lee Ann!

Design Team Assignment - Page Pattern 3 - Soccer Layout

This was a Design Team assignment:

Project 2:  FEATURE GRID: 12x12 Cypress grid paper

Mosaic Moments pattern 3 – Nine Photo Spots

element options - please choose one of the following:

• patterned paper
• Rubber/clear stamps
• Ribbon

As always, you can cheer for me on Journella:  http://www.journella.com/storyboard/fullview/id/9467/Holidays-Soccer

Fridays Are for Friends - Erika's Fun Layout!

I just love all the action and activity in the photos on this layout.  Look at the way Anafrancina's hair is just flowing every which way as she runs and dangles!  My favorite part is how Erika's use of the colored 1" tiles really plays up the colors in the layout and the "motion" of the pictures. 

Thank you for sharing, Erika!

Mosaic Moments Sale!

Tami Potter and Mosaic Moments are having a huge sale this weekend - details below.  Please remember to follow the SnapNCrop link to the right of this post in order to make your purchases so that I get consultant credit!  Thank you!

ANNOUNCING: Our first ever STAY-VENTION online SALE! This weekend only - get our Convention deals from home!

July 26 through July 29.

We can't go to the CKC Lancaster trade show. But, we still want you to get the same deals as at the show. Hence, our 1st ever STAY-VENTION online SALE.

All the same great Mosaic Moments products you would see at the show at the same (or better) prices online.

Shop early for the best selection.

Most of these deals are PROMOTIONS. They are not shown on the items as ON SALE. Just add the appropriate number of the selected items to your shopping cart and see the promotional discount below the Sub Total $ amount. No coupon codes required.

Add items to your cart and watch the "Discounts" below Sub-Total get larger and larger.

Here are the deals:

• Mosaic Moments Starter Kits - $5 OFF

• Tools Kits (knife, ruler, adhesive) - same price as at the shows $27.00.

• Extra grid paper packs - 25% off when purchased with a starter kit.

• Grid paper packs - buy 4 or more and get 25% off all packs.

• Page Kits - Buy more, save more (see details below)

• Paper Tiles - buy 4 or more and save 25% off all Paper Tiles packs

• Cornerstones - buy more, save more (see details below)

Page Kits Deals:

• Buy 4 or more page kits - save 20% on all page kits.

• Buy 6 or more page kits - save 25% on all page kits.

• Buy 8 or more page kits - save 30% on all page kits.

• Buy 12 or more page kits - save 35% on all page kits.
  

Cornerstones Deals:

• Buy 10 or more Cornerstones - save 10%.

• Buy 20 or more Cornerstones - save 20%.

• Buy 50 or more Cornerstones - save 30%.

• Buy 100 or more Cornerstones - save 40%
  

July 23rd Design Team Challenge - Page Pattern 60

For our second July Design Team Challenge, we were asked to work with the brand new Tami Potter page Pattern #60 on Navy Grid Paper.  The embellishment options included "doodling" which was what I chose.  For more information, and to cheer for me on Journella . . . please follow this link: 

http://www.journella.com/storyboard/fullview/id/9803/Kids-Stuff-Children-July-DT-Challenge-2---Navy-Paper