Blogging for Scrapbookers: Prompt One

New House... Have the spare room to pursue bookish, writerly and all manner of creative things. Originally, I was just going to store the table and not use it, but the guy set it up, thinking he was helping... And really, there's enough room in the room for it, so he DID help. It's in between my dresser and the closet door. There's natural light to the left from a big picture window and a really nice (and bright) overhead light. There is a bookshelf to the left, more bookshelves and a desk to my back (while I'm sitting at the desk) and a wall to my right with the door and the guest twin bed.

A few weeks or a week ago, I signed up for Shimelle's class Blogging For Scrapbookers. It's Fab! I recommend it to anyone--from those of you who haven't taken the blogging plunge to those who have blogged for years. It's a FANTASTIC class with lots of great people (just ask my Google Reader--it's really busy with all the new and fantastic stuff I read!), great resources (thanks to Shimelle's hard work) and even some really cool blog-related things--like how to update templates and the like. I've gotten some experience with web design throughout the years, but Shimelle even taught me a few things--so really, the class is money well spent.

Hello to all of those new people from the class, I'm Glad you're joining me. I know I'm a bit late to teh game, but I've spent the last 2-3 weeks writing a novel, closing (in 5 days) on a new house and then moving into said house--but all looks done and A-okay now (keeping my fingers crossed). And really, that's just another awesome point on the value of Shimelle's class--it's completely self-led to better fit your schedule!

My intentions for this class are:

• to become a regular blogger (scheduled, too!).
• to produce quality, popular content to make people want to read my blog.
• to make time to comment on each of YOUR blogs regularly (I read everyone I follow).
• to make a more cohesive layout that better reflects my personal style.
• to (document and) USE my supplies!

So that's prompt one, all tied up in a little pretty package. I do have a few things I'm thinking about in regards to the blog, so I will update you soon. And thank you for starting this journey with me!

Trying something new

Trying Windows Live Writer right now, so that maybe I won’t have to deal with Blogger scheduling issues. This is my first post via this format…I’m still sick and we’re still moving, The end is in sight, but my motivation is severely lacking. Need to run over tomorrow and clean up two rooms hardcore, then maybe the bathroom. Tons of things need done, and I hope they will be. Eeek!

 

Also, I’ve been fighting with the internet service provider (RoadRunner)—I FINALLY think I have it, after having at one point three trucks at night in front of my house, lights blazing. Craziness.

Oh, Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate. Check out this link from Songbird Avenue for a digi mosaic template.

A New Chapter

We're about halfway to 2/3 of the way into the new house--of course, it's going to be weeks before I get my books and crafty stuff the way I like it, but we're closer to being in the house. The internet and satellite people are at the house today, getting that all taken care of--yay! I will have internet and tv, I can finally catch up on Top Chef and Sons of Anarchy (weird combo, I know).

So the new house is happy and fun and I'm loving it. I'm not loving being sick, I've still got a bit of a cough (Thank you to Tylenol, I slept last night--some kind of minty syrup that allowed me to sleep and not cough all night--yay!). And there's a full weekend.

There's also online classes. I'm taking Jessica Sprague's new class, and I'll have another post on that later--I'm actually going to be focusing on Shimelle's class "Blogging for Scrapbookers." I signed up a little late for the party (what's new, right?) because of the house thing (we put in an offer on a sunday and by that friday--5 days later--we had keys) and NaNoWriMo (and the novel in a month might not happen this month, kids) and the various birthdays and functions I had to show up to this month--well, let's just say that I'm noticing that I overschedule things a LOT!

So I kept hedging about whether or not I would have time to take Shimelle's class--the cost is only $15, and you DEFINITELY get your money's worth in a Shimelle class as I'm learning. And really, I've always wanted to take a Shimelle class, because she's fabulous. Love her style and the way her personality shines through the photos. So yesterday, I finally admitted to myself that NaNo probably wouldn't happen and I wanted to do something for myself. Plus, we're being laid off at this time next month (which means I'm going to California early) just before Christmas but returning at New Years, and I probably won't have the funds to take another class at the end of 2009/beginning of 2010--so I needed a darn treat! I've been moving without complaining in the midst of coughing up a lung and not sleeping because of said cough (sorry, I don't mean to vent, but darn it, I deserve this class!).

So back to the class. Or rather, back to the reason why I need this class. I've said before that I've never really been to a crop, officially.

• I've had people bring crafty things to book group and we make bookmarks or cards or something.
• I participated in an online crop or online crafty thing where we chatted a bit and then tried to make things, etc.
• I've been to Archiver's and set out a few things to work on, but it was mostly at non-peak times where it was just me, and I left when people started filtering into the room (because I thought it was a class and it turned out not to be)...

So what can you draw from this? That while I have creative friends, we don't craft together. YOU and the people I meet via blogs or on various boards are my creative people. I can share scrapbooking with YOU! I can show you cards and all sorts of crafty things that i don't normally share with others. And you don't understand how much that means to me--how much YOU mean to me. So thank you, first of all, for being around. And I want to take this time to apologize. I read and check all of your blogs, but I don't reply as often as I should, so I'm going to work on that.

And the blog will be changing, in a good way. I've been thinking of turning the address of GothamGal.net into a splash page, but retaining this blogspot account, as well as my book review and book crossing journals for links, but I'm not 100% committed to the idea yet, so that's where we're at at this moment. Look for new posts soon--like, possibly in the next day or even tonight, if I get inspired (which ISN'T hard to do when you're doing a Shimelle class, I've learned).

Happy Creating!

Ildi Co Wednesday

So I'm in the process of moving, and realize that i have WAY too much stuff--that's books, writing and crafting supplies! Yikes! There are sheer metric tons of the stuff, really. I guess you can say that's a perk of the digital stamp revolution--the space. Apart from some space on your hard drive (which reminds me, I have to backup on the external AND on a cd), you don't have to move much when you choose digital stamps.

Unless, of course, you're like me and you print everything out at least twice with different sizes just in case you can't get to the printer, LOL. Let's face it, I'm a bit of a packrat. But I'll be assembling my creating closet in the next few weeks, so it's exciting!

Since it's Wednesday, I get to talk about my favorite digi stamp company, Ildi Co. I'm on their design team and I've really had a great time. There are tons of really talented members of the team as well, you should check them out!

A few days ago, Ildi sent an email with some new images--and I had SOOOO many ideas for these that I couldn't control myself. However, because I'm apt to just jump into a project full force, I decided to go with something simple and easy... And it works.

I wanted to best illustrate the FUNCTIONALITY of digi stamps as they relate to holidays. Too often, we think of a product or using a product in only one way, and really... we shouldn't. Digi stamps are VERY versatile. And really, the only limitation is our own minds.

Let me explain this first one, in my office, we all have name tags on our cubicles (and even for the people in offices, actually), and usually these are very seasonal. Usually there are Christmas trees or ornaments or stars circulating this time of the year, so of course, my department is getting them! Here they are!

Now, they're all colored a bit differently, but because I had everyone's names on them, I couldn't very well show them to you. I lucked out and just wrote out my first name, but everyone else has their full names on them. This is an Ildi Co reindeer stamp, reminiscent of a gingerbread, don't you think? It's actually pieced from using one Ildi Co stamp printed on white Cardstock and one printed on SU's Kraft Cardstock. I cut out the craft and glued it to the bits that required it on the white Cardstock copy. I colored the eye and the bow with my Copic markers and then added a bit of a sparkly gel pen (Sakura Gelly Roll--stardust) so that it's extra sparkly! I did the same thing for the item below, but in a different way.

Ever wonder what to get people for the holidays? Well, since there are so many candies and cookies going around, I decided to hand out pencils--they're holographic, too. And so far, tons of people have been looking around my desk, checking them out. I hope to make some more and then place the tin in the front of my desk, so that people not only see them, but want one. I've already gotten three people asking me if I want to sell them, LOL. They're in a tin canister and there's some glass marbles in it to hold them up.

As you can tell, I LOVE the gingerbread option that is featured on this Ildi Co. post. It's great because it's sweet, but won't rot your teeth! If you've got a sweet mind, come and check me out next week, when I'll be featuring a digi-stamp of a different sort, but still keeping with the theme!

Rethinking the Wheel

I know, I know...there's a reason you're not supposed to rethink the wheel. But sometimes, I really think it's warranted... Like this time. I originally used a Halloweenie image to make a journal for an Ildi Co. project. And while I really loved it and so did the person who got the journal, I felt like something else had to be done. And thus, I came up with this.
Featuring Ildi Co's fantastic new digi, Cuddles and Clownkin, I bring you my Two for Tea journal. It's got Basic Grey's nook and pantry paper, Crate and Paper cardstock stickers, and some random ribbon and a CUSTOM Ildi Co mug that's attached to the bookmark ribbon for the journal (one of my favorite things about journals)!
I used my copics to color it and I really must say that it was a lot of fun to color Cuddles. I love that bear.

If all worked as planned, you should be seeing this at 9 PM. The day after I was scheduled to post, with the migraine and getting a cough, I'm not feeling too well. Look for new posts in the coming weeks for some more Ildi Co goodness AND a new location--the new house!

First Ildi Co Project

One of my favorite things in the new Ildi Co release is the snowman pictured above. If you follow this blog, you'll know him from a previous weekend post--but this one is a bit different. I decided I just needed something little to add to a cool box that I made from SVGCuts.com. The box is cut from Bazzil, as is the blue under layer--which is also spritzed with glimmer mist.
The snowman was colored with my copics. You lift the flap and there he is. Really adorable. I did something different with the shading, did a light gray blue on the whole hat, then a baby blue type of color on the edges and then a really darker baby blue on the final edges.
One thing I am thankful for in crafting is getting the Copics--they are absolutely FABULOUS to work with, especially with the fun Ildi Co. images.
If all worked as planned, you should be seeing this at 9 PM. The day after I was scheduled to post, with the migraine and getting a cough, I'm not feeling too well. Look for new posts in the coming weeks for some more Ildi Co goodness AND a new location--the new house!

Good and Bad

You have to take the good with the bad. I'm updating right now to let you know that we got the house and might be moving in this weekend. The bad news?
I have the worst migraine in the world. I started feeling a buzzing in my jaw and the back of my head, and normally that's the biggest indicator for me that there's going to be a doozy. And normally, I can sleep it off.
But last night I couldn't, I kept waking up, which is odd.
I look absolutely terrible and I feel worse. But I will be posting 2 Ildi Co. treats this evening. I have the posts to auto post, but have to add the photos, so I appreciate your patience.

What I've been up to::late October, early november

Okay, so if you haven't already noticed, things have been a little silent from my end. This is for a few reasons, the most important (to being an adult) is at the bottom of the list...
So check it out!

Halloween: Was supposed to go as Batgirl, plans fell through, so on the actual night, went as Daphne. The second picture is me with a friend at Karaoke. The first is me with the Mystery Machine gang. It's the first time I've gone out for Halloween since college--it was fantastic!

NaNoWriMo: It's November 9th, have you seen my plot or wordcount yet? I write a 50,000 word novel every November, and this year, everything has been crazy, so I haven't really done it. Have to get to 15,000 tomorrow as a personal goal--which means 10000 words in the next 24 hours--crazy!

House Hunting: We've needed a new house for a long time. The roof in the house we're renting is bad, we've had black mold in the bathroom (which always comes back no matter how much bleach we use), drafty windows, bad neighbors--you name it. So we're buying our first house--and I get a big closet for my crafty supplies. More to come, if the inspection goes through.

Ildi Co: Ildi Co has allowed me to stay on the design team, which is fantastic! I wasn't altogether convinced about the awesome-ness of digi stamps until Ildi Co. They were the first digi image I ever colored and I'm really excited to keep working with them. So, look for a few projects this week... I think you'll love the new designs!

Mega Blog Candy Alert

Debbie at A Passion for Crafts is doing it again--offering some AMAZING Blog Candy.
Please take a look at her link and check out the yummy candy (it'll give you a sweet tooth/cavity for sure!)--there's a ton of prizes, most noteably some Copics, Nestibilities, and a ton of stamps--someone is going to be really lucky to win this, especially during this holiday season.

Three's a Charm! Blog Hop Time!

You should've come from Jacquie's blog. And after you check out my project, you'll want to head to Melanie's blog. If this is not the case, you should head on back to the Sunshine Stamps site and start from the beginning. It's very important that you leave a comment at each of the blogs, as you can win some great prizes!

This is a very special blog hop--Ildi Co. is joining forces with Sunshine Stamps and The Stamping Boutique. And, if it wasn't special enough, there's some mystery blog candy being offered (you must comment on everyone's posts). AND, you can also snag some images from Ildi at a discount--you buy 2 stamps and get the 3rd image free--what a great deal!

Today we're featuring projects from the Snopals line--a fun line of snowmen and snowwomen that have Ildi Co's signature look. They're fun to color and layer and they're FANTASTIC to work with. For example, Check out my project--using Snowpal Top Hat:

This snowman instantly reminded me of a certain christmas special featuring Burl Ives. And a certain song, too... So this is my homage.

Thanks for checking this out--please make certain you check out the rest of the blog hop and go look at some really great Ildi Co. images!

**REPOST**