I surrender...

Oh yes, I have surrendered to a wicked, wicked flu. Thankfully it didn't hit me until yesterday because I had an Easter workshop this weekend at It's All About The Scrapbook in Dixon, California.

What a fabulous place to teach- the ladies that own the store are wonderful, the customers are so much fun, the store is total eye candy. If you're looking for anything new out there, these girls have got it.
As per usual, I completely neglected to take any photos... once everyone gets there and kits are opened up, the creative chaos begins and before I know it an entire day has gone by and I haven't even had time to sit down or take a sip of water. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. I made a lot of new friends and was honored that several students from as far away as San Jose and Stockton came to play as well.

We made the Vintage Easter Collection (a configuration box), an Easter banner and the Spring Fling tri-fold. There are a few kits still available here...
I'll be teaching there again in June but it definitely won't be that long until I return. A shout out to all my scrappy friends- I think this calls for a road trip.....

xo,

give me a "Y"...

Y!!
What does it all spell? JOLLY!

xo,

give me another "L"...

Another L!

xo,

give me an "L"...

L!!!
J...O...L... hmmmmmm...

xo,

give me an "O"...

Well, we've now got a J and an O... 
I wonder what it's gonna spell?

xo,

give me a "J"...

I've been working on holiday projects for the last few weeks...

Here's a peek at this year's Santa banner!

xo,

trick-or-treat...

Here's a peek into the latest of one of my Halloween projects- it's inspired by all things vintage Halloween! 

The Tim Holtz configuration box is PERFECT for putting together a little collection of just about anything. Especially if it's got a vintage vibe to it...

Look at this! It's a tiny little broom made from kraft cardstock and a twig from my yard. I'm a little bit in love, I don't mind telling you.

The individual boxes include a variety of goodies, glittered up with Stickles and metallic chenille stems. The orange fluff is my favorite!

If you'd like to make one of your own, kits are available here in my Etsy... everything you need is the kit, including the pre-painted box and pre-cut papers. You get to spend your crafting time embellishing! So simple, it's for beginner through advanced.

And this, my friends, THIS is my favorite part of the entire project- the jack-o-lantern jingle bell! Isn't he cute???
Spook on.

xo,

the rest of the 'hood...

"Every day is Halloween, isn't it? For some of us..." says Tim Burton!

Oh the happy colors of Halloween- they make me feel so good, I can't help but smile. Throw in some polka dots and I'm absolutely giddy.

So, here's the rest of the 'hood... ready for all the little trick-or-treaters to come!

Get the candy ready...

xo,

Treat Street...

'When witches go riding and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween!'

For the last couple of weeks I've been teaching a really fun class I named 'Treat Street'... it's a set of houses that coordinate with last year's larger house, '31 Spooky Lane' (which, by the way, will be in the next issue of Stampington's Holidays & Celebrations...!)

It's a blur of gorgeous Halloween color, texture and sparkle. Lots of black metallic chenille, glittery tulle and the funkiest orange trim that I simply cannot get enough of... I want to use this stuff on EVERYTHING!

I've still got a couple classes before I list these kits in my Etsy shop, but if you're interested ahead of time you can shoot me an email at thegypsymagpie@att.net so that I set some aside for you!

xo,

aloha...

I'm off to spend the weekend teaching at a retreat... and their theme is Hawaii! 

The hostess requested an island-themed travel book and that's just what they're going to get...

Tons of vintage images, lots of color and luxurious trims. I hope they enjoy themselves- I know I'm going to. Lots of friends, lots of laughter, lots of fun.

Aloha!

xo,

Autumn Fairy slipper...

The leaves are beginning to turn and the magic of Fall is upon us. This little fairy is watching over all from her beautiful leaf-filled slipper.

I'm teaching this Slipper tomorrow in Berkeley at Scrapbook Territory. It's a really fun little project. My favorite part? The embossed 'leather'-look paper. I've had it hoarded away for several years while I searched for the perfect project. I found it here.

If you can't make it to the store for class but might be interested in a kit you can check out the details here.

xo,

witchy banner...

Halloween decorating is so much fun- I just LOVE the colors of the season.

Of course I had to make a banner... I mean, I make a banner every single month. Banners are everywhere in my house- doors, mirrors, windows, cabinets. You name it. If I can stick a Command Adhesive removable hook on it, it's probably got a banner on it!

They don't call me Banner Girl for nothing.

If you'd like to make one too, check out the kit here.

xo,

it takes a village...

Let me introduce you to '31 Spooky Lane'.

My husband made a joke to me when he saw all these samples sitting together... 'it takes a Scrapper to make a village'. Funny man.

This has been one of my favorite classes this year. Maybe in lots of years. 

And with the simple addition of a little battery-operated tea light...

It has a spooky glow.

I'm already thinking about an entire village of Halloween houses. Guess it'll just have to wait till next year... because I'm already working on a Christmas house!

xo,

teaching on tuesday...

Almost every Tuesday I teach a class at Scrapbook Island. I've met some of the most wonderful people there and every new class is an exciting opportunity to make another friend.

Tonight we're making a 'Retro Recipe Book'.

Full of great images and TONS of room for recipe cards...
Maybe I'll see you there! 

If not, don't worry... I'll share more of this later in the week and there will be a link to purchase a kit.

xo,

vintage easter banner...

I'm getting ready to teach another round of banner classes this coming weekend...

 It's all pastel and full of chicks and bunnies and flowers...

If you live in the bay area and you're interested in joining me, I'll be teaching it this weekend at The Piece By Piece in Niles or next weekend at Scrapbook Territory in Berkeley.

If you'd rather make it from a kit, click the link on my sidebar and get all the details!

xo,