I’m a day behind!!! So later today I will post Day Five ….

This is part of Tim Holtz’s “12 Tags of Christmas” on his daily blog. Here are my two tags for day three! Tim did two tags on his blog so I ended up with two as well! I had so much fun with the ‘plaid’ technique using alcohol inks and the ink applicator tool!!

Don’t forget to check out Tim’s blog!! He is giving away wonderful prizes and showcasing beautiful tags! This is my day two tag:

Day One:

Check out Tim Holtz’s blog for the 12 tags of Christmas! This is day one and what fun to create a tag! To create anything for that matter! Although I don’t have all the supplies he has – it is encouraged to just create with what you own and use each tag as an inspiration! So – here is my day one:

Woo Hoo!! I’m officially certified in the new My Digital Studio from Stampin’ Up! Just waiting for my certification pin and other stuff. I received my calendar and absolutely love it! I’ve shown it to friends and family …. everyone commented how nice it turned out! Now I’m working on putting together some “classes” to teach the software ….

Soon, very soon, I will post some projects …. I was just too excited to wait on the news!

So I am waiting anxiously for my calendar order! As soon as I read that SU! was offering a digital software package … I just had to have it! So far I really like it! And my kids love it  …. so it’s fairly easy to use once you find your way around the program. My favorite thing about it (and I’m still just starting with it) is the ability to create something with my digital pictures residing on my computer! Besides all the other really cool stuff like access to awesome images, punches, papers, embellishments, downloads and designer packages ….. I like seeing my pictures in some other format besides “preview” mode.

Since I’m working on certification for the program, I had to create and submit a project to be professionally printed. That is where the calendar came in. I couldn’t decide at first if I wanted to just do a card but once I got started playing with the software …. well, then it was hard to choose which project would be first! I haven’t looked at my pictures – I mean REALLY looked at them in a creative way ….until now – and I am bursting with excitement and ideas for other digital projects, hybrid projects and whatever else I can come up with!

Check out my store online for more information and get yours today at  melindabrein.stampinup.net

CAFTA, Community Auction for the Theatre Arts, is now done for this year! It was a lovely event and I think everyone enjoyed it! My two donations went to good homes! I didn’t get to meet the lady that purchased my sunflower necklace but I DO know the lady that went home with my Art Doll. So I am happy!

So what’s next? Well, besides the holidays, I am starting on my tree for The Festival of Trees for Providence Hospital in Centralia, WA. My friend, Sue, is so awesome as well as her daughter! Her daughter sent over from Austria two beautiful hand painted egg ornaments for my tree. My theme is centered around the egg! Yay for friends!!!!

Off I go ….

After a successful ARTrails tour, I am inspired and ready to work on some new projects! I have a Fall art doll in my mind ready to come out! So I will be sketching out the details! I am also working on another beaded amulet/doll necklace – the general idea is around the myth of the Phoenix. – Melinda

The gala is this Friday, 4-8pm, at the Centralia Train Depot’s exhibition hall. My doll, Spring Bride, will be on display there! She is part of an ongoing series I’m working on for the Broadway Gallery … I will be showing there in October ‘10.  Starting Saturday morning, I will be at the Stillwater Estates “Gathering Place” with some of my dolls as well as my jewelry – from 10am to 5pm. There are catalogs all around town with maps inside – so pick one up and tour the 60 local artists these next two weekends!

-Melinda

Wow – where did summer go? Seems like yesterday it was end of June! Ok, so my jewelry classes have been a great hit at Cindy’s Simple Stuff! I have some fun ideas in the works for some future classes – utilizing both scrapbooking trends and jewelry items – Cindy has a big order of fun components coming to complement her papercrafting inventory!! 

There will be another Faux Enamel Pendant class in September and possibly another Alcohol Ink Pendant class … I will post the dates as soon as we set them! In the meantime, I am gearing up for ARTrails of SWW!!! This annual event is so fun and I really enjoy meeting people on the tour! This year I’m bringing back my dolls …. along with my jewelry. 

Tons of stuff going on … time to get going! -melinda