Ahhhhh, sweet November. I love fall weather. And it's only been the last two days that we here in San Diego have been seeing a change in our weather. Enough of the mid-eighties days already. I've been knitting scarves all summer and I'm dying to use them. Bring on the chill!
Oh, by the way, I'm Tina Cockburn, Simple Scrapbooks editorial board member, and I'll be your hostess this week here at the Simple Studio. I'm an adoptive mother to three fantastic kids, wife to one adorable Trinidadian (who could totally take Mrs. Fields and Martha together in a cookie-baking contest), professional photographer and scrapbooker. We live in San Diego, near-ish to Sea World, though I was born in, like, L.A. Totally. I've recently added knitting (thanks to reading "The Friday Night Knitting Club" and teaching myself to knit on this awesome website) and quilting to my seemingly limitless amount of devoted craft time (HA!).
So, with the Holiday season well under way, I figured I'd spend my week with you getting into the spirit. Thanksgiving and Christmas are my two favorite holidays and I'm practically giddy with excitement at getting all my various projects started. Here's my first one:
In our current issue (Nov/Dec 2008), our first ever tool issue, there were many different die-cutting tools featured and reviewed by various contributors. And one of those items featured was the Sizzix Big Shot, reviewed by the super-duper talented Elisha Snow. I recently got a Big Shot from Stampin' Up! and a bunch of awesome dies. This is my first ever die-cutting machine and I honestly don't have a good answer about why I've not owned one until now. I'm hooked! I love these little birdies and how I'm using up my scrap stash and 6x6 paper pads to put these gift sets together.
And, speaking of our current issue, here are my favorite layouts:
The cover - How cute are Margaret's boys? She's a fabulous photographer. And Lisa Dickinson is one of my favorite scrappers.
Page 6 - Karen Glenn's layout about herself. I love how she color-blocked her journaling and then punched the upper left corner of her page. I love her simple yet refreshing style.
Page 8 - Well, not a layout exactly, but who can resist a Michael's coupon?
Page 34 - Mi'Chelle Larson's layouts rock, and I especially love her handwriting. She should make it a font (hint! hint!).
Page 37 - Margaret's boys again. This layout got my holiday creative juices flowing!
Page 58 - Elizabeth's mini-album nearly brought me to tears.
Page 59 - Melissa Kaiserman's layout was simply perfect. I love the photos and how she used her own handwriting!
Page 61 - Karen's twin Kim's design is monochromatic perfection. I especially loved how she notched the paper to hold the photo, and then carried the awesome patterned paper through onto her journaling cards. Breathtaking!
(I just loved Elizabeth's heritage feature. She boldly went where many of us have been afraid to go, and she gathered so many great layouts to give me the push I need to get busy with some heritage layouts of my own.)
Page 69 - Sara always works magic. How cute is her son???
Page 80 - More loveliness from Mi'Chelle. Have I mentioned how much I love her handwriting?
Page 81 - I always love Tia's work, too. I need to break out my crimper!
Page 86 - Ruth Dealey's "Tree Hunt" layout, with the Christmas tree detail on top - adorable!
Page 89 - Digital awesomeness by Laura Kannady. I'm constantly surprised by how "real" most digital layouts look. (Maybe I'll try my hand at a digital layout this week?!?!?)
Page 91 - mmmmmm...cookies......and Lain! Hi, Lain! I can't WAIT to get my hands on your book!
Page 95 - Oh, Celeste. She works the American Crafts like nobody's business. I have always loved her work!
Page 96 - I love this simple yet striking design by Reyanna Klein. Trees are one of my new favorite things on layouts. (Have you seen Maya Road's chipboard trees? These sets even come with birdies!)
Page 98 - I love Kristina's layout. Sweet, colorful, great photo.
Whew! What a great issue! Don't have your copy yet? Leave a comment and I'll give away an issue to three lucky winners!
And, while I'm here this week, let's make Friday Photo Friday. If you have any photography questions, ask away using the comments sections in my blog posts this week, and I'll answer them on Photo Friday.
I'll be back tomorrow! Have a happy Monday!
I got my issue a couple of weeks ago and put it aside until I 'get time' to go through it. Guess I'll have to 'make time' to go through it soon! Thanks Tina!
Sue
Posted by: sue | November 03, 2008 at 02:40 PM
I'd love to win! Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by: Brooke | November 03, 2008 at 03:12 PM
I would love to win a copy! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Have a great day, Kylie
Posted by: Kylie T | November 03, 2008 at 03:34 PM
hooray for a tina week! great to see you and can't wait to learn from you!
Posted by: marnie | November 03, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Hi Tina.. I loved the issue too.
I seem remember Mi'chelle's handwriting being a font somewhere in time on the Simple website, I don't think I was dreaming it. I can't find it on my "font" drive, ... hmm..
anyone else remember this?
Posted by: Katy | November 03, 2008 at 04:46 PM
So many questions, so little time... I'm just starting to get into the photo "business" (don't know if you want to get into that aspect of it in Q/A or not, but if you don't mind...) How many images do you edit and show a client from say a 1 hour session and do you ever let them see more than that? Also, I had a booger of a time with a family shoot that had 5 kids- the oldest being a 3rd grader. Mom wasn't really happy that there wasn't a shot in which EVERYONE was smiling and looking at the camera. Any tricks to working with large families with young ones? and... (sorry) How do you deal with a dissatisfied customer (though it wouldn't surprise me if you never had one!) THANKS. Can't wait till Friday! :)
Posted by: Clair | November 03, 2008 at 05:00 PM
Welcome! I LOVE your LOs! Hey, quick question: do the SU Sizzix dies work in a Revolution?
Posted by: Buffy fan | November 03, 2008 at 05:11 PM
I'd love to win a copy! :)
Posted by: Cass | November 03, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Love those cards! A big shot looks like fun...too bad I'm saving for a SLR. Thanks for the giveaway, I'd love to win one!
Posted by: Brianna | November 03, 2008 at 06:08 PM
hey t!
Posted by: emily pitts | November 03, 2008 at 08:16 PM
Hi Tina! Thank you SO much for mentioning my layout on page 98. I am a HUGE fan of your work so when I saw that you mentioned me, it was like Christmas morning for me! Ha! That layout was my first in Simple and I hope not my last! :) P.S. I love those cards! Those birdies are too cute! Thanks again! :)
Posted by: kristina | November 04, 2008 at 05:33 AM
Wow!! SOunds like a great issue. I would love one. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Teresa
Posted by: Teresa | November 04, 2008 at 07:06 AM
Yay, it's Tina! I'm, like, totally making cards like those! How cute! (I'm not entering to win, I have my copy:)
Posted by: cathy | November 04, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Wow, sounds like a very exciting issue! I love my Big Shot and so glad that I have had it from when it was first released.
Posted by: Cheryl | November 04, 2008 at 09:01 AM
sign me up for the drawing. photography question: how to start taking fewer better photos? and how to get my husband to take more flattering pictures of me - seems like every picture that he takes for me looks completely bad. how do i tell him to take it from a different angle without making him not want to cooperate and take pictures at all?
Posted by: Katie Scott | November 04, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Welcome. I found this blog from Stacy's blog. Looking forward to reading your posts this month. And...I would love to try out your magazine:)
Posted by: Canay | November 04, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I've finally found the simple blogs again and was very surprised to see my layout on page 86 mentioned in your post,thanks a lot :)
Posted by: Ruth | November 04, 2008 at 11:58 AM
No, I don't have an issue, and I'd love one!
Posted by: sarah | November 05, 2008 at 05:38 AM
You missed my favourite - the coolest LO in the whole issue is on page 41!
Posted by: alexa(ra) | November 05, 2008 at 03:11 PM