Help [ME] Ronda

First CHA Sneak with Maya Road + Giveaway

Here's one of my first sneaks with Maya Road.  I love this photo of lexi. This layout has lots & lots of mists on it along with the new stamps.  I love that burlap ribbon i dyed with the mists.  There is something else new on this layout that hasn't been revealed yet.  Do you see it? 

I love all the new releases.  The above photo is one of my favorite releases.  Twine Cording shown on the larger wooden spools.  This Twine is thicker than bakers twine & comes in 6 fabulous colors. Make sure you are stopping Maya Road's Company Blog each day to see the new releases & for your chance to win some new releases. 

Now onto my Grab Bag Winner.  This prize pack is filled with papers, some stamps, & tons of embellishments.  While on the phone with my Martha, my bestie from Florida, i made her pick a number. 

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Anna-Karin said...

I am so looking forward to seeing your book. It is going to be great!

Anna-Karin email me your Address so i can get out your prize pack! 

Art of Layers: The Time Line, pt 2. Deeper Thoughts

Pre-Sept 2010: When i said i had inklings, it has been a long time coming.  When i worked on the newspaper staff in both Middle & High School, i feel in love.  It just seemed so right for me, a love of writing, a love of art & design.  Fast forward to being part of the scrapbooking industry.  I have always been a lover of techniques, both old & new, so the idea of a technique book just wouldn't leave my brain.  So as it kept swirling around in my brain, the picture was becoming clearer and i knew i would have to try to chase down this dream.  If i didn't succeed at least i knew i tried my hardest which to me is equally (if not more) important as succeeding.  If you aren't taking those risks, if you aren't putting yourself out there, are you really living or just merely getting by?

Sept: 2010: When i said complete outline, i mean it.  This included chapters, techniques, some similar art i had done in the past, etc.  I know this is the over acheiver in me.  However, it really helps to have a clear vision of what you want your book to be. This reminds me of a pilot joke. 

Pilot comes on the intercom and says i have good news & bad news.  The bad news is our navigation equipment is not functioning properly.  We have no idea where we are heading.  The good news is we are making good time! 

You have to have a clear direction of where you are heading or all your efforts are fruitless!  By flushing it out like this I not only had a direction but i was also ahead of the game when it came time for deadlines.

Oct - Dec:  You seemed surprised by the self-doubts.  I understand that sometimes i come across full of confidence.  While i do have confidence it doesn't mean that it always stays with me.  Confidence & Self Doubt compete over space in my head. It's a rollercoaster ride with many ups & downs.  But i will fully admit that you need that bit of self-doubt to keep pushing you forward.  Too Much EGO kills creativity.  But don't let self-doubt take up too much space, otherwise he will consume you and you are going to miss out on some incredible opportunities.  Like every thing in life, it's all about balance.  Find the balance.

Don't forget you still have until tonight for the First Grab Bag Giveaway!  Just leave a comment to this post.  I will pick a winner & post it on Friday.

More Creative Sneaks

I have been creating almost daily.  The hard part is not being able to share.  I am really enjoying this process and not letting it overwhelm me this time.  I cannot say the same for years past.  I take off next Thursday for CHA.  I will be all over the place wearing many "hats" this time around.  And while it is work, it is so much fun.  I always laugh so hard while at CHA and just really enjoy the atmosphere.    I will be able to share full projects soon but in the meantime just enjoy these snippets of creations.

Sneaky Love

CHA Sneaks: My Thoughts

CHA sneaks are rolling out.  While i cannot share my projects just yet, I have been browsing other sites to see the new releases.  I always get excited at this time of year.  It's like Christmas for me!  I am anxious to see these items up close next weekish!

Jillibean Soup: Neopolitan Bean Bisque Soup  Dude those telephones are killing me!  Love it!  Love Love Love.  and i have to say i digging the woodgrains in Southern Chicken Dumpling Soup.

My Mind's Eye: Miss Caroline  FiddleSticks especially.  I admit i am both intriqued and a little nervous about those woodgrains.  But that's the way Sassafras always made me feel & i love them. 

The Crafter's Workshop: Umm can i have all of them please?  Some of my favorites are the Aspen Trees (they remind me of home here in colorado), Art Is, Circle Explosion, Spring Fling, Peacock Feathers, Ringlets...ok i could go on & on

American Crafts: Amy Tangerine Sketchbook by amy Tan.  I haven't seen the whole collection yet but hers was my one of my favorite last CHA.  I am excited by the sneaks!

Jenni Bowlin: Quilted Stickers & The Alterables.  I cannot wait to get my hands on those!

Wendy Vecchi's Embellish You Art line looks incredible.  Her blog is filled with tons of sneaks.  I really like this post with the retro ladies & that TELEPHONE!

Vintaj & Ranger.  Love their metals already!  I love these altered pieces i saw at CHA S 2011 and now they have partnered with Ranger to create Patinas.  Love. 

Tim Holtz makes me wish i didn't give away my old sizzix. I love the texture fades.  Would also love some of those mixed media stamps too!

Cosmo Cricket: Loving the look of 2wenty thre3e.  Really Adorable!  And Tea for Two really intrigues me as well. 

So what sparks your interest this preview season?

Art of Layers: The Time Line, pt 1.

This book seems like forever in the making and a blink of the eye.  So let's peek into how it looks from this perspective now that i have it sitting in my hands.

Pre Sept. 2010: an inkling in my head, i want to write a book

Sept. 2010: In Greece teaching. Two very special someones while chatting about my inklings encourage me to "just do it", out pops the name of the book.  Squeals of delight.  One ornery friend tells me she is not letting me give up & will check up on me.  She means business & scares me a little.

Sept. 2010: Breakfast in Greece, a special someone at breakfast asks what's next for me.  I tell her about my inklings.  More Encouragement ensues.

Sept. 2010: A long plane ride home from Greece i hash out not only a proposal but a complete outline.  My wonderful seat mate lets me talk through things with her. 

Oct. 2010: I tweak the proposal & email it the day before going on vacation, a Friday.  Walk away from the computer.  Go enjoy yourself Ronda & quit thinking about it.  What's meant to be is what's meant to be. (Are you nuts?  You just sent a book proposal in to a major publishing company.  Hello self-doubt)

Oct. 2010: I don't check my email for fear i won't hear anything this soon. Tuesday i broke down. Two emails are waiting in my in box.  Oh my goodness.  I just may get a chance at writing a book.  This is CRAZY!

Nov. - Dec. 2010: Things are finalized with F&W Media.  I get an author's manual but have to wait on my editor.  The manual is a bit overwhelming & i begin to think "What am i doing?"

Jan. 2011: Talk with my editor.  She makes me laugh & i feel so good about her being my editor.  At the same time, everything feels a bit overwhelming looking at all the things coming due, all the things to think about.  I think my head is going to explode.  Add on top of it CHA creations & deadlines. EEEK.

First Grab Bag Giveaway!  Just leave a comment to be entered by 10 PM Mountain Time Thursday, January 19th.  I will pick a winner & post it on Friday. 

Art of Layers: Behind The scenes

Guess what i have in my hot little hands?  My advanced copy of my book.  Time for another review.  This process has been over a year from conception to birth? Ok so maybe not birth but i do notice a lot of resemblance and it definitely feels like my baby.  I thought now it is time to share some of the stories behind the making of my book along with some peeks at projects along the way.  These posts will sprinkled throughout the upcoming weeks leading up to my book release.  I also have some plans in the works that i am so excited to share but it will have to keep for now. So starting this week look for these posts and some giveaways to go with these stories.  In the mean time, here's a rejected photo for the book.  More details on that to come...

5 Favs Today

Just Breathe

I have to finally say it.  I am an asthmatic.  My sister Rose has asthma.  My mom has asthma.  My sister Chrissi had asthma.  But I never thought of myself as an asthmatic and that may be part of the problem.  But my trip to Doha and in looking back at this past year has made me examine that part of my life. Way too often have i had to use a nebulizer.  I have been working with my doctor to come up with an asthma action plan.  It's just something i have to add into my daily routine.  Reconciling that is always hard for me.  Sometimes pride gets into the way.  I have to change that, to let go of the fear that comes with saying i have asthma.  I have to know my triggers.  I have to take my peak flows daily.  I have to use my inhaler before exercising.  It just has to become part of who i am.  i am still a work in progress.

Measured

I must admit 2012 so far has been really good to me.  I feel really positive about this year.  I know seeing Andy in Doha recharged me and made me feel like anything is possible with hardwork & hope.  I like the way that sounds hardwork & hope.  And while i have been extremely busy with CHA & other work, i don't feel the usual bog down that i did last year.  I am seeing things in a whole new light and am ready to tackle this year. 

The above layout was a just for me layout.  I don't get to say that very often.  You shouldn't take that statement the wrong way.  I love that my job, my profession, lets me create every day.  I feel extremely blessed because of it.  However i don't often sit down to take time for me.  Tsk Tsk Tsk.  I need to do it more often.  This layout really fell onto the page rather quickly.  And while it is a fairly simple layout for me, i am totally digging it.  I really love bold & graphic typography.  This is my nod to that design. I totally love that quote from Maya Angelou and thought it went perfectly with my photo.  This is me, this year, waiting & wanting for moments to take my breath away.

Maya Road Sneaks

Yep, it's that time of year.  I know i am a wee bit mad but i do love this crazy time of year.  Quick Deadlines, Lots of Creations in a short period time.  But seeing all the cool new product.  YUMMY.   Above are two Maya Road sneaks.  Ohhh there's a bunch more but you are going to have to patient for a little while longer.  They are worth the wait!