One LAST Post.....

WHAT!?!?!?

Relax....I'm just moving my blog!  This will be the last post here on my Blogger blog.
All of my blog content from the last 3 years will still be here indefinately in case you have things bookmarked, etc. All NEW posts will be over on my new blog at

www.lauradenisondesigns.com

Yippee skippee! I am soooo excited to have you all visit me at my new home.

Thank you all for your support while I have been putting together this new place for my blog, new galleries (coming soon), and wait for it!.....the Archived Ustream Videos ...... Yes!.... REALLY!!!

Come over and check it out....I even have prizes! See you over there!!

Laura

Pink Mini's Info

The info for Pink Mini's for 2012 will be up later today on the Pink Mini's 2012 Blog. Check it out for info on the what, when, and where to send the photo's of your Pink Mini auction items. The AUCTION itself will take place on the Pink Mini 2012 Blog from October 29, 2012 to November 3, 2012. A huge THANK YOU to all participants!

Caravan pattern

The Caravan pattern is up on my website. I am in the process of releasing patterns to kit owners.

Class as scheduled Friday night.

Laura

Featured Project

Today I have a featured project over on the Paper Crafters Library blog. They have TONS of awesome projects over there....go check it out.

Laura

PS Yes, this WILL be a pattern and Ustream class in either mid to late December or early January.

Feeling awful..

I am not feeling well today. I have caught one of the bugs going around and need to head to bed for a few hours. I run on two speeds.....Mach 10 and..... *splat*!  Unfortunately I will have to cancel the Ustream class for today.  :(

The Caravan pattern is done and should be live on the website soon. I will release the pattern to all kit owners as soon as it goes live. (I will also announce it here) I had added a couple of extra days to the Caravan schedule so we will stay on schedule to complete before Halloween.

Just waiting for one more box of the goodies for the second wave of Caravan kits. They should go out by the end of the week.

Sorry gang!

Laura

Just keep swimmin' ......

Dory was my favorite character in the Disney classic, Finding Nemo. Her message to "just keep swimming" is something I live by.

When life gets crazy and overwhelming, I "just keep swimming"! I spent a chunk of the weekend on my new blog, working to get it set up to host the archived Ustream videos and my blog. The learning curve is steep, but I am wading...er, swimming.... through it (with the help of a few generous friends). I don't quite know how the computers can talk to each other through a bunch of seemingly random letters, brackets, and symbols...it's code that's for sure! LOL! ...but then again I don't understand Chinese either!

I spent another chunk of the weekend working on the CHA Caravan pattern....I hope to have it finished and up before the end of the day......that is the plan at this point. I appreciate everyone's patience as my schedule has to be somewhat flexible right now. My son has a series of tests and evaluations over the next several weeks and I may need to rearrange the schedule because of it. Please make sure you watch the Ustream schedule here on the blog. I am keeping it current every day. I am posting this not to apologize but merely to keep everyone up to date. I did have a "make up" day schedule for tomorrow but I am going to have to cancel it because of an appointment that has just been scheduled. The Caravan class will still be completed in time for Halloween.

{ go to .js #featured #slides { background: url(images/ajax-loader.gif) no-repeat center; min-height: 271px; }.js #featured .slide { display: none; }    important! }      I think that is code for "Have a great week!"....then again, I hope I didn't just swear at you! .....LOL!....it all looks the same to me......

Laura

Updates

The new plan (it's a new place) for the archived Ustream videos is going to work. I want a few more up and available before I announce how it's all going to work. I think you are all going to love it! Announcement by the end of the week.

Next up, I will have more kits for the Caravan....two new versions...the first will be the Gypsy Alchemist Caravan featuring Olde Curiosity Shop from Graphic 45 and the second will be the Victorian Peddler Caravan featuring a brand new paper from Basic Grey called Lucille. CLICK HERE to see more of this fun, vintage styled collection.

I ordered this paper at sumer CHA. I knew it would be perfect for this project but didn't think it would get here in time but it is shipping TODAY! These kits will go up on my website, www.followthepapertrailwithlaura.com, Wednesday night ( Oct. 10, 7pm Pacific and Thursday morning (October 11, 10 am Pacific). Based on the last kits, I expect they will go quickly. They should ship out by early/mid next week.

The caravan pattern is on its last stages and I will have it available before the end of the day on Wednesday. (This video stuff has messed up my schedule big time!)

Tomorrow on Ustream, we will continue to work on the Garden Gate two project. I am very excited with how the Traditional Christmas version is coming out. We will finish this project up on Friday and will be starting the Caravan on Saturday.

Laura

Caravan Kits

The long awaited Gypsy Witch caravan and the Santa's Elves Caravan kits will go up on my website later today and tomorrow morning. There are a limited number of kits and they will be available in 2 batches:

7pm PDT, Wednesday, October 3

and

10am PDT, Thursday, October 4

These will be all the kits I will be making for this this project. Gathering all the little bits and pieces has been fun but challenging. I will only be offering the full kits and the patterns. I won't have any embellishment only kits available. The kits are nearly packaged and will start shipping out tomorrow. The pattern will be available by Monday of next week. I am working as quickly as I can on the Christmas sample and will show it as soon as possible. The caravans will be constructed the same, only the papers and the goodies will be different. I will show most of the goodies for both kits at the end of my Ustream show this afternoon. Both feature Graphic 45 papers:  Happy Haunting and Nutcracker Sweet. The Halloween version is similar to the one that  I made for Graphic 45's CHA booth....I changed a few minor things to keep the kit price more reasonable but it will look VERY similar. 

Here is the one from CHA:

We will be starting the Garden Gate 2 project today during my regular Ustream class. We are going to begin with the mini album that fits in the back. On Friday and Saturday, will be making the box structure and then finishing the embellishments on Wednesday of next week. See you then.

Laura

Birds of a Feather.....

Head over to Graphic 45 Blog today for  chance to win some G45 goodies. They are truly one of the most generous companies! I LOVE working with them!

Today my Paper Applique Owl is being featured. It was such fun to make and I am excited to get to show it to you! I also finished up the Macaw from Saturday's Ustream class (the Livestream Field Trip was blurred out...more on that later)

As I noted on the Graphic 45 blog, I used a similar technique in fabric for my quilts. 

Here is a Raven quilt I designed in 2008.

Here is the Owl on the Graphic 45 blog

 

This is the finished Macaw from Saturday

The Garden Gate 2 pattern is FINALLY finished and should be up on my website by the end of the day. Some patterns just "fly" together others just don't want to be hatched, this one was one of the latter! Thanks for being patient! You all are THE best!

Have an awesome week!!

Laura

A little bird told me.....

During the Ustream show last night, I did a demo of my paper applique technique. This project used a Tim Holtz District Market burlap panel (See below for how I altered it). We had a blast during class while the bird jokes and play on words "flew" around the chat. Here is the finished panel. The papers used were a variety of Graphic 45 papers.

Here is how I altered the panel before the show.

Cover the panel lightly with white gesso. Next, tone down the white with a coat of Walnut Stain Distress ink. Cover the surface with a mix of Antique Gold and African Bronze Guilder's Paste.
Sand lightly with a sanding block and add another coat of Walnut Stain (forgot to photograph this step).

Today, we will be trying out the New Livestream. During this Field Trip class we will be making another panel with a Macaw....

See you on Livestream.  CLICK HERE to go straight to my Livestream Channel......

Laura

Schedule Adjustment

Needed to adjust the schedule this weekend, check it out on the side bar schedule. Due to a combo of factors.....planets aligning differently than expected so to speak.....on Friday night I will do a paper applique demo. (Some of you saw the example that you can't say you saw....shhhhh!) We have a project using this technique in late October that will include kits and patterns but this will give you a demo of how I created it.

On Saturday, we will do a Livestream test run to see if it is a viable option for the regular classes. I will post further info on how to get there, sign in etc. on the blog tomorrow. It also looks like I will be able to upload my archived Ustream videos onto my New Livestream account. Yowza! How cool is that! Did a test load earlier today and it worked. It is faster and easier to load too! Vimeo is taking about 6 hours per video to upload right now, so this may be the perfect solution.

This adjustment will also give me a bit of breathing room to get the Garden Gate 2 pattern edited and up without rushing. It WILL be available on Saturday. The class will start on my regular class on Wednesday.

Can I just say that all of you are the best. Your support and kind worlds truly warm my heart to bursting!

Laura

They did it AGAIN!! AAUGGHHHH!!!

Once again, Ustream wiped out all of the older videos......and as I heard from a half dozen of you, while you were watching them!!  **POOF** This time there was no warning other than I knew they would be doing so eventually since they hadn't deleted any since February. Fortunately, my friend and right hand, Joy (aka Zelda on Ustream) has been diligently downloading them and will be posting them up on the Vimeo site where I am uploading the archived video's. She will be posting them as fast as she is able (Trust me, she will post them SIGNIFICANTLY faster than I have been doing with the older ones!) So, rest easy and once again be patient while we get these videos available once again.

Hmmm....... I just got a notice the other day regarding the new version of Livestream. No ads, unlimited storage and at a very reasonable price. The $999 a MONTH that Ustream wants me to pay for the same service....ummmm.....reasonable?......not so much. Maybe it is time to make a bit of a move. Anyone up for a test run? I keep you posted as to when and how to get there.

Still working on the Garden Gate 2 pattern. (My special needs son is having a rough patch and I am spending lots of time on the phone and it has me running behind) The pattern should be up on Wednesday. The last of the kits, with the exception of the Traditional Christmas, will go out today. the Kaisercraft Turtle Dove paper for the Traditional Christmas version is scheduled to arrive by the end of the week and the kits are ready with the exception of the paper so they will go out at the end of the week.

Laura

Holy Smokerdoodles!

The first batch of the Traditional  Christmas Garden Gate 2 kits sold out in about 15 minutes! The remainder will go up at 7pm PDT tonight. These will be the last of the kits for this project.

Also the giveaway for the True Scraps 4 ends today. Make sure to sign up. Some of you have had problems with finding the first part video to watch. Scroll down to just above the Instructors list where it says "Watch instructor video HERE". After watching the video, sign up for  "More Info" and the bottom and leave me a comment. No purchase necessary to win. The early Bird special price for the whole enchilada is expiring soon however......

Have an awesome Sunday.

Laura

Gingerbread Garden Gate

Here is a quick shot of the gingerbread Garden Gate 2 - Christmas Version. We will work on the Halloween Version during the Ustream class.

This version still has a few more embellishments to be added. The first half of the kits are going up at 7 pm PDT tonight and the other half in the morning at 10 am PDT.  I had hoped to have the pattern available by tomorrow, but it now looks more like it will be available closer to the weekend.

True Scrap 4

Look, up in the sky! 

Is that a bird? 

A plane? 

NO! 

It's TRUE SCRAP 4, coming Oct. 19-20!

True Scrap 4 is the galaxy's ONLY online, live scrapbooking and papercrafting experience. With 15 A- list instructors, five virtual make-and-takes, and a ton of fun, you won't want to miss it. Instructors (like me!) bring classes on everything from photography to design to inspiration right to your computer – live! You log in from home and interact in our state-of-the-art webroom, chatting, learning, and interacting in real time. And it's all recorded so you can go back and watch again and again.

Sound cool? I think so! And here's something even cooler: You can WIN a FREE spot in True Scrap 4, valued at $147, plus some other great prizes. Here's how to enter:

1.  Click here to view more details and watch the sneak peek instructor video.

2.  Sign up for the “More Info” email list at the bottom of the page. 

3.  Come back here and leave me a comment letting me know you've done steps 1 & 2.

Contest closes on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012. Winners will be notified by Wed., Sept. 25, 2012, and all prizes must be claimed by Friday, Sept. 28, 2012.

I am so excited to be part of this event, which is sponsored by Two Peas in a Bucket. Here's the full list of instructors who will be appearing LIVE at this event:

• Julie Fei-Fan Balzer 

• Erin Bassett 

• Monica Bradford 

• Kelli Crowe

• Laura Denison  (HEY! That's me!)

• Jennifer Gallacher

• Nic Howard 

• Noell Hyman 

• Katrina Kennedy 

• Nichol Magouirk 

• Gretchen Schmidt 

• Katrina Simeck 

• Jessica Sprague 

• Heidi Swapp 

• Jennifer Wilson

Ready to sign up? You can get $20 off your registration by clicking here now! Get ready for a fantastic weekend!

Laura

Garden Gate 2 kits

My website person is moving to moving today and so I won't have the kits up in time for the morning set. Sooooo, the first batch will go up at 7pm PDT tomorrow and the second set will go up at 10am on WEDNESDAY instead. I have the Christmas version almost ready for a sneak peek......

Autumn Garden Gate

Here is a peek at the new Autumn Garden Gate project. I will have a sneak peek of the Gingerbread Christmas version on Monday. There will also be a Halloween version. 

These 3 versions of the Garden Gate 2 kits will go up on Tuesday, September 18 in two batches. Half will go up at 10am PDT and the other half at 7pm Pacific. There is a limited number of the 3 versions. The pattern should be available on Wednesday. 

The Autumn version features the Bo Bunny Apple Cider, The Gingerbread Christmas version features Bo Bunny Mistletoe, and the Halloween version features Echo Park Chillingsworth Manor. All three include a mini album that fits inside through the back of the project. The album uses my new Double Dutch binding system.

Enjoy the last of your weekend!

Laura

Christmas Trunk

Here's a quick peek at the Trunk Full of Memories - White Album Christmas Version....

Have an awesome week!

Laura

Spoooooky!

Here is the outside of the Trunk Full of Memories - White Album Halloween Version. Hope to have inside shots and the Christmas version to show you soon!

Enjoy your weekend!

Laura

"White Album" Supply Lists

I am really excited to be working on the sample of the anticipated "White Album" project. (Photos soon!!)
In answer to a couple of common questions:

Will there be a new pattern or supplementary pattern?
This technique fill project will use my Trunk Full of Memories pattern. I will be demonstrating and posting here on my blog the few changes/additions to the current pattern. We won't be constructing the Trunk during the class, only the changes and embellishments. The original Ustream class on the  construction of the trunk is available in the Ustream archives (click the link at the top of this page)

Will there be instructions for the techniques?
I won't be writing up the techniques, but I will be demonstrating them on both the Ustream class and on Youtube videos.

I have compiled a list of the items I will be using in addition to supplies needed for the trunk and standard scrapping tools and materials (scissors, craft knife, glue, adhesive, etc).You can substitute alternatives if you don't have (or don't want to purchase) any of the items shown....I am just giving you a heads up on what I will use during the Ustream class and Youtube videos. I may add items as I work on the samples.

For the Halloween Version:

Distress Ink - Vintage Photo	Distress Ink-Scattered Straw	Distress Ink - Rusty Hinge	Distress Ink - Chipped Sapphire
Distress Ink- Peeled Paint	Distress Ink - Dusty Concord	Distress Ink - Black Soot	Ranger Archival Ink - Black
Distress Crackle Paint - Black Soot	DistressCrackle Paint - Rock Candy	Distress Embossing Powder - Frayed Burlap	Stickles - Icicle
Distress Markers	Guilders Past - Copper	Guilders Paste - Patina	Perfect Pearls
Pitch Black Alcohol Ink	Black Acrylic Paint	Matte Multi Medium	Glossy Accentsnal Adhesive
Ink Blending Tool	Water Mister	Detail Water Brush	Clear Embossing Powder
Goosebumps Matte Spray	Sizzix Die Raven and Scaredy Cat

InLinkz.com

For the Christmas Version:

Distress Ink- Fired Brick	Distress Ink Tumbled Glass	Distress Ink - Broken China	Distress Ink- Pine Needles
Distress Ink - Bundled Sage	Distress Ink- Antique Linen	Distress Ink- Frayed Burlap	Archival Ink Pad - Sepia
Distress Embossing Powder - Frayed Burlap	Distress Crackle Paint - Picket Fence	DistressCrackle Paint - Rock Candy	Distress Markers
White Acrylic Paint	Stickles - Icicle	Guilders Paste - Antique Gold	Guilders Paste - German Silver
Clear Embossing Powder	Matte Multi Medium	Goosebumps Matte Spray	Perfect Pearls
Water Mister	Detail Water Brush	Glossy Accentsnal Adhesive	Ink Blending Tool
Sizzix Die - Reindeer Flight	Sizzix Die - Mini Reindeer & 25

InLinkz.com

I still have a few kits available over on my website. The kits include all the paper and embellishments but not the items shown above (except for the die cuts which WILL be included)

Laura