Lauren Ferguson | There are no mistakes in art, just opportunites to embellish. (tm)

Yudu-ing YourStory on the High Seas!!

That's right you heard me!!  It is official, I got the word from ProvoCraft on Friday!!

We will be Yudu-ing Yourstory on the high seas!!

We now have the makings of a Grand Prize and 2 Runner-Up prizes.

The first 25 people who sign up will be entered into a drawing to win a Grand Prize from the sponsors. ProvoCraft's Yudu and YourStory as well Photocentric's Imagepac Daylight kits to make your own stamps.

The Grand Prize is now valued at approximately 500.00!!

This prize does not include the Come As You Are Kits.

Go ahead and start getting your deposits in so that we can get to CRUISIN'!

$638.67 Inside Stateroom, $678.67 Oceanview Stateroom. Featuring a 24 hour private workroom and 2 workshops included in the price!

Take $120 off the above price for non crafters.

Limited number of triples and quads.

Prices are person in US dollars and include all taxes and government fees. Suites available on request.

Deposit: $200.00 per person to secure your place, due now. Fully refundable right up until final payment.Final payment due 15 December, 2009 DO NOT BOOK ANY AIR UNTIL NOTIFIED

Please call toll-free number 1-877-419-1783 or Email info@craftingcruises.com.

For more information about classes offered on the cruise go to http://tinyurl.com/yggnuoq or send me an email at lauren@everythingaltered.com

until we meet again,

Cruise Prizes!!

Can you believe it!!!

Photocentric has graciously donated Imagepac Daylight kits as prizes.

Each kit is valued at $100.00.

Imagepac Daylight is a simple to use.

All you need to provide is the creativity, hot water, detergent and a 60W light bulb!

You create your own designs and follow the simple instructions provided.

The Kit includes:

• 2 x A6 imagepac daylight sachets
• 4 x A7 imagepac daylight sachets
• 4 x A8 imagepac daylight sachets
• 4 x A4 sheets imageblack inkjet film
• Artwork and sachet clamp
• TimerTray for de-tacking plate & hardening stamp
• Brush
• Knife
• Bottle of plate drying salts
• Pair of gloves
• Ink pad
• Acrylic mount
• Sample artwork
• Full instructions with easy to follow pictures
• Metal Carrying Case

So here is the deal register for the cruise by November 15th, 2009 and your name will go into a drawing for one of these kits.

until we meet again,

I just met the Queen of Crafting!

Oh my God! I just took my picture with Carol Duvall!!!

Yes, complete with jumping up and down in my typical Lauren way!

I turned into a star struck fool! I wet my pants in all the excitment!

It is a great day!

until we meet again,

Cruise Update: Classes

I am so excited I can just spit.

I have really come up with some great classes for the cruise!!

Go ahead and start getting your deposits in so that we can get to CRUISIN'!

Please call toll-free number 1-877-419-1783 or Email info@craftingcruises.com

Day 1 Tampa, Florida -- 4:00 pm
2 hour class 8.00pm to 10.00pm
Papermaking Sampler -- Dried papers can be used as book covers, cards, in collages, or stand on there own. Come and play for a couple of hours. This class will give you an opportunity to explore some of the possibilities of paper. This is a beginning class where the focus is on forming a sheet of paper, ways to press and dry paper and, best of all, the hands-on experience of making your own paper. If you have some dried flowers from a special occasion or from your garden, bring them with you. I will also have some on hand for you to use. ALL SUPPLIES PROVIDED!

Day 2 At Sea -- --
2 hour class 10.00am to 12.00pm
Dos a Dos Binding -- This is a Dos a Dos style coptic bound book. That is, it opens from both the front and the back. It is essentially two books that share a single cover, making them one. The signatures are cut from watercolor paper, perfect for creating your next art journal. Samples from the Papermaking class can be used as book covers making this journal the perfect personal gift. ALL SUPPLIES PROVIDED!

2 hour class  1.30pm to 3.30pm
Cigar Box Journal -- Create a journal from an old cigar box and other up-cycled materials. It is wonderful for sketching and recording all your dreams and schemes. This spine features thread sewn through large beads in a very unique and fun pattern.You will sew the pages to create a multi-sectioned book.  ALL SUPPLIES PROVIDED!

Day 3 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 7:00 am 2:00 pm
1 hour class 4.00pm to 5.00pm included in the price of the cruise
Make Your Own Stamps -- There are wonderful stamps on the market, but sometimes we all want to make something that is truly our own. In this class, you will learn to make your own stamps using a 60 Watt light bulb and daylight polymer. Imagine having your own personalized stamps for use in your scrapbook, making ATCs, or making greeting and note cards. You can even use them to stamp designs in polymer clay and metal clay. ALL SUPPLIES PROVIDED!

Day 4 Cozumel, Mexico 9:00 am 6:00 pm
NO CLASS

Day 5 At Sea -- --
2 hour class 9.30am to 11.30am
Altered Journal -- Discover the creative freedom altered journals provide and how to get started. We will explore a variety of methods for getting words on your altered page, adding text and texture as a feature element, or to compliment other artwork on the page. We will incorporate envelopes, fibers, tags, folded pages and beads to our books and explore a variety of other altering techniques. ALL SUPPLIES PROVIDED!

3 hour class 1.00pm to 4.00pm
TBD

1 hour class 8.00pm to 9.00pm included in price of the cruise
Sweetheart Box -- We love this sweet little box! It is small enough to hold jewelry or chocolates and bold enough to sit on a shelf and look pretty. Once you’ve made the box, add ink, stamps, embellishments, whatever you can think of to enhance the box. ALL SUPPLIES PROVIDED!

Day 6 Tampa, Florida 8:00 am --
NO CLASS

until we meet again,

Cruise Update

So here is my plan.

This is bring nothing cruise!!!

That's right, you do not have to bring any supplies what so ever.

I am going to make sure that all is available on the cruise for you.
And yes, they are yours to take home!

That's right, you are going to get a chance to work without a worry.

I always bring my tools with me. I feel naked without them.
So please do not stress, you can still bring your favorite tools.

I will be posting more about the classes as soon as I get them finalized.

So get your deposits in as soon as possible by calling 1-877-419-1783




5 Day Western Caribbean Cruise including classes, is only:

$638.67 Inside Stateroom, $678.67 Oceanview Stateroom
Featuring a 24 hour private workroom and 2 workshops included in the price!

Take $120 off the above price for non crafters.

Limited number of triples and quads.

Prices are person in US
dollars and include all taxes and government fees.

Suites available on request.

Deposit: $200.00 per person to secure your place, due now.

Fully refundable right up until
final payment.

Final payment due 15 December, 2009
DO NOT BOOK ANY AIR UNTIL NOTIFIED

until we meet again,

Creative Parenting Saves Lives!!

My neighbors must think that I have lost my mind. Today I admit it I have completely snapped. I just could not take it anymore.

Some days are great and I am secure in my decisions and then there are days like today where I just think that military school is looking better and better.

Well, today the boys just ran me up a tree. I could not take it anymore. They did not want to play and learn, they did not want to learn and learn, they did not want to play.

So finally after lunch and what was suppose to be a simple short nap for us all, a quick dinner and bedtime turned into a nightmare.

The boys were fighting all day. I had enough. I had all I could stand and I could not stand anymore. Just when I realized that the nap thing was not going to work, it got worse. Yes, it got even worse when they went all over the upstairs and started slamming doors and just plan out through a fit. Ziggy has figured out how to lock the door when he is mad. Chinadu just kept slamming and slamming and slamming.

I snapped. That is right, I snapped. I lost my mind. I walked all over the house in a complete daze.

I finally figured it out. You know how you have that moment when you reach back into your past and try to find something, anything that will once again bring peace and harmony into the house.

Then it hits me. I could see my cape waving behind me, hear angels singing and see white doves being released. All I need is a Phillips head screwdriver. Off I go to the basement to get one with a short stop to the pantry for a self-sealing bag and then right back upstairs.  I have once again conquered the twin conglomerate in my home.

I took the door knob off. That's right, I took it off the door. No more slamming doors in my house. I did not take away their privacy, although between you me and the walls, that is the next step, the whole door.

I just wanted the slamming part to stop. Peace and Quite has arrived in my home at 6.00pm once again, the world is full of harmony.

Yes, they cried for about 2 hours, but as my Mama would say "the more you cry the less you pee".

until we meet again,

For all of my local peeps…

I have been working my butt off here. I am just trying to keep up with my shadow.

It has been hectic here! Home school is not for the weak at heart. It is the most exhausting and rewarding thing that I have ever done in my life. I am tired, I am behind and I am forever grateful that I have the chance to make such a lasting difference in the lives of my kids.

I am teaching 3 classes at the Sassy Scrapper in Murfreesboro, TN on November 14, 2009! Give them a call at 615-895-1284.

Everywhere I go, friends and folks have been asking me to teach some technique based classes so I have reached into the walls of my brain and come up with three classes that are going to knock your socks off.

If you have a heat gun bring it. You will only need to bring a basic tool for the Gratitude Journal.

All of the techniques can be used to revitalize your stash and help you get a good run for your money.

I am only there for the one day and seating is limited.

If you have taken a glimmer mist class with me before, De-Mistified is packed full of new techniques and old techniques with a new spin.

 

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Distress Ink Techniques

So you think you know all you can do with Distress Ink? I can guarantee that you never used Distress Inks like this! We will be masking, embossing, misting and stamping. Want to learn how to tint photos and not have streak marks? Want to know how to tell if a Glimmer Mist color will work well with a Distress Ink before you even spray it? Do you want to explore new ways to use standard household items to create unique looks for your cards and layouts? This is the class for you. In this TECHNIQUE BASED class you will be making 15 shipping tags with step by step instructions to reference on the back. You will be able to refer back to your tags so that you can use the techniques over and over. The possibilities are limitless. I will have the Bucket O' Stamps to choose from but you may bring your own.

Class length: 2 hours

Class supplies: No supplies are needed. If you have a heat gun, please bring it.

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Glimmer Mist De-Mistified

Everyone loves it! Now what do we do with it??? Are you ready to spray your heart out?  In this TECHNIQUE BASED class you will be making 10 5 ½ by 5 ½ tags with step by step instructions to reference on the back. Each tag is a beautiful mini layout. You will be able to refer back to your tags so that you can use the techniques over and over. You will learn how to color match Glimmer Mist to your favorite pattern papers. You will learn how to make your own background pages. We will use resist techniques in new and interesting ways. You will find a renewed love of your crayons, acrylic paint and stamps. We will be learning how to mask with traditional scrapbooking supplies.  At the end of this TECHNIQUE BASED class you will leave looking to spray Glimmer Mist on anything that you can find.  I will have the Bucket O' Stamps to choose from but you may bring your own.

Class length: 3 hours

Class supplies: No supplies are needed. If you have a heat gun, please bring it.

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Gratitude Journal

Celebrate life's blessings by sharing the things you're most grateful for! Use this beautiful little wire bound journal to remind you of the bounty of your life or give it as a gift to thank someone dear to your heart! The Gratitude Journal is a 4" x 4" with 4 additional chipboard pages, 2 uniquely folded pages, tags and envelopes. You will make your own covers using 2 simple techniques with Glimmer Mist and Distress Inks. You will learn how to miter the perfect corner. On occasion, I may be required to substitute similar papers for those shown here due to availability.  I will have the Bucket O' Stamps to choose from but you may bring your own.

Class length: 2 hour

Class supplies: Paper Trimmer, Scissors, Liquid and Dry Adhesive, and if you have a heat gun, please bring it.

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until we meet again,