Almost a decade of experience

With almost a decade of professional shooting behind me, I've decided to finally sell my work online. Visit my website here. I chose the name Pixarazzi because it is the smashing together of pixels and paparazzi. Photography has always been a passion of mine. I can't remember a time that I was taking pictures of something, but thank heavens, my skill has improved. Pictures can tell a story that sometimes words just can't express and sometimes a picture needs an explanation. I think that is why scrapbooking is also so appealing to me. I feel creativity is the gift I've been given from above. I'm trying to use this gift in a way that will bless my family and perhaps others along the way. I would love to be able to take my family to Disney World in the summer of 2014! Shooting pictures is my focused effort to do just that. Stop by the sight, leave some feedback, or view and purchase pictures, you'll be glad you did.

SAVE THE DATE

For all Scrapbookers far and wide, mark your calendars for Feb. 27th 9 am - 9 pm. I am hosting the scrapbooking event of the season. Twelve whole hours of non-stop creating fun, including prizes, a chinese auction, and food! As if that wasn't good enough all by itself, all the money raised will benefit the Shattered Lives program being hosted by the Sheriff's Office and Coldspring High School.

The event will be held at CHS cafeteria on Feb. 27th from 9am to 9pm. Registration is $40. If you pre-register by Feb. 14th you can reserve your seat and meals for $35. Also, raffle tickets will be on sale, 1 for $1, 6 for $5, and an arm length for $10.

Check back often for more information!

cropping for a cause

This past weekend I hosted the Camp'n Crop. We had such a blast. The ladies and I played scrapbooking games and ate some wonderful food. We had snacks to last the entire time, complete with smores, carmel apples, nuts, mints, pnut m&ms, skittles, and the list goes on. I managed to get about 8 pages completed, which I consider remarkable. We also had our technique class in which we learned how to use water color pencils and we did a technique called chalk popping. We had so much fun that I'm considering hosting another crop in January....I feel a frosted crop in the air. Stay tuned for further details.
I also may have the opportunity to host a crop that will benefit the shattered lives program. In case you've never heard about it, the shattered lives program is a program that focuses on showing the pain and devastation that comes as a result of drinking and driving. It is a very moving program. There are teens involved and it's live action with police, fire, and ems responding to a mock accident scene. It goes on to show the hospital and funeral scene. It's a real community effort. The parents of the involved teens acutally have to come up with a mock obituary. The grim reaper actually goes into a classroom and taps the teen and the teen is removed from the classroom and given instrutions to return to the class pretending as if they aren't really there....to see how others respond to the news that their classmate has been killed in a drinking and driving accident. The whole purpose is to raise awareness about the consequences of the choices they make.

In the face of adversity

Yesterday, I attended my sister's baby shower. I got to visit with my beautiful nephews, both under a year old. I'll be taking pictures of them together soon. My newest nephew was born at 8lbs 4 ozs. I feel so blessed. My sister was diagnosed with Leukemia about 2 weeks before she learned she was pregnant with him. I know it's a miracle that he was born by all appearances 'healthy'. He will have to undergo some testing to make sure there wasn't any lasting side effects from the chemo that she took while she was pregnant. I am inspired by my sister's strength throughtout this whole trial. It amazes me that she can be faced with so much, and still keep a happy spirit about her. I know some days are harder than others, but she never complains. She is so kind, sometimes too kind, to the point that others take advantage of her. With all of the uncertainty in her life, I began to encourage her to scrapbook. I felt, and still do, that she should create her legacy, collect her thoughts and ideas, her dreams and aspirations, and her prayers and feelings, and compile them for her children in case the time comes that she won't be able to be there with them first hand. She could leave this gift and there would never be any doubt as to how much she loves her boys.

No Greater Love

After posting about my new nephew, I was thinking about some cards I made. I recently designed this card for Christmas with the stamped image of Mary and baby Jesus on it. This was my first attempt at a non-traditional style card. I used a few different stamp sets and last years Christmas paper pack from Close to my Heart. I used liquid glass and some red rhinestones as well. All products were used from Close to my Heart line.

free free free

October is here and I am loving the fall weather! I am a feeling generous, so I have decided that anyone placing an order from my site scarlettscrapper.myctmh.com by 12:oo am Midnight on Oct. 3rd will be entered into a drawing for a free Lvl 2 paper pack of your choice. For every $25 you spend before tax and shipping, you will get one ticket in the drawing. There are some great discounted deals available online only. Take a minute or two and check them out. Once you've place the order, come back here and leave a comment with the paper pack of your choice.

REMINDER: CAMP'N CROP

Hi again ladies, it's me again, your friendly Close to my Heart Creative Advisor! I wanted to remind everyone about the upcoming Camp'n Crop on Oct. 16-17. Don't forget your registration is due on Oct. 1st. If you haven't gotten your payment to me yet, don't 'stew' on this to long....seats are disappearing quickly! Remember, I'm providing meals, snacks, and tea....and what camp out is complete without S'mores?...You'll have a chance to 'fish' for ideas and catch up with the latest buzz over the chirping cricut! We'll have give-aways that you're sure to love! There will be challenges and games to help you finish those pages....with no pesky mosquitos and no humidity to bother us....get busy packing your napsack and your tools...and don't forget to bring your pj's so you can settle in for an adventure filled cropping good time!

Close to my Heart

A group of us consultants got together today for a team meeting. We shared ideas and did a little creating. The top sellers were recognized. We welcomed new recruits and went over things we hope to accomplish soon. I am super excited that I am hosting my first home gathering next month....I feel like it's going to be the first of many to come! After the meeting today, the girls and I cropped for a few hours. They really enjoy creating pages...and I'm going to have to restock their inventory really soon. Next spring, I hope to plan a junior crop, but for now I am currently planning for the gathering, another technique class and the upcoming camp'n crop. The camp'n crop is going to be a mini-retreat of sorts. Games, prizes, decoration, ideas, and lots of fun, fun, fun...and energy too!

a Blazing Trail

With my recent promotion to Creative Advisor for Close to my Heart I became a supervisor as well. I signed a new recruit on Friday and I am so thrilled that she has already signed her first recruit. What this means for me is that I am going to be scrapbooking and cropping more often now. Not only do I teach others how to scrapbook and stamp, but I also sell the best scrapbooking and stamping products on the market. You'll have to see it to believe it, and when you're ready to check it out...drop me a line!

Altered Workshops

Yesterday was my first scrapbooking technique class. It was a big success. We have 6 ladies in

our group that have committed to learning a new technique every month. We learned how to heat emboss as well as how to use a baby wipe in our stamping. I wish I had thought to take pictures of some of their creations...maybe next time. After the class was finished, we hung out and cropped the day away. It was such a blast, but also very exhausting.

Next month, I am hosting a camping themed crop. We will enjoy 36 hours of creativity. Currently I am planning a clock making workshop and an acrylic frame workshop. Both of these items are great for gift giving. I'll post more information as soon as I get the date set. I will also try to post more pictures of the projects that I have planned.

Ph.D. Certified

I received my Ph.D. certificate and pin in the mail today. Now I have to paper to back me. I finished my Close to my Heart degree program a little over a month ago. I am now a certified Creative Advisor for Close to my Heart. The fleshly part of me says, " It's about time somebody recogonizes my abilities." Honestly, I am humbled. It's my creativity that I use most to work for the Lord. He blessed me with my talents and He can certainly take them away. I hope that I may always use my gifts to honor and glorify Him. Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings you have bestowed upon me thru sharing my creativity.

My first technique class starts this Saturday. Words can hardly contain how excited I am to finally be fulfilling my passion of teaching others how to be creative. This group will meet monthly to learn new techniques to help enhance their scrapbooking. Contact me to learn how you can learn these techniques too!

Scrapbooking & Homecoming

Today I attended a crop. I met two new wonderful ladies and advised them creatively. Thanks to them both for allowing me to share my passion for scrapbooking with them. I hope that we will get together again soon to scrapbook. My technique class starts next weekend and I am very excited about that. Next month I'll be hosting the Camp'n Crop....we'll enjoy 36 hours of pure scrapping fun!!! Tomorrow is homecoming at church. I am looking forward to hearing our guest preacher and his family of singers. After service, we will celebrate in true Baptist form while we have dinner on the grounds. If you've never enjoyed a meal like that of a Baptist potluck, you're missing a real treat. I strongly suggest you may your way to one just as fast as humanly possible...it's almost like an all you can eat buffet on steroids...only better....there are enough desserts to feed an entire village in Africa.

CTMH-versatility

Kelly Purkey from 2 peas in a bucket created this layout using our newly released card kit! What a awesome creation Kelly....thanks for sharing!

Lost Lagoon

We recently took a trip to SeaWorld just to play in the Lost Lagoon. If you've ever been there, you know why it was worthy of dedicating a whole day too and if you haven't been, well...get there as fast as you can! It's the only time you'll ever see me in a swimsuit....and that's only because I had too. I managed to dodge the camera most of the day, but I did end up with one picture of me....not terribly bad, but I certainly ain't ready to share it with the rest of cyber space (sorry folks...just not happening). Instead, I will share a photo of the kids as they came down of the sky tubin'. Gary and I went down first, ahead of them, so that we could watch them as they hit the bottom....I just love how excited they were.....it made the whole swimsuit issue worth it! I used an inexpensive disposable waterproof camera to take the pictures....it sure does make me appreciate the fact that I have a good camera that takes excellent quality photos.

Free stuff

Win a free cardmaking set....everything you need to complete 16 all occasion cards including a stamp set and 2 inks.....one new winner everyday in honor of national stamping month.....click here and enter to win today.....

spark some creativity

I am so thrilled to have my Close to my Heart website up and running again. I need to get busy posting some of my artwork. I just finished updating the calendar. Now you can view our new catalog and idea book online straight from my site. I've already placed an order and can hardly stand the wait for it to arrive. I promise, I'm not stalking the UPS lady anymore! Also, you can view some great creative webisodes on the CTMH TV....so instead of vegging out to the normal programs, switch it up a little and see if one of the Art & Soul episodes can't spark a little inspiration of creativity. Don't forget, you can shop online now too and get those hot new products into your creative hands easier than ever!

Over the past few days, I have been catching up with old classmates from high school on facebook! It's somewhat surprising how you can pick up with people like you've never been apart. After many years, you see how things change and how they never really change all at the same time. One of my newly found friends and I go back to grade school together. We met up at the end of last week and had a great time reminiscing old memories of each other and planning to make new ones. It all links back to scrapbooking. I have developed some of the best relationships with people because of scrapbooking and now I am finding and rekindling old friendships because of scrapbooking. Some people might say that I am obsessed with scrapbooking; that might actually be true, but it has only brought good things as a result.

Technique Class

I am preparing supplies for the technique class and I need to confirm those of you who are participating. If indeed you are, I need you to email or call me and let me know for sure. Remember it's a 6 month commitment to spend $25 (before tax/shipping) each month of the 6 months. In return, you will learn 1 or 2 techniques each month and you will receive $25 free product during 1 of those months. Our first Technique class is scheduled for 8am Sept. 19th at New Hope Church. If you are considering the class, but haven't signed up because you are unable to attend the technique class in person, I will make you a sample and get it to you with instructions.

The free monthly crop for Sept. will be held on the 19th beginning at 11am. Because this is a free crop, you will need to bring your own food and snacks. I will provide tea and water and we will have access to kitchen facilities. If you are planning on attending the crop I need for you to RSVP so I can insure that I have a table set up for you.

Paper cake template

I found this template on Big Foot and Pickle website. Scroll down for examples of the finished product. In order for all the pieces to fit together, you need to make sure that you stretch the pattern to a full 8.5x11 sheet of paper. You will need 12 pieces total. Good luck! Contact me when you've completed one and I will add it here for others to see!

More Paper Cake

After sharing the idea with others, this is the grand design of Diane Buzzell, a sister consultant with Close to my Heart. These are her words:

I used Colonial White cardstock and a couple stamp sets to stamp vines and flowers on it. I had some vellum confetti flowers I don't know where I got. They were in my stash and I used liguid glass to adhere them randomly. I used Just Blooms and White Daisy paper flowers for the centerpiece with some curling ribbon. And some white daisies with sparkles on the sides. My open house theme was the Idea Book "Unveiling" so I decided on a kind of a wedding theme. I was impressed that it didn't take too awfully long to make. Deciding on the stamps and the design took the most time.

Thank you Diane for letting us see your take on the awesome idea!