Thursday, November 12, 2009

Spark>>Day one>>it's happening!


After all the hard work that was put into the event, it was almost surreal to see it all come together.
I designed these signs that were at each main building & for the first day we had the welcome in the Spark Clubhouse. The tables were decorated with puffy, colorful tissue paper pom poms, balloons & old dictionary paper! Colorful sparklers were adorning the bright windows at registration to remind everyone to sparkle! *wink*
Registration was decorated by Dear Lizzie & manned by our fab volunteers, Michele & Lesli....2 incredibly Sparky friends & whom we owe so much to. They are talking to Amy Redden & Sande Krieger here, 2 other FAB parts of Spark! Thanks, girls!
Margie got us going & laughing...I tell ya...anything this woman says or does throws everyone into a laughing tizzy...so much fun & laughter at Spark!


So many helpers, it was amazing! We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts....seriously, it was a family effort for all of us & our dear friends all helped to bring it to life! Can you say: paper chains & decor coming out of our ears? yea! Our homes were filled with this goodness for months before. **After Spark was over, my kids commented on how sparse our home felt after having sooo many garlands hanging all over!**

Day one was our Show & Tell with various artisans. Melissa Blackburn WOWED everyone with her amazing fabric flowers. She's a dressmaker & her artistry shines through
in her work. She's seriously amazing. It was so fun to see her at work during the Show & Tell mini-class demos.We had them set up in 2 different buildings: see these cool, fab chunky old work tables? I want them in my studio..they were divine!
Fiskars & Sassafrass Lass had FAB tables set up with such fun projects! Look at that ink! Thanks, guys!

April Meeker was amazing with her hand carved stamps...she talked about how she uses them in her jewelry making. Then, had our Spark Girls stamp...glitter, fun! Smooches, April!
Emily Sparks (love her name, how could we NOT have her involved!) showed the Spark Girls how to crochet these little flowers. so so cute!

Getting to know each other & the photo coffee filter swags were a fun touch that added the SPARK to the event....truly, the event was brighter with everyone's Spark added! We love you, Spark Girls!



The General Store was up the entire time with our artisans' art to buy...it was a little Etsy store with lots of cool stuff! Maren's beautiful paper products were a huge hit!


Look at how delicious her papers are? Loved seeing her share her techniques of paper folding with our Spark Girls!

Karli & Gabe from Dear Lizzie Sparked everyone's creativity with owner, Laura Jarman's, Junk Bows. Complete with the most amazing huge pink crystal pins to tie it off! wow! I want to decorate my Christmas tree with this stuff! Just find newspapers, tissues, paper towels, ribbons, lace...tie it togethr; add bling you've got at home& voila! So fab!
Jen Sorenson showed us how to make these most amazing little vellum books! They were so delicate & gorgeous! Thanks, Jen!
Robyn Werlich wowed us with her amazing project that included cool techniques with stamps & vintage papers, flash cards & COLOR. It was amazing! & I loved that her cute husband came with her!
Look at these girls Sparkin' it up! inking, creating, so FAB!
Megan Faulkner-Brown from The Sweet Tooth Fairy was the icing on the cake...no pun intended. She showed us how to make these deliciously gorgeous fondant roses! Everyone was in awe at 'how easy it is'....She's so super to come & share this great talent she has with us at Spark!
Thank, Megan!
Spark sponsored a Cuff Buffet. (we almost called it a Cuffet! *wink*) We collected tons of buttons, fabric strips, lace, ribbon, felt, & all the goodies you want at your fingertips to create!
We had Quickutz machines to diecut fabric, glue guns, sewing machines, needles & thread...it was a huge hit! I think everyone loved that they could just sit/stand & make these however they wanted.
Lots of great ideas for Christmas prezzies! *grin*

Provo Craft had a whole crew there showing us all how the fabulous home screen printer, YUDU, works! And screen printed right onto our canvas art journal pages for the next day's class!

Noralee & Lori were showing everyone how to get creative with the Cricut Expression machine & cut out chandeliers, crowns, etc. for everyone's art journals!
And Vintaj (THANK YOU!) donated some fabulous metals to emboss in the Cuttlebug embossers! wow! so fabulous. (Thanks, Liz, for the fab photos!)

The Pink Chandelier made those amazing Spark charms for every. one. yes. you read that right. Can you believe it? Thanks, again, Jessica!

**P.s. Big Thanks to Mike & YUDU for screenprining our bags!
The bags were full of swag! My dear friend Anna, added HER Spark to the bags by sewing fabric, ribbon & adding the tulle & Spark buttons on them! Loved these bags!


Our hearts are full with the amazing things we learned from each of you. We broke down in tears many time throughout the event when we heard your inspiring words, experiences, WHY you were at Spark, & WHAT you were getting out of it! It Sparked us!

more to come & lots more to share!


(photos by Collin Kartchner, Amy Miles, & Wynona Robison. Thanks! Still haven't found my cord to my camera...ugh)

Monday, November 9, 2009

....spark

I'm with Liz...it does seem like a dream.


But, it did happen. The magic spark dust was sprinkled & I feel like I want to create today & I already miss all the Sparks from all over the country!
The weather was absolutely perfect...sunny with a nip of Fall during the days.


and, the Autumn chill during the nights made the hot chocolate around the Spark fire taste even better!
So much to share, so much to say....
just wanted to give you a taste
of what was Sparking over the weekend...I'll be back tomorrow to share more!
So much heart was put into this event....& I think it turned out magical....couldn't have done it with out all of you involved. every single person made it what it was!
thank you!
R




**all photos by Wynona Robison. Thank you, sweet!

Friday, October 30, 2009

creativity....




I've been thinking a lot about creativity lately...the highs & the lows. Everybody has good days & bad, right? But, we can't afford to be in a low for very long. Not just business wise, but emotionally.

I've been super busy...between getting ready for our big event: Spark> to working with Heidi & Janet on our House of 3 products/projects/ideas> to getting ready for Halloween with my kids> to church callings> to family responsibilites....yea. you get the picture.
We are all like this. I'm no different.

This is why I seriously rely on my Creativity Exercises. It keeps things all together for me. Personally, they boost my creativity & they've become a habit for me. But...when I hear things from YOU...about how these exercises are affecting YOUR creativity...it just makes me smile.

I asked if I could share a few because they inspired me!

Brenda emailed & said:
Dear Rhonna, I just wanted to share with you that you have inspired me beyond belief...I participated in your 21 DAY CHALLENGE and purchased your creativity exercies...I am actively incorporating both into my daily life...

I have become so much more creative and I have learned so much about myself....I have been digging deep to become more creative and I have learned so much more about my Photoshop program and making my own creations with my program....

I also have become more creative with my photography...It is amazing how you can see things in a more creative way.... I just felt the need to share this with you and the difference all of this has made in my life....
THANKS, BRENDA

or this one:



Hey Rhonna! I don't have a blog so I couldn't post or share during your 21 Challenge, but I just wanted to tell you what's going on in my life right now.
I've had a hard time with my creative self esteem lately. I've been down. Everyone's been down. Times are tough right now.

But, during your 21 Day Challenge I discovered that creating truly makes me happy. And even if I'm down I need to force myself to focus on things that can make me happy. It's my choice.
So, after the 21 Challenge I decided to buy your creativity exercises & see if they would help me. They did.

So much more than I could ever have imagined. I wanted to start a blog just to tell people about these amazing exercises! But, no one would have looked at it, so I wanted to email you & ask you to tell your bloggers about how much I love the creativity every single day.


Not only has it boosted my creative self esteem, but it's also helped me in so many other areas in my life. I am so thankful for your willingness to share these exercises with us. I know in the creative community some are very stingy with their 'secrets', but you share them & I thank you for that. My life will never be the same.

Thanks so much!

blessings,
Julie

um....talk about humbling. thank YOU, Julie & Brenda for sharing this. I am so thrilled that you love them as much as I do!

enjoy this weekend...creatively! I agree with this quote...creative power brings the whole universe in order...
r

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

exciting news!

Today is the launch for Wacom's Penscrappers. And, I'm soo excited & honored to be a part of the team! It's a new & improved site geared towards educating, inspiring & sharing info about the Wacom tablet: Bamboo Craft!

Look at all of these talented digital designers! They are all a*mazing! And each of us has prepared video tutorials in the Learning Center, on how to use your tablet in designing & scrapping! And...be watching...each month we'll have a contest/ challenge, free downloads & lots of cool stuff!
Wacom just plain rocks! They are one of our partnered faves on our House of 3 links page!
Love them!

And...speaking of House of 3, be sure to check out the newsletter going out....
a 25% gRatitude sale from midnight tonight until midnight Friday night!...perfect for those last minute Halloween buys!
Did you see what Heidi did with her Spooky Stairway? Love it!
And....I just posted some fun Haunted Lollies!
Check it out here!


have a fab Tuesday!
R

Thursday, October 22, 2009

just breathe>>>happy birthday to me>>>DIY freebie prezzie!


*whew*

what. a. week.
Don't get me wrong....I wouldn't have it any other way, but wooooo*eee! I'm plum tuckered out.

Tuesday we had a great House of 3 creative meeting...lots of fun holiday up our sleeve...stay tuned! And did you see Heidi's Gratitude cards? mmmm!

That evening's Spark Soireé was more delightful than I could have imagined. check out photos here: at Liz's blog>
Meeting so many local
Sparks was truly a treat...left me giddy for the Spark Event! So so excited! We did live Ustream...check out the party here!
Wednesday was filled with Spark meetings...live, ichat...the works! We are planning so many cool things & surprises! (btw. registration closes on Monday!)
& today was my annual
half marathon....day before my birthday.

.... it's become tradition to run a half marathon....just to do it! LOL!

so....bring on the
birthday celebrations. bright & early tomorrow morning...til sundown. Did I say I loved my bday? I love growing a year older.
a year wiser.
I love each season in my life.
I love the person I'm becoming.
I love the daily trials, blessings, experiences.
I love growing older.
It's cool to grow older, I've decided.
It's cool to have crows' feet.
It's cool to have laugh lines.
It's cool to grow up & be a mom & wife.

I think it's important to embrace the season we are in....right now. Life's too short to always be saying, 'I'll be happy when.....'
I think it's good to be happy
now. Happy with 42.

42. bring it on!
I love prezzies.
I love celebrating life.

so, happy birthday to me!
Let's celebRate together!

Here's a fun, RF biRthday freebie> a PDF download of birthday tags/labels...cards! Print out on cardstock, sticker paper...whatever! & *bam*! Instant birthday greetings!
**note: to download freebie, you'll need to be signed in to Google. :)
**ETA: wow, that went fast. I exceeded my download limit.
Try THIS LINK NOW> 100 downloads.

Have a fabulous Friday! I know I will!
smmoooches!
R

p.s. this is a great day for birthdays..one of my fave people is my b-day twin! happy b-day, miss t! xox

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Spark Soireé:: tonight!

Yes. It's tonight! Our Spark Soireé!
In this case, it's not an evening party in a private house.... it's a private evening party at Dear Lizzie Boutique & Bistro! (which will feel like our private, magical house...complete with Sparkly chandeliers!)


Come & join us from 7-9pm. Here are directions to Dear Lizzie & we'll have the front door open to enter into this magical Boutique & Bistro!

For all of you out of towners, we'll be doing live Ustream so you will be able to check in & chat with us! We'll be sending you the live info, but plan on 7:30 Mountain Time!

And....our own Spark- Liz is on NBC's local Studio 5 this morning getting creative & pluggin' Spark!

And in fun news....House of 3 is getting ready for the holiday! If you aren't signed up for our Newsletter, be sure to get on the list! You won't want to miss the fun & inspiration!

R

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Digital Design Class:: Let's Brush Up @ Dear LIzzie

Let's Brush Up Digital Design Class
Wednesday November 18, from 7:30-9:30pm
Class Fee: $35. HUGE Brush kit included
Skill Level: Intermediate Beginners & Up
Join me in the Dear Lizzie Bistro to learn about the world of digital brushes! This is a class where you will learn how to:
load digital brushes
use digital brushes
size digital brushes
color digital brushes
create digital brushes
save digital brushes
rotate digital brushes
space digital brushes

The class will
include an exclusive CD with 50 versatile & amazing brushes, a printed guide & step by step instructions so you can go home & practice.
And, I'll be showing & using Wacom Tablets (though, this is a class in & of itself!)

Don't forget the Dear Lizzie cupcakes & unlimited drinks! ....what a party!

**NOTE: This skill level, Intermediate Beginner, assumes you know your way around Photoshop. You know your Tool Bar, you know how to open up a New Document, create a New Layer, can find the Brush Tool, etc. If you aren't comfortable with this, you may feel lost & I do NOT want you to have a bad experience. I'll be teaching very beginner classes at a later date!

Questions/Answers about what you'll need: check here.


How to sign up:
Since this is a private class, & we'll have our laptops, class space is very, very limited
.
There are only 20 spaces available.
Email me quickly for reservations and on Monday, I will send you a payment request from PayPal that will secure your spot!

can't wait!
R