Vicki Boutin

New Blog and a Creative Foundations GIVEAWAY!!!!! CLOSED~~~

It is finally done!!!  This blog has needed an overhaul for such a long time and with the help of my friend Jen Walker it has finally happened!!!  (Thanks, Jen!!!!  You are the best.  Really.) What do you think??  I LOVE it!!!!  Make sure to take a look around.  Here is a verbal tour...

Look at the banner under the blog header...I will be filling these pages with lots of content.  A few free class PDF's are coming.  I am thinking of adding class downloads for a small fee for my current classes, then you play along even if you can't make it to a workshop.

Videos will be coming!!

There is a button to buy my book over there in the top right corner.

Now you can connect to my facebook, twitter, pinterest...(deep breath)...instagram and LIKE my facebook page.  I would LOVE if you LIKED me...I love friends.  Look over there on the right.  See it??  I even made the Instagram button.  yeah...I am getting all "techie".

There are lots of things to check out.  Let me know what you think.  Jen is in the process of adding something like Networked Blogs so you can follow along a little easier.  Because...are you ready for it...I will be posting on a regular basis.  Can ya dig it?  Lots of crafting stuff...photos...inspiration sources...lots of fun stuff.  Let me know what you would like to see.  Let me know if you have question...I will fill up the FAQ area with tons of tidbits.

First thing...

 I am doing this photo challenge I saw Nic Howard post....

She found it HERE.  Wanna play along??  I figure this is something I can commit to and actually do it.   I also want a reason to take photos everyday!  I need something to instagram, tweet, facebook, pinterest and post, after all.  Phew!  and ha!!  So check back later for my interpretation of "UP".  Should be fun!!!

Next...

Check back tomorrow for something I am cooking up with Courtney Walsh. (it's good...really good)  I always knew she was a talented lady...love her ART...have known her for years...been on DT's together...sweet lady...and now an author of something oh so special!!!!  I know!!!  I have lots to say about that tomorrow!!!  You have to go check out her blog today...HERE and the Brave Girls site...HERE.  Lot of GIVEAWAYS over there!!!!  Fabulous.  Truly.

Now...how about a GIVEAWAY!?!?!?  It is a good one.  And I always save the "candy" for the end of the post. To celebrate my new blog and my leap into the social media world and just the plain old good feelings that come with giving stuff away...

 

A copy of my book, CREATIVE FOUNDATIONS !!!!  One copy, signed if you want, will be going to a lucky comment leaver!!!!!!!  Like my facebook page for more chances to win!!!!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!!!  Congrats, JILL!!!!!

So get to it...post, pin, Like, tweet, and stay connected with me.  I love the contact.  I love to interact and I have so much I want to share and would like you to share with me.

And wait 'til you see what's coming.  It will be sooooo goooood.  Can't wait!

 

One More (or 7 more) for the Road and Another GIVEAWAY!!!!!

Ok.  It is really crunch time now!!!!  I shopped for some new clothes, I have stayed up each night until at least 2am.  I am getting the kids stuff ready.  I have made oodles of projects.  Now I need to pack, hit the post office, finish a make 'n take...oh I better start another list!  So much to do, always so little time!!!

Today over at the Pink Paislee site they are unvailing....

It is LOVELY!!!!!!!

 

 

Make sure to head over and leave a comment AGAIN for a chance to win the entire Prairie Hill collection!!!  You will be ever so happy if you win ANY of these new releases!!!!!  Go HERE and oooh and ahh over the FABULOUS projects the team made and leave a comment!!!

 

I was recreating a Little Yellow Bicycle project yesterday with REAL product as opposed to prototype and I fell in LOVE all over again.  The LYB line that I was using is called Saturdays and it is OOOOH SOOOOO LOVELY!!!!!  Seriously...you need to see and touch the LYB papers and embellishments...nothing like it! 

If you head over to the LYB blog later next week it will be posted there with all of the interior pages!!!  This line is soooooo gorgeous!!!

You need to head over to LYB and check out all of the new releases!!!  They are all posted on the site right now and this is a SUPER release!!!!!  Really...go check it out!!!  Here are a few of the projects I made...

 

This collection is called Paradise.  Used it in a class...the ladies LOVED it!!!!

This collection is called Swoon.  Great for weddings!!!

Hello, Spring  from Little Yellow Bicycle.

This collection is Escape.

And last but certainly not least is Splash.  Yum-my!!!!

 

Ok.  Lots to for you to go and check out!!!  And leave a comment here for a SURPRISE GIVEAWAY when I get back from CHA!!!  I will put something SUPER YUMMY together!!!!  Remember also...new blog LOOK will be coming in February with lots to tickle your crafting fancy!!!  Can't wait!!!!

Finally...

BIG POSITIVE THOUGHTS and PRAYERS for my sweet, sweet friend Cassandra who starts the next stage of her battle with Leukemia.  She will be in the hospital for the next 5 weeks getting her bone marrow transplant and everything that goaes along with it.  Thinking about her...a lot.  Love ya, Cass!!!!!

 

More Pink Paislee!!!

Yes, there is even more Pink Paislee to share!!!  It wasn't posted til late last night so I had to wait to post it here.  Are you excited???  I know I loved working with both of these lines.  In fact, I wasn't even assigned one of these pages but I loved it so much that I had to do something with it!!!

First up is Pink Pailee's Indigo Bleu.  This one is so on trend for this year.  It mixes yellow (so hot!) with grey and a denimy blue.  Love it!!

I stritzrd some Glimmer Mist on the background.

Still love the Pink Paislee Wood letters.  I misted my craft mat with Glimmer Mist and dragged the bottoms of the letters through it.

So here is the new release that I couldn't resist playing with (til 3am!).  This is one by Collage Press for Pink Paislee.  I am ALWAYS drawn to their designs.  This collection is called London Market and it is FABULOUS!!!!!!

 

Covered these letters with Stickles.  Yum.

LOVE, LOVE these giant numbers!!!  I will have to find a way to incorporate them into a class!!!

What do you think??  Do you love the releases so far??  Don't forget...if you leave a comment on each post at the Pink Paislee site you could be the winner of one of these collections!!!!!!  Make sure to check it out.  The ladies on the PP team have created some wonderful projects!!!!!

Check back tomorrow for a Pre-CHA GIVEAWAY!!!!  I will post it tomorrow and it will run until I return on Thursday!!!

 

Lots to share this week!!! And a Winner!

I love CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) trade show time.  Tons of fabulous products, so much inspiration and for me, a chance to see friends that I only see a few times a year.  On the creative side, I love the work I get to do for trade shows.  It allows me a degree of free reign on what I can create and the challenge to show case "product" is first and foremost in these types of projects.  I LOVE stuff!  Papers, embellishments, stamps.  Love it all.  I love to get as much on a page without going over THE line.  Love it.  So this week I will be posting the projects I have been making.  At the end of the week I will do a giveaway of "stuff".  I will have a second giveaway after I return from CHA, too.  Good times!

One of my HUGE favourites is Pink Paislee!!!  Always so darn pretty!  Very proud to be a part of their team again this year.  Here is a link to the NEW Christy Tomlinson She Art Release!!!!  Make sure you leave a comment on the post at Pink Paislee!!  They are having giveaways ALL week!!!!  Check back each day.  I will make sure I link each release here, too.

I had the pleasure of working with Christy's line.  Here is what I created...

 

 

 

This is a super bright and colourful line.  Right up my alley!!!

I promised some Queen and Co today.  I have been on the Queen and Co team for quite awhile.  I love Q & co.  I use there bling on almost EVERYTHING!!!  If your local store doesn't carry this line...send them over to check out what they have for this release.  Awesome product, great price point and good people.  My favs...

 

Twinkle Goosebumps...they are SOOOOOOO AWESOME!!!!

 

 

Trendy Tape.  It's good.

 

Some projects...

 

 

 

 

 

This is the new summer line and a ton of Queen embellishments!!!!

 

I will post more as the week goes on.

 

Ok, the winner of the 7 Gypsies goodies...

 

fabulous projects! love the ticket holders!

Posted by: laura j | January 20, 2012 at 11:56 PM

Congrats, Laura!!!!  Thanks so much for all of your posts!!!!

Check back this week for more sneak peeks and a GIVEAWAY!!!!

 

New 7 Gypsies and a Giveaway!!!!!

So excited about the new release from 7 Gypsies!!!!  I wanted to quickly hope on and share some of my projects for CHA Winter.

 

 

Two Ticket Holders glued together.  The seem is covered with the vintage rulers.

 

 

 

New 12x12 Shadow box!!!

Like the heart??  It is paper is made from paper towels, Glimmer Mist and 7 G's tissue.  This is a technique featured in my book Creative Foundations.  Did I mention that 7G's teamed with Tattered Angels for a custom line of paints!!!!!  Oh yeah!!!

 

 

I hope you love this release as much as I do!!!!  It is just beautiful!!!!!  How about I do a 7Gypsies giveaway to spread some of the love!!!!!  I will put a few goodies together and draw a name when I post my Queen and Co projects on Monday with ANOTHER giveaway!!!!!

Happy Friday and a Stamp Giveaway!!!

It is Friday and I woke up to snow this morning!!!  It made me want ot get my holiday cheer on!  It also made me come and visit my neglected blog!  I have been caught up in cleaning, organizing, shopping and getting my life in order.  I have to say that 2011 got away from me!  Writing the book was such an awesome experience but I seem to have misplaced about 9 months of my life!  It almost feels like I was here a year ago talking about all of my plans for 2011.  Now I am for real, for real making plans for 2012.  I have even gotten the ball rolling.  What's in store?  Let me tell you...

Blog re-vamp...working on that now.  I am going to be sharing a lot of stuff this year on my blog to support up my book "Creative Foundations" and share my love of techniques!!!  I am thinking videos, PDF's, how-to's and giveaways.  It is going to be fun.

Lots of new workshops...on the blog, classes with Crop & Create, Inspiration Unlimited in Las Vegas and more in the works.

Photography...this is going to be a year of playing and improving my skills...hope to share the journey with you.

There is more in the works...I will share it when I can.  I really would love some feedback here.  What would you like to see?? 

This is something I can share....

 

Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine has lots going on over on the BLOG!  Get ready for 12 Days of Holiday Giving!!!!  You have to check it out!!!  They are giveaway crazy over there!!!!

Yet another place you will want to visit...

Pink Paislee has their Winter Wonderland Blog Event going on!!!  Lots of inspiration, giveaways and eye candy on the BLOG.  You have to check it out!!!!  Here is a layout I created with Snow Day...

I love this line!!!!  One of my favorite color palettes!!!

Ok...how about a Christmas Stamp giveaway???  I have 2 sets of Holiday stamps and a Distress Ink pack to giveaway!!!!  Just leave a comment and let me know what you would love to see on this blog in 2012 and what you love about other blogs.  I am working on it now and would love some feedback!!!!

I will draw a name on Tuesday, December 13th, 2011!!

Have a great weekend!!!

World Card Making Day and a GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

It's a day early but I just coulcn't wait!!!

First...

Pink Paislee!!!

 

Here are some details...

 
Here is what I came up with...

I love STAMPS!  I also love things that sparkle and layers!  So my challenge is to layer stamps on your card!!  I went with Ranger Perfect Pearls over a text stamp and then layered a black image on top!!  You can do this, or stamp a base with colored ink, paint, Glimmer Mist...whatever you like!!  Just layer the look!!!

Here is how I got there...

 Stamp image with Ranger's Perfect Medium.

 
Brush on Ranger's Perfect Pearls while ink is still wet.  Brush off excess.

 

 
Stamp Bicycle in black ink.

 
Oooh!!!  So sparkly!!!

 
Gather your bits!

 
Assemble the card!!

That's it!  Now go to the FORUM and check out all of the challenges!!!  There are  7 Pink Paislee  giveaways on the site!  Just remember to use at least 75% Pink Paislee in your project!!  So, my challenge...LAYER STAMPS!!!!!

Next...

Scrapbook & Cards, Today...

They won't be starting the card making frenzy until tomorrow but I wanted to post today.  Remember...I can't wait!!!  Go take a look at the SCT Blog for lots of inspiration.

Let's start with a sketch from Becky Fleck...

 

Here is my take....

 
I used Fancy Pants Summer's End line.  It is so darn sweet!!!

 
A close up.

So, Happy World Card Making Day my friends!!!!  I hope you get a chance to make a few cards today.  And to get you motivated to create, how about a GIVEAWAY!!!!!  Just leave a comment here and I will draw a name for a sweet stamping/card making prize pack!!!!!!  I will draw a anme on Tuesday Oct, 4th!!!

Lots to Say and Share Today and of Course a 7 Gypsies Giveaway!!!!! CLOSED!!!

Short weeks always seem to go by so fast.  The kids have enjoyed being back at school and love their new teachers.  That makes me a happy momma.  I had time to organize product for classes and edit some photos.  I also cleaned some of this disaster of a house.  But like the week going by quickly, so does 9am-3:30pm!

I spoke with my dear friend Cassandra today.  She is one of the most wonderful, the funniest, hard working, generous to a fault, loving wife and mother I know and whe is struggling with acute mylogenous lukemia.

 

Here's Cass with her sweet girl, Brittany. This is her story in the Welland Tribune.  If you happen to live in the Niagara Pennisula and you want to help out a very worthy family, I hope to see you at the Market Square in Welland this Sunday between 9am-3pm.  I love this girl and her family and want to do anything I can to make her days a little brighter.

Another thing I love are great scrapbook stores and the people who put their heart and souls into them.  One of those stores is closing.  I have taught and shopped at Scrapalicious for a few years now and was so sad to find out today that they are closing their doors at the end of the month.  So sad.  I love the ladies (and guys) from this store and wish them nothing but the best in whatever the future holds for them!!!  I'll miss you!

ok, how about a few photos that might make you smile?

 

 

Good stuff.  That sunset was two days ago and it was absolutely breathtaking!  I jumped in the car to chase it and try to get a better photo but this is all I could get...

It was amazing.  Glad I was able to witness it.

I am going to update my class schedule on this here blog this week.  I will be at Crop & Create in Saskatoon at the end of the month with  Scrapbook & Cards, Today magazine.  I am teaching two workshops and I can't wait to see my SK ladies!!!  Will you be there?  There are still a few spots left!!  I hope you can make it because we are going to have some fun!!  Have you checked out everything going on on the Crop & Create facebook page???  Get on over there!

One more thing before the giveaway details.  Another one of my favourite stores, The Scrapping Nook in Welland, ON is having a Bo Bunny Giveaway !!!!  Great prizes!!!  Love Bo Bunny!!  The details are HERE on their blog.  Go take a look!

Now....how about a giveaway!!!!  I have been cleaning up a bit and wanted to share a few of my favourite 7 Gypsies products with one of the readers of my blog.  This is what is up for grabs...

 

All I need you to do is leave a comment.  Like always, I just like to hear from you so I know I'm not talking to myself.  :)  I will draw a name on Tuesday, Sept. 13th.  Good luck!! CLOSED!!!!!!!

Some Exciting News!!! And a Giveaway!!!

I was so excited to find that my book is available for pre-order yesterday!!!  Here is the cover...

 

You can find it at Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles and Chapters!!!  I have to admit, I cried...a little.  So much work and to finally see it really take shape...it felt good.  The other plus...it is on SALE as a pre-order!!!!  So if you were thinking of getting a copy now might be a good time.  I'm not sure how it will work once the book is available in December.

What else has been going on?  I am leaving for Creative Escape tomorrow!  Very excited about teaching at this event!!!  If you are in my class PLEASE remember to bring a white crayon (Crayola type), repositionable adhesive and stamping blocks.  We are going to have some fun!!!!

Dev turned 8 this month!!!  I can't believe it!

We had a rainbow themed art party!! 

I decorated aprons for all of the kids.  I used Copic markers, stamps with Staz On and the I-Rock from Imaginisce to bling them up!!
 

The girls made altered art canvases!!!  They love it!!

Dev, Ri and her friend helped make the rainbow garland.

Candy bar!!

Dev had a blast!!!  I jazzed up her store bought hat with a pom pom flower!

 
I tried to make cake in a jar...but I used convection and I think it made the batter boil and the colors all blended together on the outside.  It was cool inside, though!

I decorated the door to make a "photo booth" with streamers.

I made a ton of pom pom flowers!!!

 

I cut out props with my Silhouette.

 The girls had a blast!!!  And I had fun getting everything ready and creating art with them.  It was a great day!!

Ok!  Off to pack!  I will share lots of photos when I get back!!!

How about another giveaway!!!!  Stamps and some goodies!!!  Just leave a comment. 
 

Pink Paislee and a few CHA Photos and a GIVEAWAY!!!! **Giveaway Closed***

It's Friday!  Where does the week go?  I am here busy working on Fall, Christmas and Valentine's Day projects and suffering from a hum-dinger of a headache.  The kids are quiet and this is the best time for a quick blog post.

Here are some of my CHA Summer Chicago highlights!

First, I had two star sightings.  When I was in the Toronto airport I went to get a drink before boarding my plane to Chicago.  As I walked up to little vendor I saw a man with long curly hair sitting with his wife an little girl.  It was Weird Al Yankovic.  Funny.

Then I was in the elevator at The Intercontinental with this very tall gentleman with long flowing ebony locks.  I look over at him and say "Hey!  Aren't you in KISS?  I like watching you on Gene Simmons Family Jewels!"  It was...

 

Tommy Thayer, the lead guitarist!  I proceeded to turn into the ultimate dork and tell him that I am 
scrapbooker and could I get his picture.  Dork.  Me that is.  Tommy was a really nice guy.

Went into downtown Chicago to see the new Marilyn Munroe statue (I'm a big fan)...

 

 

Very cool.

Had Slurpee/Froster with a friend...

 
Leica...good egg.

Catherine made a new friend...

This guy was good and he will move in and do your make up everyday for food and booze!  I dropped $200 in Sephora that day.  My grown up version of a candy store!  Lovely!

Now for the paper crafting stuff...

I took a few photos but I talked a lot more.  It's what I do.  Make new friends where ever I go!  Ha!  I will talk to complete strangers if they look interesting and might have something to say that might entertain me.

So here are a few things that tickled my fancy (apart from the obvious that I have posted previously!)

Doodlebug!!!  This is there new twine.  Loved  EVERYTHING in this booth!  It is like the pot of colorful scrap goodness at the end of the RAinBow!!!  The colors make me down right happy!

 

Studio Calico!  I've loved them forever.  I am so excited about their Classic Calico line!!!  Yummmmeee!  More nice people that you want to see succeed!

 

Fancy Pants Design...Off To School!!  This line is soooooo pretty!!! The colors are awesome!! 

 

Amy Tangerine for American Crafts...fresh and fun!  Amy is super nice too!  Talented girl.  

Love these minibooks!!!!  And this video

 

I have to say that that all of the American Crafts lines were super strong!  Easy to use and some of the best embellishments around!

 

Bo Bunny's Et Cetera line...it's good!  Love these sticker sheets!  Love the gang at Bo Bunny!  Just one of those good  companies that always knock it out of the park!

 

I love October Afternoon.  Always have, always will.  I am sure they think I am crazy over at OA...I always gush.  Here are a few more pics...

 

 

Gorgeous lines this show and an AWESOME booth!

 

Jillibean Soup.  LOVE these label stickers.  Seriously.  Love. Them.

Bella Blvd... Finally Fall line...isn't it yummy??  Love this color palette!  

 

And these chipboard letters are the best!

 

New Edgeabilities border dies from Spellbinders.  They have soooo many cool dies! There projects samples are so good!

 

Tiny Type from Cosmo Cricket.  I have a thing for word stickers.  Can't have enough of them.  Need these now!

 

Nikki Silvis had a few cute lines at this show.  I especially liked the Little Monsters line.  I love the monsters.

 

We R Memory Keepers Sew Ribbon.  Cool little tool for threading ribbon.  Liked it.  Want to try it.  They had a few other fun tools and GORGEOUS new paper and embellies.  Another one that always does a great job!

 

Kaisercraft Sparklets!!!  This is one of those blingy things that I MUST have!!!!  And the Miss Nelly line!

 

Maya Road.  Love everything Maya.  Everything!!!  Want these little balls!  Maya is another forever favorite!!!

So much more that I missed!  I have a layout for Queen and Co to post and 8 pages for 3 Bugs in a Rug.  I will get those up next week.

One of my favorite CHA projects was this Wood Album that I created for Pink Paislee.

 

It is featured on the Pink Paislee site today with all of the interior pages.  I used the Nantucket Core'dinations Core Impressions line to make the interior pages.  Go check it out HERE.  The new Mistables line and the Wood stuff is so much fun to play with!!!  Sorry for any typos in my write up for the book.  I did noticed one...I do know the difference between new and knew!  LOL!

For something fun...how about a Pink Paislee Giveaway!!!!!  I have a bunch of cute items that I will put together.  I will draw a name on Tuesday, August 9th.  Just post a comment here!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

UPDATE-Giveaway Closed!!!