Friends Weekend

It has been a very long time since I have been able to get away for a girls weekend. Let alone a weekend filled with lots of scrapping, chatting, and fun. Sacramento was so beautiful and we stayed at Gina's gorgeous home in Elk Grove, CA for 4 days......thanks Gina for putting us up/ 

We spent one afternoon in beautiful Old Town Sacramento having lunch, stopped by a candy store, and took some amazing friendship photos. Gina's tripod was not working, how adorable was Suzy setting the timer on camera and literately jumping in just in time to capture our pictures.....man can she run, LOL.  Above will see my favorite photo which I am currently looking to buy a frame. 

We spent 2 days at It's All About The Scrapbook. That store was so beautiful and had the most amazing selection I have seen in a long time. The owners were very friendly......this store is a must stop if you are ever in Dixon, CA

I managed to even work on a few projects, and have a couple that still need to be finished. Here is the layout I was actually able to complete using one of my favorite collections from Prima Marketing call School Memories

And look at the flowers, Prima has hands down the best handmade flowers in the scrapbook industry. 

So thanks girls for the invite, the laughs, and showing me your traditions.....Cannot wait to create with you gals again. 

Engraver Mini Quote Book

I love making mini books.....and this one is no exception! For this mini book I used Prima Marketing Engraver's Collection and Tag Pad's by Julie Nutting, and the tags measures 3.5" x 8.5"

I loved the vintage distress look from the Engraver collection, and I think that the antique gold embellishments were perfect fit for it. My favorite was the crown, and metal roses. Even the pearl swirls gems are adorable, and I think that Prima hit it out of the park with this collection!

 One thing that I had always loved more than crafting is reading, writing and collecting poems. I created this mini album with a handful of my favorite cherished poems that touch my heart. I have so many saved, and I love reading them over and over again. Most of them were very deep, but reflected on what I was going during that time.

Here is one of the quotes that really hit home with how I currently feel right about now.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you stop by my blog and visit soon.

Always ♥ Michelle

This Is Happening

I will be teaching again after an 18 month hiatus......So EXCITED! 

If you will be in Southern California on Oct 19th please sign up and bring a friend. 

For additional  information, please email me michelle@primamarketinginc.com

I am also seeking teaching opportunities. Contact me for details. 

♥ Michelle 

Project Life....My way!

I remember when I first layed eyes on the simplicity of Project Life. My first thought was, that I would be able to catch up on my scrapbooking (I am soooo behind) in less than a month! How amazing is that?

 

But my first Project Life page seemed so plain to me. It screamed......add some flowers, add some chipboard, add some stickers, add some of embellishments that you are hoarding.....Oh, and dont forget the bling.......LOL, I actually remember thinking of all this.

 

I love that each collection that Prima created for summer CHA 2013, includes their version of 3x4 and 4x6 templates. We even has 2 full kits called Everyday Vintage. The paper collection I am showing you today is from Anna Marie 

 

Pictured here you will see me with my adorable Godchild Lexi. You will find that I use a lot of pictures of Lexi because being a mother to 4 boys is very to create with any girly colors without hearing my boys say.......Mom, why did you use pink? LOL

 

The next collection I used was from Prima's School Memories Collection

 

 

Aren't Zoey and Gracie adorable? They are the daughters of Marisol at Prima Marketing. On this page, I definetly used a lot of flowers, and some metal embellishments.

 

I hoped you like my version? Although it is a little extra work, I find it easier to do in a snap!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chalkboard Is The New Everything.......

It seems that Chalkboard was the latest trend at this Summer CHA.........and I am such a huge fan. As it was being created by our amazing graphic department at Prima, all I could think of is that I could not wait to for the pre-production samples to in......I might be a wee bit biased, but I really think all other vendors has something unique and different.....so in my book, they were all winners.

I am eagerly awaiting for Prima's designers to make their lovely samples, they such amazing work.

Lucky for me, everyonce in a while I get asked to work on a special project. Although I am no where near with how Prima's designers and educators can do. I embrace my style, which is simple and sweet with a little something something. To this day I am still trying to figure out what that something something is :)

I was asked by my boss to create 3 items that were going to shown in the new product showcase area at CHA Las Vegas. I was so excited to see that I would be using The Optimist collection for it.

Below you will find photos of the necklace, layout, and Keepsake box I made.

 

Although I liked how the chalk looked when decorating the flowers, I found that the Neon Gel Pens worked best on the flowers. It made them pop! 

Another one of my favorite new item this past Summer for Prima were the Julie Nutting Mixed Media Doll Stamps. 

All the doll stamps are simply adorable. 

Here is the photo of the items in showcase area.

I hope you guys love this collection. 

Now I just wanted to touch base a little on my previous post. I feel the need to thank each and everyone one of you who had reached out to me. I was so overwhelmed by the amount of emails, texts, and Facebook messages I had received in support for me standing up for myself. It was very sad to hear that I was not alone in being bullied by JP.....I am still trying to comprehend why and how it could happen to so many of us?

Although it was not my intention, and I would never believe this would happen.....I had over 5,000 views on my blog post. How crazy was that? Although I know she has seen my post and continue to "visit" my blog, I have still not received payment for my services, or return email from JP. Bottom line is that not only was my post seen by many....... I got my message out there very loud and very clear. 

Lesson I learned here......I will never be bullied into silence again, and never allow myself to ever, ever, ever be a victim again! I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off me from sharing my story on my blog.

I love this industry, and I am and will continue to share my creations big and small......in hopes I can inspire someone out there in Scrappy Land. 

Thanks for stopping by,

♥ Michelle 

Prima Canvas Layout

Hi Everyone......thought I stop by real quick with a layout from Prima. The company just came out with their Summer 2013 collections.....and I have a lot of favorites that I "need" to have.

Today's layput I am using the canvas sheet. It is the first time I have used canvas sheets, and I cannot wait to try playing with them again. I also used the diamond stencil with Gesso, and distressed it with Prima's Chalkers.

Take a closer look at these amazing wood embellishments.... Love Love Love them!!!

I was trying the keep the colors as natural as possible and used very little distress chalk.

Something New To Me.......Pazzles!

 For those who known me for a while, know that I have been a huge fan of Cricut for a very long time. Recently I was challenged to try the Pazzles machine by my boss at Prima Marketing. I was asked to create a couple of items for their blog. 

The Pazzles Inspiration machine gives you the ability to design and cut custom designs without the limitation of cartridges. I could not believe how easy it was to use. I even had some of the graphic designers in the office create digital images to see if we can cut them using the Pazzles and it worked! 

I still have my Cricut and use it often, but the freedom to cut my own design was so tempting to buy a Pazzles Inspiration Machine. I am thinking Cricut should join all the other personal die cutting machines and let use cut our own images......and still have the freedom to use our cartridges as well. 

Here are the items I created using the Pazzles machine. The products used was Hello Pastel, Lady Bird, Julie Nutting Collections from Prima. 

 

This layout featured my friend Monica's daughter Isabel. This picture was so perfect for the Hello Pastel collection. 

 These jars were so adorable, and I loved how the eyelet border around the jars looked.

 This was a little gift tag, perfect to attached on a gift bag. 

 And last but not least, these tags were so cute, my favorite would be the Julie Nutting stamps. Her stamps are so cute. I cannot wait for the new doll stamps to come out at Summer CHA.

Thanks for stopping by, and hope to see you real soon? Follow my blog with Bloglovin

♥ Michelle

A Little Everyday Vintage........

 Hello everyone, it's been a minute since I blogged and I have so much to show and tell.

I have been creating silently and not really sharing much at all. I kinda went through an "non" sharing faze and I am finally able to come back and share a little of what I have been working on.

Today I am sharing an exciting new line from Prima Marketing called Everyday Vinatge. The pocket sized memories kits makes it so easy to journal and capture everyday moments.

This Vintage line was created by Iron Orchid Designs for Prima Marketing.  You can read all about Josie and Sally by following the link > HERE

I created this super easy page featuring my youngest son Diego. I do not think I have met a happier kid......ever! His smile just lights up my everyday. These pictures capture his adorable dimples, and the best part, his "signature" wave. He is always waving.....cracks me up every time! The person responsible for these amazing photos is my friend Tine Keyner, you can find her blog ----> HERE I loved all the embellishments I used.....Wood, Flair Buttons, Canvas Alphas, and much more. The best part of it was that it is being featured in Prima's catalog being released this Summer at CHA in Las Vegas.....so excited. 

Here are a few more close ups of the layout. This collection is called Love Letters.

This other page I worked on is from the Flora Kit collection featuring my husband Manuel and I. Gotta love this guy......he is my ROCK! I love that he is a huge supporter of my scrapbook hobby.

I cannot wait to show all the other collections that Prima is releasing this summer at CHA. All collections will be including pocket sized papers, how awesome is that!. My busy life is going to be easier to scrapbook and share.

 Now a little of what has been going on with me these past months.....I have been super busy working, and traveling, and learning as much as I can in the scrapbook industry.  I have found that the favorite part of my job is researching product developing ideas for one of my major accounts. I loved learning the whole process of turning an idea into an product that my buyer's purchase for their retail chain stores.It is an amazing feeling.

Last month I experienced for the first time going to China and Hong Kong with my boss Tami (Creative Director of Prima) to visit the International Marketing fairs. It was amazing to see the various vendors from around the world sharing their new products. We did a lot of networking, a  lot definitely tons of walking.
I think I this is the most walking I had ever did........but I thoroughly enjoyed every step of the way.

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I will soon share more photos and details from my trip for a future blog post. So for now I will leave you with my favorite picture from Hong Kong. It was taken from our hotel room 28 floors up.

Come back soon,

♥ Michelle Gutierrez

All In The Details.......

Today's I am sharing this Spring Album I made.  I signed up for a class taught by Prima's Educator Frank Garcia I wanted to learn more about mixed media. Something I steered far away from because it seemed to complicated. Frank encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone.......and I am happy I did. But I did warn him that I was not a very good student......I usually veered the other way and always did my own thing, my way.

I do not know why I never started using modeling paste, or gesso before. I have a feeling from now on these will be used on everyone of my projects....THANK YOU FRANK!

I loved all the details on the cover. I used Prima's 12x12 flourish stencil, modeling paste, and applying it with a mini scraper right on Prima's resist mixed media canvas album. Using my heating tool, I made sure the paste was dry before I applied colored mist sprays.

How about Prima's flowers? I think because they are handmade that it sets them apart from the rest. They are just gorgeous.I used Natures Garden paper collection by Jodi Lee Designs for Prima.

Here is the 1st page of the album. I really like the wood embellishments I used. I embossed them with cooper glitter to make them pop.

Here is Franks album. His work is amazing, and I highly recommend his classes. We all loved how very detailed he was, and must say how generous he was with all the product we all got. Every student went home extremely happy having signed up for his class. THANKS Frank for inspiring me to get out of my comfort zone. So glad that I did!

You can find Frank teaching just about everywhere these days.......his classes are listed on his blog. Also check out his online Paperhaus magazine, Prima's blog, and dont forget their Ustream to see all his work.

Thanks for stopping by......see you real soon.

A Little Happy Update..........

I am happy to be in back into the swing of things. Here is a sneak peak of a Mini Album I made using the Engraver Collection from Prima Marketing Inc. and excited that to share that it has been published. The Mini Album can be found published in the Spring Issue of Paper Haus Magazine   .

On the Paper Haus Blog ----> Click Here

They are having some amazing giveaways starting with Prima Marketing Inc (see below). So hop on over to view that magazine and join in onthe blog hop. Details below on how to win this amzing prize.

All you have to do is:


1. Become a Follower of the PaperHaus Blog.

2. Like PaperHaus on FACEBOOK.

3. Leave a comment telling us what your favorite part of the magazine was!
As an added bonus if you LINK a project of your "new beginning" you get an extra entry! How awesome is that? You may link a card, layout or any project!

Thanks for stopping by.......have a great day everyone.

Creating Mini Albums for Gifts

Hello peeps,

Today I would like share a gift I made for my husbands cousin Perla who flew in from Mexico City, Mexico for her baby shower. I used the new Prima Lyric Collection and my favorite shabby chic treasures by Ingvild Bolme, and of course the fabulous flowers by Prima. Because I only had 2 days to make the gift I had no time to buy a Prima mini album so I used chipboard that always have on hand along with my ever handy and fab Bind It All tool from my friends over at Zutter Innovative Products.

For years I have been making and creating albums to give as gifts to family members and friends. I would rather give a handmade gift because it shows that a lot of time and effort was put into it.
 
This is  Perla's first baby....a baby girl, and they decided to name her Navani Valentina. Perla has never scrapbooked before but told me that they have scrapbook stores in Mexico City, and had never tried it. She loved the book and cannot wait to fill it up with pictures of her baby when she is born. So I made she she had enough adhesive, stickers, and extra papers.......I think we have a new scrap sister ♥ mission accomplished!

Happy Scrapping

Well Hello There..............

It has been a few months since I blogged, and I am back again sharing a few things that have kept me busy and away from my severely neglected blog.

 A few months ago I blogged about the great things happening in my life.........I was so excited that I was no longer unemployed. I got a full time job in the industry I am so passionate about....scrapbooking. I spent 1 1/2 year trying to find a job in the crafting industry with no luck, and just when I was about to gave up after so many disappointments Prima Marketing  called me to come in for a interview.....I was hired!

I had been a Prima fan since 2004 and could not wait for my local scrapbook stores to get the new latest and greatest.....I always "had" to buy one of each. 

Pictured here is my dear friend Monica and I about 6 months prior to Prima hiring me. We were excited that our local scrapbook store got a new Prima shipment in, and could not wait to buy it all.......this photo cracks me up because we were really this excited. 

At Prima Marketing, I work in the Design Dept as an Account Manager for a major chain store. I had the opportunity to travel to Thailand to meet with our buyers and show them the product our team developed for them. I love to be able to help come up with concepts and ideas to sell to our clients. I have learned so much working at Prima since last August, and still am amazed how things work in the industry.....I can truly definitely say that my perception in working in the crafting industry has changed tremendously. I have so much to learn.
 
I also have had so many opportunities while working at Prima and cannot wait to share them with you. As I slowly get back to blogging I will share all my adventures with you, one at a time.

I want to leave you today with a little trinket bracelet I made using Prima products. These adorable scrapbook mini frames come in various finishes, and colors. I was trying to think outside of the box when playing with them.

So goodbye, but not for long......I so much crafty creations I want to share with you, so come back soon!

♥ Michelle