Here are the lucky winners:

Photography 101 

Advanced Photography

Bonus Winner from Dawn McVey's Blog - Photography 101

Congrats everyone! Please email me asap with your info so I can get you added to the class list!

..............................................

For everyone else, the EARLYBIRD discount of $50 off is still valid until May 31st!! Act now to reserve your spot and remember that these are the last two classes I am offering in 2012!

The BONUS winner was chosen first by picking one of the Blog Blitz Participants at random (which was Dawn McVey) and then the winners were all chosen at random using a random number generator. Winners must email me by May 31st, 2012 to claim their prize. Winning spots are awarded for the specified class dates only (July 9-Aug 12 or Aug 20-Sept 29). Winning class seats cannot be deferred to later dates. Prizes retain no monetary value and cannot be exchanged for credit or money.

Congrats! Email me with your info so I can pass it along to Studio Calico! Winner was chosen at random using a random number generator.

I am excited to announce a BLOG BLITZ today dedicated to my Online Photography Workshops! Lots of exciting things are included so be sure to read all the way through!

If you are new to my blog or website, let me introuduce you to my workshops:

I truly love teaching because it is so rewarding to see how much my students progress in such a short amount of time. A common theme among the feedback from my students is that the format of my classes and my teaching style makes the information super easy to understand. I have had so many students tell me that they have read multiple books, taken other workshops and even college courses but that the information didn't click for them until they took my classes! I can't tell you how much that means to me because that was my whole goal in teaching! I set out to create the classes that I wish I had access to years ago when I was figuring all of this out for myself. I can say that I give you all of my "rules of thumb", tips and tricks and things that I learned the hard way along the way. 

The best part of it all is the access you get to the private message board. It is there that you are able to ask me questions and I am available to help you all along the way. You will also post your assignments there for detailed personalized feedback. In addition you are able to converse with and get to know the other students which allows you to make friends with other people just like yourself who will encourage you all along the way.

For detailed class descriptions you can visit the WORKSHOPS section of my website.

Many COMMON QUESTIONS about the workshop are answered on my website as well.

Also if you want to see a sample of my photos you can visit the PHOTOGRAPHY portion of my website.

I have had many emails asking about when the next classes will be and I am excited to announce that the next two are now open for registration!

Photography 101: July 9th - August 18th, 2012

Advanced Photography: August 20th - September 29th, 2012

As a note - these are the last two classes I will be offering in 2012 and spots are limited so you are encouraged to register early in order to guarantee a spot. 

I am also excited to announce that for the first time ever I am offering an EARLYBIRD discount of $50.00 off! This offer is valid for a limited time only and expires May 31st, 2012.

And now, the GIVEAWAYS! 

I am giving away a spot in each of the two classes! You can enter to win by posting here on this blog post. Winners will be drawn at random on Wednesday the 23rd. 

I am also giving away a surprise BONUS spot in my Photography 101 class and the winner for this one will be drawn at random from one of the other blogs on the hop! You are encouraged to visit every blog on the hop and enter to win at each one because no one knows which blog the winner will be drawn from! It will be a surprise! That winner will also be drawn at random on Wednesday the 23rd. 

There are links on each blog taking you to the next one but in case you get lost or missed one, here are links to all of them:

Susan Weinroth

Dawn McVey

Celine Navarro

Geralyn Sy

Kelly Noel

Veronica Jennings

Lisa Truesdell

Mou Saha

Piradee Talvanna

Stacy Cohen

Megan Hoeppner

Kim Watson

Good luck and remember to enter on all of the blogs for the BONUS spot! Also, if you purchase a class and then are drawn as the winner for that class, your registration fee will be refunded. This does not apply to previous classes taken or purchased. Only applicable to classes that are currently open for registration on the site and that are purchased during the time frame of this giveaway (Monday May 21st - Wednesdsay May 23rd). No purchase required. All winners are drawn at random.

Just look how cute this is:

A banner you could use for gift wrap, cards etc and it comes together super quick and easy when you use washi tape becaues you don't even have to mess with glue! (image via blogher.com & you can link through to the actual page via my pinterest)

Here is another cute idea:

A bunting made from washi tape that you could use as home decor or as a party decoration. (image via poppytalk.com; link to actual page via my pinterest)

Now back to the workshop.....

The class includes instruction and ideas using washi tape in lots of different applications including scrapbooking, mini albums, party and gift wrap, storage ideas, cards and paper crafts. 

All of the class details including the registration page can be found on the studio calico website here.

I am giving away one spot to the class. To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment here on this post. I will be back to draw a winner at random next Tuesday.

For more chances to win you can visit the Studio Calico Blog and the Creating Keepsakes Blog as well as the other Blog Hop participants. The next two on the list are Sasha Farina and Laura Vegas.

One thing I definitely fell in love with this month, which I haven't really played with much yet, is the HEXAGON! I know that Studio Calico has had hexagon type products for quite a while now and for some reason I have just shyed away from them. They didn't feel like "me." In the main kit there is lots of hexagon paper, hexagon mistable stickers and then a hexagon stamp and they all coordinate and fit perfectly together so I decided to play around with them and give it a shot! Well I was instantly hooked and went on to do 2 more layouts with hexagons and a card too!!

You will not be disappointed in the main kit, that's for sure!

Another thing I fell in love with once I started making my cards is the stamp set in the Brownie Add On. They are 4 different stamps and the "hello there" one is just perfect for making quick, easy cards that you could use for anything!!

And next up we have BANNERS, which I still do and will always LOVE!

The Heidi Swapp mistable banners in the Lomography Add On are super fun to work with because you can mist or ink them to turn them any color and the pattern on each one is a resist so it stays white! Then the Dear Lizzy premade mini banner in the Holga Add On is just plain cute!

Some shop items  you might be interested in that I used for misting and stamping:

Mister Huey's Taxi

Mister Huey's Boss Lady

Mister Huey's Pretty Pink

Mister Huey's Water Cooler

Black StaZOn Ink Pad

My favorite journaling pens are here and here.

A few more cards for you as well that I made with leftover scraps and with the stamp from the Leica Add On.

Let me know if you have any questions on my layouts or the techniques!

Isn't this the cutest couple ever? I had a blast with them and am super excited for their big day!!

Also, Photography 101 is starting today! This is my beginner/intermediate online photography class. I still have a few spots available for this session if you want to join us!

To see details about the class  and to read what past students are saying about it, visit my website here.

Have a great Monday!

Welcome to the Studio Calico Blog Blitz!

We are celebrating the release of Studio Calico's latest collections: Take Note, Abroad and Classic Calico Vol 2 (all of which are now available for sale on the Studio Calico site)!

Here is a layout I did using mostly the Take Note collection.

I created the background using an old piece of die cut paper and the Mister Huey's White and Shine. Other supplies include the butterfly stickers, take note paper, wood veneer frame, lullaby thickers.

I am giving away a Take Note Collection Pack so that you can enjoy these beautiful papers too!!

To enter, leave a comment here on this post and the winner will be drawn at random. Deadline to enter is Thursday at 8pm EST! 

Don't forget to continue on to the rest of the Design Team's blogs for more inspiration and more chances to win! Next up on the blog blitz is Nicole Harper!

Congrats! Email me your info ASAP to claim your prize!

Do you recognize this sweet baby girl?

Yep, it is Elizabeth Kate! I was honored when the editors at Creating Keepsakes asked me to feature a photo of her on the cover of the March/April 2012 issue! And I got to create the layout as well!

The issue is on sale now and can be purchased on the Creating Keepsakes website.

Here is a little sneak peek inside the issue. This is a layout I created using some Instagram photos and I also shared some photo tips as well.

I am giving away one copy of this issue and will draw the winner at random. To enter, leave a comment on this post.

The other dream team members are participating in the blog hop as well which means you can visit their sites and enter to win there too! Now you will have more chances to win! Good luck!

Hope Smythe

Laura Vegas

Paper Crafts Magazine

Erika Hayes

Piradee Talvanna

Deena Boese

Also, did you know that Creating Keepsakes has online extras (including contests, downloads and techniques) that coordinate with each issue? Be sure to check it out!!

Send me your information and I will forward it along so you can get this cute bib in your hands!!

Also, if you missed the story behind this darling Etsy shop, go here for all the info!