Ali Edwards

AE Behind The Brand | Get It Scrapped

Ali — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:36 +0000

Today as part of the Behind The Brand series I would like to introduce you to Debbie from Get It Scrapped.

How did you get started with your business? How long have you been in business?

At the time I discovered scrapbooking and scrapbooking magazines I was writing and submitting short fiction. Submitting the scrapbook pages I was making to magazines seemed a natural step. When I was asked to join the first (and unfortunately only) creative team for Scrapbook Answers magazine I also had the opportunity to pitch and write articles. Over the years, I wrote for Memory Makers magazine, and I authored the book Get It Scrapped for F + W Publications. I wanted to write so much more than the magazines wanted to publish, and so I started online teaching at Get It Scrapped as a way to “self-publish.” The Get It Scrapped classroom opened 5 years ago, in April 2008.

What is your favorite thing about being an entrepreneur?

I love that with an internet business, I can come up with an idea and make it happen–quite quickly. The time from conception to first sale at my membership site, Masterful Scrapbook Design, was about 2 weeks. We’ve now published 30 issues over 32 months, and with each new year we modify the ways in which we deliver our online magazine as technology changes.

Where are you located? What’s your favorite thing about the city you live in?

I live in Seacoast New Hampshire, in a university town 30 minutes from the ocean. I’ve been here since I got my MBA in 1992 and have experienced the town as a student, a parent, the wife of a town politician and professor, and yet this town continues to mystify — or maybe elude–me. What I do love about this place are the few dear friends I have, the flow of students through our lives, and the river behind our house.

What inspires you?

Scrapbookers and experimenting with composition inspires me. Masterful Scrapbook Design is built around exploring the work of experienced designers, and I love that, every month, I get to talk to them about how they’re scrapbooking right now.

What goodies are on your wish list?

I keep meaning to explore Photojojo.com and try out some new gadget for my iphone camera–I’m not sure exactly what . . . but something that helps me get new, and hopefully fun, results.

Tell us something new that is happening with your business:

I’ve recently launched a new series of low-cost, high-action classes. In Scrapbook Coach you work one page shape multiple times, with variations in product and patterned paper choices, number of photos, and title and embellishment treatments. Check out a free lesson at GetItScrapped.com/ScrapbookCoach.

Debbie Hodge loves playing board games with her sons, doing puzzles, digital scrapbooking and working on classes and her websites. Her husband and sons are great sounding boards for business ideas and challenges. While her favorite place to visit is her childhood home in upstate NY, her youngest son is yearning for travel and pushing Debbie quickly out of her comfort zone.

Behind the Brand is a new series of posts highlighting the people and companies who generously sponsor this site. For more information on sponsor opportunities check out my sponsorship page or email Katie.

Around The Yard | May 2013

Ali — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:24 +0000

Just one week ago there were completely different things in bloom in my yard.

Blink and you miss.

Every year right around this time I have grand plans for my yard or my raised beds. If you would have asked me two weeks ago I would have recited the list of things I want to plant (veggies, corn, and more cutting flowers). But as the reality of the next couple months becomes apparent (work commitments + travel) I think that I’ll skip adding new stuff this year and just enjoy and take care of what I have in the time I have available.

I love being in my yard. I enjoy pruning and even weeding and watering (yes Mom you read that right) – it’s relaxing and it might be as close to a hobby as I can get right now for someone who works in an industry that is other people’s hobby.

Same tree from the photo above, different view:

And up close it looks like this:

And it smells divine and I can hear the busy bees humming along every time I step outside the door.

Bleeding hearts and hostas and a couple other little shade plants tucked inside.

Just last week this crazy amazing wisteria was in full bloom with hundreds of purple flowers cascading down.

In front of that little fence are three blueberry bushes. I thought the middle one was dead but it seems to be greening up now. The other two already have berries in formation.

Last year I planted a couple new white hydrangea’s and they are looking good.

These peonies are what I check on just about every day. They are getting close to bursting wide open.

Something new I did plant this spring were some additional dahlias. I have a raised bed area that holds an amazing collection of burgundy dahlias. These should be light pinks. I’m currently fighting a battle and killing off the snails. So many snails around here.

So many good lessons out in the yard. Patience. Acceptance. Taking it slow. Savoring. Not filling in everything too tight all at once.

Hope you have a wonderful week.

And the giveaways go to

Ali — Mon, 20 May 2013 03:13:11 +0000

One (1) person will win a $100.00 gift card to Freckled Fawn.

#300 • Amy Jackson said…Wow…amazing giveaways! Thanks for the chance to win…

One person will win a spot in Tool School Mini Workshop with Jennifer Gallacher at Two Peas in a Bucket.

#136 • Samantha L said…Thank you for the chance to win!

Congrats Amy and Samantha! Please email us with your contact information.

Digital Product Releases | 05.18.13

Ali — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:00:30 +0000

Three new products from me this weekend at Designer Digitals.

Here’s an example from anke of the Designer Digitals Creative Team using my new Edge Sentiments.

I love how she used it as a “frame” above the main content of her layout.

Next up: Today Rocks

A couple of these were included in a limited time freebie for National Scrapbook Day. I created a few more to complete this package.

And third, No Day Like Today.

Here’s an example from kikimama of the Designer Digitals Creative Team:

Have a great weekend!

Project Life 2013 | Week Fifteen

Ali — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:46 +0000

Welcome to Project Life 2013 | Week Fifteen (April 8 – April 14).

A bit of a simpler week. A few less words. A few less embellishments. It’s all good.

Here’s a few close-ups:

A little something fun I played around with a few weeks back was writing with Stickles. It works! Definitely let it dry before slipping it into a pocket page. Yellow washi tape along the top and bottom is from Freckled Fawn.

I started this little card to document 5 things that Anna told me she thinks about when she goes to sleep (her happy thoughts to scare away the monsters). I only got three recorded and when I asked her again she didn’t remember. This are the sorts of things I really want included in this album.

One of my favorite things right now is just adding text right onto my photos by hand. Quick and easy and adds context.

This was a little experimental play – combining two photos that show progress – from buds to blooms. I taped the two photos together creating a 4×6 image. I added a “1″ and a “2″ from American Crafts and then drew a border and a little “yes please” sentiment.

I stood and looked at this page for awhile. I thought about adding more – I can always add more. I ended up calling it good enough so I could move on to other things I want to document/work on/need to finish. Bits of our lives are captured here. A ticket. A sticky note. Images. Percentages. Routine visits. Coastal adventures.

The little cork camera is from Studio Calico (Spencers Kit).

“You Make Me Happy” is cut from a card from a Dear Lizzy die cut package (Lucky Charm).

The “weekend goodness” journal card is from my new set called Hello Weekend.

SUPPLIES | 2013 | WEEK FIFTEEN

Click on the images to link to the products.

InLinkz.com

Project Life is a product and a system and a lifestyle created by Becky Higgins. It can be anything you want it to be. The core pieces used in my album are available here. If you live outside the US check Becky’s site for more information on sources. You can check out all my posts (I started in 2010) about Project Life here.

Project Life 2013 | Week Fourteen

Ali — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:47 +0000

Welcome to Project Life 2013 | Week Fourteen (April 1 – April 7).

Am I still doing Project Life? Absolutely.

Am I behind? A little. I’ve got a bunch of weeks in progress and will be sharing them over the next week. This week and week fifteen have been “almost done” for weeks and photos are printed for the other weeks.

A couple things I need to do:

Order another black 12×12 album for the next four months (I’ve been doing three albums per year, four months in each album). Right now they are all still in the first one for 2013 and it’s getting tight.
Find a new routine that will gel with the work I’m doing for Hello Story (my new class at Big Picture that starts in July). I think it’s totally possible to do both Project Life and traditional pages, I’m just working on finding my own groove between the two.
SIMPLIFY. At least for the next couple of months I think I need to keep this project simple while I’m in the middle of content development for this workshop. I think getting the album back down on my kitchen counter with a stack of cards will help me with this.

How are things going for you? Are you new to Project Life? Are you a veteran? Still loving it?

Here’s Week Fourteen:

Here’s a closer look:

The “listen, believe, trust” card is from my Everyday Love Journal Cards that was printed on photo paper.

“Yo April” are Cream Thickers from American Crafts that I ran through my sewing machine with red thread.

“Heart this boy” word art on the photo of Simon making cookies is from Love You Boy.

I’d love to do a week where I fill out one of those Best/Worst cards everyday. The one above was printed on some leftover paper that I had used as an over-spray catch under whatever it was that I was actually misting with paint.

Here’s a look at the right side:

The star card is from Kelly Purkey’s kit for Simon Says Stamp.

Little pink word stickers are from My Mind’s Eye.

Still loving cutting up journal cards and adding them to my pictures. I like not re-inventing the wheel each week and adding a bit more context to my photos.

The journal card here was included in Studio Calico’s Project Life add-on kit (May 2013).

SUPPLIES | 2013 | WEEK FOURTEEN

Click on the images to link to the products.

InLinkz.com

Right Now | The Words

Ali — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:25 +0000

The things I find myself saying again and again to one or the other or both of them right now:

Take your hair out of your mouth.

Have a good day at school.

Just a minute.

I’ll be right there.

Turn off the TV.

Wait, please.

Please take your dishes to the sink.

Go get your book.

Stop. Just stop.

Please be kind.

Follow directions.

Please put your shoes in the basket and hang up your coat.

Awesome job on your homework.

Inside voices please.

I’m super proud of you.

Use kind words.

I love you.

You are awesome.

Goodnight. I love you.

AE Behind The Brand | Lisa Leonard Designs

Ali — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:00:47 +0000

Today as part of the Behind The Brand series I would like to introduce you to Lisa from Lisa Leonard Designs.

How did you get started with your business? How long have you been in business?

Lisa Leonard Designs started as a hobby business. I did home parties around town and sold to local boutiques. When I started blogging, the business began to grow—and once we launched our website things really took off!

What is your favorite thing about being an entrepreneur?

Definitely the flexible schedule it gives me so that I can be with my kiddos. Don’t get me wrong—I work a lot, but I can choose when I work, and that is such a blessing!

Where are you located? What’s your favorite thing about the city you live in?

We’re in San Luis Obispo, CA. We are close to the beach which is amazing. There are hiking trails right behind our house. And the downtown area is full of adorable boutiques and thrift shops. Pretty much the perfect place to live!

What inspires you?

I get inspired by other creative people, the sunshine, a good book and time alone. I love to let ideas swirl around in my head and then see them come to fruition with a new design.

What goodies are on your wish list?

Right now I’m scouring thrift stores for old Persian rugs and funky oil paintings. I’m addicted to thrifting!

Tell us something new you have happening with your business:

We just introduced our adorable new alphabet cake toppers. The possibilities are endless! And of course our new gold jewelry collection has been a huge hit with our community.

Lisa Leonard weaves creativity throughout her life. From handmade jewelry to wedding cake toppers her fun and whimsical products will bring a smile to your face. She is wife to Steve and mommy to David, age 10 and Matthias, age 9. They live on the central coast of California.

CONNECT WITH LISA | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | BLOG

What We’ve Learned From You | 4×6 Photo Book Update

Ali — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:00:33 +0000

A couple weeks ago I shared a new little project I’d put together for Simon called What We’ve Learned From You.

In that post I mentioned that I was planning to find a 4×6 album that would be just for him that he could keep in his bedroom. I found a simple plastic 4×6 album at Michaels that was perfect for this project.

For this project I designed a What We’ve Learned From You 4×6 Layered Template Set. Grab it on sale today for 30% off over at Designer Digitals (sale ends this Wednesday, May 14).

Each 4×6 page slipped right into it’s own pocket.

I gave it to Simon last week and I’d say he was pretty happy with the result. This stuff matters.

He read it to Anna and then called Chris on the phone and read it to him too.

Anna wanted to add a photo of herself (and she should have been included originally of course) and told me some of the things she’s learned from Simon which include:

sharing
not yelling at me (Mom)
writing letters (alphabet)
jumping
writing letters in my own book
doing homework by myself
learning not to hurt him
jumping on the small trampoline

DESIGNER DIGITALS QUARTERLY SALE ENDS TOMORROW | This template set and all my other digital products are on sale at Designer Digitals for one more day at 30% off.