Celebrate you

hello sparkies!

It's Elizabeth, Liz, Lizzy... whatever you wanna call me. Expect Lizardbreath, which is what Jason Snelson called me in 2nd grade & I'm still recovering. ;)

I wanted to share a sneak peek of my mini class for SPARK! It is a mini album using fun paper from Sassafras and my Dear Lizzy line of products with American Crafts including my dear lizzy fabric paper, where we'll make some fabric flowers.

I love the celebrate banner on the cover from House of 3.

We will be doing some creative play using Shimmerz Vibez spray ink to brighten up plain white cardstock and some simple stamping with Close To My Heart acrylic stamps on tags.

We'll be creating an album Celebrating you. Celebrating who you are. Celebrating your uniqueness.

Supplies needed for class:

• Crop-A-Dile (or a really good hole punch)
• Scissors

(Also, if you have pinking shears bring those--which are scissors that make a zig zag patten.)

• 1" foam brush
• 2 1/2" circle scallop punch
• Bring five 4x6 horizontal photos. Or this album will look great with photos from Spark you can add when you get home.
• Adhesive (tape runner, glue dots)
• Needle and Thread

~~~

Check out the Supplies List page to make sure you're all set for Spark!

Also, be sure to email us a photo of you for a neat activity, we'll be using them through out the event and we need your cute mug shot! email it to megaslett@gmail.com

We'll be in touch. xoxo

Enlighten

I'm so excited to meet all you Spark ladies and teach the Enlighten photography class. I've put a lot of thought into the class structure and what we should talk/learn about- hopefully I've got something for everyone.

To make the most of your "enlightenment" :), here are some things you will want to bring to the class. We will be very hands on, and we'll have stations outside where we can practice different things relating to photography.

You should bring:
Your camera
Your manual if you have questions
something beloved to you, smallish, that we can photograph (a favorite piece of jewelry, an heirloom, just something pretty and or meaningful)
Bring a pen and paper for notes, too.

My goal is for all of you to be enlightened on how to reach your photography goals, and first and foremost know the tools and methods of getting the exact pictures your artistic mind envisions.
Can't wait to meet you all on Sept 10-11th!

xoxo
wendy

a time to...

hi sparky people!
this is emily...blogging from chilly western australia! i can't wait to be with you in just a few weeks - nurturing our creative selves as we plunge our hands into warm soapy water, work with lovely colorful wool, share, laugh, connect as we make gypsy-dreamy beautifully-boho scarves to adorn and nurture our necks...mmm!

all you need to bring to class is a bowl for holding your water (plastic container is fine!), a towel and 2 rolls of bubble wrap. **We'll have class supplies there, but if you want to bring your own supplies, feel free!

{{If you want to bring your own, you can find cheap bubble wrap at the dollar store or the post office, each piece needs to be 3 yards long and at least 12 inches wide. if you have random bits of bubble wrap at home you can tape them together to make up the lengths if you like!}}

i look forward to meeting you soon, and seeing what magical creation you come up with! wet felting is SO much fun, and such a yummy, relaxing, nurturing artform...i know you will love it as much as i do :)

emily xo

Mini Class with Rhonna: EXPLORE

Join me as we *explore* different ways to create & get your spark on!  
I've designed & created an exclusive Spark kit that can be used digitally or print out & use in hyrbid crafting!  I'll share what sparks me when I explore new ways to create! and..I'll be sharing some design secrets, how to use the digital brushes & lots of other fab ways to really spark your creativity!


The great thing about our venue, Noah's, is that we have wifi access & it's a totally hi-tech place! So, in order to join in at Spark, you'll need a few things:

1. Bring your laptops (with Photoshop or Photoshop Elements installed) to play right along with me. This is optional. You don't have to & if you don't have a laptop, don't worry. Just take good notes & go home to explore new *sparky* techniques & skillz! (And, if you don't have PS or PSE, you can always download a 30 day FREE trial to play along!)


2. Note the class supply list here. Be watching your email for the special code from House of 3 that will allow you FREE access to this exclusive Spark kit.  If you haven't received it, please let us know at: Megaslett@gmail.com

Heart Strings

Spark is so close...I can not believe how the time has just flown by and now it is almost time to fly to Utah and teach this class....heart strings. It's a little bit vintage, a little bit sparkly and a lot of techniques packed into one two hour class! We will be stamping and misting and distressing....and well you get the picture. We will be creating a one of a kind masterpiece for you to take home with you.

It is all about what you want to hold close to your heart...what do you cherish? Are you ready to spark it up with me and the other girls.....CAN NOT WAIT!

Janet

Nice to meet you....

well, it will be nice to meet you in September when we all gather for the event. I have to tell you that when these three amazing ladies asked me to teach this year I jumped at the chance. I had heard such wonderful things about the event from last year so I am so so excited to be traveling to Utah to join in the fun this time. But I guess I should back up just a little and introduce myself...I am Janet Hopkins, co-owner of House of 3.

Just a little about myself, I live in Texas with my husband Rick and our four children so there is never a dull moment around here. I love anything vintage and the hunt for finding the vintage treasures is really the best part. We just recently renovated our house when our last daughter was born and I was lucky enough to redo my studio as well so I thought I would give you a little peek into where I create:

I think one of my favorite things in my space is my large island that I work on. It is two ikea dressers with a granite piece on top. Lots of storage and a great work surface that I can spread out on! My other favorites are my clock and my vintage cake pan that I use to store all of my buttons and jewels in so that they will be close to me when I need to rummage through them for that perfect embellishment for my next project.

I hope you enjoyed seeing a little piece of my world....I look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones in September!

Janet

Show your face!

I feel like a tiny fish in a big pond here at Spark. I'm pretty sure it was a mistake that I got asked to be a teacher, but let's not tell the Spark girls, ok? Phew.


So. I am Wendy and I am a photographer. My husband and I are a team and we photograph a lot of things. People, mostly. Among our most inspirational subjects are children. I know, I know, it sounds like a Hallmark card, ew. But, really. Kids are walking, talking, occasionally tantrum-throwing examples of how to live life to the fullest. Everything is approached with an all or nothing attitude, and I think we can at times learn a lot from that.

From a photography standpoint, kids are a fascination. The range of facial expressions a kid will show us in a minute or less is pretty much amazing. I, like every other mom, like to take my kids out for little photo sessions for fun, and man, I get some crazy stuff. Take this photo, for example.


Just one second earlier his smile was as wide as Kansas. Here's what I think went down.

Isaac: (smiling, yea, even beaming) Can we play Chutes and Ladders now?
Me: No.
Isaac: FROWN FROWN FROWN.

You see? So anyway, I looked through the files and these were definitely the best, hands down. While at times I may wish that my kids could reign in their crazy emotions, other times I'm glad they remind me that life is about feeling. And once again I'm inspired to go experience life to the fullest. (yes sometimes I throw tantrums too, so what?)

Before I part, I'll give you shutter bugs one little completely-unasked-for piece of advice: Don't hold your trigger finger in the hover position just because that kid of yours is pulling a frown of the most EPIC proportions. Click away and just ROLL with laughter as you go through the images.

xo,
wendy

a little more info....about some of our teachers!

We are pleased, excited and thrilled to introduce you to three of our Spark teachers for 2010...{we like to have some surprises!} They are the 'other person' that will *spark* our creative spirits during this event...& we are already so grateful for them. Let's meet these amazing teachers that will light the flame within us!

Meet Wendy Whitacre...
Wendy is an amazing photographer...She and her husband are the amazing team of Blue Lilly Photography...The two of them travel all over the country shooting some of the most beautiful photos and they teach workshops too...We have not met Wendy in person, but looking at her photos and talking with her on the phone I know we are all going to LOVE her! We can’t wait to learn, be inspired and wowed by Wendy!

Wendy is:

53% Crazy in love with taking pictures
30% Crazy in love with my clients
42% Crazy in love
3% Bad at addition
5% Rolly Polly
20% So fast that when I turn off the light at night, I am in bed before it is dark
18.32% precise
77% so fun that you will be actually smiling (or else)
2% sorry for threatening you
100% alive

You can find more about Wendy's personality (more than you'll ever need to know) by visiting Blue Lily's blog.
You can see her portfolio work at bluelilyphoto.com.
You can see her making a fool out of herself just about anywhere.

Emily Falconbridge
Em has been a friend of mine for years. Em has the most amazing artistic life. Everything Em does is done with love and creativity. Emily and her family live in Australia and will be returning to the states to live this Summer. We are so excited that we will benefit by having Em teach at Spark.

Emily is...

a lover of mess, color and handmade things!

As one of the original ‘freestyle scrapbookers’ she is known for her free-spirited use of supplies and turning the ordinary and recycled into something special!
An Australian gal currently living in the USA, her pride and joy is her nutty scientist husband Mick and three little sunflower sprouts Ivy, Yindi and Banjo.
She loves to teach and share her creative passion, and holds workshops all over the world as well as online.
You can find Emily’s work regularly in Creating Keepsakes magazine, the Autumn Leaves book series and www.todaysmama.com.

Janet Hopkins
If there is anyone that can knock your socks off with her amazing vintage mixed media art, it's Janet. She's a co-founder of House of 3 with our own Rhonna & she will surely bring a Spark to everyone's creativity with her incredible class!

Janet is:

an innovative artist who has found that there is an artist inside everyone...it just needs the opportunity to come out and to thrive.

Since finding her passion, Janet's work has been published in all of the major publications as well as the covers of several magazines. She has contributed to over thirteen idea books and has been blessed to have worked with some of the top manufacturers in the business.

...*** and our last teacher will be announced shortly! like we said....we have some surprises up our sleeves. *wink*

Just as a reminder...Registration starts May 1st...10:00 am mountain standard time

Any questions contact Megan Aslett Megaslett@gmail.com
She will be handling all questions and concerns...
kiss kiss,
Margie

vintage fabrics make pretty flowers...

We had such a blast at the Spark Soiree!! Thanks so much for everyone who showed up! It was so great getting a chance to meet you before the big event.

It was also fun to have lot of you there through the U-Stream video.

Now time for a sneak peek...

One of the things I am so excited about for Spark is Kelly McCaleb's workshop! Here is a peek Kelly captured of her class just to make your mouth water... ;)

She has such a creative eye for beautiful fabrics and actually collects vintage fabric. Well, guess what? She is letting you, Spark students, dive into her vintage fabric collection to dress up & beautify a simple tee shirt. It's definitely a hot trend right now & Kelly takes it above and beyond with her hand picked, vintage fabrics & fabulous techniques. wahoo. Can't wait!

Bring your favorite tee. Here's what Kelly says about that:

ok, for the class all they will need to bring is a t-shirt- but they will want to try and find a v-neck or scoopneck tissue-y weight one for the best look. most of us have these in our closets, if not they are five bucks at walmart, and there is always a plethora of them on the old navy clearance rack. any color would be fine- but white is a good no-fail. here's a link you could share to the exact shirt i embellished and it looks amazing- it was even less than that price in the store:scoop neck t

oh ya, if someone doesn't want to buy/bring a shirt the design can easily be made into a statement necklace- it would work great too.

announcement: We are almost full for Spark & registration closes Monday, October 26th @ 10 am mountain standard time.

Are any of you on our message forum? Go here to register and get to know other Sparkettes:

http://sparktheevent.ning.com/

*CAPTURE* (my class...)

Hi everyone! It's Jefra.

I can't tell you how excited I am for the Capture photography class I'll be teaching at Spark!! It's gonna help you see in an entirely new way and grab what you DO see.

Here are some of my pictures....and me.
me

and my stuff




The class will be focused on taking awesome pictures that are totally you, no matter WHAT camera you're shooting with - be it a cell phone camera (the 'toy camera' of today in my opinion) or a little point and shoot or a fancy schmancy pro-level DSLR.

What you need to know---

First off, bring a camera to class. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, in fact it can be your iPhone, just something to *capture* with.

Secondly I wanted to introduce and annouce our amazing class helpers...

the fantastic, dynamic and extraordinary Nichole Van

and...

the beautiful, dramatic and gorgeously artistic Wynona Robison


Here are a few photographs from each of them...

first, here's Nichole - and an example of some of her work --

I think you'll find her work beautiful, dramatic and visionary. I love her!!


We shot Rhonna, Heidi and Janet for the launch of House of 3 this past winter.




Like I said, the beautiful Wynona --
I love her work. I always find it fresh, dramatic (in a totally unique way), sensitive and inspiring. Somehow it's simple and complex both at the same time.







I can't wait to meet you all and to share some amazing ideas and concepts with you as well as learn a few pointers from Wynona and Nichole.

HUGS
j

Meet Kelly McCaleb!

Kelly is another one of our fabulous teachers who will be teaching the Feel your Spark class. She's an amazing creative woman.
When I first met Kelly she just exuded spark. She's sassy, sparky, funny & lively.

She's a talented seamstress:
She not only created this amazing quilt out of vintage fabrics, but look how she styles her photos! (Love that butterfly wall!) She's just got an eye for how to style her photography! I love it!

She's a talented Etsy store owner: Kelly McCaleb Handmade is filled with her handmade delights.

She's a talented knit-goddess. As well as an amazingly talented crochet-queen! I have this cuff & I adore it! Made with a vintage button...mmm...she's just got that spark!


And...she's a master at blogging. Check out her blog , My Happy Little Life...for daily inspiration!
I love how she writes, adds visuals, recipes, insights..she's just amazing!

But, as she'll tell you: She works at these skills. She's passionate about learning new skills & keeping old arts alive: like knitting!

She has such insights on being passionate about what you create...letting go of fear. You'll LOVE the fantastic fabric journey you'll take with her as she teaches you how to re-purpose tee shirts in creative & unique ways that will surely spark your creative spirit within! We are all so excited! You won't want to miss it!

Meet April Meeker!

April is one of our fantastic teachers for Spark! She's teaming up with Margie for the Gather your Spark class! She will also be one of our artists during the Show & Tell we'll be having on Friday. She'll be showing her wares (which will be for sale) as well as telling about her technique she uses in her jewelry making: hand stamping. Part of her process is actually hand carving the art in the stamp and then using it to create her jewelry! She's a very skilled & talented silversmith artisan! Isn't that fab?

I mean...check out this amazing SPARK stamp she made!


I can't wait to see her Show & Tell! One really cool thing about the Show & Tell time is: Each artist will not only showing & telling about their process, but they'll be sharing little pieces of their work with us to use in our classes on Saturday! Each Spark girl will have a ticket that they'll get punched as they go to each artists' area so they can gather fabulous things, gather them in a special Spark bag & then create with them in the classes on Saturday!

We are so thrilled to have April join us for the Spark journey & feel honored to have such an amazingly talented artist & business woman Showing & Telling about her art!

And...locals: We invite you to come and meet us at the Oh Sweet Sadie Art & Gift Show! We'll have a table there with some info about Spark!
WHEN:
Thurs. Sept. 17: Invitation Only Pre-Sale
Friday Sept. 18:
Saturday Sept. 19:

WHERE:
SoDa Row in DayBreak


see you there!
R