my first AC blog hop!

Hello from Paige's blog!

I am excited to be participating in my first American Crafts blog hop.  It is such an honor to represent such an amazing company!

We were asked to create a layout/project about each of us, and this what I came up with:

I have been part of the papercrafting industry for a few years now.  For most of that time I worked part time in the health insurance industry.  It was a way to work from home and care for my girls without having to use daycare.  My career in health insurance was really a gift to my family.

I got my BA several years ago.  When Payton went to Kindergarten I knew it was time to pursue a dream I have always had for myself.  It didn't make sense to stay home and craft all day while my husband worked for the family.  I felt I had something bigger to offer the world, I guess you can say.  

I went back and got my teaching degree, my master's degree, and my Reading endorsement, and still managed the other parts of my life.  I am SO proud of myself.  I have talked myself out of this opportunity a few times, because I knew how much work would be involved.  I am so glad I finally followed through.

The best bit?  I graduated, and right away, I got a job.  Yep!  I am a first-year teacher this year.  I teach 3rd grade and I am SO excited about it.  I can't wait to make a difference in the best way I know how.  

I am obsessed with Amy Tan's Cut and Paste Collection.  It's a really smart, eclectic mix of products.  This layout started with the ONe Two Three pattern in this collection.  My eye was immediately drawn to the idea of '13 for 2013.  Because of the abstract way the numbers were created, I had fun with them and used my sewing machine to stitch a '13 amongst the pattern in the paper.  I then used my Silhouette to cut out the word "grad".

I then chose patterns from the collection that complemented the coloring and also drew out the yellow in the gray print.

In recent years, journaling has become more of a focus in my work, especially handwritten journaling.  It's faster than printing or typing something out.  It captures my handwriting.  It also often allows me to say more.  I don't pre-plan my words.  I just start writing and hope that it comes out straight.  I don't line up each line, as you can see.  I do try and offset it a bit so that it isn't just a clump of writing.  And then I often underline what I wrote.

Other products include cut out accents, bits die cut shapes, and the rotary phrase stamp.

Ultimately, scrapbooking is about capturing your memories, not creating a pretty page.  I am really focused on trying to utilize both, though.  I want to create a layout that sparks a memory later, or serves as a reminder to a great story, but also do so with products that are still interesting to look at years later.  Scrapbooking for me has also always been a creative release, so it's important to me to create pretty things too.

All products on this layout are American Crafts, of course.  The cardstock, adhesive, and even the precision pen are manufactured by American Crafts.

You can't have a blog hop without having another destination to head to!  But before I go, of course there needs to be a giveaway!  Blog hops are more fun when a giveaway is involved.  To enter, please leave a comment.  I will choose a winner September 14 and sending you a goodie bag of products from American Crafts.

Here is the full design team list.  Next is Madeline Fox!

Becki Adams

Meghann Andrew

Jill Cornell

Lilith Eeckels

Katie Ehmann

Paige Evans

----> Davinie Fiero  <---- p="">

Madeline Fox

Elizabeth Gardner

Kelly Goree

Angie Gutshall

Ashley Horton

Corrie Jones

Heather Leopard

Gina Lideros

Patricia Roebuck

Erin Stewart

Diana Waite

Allison Waken

Janna Werner

American Crafts

Have a great day!  And wish me luck!  School starts Monday morning.  You should see my room!  Kraft butcher paper on the walls, chalkboards, magnetic metal sheeting, and patterned paper decor.  It's like a layout in there!  

Davinie