Welcome to the World

Welcome to the World baby Hattie! This picture was taken the day she got home from the hospital. What a precious little baby she is. I feel bad I am just posting this because she actually turned "1" month old last week. She was born February 19th and has been such an angel. Of course this is coming from Gram who gets to sleep all through the night every night. Being a mom is hard, being a grandma is great! I went to a Flea Market with some of my friends this morning. I am so drawn to vintage things old stuff, and buttons and realize it is because it all reminds me of my Grandma. She was and will always be the greatest and best influence in my life. I am so grateful for her and the time she spent with me and the love that I always felt from her. I hope I can be such an influence to my "4" beautiful grand daughters, and the others that are yet to come. Despite a really crazy couple of years it is a very great and memorable time of life~enjoy the moments.

"Collection of Time" Clock Class~

I was in Payson after Christmas and Barbara talked me into teaching a class at Paper & Metal Scrappers. It has been a while since I have taught. I really love her and that store and I am pretty excited about this class. It will be held on March 22 10:00-3:00. The cost is $90. This clock is a 24" working clock. It is full of found objects, fringe, bling, and unique items for each little array of numbers. This class is a lot of fun! You will not want to miss it! You can link to the stores website here or call them at 928-468-1188. Message me if you are interested in a kit only at suzricks@gmail.com.

My poor little blog~

 I guess I forgot all about my little blog while I was busy going to Real Estate school last year, my son leaving on a mission, and my daughter moving to Utah with her 2 cute girls. All three things about did me in. But they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. That is the truth in all cases. I am amazed now that I did it! (passing the Real Estate test and Austin and Linz leaving were all in the same month) Life is Crazy! Anyway, here are some fun family pics we did while everyone was still in Arizona. Happy New Year!!! I have some fun things in the works....for real!!! You are going to love it!!!~

Me and my big boy! Miss him! 

 Miss him! Linz, Hallie, and Paizlee! Miss them! But boy do we have fun and stay

busy when I go up to visit. Hal keeps me running and Paizlee won't have a thing

to do with me lately. I sure hope it's a stage.

Brent, Dana, and Cute London! Thank goodness for her! She loves her Gram and

it melts my heart! There will be four of them pretty soon! Four in their family,

and four grandgirls too! I can hardly wait to meet little Hattie!!!~

I have been thinking a lot about my cute friends that I have made in this little business of mine. This creative side of me that really speaks to me. I have always had it in me for sure. But I truly found it once I moved here to Arizona. I found my niche! and I found all of you. The people in my classes, at the stores, & online. I have made some amazing friends that I am truly thankful for. So I am going to share a little with you about why I have been off the grid, off the map, & off the calendars. I was so sad last year! I could not find my happy at all. Life had handed me some things I didn't want to accept & I just could not keep doing my everyday same old expectations anymore. So I didn't! I didn't run away or anything at least not for very long(: even though that was what I really wanted to do. My bestie that lives in Logan did put up with me at her house for a lot of visits last year. I have to say without her I would not have survived it. We stayed up and talked for hours and she tells me stuff I do not want to hear a lot of times too. But she is always there for me no matter what. Whether it's me or my whole fam she is all in! So many things to be thankful for!!! I looked in the mirror & decided to fix it! Take control of what I could and figure it out as time went on. I concentrated on me and the things I needed right then and started to find my happy and take control of my life.I turned on work out DVD's, plugged in those earbuds, and just kept going.  After Christmas this year I decided to train for the Phoenix Half Marathon on March 2. Something that has been on my bucket list for a long long time, and I am going to do it! I ran 6 miles yesterday and it feels so great! I haven't had much of a desire for creating or any inspiration to get me in my craft room. In fact it kind of became the junk room and I would just pile up all of my extra stuff in there. It was starting to make me sad. I started realizing I missed the stores, and classes, and my cute friends! But still I just didn't feel any inspiration... ..and somehow last week thinking about all of you it hit me like a big wave crashing down on me. I had been getting emails and texts from stores about teaching and I went ok~ let's do this. I am so excited to tell you that I have idea after idea running through my head. I am scheduling classes and I cannot wait to see you all again. Now as always where to find the time for all of these ideas! But I will! I can hardly wait to get going and show you what I am up to. Stay tuned for some AMAZING projects. I probably won't be on the calendar anywhere until at least April. But I am definitely on the grid and on the map again. I will see you all around very soon!!!

Treasure the moments 

                                        & enjoy!

My Senior~

I am so proud of this boy!!! Austin graduated with honors and at the top 10% of his class. He is simply amazing! He calls his car his abusive girlfriend! After finding it in a garage where it had been sitting for several years... he has had a few mishaps with her. He says she just commands a lot of attention like any girl! Ha~ I am so glad he has it figured out....I think he will keep putting up with her though. She is a beauty!!! (and sooo much fun to drive...she is tough!)

April and May Class Schedule

I have to admit I have kind of been a slug about getting some Spring classes going. I burnt myself out a little around Christmas time and then immediately had classes in January for my LOVE blocks for Valentines Day,that  along with some family things going on I was just kind of done for a little while. I gave myself a much needed little break!  So I hope you all haven't given up on me....I do have some great classes coming up for Spring and working on some great projects for the summer months. Although after April I will only be teaching 2 times a month from now on. I will try to rotate stores the best I can so that I can see everybody and give you the chance to take my classes.... I need a life to take pics of and to enjoy my kids, my hubby, and those adorable little grand daughters of mine. I know you know what I am saying.....enjoy this amazing spring weather. I am off for a walk....Happy Monday to everyone!!!

Blogger has changed a little so I am still trying to figure things out..I will post my class here and then add them to my class schedule below also. Thanks for checking in hope to see you soon!

April 18th Blissful Collector @ The Scrapbook Barn in Mesa 5:30 to 8:30

April 21st Family Is Everything@ Paper and Metal Scrappers in Payson 10:00-3:00

April 28th School Album K-6 @ Craftfusion in Chandler 10:30-4:30

May 5th Family Is Everything @ The Scrapbook Barn in Mesa 10:30-3:30

Extra Extra Read All About It....

"For The Record" $55

"Life Is Good" $60

"Father's Day Quote Album"  $45      Only 2 available

"Believe in the Magic"   $85        Only 2 available

"The House That Built Me"   $70

So...you know how when you are trying to do something and when one thing goes wrong.....everything starts to go wrong??? That has been the story of me getting these pics of Extra Kits on my blog....one thing after another....technical difficulties. (Maybe I am the technical Difficulty) Ha Ha~ Anyhow I have been organizing and cleaning out and I had no idea how many extra kits I have.  I am going to do FREE SHIPPING on any kits purchased for the next 2 weeks (from now until Easter)  Because some kits there are only 2 available  I will do first come first serve. So Please email me which kits you would like and then I will email you a paypal invoice for them. Thanks tons!!!! Suzette~  suzricks@gmail.com

Please also email me with any questions or
if you would like a description on any album. Have a great weekend!~

Family Is Everything~

This is my new album I just finished up. It is going to be a great one for family adventures and memories this Spring and Summer. It is filled with pockets, tags, banners, lots of layers, & fun embellishments. I had a lot of fun working on this one. I have it scheduled to teach in Payson on April 21 10-3. I will update my Spring schedule and let you know when I have it scheduled in the Valley. Stay tuned..... I sure hope everyone is enjoying Spring! I am loving it!!!!~

I,m gonna POP the Question~

Will You Be MY VALENTINE???? OH My Gosh! I just love Vintage! Isn't it so darn cute!
I am working on some great stuff. Stay tuned.....Have an AMAZING VALENTINES DAY! If you live in the Arizona dessert looks like we are in for some rain. That's always a good day here!

Altered Tim Ideaology Cargo Storage

Okay~ if you read my last post I said I was working on something pretty cool! Well I got this Idealogy Cargo Case and Trinket Case a while ago and was waiting for some time to alter them. They were ok the way they came but...... I knew they could be MUCH better. The storage in them is pretty cool...and I just realized I didn't take a pic of that! Ooops! You can see them here scrapbook.com. They are pretty amazing. I do have to say a little tricky to alter but really not too bad! Tim did a good job with latches on them 5 on the big one and 3 on the little...but it is well worth it once they are done. I applied the patterned paper with Gel Matt Medium and then added the fun embellishments, buttons, and fibers. If you have ever taken a class from me or gotten one of my kits you know I love fibers, fringe, trims, and ribbons. YUM!!!! Then I sanded up the brown tape on the edges and stained it with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Just to give it a little more aged look. Let me know what you think....

Is there any "LOVE" in the air???

Is there any LOVE in the air???
 I LOVE LOVE LOVE decorating for
Valentines Day!
I think because it is such a low key....non demanding
Holiday! I just LOVE that!
I also LOVE picking up or making fun little gifts for those
that I do LOVE soooo much!

I am also just LOVING this great
Valentine Paper from Echo Park.
 But you know me if it has Black & Red
I am all over it.
 My schedule is to the right with classes I am teaching of
these LOVE blocks. I will be posting a paypal also if you would like a kit.
Thanks for stopping by! Check in again soon...I am
working on something you may want to see!
(not done yet but it's turning out pretty cool)

Blissful Collector~

This fun little mini album is for that "Collector" in all of us!
I have used the amazing and beautiful Authentiques Blissful Collection 
 line in it. Some great 7 gypsies product and of course some fun found objects. This
album will be a great place for you to keep those pics of girls days out,
antiquing trips, memorabilia, anything really! I used a really fun paint collage
technique on the covers that I am sure you will enjoy learning. I will be teaching
this album at Craftfusion on January 20th from 10:30-1:30. It is a Friday so if you
can't make it and you are interested I will gladly make you up a kit.
Call Craftfusion 480-821-3758 today and I hope to see you in class!

Much to be done~

There is soooo much to be done in Santa's workshop!!! I better get to it. I hope you all enjoy this amazing season with family and friends! Have a wonderful December & watch for upcoming classes and projects very soon!!!! Have a HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS! Love, Suzette~

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TAGS~

It is the beginning of the greatest time of year!~ My Halls are Decked and I am loving it~ But also....it is the fab time of year that Tim Holtz does his 12 days of Christmas tags. I have to say I really look forward to this every year. I love his techniques, the way he uses his product, and the found objects he uses on his tags. He posts every night at midnight for that days posting for 12 days. So, if you haven't checked it out before check it out. I have to say.....he is amazing! Have fun Decking your halls, Christmas shopping, baking, and creating!!!

Fun Gift Idea~

Connie and I are doing a Santa's workshop in Payson on December 5th. 2 projects for $25 come anytime you can between 10 and 2. But I know going up to Payson isn't an option for most of you so I wanted to show you the project I will be teaching and give you some instruction on how to do it incase you are looking for a quick inexpensive gift idea.

 1. Take scraps of papers that will work together they don't have to be matchy matchy. I started with some Christmas scraps I had and then added a few random pieces. Tear and size them to fit on any size clipboard. Mine is a 6x9 Using Matt Medium or Mod Podge apply your papers to clip board using a brayer to adhere tightly. Once all your papers are on ink your edges as much as desired with Distress Vintage Photo and apply another layer of Matt Medium. This will give a cool glazing effect. Allow to dry.

2. Cut 2 pieces of crate paper about 16" long. Sew a gathering stitch at the top of each one. Gather and adhere with a wet glue or hot glue. Add a piece of tinsel, ribbon, or lace to the top one to cover the row of stitching. Add die cuts, embellishments, photos, etc. I just punch your holes for adding the wire with the small punch on your cropodile. It works great!

3. If you love the look of the scrunched up seam binding it is so quick and simple to do. You simply take some starch spray it and scrunch it up in the palm of your hand then allow to dry. If I am in a hurry I will use my heat gun to speed it up. It is so darn cute all scrunched up. Enjoy!

Home For Christmas~

So I am a Christmas Freak which has already been established!!! Have you seen this new Teresa Collins line Christmas Home???? OMG! I just had to create an album using it! I found all of this great tinsel, ribbon, and fringe to go with it. OH and some really great found objects inside! It's super fun! I will be teaching this one at The Scrapbook Barn and at Scrap Happy Sisters. I am updating my schedule today. It will have all my classes from now until the end of the year! Lots of fun going on!!!!

Believe in the Magic~

I love Christmas! I think almost everyone does! I collect Santa's in every shape and size and have them in every corner of my house at Christmas time. So this year I wanted to create a very unique Christmas album. This album is an altered vintage (probably more like antique) Record Album.
They are pretty cool. I have been saving and collecting for a long time until I finally had enough to do a couple of classes. This album is full of Christmas memorabilia and some fun found objects and of course Santa's. It is a large album and is created to be more of a coffee table album with ribbons, bling, and a vintage English Skeleton key hanging from the bottom. This will be an amazing addition to anyones Christmas Decor. I will be teaching this at Paper & Metal Scrappers on November 19th and Craftfusion on December 10th. You can get ahold of the stores to sign up.

"Haunted"

The two classes I have taught for the Haunted Mini Album were so much fun! This album is so full of black & orange goodness!!! I just love the two colors together this time of year!!! I have been completely sold out twice but I can get a little more paper & product to do a few more if anyone is interested....I hate to not give my bloggers a chance to order this great kit. So...if you are interested just order in the next few days. I am only making kits up for this one....one more time... Happy Haunting!!!!