Saturday, August 15, 2009

be happy...

Not too long ago, I received a sweet e-mail from a gal named Kim. Kim is the owner of Express the Moment – a scrapbook kit club- and she asked if I would join her design team for the month of August and use one of her kits. Of course, I agreed and when the kit came in the mail, I was so glad I’d told her yes. I’ve never worked with any of the product that was in this kit, so it was fun to use something different!

The kit I received is called BE HAPPY…who wouldn’t love to work with a kit called be happy?!?

There was a LOT of product included in the kit – so much that I was able to create four layouts and four cards, and I still have lots of product left for future projects. I’m excited to be able to share my pages and cards here on my blog. I won’t go into detail explaining what I did on these pages…if there’s something that isn’t completely obvious, I’ll note it below the project.  And, of course, if you have any specific questions, ask in the comments section or e-mail me!

Here’s a peek at what I made:

just skip it layout

etm_skip_it_layout

no.1 destination layout

etm_no1_destination_layout

*the border along the left edge is actually something I created by using the die-cut swirl (from the kit) as a mask and dabbing & rubbing my ink pad over the top.

*I added the rub-on flowers to the pre-stamped tag to personalize it a bit

*I ripped the “journey” tag in half for my journaling and inked the edges

newport beach layout

etm_beach_layout  

*I actually used a white sheet of cardstock for my base so I could conserve a bit more of the gray cardstock – I simply trimmed the gray, glued it to the white cardstock, and then added the patterned paper on the right before stitching down the seam

*The border on the left is an example of one way you can use leftover strips/scraps

*See the swirl next to the clock on the bottom? That’s the one I used for a mask on the destination layout

*There is a vanishing ink pen included in the kit - I used it to draw a line so I could place each rub-on letter in the title straight.  I didn't use it on the journaling...but you could definitely use it for that also!

you make me happy layout

etm_you_make_me_happy_layout

*as you can see, I don’t like to limit myself to a specific page size – the other three are 8 ½” x 11”, but this is a 12” x 12” – I like to mix things up a little

*adding buttons in the center of the circles is a fun way to add dimension to patterned paper

*sometimes I like to wrap ribbon or string around my pages or page layers – I’ve found that by using a small circle punch to make little notches on my paper the string stays in place better.

*I stamped “you make me happy” on the chipboard circle and it wasn’t drying very fast – so I sprinkled a bit of clear embossing powder on it and set it with my heat gun so it wouldn’t smear

*I used my small scissors to trim the circles (one flat edge) so I could place them along the side of the photo without having any of them overlap the photo or outside edge of the patterned paper

you make me happy card

 etm_you_make_me_happy_card

*I used a circle punch to make a notch in the top of the patterned paper block – then I simply flipped the punched out piece around and placed it right back in it’s spot – a quick and easy way to add a little bit of interest under the chipboard accent

be happy card

etm_be_happy_card

*here’s the other half of the journaling tag I ripped for the destination layout – it’s tucked underneath the light green stamped block (bottom left)

love card

etm_love_card

*you don’t have to use rub-ons exactly as they are placed on the sheet…I cut apart the words and placed them in a half-circle instead. I also used a portion of the postal cancellation rub-on image on the butterfly wing

thoughts of you card

etm_thoughts_of_you_card  

  {Everything I used on these projects was included in the kit except the stamping ink, one 8 1/2" x 11" white cardstock sheet, the jute, and the white thread.}

Now for the really fun part – Kim has generously offered to send one of my blog readers a complete August BE HAPPY kit!  All you have to do leave a comment telling me something that makes you happy.  And be sure to leave an e-mail address so I have a way to contact you if you win!   I’ll draw a random winner in one week (next Saturday, August 22nd) and Kim will send you a kit of your own.

August_Moments_Collage

Would you like another chance to win a kit? Visit Kim’s blog – she’s giving a kit away from her blog too!

And if you aren’t one of the lucky winners – you can still make yourself happy by bopping over to her store and purchasing a BE HAPPY kit for yourself!

Thanks for stopping by – hope you have a HAPPY weekend!

49 comments:

  1. Very bright and fun! Lazy summer days, not too hot, and no plans, just hanging out with my husband and my dear friends who live next door!

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  2. WOW that is a wonderful kits and your creations with it were GREAT....

    thanks to you and Kim for giving us this opportunity to win....

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  3. It's the little things that make me happy, especially if they are heartfelt. Thanks for sharing a kit I didnt know about! sandra@clearwatermtg.com

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  4. Many things make me happy of course, but the smile on my daughters face, priceless:) It's her bday party today and she is ecsatic! sew7752@aol.com

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  5. Winning giveaways makes me happy... hehe ;)

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  6. Wow Wendy!! I love all of your projects. The color scheme is so beachy!! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Loving your creations! Love the colors, so bright and inspiring!

    My scrapping and family makes very happy!

    Jenn in Vancouver

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  8. What makes me happy is that my daughter just began preschool. She loves going and I love having a few hours to myself!! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  9. Beautiful pages!! My husband and two kids make me happy! The other day they came home from the store with some beautiful pink roses for me for no reason at all! It's those little things that I love!

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  10. love what you did with this kit wendy! you managed to get so many great projects ... love all the vacation photos you scrapped.

    ice cream makes me happy .. but you knew that one, right ;)

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  11. Getting together with family and friends makes me happy. Love what you did with the kit!

    vscsmiller@embarqmail.com

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  12. My children make me happy! Course they make me mad too!

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  13. It is pretty simple, my family makes me happy! My ife would not be what it is w/out them!

    Thanks for the chance! your projects are darling!

    Raimi
    jrkrupp@surewest.net

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  14. My girls are definitely at the top of my "makes me happy" list but my DH is also really trying to give me a little more "me" time and that is so SUPER and goes a long way to making me smile a bit more. Recharge my batteries. Be a better Mommy.

    This is an INCREDIBLE looking kit and you did some knockout LOs with it. Thanks as always for the inspiration!

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  15. Oh my one giveaway on each blog - great! Today I am happy as it is my oldest child's 27th birthday and when I spoke to him, you could hear the joy in his voice - and my 14 year old son, who today was told he will be playing his favorite position this year in his first year of high school football - how much better that that can it get in one day!

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  16. Something that makes me happy is playing with my family. Last night it rained so we all played our new Mario Kart game for the wii and the kids got to laugh at my poor racing skills!

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  17. My mint mocha latte that my husband just made me. I'm a happy gal.

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  18. What a great kit, and as usual you have great ideas for it.

    What makes me happy is spending time with my family, we camp every other weekend all summer. Scrapbooking our fun times to gether is fun too. Too bad summer is coming to end soon.

    slalux@charter.net

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  19. When my family is happy, it makes me happy :). Thanks for the opportunity to win! Yea!

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  20. What makes me happy? Cuddling with my kids, watching them play, going for walks, creating something, and much more!

    Rachel S in Spooner, WI

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  21. Love the kit! It makes me happy to go to our cottage in Northern Michigan with family! Thanks.

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  22. Little things make me happy: red vine licorice, my kids when they are laughing, a good nights sleep, diet cherry pepsi, the smell of fresh cut grass...Thanks for the chance to win this awesome kit.
    akshumwayfamily@yahoo.com

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  23. There are alot of things that make me happy....but the best are my nephews and niece....nothing beats those running greetings when my car pulls up to their house...

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  24. What a fun kit! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    Receiving a handmade gift from a friend, no matter how large or how small, makes me VERY happy. I love that they have given me a piece of themselves!

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  25. That looks like a very fun kit. Thanks for sharing your designs with us! My little girls make me happy!

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  26. Hearing my kids talk and laugh with each other makes me happy. That, and visiting your blog! Thanks for the great inspiration! rebeccafellows@mac.com

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  27. You did a great job using the kit! I love everything!
    Taking weekend trips with my family makes me happy :)!
    Doublev@cableone.net

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  28. Your work is amazing! I always get so many good ideas from you and I can count on you to give my just the boost I need to get going. So, thanks for that!

    My 2-year old son makes me happy. I love nothing more than coming home from work to his smiling face greeting me at the door, ready to give a nice, big, warm hug!

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  29. That kit is awesome and the work you did was great!

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  30. What makes me happy is hanging with my girls who make me laugh a lot.
    Thanks for the opportunity to win.

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  31. I am so excited to see so many comments! Great projects Wendy. I love your work as always!
    One of you will LOVE this kit!

    Kim Rose
    Express the Moment

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  32. Wow, great projects and great kit!!! Something that makes me happy right now is pumpkin muffies from Panera ;) Now that the kids are in school I can take a little trip over there and get my morning fix!

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  33. So many things make me happy. Family, scrapbooking, sleeping, eat anything I want, not doing anything........ and if I win this kit that will surely amke me HAPPY!

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  34. My sweet husband who turned 29 today! (and of course anything fun, and crafty!) Kellieanneyeates@gmail.com

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  35. Reading your blog and seeing all the cute layouts makes me happy!!
    Mary from Midway

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  36. LOVE this kit, and the projects you made with it!

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  37. What makes me happy...life in general makes me happy. I choose each day to be happy and I smile alot. That helps make others happy too. Happiness is being with my family...immediate and extended. Happiness is visiting, relaxing, playing, scrap booking, laughing, eating, four wheeling, making cookies with my grandchildren, vacationing, and anything else that is fun.
    I enjoyed your layouts. They were great! You have wonderful ideas...thanks for sharing with us. Thanks to you and Kim for providing us with your ideas and contests! :)

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  38. My four grandkids ( 2 boys, 2 girls) make me happy, happy, happy!

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  39. What makes me happy? Having all my kids home and under our roof for 4 days this summer!

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  40. happy belated birthday, wendy! i just saw it on the mm blog! i hope you had a great day!

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  41. Great layouts and cards! Wow, it does look like there is a lot to play with in this kit. Thanks for the chance to win and sharing your art; I like the idea of using the circle punch to cut a notch and then flipping the paper to the other design side.

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  42. holy eye candy!!! I just love all you did!! And very generous of you...thanks!

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  43. What a cute kit,great layouts and cards. Love how you made all the elements work. I usually make 1 layout from a kit and give the rest away. I need to learn from you.

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  44. My two sweet litle girls make me happy.

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  45. I LOVE this kit!!! Right now, I am cruising my favorite blogs and listening to the rain....simply blissful!

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  46. Spending time in my scrapbook room creating always makee me HAPPY!

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  47. Wow Wendy,
    you created so many wonderful projects with this amazing kit.
    Looks like you had a great time creating with the kit.
    Thanks to you and Kim for the chance to win this great kit.
    What makes me happy is spending with with family just hanging out.

    fran H
    jfcheupel@yahoo.com

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