Monday, November 30, 2009

thankful for them...

Yesterday was "one of those days."  This layout was therapy...and a reminder for myself.

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Even on the hardest of days - I love each and every one of them and their unique personalities...

and I truly am thankful for them!

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I thought the American Crafts Blue Skies line worked perfectly with the Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg line on this layout.

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...and these are my new favorite thickers!

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Patterned Paper

Chipboard stickers (buttons/arrow/title)

Letter Stickers

Ribbon

Flair

Sunday, November 29, 2009

seventh...

Do you remember the pictures I shared of Meagan on the first day of school this year?

I used them, along with my fave CC line - nutmeg - and made this layout.

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bakery discount...

I just wanted to pop in quickly tonight to let you know about a great online discount over at the Scrapbook Bakery.

 

If you enter the coupon code blackfriday09 ....you will receive 30% off your entire purchase! 

The coupon is good through tomorrow (monday) night.  Be sure to check out the latest kit - with lots of fun samples from my talented friend, Laura! :o)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

a box of gratitude...

 

gratitude_box2 

This is another little project I put together for O'Scrap.  The idea is to remove the strips of paper (you could do this throughout the month - or do it with the family on Thanksgiving Day) and write down something you are grateful for. 

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After you've written on the strip, curl it up and return it to the box.  gratitude_box3

Put it away and take it out later (maybe next year on Thanksgiving) to remember your blessings.

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Die-Cut turkey and flower

Patterned Paper (rust, tan)

Monday, November 23, 2009

count your blessings...

...name them one by one.

Even though I'm completely obsessed with Christmas music, I assure you I am not forgetting about Thanksgiving. I am grateful for a special day set aside to truly count my blessings - every one of them.

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blessings3

blessings4 blessings5

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I need to be better about remembering these blessings every single day -

maybe this fun little mini album will help me remember to do so...

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Album: 6x6 cloth album, O'Scrap

Patterned Papers: Fall paper packet, O'Scrap

Stickers: Fall collection, build-a-sticker, O'Scrap

Tags: Fall tags, build-a-tag, O'Scrap

Cut-outs: Fall, Fall Leaves, Thanksgiving Day, Fall Borders - O'Scrap

Letter Stickers: White Rock-a-bye thickers, American Crafts

Pen: Black Precision Pen, American Crafts

Ribbon: Misc. Gingham ribbons

Sunday, November 22, 2009

surprise boxes...

...are available again!
brownbox
When I offered to make up some surprise boxes to sell last month, I was amazed at the response!  I sold more than I imagined - thank you to everyone who helped me share some of my stash.  Well, since that post, we have put our home on the market (again) and I've really been working hard to get everything spiffed up around here - and with the fun opportunity of being invited to join the CK Dream Team and all of the fun goodies I have been receiving due to that - I'm ready to part with even more of my "older" goodies from my stash.
Again, let me remind you that while most of the product is brand new, never been used, there are a few things, like sticker sheets, packages of brads, cards of buttons, etc. that have a few pieces missing - even so, there are plenty of good pieces to use!  There may be cardstock, patterned paper, specialty paper, buttons, brads, chipboard, stickers, stamps...and more - every box is different, but each box is filled to the brim (literally) with goodies!
I've had several people buy them for Christmas gifts - and I think you could easily split one box of goodies up into several little gifts/stocking stuffers/etc. 
Just like before, I'll sell them for $20 plus shipping.  I'm using the flat rate Priority Mail boxes which ship for $10.70 in the US.  And of course, if you're local, we'll just arrange a pick-up time. :)  There will be WAY more than $20 worth of product in each box.  WAY WAY more.
If you are interested, please e-mail me
I've already got several boxes packed up, taped, and ready to go...so as soon as I receive payment, I just need to add an address label and the box will be on it's way to it's new home!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

fragile...

If you're anything like me, and your brain is quickly slipping into holiday mode, you just read my post title like this:  fraj.eeee.lay, ala A Christmas Story...you remember, right?  Please tell me I'm not the only one!

leg lamp

On Monday morning, my doorbell rang.  I peeked outside to see the FedEx truck parked in my driveway.  That alone sends shivers up my spine - in a GOOD way, of course!  I waited for a minute for him to go away (usually he just drops and runs) - but he wasn't leaving...so I answered the door...p.j.'s and all.  And that's when I saw it - this beautiful package which was clearly marked "FRAGILE!"   I signed my name on the little machine thingamajig, quickly forgetting all about my cut red thermal p.j.'s that no FedEx man should ever have to see me in, and quickly hurried inside to open this baby up (but not before snapping a quick picture or two - it's a sickness...).

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My little package had traveled far - all the way from London...and I was SO SO SO excited!

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It took a few minutes to get through all of that tape,

but I was finally able to cut through it all, and then I peeled off the cool silver packaging to reveal this:

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More FRAGILE tape...and plenty of bubble wrap.

After getting through a few layers of bubble wrap, I found this:

  fragile3

And I am in love.  Completely, totally, 100 percent.  This is my very first CANVAS - but it surely won't be my last.  I ordered it from photo-canvas.com - and it came super super fast.  Want to know how fast?  I e-mailed this picture to them on Wednesday afternoon and the package with my super nice 16" x 20" wrapped canvas print arrived on my doorstep on Monday morning.  Did I mention it came from the  UK?  That is lightening fast, right?!? 

Seriously, you should check out their site HERE.  The customer service is incredible...and I just told you how quickly my canvas arrived - SO fast!  And it looks like they have a new special for the holidays - Buy 2, Get 1 Free!!  (gotta love that deal!)

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If you're not in the market for a canvas (but seriously, if you're not, you totally should be)...you will want to check out their OTHER site: bags of love...to see lots of different items they can create with your photos. There are tons of ideas that would make super sweet personalized gifts for the holidays this year.

It's been three days and I still can't stop grinning every time I see it sitting on my mantle. 

Now I just need someone to help me figure out where to hang my new happy-maker!  :o)

Thursday, November 12, 2009

a sneak peek...

Are you tired of me talking about this book yet? 

I hope not...but if you are, just skip this post. :)

   A CARD A DAY

As I mentioned before, I was lucky enough to be able to design a card for the "opener" of each chapter...and the chapters just happen to coincide with the months of the year.  So 12 months, 12 cards - all mine!  Would you like to take a peek?  If you go HERE, there's a fun sneak peek where you can see all 12 of my opener cards PLUS a few more.  You can get a feeling for what the book is like and see if it's something you would like to purchase.  The stylist/photographers did an amazing job photographing the cards - I think you'll agree, it's a beautiful book full of beautiful inspiration!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

autumn...

With all of the fun happenings and excitement last week, I neglected to mention the opportunity I had to be the guest blogger on the Creating Keepsakes blog - representing Making Memories.  I created this layout and issued a challenge as well.  Please visit the CK Blog to read more...and if you take my challenge, please let me know by leaving a comment here.  You never know what fun goodies I might decide to send out to someone who takes the challenge and shares with me! ;)mm_vintage_fall_layout_wsa

I loved this little quote so much I had to write in on a tag to include on my layout: 

“Delicious autumn! . . . If I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” —George Eliot

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Slice Die-Cutting Machine

Mistletoe Design Card

Vintage Findings Collection 

garment pins
mini kits (travel collection, nature collection, and fall collection)
patterned papers
word-fetti

P.S. If you hurry over, you can download one of CK's fabulous fonts (this one is perfect for autumn themed pages too)- for FREE!!

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Tuesday, November 10, 2009

more mistletoe merriment...

I was ecstatic to open up my e-mail this morning to find a note about THIS give-away on the Making Memories blog

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So many of you left such sweet comments on my blog last week - I wish I could have sent ALL of you the Mistletoe Collection.  But since I couldn't, here's another chance to win it!  Hurry on over and leave a comment - they are asking you to please take a moment to tell them what excites you most about the next few months- good luck!!

Monday, November 09, 2009

mistletoe winner...

Wow - thank you so much for all of the sweet notes of congratulations - and for all of the fun ideas for getting ready for Christmas. 

Speaking of Christmas - so many of you asked for the link to my Pandora station...and I think I e-mailed most of you...but just in case - I added that cool little widget over on my side-bar ----------------> (near the bottom) and you can check out all of my stations just by clicking on one. :o)

And now - for the big winner of the Mistletoe Line - drum roll please.....

the winner is Nicole M!

 Nicole said...

 

Congratulations. I have been following your blog for a while now and I enjoy it so much. Thank you for all the great inspiration.
Congratulations again...and btw I have barely started my Christmas shopping either. LOL
Have a great day.
Nicole M.

Friday, November 06, 2009 12:56:00 PM

Nicole - I can't find an e-mail address for you - so I hope you see this and e-mail Jenny at Making Memories so she can send you your fun prize!!!

Thanks again, to everyone who left a comment!  Enjoy today!!

 

Sunday, November 08, 2009

one more music idea...

 One2One Network has been so generous lately - sharing lots of great new music with me.  Five for Fighting is the latest...you remember "Superman," right?  And "100 years"?  Well, I was able to download the brand new Five For Fighting album "Slice." 

fff album

At first I just listened casually.  The music was soft and easy...but there's a hint of "rock" to it as well.  It's definitely something I could have playing in the background. 

Then I really listened to the lyrics.  Wow.  Honestly - there are some deep messages in these songs.  "Note to the Unknown Soldier" will make you cry if you aren't careful.  "Slice," "Chances," and "Story of Your Life" are my top 3 picks...but honestly, there isn't a single song I dislike.  There's a pretty good variety on the album.  Overall, it's pretty somber, but yet up-beat enough to not be at all depressing.  John Ondrasik is a very gifted softwriter and has an amazing voice. 

If you're looking for something to add to your music library, I'd definitely suggest listening to a few of these songs to see if this album is for you! :)

Thursday, November 05, 2009

a card a day...

Story time...

A couple of years ago I was cleaning up my scrapbook room and organizing my stacks of idea books.  As I thumbed through each one, I was struck with the thought of how many of them were so similar – in concept and content.  Throughout the next few days, I started thinking about what I’d like to see in an idea book – something new and different.  That’s when the concept of “a-card-a-day” popped into my head…and once it was there, I just couldn’t get it out of my mind.  (keep in mind...this was way before any of the other "_______-a-day" (fill in the blank) ideas were running rampant everywhere!) 

I e-mailed Cath, inquiring about the possibility of developing my rough idea into an actual proposal, and hopefully an actual idea book.  Cath was kind and encouraging, but as the months went by, I assumed the idea wasn’t as fresh as I’d once thought.  You can imagine my surprise when I received an e-mail last autumn, telling me that my idea had been approved and would be developed into one of Paper Crafts’ special issues this year!  I was equally surprised (and even MORE thrilled) when I was asked to contribute several ideas, including openers for each chapter of the book.

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Working with the Paper Crafts’ team of editors was amazing – they were helpful, constructive, and so supportive.  As I worked on my projects, I was inspired by the holidays, colors, and general themes for each month.  I was also excited to use a variety of products, mix and match manufacturers, and have limitless bounds to the amount of creativity I was able to put into each card. 

After the open call, all of the cards were chosen for the book, and I was able to get a very early sneak-peek -  I was absolutely floored – the editors chose amazing card designs to feature in this book, created by a variety of very talented paper-crafters.  a-mazing!!

I was able to visit the Paper Crafts and Creating Keepsakes gals one up in their Bluffdale office one day last spring...and of course, I was thrilled to be invited to sit with them on the couch for a group picture - how fun are they?!?

Then Jennifer and I got to spend some time in front of the camera(s) for a photo for the editorial page in the book.  I got there and the shirt I was wearing (a cute yellow top) was the exact same color as the background they had chosen.  Luckily, Jennifer was an old pro and had several shirts on hand - so she let me borrow this cute green number.  It was a complete coincidence that we were both wearing jean jackets, lol.

There were two photographers (Simoni and Brian) - this is Brian...watching the monitor as Simoni snapped the pictures.

Seeing a book go from conception to completion was an amazing process.  I enjoyed every last minute - and would love to do it again someday! 

Now that you've read all about my fun experience, you want to check out the book yourself, right?  Paper Crafts is giving away a copy (or THREE) today - just visit their blog HERE and leave a comment to try to win one.  You can also purchase the book by visiting their store HERE!

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

an incredible day...

Yep - I've already decided...today is going to be a great day!  Besides the fact that the sun is shining and the skies are blue, it's November 4th (only two days until our 16th wedding anniversary - and one day before my cute dad's birthday), and it's supposed to be in the mid-60's today (which is super warm for Heber this time of year)...it's also a great day in my little creative world.

I woke up early this morning and my day instantly brightened (even though it wasn't even light outside yet) when read THIS fun announcement on the Creating Keepsakes Blog.  It's been so hard keeping this secret for the last couple of months!  I have always loved working with the talented gals at CK and I am so excited to have been asked to work with them in this capacity during 2010!  There are lots of other names you'll recognize on next year's Dream Team list - and I'm so thrilled to be a part of the team!

And if it was possible for my day to get any brighter...it brightened even more when I saw THIS interview posted on Cath's Moxie Fab World Blog!  The day Cath contacted me about doing this interview was a happy day.  It was fun answering her questions and being able to share some of the ways I'm inspired in my paper-crafting life. :)  Thanks so much to Cath for inviting me to her Moxie Fab World - and to Cosmo Cricket and American Crafts for donating fun prizes...be sure to check out the interview and leave a comment (on the Moxie Fab Blog) for a chance to win!

Seriously...how could it NOT be a great day after starting off like that?!?

Hope your day is incredible too! :o)