Bella Blvd || Invisibles

Good morning, everyone!  I wanted to pop in and share a quick layout that I have on the Bella Blvd blog this morning.  We were asked to use the invisibles line of products on our layout and I managed to work in 4 different invisibles:

I layered part of an invisible over my patterned paper to add a little bit more texture, I fussy cut 3 different invisibles and scattered the cutouts around my page or put them in my title and I placed an invisible underneath a die cut title to add more interest.

Thanks for stopping in!  We are right in the middle of moving right now, so I haven't been able to visit many blogs and I need to schedule a few posts for next week.  But, hopefully, by the end of next week, things will calm down a bit and I'll be back to my regular schedule :)

Cardstock: Bazzill; Mist Heidi Swapp; Everything Else: Bella Blvd

Project Read || June & July

Hey, everyone!  I’m here with my Project Read update for June & July.  I actually read 6 books over these two months (still right on track for my target!) but I’m only going to review 4…it will make more sense as you read.

 Arranged by Catherine McKenzie – Anne is a writer who seems to have everything going for her – except her love life.  When she accidentally stumbles across an arranged marriage service, she decides to give it a try.  The guy that she is matched up with ends up being perfect for her – but is he who he says he is?  Can an arranged marriage really work?  This was an entertaining read.  I really liked the concept of it.  While it was a fairly predictable storyline, it was one of those feel-good and entertaining books that I really enjoyed.

Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll – This book.  Oh, this book.  I still don’t know if I liked it or not.  I was initially drawn to it because reviews had said it was similar to a Gillian Flynn novel.  In my opinion, it is definitely NOT like a Gillian Flynn novel.  This book follows Ani (pronounced Ah-nee), a successful 30-something about to get married.  The book bounces back and forth between the present-day and her high school days.  In the present-day, she is preparing to be showcased in a documentary about something that happened while she was in high school.  This book covers A LOT of difficult topics.  And Ani is not very likable at all.  Some reviews I’ve read have said that Ani has absolutely no redeeming qualities.  I definitely don’t agree with that.  I can see some good in her, but most of the time she is just not a very nice person.  Like I said, I have no idea if I liked the book or not, but it definitely left me thinking for a very long time and it is a book that I highly recommend.

Grey by E.L. James – This was the Fifty Shades of Grey story told from Christian Grey’s perspective.  I know the world is split on these books.  I know they are not masterpieces, but I do find them highly entertaining, so I was excited to read this book.  Some people say these books promote abuse.  I freely admit that these two don’t have the healthiest relationship – the way they talk to each other is truly astounding, but when it comes to the other controversial stuff, it’s 100% consensual.  After I read this book, I was prompted to re-read the last 2 books in the original trilogy (which is why I’m not doing 6 book reviews).

Forgotten by Catherine McKenzie – So, when I started reading this book I didn’t realize it was by the same author who wrote Arranged.  How I missed that, I have no idea!  Anyways, this book tells the story of Emma, a successful lawyer who takes a trip to Africa after her mother dies.  While in Africa there is a horrible earthquake and she is unable to call home for about 6 months.  Everyone presumes she is dead.  Forgotten follows Emma as she tries to find her footing in her new life.  There’s romance and even a little mystery in this book.  It was entertaining – very predictable, not at all though-provoking, but a fun read.

As always, leave any recommendations if you have them.  I have a growing list of book recommendations to work my way through and I always appreciate them!

Fly Everyday || The Cut Shoppe

Good morning, everyone!  I wanted to stop in today to show you how I used one of my favorite new cut files from The Cut Shoppe.

When I saw the "Any Which Way" background, my mind instantly began thinking about ways I could use it, what directions to place my arrows in, how to fill in the arrows, etc.  It's just such a fun file with unlimited possibilities.  Ultimately, I decided to use the arrows going up and down.  I took the 8.5 x 11 file and only traced 5 rows of the arrows.  I eventually decided to place the arrows to one side instead of in the middle.  I really thought this was the perfect cut file to highlight the photo of my nieces flying a kite on the beach:

I went with a softer color palette than I'm used to, but I think it complements the photo and theme well.  It's hard to tell here, but I also sprayed the cut file with some Calico shine, so it looks really pretty in person.

The cut file I used on this layout:

Any Which Way

Thanks so much for stopping in today!  Have a happy weekend!

***MOVING SALE!!***

Hey, everyone!!  I wanted to let everyone know that I am moving in the next few weeks.  That means I've been going through all my stash and have put together a few stash boxes for sale.  Here are the details:

-Each stash box contains approximately 65 sheets of specialty and patterned paper.  There are a mix of new and old patterned papers, ranging from Pinkfresh Studio to the no-longer-available Sassafras (side note, I really do wish they were still around!).  Additionally, there are a TON of embellishments in each box!  Boxes include products from Crate Paper, Queen & Company, Basic Grey, October Afternoon, Pinkfresh Studio and more!

-Each box is $40 for U.S. purchasers - and that INCLUDES the cost of shipping.  I will ship internationally, but will adjust the shipping price based on what my friendly, local postman tells me.

-No two boxes are the same.

-If you're interested in buying one, or if you have questions, email me at kraftykat9@gmail.com.  I will send you an invoice via PayPal.

-As son as I receive payment, I will get the box shipped out to you!

-Here's a look at just one of the boxes, but all are similar:

The Studio || Handmade

Hey, everyone!  There is a new challenge up at The Studio today and it's all about including something handmade on your layout.  My handmade item is really easy to spot - I cut out my title alphas from some extra felt I had laying around.  It definitely looks like a little kid did it.  That wasn't the look I was going for, but in the end it works since the layout is about child's play.

I also managed to squeeze in a lot of goodies from the SpiegelMom Scraps Shop.  I used the red stars from the Patriotic Star Sequin mix, the Royal Blue sequins, and I used some paint pens to color in my Printshop Wood Veneer stars and the super fun Tiny wood veneer stars.  I went with a primary color scheme for this layout and I think it worked pretty well with the subject matter.

I hope you can join us for this new challenge at The Studio!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Cocoa Daisy; Photo Corners: Queen & Company; Twine: We R Memory Keepers; Wood Veneers: Studio Calico; Sequins: SpiegelMom Scraps; Mist: Studio Calico

The Cut Shoppe + CSI Team Up

So....I completely spaced and forgot to post this - The Cut Shoppe did a team up with CSI (Colors, Stories, Inspiration) this month. We took on the CSI challenge- and whoa, was it hard.  It was so much fun to do, but it really stretched my creativity!  Here was the CSI case file that I participated in:  

And here is my take on it:

I dug deep into my stash to use those fun October Afternoon papers (hello, my name is Kat and I'm a hoarder).  The hardest part for me?  That sketch!  I had such a hard time figuring out how to make it work with my style.  I do sort of like the end result, though!

As for my cut files, I used the super fun "It's My Party" cut file to highlight the ADORABLE photos of my niece.  Seriously, she's cute, right?!?!

Thanks for popping in...happy Friday!!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Labels: October Afternoon; Puffy Stickers: Pinkfresh Studio; Sequins, Gold Stars, Alpha Sticker: Studio Calico; Bling: K & Company, Prima; Cut Files: The Cut Shoppe

Clique Kits' July Pep Rally

***If you are looking for the SpiegelMom Scraps blog hop, please click here.***

Hey, everyone!  Welcome to Clique Kits July Pep Rally!  This is one of my favorite events because I love to see the all the different inspiration along the way.  I am still fascinated by the concept of a kit club because I think it is SO COOL to see how many different projects are created from the exact same set of supplies.  Okay...I've rambled on long enough :o)

There isn't a theme for this month's pep rally...and that's okay because I was going to scrap this photo no matter what...ha!  I love it and the story behind it.  My 2 year old niece came to visit us at the beach a few weeks ago.  She had been to the beach once during the Winter time, so she had never been in the water.  We were all excited to see how she would react, but figured she'd be a little apprehensive...but this little one just charged into the water without a care in the world.  She regretted it a little bit later when a big wave came and knocked her down, but even after that, she continued to go for it, completely fearless.  I love that about her!

I've had this idea in my head for a while, so I'm glad I was finally able to execute it.  I am not the best with a sewing machine and was actually surprised at how easy it was to stitch around the heart shape. It helped a lot that I was purposely trying to make it sightly messy looking because I wanted people to see that it had been stitched around twice.

I loved this patterned paper and wanted to use a large portion of it on a layout.  However, if you follow my work even a little bit, you know that patterned paper backgrounds scare the crap out of me!  Ha! This giant heart was a good solution for that.  

Alright, here is the full line-up for the hop today:

Clique Kits

Annelie

Hannah

Sarah

Sandy

Mariah

Donna

Megan 

Kim

Marcia

Kat < -- That's me!

Charity 

Taina

Tyra
Karrie

Thanks for stopping in...have a lovely day!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Chickaniddy Crafts; Flair: Clique Kits; Wood Veneer: Pinkfresh Studio; Arrow Clip: Freckled Fawn; Puffy Stickers: Seven Paper; Mist: Studio Calico (yellow), Heidi Swapp (pink)

#Awesome || Clique Kits

Good morning, all!  I hope you enjoyed the SpiegelMom Scraps blog hop this weekend.  I hope you are now well under way to creating projects for all the challenges to be eligible to win an awesome prize.  If you haven't hopped yet, you still have through the 17th to do so!

Now, on to today's project.  As I've mentioned before, I really love the kit from Clique Kits this month.  The Chickaniddy 365 collection features all my favorite colors and patterns.  I love all the colors and patterns so much that I've found a way to use almost all of them on every layout I created this month.  Today's layout is no exception...I used the scraps from all my other layouts to create this one:

This layout has jumped to the top as one of my favorites for the year.  I'm not sure why.  I know I love the photos, the colors, the patterns...so, maybe that's it.  On the Clique Kits blog, I share how to make the background (hint: it's REALLY easy!) and it's a technique I often turn to when I'm in a creative slump.

I hope you can stop by the blog and check out the full post here.  Also, make sure you come back on Wednesday for the July Clique Kits pep rally - there is sure to be a TON of inspiration on that hop!

Have a happy Monday (if such a thing exists! ha!)!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Brads, Alphas, Enamel Shapes: Chickaniddy Crafts; Wood Veneer Phrase: Pinkfresh Studio; Black and White Polka Dot Journaling Card: Clique Kits; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Circle Punch: EK Success

Ms. Pacman 2015 Challenge

***If you are looking for the SpiegelMom Scraps blog hop, please click here.***

Good morning, everyone!  I wanted to share with you a SUPER FUN challenge that I just took part in - I think the concept is absolutely genius!  I ran across the challenge on Jill Sprott's blog and it was just what I needed.  My creativity has been lacking a bit recently and I've really been wanting to stash bust.

So, here is the challenge: create a kit from your stash featuring all these things and make at least 3 projects with them...

1. Eight pieces of patterned paper scraps and four specialty paper/"other" paper scraps -- no complete sheets allowed. 
2.  No more than one yard of trim, with no individual piece measuring more than 11" in length.
3. One sticker sheet, with a catch: at least one sticker must be missing from the sheet.
4. A pre-2013 alphabet set (the old challenge asked for a pre-2010 set, but I figure, three years have passed, so we can compensate for the time change).  If you don't have a set this old, aim for your oldest. 
5. One opened package/container of scrappy product.    
6.  One unopened package/container of scrappy product.
7. One roll of tape.   
8.  One item or package of product from a company that no longer makes scrappy products (the old challenge required a JBS product, which could still apply to this updated version). 
9.  Six journaling and/or Project Life cards (if you don't have individual cards, you can cut them from a journaling-card-style patterned sheet or use a printable, if you wish). 
10. Unlimited cardstock, adhesive, and "technique-type product" (e.g. stamps, stamping ink, paint, mist, stencils, embossing powder, etc.).   
11. A wild card item. Include anything you've been wanting to use (regardless of whether it is old or new, opened or unopened).  The time is now.
12.  A nearby item. Grab something from your desk or craft area that is within arm's reach. This will be fairly easy to do if you are a mess-maker like me. If you are super-organized and have no items within reach, then head for the nearest drawer or bin, close your eyes, and reach blindly. The item that you retrieve will be the final addition to your kit.   

Here is the kit I created:

I wanted my kit to be Summer-y and full of fun, vibrant colors!

And a run-down on each item:

1. Eight pieces of patterned paper scraps and four specialty paper/"other" paper scraps -- From left to right: I Lowe Scrap, Cocoa Daisy, Echo Park, Studio Calico, Elle's Studio, Teresa Collins; Specialty Paper: Studio Calico vellum, American Crafts Gold Dot vellum, Hambly Transparency, We R Memory Keepers Transparency
2. No more than one yard of trim -- don't know the brand for some of these, but the piece of twine is from We R Memory Keepers and the blue polka dot ribbon is Doodlebug Designs
3. One sticker sheet --  Heidi Swapp phrase stickers (la-la-love them!)
4. A pre-2013 alphabet set -- The Girl's Paperie ledger chipboard alphas
5. One opened package/container of scrappy product -- Studio Calico Printshop vellum die cuts
6.  One unopened package/container of scrappy product --  Simple Stories SNAP photo frames
7. One roll of tape -- Love My Tapes Turquoise Triangles Washi
8. One item or package of product from a company that no longer makes scrappy products -- Jenni Bowlin Studio Bingo Cards
9. Six journaling and/or Project Life cards -- From left to right: My Mind's Eye, MAMBI, Two Peas in a Bucket, Simple Stories, Studio Calico, Becky Higgins
10. Unlimited cardstock, adhesive, and "technique-type product" 
11. A wild card item -- Heidi Swapp wood veneers - I've been wanting to use them soooo badly :)
12. A nearby item -- Bella Blvd Star Buttons - these have been sitting on my desk forever just begging to be used! 

  

And here are my 3 projects:

This layout was created for The Studio Challenges - we were asked to use stars and stripes.  The yellow diagonal stripes on the B-side of the I Lowe Scrap paper were perfect:

This layout was created for The Cut Shoppe.  The fun, Summer-y kit colors made me want to use fun Summer cut files - "gelatoed" in orange!

And finally, I decided to use the kit in my endeavors to catch up on Project Life.  Do not be fooled by the week number!  I am still 14 weeks behind, but am just picking and choosing which weeks I want to work on based on my mood!

I still have a ton of my kit left over, so I'm going to keep using it until it's gone...and then I'm going to do it all over again!  I'll modify the paper rule a bit so I can use full size sheets of those papers that I've been hoarding.  And maybe I'll finally make a dent in my stash - even if it's noticeable only to me!

SpiegelMom Scraps' 5th Anniversary Blog Hop

Hello everyone and welcome to the 5^th Anniversary Scrap Party of SpiegelMom Scraps!!  Jody, aka SpiegelMom, brought us all together to celebrate and party with all of you!  We have some fantastic fun planned for you, including prizes for all the challenges being introduced by each blogger.  Jody has rounded up some wonderful prizes for the challenge winners from Marion Smith Designs, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L, V’s Sweet Ideas (Vanessa and Nicole are with us today), Shimmerz Paints, May Designs, Willowfields Etsy Shop and American Crafts!! 

To play along here’s what you need to do:

1.  Create a project based on any challenge introduced during this hop. 

2. You may enter one challenge or do them all!

3. Link it up on this page under the appropriate InLinkz linky tool. You may link up a blog post with your newly created project (no back linking) OR use your Instagram account and link that up!  Cool right!!

4.  Have fun and share the challenges with your crafty friends.  Sharing is caring and you can win another prize just for sharing!  The blog hop and challenges are open July 10-17^th at midnight CST.

5.  Winners will be announced on July 20^th on the SpiegelMom Scraps website

Now, here’s the entire Scrap Party Line Up for you.  After you hop the blogs, there's a special bonus hop over on 3 YouTube Channels, starting at SpiegelMom Scrap's channel! Don't miss out on that, there's a fabulous prize for hopping there also!!

SpiegelMom Scraps Blog - Jody 

V's Sweet Ideas - Vanessa

Charity – SMS Sparkler’s DT

Ka – Special Guest Designer

Lou – SMS Sparkler’s DT

Nicole - V's Sweet Ideas

Kat – SMS Sparkler’s DT  < -- That's me!!

SpiegelMom Scraps YouTube

Teresa Huckle

Charity

So, my challenge to you is a sketch challenge - you know how much I love those!

Here is the sketch:

And here is the layout that I created using awesome products from the SMS store and V's Sweet Ideas:

I used the following SMS products:

-Studio Calico Printshop Wooden Stars

-White Wedding Sequin Mix

-Normandy Lace Paper Doilies

I used the following V's Sweet Ideas products:                     

-Coffee Break Stamp Set

-Lily Sweet Dots

-May Arts Slate Blue Ribbon

-White Diagonal Striped Itty Bitty Bags

I hope you can play along!  And, if you see anything that you want from the SMS store, used code KAT15 at check out to get an extra 15% off your purchase!          

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Crate Paper; Alphas: American Crafts; Wood Veneer: Studio Calico; Ribbon: May Arts; Sequins, Doily: SpiegelMom Scraps; Alpha Stamps: Target; "I ♥ U" Stamp, Paper Bag, Enamel Dots: V's Sweet Ideas       

Quick & Easy Gift Wrap || SpiegelMom Scraps

God morning, everyone!  Are you tired of me yet?  I've been posting A LOT because I've had a ton of projects due recently...it will slow down...I was just booked very heavily for the beginning of the month...haha!

I wanted to share a quick & easy gift wrap tip with you today.  I wrapped my box in simple paper, created a super simple sentiment card with a plain project life card and some alphabet stamps and then garnished with a thread of sequins:

I used the Stargazer Sequin mix from SpiegelMom Scraps.  This mix is no longer available (sorry), but there are a TON of other mixes in the store here. 

I also used my favorite washi to tape my sentiment tag onto the package.

In other exciting SMS news, the store is turning 5 and we are having a huge blog hop beginning Friday to celebrate.  There will be a TON of awesome sponsors.  Get all the details on the event Facebook page here.  Also, if you use code KAT15 in the store, you can save 15% off your entire purchase!!

Thanks for stopping by...have a happy Sunday!

Clique Kits' July Challenge + A Fun Announcement

Hello, everyone!  To my American friends, HAPPY FOURTH!  I have a couple of things to share with you today.

The first is that the July challenge at Clique Kits is live today.  As always, the challenge is an anything goes challenge, so you really can submit ANYTHING.  There is also a fun sketch for you to use as inspiration if you so desire.  I had already made my layout for the challenge before I received the sketch, but I am hoping to use it later this month!  Here is my layout using the fun Carpe Diem kit:

I don't like this layout AT ALL, but I guess we all have those layouts that we aren't fans of and that don't show our best work!

And my other piece of exciting news...I have made the Pretty Little Studio Design Team!  I am so excited!  I applied last year and didn't make it, but am happy to have been given a second chance.  Here is the whole team:

You can see links to everyone's work by going to the PLS blog.

Hope you can join us for the CK challenge this month!!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Alphas, Brads: Chickaniddy Crafts; Puffy Stickers: Seven Paper

Clique Kits' Project Life

Hey, everyone!  I shared one of my Project Life spreads up on the Clique Kits' blog yesterday.  I made the spread using the July Kit, Carpe Diem.  I LOVE this kit - it's so fun and colorful, has a lot of fun patterns and a great selection of embellishments.  I'm definitely a fan!

Here is week 13 of my Project Life:

If you head on over to the blog, you can see all the little details of the spread.  Also, Clique Kits is having a sale this week - use code 40JULY15 on all clearance items for 40% off.  Also, use code KAT10 for 10% off regularly priced items for a 10% discount!

Have a happy Friday!

Page Protector: Becky Higgins (Design F); Patterned Paper, Alphas: Chickaniddy Crafts; Jounraling Cards: 7Paper, Clique Kits; Cut File: Clique Kits; Sequins: SpiegelMom Scraps Puffy Stickers: 7Paper; Staples: Tim Holtz

Star-Studded Layout || Bella Blvd

Good morning, everyone!  I wanted to pop in quickly and share a layout that is on the Bella Blvd blog today.  I was asked to design a patriotic layout in celebration of Independence Day and this is what I came up with:

I used a ton of stars cut out from papers from all different Bella collections.  I also sprinkled in some star sequins from the SpiegelMom Scraps store.

I actually like the way the layout ended up turning out.  I love my stars!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Enamel Dots/Stars, Word Stickers: Bella Blvd; Sequins: SpiegelMom Scraps