January Clique Kits' Pep Rally || Tailor Made

Good morning, everyone!  It's that time of the month again: Clique Kits' Pep Rally time!  This month's kit features the gorgeous Stitched collection by Amy Tangerine.  Love it!

I have 2 layouts to share today.  The first goes along with the Pep Rally theme: include hand-stitching and some goals...so I went the easy route and created a layout about my 2015 goals...with lots of hand -stitching!  Here is it is:

(Yes, I used the same photo 3 times, but I did change the brightness in each of them...)

I kept my second layout very simple and really let the papers shine.  The alphas are from my own stash - from one of Amy Tangerine'solder collections.  I'm starting to play with my sewing machine a bit again, too, which has definitely been a learning experience... :o)

Love sequins?  Me too.  You can get these fun white ones in the CK store here.  And as always, use code KAT10 to get 10% your entire CK store order.  There are some really good deals in there right now - like, 6x6 paper pads for just $2.50 - seriously!

Thanks for stopping in.  Next up on the hop is the lovely Kim and in case you just started, here's the order of the hop...lots of inspiration to share today!!

Clique Kits

Jody

Lacey

Sarah

Bonita Rose

Nicole

Cari

Carolina

Sandy

Charity

Kat (you are here!)

Kim

Mariah

Alisha

Danielle

Aliza

Both layouts: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Alphas: American Crafts; Sequins: Clique Kits

2 Weeks Worth of Project Life!

So...I may have gotten slightly behind on Project Life...but only by a week!  I am now all caught up again.  The strangest thing about doing this project?  I can always tell you what week of the year it is.

In my Week 7 spread, I had to play around with sequins again.  I love making the little confetti pockets.  I also played around with REALLY messy stitching on top of two Chinese fortunes:

Left side:

Right side:

In my Week 8 spread, I added another little confetti pocket.  I love the tiny calendars from Studio Calico, so I want to try to use one every month, if I can:

Left side:

 Right side:

Thanks for hanging in for this rather photo-heavy post.  Hope you all have a wonderful week!!

Week 7: Left side: Page Protector: Becky Higgins (Design G), Patterned Paper, Journaling Cards, Printable Tags, Wood Veneer Hearts/Arrows: Studio Calico; Alphas: Basic Grey, American Crafts, Lily Bee Designs; Washi Tape: Little Yellow Bicycle; Chevron Envelope: American Crafts; Wooden Word Bubble: Freckled Fawn; Label Sticker: Simple Stories; "This Makes Me Smile" Tag: BananaFish Studio; "Delight" Sticker: Heidi Swapp; Staples: Tim Holtz

Right Side: Page Protector: Becky Higgins (Design H); Grid Journaling Card, Patterned Paper: Studio Calico; Alphas: October Afternoon, Lily Bee Designs; Word Sticker: Heidi Swapp; Star Sticker: Twine & Ink; "My Ideal Day" Journaling Card: Recollections; Staples: Tim Holtz

Week 8: Left Side: Page Protector: Becky Higgins (Design H); Journaling Cards, Wood Veneers, Circle Label: Studio Calico; Alphas: American Crafts, Lily Bee Designs; "So Very Happy" Label: BananaFish Studio; Staples: Time Holtz; Star Stickers: Twine & Ink

Right Side: Page Protector: Becky Higgins (Design F); Journaling Cards (with the exception of the orange "Good" one and the pink "date" one), Wood Veneers, Labels: Studio Calico; Alphas: American Crafts, Basic Grey, Lily Bee Designs, October Afternoon; "Smashing" Clip: K & Company; Orange Journaling Card, Pink "date" Card: Recollections; Word Stickers: Heidi Swapp; Label Sticker: Simple Stories; Enamel Dots: My Mind's Eye; Staples: Tim Holtz

The Studio - Lots of ♥s Challenge

Good morning, everyone!! There is a new challenge up at The Studio this month: In honor of Valentine's Day, use at least 5 hearts on your layout.  Here is what I created:

Lots of hearts on my blog recently, huh?
To make this layout, I also used a sketch from Studio Calico.

Head on over to The Studio to see what the rest of the ladies made.  There are a ton of great layouts posted over there today...very inspirational!

Thanks for stopping by!

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Alphas: American Crafts; "You & Me" Sticker: Pebbles; Chipboard hearts: Maya Road; Label: Evalicious; Wooden People, Shipping Tag: Studio Calico; Envelope: Whisker Graphics

Project Life 2013||Challenge Accepted!

Hey, everyone! So, I have given in to all the hype and decided to tackle "Project Life" this year.  I made this decision last month when I was having so much fun working on my December Daily.  I think I really love scrapping in little pockets.  Is that weird?  Ha!

To get me started on the right foot, I have subscribed to Studio Calico's Project Life monthly kit and am currently taking their Project Life class, Day-by-Day.  I'm learning a lot and am super excited to document this year.

I don't really have a plan yet for how I am going to organize my weeks.  I already know that some weeks may be very boring, while others will be more exciting and picture-heavy.  So, for now I am taking it one week at a time, knowing that I may combine weeks in some spreads and only mange to cover a weekend in others.  I don't plan on putting too much pressure on myself.  The point of this is to have fun, right?

I also don't plan on showing you every single Project Life spread that I complete.  I don't want to totally bore you with all the details of my life!  ;o)  But...I will show you my title page for now and then update you with sporadic weeks throughout the year:

I know, I know.  That one particular piece of patterned paper from Crate Paper is getting quite the workout recently.  I just love the chevron pattern and the fact that it is so colorful!!

The journaling in the bottom right corner briefly talks about what Eric and I are up to as 2013 begins and what our goals for the year are.

Thanks so much for stopping by, especially since this was such a long, rambling post.  Are any of you taking on Project Life?  If so, leave me a link...I'd love to see!

Supplies: Page Protector: Becky Higgins (Design J); Patterned Paper, Diecut Ampersand: Crate Paper; Cardstock: Bazzill; Journaling Cards, Wooden People, Wooden Letters, Labels: Studio Calico; Alphas: American Crafts, Basic Grey; Chipboard B, Sequins: Making Memories; Sticky Gems: My Mind's Eye; Staples: Tim Holtz; Mists: Tattered Angels

Finishing up my December Daily

Hey, all!  I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas.  Ours was nice and relaxing.  I am totally not ready to return the real world (aka: work) tomorrow.  :o)

I just wanted to share hte last pages of my Deember Daily.  I am actually completely done with it.  I really enjoyed the format that I used this year....it made it so easy to stay caught up.

Day 21: I included an envelope that had an article that I printed off about what people believed was going to happen that day with the coming of the apocalypse.  I really think that will be fun to look back on in a few years.

Day 22: We went over to a couple of freinds' house for dinner.

Day 23: My next door neighbor left for a 10 day vacation and we volunteered to puppy-sit for her dog, Dublin.  I'm in love with this little guy.  I wish he were mine :0)

Day 24:  We ate Christmas Eve dinner at my parents' house.

Day 25: Pics of Dublin & I on Christmas morning.  Seriously, is he not the cutest puppy ever?!?!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you enjoy the rest of 2012!

Supplies: Day 21: Envelope: Whisker Graphics; Alphas: Lily Bee Designs, Target
Day 22: Patterned Paper, Diecut: October Afternoon; Journaling Card: Studio Calico; Alphas: American Crafts
Day 23: Patterned Paper: Lawn Fawn; Wooden Letters, Label: Studio Calico
Day 24: Patterned Paper, Sticker: October Afternoon; Circle Label: Studio Calico; Alphas: American Crafts
Day 25: Patterned Paper: October Afternoon; Label, Wooden Letters, Frame: Studio Calico

Merry Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!  I hope your holiday season has been enjoyable up to this point.  I just wanted to share a few more of my DD pages with you:

Day 17: Eric and I got an Elf on the Shelf.  No, we don't have kids, but yes, we love putting that dang elf in compromising positions.  Ha!

Day 18:  Just a page about the weather.  It was uncharacteristically warm that day.

Day 19:  Me wrapping presents.  Eric taping up his face.  Everyone needs a skill.  ;-)

Day 20:  We baked.  A LOT.

I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow..stay safe, enjoy loved ones!

Supplies: Day 17: Alpha Stickers: Lily Bee Designs; Wooden Letters, Journaling Card, Label: Studio Calico; Washi Tape: Queen & Company

Day 18: Journaling Card, Wooden Letters, Wooden Shapes: Studio Calico; Sunburst: Chic Tags; Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers; "Today" Diecut: October Afternoon; Washi Tape: Queen & Company; Brad: Making Memories

Day 19: Patterned Paper, Diecut: October Afternoon; Wooden Letters, Labels, Wooden Stars: Studio Calico; Alphas: American Crafts;Staples: Tim Holtz; Brads: Making Memories

Day 20: Patterned Paper, Stickers: October Afternoon; Alpha Stickers: Jenni Bowlin Studios; Sunburst: Chic Tags; Journaling Card: Simple Stories; Label, Wooden Letters/Star: Studio Calico; Brad: Making Memories

December Daily 2012: Days 13, 14, 15 & 16

Hey, everyone!!  I am popping in to share a few more of my December Daily spreads:

Day 13:  A very unexciting page...I went to the school recital for the daughter of one of my good friends.  I dressed up a bit, so I took a picture of my sparkly shoes...I love sparkles...and this time of year really fuels my love.

Day 14: Silly pics of E & I

Day 15:  I got a peppermint chocolate chip milkshake from Chic-Fil-A, which is my all-time favorite December treat.  I think I have included this in all 3 years of my DD.

Day 16: I included a picture of our Christmas wreath this year.  I sort of love the way this spread turned out.  You can't tell from the picture, but it is super sparkly...I even glitter-coated the wooden letters.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies: Day 13: Patterned Paper: Echo Park; Stickers: October Afternoon; Journaling Card: Studio Calico; Brads: Target, Making Memories

Day 14: Patterned Paper: October Afternoon; Labels: Simple Stories, Studio Calico; Alphas: Lily Bee Designs; Wooden numbers: Studio Calico; Diecuts, Sticker: October Afternoon

Day 15: Patterned Paper: October Afternoon; Journaling Card, Wooden Letters/Shape, Label: Studio Calico; Alphas: Lily Designs; Diecuts: October Afternoon; Envelope: Whisker Graphics

Day 16: Patterned Paper: Echo Park, Lawn Fawn; Label, Wooden Letters: Studio Calico; Staples: Tim Holtz; Alphas: Prima Marketing, Jenni Bowlin Studios; Diecut: October Afternoon

December Daily 2012: Days 11 & 12

Hey, everyone!  I'm back to share two more DD days with you:

Day 11 was a very sad day.  My parents had to put our cat, Calie, to sleep.  I say "our cat" because we got her when I was 8 years old, so I pretty much grew up with her.  I wanted to do this page to honor her :o)

Day 12 is when I mailed out our Christmas cards.

I also threw in one of our cards between the normal album pages. 

As you can tell, E and I like to have fun together.  In case you want a closer look at the photos here they are:

Yeah, we're weirdos :o)

Supplies: Day 11: Journaling card: Simple Stories; Alphas: Prima Marketing; Wooden hearts: Studio Calico; Diecuts: October Afternoon; Twine: Making Memories; Staples: Tim Holtz; Patterned Paper: American Crafts

Day 12: Journaling card: Simple Stories; Stickers, Rub-ons, Alphas: October Afternoon; Brads: Making Memories; Washi Tape: Queen & Company

December Daily 2012 - Days 8, 9 & 10

Hello!  Less than 10 days until Christmas!  I am pretty excited!  Here are a few more December Daily pages to share with you:

Day 8:  I mailed a big Christmas box to my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and my niece.

Day 9:  It was really warm this day, so I gave myself a Christmas-pedi so I could wear my flip-flops :o)

Day 10:  I met one of my best friends, Kari, at the mall for some quick X-mas shopping and dinner.

I also included a cute note that I got from my neice when she mailed me a big box of homemade sugar cookies:

 

Supplies: Day 8: Cardstock: Bazzill; Stickers, Patterned Paper: October Afternoon; Brads: Making Memories; Staples: Tim Holtz

 

Day 9: Patterned Paper: October Afternoon; Label Stickers: Simple Stories; Alphas: Doodlebug Designs, Lily Bee Designs, Target;Wooden Letters, Vellum Arrow: Studio Calico; Star Brad: Making Memories; Washi Tape: Queen & Company

 

Day 10: Patterned Paper: October Afternoon; Journaling Card, Label Sticker: Simple Stories; Starburst Journaling Spots: Chic Tags; Washi Tape: Queen & Company; Alphas: Lily Bee Design, October Afternoon; Die-Cuts: October Afternoon; Star Brad: Makng Memories

 

Note: Tag: Pebbles; ALphas: Lily Bee Design; CLothespin: Michaels

Punky Scraps December Challenge

Hello, everyone!  I hope your week is going well...the work week is over half over, which is always nice :o)

I wanted to pop in and share my layout for the new Punky Scraps challenge.  It was a sketch challenge and we were also asked to make it holiday themed.  Here is what I came up with:

Please head on over to Punky Scraps to see the other great layouts, to play along and to win a prize!

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Alphas: Jenni Bowlin Studios; Banner: Heidi Swapp; Paint: Apple Barrel; Journaling Card: Studio Calico; Washi Tape: Queen & Company

December Daily 2012: Days 5, 6 & 7

Wel, I am back again to share a few more December Daily pages.  I really love the multi-pocket page protectors.  I love that I can sew in confetti and make teensy-tiny little layouts and include multiple photos in an organized manner.  Anywho...enough of that.  Here's what I've got:

On day 5, my parents sent me chocolate-covered pretzels from Sarris Candies.  They are one of my favorite treats.  Trust me, if you're looking for some yummy gifts to send out, this is where you need to go!

Day 6 focused on the bouquet I made for our kitchen island:

On day 7 I went to see "Playing for Keeps" with two of my girlfriends...it was a very cute movie (having Gerard Butler starring in it doesn't hurt, either!).

As always, thanks for stopping in.  I should be back soon to share a new Punky Scraps layout!

Day 5: Patterned Paper: Lawn Fawn, October Afternoon; Alpha Stickers, Rub-on: October Afternoon; Washit Tape: October Afternoon, Queen & Company; Wooden Letters, Green Ticket: Studio Calico; "Details" Sticker, "Today" Bubble: Simple Stories; Brads: Making Memories

Day 6: Printed Vellum: American Crafts; Journaling Spot: Chic Tags; Wooden Number, Vellum Arrow: Studio Calico; Alphas: Doodlebug Designs

Day 7: Patterned Paper, Stickers: October Afternoon; Buckle: Queen and Company; Wooden Number: Studio Calico; Staples: Tim Holtz; Star Brads: Making Memories

December Daily 2012: Days 3 & 4

Hello, all!  I am chugging along at my December Daily...I'm almost caught up (and should be by tomorrow), but I'm only going to share a few days with you, so I don't completely bombard you with photos!

For day 3, I took a picture of the presents underneath the tree:

 

Day 4 was all about our Christmas lists:

After day 4, I also added an envelope that held the rules to our "get fit challenge" that we completed in November.  E and I developed a healthy eating and workout challenge, in which we earned points for doing good and lost points for eating badly or skipping workouts.  At the end of the challenge, we converted our points to dollars that we were allowed to spend on the other person for Christmas:

 

Thanks for stopping by...I should be back again soon with more DD updates!

 

Day 3: Patterned Paper, Label, Wooden Shape: Studio Calico; Word Stickers, Washi Tape: October Afternoon; Star Bard: Making Memories

Day 4: Envelope: Whisker Graphics; Label, Wooden Letters: Studio Calico; "Christmastime" Banner Sticker, Washi Tape: Studio Calico; Alpha Stickers: Lily Bee Designs; Star Brads: Making Memories

Envelope: Maya Road; Alphas: October Afternoon

December Daily 2012

Hello, everyone!

If you had a long weekend, I hope you enjoyed yourself!  It was nice to have a much-needed break from work.  I took advantage of the time off and began work on my December Daily for this year.  This is, by far, my favorite project of the year.  This year, I began planning for it in October.  Ha!  Here is my cover:

And a close-up:

I also did a few foundation pages, but not a lot.  Last year I found that I really enjoy working on my pages day-by-day instead of doing the foundation pages ahead of time.  It makes each page more unique and I thought the end results were much better.

This year, I will be using Studio Calico multi-pocket page protectors.  I love confetti pockets, so that is all my foundation pages consist of right now:

Are you participating in December Daily this year?  Have you begun work on your album yet?  If so, please leave me a link...I'd love to see!

Cover: Patterned Paper: Doodlebug Designs; Alphas: American Crafts; Journaling Card, Wood shapes, Badge, Mist: Studio Calico; Starburst: Chic Tags; Punch: Paper Source; Other diecuts: October Afternoon

The Studio Challenges

Hey, everyone!  Happy Sunday!  I hope your weekend is going well.  My first layout for The Studio Challenges is posted this morning....so exciting!

This week's challenge: use a new technique on your page.  The technique I chose to play with was stitching, particularly stitching a title:

I traced my word in pencil first, then used a thumbtack to poke holes along the writing. I used baker's twine to weave it through the holes. Here's a close-up:

For more inspiration, head over to The Studio Challenges.  The rest of the design team's layouts are amazing!

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Hambly, My Mind's Eye, American Crafts; Transparencies: Hambly; Vellum, Mist: Studio Calico; Wooden Banner, Twine: My Mind's Eye; Sticker: Jillibean Soup

Woohoo! Happy, happy weekend!!! I know it was a short week, but that's really when the work weeks feel the longest.

I have a quick layout to share for the current challenge at Punky Scraps. This challenge is a photo inspiration challenge. Head on over to Punky Scraps to see the photo and see what the other talented ladies created.
And, I have a quick little tip for you today. I posted this layout in my Scrapbook.com gallery and my Studio Calico gallery and a few people have commented about the "great stitching." It's not really stitching. I was super lazy so I just drew zig-zags around the edges of everything, using a fine tip Sharpie. :-)

Before I leave, I just also want to remind everyone that a new challenge is up at The Creative Type. This month you're asked to scrap about your vice. I have a lot of those :-) I get to share my project mid-month, but you can play along right now. The prize this month is a cool print from a very neat Etsy shop, Peace, Love and Cupcakes.

Enjoy your weekend! May the crafty force be with you (I'm in FULL dork mode today)!

Layout: Patterned Paper, Stickers: Lily Bee Designs, Metal Badges, Foam Alphas: American Crafts

July Sassafras Challenge

Hi, everyone! I hope your weekend went well. I got some "scrappy time" in and decided to play along with this month's Sassafras challenge. The challenge is to mix lines. Here is what I came up with: In this layout I used "Vintage Yummy" for the background, then "Sweetly Smitten," "Count Me In," and "Sassafras for Studio Calico" for the backing on the picture. I also used Sassafras brads all over the layout. I had a fun time making this layout and am pretty satisfied with the results. I was also inspired by this awesome layout by Felicitas Klink. Fun, fun, FUN!

I also dug through my scraps for this one. I have soooo many scraps laying around and Amy Heller has inspired me to use them up. She has a summer challenge going on right now, encouraging scrappers to use those items that have been laying around forever (like those Sassafras brads...I think they are at least a year and half old).

Layout: Patterned Paper: Sassafras; Alphabet Stickers: Sassafras, Basic Grey; Brads: Sassafras, Doodlebug Designs; punch: EK Success; Sewing tool: We R Memory Keepers

Color my World...

Good, morning! Happy Thursday! I have a quick layout to share with you today. I did it for the rainbow challenge that is currently posted at Just C & S:

Thanks for popping in! I will do a longer post later, just been very busy with work recently!

Layout: Cardstock: Recollections, DCWV; Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket, Sassafras, Studio Calico; Border punches: Martha Stewart, EK Success; Alphabet Stickers: Glitz, Basic Grey; Sticker: Littly Yellow Bicycle