Deck the Halls....

It is almost time for our December Blog Party at Lucky Girl Craft Kits!!!! Here is a little teaser for you... I'll be back tomorrow with more from this yummy kit!!!!

Warm Winter Wishes - December 2010 Lucky Girl Crafts kit...
A kit filled with rustic charm, rich warm colors and fanciful embellishments, this kit brings the best of the season. It stirs memories of steaming cups of cocoa, sledding parties and holiday gatherings and is the perfect compliment for your treasured photographs or handmade holiday gifts.

December Deals:

Now's the perfect time to become a Lucky Girl! We're offering super savings on prepaid subscriptions through December 15th only. Lucky Girl Crafts kits make the perfect gift for a crafty loved one, or print this and use it as a great hint for someone to get you *winkwink*

Benefits of a Lucky Girl Crafts Subscription
Besides the amazing price and awesome value, we offer so many other perks to our Lucky Girl subscribers
- No missed opportunities for happy crafting because you're guaranteed to get one of these great kits every month - Woohoo!
- Eliminate the waiting period! As a subscriber, you'll get your hands on your Lucky Girl kit 5 days before it's released for shipping to anybody else.
- Plus, just because I like to spread a little crafty love, you'll also get a free bonus kit shipped with your final kit order!
- FREE premium gift wrapping and handmade card (with your note) included on the first kit upon request!


Hurry... these deals won't last long! Offer expires on December 15th.

Just click on the links below, or visit www.luckygirlcrafts.com to order:

Save 5% on prepaid 3 month subscriptions... Just $82.62 ($27.54 per kit)
Save 10% on prepaid 6 month subscriptions... Just $151.15 ($25.19 per kit)
Save 15% on prepaid 12 month subscriptions... Just $259.10 ($21.59 per kit)
*Shipping will be charged at time of payment.

Also, just for the duration of our Blog Party (December 1-3), save an extra 10% on all orders!
Use code WINTERWISH upon check out!

your smile....

Well, it is Cyber Monday....are you ready? I'll be spending my day back at school with my wonderful third grade!
Today I'm sharing a layout for Practical Scrappers. We were asked to use stickers in a way other than a title. I posted my little flower element for you yesterday. If you missed it, you can see it in the very next post.
I used Diana's lovely sketch from Frosted Designs for my layout. I love this one and couldn't wait to use it!!!

Here is the completed the layout. I used some old Floral Tapestry papers from CTMH for this one. I decided it is time to start pulling out this stash of paper and USE it!

The beauty in this layout is my 17 year old niece, Samantha. This is her school photo for this year, Junior year.

Everything on the page is CTMH except the bling (Recollections) and the chipboard is Pink Paislee.
Come back tomorrow as you'll see a sneak peek for Lucky Girl Warm Winter Wishes kit!!!!

sneaky peek for tomorrow...

Oh boy, it feels soooooo good to get back into my scraproom this morning!!! I'm still going to be with my Gran today and then begin getting Christmas decorations out here at my house. Everything I did this morning is dt stuff for this week, so I can't reveal anything just yet.....
BUT, I am sharing this..... a little masking I did for a layout that you'll see here tomorrow.

First, I punched out a circle and covered it with alpha stickers.


Next I inked it up.

Then removed the stickers with my tweezers.

Here is the little alphabet flower....

Come back tomorrow to see the finished layout.
Blessings,

Just a note....

to say that I'm proud to now be a StampinUp! demonstrator. I have created a blog, Memories in Thyme 2 just for all of my SU! projects and product showcases. If you are interested in following along, here is the link. I'm very excited to be a demonstrator and can't wait to get my hands dirty with all the fun holiday projects you're sure to love!

Like this gift box, you can find the directions on my SU! blog.

Blessings,

blog hop, award, and update....

Frosted Designs is having a blog hop!!!! Mark your calendar!!!! You will not want to miss this!

I was HONORED to receive this award from Darlene (Dar's Crafty Creations) and Crystal (Crafting for Caitlyn)! And I'm thrilled that she thought of me!


By accepting this award I must complete the following tasks:

1) Thank and link back to the person who awarded me. THANKS SO MUCH Dar and Crystal! You are two of the most talented paper crafters I know! You always share so much happiness, love, and inspiration with everyone you know. You ladies are the best! Right back at you ladies!!!

2) Share 8 things about myself.

I'm sharing random facts about my scrapping hobby today....

1. Scrapping is my therapy.

2. I love ink and use it on almost everything I create.

3. My all time favorite paper line is My Mind's Eye.

4. Flowers and bling are my current favorite embellies.

5. I absolutely cannot scrap without a sketch!

6. I really want to use more of my stamps on my layouts.

7. I love to create mini albums.

8. I must have my pumpkin spice coffee when I'm scrapping.

Now, I must pass this on to 8 bloggers who inspire me! I wish I could pass it on to every blogger I know, you all inspire me so much.

Diana

Debbie

Dawn

Barb

Brenda

Jessica

Fern

Pat
Tanya

****Update on my Gran*****

She came through her surgery with flying colors! The procedure went just perfectly and she is feeling like a new woman. We could see an instant improvement in her. She'll have some pain and bruising for a few days. Praise God, we won't have to worry about the blackouts and falls any more! Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Give Thanks

I hope that you all had a very blessed Thanksgiving with your families! I know that we enjoyed the day with both of our families. There is so much to be thankful for this year. I'm sitting in the waiting area at the hospital as I write this. My Gran is in pre op. Please pray for her.

Our challenge this week at Frosted Designs is to share what you are thankful for. I created this card....

very simple, but wanted everyone in my family to write one thing that they're thankful for. This will then make it's way to a layout with snapshots from our family dinner.

Our sponsor this week is Technique Junkie...


The Prize from Technique Junkie is....a Fancy Fancy Folds and Motion Paper Crafts CD (Value $17.95) and a one year on-line subscription to the Technique Junkie Newsletter.

So now is the time to share with us what you are thankful for. Remember you can share any project you create.

Blessings,

Happy Thanksgiving!

From my family to yours! I hope however you celebrate today that you are with the ones you hold dear and are making memories to last a lifetime!
Kim and Ben

Yep,

I'm still here. I have been very busy finishing up those parent conferences. Yesterday was my last day of school before the Thanksgiving break. I've been spending more time at my Gran's. She goes today to have her consult for her pacemaker. We know she needs it asap, and hopefully, it will be scheduled for this weekend or Monday at the latest. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Something else that has been keeping me busy is some great new changes over at Sketches in Thyme. We now have a card sketch and challenge every Tuesday, called Tuesday Takes. Our scrapbook sketch challenge will still happen on Thursday, called Thursday Takes. We are also going to have some tips, tricks, and tutorials posted every Saturday. I certainly hope that our followers will enjoy these new changes.

Head on over to check it out! Don't forget about my candy. This kit is just chock full of uber Christmas yumminess!!!!!

Family Tradition at Better Scrap

“Family Tradition” challenge
Create a layout about a family tradition, event, or something your family regularly does together that is not holiday related.
Chose at least 2 of the following:
1. Use three or more photos from a family event, cropped to fit your page design.
2. Use paper or supplies on your page that are at least a year old.
3. Use the word “tradition” in the title of your page.
4. Use hidden journaling in your page design.”

This is what I came up with.....


Sponsored Supplies:
Discounted Cardstock: “Clove 80 # 12×12″
Plaid: “Pop dots and Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Chestnut”
Charlene Buttons: “Bird Button”

Other Supplies:
K & Co. paper: “Wild Saffron”
Embellishments: bling “Recollections”
Flower: “Bazzil”
Journal tag: “Wild Saffron”
Rubons: “American Crafts”
Ribbon: personal stash
Criteria Used:
Use paper or supplies on your page that are at least a year old.
Use the word “tradition” in the title of your page.
Use hidden journaling in your page design.

Yet again another practical and inspirational challenge for us! I always take my little niece and nephew out at the peak of fall foliage for a photo shoot. Fall is my favorite season and I love capturing how my little kids are growing each year. This is a family tradition that we always enjoy. Looking back over the years and how they’ve grown, this is a tradition I’m so glad I began for them.
Blessings,

On This Day....

This layout is for my Better Scrap newsletter project. I used a bold color palette and journaled on a shaped journal box. The paper, journal box and the big flower all came in one of my past Lucky Girl kits. The other two flowers and the bling are by Prima and the rubons are American Crafts. Those yummy buttons are by Charlene's Button Box.

The challenge was to scrap a birthday that was significant. That was easy for me. On my 26 birthday, the love of my life asked me to be his wife. Without that life changing gift, I would not be the incredibly happy woman I am today.

Blogger not working

Hi there,
I'm trying to get blogger to load my photo for today and it will not. I'll try again later this evening after school.

give thanks

Today I'm sharing an altered 5X7 photo frame. I had the challenge at Practical Scrappers and Frosted Designs to create something giving thanks. Well, for my regular followers, you know what I'm MOST THANKFUL for, yes, Ashlea and Jon-Christopher. My sister is so good to let me have them when I want. I love all my nieces and nephews so dearly. These two feel just like my own children, at least I think this is how a mother must feel....

Everything on this frame except the ribbon and bling are from Wild Saffron. First I measured and cut the paper to trim the frame. I then added some embellishments, inked up the chipboard letters, finished off with bits of bling and ribbon.
Do you love the effect on the photo. I wanted a ghost like look, so I set my printer to fast draft and printed on babmoo cardstock. I LOVE how this turned out and my Granny already has it sitting in her living room.....
What are you most thankful for this season, I'd love to hear, please leave a comment telling me.
Blessings,

A great day!!!!

Nov Challenge #2
“The Greatest of These is Charity” challenge
One way to make your life better is through scrapbooking, another way is to do something nice for someone else. Scrap about something you do or have done for someone else. A loved one, a neighbor, a charity, etc.
Chose 2 of the following:
1. Print an element of your page (NOT a photo) using your home or office printer. This can be your title, your journaling, an embellishment, or anything else you can use on your page, but not a photo!
2. Use three brads somewhere on your page.
3. Use a chipboard letter or shape on your page.
4. Use the following quote somewhere on your page or in your journaling: “If you haven’t got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. . — Bob Hope””

I am also hosting a monthly challenge at The Moments. TODAY is our Grand Opening!!!! I tied this layout to the recipe challenge I'm hosting there. Here is the recipe:

Are you ready for our first recipe challenge? This one is yummy, here are the ingredients you'll need:
1 cardstock
2 designer or patterned papers
3 flowers or brads

Mix all ingredients accordingly, embellish as you please, sprinkle with a little love and share with your scrappy friends!

Serves: a lifetime of memories


Sponsored Supplies:
Discount Cardstock “Really Red, 80#”
Charlene’s Button’s Box ”

Additional supplies used:
Papers: Echo Park
Papers: Sassafrass “Indie Girl”
Inks: CTMH “Cocoa”
Embellishments: ”Lucky Girl Craft Kits Old School Cool”
Chipboard: Pink Paislee
Adhesives: Tombow Mono

Criteria Used:
Chipboard letter, quote from Bob Hope, three brads

I included a hidden journal tag at the top of my photo to express my desire to be a volunteer at a hospital, the Niswanger Children’s Hospital. This hospital is a regional branch of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, my favorite charity. I hope that you are inspired to play along with us this week at Better Scrap and The Moments.

I have attitude....

This Fabulous 'I got Attitude' award was given to me by Dawn from Dawn's Craft Place.
Thank you Dawn for choosing me, right back at you, sweet friend!
I love the color of this award and with it comes a very wonderful $5 gift certificate from
The Digi's with Attitude Store
I just have to follow a few simple steps .

In order to qualify for the $5.00 Digi’s With Attitude! Gift Certificate you must state 3 things that makes you different from everyone else and you must nominate 5 blogs. Lastly, you must display the Blog Award Badge (above) in your sidebar and link it back to the Digi’s With Attitude! Challenge Blog.

Here's the three things about me....

* I only drink water and coffee, no cola at all

* I LOVE Chris Daughtry, I've been a HUGE fan since I saw his audition on American Idol

*I watched E.T. (only about 20 times in my life now) this morning and cried like a baby...

Here are my 5 in no particular order, I saw that Dawn also awarded this to my sweet friends Brenda and Penny.

* Angi--Cokie Pop

*Deanne--Three Tree's

*Fern--Fern's Creations

*Tanya--Random Acts of Crafting

*Barb--Crafty Girl

Sorry....

to be missing your fabby inspiration this week. I've been working on my report cards all week. Next week begins parent/teacher conferences.

Those little third graders will be so excited to finally get to see their "new" reports!!!

dream....

Just a moment today to say Thank You to all the Heroes who have served our country and to those who gave their life protecting it....

Heroes
By Jared Jenkins

In war, there are lives risked and lives taken
Men and women giving their best to defend what they love
They defend their country
Their honor
Their people
Some call them soldiers
Others call them heroes
Our veterans have risked their lives for us
They have lived through hell and fought with honor
Many have killed
And regret doing so
For every life, there is a soul
For every soul, there is a life
For those who have died, we show great appreciation and remembrance
For those who live, along with them live the horrific memories of battle
Some, memories of defeat
Some, memories of victory
Our veterans were more than soldiers
They were, and still are heroes.

Today is reveal day at Sketches in Thyme. The sketch this week is from Creative Scrappers.

I did a fun band page using some Lucky Girl August Old School kit. This is my niece Samantha while in one of her many fall competitions this year.

Don't forget that the winner in November will receive a $25 Michael's gift card.

Stop by Sketches in Thyme to see what the Mavens have to inspire you this week!

Sisterhood and CR84FN

Today is Wednesday, which means that The Sisterhood is announcing a new challenge! Micki, my lovely sister, is hosting this week. She has chosen birthday as a theme. My best friend and co worker has a birthday in just a couple weeks, so I'm ready now! I used the color challenge at CR84FN3 to inpire this card.

I used all scraps on this one. The cardstock was already embossed with this shimmery leaf pattern, such a pretty base to a feminine card. I dug through the patterned paper box to find this sweet pink print paper. I wanted a big loose sprial flower to be the focal point. I know you probably can't tell, but I put a little bling in the center of the flower. The sentiment is a clear sticker from my stash, as is the cute ribbon.

Now, hop on over to the Sisterhood to see what the Sisters have for you birhtday inspiration this week! Hope you play along!
Blessings,

first shot...

I'm back with this great sketch from Debbie at Frosted Designs, with Sketch Along Tuesday.
I love this sketch and decided to play along tonight!



I so wanted to scrap this photo of my little man that my brother in law took right after he helped Jon-Christopher "get" his first two squirrels!

The background paper, banner, and alphas are left over Lucky Girl kits from back in the summer. The red polka dot is MME, the pom trim and buttons are from stash. The arrow and other stickers are CTMH as is the ink.

I had fun with this one and I'm so proud of my little man!

Blog Candy

Did you all check out my FULL candy jar over on the sidebar!!!!! Lots of delish goodies up for grabs!!!!!

Lots to share today!

*****Warning, long photo heavy post*****

I have some awesome news to share, I am now designing for Scrapping the Moments! Yahoo!!!! If you haven't been to visit yet, please click here to become a member. Join me and my incredible teammates on November 13 for our Grand Opening and first challenges post on November 14!!!!

Better Living though Scrapbooking is having a Design Team search until November 15, here are all the details!!!!

November BetterScrap.com November Challenge #1
“Bucket List” Challenge
Create a layout or mini-album about the items on your “bucket list” (things you want to do or see before you “kick the bucket”).
Chose at least 2 of the following:
1. Use only scraps of paper from your scrap paper collection in the album.
2. Use photos printed from a royalty-free photo website such as Stock Xchange to represent the items in your album from your “bucket list”.
3. Use color mist such as Tattered Angels, walnut ink spray, or your own homemade color spray to add some color to your mini-album pages.
4. On the cover of your mini-book, use various rub-ons for the title.

I chose to create a Lfe List album. I used #1 scraps, #2 photos from Photobucket, #4 various rubons for my title....

I so loved this Punky Sprouts album, so easy to work with!

Above is the inside cover

I counted down my top 5 "life list" items, with the above page sharing the cabin I want Ben and I to build on the lake when we retire!

Number 4 on my list is to return to the island where my heart lives all day everyday, Tybee! I told Ben I want the two of us to take a trip there every summer!!!!

I know it is difficult to tell in the photo, this page in the album was acrylic. I put the paper on the under side and used the rubons directly on the acrylic. In April 2011, my Ashlea will be dancing in a competition in Disney World. Since Jon-Christopher was born, I've had the dream for my entire family to travel with the little kidz to Disney....this one will be checked off in April, as the entire family is already booked!!

This is the best photo I could find of Haiti, that didn't upset me with the devastation being shown. Since the quake in January, my heart has longed to take a mission trip there. I begged Ben to lets try to adopt some of the children who were left alone. I hope this item can be checked off too!

Finally, number 1 on my list is to travel to Sydney Australia with my Honeybee the very summer that I retire from teaching!!!!

This album was such a process of searching the soul for things I want to live out! It was difficult for me to narrow my list, but in the end I decided upon my "Top 5 Life List". I used Photobucket.com to locate and print all of the photos in this album. Instead of printing them on normal photo paper, I used Colonial White cardstock from Close to My Heart. I love the soft feel it gives the photos. As you can tell, I used my favorite technique of distressing all the edges with inks.
I hope you will be inspired to play along with us this week and create your own "Bucket List."

Sponsor Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock “Clove Felt 80#"
Album: Punky Sprouts "Savvy Sprout"
Embellishments: Charlene’s Button Box
Adhesives: Plaid: All Night Media “Pop Dots
Plaid: Mod Podge "Demensional Magic"
Paint: Plaid: Apple Barrel “White”
Additional Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Close To My Heart “Colonial White”
Patterned Paper: Graphic 45 "Le Romantique Collection"
Patterned Paper: Sassafras "Serendipity"
Patterned Paper: Cloud 9 Design "Alyssa's Garden"
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey " June Bug"
Ink: Close to My Heart "Cocoa, Blush, Sorbet"
Stamps: Close To My Heart “Felicity”; The Cutting Cafe “Jot it Down”
Embellishments: Making Memories "rub-ons, journal tags"
Embellishments: Hobby Lobby "butterflies"
Embellishments: Flowers "Prima, Recollections"
Embellishments: Bing "Jolee's, Prima, Recollections, EK Success"
Embellishments: Prima "Alphabet"
Miscellanous embellishments: chipboard and ribbon
Blessings,

Lucky Girl Blog Party Winner....

is.......

ruth said...
Beautiful layout! I love the gathered ribbon and the journaling box on there like that. Perfect!

I'm very thankful for my boys being at the stage where we appreciate each other in a new way as adults and hang out together at holidays. :)

November 2, 2010 6:51 AM

Congrats, Ruth, please email you shipping addy to me neeneesparks@gmail.com
Thanks to you all who play along each and every month with us at Lucky Girl!

Sweet Love.....

Have you been over to visit The Moments yet? It is a great new scrapbooking community! Every Friday night Pat and the girls host a "Friday Fast Trak Sketch". Here is last nights sketch.

And here is my take on on it. I still let those cutie tootie banners intimidate me. The title "sweet love" is in the banner. I know, it is kind of difficult to see in the photograph.



Hop on over to see the fun new community, I'm sure you'll see lots of familiar faces!

Live, laugh, love....

And this is my last of the Lucky Girl layouts for November. This one is Ashlea's football homecoming from September. She was one of the fifth grade representatives. Her little escort was more nervous than she was!

I loved using the two ribbon flowers that came in the kit on this one and more of that yummy brown ribbon!

Today is a new reveal over at Frosted Designs too!!! Head on over to see what my fabby Frosted Sisters has for your Friday inspiration!
Blessings,

family memories...

It is time for a new sketch reveal at Sketches in Thyme! Our sketch this week is by our very own Maven Diana. Isn't she just so dazzling in every way? Remember that you can flip the sketch, rotate it, or just be inspired by it. I decided to rotate it on the side for this one.





Here is my take....


All of the supplies on this layout are from my November Lucky Girl Family Togetherness kit. Such yummy papers and embellies! These are just some random pix from Labor Day weekend at the lake house, a place my entire family enjoys being together so much!!

The winner in November will receive a $25 gift card from...

Stop by to check out all the sketchy inspiration from the Mavens today, and leave them some love!

Blessings,

Sisterhood and Lucky Girl Blog Party Day 3....

I have a two for you today!!!! The Sisterhood is challenging you to make a fall card with a leaf on it. I have had this paper for a few years, I know. I love it!!!! Now I found the right time to use it. I kept this one very simple. Just let the paper do the work, added a bit of ribbon, button, brad and a sticker sentiment. Check out my sisters and what they created to inspire you today!!!!

If you have traveled here from Jessica's blog, you are right on track. Today, I'm sharing this pretty layout for my "ME" album. This is one more page to highlight the trip my Honeybee and I took to Bad Branch Falls back in early spring. Aren't these papers so yummy!

This month's special:
Since we're gearing up for the holiday season, we've got some awesome deals in the Lucky Girl store! Get your holiday crafty gifts taken care of with one happy stop to shop! For all of the sale items, click here to be brought to that section of the store. In the mean time, here's a quick break down of the major sales items you'll find there.

Save $3 on all September, October & November paper packets (the papers & cardstock only from each month's kit) - priced as marked

SALE KITS - very limited supply! (Regularly $29.99)
"Summer Lovin'" - June kit is now just $21.99
"Summer Vacation" - July kit is now just $23.99
"Old School Cool" - August kit is now just $26.49
"Fallin' for You" - September kit is now just $27.99

If you like the November kit, Family Traditions, you'd better hurry! There's only ONE NOVEMBER KIT LEFT as of the time of this post!!!
*******
Want to win my prize? Follow my blog if I inspire you, leave a comment answering this question?

What is your favorite Thanksgiving side dish? Mine is my hashbrown casserole!
Now you want to hop on over to Natalie's blog to see what she has for you!
Blessings,