december daily

Good morning, friends! I am so so behind on my December album (as was expected, ha!) but I am trucking along. I wanted to share the first 7 pages here now, and I will probably not get the others done until after Christmas, which is fine...I hope I can get it done before the end of the year though!

I should mention that rather than take it from a daily standpoint...I am making this more like a 25 moments of December album...some days we just don't do anything and some days we do a lot:) I will just share each page and if you have ANY questions about products, please ask and I will answer:)

one:

writing letters to santa...funny that since we have done this...their lists have changed...

two:

this was actually the same day as the first page...making THIS craft and THIS one too...

 

three:

picking out our tree

 

four:

our christmas card

 

I wanted to include this somewhere in the album. I used a template from Paislee Press and ordered the prints from Persnickety Prints.

 

Since it is double-sided, I attached it with washi tape so you can lift it up:

five:

decorating the tree

six:

hot cocoa+polar express

seven:

this story aislynn wrote about her elf cracks me up...i just adore reading her writing prompts!

That's all I've got for now, if you are doing one, how are you managing to stay caught up with it?! 

december daily

I am going to attempt it again this year. Last year I stopped around Day 5, but I did finish it the 2 years before that, so hoping I can hang on to that;) It is really cool looking back on the albums:)

Here is the cover:

I am using a Simple Stores 6x8 binder this year. I like this size, and I like that the page protectors have so many different sized pockets:) I kept the cover pretty simple...I added the twine at the last minute because I feel the need to put twine on everything:)

Here's a peek from the side:

I did not pre-make any of the foundation pages because I wasn't sure how to prepare them for what we would be doing. I collected most of the supplies I want to use and organized them by my desk:

I am planning on using mostly the Crate Paper Sleigh Ride collection, but I am pretty sure some Carta Bella Merry and Bright will make it in there, as well as some Jillibean Soup Winter Tortellini and Spinach Soup. It's the pink. I totally count pink as a Christmas color;) Turquoise too...which all of these collections have in common;)

 

Some of the stuff I plan on using, I pulled from my stash, but I did snag these flair buttons and canvas numbered buttons, and I plan on printing some of these babies too...

 

Most of my Crate Paper Sleigh Ride goodies, I got from the Paper Issues shop...as well as this washi tape, and this washi tape;) Use the code PAM20 to save 20% off supplies;)

I will be sharing my pages every few days or so here, at least that is what I am hoping;) I am also going to focus more on December moments rather than daily. I know with our schedules...we might not do something holiday related everyday, but some days do more than one thing...and I want this album to reflect holiday-related moments in December:) So my plan is to document 25 December moments.

 

What about you...are you attempting a December Daily this year? What approach are you taking this year?

paper issues

About a month or so ago, my sweet friend Patricia hooked me up with a sweet gig at Paper Issues.
If you aren't familiar with Paper Issues, it's like this:

Basically every couple weeks there is a new theme (check out the newest one that started yesterday HERE). You can link up your projects that fit the theme...they do not have to be new, so surely you have something that goes with the current theme. You like Paper Issues, you like the amazing sponsor that is offering up prizes and you get a chance to win a prize:) The Paper Issues blog features projects at least twice a day that people have linked up. So it is a great way to share your work and network with other people who are obsessed with paper;)

That is not quite it though, there is a Paper Issues shop that has supplies from all the best manufacturers as well as kits in various sizes. Check out the newest kit HERE (it's a December Daily kit!!).

You can use the code PAM20 anytime to receive 20% off of your order;)

Cassie, the shop owner, is offering free domestic shipping for Election Day...the code is FREESHIP, but you can only use one code, so you will have to figure out which one is a better deal for ya;)

Here is my latest order from the shop...

I am kinda creating my own DD this year, so the product collecting has begun;)

card kit swap

We had a another card kit swap at My Scrapbook Nook, and I was lucky enough to swap with the lovely Danni, again:) She was incredibly generous, look at what she sent me:

Pretty, right? I love the summer colors!!

I could probably create a billion cards from what she sent, but so far I have created 4:

 This is my favorite of all the cards, I loved that canvas butterfly she sent! I added the "this makes me so happy" sticker from, my stash.

How fun is that balloon paper? I added the Jillibean sentiment sticker from my stash.

This was the first card I created with the kit. I could decide which of the pretty papers to use, so I used a ton on here, ha!

This was my last card. I love that flower patterned paper!

Thank you so much Danni, my sweet friend!

ormolu projects

It has been a little while since I shared some of my Ormolu projects here, so I am sharing them now, ha!

This first one I created using some of the latest releases, Bungalow and Tag Sale:

july my scrapbook nook kit+more

I just realized that I posted a sneak of the July Nook kit, but never posted the whole shebang:

It is filled with My Mind's Eye Indie Chic and Jillibean Soup embellishments. I adore the colors in the kit! You can snag yours HERE;) You can check out the grab bag HERE, which is filled with another color story from the Indie Chic line:)

If you want to see some amazing pretties put together with the kit, check out the design team gallery HERE....it always amazes me what these girls can do!

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In other Nook news, have you been playing along with our celebrate summer challenges? There is about a month left, so I hope you have been enjoying the inspiring challenges going on there!! Check them out HERE!!

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I have a few other scrapbook related things to chat about, one being the American Crafts team. My year is almost up with them and I would have loved to stay on another year, but my name is not on the list of new designers. I will admit that I was sad for a teeny bit, but I am fine with it now. I will always be grateful for them giving me a chance and the opportunity to work with them for a year was amazing and a dream come true. I can't be too sad about it when the list of girls is completely inspiring and there are lots of friends on there. Check them out HERE!

One thing that I am extremely grateful for from being on design teams, is getting to "meet" so many sweet girls. I get to be exposed to people whose work I have not really seen before and get to know them  and see their inspiring works, so I am really glad for that;)

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2 other fun things...a couple of months ago, I received an e-mail from the editor of Scrapbook Trends asking if they could use one of my layouts and feature me for the award-winning style article in the July issue of Scrapbook Trends. I of course responded with a YES!! The layout they wanted to use has one of my most very favorite pictures of A on it;) I haven't found a copy of the July Scrapbook Trends anywhere around here yet, so I haven't seen the article in person, but they do have a little feature on their blog HERE:)

The other is that I was one of the winners of the June Color Challenge at Crate Paper! I made a layout with all of my pink bits and pieces from various Crate lines and made a funky grid:

It has been awhile since I made a 8.5x11 page, it was fun:)
I was so surprised to see my page listed on their blog!!! I got to pick one of their collections as a prize and I chose the Little Boy Blue line:)

That's all for now;) I should have a few scrapbook projects to share this week, so check back later!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend:)

a few projects to share

We are having a busy week this week, but I wanted to pop in with a couple of projects...

The first one is my example page for my challenge I hosted during the Nook's May Movie Madness Crop this past weekend.

My challenge was "Set Decoration" and you needed to create a "set" on a piece of cardstock by altering some way or another (stamp, mist, emboss, etc.). I created a chevron strip with scraps and stamped over it with my watermark pad. When I lifted up the chevron strip mask, it left a pattern on the background.
I used what was left of my April Nook kit for this...which was hardly anything, I think this has been the kit I have loved on the most;)

Some close ups:

It was so fun seeing how everyone interpreted my challenge!!

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The other project I want to share was one I created with American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan:

You can see I am loving instagram;) Seems like I will be using lots of instagram photos on my projects in the future;)

Aislynn took these pictures of Shaun and I on the beach and I loooooove the way the sunshine is coming through:) 

I added the mist on second thought, and I am not sure I like it, but it was kinda too late;)

Some close ups:

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On another note, I received an e-mail from the editor-in-chief of Scrapbook Trends asking me if they can feature me in the Award-Winning Style article in the July 2012 issue. I was like, seriously? of course!! I am so excited, especially because my layout they are featuring is one of my favorites:) I can't wait to see it:)

That's all for now, hope all my scrappy friends had a wonderful National Scrapbook Day!

april nook projects

I have some more projects to share with the April Nook kit. All that is left of my kit now are scraps of paper which I can't bear to part with...

I love this picture from our Savannah trip. We propped the camera on one of the big statues in one of the little squares they have there and used the good old timer feature;) It is out of focus, but I like that we are all looking at the camera and smiling;)

I loved the paper in this kit that had all the tags on one side, I had fun chopping up that sheet of paper:)

I have a couple of cards created for card challenges:

I created this for Jessy's Airmail Inspired challenge.

I created this for Danni's One of a Kind Banner challenge.

I have one more card I created with the kit that will go up on a challenge on Monday...I love love the challenges on the card forum. I know I have said it before, but they are a great way to build up your card stash;)

Lastly, I would like to share a frame I made for the Altered Item Class this month.

I made this for my Mom and James. They watched the kids for us when we were in Savannah and they watched them on Shaun's birthday, so we could have a date, so this is a little thank you for them;) And I bet you think I don't look anything like my Mom, right?! ;)

You can find the step-by-step photo tutorial HERE:)

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If you haven't heard...the May kit is going to have Echo Park This and That Graceful in it. The May Grab Bag is now available for purchase and is filled with Echo Park This and That Charming in it:) You can purchase that HERE.

Pam is offering up another great special for new subs in May...sign up for a sub in May and get June's kit AND the June grab bag for free. After your year's sub is up, you will get another kit for free:) Pretty sweet;)

celebrate card

Every month, the Nook design team members makes birthday cards for our wonderful members. I got to make the fabulous Anabelle a card (which I have to say was intimidating because she makes some seriously amazing cards!!), so I pulled out an older Nook kit and came up with this:

Have I mentioned that I heart Crate Paper?!

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In other Nook news, the finalists for the DT call were posted on the forum. Congrats ladies!!! Such a talented bunch and I can't wait to see who will be joining the team:)

getaway *edited*

***Edited to add: today is the last day to apply for the Nook design team...check out the details HERE***

I am loving the Nook April kit...loving it. I know I said this, but it is perfect for our Savannah trip pictures! I took this one of Shaun and I (one of my faves!) and scrapped it:

Some detail shots:

I am clueless when it comes to ribbons, and usually have a hard time using the ones I get in kits, but here I glued it under the photo and stitched over the photo to help it lie down more flat. I kinda like it:) I like that the tulle adds a little texture, but it is not overwhelming:)

I made this card for a card sketch challenge on the Nook's card forum:

I will be back tomorrow with some Ormolu projects to share:)

more April goodness

When I first knew what the the April Nook kit was going to contain, I knew it would be perfect for some photos of our trip to Savannah. I decided to throw a bunch of my favorite pictures from the trip on one page, as sort of an opener for the other pages that will have more journaling on them;)

I love little pictures:)

I used the alpha from the February kit add-ons.

I also created a card for one of the challenges on the card forums...create a clean and simple card.

I am loving this kit...and with all kits that contain Crate Paper...I always wish I had double the paper so I didn't have to make the agonizing decision of what side to use;)

I will have some more projects with the kit coming up soon:)

Happy Hump Day, friends!!

p.s. The April kit new sub special has changed a bit since the last time I posted, because they ran out of April grab bags!! All new subs starting in April will receive a grab bag filled with October Afternoon goodies, plus receive the May kit for free. After your year is up, you will receive another kit for free;) Sigh up HERE. 

p.p.s. The winners from the blog hop were announced...were you one?! Check HERE!

april nook kit+nook news

I haven't dove in with the April kit as much as I would have liked to, but I did manage one project done with it and I wanted to share it today. First though, let me show you the lovely April kit:

I am in love love love with the Crate Storyteller line, it was one of my favorite releases from the last CHA.

Here is my first layout completed with the kit:

I have so many ideas in my head for this kit! Just need some time:)

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There are only a few April kits left, but here is the amazing deal for new subscribers: sign up for the April kit and receive the April grab bag for FREE. Get the May kit for FREE, and then after your year subscription is up, you will get another kit for FREE. Go now...a little birdie told me there are very few April kits left;)

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I mentioned during the Nook blog hop, something about a design team call. Here are some more details on how to apply:

If you are interested in a spot on the Nook team, please send Leah an e-mail at

myscrapbooknookdt@yahoo.com

Please include name:

• address
• phone number
• link to your blog
• link to your facebook
• the links to your 3 favorite things you've made in the past two months
•  please tell me why I want you on this team

The deadline is April 10th. After that, there will be a second phase of the call, to get to know some of the finalists better. Then the new team members will be announced on April 24th.

Good luck to all that apply! It is such a fun team to be on!!

some scrappiness

Hello! I have been seriously slacking in the blogging department...just being online in general. My schedule has changed a bit at work. I was working about 25 hours and Shaun and I figured I may as well work 5 more hours a week to get the nice benefits;) So now I am working a few more hours but in less days (3 days a week). Those are some long days...couple that with the fact that the tourism season in arriving so I am busy busy busy the whole shift. I have been one sleepy girl by the end of those days! I have the next few days off, but today is an early release day, so it's off to pick A up early then to the park for a birthday party, so on and so on. I hope to get my garden planted within the next couple days and snag some beach time. 

So that's my whole long story;) If you made it past all that, I actually do have some scrappy projects to share. I haven't scrapped this week, so these are from awhile ago:

Every once in awhile, the Nook does photo swaps, and I participated in this one. I swapped photos with Tara, and she was sweet enough to fulfill my request for sending me wintery pictures:) She sent me these photos of her beautiful family! I used Crate Paper's Snow Day collection (with some snowflake embellishments from American Crafts), and she told me that was her very favorite line by Crate:) yay! I had lots of fun with her pictures...someday I will get my kids in the snow!!

Some close ups:

I sent Tara some pictures of A in the sand and this is what she created:

I love it! I love the tags, colors, and white space!! I had no idea how to scrap these photos and I am just over the moon about how Tara scrapped them:) Thanks again, so much!!!

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My friend, Lilith, was sweet enough to let me know one of my pages was the featured project at Two Peas...that has never happened to me before, I was so excited! I took a screenshot, but it is kinda hard to see:

One of my other pages was in the top 3 most bookmarked (along with some other Nook gals!). yay!

Here is the page that was the featured project:

I am so so so soooooo in love with the new AC Dear Lizzy Neapolitan line. It is gorgeous. I need more of it. I don't ever want to run  out, ha;)

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I have another card to share that I created for a challenge on the Nook's card forum. I used the February kit for this:

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And one more share....I made this frame for the AC blog:

You can check out the full picture tutorial on how to recreate it HERE:)


Happy weekend, friends!!!

(I know it is only Thursday, but since A is out of school tomorrow, it's the weekend!!!)

ten on tuesday

1. For the record, I won again in the oscar contest between Shaun and I;) I got 15 picks right and he got 9 right. I totally get lucky on the sound mixing type categories every year;)

2. One of our favorite restaurants has amaaaazing grits. I always thought I hated grits until I had these...the key is the smoked gouda cheese;) I was searching for a recipe I thought would be similar and found the exact recipe by the chef of the restaurant:) We made it and it tastes exactly the same. If they weren't so bad for you, I would probably be making them a lot...perfect comfort food.

3. For dinner last night, I made these. They were so yummy. Even Miss Picky Aislynn liked them. Kieran ate the filling, but when it came to the pepper, I had to pretend like I was one of the Thomas trains telling him to eat his food. So silly, that boy;) I made them with quinoa instead of millet.

4. While we are talking about food, here is a new pancake recipe I have been making that is pretty darn yummy.

5. The Nook is sweetening the deal for new subs. All new subs will receive a Valentine's kit (filled with Crate Paper Paper Heart) as well as a grab bag! Yay!!

6. My sister and I are doing another community yard sale/craft show this weekend. I am bringing my cards, but I am actually hoping to sell some of the kiddos' spring/summer clothes. Both of them went through major growth spurts since then! waaah, stop growing kids!! Especially A...is it just me, or do the clothes after 6x not look so little girlish anymore? I don't want to dress her like she is a teenager!!

7. I have decided to not do Project Life the traditional way. Which I am sure you are not surprised...I never really started;) When we were in Savannah, we wandered into an art supply store and I found these really cool page protectors. They are similar to baseball card protectors but there are 20 square pockets. I am going to do monthly focus pages, rather than a whole week. we'll see about moving to weekly if I can get this done for a year;) As soon as I get January's finished and might as well do February, I will share them with you:) I think I bought to many protectors too...so maybe a little giveaway is in order;)

8. I saw this on the Eighteen25 blog and thought I would share. I love this company and their products...trying to narrow down what I will use my credit on:)

9. You still have a couple days to participate in my (easy and really fun!) challenge at the Ormolu blog:)

10. We have decided that we are going to do a little container garden this year. We know nothing about gardening. So please...help me. Give me your best tips. I want to do it organically, so please share what you know!!!

ten on wednesday...scrappy edition

totally missed Tuesday...oops! I have been a bad, bad blogger. I am totally blaming it on the move...we are finally pretty much settled in, thank goodness! I am itching to get into my new scrap space, I have worked a little in there and it is nice having my supplies at my fingertips...not in a separate room!

Anyways, lots of scrapbook shares/news, so this list will be pretty much dedicated to that;)

1. First of all THIS! I am so excited! I love that collection from Little Yellow Bicycle and can't wait to play with it! I am so happy my fellow Nook dt member, Shellye, will be designing along with me:)

2. Ormolu launched a new website recently...check it out! I think it looks awesome! The blog took a little break over the holidays, but is back on full force with some great projects:)

3. My Scrapbook Nook has a month long crop going on, with new challenges posted on Saturday and Sunday, check out the challenges, there are some pretty good prizes to be won...including a chance at the now sold-out January kit.

4. Through the 20th...if you sign up for a new subscription at the Nook, we will send you a free December kit! Read more about that HERE.

5. CHA sneaks are popping up everywhere now...to say I am excited about the American Crafts sneaks is a major understatement. I am pinching myself all over again that I get to work with them!!! Here is a peek at Dear Lizzy's new line, Neapolitan:

yes. that is ruffled paper:)

These come as pictured...how cute are they? Takes all of the work out for you!!

6. Next from American Crafts is Amy Tangerine's new line, Sketchbook...which I can't wait for either;)

how AWESOME is that notebook?!

7. Today, American Crafts revealed Gardenia, which again...I love:)

I love the hand drawn look to the thickers!!

I am a bit in love with the tags (that is always my favorite part of the collections!!), but seriously lovin' the clothespins too!

so cute!!

8. Other things that have caught my eye....
Jillibean Soup Neopolitan Bean Bisque Soup

9. These wood veneer frames from Studio Calico:

 

10. The Storyteller line from Crate Paper:

What do you think? What has caught your eye out of all the sneaks?!