Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and many blessings to all of you in 2010. May it be one full of wonder and light. Thank you for helping make this year one to remember! Love to you all!


xoxo,
k.

All I want for Christmas is REFLECTIONS in 2010!

One of the wonderful things I get to do by doing what I do is traveling to teach at various events and shows both nationally and internationally. It's probably my favorite part of my job as I absolutely love interacting with people who are as excited about scrapbooking and crafting as I am :)

Today I get to share about one of the unique and wonderful events I'll be teaching at in 2010. It is called REFLECTIONS which is an amazing 3-day retreat (April 30-May 2) hosted by Scrapbook Oasis and set in the OC in California! You can find out all about it and what went on last year by following their Reflections Blog! (You might just recognize a person or two on there! ;)) Besides myself, this year's teachers include the talented ladies Maggie Holmes, Elizabeth Kartchner and Katie Watson! Love them and I'm so looking forward to working with them for the first time!

And because the gals at Scrapbook Oasis know (and I know!) what good girls you all have been, they wanted to make it easier for Santa to get you to Reflections! What they are doing is not only offering gift certificates (hint, hint husbands!), but they are allowing a payment plan of only $67 per month! AND if you pay in full you get a bonus project designed by my incredible friend, Suzy Plantamura. And if it's made by Suzy, you can bet it's divine!

So here's the full scoop because we want to see you there! During your 3 day extravaganza you will be treated to:

· 3 full days of classes taught by 7 amazing designers

· 3 hour long, technique packed classes

· Breakfast provided - Friday

· Lunch provided – Friday, Saturday and Sunday

· 'Make and takes'

· Isle Carnival

· A special event on Saturday night

· Kick-off Crop Thursday night

· Crop rooms open until midnight on Friday and Saturday

Plus lots and lots of surprises along the way!

Be sure to get your list together and make sure REFLECTIONS is on it! Can't wait to see you there!

Happy Wednesday!
xoxo,
k.

Holiday Happenings

That's what's been keeping me busy around here beyond the regular work/school/craziness we always have going on. How about you? Are you running around like mad, too?!

I have to admit that generally speaking, the holidays stress me out. The anticipation, the preparations, the expense (yes, I said it - it's true!) all adds up. So occasionally (quit laughing, husband!) it can make me a bit of a grump. But this year I'm really trying hard to do something fun and holiday-related every day to not only get myself more in the spirit but to show the boys how wonderful and special this time of year is.

We've collected items for our local food banks, toiletries and sundries for our service men and women overseas, went to see an amazing light display, built a gingerbread house, decorated the house/tree, baked cookies and then some. But I have to say one of the most magical things I've seen so far this holiday season is this site under our Christmas tree yesterday afternoon.

We had given the boys some quiet time to rest a bit because these crazy weather changes (warm, freezing, warm, freezing) has us all fighting colds. After about 15 minutes, I got up from our den and found this in our family room. What a site. Note the markers still in his hand and the Kool-aid moustache from lunch! hee! I just love it. I think I shall never be grumpy about the holidays again.

Holidays blessings to all of you and yours!
Happy Monday, all!
xoxo,
k.

The Grinch that Stole Christmas: TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

Sigh.

Yes, they truly are the Grinch that stole Christmas. Sadly due to these technical issues on our brand new site, we were unable to go live with the launch of the new and improved www.basigrey.com as we had anticipated. We are working hard to have these glitches taken care of so that we can have a smoothly functioning site up for you soon, but as of now, we're afraid there isn't an exact time. Just please know, we want it to be sooner rather than later, too! (Darn Grinch!)

In the meantime, I'm going to tell you one of the exciting things that will be up when the site goes live (as well as give you a mini-gift to tie you over until the launch!). Not only are we going to be doing all the fun digital papers and brushes, etc. that was mentioned in previous email blasts, we are also going to be offering BLINKIES & SKINS!! Seriously! This is more exciting to me (almost) than the other digi stuff as I'm a "limited" digi-girl! ;) I'm talking Skins for your desktops, skins for your iPhones, skins for your blog, skins for just about anything! Is that cool or what? And as a special little present from me to you, here is one of our new blinkies that we will be offering shown below. Please feel free to copy and paste it into your own image hosting site to use wherever you post!



Enjoy this Friday and Happy Holidays! I'll be back with more info as I have it!
xoxo,
k

On the 1st day of Christmas...um the 2nd? No wait, the 10th!

...my BasicGrey gave to meeeeeeee "A brand new WEBSITE!" Ok, so I'll spare you the singing (lucky you!) but yes, it's TRUE! BasicGrey is launching their brand new website at www.basicgrey.com on DECEMBER 10th and we couldn't be more excited! It means all kinds of wonderful things, but I think one of the things you might be most thrilled about is that BasicGrey is going DIGITAL!! Yes, I said it, my digi-friends! DIGITAL! (FINALLY!) Check out that little tab I circled in blue! (Did Santa check off some of your Christmas wish lists right there or what?!)

Click here for the full newsblast as well as information on how you can enter to win one of EVERY. SINGLE. COLLECTION PACK we've produced in 2009 (a $246 value! wheee!)

If that doesn't make it a Happy Hump-Day I don't know what will!
xoxo,
k.

Studio Calico's Homefront

I'm so excited to get to tell you about this! My fellow Kentucky gal and friend April at Studio Calico has her very first official release called HOMEFRONT! I'm thrilled for her as not only is she such an amazing person, but she's a dynamic business woman as well and I love seeing her succeed. I'm so proud of her and was honored when she sent me her new release to try it out and see what I thought.


I adore the funky vintage of this line and the fabulous retro colors. It's whimsical and fun and full of cool patterns. I scrapped a layout of a Girls Night Out (called a "girls commitment" by my friend's son!) and the fantabulous meal we had that night! I thought the colors were a great compliment for the photos and had fun using something so different for me.

And here's where it gets better for YOU - April and her design team are hosting a blog hop where you can win a HOMEFRONT collection of your very own. Please leave a comment on each of these girls' blogs to be entered to win and check out the amazing creations they've done! Have fun and enjoy!

April Foster
Celine Navarro
Davinie Fiero
Emily Pitts
Jenn Olson
Joy Madison
Kelly Noel
Lisa Truesdell
Maggie Holmes
Nicole Samuels
Nicole Harper
Stephanie Howell
Tina Aszmus

Best of luck to April & Studio Calico! Love you!

k.

Hap-PEA Anniversary!!

I know this one won't make much sense to my family or even a few of my friends, but to all my scrappies out there, I know you realize how excited I am to celebrate my sixth PEA anniversary!

It was six years ago today that I found the wonderful world of Two Peas. Six years ago I was a brand new mom to baby boy #3 and looking for a creative outlet (not to mention some adults to talk to!). A girlfriend (Hi, Heather!) of mine suggested the website Two Peas in a Bucket. I thought that was a pretty odd name, but I finally headed that way on a November afternoon. The first thing I did was visit the Garden, clicked on Ali Edwards' garden seeds, got hugely intimidated...and didn't come back for months!

But the lure turned out to be too powerful. I was hungry for people who were was excited and passionate about scrapbooking and documenting family memories as I was. Since the day I went back, I have been a faithful Pea, checking in at least once daily and doing my best to continue posting layouts, leaving praise and participating in the message board. Two Peas has given so much to me that I want to always make sure I'm giving back. My husband will tell you that I gave back TOO much! It was a huge running joke with us that if I ever made Pea Addict (If I'm right, that's 1500 posts), he'd have to leave me because it meant I was spending way too much time there! Haaaaaa! Over 12,000 posts later, I can't ever see leaving Two Peas (or him leaving me ;)) as I'm in both for the long haul.

So a huge "thank you" today to Jeffrey, Kristina, Mel and everyone else at the office who help ensure that Two Peas will stay around for a long time and that it will always be the place to go for scrapbooking inspiration. I appreciate all you do!

Now it's off for a FOOTBALL-filled Sunday! Happy day, all!
xoxo,
k.

Introducing ORIGINS & SUGAR RUSH by BasicGrey

It's here! Today's the day! It is my honor to introduce you to the two newest lines by BasicGrey - ORIGINS & SUGAR RUSH! We have quite a few new products that we're super-excited about so they are highlighted following press release! I am also going to share the entire Q4 catalog as well as some layout samples with you for your viewing pleasure! I hope you enjoy! :)

ETA: These lines should begin shipping in mid-December - just in time for the holidays!! :)

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All the Things You Love with the new BasicGrey Winter Release!

Is there anything better than being in love? The happy feelings, the smiles, the knowing looks? We feel the same way about our new winter product release! Fall in love with our two new collections, new additions, exclusive limited edition Delta stamps, new Bling and Opaline designs, and much, much more!

Pucker up and prepare for Sugar Rush™, a double-sided paper-crafting collection of bubblegum pink and zesty orange with delicate and decadent blue and green icing. Add your own ingredients for a burst of savory style. Tasty treats.Sophisticated sprinkles. There’s nothing sugar-free here.

Origins™ is a naturally unique blend of enticing colors that are basically, purely beautiful. Good-for-you greens meet lively
lemon yellow and artful, earthy browns in this double-sided paper collection that incites happiness and comfort. A healthy back-to-basics dose of creativity never hurts!

Both collections contain favorites like chipboard, brads, buttons, rub-ons, stamps, Woolies, Canvas, Pops, Epoxies and more (including some new items… read on below!)!

Each paper collection contains eighteen double-sided papers.

Ready to get attached to something new? Don’t be embarrassed to show off the new Bloomers! Fabric meets flower with these modern, stitched and buttoned, ready-to-add embellishments for your next project.

Got Writer’s Block? You’ll want some because our Writer’s Block is a journaling set with two temporary-adhesive note pads, two stacks of die-cuts and a mini-note pad, the perfect combination to help anyone journal soft-hearted sentiments.

Why go with boring office-supply embellishments? Our new Clips are decorative coordinating paper clips that come in all types of unique epoxy finishes, perfectly matched to our newest collections.

Don’t fall to Pieces just yet… Because our Pieces collection will leave you breathless. This set of seventeen die-cuts for journaling, titles, or decorating fun may be more than your heart can take…

Endlessly-useful, unique and fun to play with, new Varnish stickers are pink-tinted transparent stickers coordinating with Sugar Rush in swirl and heart shapes--perfect for layering over patterned papers, titles, and photos for a sweet and subtle spot of color.

You’ll be passionate about our new Page Kits! Available in new Origins and Sugar Rush, these time-saving, purely-professional looking creations are ready to go. Each kit includes die-cuts, rub-ons, chip shapes, stickers and detailed easy-to-assemble instructions to make one double-page and two one-page layouts. These kits will leave you with plenty of extras leftover to play with as well.

Our rub-ons have been favorites for a reason… so let’s add a twist this season! How about some sparkle! We’re rolling out our new Sparkling Rub-ons, your favorite rub-ons now with self-adhesive rhinestones taking your creativity to the next level.

Could we possibly include more to love? Of course! How about our new $1.50 6x12 Mini-monograms and Micro Monograms! Yes, for just $1.50 retail, you can add our fun new fonts and new teeny tiny ½” micros to any layout. Good things come in small packages!

Since Valentine’s is just around the corner, how about a sweet treat? We’ve developed some lovable creations like our new Lover’s Coupon Book and Love Notes – eight mini note cards with envelopes, perfect for sending a quick “I love you” to someone special.

What can you get for $1.80 retail? More than you can imagine (and everything you always wanted) with the new Bling It, Opaline, and Bling It On creations. Bling is the thing – self-adhesive rhinestones in favorite charming shapes like flowers,
hearts and doves. For a little more pizzazz, try Bling It On – a rub-on/rhinestone blend. Or go for the adorable Opaline, half-pearls in shapes like hearts, flowers and stylish free forms.

Another $1.80 retail deal? How about our Limited Edition Delta series stamps? All three of our previous collections sold out in record time, so you’ll want to grab these lovable collections FAST! Perfect mini-sized stamps equal large sentiments on your next project.

You can check out all of these new products and much, much more at our website, www.basicgrey.com. BasicGrey prides itself on creating innovative, value-driven, high-quality product. Simply the best – that’s BasicGrey.

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Here are a few samples using ORIGINS! I adore how versatile this line is! Where else can you scrap a girlie-girl layout, then turn around and do one of your boys collecting fossils??! Well you can with this line!

This is my darling niece in her Easter Dress. I've saved these pictures since APRIL waiting for the perfect paper and it's finally arrived! This layout was based on a super cool sketch by my friend Becky Fleck. (LOVE that girl's sketches and you can visit her at www.pagemaps.com!)


This layout features our new BLOOMERS as well as element stickers from the collection pack! (I adore our element stickers!)

And as promised, here are my boys at the Falls of the Ohio hunting for fossils and generally being rowdy boy s! :)


The above layout features the new MINI MONOS and MICRO ALPHA stickers. LOVE LOVE LOVE these! And I just have to mention the DIVINE GRAPH PAPER solids that this line offers - they line up perfectly for the micro alpha stickers and it just makes me happy!
This album is being offered as a class to local retailers! Check with a retailer near you to get in on this fun "With Love" album! It's got pockets and pages galore!


On this project you can see our new PIECES as well as the Clips! So much fun!











Here are some examples using Sugar Rush!
This layout features my boys and a recent trip to Steak-n-Shake for old fashioned milk shakes! We're working out a "reward system" to promote good behavior in our house! ha!


This layout features our Sugar Rush CLIPS and some awesome element stickers from the collection pack. I seriously can't get enough of those and hoard several sheets from each line!

This is my best friend and her adorable daughter. I miss them so as they live so far away but they are two of my favorite people in the world! This layout features the Chip Sticker shapes as well as some of our new rub-ons. This is such *fun* line!



And finally here are some cards that are part of another class being offered to retailers! Check with one near you to find out how to take this double-page layout class with 3 bonus cards!


These cards features some of the new BLOOMERS, MINI MONOS and VARNISH stickers as well as some WRITER'S BLOCK! I threw it all in there and it worked!

TGI (even thought it's the 13th!) Friday! It's going to be a lucky one, I just know it!
xoxo,
k.

TOMORROW....

tomorrow...I love you tomorrow! You're only a daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyy a-waaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyY!!

That's right! Even though tomorrow is Friday the 13th, it's going to be a lucky one around here! Tomorrow is the day of the big reveal! Stay tuned to see all BasicGrey has to offer for their interim release of two brand new lines! I promise you won't want to miss it! :)

Here's some more exciting news! BasicGrey now TWEETS! Come follow us at www.twitter.com with the username "@basicgrey" to keep up with the latest from us! You'll especially want to be around tomorrow when those two new lines go live!

And as I hate to post without a picture, here's the layout I did for BasicGrey's November newsletter that is out now (click HERE to read it!). I love using lines in an unexpected way - this is some Nook & Pantry for boys, no less!


Supplies: BasicGrey Nook & Pantry line, chipboard alphas and stitched brads
other:Uni-ball pen

Happy Thursday, all!
xoxo,
k.

They DID it!

I can't help myself, I just have to give a huge shout out to my son, his team and their fabulous coaches for their win of the Junior Tackle Championship game Sunday night!! The boys played their hearts out against the Raiders (another amazing team) and it was a wonderful way for them to end the season. The final results of the the game was 14-0 and the season, 7-1. So proud of all of them!






















Congratulations COLTS!!!!

Not just one but TWO!

For a variety of reasons (among them my tardiness in posting this and the confusion in my "reminder" post that had some people leaving their entry in the wrong area!), I'm having not one but TWO winners for the Halloween-related giveaway! YAY! BONUS!!

Sadly, I don't have two identical packages so here is what I'm going to do. For the first giveaway (the Halloween album, BasicGrey cardstock, etc. - ie: the original prize), I got a random number from the entries that were posted on the correct post and within the posted time frame of the contest. I thought that was only fair.

BUT for the second prize (which will be a hodge podge of all kinds of things (be prepared to be surprised!), I got another random number from ALL entries on BOTH posts starting with the main post and then adding the other post to it). I know it sounds confusing, but it was the only way I could think to be fair to everyone! So without further ado, here are our winners!

Of the original prize pack, the Halloween album and goodies goes to: LESLIE MURPHY











The winner of the bonus prize is: RONNIH of Canada!













Congratulations, ladies, and please email me at kelly.goree at gmail.com to claim your prize!

Stay tuned toward the end of the week for the NEW BasicGrey! I love these lines and am excited to share them with you!

Happy Tuesday!
xoxo,
k.

Psst....

Oh yes, it's true!

Happy Grey's Thursday!
xoxo,
k.

Boo (and hopefully not the Flu) to YOU!

Well, today is one of my favorite days of the year and sadly we'll be trick-or-treating indoors or doing some other fall-ish activity as my middlest came down with H1N1 yesterday. He's soooo bummed but being a real trooper about it all. So we're hunkering down here with juice, Tamiflu and plenty of rest. Suffice it to say, I hope your Halloween is a MUCH better one than ours! (And if later you see that somehow, someway I end up with Halloween pictures, don't tell anyone that they were taken days later and all for effect ;))

In the meantime, I can't post without having pictures to share! These are from a recent visit to the pumpkin patch - which, by the way, we only made it to ONE time as a family this year contrary to the opinion of a few friends of mine that seem to have this year confused with last! ha!

OH! And a final reminder, Don't forget to leave me a comment in this post for a chance to win an BG Halloween album kit (designed by me!) along with a slew of other BG goodies including an entire pack of designer cardstock!











Happy Halloween, all!
xoxo,
k.