UP!

My favorite animated movie of all time is UP! - the Disney Pixar release from last summer all about life and its adventures. To make the movie even more special, it included scrapbooking and if I wasn't hooked before, that did it! I love the story line, the colors, the emotion, just everything.

Yesterday Kristina Werner posted this link on her twitter page and I started jumping up and down! Everything I loved about the movie came rushing back to me...and then some because this time it was related to photography, my 2nd love. I mean, really - how AWESOME are these photos??! I can't get over the sweetness. The clever studio that did them is Wildflower Photos (click on their name to see their site) . What an incredible job they id with this adorable couple's vision. It totally makes me want to be 20-something and just getting married all over again!

Enjoy!

This & That Monday

Today is a hodge podge of all kinds of things going on! I'm trying to get them all under control and stay on top of it, but I'm afraid one or two are going to skip out on me! Here are a few things I wanted to share with you.

First, the May issue of 'Just the Basics' is now available. We've been having some difficulty keeping the correct link online as we're changing email services so I wanted to make sure to share it here with you! This issue features the adorable Max & Whiskers line as well as some brand new digital templates we're offering in our BasicGrey digi shop! In fact, the gals that did sketches this month using one of our brand new templates! Here is the one we used this month as well as my layout based on it. You can see I rotated mine a bit and changed it to a single photo to fit my needs!


That photo is of Carson who still loves to pick his mama all the weeds in the yard because they're pretty. :) He'll stop that soon enough so I had to make sure I got it down while I could! :) I used mostly the Green at Heart line here because I'm in love with those oranges and purples. (I NEVER thought I'd say that about purple!)

And speaking of Green at Heart, my friend Andrea is giving away a collection pack of either that or the BasicGrey JuneBug line along with a white Uniball Signo pen and some other BasicGrey goodies to a lucky winner on her blog. Andrea found me on Scrapbook.com ages ago and through Facebook found out that we had mutual friends (NON scrappy related) and then discovered that we live near each other AND went to the same high school (at the same time!) CRAZY small world, isn't it?!! So be sure to give her some love! Simply click this link: HERE, leave her a comment and follow her blog and you'll be entered to win! It's that easy!

I also have to make sure I send a special shout out to Beck Caithness! Beck is a wonderful woman I met in New Zealand when I was teaching at Autumn Escape. She is working tirelessly to raise money for the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation (a cause near and dear to her and who currently gets no government funding or help at all from The Cancer Society). She is auctioning off a TOTE she hand-made (it's tons of quilted goodness, you all!) to carry your scrap goodies (or anything else you might want to lug around). What's even more special about this tote beyond the fact that it features BasicGrey FABRIC (hee!) is that it also features the signatures of many scrappy people from around the world (me included if you can believe that! Check out who my name is next to ;)) that they personally autographed just for this cause. It's truly special and absolutely beautiful!
Here is an image of this tote:

I told you, right?! And here are the amazing people that have their signature on this bag:

* Ali Edwards (http://aliedwards.typepad.com/)

* Kelly Goree (http://kellygoree.blogspot.com/)

* Claudine Hellmuth (http://claudinehellmuth.blogspot.com/)

* Kristina Werner (http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/)

* Jessica Sprague (http://spraguelab.squarespace.com/)

* Becky Higgins (http://www.beckyhiggins.com/blog/)

* Rachel Greig (Darkroom Door) (http://www.rachelgreig.typepad.com/darkroomdoor/)

* Nic Howard (http://nichoward.typepad.com/)

* Susan Weinroth (http://susanweinroth.typepad.com/)

* Donna Downey (http://donnadowney.typepad..com/)

* Rachel Tucker (http://www.rtscraps.typepad.com/)

* Jennifer McGuire (http://jennifermcguireink.typepad.com/)

* Tim Holtz (http://www.timholtz.typepad.com/)

* Stephen and Carolyn Kaiser (Kaisercraft) (http://www.kaisercraft.net/)

* Jenni Bowlin (http://jennibowlin.blogspot.com/)

* Trina McClune (http://www.trinamcclune.typepad.com/)

* Teresa Collins (http://teresacollins.typepad.com/)

* Becky Fleck (http://www.pagemaps.com/blog.php)

* Jill Geraghty-Groves (http://jillgg.typepad.com/)

* Tamar Bostock (http://www.tarisota.com.au/)

So to make this bag your own, here's what you need to do:Visit Beck's site at Crop for a Cause 2010 and purchase some tickets. They are Tickets will be $4 each, or three tickets for $10. (Keep in mind this is NZD - New Zealand Dollars - so the exchange rate will be slightly ifferent for those of you not in NZ). Good luck to you all and the lucky winner better send me a picture of herself using this bag!!

One last thing! BasicGrey is trying to reach 5,000 Facebook fans! We're almost there and as soon as we get there, we're holding a drawing for 5 of our random friends to win a $25 gift certificate to BasicGrey.com! How fun is that! So if you haven't signed up as our friend on Facebook, click this link (or the one on my sidebar) and get in on the fun! Not only do you have a chance to win some GC's, but all kinds of fun updates are posted to the page weekly if not daily! It's a great source of info!

You all have a wonderful (and busy) Monday!
xoxo,
k.

It's Official!

It's SUMMERTIME! It's SUMMERTIME!

Summer officially began at 8:47pm Saturday night with our first trip to this adorably quaint (and rural) mom & pop store for some homemade ice cream! And trust me, we weren't alone! It seems like everyone else had the same idea, too, after a picture-perfect weather kind of day! I hold by the premise that absolutely nothing screams summer like a huge cone of homemade goodness! (The only problem we had was deciding what kind to get!)

I hope you had a summer-y weekend as well!
xoxo,
k.

Child's Play with BasicGrey!

Whooo hoooo! It's finally time! I can now announce the two latest lines from BasicGrey - Meet OLIVER & OLIVIA!

********************************************
Press Release:
When did life become all about the kids? When the kids became as cute as Oliver and Olivia and when our embellishments became the precocious, adorable additions that every crafter craves! After a busy (and long) winter, it’s time to play with our new “kids” and enjoy the youthful, spirited, tempting additions to the BasicGrey family.

Our new Olivia™ is pretty in pink. Gorgeous in green. Wonderful in white. She’s the pick of the posies with flowers, plaids and even a few furry friends to take along on this perky play date. Containing eighteen double-sided papers, the Olivia Collection—It’s what a girl wants.




Just when we adjusted to having Olivia in our office, Oliver™ showed up! This rough and tumble, rambunctious mix of playful polka dots, checks and stripes comes alive in overalls-blue, fire-truck red and leapfrog green. Ahh-mazing, ahhdorable eighteen double-sided papers. Whatever your project, let our adorable Oliver keep you on the right track.




We’ve also gone back to BasicGrey Basics™, our new collection of never-boring, neutral products that mix and match with virtually any BasicGrey line, but they’re casually classy enough to use alone. Utilize this cool gathering of Basic Manila, Basic White and Basic Kraft collection packs and embellishments to create the perfect NOT-so-plain-Jane addition to your pages.

Want to add big style to a project? Then add Small Details™. These fantastic self-adhesive faux-fasteners in coordinating collections (like Olivia, Oliver and Basics) add that took-me-ten-hours-to-do look without the labor.
File our new Office Tabs™ under “Fabulous” or “Favorites” (or both!) These self-adhesive tabs help you keep pages organized while adding that perfect pizzazz to your pages. Awe-inspiring Office Tabs coordinate to all of our new collections!
Have you seen the other amusing assortments of embellishments we’ve added recently? Be sure to check out all of the accompaniments to Olivia, Oliver and Basics like Gummies, Clips, Woolies, Pops, Canvas Tags, chipboard alphas and elements, stickers (alpha, die-cut and Epoxy), Ribbon and standard Doilies, Cozy Posies, Bloomers, Writer’s Block, Take Note, Pieces, brads (Glazed, Stitched and Standard), buttons, rubons (Sparkling and Olio books), and stamps (Bitsy and
full-size) Phew . . . that’s a lot of creativity for one play date!
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The tentative ship date for these new lines is mid-June! It can't come soon enough!
Happy Thursday!
xoxo,
k.

Coming Soon!!

BasicGrey's 2nd Quarter releases are coming soon! Be watching at an LSS or online store near you!! Here's a small peek to tide you over!

Ohhh, so yummy!

Happy Tuesday!
xoxo,
k.

Memories Ala Mode

Good morning, all!

I just want to take a minute to share with you that I have the honor of teaching a weekend of classes June 11^th and 12^th at one of the greatest LSSs I've ever been in – and I'm fortunate that it just happens to be MY local LSS – MEMORIES ALA MODE! This store is located in Frankfort, Kentucky and is absolutely phenomenal! I talk about it and the owners Mendy and Lois every chance I get because I'm so proud of the job they do and the store they run.

They have graciously invited me to teach three classes during the course of the weekend – a layout class, a mini album class and a card class. The details about each are listed below. We'd love love love to have you join us for the entire weekend (or even a day if you'd prefer). Lois and Mendy are offering special deals (including a divine lunch) if you sign up for the entire weekend. Please contact them at the store at 502-695-3477 or by email at memoriesalamode@aol.com to find out more and secure your spot in my class! I'm looking forward to seeing all of you there!

Class 1: "HERstory" (Album Class)
As scrapbookers we are often overlooked when it comes to our own albums, photos and story telling. This class will focus on YOU - your goals, your childhood, your life - all captured in an adorable mini-album. Join me as I take something everyday and repurpose it into an album you'll be proud of. Add your story and the album is complete - nothing like a new twist on days gone past!



Class 2 "8- count All Occasion Mod Cards" (Card Class)
This class consists of a beautifully fresh and modern card kit—customizable to any event, season or greeting and perfect as a hand-made gift! Using Offbeat paper and chipboard accents, students will make eight fun cards in standard greeting card size. Suggestions for greetings included!




Class 3 "The Boy's Triple Double" (Layout Class )
As a Mom of three boys herself, if any one knows about scrapbooking for boys, it's me! In my Triple Double class, you'll create three (yes THREE!) double page layouts that are clean, classic and full of color! These layouts only use the standard 4"x6" photo size so you'll also be able to re-use the designs again and again for all those prints you've been hoarding!

And before I go, I wanted to announce the winner of the Ella Publishing eBook - PICTURE PERFECT! It goes to GabyAngel! Congratulations, Gaby! Email me at kelly(dot)goree(at)gmail(dot)com to claim your prize!!

Happy Monday, everyone!

xoxo, k.

Happy Mother's Day!

It is looking like it's going to be a fantastic one for me - sleeping in, a ginormous breakfast, ferns for my front porch and homemade cards...

oes this kid know his mama or what?

Heading out to MY mom's a bit later to scour an art festival together and munch on some yummy pizza.

Yep, it's going to be a great one!
Happy Happy to all you moms out there!
xoxo,
k.

And so it begins...

Last night was Cub Scout Night at our local minor league park. It was tons of fun, they had all kinds of activities going on and the kids even got to walk the bases before the game began.






We saw things like them combing the dirt to get it ready for the game, the Bats' mascot, Buddy the Bat, some cute ball players ;)and even a home run or two.

But all my middle son saw, the ENTIRE game? Was this...





Oh yes...it seems he and his buddy were smitten with a couple of cutie little girls. And so it begins...

Happy Saturday!
xoxo,
k

Picture Perfect: An Ella Publishing GIVEAWAY!

Good morning, all!

I have something exciting to share with you today! My sweet friends over at Ella Publishing have generously allowed me to give away a copy of their latest eBook to one of my fabulous blog readers! I'm absolutely thrilled as the subject matter of this particular eBook is near and dear to my heart - tips and tricks to help you take fabulous portraits of any subject! It's called Picture Perfect and was a collaborative effort from three of my favorite photographers - Becky Novacek, Kelly Noel, and Elisha Snow. These three ladies are so talented and they give you some of their best tips in how to capture beautiful portraits in just about any situation. I read it from cover to cover last night and I was completely inspired to get out there snapping away today! (I just have to wait for my boys to get home! Boy are they going to love me ;))

Here's what Ella says about their book:
"Picture Perfect to the rescue! Organized into nine relevant sections (babies, toddlers, kids, teens, pets, adults, duos, trios, and larger groups), this eBook is packed with practical advice that will help you take your photographs to the next level.

Several of the tips are geared toward those with some experience with semi-manual or manual modes on a DSLR camera. But even if you're a DSLR beginner (or you use a point-and-shoot), you'll learn how to improve your photographs dramatically."

So, here's what you need to do - to get in on getting a copy of this book for yourself, simply leave me a comment on this post between now and Sunday, May 9th (Mother's Day - What a gift, no?!) at 11:59 pm Eastern telling me why you need a copy of this book/what you hope to learn from it! It's that simple! I'll draw a winner on Monday morning!

Good luck and Happy Friday!
xoxo,
k.

Announcing Scrapbook PageMaps 2!!!

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to help announce the brand new Scrapbook PageMaps 2 by Becky Fleck!

Seriously! I am jumping up and down because I loved Becky's first one so much that I am over the moon to let you know that the second one is on it's way and that I had a small hand in working on it with her. Amazon just made the official announcement of its release and you can find it here. Even more exciting is that F+W has moved up the release date from November to October so that it will absolutely make the perfect holiday gift! Hurry over and get yours on pre-order!

That's my enabling for today! Happy Tuesday, all!
xoxo,
k.