Good-bye, July!

Good-bye, July.
I have to say, I'm not exactly sorry to see you go. You have been one of the hottest, most miserably humid Julys on record. We usually save that kind of heat and ickyness for August. You were an overachiever, July. But I can see you're trying to redeem yourself with absolutely glorious weather your last two days with us and for that I thank you! :)

Many times as I summer passes, I can recall absolutely NOTHING of what we did all summer. My memory is terrible in that regard and then I always feel horrible that we didn't do "enough." Thank goodness for my 365 pictures! This year, I can remember all the fun we had and all the different things we did...even in this most oppressive month of July.

We did things like...

go to the farmers market for fresh fruit...


played in the sprinklers...and swam and swam and swam....



spent a little time on the river and swam some more (what else can you do in the heat?)...

Oh yes, well, we consumed quite a bit of ice cream, too....



grew things from seeds and saw the results...



saw gorgeous things in nature....




attended a couple of football camps to get ready for the season (one at St. X and let me tel you, that was a bit surreal!)


enjoyed our town...




went to an always-amazing 4th party...


and so much more..

And that? That's why I still am working so hard to do this 365 project this year.
And now I can officially say "Good-bye, July. Thanks for everything and see you next year!"

But I'm sooooo not ready for you, August!
Have a beautiful Saturday, friends!
xoxo,
k.

BGTV

Hey, all, and Happy Thursday to you!

Today I wanted to take a minute to share some fun things that you may not be aware of. Did you know that BasicGrey has their very own channel on YouTube called BGTV??! It's filled with tons of informative videos by the talented Kristina Werner. Now I know many of you are thinking "I'm not a digital scrapbooker, so that's not for me!", but I tell you, these videos are for everyone! It includes everything from how to add a drop shadow to your scrapbook layout (or page elements) to how to bling out your blog with our gorgeous blog banners and headers. (Which, by the way, are absolutely FREE for a limited time so hurry over and get yours today!) If you're looking for a "how to", you'll find it there!


And check this out! BasicGrey is now offering FREE digital classes! (Yep, I said FREE!) If you ever thought about paper scrapbooking or cardmaking, this is your chance! Currently you can take the two above that take you step by step into making those adorable layouts, but hopefully soon, there will be even more to share with you!

One final thing before I go for all you paper scrappers and fabric junkies....Currently at BasicGrey.com, everything that is HARD PRODUCT (i.e. fabric and actual scrapbook stuff) is 15% off!!

Enjoy this bit of enabling and have a fantastic day!
xoxo,
k.

My Baby, the 2011 edition

Meet my baby - the 2011 BasicGrey calendar kit! I have to admit, I get so excited each year when the new version comes out as it's a true labor of love creating it. And just like always, I happen to think this one is the best ever!

For those of you not familiar with our calendar, here are a few details:

• This is a spiral-bound 12-month calendar with cover. in an 8"x8" size.
  
• The kit comes with all you need (chipboard, stickers, rub-ons, etc) to make the 12 monthly pages as well as the cover image.
• Each page/cover is made with a different BasicGrey collection.
  
• These is a place for one single 4"x6" photo per layout/month.
• It will be available in stores mid- to late- August.
• OH - and they make excellent gifts! ;)
  

Here are a few page samples to give you an idea of what to expect. This is January.


And February. I put in a photo on this one so you can see what it will look like with a photo in place. (This is little Naomi. Her big brother went to pre-school with Carson :))


And one more - May's page!


And just like any new mama, I've already forgotten what it was like to "give birth" to this and am already thinking about having another! It's a good thing because it won't be long before I have to get 2012 underway! (Doesn't that just sound ridiculous? Yikes!)

Have a fantastic Wednesday!
xoxo,
k.

It's not your Grandma's Curio - it's BETTER!

Introducing CURIO, a new collection by BasicGrey:
The antique mall awaits with a plethora of pleasures to be discovered, all in Curio. A mixing of soft petal pink, cameo blue, and antique mahogany becomes a study of timeless treasures found. From classic lace doilies to fine bone china, this collection of shabby chic vintage collectibles is chock-full of quaint, estate-quality design and fine, traditional detail.





I know you vintage gals are FLIPPING over this line. I am in love with rich browns, reds and blues. It's almost like my love, my Valentine line Blush, has gone vintage and I couldn't be happier! So fun! And check out these amazing embellishments!








I hope you all have enjoyed this as much as I have! It's a lot to process, I know, so I hope breaking it up a little helped some! And if you can believe it, I have one more super special (to me!) thing to share tomorrow. My annual "baby"...some of you might already know what that is!

Until tomorrow!
xoxo,
k.

Such a sweet treat in Marjolaine!

Introducing MARJOLAINE, a new collection by BasicGrey:
Baking, like creating art, requires the best ingredients in the right amounts. Marjolaine by BasicGrey is a luscious concoction of sweet cream, intense espresso, fresh mint, and blueberry in a tasty combination of crave-able designs and hit-the-sweet-spot fl avors. Whip up something decadent with Marjolaine.





Here are my boys at the middlest's birthday party this summer. I used not only Pieces and alpha stickers but some stitched brads, element stickers, opaline pearls and BASICS! I love love love how it coordinates so well with all our lines.



Again, these stitched brads?! To. Die. For. I swear our designers outdid themselves this show! And check out the finish on the glazed brads - something a little different for us!


I'm in love with the olio rub0ons for this line (they just scream summer) and those office tabs are fab!



These page kits are some of my favorite for the entire release - I just love the 2-pager especially! :)

Almost there! One more to go!
xoxo,
k.

I'm not just *happy*, I'm absolutely JOVIAL!

How about a little Christmas in July??!

Introducing JOVIAL, a new collection by BasicGrey:
Snuggled in a flannel blanket by the glow of a fi re, watching the snow falling through the frosted window, BasicGrey’s Jovial collection is a warm celebration in white snow, velvet black, pomegranate, evergreen, and emberglow. A tapestry of holiday tradition—just like we always dreamed it could be.




For these layouts, I selected two entirely different color sets so you can see how versatile this line can be. This first one (of my precious boy under our tree this past Christmas) uses the more traditional and elegant papers in this range. The poinsettias are classic as are the beautiful reds, greens and ornament accents. (And I'm dying over how that green paper looks quilted! so cool!)


This second layout I went with a little more kitschy feel. I adore (read: love love love love looooove! I think it's the eyes that get to me?! Anyhoo...) these snowmen and wanted to put them front an d center in this layout about my boys' snowman, aptly named "Frosty." I know, clever, right?! I think this blue ight just be the most heavenly we've ever put out (next to the one in Marrakech!) and I find myself using it over and over again! And did you see that stitched brad? Serious cuteness!



Check it out! You get the snowmen on the element stickers! Love that - and like I said, the cute little faces on these stitched brads make me giddy! Truly there's so much about these releases that just make me happy (er, Jovial?!)


And those stamps? Build your OWN snowman? Come on! Love! I also these these office tabs are beyond precious and while they're holiday-ish, they aren't overly "Christmas-y" which extends their versatility.




And can you believe we're just half-way done with these sneaks?? Soooo much more to come. Stay tuned for Marjolaine and Curio!
I hope you're having a fabulous CHA kinda day!
xoxo,
k.