Monday, March 23, 2009

The Wall

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I have been a huge fan of this crazy wall ever since my mother-in-law moved not three blocks or so from it. I can see it when I stand in her yard and I couldn't get rid of this mad desire to take some pictures there. This weekend I got my chance!
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I dragged Ethan with me first. He was not happy about it but evenutally gave me a few fun shots. And seriously? That texture just knocks me out! LOVE it!
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Since Ethan didn't want to stay long (in fact, he ran back into the car not long after we got started - HA!), I begged my 18-year-old nephew, Kyle, and his girlfriend Natalie to come with me for a few minutes. Kyle's a ham and always game for just about anything. I adore that about him.
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And isn't the way Natalie is looking at him so sweet? They've been best friends since they were freshmen I think and have dated off and on since junior year. It's not much longer until prom (her dress is amazing!) and then graduation. I've known this kid since he was three. It's all going way to fast for me.
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And finally they all indulged me with a few jumping shots. These were my faves. I crack up every time I look at them! I can't wait to hit that wall again with the entire crew and a bit more time.
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I hope all is well out there in blogland. Carson had his first soccer practice of the season last night (always a hoot!) and we're still trying to get the croup out of this house. Oy. Here's to a great Tuesday (and a Happy Birthday to my Daddy - I still miss you everyday).

xoxo,
k.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

for my sister-in-law

Hi all!

I'm home again....again...I spent this past weekend in Nashville visiting my husband's family & celebrating my mother-in-law's birthday. It had been over a year since we had been down and it was so nice to be back. I really had missed them - especially this sweetie. This is my niece, Tristen. While I was down, my super-persuasive sister-in-law convinced me to do a quick portrait session in her gorgeous Easter dress. Of course it didn't take much persuasion. We know how I jump at the chance to take some girlie pictures! And her mama had just the place in mind - an old farm with beautiful fencing and blooming buttercups made a perfect backdrop.

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I can't believe how grown up she's gotten. She was much more happy to pose for me this time than she was in our last session and even more so when we let her do a few with her new puppy. Aren't they too cute together?

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More photos to follow from a busy weekend. I also conned my 18 year-old nephew and his girlfriend into a few shots along with a few of Ethan when I found this awesome wall. I'm feeling very inspired and can't wait for a productive week!

Hope you had a great one, too!
xoxo,
k.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Home Again!

Hi all!

I'm finally home (and re-settling back in) from a long weekend up on the Jersey Shore! I had some fabulous students attend the classes I taught at Scrapbook Cafe and I enjoyed every minute of it! Thank you so much to all of you, especially Angela, for having me up there and making me feel so welcome!

The extended part came because I also got to visit with my best friend, Ann Marie, and her adorable daughter, Lydian! It was a much needed girl's weekend even if one of the girls was only 16m old!

To say I was in heaven would be an understatement and I won't begin to bore you with even a portion of the 1000 or so pictures I took of the baby girl! (I'll just share one or two - ha!) She was a real trooper as her mama and I drove all over the Jersey shore (including Atlantic City - a definite, um, adventure!), outlet shopping, eating out and everything in between. I even did a couple of mini sessions - one on the beach with her mama and one with a couple of fun, green balloons. Thank you so much, girls, for having me and I love you both! Can't wait to see you again very soon!
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But as much fun as I had, I was so glad to get back to my boys. Turner, especially seemed to miss his mama as he kept telling me over and over again as he climbed in bed with me in the morning. So sweet!
Hope you all had a fantastic St. Patty's Day and managed to not get pinched...unless you wanted it!

OH! And ETA: Today is the last day to enter BasicGrey's FABULOUS FABRIC Contest! See my post below for all the details! Good luck! :)

Here's to a glorious Wednesday! It's 75 and sunny here in Kentucky. Happy Hump Day!

xoxo,
k.

Saturday, March 07, 2009

For all you Sew Scrappy Happies

This is for all my sew scrappy happy people out there - BasicGrey is offering yet another contest and his time it's for YOU!

As was announced in our March newsletter, BasicGrey is having a FABULOUS FABRIC contest and here are the details:
Smell something sweet? It’s contest time here at BasicGrey and this one offers three opportunities to win! Enter our card, layout or album/altered category by uploading your entry into the BG gallery online using “Fabric Contest” as the subject line. Entries must use fabric (any brand or style) in creative, innovative and beautiful ways. A winner in each category will receive a Sultry™ fabric “Sweet Roll” (1” x 36” strips of all 40 fabrics) and a 40-piece set of 5” x 5” fabric squares. This fabulous fabric contest begins 3/5/09 and ends 3/18/09. Winners will be announced in our April newsletter. Fabric — make it your new favorite embellishment!

So hurry and enter to win! We can't wait to see what you can do with fabric!

And speaking of the March newsletter, I want to send a huge thanks to Suzy West, Kristina Proffitt and Joy Uzarraga for lending their talents to us this month! You ladies did a fabulous job and I hope everyone will check it out! And one last thing before I head out for the day to enjoy this beautiful weather we're having (Sunny & 75 - yay!!!), I'll leave you with the two projects that were my contribution to this month's newsletter.

The first is from Becky's sketch and features the line LIME RICKEY which will be shipping in just a couple of weeks.

This is Carson and his frog wellies - the kid can't get enough! But I have to tell you, it's even better when he wears them with shorts! ;)

The next one is featuring my favorite line from our Winter release. I adore it because it's so very versatile. This is Marrakech used on a layout about my Turner at six. (These were his six-year-old portraits).

Have a fabulous day!
xo,
k
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Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Teaching

Hi all!

I promised more updates and I'm trying to live up to that claim! It's easy when you have something you really want to share. Some of you may have noticed on my sidebar (to the right) that I have a lot (to me!) of upcoming travel dates. Some exciting things have been happening at BasicGrey and one of them is that we are now doing the Scrapbook Expo circuit! YAY!

So beginning with the San Diego Expo in May (where you'll get both of us! A two-fer!) until the end of the year, either the awesome Becky Fleck or I will be teaching at these events for BasicGrey! Becky and I have been working hard to make these some knock-out classes (there will be four different ones offered per show)and we're excited to share them. I really hope you'll come out and join us if the show comes to a location near you! I think you'll be glad you did! (I have to put out a disclaimer that unfortunately this will not include the Santa Clara Expo as we both already had conflicts with that event. I apologize to those in the SC area.)

Additionally, I'll be traveling to more local scrapbook stores as I can to do weekend sessions. The first one for this year is coming up next weekend (March 14th & 15th). It's at Scrapbook Cafe in Tuckerton, NJ (on the Jersey Shore) run by Angela, one of the nicest gals ever! I'm pleased to be offering two classes while I'm there - a "Love Notes" mini album class featuring BasicGrey's Porcelain collection (offered both Saturday and Sunday) and a double-page layout class featuring BasicGrey's Marrakech called "Now & Forever" on Saturday. I'm so excited to be there as I've never been to the Jersey shore AND I get to see my best friend who just happens to live in Tuckerton. She's not a scrapbooker - yet - but I'm hoping this trip might convince her! ;)
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For all the details, please contact Angela at scrapbookcafe2@yahoo.com or visit her website at http://www.scrapbookcafenj.com/. I hope those of you in the area will come and join us for an amazing day of scrapping! :)

Monday, March 02, 2009

So lately, life has been a bit like this...

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Seriously.

I can't even explain how insane the past couple of weeks has been but I think this picture gives you some clue! (But isn't Ethan rockin' his new trampoline trick?!)

So, she lives. She lives. Thank you so much to those of you who have been concerned and taken a minute to inquire about me! I assure you it's nothing more serious than a crazy weather pattern that has put the sickies in our house and a super-heavy workload. On the upside, the sickies are going, the work is being done and I feel like I can breathe for the first time in a bit. Of course now that I say that, I'm sure I just shot myself in the foot. It would figure, wouldn't it? :)

I hope things have been calmer for you and yours and I am going to try and be around more. I miss me, too!

xoxo,
k.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day!

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I think this might be one of the best valentine's I ever got! Love this from my little man, especially because when you open it up, it says "THIS MUCH!" all in his cute little five-year-old handwriting! So sweet...and those feet? Ha!

Just popping on here a minute to announce the winners of my Valentine Giveaway but first I want to THANK YOU so much for all your awesome ideas! WOW you all are so creative! So far we've done heart-shaped powered sugar donuts and there's more to come :) Hope all of you are having a day dedicated to those you love, too!

Huge congratulations to: #14 and #30 which means Ms. Harley Dee (who's name just happened to be sandwiched in between two past winners!) is the winner of the Porcelain pack and Ms. Erin Sweeney (whooohooo!) is the winner of the Lime Rickey goodness! Email me at kelly.goree@gmail.com with your addys, ladies, and they will be on their way!

xo,
k.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Quick Reminder!

Tomorrow is the last chance to get in on my Valentine's Day giveaway! Don't forget to leave a comment a couple of posts down! The ideas you creative people have come up with are just amazing! I can't wait to try some of them out!

I'm hoping to be back tomorrow with a few pictures! Until then I'm off to get some work done and enjoy this gorgeous day!

xo,
k.

Monday, February 09, 2009

I can see the light...

...the sweet light of the sun, that is! FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY we had a break from all our snowy weather to have a weekend that was in the 60s both days! Glorious! Even more glorious was that the boys could spend most of the day outside playing, which they did. I loved it. They loved it. They especially loved all the mud created by the huge melted snow drifts. That *I* didn't love as much! Ha! Check out the pants and wellies on this boy. His big brothers were worse, but they wouldn't stop for pictures of course! I'll take the mud any day if we can bring on SPRING! Who's with me?!
Don't forget to sign up this week for the PORCELAIN and LIME RICKEY giveaway I have going on in the post below! I need some awesome Valentine's ideas! Keep 'em coming!

Have a wonderful day! It's Parent/Teacher conferences here today. And let me just say it's MUCH better on this end than it was being the kid! ;)

xo,
k.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

It's a Two-fer!

I mentioned last week (earlier this week?) that I just *might* be a little giveaway sometime soon...and it looks like that time is NOW! And since I felt so bad that it took me so long to get it posted, I'm not doing just one, but TWO! The first is a PORCELAIN prize pack that included the 18 sheets of Porcelain papers, the glazed brads, regular brads and a set of bitty stamps. The other prize is exactly the same, but features the new LIME RICKEY! Fun, fun stuff here! Perfect for getting you out of any *February Funk* you might be in. Trust me, the funk is dangerous....just ask my best friend! ;)
Anyhow...the details. I'm going to make you work a bit for this one, folks. I am looking for Valentine's ideas. Lay some of your best ones on me, I've got some planning to do :) You have until 11:59 PM Friday, the 13th (eeps!) and then I'll pick two winners (one for each package) this Saturday morning, Valentine's Day, as my own little thank you.

XO,
k.

Monday, February 02, 2009

More BasicGrey from CHAW09!

Ahhhh! Can you hear the angels singing?? My internet is back up and running, the kiddos are all back in school after a week of snow days, and I have my McD's diet coke right next to me. All is right with the world! (We won't discuss the Groundhog incident and the more winter thing...we're focusing on the positive! :))

Since I failed miserably at posting more projects from BasicGrey's Winter Collection the other day, I'm going to try and fix that now...in abundance. AND I might even say that perhaps...a little later in the week...I might have a giveaway of some of that goodness from the show. Not confirming or denying here, just perhaps, so you might want to keep checking back this week! ;)

More LIME RICKEY:



Some MARRAKECH:



WISTERIA:



And Finally some PORCELAIN:



I hoped that helped get your creative juices flowing and that you'll check back later in the week for some blog candy - rumor has it it's a little Porcelain and Lime Rickey... just sayin'!

XO,
k.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

*25 Random Things about Me*

Well my internet is down and I'm checking in at a Wi-fi hot spot so I'm not going to be able to post the layouts I was hoping to. Instead, I'm about to entertain you with useless trivia about me - everything you've always wanted to know and then some. If you read this, consider yourself "tagged" and I'd love to see your own list. They're always so fascinating!

So here we go:

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1. I am from Kentucky - Louisville, even - but I've never been to the Kentucky Derby. I've been close...but then it decided to hail on us on the way there and we thought better of it. Crazy, I know.

2. Also being from Kentucky (and as any pre-teen girl will tell you), it was a prerequisite to love horses. I did (and still do) and rode/showed them for several years...and it was probably the one sport that I had a lot of talent at. Sadly my parents didn't want to own a horse so that was the end of my riding career.

3. I can wink with both eyes. No, I don't mean "blink." I can do each eye one at a time.

4. I taught dance (tap, jazz and ballet) to little girls 3-8 years old to have spending money throughout college. It was a good thing I got my girl fix in then as now I'm the mom to three little boys who would vehemently object to me putting them in tutus and tights. (Ok, not the tights. Superheroes DO wear tights.)

5. I have to sleep with a cover of some sort over me at night even in the hottest of summers. It's some kind of throwback to childhood when I used to think blankets would protect me from monsters! :)

6. I have an addition to McDonald's Diet Coke. Seriously. It's worse than any drug.

7. Because a friend of mine just reminded me of this, I cut my arm wide open with an x-acto knife during my senior year of college in a sculpture class (I was a Fine Art major). The ambulance came but I freaked out and refused it! so a classmate drove me to the ER where I had to get oodles of stitches. It's pretty ironic considering what I do for a living now.

8. I am an only child and because of that, I was determined to have at least two children. My plan when I was younger (like middle school - yes, we girls think of those things even back then!) was to have three boys. God has a sense of humor and gave me exactly what I wanted.

9. I’m double jointed in my left thumb. Just that joint only. No others. I have yet to figure out something useful to do with it.

10. I prefer not to drive. Not that I'm a bad driver, but I think because I'd rather sit in the passenger seat and harass the person who *is* driving.

11. I used to love to talk on the phone, but a few years as a receptionist cured that.

12. I have been to Mardi Gras and partook (is that a word?!) in all the festivities. ALL. THE. FESTIVITIES. 'Nuff said.

13. I was engaged once before I met my husband.

14. My driver's license says I'm 5'1, but it's really more like 5' 1/2". Some people lie about their age. For me, it’s this. Ahem.

15. I used to want to be a teacher even though my favorite teacher ever (Mrs. Pearman in 4th grade) told me I shouldn't. (Only because teachers were under appreciated, not because of me personally. Swear.) I even had a year invested into my Masters in Education before I realized it wasn't my calling. Trust me when I say children everywhere rejoiced.

16. In 2nd grade, I tried to forge my father's beautiful signature on poorly done homework assignments by writing "BILL" at the top of them in pencil. I thought I did really well and was shocked (and severely punished) when I got caught!

17. I am incredibly sentimental and love a good romantic story. I'm a sucker for movies like "50 First Dates", "Love Actually", "The Notebook" and "Gone with the Wind."

(This is starting to get hard!)

18. I know all 44 presidents of the United States - IN ORDER - but only if I sing them because of the "Presidential Song" I learned in 4th grade. Useless trivia put to music I can retain, other stuff, not so much. I'd list them here, but you'd think I copied it from somewhere. But next time you meet me, just ask and I'll prove it.

19. I use "smilies", extra punctuation and parenthesis altogether too much when typing emails or notes but I can't quite seem to help myself. :) (see?!)

20. I love photography and treasure photographs, but when I was a child, I had a hard time looking at pictures of people who had passed away. It completely creeped me out.

21. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because I still get to be around and enjoy family and friends without the commercial stress of Christmas. Ok, that's not completely true. My favorite holiday is really Halloween because it's right before my birthday and kicks off my “party week.” I can admit it.

22. I tend to block out my most embarrassing moments like they never happened but my friends don't seem to suffer from the same affliction. They love to remind me of them at the worst. possible. times.

23. I cried hysterically the night before my second son was born because I just couldn't imagine how I would love another child as much as I loved my first, but the moment I saw his face, I knew.

24. My biggest sadness in this life is that my dad never had the opportunity to hold one of his grandchildren. I'd have given anything to have that happen.

25. My parents had decided to name me "Heather Leigh" but somehow while my mom was still knocked out from her c-section, my dad thought "Kelly Lyn" sounded better.

Your turn!

xo,
k.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Home Again! (And not entirely sure I wanna be!)

Oh, yes....I left sunny California Wednesday.....for this. THIS! The worst natural disaster in Kentucky in recent (and not so recent) history. So many homes without power, so much damage....it's just horrible. The kiddos have been out of school the entire week and it's not looking very hopeful that they'll be going back Monday as we're supposed to be receiving a fresh batch of this (I'll grudgingly admit, beautiful) white stuff somewhere in the range of 3-14". Oh joy.
I am counting my blessings that I'm home safely with my boys - without any flight delays I might add - and we (currently) have heat...most necessary in this bitter cold.
Here's praying that all of you effected by this horrible storm are safe and warm. I'll post tomorrow with some happier thoughts...more new BasicGrey from CHA-Winter '09.

XO,
k.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Hello from CHA!

Just popping in for a few minutes after being up almost 24 hours with my flights and show set- up! But I didn't want to leave you waiting any longer for a few peeks from the show:
PORCELAIN



LIME RICKEY



MARRAKECH



WISTERIA



I hope you enjoy these peeks and I look forward to sharing more with you when I get back on Thursday! Have a great week!

xo,
k.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Beautiful Wisteria

BasicGrey's 3rd release for Winter show is the beautiful Wisteria.

Like a day at the spa, a walk after the rain, or a crisp set of cool sheets, let Wisteria™ ease you away to a peaceful, creative terrace of veranda-inspired florals. Our garden blooms in summer shades of sky blue, mint green, deep plum and delicate golds.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

And so it begins!

The banners announcing the new lines have started appearing on BasicGrey's site! CHA (the Craft and Hobby Association trade show) will be starting on Sunday and a new taste of what's to come will appear on the site each day leading up to the show! I LOVE this time of year!

The first line up is MARRAKECH! I have to tell you that Marrakech is one of my two personal favorite lines from this release. The colors are so rich and divine and the patterns just work so beautifully together! Here's just a little peek.
I'll be sure to post more as they go live and check back here Sunday morning for some work examples featuring all four of the new lines!

ETA: A little more to intice you - The next line is now up (I was a bit slow on the first one). Now it's time for PORCELAIN, which blends a refined palette of delicate lace and floral motifs in watercolor-inspired hues of sunset yellow, spring greens, soft corals and espresso brown. (I didn't write that myself ;)) Here you go!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

With the Angels...

I apologize that this is the post I bring to you after a long absence (work has got me hopping), but I wanted to let all of you know who have been sending good thoughts, praying hard and giving the family support that our little Jake passed away tonight around 8:30 p.m. He was surrounded by his family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Thank you all so much for your love and give an extra hug to your own children tonight and from now on. I know I'll be doing that with mine.

k.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Jake

I have promised to keep you all updated on Jake, this sweet little boy who has been battling a very aggressive form of cancer. The last I reported to you all back in September, by some incredible miracle of God, Jake had gone into remission and was cancer-free.
In December our little Jake celebrated his 3rd Birthday, a birthday we weren't sure he'd see. (Photo courtesy of his parents, Rick & Amy) Every one was so jubilant that day, especially Jake. But (and I don't even know how to say this), around the same time, we found out Jake's cancer was back and even stronger than before. He is now in the hospital where they are making him as comfortable as they possibly can, but there is nothing else they can do. Pediatric Hospice is involved, helping Jake, his parents, sister and grandparents.

So please, if you would, keep Jake and his family in your thoughts and prayers. They could use all the strength they can muster during this difficult time.

Thank you, as aways, for your love and support.
k.

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

I love you, YR


It was 20 years ago yesterday that I met my best friend, Ann Marie. I'm sitting here chuckling as I type that because 20 years seems like such an long time but when I add that we actually met as freshman in college, well....uh...yeah. I feel old!

She is by far one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I had no idea the impact this tall, northern, polka dot-wearing, curly haired woman would have on my life when she walked into my very southern country-duck decorated (no lie!) dorm room mid-way through my freshman year. In that instant my life changed - for the better - forever.

She is my confidant, my therapist, my fashion and beauty adviser, my fortune-teller, my sounding board, my fellow resident of Norman Rockwellville, my best friend in the entire world.

I love you to pieces, Ann Marie. Happy Anniversary!

Always,
YR
(p.s. Photobooth photos circa 1997 when we were both really cute ;))

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

BasicGrey's January Newsletter


...is now available by clicking here! I hope you enjoy it!

Bittersweet is one of my new favorite lines - even for my boys - and I got to work with it for for this month's sketch column by Becky Fleck. And it gave me an opportunity to write a little love letter to my baby (who is suddenly not so little anymore) which I plan on doing again for the other two. It's always nice to have a chance to share with the people you love exactly how much you love them. And I wanted to give a super big thanks to our contributing artist this month, Kelli Crowe - she did a fantastic take on the sketch not only enlarging it but using what I think is a record EIGHT BasicGrey lines on one layout! Amazing!

And remember - we love to see your take on our monthly sketches at BasicGrey if you want to try your own hand at them. Just upload it to the gallery with "Monthly Sketch" in the title!

Have a great day!

k.

Monday, January 05, 2009

Pete, Repeat....and Repeated....again.


Please note the very last line of this very sweet progress report we received today on our youngest son.

Now WHERE could we have heard that before? Anyone? Anyone?



Ethan????? Turner????

Bueller?


Yeah. Apparently sibling rivalry doesn't just end at home.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009!

I love new beginnings, fresh starts, making lists and resolutions, so it's no wonder I adore the start of a brand new year. I'm eagerly looking forward to all that 2009 has to bring and sharing that all here with you.

Happy 2009! May it be one of peace, love and prosperity for you all.

xo,
k.