Run away with BasicGrey's CAPPELLA

Toast the happy couple with Cappella™, a collection of vintage-inspired Italian sweet-cream ribboned with bold espresso and biscotti-colored confections. Old-world elegance, ripe with tradition, perfect for your pages. Feast your eyes on pure beauty.

Here is my show sample featuring CAPPELLA. The gorgeous bride is Jen (BasicGrey's VP of Marketing) on her wedding day this past March. (Thanks so much, Jen, for sharing your photo with me!) I am in love with these colors (Tiffany blue is one of my all-time favorites!) and the Take Notes for this line are just divine!


And here are the delicious papers...



And the gorgeous Take Notes I used above...


And the chipboard for this line - I'm loving the tiny alphas as they are SO great for longer titles!


And some of the embellishments including Bloomers,Pieces, Writer's Block and brads. Swoon!




And again - my faveeeeeeee product from this show release - the Ribbon Lace Doilies! They are awesome, self-adhesive and ohsocute!


The Capella line will be shipping in APRIL along with Max & Whiskers and the Basics. I know it's a long time to wait, but I promise it'll be worth it!

Have a wonderful Sunday, all! We're cleaning and Pro Bowl watching here! I know you're jealous! Hee!
xoxo,
k.

Go Green with BasicGrey's GREEN AT HEART!

BasicGrey goes green...and hot pink, tomato red, posey purple and bright white in Green At Heart™! Printed on quality acid-free and archival-safe FSC-certifi ed paper with soy-based inks, these fresh and fun patterns in bright prismatic colorswill spur your creativity and help save a tree.

Here are a few layout samples using GREEN AT HEART:

My baby on his first day of kindy! He was so excited but a wee bit nervous, too...and he looked SO grown up!


My sweet friend Stephanie's girls....they are just beautiful and so full of life - just perfect for this line! (Stephanie was kind enough to let me scrap these precious pictures. Thanks, Steph!)


And the middlest....he is loosing teeth at lightning speed. The large envie behind his photo will hold the small envie he's holding in the photo. I love how this line isn't just "girlie" - it's bold and vivid and perfect for all kinds of layouts!


And here are the gorgeous papers!



The brads and other beautiful embellies...



The chipboard - some of my absolutely FAVORITES! I adore the micro chip alpha, especially!





And probably my favorite new product - The LACE DOILIES in ribbon form! They are self adhesive and just divine!


And finally some pieces and the full size lace doilies for this line. YUM!



Again, Green at Heart is the other line that will be shipping in early February - just in time for all those spring and outdoor photos!

Have a wonderful Saturday. We're off for some Pinewood Derby car making in the snow!
xoxo,
k

Introducing KIOSHI by BasicGrey

A refreshing Zen experience, Kioshi™ is sophisticated beauty and geometric power, a yin-and-yang balance of delicate color and vigorous pattern. Renew the soul and invigorate the senses with this eloquent arrangement of garden-like, soft colors mixed with the muted arrangement of purposeful shape and style. Nirvana for your next project.

Here are a few layout samples featuring KIOSHI™:

My cutie niece getting ready for her school's sock hop. (She's a bit of a ham if you couldn't tell!)


My mom and Turner. I love seeing how close they are :)


My big guy - 10 already! This just shows that the line doesn't have to have feminine details to make it work.


There are 18 sheets of double-sided paper in each of the collection packs. So yummy!




This 1st one is our Take Note - a mix of journaling cards and transparencies.

The Writer's Block & Pieces (Die-cut shapes)



And finally the yummy stitched brads, new cozy posies, Pops, rub-ons and more!




I'm so not a pastel person but this color palette is divine because it's ever-so-slightly intense in hue as well as having an incredible brown to make all the colors just come alive! This is one of the 2 of our 5 new lines that will be shipping in early February so be watching for it soon!

Happy Friday, all!
xoxo,
k.

It's so good to be HOME!

I can't even tell you how good it is to be home and back with my boys! While I adore going to CHA (the Craft & Hobby Association's Trade Show) and getting to spend time with my friends and such wonderful gals like this one (love her!), not to mention oogling over all the incredible products, there's nothing quite like home! Today is my "recovery day" as those cross-country flights always kill me, but I promise I will put up more a more detailed post outlining BasicGrey's releases for CHA-W as well as some samples I put together for our booth very soon.

They're calling for a snow day tomorrow so I better get in gear. I hope everyone made it home safely if you were at the show as well!
Happy Thursday!
xoxo,
k.

BasicGrey CHA Winter Teasers!

Happy New Year, all!

I hope 2010 has been a wonderful one for all of you. I promise to start posting again soon (after my self-imposed hiatus!) but for now, I just want to get these out and share them with you as I know many of you are anxious to see them!

Here are our banner ads for our new CHA-Winter releases!

Introducting "Green at Heart"


Elope with "Cappella"


Put some spring into your step with "Kioshi"


Cuddle up with "Max & Whiskers"


And finally....let's get back to the BASICS!


I hope you enjoy and stay tuned for more soon!

xoxo,
k.

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.