Monday, August 30, 2010

Ella Giveaway! *Contest Now Closed*

****CONTEST NOW CLOSED! Winner Announced Soon!****
As promised, I have an Ella eBook giveaway for one of my lucky readers!! And if you've been with me any period of time, you know just how much I love the girls at Ella *and* how amazing their books are. This one is no exception. So...

Let's hear it for the girls!

Got girls?
While I don't have one myself, I *am* one and I know many of you out there are mama to some cuties and therefor this book is for YOU!

This handy-dandy guidebook is here to help you make sure you capture all the essentials of who they are—the facets of their lives and personalities that matter most—in between all the holiday and event photos that describe what they do.

The gals at Ella invited five moms of girls (and only girls AND some of my friends!) to brainstorm a list of 20 essential “girly” topics and create stunning layout examples for each. They offered up their best ideas for making their girls’ layouts meaningful, authentic, and unique. And with 13 daughters, ranging in age from 3 to 16, these women know a thing or two about buttons and butterflies, princess costumes and prom dresses. Let's get girly!

Simply leave your name in the comment section below along with why YOU need this girlie book by WEDNESDAY, Sept 1st at 12:00 noon Eastern and be entered to win!

p.s. As some of you might have guessed, Ella also has an Essential Guide for Scrapbooking Boys, too! You'll never guess who might be a part of that! ;) Watch for it in September 2010.

xoxo,

k.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Where did August go?!

Seriously!
Where did it go?

It seems like just the other day I was saying good bye to July and the crazy hot temps we'd had around here and already it's time to do the same to August.

I like to think I know what filled it up - back to Cub Scouts and football and school for the boys, birthdays, quite a bit of traveling coming up for me - but in all honesty, it just disappeared! I wish I could say things were going to calm down a bit, but nope. It'll just settle into more of a hectic routine. I do love it though. Cheering at football games, organizing Cub Scout activities, volunteering at school, teaching - I can't get enough. All I can hope for is that I'll organize my time a little better so as to not to keep missing out on my blogging. :)

Stay tuned this week (I swear!) for a fun giveaway from Ella and perhaps...perhaps...one from me as well. In the meantime, here are a few snapshots from the past week. Let the fall begin!

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xoxo,
k.

Monday, August 09, 2010

Monday Randoms

Morning, all!

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I've got a bit of the Monday randoms going on myself - I feel way scattered and am trying to pull this modge podge of stuff together and failing miserably I tell you. Anyone with me on that? Oy!

Here's a few things I have to share and maybe that will get me on track a bit!

First, the August issue of BasicGrey's 'Just the Basics' is now available for your reading pleasure! I think this edition is chockful of eye candy and I really hope you'll check it out. Not only does it feature my boy dream-line Oliver, but also the fab work of the talented Kim Kesti (LOVE that girl), Allison Cope and Sarah Meyer!

Kim and I worked a little sketch magic based on this ultra-fun digital template that is a TWO-PAGER! Can I hear a cheer from the crowd? ;) I adore our digital templates and especially love that they included all scrapbook sizes (12x12, double pages and 8.5x11) as I personally scrapbook in all sizes. (I'm an equal-opportunity scrapbooker to be sure!) You can check out more of the templates here.
This is my layout based on the sketch below it. It was absolutely perfect for capturing an entire day's events or a season or anything that has quite a few pictures associated with it. I picked this year's 4th of July Party to document. And of course, I used OLIVER! I haven't found anything that line *can't* be used on! Such fun!

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One more fun thing:
Bazzill Basics and Heidi Swapp have hosted Creative Escape for the past 4 or 5 years. It's an amazing event and a couple of years ago, I had the honor of being a teacher at this event. I loved every minute of it and getting to spend time with some of my idols and make so many new friends. But one of my favorite parts of CE was that they had an auction to raise money for the Lymphoma Society. The year I taught, the amazing Tim Holtz actioned off his CE shirt (you might have heard about this! :)) and raised $6000 all on his own! Unreal!

Ayhow, this year as they did last year, Creative Escape is holding a "celebrity" auction of gorgeous mirrors that were decorated by teachers and former teachers of CE to help raise money for cancer research. While I'll be the first to admit, altered arts are *not* my specialty, I gave it a go for a good cause! Here is my mirror using BasicGrey's Cappella line! I hope those of you that attend CE will enjoy seeing all the mirrors and other special things created for this action and bid generously!
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Oh and finally - I don't know if this caught anyone's eye, but I just had to pass it along (wink, wink - It's that September part that has ME excited!) -
This came from Ella Publishing's last email update:

Ella's Essential Guide to Scrapbooking Girls will be released later this month, and Ella's Essential Guide to Scrapbooking Boys is coming your way in September. You'll find the guidance you need to paint a complete picture of your child, whether you have a girly girl, a tomboy, a daredevil, a sweet little man, or all of the above.

Have a great Monday!
xoxo,
k.

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

More of the Twins!

Hello, all!

Today, I just wanted to share a little more Oliver/Olivia goodies with you. These are my last two I did these layouts again for CHA to promote these two fun lines.

I've discovered that Oliver is absolutely divine for my football photos...any sports photos, really! I love the stars, stripes and just enough *grunge* to make it so boyish! This is Ethan winning his (3rd) football championship last fall. (And football starts again in just a week or so! We're so beyond ready here!)

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A little Olivia....just to show that this more feminine line doesn't *have* to be confined to little girls! I think it looks quite nice with a bit of Spiderman ice cream, don't you? :)

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And finally, a little preview of some album classes. We offered these classes to our retailers at CHA to promote some of the new lines within their stores so be sure to ask the store near you to carry them! This first one features the Wander line and is a travel-themed album (though it doesn't have to be). It includes places for photos, memorabilia and even a place for trips yet to be taken!
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And this one features Jovial in a holiday- or winter-theme. This one uses standard 4"x6" photos and documents your favorite winter memories. Both kits come with everything you need to make these albums including full-color, step-by-step instructions.
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Have a wonderful day!
xoxo,
k.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

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...
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played in the sprinklers...and swam and swam and swam....
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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....
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grew things from seeds and saw the results...
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saw gorgeous things in nature....
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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!)
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enjoyed our town...
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went to an always-amazing 4th party...
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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.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

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!

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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.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

My Baby, the 2011 edition

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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.
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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 :))
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And one more - May's page!
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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.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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