Top Ten of 2014 Blog Hop

     

 Hello! It was hard to narrow it down, but I have chosen 10 of my most favorite projects from 2014...and a fabulous group of paper-crafting gals have done the same. You should have arrived here from Mendi's blog, but if you're just joining us...you might want to go back to the beginning, and see Juliana. Not only will you not want to miss out on seeing loads of beautiful and inspiring projects...but you just might have a chance at winning a pretty amazing prize. 

So here we go, in no particular order...

(Click on titles to see original post)

Super Star

This layout was actually a scraplifted page that was one of my first projects for Imaginisce using the Welcome Spring collection.

Snaggle Tooth

I really love the textured background on this one made for Bella Blvd using the Max collection.

Banished to the Box

This is one of my go-to designs...kind of a mismatched/layered grid - featuring Imaginisce's Perfect Vacation.

Water Balloon Fight!

Another page using Perfect Vacation from Imaginisce. This one is based off of a Studio Calico sketch...you can find it HERE.

He's a Stinker

This is the first page that I made with Scattered Sprinkles...probably my favorite  collection to date from Bella Blvd.

Fish ON!

 
This page using Summer Squeeze from Bella Blvd, is also based off of a sketch...you can find it in the original post (click the title).

Hay Ride

I had fun with the circle/'triangle' design on this one...using Bella Blvd's Hello Autumn collection.

Play

This is one of my favorite Instagram photos, ever. I couldn't wait to use Bella Blvd's Tiny Tots collection to showcase it.

My Twin Chefs

 
I LOVE the new Family Fun collection from Imaginisce...it is full of super cute embellishments for pretty much any family activity you can think of. I had fun picking out little accessories for the paper dolls on this layout.

Howling Good Time

This was my first project ever for the SEI Lifestyle blog. I used their Furry Friends collection, it was perfect for this photo of my son and our poor dog :)

Here is a list of all the blogs just in case you get yourself lost along the way...

Blog Hop Map:

Juliana Michaels
Michele Kovack
Chantalle McDaniel
Christine Meyer
Mendi Yoshikawa
Kelly Holbrook  (You are HERE)
Laurel Seabrook
Katrina Hunt
Wendy Morris-Saponaro
Becky Adams
Suzanna Lee
Melissa Elsner
Monika Wright
Wendy Antenucci
Jen Mattot
Marcia Dehn-Nix
Ashley N Newell
Kathy Skou
Linda Auclair
Kelly Jean
Monique Liedke
Rhonda VanGinkel
Jennifer Haggerty
Cathy Harper

Who wants to win $75 gift certificate to Paper Issues?

How to Enter:

Leave a comment! Leave a comment on every blog for more chances to win...but please only one comment per blog. Comments close on January 4th, and the winner will be announced on January 5th! 

Thank you so much for visiting, and now you are off to see Laurel!

Thanks for hopping!

Imaginisce: Set of 24 Holiday Cards - Giveaway!

Over at Imaginisce...we have been working with the Home for Christmas collection from Pebbles, Inc. during the holiday season. I decided to use it along with their Chalkboard Envelope Seals to make a set of Christmas cards.

Merry Christmas (set of 24)

Supplies

Pebbles Inc. - Home For Christmas (Deck the Halls); Chalkboard Envelope Seals

American Crafts - White Cardstock, Baker's Twine, Foam Dots

There were 24 envelope seals in a pack...so that is why the set includes 24. But, it actually worked out perfectly, as my patterned paper piece was 3x4...so it used up two whole 12x12 sheets. Also the tag is about 2x3, so that took up 1 whole sheet of white cardstock. I love it when things work out that way so as to end up with no scraps, and hardly any waste.

The inside verse reads...

...with a cute little handmade seal on the back.

Here's the thing...I don't send Christmas cards, lol! I send photo cards, and they're more of a generic holiday theme seeing as I never know when they'll make it into the mail! So, if you are a procrastinator....or an overachiever then maybe you would like a free set of cards? If you haven't gotten around to sending out cards, or you would like to have yours ready for next year...leave me a comment stating how many holiday cards you typically send out every year. You have until the 31st to leave a comment, and I'll announce the winner on January 4th.

Thanks for stopping by!

SEI: Happy Holidays

I shared this card over at the SEI Lifestyle blog a couple of weeks back....

Happy Holidays

Supplies

Holiday Traditions (Cardmaker Pack, 6x6 paper pad)

Velvet Paper (Green)

Chalet (Sundries)

Fall Bouquet Envelope Album Kit (Ribbon)

 I decided that a wreath made out of the green velvet paper would be pretty great. So, I ran it through my embossing machine with a leaf die. The leaves ended up taking over my entire card...so I made the wreath into a frame for my sentiment. I stapled the leaves to a 4.5x4.5 piece of patterned paper with a 2 inch circle cut from the center. I then popped it up with dimensional adhesive, and adhered it over top of my sentiment sticker, which was approximately in the center of my 4.25x5.5 card. I finished it off with a bow tied at  the base, topped with a corrugated star.

Be sure to stop in over at SEI, we have a fun week of holiday inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by!

SEI: Fall Family Photo

Hello...I'm trying to get caught up on some posts. I've been a little bit lazy about keeping up :)  Back in the beginning of December, I had a fall layout to share over at the SEI Lifestyle Blog...

Fall Family Photo

Supplies

Fall Bouquet: Collection, Envelope Album Kit, Sundries

Chalet: Sundries

For this layout, I combined the Fall Bouquet collection with the Envelope Album kit to create all of the layers. The elements made for the 5x7 album are perfect for matting 4x6 photos, so they make up the majority of the layers. I love all of the little copper foiled bits included in the collection, and kept my background simple so that they would really stand out. I finished up by adding some gems and pearls from the Chalet and Fall Bouquet Sundries kits.

It's always hard for me to make the switch from a fall theme to winter...fall products are usually some of my favorite! But, it is nearing the end of December, so I guess it's time :) That being said...you'll want to stop in over to the SEI blog, you don't want to miss the great holiday and gift giving inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by!

Imaginisce: Dashing Through the Snow

I had a winter themed layout up over at Imaginisce, this past Wednesday.  We're using the Home for Christmas collection from Pebbles, Inc...

Dashing Through the Snow...

Supply List

Imaginisce: Green Milk Paint, i-Top Tool & Brad, i-Rock Tool & Gems

Bazzil: Eggshell Cardstock

Pebbles, Inc: Home for Christmas (Candy Canes, Snow Flurries, Christmas Cheer, Merry & Bright, Icons & Phrases)

I was super excited to play with the Milk Paint...and was not disappointed! I decided to showcase the paint using some old school stencils. I wanted more of a water color look, so I mixed up the paint a bit more thin than what was recommended in the directions. After settling on a heart pattern, I just brushed on the paint with a stencil brush. I removed the stencil, and spattered more paint diagonally across the hearts.

This was my last official project for Imaginisce. I have enjoyed my year working with their adorable products along side some very talented ladies! Stay tuned for farewell posts up over at the Imaginisce blog in the next few weeks.

Thanks for stopping by!

Bella Blvd: Monday Morning Challenge

On Monday, we were challenged to include a photo card on our layouts over at the Bella Blvd Studio Blog. I chose to use an older card that I had leftover from a couple of years ago...

Love-Joy-Peace

Supplies

Christmas Cheer: Reindeer Games, Happy Hearts, Making Spirits Bright, Christmas Crew, Daily Details, Borders, Treasures & Text; High Five Alpha Stickers: Black-White; Designer Tape: Ice stripe.

My photo card takes up quite a bit of my page, as it is 5x7. So, I didn't really want to add to it a whole lot. I cut three different sized circles, and topped them with tabs to make them look like ornaments. I added my fussy-cut Love-Joy-Peace title after cutting hearts from the centers and backing with patterned paper.

 This was such a great way to make use of extra photo cards...and get them in the books! You should definitely head over to Bella Blvd to check out Jamie's cute page.

Thanks for stopping by!

SEI: Howling Good Time

Hello! Today I have my first post up over at the SEI Lifestyles blog (yay!) I've created a page using one of my favorite photos of my son, Oskar with our dog, Elsie using the super cute Furry Friends collection. I love everything about it, especially the muted backgrounds, and the build your own 'furry friend' elements.

Howling Good Time

Supplies:

Furry Friends ( River Wash, Swizzle Stick, Furry Friends, Branches); Fall Bouquet (Sundries); Chalet (Sundries); Summer (Paper Doilies)

For my layout, I used kind of a layered grid design...which is something I do often. I started by matting my photo, choosing a journaling card, and cutting a 4x6 piece of patterned paper.

I picked out a coordinating Summer Doily, and arranged them all together on an 8.5x11 piece of background paper. I chose some embellishments, and threw in some elements from the Fall Bouquet and Chalet Sundries. I finished my layout by adding the 'Howling Good Time' sticker for my title, and stitching some striped patterned paper along the top and bottom edges.

Thanks for stopping by!

Bella Blvd: Thursday Trends

We're focusing on the confetti pocket trend over at the Bella Blvd Studio Blog, today...I chose to create a birthday themed layout using the Molly collection...

Make a Wish

Supplies

Molly: Refuse to Sink, Sketch with Style, Unlimited Text, Treasures&Text, Candid Cards, Paper Pieces; High five Alpha Stickers: Color Wheel; Classic Calendars: Treasures&Text; Designer Tape: Chevron Combo; Flags: Birthday Girl 1, Birthday Boy 2

Confetti reminds me of birthdays, and I thought the Molly collection was perfect for a birthday girl themed layout. For my confetti, I punched some shapes from patterned paper, and combined them with some of the little 'bits' from the paper pieces. I used a memorabilia pocket to hold the confetti, matted it on patterned paper, and stitched on a polaroid frame.

Be sure to check out all of the other gorgeous confetti pockets over at Bella Blvd.

Thanks for stopping by!

Imaginisce: Family Fun Collection

We're sharing projects made with the new Family Fun collection over at Imaginisce this week. 

The Family Fun collection features deep grassy green, classic blue jean, bright red, and pops of yellow....and is full of classic icons for arcade games, movies, crafts, and clean family fun. 

I had so much fun digging through all of the fun embellishments, and settled on a page about cooking with my girls...

My Twin Chefs

Supply List

Imaginisce: Family Fun (Baking, Die Cut Cardstock Shapes); i-Rock Tool and Rocks 

American Crafts: Black Fun&Games Thickers

When I saw that there were both a blond and a brunette long haired girl paper doll, I couldn't resist doing a page like this. My very fraternal twins love to help me out in the kitchen, and of course...I love to document it! The paper doll embellishments are quite large, so I made use of the chefs hats for my title space. Also, keeping the background simple keeps the page from looking too busy so everything can stand out.

Be sure to stop by the Imaginisce blog all week long to see the other great projects made with the Family Fun collection!

Thanks for stopping by!

Bella Blvd: Bella Buzz November Newsletter

The Bella Buzz November 2014 Newsletter is available today, and you can download it HERE. If you would like to sign up to receive each issue in your inbox, you can do so HERE. 

I am super excited to be featured in this month's issue. We were challenged to create a layout using feathers, crochet hearts, and designer tape. Here is what I came up with...

Blessed

Supply List

Hello Autumn: Daydream, Perfect Pick, Borders, Falling into Fall, Treasures&Text, Trinkets, Paper Pieces; Amorie Chipboard Alphas: Amorie Brownie; Feathers: Surf n' Turf Feathers, Pony Feathers; Crochet Hearts: Saltwater Hearts; Designer Tape: Navy Dot

I chose to use two feathers, and actually punched two holes into the orange background paper to secure them down. I wove the feathers between the two holes, and used the empty space on top for an embellishment cluster including one crochet heart. I incorporated one color of designer tape to help mat my photo.

Thanks for stopping by!