Altered Advent Calendar

Happy Saturday!  I wanted to share some photos of an altered advent calendar I've been working on this past week.  I used the December main kit from My Scrapbook Nook as well as lots of add-ons (including the calendar) to create this and I have to say I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

I used a crackle paint technique on the actual calendar and then just got to work assembling, covering, and embellishing all of those tiny drawers.  I painted the interior of each one (either red or green) and used some clear decoupage medium by Martha Stewart (a very happy new find) to adhere my strips of paper.

Instead of putting photos in the center of the calendar I decided to just create this cute little sign and use some more fun embellishments.  The only thing left to do is go shopping and fill up all of the little drawers.  Darian has already given me lots of suggestions - hee hee! Thanks for stopping by! :)

Whoa! 2 post in one day?!?

Maybe this will make up a bit for my lack of blogging this month.  Just maybe.  :)

I wanted to let you all know about a few fun giveaways going on.  First up, head on over to the Caardvarks blog.  They are showcasing the fabulous Artsy Urban Collection by Melody Ross for GCD Studios and I am the featured card designer.  Stop by the blog to see the cards I designed and you can enter for a chance to win some Artsy Urban goodies.

Also the GCD Studios blog is also having a giveaway in honor of Thanksgiving Day.  Be sure to stop on by and leave a comment for a chance to win. 

snow PLAY

Hey everyone!   I wanted to share a layout I created recently with the new Joyride Collection from Collage Press.  This layout is also being featured on the Collage Press blog today.

I adore this collection with it's bright colors and fun patterns.  I had taken these photos of the boys playing with their cousins at a park the day after Christmas last year and thought it was the perfect opportunity to put them to paper.

So how would you like to win your very own Joyride Collection?  Yeah, I thought so.  :)  Head on over to the Collage Press blog and leave a comment on today's post to be entered into a drawing to win a collection of your own.  In fact, I believe if you leave a comment on each new design team post (starting with yesterday's) you will be entered to win.  Winners will be chosen December 1st.  Good luck!

Got Sketch 94

Okay so it seems like all of my posts lately have been projects I've created for Got Sketch? blog.  Have you noticed?  LOL  I really AM creating other stuff.  Actually LOTS of other stuff.  I just can't share it yet.  Don't you just hate when people say that?  hee hee!

So in any case here is my layout for Sketch 94.  Fun sketch!  I used the Marketplace kit from Studio Calico for this one that included lots of Basic Grey Nook & Pantry and Cosmo Cricket Earth Love and Nutmeg.

I took these photos of the boys just last weekend.  The weather was absolutely beautiful so of course we headed outside to play a little football.  We actually were playing flag football but of course the boys ended up playing tackle football instead.  LOL

 

I used these fun Paper Whimsies from Sassafras for my journaling along with these Paper Whimsies for layering with the Nook & Pantry Stitched Brads.

Thanks for stopping by!  I REALLY hope to have more to share soon so don't forget to come back for another visit!  :)

Got Sketch 93

Hey everyone!  Doing a real quickie post this morning as I am knee deep in projects and all sorts of other stuff.  I did want to share this card I created using the latest sketch over at the Got Sketch? blog.  I used the sweet Earth Love line from Cosmo Cricket for my card.  Love the colors in this line paired up with some dark chocolate brown cardstock.

Okay that's it for today.  I told you it would be a quickie.  I hope to have more goodies to share soon.  Thanks for stopping by! 

Supplies used:

Earth Love Mini Decks 

Earth Love Alpha Ready Set Chipboard 

Earth Love Recycle Paper 

Earth Love Repeat Paper

Christmas Kisses

Just wanted to share a layout I created recently using two of my favorite things - the Mistletoe & Co Collection from Pink Paislee and Zva Creative crystals.

I adore these sweet photos of Darian and Brandon underneath our Christmas tree.  I was able to capture a sweet little kiss on Brandon's head from his big brother.

I loved using these crystal flourishes as the "base" for my title.  It adds so much dimension and interest.  Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used:
Mistletoe & Co Press Ons 
Postcards Mistletoe & Co Paper  
Santa's Workshop Mistletoe & Co Paper 
Mistletoe & Co Punch Out Die Cuts 
Naughty Or Nice Mistletoe & Co Paper 
North Pole Mistletoe & Co Paper
Berry Blue Expressions Glitter Chipboard Alphabet 
Chocolate Expression Cardstock Alphabet

Got Sketch 92

I absolutely LOVED the sketch this week over at the Got Sketch? blog. So fun and so many possibilities with those fun circles. Here's what I came up with using some of my favorite papers from Cosmo Cricket ... The Boyfriend!

 
I adore these sweet pictures I caught of Darian and my husband. Salar is D's flag football coach and we weren't sure how that would work out - would he listen, goof off, etc - but I have to say it has been wonderful. And of course the extra hugs of encouragement are just the icing on the cake.

I LOVE these woodgrain chipboard alphas from this collection. I have just been waiting for the chance to use them although I will admit I cheated on this layout a bit. See there is only one of most letters in a package and I needed two "c's" - let's just say it was super convenient I happened to have 2 (okay maybe 3) of these sets of alphas in my stash. What?!? I said I loved them didn't I?!? ;)

Supplies used:
Bazzill Basics Kraft Cardstock 
The Boyfriend Alpha Ready Set Chipboard 
The Boyfriend Stickers 
The Boyfriend Elements Paper 
The Boyfriend Tube Socks Paper 
The Boyfriend Study Hall Paper 
The Boyfriend Fitting In Paper 
The Boyfriend Art Appreciation Paper 
The Boyfriend Homework Paper

Banana Frog Guest Designer

Hi all! I hope everyone enjoyed an extra hour of shut eye this morning thanks to daylight savings time. Of course someone forget to pass along the memo to my boys so I have been up since 5am with my two little monkeys. I'm sure the sugar high from last night's festivities didn't help the situation either. LOL

Way back in January I was asked to be a guest designer for a great stamp company called Banana Frog. These stamps traveled all the way from the UK to make their way into my craft room and I couldn't wait to give them a try. Here are a few projects I created with them ...

Banana Frog sets used:
Build A Daisy
Superlicious
Super Dreamy

Other supplies used:
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey
Thread: Coats & Clark
Ink: Tsukineko
Punches: EK Success (large scallop) and Stampin' Up! (notebook edge)
Die Cut Machine: Cricut Expression
Software: SCAL for Cricut
Font: Pharmacy (downloaded from the internet)


Banana Frog sets used:
Build A Daisy
Super Dreamy

Other supplies used:
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey
Staples: Tim Holtz
Thread: Coats & Clark
Jewels: Basic Grey
Ink: Tsukineko
Embossing Powder: Ranger
Decorative Scissors: Provo Craft
Dimensional Adhesive: Pop Dots by All Night Media

I'll have some more projects created with these fun stamps on to share in the middle of the month so be sure to stop back here to take a peek!