roly poly santa baby!

How's that for a catchy title?  hee hee!  I wanted to share this layout I created recently of my little Baby Santa using the fabulous Joyride Collection from Collage Press.

That's my big boy Darian when he was just 4 months old!  Tell me he doesn't look like Baby Santa to you.  And if you could see his belly rolls in the photo I'd have you convinced without a doubt.

So how you like to win the Joyride Collection?  Well get this - the fabulous people at Collage Press are giving away not one but TWO paper packs of the COMPLETE JOYRIDE COLLECTION!  One for you ... one for a friend!  Or two for you it doesn't really matter hee hee!

Just leave a comment on the latest post on the BLOG to have a chance to give AND receive this awesome line!

The most wonderful time of the year ...

Hi all!  Just wanted to share another card I created using some more goodies from Zva Creative along with the new Very Merry Collection from October Afternoon. 

I am really loving this collection right now - the colors, the patterns, the sweet little gingerbread men - just so cute! 

That's all I have to share today.  I actually haven't had a ton of time to do crafty stuff lately.  With the holidays approaching I am just so focused on getting everything done - which is definitely not a bad thing - that I haven't really been in the mood.  I do have a few more projects to share though so be sure to check back soon! :)

And the WINNERS are ...

Our Zva winners have been chosen and their names will be announced sometime today on the following blogs:

Teri
Hilde
Lynn M.
Lynn G. - that's right here!
Anabelle

We had a ball and we hope that you did as well.  I want to thank everyone for visiting my blog and for all of the sweet comments.  I read each and every one of them and they all warmed my heart just like that steaming cup of hot cocoa on my tag.  Hee hee!  Definitely keep an eye out for another Zva Creative Blog Hop in the future.


And now to announce my winner who will receive $30 of Zva Creative goodies ...

Which means that my lucky winner is ...

Congrats Linda!  Please email me at lghahary@cevant.com with your full name and mailing information.  :)

Our First Zva Creative Blog Hop!

I am so excited to be a part of the Zva Creative DT! We are joining together today to share a Christmas or Holiday Tag that we each created showcasing the beautiful products that Zva has to offer.  I am hoping that you will take some time to join us in a little bit of fun!

The Blog Hop begins at Kim Hughes' blog.  Kim is linking to one of the designers and that designer is linking to the next and so on.  There are 12 design team members, so be prepared to be inspired along the way.  Hidden on 5 of the blogs is a Zva Creative prize package! Those blogs will be randomly chosen after the hop is over, so it's important to leave a comment on as many blogs as you can.  Our team is so wonderfully diverse, so we are hoping that you will discover a talent that you have not been aware of.

This Blog Hop runs through midnight on Tuesday, December 8th and the 5 winners will be announced on Wednesday, December 9th.  We will do our best to notify each winner, but it's best if you can pop in to all of the blogs once again on Wednesday . . . plus, you never know what kind of inspirational creation that you may find there.  All you need to do is leave a comment on this Zva Blog Hop post . . . you do not need to leave a comment on each and every designer's blog post to qualify.  The more times you leave a comment along the blog hop path though, the more chances you will have to be one of the lucky winners.

Zva Creative supplies used: 

PEW-02CB-105 (small pearl swirl) 

CR-01CB-101 (single crystal jewels)

AD-01CB-101 (foam adhesive dots)

Now please hop over to see the wonderfully talented Sherry Wright.

Thank you SO MUCH for playing.  We appreciate your support so very much!

Want to win the December kit from My Scrapbook Nook?

I thought so!  LOL  Here's your chance to win one of your very own.  The December kit features papers and embellishments from the Making Memories Mistletoe line.
 
All you have to do is upload a creation to the gallery at My Scrapbook Nook.  Each project that you upload to the gallery will count as one entry to win this fabulous kit.  You have between now and Christmas to add your creations to the gallery and the winner will be notified via pm and announced on the forum at My Scrapbook Nook.  Please note that you will have to register to post in the gallery but it's a super easy and fast process.  :)


Here's a peek at some of the Nook design team's creations so far:

GOOD LUCK TO YOU! :)

I can finally share ...

... THIS!

It's the cover of the Winter 2009 issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today and the layout is one that I created.  Hee!

I was so completely excited when Kerry asked me way back in September to create a cover option and even more thrilled when I found out mine had been chosen.  If you have not checked out this magazine before you really need to.  It is jam packed cover to cover with beautiful layouts, amazing cards, and inspiring articles.  And the best part (as if it could get any better) is that it is FREE!  Yep, that's right!  FREE!

I believe the Winter 2009 issue will be available for download from their website as of December 11th.  Or stop by your local scrapbook store and see if they carry it there as well. 

Since it's officially December ...

... thought I'd share this paper poinsettia wreath I created using the gorgeous new Christmas Sleigh Collection from GCD Studios.

When I was asked to create a wreath as one of my design team assignments I was super excited ... and then I panicked!  LOL  I really wanted to create the wreath ENTIRELY from paper but did not want to labor over cutting out all those pieces.  All I can say is thank goodness for my Cricut Expression - whew!  After much deliberating I finally decided to have the wreath consist entirely of poinsettia flowers and was able to use a shape on the Accent Essentials cartridge to piece the flower together.

There was still a lot of work involved - each flower has two layers and then punched circles in the middle with gems or buttons hot glued to it - but I absolutely LOVE how it turned out! 

For complete step by step instructions on how to create this wreath on your own head on over to the GCD Studios blog for all the details!

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!

Artsy Urban from GCD Studios

Not sure if you've seen the new Artsy Urban Collection by Melody Ross for GCD Studios by now but if you haven't you need to head on over to the GCD Studios website to check it out. It's so lovely - the colors, the patterns and the embellishments, oh my! There are just so many fabulous embellishments in this collection and I just can't seem to get enough of them.

I wanted to share this layout that I created with the new collection. A picture of me and my sweet boy Darian. Love this boy so much!


I used all sorts of goodies on this one including some of the die cut borders, chipboard flowers, transparent shapes, and vintage brads.


And I am loving these inspiration cards as well. They have the perfect words for what we want to say but so often cannot find the words ourselves. Love them!


This collection should be in your Michaels store by now (I know as of 2 weeks ago mine had bits and pieces and were expecting the rest shortly). Thanks for stopping by!

November Nook Cards ...

Just wanted to share some cards that I created with the November Kit from My Scrapbook Nook. I have had a lot of fun playing with this kit and these beautiful Lily Bee papers. I wanted to add some cards to my stash and play with some pretty Prima flowers and swirls while I was at it.




You can see my new Martha Stewart "deep edge" border punch on the first card. I just purchased this punch and couldn't wait to use it. I love how deep it cuts the border - lots of fun! Most everything you see here is included in the main kit at My Scrapbook Nook or as an add-on (except the Maya Road kraft label). Thanks for stopping by!

1979 ...

I wanted to share another layout I created with the November kit from My Scrapbook Nook. I decided to scrap an older photo for this one ... a MUCH older photo! LOL This is my older sister and I way back in 1979. I'm about 4 years old here. Can you guess which one is me? And check out those dresses and that couch! Oh baby!


I love the rub-ons that come with this kit especially this "the story..." one. Seemed like the perfect opportunity to do some hidden journaling. I created a tag pocket using my Cricut Expression and the Tags, bags, boxes and more cartridge and slipped a journaling tag inside.


Thanks for stopping by! :)

November My Scrapbook Nook Kit and GCD Studios Sketch Contest

The November kit from My Scrapbook Nook features the Audrey Collection from Lily Bee. Truth be told this is actually the first time I have ever used Lily Bee products. The papers are really pretty, the colors and patterns are rich, and the rub-ons are just fabulous!

I created this layout as part of a class at My Scrapbook Nook (a monthly feature in the forum). You can see all of the step by step photos and instructions here if you'd like to play along.


Lots of fun add-ons available with this kit (like the chipboard letter and gold studs you see below both from Prima) ...



I'll have another layout from this kit to share soon so be sure to check back with me.

In the meantime don't forget to enter into the sketch contest currently being held over at the GCD Studios blog. You can win lots of fun goodies! As always, thanks for stopping by! :)

Got Sketch 91

Just wanted to share my contributor layout for Got Sketch? blog this week. I used some yummy Cosmo Cricket Boyfriend papers here. Love the color scheme and the fun retro prints!

I took these photos of Brandon at one of Darian's football practices. I swear this boy loves anything that moves. He's the best at making "vroom" noises and will get down and dirty (as you can see from the pictures) to be one with his trucks! LOL

 
Thanks for stopping by! :)

Supplies used:
The Boyfriend Ribbon
The Boyfriend Borders Paper
The Boyfriend Tube Socks Paper
The Boyfriend Study Hall Paper
The Boyfriend Art Appreciation Paper
Mustard Typo Chipboard Thickers

How 'bout a mini?

So I don't really consider myself a "mini gal" in that I rarely (read as never lol!) make mini albums. I think this is the second of third mini album I've made and probably the first that wasn't from a class kit. I don't know why. I guess I feel kinda intimidated by them. But the dt gals from Black River Designs decided that one of our projects this month should be a mini album so I took the plunge and here it is!


What is a "brandonism" you ask? Well let me tell you! My little guy Brandon comes up with the craziest, wackiest, silliest things some times. I love his "kid logic" and how things just make sense to him even though they are so off the wall to me. I had been sharing these "brandonisms" on my facebook page for the last month and decided it was the perfect subject for my mini album.


A quick look at the inside pages. I know you can't read the journaling but if you click on the image it should show bigger and you'll be able to get a glimpse of some of the silly things my boy says. Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used:
Black River Designs Midnight Blooms
Black River Designs Pink Wildflowers
Black River Designs Ribbon Stripes
Black River Designs Spiro Art
Jillibean Soup Really Red Alphabeans
Jillibean Soup Kraft/Red Circle Journaling Sprouts
American Crafts Spinach Nutmeg Glossy Chipboard Thickers
Scenic Route White Blue Grid Background Paper
Jenni Bowlin Reverse Black Tiny Circle Alpha Cardstock Stickers
Sassafras Green In A Stitch Buttons

a whole week ...

... without a post. So sorry I've been a bad blogger. I have actually been super busy this week with scrappy assignments but of course it's nothing that I can share just yet. Don't you just hate when people say that, I know I do! ;)

I did make this Halloween tussie mussie for GCD Studios recently. I hope it's okay to share as it hasn't been up on their blog yet but I'm gonna share it anyways just cuz I wanna! LOL!

I think tussie mussies are so fun and pretty easy to make. You can customize them for any season or holiday and they look so cute hanging from your door.

Of course I will admit that this tussie mussie is now empty since those chocolates were just too darn tempting to leave well enough alone. :)

cutest little pumpkin

Just wanted to share another Halloween layout I created this week. Well I guess it's not technically a Halloween layout but a pumpkin picking layout. You know what I mean though right? lol! Used some more of the fabulous new Twilight Collection from Pink Paislee.


These are some older pictures of Darian in a local pumpkin patch when he was just 14 months old. Isn't he such a cutie? I have been trying to backtrack a bit and scrapbook some of my older photos since I stopped scrapbooking while the boys were really little I have a lot to catch up on.


Lot of fun dimension here with chipboard, die cuts, and lots and lots of pop dots. You can also see the staples from my new Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher that I just purchased a few weeks ago. I waited to purchase the tiny attacher for awhile because I just wasn't sure I needed it (hee hee - what's "need" to a scrapbooker right?). I finally decided to just go ahead and buy it and I've used it on so many different projects already. Love it!

Supplies used:
Twilight Punch Out Die Cuts
Horizon Twilight Paper
Sunset Twilight Paper
Dusk Twilight Paper
Nightfall Twilight Paper
Eclipse Twilight Paper
Limeade Expressions Glitter Chipboard Alphabet
Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

Back 2 School

Morning all! So I'm very excited to finally share this layout with you today. About a month ago I was asked by the super fantabulous Kelly Goree to contribute a layout for the Basic Grey October 2009 Newsletter. I adore Basic Grey so of course I jumped at the opportunity!

I was given a super fun sketch to work with and decided to go with a back to school theme since these adorable photos of Brandon were fresh off my camera. I used mostly the June Bug Collection with its fresh colors and funky patterns with some bits and pieces from a few other collections (alphas from Eskimo Kisses and Marrakech and chip sticker from Offbeat).


Be sure to check out the rest of the contributing layouts as well! :)

Supplies used:
Eskimo Kisses Chip Stickers
Fresco June Bug Collection Paper
Vintage Plaid June Bug Collection Paper
Ric Rac June Bug Collection Paper
Marrakech Chip Stickers
Offbeat Chip Sticker Shapes

World Card Making Day!

Okay so I know I am a day late with this post but we were out for most of the day yesterday and I just didn't get a chance to get this up on my blog. But as they say better late than never, right?

I wanted to share with you a few cards I created using the October kit from My Scrapbook Nook. This kit features all sorts of vintage inspired papers from Graphic 45 so I had to call on my inner domestic goddess for these. I really like how they turned out.




Everything you see here is available from My Scrapbook Nook either in the main kit or as an add-on except for the Jenni Bowlin tiny alphas (those are from my stash!). I still have lots more kit left and another project in the works that I hope to finish soon. Thanks for stopping by!

American Crafts and Pebbles!

Big news folks! American Crafts has purchased Pebbles Inc. According to the Studio blog (American Crafts blog) Pebbles will remain its own company under the American Crafts umbrella.

I love both brands and am so proud to design for Pebbles - I can't wait to see how this new partnership spells itself out over time. :)

Happy Halloween!

Yes I know I'm just a wee bit early but it is officially October today so I thought I'd share a halloween layout I created using some of the fantastic new Twilight goodies from Pink Paislee. Halloween is probably my favorite holiday (after Christmas of course) and I just can't get enough of this Twilight Collection. Paired with the new glitter chipboard alphas and you are all set!



Supplies Used:
Pink Paislee Nightfall Twilight Paper
Pink Paislee Sunset Twilight Paper
Pink Paislee Dusk Twilight Paper
Pink Paislee Horizon Twilight Paper
Pink Paislee Twilight Punch Out Die Cuts
Pink Paislee Twilight Borderlines Stickers
Pink Paislee Twilight Bella Brads
Pink Paislee Licorice Expressions Glitter Chipboard Alphabet

apple picking

The October kit from My Scrapbook Nook arrived on my doorstep yesterday and I couldn't wait to get right to work although I must admit I was intimidated. The kit features Graphic 45 Domestic Goddess which is very vintage inspired with lots of sweet prints and fun retro images. Also lots of Prima flowers, pretty lace ribbons, dyed to match buttons in the kit as well. Not things I typically use (well except the buttons) so I wasn't quite sure how this kit and I would get along. LOL

The colors were perfect for some apple picking pictures I took just last week though so I put my fears aside and started playing with paper and here's what I came up with ...


I've still got tons more kit to play with so stay tuned for some more goodies in the next few days.

Come see who our new designer is at GCD Studios!

GCD Studios has some really BIG NEWS to share about NEW product and our NEW designer! Here's just a little sneak peek of some of the goodies in this fabulous new collection ...

If you want to see ALL of this new collection and play along for a chance to win some of these brand new goodies head on over to the GCD Studios blog stat!

More GCD Studios and Grafix Projects!

Hi Everyone! We are wrapping up our GCD Studios and Grafix blog party this week and I wanted to share the rest of the projects I created using these fun products.

These first two projects were created using Grafix Shrink Film and GCD Studios Schooled Collection. Let me just say this - if you loved playing with shrinky dinks as a child then you will LOVE this shrink film. It was seriously so much fun! I simply traced a clip art image onto the shrink film, colored it with my Copic markers, baked it in the oven and voila! Adorable little accents for this teacher's thank you card and mini composition book!



For this next project (and keeping with my teacher theme) I used Computer Grafix Films. These films are computer printable and allow you to add images, text, etc as an overlay to any project. I altered this simple wooden frame I picked up at Michaels with the GCD Studios Schooled Collection and then added a quote to the opening using a printed Grafix Film. A cute little pencil, twill, and chipboard heart and you have the perfect gift for a teacher!



On Friday there will be a giveaway for $100 worth of GCD Studios and Grafix products. Be sure to visit the GCD Studios blog to get all of the details. Thanks for stopping by!