Hello! It's been a crazy busy week since we came back from Idaho on Sunday. I have tons of pics to share tonight when I get home.
In the meantime, I've been working on layouts this week for the show with our new CHA Summer lines! And just look what popped up over at www.basicgrey.com earlier today...
Any guesses as to what's coming?!
Lots going on, where to start?!!
First, time to announce the giveaway of Paper Crafts newest issue - Card Creations 7! The blog hop was a blast, enjoyed hearing from some many new people!
The winner of the magazine -
We bought this patio set, along with a smaller matching table and 2 other chairs about 8 years ago. And it's dated. The color of the chairs and the cushions were blending into the concrete and just got to the point where they were blah.
So, $100, 2 trips to Home Depot, 9 cans of spraypaint, and 6 new cushions later - voila!
The after
I love how it turned out, makes all of the difference in the world. Looks like a brand new set, and a lot less expensive, too!
Next step is to stain the concrete. We'll be doing that in a few weekends, will post when we get it done.
Looking forward to heading out of town tomorrow for the long weekend. It's been nice and quiet around here, but I miss those boys like crazy!
Lots of fun pics from the trip to share when I get home!
Good morning friends! Hope everyone is doing well on this Friday morning!
If you're a card maker, you've probably been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this -
Paper Crafts Card Creations Volume 7!
Trust me when I say this is another FABULOUS issue from Paper Crafts, CHOCK FULL of almost 300 cards from various designers for all different occasions.
And the wonderful people at Paper Crafts have a super fun celebration going on surrounding the release of this issue, including lots of prizes!
For a chance to win an issue of Card Creations 7, just leave me a comment on this post, then head on over the blogs of these talented designers and do the same. Each of us has an issue to give away, so be sure to leave a comment on each blog! And while you're there, you'll get a peek at one of each of their fabulous cards from the issue. Oh yah, and while you're blog hopping, head on over to the Paper Crafts Connection and the Moxie Fab World for a full run down on the celebration as well as a chance to win lots more prizes!
All 15 of us are giving away a free issue of Card Creations 7, so get busy hopping!
(And now my formatting is all skeewompus, so the rest of this post is going to be centered......)
Here's one of my favorite cards I did for this issue -
It's a super simple card (my favorite kind)! I used Studio Calico's Noah Alphabet stamps. The letters are between 1 and 1.5 inches high, so the cards a good size, plenty of room for writing inside! Quite handy that 'h' and 'i' are right next to each other in the alphabet, eh? I used red ink on the 2 letters I wanted to stand out. The black ink is the BEST black stamping ink you will EVER find for a nice, crisp, solid stamping impression - Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black. If you have alpha stamps and they're collecting dust, this is a super easy way to use them! Also a great way to use your leftover alphabet stickers - I know you have plenty of those, too!
Okey dokey, let the hopping and bopping begin!
Never a dull moment around here, no siree!
We dodged bullet #2 with Jack yesterday. See his arm? His entire body is covered.
Hives.
Believe it or not, this looks good compared to yesterday.
According to the pediatric dermatologist we've seen twice in the last week, it's a result of all of the medication he's been on for the yeast infection/topical strep A infection.
Poor guy. The yeast/strep infection was finally starting to clear up after 2 weeks, when he woke up Friday morning with hives. At that point, they were only on his legs. He had a follow up appointment with the dermatologist already scheduled that morning, so I guess you could call it good timing. If you consider anything associated with hives good timing.
We dodged bullet #1 last Friday, when it turned it out he didn't have to be hospitalized for what the pediatrician was concerned was a nasty staff infection.
Bullet #2 came yesterday morning when I called the dermatologist (at home) because Jack was covered head to toe with hives. And when I say head to toe, I mean it - even on the palms of his hands.
Somehow I managed to keep my cool when the dr. asked how his breathing was and whether his lips were swollen. He proceeded to tell me that if Jack started having trouble breathing, we had no more than 20 minutes to get him to the emergency room.
I loaded him up with Benadryl and watched him like a hawk all day. Luckily, no breathing problems.
This is day 3 of hives. Poor guy. He's so calm about it all. He just wants it all to go away. And after 3 weeks worth of shots and antibiotics and ointments and now another ointment for the hives and Benadryl every 4 hours, can you blame him?
Here's hoping we're not dodging anymore bullets in the near future!
Good morning!
Up bright and early today to teach at the MemoryWorks event later this morning. Really looking forward to it!
Wanted to hop on really quick and announce the winner to the Scrapbook and Cards Today 1 year magazine subscription -
Jennifer Moore!
Woop, Woop! Big congrats to Jennifer! And thanks to Scrapbook and Cards Today for this great giveaway!
I've got issues, oh yes I do. Just ask Nick! But, who doesn't, right?! I'll spare you those dirty little secrets!
Let's try again.
I've got issues, and I got them for free from Scrapbook and Cards Today!
That's THEIR tagline, don't you just love it? What, it doesn't quite make sense yet?
There's a little good news today for everyone that didn't win the subscription - you can download the Scrapbook and Cards Today magazine from their website each month for free! Go to their website or their blog each month to download. And trust me, you won't be disappointed.
And if you're still reading, good for you! A little birdie told me you just might want to head over here for a little (BG) giveaway.....
We're zero for two. Yep. 0 girls, 2 boys. And that's all folks, no more little Koncars on the way, especially of the female persuasion. So when I scrap, I find myself in a bit of a predicament. I like flowers, and bling, and pink, just like the next gal. But, with 2 boys, it's sometimes hard to work in.
Anyone out there with me?
If so, here are a few tricks I use to work that fun stuff into my scrapbooking:
1. Scrap pictures of myself from when I was a little girl; that way I can add all of the pink and flowers and bling that I can squeeze onto a page.
2. Scrap photos of my boys when they were a tad bit younger and just add the flowers and bling and pink anyway; I figure I can get away with that until they're about 6 in the photos; then I'm going to get some pushback!
3. “Ground” the flowers with primary colours like I did in this layout - adding red and navy and yellow balances the addition of the flowers and the bling.
I've mentioned here before how much I love our new June Bug line. The line is so versatile, so many different options with the gorgeous colors and patterns.
The thing I love the MOST about this line is the navy, red and yellow. Makes it really easy to use those colors and patterns on a layout about Sam when he was younger, and still work in some flowers and bling!
Speaking of bling, on this layout I also used some of our Bling It On that I've talked about before here.
I received a few emails asking how the Bling It On works. The Bling It On comes in 2 pieces - the rub on sheet and then a clear sheet with the rhinestones. It's almost like you're getting 2 products for the price of 1. Many of the tiny rhinestones are 'linked' with a clear strip of adhesive, so you stick the strip on top of the rub-on once you've applied the rub-on.
I love the Bling It On - super easy, inexpensive, and adds quite a punch.
Reminder - leave a comment on Monday's post for a chance to win a 1 year subscription to Scrapbook and Cards Today magazine!
Good Monday morning!
Have you heard of the magazine Scrapbook and Cards Today? It's a WONDERFUL Canadian based magazine that's quickly worked it's way to the US. If you're not familair with it, check out their website.
I issued a 2 for 1 designer challenge on the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog this morning using this layout as an example - go check it out!
This layout uses patterned paper and buttons from our new Lemonade line, chipboard alphas from our Offbeat line, and lots of Opaline and Bling It rhinestones.
Catherine over at Scrapbook and Cards Today has graciously offered a one year subscription to the magazine for one of my readers! Yeeha!
I found inspiration for this layout from a Starbucks giftcard. To be entered for a chance to win a 1 year subscription to the magazine, leave a comment ON THIS POST telling me where you find your inspiration. Giveaway will close on Thursday, June 18th at midnight MT. I'll draw the random winner and announce here on Friday.
Good luck!
I'm sitting here watching it pour outside. Again.
What I want to know is who picked up my world and dumped it in Seattle?!
With all of the rain we've had this month, you would think we lived in Seattle instead of the middle of high desert USA, aka Salt Lake City.
Don't get me wrong. The rain is nice. Things are green, green, GREEN! Normally it's about 85 during June, and things start to turn brown (think desert). And in July, the fire season starts in Utah, and it's a scary thing. Lots and lots of burning acreage. And by August, your water bill is so high you think you own a swimming pool, but you don't.
We turned off our sprinkler 10 days ago, because there's so much water in our lawn that we're thinking of starting a mushroom farm (no, not THOSE kind of mushrooms....).
Check out this weather calendar I found online for Salt Lake - see all of those clouds? And storms? It's rained 11 out of the last 13 days. And the 2 days it didn't rain - mostly cloudy. So to say I'm looking forward to a little sunshine is an understatement. A BIG one, especially considering that it's poured (yes, gully washer rains) the last 10 days.
And look, how nice. They've even forecasted next week.
Looks like it's time for another bottle of self tanner....
Good news, we ended up on the right side of 50:50. On Friday there was a 50:50 chance that Jack would be admitted to the hospital for his infection. Between our pediatrician and a pediatric dermatologist, they figured out it was a combination yeast and strep A infection. With a heavy regimen of 3 different antibiotics and a strong topical ointment, as of this morning things are looking much better! No hospital for us! He came running into our room this morning yelling 'look, Mom, it looks so much better'! Poor guy, he just wants it to go away. And go away it is. Thanks for your comments and emails, we appreciate it!
Now, time for some fun stuff!
Next month, BasicGrey is celebrating its 5th anniversary! Do you believe it?!
We can't possibly celebrate our 5th anniversary alone, so we're looking for two winners in our 5th Anniversary Contest (one layout winner, one card winner). Our layout category winner will receive a collection pack and the card category winner will receive a 6x6 paper pad of either Lemonade or June Bug!
The contest ends June 17th. Join the celebration and upload your entry in our gallery at www.basicgrey.com using the title "Anniversary Card" or "Anniversary Layout". The two lucky winners will appear in our July newsletter.
When you enter, post a link to your layout in the comments here, I'd love to see what you submit! Cards and layouts do not have to be new, and you can use any BasicGrey collection that you'd like.
Have fun!
Time for the winners, bring it on for the Bling It On!
Drumroll please...
(Think Clark Griswold in Christmas Vacation when he's spent hours stringing thousands of lights all over his house and he's getting ready to plug them all in and he starts making the drumroll noise and then Mrs. Clark and her parents and his parents and the kids all start making the drumroll noise.)
(Yah, that.)
(OK, OK, I'll get on with it....)
Yes - I need more bling. Don't we all?
I ran across a few fun links that I wanted to share, related to Bling it On, the 7 Gypsies Binderie and our Lime Rickey line -
Here's a great article from www.lifetimemoments.com on our Bling It On.
And here's a fun video from www.bluemoonscrapbooking.com making a mini book using the Binderie and our Lime Rickey line.
And hey, if you didn't win the Bling It On and are having a hard time finding it, both of those sites just happen to sell it....
I'll have another fun giveaway next week, so make sure to check back in.
In other news, we found out late this afternoon that Jack has a pretty serious infection. His pediatrician gave him a massive shot of antibiotics a few hours ago, and he's just taken 2 prescriptions for more antibiotics. We have an appointment tomorrow with a pediatric dermatologist. It's a 50:50 chance we may end up in the hospital tomorrow afternoon. Sooooo, think good thoughts. Thank you in advance! Off to have a glass of wine and try to relax.
Giveaway closed.
_________________________________________________
Have you heard of the Binderie Punch by 7 Gypsies?
It's an awesome little tool - punches holes in just about anything. Fabric, chipboard, canvas, acrylic, transparencies - you name it. Especially great for punching holes in BasicGrey fabric and our new Take Notes - both great for adding to mini books!
A few weeks back, 7 Gypsies gave me one of these puppies and asked me to alter it BasicGrey style for their Binderie Punch Artist Series.
I decorated mine with our Bling It On rub-ons & rhinestones -
You can click here to see how other artists altered their Binderie punch. But don't click quite yet, you just might want to read on..... I'm just sayin.
If you haven't seen or used our Bling It On before, they're awesome! They're available in 12 different designs, each in 3 different colors (black, brown and white). Here's the black -
Each package is about 2.5x2.5 inches and includes the rub-on as well as the rhinestones to go with it. And for an MSRP of $1.80, you can't beat it!!!
So.....it's been a long time. A LOOOOONG time since I've done a giveaway, and now it's time!
I have a bunch of the Bling It On to give away to 3 lucky winners. Just leave a comment here by 11:59 pm MT, Wednesday, June 10th. On Thursday, I'll pick 3 lucky winners to receive some Bling It On!
And another chance for fun - 7 Gypsies has a contest going on right now - the Ultimate Binderie Giveaway. Click here for details!
Ahhh, so ready for bed!
Yesterday morning Nick and I spent a hunk of change on more flowers for the yard (gotta love the handy dandy iPhone for impromptu shots!).
We moved into our house 9 summers ago. I was 6 months pregnant with Sam. In addition to being pregnant, having a 3 year old and trying to move in the heat of summer, we decided to do our own landscaping. Our house is on a half acre, and let's just say it's been a pretty big project, one that goes on and on and on.
After the first year, we had the sprinkler system in, the fence, and the lawn. Over the 2nd year, we planted all of the trees. And over the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th... (you get the picture) year, we have planted and torn out and planted and planted more and replanted and added a water feature and a sand box and a club house and planted more.
So yesterday, we bought more and today we planted more. We spent 8 1/2 hours in the yard today! To say we're exhausted is an understatement.
After Sam's lacrosse game yesterday afternoon, my mom took the boys to her house for a sleepover and then took them to a movie this afternoon. That left Nick and I plenty of time to spend working and digging and planting and weeding and watering.
After about 7 hours today, we hadn't quite had our fill yet, so we headed to Home Depot for 15 bags of mulch (read another hunk of change). And then we spread it.
And then we relaxed for a bit, hit the shower, watched the NHL Hockey Finals, had dinner, put the kids to bed and here I am.
Ready to put me to bed! This has been the first weekend for quite a while that I haven't had scrapbook assignments hanging over my head. It felt great to be in the sun and dig in the dirt for a while. 8 1/2 hours of a while!
Good morning! I'm working on my slacker status, said I'd post later this week and here I am!
Here's a peek at one of the 4 classes I'll be teaching at the Scrapbook Expo in Santa Clara on August 7th and 8th! This class features our new June Bug line. The other classes feature Lemonade and June Bug.
Have a great weekend!
Hello?
Knock, knock, knock.
Anybody out there?
I wouldn't be surprised if I'm out here just chatting with me, myself and I.
I feel like such a SLACKER lately! I was saying to friend earlier today via email that I feel like such a bad friend because I haven't touched bases with her in a while. Been so stinkin' busy!
And then there's the blog. Oh yah, I have one of those?
It's on my list every day to update (I can show you, but my lists would probably bore you to tears...), but it never quite makes it to the top of the list.
Work is crazy busy! I walk in around 8:30 and the next thing I know it's after five and I'm wondering where the day went. And that happens every single day. And I LOVE IT! Work is wonderful, fabulous, couldn't be better. The best part about it - no time to procrastinate. If you didn't know, I'm a HUGE procrastinator. Have been for as long as I can remember. But when I'm super busy and have a full plate (ok, overflowing plate), there's no time to procrastinate. And that's a good thing!
In the last 2 weeks I've designed 24 cards, 1 mini book, and 12 layouts for different assignments. And that's in addition to the sales part of my job.
Sooooo, that explains the slackerness....
Last I posted (let's not even mention how long ago THAT was...), I said I would post some projects using our new June Bug line. I can't share everything I've been working on yet, but here are a few cards made using June Bug that's offered to retailers - look for it soon at a retailer near you...
Is that dog not the cutest thing EVER? He's from our new Woolies - self-adhesive layered felt stickers.
One of the best things about June Bug is that it's double sided. That means instead of the 18 patterns you normally see in a BasicGrey line, June Bug sports a whopping 36!
The line is so versatile with all of those patterns. Florals, plaids, polka dots (I'm in heaven with all of the polka dots)!
One of my favorite things about the line is the navy, red and yellow - perfect for boy pages!
More to share later this week. And when I say that, I mean it - sneaks from a layout class I finished designing today.
Gotta run. Don't need Nick and the boys accusing me of being a slacker, now do I?
Today is a big day!
For starters, this is where I was a mere 14 years ago today.
Can't believe how quickly time has seriously FLOWN by!
Happy Anniversary to us!
OK, now I know you're all SO nice and would never, ever, ever say "GET ON WITH IT", but I know you're thinking it and I know why you're here!
To see this -
A panorama of savory summer designs, June Bug™ is a walk through a wildflower garden of color. This newest double-sided collection is where eclectic, energetic shades merge in quilted patterns of rich, seasonal colors. Like wildflowers, June Bug is a bit untamed and a tad unruly, but a gorgeous addition to any creative project. Spot this June Bug in your next design.
And to see this -
Who wants Lemonade?™ Parched for something to quench your summer scrapbooking thirst? Try some Lemonade—the refreshing, revitalizing elixir of cool color that is the newest collection. Brightly tart and sensationally tangy—beat the heat with a glass or two of Lemonade.
Yah baby! 2 new FABULOUS lines from BasicGrey!
Here's a layout using Lemonade, including Flower Garden, Lemonade Element Stickers, Lemonade Alphabet Stickers and a little Grass/Ivy Opaline for a little bit of shine. More layouts to come later this week -
But that's not all - no sireee...
Warning: reading the following may cause uncontrollable bursts of happiness (but we knew you were craving more!) Welcome our newest additions to the BasicGrey arsenal of creativity: Woolies™, Pops™, Take Note™, cardstock stickers, Doilies™ and Do Me A Favor™ box kits! No more self-accessorizing felt (or trying to find an adhesive that holds). Woolies are self-adhesive, layered felt stickers that include all the embellishments, from wire to stitching to ritzy rhinestone accents. No additional work necessary—just pick and stick!
You’ve gotta have some Pops! A pop of color, a burst of pizzazz, Pops are layered cardstock stickers that add an intricate dimensional look to projects. Rhinestone accents adorn these Pops-of-perfect-color that match our newest lines.
You’ll want to Take Note. That’s why we are launching Take Note—beautiful journaling blocks with coordinating printed transparencies that can be stacked and used together or separately. Take Note journaling spots are perfectly mini-sized spaces to note the important moments, jot down a few thoughts and simplify journaling into effortless, beautifully brief notes.
Try our new 6x12 cardstock stickers! These extra large, super intricate stickers are available in designer solid colors. Use an entire design or cut, crop and break down these stickers to adorn photos, pages and more.
These aren’t grandma’s Doilies! No offense to grandma, but we’ve put a modern twist on a timeless creation. Our Doilies are intricately-cut papers in detailed designs, available in many patterns and colors. Border your page or photo, trim to suit your style and add a distinct accent to your next treasured page.
Do Me a Favor? The Do-Me-A-Favor party favor box kits will have guests at your next party oohing-and-aahing with delight and wondering, “How did she do that?” Each kit contains six delightful, ready-to-assemble favor boxes. Pack them with candy, notes or party trinkets for guests. Detailed step-by-step, illustrated instructions are included for easy assembly.
Can you say PHEW?!!
There's lots more with the new releases - you can see them in all of their glory here for Lemonade and here for June Bug.
Yep, so much great new fun stuff from BasicGrey! Shipping to a store/website near you next month!
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How in the world did you stamp the alpha that well? You are the best-thank you for the inspiration.
Congrats NanaBeth!
(Typepad, Typepad, Typepad - what am I going to do with you? Excuse the weird color and font for the next part of this post, courtesy of Typepad...)
Figured I'd answer her question, too! Really easy way to stamp so many letters - I lined up 5 or 6 letters at a time on a large, rectangular clear acrylic block and then stamped using a large (6.75 x 5) Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink stamp pad (THE best black stamping ink that I've found, after what feels like trying about every one out there on the market; I know I've mentioned that quite a few times here before, but seriously, if only someone had told me about it years ago!!). Stamping that many letters at one time made the card go pretty quickly.
Thanks everyone for playing along!
So the boys left with my mom a week ago yesterday for 'grandma camp', so Nick and I are temporarily empty-nesters. They headed up to northern Idaho, my mom and her husband have a place on the Salmon river. It's fabulous up there, no tv, no computer, lots of nature. We go up every year and spend the 4th of July and run the river a few times and just relax and enjoy. It was a little iffy whether the boys would be able to go with all of Jack's hives, but the dr. gave him the go ahead and off they went. They're having a fabulous time and Nick and I are off tomorrow afternoon to join them.
We've been busy while they've been gone - a wedding reception, a few dates, the Salt Lake Arts Festival, a movie here and there, some work traveling for both of us and lots of time spent in the yard.
The yard is looking so nice, everything is blooming. Our back patio has been bugging me lately, just doesn't 'fit' in with the yard. So I took matters into my own hands and we completed step 1 this weekend.
Here's the before -