2.28.2015

Project Read || February Wrap-Up

I am proud to announce I am still right on track for Project Read!  Seriously...I am right on track...I doubt that I will be squeezing in too many extra books any time soon, although, I do expect my reading to pick up a bit this summer...hopefully, I will CRUSH this 35-book goal!  :)

Okay, so here's what was on the list this month:

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins – I love a good psychological thriller every now and then.  One of my favorite authors is Gillian Flynn and this book by Paula Hawkins reminds me a lot of Flynn’s novels.  It was dark, depressing and none of the characters were likable – but it was still fantastic.  This book is told from three different women’s perspectives.  However, most of the book centers around Rachel.  Rachel rides the train every day and often sees a “happy” couple – “Jess and Jason” - while on her ride.  She creates a whole life for them in her mind.  One day she sees “Jess” kissing another man and the next day “Jess” goes missing.  Rachel becomes quickly involved in the story just because of the knowledge she has gathered from her train rides and the fact that she was in “Jess’s” neighborhood the night she went missing.  Rachel is considered both an unreliable source and a possible suspect because she spends most of her life in a drunken stupor. The rest of the book is told from the perspectives of Megan (“Jess’s” real name) and Anna (Megan’s neighbor and the wife of Rachel’s ex-husband).  I couldn’t put it down and actually ended up reading it in a day.  The ending was a bit of a surprise – I figured it out a few chapters before the big reveal, but Hawkins tied it all together so nicely.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good thriller.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes – I have had this book sitting on my bookshelf since 2013.  Eric sent it to me when I was on my 7-month long work trip out of the country.  I’ve really been putting off reading it.  I have always heard such great things about it, but it’s also described as “heartbreaking.”  The book cover even describes it as “heartbreaking.”  I don’t know about you, but I really have to be in the right frame of mind for a “heartbreaking” book.  However, I finally took the plunge and read it…it was quite good…and heartbreaking.  This book tells the story of Louisa and Will.  Louisa is a 20-something year old girl who has never strayed far from home and must work in order to support her little family.  Will is a former high profile business man who finds himself wheelchair bound after an accident.  Louisa takes a job as Will’s caregiver and shortly later finds out that Will has plans to schedule an assisted suicide at Dignitas in Switzerland.  Louisa must try to change his mind before it’s too late.  Such a great, emotional book.  I recommend it…but have tissues handy!

The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Lianne Moriarty – This is the second Moriarty book that I’ve read this year.  As I mentioned last month, I really do love her books.  This book is about Ellen, a hypnotist, who is informed by her new boyfriend, Patrick, that he is being stalked by his ex-girlfriend.  His stalker, Saskia, never gives him a moment of peace.  Ellen doesn’t realize it, but Saskia is actually one of her hypnotism patients!  At the same time they are being stalked, Ellen and Patrick are going through some big life changes and Saskia is there to witness them all.  The story is told from two perspectives – Ellen’s and Saskia’s.  It’s an entertaining story for sure, but I would recommend Moriarty’s other books over this one.  This novel is a bit slow in places and I didn’t feel like all the characters motives were completely explained at the book’s end.

As always, I will gladly take suggestions for future reads!  I'm willing to try anything and have already added Bossypants to my to-read list since Laurie recommended it.

2.27.2015

Clique Kits' Printables

Hey, everyone!!  I am up at the Clique Kits blog today sharing another layout made with the March kit, J'Adore.  Have I mentioned how much I love this kit?!

For this layout, I focused on the awesome printables for the month of March:

I think the printables are so fun and the colors in this kit are amazing.  I'm excited about the April kit, too...wink, wink.



Thanks for stopping by!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Sequins, Printables, Cut Files, Badge: Clique Kits; Transparencies, Paper: We R Memory Keepers; Enamel Dots: Eyelet Outlet; Phrase Stickers: Cosmo Crickets; Punch: Martha Stewart Crafts; Staples: Tim Holtz; Stamp: October Afternoon

**Update: I am linking this to Paper Issue's current issue - my layout features a selfie!  :o) **

2.24.2015

Love Him || Clique Kits

Good morning, everyone!  I have a new layout up on the Clique Kits blog this morning using the March Kit, J'Adore.  I LOVE this kit.  When I first received it, I didn't think I would like it because it's not my usual style, but now, I just ADORE IT!  The We R Memory Keepers papers are simply awesome.

Today's post is focusing on one of my favorite products in the kit: the phrase stickers from Cosmo Cricket.  I loved incorporating the stickers directly in my journaling to create this layout about E:

Here is a close-up of the journaling:

As always, if you like what you see, use code KAT10 to get 10% off your purchase in the Clique Kits' store!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Transparencies: We R Memory Keepers; Alphas: Pink Paislee; Stickers: Cosmo Cricket; Ticket: The Polka Dot Barn; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Sequins, Badge: Clique Kits

2.18.2015

Clique Kits' February Pep Rally

Good morning, everyone!  It's time for the Clique Kits' pep rally this month, featuring the exciting kit, Punxsutawney!  This kit is jam-packed full of wonderful Dear Lizzy Serendipity products - it's definitely been one of my favorite kits to play around with so far.

The twist to this month's pep rally was to include something sweet.  My something sweet is actually in the photograph - my niece is totally covered in chocolate.  Isn't she adorable?!

Next on the hop is the majorly talented Donna.  Here is the whole line up for today's hop:


Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy all the inspiration along the way!!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Die Cuts, Alphas: Dear Lizzy for American Crafts; Sequins, Flair: Clique Kits; Mist: Studio Calico

2.16.2015

Selfies Fun

Good morning, everyone! I am popping in to share a layout that I created using some of the fun Bella Blvd Lucky Starz collection.  I saw a lot of these papers at my local scrapbook store and the bright colors and patterns just spoke to me.

I also had a whole lot of fun with my circle punch when I was making this!

What paper collection are you crushing on right now?

Cardstock: Bazzill; Staples: Tim Holtz; Stickers, Patterned Paper, Die Cut, Alphas: Bella Blvd

**Update: I am linking this to Paper Issue's current issue - my layout features a selfie!  :o) **

2.14.2015

My Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  E & I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day, but I do love to make some lovey-dovey layouts, so Valentine's themed paper products are right up my alley!  Recently, I am loving Pretty Little Studio's fun, new collection.  A lot of their new paper and embellishments are in the Clique Kits store right now, so as soon as I got my hands on the goodness, I made this layout:

A few things:
-The wood veneer "meese" are my favorite things...ever
-Love the aqua/pink/red color combo - it never fails
-The pretty heart vellum rocks

Check out all the goodies in the store right now and save 10% on your purchase anytime by using code KAT10 at checkout!

P.S.- My Valentine is best Valentine ;-)

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Stickers, Vellum, Die Cuts: Pretty Little Studio; Sequins, Wood Veneers, Hearts: Clique Kits; Clothespins: American Crafts

2.13.2015

Highlighting the Gold Doilies || Spiegelmom Scraps

Hey, everyone!!  I have a new layout up at the Spiegelmom Scraps blog today.

This year, my family did a “late Christmas” in January because we wanted to celebrate when we were all able to be together.  Our nieces were super excited for an extra Christmas celebration.  They got all cute in their new Christmas jammies, watched a movie and then opened presents.  I got some very cute photos of the two of them and did not want to wait a whole year before scrapping them!

I am so in love with the gold doilies right now so I really wanted to come up with a unique way to incorporate them into the layout and sort of highlight their “awesomeness”.  I ended up using them to create a fun background:
  


I pulled some of my other favorite items from the store –star sequins, heart shaped wooden veneers – to create this fun layout of my two favorite girls.

For this layout I used the following items from the store:

If you see something from the store you like, be sure to use code KAT10 for a 10% discount - this code is good at anytime!

Thanks for stopping in...happy weekend!

Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Crate Paper; Alphas: Crate Paper; Stickers: Heidi Swapp; Wood Veneers: Studio Calico' Sequins, Doilies: Speigelmom Scraps; Asterisk Punch: Paper Source; Shipping Tag: Curtsey Boutique

2.11.2015

Project Life with Spiegelmom Scraps

Hey, everyone!  I have a few Project Life spreads to share with you tonight and they both feature some of the fabulous products from the Speigelmom Scraps Etsy store.  

Here is my week 4:
I am a big fan of the green chevron washi tape:


For my week 5, I went monochromatic, focusing on a lot of pretty pinks:

And I had a lot of fun creating this confetti pocket:

These 2 spreads feature the following supplies from the Etsy store

Thanks for stopping in!  As always, use code KAT10 in the sotre to get 10% off your purchase!!

Week 4: Page Protector: Becky Higgins (Design F); Journaling Cards: Becky Higgins; Wood Veneers: Studio Calico; Alphas: American Crafts, Studio Calico, Simple Stories; Labels: Heidi Swapp; Sequins, Washi: Spiegelmom Scraps; Staples: Tim Holtz

Week 5: Page Protector: Becky Higgins (Design F); Journaling Cards: Becky Higgins, Cocoa Daisy, Studio Calico; Wood Veneers, Alphas: Studio Calico; Label: Heidi Swapp; Stickers: Chic Tags; Washi, Sequins: Speigelmom Scraps; Staples: Tim Holtz

2.07.2015

Clique Kits February Challenge

Hey, everyone!  The February challenge is posted up on the Clique Kits' blog today.  This month the challenge is sponsored by Lora Bailora.  As always, the rules are simple - make anything!  Whatever you make doesn't have to be made with a Clique Kit - you can seriously use whatever you want and make whatever you want!  Here is the layout that I created with the February Kit, Punxsutawney (cute name, right?!).

I am loving this kit - all the Dear Lizzy goodies are so pretty!!

I hope you can play along with us this month!!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Die Cuts, Alphas: American Crafts; Journaling Card, Flair, Sequins: Clique Kits; Mist: Heidi Swapp

2.04.2015

A Spiegelmom Scraps Layout

Hey, everyone! I'm popping in tonight to share a layout I recently created with some fun goodies from the Spiegelmom Scraps Etsy Store.

A few times a year I go all out with my hearts.  I love me some hearts and I love scattering them all over a layout.  I also thought this was a fun color combo for this cute picture of my niece at Universal Studios.

These fun scrappy supplies came from the Etsy store:


You should definitely check out the store right now.  There are a ton of fun goodies and if you use the code KAT10 at checkout you can get a 10% discount!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Alphas: Jillibean Soup; Plastic Die Cut: Studio Calico; Paper: Doodlebug Design; Journaling Card: Becky Higgins; Wood Veneers: Studio Calico, American Crafts; Sequins: Spiegelmom Scraps; Washi: Queen & Co

2.01.2015

The Studio || February Sketch Challenge

Happy February everyone...seriously, where does the time ago?

It's the first Sunday in February, which means there is a new challenge up at The Studio blog today. This one is a sketch challenge, which I always love.  Here is the sketch:

And here is my take on it:

I love sketches with a big circle in them, because I take that as the opportunity to incorporate a doily into my layout!  I'm also loving that I finally got to play with my February kit from Clique Kits.  I am so in love with the Serendipity line from Dear Lizzy/American Crafts that this month's kit is perfect for me!

I hope that you will be able to play along with The Studio this month!  And, as always, if you want to buy ANYTHING from the Clique Kits store, remember to use code KAT10 at check out for your 10% discount!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Die cuts; Puffy Stickers: American Crafts; Doily: The Curtsey Boutique; Sequins: Clique Kits