3.31.2015

Project Read || March Wrap-Up

Hey, everyone!  I'm still going strong on my Project Read, although this month was a close one - I managed to squeeze in two books last week to eeeeek out my three for the month.  Here's what I read this month:


Dark Places by Gillian Flynn – So…I love Gillian Flynn books, but I will admit they are not for everyone.  They are dark and they are graphic.  And I’m not usually a dark girl, but I just really love her books for some reason.  Dark Places was no exception.  Dark Places is the story of Libby Day.  Libby was seven years old when her mother and two sisters were brutally murdered.  She managed to escape and later testified that it was her brother, Ben, who murdered them.  As an adult, she meets a group of people who are obsessed with the case of her family’s murder…and they don’t think Ben did it.  Soon they have Libby questioning everything about the case and she becomes desperate to find out what really happened the day her family was killed.  This story is told from the perspective of present-day Libby, 1980s Ben, and 1980s Patty Day (Libby’s mom).  If you love dark thrillers, I highly recommend this book!

The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell – How does one unknown author create a bestseller?  How did “Sesame Street” become so successful?  How did hush puppy shoes become so popular?  Gladwell answers all these questions and more in The Tipping Point.  This book talks about the factors that create a “social epidemic” – those little things that happen that make something ordinary tip into something extraordinary.  It’s a fascinating read filled with multiple case studies that will leave you thinking about ways to create your own epidemic to better the world.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell – This book was recommended to me last month by Stephanie Ho and I am so glad that I took her recommendation to heart.  After reading the other two books this month, I was looking for something light-hearted, fun and most importantly feel-good.  This book certainly hit the mark.  Lincoln is the internet security officer for a newspaper, which basically means he reads people’s emails while working the night shift.  If someone uses a word that is suspicious, the email gets flagged, Lincoln reads it and then sends a warning.  However, when the system flags an email between Beth & Jennifer, he has no desire to send them a warning; he finds their emails to be entertaining and funny.  As the emails progress he finds himself actually falling for Beth, without even knowing what she looks like.  This is such a cute, cute story and highly recommended.  In fact, it was so cute and fun that I finished it in just two days!!

As always, I am open to suggestions - please let me know: what should I read this year??

3.29.2015

The Studio || Pinterest Challenge

Good morning, everyone!  Sorry I've been MIA for a bit.  After my work trip, E & I went to Florida for a mini vacay...but I'm back now and frantically trying to catch up on all my scrappy projects!!

This morning there is a new challenge at The Studio.  It's all about using this image as our inspiration:

The thing I really love about this photo is the bunch of flowers.  It made me want to use one of my favorite floral papers...a fun print from Bella Blvd.  Here's my take:

I hope you are able to swing by The Studio and play along with us this month!!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Alphas, Stickers: Bella Blvd; Enamel Dots: Basic Grey; Doily: The Curtsey Boutique; Mist: Studio Calico

3.20.2015

Clique Kits || Happy Everything

Hey, everyone!  Have you seen the newest kit from Clique Kits?  It is chock full of one of my favorite collections from this most recent CHA - Pinkfresh Studio!  And since CK is celebrating it's one year anniversary, there are even more embellishments and fun things included!  

I was able to play a little bit before I went away for work and ended up creating two layouts:


Seriously, aren't these colors and patterns so happy and fun?  I can't wait to play some more!!

As always, if you see something from the CK store that you want, use code KAT10 to get 10% off your purchase!!

Layout 1: Cardstock: Bazzill; Pineapple/Today cards: Clique Kits; Patterned Paper Embellishments: Pinkfresh Studio

Layout 2: Cardstock: Bazzill; Everything else: Pinkfresh Studio

3.18.2015

Clique Kits || March Pep Rally

Good morning, everyone!!  Welcome to the March Clique Kits pep rally!!  I absolutely loved the kit this month...it was so much fun to work with.  I'm excited to share my last layout with you today!

I managed to squeeze in another wedding layout.  Eventually, I will get them all scrapped...even if it takes me another 100 years!

Next up on the hop is the lovely Kim!  Here is the rest of the line up for you:

Lacey  
Tyra  
Kat (that's me!!)
Kim 
Marcia  

Hop along and join the inspirational journey!!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers; Alphas: Pink Paislee; Enamel Dots: The Eyelet Outlet; Phrase Stickers: Cosmo Cricket; Sequins: Clique Kits

3.17.2015

Bella Blvd DT

Hey, everyone!  I've been out of town with work for the last week or so, but I did want to pop in and share some really exciting news...I am beyond excited to be a member of Bella Blvd's 2015 Creative Team!!!

I am honored to be working with these other designers this year...a lot of them are my scrappy idols!

3.15.2015

The Studio || Old Stash Challenge

Good morning, everyone!  There is a new challenge up at The Studio today and it's a fun one - if you've been scrapping for awhile, you probably have a giant stash.  I'm definitely a paper hoarder and I have papers from years ago.  The challenge today - use up some of that old stash!

I used one of my favorite collections from one of my favorite old companies - the "Count Me In" collection from Sassafras.  I was so sad when they went out of business.  
I did think the cute number papers were perfect for a layout about putt-putt with big niece...

So, go ahead!  Dig into your stash, use up some of those old supplies (it makes room for new ones!) and play along with us at The Studio!!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Alphas, Stickers: Sassafras; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Enamel Dots: My Mind's Eye

3.12.2015

Clique Kits || 2 More Layouts

Y'all, brace yourselves!  I have not one, but TWO, layouts to share today that aren't on a white background...granted, they are on kraft backgrounds, which is still fairly neutral, but I'm pretty proud of myself!

The first one is up on the Clique Kits' blog today.  I modified one of the awesome March cut files to create a background of sorts:

The second one was on the Clique Kits' blog a few days ago.  E says the "O" in "Hello" isn't very visible, but even then, that word probably still accurately describes bath time with the little niece...ha! For this one, I was talking about going monochromatic (mint) and coloring a lot of the black and white papers in the kit to your desired color.

This was an awesome kit to work with - surprisingly one of my favorites.  When I first received the kit, I had no idea what I would do because it's not my usual style, but I really love all the projects I was able to create with it.  That's the beauty of being on the Clique Kits team - they totally push me outside of my comfort zone!

Thanks for popping in.

Layout 1: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers; Alphas: Pink Paislee; Printables, Sequins: Clique Kits; Enamel Dots: The Eyelet Outlet; Phrase Stickers: Cosmo Cricket

Layout 2: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers; Alphas: Pink Paislee; Mist: Heidi Swapp, Studio Calico; Printables, Sequins: Clique Kits; Wooden Heart: We Blow Kisses; Mask: Heidi Swapp; Phrase Stickers: Cosmo Cricket

3.10.2015

PL 2015 || Weeks 6 & 7

Hey, everyone!  I am out of town for work for the next week, but I do have some posts scheduled to fill in my blog until I get back.  Today I thought I would share some of my recent Project Life spreads.

For week 6, I used some fun goodies from the Spiegelmom Scraps store:

The week somehow took on a green and  yellow theme and I played around with my gelatos a bit...I really should experiment with them a bit more.

From the store I used the following items:


Week 7 was created with a whole assortment of items that I've had lying around for awhile.  Since I'm not subscribing to any PL kits anymore, I am taking advantage of all the PL supplies I already own...I'm still not even coming close to making a dent in my stash!!

I played around with my gelatos again on this spread.

Left side:

I think my favorite pocket is the one with the clothing tags in it:

 How's your 2015 PL album going?

Week 6: Page Protector: Becky Higgins (Design F); Journaling Cards: Becky Higgins; Alphas: Studio Calico, American Crafts, Simple Stories; Wood Veneers: Studio Calico; Sequins, Washi Tape: Spiegelmom Scraps; Stickers: Studio Calico, Heidi Swapp, Jillibean Soup; Paper Label: Curtsey Boutique; Staples: Tim Holtz; Gelatos: Faber Castell

Week 7: Page Protectors: Becky Higgins (Design F); Journaling Cards: Becky Higgins, Jillibean Soup, Studio Calico, Cocoa Daisy; Alphas: Basic Grey, Studio Calico, American Crafts, Teresa Collins; Wood Veneers, Chipboard Shapes: American Crafts; Gelatos: Faber Castell; Stickers: Heidi Swapp, MAMBI; Staples: Tim Holtz; Sequins: Clique Kits; Mini Paper Bag: Whisker Graphics

3.07.2015

Clique Kits' March Challenge

Good morning, everyone!!!  There is a new monthly challenge up on the Clique Kits blog today!  The sponsor for this month's challenge is the Sweet Stamp Shop!  As always, the rules remain the same: you can create ANYTHING, using ANYTHING...so easy!

There is an optional sketch this month designed by yours truly: 

And here is my layout...is it obvious that I made my sketch after I made my layout?  Haha. :o)

I am still loving the March Kit so much.  The We R Memory Keepers papers are so pretty and fun - I love all the great, unique patterns.

I hope you can play along with us this month!!  And just a little reminder - if you see any fun stuff from the Clique Kits store that you want, use code KAT10 for 10% of your purchase.

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Transparency: We R Memory Keepers; Phrase Stickers: Cosmo Cricket; Alphas: Pink Paislee; Doilies, Sequins, Badge, Printables: Clique Kits

3.04.2015

Highlighting the Green Chevron Washi || Spiegelmom Scraps

Hey, everyone!  I have a new layout up on the Spiegelmom Scraps blog today.  This layout focuses all on the fun green washi tape from the store:

This page came together very quickly for me.  I just measured off the top 5 inches of my cardstock and covered it in the washi tape.  I alternated the direction of the chevrons, which ended up creating an optical illusion of sorts (seriously, stare at it for a while…it’s a bit trippy!)  That was a happy accident!  Once I was done with that, I added simple embellishments, a few paint drips and then I was done.  This layout came together in about 20 minutes!

I used the following items from the store:

Stop by the store and check out all the fun products!  Use code KAT10 for 10% off your purchase!!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Washi, Tags, Doilies: Spiegelmom Scraps; Wood Veneers: Studio Calico, Chic Tags; Labels: Heidi Swapp; Mist: Studio Calico

3.01.2015

The Studio || Use all 8 challenge

Good morning, everyone!  Happy March!  I know what you're thinking...3 posts in 3 days?  Who is this lady?  I assure you it's me; I just have a bit of catching up to do!

There is a new challenge up at The Studio this morning...and I LOVE it!  We were given a list of 8 items to use and were asked to use as many as possible on our project.  I managed to squeeze all of them into my layout.  Here is the list:

*sequins
*mist
*brads
*stamping
*chipboard
*thread
*vellum
*yellow

Here is my layout:

Here is the breakdown of how I used all my supplies:

I love this photo of my niece and I.  It is from our trip to Universal Studios earlier this year.  We got her interested in Harry Potter before we went so she could fully enjoy all that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has to offer...including butter beers!  E & I are pretty sure that butter beers are cream soda with a whipped butterscotch topping...delightful!!  She is definitely rocking a better butter beer mustache than I am!

You may not be able to tell from the photo, but the paper in the center is actually vellum and I put yellow sequins between the vellum and the cardstock for a fun shaker effect.

Since there were sequins on the list, I, of course, used some of my fun supplies from Spiegelmom Scraps:


I hope you can play along with us at The Studio!!  And I hope you decide to browse the awesomness of the Spiegelmom Scraps store...use code KAT10 for 10% off your purchase there!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Vellum: Pretty Little Studios; Brads, Wood Veneer Title: Dear Lizzy for American Crafts; Alphas: Teresa Collins; Sequins: Spiegelmom Scraps, Studio Calico; Labels: Elle's Studio; Chipboard Heart, Mist: Studio Calico; Doily: Spiegelmom Scraps; Mini Paper Clips: Doodlebug Design