Tuesday, November 30, 2010

20 Days of Holiday Sharing (and I do mean *sharing!*)

Ok, so I might not quite make it to 20 this month though I'm gonna try, but let's at least start with this one!

Back in October, I was asked by the adorable Jamie Sorenson, community + education director at TwoPeas if I wanted to take part in their upcoming 20 Days of Holiday Sharing. As always, I jumped at the chance to do something with one of my favorite websites, especially when it is combined with something else I love - Christmas! After a lot of thought (a. lot.) I decided create a layout - my favorite crafting thing to do even though I usually cringe at scrapping holiday photos. Here are few images of the results and my corresponding guest blog post.

Photobucket
Source List: BasicGrey patterned paper, die-cuts, clips, rub-ons, alpha stickers, element stickers, glazed brads, Woolies, magnets; Uni-ball pen (white); Zig pen (brown); Sizzix die-cuts (inspired by BasicGrey); Fiskars scallop border punch.

********************************************************************************
I have a confession: I used to hate to scrapbook double-page layouts.
Yep, it's true.

I couldn't ever seem to figure out how to fill up two whole pages. Paper that size totally overwhelmed me. Then I figured out that two-page spreads were a fantastic way to document a huge event or large period of time. It was like an epiphany for me! (Can you hear the angels singing?!) I began to love the space a 24"x12" canvas gave me for all the pictures I wanted to show off but couldn't fit into a smaller frame.

One of my favorite layouts I did with this idea in mind was a blocked page that resembled a calendar and marked off in increments exactly what happened and when on a wonderful African vacation I got to take. I adored that I could fit all the wonderful memories I had of that time in one layout. I loved that page. So this got me thinking...about another thing I usually don't like to do - scrapbooking the holidays.

Let me just say in my defense that the holiday photos scare me! There's so many different picture-taking opportunities with usually such horrible lighting conditions and such bad images that I never really wanted to document them. I know. I'm bad. But then the idea struck of putting them all into one, all-encompassing layout and I was sold. I could DO that! Even more, I loved the idea of making a type of Advent Calendar all right on my layout so I set to work.

First I pulled out all my favorite photos from the month of December. I organized them by the date or event. I built a grid based on a 2 1/2" square and started laying out my pictures. The ones that didn't easily fit into a square format, I scored at the 2 1/2" mark and then hid them under their corresponding date like a special present to be opened.

Photobucket

I utilized small hidden magnets to keep some of my windows closed and then I kept some days completely visible and easily opened.

Photobucket
Photobucket

Photobucket

It was so much fun playing around with this and it has been by far the favorite layout for my boys that I've ever created. They love seeing the month in review, what they were doing and opening up all the little compartments and I love that I got the holidays scrapped in one fun layout!

Merry Christmas, everyone!
****************************************************************************

For those of you that are dedicated enough to read through all of this ;) I have a little *extra* sharing I want to do with you! Just leave a comment here by WEDNESDAY, December 1st at11:59 PM Eastern about your favorite part of the holidays, a special tradition, etc. that you have with your family, or anything else you like and you can be entered to win a BasicGrey JOVIAL prize pack of your very own! AND there might even be a little something extra in there, too - it is the holidays, after all!

Thanks for reading and I hope you'll keep checking back at TwoPeas daily for more holiday inspiration!
Happy Tuesday and Happy 40th Birthday to my sweet husband!
xoxo,
k.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanksgiving Favor Boxes/ Place Cards

Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving Eve to you all!

I have a something special to share with you today. I hope you'll take a minute to follow me over to the Scrapbooks Etc. blog where I did a guest post and tutorial on making the fun and simple Thanksgiving favor boxes/place cards you see below. They're a really great way to make your holiday table extra special. I hope you enjoy it.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket
Source List: BasicGrey Pyrus & Basics paper, Olio rub-ons, Micro alpha stickers; Martha Stewart butterfly punch; Fiskars scallop border punch; Zig pen

During this season of Thanksgiving, I want to say thank you and to let each one of you know just how grateful I am to have you in my life - as blog readers, as friends, as family. I am incredibly blessed. May each of you spend the day surrounded by those you love and who love you.

Finally, HUGE congratulations to Monica (lunetapatineta) for being the winner of my Ella Giveaway - the Essential Guide to Scrapbooking Boys! Please email me at kelly(dot)goree(at)gmail(dot)com to claim your prize!

Have a wonderful, happy and safe Thanksgiving!

xoxo,
k.

Monday, November 22, 2010

24-hour Giveaway! (Contest Now Closed)

*****CONTEST NOW CLOSED! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ENTERING!!******

Hey all!

Just a quick fly-by post here but I wanted to let you get in on a super quick giveaway I'm having! Ella Publishing has graciously allowed me to giveaway a copy of their new eBook - The Essential Guide for Scrapbooking BOYS! I had the thrill of being a part of this book and I am so excited to be able to share it with you! :)

Photobucket

Simply leave me a comment here before noon (eastern) tomorrow, Tuesday the 23rd, and you'll be entered to win your own copy! It's my own way of showing you just how grateful I am to have you as blog readers! Anddddd....I hope you stick around the entire month of December! I have quite a few wonderful giveaways that I'm so excited about and think you will be, too! :)

Have a wonderful, blessed and safe Thanksgiving!
xoxo,
k.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Let's play HOPSCOTCH!

Will You Love and Adore Hopscotch? Yes X No

Remember the days when love was simple and innocent? Recall the moment you realized boys (or girls) did NOT have cooties? When all it took was passing a note with a ‘check yes or no’ question to secure everlasting love, well, at least for a week or two? BasicGrey is bringing back the days of awkwardly-thrilling first dances, butterflies in the stomach and secret crushes with the new Hopscotch line. You can even follow Kristina Werner here in a fun virtual tour so you can see it all before it starts shipping after the holidays!

Photobucket

I've had just a bit of time to play with this adorable new line so here a couple of layouts I'd love to share with you:

This first one is actually based on a digital template by Crystal Wilkerson based on layouts by Susan Weinroth (did you follow that?!) Anyhow, both of these ladies are so uber-talented and I had fun scrapbooking outside my normal style with these papers that are pretty outside my normal style, too! :) A couple of these lovely girls belong to my friend Stacy. Aren't they all just beautiful? Why couldn't I have looked like that in 7th and 8th grade?! Sigh.
Photobucket
And now on to my own growinguptoofastforanyonesgood young man...Can't believe he'll be 11 in a month. Haven't quite gotten my head wrapped around that yet OR the attention he's been getting from the little girls. So far the only one that's caught his eye is our neighbor Kayla. They've exchanged a few notes - a couple which I've included here.

Photobucket

These papers are just perfect for those teen & tween layouts. And I'm really excited that BasicGrey has finally put something out there for just that market that's not so cutesy, but just right.


Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to play!
Happy Friday!
xoxo,
k.