Whatever ends...

 

I started 2012 with this...

 

 

 

my first project of 2012.

 

My word for 2012..."whatever".

From here...

 

Whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable;
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---

think about such things. (Philippians 4:8) 

This is what 2012 brought me...

 

Whatever you need to be inspired,

Whatever is frosty,

Whatever is a gift,

Whatever is counted,

Whatever blooms,

Whatever holds,

Whatever is in your heart,

Whatever is a valntin,

Whatever is loved,

Whatever is simple,

Whatever is cool,

Whatever fits in your arms,

Whatever is teeny tiny,

Whatever is twisted,

Whatever is green,

Whatever is for me,

Whatever hops,

Whatever is sent,

Whatever makes you giggle,

Whatever is blessed,

Whatever is sparkly,

Whatever is cold,

Whatever is sweet,

Whatever is a surprise,

Whatever is bright,

Whatever screams spring,

Whatever is a secret,

Whatever is resourceful,

Whatever is out of this world,

Whatever is read,

Whatever means a party,

Whatever is orange,

Whatever is my style,

Whatever is cherished,

Whatever is original,

Whatever is the best,

Whatever gives thanks,

Whatever is purple,

Whatever is funny,

Whatever is mastered,

Whatever is cold,

Whatever is lucky,

Whatever is my favorite,

Whatever is loud,

Whatever is sung,

Whatever is flowered,

Whatever is chosen,

Whatever I love and,

Whatever I don't,

Whatever is carried,

Whatever gets in the way,

Whatever is an experiment,

Whatever is a trend,

Whatever is a challenge,

Whatever is saved,

Whatever comes together,

Whatever is outside the lines,

Whatever is lifted,

Whatever changes,

Whatever makes you scream,

Whatever gets done,

Whatever is orange and black,

Whatever is busy,

Whatever is festive,

Whatever keeps the kids busy,

Whatever closes and opens,

Whatever is colorful,

Whatever is given, and

Whatever ends...

 

All of these, and more...are praiseworthy.

I was very happy with my word this year.

 

Here are just a few of my favorites this year...

 

 

 

 

And one more new project to end the year,

(just so you don't think I just coasted through December).

These are some watercolor tags.  I stamped the image with VersaInk and then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I used Distress Inks to watercolor and then added some glitter glue and pearl centers.  They were so pretty I didn't want to give them away, but some lucky people did find them on their presents this year. 

So, tomorrow is 2013. 

I still haven't chosen a word,

but I still have 7 1/2 hours, right?

 

 

 

Have a wonderful last night of 2012 and a beautiful start to 2013.

~Kelly

Whatever is given...

Just a quick "note" to send you over to the Chicagoland Scrapbooker blog today.  The other design team members and I have some quick creations that will make great teacher gifts.

I gave some cute snowman notepads an extreme makeover by using layers, snowflake die cuts, brads, border punches, and ribbon to give them a home.  Here's a tip--cereal boxes are a great source of chipboard.

Hope you are in the home stretch of gifts you still need to make.  Hope you get to enjoy this special time of year.

~Kelly

Whatever is colorful...

 

Doodling has been upgraded to "Zentangling". So, I decided to take a plain journal (actually, I used a composition notebook---found for 25 cents in the Back to School clearance) and give it a makeover. On simple, white cardstock, I drew a letter/monogram in the center and squiggles out from it.

 

 

 

Let the zentangle patterns begin! I filled in each of the spaces with a different pattern. I recommend using a combination of bolder and simpler patterns so sections can still be distinguished from each other. Also, if you are going to have a central shape (like the "K" on my cover), it helps to give it a unique pattern so it will stand out from the others. As you can see, I didn't use circles/dots anywhere else except on the "K". Now, you could stop right here and glue this onto the cover of the plain journal. Along with a set of markers, this would be a great gift. The recipient can start coloring rght away!

 

 

But, I couldn't stop my self from coloring it all in! Using 2 different shades of the same color is all you need to add some dimension with shading. I glued my design onto the cover of the journal and then added tiny ripped strips of washi tape all around the edge. It finishes off the project and provides another level of adhesion. This would be a great gift for anyone. How about leaving it in the car as a place to zentangle while waiting in the carpool lane?

 

 

Now, head on over to Chicagoland Scrapbooker. 

This is just one of many journal ideas from the Design Team that you can see as Betsy starts her "Make It Mondays".  Great ideas that you can get done before the holidays are here!

 

 

~Kelly

Whatever closes and opens...

In the Sound of Music, Maria says, "Whenever God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window".  So, today's post is about doors closing and windows opening. 

Today, December 1st is the last issue of Scrapstreet.  I have been honored to be a part of the Scrapstreet Staff for just over a year---I certainly wish it had been longer.  My scrappy skills were stretched and tested, and as a result, they grew.  I owe Dora, and the other Scrapstreet editorial staff a great big THANK YOU.

Now, as for windows opening...you are looking at (well, actually, you are reading about) a member of the Design Team for Chicagoland Scrapbooker!  This is a real, touchable, readable, paper magazine.  You can find the latest issue at your local scrapbook store and you can read all about it here, and about me here.  I'll mostly be doing items for the website, but you'll see my creation on an upcoming cover.  Don't worry, you'll hear me screaming from the roof-tops so you won't miss it.

 

 

Starting Monday, you can find Christmas ideas right here and on the Chicagoland Scrapbooker site.  First week...journals!

~Kelly