Be a gift giver...

Gifts can come in many shapes and forms.  Most of us probably think of birthday, wedding, and Christmas presents when we think of gifts.  But as part of my "one little word" project,  I've been thoroughly contemplating what it means to be a gift giver.  I believe that all of us have many gifts.  Gifts that truly come from the heart.  Gifts that are not store-bought, but a part of our being. 

 

The little girl in this layout above has many gifts. She is a character, and she makes me laugh everyday. She blessed this wedding with her presence--as the  "older" flower girl she led her little partner with grace and guidance.  She doesn't even realize what a gift to me she is (even though I try to tell her everyday).

 

Sometimes, I think so hard about what would be the "perfect" gift for someone.  I rack my brain, I shop the stores, I search the web...and then I remember that this family or friend deserves a gift that simply shows how much they mean to me.  I'm trying really hard to make myself the gift that I give.  It's too easy to get caught up in being busy.  Yes, I have a job outside the house.  Yes, I have 4 children.  Yes, I have a husband. Yes, I have 2 dogs.  Yes, I have a house.  Yes, these things make me busy.  But I do have time.  It may not always be easy to find it, but I do have more gifts to give, and I'm going to try really hard to let the people in my life who have been a little neglected know how much I miss them and want to share "me" with them.

 

In this month of May, I am hosting the challenge at Scrap It Girl.  I have designed the sketch above and want you to be inspired by it.  Head over to Scrap It Girl where you can see how you can participate in the challenge and have a chance to win the prize pack below.  The layout at the top of this post was based on the sketch.

 

Prize pack includes..

• Fiskars NEW X-Large Hexagon squeeze punch
• Fiskars Diamond border punch
• Pebbles decorative tape, 2 pack (black/white patterns)
• Stampology clear stamps (journaling tags)
• American Crafts 6x6 paper pad (Hip Hip Hooray)
• Favorite Findings buttons, 2 packages (wooden and lace inspirations)

 

 

 

So, what gifts do you have to share with others?

Today is the day to think about it.

 

~Kelly

Whatever is lifted...part 2

 

 

Still celebrating another year of "lifting" over at the  Fiskateer site...

for the Lift Off-Lift the Same Name Challenge, I was inspired by the design of this great flower from Kelly #1017 (see her flower here)

 

 

 

 I cut a strip of paper 1 1/2 inches wide and then punched the strip with my Fiskars Threading Water border punch.  I cut a strip at the dip of each scallop to get the "petals" of my flower and then started arranging and gluing them onto a punched 2" circle.

For the center, I cut a circle and placed it in a bottle cap.  I put some Glossy Accents in the center and pressed some beads into the puddle.  I topped everything with more Glossy Accents, and set it aside to dry (for  a    L   O   N  G    time).


This page design comes from a sketch over at Scrapbook Challenges, sketch #309.  This site remains one of my favorites for sketches.  This layout was chosen as a gallery gem for the week of August 24th over on the Scrapbook Challenges blog.

If' I'm posting Halloween layouts, it must be fall!  Who am I kidding, for my regular followers, you know it very well could be February and I would be posting Halloween layouts.  But, it really is fall!  The temps are getting chilly at night, we've even had frost in the garden!  It's my favorite time of year and I'm taking lots of pics to scrap for the future...I'm also trying to get some yard projects done---eek!

~Kelly

  

whatever is out of this world...

Another bright layout...this time with my new Spellbinders Lotus Pendant dies.  A fabulous find ($10) at the Scrapbook Expo that was in Milwaukee a couple of weeks ago.  I love these dies--so elegant and delicate...they will be great on cards too.   The layout design comes from Scrapbook Challenges, sketch 292.  I used hot glue to create those  multiple circles.

I find the dies and this sketch--OUT OF THIS WORLD!

~Kelly

Whatever is twisted...

On my never-ending quest to scrap faster and officially make it an aerobic exercise, I have been searching out sketch challenges.  Here's one from TwistedSketches .  Each time a sketch is shown, there is a "twist"...this time the twist was "feather".  I double-dipped and not only used a feather on my page (from one of the items the girls had to find on the scavenger hunt), but I also feather-brushed the background paper with some distress ink (the other papers are from Close to My Heart).

Seeing these photos, is making me long for those sweet spring days.  I know they will be here...

just not soon enough. 

Happy first day of March!

~Kelly

Whatever is teeny tiny...

I know I'm not the only one trying to find more time to scrap.  Let's face it, there are only so many hours in each day, so I'm really not going to find more time.  But, I've been fooling myself into thinking I have more time by being more efficient with the time I have.  

Painting, knitting, sewing, quilting, and other crafts are a great source for inspiration.  This page above is based on a quilt block that fellow Scrapstreet writer, Smitha Katti is doing as her Quilt-Block-a-Month for the Fiskars website.  It's a time-saver. 

Just a quick shout for this new POW Micro-glitter Paper from American Crafts.  No more glittery fingers, eyes, nose, lips, counters,socks, (do you get my idea?).  This thin, contained paper gives the same ultra pizazz as other glitter papers, but without the mess. And, it's punchable!  Check it out!

~Kelly

Whatever fits in your arms...

As I look at these pictures from November 2010, it is so hard to believe that this little bundle is now the big beast that is lying at my feet.  I'm talking about the dog, although I will say my son has grown to be quite a large beast too in this last year!

Sketches are my friend, and this sketch is one of the PageMaps from January.  Check it out here... http://www.pagemaps.com/pdfsketches.htm

When I have a pile of photos (I refrained from making "pile" plural just to fool myself into thinking that there really is only ONE pile), sketches are my "go to".  It's just a quick way to kick myself into moving.  Sometimes I use the sketch exactly how it is, and other times it is just the firecracker I need to get an idea for photo or title placement.  Once in awhile, I make a sketch.  And then, I follow it!  It's a great activity for when I am in a boring meeting or sitting in the car (not driving).  Others may think that you are just doodling, but you are being efficient, AND it makes scrapbooking portable!  Try creating your own sketch and leave a link to it in the comments below--I'd love a little kick start!

~Kelly

whatever is a gift

What is one to give the 18 month old little girl who has everything?  Answer--scrapbook pages!  When my niece was born, I gave my sister-in-law a scrapbook full of pages just waiting for her to plop some pictures in.  I guess I spoiled her, as she was so disappointed when my niece's 1st birthday rolled around and I didn't give her more pages.  So, this was a perfect gift for Christmas.  In fact, my sister-in-law said this was the best present ever!  I think she may have been exaggerating a little.

However, I found myself with very little time in the weeks before Christmas to create all of the pages I wanted to.  After all, I have my priorities---Tim Holtz' 12 Tags of Christmas must come first!  So, I decided to design one page, create a sketch from it, and then base all of the other pages off that first one.  I actually made 2 sketches and did 12 pages off of each, but I am going to save the other twelve to share with you on a rainy day (or a inspiration-less day, whichever comes first).

I made the pages very simple to save me time and to make it easier for my sister-in-law to use lots of photos. 

Here are a few of my favorites...

one for winter

one for Valentine's Day

one for her birthday

one for a picture with Daddy

one with a patriotic theme

one for summer-

the title says "It's so HOT it will melt your popsicle"...

so I added a popsicle journaling spot

and one for Christmas

It really didn't take much time at all...just a few rerun episodes of Grey's Anatomy and I was done!

So, scrapbooks and scrapbook pages make a FANTASTIC  present.  Just be warned, if you give a scrapbook or scrapbook pages as a gift...they may want more!

A purpose under heaven (and in heaven too)

Every dog has a purpose. Indy's was to teach, love, and lick... not necessarily in that order. I just finished reading "A Dog's Purpose" by W. Bruce Cameron. As I read, I reflected on the passing of our first "baby". She taught us a lot and gave us the practice we needed to have 4 kids. We will always love you Indy!

INDY January 11, 1996-October 27,2010

She also taught us to perservere. And it is in that mind-set, that we couldn't be a 1 dog household for very long. We welcome with love...Axel

He is a "mutt" with some obvious shepherd and lab traits. He has brought joy to our house as our new fur-baby.

Did you know, in addition to everything else they eat, puppies eat into "scrap time"? It's been tough to get anything done around here, especially Christmas cards! But, I've gotten a few layouts done to share.

I used this precious photo for a "Liftateer" layout over at Fiskateers.

This layout was inspired by Gerry van Gent's "Just a Boy" LO from August over at Scrapbook Challenges. I loved all of the stitching she did around her page so I used it too!


This is from Sketch 224 at Scrapbook Challenges.

This one is a Kelly "original". I tried a new technique for me on the right page...back-stitching with ribbon. I like the effect.

And, if this one look familiar, it's because I already posted it back in October. But, this week it is a "gallery gem" over at Scrapbook Challenges. Thanks to Ana for choosing my layout to showcase!

I'll be back soon with a paper-piecing technique and my Christmas cards (I hope).

Boing...Boing...Blog Hop

Hoppy September! I'm participating in the Season of Change Blog Hop over at Scrapbook Challenges. If you've never visited Scrapbook Challenges, your scrap life is not complete! Head over there and become a member if you aren't already (tell them Kellystar sent you)!

The blog hop, starts at Pamela's place.

If you haven't been there yet, please start there so that you don't miss a scrap of fun!

If you want to "hop on" and get your own blog in on the fun, read the information at the Scrapbook Challenges blog hop thread.

Here is the sketch we are all following (Pamela's creation)

Here is my version of the sketch. This is an adorable picture of my husband and youngest daughter picking apples last fall. Olive green is one of my favorite colors and worked well with this photo. The "wishies" are a stamp set from Close to My Heart.

Thank you for visiting my blog. While you are here, take a look around! I hope you'll start "following" me. I LOVE comments...if you leave one, you'll be entered for a chance to win some scrap goodies from me. Keep hoppin'! And speaking of hoppin'...one good blog hop deserves another. Come back here next weekend (starting on September 10th) for a fabulous, ORANGE, Fiskateer blog hop!

rainbows, crescent rolls, and a sketch

Two recipes today since I missed one last Monday (this will make Jennifer happy).

It is not a celebration at our house, unless there is Jello. Rainbow Jello is a favorite. And if you are going to be home for about 6 hours...it's totally worth it.

RAINBOW JELLO

4 boxes of Jello (6 oz size) in any flavors (I used raspberry, lime, lemon, and orange)

water

1 small carton of sour cream

Mix first flavor of Jello with 1 cup boiling water and stir well for at least 2 minutes. Add 1 cup cold water, stirring until Jello is completly dissolved. Divide Jello liquid in half and set one half aside. To other half, add 2 TBSP of sour cream and stir in with a whisk. Pour into a 9x13 pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Place in refridgerator to set for 45 minutes. Then, pour same flavored plain Jello on top. Let set for 45 minutes. Repeat with each flavor until rainbow is complete.

CRESCENT ROLL CREAM CHEESE BARS

2 packages of crescent rolls (in the tube)

16 oz. of plain cream cheese

1 egg

1 1/2 C sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 Tbsp cinnamon

(optional: rind and juice of 1 lemon)

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Press 1 package of crescent rolls into the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Beat cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar, vanilla, and egg yolk (save the egg white) (also add rind and juice of 1 lemon if you would like) until smooth. Spread over pressed rolls. Place other package of crescent rolls on top of the cream cheese mixture (I try to smooth out and connnect the "stitches" before placing it). Brush top of rolls with egg white. Mix cinnamon and 1/2 C sugar together and sprinkle over the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cut into bars when cool. Keep refrigerated.

Lastly, here is the sketch of the week at Scrapbook Challenges.

National Scrapbook Day, a sketch, and a celebration

National Scrapbook Day was May 1st. My participation was limited as we were celebrating Luke's First Communion, but I did get to join the fun a little bit. Here is a Fiskateer Challenge Sketch from Allison Davis...

And here is my version... the left page is turned clock-wise to accomodate my horizontal photos.

And, here is our handsome boy...extra holy on this day.

I'll be back tomorrow with 2 (yes, count them 2) recipes from our celebration.