ringing in the new year...

I love the holidays for so many reasons...

it could be the music...

the food...

but most of all, I love spending time with the family!

Wishing you and yours a safe & happy new year!!!

PS. With the new year comes lots and lots of new creative collections from all our favorite designers!!!

I am getting excited, how about you!?!?!?

vintage ornaments...

It is almost time to celebrate one of my favorite holidays, CHRISTMAS!

A couple weeks ago, our card group got together to eat, scrap and exchange gifts. These 12 ladies are some of the most generous women I have ever met in my life. They are kind, supportive, creative as all get out and love love love to spend quality time together. Two of these dear friends, Pattie & Rocio, planned out an evening of new techniques which resulted in fantastic Christmas presents. These two ladies are extremely talented and such a joy to be around. I took the techniques that they showed us and turned them into little ornaments using whatever Christmas stuff I had lying around {trust me, there is ALOT!}.

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

old music sheet paper cut into 1 1/2 inch strips

Fiskars circle scallop punch

Martha Stewart snowflake punch

red & white baker's twine

Crop-A-Dile

Tim Holtz photo strip

Tim Holtz tiny attacher

Glossy Accents

My Little Shoebox Chipboard letters

Thickers

Stickles

other random letters left over in the alpha box

There is just something about little vintage ornaments that make me smile!!!

After attending an amazing Christmas party for my husband on Sunday night, I was just so full of energy that I was wide awake. I made 20 of these little gems in a span of 2 1/2 hours... it is amazing what you can get done at 3am!

Wishing you and yours a very

Merry Christmas!!!

a scrappy share...

With Christmas right around the corner it was time to pull out all those festive decorations and with that came holiday photos that were gently placed in the "put-here-so-I-won't-forget-to-scrap-them" pile... well, I forgot! I brushed it off {like the rest of the stuff I haven't gotten to yet} and decided to scrap them at an impromtu scrapdate! Scrapdates are fun because you get to chit chat about this, that and the other while being paperly "productive." I cherish this time, it means SO much to me!

So with a pinch here, a trim there... topped with MLS minis

then some buttons, brads, stickers from my stash...

and Viola!

I love my little candy canes!

Okay, getting back to the minis... from the previous post I challenged you bloghoppers to tell me your favorite minis and your favorite ways to use them. Since only two of you were up to the challenge, you BOTH win a MLS new release mins prize pack.

Lindy said...

Beautiful Nicole. I love mini's too. Probably have doubles of some in my stash. I use them on EVERYTHING. My favorite is probably red.

Have a wonderful holiday!

NOVEMBER 24, 2010 5:49 AM

jennyplace2 said...

Oh so pretty, I would have to say the black ones.
jennyplace26@gmail.com

NOVEMBER 24, 2010 5:58 AM

Please send me your addresses to outoftheboxcreative@yahoo.com.

xoxo

A & E...

What can I say about these two lovely ladies...

It is hard to believe that these two sweethearts are now seniors... boy does time fly! Our families have become quite close over the last 5 years and it has been such a joy to have seen them grow into these respectable, balanced, smart young women. Their parents have done an amazing job raising them, supporting them, guiding them, instilling HIS love in them! I was honored and an itty-bit nervous when they asked me to take their senior photos. The girls picked the spot, their clothes and I picked the time... and we had a B A L L!

We laughed, giggled, walked through puddles, witnessed silly hikers, and braved one-way traffic all in hopes of getting some good shots. Well... happy to report there were more than a few! In two days I took more than 1500 shots and trying to sift through those beautiful faces to get the good ones was hard... only because they were ALL amazing! It is hard to say which are my favorites because one day I am all about the sweet smiles and others I love the fierceness... nonetheless, here are the ones I keep going back to... the ones I can't stop playing with!

Again, it was an honor to take these photos for you girls!

Love you both!!!

giving thanks...

The food is prepped...

The oven schedule is set...

The Macy's Thanksgiving parade is on...

The girls are bouncing off the walls...

It is time to craft something...

How about a turkey???

Here is a tiny Thanksgiving creation courtesy of the new lines from My Little Shoebox.

The diecuts are from different lines and the sweet eyes are from the snails on GREEN.

Add a little glossy accents, string & bling and viola!

"Oh give thanks to the LORD for his is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."

Proverbs 107:1

There is so much to be thankful for... and on a day like today I truly truly feel blessed!

Here is to hoping you have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

minis and a sneak peek...

I guess you could say I have been on a creative hiatus...

or just too busy to create...

Either way, I am way behind and to help stir up some creativity I pulled out all my My Little Shoebox goodies, spread them out on the kitchen table and just took in all the prettiness. The bright colors, the fun icons... but one part in particular stood out... the mini alphas! I might have a slight addiction because I think I have almost every color and I use them on EVERYTHING!!!

So, here is a little tribute to those who love the minis as much as I do.

Please leave me a comment here on my blog listing your favorite mini color & where you use them on your projects.

I will pick one winner at random on Sunday, November 28th that will win the following...

And because I picked up an extra latte yesterday, I was up late creating...

Creative Cheers!

sneak peek and the winner is...

A little sneak peek into some other HOLLY JOLLY projects I am working on...

AND THE WINNER IS

......................................................................

Cynthia B. from TEXAS

Cynthia B. said...

Pure cuteness!! Love the details you've added - the cotton, the glitter, the mini alphas (adorable for your candy cane!).

OCTOBER 15, 2010 8:14 PM

Please email me your contact information at

outoftheboxcreative@yahoo.com so I can send out your prize!

CONGRATS!!!

My Little Shoebox Blog Hop Baby!!!

There is just something to say about the creativity on this design team! I hope you are joining me from viewing the unmatchable talent of miss PATTIE'S blog, but if not let your eyes indulge in all the creative goodies by starting at the MY LITTLE SHOEBOX blog. There is a SPECTACULAR prize at the end so be sure to leave comments as you hippity hop along!

I had the privilege of working with the new HOLLY JOLLY line and let me tell you this paper is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO versatile! If you are like me you tend to plan out or sketch what you are in the mood for creating. Well, I had so many ideas it was tough to narrow it down so let's start with the simple teacher gift! I used the Bazzill Chipboard pieces, covered them with the brand spanking new HOLLY JOLLY line and here is what I came up with... a simple wall hanging!!!

sweet and simple...

used the scalloped paper, distressed, layered and with a little craft knife trim...

some stamp action using the Summer Breeze stamp along with some glossy accents...

stickles... a staple for every holiday project and I LOVE how it compliments this paper!!!

my favorite!!!

I love the My Little Shoebox minis... been known to buy them in BULK!

adhered them to the chipboard piece in alpha order,

used craft knife to trim,

smothered in glossy accents and let dry...

Since the holiday spirit is all about giving,

I will choose one HOLLY JOLLY BLOG HOPPER winner from

those comments left here on my blog!!!

The winner will be announced on Monday, October 18th!!!

Now... to continue on this scrapalicious journey,

head on over to MELANIE'S blog for some

My Little Shoebox fantastic-ness all her own!

Thank you so much for stopping by...

Carpe' Craftum!!!

it's beginning to look a lot like...

CHRISTMAS!!!

My Little Shoebox has released it's first ever holiday line and it is adorable! From the snowmen to the houses to the snowflakes... and then there are the always beautiful "B" sides that just open up door after door of creativity! If you are a sucker for the holidays then this is going to be your new creative candy!!!

Sneak Peeks of HOLLY JOLLY

PS. Yes there was a little mixing of lines to make the tree...

again "B" sides ROCK!

Carpe Craft'um!!!

Summer Breeze & Blog Hop Winner...

Question... How is it almost October???

Seeing as time is just flying by I took this new line from My Little Shoebox and tried to hold onto summer just a little longer!

In this layout I used the craft knife to cut the precious banner

and then used mini glue dots for a touch of dimension.

This flower has special meaning to me...

my dear friend Pattie showed me how to make these flowers

and now I am just looking for random ribbons and fabric to make more of these beauties!!!

Again, I am a sucker for dimension so taking the Chipboard Alphas

and mixing them up a little was super fun!

I {heart} photo booth photos... Avery does not!!!

The "B" sides of this line just stir up creativity and this one happened to remind me of the waves from Santa Cruz...

So the waves then become pockets for extra journal-ing treats!

Punches, tags, Glossy Accents... Oh My!!!

See... I even stuff within stuff!!!

I am totally on a pocket kick right now so thank you for baring with me!

This card came about by accident... I was playing with the precious die cuts and happened to "over cut" one of them and it landed by the Fiskars flower punch... SCORE!!!

The plastic was from the Chipboard Alpha packaging...

reduce, reuse & recycle

AND THE WINNER FROM MY BLOG FOR LAST FRIDAY'S BLOG HOP IS:

Jenn said...

that pumpkin is awesome! Fab layout!

SEPTEMBER 17, 2010 10:14 AM

CONGRATS!!!

Please email me your contact info at outoftheboxcreative@yahoo.com

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Carpe Craft'um

My Little Shoebox Blog Hop...

WELCOME!!!

Hopefully you are joining me from the extremely talented in so many ways TAJ'sBlog...seriously her work is amazing!

To start at the beginning of the hop make sure to start at the

My Little Shoebox blog

This is my first official blog hop and let me tell you I am stoked!! It is such an honor to be on the creative train with these fantastic ladies!!!

CUTE AS A BUTTON meets my 'lil miss addison!!!

Using a few punches, Glimmer Mist, Ribbons, Bling just makes that Cute As A Button even cuter!!!

Be sure to leave a comment on each blog you hippity hop through for a chance to win a fantastic prize from the newest My Little Shoebox collection!

Thanks so much for stopping by... now it's time for you to hop on over my favorite out-of-the-box Aussie, KATHLEEN!!!

Creative Cheers!!!

BLOG HOP: Do you find yourself asking what is a blog hop??

It's where you will hop to each participating design team member blog. At the end of our DT members blog it will have a link to your next DT member... make sure to comment throughout the trail for a chance to win!!!

Simple Life meets Ryan Andrew...

A dear friend of mine had her baby last May and since she was on the east coast there was a group of us who didn't get to "ooooo" and "ahhhhh" all over this precious bundle of joy. So... we came up with the idea of throwing her a Sip 'N See shower once she got back to town. The three hostesses got together, decided on a farm theme and planned out this fantastic occasion, with one mission... SPOIL them rotten!!! Luckily between the three of us hosting we had a talented chef, a party planner/Wonder Woman and one obsessed with paper and glue {me}! I was in charge of the invitations, guest book, a scrapbook, party favors and extra farm touches.

Baby Ryan's invitation...

HOW TO: MLS paper cut into 4x6, made up a template to cut out the pocket, distressed each piece of paper, used pop dots, & inserted printed tag with tied ribbon then attach Simple Life Sticker Icon.

Here is the welcome/guest book signing area... only with a crafty spin.

Instead of the traditional guest book I created little Well Wishes tags so the guests could write a personal message to the bouncy baby boy. These tags were distressed and stamped with the new My Little Shoebox stamps and tied with ribbons.

A close up of the special sunflower frame...

*please see my "1 hour project" post for how to make this!!!

Personalized M&M's

+ Tootsie Pop

+ Plastic Baggie

+ MLS decorated tag

+ Ribbon

= Party Favors!

Other pictures from the shower...

I want to co-host ALL baby showers with these lovely ladies!!!

And of course... our guest of honor and his BEAUTIFUL momma!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Creative Cheers!