Melanie's Photos: January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

After a week break . . .

I am back. My computer was having issues again but after several phone calls we finally got it figured out. And now, I can use the computer again. Hooray!

Today is my last day as an official SRM design team member. I have loved being on the SRM team. Last week my final post was on the SRM blog featuring these cards that I put together with some of the new stickers:

WGYB #57004 Thank You

FSS #55008 Thinking of You

WGYB #57004 Thank You

My thoughts on working with SRM:

"It has been an amazing year on the SRM design team! I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with Susan and Jenyfur, and the crazy-talented DT members. It was a little intimidating at first because 1) this was my first manufacturer team, and 2) HOLY TALENT! But I settled down when I realized I was chosen for MY style and then I ran with that on every project.

The variety of styles on the design team show how truly versatile SRM stickers are. The stickers work seemlessly into projects. I loved using them on everything from cards to layouts to banners to calendars. The tubes and wands are perfect additions to any party or celebration or special event. The possibilities with SRM are endless.

Working with the product and incorporating them into my projects throughout the year has really enhanced my creative process. The wide-spectrum of assignments we were given helped me reach outside of my comfort zone and apply my style to new things that I wouldn't have otherwise tried. It was always fun to get new papers from other companies and show off how well they worked with SRM. And getting to send in projects for CHA--what a dream! I loved showing my DH the layout of him on the SRM wall at CHA and telling him how many people had seen that over the weekend :)

I am really thankful for the support of Susan, Jenyfur, the design team members, and the people who left comments about my projects on the blog, Flickr, and facebook. Thank you for your confidence in me, thank you for letting me inspire you, and most of all--thank YOU for inspiring ME to create."

Hope you have a good day today. :)

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Scarlet Lime January projects

This month over on the Scarlet Lime blog the design team has been talking style . . . scrapping style, that is!

Linear, journaling, embellishment clusters, borders, and banners--that is how I defined my style in my post earlier this month. I really enjoyed working with the January kits, just letting go and doing my thing :)

This first layout is with the Main Kit. I loved the colorful papers! I decided on a primary color theme since the layout was focusing on my 3-year-old. Lots of lines, borders, and a banner.

I added some Jenni Bowlin paint to the chipboard hearts, along with some stickles to make them sparkle. I sprinkled some Perfect Pearls mist and Mister Huey white on the background as well.

For my next layout with the Main kit, I went girly! The big floral print on the Pink Paislee paper has such a feminine feel to it. Again, I added a border . . . this time with the yellow dot paper and some stitching. Lots of lines on this page, too :)

I had a larger cluster of embellishments by the title, combining the Crate paper sticker, Pink Paislee die cut, and the thickers in the Frugal Fab kit.

You can see how I included journaling on both of my layouts--fun stories to share!

One more project with the main kit . . . a card. I love making cards! First up, I used some grey cardstock to contrast with the pink and yellow colors. I stitched around the edges of the card and then stitched the pink lace on top of the paper strips. Then, I layered the Crate Paper stickers and added a Kaiser rub-on for a finishing touch. Just to add a bit more balance, I put the little Hello sticker up in the corner.

With the Frugal FAB kit, I continued making some cards. Yellow is my favorite color so this ornament by Pink Paislee definitely had to be on one of my projects! I thought it looked really nice against the green background. I added some of the Kaiser Craft rub ons for a subtle detail.

The sentiment is from SRM stickers.

This last card if by far my favorite! I just adore butterflies :) I hand-cut these ones out of the American Crafts patterned papers. The perforated tag lines on the bottom of the AC papers are perfect to add for accents on projects. I used another SRM sentiment sticker and then thought the Crate Paper stickers from the Main kit would add a fun touch to rhyme kisses with wishes :)

LOVED working with the kits this month! So much color to play with and a variety of embellishments. Thanks for stopping by today.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Party in a Bag--Baby Boy Shower

SRM Stickers is coming out with some really fun new products with their winter release. One of the products is Party in a Bag.

I received the Baby Boy Party in a Bag to work with a "create" a party :)

The "A Star Is Born" sticker inspired my theme. I used the color scheme of the sticker sheets to choose my cardstocks and added in a sheet of Fancy Pants striped paper. The stars and BOY letters are cut out with my Slice.

The invite:

I used the same design for the invite and the thank you card.

Added the border stickers to the envelopes.

The banner:

The cupcake topper:

Little take-home treats--chocolate cremes inside :)

Tubes filled with peanuts (i.e. lil' peanut).

Gift bag:

This was such a challenging assignment for me! I am so NOT a party planner. But the Party in a Bag made it really doable for me. Using the same colors as the stickers and star theme helped eveything come together with the product.

My SRM term is coming to a close :( I have really enjoyed working with the SRM products and will continue to do so.

Be sure to check out the SRM blog today to see my feature and look at past posts to see the new products available soon.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

SNOW!! . . . and Nikki Sivils' reveals :)

Winter has finally arrived here. SO excited! The kids have been sledding every day. No school Monday because of MLK day, then school was cancelled yesterday and today. It wouldn't surprise me if school is out tomorrow, too.

Sledding
Hot chocolate
Belgian waffles
Kinect games
Movies
Baking cookies
Legos

Just a list of what we've been doing. We are pretty much snowed-in. The roads haven't been plowed and I'm not trying them out. I've been doing a bit of creating here and there over the past few days. Taking my time with these projects, just enjoying the process.

AND some fun news . . . Nikki Sivils have revealed her complete line of new products coming out at CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) show next weekend in Anaheim. I'm really looking forward to working with these lines.

You can see the whole reveal of each line on Nikki's blog HERE. Be sure to leave a comment there because she is giving away a favorite collection to one lucky commentor.

And be sure to leave a comment here . . . because I like to hear from you. What is your favorite thing to do on a snowy day?

Monday, January 16, 2012

Hip Cards--December Kit

Did you know that yellow is my favorite color?

Maybe that is why I used it so much on these cards.

I think this is my favorite of the bunch.

These next three cards are CardMap designs by Becky Fleck (September 2011):

The December Hip kit is full of goodness and color. I LOVE color!

The kids are off school today. Looking forward to having an extra full day with them :)

Friday, January 13, 2012

Warm & Cozy . . .

When I made my first layout for the SRM December assignment using the FreeStyle Winter stickers, I knew I wanted to make another one using the warm & cozy stickers.

So, I snapped some photos of my hot cocoa one morning and then put together this layout :)

SRM Stickers: #50001 FreeStyle Winter

I used the December Paper Posies kit for this layout. This page came together crazy-fast. Love that!

Enjoy your weekend. We're hoping for some snow :)

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Winter Sunrise . . . and FUN news :)

(I'd share the FUN awesome news first, but I like suspense). :)

We have had some AMAZING sunrises this winter. I love seeing the pink just start to come over the mountains. And then, in our usually-cloudy skies, the light is radiated and oh-so-beautiful.

My pictures never quite capture the true colors and beauty but they help me remember the awe I feel each time I witness God's hello to the day from my backyard.

I made this layout to record the story.

I used some SRM Stickers (Freestyle #50001 Winter) and Paper Posies January kit. The layout is featured on the SRM blog today.

And speaking of SRM, last summer I had the opportunity to work with Nikki Sivils' School is Cool line in partnership with SRM. And Nikki had a Design Team call in December. And I submitted some projects. And the deadline came and went. And I thought I hadn't made it. And then Nikki called me on Monday. So . . .

I'm now a part of the Nikki Sivils' Design Team!!

Such exciting, FUN news! The team is wonderful and I am really looking forward to working with Nikki and this group of creative women. You can see the announcement on Nikki's blog here.

Have a wonderful Wednesday! :)

Monday, January 9, 2012

O Christmas Tree . . .

This weekend we took down our Christmas tree. The local boy scout troops pick them up on Saturday morning. Friday night the kids and I removed the ornaments and DH took the lights off. It then took me THREE hours to repack the ornaments in boxes. I have to admit it made me a little grumpy. And made me think of traveling for Christmas next year so we can forego a tree . . .

But then I remember good things like on this layout and maybe putting up a tree isn't so bad.

I used the November Hip Kit for this layout. Love that red chevron print and the mix of alphas.

Happy Monday!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Kids Valentines

One of my SRM Stickers assignments for December was to make Kids' Valentines. I used the Be Mine Quick Card set. There are three stickers on each small square sheet--the heart, "Be Mine", and "Happy Heart Day". I decided to use one sticker on each card and then I could get 9 Valentines done with the three sets I had.

Here are the kids' Valentines that I put together.

They are 3x3 mini cards.

SRM Stickers: Quick Cards #52027 Be Mine

These cards are featured on the SRM blog today (Friday).

Do you and/or your kids make Valentines?

Enjoy your weekend :)

Thursday, January 5, 2012

November Hip Kit layouts

In addition to the cards that I made with the November Hip Kit (here and here), I put together two layouts. These are photos that my sister, Tonya, took of her kids during some of their holiday celebrations.

They always celebrate Santa Lucia day. This was her youngest daughter's first year as Santa Lucia, since her two older girls are not living at home anymore. S was very excited to play the part, yet nervous about the candles on her head (yes, they use real candles!).

Tonya's littlest, Hans, got to play the role of a shepherd in their church nativity. Isn't he so cute?!

Still have lots of this kit to play with . . . which is good because I have several Christmas pics to get onto pages :)

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

January Paper Posies projects

Here are some cards and a mini album that I put together with the January Paper Posies kit. The red, blue, and silver were a perfect combo for starting the new year.

We haven't had any snow yet, so I'm looking forward to that and adding photos to this mini. The Elle's Studio tags in the kit worked perfectly for each page.

Thanks for checking in today. Enjoy your Wednesday :)