A Winner and a Sneak!

Happy Saturday! I am finally finding a few moments of quiet to post, and then it's back to the craziness that is our life. Zack started training for Spring Soccer this week, and that means that I am now making 2-3 trips to Canal Winchester, a 65 mile drive....one way, every week. We lucked out this week and don't have any practice today, so I plan on enjoying my last free Saturday!

Anyway, before I head out with the kids for some shopping and eating, I wanted to let everyone know who won the Birds of a Feather Blog Hop. I threw everyone's name into a bowl and had Miss Taylor pick the winner, and she picked out Miriam Prantner! Miriam, please send me an email at ljharper@hughes.net and I will get your Birds of a Feather Gift Certificate off to you! 

The next thing I want to share with you are a couple of quick peaks at the March Birds of a Feather Kit Co. Can I just say, having seen the whole kit and extras, that I am LOVING this kit? I REALLY can't wait to get my hands on it and start creating! 

Aren't the blues and yellows yummy? I'm so excited about this kit, and have already started planning my layouts/projects!

Okay, time to go get ready and head out for some shopping. Have a wonderful Saturday!

It's a Lovebirds Crop 'n Hop!

Happy Friday and Welcome to the Birds of a Feather Lovebirds Crop 'n Hop! Hopefully, you have been directed here from Lisa's blog. If you are just visiting (and weren't directed here from Lisa's Blog), please join us for the complete Blog Hop and Crop. All you have to do is start Here, hop from blog to blog, and finish up at the Birds of a Feather blog. If you complete the entire Hop, you will be eligible for a Maya Road kit valued at $35. Here is a look at this super cute prize: 

And here is a list of the goodies included in the prize package:
~ Maya Road "Home" Mini-Album
~ 2 Full Blister-packs of Maya Road Mini Chipboards
~ Full Pack of Maya Road Kraft Tags
~ Pot of Maya Road Glitter
~ Maya Road Ink Pad
~ Full Tin of Ribbon Slides
~ Exclusive Maya Road "Home Is" Stamp
~ All papers needed to create this project
~ Step-by-step Instructions

Since this weekend is the Lovebirds Crop 'n Hop over at Birds of a Feather Kit Co., I want to share my Crop Challenge with you. One of my favorite movie quotes is, "There's just something about you that I like," from Santa Clause 2. Since this is a Lovebirds crop, I combined the two and came with my challenge. So, I want you to pick someone or something that you like/love and create a layout about the person or thing. To add a little twist, I want you to journal about WHY that person or thing is special in your life. Your journaling needs to be visible, and at least 20 words long....the rest is up to you!

Here is my layout for this challenge:

I used the February Birds of a Feather Kit and Extras to complete this layout about my kids. The minute I saw the FabScraps Tri-Circle Swirl Diecut Chipboard Frame I knew it would be perfect for pictures of my kids (since I have three). I left it "naked" because I loved the look of it against the browns and reds of the papers. To shake things up a little, I then added my journaling around the outside of the floral paper and it reads: These three make me laugh more, cry a lot harder, worry myself sick, lay awake at night, try harder to be a better person. These three make me see life in a whole different perspective. These three each carry a little piece of my heart with them where ever they go. These three give me hope, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Now, since this Blog Hop is part of the Birds of a Feather Kit Co. Lovebirds Crop, I've got a special treat for one lucky person who comments on this post: a $10 gift card to the Birds of a Feather Boutique! Since we are Hopping all weekend long, you have until Sunday night, at midnight, to leave me a comment. And since the crop challenges are due by the 15th (Wednesday), I will wait to post my blog winner around the 17th. You do not have to be a follower of my blog, but if you like what you see, I'd love for you to stick around and become a follower.

Now, since the Lovebirds Crop is going on all weekend, I'd love to have you join us for lots of fun challenges and games. Also, if you play along with us, you have a chance to win some super great prizes!

Okay, it's time to hop on over to Amy's blog to continue on with the fun! Remember, if you finish the entire hop, you are eligible for that darling Maya Road prize! Enjoy the rest of the crop and I sure hope you will join us over at the forums for a weekend full of scrapping, games and fun!

Birds of a Feather February Kit and Layouts

Happy Saturday! It's been super crazy around here, with Jon and I both celebrating birthdays and work, work, work! 

I've also been busy creating with the February Birds of a Feather kit. Let me tell you, Amy did another amazing job with this month's kit! There's lots and lots of Basic Grey, along with ribbon, and flowers...perfect for February. If you haven't picked up the kit, yet, I'm sorry to say that it is sold out. However, you can still pick up the extra paper and any of the extra add-ons that are available. I loved everything so much, that I picked up all of the extras (I'm telling you, it's one AMAZING kit!)

Here is the Main Kit:

Here are the Add-Ons. Most of them are still available, so grab one, or two....or all of them :D

Extra Paper Package

Extra Embellishment Package One

Extra Embellishment Package Two

Color Me Paper Package

Martha Stewart Punch

Dew Drop Inks 

Along with the Dandelion, you can also pick up Rich Cocoa, Tangelo, Angel Pink, Rhubarb Stalk and/or Rosebud. I love these little guys, because they fit perfectly in my hand and are so easy to manipulate on paper or when inking edges. 

Now, before I log off, I want to share two layouts that I created with this kit and add-ons. 

This first layout was inspired by the Heart Breaker paper and a layout that I saw in the newest Scrapbook Trends magazine. I fussy cut the hearts and then inked each with the Rhubarb Stalk Dew Drop ink. I then used tiny strips of papers and several die cuts to finish up the layout.

This next layout is for my best friend. This is her sweet baby girl, Joanie Mae. I used lots of stickers from the add-on sheet and just layered away. I finished up with one of the layered trim pieces from the main kit and Thickers (can I just say, I LOVE this font?!)

Okay, off to get productive today. Lots of cleaning, laundry and scrapping on the agenda. I might throw in some shopping, too! 

Have a wonderful Saturday!

I am so happy to report, that I FINALLY finished my December Daily album! It felt so good to get the last page finished, and then turn around and clean everything up. I've decided that trying to work on the album during the month of December is just not good for me. Instead, I will go back to my old way of doing things. Meaning, I will keep track of my days on a Word document and then put the album together in January. It takes a lot less time that way, and I don't feel as overwhelmed. I have to admit, that no matter how frustrated I got with the process, I love the final outcome. 

This year was also difficult, because of Grandpa's passing. In fact, I almost gave up on the album, but decided that since I'm a good-bad-and-ugly kind of scrapper, that I had to go forth with the process. After all, the whole idea (at least for me) is to document the holiday season, and everything with Grandpa was part of the season. 

So, without any turther ado, here is the rest of my December Daily Album. To see the first few pages, just scroll down a little bit. 

Day Ten:

Day Eleven:

Day Twelve:

Day Thirteen:

Day Fourteen:

Day Fifteen:

Day Sixteen:

Day Seventeen:

Day Eighteen:

Day Nineteen:

Day Twenty:

Day Twenty-One:

Day Twenty-Two:

Day Twenty-Three:

Day Twenty-Four (Double):

Day Twenty-Four (Double):

Day Twenty-Five (Double):

Day Twenty-Five (Double):

I may end up adding another page or two, just of random pictures, because I have so many. However, I will decided that at a later date. For now, this is going in my basket, with all the others.

Okay, off to take down the Christmas decorations in my living room. Um, yea....nothing like putting it off and putting it off....:D

Have a great Monday!

Some Great News to Share!

I am so excited, Ladies! I found out on Monday, that Amy had picked me to be on the next Design Team term over at Birds of a Feather Kit Co.! To say that I was excited and stunned would be an understatement! To say I am beyond thrilled doesn't even come close to expressing my excitement! 

I can not wait to start sharing some of the fun and exciting things that the Design Team creates during the next six months! 

Please, if you haven't done it already, head over the Birds of a Feather Kit Co., check out the kits and boutique, and don't forget to register for the board and gallery. Trust me, you will love it there!

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Happy New Year's Eve!

I don't know about anyone else, but it's hard to believe that 2011 is coming to an end. I have to admit, I say this every year, but it seems like the older I get, the quicker life is passing me by :(

Looking back, 2011 wasn't a terrible year, in fact, it was pretty good for the Harper family. We had lots of blessings, and very few valleys, and I feel so blessed that we are together, healthy and happy.

On to scrappy related things, I have managed (so far) to complete all of the Count Down to 2012 challenges that have been posted over at Birds of a Feather Kit Co. I have to admit, that several of them have been super challenging for me, but that just makes me love the challenge, more.

Here are the rest of the challenges that I've completed, so far:

December 26th: Progressive Challenge

Day Four - Add something that has been misted/painted/stickled/smootched and a metal embellie

I misted the lace with two different colors and then added the tiny metal "t" at the bottom. The "t" stands for Toby :)

Day Five: Add a title with at least two different fonts and add your journaling

December 29th Challenge: What you may have missed in 2011

I did this layout about my mom. I need to remember that she is often alone, now, and I need to make sure that I check in with her several times a week. I love and appreciate her so much, and I need to remember to tell her these things. 

I used the August Birds of a Feather kit for this layout.

December 30th Challenge: Bucket List

I had a ton of fun with this layout. I've wanted to do a Bucket List for a while, now, and this challenge gave me the push I needed. I was totally inspired by THIS awesome layout from Wendy McKee. 

Here is a look at the journaling that I included on the tags. 

Okay, off to see if I can get anything accomplished on my December Daily. I've only printed the pictures for the next two days, TWICE, and now I can't find them (roll my eyes).

Anyway, off to get crafty. I hope that everyone has a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve!

Count Down to 2012

Happy Thursday! I don't know about you, but it sure doesn't seem possible that 2011 is almost gone! The older I get, the quicker the time seems to fly.

Well, this week over at Birds of a Feather, Amy and the DT have put together a Count Down to 2012 challenge. Each day, one of the gals post a challenge, and you have until midnight (your time) to get your layout posted. There are prizes for each day, and I have been having a blast doing some 'fast' scrapping. Seriously, it usually takes me FOREVER to put together a layout, so knowing that I only have until midnight is an added challenge that I am loving! 

If you want all of the details for each challenge, you can check it out, HERE. So far there have been three challenges, and I am happy to say that I have completed all three of them. Here is a look at each of them:

December 26th: Progressive Challenge:

This challenge is probably the hardest one for me. We have certain steps to follow each day, and in the end, will have a finished layout.  Since I like to plan out my layouts before I do any gluing, this has been the most challenging for me. However, I'm getting into the fun of it, and have to admit, I'm liking what I have, so far. 

Day One: Two pictures, cardstock background and three different patterned papers. 

Day Two: Three brads and at least two pieces of chipboard.

Day Three: Add a tag or ticket next to a picture. 

December 27th Challenge: 2011 Year in Review:

A closer look at the journaling. I printed it out and then cut it all apart. 

December 28th Challenge: Color of the Year:

Now to wait to see what today's challenge has in store for us :) I have to make a run to the grocery store, too. I'm thinking I should do that, first, so that I can spend the rest of the day scrapping!