So Happy to Be 4!

While I'm patiently waiting (ha!) for my "The Bees Knees" kit (just a few left!!!!) to arrive, I thought I would pull out a kit that still had a little oomph left to it..."Lemonade Stand." This photo was our first "formal" family portrait when the girls were 6 months old and I decided to pull out the green, black (and silver/gray) in the photo along with a little cream and pink. All of the patterned paper and the doily transparency was in the kit except for the black polka dot (Crate Paper Portrait) that came from Jump & Jive.

The peek of a green glitter frame was also in the kit (by Making Memories). I punched a butterfly and then added a button and stick pin from the "Delightfully Domestic" kit. 

And for my journaling cluster of embellishments, I used label stickers by October Afternoon that are in "Delightfully Domestic" while the flower came from "Jump & Jive" and the tape from "Lemonade Stand."

I love how Noel's kits are beautiful on their own but mix well together if you want them to! I'll see you next week with a "Bee's Knees" layout!

Jill

Make a Wish!

Good morning, friends! I'm back with another layout using an older Noel kit, "Lemonade Stand." This time I created a layout of my two cuties' 1st birthday. I have so many birthday photos that I still want to scrap - they are going to be 2 in two months so I better get cracking! :) For this layout, the photos I had were not the best - the lighting is horrible is my kitchen so I ran a "Seventies" style Photo Shop action on them and that matched well with the shabby chic look I was going for. 

I used a piece of Prima patterned paper for my base (I loved the pink design in the corners). 

For the title, I painted behind the Thickers to help them stand out a little more. 

I cut the number "1" out of Crate Paper patterned paper using my Cricut and the Plantain Schoolbook cartridge. I layered the "1" with a paper doily, Making Memories flower, Jenni Bowlin button and Making Memories twine (all in the kit except the doily). 

And for this corner, I used a 7gypsies tag, Basic Grey brad, Elle's Studio tag and Making Memories flower. 

See you next week! :)

Jill

Life in 2010

Hi all! This week the DT is hosting a fun new challenge called, "Time Capsule!" This is a chance to document the important things going on around you. Right now. Average prices, newsworthy items etc. I decided to use the Lemonade Stand kit to creat pockets for my different categories. I included National News, Local News, Prices, TV programs, Movies, Fashion, Hollywood, and my personal life.

I made little pull tabs with a circle cut in half and a brad poked through.

The butterfly was created with scraps from the kit. : )

I cut the title and the banner using my Cricut machine.

I hope you get a chance to play along with this week's challenge!!! Won't it be fun to look back at this period in time 20 years ago?

Summer Layout Tag Inspiration

I have a new layout to share today that uses the Lemonade Stand kit (sold out). One of my favorite challenges we do quarterly on the message board is the layout tag and this is what I created for our latest round. I mostly used the Lemonade Stand kit for this layout along with bits and pieces of  the Sun-Kissed and Office Party kits. The fall layout tag has already begun but I'm sure we'll do another one in winter. I love these pictures of the girls playing together this past winter. 

I used a couple alphabets from my stash from K & Co. (pink) and American Crafts (green). I sprayed my layout with Bed of Roses Shimmerz (that came in the Playdate kit) for added texture.

I opened up a Maya Road kraft envelope and used it as a base for my two smaller photos. I then accented my envelope with an Elle's Studio tag, KI Memories flair, My Mind's Eye border sticker, Cosmo Cricket alphabet stickers and a Prima pebble. 

The patterned paper is Cosmo Cricket (pink), a Basic Grey sticker, and Collage Press (green). 

Don't forget that the October kit "Sleepy Hollow" goes up for sale THIS Saturday. Stop by the message board to see all the ideas we're sharing on how to use the Halloween kit!

Until next time,
Jill

Seasonal tips

Hi Everyone!! Today I am going to talk to you about Seasonal LOs! :D Now know that I do not normally do these because holidays are just so hard to do for me! And I have heard that it is the same for a lot of people. So I know I am not alone! :D

I decided for my seasonal LO here to just use the colors of the season instead of doing a LO about that particular season. I thought this was much easier. :D The picture is from the fall, and all the colors remind me of fall, but I didn't have to say anything in my journaling about the fact that it was fall. Instead the journaling relates to something very different. I chose to talk about the way my daughter has made me feel as a person, because she has changed me so much and made me a much better person. :D

I used the Lemonade Stand kit here (sorry Sold Out!), and it actually had so many wonderful fall colors in it! The picture I chose is not actually from the moment I felt independent, but I really like this picture of my daughter and me.

Well I hope you all thought this was a little easier way to scrap those seasonal photos! For me at least it made it not quite so daunting, having to use seasonal supplies and themed things, instead just go with colors and what makes you happy! :D

Have a great Sunday everyone!

~Amy

Playing Princess

I have LOVED using up every last bit of my Noel Mignon Lemonade Stand kit (sorry, sold out)! The colors of that kit were so perfect for this picture of my daughter pretending to be a princess.



This is an important memory for me because my daughter practically LIVES in Princess dress-ups every single day. Her favorite thing to do is put on her latest DVD and act out the story with dress-ups and props as she watches. Pretty cute . . . and totally girly! I know this phase won't last forever, so I wanted to capture my girl being her cute self. :)



The actual picture was taken in a dark hallway of our home with a flash. The colors in the photo turned out muddled, and the harsh shadows didn't contribute to the princess feel I was going for. I decided to convert my photo to black and white and let the soft colors in the page design create the feeling I wanted. :)



I added a pearl flourish by Zva Creative, lace trim and a few buttons from my stash as finishing touches.



Have you capture your family in the middle of playtime? Pull out your camera and make it a goal this week to capture the things they like to do.

Have a great week!
Jana

Using Patterned Paper as an Embellishment

One of my favorite ways to create is to use patterned paper as an embellishment. The easiest way to do this is to cut design elements from patterned paper. On this layout using the Lemonade Stand kit, I cut out flowers from the KI Memories patterned paper. I cut the flowers in half and then adhered them at the top as a border. I used foam adhesive on half of the flowers for extra dimension. 

To help carry out the textured edges of the flowers, I used part of the Hambly transparency along the bottom of my title. The rounded edges of the transparency and flowers help carry the eye around the layout.

Another tip here is to machine stitch across the chipboard letters. Doing this can be hard on machine needles so I use a separate needle for stitching on chipboard.

Thanks for visiting!

Jill

Die-Cut Overload

I don’t know about you, but I have been hoarding various die-cuts like crazy! I just love them! Well lately I have noticed that my stash is overflowing and it’s time to actually use these happy little tidbits.


For my layout, I used various die-cuts from the Lemonade Stand kit. I used four different ones for this layout. Can you figure out which ones they are? There is the playing card from October Afternoon, a border strip from My Mind’s Eye, and 2 die-cuts from Pink Paislee. The playing card is obvious. It is tucked behind my picture. The little green border strip from My Mind’s Eye is located just over the picture and the orange scalloped Pink Paislee die-cut is located behind the picture. These two help draw the viewer to my picture. These die-cuts are pretty easy to find but where is the second die-cut from Pink Paislee you ask? Well check out my little layered flower in the bottom left hand corner. Do you see the scalloped green circle part? That’s the die-cut! I layered portions of paper, the die-cut, a sticker, and a rub-on to create the cute little flower.

What new and fun ways can you use your stash of die-cuts? If you decide to give it a whirl, make sure to post it in the gallery and link it up to this post. I would love to see what fun ways you use up your die-cut stash.

Until next time!
Diana

Spotlight On

Take a look at what I found around the web this week!


Julie Tucker Lemonade Stand Kit

Kim Arledge Lemonade Stand Kit

Lisa Westphal Playdate Kit

Lynn Kopas Seaside Cottage kit

Nathalie KerleyLemonade Stand Kit


Awesome Stuff Ladies!! I just love coming across kit work as I make my way around the web. Keep them coming!

Intro: Meet Jill

Hi there! I am so, so thrilled to be part of Noel's design team. I've been a customer of hers for a while now and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her packed kits. 

My name is Jill Cornell and I live in Windsor Heights, Iowa. I have been married to my husband, Glen, for almost 7 years. We have precious twin daughters, Nora and Lily, that just turned one. I am a busy stay-at-home mama, and I love every minute of it! I have a degree and career experience in communications and public relations but at this point in my life, I am so happy to be home with my girls! 

What's your favorite technique right now? What is your trademark?

I love to machine stitch on my projects. It adds a beautiful homespun touch and lots of texture. I typically use cream or tan thread on everything I stitch. Currently, I would say I've been using ribbon or paper a lot to create a ruffle or pleat on my layouts. Stitching would probably be my trademark. I can keep the design simple but add a lot of detail by using my sewing machine.

Who or what inspired you to start scrapbooking?

I started scrapbooking right after I was married. At that time, I just had a lot of fun buying supplies! :) I did a little actual scrapbooking but was more of a "shopper." I ended up creating a lot of layouts but took about a two year break and focused on cards and altered projects. Since the birth of my daughters, I have really been into layouts again. It seems to be major life altering events that get me back into recording family moments and memories.

What is the first creative moment you remember?

Ever since I was a little girl, I have had a "crafty" spirit. My mom wasn't really a big crafter but I was in 4-H since I was 10 so I enjoyed a lot of crafting. I learned to sew, crochet, cross-stitch, embroider, bake, etc. I was given a scrapbook as a young girl and I have momentos and pictures in it from when I was around 10. Both of my grandmas and one of my aunts helped influence my creativity in various crafts. I have a lot of memories of learning from each of them as I created 4-H projects for the county fair. 

Here's one of my favorite recent layouts using Noel's "Lemonade Stand" kit:

I created this one for the motherhood challenge. I cut blocks of patterned paper and then machine stitched them together for a quilted feeling. I love the girly colors and shabby feel of the patterned papers. 

I layered a scalloped punch circle, cut out a flower from the KI Memories patterned paper, then used a Making Memories metal flower and finally, a Prima pebble. 

Thanks for reading along today! Be sure to pick up Noel's next kit "Sun-kissed" that goes on sale this Saturday! :)

Intro: Meet Michele

Hello! Let me introduce myself.....my name is Michele Kovack and I am thrilled to be staying on the Noel Mignon DT! I have been a DT member since 2008. I have been fortunate enough to work with Noel's fabulous kits and be a part of this talented team! I am currently a 5th grade teacher and have been teaching for 14 years! I am married to my high school sweetheart and we just celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary this past Saturday. I also have two beautiful children, Cortney and Kyle......both teenagers. Oh the joys of raising teens! I can't forget to mention my little fur baby, Skippers. He is a Bischon/Poodle mix and we adopted him from the shelter 2 years ago.

What made you start scrapbooking?

I started scrapbooking about 15 years ago after the birth of my daughter, Cortney. It literally became my saviour, my therapy. See, my sweet Cortney has severe mental and physical impairment and scrapbooking became a creative outlet to vent my feelings....my emotions. As the years went on, and acceptance set in, I scrapbooked all of her milestones and focused on the things she could do! After my son, Kyle was born 13 years ago, I was immersed in this hobby completely! It was a joy to scrap all his silliness, adventures, and milestones!

What is Your Style of Scrapbooking?

I have to admit that it took me a long time to find a style that I was comfortable with. In the beginning, I copied many other's work.....and might I add.....not always well! I played around a lot until I stumbled across vintage, shabby Chic. It became comfortable and definitely my style!

What are some of your favorite products?

Vintage......obviously! : ) I love ribbon, lace, old book paper, tissue paper, my scalloped punch, flowers, and any type of butterflies! I LOVE butterflies!

The page I have posted here, today, is created from Noel's Lemonade Stand Kit! I did create the butterflies with tissue paper and Glimmer Mist from my stash! Don't forget to order Noel's new kit, Sun-Kissed! Super cute summery kit!!!

Thanks so much for visiting today!!!

My Week in the Life & a Quick Tip

I have been wanting to record my "week in the life" for a while now, and so I was really excited when this was our new challenge.

"Finally! An opportunity to sit down and actually do this!" I thought.

I must say, once it came time to record it, however, I got a little overwhelmed. I didn't do any research (from some of the other scrappers out there that have done this before) to help me narrow down what and how I would record things... so I went into it thinking, WHAT would best represent a good glimpse at my life right now.

I think "glimpse" is a perfect word for this layout. Does it record every little detail about my week? No way. It would have to be a massive book to do that... but when I look back at this, years from now, I will definitely get a good impression of a little of what my life looked like in May 2010.
(P.S. The challenge is still going on- make sure to join in for a chance at a fun prize!)
Made with the Lemonade Stand Kit - 3 left!!, plus my new obsession... Coredinations Cardstock.

Quick Tip:

I'm sure the awesome stampers that are out there are going to cringe at this picture.

I believe I've mentioned a time or two, stamping is not really my thing. I ADORE how it looks, but I've never quite gotten the hang of remembering to use my stamps.

Perhaps it's because I let my acrylic blocks look like this:
*shudders*

I discovered a really quick fix for cleaning this off, that most of you probably have in your house!

A magic eraser!
It cleans nearly all the ink off, presto chango! (Even the Staz-on!) And I didn't have to go out and buy some fancy cleaning product. :)

Now maybe I'll get to stampin' more on my projects.... :)

Make sure to check back in next week to get to know our new and returning design team members! :)