Celebrate Life

12 Days of Christmas: Day 1

Are you looking for a few gift, holiday decor, or craft ideas?  Well you've come to the right place.  For the next 12 days we will be featuring a new project each day for our '12 Days of Christmas' special.  We are starting off the festivities with a fabulous project from Design Team Member Celeste Smith.  You may remember that she created a similar calendar for you last year.  She updated the PDF calendar for 2010.  This is a great teacher's gift or stocking stuffer!  

Here is Celeste's CD Case Calendar sample...

  

You can download the calendar here: Download 2010 calendar

From Celeste:

Last year, I shared a calendar template with you as a quick Christmas gift. Some of our KI fans asked if we'd be posting an updated calendar. So here it is! Enjoy!

 

Quick Directions...

• Print out the PDF of months and crop the pages using the crop marks.
• Add bits of patterned paper, rub-ons and/or photos to the top. Try to keep it as flat as possible or the months won't all fit in the case.
• To make the calendar base, start out by placing the CD case on your table with the hinge on the left.  Open it up and pull out the insert that would normally hold the CD. Very gently take the top off by pulling it apart at the hinge.  Now flip over the bottom part that is resting on the table, and re-attach the top to the bottom. I jsut used some old cases we had lying around, but you can purchase empty cases if you need to.

This year I decided to use small photos on top of the calendar. Each month will have a little title on the photo that goes with the month. For instance, February will be "Be Mine" and March will say "Lucky You." You could also use this template digitally. PDFs will open in Adobe Photoshop and you could use a KI Digi kit to create your calendar then print onto photo paper.

 

Have fun and share if you make one!

Would you like to win a KI gift?  All you need to do for a chance is leave a comment on any of the posts in the next two weeks.  Only one comment per post, but the more posts you comment on the greater your chances are of winning!  At the end of our celebration we will announce a grand prize winner who will receive a box of KI gifts!    Winner will be randomly chosen & announced after Christmas!  

Focus On Good Tidings!

Hello!  This week we are taking a look at Good Tidings.  We're getting closer and closer to Christmas...so it's perfect timing.  Speaking of Christmas, starting next week the KI Design Team will be sharing projects each day for our

 

'12 Days of Christmas'

 

We'll kick off the week on Monday with a fabulous calendar from Celeste Smith that you can download for free!  So be sure to check back!

Now, back to Good Tidings.  This should get you in the mood for Christmas.....

  

Good Tidings Garland Patterned Cardstock 

  

Good Tidings Chipboard Accents 

  

Good Tidings Softies 

I created a layout using all Good Tidings.  I'm not usually a two-page person, but when there are so many photos of an event, this seems to be the best way to go.  I used all my favorite snapshot pictures on this.  For those pictures that are my very favorites I will do a separate layout showcasing the photo or thought.  Click on photo to enlarge.

  

To get you geared up for our '12 Days of Christmas' next week...how about a a little KI gift....

Are you ready for the holidays?  Tell us any tricks/tips you have for preparing for them.  One winner will be randomly chosen and announced next Friday!  

Wildcard Wednesday: Teacher Gifts

I don't know about you, but I never know what to get our teachers for Christmas.  I imagine that they get a lot of stuff that they don't really want, so I try to give something they will love or at least like.  And you know what, our children can help with that!  I asked my son what kind of drink his teacher loved having....Starbucks of course.  But really, you didn't think I was just going to hand her a gift card...we must make it cute!  

Christmas is a great time of year to use your scrapbook supplies to make gifts extra special.  I decided to not use 'Christmas' themed product on this however.  I thought that maybe she could use the tin in her desk throughout the year.  The Trendy Tin I used is actually an older product of KI.  If you don't have any in your stash you can buy gift card tins at discount and craft stores.  

  

 

On the inside of the tin I cut a piece of Petal Pop Garden Variety Glitter Cardstock to fit the inside.  Then I made a small pocket out of cardstock.  I used a border punch across the top and stitched the sides.  I decided to be messy with the stitching on purpose...takes a lot of the stress out of it!  I then embellished the pocket with a Brushed Flower Glitter Sticker.  I cut around the clear backing on half of the sticker and left it on.  That way I could stick the bottom half down and the top half can be lifted to slide the gift card in and out.  Next add an Petal Pop Icon Epoxy Sticker.

  

 

The outside of the tin was really easy too.  I cut a wide strip of Petal Pop Brilliant Glitter Cardstock, punched the top and bottom edges with a border punch.  Next I wrapped it around the tin and adhered it together.  I creased the sides so it held it's shape.  Sometimes ribbon can get expensive, especially if you are creating a lot of these, so I used plain red string to tie on a couple Petal Pop Chipboard Accent tags.  Then all that was left was to add a couple Petal Pop Chipboard Accent flowers.  The paper wrap sides on and off easily, there is no need to untie it.

  

 

Supplies:

Trendy Tin
Petal Pop Garden Variety Glitter Cardstock 
Petal Pop Brilliant Glitter Cardstock
Petal Pop Chipboard Accents
Petal Pop Chipboard Accents
Brushed Flower Glitter Stickers
Petal Pop Icon Epoxy Stickers

Other: border punch, string, sewing machine

Allotted Time: 30 minutes

I have more Lace Cardstock to share!  Leave a comment telling us what you are giving your teachers this year (or mailperson, hairdresser, UPS driver,etc...) OR if you are a teacher tell us what you like to receive!  Winner will be randomly chosen and announced next Wednesday!

Challenge: Blank Slate

How many times do you start a layout with a blank slate of…cardstock? Me too! Well, for this challenge, I started with a patterned paper base instead and then “blanked” it out with white paint. It really lets the pics and goodies pop, but with a great subtle hint of pattern to the background! So, skip the cardstock this time, pull out the patterned paper that you’d like to highlight and some gooey paint so you can get to work! Have fun with a little paint, a little pattern, and a lot of look! And don’t forget to link it in the comments…can’t wait to see everyone’s “blank slate”!

  

 

Wildcard Wednesday: Handwritten Journaling

Handwritten Journaling.....Sometimes it can be a little intimidating so today I thought I would share a layout and a tip.

First of all, handwritten journaling takes practice.  It also takes loosening up just a bit.  When I first started scrapbooking I always printed my journaling on the computer.  But as I started to want to scrap a little faster I decided to use my handwriting more and more.  Now I use my handwriting 99% of the time.  Some people prefer to write their journaling in pencil first and then pen.  I just go for it.  I have found that the less I think about it the more I like it.  I only loosely plan what I'm going to write in my head.  I sometimes have to shorten or lengthen depending on the space I have.  

On the layout I'm sharing today I grounded the journaling on strips of paper.  This helps keep your lines straight (or crooked) like they are supposed to be.  Adding the paper strips to the journaling also makes the journaling a larger embellishment on the page.  As you can see, I didn't have to use many embellishments at all on this page.  

  

Now, I can hear some of you saying that you don't like your handwriting.  Guess what....you can alter it.  Handwriting takes practice for most people...just like when we were in school.  I would usually choose a letter at a time that I didn't like.  I would figure out what I wanted it to look like, and practice it until it became natural.  

Pens are another big factor in handwritten journaling.  Play around until you find a pen you love...and then buy several. I use a Sharpie Ultra Fine Point.  I don't believe these are acid free, so you need to consider that when choosing.  

I hope these tips will help you add handwritten journaling to your pages if you've been wanting to try!

Supplies Used:

Toy Box 12 x 12 Paper Pad
Monkey Bars Patterned Cardstock
Toy Box Chipboard Alpha
Toy Box Chipboard Accents
Mini Brads

(Other: sewing machine, white thread, red string, circle punch)

Allotted Time: 45 minutes

Challenge: Play with bright colors!

Here in Colorado, this time of year typically brings lots of gray, cloudy, overcast days.  And sometimes that can put me in a creative funk.  So to combat that, I issued myself (and you!) a challenge to pull out some bright, happy colors and scrap a page.  KI Memories is famous for their fabulous color palettes, so your options are numerous!  I picked products from the colorful Flourish line to put together this page:

 

So show me what you can do with color!  And be sure to post your creations here so we can check them out!

 

Thanksgiving Week: Day 5

As Thanksgiving week comes to an end we have one more 'Thankful' post to share.  Today our Focus On post is all about being Thankful.  It's important to scrapbook about what you are thankful for...small or large.  

The KI DT prepared several layouts this week.....

by Lisa Dickinson

   
 

by Jamie Waters

 

  

by Shannon Tidwell 

  

by Tracy Miller

  
 

 

by Caroline Ikeji

  

 

Post a layout about what you are thankful for and then link us to it.  One winner will be randomly chosen and announced next Friday.  We'll send an assortment of 10 Lace Cardstocks!  

Thank you for celebrating with us this week.  We can't wait to see what you are thankful for!

 

Thanksgiving Day Bonus!!

We've got a special bonus post for you today!!!  

And of course another chance for you to win a KI Prize!  Just leave a comment telling us about your favorite Thanksgiving dish.  Winner will be announced tomorrow.

Amy Licht found this fun craft in the Family Fun Magazine.  Here is her version!

For the turkey hat:

1)  I hand drew and cut feathers (approx. 9 inches long) from the following KI theme pads: 

     Family Time:  yellow and burgundy

     Jet Setting:  brown

     Heirloom:  orange and red

2)  Cut oval from brown cardstock for face

     Cut two very small circles and triangle from yellow cardstock for eyes and nose

     Cut free form tongue from red cardstock

3)  Glue on plastic cup as shown.

For the pilgrim hat:

1)   Cut 3/4" strip striped paper and blue belt buckle from Family Time theme pad

2)   Wrap around cup and glue as shown

  

Poke holes in sides of cups and thread floss through holes for ties.

Lastly, place on a couple of cute heads!! :) 

Please email me your mailing address!

definitely mama's homemade chicken and dressing with giblet gravy....yummmmmm!!!!

Posted by: Karon Henderson | November 26, 2009 at 09:07 PM 

Thanksgiving Week: Day 4

Happy Thanksgiving!!!  

Today is all about being thankful, being with family, and eating lots!  What are you thankful for this year?  Tell us and be entered to win a KI Prize!!  Winner will be announced here tomorrow.

We are thankful for you!  Thank you for visiting the KI Blog.  Thank you for loving KI Memories products.  Thank you!!!  To show our thanks we have several 'thank you' cards to share!  

Lisa Dickinson made a set of three cards like this....
Love the sticks she added to the leaves.

  

Jamie Waters also made a set of three cards...

  

Kelly Noel create an adorable Turkey card!  Here are her instructions....

This card was really simple to make. I used an oval cutter template to create the "feathers" and just cut 2 circles for the turkey's body and head. I used a smaller circle punch to cut the eyes and only cut about 3/4 of the circle leaving a flat edge. I added the legs and the detailing with a brown pen. 

Gretchen Mcelveen's lovely 'Give Thanks' card...

  

Thanks from Caroline Ikeji....

 
 

  

 And I made a quick 'Thank You' card from scraps I had on my desk...

  

The KI Memories Team wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Please email me your mailing address!

This year has been a tough year for me, having lost 2 jobs in the space of about 9 months...but I still have lots to be thankful for...friends, family, my health, etc. And KI Memories goodies, of course!

Posted by: Steph Baxter | November 26, 2009 at 02:32 PM 

 

Thanksgiving Week: Day 3

So we are a day closer to the big Turkey Day!  Hope your plans are going according to...well...the plan!  I'm sure we'll have a few last minute runs to the grocery store yet!  

Don't forget.....Each day we'll have a new giveaway, so be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win!  The winner will be announced on the original post.  

Today I've created a home decor project. I thought it would be fitting to frame a family photo and and of course dress up the frame a little bit.  I used all Flourish products.  A detailed supply list and instructions are below.  This would be a great gift for a grandparent with a family photo from Thanksgiving inside.  Or you could keep it for yourself!

This is a perfect project to use a repurposed frame for.  I found mine in my storage closet! It is a 12x12 frame with a the photo sandwiched between two layers of glass.  Any size frame would work though.  If you used a smaller frame you could size down the flowers a bit if you liked.  The photo can easily be changed out 

Supply List:

Lovely Glitter Cardstock
Colorful Patterned Cardstock
Burst Patterned Cardstock
Delightful Patterned Cardstock
Flourish Tag Pad
Flourish 8x8 Paper Pad
Flourish 12x12 Paper Pad
Flourish Chipboard Accents
Flourish Softies
 

1.  Cut 10-12 flowers varying in size from 4" to 2" out of different Flourish Patterned Papers. (Use templates, digital cutting machines, or draw)

2. Use pop dots to layer the flowers together into bouquets in the top right and bottom left corners of the frame.  

3.  Punch 1.5" circles of another Flourish Patterned Paper and adhere with pop dots onto flower centers.

4.  Cut five thin strips of a Flourish Patterned Paper and curl around a skinny pencil or tool to create twirls.  Adhere under flowers with glue dots. 

5.  Finish embellishing flowers with Flourish Softies as centers.  

6.  Cut a Flourish Tag in half and adhere on bottom right side.

7.  Use Flourish Chipboard Accents on Tag to embellish.  Finish off with small paper flower if desired.  

How is your Thanksgiving planning going so far?  Tell us something good, funny, crazy that's already happened this holiday!  

Your comment will enter you to win a KI Prize package.  Winner announced here tomorrow!

Please email me your mailing address!!

Well, my aunt thought that my cousin had swine flu and that was going to throw a giant wrench into the plans, but she is doing much better, so now the wrench seems to have been removed! LOL! Your frame looks great!

Posted by: Jingel | November 25, 2009 at 09:23 AM