Happy Memorial Day.

 

{this beautiful print is from here}.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Memorial Day!  

{In remembrance of all those who protect our country and its people. }

xoxo,

Kelster Jean

Me & You: Layout Challenge!

{Just a thought: Is it just me or does the Summer get insanely-busy right around this time every year?  Me and the hubby have been busy almost every second and I haven't had hardly any time to create because there's been so much going on.}  

Now that I've finished the huge wedding album I was working on {which I will be sharing soon}, I had time to create a layout for a challenge I'm hosting over at Club CK.  I've been so obsessed with spray mist lately, and have been drooling over projects I've seen using confetti, so that was the perfect challenge this week.

The challenges are:

1. Create a layout using confetti. 
2. Create a layout using spray mist.

{These challenges really are a secret way for me to see more inspiration featuring these two amazing 

techniques, but don't tell anyone that.  Shhh!!!!}  Here's my submission:

{Products used: cardstock paper-Recollections, scraps of patterned paper (not sure on the brands), ribbon-vintage, heart punch-Fiskars, spray mists-Mister Huey (Studio Calico) in Silver and Perfect Pearls Mists (Ranger) in Heirloom Gold, handmade flowers: FabScraps, alphabet stickers: Lily Bee Designs, "& sign"-Slice die cutting machine (cartridge is Vintage Findings), adhesive: ATG by Scotch, other: brads, paperclip, pen.}

In this busy time, my hubby and I have really been enjoying each others' company when we can.  This photo is from a date we had earlier this year when we went to see the movie "Rango."  Alex hates this photo because he says we look stressed and tired, but that's part of the reason I chose those photo.  The hidden journaling (it's behind the layout to keep it private) really expresses how after the busy days and the letdowns the world can sometimes bring, it's me and him only and I am so grateful to have someone to share those moments with. 

GIVEAWAY!  I hope you will hop on over to Club CK and create a layout to participate in the challenge.  The winners will receive either a) a bottle of spray mist or b) a punch to make your own confetti.  {You will need a Club CK account if you don't have one, but it's free to sign up, so no worries!}

xoxo, 

Kelster Jean

PS: Have you been creating any projects using spray mists or confetti lately?  I would love to see them!  Just post the link in a comment and I will check them out.  Thanks a bunch!

9 to 5 Outfit Post: Prep School

Welcome to another edition of 9 to 5 outfit post.  I don't really consider myself a fashion blogger, but I really like adding different mixes to my blog and doing outfit posts challenges me to step up my wardrobe a bit.  I always love seeing other bloggers' outfit posts, but since I work a 9 to 5 office job (I'm a legal secretary), some of the super cute outfits they wear I can't really get away with.  So, I thought I would share outfits I wear to work and how I add a little spice to my wardrobe.  And, these posts will be nice to reflect on in the future.  Enjoy!

 (Outfit: shirt-Ralph Lauren Sport (thrifted)/crop pants-Anne Taylor/blazer jacket: New York and Company/shoes: thrifted/Cameo pin-thrifted).

I really must say how much I loved this outfit!  I've worn it several times, and really love the "preppiness" of it.  I think it's because I truly love love love wearing jackets and blazers, and the jacket really looked good with this outfit.  I really love how it complemented that shirt too!  

xoxo,

Kelster Jean 

 

Winner on a Rainy Monday Afternoon....

Hi all:

Sorry I didn't get the chance to post the winner yesterday.  I was feeling a little under the weather.  Today, it is rainy here in Illinois, so great time to announce a winner!

The randomly-picked winner is:

Comment #2:

Life in the Heavrin house

"I looooove your flowers! We have a 9 year old lab!"

Please send your mailing address to kelsterjean@gmail.com so I can get your goody package out to you in time for Mother's Day!

Thank you to everyone who took time out to view all blogs on the blog hop and also for leaving extra-special comments. 

xoxo,

Kelster Jean

National Scrapbook Day!

{If you are looking for the Mother's Day Blog Hop, please click here}.

Happy National Scrapbook Day!

 Did you know?  National Scrapbook Day was started in 1994 by Creative memories and is celebrated on the first Saturday in May.  (Source)

There's so many amazing things to do for NSBD.  Tons of giveaways, lots of creative challenges, and tons of good sales.  Here's a few things that are going on around the crafting world: 

Crafty Fun:

• Via Amanda's Blog, I found that The Paper Bakery is doing a blog hop featuring washi tape!  Check out all the awesome inspiration.

• Studio Calico has tons and tons of stuff going on, including giving away tons of prizes, posting creative challenges all day, and having some live chats with their design team members.  And, they're doing a blog hop.  Yum!  I'll be spending some time here today.

•  And here's where {my friend Brianna and} I will be headed: to Archivers.  Here, they will be having tons of good deals, hosting an all-day crop, giving away free idea sheets, and you can make a mini book for just $5.   I'm so excited!

• One of my favorite places for inspiration: Two Peas in a Bucket.  They are doing tons of classes, a challenge hop, a scavenger hunt, and so much more.  

Sales

• SEI is giving a free gift set (worth $50) when you spend $50 in their store.  

• In addition to an online crop, A Cherry on Top is giving away tons of prizes and is having a mega sale.  

• The ever-so-lovely Ali Edwards is having a sale for her self-paced workshops.  Check it out!

 So there's just a few things.  As I said, I might be participating in a few online challenges, and will also be heading to Archiver's later to make the $5 mini album with my dear friend Brianna.  What are your plans or what did you do for National Scrapbook Day?

xoxo,

Kelster Jean 

Mother's Day Blog Hop!! And a Giveaway!!

 

Welcome to the Mother's Day Blog Hop!

{You should have arrived here from Cassie's Blog.  If you haven't, go back and start here at Amanda's Blog so you get to enjoy the full Blog Hop.}

So, welcome to the Mother's Day Blog Hop!  I am so excited to share with you an inspiring project that is very easy for you to create for Mother's Day.  I hope this inspires you to make something wonderful!

For Mother's Day, I really wanted to create something special for my Mom.  Now that all of us kids are grown and out of the house, my Mom feels a little lonely.  I really wanted to remind her that she still has a child, a {furry} child who loves her company every day . I also am a {furry} Mom myself (to two amazing bunnies), and really wanted to celebrate all the women who are Moms to lots of wonderful {furry} babies.  So, here it is!

 

Photo Frame

I've had the idea for making a sign similar to this for sometime, so I'm so excited I was {finally} able to put this idea into action.  Here's how its made: 

{See below for products used}.

1. Using Microsoft Word, create the "Proud Mom to a furry child." sign.  (I found the dog silhouette online-it's a Chow, which is the type of dog my mom owns).  Print the sign on cardstock.
2. Cut the sign to size and adher to patterned paper that was previously sprayed with spray mist.
3. Next, paint the frame with white paint (I got my frame from the thrift store and there were a few nicks in it).
4. Add leftover strips of paper to corner of frame.  Add embellishments.  I used little paw print stickers.
5. To make flower:  The flower on the bottom is a mini cupcake liner that was sprayed with mist and then scrunched together.  I trimmed mine around the edges since it was too large.  The flower on top is just a strip of paper folded over itself around in a circle.  Then just add a button or bling to the top.  Ta da!

 Card

Of course I had to make a card to go with my gift! (Can I tell you a secret?  The sprayed patterned paper was supposed to be for my frame, but I wasn't happy with it and scratched it.  But I couldn't waste it, right?  Shhhh!)

1. Fold patterned paper that was previously sprayed in half.
2. Layer and adhere various-sized pattern paper to card.  (I used leftover pieces from the same paper pack in order to use them!)
3. Cut ribbon and adhere to card.
4. Add flower or other embellishments.  (This flower is the same as the flower above only the cupcake liner is on top and the strip-of-paper-flower is on the bottom).  Add tulle or bling or buttons to flower, if desired.
5. Add letter stickers "Happy Mom's Day!" around flower or embellishments.  Ta da!

(Products used: photo frame-Room Essentials (thrifted)/white acrylic paint-Craft Smart/patterned paper, ribbon, twine, button-My Mind's Eye/computer font-CK Concave/paw print stickers-Sticko/alphabet letter stickers-Lilly Bee Design/other: tulle, mini cupcake liners, paper scraps, bling, cardstock).

I hope you are inspired by my projects.  Now onto the giveaway!  I will be giving away some wonderful goodies to help you celebrate the {furry} mom in your life.  Simply leave a comment telling me a) if you are a mom to furry children and what type of furries you have or b) if you know someone who has furry children and what type of furry children they have.  For an extra chance to win, become a follower of my blog or tell me if you are a current follower.  The winner will be announced on Sunday, May 6, 2012 in the evening.  Good luck!

xoxo, 

Kelster Jean

Your next stop is Heather's Blog.  Go see what inspiring project she has lined up for you.  Enjoy!