Friends Furever Blog Hop! :)

Good morning! 

Welcome to the "Friends Furever" blog hop :)

If you are coming from Sue's blog, you are in the right spot! If you are just stopping by my blog today, you'll want to go to Suzanne's blog to start from the beginning.. or here is this hop order in case you get lost.

Suzanne - Scrap With Suzy

Kim - Me Ma Kim's Place

Sandi - Slightly Off Center

Kristie - Scrap, Color, Read and Repeat

April - Scrapper Forever

Sue - The Scrappings of Sue

Abby - Midwest Memories - You're here!

You don't want to miss the "furry" projects we have for you, as well as chances to win some awesome blog candy! 

There are 7 of us participating in the hop; we are all online scrapbooking friends from the Yahoo group Scrappin N Chattin. SnC is an email forum where we share our love for this hobby, as well as everyday life. Don't be intimidated by the amount of emails that come through our message boards - there are a lot of fun activities, challenges, and prizes - to jumpstart your creativity and keep your scrappin' goals.

I host 2 activities at SnC.. The Monthly Layout Contest (MLC) and the SC'12 Layouts and Cards (which Sue just told you about!). The MLC, like all the other activities, is a lot of fun. I provide our group with a layout sketch to draw inspiration from and also I provide a recipe to follow. The recipe usually consists of adding a color, technique, pattern, and/or embellishment. It's really cool to see how everyone uses the same sketch/recipe but yet has such different and unique layouts :)

Fun right? You can visit our SnC homepage here and join in if you'd like. We love meeting new people!  We also love blog hopping and sharing inspiration we find around the web! For today's hop, we each created a "furry" project.

I have 2 pets :)
A 6 y/o calico cat, Logan (who we call Logie) and a 3 y/o beagle/basset hound, Cooper. For my hop project, I created this layout featuring Logan and used my 3 Bugs in a Rug "Frisky" Caboodle kit.

Not sure if you can see it or not.. but the white cardstock has "k-i-t-t-y" letters added :)

I love this "Frisky" paper collection! So fun and colorful :)

Also, here are a couple layouts I created in the past that feature my Cooper..

It wouldn't be a blog hop without CANDY! ;)
I'm giving away a 3 Bugs in a Rug "Frisky" Caboodle kit.. the same kit I used for my Logan layout :)

Just become a follower and comment for your chance to win :) You do not have to join SNC to qualify. Just follow and comment, that's all :) Blog candy winners will be announced Thursday.

I'm the last stop in the hop :) 

Hope you enjoyed all the furry projects, blog candy and hopping along to learn about SnC :) 

Hope you'll join us at SnC!

TPV's dual challenge with ScrapFIT :)

The Paper Variety has a special papercrafts challenge for you! TPV has teamed up with ScrapFIT to offer you 2 challenges in one!

TPV has created a sketch challenge and ScrapFIT has offered up a jounaling challenge. Put them together and you will get an awesome layout and a chance to WIN prizes from both places!

The Paper Variety's sketch challenge...

and ScrapFIT's Workout #64 journaling challenge- 

Its Easy as 1, 2, 3...

The 'Its Easy as 1, 2, 3..' Workout is here and all you have to do is list out numerically your journaling on your layout! This could be a list of your Top 10 favorite moments from last year, a list of goals for the new year or the countless reasons you love ScrapFIT (Just kidding!). Show us your numbered list!

Be sure to incorporate this journaling workout with the TPV sketch above so you can enter your layout at both places!

For my project, I created this layout featuring our lil dog, Cooper. :)

I used WRMK "Furever Friends" papers and embossed stickers - super cute and colorful! Love this photo of Cooper, too - he's so adorable lol.
The journaling reads:
1. hasn't eaten Logan (the cat).
2. loves & protects his family.
3. gives endless kisses.
4. excellent cuddler.
5. super duper cute.
6. performs tricks.
7. house-trained.

We're so lucky to have Cooper in our lives, he really is the best dog :)

The winner at TPV will receive Bo Bunny's Alora collection kit! Awesome!

Also! 

TPV is giving away this fun Echo Park "A Boy's Life" collection kit just for leaving 2 comments! 

See TPV for all the details :)

Hope you'll join the TPV/ScrapFIT challenge!

Thanks for visiting me today! :)

Boys Rule Jan & Feb kit layouts

I was looking through my blog posts today and noticed there are a couple layouts missing. I made them a few weeks ago but didn't post. Shame on me! lol They were created for the sketch challenges at Boys Rule, they were posted there but not here. I think it's a good idea to post on my blog as well. So anyway, here they are...

These sketches were created by Jenny, another Boys Rule designer. She's so talented and makes awesome sketches!

Great sketch! I rotated it and created this..

My son Braydon LOVED this movie! I'll bet he could recite the movie word for word as he's seen it at least 100x lol. I'm a big fan of Jack Black so I had to include him in this page, too :) All of the supplies are in the January Boys Rule kit :) I LOVED that LauraLee included an actual 45 record in the kit and that wooden electric guitar (which I covered both in patterned paper).

Here's another great sketch by Jenny...

And my take...

Braydon's dad always had little Scott-isms like "Chillaxin" or "Stylin' and Profilin'" lol. I like to include lil pieces of his dad in my layouts so he will always be remembered. We lost him 5 years ago and miss him very much. Stylin & Profilin will definitely be on a future page lol I just have to find the right photo :) When I saw this photo of Braydon, I immediately thought "Chillaxin!" so the title was very quick and easy. This page is made from the February kit at Boys Rule and it's loaded with My Mind's Eye Kraft FunDay (click here to see another layout and card I created with this kit). For this layout, I pulled the the yellow, black and red from the photo :) And I had a blast with the red mist and template included in the kit, too.

So there! I think I'm all up-to-date now! :) I'll be back tomorrow with a project for the new Paper Variety challenge reveal! It's a GREAT challenge prompt, so be sure to join in! :)

Thanks for visiting!

cloudy day - Boys Rule

Today I'm sharing another layout I created using the Boys Rule January Gaming Kit. :)

Included with the kit's WRMK "Vintage T" papers is a camo sheet.. As soon as I saw it, I knew I'd be scrapping this photo of my nephew- the paper matches his coat perfectly! It was cloudy at the park that day, so that is where my theme inspiration came from :)

All items used are included in the January kit except for the orange and white cardstock. I decided to open up the denim smash pocket and use it as a paper layer :) The clouds are hand-drawn and cut with edges inked in midnight blue.

There's so much more I could've added to this page (doodles, stickers etc), but I chose to keep it cute and simple.. and I really love the result! :)

There is still time to enter your projects for the Boys Rule sketch challenges! You can find those sketches here and here :)

Have a great evening!

Boys Rule - Gaming Kit

Tonight I'm sharing some layouts I created with the January Boys Rule Gaming Kit. This kit is loaded with WRMK's Vintage T collection and so much more.. it is awesome! I love all the papers, especially the stitched papers and the embellishments that Laura-Lee added are perfect! I've been having a great time creating with the kit. This kit is currently sold out (Woot!) so I hope you were able to get one! :)

My first layout follows Boys Rule's first January sketch. It's a great sketch and I hope you all will play along :)

This is Braydon from a few years back.. and one of my absolute favorite photos of him. It may be difficult to spot, but there's actually a Griffin emblem on his jacket so I knew right away that I would use the photo for this collection :)

Most all of the papers were distressed by inking the edges with the Midnight ColorBox ink included in the kit. I used the Smash pocket folder as a photo mat and also cut the product strip off of 2 of the paper sheets and used those as embellishments. I really like how this turned out :)

My next layout was a new challenge for me! I'm a self proclaimed over-embellisher. I like to add a lot to my pages. When in doubt if you have enough.. add more!! Right?! lol Well for this layout, I challenged myself to make it clean and simple and I'm so glad I did!

This page was created entirely out of paper and ink.. with one small sticker. Although I LOVE all the great embellies included in the kit, I really wanted to let these photos take the stage. I love the grungy look it has.. all of the paper is distressed and slightly inked. And the quote is a new favorite shared with me by my bestie, Suz. I'm thinking I should try simple pages more often :)

Have a great evening!

Halloween Card Challenges :)

I was feelin kinda Halloweenie today so I decided to join a couple Halloween challenges :)

CAS-ual Fridays wants to see Halloween projects with absolutely no orange...

I used EP Dots & Stripes paper, the web/spider stamps are from WRMK "Spookville" and the sentiment is StudioG. I've always loved purple and green together :)

Also I created this colorful, too cute to spook card...

I used my Live Simply Cricut cart for the frame, DCWV Ghosts & Goblins patterned paper, La Petites felt 3D stickers and Paper Smooches "Sentiment Sampler" stamps :)

I'm entering this card into three challenges! wow.. that's the most I've ever done with one project, I think lol

My Craft Spot wants projects of black with orange, green or purple.

Paper Cutz wants Halloween projects using stars, circles or diamonds.

And Cricut 360* has a fun blog hop going on right now.. but you have to join the fun to know what the challenge is, it reveals itself as you hop :) Cool idea!

Thanks for letting me share :)

Abby

TPV Challenge & a giveaway!

It is sooo awesome to be back online, again! I live in central Illinois and got a big dose of that nasty blizzard that came through the midwest this past week. My power stayed on, but I lost internet for 3 days - it's great to be back in the blogosphere!

I should've scheduled my posts earlier in the week, but I didn't.. blah.. So a few days late, here are a couple things I wanted to share..

The Paper Variety Challenge!

The challenge this week at The Paper Variety is photo inspiration :) Maybe you like the colors, the hearts, the cute sayings.. grab whatever inspires you and get crafty :)

I put together this sweet lil card using the photo's colors and candy hearts :) I used papers and accessories from WRMK's "Be My Valentine" collection. You can see the whole collection here.

You still have a few days to enter the challenge at TPV as projects are due Tuesday at noon. Give it a go because you don't wanna miss out on the chance to win our awesome prize sponsored by Apron Strings Designs! Fabulous, eh?? :) :)

Did you click the link to see the "Be My Valentine" collection? Do you love it as much as I do? I hope so because I'm hosting a giveaway :) You could win some of this super sweet and colorful line just by commenting on this post. Just leave a comment and tell me the name of your lovable huggable Valentine :) Easy peasy!

My Valentine is my son, Braydon. He's the sweetest, most lovable lil guy I know! I'm so lucky to have a great kid that still loves to hug and snuggle with his Mom :)

I'll announce a random winner on Tuesday evening! Be sure to come back to see if you've won, as the winner must claim the prize by Sat 2/12. Sorry, US and Canada only due to high shipping costs. Thanks and Good Luck! :)

-Abby

Card Catch-up

This past week Suzanne and I have been so busy with setting up our new challenge blog, The Paper Variety, I've really been a slacker about posting my daily cards. But I have been getting them done and there's just 2 more days left till the Scrappin-n-Chattin 30day card challenge is over! I'm really surprised I've been able to stick with it considering how packed this month has been!

Here are cards I've made this week..

The Paper Variety launches with our very first challenge on Sept 15th! Woohoo! I'm soooooooooo excited! And Paper Poppy Kit Co. will be sponsoring us that week! How cool is that!?! You just gotta check us out, PPKC has such gorgeous kits!!

In the meantime, starting Sept 1st, we're announcing TPV's new Design Team! I am beyond thrilled that September will be here in a few days and we'll be officially starting TPV soon, it's gonna be great! And I hope all of you who enjoy challenge blogs with prizes will join us there!

-Abby

What time is it!?

It's Party Time Tuesday! Woohoo!

This week at PTT, the challenge is to create a birthday card for a child. I had alot of fun creating mine. I used WRMK's "Out & About" - love this transportation collection!


Hope you'll join the party by creating a child's birthday card and adding it to PTT! Remember to add a birthday greeting to the front of your card, too! :)

-Abby

More cards and Indie Girl Winner!

Hi! Another multiple card post here, I just havent been able to keep up with my posting lately.

Saturday I created this card rather quickly, didn't have alot of scrappy time available, but regardless, I think it turned out super cute.


On Sunday I made this fun card for my nephew, Drake. I used Cosmo Cricket "Jolly by Golly", love that little birdie :)


Monday was a day for WRMK's "Merry January" again. This snowman is so sweet!


Thanks to everyone who helped me spread the word about The Paper Variety's design team call. We've received so many applications, I get all happy every time we get a new one! Just one more week until we announce the new team! It's so exciting- I can't wait! I hope you all will join us at The Paper Variety on the 1st to meet the new team, and also on the 15th when the first challenge is revealed! :)

The randomly chosen winner of the Indie Girl 6x6 paper pad and some other little goodies is...
April!

Yay! Congrats April!

I'll be mailing your prize in the next couple days!

Thanks again!

Cards 16 & 17

I missed posting my card yesterday, busy night. So tonight I'm catching up :)

I used WRMK "White Christmas" for both. One a more clean and simple card, the other cute and colorful.

Just a reminder... I have 2 giveaways going on. One for Imaginisce "Cottage Christmas" goodies, the other for Sassafras Lass "Indie Girl". Click on the links to learn more :)

See you tomorrow!

-Abby

It's here! Scrappin-n-Chattin Blog Hop!! - Closed

Hello friends! Welcome to the very first

Scrappin-n-Chattin Blog Hop!

Scrappin-n-Chattin is a wonderful scrapbooking community on Yahoo! where friendly scrappers meet to share their creations. S-n-C also has several activities and challenges to keep it's members doing what they love the most - Scrapbooking! We invite you to visit S-n-C as we welcome all scrappers- beginners and pros!

Today you can meet 7 of the many S-n-C members. Each of us would love to share our favorite projects, tools, or techniques with you. With a wide variety of scrappy styles and projects, you're sure to find some inspiration as you hop along!

We have a fabulous grand prize! One lucky winner will receive 2 new Cosmo Cricket collection kits - Togetherness & Mitten Weather - including Ready Set Chipboard. As well as a new Cosmo Cricket Matilda 6x6 paper pad!

Here's what you'll need to do:

*Start here, at my blog (I'm Abby!), and hop over to every blog in the list below.

*Each of the S-n-C members will share a secret word with you. All these words together make a special sentence. Be sure to follow the list in the correct order given, so your sentence is in the correct order!

*Leave a comment on each blog. ALL of the participating blogs also have their own awesome blog candy to offer! So be sure to visit each one to learn how to win even more goodies!! Altogether, that's EIGHT prizes in this hop! Pretty cool, eh? :)

*When you're finished hopping, return here and leave a comment saying that you completed the hop and then also email the secret sentence to: tabbray at gmail dot com with "SNC HOP" in the subject line. (do not include the sentence in your blog comment)

*This blog hop will end Sunday, August 15th, 2010 at midnight CST.

*The winner of the grand prize will be revealed Monday Aug 16th on this blog.

*Winner must claim prize within 3 days or another winner will be chosen.

Here is the list order. If you get lost along the way, return here to follow this list in order.

1. Abby (You are here!)
2. Theresa (Go here next!)
3. Sue
4. Laura
5. Vicki
6. Kim
7. Suzanne

BUT WAIT! Don't go yet!! I need to give you my blog's secret word! And also, I'd love to share my creations with you and offer my giveaway!! :)

I have several favorite scrappy companies. My list can go on and on. But one that's in my top 5 is We R Memory Keepers. In the past couple years, WRMK has really outdone themselves! They just keep those fabulous collections coming, full of fun themes and colorful designs and images.

Here are some of my favorite projects I created using WRMK products.

"72 & Sunny"

"Old Glory"

"Out & About"

New release "Merry January"

WRMK has several new releases in stores now. Two of those are..

"Heebie Jeebies"

And "Maple Grove"

Do you love these products as much as I do?? I hope so, because one of my readers can win items from both of these newly released collections!


All you need to do for a chance to win is become a follower of my blog AND leave a comment saying that you did so - easy peasy!! :) One winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Monday the 16th.

And now, my secret word is... "Scrappin-n-Chattin"

Next, head on over to Theresa's blog!

Happy hopping!!

-Abby :)

Card 13 & a good day!

Did you all get through this Friday without any bad luck? lol I always wondered what started this infamous superstition. I'm gonna have to look that up and find out.

Today I used WRMK again! This time, the new release "White Christmas". It's really cute. The design inspiration came from Julie Ebersole, a truly talented cardmaker. I love her style, so fresh and clean.

Today was a super happy and proud day! My 11 y/o son, who was diagnosed with type1 juvenile diabetes at age 7, finally got his insulin pump!! He's been on 5 shots a day for 4 years, and we've been trying to get a pump for a long time, but went through alot of red tape with insurance. But he has it now and we could not be happier! It's the best $6,000 I never spent! lol


See you tomorrow! :)

-Abby

Card 11

I used WRMK "Merry January" again, I'm really loving these papers and colors! I also tried something very new to me, I've never made a shaker card before. I think it turned out nice for my first attempt :)


I'll be announcing the winner of CC Matilda tomorrow and also I'm hosting the S-n-C Blog Hop in just a few hours! You can win lots of goodies - don't miss it!

-Abby

Card 10

Today I used some brand new WRMK goodies! It's "Merry January" and it's a gorgeous collection of creams, browns, and soft blues with jolly snowmen and cute birdies. I love it! I found this card design on the Hero Arts site several months ago, not sure who created it. Thanks, whoever you are! :)

There's still time to enter the Cosmo Cricket "Matilda" giveaway! Click here to learn how! Hurry tho, it ends tomorrow night!

-Abby

24 hour challenge & some big news!

In Scrappin-n-Chattin, we have a fun challenge every month, the 24 hour layout challenge. Each of us have 24 hours to create a layout. But the most fun part is the sketch and the collection each of us use is chosen for us. It's quite challenging and I look forward to it every month! :)

Vicki chose the following sketch for me.


And she also chose WRMK "Out & About". Here's my completed layout with time to spare on the clock :)

These are photos of my nephew, he has so much fun in that basket. It's become his "car", always making vroom vroom sounds when he plays in it. :)

Big News to share!!

I have several bits of good news to share. First of all, August is going to be a busy scrappy month for me! Yay! I've joined another Every Day Card Challenge for August - but this one is for Christmas cards! I'll be creating 30 holiday cards, one each day throughout the month. The winner of this EDCC will be announced on the 31st and the prize is $50 worth of goodies from our wishlist! How awesome is that!? I hope you'll join me daily as I share my cards and also send me some good vibes that I win this time! lol

Secondly, several Scrappin-n-Chattin bloggers will be having a Blog Hop Aug 12th-15th!! We'll be sharing our creations and many of us are hosting fabulous giveaways too! But also, one winner will be awarded a prize package of new release Cosmo Cricket collections!! There'll be so many chances to win stuff- you don't want to miss this! So save the date - it's coming in a couple weeks!

Last but certainly not least- I've teamed up with a very good friend and we're starting something big, new and super fun very soon. I can't tell you what it is right now (shucks!) but it's gonna be great! Stay tuned the next few days for details! Ohhhh I'm so excited! :)

I'll be back tomorrow with my 1st holiday card!
Hope you'll join me again :)