Layout time!

This month I got to work with the new "My Neighborhood" line from My Little Shoebox.

First, I made a little card...

Then a layout about some of my favorite people...

And then a layout just to prove that you can do something manly with this cute line...

(hmmm, I might need to not keep doing my layouts all on the same night-they look too much alike!)

I am telling ya-I love My Little Shoebox papers because there is always a subtle pattern on one side. If I get overwelmed with the bold pattern on one side, there is always something else good on the other side!

Oh I have a joke!

{it is terribly cheesy but I refer you to the warning at the top of the blog}

My Little Shoebox papers are like a mullet: business in the front, party in the back.

Thank you very much. I will be here all week.

gretchen

Help needed

Now I have never been accused of being the most fashionable kid on the block.

And I am even less fashionable than normal when I run.

I mean, what's the point of trying to look cute when it will all be in vain when in less than 1 mile I am all sweaty and nasty??

But I might have taken things too far today.

I really did not notice anything out of the ordinary when I left to run this evening.

However, the puzzled look on my husband's face when I got home made me aware that something wasn't quite right.

Then he matter of factly asked, "You didn't really go out like that did you?"

I was like, "Whaaaaat??" thinking that I must have a booger or a big stain on my shirt or something.

I walked into the bathroom to take a look.

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Grey pair of cropped running pants with a yellow stripe down the leg.

{they aren't the most flattering pants on me but they were $2 from Wal-Mart so I wear them}

White long-sleeved shirt under a green hoodie.

Turquoise gloves because it is cold out!

Colorfully striped hat with no green, grey, yellow, or turquoise anywhere on it.
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I should have taken a picture to make this post more interesting.

Believe me, I looked as silly as you are picturing in your head.

I will save myself that embarassment.

And the sad thing is, I am pretty sure this is not the first time something like this has happened.

Scrapbook ramblings

The 7gypsies photo carousel class was so fun!

It was a long night and we were all definitely tired when it was all over.

But everybody left with a carousel full of cards!

How fun!

{these are Virginia's cards they are working on in these pictures}

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Here is a layout I just added to the KI gallery this week.

I started this layout for Staci Etheridge's "Scraplift yourself" challenge last month but did not get it completely finished in time.

Jen Johner's challenge this week was to make "Whimsical borders" and that was just what I needed to get this layout completed!

Check out the post on February 20th & leave a comment about your favorite family tradition for a chance to win a some KI product!

FYI: I don't mean to brag (ha!) but a couple people I know have won recently.

Brittney won a couple weeks ago and Tracy Delassandro (don't laugh at my misspelling of her last name-we all know spelling is not one of my strengths) won last week.

I suggest you follow that link & go leave a comment right now!
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This is my layout for the Masterpieces column in the March/April Memory Makers.

I cracked myself up with my journaling on this one!

**smile**

I've got a post up on the MMM blog that goes into more detail about this layout.

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I am working on my My Little Shoebox projects for this month & I will post them ASAP.

Scrap Etc has the new MLS stuff in already and it was going like hotcakes when I was there on Friday night.

This really is a super cute release!

Speaking of Scrap Etc there are still a few spots left to the Scrap Etc event in Atlanta.

What are you waiting for?? Go sign up!

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Enough of my ramblings...

Have a great rest of the weekend!
gretchen

Quick reminder!

Don't forget about the 7gyspies photo carousel class this Friday night at Scrap Etc!

This class sold out initially but Lucy was able to get more carousels from 7gypsies so there are a couple of spots left.

It starts at 6:00 pm and we will be making stuff for awhile so that you leave with a full carousel!

Brittney, Virginia, Vanessa, and I are all teaching. Lucy and Katie are going to share duties.

This is going to be a good time!

The cost is $68 and that includes the carousel (which retails for $39.99 I believe).

Here are a few peeks of a few of the cards I am teaching.

I am using some of my favorite My Mind's Eye papers as well as buttons and punches.
They are finished for the most part-just need to kit them up!

Call Scrap Etc to sign up!
Also call if you are interested in just getting the kit. Lucy will ship it to you!

Alrighty, I am taking this afternoon off work so I am going to try to be a little productive around the house.
Ha!
I will probably scrapbook.

Later!
gretchen

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope you have a fun day!

I made this for the KI Gallery and today's Focus On: Valentine's Day.

Check out the blog for more cute card ideas and then leave a comment for a chance to win some KI products!

Have a happy Valentine's Day!!

love,

gretchen

Just for fun

I swindled this piece of paper from the My Little Yellow Bicycle booth at CHA.

(it was totally legal, I promise!)

When I saw this paper, a layout immediately came into my head & I had to have this paper.

I mean how often are Brittney and I ever going run at Disneyworld at the beginning of the month and then ~2 weeks later run all across the country at Disneyland!!??

This is part of a new travel line from Little Yellow Bicycle that I do not think comes out until June.

Well good grief, I could not wait that long!

So I asked nicely for a piece and the people in the booth were nice enough to give me one.

Ask and you will receive!

Supplies: Patterned paper (My Little Yellow Bicycle), Alphabet stickers (October Afternoon), Die cut paper (Jenni Bowlin), Paint (Heidi Swapp)

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Don't forget that my offer still stands if you sign up for the Scrap Etc. event.

I have already had a few people email me to tell me they are coming.

YAY!

Email me when you sign up and I will leave you something good at registration!

(see below post for more details)

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short and sweet!

have a great day,

gretchen

Drumroll please...

OK good grief I hope I am doing this fair enough!

ACK! I wish I could give everybody a free spot to the event!

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So I googled "random number generators".

Chose this one here because it looked cool and simple enough.

I put in my numbers 1-124 for the number of comments at press time.

And the random number is spit out at me is:

17

(Random numbers generated Feb 10 2009 at 12:16:54 by www.psychicscience.org. Free educational resources for parapsychology, psychical research & mind magic.)

Then I counted down 17 comments (yes, I counted even the one that had been deleted by the author because that seemed like the simplest way to do it).

And this is the 17th comment:

jdahman said...
I would love to win a pass to this event!! I am always up for meeting new people and learing from the best in the industry. It would truly be a thrill. Thank you for the opportunity!!Jennifer Dahman
February 5, 2009 7:56 PM

SO CONGRATULATIONS TO JENNIFER DAHMAN!!

You have won a free spot to the Scrap Etc event April 30th-May 2 in Atlanta!

Now, Jennifer, you need to call Lucy at Scrap Etc. (2o5/985-9323) and get yourself signed up!

CONGRATS!!

I look forward to seeing you there!

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So for those of you who didn't win, are you still reading??

I hope so!

I feel really bad that I cannot give a spot to everyone but that would of course be impossible.

But I do want to do something for all of you faithful blog readers (you know, all 12 of you!).

**smile**

So here is the deal...

If you want to come to the event, sign up! It will be worth it...promise!

Then email me at gretchenmcelveen@yahoo.com and tell me that you signed up.

Then when you register at the event you will have a little something from me to help you through the weekend.

I hope to see yall there!

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Don't forget to check out the blogs of the other teachers as they are or will be soon giving away spots also!

Jenni Bowlin

Margie Romney-Aslett

Jessica Sprague

Melodee Langworthy

Elizabeth Karchner

Have a great day!
gretchen

FREE space to the Scrap Etc event in Atlanta!!

OK I promised to give away a free space to the Scrap Etc event this spring and I have gotten the go ahead!

This is a $399 value people so get excited!!

The event is the weekend of April 30th - May 2nd (that is a Thursday - Saturday) in Atlanta at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia.

The teachers include Jenni Bowlin, Jessica Sprague, Elizabeth Karchner, Margie Romney-Aslett, Melodee Langworthy, and coughcoughmecoughcough.

Each teacher will teach 1 class and every participant gets to take all 6 classes (6 teachers = 6 classes) . No fighting for classes!

There will be other fun stuff like door prizes, crop time, an Artists Workshop where you will make all kinds of different things, etc. etc.

It will be good times, people.

Good times.

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So who wants to go??

I originally wanted to make you do something to "earn" a free spot like post an embarrassing picture of yourself or something.

I think I am going to make this easy on you though.

Just leave a comment here telling me why you want to go to the event and I will draw one random winner on Monday or Tuesday from all the comments.

Uh, one comment per person please.

But tell all your friends! Maybe one of you will win!

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Good luck!

Ready.......go!

Want to win more free stuff??

Check it out!

My Little Shoebox is giving away 6 of their new lines.

Leave a comment on their blog for a chance to win some fun stuff!!

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And don't forget to leave a comment on the KI blog here for a chance to win some KI Memories goodies!

Good luck!!
gretchen

Psst!

Have you heard about this year's Scrap Etc event in Atlanta??

It is the weekend of National Scrapbooking Day: April 30th-May 2nd.

And I am teaching!

But there are much cooler people who will be teaching also: Melodee Langworthy, Jenni Bowlin, Elizabeth Kartchner, Margie Romney-Aslett, and Jessica Sprague.

Rumor has it that I get to giveaway a spot to the event!

How fun is that??!!

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What should I make you do to win a spot??

Tell me your most embarrassing story?

Post a picture of yourself first thing in the morning before coffee and make up??

Send me $100 cash?

Send me new scrapping supplies??

Hmmmm, I am going to have to think on this one!

So check out the event and check back here soon!
I should have more details in the next couple of days!

YAY!

gretchen

Blogging instead of bowling (Super bowling, that is)

Watching the Super Bowl I am not.

Well, it is on in the background & Lee has a few guys over so I can hear play-by-play coming from the other room.

Blogging instead I am.

And speaking in my best Yoda voice.

I feel like I have alot of things to talk about on this ole blog today! YAY!

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OK Lucy announced a new class at Scrap Etc. that will be happening in a few weeks.

It is called the Coffee Table Carousel Class!

We will be working on one of those cool photo carousels from 7Gypsies.

(These are pictures from 7Gypsies. As soon as we have our example ready I will post those pics too.)

The class is Friday night, February 20th from 6:00-midnight.

It is going to be a great time!
There will be 5 teachers: Lucy, Virginia, Katie, Brittney, and me!

There will be prizes & snacks and you will leave with a full photo carousel!

The class cost is $68 and that includes the photo carousel.

Call Scrap Etc. (205/985-9323) to sign up!

I heard that this class filled up but Lucy is calling 7Gypsies Monday morning to order more carousels so there should be a few more spots available.

Kits for the class are also available if you cannot make it.

But I hope you can come!! It will be so fun!!

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Jeanette over at Scrap in Style has released a new collection that goes on sale tonight at midnight.

This one is called Retro Modern and it is full of new bright, bold patterned papers designed by Stephanie Wheeler for Scrap in Style.

It also has a bunch of October Afternoon goodness that never disappoints.

Here are a couple of layouts I made with this collection:

Supplies: Patterned paper (Scrap in Style MODsheets), Cardstock, Photo corners, Chipboard alphas/numbers (Heidi Swapp), Brads (KI Memories)

All supplies (except brads) are from Scrap in Style's Retro Modern Collection.

This next one is about my sweet sister-in-law Casey and her husband Jeff.
Aren't they cute!?

Supplies: Cardstock; Patterned paper, tags, alphabet stickers, die cuts (October Afternoon, Rick rack, Bow

All supplies (except brads) are from Scrap in Style's Retro Modern Collection.

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I have another post up at the MMM blog where I shared this layout.

Check out the blog though because the other girls have got some rockin' projects up there now!

Supplies: Patterned paper (Making Memories: dots, My Mind's Eye: red, KI Memories: clouds), Chipboard alphabet (American Crafts), Chipboard heart (Heidi Swapp), Bling (Glitz)
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Want a chance to win some more goodies?
Go over to the KI blog and leave a comment on the January 31st post for a chace to win!
Good luck!

I better stop now or I won't have anything to talk about for a month!
And I apologize for the cheesy title of this post.
:)
gretchen

CHA round up

It is never a bad day when you are confined to a building filled with new pretty paper & stickers and surrounded by others who enjoy that as much as you do.

That is why I love going to CHA.

So I strive to throw out a good scrappy-related idea here & there so that Lucy feels the need to bring me with her even though she is perfectly capable of doing it on her own.

But nobody tell her I admitted that.

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I love getting to meet people in real life.

I have lots of scrapbooking "friends" that I have met through message boards, teams, etc.

I like being able to meet them & really talk to them and then remove the quotation marks so that they become real friends.

And I like being about to reconnect with those friends across the country who I cannot just see any time I want!

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OK lets see if I can make this interesting...

My top 5 favorite booths to go in because the design of the booth and presentation of the products is just top notch:

1. 7Gypsies (so cool!)

2. Doodlebug (so cute!)

3. Prima (so gorgeous!)

4. Glitz (duh, they one the award for best booth at CHA!)

5. Making Memories (so big and such comfy flooring!)

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My top 5 favorite booths to go in because it is fun & enjoyable and they treat us right:

1. American Crafts (shout out to Josh & Scrap Etc's new rep Mary)

2. My Mind's Eye (KC never disappoints)

3. My Little Yellow Bicycle (shout out to Thom!)

4. My Little Shoebox (because Helen & Suzy are just so darn sweet)

5. Glitz (because they are so fun, sweet, and helpful)

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My top 5 booth as far as these new releases go:

(I am not going to include KI Memories or My Little Shoebox because they are a given!)

1. Fancy Pants (all 4 lines are delish!)

2. American Crafts (new thickers! and the Craft Fair line)

3. My Minds Eye (but I always love them!)

4. Pink Paislee (the boy-ish lines are very cool)

5. Cosmo Cricket (Girl Friday...need I say more??)

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My top 5 favorite individual products:

1. American Crafts puffy thickers in a new font

2. Prima's canvas album by Donna Downey

3. Doodlebug's new cardstock stickers in a new loopy font & with glitter

4. Sassafras Lass's new Blossoms

5. Jenni Bowlin's chipboard buttons

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Alrighty, that is my rundown.

I should give another prize if you are still reading this!

:)

gretchen