Fav{e} 10 of 2010

Since everyone is doing it and I am a total follower...

my 10 favorite layouts of 2010!!
*****
Let's start off with a layout from our 7th anniversary trip to Gatlinburg

and from one of the last Kenner Road kits (sniff).

I love the simplicity of this one!

and these Sassafras chipboard numbers!

I was stoked to be able to make this one for the Basic Grey newsletter!

This layout was 2 years in the making (notice the date).
I had taken the pictures and done all of the journaling back in 2008.
I even worked on a layout back then.
But for some reason it finally came together this year.
I am a slow scrapper but not usually that slow!!

I made this next one about my dear ole dad.

This one was in the November/December issue of CK.
It's a different 2-pager for me.
I am proud that I did something other than just line the pictures up & decorate around them.
:)

Getting crazy with no pictures here!!

I am not exactly sure why I like this next one so much.
I think it is because the layout is just fun.
And so was the concert!!

This next one was my first layout using my first Midnight Rooster kit!
And last but not least, here is a Christmas layout using the Bedford Falls kit from Noel Mignon.
I just love it.
And {for the most part} I deem this Christmas rediscovered!!
Notice any trends??
How about I have gone VERTICAL title crazy this year!
And who knows what 2011 will bring!!
:)
Enjoy the rest of your year!
gretchen

Midnight Rooster mini

I almost forgot that I made one more thing with the December kit from Midnight Rooster!
Plus I didn't want to post it here too early for fear that they might actually read my blog & ruin the surprise!
I made a little mini-album thingy for brother David and fiance Ginny for Christmas.
I think this is an old Junkitz album that I have had for years and never used.
But it has been put to good use now!

And it can be stood up to look like this...

So Merry Christmas to the happy couple!
:)
gretchen

Before you put up your Christmas stuff...

You should get in on the new challenge up at Noel Mignon!

It's the "Outdoor Decor" challenge and it is all about how you decorate the outside of your home for the holidays.
So I scrapped about how for like the 8th year in a row we still have NO CHRISTMAS LIGHTS up on our house!!

{everything is from Noel's Bedford Falls kit}

I tend to get a little wordy with my journaling so I ended up doing most of the journaling on a piece of cardstock that I stuck on the back of the layout.
There were just one too many journaling strips for my liking on the original version of this page!

The challenge runs until the 31st so you still have time!

*****
I think I might brave the traffic & snow and hit up a couple of after-Christmas sales.

Call me crazy!
{but you probably already do!}
:)
Happy day after Christmas!

gretchen
*****
P.S.
The My Mind's Eye blog hop is still going on!
Check down a couple of posts...right after Justin Beiber!
:)

I hope your Christmas has been better than mine!

I came down with a terrible case of the
Beiber fever.

Compliments of the brother-in-law!
:)
But we did give him a catfish-shaped body pillow so I guess we are even.

Hope your day has been very merry!!

Off to eat more leftovers!
:)
gretchen

My Mind's Eye BLOG HOP!!

Welcome to my stop on the
My Mind's Eye BLOG HOP!!

{thanks for stopping by}
*******

If this happens to be your first stop on the blog hop, go back to the My Mind's Eye blog first because you need to collect all the words that make up the secret phrase!
Then you can email the phrase to Amber (amber@mymindseye.com) for a chance to win some Holly Jolly, I Believe, and Union Square goodness!

Also you have another chance to win by leaving comments on each of the blogs along the hop.

Winners will be picked randomly from comments left on all the blogs!

The more you comment, the greater your chances of winning!
*******

I am so excited to be able to participate as I have been a big fan of MME for a loooong time!

Here are a few of my favorite things I've made this year with MME stuff...

{decorative picks with the Holly Jolly line}

{card using the Meadowlark line}

{layout using a variety of stuff from So Sophie}

OK now back to the blog hop...

My word for the phrase you are trying to complete is Christmas'

Is it coming together??
Well you have just one more stop to go!

So hop on over to the fabulous
Bethany Kartchner's blog
next!
{but don't forget to leave a comment here first!}
And have yourself a merry little Christmas!!
Only 2 more sleeps!
:)
gretchen
*******
P.S.
You have through Wednesday (12/29) to participate in the blog hop!
The winners will be announced on Thursday 12/30 on the My Mind's Eye blog!
P.P.S.

12 days of giveaways winners are posted below!!
:)

12 Days of Giveaways **WINNERS**

Thanks to everyone who played along!

It was a lot of fun reading all of your answers!

But on for the most important part...the WINNERS!!

***

Drum

roll

please

***

12th day winner

{My Mind's Eye stuff}

KateB said...

Mine are actually tied- ELF and A CHRISTMAS STORY...I think I've seen both at least 50 times!

December 10, 2010 3:56 PM

11th day winner
{die cut papers}

mary h. said...

My heart just skipped a few beats when I saw this giveaway.

Favorite Christmas song? It Came Upon A Midnight Clear or anything sung by Ella Fitzgerald.

December 11, 2010 12:55 PM

10th day winner

{alphas}

Gretchen Krisher said...

Honey Baked Ham! We have it every year on Christmas Eve. :)

December 12, 2010 8:09 PM

9th day winner

{random thingys}

ScrapbookMary said...

Our son is allergic to real trees, so we have an artificial tree. Thanks for the inspiration! Cheers, Mary

December 13, 2010 9:58 PM

8th day winner

{mini alphas}

jennj42 said...

My grandmother had an old silver tree from my mother's childhood that she covered with blue ornaments. I always loved to look at it every year.

December 14, 2010 4:35 PM

7th day winner

{chipboard alphas}

Amy said...

I'm supposed to be wrapping presents, but I've found myself hanging out on your blog :) Merry Christmas!!

December 16, 2010 10:52 AM

6th days winner

{stamps}

Kathy Martin said...

Your layout is AWESOME! Love the big snowman!

We used to put lights up on the house, the last house we lived in. Our current home, however is way to tall with a steep roof...so for safety reasons, we don't put lights up anymore. We make up for it big time on the inside of the house! ;) Thank you for the chance to win some lovely stamps! :)

December 16, 2010 8:26 PM

5th day winner

{golden things}

CJ said...

With playlists these days, I'm never sure what songs are on what CDs. Like you, I love me some Harry Conick. K is excited to give Chip the Glee Christmas CD. :)

December 22, 2010 7:36 AM

4th day winner

{things to alter}

Luv2talk said...

You know how it goes; you think you're done, but then there's always 'something' or 'someone' left to get. It never fails.

December 18, 2010 5:14 PM

3rd day winner

{mini albums}

Linh C. said...

We dismantle everything the weekend after New Year's.

December 19, 2010 3:51 PM

2nd day winner

{idea books}

Denise said...

Yup, sick of it! I work in a grocery store so I am hearing it all day at work... if I hear that Barbara Streisand song one more time, I could scream. I usually like her, but I find this one particular song very annoying. It's really fast, and it just makes me nervous!
Now, if I could pick my own playlist instead of the same songs over & over, I'd love it!
DeniseB

December 20, 2010 6:16 PM

and the 1st day of Christmas winner

{big ole box of random stuff}

Paige said...

I can't wait to see Walt open his main gift....it's a Leapster Explorer thing a ma jig!

December 21, 2010 10:44 PM

CONGRATS

to all the winners!!

Merry Christmas
to you!

Now I just need your addresses so I can get these things in the mail to you!

{I have to make a run to the post office today so if you email me in time, I may be able to get it out to you today!}

Email me: gretchenmcelveen@yahoo.com

***

MERRY

CHRISTMAS!!

Have a great one!!

:)

gretchen

FYI: My Mind's Eye blog hop starts today (10 AM CST)!
And I am a stop on the hop!!

One more giveaway you should hit up

THIS ONE!!

I got to play along with My Mind's Eye this month as one of their 12 Designers of Christmas.

My post is up today!

So go comment on it for a chance to win some of their Holly Jolly Christmas line!

:)

On the 1st day of Christmas...{LAST GIVEAWAY!!}

my true love gave to me
a big ole box of random stuff!
{sing it with me!}

{aka a flat rate box full of an SEI paper pack, a couple of mini albums, some clear stamps, chipboard embellishments, ribbon, a copy of Simply Handmade, some Doodlebug paper & stickers, and some other random stuff}

Leave a comment telling me if you are giving any presents this year that you are really excited about the recipient opening!

{ok don't laugh but Lee has been looking forever for a round, metal Alabama trash can for his office. like for months he has been looking everywhere for one. well i found one online! i think he is going to be so surprised that i remembered! yes, yes, i am psyched about giving my husband a trash can. ha! if you see him before Saturday, you better not ruin the surprise!}
*****
I will draw a winner on the 23rd and get this prize out to a lucky winner!
In fact you have until the end of the day on the 22nd (that's tomorrow!) to enter all of the previous giveaways!!

And don't forget to check out the great giveaways these girls have going on too:

Lucy
Lisa
Brittney
Shelley

Christine
*****
YAY!!
This has been fun!!
Merry Christmas!
:)
gretchen

On the 2nd day of Christmas...

my true love gave to me

2 idea books!

Leave a comment telling me if you are tired of Christmas music yet!
{NO! NEVER!! except for the Christmas Shoes song.}

{did i just say that??!}
I will draw a winner on December 23rd and get this prize out to a lucky winner!
Be sure to check out the giveaways these girls have going on too:
Lucy
Brittney
Christine
Lisa
Shelley
Come back tomorrow for the final day of our 12 days of giveaways!!!
:)
*****
Heather V! January 6th is my birthday too!!
*****
Merry Christmas!!

gretchen

On the 3rd day of Christmas...{plus a great SALE!!}

my true love gave to me

3 Maya Road mini-albums!

Leave a comment telling me when you take your Christmas stuff down!

{I keep ours up through New Years then it must come down...even though we have been known to miss the tree pick up people and have a terribly dead & dried out tree chilling in our backyard for a few months.}

*****

I will draw a winner on December 23rd and get this prize out to a lucky winner!
*****
Be sure to check out the giveaways these girls have going on too:
Lucy

Christine

Brittney

Lisa

Shelley
Only 2 more days of giveaways so make sure you have commented everywhere!
****
OK about that SALE...
Check out Noel Mignon today!
{but only today!!}

EVERYTHING (except kits) is on sale!

If you order 2 kits or spend over $100 you will get 2 packs of American Crafts Thickers free!!
ALSO 5 lucky orders will have a random gift put in their box!

There are paper packs from MME, Cosmo, OA, 1 paid admission to Virginia's companion class...PLUS a copy of Adobe Illustrator.
Who will have a gift in their box??
It very well could be you!
So get your order in early!

*****

One more cool thing at Noel Mignon today...

Today the January kit goes up for order!

Very Virginia it is called.

It's named after the fabulous Virginia Tillery!!

She helped put the kit together with some of her favorite styles, colors, textures and products.

{and she has very good taste!}

In addition, Virg will be offering a companion class to this kit in mid-January.

Very cool!
I already got my kit...yes sirreeeee!!
{Merry Christmas to moi!}

Go get yours while they are still available!!
:)

Merry Christmas!
gretchen

On the 4th day of Christmas...{plus a layout}

my true love gave to me
4 things to alter!
Leave a comment telling me if you are done with your Christmas shopping yet!
{me?? NO way!! I like the rush of a Christmas Eve sale! ha!}
:)
I will draw a winner on December 23rd and get this prize out to a lucky winner!
Go back and comment on the previous giveaways also if you haven't already!

And be sure to check out the giveaways these girls have going on too:
Lisa
Lucy
Christine
Brittney
Shelley
_____________________________
OK one last layout from the January Creating Keepsakes.
I got to play with these super cool tag envelopes from Graphic 45.

I got to play with them to make this layout...
Inside those envelopes are really some little notes that Lee has left me over the years.
What a sap he is!

;)
________________________________
Happy happy holidays!!
gretchen

On the 5th day of Christmas...

my true love gave to me

5 golden things!

{thank you, thank you very much}

{My Little Shoebox chipboard alphas, Jenni Bowlin rub-ons, Making Memories glitter alphas, embossing powder, Tattered Angels glimmer mist}

Leave a comment telling me your favorite Christmas CD!

{I like Point of Grace and Jewel's CDs. Oh! And Harry Connick Jr's!}
*****
I am enjoying all the comments by the way!
I am reading them all and getting a kick out of it!
{yeah I even got your War Eagle Eleanor! and I'll raise ya a ROOOOLL TIDE!!}
*****

I will draw a winner on December 23rd and get this prize out to a lucky winner!

Be sure to check out the giveaways these girls have going on too:
Lucy

Brittney

Shelley

Christine

Lisa

Merry Christmas!
:)
gretchen

On the 6th day of Christmas...{plus a layout}

my true love gave to me

6 sets of clear stamps!

Leave a comment telling me if you have lights up on your house!

{we have never done outside lights before and this year we talked seriously about putting some up. we even drove around looking at other houses to see which lights we liked the best. AND WE BOUGHT LIGHTS! but did we hang them up?? uh no.}

I will draw a winner on December 23rd and get this prize out to a lucky winner!

Be sure to check out the giveaways these girls have going on too:
Lucy

Lisa

Christine

Brittney

Shelley
Remember that you can go back and comment on the previous posts!
I am not drawing any winners until the 23rd!
*****
I have another layout to share!
This one is in the January CK also!
Ah, you gotta love a little snow in Alabama!
:)

As seen in the January issue of Creating Keepsakesmagazine.
Copyright Creative Crafts Group.
Posted with prior permission from the publisher.
*****

Have a great day folks!

Christmas is right around the corner!!
:)

gretchen

On the 7th day of Christmas...

my true love gave to me
7 chipboard alphas!

Leave a comment telling me...oh heck! just leave any comment!!
I will draw a winner on December 23rd and get this prize out to a lucky winner!

Be sure to check out the giveaways these girls have going on too:
Christine

Lucy
Brittney

Shelley
Lisa
Remember that you can go back & leave comments on previous days if you haven't already!
We will be playing through the 22nd!
*****
Feliz Navidad!!
and happy hump day!
:)
gretchen

On the 8th day of Christmas... {plus a layout}

my true love gave to me

8 mini alphas!

Leave a comment telling me your thoughts on BLUE Christmas decorations!

{Lee always tries to add blue to our decor. I am like NO WAY!!}

I will draw a winner on December 23rd and get this prize out to a lucky winner!

Be sure to check out the giveaways these girls have going on too:
Lucy

Christine

Brittney

Lisa

Shelley
_______________________________________
And since this is mostly a scrapbooking blog, I have something to share in addition to the giveaway!

Have you gotten the January issue of Creating Keepsakes yet??

I've got a couple of layouts in there!
This one is in the Fast Pages column...

{and how appropriate since it is about racing! ha!}

As seen in the January issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine.
Copyright Creative Crafts Group.
Posted with prior permission from the publisher.
______________________________________
OK that's all I've got for now!
See you tomorrow!!

and Merry Christmas!

:)
gretchen

On the 9th day of Christmas...{and the Midnight Rooster mini kit WINNER!}

my true love gave to me

9 random thingys!

Leave a comment telling me this: real tree or artificial?!

{real tree! Lee will have it no other way!}

I will draw a winner on December 23rd and get this prize out to a lucky winner!

Be sure to check out the giveaways these girls have going on too:
Christine

Lisa

Lucy

Brittney

Shelley
Remember that you can go back and comment on the previous giveaways if you haven't already!
I am not going to draw any winners until the 22nd!
*****

Merry Christmas!
*****
OH!
Wanna know who wins the Midnight Rooster mini kit??

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

6 

Timestamp: 2010-12-13 03:23:04 UTC

***** Which makes the winner...

LynneForsythe said...

I usually make my own Christmas Cards...but this year due to my family imploding....I have only made them for challenges or class and sadly I won't be sending out cards this year....just easier!!

December 10, 2010 5:12 AM

YAY Lynne!!
Email me (gretchenmcelveen@yahoo.com) your mailing address and I will send your info on to the girls at Midnight Rooster!
Congrats!!

On the 10th day of Christmas...

my true love gave to me

10 sets o'alphas!!

Leave a comment telling me which you like better: ham or turkey?!

{ham all the way for me!}
*****

I will draw a winner on December 23rd and get this prize out to a lucky winner!

Be sure to check out the giveaways these girls have going on too:
Lucy
Brittney

Shelley

Christine

Lisa

And check back tomorrow for the 9th day of Christmas!
*****
Merry Christmas!
:)
gretchen

On the 11th day of Christmas...

my true love gave to me

12 fabulous die cut papers!

Leave a comment telling me your favorite Christmas song!

{mine is Oh Holy Night & I prefer the Point of Grace version best}

*****

I will draw a winner on December 23rd and get this prize out to a lucky winner!

Be sure to check out the giveaways these girls have going on too:
Lucy

Brittney

Shelley

Christine

Lisa

And check back tomorrow for the 10th day of Christmas and see what my true love got for me!
{to give away to you of course! hehe!}

Happy Holidays!
:)
gretchen