Let's play a little catch up...

OK!
Let's pick a winner of the re-release of
CK's Fast and Fresh Scrapbooks!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

4

Timestamp: 2012-12-28 05:26:58 UTC
*****

And that makes the winner:

CJ said...

Well, count me in! I was looking through a couple of my albums the other day, in search of a photograph . . . and now I've got the itch to scrap again. There were several layouts that really drew me in. I realize I'm way behind on getting my stories recorded. :)
December 19, 2012 5:23 PM
*****
So Carolyn, email me!
We've got to get you scrappin' again!
I know you aren't taking any less pictures of those grandbabies!
:)
_______________________________________

And I have a couple of cards to share too while I am here...

I dug through some classic Bella Blvd to make this card.
Remember the super fun Socialite collection from a couple summers ago?
Well, it is still the perfect line for all your New Year's layouts and cards!
I finished this card off with some of the fun buttons from the Button Market-I thought they coordinated very well with this line.

OK one more...

It's stinkin' cold outside and I thought I should make a card celebrating it!
:)
I punched a couple of big circles & cut the trees out of the Bella Blvd Winter Wonder Cute Cuts sheet to use as big embellishments here.

I used lots of foam adhesive when adhering the trees and stickers to help give this card lots of dimension. 
Thanks for looking! 
And stay warm out there!

OK that gets me a little bit caught up!
TGIF, right??!
:)
Be back soon,
gretchen

A couple of cards

Well it is officially 12/22/12 where I live.
And I am still here.
So I guess I will blog about these cards after all!
:)
*****
Thursday was all about cards over on the Bella Blvd blog.
And I had a couple up over there!
I pulled out some of my Bella Blvd "Winter Wonder" stash to make a winter-y card...very appropriate considering the frigid temperatures today!
I've used this basic design for several cards in the past.
Basic design + different products
= entirely different card!

It always seems like I need one more Christmas card to send out! 

:)
I've made several mostly red cards this year so I decided to change it up and go green this time. 

I cut the Santa out of the "Christmas Wishes" Cute Cuts sheet and adhered it to the card with foam adhesive.
I was all out of "b"s to use for my "be merry" sentiment so I had to get creative.
I cut an "o" in half and used an "l" to make a "b"!
Can you tell??
Does that even make any sense??!
*****
I guess since the world didn't end I need to do something about this ginormous pile of laundry on my bed so I can get some sleep!
:)

 *****

Thanks for stopping by today.
(I mean, since the world didn't end you have a lot of time on your hands, don't you??!)
:)
gretchen

Chevrons and glitter

Merry Christmas y'all!
I know, I know, the new "Flashback" line from KI Memories is not for Christmas.
But I can't get enough of it!
AND the "B" side of the "Viewfinder" sheet of patterned paper is that cool gold & white chevron and I thought it could pass for kind of Christmas-y.
Combine that patterned paper with some glittery paper & stickers and you've got quite a nice foundation for some pretty Christmas projects!
So I thought I would try it.
I pulled out some KI Memories Christmas Puffies, a sheet of kraft cardstock, a couple of large circle punches and I was ready to make some stuff.
I made a 5" x 5" card and a 4.25" x 5.5" card out of the kraft cardstock.
The KI glitter cardstock and the "Viewfinder"/gold & white chevron patterned paper were used as the background papers for both cards.
Then I used the punched circles, glitter stickers, and Puffies to embellish each card.

When I finished the cards I used the scraps I had left over to make a tag.
I had forgotten about the red chevron washi tape that goes with the "Flashback" line.
Shame on me!
 But it too is Christmas-y enough to use for Christmas projects!
So I made sure to use it on this tag.
I really stink at making tags but I thought this one turned out OK!

Hope your holidays are going great!!

Merry Christmas and thanks for stopping by!

:)

gretchen

P.S.
the blog hop on the post below is still going on.
you have a great chance of winning the magazine because as of right now i have ZERO comments!

the odds are in your favor!
:)

Fast & Fresh Scrapbooks BLOG HOP!

Queen of the blog hop I have been lately!
And here is another one!

Thanks for coming here to my stop along the
Fast & Fresh Scrapbooks BLOG HOP!!

This is not a new issue, but it is back by popular demand.
Because it was such a hit the first time around, the Fast & Fresh Scrapbooks Special Issue has been re-issued!

One of my favorite mini-albums is in this issue. 

It's the mini I made for our trip to Disney a few years ago!

Aw man this makes me want to take a trip!
:)

OK {here} is a fun sneak peek of the issue. 

And {here} is a link to some cool extra online content for you!

You can get a copy of this issue {here} or wherever you like to buy your scrappy magazines. 

But you may want to try to win one first!
Leave a comment here and leave a comment on all of the blogs along the hop today for your chance to win!
We are all giving away an issue!

That's 7 chances to win!!
*****
Now from here you want to hop on over to the talented
Stacy Cohen's blog!

*****

Here is a list of all the blogs along the hop today:
Laina Lamb
Jana Morton
{then comes me & obviously you are here!}

Stacy Cohen

Autumn Baldwin

Kim Watson

Jing-Jing Nickel

*****
Happy hopping!
:)

gretchen

DCWV/Hampton Art Blog Hop!!

Hello & welcome to day #2 of the two-day DCWV/Hampton Art Holiday Hop!
Welcome to my stop along this fun hop!

DCWV and Hampton Art are two companies that go above & beyond to provide a wide selection of products from classic and vintage to trendy and modern. When we decided to team up it was only natural that we would want to show you some variety.

So day #2 of our hop is all about Modern!

If you love trendy, cute & clean; or bold, saturated & artsy, you are in for a treat!
These ladies have created some beautiful projects to inspire you!

Erin Madsen ( http://dcwvinc.blogspot.com/ )

Nina Yang ( http://waffleflower.com/ )

Sara Andrews ( http://sarawandrews.com/ )

Emily Lanham ( http://createserendipity.blogspot.com/ )

Britt Bass ( http://pinkpapercrowns.blogspot.com/ )

Thomisia Francois ( http://thomisia.blogspot.com/ )

Gretchen McElveen ( http://gretchenmac.blogspot.com/ )

Dayna Sabrina ( http://sabrioletdesigns.blogspot.com/ )

Adora Concepcion ( http://adoraconcepcion.blogspot.com/ )

Karen Hanson ( http://scrappycanuck.wordpress.com/ )

Kim Barrett ( http://blog.hamptonart.com/ )

If you have come here from Thomisia's blog, then you are on the right track! If not, go back to the DCWV blog and start the hop from there!

Want to see what I've made for today's "modern" theme??
:)
I combined some beautiful DCWV Christmas papers with twine and KI Memories embellishments to make a couple of cards.
On this first card I thought the twine, felt embellishments, and a little glitter helped modernize the vintage-y patterned paper.

Chevrons are all the rage these days so I thought the chevron patterned paper with the felt embellishment and twine gave this card a modern twist.

I added a 3x3 pocket from KI Memories to the inside of the card to hold a gift card. And of course I had to embellish it up a little!
:)

OK want to know what you can win??
Here is today's prize from Hampton Art!

DCWV is giving away stuff too! And if you didn't participate in day #1 of the hop, there is still time!

Go back to the DCWV blog and check it out!

There are prizes for day #1 too!!

*****
OK you are done here now.
Hop on over to Dayna Sabrina's blog next!!

Happy hopping!!
:)
gretchen

Funny story...

Hi!

I've got Christmas on the brain lately and I've been making lots of Christmas projects.
But today is different!
Instead I've got another layout using the new KI Memories "Flashback" line to share with you today!
I love this line!
It's just so versatile!
This layout is a funny story about running into one of my brother's friends.

I tried not to go to overboard with the embellishments since the subject of this layout is kind of "manly".

That's another thing I like about "Flashback"...it can be used for girly and boy-ish layouts!

*****

OK short and sweet from me today.

Got to go wrap some presents!

There aren't enough hours in the day this time of year!

:)
Thanks for stopping by today.

Come back tomorrow because I am part of a fun, Christmas-y blog hop!
:)
gretchen

P.S.

Go leave a comment on {this post} over on the
Creating Keepsakes blog

for a chance to win the January/February 2013 issue!

:)

It's here!!

It's the January/February 2013 issue of Creating Keepsakes!

It's my first official issue as a Dream Team member!

And it goes on sale today!

YAY!!

You can check out a sneak peek of the issue {here}.

And get a copy for yourself {here}!

:)

Happy day!!

gretchen

Christmas cards!

You still have time!

It's not too late to send out your Christmas cards!

And there is all kinds of inspiration over on the Bella Blvd blog today to help you out!

Here are a couple of cards I've made with the Bella Blvd "Christmas Wishes" line...

 

Don't forget to check out the Bella Blvd blog for even more Christmas card ideas!
And then get to making some!
:)

Merry {early} Christmas!

gretchen

We have a winner!!

Anybody want to know who wins the special issue from CK??

I am only 1 day late picking the winner!
That's not too bad for me!
:)
OK here goes...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

8

Timestamp: 2012-12-05 04:06:40 UTC

*****

And that makes the winner: 

 Amy said...

Four kids...NONE have their own album! This would help me remedy that!

November 28, 2012 10:35 AM

 

Congrats Amy!!
Email me at gretchenmcelveen at yahoo dot com
with your mailing address and I will pass your info along to the powers that be at Creating Keepsakes!
YAY!!
:)
gretchen

Can't hold it in any longer...

So stoked that I will be adding this badge over to the right side of this blog for the next year!!

You can see the official announcement and check out all the new (and some returning) members of the team {here}!

And if you leave a comment on that post you will be entered to win a bunch of scrapbooking goodies!
:)

Bring on 2013!!
:)
gretchen

Creating Keepsakes Blog Hop with a GIVEAWAY {of course!!}

Welcome to my stop along the Creating Keepsakes Blog Hop!
Thank you for stopping by!

This blog hop is to get the word out about
CK's new Special Issue:
Scrapbooking Babies and Toddlers 

Oh the sweetness in this issue!!

You will love it!!

There is a great sneak peek of some of the articles in this issue {here}.

And {here} is a link to some extra online content too {here}

Sweet, huh??!
*****

Want a copy of this issue for yourself??
Leave a comment here telling me why you need it and I will randomly draw a winner at the end of the day on Monday (December 3rd).

Each person along this blog hop is giving away a copy so that gives you lots of chances to win.

Make sure to visit each blog!

From here you need to hop on over to the fabulous 
Jana Morton's blog!
And thanks for stopping by mine!
Have an awesome day!!
:)
gretchen

Happy Black Friday!

...well what's left of it anyway!
:)
Anybody score anything good??

I ventured out to a couple of places this afternoon but just hit a couple of small stores.
I wasn't feeling too brave!
:)

FYI: Bella Blvd has a sweet Black Friday giveaway over on their blog!

Head over there, leave a comment on {this post}, & maybe you will win some loot!

Speaking of Bella Blvd, here is a thank you card I made using some of the "Thankful" line...

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Enjoy the weekend!
:)
gretchen

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope you have a fun, family-filled, relaxing, and delicious Thanksgiving!

Supplies: Patterned paper, stickers, chipboard, button are all Bella Blvd

Happy day!
:)
gretchen

More KI Flashback!

I am still loving the new KI Memories Flashback line!
Yay for the return of KI!! 

I actually came across this picture as I was looking through a box for a different picture.

It is one of my favorite pictures ever of my brothers and I.
Even though I have scrapped this picture before in a mini-album, I thought this extra copy needed a layout of its own!

Here are a few close up views of the layout.
Check out that stitched, scalloped border.

I didn't make that.

It came like that!
Just one of the cool, new products in the "Flashback" line!

Die cut frames!
Yep!

This line has a couple of super fun sticker sheets full of great itty-bitty stickers.

And I think I tried to use as many of them as I could on this one layout!
:)  

Have an awesome day!
:)
gretchen

I love taking photos

Hi!
If you are looking for the Handmade Holidays Blog Hop, scroll down to the next post.
{and thank you for stopping by!}
*****
It is pretty well known to those close to me that I sure do like taking pictures!
And when I saw the "camera" paper and stickers in the new KI Memories Flashback line I thought this was a great excuse to do a layout about that picture-taking obsession!
You know, as kind of a warning for those who don't know me all too well yet!
:)

I printed out several Instagram pictures I have taken recently and made this 2-page layout...

{click on layout to see it larger}

*****
Here is the left side of the layout...

And here is the right side of it...

This Flashback line is very cool!
I mean, how fun are these camera stickers??!
And I love the new washi tapes too!!

Thanks for stopping by today!
My stop along the Handmade Holidays Blog Hop is below if you would like a little Christmas card inspiration!
:)
Happy Monday!
gretchen

Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!

Welcome to my stop along the Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!

I am proud to represent Hampton Arts and KI Memories in this fun event!

This is a 3 day hop that includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner.
Explore all of the thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could create for the holidays during the second annual
Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!
To sweeten the blog hop, there are lots of gifts and prizes up for grabs!
For every comment you leave on the blogs along the hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors!

Also, use the Rafflecopter widget on the Clearsnap blog to gain extra entries each day.

And go "like" Hampton Arts on Facebook too!
*****

I hope you are having fun and being inspired at the same time!!

I've got Christmas card overload for ya!

Supplies: Patterned paper (Authentique "Peaceful" and "Festive" collections), Fiskars snowflake punch, KI Memories glitter border stickers

Supplies: Patterned paper (Authentique "Peaceful" and "Festive" collections, KI Memories "Over the Rainbow" collection), Fiskars snowflake punch, twine from The Twinery, KI Memories glitter border stickers

Supplies: Patterned paper (Authentique "Peaceful" and "Festive" collections), Fiskars snowflake and tag punches, twine from The Twinery, KI Memories glitter border stickers

Supplies: Patterned paper (Authentique "Peaceful" and "Festive" collections), Fiskars snowflake punch, twine from The Twinery, KI Memories glitter border stickers

I added a 3"x3" pocket from KI Memories inside this card to hold a gift card.

It's the perfect size...I love that!

And one more card for you...

Supplies: Patterned paper (Authentique "Peaceful" and "Festive" collections), Fiskars snowflake punch, twine from The Twinery, KI Memories glitter border stickers

I added a pocket inside this card also...

Here is a complete list of today's hop.

Make sure to hit each stop along the hop and leave a comment for your chance to win some loot!!

Clearsnap

Hampton Art

Graphic45
Fiskateers

Donna Salazar Designs
Tombow USA
Authentique Paper

The Twinery 

Eileen Hull for Sizzix
Globecraft Memories
Diana Gonzalez for Clearsnap
Melissa Cash for Tombow 

Monika Wright
Linda Neff
(my blog is next and you are already here. yay!!)

Megan Aaron

Tania Willis

Gloria Stengel

Suzanne Austin

Shellye McDaniel

Natasha Naranjo Aguirre

Jen Carter

Laura Denison

Candy Spiegel

*****

Here are some of the stamp sets and ink you could win from Hampton Arts!

But those are just a few of the many things you could win!

There are so many companies participating and that means more prizes for you!

So get to hopping!!

Your next stop is on

Megan Aaron's blog.

Thanks for stopping by!

and Merry Christmas!
:)

gretchen