Scraplifting myself

It is totally legal and I do it often!

I like to use old layouts as a jumping off point for new layouts.

Take this one for instance that I made with Noel Mignon's Bedford Falls kit...

I really like how that layout turned out so I used it's basic design to make this layout using Noel's Truly Scrumptious kit...

Supplies: Patterned paper (Fancy Pants, My Mind's Eye, Sassafras, American Crafts), Bling (My Mind's Eye), Stickers (Sassafras)
{Everything is from the Truly Scrumptious kit except the background paper (Fancy Pants) from the Very Virginia kit}

And I love how this one turned out too!

:)
Happy Monday good people!
gretchen

More Bella Blvd

As promised, more delightful new Bella Blvd...

There is a fun new line called Family Dynamix.

It is a bright, fun family line!

This piece of paper pretty much sums it up...

What's not to love about that??!!

My friend Ashley let me use these pics I took of her adorable daughter and I made this...

Big, colorful flowers that I can cut out??!!

Yes, please!
:)

And my most favorite new line (I think...it's hard to choose! Because that family line owns me!) is called Sophisticates!

It's got subtle patterned papers, monochromatic color schemes, printed chipboard letters, new alphabet fonts, etc...all stuff that is right up my alley!

You can see more of it on this blog post here, but here is a little something that I made with it.

Alrighty!
Enough of this computer!
I am going out to enjoy this beautiful weather!
{i know it is still January but i swear i smell spring!}
:)
gretchen

CHA is here!

AKA: Christmas for scrapbookers!!

*****
I got to make some stuff for the Bella Blvd booth.

And now I can share it all!

Bella has a very cool new boy line coming out!

It's got great colors and stars and cars and trucks and space ships!
It is such a fun line!
You can see more of it here.
And this is what I made with it...{you know, recruiting my friends' kids again!}
:)

Bella also has a fabulous new pet line called "Tail Waggers & Cap Naps"!
{not all pet lines are created equal BUT this one I love!!}
They haven't revealed this line totally on their blog yet, so here is a little sneak of what it looks like...I made some stuff with the other 2 lines they are debuting this weekend too.
I will share tomorrow!
Hope your weekend is off to a great start!
:)
gretchen

Inspiration on the go!

OK I have something new for you to check out!

Are you familiar with this site??

Sketches 2 Scrapbook
{go ahead...click on it!}

On that site you will find an app for scrapbooking!
How cool is that!?!

Actually it is an app with sketches and example layouts.

Inspiration on the go!

The first version of this app came out at the end of last year and now there is a winter version.

The winter version is full of themed sample layouts to suit the season from Christmas to Valentines and all the snow in between!
{stole that line straight from the site!}

And another fun thing for me??!!
I got to make a layout based on one of the sketches to be used on the app!
:)

Now I can't show you the sketch I got to use (there's an app for that!), but let's just say that it closely resembles this layout!
:)

Supplies: Patterned paper (The Girl's Paperie), Die cut paper (My Mind's Eye), Chipboard alphas (The Girl's Paperie), Border sticker (The Girl's Paperie), Flower embellies (The Girl's Paperie), Die cut Santa (Pink Paislee), Brads (American Crafts), baker's twine

To celebrate the new app, there is a special on the original app through this weekend.

You can get the original app with all 116 sketches and example layouts for just $2.99!

Here is a link to the original app.

And here is the new app.

If you want a little sampling before you buy the app, here is a free version that has 12 sketches!
Enjoy!!

:)
TGIF good people!!

gretchen

Thank you

Thank you for the nice comments about my random Christmas layout on the post below.
_________________________________
And speaking of thank yous...

I am running a little low on thank you cards so I am trying to replenish my stash.

Thank you & birthday cards always seem to be the ones I need in a pinch so I like to have at least a few on hand at all times!

So I made some stuff...

*****
OUT FOR

PUBLICATION
!!!!
*****

{made with my Very Virginia kit from Noel Mignon}

*****
OUT FOR

PUBLICATION

!!!!
BE

BACK SOON
*****
{made with the Sassafras Count Me In line}

{made with the KI Memories Over the Rainbow collection and chipboard butterflies that I have been hoarding from the Bloom collection}

Thank you
for looking!
:)
gretchen

New class and my most random layout ever

Come spend a fun

GIRLS NIGHT OUT

at Scrapbook Mania!!

*****

Thursday Feb 3rd

6:00-8:00 p.m.
$20

*****

You will make 2 double-page layouts

using fun products from

Crate Paper & Fancy Pants!
*****

*****

We are going to order pizza

and there will be chocolate of course!

*****
Join us!
Call Scrapbook Mania to sign up!
(205) 424-4246
________________________________________
OK you wanna see what I am pretty sure is
my most random layout ever??!
I really wanted to use paper strips and
these KI Frosting Christmas stickers on a page.

And this is what resulted...

{Supplies: it's a mix of old & new KI Memories!}

It's a random mess but it is growing on me!

What do you think??

Too much crazy??
:)
gretchen

happy birthday to me

OK so it is really not my birthday.

But I did have a birthday earlier this month.

And I scrapped about it!

Supplies: Patterned paper, stickers, chipboard (Sassafras), Brads (American Crafts), die cut title (Quickutz)

I had to knock the dust off the ole Quickutz Revolution to make that title.
I love that thing but I think I need to start dropping some not-so-subtle hints around here & maybe I can score one of those Silhouettes that everybody has now!

Too bad Christmas and my birthday have just passed!

That would be a fairly romantic Valentine's Day gift don't you think?

:)
Happy Sunday friends!
gretchen

So did you get the right word from yesterday's blog hop??!

Fun, huh!?!!

*****
And now the kit is on sale!
It's the Noel Mignon February kit: Truly Scrumptious!!

And appropriately named it is!
Here is everything in the kit...
I can't wait for mine to get here!
Hurry up Mr. Mailman!
:)
Get yours here!
{i have a sneaking suspicion that these are going to go fast}
*****
And just because I want to share it,
here is a layout that is in the February Creating Keepsakes.
That's the littlest brother back in his college tennis days.
Thanks for looking!
Now go get your kit!
:)
And TGIF!!!
:)
gretchen

Blog Hop!!

Welcome to my stop on the blog hop for the NoelMignon February kit, "Truly Scrumptious"!

Let's play a little word scramble game, shall we?

As you can see, there is a letter showing in my sneak below.

There will be letters in everyone else's sneak peek too.

Now here are the rules:

1) Follow the hop in order.

(go back and start at Kim's blog if you haven't been there already!)

2) Leave a comment on each blog showing that you have picked up your letter from their sneak.

3) Collect all the letters and unscramble the word.

4) Leave a comment on the last blog of the hop on Thursday revealing the secret word and you may be one of 3 lucky winners to win $10 off their kit purchase!

Now you only have one more stop on the blog hop!

Head back here to the Noel Mignon inspiration blog, get your last letter, and start unscrambling!!

*****

This kit goes on sale on Friday, January 21st!!
*****
Before you go, though, check this out!

Save the dates and come join us!!

:)

gretchen

Cuteness!!

Look!
Something new from KI!!

sooooo cute!!
Check out the blog for more!
:)

MME card

Hey there!
I made a card for the latest challenge over on the My Mind's Eye blog.
{there is a card challenge and a layout challenge you can participate in}

The challenge is to make a card based on this sketch...

So I grabbed by Very Virginia kit, found some My Mind's Eye in it, and made this card!

The challenge ends on Thursday so there is still time to play along!
*****
FYI...

There is going to be a blog hop going on tomorrow & Thursday to show off sneak peeks of the new Noel Mignon kit.

There will be prizes involved!!
:)

{hint: check out Kim's blog starting at 8:00 AM CST tomorrow and then I will eventually see you back here along the way}

Happy Tuesday!

:)

gretchen

new Noel Mignon challenge

There is a new challenge up at Noel Mignon!

This one is more of an inspirational/color combo challenge.
Here is the inspiration...

{from the Creature Comforts blog which is a way cool site}

And this is what I made...

I used the fabulous Very Virginia kit for this one!

Now come play along with us!

{learn more about the challenge here}

:)
gretchen

Marathon recap

I have to admit that it has taken me about 4 days to write this post.

Since we got back from Disney I have been laid up with what is either the flu or the mother of all colds.
I have decided that my immune system was working on all cylinders for 18 weeks of training and it had finally had enough!

However, I cannot complain.

I went through 18 weeks of training without even the slightest runny nose!

And I am thankful that the illness decided not to strike until we got back and did not interfere with our vacation!

OK now onto happier times...

*****
26.2 miles

on your mark

get set

GO!!

The race starts in waves between 5:30-6:00 in the morning.

And it was cold this morning!

There was the national anthem, fireworks, and then off we go!!

That picture is actually from about mile 2.
See while I run around Disney for 26.2, Lee runs around an uncharted course trying to find me at various spots along the way.

I totally missed him at this spot!

We are even, though, because I saw him next at about mile 9 but he totally missed a picture!
{that is not entirely true. he did get a great picture of my right elbow!}

This next picture is right about the halfway point.

It's the stretch between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.

At that point I was still feeling pretty good.

I hadn't warmed up like I thought I would but the legs were still feeling fresh.

The worse part of this race is the stretch between 18-22 miles.

It is a long, boring, hairpin turn coming from Animal Kingdom heading toward Hollywood Studios.

But I cranked up my tunes so loud in case others around me wanted to listen to my great Pink, Justin Beiber, Flo Rida, Enrique Iglesias mix and just ran!

No water stops and no walking!

Just running.

Because once I got past there, I was golden!

Oh my hips were aching and the thighs were screaming.

But I could make it from there.

Now this is the best feeling right here!

I am running past Mexico in Epcot with less than a mile to go and out steps Lee to cheer me on!

Goal time: 4:30:00

Finishing time: 4:12:48

Did you get that??!!
4:12:48

I am only slightly excited about that!!

And alot of that is due to the encouragement and pushing that I get from this guy.

{aka the best cheerleader a girl's got!}

Let me introduce you to my goofiest of friends Kristin and Brittney.
{i think you may know them already though}

Goofy because they ran the half marathon on Saturday & then turned around and ran the full marathon on Sunday.
That is what Disney calls the "Goofy Challenge".
And they live to tell about it!

The run is over.
I accomplished my goal.

I lived.
Now let the fun begin!

:)
gretchen

YAY!!
******
Now we've got to get Charlie Brown
{the best, most loyal training partner around}

through his marathon!!
Mercedes here we come!

Mini kit winner!!

Sorry I am a little late doing this!

Hopefully it will be worth the wait for one lucky winner!

:)
_______________________

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

25 

Timestamp: 2011-01-14 02:44:59 UTC
___________________________________

and that makes Jackie the winner!!

******

Jackie said...

so far, 2011 is great! i met someone on eharmony who i have an amazing connection with - i am so sure that 2011 will be MY year ;)

January 9, 2011 6:41 P

*******

Jackie will you email me your address and I will get that info out to the Midnight Rooster girls so you can get your kit!?

(gretchenmcelveen@yahoo.com)

_______________________________

Marathon update coming soon.

Right now I have a Disney hangover!

:)

gretchen

More stuff...

I made a couple of cards with the January Midnight Rooster kit

that I did not share the other day.

*****
Well dang!
They are both

out for

publication
!!!
But they

will be

back soon
*****

{i added the silver stickles, silver brad, and baker's twine/string from my stash. everything else is Midnight Rooster goodness}

I've made 4 layouts & 2 cards with the January kit and I could keep going!

But, alas, I ran out of time!
:)
Good, good stuff in this kit I tell ya!!
Have a good one!
gretchen

Midnight Rooster REVEAL!!

American Crafts, Sassafras, Cosmo Cricket, Crate Paper, Jillibean Soup, Echo Park...

the January kit is filled with all kinds of goodies!!
And I did a bunch of scrapping with it!

{yes, you read that correctly...no french fries in 2011! oh dear}


I made another small layout to go in my 6x12 half marathon album.
And I am not done yet!!
:)

Don't forget:
You have until midnight (CST) tonight to leave a comment on the post below to win a January mini-kit from Midnight Rooster!

:)
gretchen

It all led to this

18 weeks of training,

countless miles,

2 pairs of new shoes,

lots of E-gel, sports beans, & cashews consumed,

many boring Friday or Saturday nights

because of a long run the next morning,

quite a few cuss words uttered as the

dang alarm went off before daylight,

countless miles,
{yes, that deserves a 2nd time on the list}

hundreds of leg raises performed,

gallons of water & Powerade drank,

etc.

It all led to this...

And I am excited!

I am ready!
It will all be worth it when it is over!

And I should be starting right about now!
{approximately 5:30 AM EST}
:)
goal time: 26.2 miles in 4:30:00

Update to follow...if I am still alive!
:)

Want to win something good??!

Of course you do!

How about a fabulous mini-kit from Midnight Rooster in honor of the January kit reveal that will be happening tomorrow??!!

Delish, huh!!?

How about just leave me a comment telling me how 2011 is treating you so far!

You have until midnight tomorrow night (that is 11:59 PM CST on 1/9/11)to leave a comment!!

YAY!!!

:)

gretchen

It's a new month!

And that means a new Midnight Rooster kit!

And I have been scrappin' with it!

The reveal comes on Sunday!

{ooooh but i get to give away a mini kit tomorrow!}
:)
gretchen

Getting misty

There is a new challenge up at Noel Mignon!
The challenge is to use mists on a project.
Whereas for most of you this probably isn't really a challenge, it was quite the challenge for me!

I am a misting rookie and I have to admit that it kind of scares me!
I am a messy scrapper anyway, so if you add some mist into the mix I might have to move my scrapping out of the house completely!
However, I will admit that my first experience with misting was fun!

I was just practicing on some white cardstock but I liked the way the silver mist (from the Very Virginia kit) looked so I used the practice cardstock as the background for my printed journaling here.

I hand cut "funny" out of white cardstock.
But it was just too white for my liking so I gave it a little spray with the mist too!

And this is how it all turned out...

{I used the Noel Mignon Bedford Falls kit here. The mist is from the Very Virginia kit though!}

The challenge runs through next week so you have time to pull out your mists and play with us!
I mean, everyone is doing it.
*****
And while you are thinking about challenges, Paper Issues has a fun one up!
It's a NEW year and that means a NEW challenge!

Scrap anything "new": New Year's resolutions, new baby, new clothes, using new scrapbook products, etc etc.
If it is new in any way, we want to see it!
Link up your projects here!
There is a great Nikki Sivils prize pack up for grabs!
*****
:)

gretchen

In Cozumel

Morning folks!

I am a little behind scrapping various trips we have taken over the past 1-2 years.

However, I did manage to scrap 1 picture from our cruise this past September for the Focus on Sticklers over on the KI blog!

One picture down; 347 left to go!

:)

{everything here is from the new
Over the Rainbow collection from KI Memories!}

OK short and sweet from me today!
:)

gretchen

Remember this...

Hey!

What do you do with cards you get from other people?

I have to admit that the ones I get usually just end up in a box on a shelf in my

scraproom.

I surely can't throw them away!
But I got a card this Christmas that needed something more special than a place in that box.

So I scrapped it!

***
OUT FOR

PUBLICATION!!
***

{using the Noel Mignon Bedford Falls kit
of course!}

And speaking of Noel's kits...

She is running a sale on past kits!

It ends today so hurry up!

{check it out here}
There are a few Bedford Falls kits still available if you are looking for something to scrap your Christmas & winter.

*****
One more cool thing at Noel Mignon...

Virginia is going to be teaching an online class starting January 15th.

How cool does this class look!!?
Virginia describes it like this...
a bit of a whimsical, creative venture at the start of this new year
a study and sampling of our daily lives
something fat and full of odds & ends sticking out
the truest form of the word: *scrap*book
quotes we love, piece & fibers from our day
what it was like to be us
at this time
a proof of our life

You can learn more about it on her blog (here).
Check it out!

Totally cool!!

*****

I hope the new year is treating you right so far!
:)
gretchen

Year in Pictures

January
{happy birthday to me}

February
{Mercedes half marathon}

{March}

{the annual oyster boil in Savannah for Lee's Grandmomma's birthday}

April
{there is supposed to be a picture from the spring race at Talladega here but in the process of trying to clean up all my pictures & move them to an external hard drive, i have lost a bunch of pictures & i am not at all happy about it}

May
{Lee working hard in the yard}

June

{rockin' Carrie Underwood concert}

July
{a tennis-filled weekend in Birmingham} August
{scrapbooking weekend with Mom & friends}

September

{cruisin' to Mexico}

October
{in the thick of marathon training
with Charlie Brown}

November

{Misner Thanksgiving in Mississippi} December
{celebrating 8 years in Gatlinburg} And here's to hoping for another great year in 2011!!
{and that i can recover all those pictures}

Happy New Year!

:)
gretchen