Loni Leah

April Project Life + Giveaway!

ETA: Drawing is now closed. I will be drawing the winner at random and then sharing the name of the lucky winner Wednesday morning.

I have been conflicted.  Now I'm not... and it feels great.

So, as I just stated, I have been conflicted. I have always loved scrapbooking in the traditional sense of paper + embellishements + trimming + kitchen sink,  but honestly, I've got to keep it real right now... my life is busy! I really need everything to be right in front of me on my computer sometimes and mess free. I've been conflicted to embrace the digital route more completely because somewhere along the line I picked up this stupid notion that digital scrapbooking just wasn't as creative, didnt' look as good, or was a cop-out... but that is SO not true! I've always been on the hybrid side of scrapbooking, but I'm glad that in the last week I had an 'ah-ha!' moment that makes me feel liberated: DOES IT HONESTLY MATTER HOW I CREATE & DOCUMENT, AS LONG AS I DO?  Uh, no! If this works better for me right now, or here & there, or whenever, I am going to embrace it and not feel guilty about it. Am I saying that I am abandoing traditional all together? Nope. Especially when it comes to Project Life, but if digital makes life easier and the process quicker now and then, count me in! There's room for both.

So, with that out of the way, here is my first 100% digital Project Life layout:  

I will be sharing more of my Project Life pages this week, so check back! (Supply list at the bottom of this post.) You can purchase Becky Higgins digital kits HERE at JessicaSprague.com. 

NOW, A GIVEAWAY!!!

This is the perfect opportunity for you to get started on Project Life too! If you're not already, or want another kit for yourself or to give to a loved on, enter to win a free kit here!! You'll receive the Cobalt Binder, Cobalt Cardstock, and a Big Variety Pack of Photo Pocket Pages. WOO HOO!! 

The products are shipping right from Amazon, so you must be a U.S. resident. Tell your friends, and enter yourself, by leaving your name, email, city and state in the comments on this post.

There are lots of chances to win since there are so many girls on the creative team participating too! If you link back to Becky's blog she will have the links to each giveaway post. GOOD LUCK!

LAYOUT SUPPLIES:

Project Life Digital Supplies: 'Live out loud' postage circle (bh_clementineedition_stamp_1_red); Notebook paper (bh_turquoise_lastpage_2) Black ABC paper (Turqoise kit, I believe? ); Teal circle embellishment (bh_turquoiseedition_remember); 'Right Here' circle embellishment (bh_turquoiseedition_righthere) 'Enjoy' words (bh_turuoiseedition_enjoy) 

OTHER: Font 'Modern No. 20'; Camera, clip art; Date tab (my own design). Created in Adobe Illustrator CS5

Wow... I am a really good blogger.

Right? 

I have good intentions, I really do. Some weeks are just better than others. 

Not much on the brain today that is blog worthy so I thought I'd just share a photo shoot I did last month instead. I haven't shared many of those in recent months.

I wanted this shoot to be traditional & timeless so we keep it pretty simple. I shot indoor with natural lighting and a reflector.

This baby girl weighed only 4.7lbs. when she was born. A real life baby doll! So sweet.

 

 The foot idea with the text was something I first saw on Becky Higgins blog, so that's not my original idea. I ended up using that photo as the focal point on the announcement I made and added 'introducing our new' text in Photoshop above the word 'Love'.  Very simple.

Another tip... pull out your border punches! I love using them to add a custom touch to announcements or invitations I make for others. My favorite is the one I've used below by Martha Stewart. (Just make sure to leave space on the sides you want to punch when designing it. I generally make 5x7 prints.)  

  

Snapped these quickly in photo booth. The photo quality isn't the best, but it gives you an idea.

Cute little gift boxes

Okay, so I may not have a chance to take photos of my completed projects until sometime next week, but I'll share what I'm playing with! Some of my new 3-D gift boxes that have been, or will be shortly be, added to the Silhouette Store. (The titles are included in the top three.)  

Just add a transparency, or vellum, to cover the opening, embellish it a little and then fill it with treats or a gift and give it away. :)  

scalloped_lace_gift_box_C00140_19547
02/01/2010

loopy_lace_gift_box_C00151_19547
02/05/2010
 
horizontal_heart_gift_box_C00152_19547

02/05/2010

The holes at the top are to add ribbon or string through and present ornament-style, if you'd like. They can also be removed. The notches on the back are to secure a little note to the recipient. These aren't just for Valentine's either. They work for any occasion.
    

What a great day...

One of my favorite people is in town visiting from Michigan. Jessi! 

We met up this morning for lunch at Cafe Rio and spent at least 2 to 3 hours just sitting there laughing & playing catch up. I've missed her. I'm trying to find a way to get her back here, but I have a feeling my work is cut out for me. I will not give up though! Among other things, I will work "The weather is great. You are awesome. Please move back." into every conversation we have until it's actually put into action. It will eventually work... I just know it.

I have been putting together some fun wood blocks for good Valentine's Day decorating this year using my Silhouette designs. Same idea as the Christmas ornaments from this post. I thought I'd leave a little teaser... they are going to be so dang cute when I'm finished. Check back on Monday and I'll share the finished project with you so you can create your own or just to get the creative wheels spinning for your own Valentine's projects!

Hope you have a great weekend! Gonna go check out a movie tonight with a friend.

3-D Cards...

These should be available for purchase in Silhouette's online store today. 

HOW THEY WORK:

NOW, JUST DRESS IT UP A LITTLE AND GIVE IT TO YOUR SWEETHEART!

Ornament winner!

Thanks for all of your really sweet comments! They made me feel so nice and were so fun to read. 

After randomly drawing the winner from a bowl with everyone's names in it (very high tech), the winner of the ornament set it is...

Carrie Uhing "These are the MOST adorable little ornaments. I luv luv luv them. What a great idea. Thank you so much for sharing."

I just sent you an email Carrie!

Thanks again for entering everyone and leaving a comment. Now, it's time to create something new, huh?  

PS.I'm listening to my 11 year old nephew play and sing 'Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer' on the guitar as I type. Totally makes me happy. He is such a little rock-star.

HoHoHo! Merry Christmas!

Ready to see what I've been creating this week? Cute little Christmas ornaments made of wood, as well as paper... fun, huh?

I designed the words and an ornament template for the Silhouette craft cutting machine, which can be purchased online through their store. The words are great on a scrapbook pages or other holiday projects too. This is just the beginning of designs to come from me for Silhouette. 

Do you want to win a set of ornaments I've made? I'm feeling quite jolly this morning, so I am going to do a drawing to win a set of 5 of these handmade ornaments I've created (I'll personalize one of those ornaments with your last name too). and 5 paper gift boxes. Just leave a comment under this post with your name & email for your chance to win and I'll randomly draw a winner on Monday. I'll close comments around 3pm and draw a winner sometime that evening. US residents only, for shipping reasons. Sorry.

Wood Designs:

     

 

Paper Gift Boxes:  It's all about presentation, right? This is a fun gift idea for teachers, neighbors, friends, etc. Fill them with a treat that can be opened after displaying the ornament on their tree through December. 

 

 

Here are instructions if you'd like to create your own:

Wood instructions:

Ornament gift box: The template can be purchased through Silhouette's online store, under my stuff. 

Most of the ribbon used on my ornaments are by American Crafts. If you are in Utah, they are having a warehouse sale til' December 24th. A great time to buy! I bought my ribbon at their last warehouse sale for a killer price! I think I need to go back and get some more. 

 

I've been creating stuff...

Check back soon and I'll share my project with you!