Thursday, April 29, 2010

Kiki-Art Blog Hopscotch!



Welcome to our first KIKI ART Design Team Blog Hop... only we call it BLOG HOPSCOTCH!


When?  During National Scrapbook Day week-end.

It will run from Thursday 29th until Monday May 3rd

How to play?  You start wherever you want, visiting the blogs of our talented Design team members (including all three Kiki Art blogs at the same time).


Each member of our design team was asked to pick a good cause and create a project based on that cause to show it on their blogs. So you have to find out which cause they are supporting and take note of it.


When you hop from one design team member to the other you will get inspired by their artistic work and hopefully you will also get inspired seeing all the efforts some human beings do to give us a better world.


How to get a prize from the Kiki Art blog?

You can participate to be one of the random picked winners to get a prize from the Kiki Art blog.
To qualify for that chance you have to leave a comment on the Kiki Art blog, mentioning which one were your favorite blogs during your visits at the blog hop and the causes they have picked (don't limit yourself... you can choose as many blogs as you want!)


How to get a prize from a Kiki Art design team member blog?

Many members of our design team have decided to give away a project that is related to the good cause they believe in. Leave a message in to their blogs and they will pick a random winner from the comments left on their post.


On Tuesday, May 4th, all the Giveaway winners will be announced throughout all the blog sites!


Let's the BLOG HOPSCOTCH begin!! Get inspired and enjoy!



When I was asked to choose a good cause to represent on my blog, at first I had a heck of a time trying to think of something that was close to my heart.  Then one day while watching TV I saw something that interested me very much.  That was, the Let's Move Campaign to fight childhood obesity.  That, combined with shows like Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution and The Biggest Loser, I knew immediately what good cause I needed to highlight for you today.  I hope this will inspire someone else to help fight the epidemic of childhood obesity.  I myself was an overweight child and now that I am a mother, I want to prevent my daughter from going through the same pains that I did and to teach her in a positive manner the importance of a healthy body.


The Let's Move Campaign is supported by First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as community leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, moms and dads in a nationwide campaign to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity.

From the Let's Move website, which can be found here

"Obesity threatens the healthy future of one third of all American children. Obesity rates have tripled in the past 30 years.


We spend $150 billion every year to treat obesity-related conditions, and that number is growing. For the first time in American history, our children’s life expectancy may be shorter than their parents’.


We need to get moving."

I encourage everyone to go to the Let's Move website to find out how you can join this important movement and help your own family as well.  Find out more at http://letsmove.gov/index.html 

Just to say thanks for taking notice of this good cause, I'm going to be giving away this cute little altered lunch pail made with Kiki-Art papers, and glittered chipboard. Leave me a comment and I'll be sending this out to one random lucky gal.  And don't forget, an apple a day keeps the doctor away!!





Don't forget to visit these other design team member blogs to up your chances of winning some goodies!
Here goes the list of names and blog addresses for the design teams:

English/Anglais/Ingles

Fleur Smith – BC, CANADA - http://fleursbydesign.blogspot.com/

Jillian Anger – ON, CANADA - http://www.sleepisnotrequired.blogspot.com/

Linda Shewchuk – SK, CANADA - http://awesomememories.blogspot.com/

Stephanie Hart – NS, CANADA - http://www.stephanie-hart.blogspot.com/

Tammy Lever – AB, CANADA - http://www.tampatha.wordpress.com/

Virginia Wong – AB, CANADA - http://www.virginiawongmichiels.blogspot.com/

Ann-Katrin – NORWAY - http://www.papirhobby.no/

Annika Bergquist – SWEDEN - http://www.annikasblandning.blogspot.com/

Carole Stirrat – WA, USA- http://www.carolestirrat.blogspot.com

Einat Kessler – ISRAEL - http://www.scrapinit.blogspot.com/

Ellen Sosnoski – PA, USA - http://www.closeyourears.blogspot.com/


Keely Yowler – KY, USA - http://www.keelyy.blogspot.com

Lynda Lindley – WA, USA - http://www.positive-force.blogspot.com/

Meghan Epperly – FL, USA http://www.igiveacrop.wordpress.com/

Nicole Rixon – CA, USA - http://www.onesweetromance.com/

Ria Mojica – PHILIPPINES - http://www.cakesnscraps.blogspot.com/

Sarah de Guzman – CA, USA http://www.redoaklines.com/

Sophia Allison – SOUTH AFRICA http://www.sallison.blogspot.com/


KIKI - Arantza Izurrategui - QC, CANADA - http://www.bykiki.ca/



Spanish/Espagnol/Español

Carolyn – USA & Panamá - http://www.carolynscrap.blogspot.com/




Olgacle – COLOMBIA - http://www.olgascrap.blogspot.com/





Kiki Canada & Argentina - http://www.bykiki.ca/



French/Francaise/Frances




Kimmieprout – Québec, Canada - http://www.kimmieprout.blogspot.com/

Ladybird – Québec, Canada - http://www.blogladybird.blogspot.com/

Loustic – Québec, Canada - http://www.uneviedeloustic.blogspot.com/

Zamaline – Québec, Canada - http://www.janealiasjanik.blogspot.com/

Marie France - Québec, Canada - http://www.kikiartist.com/mariefrance

Karine - Québec, Canada - http://www.karl-scrap.blogspot.com/

- Kiki - Arantza Izurrategui - Québec, Canada - http://www.bykiki.ca/

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Don't Forget...

...to join us tomorrow for Kiki-Art's Blog Hopscotch!  Here's the low down on the fun which starts tomorrow, April 29th-May 3rd



When?
 During National Scrapbook Day week-end. It will run from Thursday 29th until Monday May 3rd

How to play?
You start wherever you want, visiting the blogs of our talented Design team members (including all three Kiki Art blogs at the same time).

Each member of our design team was asked to pick a good cause and create a project based on that cause to show it on their blogs. So you have to find out which cause they are supporting and take note of it.

When you hop from one design team member to the other you will get inspired by their artistic work and hopefully you will also get inspired seeing all the efforts some human beings do to give us a better world.

How to get a prize from the Kiki Art blog?
You can participate to be one of the random picked winners to get a prize from the Kiki Art blog.
To qualify for that chance you have to leave a comment on the Kiki Art blog, mentioning which one were your favorite blogs during your visits at the blog hop and the causes they have picked (don't limit yourself... you can choose as many blogs as you want!)

How to get a prize from a Kiki Art design team member blog?
Many members of our design team have decided to give away a project that is related to the good cause they believe in. Leave a message in to their blogs and they will pick a random winner from the comments left on their post.


Until the festivities begin tomorrow, I have a layout to share that I created using Kiki-Art supplies.  This layout is featured on the These Are a Few of My Favorite Things Challenge Blog. There are several other layouts done by our wonderful Kiki-Art design team featrured on the blog as well, so please go check them out for some great inspiration!  The challenge over there this month is to do a layout about your favorite city.  My favorite city happens to be San Fransisco which I will hopefully be living near to in the next couple of months =)



Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you back again tomorrow for the Kiki-Art Blog Hopscotch!!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Moving?...Maybe Baby...

Hey there friends! I hope your day has been a good one, but here in our house we received some sad and frustrating news today.  Our moving plans have been delayed.  If you read one of my recent posts, I explained how we were about to start a new life and begin a journey outside of  the Navy, a long awaited dream.  Now, it appears we will have to put that dream on hold as the Navy is being complicated and dragging on the all to familiar military saying, "hurry up and wait!".  So California you'll have to wait for now and we will enjoy the Spring weather and maybe the Summer weather as well here in Washington.  Perhaps it was Murphy's Law seeing as my husband and I sat down and made some moving cards the other night.  We both made two cards using My Little Shoebox's "Away We Go" collection which is perfect for a moving card!  My hubby is just too darn cute in his support of my paper crafting and it was fun to get to create together.  So first thing I'm going to show you are the two cards created by my wonderful and loving hubby, Jay.


These next two cards were created my moi =)







Although we aren't moving quite as soon as expected, we will be moving eventually so I'll hang on to these cute cards and will probably have time now to make even more!  Until moving day actually arrives, I'll do my best to keep my chin up.  Thank goodness I have my scrapbooking to take my mind off things and keep me busy!!  Thank you My Little Shoebox for brightening my days with your cheerful papers!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Cocoa Daisy's Spring Crop!

If you aren't familiar with Cocoa Daisy, well then girlfriend you really should be!  They are so much fun over there and this weekend they are having a Spring Crop.  There is so much going on over there, you really should check them out if you have some free time this weekend.  Here is a sample of what I've created from their challenges so far...



This layout was for their challenge #2-Laundry Line. I used mainly supplies from My Little Shoebox.  The challenge was to follow this sketch...



Next challenge I took on was Challenge #3-Raindrops on Roses. The challenge: to use glossy accents somewhere on your layout.  For my layout I chose to use the glossy accents in creating rain falling down the page. Papers are from Prima.





The last layout isn't actually for Cocoa Daisy's Spring Crop, but instead is for their April Lift Contest.  I again used My Little Shoebox papers for this layout.





Hopefully you can stop in over at Cocoa Daisy this weekend, there is some fabulous inspiration sprouting up all over the place over there!!!  Happy Crafting!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Sunday, April 18, 2010

For The Gift Of Friendship!

Once in a blue moon you come across a person with whom you spark an immediate connection, and I have been fortunate to meet someone like this recently.  She has become a true friend, and in our short period together we have depended on one another during difficult times.  It's these types of friendships that I wish everyone has the opportunity to meet more than once in their lifetime; and it's these friendships that need to be truly cherished!  To honor this friendship, I created some altered journals to give to her.  One of them is designated for the monsters in her closet, and the other is a gratitude journal.  With a little inspiration from my sister, I used a variety of My Little Shoebox papers to alter plain old-fashioned composition books.  It was a fun project that is easy to do, and I even made each book their own matching bookmark.  To my friend: I wish you peace and happiness in the solace of the handwritten word!!  Enjoy!


The Imaginary Friends Collection from My Little Shoebox was just perfect for making this "My World" journal meant for all those monsters in our closets.




I used clear accents on the window paynes of the door.


A Grattitude Journal...




That adorable little owl is one of MLS's trasnparent overlays.  These look so neat and are something fun and different to work with!


The Grattitude Journal's bookmark/writing board.  Made from covered chipboard, My Little Shoebox papers, and die cuts.


Thanks for checking out this project made with love!!

Before you go, here is another recent layout that I've done and haven't had a chance to share.  This was also created with My Little Shoebox papers using the "Away We Go" collection.


Sunday, April 11, 2010

My New Love Affair...

...with My Little Shoebox!  I had such a blast creating this layout.  I just received an order I placed for their products and their papers are so much fun to play with!  Don't you just love these little hedgehogs?!  Adorable!!  Stay on the look out for more projects I have in the works for this delicious paper company!  Thanks for stopping by =)



Supplies:
Patterned Paper: My Little Shoebox
Cardstock: DCWV
Crystals: Prima
Alphas:  American Crafts Thickers
Overlay: My Little Shoebox (tree)

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

American Crafts Flair Week Challenge

If you've visited the American Crafts blog lately you'll have noticed that they have a challenge up this week.

This challenge inspired me to use up some of my American Crafts stash and it was so much fun to play with my flair!!  I not only did a layout, but also a card.





Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: American Crafts (Everyday)
Embellishments: American Crafts Flair, AC puffy stickers
Ribbon: American Crafts
Crystals: Zva Creative
Alphas: AC Thickers, Adornit TinyAlphas, Creative Memories



Cardstock: Bazzill
Ribbon: American Crafts
American Crafts Flair
Font: CK Centurion
Bling: Lisa Bearnson
Puffy Sticker: American Crafts

Monday, April 5, 2010

And She's Back!


Well, to answer your question...yes, I'm still alive.  In fact, I'm more alive than ever!!  This takes a bit of explaining though.  Now ordinarily I don't like to use my blog to talk about my personal life, it's main purpose is to be my creative sounding board.  I just can't keep this one inside.  My husband and I are about to take a drastic turn in this journey so called life.  We are about to end our eleven-year old relationship with the United States Navy and begin a new chapter in our lives.  We are about to set free and have our creative minds and love for each being unleashed upon the free world! Our entire marriage has been lived out as a military family, and it is almost as if we are going through a divorce.  Mounds of paperwork and signatures being thrown here and there, classes and seminars.  It's been a whirlwind, but we are embracing the change and letting fate guide our paths.  First stop, California!  Jay will live out a long held dream of attending film school in San Francisco and I'll be continuing with my creative endeavors.  In fact, I've been feeling more creative and energized than ever!  I can't lie, living the military lifestyle has at times sucked the passion out of me and it was completely lost for several years.  Now, the sky's the limit and nothing can hold me back.  This turn of life was not planned or expected, their are certain circumstances that took us where we are now. I live by a personal philosophy in life and in scrapbooking and that is..."There are no mistakes, only happy accidents!"  Everything happens for a reason and when one door closes another one opens.  In this I am a true believer!

So, onto the fun stuff.  Just because I haven't blogged in over a month doesn't mean that I wasn't still creating.  I made quite a few layouts during my absence and now I'd love to share them with you!



This layout "Joy Ride" is created with Kiki-Art's Magica papers, glitter chipboard, buttons, bling, trim, and fun tape.  Letters are American Crafts Thickers.  This is one of my favorite pictures with my daughter.  She has a thing for carousels, as I'm sure most little girls do.  We've  even started a little photo collection of our carousel riding adventures!

And here below is another layout created with the bright and cheerful papers of Kiki-Art.  On this one I used paper from the Familia line, the glitter puzzle piece chipboard, glittered swoosh chipboard, lace, and over sized white buttons.  I also used a bit of DCWV paper, and again one of my favorite supplies that I just cannot live without...my thickers!


This next layout was just recently up on the Kiki-Art blog. You can read my entry here and get some ideas on how to cut out your own paper embellishments from these super fun papers!



The final layout I have to share that I've created in the last month is yet another example of my design team work with Kiki-Art.  I used Kiki-Art's April sketch for my inspiration and you'll be able to see this layout and others, as well as the sketch, on the Kiki-Art blog coming this Friday, April 9th.


I hope you enjoyed what I had to share today and I promise not to be so much of a stranger! I'll be back soon to share with you what I'm working on.  Happy scrapping!