Katie's Nesting Spot

Travelers Notebook Insert: Flip Through of my Mommy Lhey B6 Clear TN

2019-03-01T13:13:00.000-05:00

Hi Friends! I have been busier sharing on Instagram than on my much neglected blog so please connect with me there too, my handle is @ktnestingspot.

I'm still into subscription boxes...

Sidenote: Did you hear that Julep just discontinued there Maven program?!? I was a saddened by that, as I do really love their makeup products. My go to eye look uses only their eyeliner and eye shadow stick, plus their top and smoothing base coats are awesome. I can still order but it's nice to have something automatically show up on your doorstep each month.

Anyhoo, my tendencies to get sidetracked evidently are still in full force. I wanted to jump on here and show off my latest video. I watch a lot of YouTube on my Kindle, like A LOT of Youtube... it's a fun and relaxing way to "hang" out with my crafty peeps. From tutorials, unboxings, and more it's really been a joy to see what so many different papercrafters and other creatives are up doing via their YouTube videos.

I have been wanting to be more involved in the community vs being a passive viewer, although I do happily pass out "Thumbs Up" Likes on their videos and subscribe to a lot of channels. One of my 2019 New Year Goals was to JUST DO IT and get to my channel and begin posting and not keep recording videos and then deleting because they're not good enough. Because the truth is, I'm not a professional and it will be a long time, if ever, that they are "good enough". But in the meantime I'm missing out by not putting out what I AM creating.

With that being said, here's the first video I created on my iPhone vs my Canon. I'm enjoying this format because it's streamlined with easier upload and editing right on my phone. I've still got a long way to go to learn how to use the tools I've got but to start somewhere :) I hope you enjoy!

100 Day Project: 100 Days of All About Me

2018-07-16T16:00:00.000-04:00

I just finished the most ambitious daily project I've participated in to date. I still can't really believe I actually completed all 100 entries on a daily basis and on time, except for a short period during which I was on vacation and without easy Internet access.

Many, many creatives participate in the 100 Day Project, this year it officially began April 3 and you can read more about the concept on The100DayProject site. I have done a few month long photo challenges like October Daily and December Daily but I've never fully committed to anything this long. I'm not counting Project Life because I have never worked on that as a daily commitment.

When I saw that rukristin was coordinating a journaling project with a daily prompt emailed out to participants each day, I decided THIS was the year to join. I need the daily push to get anything done, I think so the community feel of it was very helpful and I'm sure was a big part of my success.

I opted to make a handmade binder and travelers notebook style inserts but I highly recommend purchasing the book version. I found out about the project very last minute or that's what I would've done. It would've made things a lot easier, because to be honest, figuring out a way to cover up the text on the book pages I used nearly every day, so I'd have room to journal was the biggest challenge and one I wish I'd have skipped so I could've focused on reflecting on my replies more.

But I won't lie, having the chunky two inch thick book with all my completed responses after 100 days was ridiculously satisfying. I've shared some of my favorite entries above, but you can see all of my pages via the hashtag #ktnlovesdailychallenges on Instagram and while you're there, it would be great if you followed me @ktnestingspot because I love making new crafty friends!

Traveler's Notebook Insert Binder Project Share

2018-04-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

I have kept journals off and on throughout my life ever since I was able to write. I have ring bound notebooks from elementary school that were no doubt done as daily assignments but nonetheless instilled a love of writing early one.

Ever since I switched to using a Traveler's Notebook format a few years ago, I've amassed a collection of inserts and covers but I often like my fabric covers so much that after the inserts are completed I don't want to put them on shelf for storage. Recently I decided to upcycle a used book from my local library's sale, into a storage binder for the two family trips we took last year.

Constructing the cover was simple enough. I cut the covers down to size and covered with paper, covered with contact paper for durability. Eyelets were set into the spine for the elastic to hold the insets in place and another for the closure elastic.

I decided not to cut down the book cover height, so that the extra space would provide cover for some tabs and it also gave me room to add a clip with tourist brochures that would otherwise be too tall.

The completed binder evokes the travel theme I was looking for and now I can easily find the journals for our vacations.

Recollections Traveler's Notebook Set Up for a Christmas Mail Swap

2018-01-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Along with an Envelope Flip Book, shared here: https://youtu.be/qB222mq1u58, I sent my friend a Recollections Traveler's Notebook from Michaels all set up for the winter holiday season. I used the same Hot Buy paper pad, called North Pole Gazette by Craft Smith, that I used to create the flip book. Both projects coordinate so that she has some additional goodies to use with this TN.

Here's a short video flip through the TN, and below are some pictures of it.

I love to add extra goodies like a washi tape card and stickers.

Inside the first insert is a little pocket with some journaling cards/cut aparts. I also added a gift shaped paperclip with another onto the first page.

The second insert I covered with this sweet deer paper with coordinating card to decorate it.

Here's the third insert - that's actually a double folder. I thought this paper was perfect because her name is Noelle, get it :)

More surprises are inside the folder, planner stickers and memo paper with a cardinal design plus another insert, that sweater design is perfect for the winter season.

Here's the last insert. This black, cream, and red color scheme is different than my usual aesthetic, which leans toward bright, kawaii, and cutesy but this is more suitable to the recipient's taste and I hope she loves it.

Winter Wonderland Envelope Flip Book Project Share

2018-01-21T18:24:00.001-05:00

Last month I did a fun mail swap with my friend Noelle and I had to make her a few handmade goodies to tuck along the other treats I sent her like some Bath & Body Works products in a scent she likes, pretty nail polish, and stylish boot socks. Since it's me, that meant it was best to stick with a paper craft!

While I've been taking time away from blogging, I have been watching a lot of amazing YouTubers and one of my favorite crafty girls to follow along with is Sabrina Ann and I used her Envelope Flip Book Tutorial as a starting spot for this project. I found the tip to add a gusset so you have enough room to stuff your envelopes with goodies for your pen friend to be especially helpful. Since I found that hint improved my experience with assembly, I'd like to add one of my own. I've made projects with prepackaged envelopes before and have found that I get a much sturdier and higher quality envelope if I made them out of my own cardstock. I like using the We Are Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board to do so because it makes it so easy to make them in a wide range of sizes.

Hope you enjoy the quick flip through the Envelope Flip Book I made, the lighting is a lot better than in my last video so I think the colors are truer to real life. The paper pad is by Craft Smith and it's called Winter Wonderland, it was purchased from Michaels when it was a Hot Buy and I snagged it for just $5!

Here are some additional pictures too.

I created this pretty ribbon tie closure with a cut apart from the paper pad.

My daughter made a bunch of ribbon paper clips for her friends and I joined her by making a couple too. The card I washi taped them onto is flocked and textured, very cool!

I added little stamped tags identifying the contents of each pocket, purely for cuteness factor.

My friend's monogram is on the front of this embellishment cluster.

I used a We Are Memory Keepers Tab Punch to make coordinating tabs for the second project I created to send, I'll be posting a quick video of that tomorrow.

More goodies like premade tags and Target's Bullseye's Playground aka the $1, $3, $5 section at the front of their store.

In side this last pocket I added a little note explaining what I think a Flip Book is and my intention behind making and sending her one. I also used a simple paper banner paper clip to include an extra filler card.

Mini Album Project Share: Chipboard & Pocket Pages by Heidi Swapp

2018-01-20T21:22:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone! Long time - absolutely NO BLOGGING! Wow, I missed 2017 entirely, whoops. I have still been crafting, scrapbooking, and keeping up on Project Life. Here's a little mini album I made as a gift. I hope you enjoy this quick flip through, and I apologize for the video quality, it's a little dark for my taste but I don't really know what I'm doing so this was the best I could do after four or five tries. Hopefully, you can still see what a fun album it is regardless.

Project Life 2015: Lilacs Blooming

2016-05-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

The lilacs in our backyard are almost ready to bloom again! I look forward to it every year and it's a tradition to take the kids' photos by the bush every spring. Here's how I documented this very day, one year ago.

My daughter had a half day so we met my husband for lunch. We came home to take pictures in the backyard and then went to the park for a quick walk and some swinging.

Cards are from the Seasons Snap Set (3X4 & 4X6) by Simple Stories.

***Notes: I photographed this page before journaling or as they say, "Before the pen" so to speak. I think I will be doing this whenever possible, since it saves me from having to digitally edit out names and personal details, which my husband prefers I not share. It really cuts down on the time needed to get a blog post up. I hope this does not detract from your enjoyment of my pages.***

Disney•Pixar's Finding Dory FREE Printable Activities

2016-05-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

*PR Materials Provided

Are your kids as excited as mine for the new Disney•Pixar movie? Finding Nemo is already one of our favorite family movies, so we already know we're going love this one too. We're less than a month away from it's release and I have some really fun downloadable activities to share.

One reason we're especially looking forward to this movie is because we went to Disney World over spring break in April. We didn't tell the kids about the trip until Easter morning, so they only had a week to wait until they were checking into our All Star Resort. As you can imagine, it was a magical trip!

One of the most anticipated rides for the whole family is The Seas with Nemo & Friends. I definitely recommend using a FastPass+ for this popular attraction as the wait time can be quite long. Don't forget to stop by the really fun photo spot my kids are at in the photo above, and get a picture with your favorite underwater friends!

This trip my little guy selected a Squirt plush as one of his souvenirs because turtles are his favorite animal. He had a really amazing experience with some sea turtles at The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot after the ride. Three swam by right on the other side of the glass and the look of amazement and joy on his face was priceless. He was so in awe that he sat watching them for almost ten minutes. Anyone with an active four year old boy knows that's really something!

After such a memorable experience, we can't wait to see our favorite forgetful blue tang again as she goes on a search for answers about her past in Disney•Pixar's “Finding Dory”. Joined by her friends Nemo and Marlin, Dory will be looking for the answers to: What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale?

I can't wait to see the film! Here is the official trailer, followed by the FREE"Finding Dory" activities. I hope your kids have as much fun doing them as mine! Click on each link to download the PDF and print! (Let me know if you have any problems accessing the PDFs.)

Finding Dory - Memory Match Game

Finding Dory - Coloring Pages

Finding Dory - Connect the Dot Pages

Finding Dory - Maze

Finding Dory - Weekly Calendar

Finding Dory - Character Mobile

Don't forget to mark your calendars! “Finding Dory” swims into theaters June 17, 2016

Project Life 2015: Bloom & Grow

2016-05-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

Last week we picked out the flowers for our front planters, I was inspired by this display at a local garden center. Getting our front walk ready for the season reminded me of this Project Life Spread from last spring. My little guy got really into gardening, even if he wasn't completely on board with the all pink color scheme his older sister had selected.

I'm notorious for having a black thumb so my daughter's Godmother came over to help me set everything up. Then after an afternoon of outdoor work we all took a break at the neighborhood park. It was a fine day indeed!

Do you remember the magazine Creating Keepsakes? I remember the founding editor Lisa Bearnson writing something along the lines of scrapbooking a memory doesn't have to take longer than creating the actual memory. That really stuck with me. It's one of the reasons why I like Project Life so much. This was another quick page, even with a little bit of embellishing, and features the Garden Party collection from Pebbles.

Have you gotten started on your garden yet? Do you plant flowers, or do you have do vegetables too?

Project Life: Spring Break 2015

2016-05-21T21:15:00.000-04:00

I'm hopelessly behind in sharing my Project Life pages, an entire year in fact! Happily, I am not that far behind in actually getting the pages done and in my album. I'm actually relatively "caught up". I've decided to share a few of my favorite pages in between where I left off blogging them and where I currently am to date in 2015,

Back in April my family went to Chicago for an overnight visit. We still managed to pack quite a lot into our time. Like always, my husband gets us up and out the door so early that we arrived before the Museum of Science and Industry even opened. This is quite a feat when you consider we still travel with my son's co-sleeper, eat breakfast on the road, and since we have kids - inevitably end up making more bathroom stops than he deems acceptable.

To make this mini trip within my album, I simply placed the museum map inside of a standard office supply sleeve. Did you know these are usually also acid free and safe for memory keeping + so much more inexpensive than page protectors made by scrapbook companies? Check the label just in case.

Then I added a bit of an info brochure we picked up at our hotel, that gives a little background about the MSI. A few embellishments and now I have a easy peasy intro page to this section. I like how the first page on the trip is peaking out underneath.

My son loves big trucks, vehicles, and especially tractors. John Deere is well known in our house! He was super excited, as in almost couldn't contain his happiness, at seeing this one set up for easy access to climb up and into. There's also a combine that's pretty neat because you can see how the inner parts work. He liked the Farm Tech exhibit so much we had to visit it twice.

You can see a bit more of the combine on the above left. On the backside of the 6X8 slot I took advantage of the b side of the farm themed paper and just made a pocket to add our tickets in. It takes up more room on the spread than I'd like but I didn't have any other focal point pictures I wanted to add there.

I used a post card from the gift shop in the right side. It provides a nice overview of all the exhibits and I love to incorporate things like this to help document a trip with professional level photography, empty exhibits, and better images than I can get myself.

The next spread is about the Idea Factory, try to go early as they control the number of people allowed in and out. My kids had a blast. More of the brochure I cut apart for the map insert is on a filler card.

The right side is about the U-505 Submarine, Henry Crown Space Center, and You! The Experience. I tried to really focus on just the highlights .

Project Life: A Day Out with Thomas, 2015

2016-05-21T21:13:00.000-04:00

Hi Friends!

Oh my, has it been a LOOOOONG time since I've blogged! I would think about getting on and sharing my latest projects but then it would seem like there had been such a long break...where to pick up the conversation.

Where to begin?

I guess by going back to where we stopped? That was the end of last summer when I hurt my calf muscle, by tearing it three inches. That was quite the pickle I got myself into! It seems like a long time ago, and yet recently enough where the time between seems to have gone by in the blink of an eye.

I've been told that time flies as you get older and I have to say, I'm finding that quite true. While not blogging, I've managed to get a lot done. I'm actually current in my Project Life/Scrapbooking. That's in large part, because I got hurt and couldn't do very much of anything but sit around.

Then once I was better, any extra time was spent playing catch up with all the tasks, projects, and work around the house that had gotten neglected while doing physical therapy and recovering.

So without dragging this out too much, I decided to come back into blogging by sharing what I love most...memory keeping.

Last weekend, we took our little guy to see Thomas the Train, he's now four and I was hoping we could get away without going but no. He definitely want to go see his favorite pal from the island of Sodor again.

Page Details:

I'm so far behind in sharing my Project Life pages that this is actually the page from LAST year's visit, when my little nugget was three. His sister was sick so she she stayed with a sitter at home while he got to experience a little only child outing. Needless to say, he loved it and documented it with some Slate Core Kit (printed kit discontinued, digital version available here) and fancied up a couple pictures with Just Add Color Overlays (digital version available here) and a few stickers. It was an easy peasy page.

Hope you've all been able to make time for creativity and indulging in some me time:) If not, hopefully soon! {{Hugs}}

Life Lately, Making Lemonade out of Lemons

2015-09-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends! I'm sorry it's been so long since I updated. This break was a unexpected, but for now, my online life is on the back burner but I think everyone will understand why.

In early August, I tore my left calf muscle lengthwise. It's about eight centimeters long so almost a complete tear. Can't say I was doing anything especially cool or fun, in fact, I just was running down the stairs! I should probably make up a more exciting story.

This photo was taken at the beginning of the month after I got my boot and was finally able to be out and about for more than just quick trips in and out of the doctors office. Even with the increased mobility, resorting to the electric scooter was still the best option as my legs get tired easily. I'm doing better and better though. In fact, I'm already out of the boot and walking almost normally. Things are still very, very stiff but I'm working at getting things moving easier at physical therapy.

My doctor told me to expect it to be a total of at least three months for the recovery process. Looking on the bright side, I didn't need surgery and my husband works close by. He comes home at lunch and helps me get the kids fed and my little guy down for quiet time. This was an especially big help during the end of the summer, when both kids were still home. He's a big help and I'm so lucky to have his support. My nine year old daughter has also been a big help, I'm more mobile now but at first I couldn't do much at all so I really needed her to go grab things and help her little brother.

One of my best friends has been coming by periodically to help tackle things like the floors and dusting. Those are two of my biggest pet peeves, I can't stand crumbs everywhere! I'm really bummed that the last month of summer, we couldn't do more fun stuff with the kids but their friends have been really good about coming over to visit and keep them company.

Everything will be better in time, key word being time. I just have to wait and be patient while things heal up.

Birchbox August 2015: Soak It Up!

2015-08-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

*Referral Link Included

Hi Friends! Even thought it's late, I wanted to hop on and share what I got in my August Birchbox, because I like it so much, starting with the cute box! It's a swimming pool, fun for the end of summer, isn't it?

Most importantly, this month the box was an overall hit with just one miss, I think it might be the one I self selected - spoiler alert, it was the Coola product.

RUSK® Volumizing Mousse - Full Size 8 oz., $18: I haven't used mousse in awhile, but this one worked surprisingly well. I have naturally way hair and on humid summer days it just isn't worth the hassle of trying to straighten it out. I liked how this gave me hold without crunchiness and leaving my hair with a wet look once dry.

Air Repair Complexion Boosting Moisturizer - Full Size, $20: I used this moisturizer at night, as it doesn't contain SPF. Instead, it has antioxidants and humectants to hydrate and revitalize skin, and Birchbox mentions that it's helpful with minimizing how travel can affect your complexion. I happened to go away for a quick overnight trip to Chicago so beyond using at night, I also tried it for intense treatment, sort of like a mask. I liked both uses, as it has a light formula and clean scent. I think it's perfect for summer, but I probably need something heavier for winter.

Beauty Protector Protect & Oil, Full Size: &25.95: This brand is a favorite of mine, love their shampoo & conditioner. I was really looking forward to their foray into the hair oil field and it did not disappoint! It has the same light and slightly sweet scent as their other products and works great as to protect before heat styling or as a finishing product. Only a few drops are needed per use so this sample will last me at least a full month.

LAQA & Co. Charm School Kit - Full Size Set of 3 with Clutch $20: All subscribers got one of the three shades in this set of lip and cheek crayons. At first glance it's a nicely sized sample, but upon rolling it up, it's really only half a inch or so of product. That was a bit of a bummer, but the larger sized container does make it easier to apply than if they'd sent a bitty one.

I received the shade Humble Brag and I love the color. It is a really lovely and flattering neutral, kind of a your lips but better shade on me. It's great for and everyday color, so I'm bummed that the sample wasn't bigger. I would consider purchasing this shade in a full size, but Birchbox only carries it in sets and I know I wouldn't use the other ones. I'd also have to carefully research how big the full size actually is, because no way would I pay full price for a half inch lip crayon!

COOLA® SPF 30 Organic Makeup Setting Spray, Full Size $36: This was my self selected product, chosen because I really like the other COOLA products I've tried. Unfortunately, I didn't like the texture of this finishing spray. It felt kind of sticky, not pleasant on the skin when it's already hot and humid! I'm still really glad I got this, as I was super curious about it! Nice I could try it and get several uses without having to purchase.

If you'd like to join me as a Birchbox subscriber, please consider using my referral link. Thanks!

Toy Story That Time Forgot on Blu-ray, Digital HD and DMA November 3rd‏

2015-08-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

Mark your calendars! TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT will be out this fall on November 3rd. I know this is a bit early but we just love Woody, Buzz, and the whole gang around here so we're extra excited. My four year old son really loves Buzz!

In this new Disney•Pixar's animated adventure Join Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen) and the gang for an unforgettable tale packed with family fun and a must-have for every Pixar fan’s collection! During one of Bonnie's post-Christmas play dates, the “Toy Story” crew find themselves in uncharted territory when the coolest set of action figures ever turn out to be dangerously delusional. It's all up to Trixie, the triceratops, if the gang hopes to ever return to Bonnie's room.

Available for the First Time on Blu-ray™, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on November 3rd. Will you be picking this one up to add to your collection, we will!

Back for the Summer: Nestlé® Crunch® Girl Scout Candy Bars! Featuring Our Thin Mints® Taste Test

2015-08-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

*Samples Provided

I have something really delicious to share with you today! These limited edition Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars in Thin Mints® arrived for us to try last week and we can confirm they are absolutely scrumptious! Not only us, but also my troop of Brownie Girl Scouts, agree they get two big thumbs up and are a not to be missed treat of the summer.

Our stock of Girl Scout cookies has been long eaten up, including the packages of Thin Mints we had horded in the freezer. Happily, we don't have to wait until cookie time to enjoy my personal favorite out of all the Girl Scout Cookie flavors. Shown above and below are the single bars, each with a suggested $0.99 MSRP.

Back for the summer only, these limited edition candy bars are the perfect pairing of chocolate and mint. Inside each candy bar package are two fun sized bars.

They may be little but a ton of flavor is packed inside. I "gasp" might like these even better than the original cookie because each bar is like eating an extra thick cookie for even more intense minty chocolate goodness. Seriously - yum!

If you have a crowd to share with, or if you want to have extra on hand for yourself, try these fun-sized bars in a new take home bag ($3.49 MSRP).

My Brownie Girl Scouts snacked on these when we went as a troop to paint pottery together. The girls loved them; we ate the entire bag!

Hey look, my mani even coordinated with this review! Bottom line, we love the combination of the Thin Mints flavors with the Nestlé® Crunch® airy crispies that give each bar a satisfying bit of crunch. Delicious and refreshing at the same time, the combination of chocolate and mint is perfection.

Inspired by the three most popular flavors of Girl Scout cookies, there are three limited-edition varieties available this summer:

Thin Mints®– Dark chocolate cookie wafers and mint chocolate crème, topped with airy crispies and a rich, dark chocolatey coating
Caramel & Coconut – Cookie wafers layered with coconut caramel crème and chewy caramel, topped with toasted coconut and drizzled with caramel stripes
Peanut Butter Crème – Cookie wafers layered with smooth peanut butter crème, topped with airy crispies and a creamy, chocolatey coating

But hurry, these yummy treats are only available through September, and when they're gone...they're gone! Find them nationwide, wherever candy bars are sold!

Disclosure: these complimentary PR samples were provided for review, but I only accept review items I believe are a good fit for both my family and readership. This is an unbiased review and shares our personal experience with this product. Yours may differ.

***I have been a Girl Scout troop leader for four years and support the Girl Scouts of the USA's belief in the power of every girl and mission of building girls of confidence, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

While these limited edition products are produced under license from the Girl Scouts of the USA this in no way affects my opinion of the products.

Last Nail Files: Zoya & Sinful Colors

2015-08-10T12:30:00.000-04:00

Hello Polish Enthusiasts! This week's mani is a homage to my son, who specifically requested Mommy wear more green polish. That's his favorite color because the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are his very favorite thing, especially Leonardo!

Green is not really my thing, so it's only by luck that I had a bottle of Zoya's Tilda. I spied it at one of Ulta's clearance sales for $1.97 which was too good of a deal to pass up. My daughter picked out Sinful Color's Call You Later a couple weeks ago and the two paired really nice together. They'll be perfect for St. Patrick's Day too.

I'm sad to share that it's the last weekly link up over at Jennie's {insert sad face here}. I only recently got it together enough to have something to share on a sort of regular basis but have enjoyed seeing the other ladies work each week. Plus it's nice to connect with others that can understand how the perfect new shade of polish can make the heart beat faster ♥.

OPI's Tiffany Case, Liquid Sand

2015-07-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

Let's just ignore the state of my cuticles and enjoy the shimmer and shine brought to you by this polish from OPI's Bond Girl Collection from way back in 2013! I was very late to the texture bandwagon, and now I feel a little sad I didn't appreciate them more when they were more readily available. I do have a couple Pixie Dust by Zoya, but I passed on most of the polishes from this collection numerous times, despite how beautiful they look in the bottle, because I didn't think I would like the liquid sand formula & feel.

Happily, I have discovered texture polishes can be a fun switch up from creams and give even more sparkle that glitters. When my hair saloon discontinued Tiffany Case, I had to snap it up. Didn't hurt that it was less than four bucks as well. I'm really enjoying it, I thought I'd give it a quick wear for a beachy feel but I think it will be even better as a wintry Frozen mani. It's reminds of Elsa's blue dress so much, I almost break out into "Let It Go," whenever I look down at it.

Linking up the The Nail Files ♥

A Disney Pocket Letter for Raya

2015-07-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Exchanging my first Pocket Letter was so much fun that I had to give another go. Here is round two, this time with a Disney theme! My swap partner Raya also works at the same scrapbook store at Kelli so it was also hand delivered. I had so much fun going with all things Mickey, who is her favorite character.

{The Top Row}

A closer look at the dimensional Mickey sticker from my stash. I used up scraps to make the scalloped circle and circle beneath him. The dreams card is from a Simple Stories set and the Mickey head was made out of enamel dots.

On the middle row I included a card covered in washi tape. I only have on Disney roll so I just searched my stash for coordinating rolls to add to it. In the middle I hand cut some larger banners and layered a punched banner on top. The little stickers are from a set I got at Disney World way back when. The third slot has my swap partner's name. I thought the black strip at the top of the red mimicked Mickey's shorts nicely.

On the bottom left I made a filler card with a Simple Stories sticker that I thought tied in nicely with the "dreams" card in the top row. More little stickers from the sticker pack bought at the Magic Kingdom were added to finished it off.

This is my favorite part of the entire Pocket Letter. I broke out my Fuse tool for the first time and sealed the shaker pocket shut. Inside is a mix of sequins, seed beads, and handmade filler made out of punches. I punched the stars and it's a little hard to tell, but the black buildings are actually of the Castle. I got that years ago in Disneyland back before we even had kids and we were living in CA.

I'll share the awesome Pocket Letter Raya made me soon!

Nail Files with Zoya's Daisy

2015-07-18T16:00:00.000-04:00

{Zoya's Daisy, Spring 2015}

Yellows are not my thing. Mainly because my complexion means it's not very flattering on me. So naturally, I'm always on the hunt for one that looks good. The hunt is over, this is by far my most favorite yellow ever!

Linking up with Jen and the other polish enthusiasts! My mani doesn't in anyway compare with the awesome sea creature she made - so go over and be amazed!

Birchbox July 2015: Beachy & Bright

2015-07-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

*Referral Link Included

I've already got my July Birchbox! I came on the 6th, so really early. I selected the curated box this month, so since those all have identical contents, perhaps that helps them get sent out quickly. Doesn't the box really fit the theme "Beachy & Bright"? I love hot pink and aqua ♥

Since I already knew what the contents were, I knew I'd be happy this month! Here's a first look inside the box.

theBalm cosmetics Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush (full size, $21): theBalm always has really cute packaging, even for their samples! It's been a little hit and miss with this company but I always enjoy samples from them, because the presentation is just too fun! This color is on the darker side of bronzers that work for me and it's a little shimmery. The color is just so so pretty, that while I'm a little pale to use it how it's intended, it's been a very flattering eye shadow shade.

stila stay all day liquid lipstick (set of 3, $20): Every subscriber got to try one of these, the only difference is which color. I really wanted Bella, and probably would've been disappointed if I'd gotten another color. Knowing that this was the shade coming in the curated box, made it all the easier to hit select. Bonus is, it's really pretty, both the packaging and color. I love berry shades all year round and this brighter shade is a perfect seasonal swap out for the darker wine shades I gravitate toward.

JUARA Radiance Enzyme Scrub, (full size, $38): I've used this twice so far and thought it worked really well. Sometimes after using certain pore minimizers it feels like I have to work extra hard to get it all off. The scrub felt gentle but effective.

Supergoop! Anti-Aging City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30, (full size, $42): I've received this before and used it up while in Texas for the week. It kept me from getting sunburned and unlike regular sunscreens it didn't feel heavy or smell funny. It was a great substitute for daily moisturizer. While it' might not be super exciting, it's very useful and works well.

Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray, (full-size, $38): I love beach sprays and this is the time of the year they start to show up in subscription boxes, yay! I just finished another sample from last year and am glad to have a new one to try. It's been getting more humid and not worth the bother of straightening my hair, and this has been helping pump up my curls and volume. Works nicely!

Sometimes getting a curated box leads to feeling less excited, since the element of surprise has been taken away. However, this is a terrific box for me. It's got a great range from skin care to color and even the perfect seasonal hair product. Since I will review each of the five products and earn back a five dollars to spend in the Birchbox store, it means I got a great box for only $5!

As always, if you'd like to join me as a Birchbox subscriber, please consider using my referral link! I'd really appreciate it!

My Pocket Letter™ for Kelli

2015-07-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I shared the bright and colorful Pocket Letter™ my swap partner Kelli made for me. Today, I have mine to share! This is how I packaged mine all up, using a punched doily, some silk flowers, vintage millinery leaves, and satin ribbon. I could add these extra flourishes because I didn't have to actually send it through the mail.

Before I get too into the sharing, if you're wondering what the heck Pocket Letter Pals™ are, I gave an short explanation of Pocket Letters in my last post. I won't repeat myself here because the best resource for learning more about this phenomenon and getting lots of ideas, tips, and inspiration is from the creator of this concept Janette Lane. Her links are below.

Website

Blog

Facebook Group, it's private & you need to request to join

YouTube Channel

This is what I created. It was a bit of a challenge for me because Kelli favors more of a shabby chic look than comes naturally to me. I set out to incorporate a vintage floral look with her favorite colors, pink and gold. I think I succeeded pretty well and really enjoyed stepping out of my comfort zone. It was great using up some of the pretties I've saved for years, like really gorgeous embossed K&Company paper as the background.

Here is a close of the top row. The gold banner and pink butterflies are both punched out of a Die Cuts with a View Glitzy Pastels 6X6 paper pad. Can't recommend that enough! It's thin enough to easily punch and the glitter doesn't brush off the backing or fall off. I purchased it when paper stacks were 40% off at Joann's so it was a very good purchase since I can make tons of custom die cuts and alphabets with it.

The rose sticker is from my stash and I used it along with a smaller layered rose sticker at the bottom so they would coordinate and help make the Pocket Letter cohesive even though I am using pieces and leftovers from many different scrapbook lines. The word definition is from a larger sticker, I cut out and notched the one I wanted to use, then used little Tim Holtz alphas to spell out "wish". I felt this bit of black balanced out the darker key lock sticker placed at the bottom of the letter.

Now for a look at the how I incorporated Kelli's initials into the letter & personalized it just for her. See that gold washi tape? That wasn't originally supposed to be there. When arranging the square letter Thickers I made a placement error and then ripped the label sticker when I tried to move them. Nothing like layering to save the day!

The middle row came together the quickest. I wrapped up some coordinating twine and decided to part with one of my horded Kate Spade gold bow paper clips, so I could add something really special. On the far right are more vintage millinery leaves I got a few years ago at an antiques fair.

One of my favorite parts of this Pocket Letter is my very first shaker pocket, filled with sequins and mini beads. I thought Kelli might want to remove the sequins to use for projects so I closed the pocket with washi tape for now, but she has a Fuse Tool so if she can use that, if she'd prefer seal it permanently. To finish it off, I staped a little Heidi Swapp transparency with "enjoy" in gold on top of the pocket.

For the bottom row I layered several bits and pieces to create a collage along the three pockets. Elements are adhered to the paper inside the pockets and also right on top of the outside. I repeated the banner, butterflies, rose sticker, and a darker element from the top of the Pocket Letter here as well.

One of the few things a Pocket "Letter" wouldn't really be a Pocket Letter without is an actual letter from the sender to the recipient. I had the perfect mini envelope to house mine in and finally figured out the perfect way to use the gold hand piece I won in a giveaway. It added the perfect touch of extra special, I think.

Like Kelli did for me, I also included some fun goodies for her. I raided my supplies for pink and gold and found some great stuff. By coincidence, we also gave each other the very same Vanilla Caramel tea!

Many Pocket Letter Pals send each other things they've made, like the ribbon paper clip Kelli made for me. I sent her one as well, some punched & stamped tabs, more butterflies, and a few one inch circles I stamped and then punched out. It wasn't much but since this was my first time crafting a Pocket Letter it took me awhile to design and assemble it to the point where I thought it was just perfect. I was stamping and punching these things right up until the time we had to leave to go deliver it!

Have you gotten into the world of Pocket Letter Pals? I'd love to see what you've made! Maybe we can even swap and be pals too ♥

A Pocket Letter™ from Kelli

2015-07-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

Have you heard about Pocket Letter Pals™? They are really popular with paper enthusiasts! A twist on a traditional pen pal, it's a super fun way to use up all the bits and baubles crafters have left over after creating a scrapbook page or other project. It's also fun to shop for goodies specifically for a Pocket Letter so even if you don't have a large stash to pull from, don't let that stop you from joining in!

Basically, you create a "letter" within a trading card protector. You can fill each pocket with decorative paper, embellishments, and extra goodies. Here is a handy guide with ideas for each one, but there really aren't any hard and fast "rules". You can decorate the front, either within or on top of the pockets, and add goodies as part of the front or on the back. Or you can skip sending little extras entirely and focus on the design. A lot of the pockets have a theme of some sort, that's usually agreed upon by the swappers. You can learn more about this phenomenon and get lots of ideas, tips, and inspiration from the creator of this concept Janette Lane. Her links are below.

Website

Blog

Facebook Group, it's private & you need to request to join

YouTube Channel

I first heard of Pocket Letters on YouTube and quickly went to check out the Facebook group. I'll admit to just admiring and gathering ideas for quite awhile. I was a bit hesitant to start swapping because I already have a lot of scrappy projects I'm working on. Then a couple weeks ago I was at my local scrapbook store and overheard some employees talking to another customer about them.

I joined in on the conversation and before I knew it, I had agreed to swap my very first Pocket Letter! This is a nice way to ease into the process because I already sort of know my swap partner from seeing her at the store. Plus I wouldn't have to worry about extra shipping charges, should my Pocket Letter end up being bulky and heavy, because we could simply swap at the store. Perfect!

After discussing our likes and preferences, Kelli made this really fun and colorful Pocket Letter for me! I just love it! It's so bright and cheerful!

I just love all the fun details Kelli put into it. This paper bow is so cool! She also made me an embellished paper clip with aqua ribbon on a gold paper clip, eek - can't stand the cuteness! You can spy it at the very bottom of the image above. I'm torn between using it as a bookmark for my planner or keeping it just where it is.

She also MADE this awesome quilled camera!!! It's my very favorite part! I tried to photograph is from the side so you can see how dimensional it is. It's just perfect attached to the Polaroid style frame that highlights the colorful sequin shaker pocket. Love how the echo the shape of the polka dots on the paper. There's also a really cool banner clipped with mini clothespins!

It's not a requirement, but many Pocket Letter Pals also send little goodies with their letters. Kelli and I discussed the tea that Janette Lane suggests, it really does fit perfectly into the sleeves! Kelli mentioned she had some yummy tea to include and that got me thinking...I had some that would be perfect too! After all who doesn't like vanilla and caramel? This is too funny but we ended up swapping the exact same flavor and brand of tea!

Besides the actual letter from Kelli, she included a fun little Currently list so I could get to know a little bit more about her. She also gifted me little stickers and a die cut plus some more ribbon paperclips. I thought these were really fun! That yellow one with the stars {heart}.

She also sent me some washi tape, that I don't actually have! I am super tempted to use it up, those polka dots!!! I wanted to send her some but had thrown away all my extra clear sticker sheets, you know the backing stickers come on? I sent her some twine instead but never thought to use a playing card! That's a perfect fit and I like how it adds and extra layer and interest to the pockets. I'm totally going to use that idea!

I'm so thrilled with the very first Pocket Letter I've received! So much so that I've already agreed to swap a Disney themed one with another employee at the store. Very excited for that because I just love Disney! I will share the one I gave Kelli soon. I hope she loves it as much as I love the one she made me!

Nail Files: Neons & Electric Nights

2015-07-07T13:30:00.000-04:00

{OPI's Hotter Than You Pink with Let the Beat Drop by China Glaze on Top}

It feels like a long time since I've had a mani that I was excited enough about to share! I kind of got out of the routine of wearing polish while on our trip to Texas last month. I just didn't feel like dealing with taking all my supplies with me on an eleven day road trip.

But now that I'm getting back into the swing of things, can't let all my summer brights go to waste, right? I'm wearing a OPI/China Glaze combo right now. This hot pink topped with multi-sized neon orange, pink and fuchsia hexagonal glitters is so cute for summer!

I'm sharing this on Jen's Nail Files link up, so hop on over and check out of the other participants. Jennie's got a super sweet ice cream cone & ice cream bar design!!! It's so cool!

Birchbox June 2015: Adventure

2015-06-25T14:30:00.000-04:00

*Referral Link Included

I'm really pleased with June's Birchbox! It has some great products and a nice mix of skin care, color, and fragrance. Let me start by saying, I'm sorry for the picture quality in this post. It really overcast and I had a hard time avoiding shadows and good images of each sample.

Here's a look at what I got. This month's theme was Adventure and my box has "Say Yes" in printed in silver foil on the top lid. I could't agree more. I definitely do say yes to all of my June samples!

Coola, SPF 50 Sport - Mango (full size, $32): Price aside, this is one of the very best sunscreens I've ever tired, EVER. A big reason why is the scent, because I can't stand the way sunscreen normally smells. On top of the fun, fruity scent it is also very moisturizing. You could totally skip applying lotion when using this. It has the perfect texture and a very sheer formula so you barely notice it's on. It's a bit of a splurge for me, but I am planning to pick some up for sure!

Marcelle, Waterproof Eyeliner - Electric Blue (full size, $11): The first time I got a blue eyeliner in a subscription box I was thrilled. Oh how different and exciting. Well now that I have several I was less enthusiastic to see this. Turns out, I really, really like it! This shade is slightly different from all of the others I have and it's beautiful. Plus it has great staying power. It's available in a cute travel set that I think is a very good value for such high quality eyeliners.

Real Chemistry, Luminous 3-Minute Peel (full size $48): This is the only sample I've yet to try. I'm currently using up a Vitamin C treatment so I don't want to add something new into the mix just yet. I also need to give my skin time to recover from our road trip to TX. All the time in the car, longer periods spent in the sun, the different climate...for me it all adds up to skin that needs a little extra tender loving care.

Once things are a back to normal, this is first on my list to try! It's an acid free peel that gently exfoliates. You massage it onto a slightly moistened face and as you rub it, the gel should combine with your dead skin cells and take it away, leaving softer, smoother, brighter skin. Sounds cool, right?

TOCCA, Eau de Parfum, Bianca (full size $68): Normally, I would not be super excited to get a fragrance sample for the second month in a row. However, I really like both of the TOCCA Crema da Mano Luxe - Hand Cream samples I've received in previous Birchboxes. The scents have been lovely and I really like the Bianca scent as well.

Described as, "A light sparkling citrus blend of lemon Orpur and Mandarin. Fresh Green Tea and Rose Petals bloom, leaving a dash of Musk and Sugar to linger on the skin." I think the combination of citrus and tea is what appeals to me. For a fragrance sample is pretty generous, but I do wish it had a spray top. I'm actually really happy that I got to try it!

W3LL PEOPLE, The Expressionist Mascara (full size $23.50): I currently have so much mascara but the chic white packaging was just beckoning me to try it! My natural lashes are so sparse and stubby that I need a little help and this gave me the perfect amount of oomph for lovely natural looking eyelashes. Definitely a yours but better kind of look. The real draw for me is that it's all natural, since it's not too pleasant to think about putting yucky chemical or dyes right next to your eyes.

Bonus! Emi Jay, Hair Tie (Pack of 5: $13): This style of hair tie are all the rage and like most of others, is made out of a soft and flexible material that doesn't leave dents in your hair. Basically, you can wear your hair up in a pony tail and then take it down without the tell tale crease left. We have a number of this style hair tie and I would not say this one is unique, but it is nice how 20% of the profits are donated to charity.

This was a bonus item and as such, I think it's a really nice one to include! I'd much rather get something like this than a piece of chocolate or another foil pack sample. While ours is a kind of boring brown color, it's just perfect for my daughter. It blends in nicely and almost gives her that no tie pony tail look, without having to leave out a few strands to wrap around the pony as a last step.

I've already gotten my sample pick email from Birchbox for July and opted to get the Beachy & Bright Featured Box. It will include the following: JUARA Radiance Enzyme Scrub, stila stay all day liquid lipstick in Bella, theBalm® cosmetics Balm Desert® Bronzer/Blush, Supergoop! Anti-Aging City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30, and Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray.

If you'd like to join me and receive Birchbox each month, please consider using my referral link, I'd really appreciate it!

To Texas and Back

2015-06-22T22:00:00.000-04:00

Hi Friends!

It's been awhile since I've posted, because we've been on a road trip to Texas! It took us two overnight stays in hotels each way, but we managed to make the roughly 1400 mile trip without too much complaining or whining...at least from the kids, LOL! The mini van's DVD really helped keep them occupied, I have no idea how my parents managed to drive me and my brother out west to Yellowstone before the days of iPods, Nitendo DS, etc.

One way we break up the driving is by planning fun stops along the way. One of the things on my daughter's bucket list is to see a real live giant panda in person. It's her favorite animal. She's been talking about it for awhile, and I've been trying to explain to her that it would be hard to do since they aren't in very many zoos. The only time I've seen one before was at the San Diego Zoo.

As I was doing research on what on what to do, I learned that the Memphis Zoo is one of only four US zoos to have one! Memphis just happened to be on our route,so stopping was a definite must do!

We had an unexpected pit stop when we started spying the In-N-Out Burger signs around Dallas. That's one of our favorite places, and I hadn't been to one since we moved out of the San Francisco Bay area...over ten years ago! I think we were both excited to introduce this place to the kids. My little guy won't eat burgers but he devoured a strawberry shake and the fries! Our daughter loved the burger - no cheese or onions and was eager to stop for another round on the way back home.

We were lucky enough to stay with friends in Austin, but made some day trips to nearby things. I felt like we were so close to the The Alamo that we just had to go see it. I'm glad we did, I just think it's one of those historical places it's nice to say you've been too. It was surprisingly small, so plan to do more things while in San Antonio as it will only take a couple hours at most. There are a surprisingly high number of touristy things around it, like wax museums, mirror mazes, etc.that I wasn't expecting.

We also went to the San Antonio River Walk, which is just lovely! It's full of cute little stores and lots of great looking restaurants. It really is much cooler down there too. We thought it looked like a really neat place to come for date night.

However, we had seven kids in our groups so we didn't do much shopping, but we did take all the kids to The Rainforest Cafe. Our friend's children had never been to one before and it was a big hit, air conditioned, with a build in show and lots of things to look at. Plus no one cares if the kids get a little boisterous.

My husband is a physical chemist so he really enjoys science museums and the Hill County Science Mill is a real gem. We were there on a quiet weekday and it wasn't very crowded. The kids could all really enjoy all the hands exhibits and use them to their hearts content. There were lots of interactive displays too. The Lady Bird Lane Cafe is attached and this small farm to table restaurant delivers some surprisingly sophisticated eats, not your normal kids museum fare at all.

Speaking of food, my husband really wanted to try BBQ while in TX. Our hosts were kind enough to watch the kids so we could escape for dinner at The Salt Lick. I'm so glad we went, it was really cool to try Texas BBQ as I'm more used to pulled pork and Georgia style BBQ. The sausage was soooo good and I really loved the sides, which are more vinegar based that cream.

I also went for a yummy Mexican lunch with my friend on our last afternoon there. Brad stayed with all seven of the kids back at their house while we got away for four hours!

Another cool day trip we took that was a hit with all the kids was going to the Austin Zoo. This one is a little different from your typical zoo because it's has a lot of rescue animals, including a surprising number of exotic ones. We saw tigers, lions, and bears. All of which, made we wonder about just who would ever think these would make good pets! This deer was a lot tamer, but it represents a big moment for my daughter as she normally is too timid to feed animals from the hand. Her normal thing is to throw the feed in their general direction. This time she was brave enough to feed this sweet one and I loved seeing the interaction.

All too soon our week in Austin flew by and we were back on the road home. But not without a stop in Dallas for...The American Girl Store! My daughter really wants a Samantha doll for her birthday so we agreed to get her one if she'd forgo a big friend birthday party. She's still going to have a couple friends sleepover, so she's not too deprived.

Our big stop on the way home was to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home in Missouri. There's a bit of a running joke about this place. We've driven near it a few times, since my husband used to have Grandparents in MO, and I asked to stop. He kind of zoomed by the exit playfully. A few miles down the road I was like, "I was serious!" He thought I was joking, since he didn't really even know who Laura Ingalls Wilder was! I know, can you imagine not knowing about the author of the Little House books?!

This time he very nicely planned a detour so we could head over and tour the houses. We had good timing to as we arrived shortly before a tour. My daughter enjoyed as much as I did because she enjoys historical places. The three year old, liked it about as much as any three year old would.

We've been back for a little over a week and have been enjoying days of laying around with nothing to do. We like to start off the summer with a week of doing very little, so heading off to TX the very day school ended was a big departure from the norm for us.

That's our summer so far, is yours off to a good start?

Katie's Nesting Spot

Travelers Notebook Insert: Flip Through of my Mommy Lhey B6 Clear TN

100 Day Project: 100 Days of All About Me

Traveler's Notebook Insert Binder Project Share

Recollections Traveler's Notebook Set Up for a Christmas Mail Swap

Winter Wonderland Envelope Flip Book Project Share

Mini Album Project Share: Chipboard & Pocket Pages by Heidi Swapp

Project Life 2015: Lilacs Blooming

Disney•Pixar's Finding Dory FREE Printable Activities

Project Life 2015: Bloom & Grow

Project Life: Spring Break 2015

Project Life: A Day Out with Thomas, 2015

Life Lately, Making Lemonade out of Lemons

Birchbox August 2015: Soak It Up!

Toy Story That Time Forgot on Blu-ray, Digital HD and DMA November 3rd‏

Back for the Summer: Nestlé® Crunch® Girl Scout Candy Bars! Featuring Our Thin Mints® Taste Test

Last Nail Files: Zoya & Sinful Colors

OPI's Tiffany Case, Liquid Sand

A Disney Pocket Letter for Raya

Nail Files with Zoya's Daisy

Birchbox July 2015: Beachy & Bright

My Pocket Letter™ for Kelli

A Pocket Letter™ from Kelli

Nail Files: Neons & Electric Nights

Birchbox June 2015: Adventure

To Texas and Back

Toy Story That Time Forgot on Blu-ray, Digital HD and DMA November 3rd‏