Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

{inter}National Scrapbooking Day 2013! Huge FREEBIE and a Sale!

Kelleigh — Wed, 01 May 2013 04:15:57 +0000

It’s {i}NSD, and I’m giving it all away!

Free Papercraft Template + 40% off everything!

First, the FREEBIE: I’m excited to be part of the May 2013 Digiscrap Parade! I’ve joined many amazing digital designers from all of the top digiscrap stores to bring you a gorgeous color-coordinated “collaboration”. You can download each piece for FREE by visiting our Facebook Pages and blog posts!

That’s right! My portion of the parade includes a FULL sized template with cutting files, four digital papers, one border strip, one journaling card, and a printable papercraft template! Head over to my Facebook Page to pick it up and keep on hopping to pick up the rest of the pieces of this amazing collaboration.

Don’t have Facebook? Grab ONLY my portion right here. (Didn’t want to leave anyone out!)

Second, the SALE! The Digichick is having a HUGE sale! Everything is 40% off!! You’ll definitely want to check out the huge sale and load up on your favorite papercrafting templates and cutting files in my little corner of the store!

Just a few of my favorites:

Have a wonderful time shopping the sales and creating with your awesome new papercraft templates and cutting files!

Happy {inter}National Scrapbooking Day!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site! Thank you!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
{inter}National Scrapbooking Day 2013! Huge FREEBIE and a Sale! is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

Crunchy Mamas Giveaway!!

Kelleigh — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 04:12:39 +0000

I’m super excited to introduce you to two wonderful Crunchy Mamas.

Katie (on the right) is a mama of two, and Ashley (with the fierce hands) is a mama of four (having just added to her family a couple of weeks ago!). Katie and Ashley are sisters-in-law, and in a round about way are related to ME!! Well, actually, Ashley and her brother are kinda-sorta-German-Mennonite related to my husband (by way of a small town in Minnesota which is the nexus of the universe). I’m married to my husband. Therefore, they are practically my cousins!!!!

That’s my story, anyway. I’m totally claiming them.

These crazy ladies live in my small town and have worked together to form an awesome business which I LOVE. They create all-natural, organic, safe skincare products which work extremely well and smell wonderful. I’m seriously passionate about their products, so when they asked me if I would like to host a giveaway, I said, “Of course!!” I can’t wait!!!

Here are just a few of their awesome products. They keep adding more, and I can hardly keep up!

(My photographer friend Alysun took this pic. She rocks.)

I’ve tried several of the lip balms. I LOVE the honey lemon and the mint. I REALLY want to try the grapefruit and sweet orange. Oh, yum. My kids and husband are ALL OVER these lip balms. Everyone loves them, and my 9 year old no longer fights me when he sees me coming at him wielding a Crunchy Mamas lip balm. Seriously. I have about 6 of the lips balms tucked in my purse, on my nightstand, in my desk and perched in random spots in my house. They are awesome. No joke.

The Vapor Rub is a winter cold must-have!! I no longer rub chemical laden Vicks on my little boys. They get all-natural cough relief these days. I love that the Vapor Rub comes in a stick, so I can easily apply it to chests, under noses and on little feet. Actually, I rubbed it onto Mitch’s huge feet once, too! It provides wonderful, soothing relief! I even use it on my temples to ease minor headaches!

My whole family loves the hand sanitizer! I have the lavender-lemon in my purse (so fresh!), and I bought the grapefruit for my son’s teacher, although I was tempted to keep it for myself. I love these scents! The light, spray-on formula is super easy to use, and I love that they don’t leave my hands feeling sticky or dried out. Most importantly, they are made with all-natural ingredients that are safe to use on our skin while killer on harmful bacteria. My boys and my husband have mentioned many times that they love Crunchy Mamas hand sanitizer. Probably because I spray them often! ;)

I love the convenience of the Scab Stick! It has replaced Neosporin in our house, and I use it on minor scrapes, cuts and burns. I posted on Facebook about my ugly blister after a long run, and Katie piped in with the comment, “Scab Stick!” I used it right away, and my blister healed up quite nicely! Again, the fact that it comes in stick form makes it SO much more manageable than sticky goo!!

I have saved my FAVORITE product for last: Smelly Face Serum. I adore Smelly Face. I am a total Smelly Face addict. My face smells on a regular basis. It all started when I learned that oil cuts oil, therefore I should use oil as my all-natural skin moisturizer like they used to do in the olden days. I actually did a lot of research on this. Go research it yourself and you may be convinced to try oil on your face, too! I tried several different oils, and they all left my skin a little bit dry and tight. Ironic, no? However, when the Crunchy Mamas released their Smelly Face Serum, I remembered an old blog post that Ashley wrote about her green tinted, carrot stinky face oil that left her looking beautiful (maybe a year before Crunchy Mamas was born), and I was anxious to try it. If it worked for Ashley, I figured it might work for me! I tried it and was hooked!

I think Smelly Face Serum smells like celery or carrots. I put it on right out of the shower (just a little squirt), and by the time I’m done brushing my teeth, the oils have penetrated my skin and the smell has gone away. After a couple of weeks of using it every morning, I looked closely at my skin and noticed that my old acne scars were gone! Crazy! My skin feels smoother and younger, and much more evenly colored. I’m completely convinced.

I do exfoliate my face in the shower at least once a week to slough off old skin cells, and use a mineral powder foundation which is SPF 15, to protect my skin from the sun. I know some of you were wondering how I protect my skin from the sun after using oil! By the way, did you know that Coconut Oil (one of the main ingredients in Smelly Face) is naturally SPF 4? Kinda cool!

Katie and Ashley have graciously allowed me to give some of this stuff away!! How awesome is that?! They picked out a few of my favorite products (ones I use on a regular basis and LOVE), including Smelly Face, the Lavender-Lemon hand sanitizer spray, the Honey-Lemon lip balm, and the all-natural Vapor Rub stick! The giveaway is open to US residents, only.

The Crunchy Mamas have a Facebook Page. They have a blog. They have an online store with flat-rate shipping! Wahoo!

It’s time to enter the giveaway!! It’s my first Rafflecopter giveaway, so bear with me if there are issues! ;) (Crossing fingers!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site! Thank you!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
Crunchy Mamas Giveaway!! is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

The Silhouette Box Template Set and Cutting Files!

Kelleigh — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 22:06:10 +0000

It’s new release day at The Digichick, and I am on a ROLL! Second week in a row, and I’ve got something for ya. Cool, huh?

The Silhouette Box Template Set and Cutting Files comes in two options! You can purchase the entire set, which includes the PDF version for those of you who simply want to print the template out onto 8.5×11 paper, the PSD version for Photoshop users, and the the PNG version for the rest of you. In addition, the entire set comes with the files that are included in the Cutting Files ONLY option: DXF for Silhouette users, SVG for cutters requiring SVG, plus the JPG (if you want to trace it yourself), and AI.

Since I use a Silhouette Cameo these days, I use my Silhouette Studio Software (non-designer edition) and simply go to File>Open and open up the DXF version. See that? No designer edition required!! You can open the DXF! Now, select the whole template and Group it so that you can resize it and it will retain it’s proportions.

I dragged and dropped some digital paper from Wishing Well Creations from her Picket Fences kit onto my template in Studio, and my template filled with that pattern! Then, I dragged and dropped some elements on there, traced them and then used the print and cut feature of the Silhouette Cameo to print and cut my template and embellishments. Assembly was easy! I folded and lightly scored just by running my finger along the crease as I was folding. I glued the side flap to the inside, then closed either end.

I love the shape of this awesome template!

Creative Team Member Michelle P. created this gorgeous, elegant box using the Silhouette Template:

The Silhouette Box Template Set and Cutting Files, and the Silhouette Box Cutting Files Only are both on sale right now for New Release Weekend. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to add a pretty template to your collection!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site! Thank you!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
The Silhouette Box Template Set and Cutting Files! is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

The Petal Box Template and Tutorial: A New Release by Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

Kelleigh — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 06:01:42 +0000

Introducing the brand new Petal Box Template Set and Cutting Files!

Isn’t it gorgeous?! It was so much fun to create this adorable and unique papercraft box template with the funny little self-closing top!

You can purchase the entire Petal Box Template Set and Cutting Files, which includes the pdf files (to simply print the lines onto your paper), the psd files (Photoshop), and png files, as well all of the cutting file extensions: svg, dxf, jpg, png and ai. OR, if you are only interested in the Cutting Files, you can grab those!

I figured that there would be a lot of questions about how to assemble the Petal Box Template, so I took pictures (with my iPhone) as I put my sample together.

As always . . .

Before I get started, let me direct you to some pretty good tutorials (if I do say so myself!) found at The Hybrid Chick:

Where to Start – offers suggestions for basic materials to get you started with hybrid.

Using Templates – guides you through the process of using my templates from downloading to adding digital paper, and preparing to print.

Borderless Printing – shows you how to find your borderless printing option on your printer . . . or at least gets you headed in the right direction.

Now, print your project! Of course, you can use digital paper or simply print the lines only pdf version on some of the patterned paper or cardstock in your stash.

I chose digital paper from the fabulous Aflutter kit by Wishing Well Creations, available at The Digichick.

Typically, I would add the digital paper to the psd version, but since I was using my Silhouette Cameo, I simply opened the dxf file in the Silhouette Studio Software (file>open>choose the dxf file) and added my digital paper to it and used the print and cut feature. Did you know that you can simply drag and drop digital paper onto your template in the software and the template will fill with that paper? To do that, click on the template on your screen “mat” in the software, then click over to the folder that the digital patterned paper is in on your desktop. Select the paper (file name, not the thumbnail) and click and drag it over to the template in the Silhouette software, continuing to hold your mouse button down until you see the pattern fill your template.

Anyway, on to the assembly!

First, fold along the scoring lines as shown in the photo.

Then, adhere the side tab to the inside of your box using your favorite adhesive.

Next, gently fold the four petals along the edge as shown. You should crease as you fold.

Sorry for the bad color on these next photos! :) Pinch the corners together and then begin to push them to the middle as shown. You will have to crease a bit as you go.

To assemble the bottom, follow these steps:

Check out my finished project:

As always, you can purchase the Petal Box Template at my shop at The Digichick for 30% off this New Release Weekend! Enjoy!!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site! Thank you!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
The Petal Box Template and Tutorial: A New Release by Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

On losing weight, running and favorite fitness apps. Plus, my 2013 goals (finally)!

Kelleigh — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:30:02 +0000

Hello my faithful blog readers! I know it has been SOME TIME since I have posted anything here on my poor, neglected blog. However, I’m feeling a bit of revitalization coming on! I have so much to share.

I figured that two months in to the new year is probably a good time to share my 2013 goals, right? Yeah, I thought so, too!

If you follow me on my Facebook Page, then you know that I have been incredibly busy with my Etsy shop.

#1 Goal for 2013: Pay off that darn HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) and be completely debt free except for the house. That’s where the Etsy shop comes in! I’ve been working with my single employee (she’s awesome) to keep my Etsy shop stocked so that I can provide you with lots of options when the need to switch to cash and stash it in pretty envelopes strikes you. I’ll be ready when you are thinking of a gift for a friend! I’m your gal!

I can’t even tell you how badly I want to be debt free!! If you feel inclined to share my shop on Pinterest, Facebook, etc., please do!

#2 Goal for 2013: Get down to a healthy weight. No, no, that’s not right. I’m already a perfectly reasonable weight for a woman who is pushing 37 and has given birth. However, I KNOW what I’m capable of. I want my hot body back. Sheesh! No more excuses for me! I just need to work HARD and make it happen! I started to clean my act up the week after Christmas, and I have lost about 13 lbs. since then! YAY ME! I have set 3 weight goals for myself: #1 goal is about 4 lbs. away. #2 goal is about 10 lbs. away, and #3 goal is about 20 lbs. away. I at least want to make the #2 goal by the end of March, and I’m working VERY hard to make that happen.

#3 Goal for 2013: Which leads me to my super fun, “I already conquered this goal” announcement! I have FINALLY finished the Couch to 10K program and I’m able to run 6 miles without stopping to walk!! WHILE talking (most of the time). No, I don’t actually LIKE to run 6 miles straight, but I am capable of it! I started back in with Couch to 5k in the fall, and when my running buddy and I hit the end, we just decided to keep on going. We used the free app called 10K Free or 10K Pink. If you search the app store, it will be the one with the pink ribbon. It’s free, and you can play your own music! Just follow the prompts. It starts exactly the same way as the Couch to 5K app (search for 5K Free). Remember when I did the Couch to 5K back a couple of years ago? Well, I’m at it again!

In fact, I’ve been using the RunKeeper app to track my mileage and keep records of my pace, my elevation, my running routes, etc. I love that app! It tells me how many calories I have burned and everything! In January, I set a goal (in the app) to run a total of 60 miles that month. I easily hit that mark with a week to spare. I decided to run 80 miles in February, and I’m almost 1/2 way there. PLUS, I’ve been running more often. I went from about 3 runs a week to 5 or more these days.

What will I do with this whole running thing? I still don’t know. I should probably run that 10K, although I’m not really big on the PRESSURE that I feel when I run a race. I need to get over that, though. I have considered training for a 1/2 marathon, although that seems like SO MUCH WORK! However, I do need a goal to strive for. For now, I’m focusing on the weight loss and staying fit so that I can keep running.

I discovered Yoga through DailyBurn.com in January! I LOVE that site! I got a free 30 Day trial to see if I would like it, and I’m totally sold! The Yoga instructor is seriously amazing, and I have improved so much since I started. In recent days, I have become addicted to 3 mile runs followed by a bit of yoga. I’m hoping that these deep stretches will help me keep by body strong so that I don’t get injured while running. (That’s an affiliate link! If you finish your 30 day free trial, we both get $10 to spend in the Daily Burn store! Sounds kind of fun! But, mostly, you will LOVE the workouts. Promise!)

MyFitnessPal – Free Calorie Counter

I’m also using My Fitness Pal (another free app) to track my food intake, exercise and goals. I’ve always been the type of person who has said, “I don’t want to go on a diet that makes me count calories or carbs!!” That’s still true. However, I do think it is a good idea to know how many calories are in an ounce of cheddar cheese (120) and how big an ounce actually is (a cheese stick). It makes me think twice about whether I want to crumble 9 tortilla chips (140) on my taco salad (80) – probably not, and add an ounce of low moisture, part skim mozzarella (80) or shredded cheddar (120) to the top. It’s helping me make better choices about the food I put in my body, that’s for sure. It took a few days of logging (and buying a food scale) to get used to it, but now it’s second nature to log my meals.

I’m not actually on a diet.

Think of it as keeping a food and exercise diary, which we all know is critical in long-term weight loss. One other thing that I love about the app is the social aspect of it. I have “friends” on the app that cheer me on, encourage me and basically hold me accountable. I love that! If you want to be my “friend” on the app, I’m kelleighr! Just tell me how you know me (and tell me your real name!).

#4 Goal for 2013: Dress better. I’m a frumpy dresser. It’s not that I don’t know HOW to dress, I simply don’t have the confidence to look more stylish. It’s almost like I’m afraid I’ll look like a poser if I try to dress nicer. I’m trying to get over that, though. However, this goal kind of hinges on the my other goals: When I hit my debt free goal, I’ll have more money to buy fashionable clothes, and when I hit my weight loss goal, I’ll look better in those fashionable clothes. SO I’m hoping to hit this goal by spring or early summer at the latest. It will mean a few new shirts, to begin with. And not t-shirts. We’ll see where it goes from there!

And, I think that’s it! Yeah, it might seem like all of my goals are pretty self-centered, but I think being healthy and feeling more confident is going to spill into other aspects of my life and touch others. In fact, I know that it already has! My family is definitely eating better, and my husband started running again, too! I have inspired several people to join my DietBets that I’ve been doing (more motivation to get the weight off!) and my running posts on Facebook have inspired others to start (or keep) running. I think that’s pretty cool!

Now it’s your turn! What are your goals for 2013, and how are you doing with them? I’d love to know!! Leave a comment!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site! Thank you!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
On losing weight, running and favorite fitness apps. Plus, my 2013 goals (finally)! is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

12 Days Blog Hop: Free Printable Gift Card Envelope

Kelleigh — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:36:57 +0000

Thanks so much for coming back for MORE awesome 12 Days of Christmas inspiration, freebies and more!

First, let’s catch up on everything that has happened so far! Be sure to click over to check out these awesome posts!

Pamela shared her awesome Jesse Tree ornament tutorial and then I complicated it up by asking her to create a freebie add-on for those of use who are using the Jesus Storybook Bible advent reading plan.
I shared my Jesse Tree ornaments (which my boys LOVE) and showed you the Jesus Storybook Bible that I will be giving away! Go enter to win!
Mari is giving away a HUGE collection of traditional scrapbooking supplies which she created for My Mind’s Eye, plus she has a FREE advent calendar template over on her blog!!
Laura shared the start of her 12 Days album and is having a HUGE giveaway of her Christmas themed digital products!
Mel has a freebie printable to help you create some adorable little gifts for friends or teachers. Stashing through the snow!! SO cute!
Jen shows off how she created an adorable ring and has a FREE Mini Pillow Box Template for you!

And today, I have a FREE Mini Gift Card Envelope Printable! Just click the image to download it to your desktop, then print it out on 8.5×11 paper on your regular printer.

I used the Fan Freebie mini kit by Laura which you can pick up for a VERY limited time on her Wishing Well Creations Facebook page!

Looking for another great Freebie gift card holder, check out the Fan Freebie over at the Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs Facebook Page!

Go grab it for a limited time!

Don’t forget to keep coming back for more 12 Days of Christmas blog hop inspiration!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site! Thank you!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
12 Days Blog Hop: Free Printable Gift Card Envelope is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

Christmas Papercrafts!! New releases!

Kelleigh — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:25:10 +0000

I’ve been working hard updating templates and adding cutting files so that I can continue to rerelease older templates! What I love about this process is that it gives me a chance to play with my templates again, almost as if it is the first time! I’m having SO much fun creating.

This week, I’m rereleasing the Terrific Tree Template Set and Cutting Files and the Perfectly Square Template Set and Cutting Files. Aren’t they adorable!?! Go grab them at the new release sale price!

My samples were created using Waiting For Santa by Wishing Well Creations and Frosted {Snow} Flakes Cutting Files by Paper Garden Projects.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site! Thank you!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
Christmas Papercrafts!! New releases! is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

12 Days Blog Hop: December Album Inspiration and a HUGE Digi Giveaway!

Kelleigh — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:52:36 +0000

Head on over to Laura’s blog at Wishing Well Creations to hear about a digi girl making a paper album and then giving away a HUGE lot of digital scrapbooking goodies! You are sure to be inspired!

Her awesome album cover (she talks through her process):

Laura’s ginormous giveaway:

You must enter on Laura’s blog post!!

And, don’t forget to enter to win a HUGE lot of traditional scrapbooking goodies by an official My Mind’s Eye designer, Mari Koegelenberg herself. Pick up a free advent calendar template while you are there (it’s totally not too late!!).

Finally, don’t forget to enter to win the Jesus Storybook Bible here on my blog, and get some advent inspiration as well!

We’re having fun bringing you the 12 Days of Crafty Christmas!! Keep checking back for more crafty inspiration!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site! Thank you!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
12 Days Blog Hop: December Album Inspiration and a HUGE Digi Giveaway! is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs