justem: little bits of this and that

Favorite Layouts of 2012 :)

Every year I post a list of my favorite layouts from the year. I have to be very honest; this has been a phenomenal year for me in terms of publications. I am lucky to have had many layouts requested for publication, which is great! ;)  BUT, it also means that I am not able to share a lot of my very favorite layouts on this post, unless you want a whole lot of "out for pub" signs! ;)  So...this list might not be truly indicative of my ALL my favorites, but at least these are the favorites I can share!! In no particular order...

Things I notice about my scrapping this year compared to previous years?  Smaller pictures. More pictures (thank you Selphy!). White is the new Kraft. Mist can be your friend. ;)  Do you have a favorite layout post on your blog?? I'd LOVE to see it! :)  Happy New Year!!

Oobleck Adventure

Happy Sunday night! I just realized that I never posted my final Gossamer Blue layout from this month!!  This is a very quick and simple layout, but it makes me smile!!!  I have really been working at including more than one photo on a layout lately... ;)  And, I have to be honest, I wasn't entirely sure what to do with the package of American Crafts pinwheels that came with the Main Add-on, but I love how this one fits perfectly into the layout. :)  

I'll be back tomorrow with my top layouts of 2012! :)

From our family to yours...

Sneaky + A WINNER!!

Good Morning! Have some sneaks to share with you this morning!! The first is a double sneak! ;)  Yes, I combined assignments...I admit it. ;)  This is my upcoming write.click.scrapbook gallery layout, created with my upcoming totally awesome Gossamer Blue kit!! 

The next three are also make with the January kit from Gossamer Blue! I've made four layouts so far, and I feel like I haven't even scratched the surface of all the goodness that came in this kit!!  

And finally, the winner of the Start Here mini-workshop is...

 

(drumroll.....) 

 

Congrats!!!  I will contact you with the information! :)  Have a great Thursday!

Giveaway reminder!

Good Morning!!  Just a quick reminder that today is the last day to sign up for a chance to win a spot in the Start Here mini-workshop with Lisa Truesdell!  For more details and your chance to win, check out (and comment on) this post by tonight, and I'll announce a winner either tonight or tomorrow morning! Remember, if you already purchased the workshop, your money will be refunded!  Have a great Wednesday...just think, at this time next week, Christmas will be over!  Crazy! ;)

Ventage Tuesday: 5 Merry Melodies

This week's Ventage Tuesday is brought to by ME and my love of Christmas music. ;)  I requested a week of our favorite holiday tunes. I realize we recently had a music post, and I even mentioned a very important holiday song in my last Ventage post, but really...can one EVER have too many music posts?!  When it comes to Christmas music, I tend to go for the quiet, contemplative songs more than the fast and fun - not that I don't love those, too...these are just the ones I love more than all the rest!  And as always, don't watch the corny videos. Just listen! So...in no particular order, my five favorite Christmas tunes:

1. This is my favorite "feel good" Christmas song.  It's not available on any album I can find.  Which stinks. Because it's awesome...even if you're a Coldplay hater. ;)

2. This is my favorite "get up and go" Christmas song. I have no idea when I first heard it...but it was love at first phrase.  This is always the very first song I play the day after Thanksgiving...and no sooner, gosh darn it!

3. This is my "I used to play the trombone, and I'm a sucker for anything with lots of brass" favorite song. ;) It's from an episode of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - does anybody even remember that show? I don't remember much about it except this song.

4. This is my favorite "non-traditional" holiday song. I heard it the first time in concert...and I was ever so glad when it finally found its way onto an album so I could stop listening to the crappy live youtube'd versions!

5. My favorite "reminds me of childhood" Christmas song. :) Justin and I saw him in concert when I was pregnant with Mirielle. I can't even begin to describe how amazing it was. 

6. Okay, okay...I couldn't pick just five.  But this one had to make the list...it's my favorite "this is what it's all about" Christmas song. It's pure beauty.

What are YOUR favorite holiday tunes? I'd love to hear! And be sure to check out my other Ventage girls for a list of their faves: Angie, Barb, Katrina, and Stephanie. :) Happy Tuesday!!

Gossamer Blue: January LookBook

Today is the 15th...which means a sneak peek at the next Gossamer Blue kit. This month there is something new and extra special that I am SO excited about!  :)

 

Be sure to stop back on the 1st for the full reveal! I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Something Wonderful

Hello! I have another Gossamer Blue layout to share today. When I got my kit and discovered all the awesome sheets of Sn@p stickers, I knew I needed a layout with a loooong title!!  I love wordy layouts! ;)  This quote was pinspired!  The layout itself is pretty simple...maybe not as cool as I'd hoped it'd be. But, I still love it. How could I not with that little cutie on the bottom?!

Start Here + a giveaway!

I have some awesome news to share today! I am proud and honored to be a contributor to Lisa Truesdell's new mini-workshop at 2Peas. I had a chance to glance at the workshop today, and I can honestly tell you it is amazing...and an incredible deal at only $12!  I can't wait to sit down and really immerse myself into it!  Read on for all the official details... and be sure to read all the way to the end for the giveaway!

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Start Here mini workshop with Lisa Truesdell
Cost: $12

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." - Pablo Picasso 

Get a jump on inspiration with Start Here. In this workshop, Lisa Truesdell will give you the tools to turn almost any image into a jumping off point for your next layout. You'll learn to break down images into smaller elements and use them to inspire your page's color combo, design, or even new techniques. We'll talk about finding images you love and identifying what grabbed you about them, and how to put that inspiration to work! Lisa is joined by twelve talented contributors who will each be sharing a page based on one of Lisa's inspiration pieces, as well as their thoughts on finding starting points in unexpected places. 

Included in the workshop are 27 brand-new scrapbook pages (15 from Lisa and 12 from her contributors) showcasing a variety of interpretations of inspiration pieces, 3 printable PDFs and 3 brand new videos following Lisa as she makes a layout starting with an inspiration piece.

Lisa's talented contributors include Allison Waken, Ashley Calder, Becky Novacek, Doris Sander, Erica Hernandez, Emily Spahn (that's me!), Kelly Noel, Kristina Nicolai-White, Laura Kurz, Lexi Bridges, Lisa Dickinson, and Marcy Penner

Here is a sneak peak of the layout I created:

The content of this workshop will be available immediately upon purchase. The lessons are available for you to work at your own pace and upon purchase can be accessed in the "Workshops" section under "Classes & Events." A private message board forum is also available to ask questions for Lisa and to connect with other participants. Enjoy!

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Would YOU like to win a spot in Lisa's Start Here mini workshop?  Please leave a comment on this post for a chance to win. If you have already registered, you will receive a full refund or be able to pass the class along to a friend. Please leave your 2peas username in your comment so I am able to easily contact you if you are the lucky winner!  Giveaway will be open until next Wednesday, December 19th!  You can also visit Lisa's blog or any of the contributor blogs for more chances to win!

Non-traditional...

Yesterday's Ventage post talked about traditions...well, today's layout features NON-traditional holiday colors.  It was made for the Pebbles blog and includes a piece from just about every single one of their current lines!! I've never been a big holiday scrapper, so this was fun for me.  The pictures are from two years ago, ones I had printed but never used. Miri's pink pajamas and my red shirt was my starting point for a color scheme. I love how it turned out! :)  The only thing I would change (because I'm a realistic person) is next time I think I would make the photos bigger!  They are just a bit too small for the space they have to fill!  Have a great Wednesday!