Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Flying Unicorn Creative Team Announcement!!!

Can I just say that I am beyond honored to be working as a part of this amazingly creative team?! If you have never visited the Flying Unicorn, you must check it out immediately! The forum is chock full of fun challenges & so much inspiration!! And the ladies that I get to work with are so full of energy & fun. I  have been so excited to shout this news at the rooftops for weeks and now I finally can!! 
 
The day is here!! We are so ready to reveal the 2012-2013 of our Creative Team! We know that this team will inspire, excite and motivate you in a world of Creative Bliss.So without further adieu let me introduce to you Flying Unicorn's Creative Team :

DENISE JENSEN - Creative Team Director

My name is Denise Jensen and I’ve been scrapbooking for almost 13 years now. I’m a married mother of 4 (3 girls and 1 boy, well he is a man now) and grandmother of a very beautiful boy! I work at a center as the Recreation Coordinator for children with special needs. My darling husband is a police officer and between work and family, we are kept pretty busy in our little town of Marion, North Dakota. My children are all involved in sports and I like it that way, it keeps them busy!! I am a Girl Scout Leader, Sunday School teacher and Special Olympics Track and Field coach as well.
Scrapbooking is a passion of mine. I love what I do. I try to create something every day. I believe scrapbooking is an expression, not a competition. I also believe in sharing our love for this craft. Each one of us creates in our own beautiful way and there is so much to learn from one another.
I am the proud Creative Team Director for Flying Unicorn and love it! I have learned so much since I joined and have made some fabulous friends!
MAGGI HARDING - Creative Team Coordinator

My name is Maggi Harding and I live in North Carolina, USA, with my wonderful husband and two standard poodles that we refer to as the spoos. They are my children and of course, I do a lot of layouts featuring my furkids.

In 2005, I thought it would be a great idea to make each of my two best friends from college a scrapbook filled with memories of the 35 years that we have known each other. I was immediately hooked on this art form as I finally found something that combines my love of photography and writing with my artistic longings. Scrapbooking is my passion and I spend most of my free time pursuing my "scrappy" dreams. Through scrapbook art, I have awakened my "inner artist"!

I describe my style as eclectic vintage/shabby chic. I love to liven up a layout with bright and contrasting colors. I love scrapping 12 x 12 pages but I also have a real love for making paperbag albums and off the page projects. For me, scrapbooking is an artistic adventure, what can I create, how can I make this piece of paper come to life? Along with scrapping the pictures, I love to tell the stories and often reflect on how to tell the story hidden in my photographs.

SHONA KEEHN- Creative Team

My name is Shona Keehn and I am from British Columbia, Canada. I have 3 children, lots of grand babies and a wonderful husband of 26 years. He is pretty supportive with my scrapping addiction and tries not to blow a gasket when I spend too much on it…lol

I have been scrapping for many years but have just found my scrappy style in the last year or so, Shabby Chic, and it is definitely something that I change up lots. I am always trying new techniques and love to make embellishments. I love to start with palettes and sketches. I find it amazing all the variations from just one starting point.

I get so much inspiration from everyone in the scrapping world and I hope that you can get some from me.

Tammy Henderson- Creative Team



Hello, my name is Tammy Henderson (aka Simplyme). I have 2 wonderful teenagers that keep me going and a wonderful husband; we have been married for 18yrs. I live in the Bootheal area of MO. I’m just a small town girl having a blast in the scrapping world! I have been doing this wonderful craft since 2005 and have been hooked every since. I love all types of art and the different mediums. I think that is the thing that has kept me in love with this craft, because it’s not the same ole thing. Anything goes and the sky is the limit. I absolutely love getting to combine pictures of my loved ones, with my favorite thing in the world ART! I have been a Creative Team member for 7mths for Flying Unicorn. I love every minute of it! My favorite embellies to use is Flowers!! Rare will you ever see a project done without one!

Laura Ghully- Creative Team

Hi everyone I'm Laura (aka Angelbear). I am so proud to be on this
his wonderful Creative Team, with all of these amazing and talented ladies!
I live in a small town in beautiful south-western Ontario, Canada. I am a small town girl, and get lost in the big cities lol! I am a stay at home mom to 2 fantastic and energetic little boys - Cody is 11 and Ty is 10. They are 13 months apart and they keep me hoping! I am always busy with something with them!!!! I am happily married for 12 years to my best friend and the most patient & handsome man on earth, Jon. He keeps me grounded, is always there for me and NEVER asks how much I spent on scrappy stuff! He is a long haul truck driver, so it is just me and our boys all week, but when he is home, it all about us!
I started scrapping years ago when my sister took me to a Creative Memories beginner class and I although I really enjoyed it I just wasn't a Creative Memories scrapper and soon struck out on my own. I found a few very helpful and friendly sites on the web and have been trying new things and learning ever since. That's why I LOVE being on the creative team....I learn so much from these talented ladies!!!! I think my style is eclectic. sometimes I like a very clean and simple layout, sometimes my layouts are more layered and sometimes I ink, tear, layer and distress my projects! With my husband on the road, and two very active boys to keep me busy, I don't have a lot of time to myself to scrap so I make time! Almost every night after the kids go to bed, I take out my supplies and try an do something scrapbooking oriented every day to give me some 'me' time. My family is the focus of my life, my inspiration, and my motivation to scrapbook.

Kelly Foster- Creative Team

My name is Kelly Foster, I am 25 years old. I am enjoying a busy life in Minnesota, with my other half, Jeremy, and our two beautiful red-headed little girlies, Lilah (2) and Paisley (2 months). I started scrapbooking 2 years back, just wanting to preserve the thousands of photos I was taking!! I quickly became active with the online scrapbooking world, and my creativity just kind of "took off" and I have learned so much!! I am constantly experimenting with my style, but if I had to define what I'm currently doing, I'd call it "shabby/artsy/chic." I love lots of distressing, layering, and a little bit of messy. I love mixing lots of patterns together, and searching through the mess on my desk for fun bits and pieces to add to my layouts!! I've recently begun making cards, as well. I am currently designing for Once Upon A...Sketch, and 2 Crafty Chipboard.

Jackie Clark- Creative Team

My name is Jackie Clark. I live in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with my husband (who happens to be my highschool sweetheart) and our three boys. Elliot is nearly 6, Brennan is 3 and Colby just turned 1 so needless to say we are very busy! Fortunately like most young boys our sons are constantly on the go, providing ample photographic fodder for my scrapping addiction. My husband rolls his eyes when I say scrapbooking is cheaper than therapy and mutters something under his breath, but despite his doubts he is incredibly supportive of my hobby, even when it takes over the kitchen counter and dining room table. Still hands make me twitchy, and going several days without doing something creative leaves me climbing the walls, and as they say, happy wife, happy life!

I was introduced to scrapbooking at a Creative Memories party 12 years ago and I was instantly hooked. My style has grown and developed over the years and I am constantly learning and evolving as a scrapbooker. I have a pretty eclectic style — I enjoy shabby chic, and have been known to strew flowers and glitter over my boy pages, but I also like to change things up and go grungy. I love making cards; in my mind giving a handmade card is a way of telling the people in my life how special they are to me. Recently I have been delving into Mixed Media and I am IN LOVE! Whether it is the brightness of Dylusions sprays and Dyan Reaveley’s funky stamps or Finnabair’s dark paints and salvaged computer parts, I can’t wait to get down and dirty, and wear my ink-stained hands as a badge of honor.

Adrienne Ford- Creative Team

Hi There!
My Name is Adrienne Ford. I was born and raised in Pennsylvania U.S.A and currently live here with my loving husband, and two beautiful babies- Luke, my rough and tumble yet sweet as pie two year old and my beautiful baby girl Karina. I am a kindergarten teacher by trade, but have left that field to be a stay-at-home mama for the time being. I have enjoyed going down this road of staying at home with my kiddos, but I could not do it without a cup of coffee in hand!

I got into scrapbooking when my son was born in 2010, so I am fairly new at this awesome hobby. I found that I not only needed a way to house all my gorgeous photos of him, but I also needed a creative outlet that was just for me. ( My husband was also was begging me to get a hobby!)
Since then I have been evolving as a scrapper and have been creating like crazy!

I absolutely LOVE flowers, misting, and chipboard which are normally incorporated in most of my layouts. I also enjoy playing with Art Mediums, white space, and clustering elements on my page. But one thing stays the same throughout-my joy and love of scrapbooking is ever-evolving and I love trying new techniques- the more artsy-the better!

Stephanie Eaken Creative Team

Hi!
My name is Stephanie Eaken& I am a 39 year-old (& holding!) stay-at-home mom. I have two kids who keep me busy, entertained & scrapping! My daugter is 9 & my son is 5. We live in Richmond, VA with my husband of 13 years & our two dogs!
I love all things related to scrapbooking! I started scrapping about 9 years ago when my oldest was a baby & have not stopped!! I look forward to my scrappy time in my space in our basement. I am currently on the design team for Let's Capture These Sketches.

I love working with kits, sketches and online challenges!! Paper and glue have been longtime friends of mine.

Monica Edwards - Creative Team

Hi my name Monica Edwards and I have been crafting since I was a teen.

It has only been the last 2 years that I ventured out into the blog and FB world and this is what opened my eyes to so many of the different facets of craft. My claim to fame was my flowers they “no pun intended” was what made me bloom.

I have 2 kids and have been married for over 20 years. I would say I am like a chameleon I change color or style. I enjoy the fun bright yet I also love the vintage, grunge look as well.

I believe they all can be mixed together in one way shape or form and that’s what makes crafting endless.

Tracey Gregory - Product Creative Team

Hi there-My name is Tracey Gregory I am a married mother of 4 and a RN regional manager which has me on the road quite often.I have been scrapping since 2005 and have had the pleasure/"bragging rights" of being published several times in your magazine, SNR and various Website challenges.
I am mostly a 12 x 12 distressed, shabby type scrapper but am driven by colr,texture and great inspiration-those ideas that grab you and keep you misting and pasting til 2 am.

I like to try different "off the page" crafts as well.



and then there is Me ....

Alda Stevens - Owner/Founder


I started the Flying Unicorn brand with selling handmade items on Etsy and doing some graphic design work in order to give me a creative release from Pillar Management Group, a property management and development company I also own. From there we have progressed to supplies for paper crafting goods ,a Kit of the Month Club and now manufacturing our own flowers and soon to add more to the Flying Unicorn Brand. But we are more then that. Flying Unicorn has grown to provide an online social forum where everyone is welcomed, to share, learn, teach, and never losing site of the people behind each creation. We emphasis at all times integrity, honesty, and pure enjoyment of a hobby that we love.
By applying creativeness, unparalleled customer service, and business partnering, Flying Unicorn in all aspects is to stand out and be ... One of A Kind.
 
Now let the the creative fun begin!!!

Monday, July 30, 2012

One Word Title.....

is this week's challenge at Frosted Designs. I decided to play along and created this layout:



As you can see, my one-word title is "loved". I thought that word was appropriate to go along w/ this photo of Leah & my mom. They both love each other so very much & have a truly special relationship! We went to lunch, just  the 3 of us, one day at Silver Diner & afterwards went to my one niece's dance recital. It was a nice "girl day". I love how feminine this layout turned out. I think it really accentuates the picture wonderfully! The letters are from PinkPaislee & I misted  them with Mister Huey's Pretty Pink (Studio Calico). 
 
Thanks for peeking, friends! I hope it's been a good Monday for you!! (We had to leave a pool playdate early b/c of Ty's bad behavior!! Oh, the woes of summer!)
~Stephanie 

Sunday, July 29, 2012

MME July Challenge #2

The second challenge this month over at the My Mind's Eye blog was to create a project with the theme "halfway there". I chose to do a layout based upon the fact that halfway through Leah's second grade year was halfway through  her elementary school days! Hard to believe!!! (And what's worse is that she will be entering fourth grade in a matter of weeks!)
 Almost all products used for my layout are from MME Indie Chic collection. I loved this collection once I saw it & was so excited that it was featured in this month's kit from My Scrapbook Nook!
 The "hello, my name is" is an old rub-on from Daisy D's!! (See how long I tend to hoard products!!)

The gray alphas in the kit are from Jillibean Soup. The tiny clothespin is from Pebbles. 


But everything else is MME. Love, love, love their products & collections! They are always so easy to create with!
Thanks for stopping by. I am off to watch some of the Olympics!
Happy Sunday!
~Stephanie 

Friday, July 27, 2012

MME Sketch

Hi guys!
Just doing a quick post to share my latest layout. It happens to be for a sketch challenge at MME. Here is the sketch based on a layout from Keri Babbitt :
JulyGDT_Layout1Sketch_KeriB
Here is my  take:

I used papers from the Lost & Found collection. Everything here is from MME except for the small red alphas which are from Cosmo Cricket. These photos are from Valentine's Day 2010. We usually get the kids a small gift or treat. That year Leah got a Jonas Bros. DVD. I think she watched it once & then her infatuation with them ended!    


Drew took the day off & we had a family day. We went downtown, had lunch first & then took a tour of our State Capital. Then went to the observation deck at City Hall & looked out over the entire city! 
I have to go watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics now with the fam!!
Thanks for stopping by!
~Stephanie 

Thursday, July 26, 2012

OUAS July Sketch

Hi all!
I found time to play along with Once Upon A Sketch yesterday! Here is the sketch that was provided & the theme this month is "friend":

Here is my layout: 
This photo is from the summer of 2009. The kids were in the pool at my brother's river house. They loved going  there & had so much fun together!! 

I had a great time making this layout & digging through my stash of papers & products to use up some of what I have. The blue paper is from MME, the circle paper is from Basic Grey, the "jump in" & "this is the life" stickers are from Cosmo Cricket, the pennants are cut from paper from The Girls Paperie. I used older rub-ons ('sunloving" & the circles in the top left corner) from MME.
 I stamped with Glimmer mist the blue bubbles on the kraft cardstock.
Thanks for looking & have a great Thursday! It's another HOT one here today. Perfect for staying in and scrapping!!!!
~Stephanie

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Happy Birthday Mom & a Giveaway!!

Today is my mom's 69th birthday! Even though she is not on the web ever, I wanted  to say "happy birthday" to her. She has been an amazing mother & friend over the years. She always supports me in whatever I have going on; she is a huge confidante in my life & one of my kids' best friends!! We are all (my family) shaped into the people we are because of her!
She is out of town today, but we had a family dinner for her over the weekend. She had a great time, as we all do when we get together.


Here is a photo of the giveaway I am doing here. I mentioned it a few days ago on my  blog. My followers are growing (yippee!) & once I reach 25 followers, I will send a package to one lucky friend!    

There are papers & stickers from Glitz,  flower embellishments from Petaloo & other misc. flowers, stickers & embellishments. Remember to spread the word & let's reach #25!!

Thanks all & have a great evening!
~Stephanie

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Woo Hoo!

First off, I was chosen (or my layout was) as one of the Top 3 over at Lasting Memories!! I was so excited to see that when Drew, the kids & I got home from the movie this afternoon. (We took them to see Ice Age 3.)
This week's challenge is to scrap with black, white & a splash of color. I hope I can find time to play along.

Secondly, this post is my fifth day of blogging consecutively!  WOW! I don't know how I have managed that. But I do have to go get ready now to go out to dinner with some friends tonight. So it's a very short post!
I will try to post pictures tomorrow of my giveaway here!
Hope everyone had a great weekend! We had a nice one with lots of family time!
~Stephanie

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Just Be....

happy, adventurous, curious, kind (just for starters). I hope my children will heed this bit of advice from me!
I did this layout for a stamping challenge at Frosted Designs but was too late in posting it & did not meet the deadline. Oh well, atleast I got another page done!
 The doily stamp (stamped in red here) is one of my favorites! It's from Cocoa Daisy. I don't stamp too often, but when I do, this is usually one that I gravitate towards!!
The "Just Be" stamp (the pinkoval) is from Studio Calico. They have great stamps, & if I used them more often, I would be tempted to buy them all!
This was a very simple layout & came together in no time at all! Love when that is the case.

I have reached 16 followers on my blog & am so excited!! Thanks for the support everyone! I would love to do a giveaway (will try to post pics of the goodies tomorrow). Here is the deal-when I reach 25 followers I will randomly choose a follower to send a box of scrapping goodness to! So spread the word & tell your friends to join me here!!
Thanks & I'll be back soon!
~Stephanie   


Friday, July 20, 2012

LCTS Reveal #141

So today was reveal day over at Let's Capture These Sketches! Look at this fabulous sketch from Cindy Stevens:

I loved it and had so much fun creating with it! I'm sure you all will too. Be sure to play along and link up your creations at the above link. We all look forward to seeing your layouts!
Here is my take on the sketch:



I used a bunch of supplies from my stash-always a good thing, right?! The bg paper is MME Life Stories ; the alphas are from Simple Stories; the circle journal spot & the button stickers are from Sassafrass;  the foam arrows are from AC Thickers; and I used some rub-ons on the left-hand side from Pink Paislee.
I was glad to scrap these photos of Ty from 2009 having fun on his sisters' plasma car! He was quite the adventurer!!
Thanks for stopping by everyone! I hope to be back very soon with more to share!
Happy Friday night!!
~Stephanie

Thursday, July 19, 2012

An Honor!

Today my "Ray of Sunshine" was featured on the My Scrapbook Nook blog as one of the summer challenge layouts. What a fun surprise to see that this afternoon!!
Thanks MSN!
Have a great day all!!!
~Stephanie

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

A Ray of Sunshine

Hello everyone! Is it sunny where you are?
It was another scorcher here today-103* with the heat index!! We went to see a movie, painted pottery & had lunch w/ my sis & nephew. It was fun & a good way to stay out of the heat.

Here is my latest layout. I created it in the scrapclub that I am a part of. We meet once a month & each month someone teaches a different technique or project. This one was lots of fun!! I played along with the challenge here also. It's another fun challenge site, Lasting Memories layout challenges! There are so many out there but this site is strictly for LAYOUTS. I wish I could find time to play along with them all! The weekly challenge was to use gold. See my gold Stickles?!


Making this layout allowed me to use up a lot of my paper scraps. And I love that!!! I need to do it more often. I  have way too much & am guilty of never throwing anything away.
Even though the photo here is not the greatest & Leah is full of shadows, I have always loved this picture. She looks so happy & full of life here. It was taken while on a boat tour of Chincoteague Island.

That's all for tonight. I hope to be back soon with more shares!
Good night!
~Stephanie

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

The Heat Is On


Yep, it's July in Richmond! Last week our temps reached 104 with heat indexes of 115! It was so hot that we did not do much outdoors at all. The kids wanted to go to the pool, but honestly the water felt like bath water & was not refreshing in the least. We did go one night after dinner for about an hour &  then went downtown to see fireworks.    
Our Fourth of July was spent at a friend's house for a cook-out & more swimming in her pool. A fun time was had by all!

It is so refreshing this week to have the temps back in the 80's! We are planning lots of outdoor activities this week to make up for last week's hiatus-the pool again, bike rides, possibly the amusement park & a day trip somewhere exciting with Daddy! I'm hoping we don't see any more 100+ degree days this summer, but I know we'd never be so lucky!!

Here is the latest layout that I did for the Celebrate Summer challenge at My Scrapbook Nook. The challenge was to use 2 patterned papers, fabric & lots of layers.




I made this layout using the June kit from MSN which contained mostly Simple Stories papers & embellishments. The flower is made with fabric which I just rolled into the shape I wanted. The canvas butterfly is from Maya Road. I used a few misc. items from my stash. I really love playing along with these challenges & the way they get my creative juices flowing!

Good evening & hope you all are staying cool! 
~Stephanie