Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year!

If it didn't bring you joy,
     just leave it behind.

Let's ring in the new year,
     with good things in mind.

Let every bad memory go,
     that brought heartache and pain.

And let's turn a new leaf,
     with the smell of new rain.

Let's forget past mistakes,
     making amends for this year.

Sending you these greetings,
     to bring you hope and cheer.

Happy New Year!

~Kathryn :D

P.S. Have fun tonight & have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013!

Saturday, December 22, 2012

NEW VIDEO: Almost Life-Sized!

Hi, everyone!

Congratulations on surviving the apocalypse! That was a lot less scary than it was made oput to be.

Today I have my last YouTube video before Christmas. This layout has a lot going on: it's the first kit club kit I've ever purchased, it's the first Instagram photo I've ever taken, it's one of my first photos with my new phone and Mr. Lifeguard is wearing my face! Whew!

This 12"x12" layout features an Instagram pic of Mr. Lifeguard holding a picture of my face (we had to take it for an eyeglass company) over his face. He's using his new phone, and because of the size of the Galaxy Note 2, it looks almost life-sized.

I used papers and embellishments from the Studio Calico "34th Street" kit with the "Penn Station" and "Herald Square" add-ons. I took advantage of a deal from Northridge Publishing that enabled me to get all that for the price of the kit, so I decided to give it a whirl. Not sure how I feel about not choosing my own supplies, though. You guys know how picky I am!

Below are some pictures of the finished layout:







I filmed this layout coming together for my YouTube channel. You can watch the video below, or click this link to watch it over on YouTube: Almost Life-Sized.





This layout wwas a bit of a challenge, but I am hoping future layouts with the kits will go more smoothly. I probably just need to get used to a different style of scrapbooking. Or I'll realize it's not for me. Both are fine!

Have a great day, great weekend and a great holiday! See you Thursday!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

~Kathryn :D

Monday, December 17, 2012

NEW VIDEO: It's Five O'Clock Somewhere

Hi, everyone & happy Monday!

On Saturday, I taught my "Boxed Set Album" at my local scrapbook store to nine lovely ladies! We had lots of fun & everyone left with a box and a book. I was super tired afterward, though, because I am not used to thinking for so many hours in a row. Hee, hee! ;D

Also this weekend, I got another layout video completed and uploaded to YouTube. This 12"x12" layout features Instagram pics of my brother and sister from his graduation party. My sister is holding a clock with the time "4:30" and he's holding an empty bottle of tequila (there were more than just the three of us at this party, I promise!). I used papers and embellishments from the American Crafts Dear Lizzy "Neapolitan" collection.

Below are some pictures of the finished layout:





I filmed this layout coming together for my YouTube channel. You can watch the video below, or click this link to watch it over on YouTube: It's Five O'Clock Somewhere.





Everything about this layout went more smoothly than the last one ~ from the actual creation of it to the editing flying by. That made me very happy! I feel like we may be closer to normal again. Well, as close to normal as I ever am.

You probably recognize my sister from the above photos if you've been following my recent layout videos. She and her friend Anna have been the stars and photographers of all those Southeast Asia pictures. Her friend Anna is currently serving in the Peace Corps, teaching at the Vinnytsia Khutory School in the Ukraine.

The school is poorly insulted from the weather, and it is getting cold in the Ukraine! Classes have had to be cancelled due to freezing temperatures in the class room due to rotting windows. It is getting cold in Vinnytsia Khutory! Help the volunteers get new windows to keep the kids warm by donating to the project at the Peace Corps website: Vinnytsia Khutory Project.





Small donations make a big difference! The books at Vinnytsia Khutory School are old, full of grammatical errors, and not well structured. The teachers have purchased some materials with their own money, but both teachers and students are unable to afford complete sets of new materials. By donating $16, a student can have a new textbook!



 
Here are some of the students you'd be helping with your donations:







Teachers at Vinnytsia Khutory do not have access to a computer and printer. By buying a computer, television and printer, teachers will be able to supplement their lessons with listening activities, videos and worksheets. Please help them improve the English Department with your donation!

Some people have reported difficulties with the direct link to the project on the Peace Corps website. You can also reach their project page by going to www.PeaceCorps.gov and putting the project number in the search bar: 343-367.

Have a great day, enjoy your week & thank you for your generosity!

Kathryn :D

Thursday, December 13, 2012

NEW VIDEO: One Drink Maximum, 12"x12" Layout

Hi, everyone!

I have lots to report today! A new video, plus some updates to my shop!

I was finally able to get my hands on Basic Grey's "Serendipity & Shine On" collection. I know I am really late to the party on this one, but my local JoAnn's never got this collection. I had to wait until I had a chance to go to one over an hour away from me. On the plus side, they had all the collection elements 50% off AND I had a 20% off entire order coupon, so my patience was rewarded!

This 12"x12" layout is an Instagram pic of a drink I was served at Fulton's Crab House in Downtown Disney. We went out for Mr. Lifeguard's 40th birthday & I ordered a hurricane for my pre-dinner cocktail. It was supposed to come with a float of Bacardi 151 on top. As you can see from the photo, however, more than half the glass was straight alcohol!

Below are some pictures of the finished layout:







I filmed this layout coming together for my YouTube channel. You can watch the video below, or click this link to watch it over on YouTube: One Drink Maximum.
 


 

It took me about three weeks to edit this video, working off and on. It was TORTURE! I had several challenges with it, not the least of which were some corrupted video files. I ended up having to edit half of it in Windows Movie Maker (which is my back-up video editing software) and half of it in Adobe Premiere (which is my preferred editing software).

As a result, some of the transitions in this video may be different & I struggled with the narration matching up to the video as well. Overall, not my best work. This is as good as this one gets, I'm afraid, but I promise the next one will be better! And I do have raw footage for another layout, so there is going to be a "next one" coming soon. Also about drinking. Hmm ...

I hope to see you all this afternoon and evening on USTREAM for more fun with the Bushel Box album! The bushel box album is an 8"x8" album done in a fall theme with the Bo Bunny "Apple Cider" collection. Fingers crossed, we'll actually finish the whole thing tonight! If we do, next week we'll go over some last minute Christmas gift ideas. The classes will be offered online today from 2:00 - 4:00 PM and again from 9:00 - 11:00 PM Eastern USA time on my USTREAM channel.

Also new in the shop today, we have a section called "Videos & DVDs" where we have put up an edited version of the online USTREAM class for the Boxed Set album. Clocking in at just under two hours and forty-five minutes, the DVD and videos has all the important information from the USTREAM class edited for time and easy viewing. It is available as both a DVD and a digital download. Click here for more details: Kathryn's Shop.

We plan to edit some of the more popular class series down and put them into this format. If there's a particular class you'd like to have on DVD, please let us know in the comments! We aim to please. :)

Have a great day!

Kathryn :D

Friday, November 16, 2012

NEW LAYOUT: Epcot, December 2008

Hi, everyone!

I went to a crop last weekend without any photos OR a paper trimmer. I don't know what I was thinking there! Even so, I was able to get this layout started. The only thing I added after I got home was the photo, the title, the journaling and the wood veneers. Not bad, all things considered!

This 12"x12" layout highlights a photo taken of me at Epcot one Christmas. It was the first "winter" we lived in Miami, and some friends of ours were down on vacation. We met up with them and had a blast!

Here are some pictures of the finished layout:








The paper is from the Basic Grey "Fact" paper pad in the "Fact & Fiction" collection, exclusive to JoAnn stores (and the Basic Grey website). The wood veneers are from Studio Calico, and the glitter letters are from Pink Paislee.

Thanks for checking out the layout & I hope you all have a great weekend!

~Kathryn :D

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

NEW VIDEO: Rabies, 12"x12" Layout

Hi, everyone!

Another layout for my sister's travel album! I made another little inroad into this paper pad, but I am starting to despair of ever finishing it. Paper pads are evil, I tell you, evil!

This 12"x12" layout is about my sister's decision to NOT get the rabies vaccine recommended by the State Department for people travelling to Southeast Asia. The rabies vaccine was both expensive and painful, so she decided to skip it. But then that meant she had to run and hide from every animal she encountered overseas, including the monkey in these photos from Cambodia.

Below are some pictures of the finished layout. Sorry about th glare, but once thisa type of layout is in a protector, it needs to stay there!



\


I filmed this layout coming together for my YouTube channel. You can watch the video below, or click this link to watch it over on YouTube: Rabies, 12"x12" Layout.





This video is a little bit different. Normally I make a lot of cuts in my videos in order to keep them under 15 minutes and show them in real time. This video I made fewer cuts, but I spend it up quite a bit. Let me know which way you prefer!

I hope to see you all tomorrow on USTREAM for more fun with the Bushel Box album! The bushel box album is an 8"x8" album done in a fall theme with the Bo Bunny "Apple Cider" collection. The classes will be offered online tomorrow from 2:00 - 4:00 PM and again from 9:00 - 11:00 PM Eastern USA time on my USTREAM channel.

Kathryn :D

Monday, November 12, 2012

Tonight's USTREAM Cancelled! 11/12

Hi, everyone! Just a quick post to thank all veterans and their families for their service! Tonight's USTREAM will be cancelled so that I can spend the evening with my veteran (Mr. Lifeguard). See you Thursday!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

G45 "Nutcracker Sweet" Boxed Set Album

Hi, everyone!

Just wanted to get a quick post out with the photos from my finished "Boxed Set" albums from the USTREAM class series.

In a recent USTREAM class series, I showed step-by-step how to create the storage box and books from using the Graphic 45 "Nutcracker Sweet" collection. The class was offered online beginning Thursday, October 4th, and you can see a recording of the first class here: Boxed Set Album. We also have a pack of all the chipboard and cardstock you'll need to create the project at Scrapadabadoo: Nutcracker Sweet Cardstock Pack.

Below are some pictures of the completed Boxed Set from the class series. It would make a wonderful Christmas gift for a friend, or an album to hold all your years of Christmas photos.









 
 
Holding 31 4"x6" photos easily, this trio of albums looks like a set of hardbound books in a commemorative storage box. The three albums and the storage box are made entirely from paper and chipboard. The instruction manual details building and covering the box, as well as creating the albums. Photos of sample decorated pages and a supply list are also included in the manual. (Note: the photos in the manual use the Graphic 45 A Ladies' Diary papers, not Nutcracker Sweet)

This 66 page manual costs $18.49 and includes over 200 color photos illustrating the steps needed to complete the album. The manual is available in my shop: Shop.
 
I hope you all enjoy your Sunday! I will be working on stuff for the Advent Craft Fair until we lose power from Hurricane Sandy. (Maybe we won't lose power, but I've decided to manage my expectations) Whether or not we have Monday Night Card Camp tomorrow night will depend entirely on weather or not I still have power and/or Internet. If I don't have power and/or Internet, I will try to find a way to let someone know so they can post it in the USTREAM chat.
 
Hope to see you tomorrow!
 
~Kathryn :D

Friday, October 26, 2012

NEW VIDEO: Moc Bai - Bavet, 12"x12" Layout

Happy Friday, everyone!

Another layout for my sister's travel album! I am trying to kill this paper pad, but man it is hard. This is my fourth layout with this pad so far & I can't even see a dent. Now I realize why my paper stash always grows, no matter how long of a break I take from shopping - it seems like one paper pad will make like 50 layouts! Craziness!

In this case, it will be a good thing that paper pads last so long. All the travel layouts in this album will look cohesive, despite being from all over the world.

This 12"x12" layout is about the Moc Bai - Bavet International Border Crossing. This is the border crossing between Vietnam and Cambodia that is closest to Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh. For this layout, I printed the journaling on patterned paper and layered lots of cut-out tags from the collection together for a fun look.

Here are some pictures of the finished layout:






I filmed this layout coming together for my YouTube channel. You can watch the video below, or click this link to watch it over on YouTube: Moc Bai - Bavet.




I really enjoyed the whole process of creating this layout & I can't wait to dive back into this paper pad and make some travel layouts.

I hope you enjoy the project AND your weekends!

Kathryn :D

P.S. Have you ever used up an entire collection? If so, how did you do it?

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Bushel Box Project Starts TODAY!

Hi, everyone!

Today we are starting a new USTREAM series! For my fall project, I have designed a "bushel box" which holds up to an 8"x8" album (either bound or with freestanding pages you can flip through).

Created entirely by you from chipboard and cardstock, this crate, inspired by vintage bushel boxes, holds up to an 8"x8" album or pretty much anything else you can imagine -- pot pourri, tea towels, soaps, candles, etc! Once you understand how the crate comes together, you'll be able to create boxes in this style of any size or shape.

Because this project had an above average amount of measurements, I have written a mini instruction manual for the box. This "mini" instruction manual details building and covering the bushel box only. While it is not actually "mini" in terms of content (it is just as long as the Convertible Album manual), I am calling it "mini" because it does not include instructions on what goes inside. This manual does not cover decorating the bushel box or the album that goes inside, but all of that will be covered in the USTREAM series that starts today.

My album will be an 8"x8" album done in a fall theme, but you can choose any theme you like! I'll be using the Bo Bunny "Apple Cider" collection on this project. The class will be offered online starting today during Euro Chat at 2:00 PM Eastern USA time on my USTREAM channel.

The USTREAM shows where we build and decorate the bushel box, and the album that goes inside it, will be recorded for later viewing.

Here are some pictures of the project from the manual:







Here is a quick video that shows the scale of the bushel box. It's a good size!




This 27 page instruction manual costs just $9.99 and includes over 50 color photos and cutting diagrams illustrating the steps needed to construct the bushel box. The manual is available in my shop now: Kathryn's Shop.

Within 24 hours of purchasing the manual, you will be sent an email with a PDF of the manual. If you have not received an email with a PDF and it has been more than 24 hours since you received confirmation from PayPal that your payment was made, please contact me.

To purchase your Bushel Boxed mini manual, please click the link to my shop above!

Thanks for stopping by & I hope to see you on USTREAM to create this album!

~Kathryn :D

Monday, October 22, 2012

Sunburst Challenge Winners!

Hi, everyone & happy Monday!

I have the results of the Sunburst Challenge! Before I announce the winners, I want to thank everyone who participated! All of your layouts and cards were AWESOME! Thank you so much for sharing them with us. :D

The winner of the Hampton Art/Graphic 45 "Nutcracker Sweet" stamp set from Scrapadabadoo is Mary M!


Here is a picture of her layout:



Isn't it adorable!?!!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us, Mary!

2. Perfect Trim Ruler from Barb (the creator!) is Jill W!



Here is a picture of her layout:



TOO cute! Wonderful job, Jill!

Both winners need to contact me with the address where they would like their prize shipped before 9:00 PM Eastern USA time on Friday, October 26, 2012 or they will forfeit the prize. You can contact me through my website here: Contact Kathryn.

A HUGE thank you to Barb for the Perfect Trim Tool, and to Carol and Barrie of Scrapadabadoo for the stamps. Also, thank you all who participated for sharing your work with us! I loved seeing all your creativity!

~Kathryn :D

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

NEW MANUAL: Bushel Box Mini Manual

Hi, everyone!

Next Thursday we are starting a new USTREAM series! For my fall project, I have designed a "bushel box" which holds up to an 8"x8" album (either bound or with freestanding pages you can flip through).

Created entirely by you from chipboard and cardstock, this crate, inspired by vintage bushel boxes, holds up to an 8"x8" album or pretty much anything else you can imagine like potpourri, tea towels, soaps, candles, etc.!

This "mini" instruction manual details building and covering the bushel box only. While it is not actually "mini" in terms of content (it is just as long as the Convertible Album manual), it does not take an entire album from start to finish. This manual does not cover decorating the bushel box or the album that goes inside. All of that will be covered in the USTREAM series only.

My album will be an 8"x8" album dones in a fall theme, but you can choose any theme you like! I'll be using the Bo Bunny "Apple Cider" collection on this project. The class will be offered online starting Thursday, October 25th starting during Euro Chat at 2:00 PM Eastern USA time on my USTREAM channel.

The USTREAM shows where we build and decorate the bushel box, and the album that goes inside it, will be recorded for later viewing.

Here are some pictures of the project from the manual:







This 27 page instruction manual costs just $9.99 and includes over 50 color photos and cutting diagrams illustrating the steps needed to construct the bushel box. The manual is available in my shop now: Kathryn's Shop.

Within 24 hours of purchasing the manual, you will be sent an email with a PDF of the manual. If you have not received an email with a PDF and it has been more than 24 hours since you received confirmation from PayPal that your payment was made, please contact me.

To purchase your Bushel Boxed mini manual, please click the link to my shop above!

Thanks for stopping by & I hope to see you on USTERAM to create this album!

~Kathryn :D

P.S. Also new in the shop is the raw chipboard pumpkin album from last year! To see more details on that project, including finished photos and links to USTREAM recordings, click here: 2011 Pumpkin Album.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Starburst Layout Challenge!

Hi, everyone!

I've been reading a lot on the message boards these days from people who are collecting 6"x6" pads but not using them. I am a huge offender in this area, as well. In fact, I recently told myself I wasn't allowed to buy any more 6"x6" pads unless I actually started using them up.

With that in mind, I created the below layout with 6"x6" paper pads in mind. I arranged the papers in a sunburst pattern so that it looks like the rays are coming from the photos. This layout design was so popular, that viewers were anxious to try it. To add a little encouragement, I have decided to turn this layout into inspiration for a Starburst Layout Challenge!

Here are some pictures of the completed layout. You can click the photos below to make them larger:










To see how to create the starburst template, watch the video below or in HD over on YouTube here: Starburst Layout.





Enter the challenge by posting a link to your submission BELOW by 9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 19th, 2012. In order to be eligible for this challenge, you must use the linking system below. To use the linking system below, post a photo of your project online in a PUBLIC site (on your blog, flickr, photobucket, my Ning site). Whatever site you choose must be visible to everyone who participates in the challenge.

Prizes for this challenge include:
1. Hampton Art/Graphic 45 "Nutcracker Sweet" stamp set from Scrapadabadoo:



2. Perfect Trim Ruler from Barb (the creator!):



To participate in this challenge, create a layout, card or other project using the sunburst pattern shown in the inspiration above. Layouts may be any size {12"x12", 8.5"x11", etc.} and can be either a one-page or two-page layout. Layouts must be complete with photos and journaling. One entry per type of project, per person (i.e. one layout + one card, not two layouts). Maximum two entries per person. Projects must be new, never before seen & created just for this challenge.

I look forward to seeing what you create!

~Kathryn :D

Link Party Entries:

I have included a sample entry in the linking system below. If your entry does not look like the "1. Kathryn E. Krieger" entry, please double-check and make sure you followed the directions exactly.