Studio Calico Mystery Kit Giveaway

Happy Wednesday! Many of you know that I am a big fan of memory keeping, scrapbooking, and journaling. I recently made an order to Studio Calico, a scrapbooking and memory keeping company. Studio Calico sells a lot of really cool products like stamps, stickers, and they even have a couple of memory keeping subscriptions.

Occasionally, Studio Calico offers mystery kits, mystery stamps, etc. at a discounted rate when you make a purchase. Of course, I couldn't resist and added a mystery kit to my order. Unfortunately, I already have the same kit. Now I could use a few of the items again, but I decided that it would be fun to have a little giveaway instead. And so here we are.

This kit is perfect for Project Life, traditional scrapbook layouts, travelers notebooks, hybrid memory keeping, journaling, and so much more. I love that I was able to use my kit on various forms of memory keeping.

This Studio Calico mystery kit is perfect for anyone interested in trying scrapbooking and memory keeping or for those who already love memory keeping. Enter below for your chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Please note that this giveaway is only open in the U.S.*
Winner will be notified by email. 


Do you have a favorite Studio Calico kit? Do you have a favorite form of memory keeping?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

*Please note that this giveaway is not associated with Studio Calico in any way. I just really love Studio Calico and had an extra kit to giveaway.*

Happy Summer Card

Happy Monday! I'm getting close to completing my 100 Day Project and wanted to share a card that I made last Friday.

I was inspired by Freshly Made Sketches. I used my new Freckled Fawn embellishment kit for this card. I also used two separate stamps for the sentiment. This card was really easy to make. I used a washi stripe for the background and then punched a Project Life card using my circle punch. I adhered the circle with my Tombow Xtreme Adhesive glue runner. Then I adhered the resin flip flops to the circle and then added some pearl stickers. I wasn't sure what I wanted the sentiment to be, but ended up deciding to go with "Happy Summer". I used a Happy Birthday stamp that I have in my stash and made sure to only put ink on the word "Happy". Then I used the "Summer" stamp from my Studio Calico stamp set. Once I stamped my sentiment, I added a few more pearl stickers and then colored the word "Summer" with my colored pencils.

Supplies Used:

• July 2017 Freckled Fawn embellishment kit

• Studio Calico "Pick a Plaid" stamp set

• 2 1/2 circle punch

• Stampabilities "Happy Birthday" stamp set

• Tombow Xtreme Adhesive

• Jane Davenport Magic Wands

• Versafine Onyx Black Ink

How was your weekend? Did you get to make anything?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

*Please note that since I am a brand ambassador, any purchases made using the link(s) above will help support The Emi Times.*

Nerd Nest Challenge--Compare/Contrast

Happy Monday! Today I'm over at The Nerd Nest with my take on this month's challenge. This month's challenge is to compare/contrast. You can check out my entire take over here.

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

February Awesome Ladies Project Layouts

Happy Friday! Today I'm sharing my Awesome Ladies Project layouts that I made in February. February's theme was Favorites.

This layout was created for the Half and Half challenge. The challenge was to use a split design on a layout. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use different patterned papers. I used two different papers and then added a photo of my son as well as some embellishments to the right of the layout. I decided to leave the left side blank.

This layout was created for the Style challenge. The challenge was to use hearts. I decided to use a bunch of little heart shaped stickers to make a heart shape. This layout has a lot of pink, but I added some black and red to make the layout pop a bit.

The journaling says "I love how so many people are still protesting & standing up for each other (as well as their own) rights. The unity is amazing and inspiring".

The next challenge that I completed was the Photo challenge. The challenge was to take a photo of a favorite item. On Friday, I finally found some Girl Scouts Thin Mints cookies and was so excited. My husband took of a picture of me with a box of cookies...yes I bought five boxes of Thin Mints (don't judge me lol).

This layout was created for the Words challenge. The challenge was to write a letter to a friend about our favorite things. I decided to write a letter to my husband about my love of crafting and watercolor painting. My husband has been very encouraging and supportive of my hobby so I decided to write the letter to him.

How did you document your February? Do you participate in challenges?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

So Many Faces Scrapbook Layout

Happy Monday! Today I'm going to share a layout that I made using a Freckled Fawn embellishment kit. For this layout, I used the October 2016 Home embellishment kit. I also used Freckled Fawn's first sketch challenge for this layout.

I decided to make a layout of my son and I making different faces on Thanksgiving. I used the acetate letters to make my title and the star sequins to make journaling bullets. I also used glitter washi on the top and bottom of the layout. Then I added embellishments onto my pictures and two heart stickers near the title. Below are some close ups of the layout.

Supplies Used:

• October 2016 Home embellishment kit

• Ruler

• Sharpie Pen

Do you participate in sketch challenges?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Nerd Nest Challenge--Use Non-Scrapbooking Products

Happy Monday! Today I'm over at The Nerd Nest with my take on this month's challenge. This month's challenge is to use non-scrapbooking products. You can check out my entire take over here.

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Handmade Adventure Card

Happy Monday! For the past couple of weeks, I have been trying to go through my stash and use up a lot of stuff. While searching through my supplies, I found a camping themed sticker set and decided to use it to make a greeting card.

It was really easy to make this card. First, I stamped the sentiment in the lower right hand corner. Then I placed the tent sticker in the middle of the card and then adhered the rest of the stickers. Overall, I love how the card turned out. I love the shiny kettle and cups as well as the guitar.

Supplies Used:

• SandyLion Camping 3-D Stickers

• Recollections Color Splash Stamp and Stencil Set 

How was your weekend? Did you make anything?

Thanks for visiting! 

Until next time...

Handmade Valentine's Day Cards

Hello! I have been busy making some Valentine's Day cards. Valentine's Day will be here before you know it so I am glad that I was able to make some ahead of time. I used papers from Crate Paper's Hello Love collection as well as some items that I had in my stash to make these four cards. Check out the cards I made below.

All four of these cards are available in my shop.

Have you been preparing for Valentine's Day? Have you made any Valentine's Day projects?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

October 2016 Freckled Fawn "Home" Kit Review

Hey! Hey! I received my Freckled Fawn kit last week and I absolutely love it! I know I always say that, but they really do a great job with their kits.

I was so excited when I finally received my kit. I knew what was in the kit because I saw some pictures on Freckled Fawn's Instagram. For some reason, I especially love all of the kits that come out in October. My favorite kit of all time is this one. I also love the October 2015 Woodland Kit.

This month's embellishment kit includes:

• Glitter washi tape

• A set of flair

• A pack of leaf and star sequins

• A sheet of puffy stickers

• A sheet of chipboard stickers

• A sheet of cardstock stickers

• A set of acetate letters

• A pack of wood veneer arrows

• A set of cork frames

• A silicone "Love Today" shape

My favorite items in the kit are the stickers, leaf and star sequins, wood arrows, and flair. I mean seriously...how freaking cute are those houses? I usually don't use sequins in my projects, but the leaf sequins are adorable and I have an awesome project that I want to use them on. I definitely think that I will be purchasing a few of sticker sets and a couple of packs of the leaf sequins.

I can't wait to start working on some projects. I will be posting my projects on the blog as well as my Instagram.

Do you subscribe to Freckled Fawn? What was your favorite item?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

#SummerManifesto Layout

I have a love/hate for Summer. I love that my family and I get to make lots of unplanned trips during the summer, how the days are not super busy, and just being able to spend time with the rest of our family. I also love that I am able to create a lot more art, layouts, cards, etc. during the summer. There are two things that I do not like about Summer. I really don't like how hot it gets and how incredibly crowded some places can get due to everyone being on vacation or out of school. However, this summer has been awesome so far. We have gone to a bunch of places already and we had a BBQ as well. Today, I want to share a scrapbook layout of my Summer Manifesto.

I used several different Summer themed products on my layout. I used  Freckled Fawn's Carnival Embellishment Kit and American Crafts die cuts. I also used Pebbles' Fun in the Sun 6x6 paper pad. The pad has adorable papers especially the cut apart sheet. I also used Recollections enamel dots and the pineapple sticker is also from Recollections. I also used Lora Bailora's Summer 2015 Stamp.

I love how colorful the layout turned out. I used lots of enamel dots so that I would not have a bunch of white space. I also love that the enamel dots, pineapple sticker, ice cream wood chips, and epoxy sticker adds a bit of dimension to the page.

I added a small Summer bucket list. I wish that there was a larger card in the 6x6 paper pad so that I could have added my entire bucket list, but that's ok. We have already checked off a few on the list. I used my Tombow Xtreme Adhesive and Tombow Mono Aqua Liquid Glue to adhere the embellishments. 

So there you have it, my Summer Manifesto! I really did have fun making this layout. Not using a photo was a nice change and I was able to use a lot of my left over supplies from my Freckled Fawn kit as well as other Summer themed crafting supplies.

What's your Summer Manifesto?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

My New Favorite Tool--We R Memory Keepers Power Punch

You guys I am so excited to share my new favorite tool with you all. So I am currently working on my #30daysofselfportrait mini album and am using Kristin's new collection Awesome Ladies Feminist Scrapbook Collection for most of the album. The paper pack from the collection comes with a really cool hard cover that is perfect for making the covers of a mini album. Well, I tried using two different hole punchers and neither would punch into the chipboard cover. So I talked with a couple of people and looked online to see if I could find a strong hole punch. I ended up hearing that We R Memory Keepers' Crop-a-dile collection would be perfect. So I went to Michaels to look for one. I was going to buy the Crop-A-Dile Eyelet & Snap Punch, but realized that I most likely will not use the eyelet setter so I ended up finding the Crop-A-Dile Power Punch!

You guys I never thought I would be so excited to get a punch! Ha! Seriously it is awesome. I can use it to punch through a bunch of things like thick chipboard, fabric, leather, thin tin (like seriously tin! I can't even!), and plastic! When I used the power punch on the chipboard and the patterned paper, it went through like butter!

The photo above are two pages of the patterned paper that were punched by the Power Punch. Mind you, I adhered the patterned papers (front and back) so that they would be a bit thicker and because I thought it would make my mini album look better. 

I'm really loving this new tool and if you are looking for something a bit stronger than a regular hole punch, I would highly recommend We R Memory Keepers' Power Punch.

Do you have a favorite tool?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

*I was not compensated or given a Power Punch in exchange for this review. I bought this product on my own. All opinions expressed here are my own.*

Travel Crafting Kit

Hey! Over the weekend, I decided to make a traveling crafting kit. I have been wanting to make one ever since I decided that I wanted to explore my city more. I plan to visit new places as well as old places and I want to be able to document it. If I have time to craft while I am out and about, this kit will be perfect to get it done.

I subscribe to Freckled Fawn and won a giveaway a few months ago so I have an extra October 2015 kit. I decided to use the extra pouch to hold the items for my travel crafting kit.  Look at all the goodies inside!

I decided to put the essentials in my pouch. I wanted to put items that I use in various projects like layouts, cards, art journals, etc. My essentials are enamel dots, washi tape, stickers, and adhesive. I will most likely use this kit for my art journal so I chose items that were mainly flat. The only thing that will have some dimension are the enamel dots. I added some items that were in the October 2015 kit such as the enamel dots, transparency circles, one roll of washi tape, and the felt feather stickers. I do a lot of stamping so I will be adding an ink pad to my kit. I also added one of my favorite stamp sets which is a Freckled Fawn stamp set from September 2014. Below are a few close ups of the items in my kit.

I think this kit is awesome and has everything that I need. If you decide to make a travel crafting kit, I recommend that you add your essentials. Everyone has a different style and some people may use other items that are not pictured. Add the items that you know you use the most, but if you are trying to use up your stash then maybe you could add a few things that you have kept for a while.

Supplies Used:

• Freckled Fawn Pouch
• Tombow Mini Power Tape
• Washi Tape
• Sharpie Pen
• Scissors
• Scraps of Paper
• Ephemera
• Journaling Cards
• Stamp Set
• Ink Pad (not pictured)
• Acrylic Block (not pictured)

Have you made a travel crafting kit? What do you keep in it?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Currently Loving

Hello! Happy Saturday! Today, I wanted to share a few things that I am currently loving. 

As you may know, I am a stationery addict. I love notebooks, pens, etc. I have been using Moleskine journals for a while now. I have several in various sizes as well as soft and hard cover journals. I prefer the soft cover journals, but the hard cover journals are nice as well. Lately, I have been loving the cahiers. These notebooks are similar to Traveler's notebooks. I plan to use my Moleskine cahier (the kraft notebook pictured above) for December's 30 Days of Lists as well as for my December Daily.

I am also loving my new May Designs notebook and definitely plan to purchase a few more. I love that you can personalize the notebook. There are tons of patterns and fonts to choose from. I'm really loving the Pineapples pattern notebooks and the font that is on my notebook. I plan to use my May Designs notebook as a hybrid journal...kind of like a journal/art journal. I currently use a Strathmore journal as a hybrid journal. However, I have been using that journal mainly for watercoloring and stamping.

I am loving stamping. I am currently using the three stamp sets pictured above a lot. Pinkfresh Studio has a new Christmas collection called Christmas Wishes that is adorable! I am loving their Christmas Wishes stamp set and will be using this stamp set to make Christmas cards and decorate my 30 Days of Lists/December Daily notebook. The other two stamp sets are from Freckled Fawn. I use the smaller stamp to make lists or to add lines so I can journal. The alphabet stamp is awesome and I use it to make titles or to journal. I love that you can color in the letters and numbers in this stamp set.

I am obsessed with ephemera. I love that you can use ephemera to make cards and tags. You can even use them in your journals, art journals, Project Life layouts, traditional layouts, etc. I just bought a few packs of ephemera from Tuesday Morning for $1.49. I highly recommend that you go to Tuesday Morning, Marshalls, or TJ Maxx if you are looking for any scrapbooking goodies. They have awesome prices.

I am loving Studio Calico's Seven Paper journaling cards. I think they are perfect to use in mini albums, Project Life, or journals. All you need to do is fill out the card. I definitely need to buy a few more packs because I know I will run out of these cards soon.

I just bought this watercolor set a few weeks ago and used them for the first time last week. These watercolors are amazing! The colors are bright and gorgeous! I was using Michaels Artist's Loft Watercolors Pan Set and I do like them, but I have been wanting to try a professional set.

You will definitely be seeing a lot of these things that I'm currently loving being used on some projects soon.

What are you currently loving?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Hello Summer Layout

Hey! Hey! It may be September and school has already started, but I really wanted to share this Summer layout that I made. I made this layout to document my family's summer and our favorite summer treat...ice cream! I mainly used Freckled Fawn's Carnival Kit, but I did use some Dear Lizzy chipboard shapes as well. I was inspired by Kristin from Rukristin layout that was featured in Freckled Fawn's inspiration section of their website. I love how she had a little cluster of stickers in her first layout. You can see her layout here.

I put the larger embellishments and the pictures before putting down the washi tape, wood veneers, and smaller stickers. This allowed me to know where to put the smaller stickers and how much I would need to create the cluster of smaller stickers. 

I adhered the blue felt letters using my Xyron sticker machine. I seriously love the heart and star stickers. I should have ordered an extra set of these. The wood veneer in the corner is adorable. I used my Tombow Xtreme adhesive. I really love how strong that glue is.

I added a bit of journaling on a card from the Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm printed chipboard shapes pack. How cute is that ice cream bar wood veneer? 

Supplies Used:

• Freckled Fawn June 2015 Carnival Kit
• American Crafts Scissors
• Elmer's Glue Dot Runner
• Xyron 5" Creative Station
• Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm Printed Chipboard Shapes
• Simple Stories Photo Crops
• Tombow Xtreme Permanent Adhesive
• Sharpie Pen

How has your Summer been? What is your favorite ice cream or Summer treat?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...