The Magic of Flutterby

To me, there is something magical about summer. The days grow longer and bedtimes disappear. Lightening bugs shimmer in the night air making us wonder if we are seeing a bug or a secret and mysteriously magical fairy dance. When I saw Flutterby, I was enchanted. It's perfect for scrapping those summer evening memories. This gorgeous fantasy kit can be found by clicking on the preview or the LO below:

Are You Hot Yet?

It sure is hot here in my neck of the woods! And we have just about reached the mid mark of summer and hot days. I have the air on and have been cruising the web looking for some ways to cool down for you and your families. Have fun with them!

1. Get the kids in their swimsuits, grab some paint bruses and water color paints or finger paints and head outdoors. Let them paint each other and then run through the hose or sprinkler to wash off. Repeat as many times as needed.

2. Make a HOMEMADE OREO ICE CREAM CAKE

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds Oreos, crushed fine

6 ounces melted butter

1 quart, vanilla ice cream

Directions:

Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch spring form pan with parchment.

Combine cookie crumbs and butter; press half of the mixture into prepared pan.

Fill pan with vanilla ice cream, making sure to smooth out the top.

Add remaining Oreo crumbs and gently press to form a top crust.

Place cake into freezer for at least 4 hours.

To unmold, allow cake to warm for 10 minutes. Remove pan sides. Flip cake onto a plate. Remove parchment. Slice and serve.

3. Play Sponge Tag

Gather as many sponges as possible (the larger ones work the best) and a few buckets and fill them with water.

Choose a person to be "it". That persons tries to "tag" people by throwing the wet sponges at them. Once "tagged" that person becomes "it".

4. Water Balloon Fun (with a twist)
Fill up several balloons with water and place them in a bucket or kiddie pool. Use the safety pin to poke a hole in one balloon. This will create a time bomb with a slow leak.

Have kids stand in a circle and toss the balloon around.

The person who is left holding the balloon when it runs out of water is eliminated.

Keep playing until one player is left standing.

If you have extra balloons at the end of the game, then simply use them for an old-fashioned water balloon fight.

I hope these ideas will help you and the kidlets to cool off on these hot summer days. And as always, make sure you have the camera, take lots of photos, and then scrap those fun cool times! And we would always love to see them, so if you make a layout with photos from any of these ideas, be sure to come and link us up! We love to go and leave comments!

Have fun!

Bohemian Blush

WoW!!!! Did you all see this Beautiful Kit?

I love the layout's that were made from this kit.

You can find this Awesome Kit at Funky Playground.

adigigirl
fablious
fablious
ScrapMel
nic1779
cityangel23

So much you can do with this fantastic kit. Love all the creative lo's. Hope you all had a great day!

Gallery Standouts--DST Style

Looking for some inspiration?  Here are some great LO's over at DST!  All images are linked so go leave these scrappers some loving!

First up is Run Free by Harmony

I love the great use of white space on the Layout as well as the wonderful composition of the photo.  It was created using Glimpse of Twilight available @ Scrapbook-Elements.com

Next in our inspiration gallery? Love this by Mrsduke2u.

This page does a fantastic job of using layers to create visual appeal as well as paying attention to all of the little details.  This page was created with Beauty and Grace Collab by Kiki Halbert and Connie Prince available at SBE.

Last but certainly not least, is My Garden by CaroB71.

This page has a beautiful composition.  I particulary like how the poem has been placed and the vines are repeated.  This was created with Springdipity by Kiki Halbert Designs at Scrapbook Elements.

Happy scrapping! -Jess

Inspiration with Super Saturday Stretch

It is hot and humid here in Pennsylvania! Whether you are having a heatwave, walking through the haze of humidity or living in cooler climes, there is one thing that brings us all together....Ice Cream!!!! It keeps you cool when you are hot, it tastes amazing, comes in a variety of flavors and colors and can be eaten any time of the year thanks to modern technology! (sounds sort of like digi-scrapping doesn't it?!?).

This weekend scrap about ice cream or your favorite frozen treat. Be sure to write about why a particular flavor or treat is your favorite--what memories does ice cream spark? For me it is memories of my father. He loved his mint chocolate chip ice cream, although Death by Chocolate made by a local dairy where we lived came in close second. He enjoyed many flavors but he usually went back to mint chocolate chip.

So give us the SCOOP! What is your favorite flavor or treat and why?

Be sure to check out Bohemian Blush, Bright Skies Ahead and the Watermelon Splash mini kit all available at Funky Playground Designs. Perfect for your summertime ice cream scrapping needs!

Super Summer Side Dishes

What is the best part of summer?  Playing with the kids in the pool?  Vacation?  For our house, it is usually getting to grill for dinner.  No major work and yum, yum, yum.  But what to serve on the side?  Here are some simple side dishes to go with the great grilled masterpieces!

Simple Pasta Salad

Ingredients:
1 pound Rotini pasta
1 jar Italian dressing (we use Ken's Northern Italian Light)

Choose an assortment of veggies from the following list:
1 can jumbo olives
1 can artichoke hearts
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
1 1/2 cup chopped broccoli
1 cup diced zucchini
1 chopped red pepper
1 cup chopped mozzarella

Boil noodles.  Drain and cool.  Add an assortment of chopped vegetable from the list above.  Mix well.  Add half bottle of Italian dressing.  Chill salad.  When you are ready to serve, add the remaining Italian dressing.


Green Goody 
Ingredients:
1 small tub whipped topping
1 15 oz can of crushed pineapple
1/2 bag small marshmallows
1 box pistachio pudding

Mix all ingredients in bowl.  Chill.  To make a diabetic version (also VERY low fat), I use light whipped topping and sugar free pudding.


Orzo and Grilled Veggies
Ingredients:
1 lb of orzo, cooked
Assortment of chopped veggies (we like asparagus, red peppers, squash, fresh green beans, onions)
Italian Dressing

Grill veggies using olive oil.  Mix into cooked orzo.  Add Italian dressing to taste.

Enjoy! --Jess

Bright Skies Ahead

This beautiful kit caught my eye. The name is so catchy. We been getting so much rain here In Wisconsin and this kit made me think positive thoughts that will see the sun again. I went to the gallery and found some sunshine. All these awesome lo's made me smile Take a look and enjoy.

By Keeshaobrien
By Danny 2010

By TrishBBy Nietis

Beautiful lo's and If you need some sunshine today you can find this Wonderful kit Here.

Have a great day!

Exquisite!

Exquisite... not a word we use everyday but it is the meaning of Recherche, the new design line from Kiki Halbert. How appropriate too! Check out these kits available only at Funky Playground Designs and why not create a layout with a recherche twist? What do you find exquisite?

Happy July 4th, America!

Here's a little silly Muppet patriotism for you (and the kids. My daughter loves this!):

LO Inspiration: Independence Quotes

Hello Kiki fans! My name is Sara, aka SATW in digiland, and I'm here with my first-ever blog post for the wonderful Kiki Halbert. Tomorrow is Independence Day here in the USA, and I know that Canada Day was July 1st, so hopefully there are lots of photos to scrap from all the fireworks and family gatherings.

With that in mind, I thought I'd give you some quotes to inspire your Independence (or Canada) Day themed layouts. (However, since not everyone is from Canada or the US, I'm including a few non-patriotic quotes, too):

“A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.” -George William Curtis

“Patriotism is easy to understand in America; it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country” Calvin Coolidge 

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."  -Elmer Davis 

“True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what's right.” -Bringham Young

“Mickey Mouse is, to me, a symbol of independence. He was a means to an end.” Walt Disney

“The beauty of independence, departure, actions that rely on themselves.” Walt Whitman
 

And here are some products to further inspire you. Kiki has beautiful paper packs in the traditional red, white, and blue, as well as a few in less traditional color schemes:

Cheers,
Sara

Super Saturday Stretch--Patriotic

Since it is the 4th of July weekend here in the USA, I thought I would give you a jumpstart on your STRETCH for this week! The inspiration for this challenge comes from a Pepsi advertisement.



There are so many fabulous ideas in that advertisement that can be used for 4th of July, Independence Days (in many countries) as well as Memorial and patriotic layouts. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to choose 2 or three elements or inspirations from the video and use them in a layout. It could be colors, the way stars are used, Fireworks, big BOOM or POW titles, or the Freedom title from the beginning (so cool!) etc. If you aren't celebrating the 4th of July or Independence Day use the words and define them in your life through a scrapbook page!

Have fun and Happy 4th!

Amberlee

Grand Opening of Recherché by KH Designs!

That's right, it's finally here! The Grand Opening of my new product line, Recherché by KH Designs. It's fresh, funky and eclectic! And until July 5th, it's 30% off at the checkout. So don't miss my opening sale!

Recherché by KH Designs products are only available at Funky Playground Designs so don't miss out.

And follow @RecherchebyKHD on Twitter for special coupons for the grand opening!

Something special is coming!

I'm so excited, and I think you will be too once you read this post. Hi everyone! Kiki here again to show off something that a wonderful Creative Team guest, Victoria, has made for you.

But first I have to say that I'm getting very excited about July 1st this year. No, it's not because I live in Canada's capital and the Queen of England is coming this year. That will just create a traffic nightmare that's all. Not that I have anything against the Royals, truly. But I'm excited because I have some spectacular things happening for me as a designer. You'll just have to come back on July 1st to see what that is, but here's a teaser for you. This quick page was made with one of the first products involved in this venture. Curious?

Download here.

So keep coming back this week. There's more than just a deal or two for you if you do!

"I'm Bored!"

I think this is the most heard and dreaded statement a mother can hear once school is out for the summer, or any other time our children are out for holidays. And I don't know about you, but my Mom's sure fire response to get us thinking of things to do on our own was, " You can clean (insert anything or any room that needs some cleaning here)." Nothing got us moving faster, lol. We would head out the door and find something to keep ourselves amused.

But today I thought I would share a short list of things that just might make the day better for you and your kids, have some fun, spend some time together, and take some photos.

• make your own frozen pops (and they're healthy too!)
• get into your swim suites and run through the sprinkler
• color on the side walk with some chalk
• make some lemonade and have a stand (your kids will love making a little change)
• have a watermelon seed spitting contest
• scavenger hunt, photo style. make a list of things for them to find, hand them the camera and let them take pictures as they find each thing
• go on a pic-nic
• play a board game
• start a garden
• blow bubbles
• camp out in the back yard
• make s'mores
• start a summer time journal
• lay on the grass and watch the clouds
• make sun tea
• have a water balloon fight

This is just a very small list to get you started, you can find all sorts of neat new fun ideas by googling. Just don't forget to take pictures. Lots and lots of pictures, and then on another day when that dreaded phrase is heard, make some scrapbook pages together!

New Release Sunday

Hi everyone! Kiki here with a new release for you that's in my Scrapbook-Elements.com store. Springdipity was a kit that I had at another store a while back and it took me a while to get it loaded for you again.

A beautiful, soft palette of colors comes together in a romantic kit that will take you all throughout the year! Textured papers in an array of colors -rosy pink, dusky rose, grassy green and several flowered patterns - work with roses, ribbons and gems to create a kit for everything from heritage pages to feminine pages to anything you can think of. Let yourself be carried away with the romance and loveliness of this enchanting kit ... a classical addition for your scrapping stash!

Kit contains: 11 patterned and solid papers, 5 ribbons, 1 tag, 1 multi picture frame, 1 rose, 2 journal papers, 1 gem, 3 pieces of greenery, 3 frames, 2 flowers, 2 charms.


I'm happy to announce as well that I've chosen my CT members and that announcement will be posted here soon. In the meantime, Melissa has made a gorgeous stacked paper that you can use for the start of your beautiful layouts.

Click here to download.

I hope that you enjoy the end of your weekend. Remember that when you pick up Springdipity today or tomorrow you'll be saving 20% off!

Super Saturday Stretch Challenges YOU!

Hi and welcome to our first Super Saturday Stretch where we challenge you to stretch your scrappin' muscles!

Summer is here bringing picnics, grilling out, campfires and swimming pools. I am here to challenge you to a "Cook off". Use the following types of elements in your next layout--you choose the colors and where you put them!

1. One curly ribbon or string
2. at least Five funky and different flowers
3. at least Two Brads
4. Something Grill related (apron, tongs, spatula, the grill, etc. Can be photos!)
5. Hot dog or Hamburger (with or without the fixings)
6. Most important item--journal block!
7. Lastly add Sunshine, Lemonade or a cutout summer title

There you have it! Post a link to your finished layout here so we can see your wonderful summer layouts. Here is an example for inspiration!




I used a gorgeous kit coming soon to a store near you --so stay tuned for a big announcement coming June 30th!

Something New is Coming...

What could it be? Is it a new kit? Maybe.

Everyone is working hard behind the scenes, putting up the decorations, setting out the party favors, getting the games and gifts ready, and picking out our favorite party dresses to wear. Excitement is in the air as we plan, but shhh, we can't tell you yet what it is. You will have to come back next week to see what it is! But I won't leave you totally hanging, here is a little sneak peak, a little tiny bit of what is on the horizon.

Mark your calendars, and don't forget to come back for the big reveal. And in the mean time, check back daily as we post a variety of things to help you get scrapping, maybe try your hand on something hybrid, and there may even be a challenge.

Summer Time and Lost Mojo

Hello everyone! This is Dawn/Winkasheart posting my first time ever on Kiki's blog! And today I thought I would talk about Summer and how busy we all get, taking tons of photos of all the events and places we go during this most busy time for a lot of us. The kids are out of school and it seems like we are constantly on the go.

And then when we do get a moment to scrap, our mojo has up and taken it's own vacation on us. The nerve! Hopefully, with the following tips, I can help you get past that and entice your mojo to come back to ya and forget about time off, lol.

I will start with the most common thing to do and that is to go gallery browsing. I like to look at all the different pages created and let them inspire me. It can be the page design which leads to a scrap lift, or maybe it's the title that prompts me to make a page, or the colors, or the photos. Just let the ideas come to you and write them down and then you have a short list of ideas to start with.

Another thing to do is to just take photos. Lots and lots of photos, of anything and everything. I took this one the other day just because I liked the dew on the grass.
This inspires me to scrap about quiet mornings, having a cup of tea, and waking up and what I do. Or maybe the color will inspire. Take close ups, try different perspectives like from up above or lay on the ground. Just take photos and then look through them when you can't seem to find anything, and I bet one of them will speak to you and get the creativity flowing.

And since most of us are out and about doing things this summer, take notice of everything that is going on or that you are passing. Check out art at art festivals, what interesting things do you see at flea markets, take note and take photos of all those neat things out there to use to scrap the out of the ordinary things. Start a collection of photos of interesting things, like mannequins, signs, or scarves, or anything really. They will come in handy when you go to scrap a page. And they usually will spark an idea of some sort. Any ideas for a page with this fun sign I ran across the other day?
And on those big days, like the 4th of July for those of us in the States. As you go through the day or are sitting there after wards, let the events lead you to something totally different, like a childhood memory of you doing the same things as a kid. Or maybe a float in a parade will make you think of something.

I also like to check out kits in the store and let the colors inspire me, or maybe the name of a kit will catch my eye and make me think of a great story to tell. Or again, the colors of a kit can prompt something.

There are foods and smells and colors of summer that can inspire a page. Or check out posters for summer events or vacation fliers for inspiration. Or take a break and read a magazine and let that relax and inspire you. Even the drinks of summer can lead to some ideas. Sweet Tea being my favorite summer time drink reminds me of road trips taken in the past, things that were said or done while on those trips, and the fun times we had.

I find that once I have an idea for a page the rest just comes. So as you head out the door, keep in mind all the fantastic inspiration out there and bring it back with you to jog your muse and creativity when you need it.

A little peek at something for next week!

Hi everyone. Kiki here! I just had to come by this morning to drop by this little sneak peek of something coming to Scrapbook-Elements.com next Sunday. There will be a couple new items in my store then, so remember to check that out. I've also got news and when you check back in later this week, you'll find a little something for you to enjoy!


So I'm sure you've noticed that I've been a busy bee lately. I have been away, moving and settling into my new place, but I've also been busy working on a new business venture that you'll be hearing about in a little over a week. I'm very exciting about and I hope you will too.

I'm also getting very excited because my CT call is coming to a close very soon. I love finding new talent and working with the team on new ideas and projects. If you haven't applied, be sure you get your application in. It closes this week. You can see the last post for details.

We'll see you later this week and keep checking in for more hints of what's to come very shortly!

It's that time! Creative Team Call! Ends June 25th.

Do you love my designs? I’m looking for
some fun-loving, motivated scrappers to
help create layouts for a new business venture!

Do 3 layouts per month
Post to 3 galleries
Be active in my CT forum

Send me an email with your bio and a link to your fave gallery to: kikihalbertcall@gmail.com
Call ends June 25, 2010.