jacksoki

Brooklyn Tweed Knits: Levenwick Cardigan

kim — Wed, 02 May 2012 02:32:28 +0000

Somehow I have found myself slowly knitting through the Brooklyn Tweed catalog of patterns–specifically their gorgeous Look Books. At least that’s what my Ravelry queue looks like. Hee! Maybe I’ll make that a goal. (Or maybe not.) So far, I’ve knitted the Norby hat (for me), a few Rosebud hats (for me and my niece), and a Nero scarf (for Chris’ mom).

I’m super excited about a project that I finished this week: the Levenwick Cardigan.

Note for the next project: Use the same freaking Instagram filter on all the photos!

Anyway…. This beautiful sweater has an asymmetrical design and a detailed scalloped collar and button band. So unlike anything I’ve found in the store! Check out the details in the collar.

Another fun detail of this cardigan is the darling little pocket that features the same scalloped design as the collar. Too cute for words!

I knitted my Levenwick using Malabrigo worsted in Uva, which is one of Malabrigo’s new colorways for 2011/2012. It’s a subtle purple/brown/red that changes depending on the light. Most of my pictures make it look very purple or almost fuschia.

When I wore it today, it looked almost burgundy. I was so happy that it rained today so I could take my sweater for a test drive! I put the buttons on it last night, and then snapped a quick show-and-tell photo for the Instagram peeps.

Next on my needles is the Brooklyn Tweed Fuse cardigan, which I’m knitting in Malabrigo Burgundy. One thing I’ve discovered is that, with the way I knit, I can always get a spot-on gauge for the Brooklyn Tweed patterns using Malabrigo worsted-weight yarn. Even better, I can purchase Malabrigo locally. I have really sensitive skin, so I’m a little wary about purchasing yarn online when I can’t feel it. (Or hold it up to my neck to see if I break out in hives. True story.) I love Brooklyn Tweed’s colors and the look of their yarn, but I need to get my hands on it before buying any. Really, Malabrigo yarn and knitting have both been a lifesaver to me! I can now have cozy sweaters that don’t make me itch and turn red. Plus, they’ll fit. Win, win, win!

Simple Scrapbooks Winner!

kim — Tue, 01 May 2012 23:52:31 +0000

And the winner is….

Jojorenee! I’ll send you an e-mail shortly to get your contact information for CK. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and commented — it means a lot to me!

Hugs!

Lawn Fawn Inspiration Week – April 2012

kim — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:41:58 +0000

Hello friends! It’s inspiration week over on the Lawn Fawn Blog, and “oh.my.word.” are the projects gorgeous this month. Everyone on the design team is just knocking it out of the park — be sure to stop on by and check out their fab projects! And comment to win some of Lawn Fawn’s brilliant stamps while you’re there.

For this week, I made a few cards, the above set of treat boxes (perfect for an assortment of little candies), and a happy layout. Love all of the products Lawn Fawn’s featuring this month!

For the boxes, I used Stampin’ Up!’s Matchbox Bigz XL die. I worked there when they designed this awesome die and even got to help try out some of the prototypes. Hooray! Want to know a secret? No need for adhesive to put the bottom of the box together! It’ll stay all by itself with the clever folding involved. Pre-scored by the die, of course. You’ll just need a little adhesive strip to hold the wrapper together. Easy peasy!

My layout makes me think of Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye singing “Blue Skies” in White Christmas. That little bitty snip of a tune in a montage that always gets stuck in my head. Nooo! Ha! But I love that song, and the sky scene in this layout makes me smile. Check out the clouds blowing away! I wish you could see the sparkle better. Perfect Pearls mist works beautifully when you want intense, even shimmer.

I’ll share more of my Lawn Fawn Inspiration Week projects later on. I hope you like! In the meantime, here’s a bonus card:

Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win CK’s newest special issue: Simple Scrapbooks!

And the Winner Is + Another CK Giveaway

kim — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:53:57 +0000

Hi everyone! It’s going to be another busy week here at my house, so without further ado, our May/June 2012 Creating Keepsakes winner is: Meagan Vaughn! Meagan, I’ll be sending you an e-mail shortly to get your information to send to CK.

Now, if you didn't get happen to win the May/June issue, fear not! CK has an amazing new special issue that's hitting newsstands now-ish.

Simple Scrapbooks is filled with fun ideas to help you scrapbook faster, more creatively, and with less effort than ever before. I can’t even begin to tell you how many cool ideas there are in this issue! Really… you’ll have to see for yourself. Here’s a sneak peek!

I had a fantastic time creating and writing for this issue; in particular, I love my Salt Lake City layout, filled with photos that Chris and I took around the city. You’ll be surprised at how creative you get when you’re working with limited supplies. I encourage you to give it a try, too!

As seen in Simple Scrapbooks from Creating Keepsakes magazine. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher

And now, it’s time for the giveaway! Just leave a comment here, and I’ll select a winner next week.

Don’t worry — there are lots of chances for you to win Simple Scrapbooks! Hop on by the blogs of these CK friends for another opportunity:

Megan Hoeppner
Erika Hayes
Ashley Harris

Have a fantastic day!

Nikki Sivils Guest Diva + CK Giveaway!

kim — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:10:03 +0000

Oh my goodness, what a busy month it’s been! For starters, I’m this month’s Guest Diva for Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker. How cool is that? I had so much fun playing with the Noah and Audrey collections. Noah, while a little boy line, is perfect for Independence Day layouts like the one I made here. Check out the Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker blog to see the rest of my projects.

And now, on to the giveaway!

The May/June 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes is definitely a keeper. You’ll love all of the techniques and tips in this one — especially the decor and storage ideas in Megan’s “Creative Spaces” feature! Here’s a layout I made for her Latest & Greatest column using some really fantastic embossing powders from Stampendous! If you want to add a cool vintage look to your layouts, this powder is the way to go!

As seen in the May/June 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

Want to win a copy? Just leave me a comment here, and I’ll draw a winner next week. I’ll notify you if you win and the fab peeps at CK will ship your copy out to you. Doesn’t get easier than that. Yay for free stuff!

For more chances to win, stop by the next ladies on our blog hop:

Megan Hoeppner
Erika Hayes
Ashley Harris

Operation Write Home 2012

kim — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:00:23 +0000

Thank you to all the service men and women for their courage, and to all of the wonderful people who support them here at home. Hope this card for Operation Write Home brightens your day!

Check out the Lawn Fawn blog to see even more cards for Operation Write Home from the design team!

Hello, You Are the Best! card recipe: Stamps and twine: Lawn Fawn; Kit: Studio Calico (City of Lights); Patterned paper: Studio Calico; Ink: Stampin' Up!.

Lawn Fawn Inspiration Week – March 2012

kim — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 04:06:52 +0000

Time for another Lawn Fawn Inspiration Week! For today’s bit of inspiration, I made this layout about a trip to Epcot using the Bright Side collection. Bright Side really is the best collection ever for scrapbooking Disney trips. How can those papers not make you smile? And how can I not smile when I remember the fun I had on that business trip?

For this particular design, I wanted to play up the whimsical factor of Bright Side, and went crazy with the layering. I die cut frames using nesting dies, and I’m pretty happy with the way they turned out. A bit of lace tape tucked behind the frame was just the right eclectic touch. And, of course, I had to include lots of little bits: a fabric-covered brad, rhinestones, a metal flower, and a star pin!

To create my memorabilia envelope, I took an old Stampin’ Up! die cut (circa 2006) and traced it onto my Lawn Fawn paper. I did the same thing to create the little tab attached to my frame. Hang onto one die-cut from a bulk assortment to use as a template. Pro tip, my friends. Pro. Tip.

I hope you enjoyed this quick look at my Best Business Trip Ever layout! Be sure to comment on the post over at the Lawn Fawn blog every day this week for a chance to win some awesome goodies.

Best Business Trip Ever layout recipe: Patterned paper: Lawn Fawn; Die-cutting machine: Sizzix; Dies: Spellbinders; Pin: Maya Road; Flower: Making Memories; Rhinestones: My Mind's Eye; Brad: Crate Paper; Stickers: American Crafts and Bella Blvd.

March/April 2012 CK + Giveaway!

kim — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:00:12 +0000

As seen in the March/April 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

Have you seen the March/April 2012 issue of CK yet? Without a doubt, it’s one of my favorite issues ever! And not just because I’ve got three layouts in it. (Three?! Geek out!) This issue’s jam packed with fab ideas for sharing your story and using your stash in innovative ways.

Honestly though, I think this is one of my favorite issues because I had such a great time working on it! Cindy Tobey and I had a blast putting together “Scrapbook Family Style” based on a wild idea I had during one of CK’s issue concept meetings. If I recall, there was a lot of vague hand-gesturing on my part and talking about drawing inspiration from your dad’s plaid shirt to scrapbook his love of movies. (“Noooo, the layout doesn’t need to be about the shirt!”) Ha! That Cindy’s a genius–she got what I meant. The article turned out beautifully! You’ll find it on page 67. And, to get an idea of what a concept meeting involves, turn to page 4 of the issue and take a peek at the “Behind the Scenes” snippet in Jennafer’s Ed Note.

In another wild turn of events, Stacy Cohen was a total super trooper when I sent her scouring LA for glassine to recreate Tim Holtz’s ultra-cool technique for my “Tips & Tricks” column (page 19). Go Stacy!

And then there’s the fun I had creating a layout for Lori’s “Leap Ahead” (page 55) feature. The folks at Sizzix were kind enough to lend me one of their brand new dies to use on my Party Moves layout (featured at the top of this post). It was so hard shipping the die back to them! You have no idea! Don’t those die-cut transparency doilies look cool?

As seen in the March/April 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

Lastly, I challenged myself to use four different Tattered Angels products on a single layout! Check out my Shopping in Chicago layout, and find out about all the techniques I used by visiting this issues online extras at ck.com. And, because I just couldn’t help myself, I also used my fav Studio Calico chicken wire background stamp that Nicole Harper graciously sent me. But while I totally love that stamp, it’s her note that I’ll always remember:

I laughed so hard, I fell out of my rolly chair and bonked my knee on a stack of boxes!

Win It!
Now for the best part–I get to give away a copy of this fantastic issue to one of my readers! Just leave me a note here, and I’ll select one winner on or around March 26, 2012. And hop on by the blogs of these other CK friends for even more chances to win:

Kim Watson
Adele Beck
Suzy Plantamura
The Scrap Review
Maggie Holmes
Deena Boese

Enjoy!!

Fawnie Friday: Bannerific

kim — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:00:54 +0000

Just a quick peek at an ongoing mini album that I’m working on, featuring Lawn Fawn’s Bannerific stamps to hold handwritten photo captions. I used Jenni Bowlin’s Hodgepodge book for a base, threw in some Studio Calico paper, and finished off with the stamped caption holders and a brad. Easy peasy!

Fawnie Friday: Say Cheese + Sophie’s Sentiments

kim — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:00:20 +0000

I hope you all had a spectacular week! Just thought I’d share a little spring-inspired Lawn Fawnie goodness to celebrate the fact that we’re going to have 60 degree weather here in Utah this weekend. Hooray!

You may be wondering about the “Fawnie Friday” in the title of this post. Then again, maybe not. (Hee.) I’ll explain: I’m going to try to post a Lawn Fawn project each Friday because, well, I’m a sucker for alliteration and these stamps make me happy. Good enough of a reason, I think! That, and I’m trying to put some structure around my blogging. (Gasp! What?)

Hi There card recipe: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Patterned paper: Glitz Design; Stamps: Lawn Fawn; Ink: Stampin' Up!; Spray ink: Studio Calico; Washi tape: Kamoi Kakoshi; Punch: EK Success.