Thursday, December 2, 2010

A Few of My Favorite Things....

Today I'm sharing a few of my personal favorite things, some of which I hope are your favorite things too or that you might be introduced to something new!  But first the winner from yesterday's giveaway is "Janet" who said "Wow--what a gorgeous line! Thanks for the chance to win." Janet's comment was the first comment for yesterday's post and I picked the first comment since yesterday was December 1st! (Janet email me your address and I'll get this out to you tomorrow.)

Now a few of my favorite things...

1. Elf on the Shelf! If you haven't stopped by this website then please take the time to do so! It's beautiful and if I had a little one this would be on my list!  

2. The Sound of Music (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Special Edition, 1965)  *Dan if you are reading this I sure would like Santa to bring me this for Christmas!  You can get it here!

3. StorePhotos.com This is a fun site to stop in and see all their great Pioneer Photo Albums. I'm trying to create a scrapbook for my dad about his experience in the Vietnam war and I got my themed album from this store. They also carry other Scrapbook supplies - oh! and all their products are archival safe too! Their customer service rocks! So if you need a new scrapbook album or photo box (I love photo boxes) then this is where you need to go!
I love this album:

    
4. Croptopia Getaways!! Okay, so I've been asked to teach on this 7 NIGHT WESTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE... and of course I said YES!!  I'd love to have all of you join me on this awesome cruise... so ask your sweet hubbies for this fun cruise for Christmas! (Or save all your dollars and take yourself!). They are offering "Early Bird Rates" and the ship is just over a year old!  I'm going to be teaching classes and doing make-n-takes; I'm also going to be giving a ton of PRODUCT away on this once in a lifetime trip! Woo Hoo....

5. Helmar Adhesive Scrap Dots!! If you haven't tried these great 3-dimensional liquid dots then hold on to your pants because they are a crafter's dream come true!! I love them! Tracy, the owner, and I have become friends from meeting at CHA and this is the only adhesive I use at all my CHA make-n-takes. It's my preferred adhesive! Thank you, Tracy, for your support and awesome adhesive!!
HELMAR ROCKS!!


6. The Nutcracker Ballet! If you haven't had a chance to go see this performance, then it's a must! Even if you don't like ballets, it's still a must see -- the music is fabulous! I live in a pretty small town, but it still seems to make it here every year. And it usually plays on public TV at least once during the month of December too!

7. Anyone that knows me well knows I'm Jenni Bowlin's biggest fan!! I get her monthly kits and love them! I think she is so talented and a great business woman who I continually look up too! I follow her blog and, well, I just adore her! I first met her over a year ago when she came into my booth at CHA and made a purchase for her monthly kits. It's actually kind of a funny story... Dan (my hubby) knew how much I loved Jenni (as I've been talking about her for years). So on our way to CHA I must have asked and talked about meeting her a thousand times, literally driving Dan crazy! Well, I was standing a little ways outside my booth at my first CHA talking to some friends when my hubby tapped me on the shoulder and said "Jenni's in your booth looking around." Well, I turned around to see if this was true and burst into tears when I saw her! JENNI BOWLIN WAS IN MY BOOTH... ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! You can ask everyone that was around me... I had a hard time pulling my self together; seriously... I couldn't stop the tears! And there was no way I could write up an order for her, I was just too beside myself. I did ask her for a picture and she said "Why of course" in that sweet southern accent of hers.  And, by the way, she may be the nicest person I've ever met. Here is our first picture together:
If you haven't checked out her products, then you must! Our styles are very different but my products also seem to fit in well with some of her products too!

8. My Burlap Buttons - also called "Cute as a Button Burlap Buttons"! So...I know it's my own design and product, but I've been creating these little buttons for years prior to having them manufactured for my company! I'd find the perfect button, then cut some burlap out, hot glue it to the button then, once dry, I'd stitch the center,  I know, I know, a lot of work for a little button - but it gave so much texture and dimension, which are two of my favorite things when scrapbooking!  (Jenni Bowlin even bought a bunch for her kits last spring!)  I have 4 different colors of the buttons, blue, red, black and brown:




Soooo having said that...how about for today's giveaway I'll pick 2 lucky ladies to win all 4 sets of these Burlap Buttons! Leave a comment about your best "homemade" embellishment and I'll pick 2 winners tomorrow morning (Friday's) blog post!

I want to leave you with a picture of my sweet Alfred (a 12 yr old puppy-mill rescue) all dressed for Christmas!


Have a great day everyone! -Nikki

79 comments:

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

CONGRATS to Janet!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):):) And OMYGOSH... I want to go on that CRUISE!! HOW COOL! :):):):):):):):):):):)

Erica Marshall said...

My favorite embellishment is using something my daughters have written or drawn!

Thebug415 said...

I really like heat set gems/rhinestones as an embellishemnt. As far as homemade...I have attempted some flowers before.

Anonymous said...

my best homemade embellishment was using tim holtz
janettattered floral die

Dee said...

I think my most fav embellie that I've made would be a Christmas tree out of left over ribbon. I made loops out of various scraps then put them in a triangle with a star button on top. It was adorable and I received several compliments on it.

DeeDee

Jenny B in Indy said...

I LOVE rolled flowers!

Debbie P said...

Nikki, you are just adorable! I love this post. The story about you and Jenni Bowlin is sooo cool! Your burlap buttons are amazing! Thanks for the chance to win. :)

Mary B. said...

I wrote a poem, broke it down in to circle sentences and used the poetry circles as the center for flowers (the flowers were die cut). I made a bouquet with the poem I'd written. That is my favorite handmade embellishment to date because I got to incorporate my love for writing poetry with my love for flower embellishments!

Manhattan Mandie said...

My favorite homemade embellishments are flowers that I punch from scraps and crinkle and combine for fun page accents!

Becky said...

Congrats Janet! My fave homemade embellie are my distressed lollipop flowers. Thanks for sharing that adorable pic of your furbaby.

floridagirl said...

the only hand-made embellishments I usually make are flowers or epoxy's. I like to put diamond glaze on some stickers to give sparkle and dimension.

Teresa Jaye said...

I love your favorite things list, and can't wait to check out some of the links!
One of my best homemade embellishments is a ribbon I twisted to make a banner, you can see it here if you like:

http://teresajaye.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-awesome-that-my-girls-are-best.html

I adore your burlap buttons and would love to have a set, thanks for the opportunity to win!

Cowchipper said...

i like to make shrinky dink charms.

Darrell said...

Every now and then I sneak into my wife's work area and make her something using all her embellishments. It makes her cry with happiness!

Tammy said...

I use strips of your paper and others to make accent pieces. I also cut out the image in the paper!! I use glitter for bling, buttons, and punches to make embellishments!! I love the sheet of paper you alway have that has things you can cut out!! I layer it, dress it up, add ribbon, etc. I also love the stitching that Allison Davis does at scrapapalooza. So, I do that some too! Super cute!

Dave R said...

i like to cut up paper strips and then do mosaic type designs.

Tona said...

My favorite embellishments are ribbon. I just can't get enough lol.
Congrats to Janet.

Anonymous said...

i have about 30 flat file drawers filled with embellishments. I make things from those embellishments to make bigger ones!. I love ALL embellishments

Zen

Christa Allgood said...

I like to make pinwheels...they are simple but fun to make. They show off both sides of patterned paper and you can use lots of stuff to decorate the middle...brads, flowers, cardstock circles or even burlap buttons!

ShoppingTamii said...

I love your burlap buttons! I made some cute lollipop type flowers for a layout once using felt and denim fabric, and embroidry thread accents.

Anonymous said...

i enjoy making banners...all sizes and shapes. going to do one out of coasters right now....

love the burlap

lynda in calif

deannaf said...

I don't make alot of homemade embellishments but I do like to add rubons or floral products to enhance embellishments I use!

Janet said...

My favorite embellie that I have made are flowers!

Angie said...

My fave homemade embellie has got to be when I created an embellishment using buttons from my grandmother and the sb page was about my grandparents wedding day! I felt it added a personal touch!

Unknown said...

Hi Nikki, o wow what a cutie your little doggie!!I have two cavalier king charles that I love to death. The cruise is not a good idea for me, I get seasick when my bathtub's too full!! LOL Anyway, my favourite home made embelishment have got to be my home made flowers. I have all sorts of punches in order to make them. Greetz, Frea

Karen AKA Soccerboyzmom said...

I love those buttons and would absolutely love to win them. Thank you for the chance.

JMCPhillips said...

These buttons are SOOOOO cute!!!! My favourite homemade embellishment would have to be a butterfly sticker that my then 4 YO DD made for me with some paper, felt, and stickles (have to make it shiny, Mama!!) So cute!!!

Marla said...

I like making paper flowers as a homemade embellishment. Great LO and LOVE those buttons. I love adding buttons to my projects!!

Shel said...

My best homemade embellie, has to be my lollipop flowers. I cut circles with deco scissors, layer, and add a button for the center!

Unknown said...

My favorite homemade embellishment is any type of flowers. I am hooked on making them!
hugs,
Gini

Karen said...

I love your story about you and Jenni Bowlin - her stuff is just as awesome as yours!! My favorite handmade embellishment to do is to cover shaped chipboard with whatever papers coordinate with my layouts. It is so easy and gives the chipboard a whole new look!!!

connie said...

congrats Janet! My favorite handmade embellishment is flowers. There are so many to make.

Heather said...

Love your burlap buttons, and Alfred is too cute. I think my best homemade embellishments are grungepaper flowers!

Linda Beeson said...

Your list is wonderful! I can dream about going on a cruise!!

Tish - GaMtnScrap said...

I love to make my own handmade embellies, and try to make at least one little "something" for every page. (Uh, maybe that's why I'm such a slow scrapper?!?) One of my favorite things to do is to crochet my own trims and flowers. It combines my two loves, scrapbooking and crocheting!

Sandra D said...

This is such a fun blog! I love how you describe the inspiration behind your designs. My favorite home made embellishments are flowers hand-cut, coloured or inked & distressed. Thanks for another chance to win.

wendipooh13 said...

oh my gosh those are sooo cute and fun!!!!!!! love em...
I love to make paper flowers and the fabric ones too!!!

Vana63 said...

Oh I luv those Burlap Buttons and would luv to win! My fav handcrafted emellie is felt flowers :-) Thanks for a chance to win!

Anonymous said...

I have never seen burlap buttons and would love to win them. My favorite homemade embellishment is a tree that I made out of paper.

cindy said...

I cut all of my "ribbon" from paper. Easy to do and fabulously cheap!

Lisa cox said...

buttons are awesome.
lkc29@cornell.edu

Melissa D. said...

My favorite handmade embellishment is whatever flowers I can piece together. It doesn't matter how or what it is made of, just love it!

Mel said...

Alfred is just stunning, a gorgeous little fella, I have Maxi a 14 yr old poodle, he is my oldest baby.

I love making layouts with my little man's hand prints and foot prints and I have made one with both my poodle's paws too.

Janet's Joy said...

I would love to go on that cruise!!
I love making my own ribbon flowers.

Unknown said...

I love to make handmade paper flowers so that they match the project I am working on. As money is tight in our household I tend to try and make all my embellies which makes each project unique and special to me. thanks for the chance to win

Shannon Tompkins said...

I, too love your burlap buttons so I'd love to win more to add to my collection. Right now I won't use the pack I have cause I don't have backup!

Kim said...

I see a couple of my favs on that list: The sound of Music and the Nutcracker ballet. Just asked DH if he would like to go on that cruise--he asked, "who's going?" I said a bunch of scrappers...his reply, "No, thankyou!" LOL

Best Homemade embellishment? Some flowers I made out of an old pair of DH's jeans.

Kelly Massman said...

GREAT list! I wish I could go on the cruise with you. Maybe they'd hire me to help you! Ha ha
Anyway, my best embellie would be my hand-made flowers (either the box flower or the swirl flower)! Thanks for a chance to win some of your buttons! :-)

Jennifer Reynard said...

I don't do "homemade" embellishments
as I tend to glue my fingers together
for the most part!! LOL
I purchase everything premade so it
is pretty foolproof!

CStrickler said...

Congrats to janet and to you for getting to teach on the cruise. I have 2 embellies I made that I love. One was a little bird I made for a LO about my son's cockatiel hair(it was sticking up so that's whta my Dh dubbed it.LOL). The other was a recent title I made for a grinch lo.

Patchi said...

I love decorating cards and LOs with paper flowers... and your buttons will be perfect for their centers!

nanapayne said...

Oh, Love Buttons and Brads. I got a heat set thing but have yet to use it. Need more gems than I have. I think some of my favorite embellishments that I have made have been from die cuts or punches.

April said...

I think my best homemade embellishment is definitely flowers. I love making them myself!

Thanks for the chance at some goodies!

- April W

serena said...

favorite homemade embellie is a stitched homemade quilt heart.

Shalah said...

My fav homemade embellishment is flowers: paper, ribbon, and lately, from cloth strips. I'd love to win your adorable buttons!

Sandi said...

I love making flowers of any kind for embellishing my pages. I really dig these burlap buttons and would love to win some.

Kristi said...

I love the burlap buttons!!!

craftymom205 said...

I can't think of any embellishment that I have made from scratch. I like your burlap buttons.

Jersey Girl Anne said...

I have been making flowers and using paper to make ribbon on my pages. I love your buttons!!

Anonymous said...

My favorite would be making flowers using scraps & buttons!! Love your burlap buttons, so cute!!

Unknown said...

love the buttons - my fav homemade embellie was a felt stitched flower

Unknown said...

Hmmm, I like challenges like I get at crops to come up with something within a short time span. One of my favorite homemade embellies was a tag I made for a challenge. I used some Rock Star chipboard, prima flowers and bling and it came out coolio!

Ava Gavloski said...

cute buttons and cute puppy, cute layout. My homemade embellishments were using real fly fishing hooks.........I had to cut off the sharp end, embellished them a bit with card stock matting.
ava
cottagerca

Kamiehoo said...

Your burlap buttons are amazingly cute! Thanks for the chance to win them!

Cynthia Baldwin said...

The only homemade emboss I've really made are flowers with ribbon/brads/buttons. So I guess those are my "best" ones. :)
And I do love those burlap buttons- thanks for the chance to win"!

Jan said...

My favorite homemade embellishments are leaves and flowers made from scraps of Basic Grey solids that I haven't used elsewhere or have just bits of.

Michelle H. said...

I love your list of favorite things!!
I'm a huge fan of Jenni B too!
I love to create embellishments with stamps and using embossing powders on them and also creating emebllishments with using my cuttlebug!

Renee said...

I had fun with some ribbon, a needle and some thread and created a flower. That was my very first time and it sure was fun! Thanks for the chance to win!

Scrapinkats said...

My favorite was some burlap we cut on the sizzix and then glimmermist , was a little messy untill they dryed- I seem to have ink stain fingers all the time!

Anonymous said...

Love your favorite things, right now I am having a "embossing" week, with gold, silver, and copper embossing powders! And since it's my first time using them, its my new favorite of the week, Thanks for sharing! Louella/bjhlmrt@yahoo.com

calamity jane said...

I love to make things out of the packaging from scrapbooking supplies! The clear packaging from your buttons could used for a clear embellie that I stamp on and use on a card. I don't like to waste anything! Thanks for a chance to win some awesome N.S. products!

Nitasha said...

My best homeade embellishment are a twisty swirly blue jean fabric flower which I was lucky enough to learn to make froma rad scrap star's class at my LSS!

Tracy Weinzapfel said...

Thanks so much Nikki! What a nice surprise to see Helmar listed! You are a favorite of mine too!

Lisa Watson said...

my best handmade embellies is those pinwheel flowers. Those burlap flowers are awesome!!!

Dana Tatar said...

I LOVE the burlap buttons! To be honest my homemade embellies leave a lot to be desired so I prefer to buy, LOL.

Mary Ellyn said...

My best homemade embellishment are flowers made out of layered tissue paper and sprayed with Glimmer Mist and accented with a jewel in the center. I love these burlap buttons!

Kath said...

I like to make my own paper flowers for layouts. But your idea of the buttons is way better!

Liz said...

Aw Alfred is the sweetest
Ahhh someday for that cruise totally. I'm thinking that is will totally be 2012

arlsmom aka Lynda said...

I love using my kids art as embellies on a page...they draw the cutest little pictures at times...thank you for the chance to win!

01 09 10