Lot's of work and a give away!

Hilde my international DT lead is going to be blogging today, so check out her blog post (below) and my international DT girl’s work! Today’s giveaways are my Breadless Tabs, my Craft Flags, my Corduroy Brads and my Burlap Buttons! (Basically all my embellishments!)  Leave a comment on today’s blog post and tell me what you like best about some of the work my DT Diva’s have created in this blog post! I’ll pick one winner and announce it on Thursday’s post! 

Enjoy! 

Nikki

Hi you all!!

I'm so glad I can blog again today. I have tons of wonderful work for you to show. You will be blown away, I guarantee!!

The first two layouts are created by Larissa. The layout called 'Ain't Love The Sweetest Thing' was created with the Sugar Cookie collection.

She added an ice cream and acrylic paint to create the idea that love melts her heart....how romantic!!

Her other page 'Be Merry' was created with Happy Holly-Days. She did a lot of layering, cut out images and use paint.

Amazing layout Larissa!!

DT member Mahlin also created two amazing layouts.

Layout: Allt (Everything)
She took the cute Trick or treat smell my feet- paper from the Boo-tiful collection and cut out the insides from all the circles.. Added some different papers from other collections to the insides..
Supplies used: Patterned papers from My friend birdie, something for everyone, Tree love and Boo-tiful, Black Burlap Buttons and some great wintage brads from Creative Charms.

To see what wonderful products Creative Charms has, go check their website! Click here.

Layout: Dröm (Dream)
She took my cute Butterflypunch and made a whole bunch of butterflies from 3 different pappers.. and then sewed them onto my layout.. She likes how she can get the wings to look more dimensional this way. 

Supplies used: Patterned papers from;  Something for everyone, Sugar Cookie. Super cute brads from Creative Charms

Our DT member Mette created a super fun layout! She used Sugar Cookie Collection and Creative Charms Brads.

Lea created some amazing Christmas and Winter projects. You should really try them out!!

She used the Happy Holly-Days collection to create some amazing give-away boxes!

Anna has some amazing layouts for you. Her first layout puts you into a real Christmas mood!

She used the Happy Holly-Days collection.

Her layout 'Thankful' is so sweet and soft. Don't you think? She used the Something for Everyone collection. I love the fact it matches the photos perfectly.

Janis also showcased the Something For Everyone collection. She blew me away with these amazing layouts. And I guess she will blow you away as well!!

Logan
Design Notes:  I had fun lacing up the "For Trish" Die-Cut paper (made me think of corsets!!!).  I cut up the paisleys from the "For Lanie" paper and formed them into flowers!!!  The paisleys were topped with the circle stickers from the Cardstock Sticker Sheet and a light blue Cool Cord Brad.

Lover Boy and I Heart Mayo
Design Notes:  Love these brads from Creative Charms!!!  These are two layouts proving that even boy pages can be glammed up using these beautiful brads by Creative Charms!!

And of course I also have a layout to share. I used the Sugar Cookie collection with this layout. I love the colors and the girly look!

Well, that's all for today. I think you will have enough inspiration to start creating!!

Have a nice day!

hugs

Hilde

Don't forget to sign up for my free newsletter to the left of this blog to win the "Santa Bag" of Nikki Sivils products valued at over $100.00!! That winner will be picked on the 14th of December! 

Lots and lots of goodies for you today!

Have you heard of Creative Charms? Well, if you haven't, it's a must see... their embellishments are wonderful! Along with Susan & Hilde (my domestic and international DT leads), I will be showing off their embellishments - along with my paper of course - for the next week! Here is some eye-candy from Jennifer Yates, who is on both mine and Creative Charms design teams...

Look at how cute that flower brad is on this owl chipboard! 

These are the same flower brads for the the tree blooms! Great idea Jennifer!

More Creative Charms coming this week! 

Today I'm going to introduce you all to Miss Lanie!  Where would I be without Lanie... seriously! We call her our "Girl Friday" always willing to do anything asked of her.  Dan and Lanie work closely together handling all our retailers, all our sales reps too, she's also our customer service lady, runs shipping and her and Dan often kick me out of MY own warehouse! We first met Lanie through a mutual friend who told us that we needed her for our "dog sitter" and that she was great; so we asked her to start staying with our dogs while we traveled. She was great and our pups loved her! We asked Lanie if she would stay with our pups while we were headed to our first CHA in Orlando, FL. We were driving so it was going to be 10 days of our dogs in our home, and she was more than willing. Well, on our way home from CHA, we realized that we had such a great first show that we needed a full time person to help us out; Dan and I couldn't do it all by ourselves. So on the drive home we offered her a full time job. She said yes and that was that; she's been with us ever since! Lanie now attends all of our CHA tradeshows with us and literally is often my right and left hand! I'm not sure I could function with out her! She brings "Lola" her yorkie-poo to work with her everyday, and Lola has become part of our fur-baby family too! 

Here is Lola:

Here is Lanie and I at this last Summer CHA in our booth: 

Here is Lanie and her Christmas story:

My family’s Christmas tradition isn’t that unusual. We always got to open one gift on Christmas Eve and it was always new pajamas. Really, though, this was more of a gift for my mom than for us. She wanted us to look presentable for the Christmas morning photos. As we got older, my mom realized she could just ask us to shower and get dressed before we did the whole Christmas morning thing, so our pajama tradition fell by the wayside. The fact that my brother and I are now in our 30’s probably also had something to do with it. Last Christmas, however, we got a little nostalgic for the pajama tradition. So, my parents and my brother and I all hopped in the car on Christmas Eve and drove to the mall. Yes, we braved the mall on Christmas Eve to get some new pajamas. My brother and my dad went off into the men’s department and my mom and I the women’s. When we met back up, my mom and I showed off our festive bargain pjs (I got mine for $6.!!!). But, as it turns out, I picked the wrong parent to shop with. My dad (the prima donna) splurged on lavish, expensive pajamas for my brother and himself. I felt slightly cheated, so (and I’m not proud of this) I asked if I could get another pair of pajamas – since mine were so inexpensive. And I did. Although it sounds like we completely missed the spirit of Christmas, we actually had a blast racing around on our pajama quest. And we still tease my dad about his silk pajamas. 

Happy Holiday's! -Lanie

Today we are half way through our 14 Day's of Christmas! To celebrate the half way point, I have a FREE giveaway for EVERYONE!! Woo Hoo... "North Pole Night's Cut-Ups" for everyone! (Just double click the images in the left sidebar of the blog and then print off for some Christmas fun.)  "North Pole Night's" was my very first Christmas paper line, and still a favorite of mine! To see my DT Diva's creations with this collection just go to my website gallery!

Sheet #1 (8 1/2 x 11)

 

Sheet #2 (8 1/2 x 11)

For an added giveaway... yes there's more... if you create a card, layout or altered project using these Cut-Up's and link your project up to your comment on this post then I'll have some of my design team girls pick their favorites and I'll give away these products (below) to 2 lucky ladies...

6x6 mini pad of papers

These are the papers in the mini pad:

You'll get these 12x12 papers:

This clear stamp set 4x6:

Sorry I can't give these papers that go with this paper collection, they are sold out!
(How ever there are several online stores that are carrying them and still have some in stock.)

 And you'll win this 6x6 chipboard album!

You'll have 2 days to create something and post to this blog post in the comments and I'll announce a winner on Thursday's blog post! 

Good Luck and I can't wait to see what you create! 

Yesterday's winner (December 6th) blog post is: Patchi who said "I redid our laundry room last year when I broke my foot and was working from home for a couple of weeks. My husband flipped! He said it was so low on his priority list that he could not believe I spent money on it! 

We just had our pool redone last month (his high priority), so I guess we are not planning anymore projects for a while... but the old carpet and half pained ceiling in our stairwell really bother me, so I might need to do something about that if I start spending too much time at home..."

How could I not pick someone who has a broken leg and yet still revamped her laundry room! So sounds like something I'd do! Email me your address and I'll get the brads out to you! Thanks for all your comments... I loved reading them and also happy I'm not the only one with a constant mess to work through! 

Have a great Tuesday! -Nikki

Don't forget to sign up for my free news letter to the left of this blog to win the "Santa Bag" of Nikki Sivils products valued at over $100.00!! That winner will be picked on the 14th of December! 

Waiting Waiting Waiting... and more waiting!

This is one of the hardest times of the year for me... waiting for my paper to arrive! Now for Dan & Lanie, well they love this time b/c I'm most productive around the "home-office", like last Friday I cleaned the entire warehouse/garage! I put on my leather gloves my i-Pod music and went to work! I cleared 4 pallets of paper with 25 lb boxes of paper on them to the other side of the "warehouse" to make room for the new paper. I combined the last 2 paper line releases together as well as but them in order and kept what was or is left of the paper lines together for easy retrieval. During this "waiting" time I usually want to do this work by myself, that's mainly b/c I don't want to talk to anyone I just want to work. Non-stop work. Makes me feel good, like I'm doing something that matters and getting my hands dirty. Now during the designing process of my paper that's a different story! I'm a maniac... this is the definition for Maniac:
maniac |ˈmānēˌak|noun informala person exhibiting extreme symptoms of wild behavior
That would be me during the designing of my papers! But right now I'm a "workhorse", I can't stay busy enough to keep my mind off the arrival of my papers (which will be later this week). So today I'm totally re-vamping my laundry room! Going to make it much more organized and also a kinda of "mud-room" for all our coats, gloves, boots and scarfs for the winter! Once this is done then I'm moving Dan and Lanie's office from my dining room table to my formal living (who needs a formal living room anyway, no one uses it) and I want my dinning room table back!!! (They don't know this yet though.) :)

So as most people are waiting for the Holiday's I'm desperately waiting for my paper!! Wish me luck!

I totally forgot to highlight one of my favorite design team girls work on yesterday's Helmar blog hop post. Deana Boston has been with me from the very beginning, being one of my first DT Diva's! She's so talented, and very sweet as I got to meet her this last summer at Chicago Summer CHA! Here is a picture of us...

Oh and she's adorable too! Here is Deana's awesome layout using Helmar's adhesive and my paper and products! Deana is so so talented!

                                      
Love how Deana added the cotton to the nutcrackers hair, beard and boots! So Cute! Love it! Thanks Deana and I'm so sorry I didn't get this up yesterday!

Speaking of Helmar, here are the winners from yesterday's blog post (Dec 4th)...  (I used the number generator) "Jonaks" is the winner of the Helmar Adhesive and "A Scrap Above" (Bonnie C) is the winner of my Happy Holly-Day's collections! Email me your address and I'll get these out to you this week! Congrats Ladies!

Today I want to highlight Susan Dupre and her Christmas Story! Oh where do I start with Ms Susan... She's my DT lead of the Domestic girls, she too has been with me from the beginning of starting this business. Susan goes to all our CHA trade-shows with us, and quite frankly I've threaten her life if she doesn't go to a CHA with me or tries to leave the design team! Hee hee... but really Susan you can't leave me!  I love her, she's great about making me laugh when I'm stressed at CHA and gives me "pep talks" too, but mostly she give me a hard time and harasses me terribly! (Which secretly I kinda like and probably need!) ;) I love you Susan and thanks for being on my team and leading the domestic gals!
Here is a picture of Susan and I at last years Winter CHA in LA:

This is Susan and her family...

and Susan's Christmas story...

 My favorite part of Christmas used to be the hoards of family around.  However, since we had Hayden nothing makes me happier than the excitement that he experiences from the holiday.  Everything he sees on t.v. (minus the girlie stuff) he says he wants.  I swear I see him drooling over the possibility that he just might get it.  Each year he gets more and more excited, and now that he is six, he has a full understanding of Santa.  My favorite part of Christmas?  It is definitely "seeing it through my child's eyes".

For today's giveaway I'm going to give away one each of my Corduroy Brads! I love these brads and use them all the time! 

Leave me a comment about what in your house needs a "makeover" and I'll pick one winner and post it on my blog post for tomorrow. 

Off to go re-vamp my laundry room now! Have a great day! -Nikki

Don't forget to sign up for my free news letter to the left of this blog to win the "Santa Bag" of Nikki Sivils products valued at over $100.00!! That winner will be picked on the 14th of December! 

Thanks Susan! I hope I get to meet Hayden one day!

Helmar Helmar Helmar... oh and a bit of "Nikki Sivils" too!

I'm running a bit late this morning so my part of this blog post is going to be short and sweet! Yesterday's winner of the December 4th giveaway is...  "A Sarasota" who said "Congrats, Misty!!!
My fave treat is chocolate biscotti... yum, yum. 
We have to drive an hour to get to a Sonic, boo hoo....: -(
Make it a great day!
Alecia 

Alecia email me your address and I'll get this out to you next week! Congrats! 

Today is Helmar's Holiday Hop!! Woo to the Hoo!!! If you read my "favorite" things list last week you know Helmar was on it! I LOVE HELMAR! 

And so do my design team girls....

Here are their creations and their favorite Helmar adhesive! 

Created by:Mimi, Mimi said she loves Helmar White Zapdots! 

Julie Tucker-Wolek created two projects...

 Julie's 2nd project....

Julie used:

Helmar's 450 Quick Dry and Helmar's Scrap Dots!

Julie said this about Helmar: 

"My FAVE Helmar product is their 
Scrap Dots!! They are AMAZING! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):)"

Here is Linda Beeson's project:

Here is how Linda created these super cute treat bags:

I used on piece of scallop circle patterned paper 
and cut it exactly in half and made a little candy holder from each half by folding it in thirds.  
I used the Helmar Acid Free Glue, Helmar square Zap Dots and Helmar Scrap Dots.  I glued the bottom 
portion and the folded flaps with the Acid Free Glue and I was amazed at how quickly that 
glue dried and how firm the hold is. I often have trouble finding a glue that will hold projects
like this so I am loving this glue. I used the stickly Zap Dots to hold the little cello bags inside
of the candy holder and the Scrap Dots helped glue the cut out die cuts to the fronts of the holders
with a little bit of dimension. 

Cutest Santa by Janis Medina-Maghinay

Helmar Products used:
Helmar Acid-Free Glue
Helmar Gemstone Glue
Zapdots
Janis said this about Helmar...
"I love that the acid--free glue adheres my papers easily and that it doesn't crumple them.  The gemstone glue is a must-have for those tiny blings without the cloud!!!  As I love having layers and dimensions on my layouts, the Zapdots are my go-to foam dots - - I have them in all sizes!!!"

Okay so if you are doing the Helmar Blog hop you should've come from Tracy's blog and after my blog you'll be going to... 

Laura Achilles (Laura was on my DT last year, she rocks!)

Here is the Full List incase you get lost along the way:

Helmar USA Design Team Blog         http://helmarusa.typepad.com/
Tracy Weinzapfel  www.tracywburgos.typepad.com 
Preferred Vendor – Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker LLC  www.nikkisdoghouse.blogspot.com
Laura Achilles  http://lauraachilles1.wordpress.com/
Shelly Hein-Simmons http://reelgirlsanimalhouse.blogspot.com/
Amy Teets  http://amyteetsdesigns.blogspot.com/
Guest Designer – Tammy Tutterow  http://tammytutterow.typepad.com/
Alicia Barry  http://leishasblog.blogspot.com/
Gayle Martin  http://jgwm.blogspot.com/
Aymee Gandy http://www.southernbellescrapper.blogspot.com/
Erika Taylor http://taylordconcepts.blogspot.com/
Preferred Vendor – Unity Stamp Co. www.theunitystampco.blogspot.com/
Cathy La Hay http://behindthesceneswithcathy.blogspot.com/
Pamela Young http://pamelasworldofscrap.blogspot.com/
Jessica Morales (KinderStampO) http://www.kinderstampo.com/
Lolly Chessie (LollyChops) http://www.lollychops.com/
Tina McDonald http://tinamcd-mysanity.blogspot.com/
Leeann Pearce http://thepaintbrushgoesspottie.blogspot.com/
Stayce DeWid http://staycedewid.typepad.com/
Guest Designer – Marion Smith http://apieceofcraft.blogspot.com/
Michelle Wallace http://www.theartofscrapbooking.blogspot.com/
Nicole Pomeroy http://nmpomeroy.blogspot.com/
Sarah Moore http://sarahmoore-thescrapjunkie.blogspot.com/
Sherry Mendoza  http://sherryscreations.typepad.com/sherrys-creations/
Becky Teichmiller  http://www.beckyteich.blogspot.com/
Preferred Vendor – www.ellesstudio.blogspot.com
Jing-Jing Nickel http://thislittleartofmine.blogspot.com/
Lydell Quin http://www.lydellquin.blogspot.com/
Helmar USA Design Team Blog  http://helmarusa.typepad.com/

 Leave a comment on my blog to win this Helmar adhesive:

and for my DECEMBER 5TH GIVEAWAY.....

My complete collection of "Happy Holly-Day's"!

Yes, it's a repeat... but its Christmas so I know you all need some more Chirstmas paper... RIGHT!!! ;)

Don't forget to "Like" Helmar on Facebook  for a chance to win more goodies!

Also "Like" my "Nikki Sivils" Facebook page too b/c I'm offering another giveaway over there too!

Now go hop hop hop away! 

-Nikki Sivils

***Wanna buy my "Happy Holly-Day's" paper line? Well here is the list of stores that are carrying it right now! Sorry for all the "sold out" from the stores listed before. (Although it makes us happy!)

Don't forget to sign up for my free news letter to the left of this blog to win the "Santa Bag" of Nikki Sivils products valued at over $100.00!! That winner will be picked on the 14th of December!