Freehand Scraps Newsletter!

Freehand Scraps Newsletter

Happy Halloween everyone! It’s time for another Freehand Scraps Newsletter! It’s hard to believe that November is just around the corner and the fact that the holiday season is nearly upon us! If you are like me, you are already thinking of ways you can create meaningful gifts for your family using all of the fun scrapbooking goodies in your stash. And how a handmade gift is always perfect for the person on your list who has everything! In the spirit of thinking outside of the “scrapbooking box,” I made a darling set of place cards for our Thanksgiving table using November’s kit “Happy Trails.” Here is a look at everything you’ll be getting.

I am so excited to reveal this kit. It is packed with loads of product and inspiration. It has fun and funky vintage items, and has a great mix of products by several manufacturers, to make your pages and projects stand out! I have received rave reviews about this already popular kit, so get yours while you can!
As always, “Happy Trails” will be up for sale Nov. 1st at 8:00 a.m. CST at http://www.freehandscraps.com/! See you there! And as always thank you so much for being such loyal customers. We are so grateful to each and every one of you for making Freehand Scraps such a success and for your support. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at heidi@freehandscraps.com. Thanks so much!

Happy November!

Heidi

It's almost time!

For our big reveal that is. Our November kit "Happy Trails" will be on sale Saturday morning! I will also be sending out another newsletter to give you all a better look at the full kit. It is overflowing with fun stuff! Here is another sneak peek from my gallery.
This is more than a sneak peek of the card I made for the gallery. It's more like a full look! I love that little die cut bird and the Fancy Pants green pom pom trim looked like a branch with green leaves on it. So cute...so simple! And who doesn't love sending or receiving a handmade card?

And finally...a few pictures I took of the kids before school. They got to wear their costumes for their fall party! I helped in their classrooms and they had a great time. They were so proud of their artist costumes...and Tanner even let me give him a mustache! They are even more excited about pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating tomorrow!

Happy Halloween!

Awww...

I am just loving my kit...the possibilities seem to be endless! I am making a whole set of place cards for our Thanksgiving table. And this is another peek at one of the layouts I finished. I cut out the number 4 here from one of the vintage flash cards. There is just something that I love about old type face numbers. And since these are flash cards, they are a great, sturdy thickness.
Mmmm, such a cute little bluebird. Aren't these colors just perfect for fall and harvest time?

You get a whole sheet of these little birds (this little green and blue one was my favorite.) I popped him off the page using little foam squares and he looks like he just belongs among those flowers on the Sassafras Lass paper.

I will have more to share tomorrow! Are you getting excited?? Hope so! Have a wonderful evening!

Sneaks...

I am taking just a moment out of the scrapbook studio to post a little peak of one of my layouts. There will be more to come tomorrow! That little yellow bird paper by Sassafras Lass has to be one of my all-time favorites! So sweet.

Some of our designers have posted sneak peeks on their blogs in recent days also...be sure to check them out. Jaime has an awesome mini-album in her gallery this month. Her peeks are darling! And Celeste posted hers a few days ago here. You are in for inspiration overload this month! I love it!

Have a great day!

Whirlwind!

It's been a whirlwind around here...sorry for my little blog not getting any love lately. It should be worth your wait with all the inspiration that's about to be revealed for our November kit that's called "Happy Trails." The gallery is knocking my socks off! When I am finished here I am going straight to my studio to create! I'm going to be up late...but it's oh so worth it when all of that creativity gets to spill out of your head and manifests itself into something tangible! It's finally "jacket weather" as my mom calls it, around here. Which just makes me want to sit by the fire and dream, and curl up with blankets and read books with the kids. I am trying to focus on those things, instead of the leaves that are ever filling the yard that need to be raked, and the car needing an oil change, and the endless list of to-do's. I am reminding myself that tomorrow has enough worries of it's own...and to just enjoy today, and this moment! Even though the schedule is hectic, we will have a good excuse to carve out some time to make our jack-o-lanterns this week! I finally finished the kids artist costumes this weekend. I am happy to report that for under $15.00 we created 2 costumes complete with artist palettes and black french berets! Too fun! Now we'll see if Tanner will let me paint a moustache on his face? LOL. This is such a fun time of year, and the kids are really getting excited. It makes me excited that I am going to have some fun pictures to take. I mean...how many times a year do you get the chance to dress up your kids dramatically and do a photo shoot? In my case, that seems to be only at Halloween. Now here's hoping the weather is somewhat nice!!

I will have gallery sneak peeks to share tomorrow! Hope you all had a great weekend!

More peeks...

Where has this month gone? I am feeling behind today...and not feeling my best, which is never a good combination! I am caught up on most things, but when you throw making Halloween costumes into the mix, and birthday party planning, on top of everything else on the weekly to-do list it can be overwhelming!

I am planning to get busy this weekend with my gallery projects...I have been looking forward to creating with this kit for so long! This November kit is absolutely packed with fun. It has some of my most favorite products from CHA this summer in it! With little vintage pieces and a sweet little alphabet, it is one not to be missed!
Those glitter die cuts from Crate Paper are full of little glittery accents and the perfect addition to your pages. Each kit includes a 1/2 of a package (around 20 die cuts)...which is a LOT! Each kit also comes with 2 small notepads by Colorbok that are the perfect size for a little journaling spot. (Styles and colors will vary!)
You will have enough supplies to create so many projects with this kit! Anyone else thinking of whipping up some gifts with their kits for friends and family? I won't even remind you how close we are getting to the gift giving season...my stress level is high enough as it is!

I will be sending out another newsletter with full pictures of the kit at the end of the month...if you are wanting to get your hands on one of these email me at heidi@freehandscraps.com and I will reserve one for you. Get it while you can!

Happy Thursday everyone!

4 Years Ago Today...

My sweet Chloe Saige arrived. I had finally got the little girl I had been dreaming of! I used to joke that I would keep having kids until I got a girl...a whole basketball team if I had to (really I would have.) The funny thing was...I was convinced that she was a boy, until the ultrasound tech told me otherwise. I asked her if she was 100% positive, in shock! I was so sure that she was a boy that I had already bought some boy bedding for the nursery. It was a good thing I kept the receipt!! I was completely and obliviously HAPPY! I brought home from the hospital the sweetest, best baby imaginable! (I got 2 of them, Tanner was also such an easy baby...lucky me.) She slept through the night at 6 weeks old. ONLY cried when she was hungry and has brought so much JOY to our little family. Chloe has the best personality and is always up for an adventure. I never experienced the terrible 2's or 3's, she isn't into the drama! She is a great sister and the best daughter I could have imagined. She lets me fix her hair, and paint her toes, and sip pretend tea with her, and dress her up. We are a lot a like, and we really like to giggle together. So happy birthday my darling daughter! You are truly a gift from God, one that I will cherish forever. Your mama loves you!


Happy day to all of you!

Mid-Month Newsletter!

It's time again for another mid-month newsletter! Hope you are all enjoying your "Chit Chat" kits! I am excited to share with you a few projects that Nicole Eshelman designed using our October kit. Hmmmm...I might have to talk her into doing this again in November. I love how she sewed that strip along the side of the KI Sheer Delights, and how you can see from the front what's on the back. FUN! I also love how she used one of the conversation bubbles upside down. Very fun. The staggered title and those pictures of her little guy are just too cute!
Don't you just love her work? I really like how she added her journaling to the edge of this layout, and how her title is framing that sweet picture. So inspiring. I must scrap lift a few of these ideas! Thank you Nicole!
Now for a few peeks into November's kit. This is just one of my all-time favorites! It is such a great mix of colors and styles. It is packed with lots of vintage items and unique finds. Vintage flash cards, science graphing paper, and the latest from CHA this summer make this a kit not to be missed!

I love the details on these embellishments. Lots of glitter and texture, and there is so much more that you'll be getting! Be sure to check back here for more fun sneak peeks and then Freehand Scraps for the reveal on November 1st at 8:00 a.m. CST! See you there! Hope you are having a great day!

Sneak peek!

You have got to be kidding me, the cute-ness factor here is through the roof...I LOvE this kit! Wait until you see everything else that you'll be getting! Oh...my...goodness...you will not be disappointed. This kit has 3 of my most favorite product lines from CHA. Now you see why I would wear them as clothing?? Told ya!

I'm working on the newsletter as we speak. (Or I guess as I write. LOL) So be looking for that in your inbox tomorrow! I'll have layouts to share made with our Oct. kit "Chit Chat" created by our guest designer Nicole Eshelman. Very cute...plus a few more hints of what November has in store!

I also had the priviledge of voting early today! I am feeling sentimental about it. I couldn't help but think of what an awesome country we live in, and what a privilege it is to vote. I think this is such a crucial election! (And in my uneducated opinion...I think it will be close. Even though the media isn't exactly predicting it the same way. But I don't pay too much attention to what "they" say!) So get out there and vote for what you believe in!
Off to make some dinner...and then pour over the scrapbook magazine I just got in the mail! Have a great night!

Updates!

First an update on Amanda Smith. She and baby are still being monitored closely in the hospital and could use our prayers. They will do another ultrasound on Weds. to check for growth. If there isn't an improvement then they will deliver the baby. So pray, and then pray a little more. Hang in there Mandy!


Second...I spent the afternoon getting kits kitted for our designers. Let me just tell you...this is just about the cutest kit EVER! I joked with my sister that if there were a way to sew these papers into clothing, I would be wearing them right now. It is full of antique and vintage items with all the latest products from some of my favorite scrapbook companies! I am so excited about it...I will be posting some sneak peeks tomorrow. I am also working on a mid-week newsletter, so be looking for that in your inbox (or here also!)


And third, we spent the afternoon yesterday at Tanners Orchard. (Not surprising that Tanner loves this place. LOL) But Chloe has been talking about it for a year, since we were there last fall. It is an apple orchard, but is completely geared towards families and has so much more to offer than just delicious apples. They have an entire area just for kids that is just SO much fun. Lots of animals to feed and pet and watch. Rides. Sand boxes. Giant play areas. Mini golf. Apple barrel rides. A hay maze. And most importantly PONY rides! (Yes we had to ride them, not once, but twice!) This place is quickly becoming one of our most favorite family traditions!


Tanner had to wear his hat...of course!
Weeks ago, Chloe took one look at these boots...and declared that she had to have them to ride "her pony." Reluctantly I bought them (if you have a little girl then you know...the last thing they need is ANOTHER pair of shoes!) As it turned out...it was 85 degrees here yesterday and so I tried to talk her out of wearing them, I figured she would be hot and uncomfortable trying to run and play in them. She wouldn't hear of it! So she wore her boots proudly and admittedly looked pretty cute in them, and got lots of compliments. The funny thing is...she climbed the 7 foot tall rock wall in them. Got a hole-in-one in miniature golf in them. And played for hours with no complaints. Not to mention that she did, of course, ride "her pony" twice in them. I feel a scrapbook page coming on...all about how mother's aren't always right. LOL
They have a tractor that pulled them all around the apple orchard in these apple cider barrels. They loved this!

Here's another play area that is an old bus they can climb in. I asked Tanner if he recognized one of the words on the side of the bus, meaning his name! He said "yea, Mom, it's just s-t-o-p, stop." (They are learning about the traffic signs in school right now, so I'm sure that explains his response.) When I showed him his name, his entire face lit up! "Oh yeah, that is my name! Cool!"

They ended the day with one of these, and a bag of popcorn. Good times, good times.
Have a great night! And don't forget to check back for sneak peeks tomorrow of our Nov. kit!

Good news!

1) The update from Amanda Smith's hospital room is that they are giving her another day, because the baby looked good this morning in her ultra sound! He is obviously feeling very "at home" in room 1601! I was so happy when I heard the news! Keep praying!

2) It's Friday!

3) I uploaded my "Week in the Life" photos and am going to pick them up in an hour at Walmart. (I cannot remember the last time I had photos printed there?? Several years ago, but I didn't want to wait a week to get them from Scrapbookpictures.com!) Gotta love our modern conveniences! I will let you know if I like the print quality...we shall see.

4) The kids decided what they wanted to be for Halloween today. It is a hilarious story (I think.) I turned on the TV to put on a DVR recorded Curious George for them because I had an important call to make and I hadn't let them watch anything today. It just happened to be on PBS and Bob Ross the painter was on. (I don't know how old that man is but he has been around for-e-v-e-r!) Do you know who I'm talking about? He has crazy hair and speaks in a really soft little voice? My kids are completely into art, and painting, and crayons, and chalk, so this was right up their alley. It was so funny because they were completely engrossed in the painting he was making. They protested that I couldn't put on Curious George because they wanted to see the "artist!" I started explaining to them that the board that he had his paint on was called a palette etc. And they announced "we want to be that for Halloween!" We only got to see the last 15 minutes or so, and immediately they said they wanted to watch it again. (See what the DVR has done to them?) Of course I didn't have it recorded, but I may have to set a timer! But more importantly I think I could actually *make* them artist costumes. Now let's just hope they don't change their minds!

Happy Friday!

Time flies!

Where did the week go? I can't believe that it's nearly the weekend!? I am getting busy with Chloe's birthday bash plans and also trying to find them the perfect costumes for Halloween. Tanner wants to be a lizard...enough said. Have you ever seen a cool lizard costume? Me neither! I have been looking online a little bit tonight, but mostly felt like I was wasting my time. I thought it would be perfect if they were Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, since that's one of their all-time favorite movies. But Tanner was jealous of Chloe getting wings! I can't win. I am a big fan of Old Navy's costumes, but they were completely picked over online. I always think the Pottery Barn costumes are darling. So I checked their website and got a little excited because they were 40% off. Unfortunately they were still $50-60.00! I just can't justify spending that much on something they wear for 5 minutes. I may have to end up getting crafty and just making them.


I also want to ask you all to keep Amanda Smith (our very own design team member) in your prayers. She is 30 weeks pregnant and in the hospital on bed rest. The doctors are really keeping an eye on her and the baby, but if they don't see some improvement they are going to deliver the baby tomorrow. She has already been through this with her first little boy who was also a preemie, so I am praying for peace in their hearts and minds tonight. I know that she and the baby are in good hands, but it's never easy to deal with something that is just so unexplainable! Mandy and I have been through a lot together, and she has been a true friend to me for so many years. (I wish I could be there with you Mandy!) You are amazing!

This is one of the most recent pictures I have of the two of us...with Jenni Bowlin at CHAW. (Note to self: take the time to take pictures of and with your friends!!)

Quote...

Here's a random quote that I had written on a scrap of paper on one of my many lists...

"You could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world."

It's true isn't it? With so much that looks negative in the world today...I want to seek joy out. Find it in places most people don't. Look at the world through new eyes. Seek out beauty and realize what's really important and what truly matters each day.

Hope you find beauty in your day!

Week In Life...

I uploaded another batch of pictures from my weekend for the "Week in the Life" project I have been doing with Ali Edwards. The idea is to document your everyday life so that in years to come you can see the changes. (Boy I wish my grandma and mom had done this...I can't imagine how different their lives would have looked compared with mine this week.) I have pictures of cows, guitars, toys, glasses of milk, rivers, bridges, sunsets, kids, dishes, dogs, deer, leaves, and lists. It has been a fun little experiment and I think I learned a lot from just jotting down notes from the daily routine. I thought I would share a couple of them here.

First...a layout I made using *mostly* the Oct. kit that just happened to be sitting on my scrap table at the beginning of the week.
Wonder how much it cost when my grandma was my age(?)...I bet it's depressing!


This picture cracks me up...my dog is on the "Green Bean Diet" because he is a little chubby. So the vet wanted me to try this method. You basically feed them less and give them green beans with their food, which have very few calories and no fat. He LOVES them, and never acts hungry! The best part is that it's working! He is definitley looking slimmer.
Another deer in the yard...actually there were 2, but I couldn't get both of them in the picture.
An a-m-a-z-i-n-g sunset. (Which never would have been captured if I wasn't toting around my camera for this little project.)

His very favorite spot.
Tanner decided that his mouse would have a conversation with the bird on my blog.
I finally decorated for fall...the kids are totally getting excited for Halloween! It was fun to photograph the before and afters of what the house looks like during summer as opposed to fall.
I have also recently been playing my guitar daily. I have been learning a few new songs which is always fun...but boy is it hard to take a picture of yourself playing!

Happy Monday!