Sorry for the lack of a creative blog post title, but right now "Catching Up" seems to be the theme of my life.

Catching up on Laundry, phone calls, email, organizing, putting things away, SLEEP (a 17 hour time difference + 24 hours of travel is a killer)... on top of spending time with the kids (whom i missed so much) seems to take up every waking hour!! but it's well worth it! :)

So, with out further ado, the winner of the Ella Friends Blog Hop is....

Random.org chose commenter #26.

stamphappy2001 said...

Oh my I love your use of scallops and circles on your layouts. Thanks for the chance to win.

March 21, 2011 1:26 PM

Congrats!!! Email me at jlhufford (at) conneragency.com and i will send you the code for the fabulous new Ella eBook, Scrapbooking the Everyday!

You will love this eBook! i am itching to get some pages scrapped based on the concepts presented in this eBook.

Also, I have a layout to share with you today... this layout appears in the most recent Ella eZine article written by Jennifer Larson-- it's all about misting!! great article- be sure to check it out!

This layout really means alot to me. For SO long sweet Jonah only wanted to write "Jo" as his name. This past December he overcame this obstacle and wrote his whole name and has been writing it ever since.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: Bazzill. Papers, Mist: Studio Calico. Pencil Paper: Cosmo Cricket. Brads: Crate Paper & Pink Paislee. December Flash Card: Elle's Studio. Button: Jenni Bowlin. Stickers: Crate Paper and Studio Calico. Kraft Envelope: Maya Road.

I am so glad I had him write his name on the pattern paper and included this into my layout. Because before long his little signature will look much different. I love incorporating these kind of items in my scrapbook -- and honestly, this layout made me think that I would like to incorporate more than just layout in my scrapbooks. I would love to use some different sized page protectors with art work/handwriting among the layouts. a TRUE "scrap" book. Do you incorporate these types of items in your scrapbooks?

Jennifer wrote a fabulous article about misting, and I included a few thought about using misting as your journaling spot. For this layout I used Studio Calico's fabulous Mr. Huey in Applejack.

Yum. Be sure to read her article here. you will love it :)


Thanks for stopping by today! Happy Wednesday!

New Zealand in a Nutshell

Yesterday we returned from our New Zealand trip.

And what a trip it was. A trip full of beautiful sights.

We drove a lot (successfully on the opposite side of the road)

We saw alot of sheep.

And cows.

Even day old cows (this little one is less than 24 hrs old)

We even got a little too up close and personal with cows. (public service announcement: carefully consider where you are standing while at a milking barn. meaning NOT where i am standing here)

(and coincidentally, we ate alot of sheep and cow.)

And enjoyed incredible wine.

And fabulous coffee (flat whites complete with latte art, to be precise)

Did alot of sightseeing.

Rode on segways in Auckland (note to self: teach people how to use my camera when taking picture of us :)

We ate.

alot.

Saw incredible beaches.

Met up with a new Studio Calico scrapbooking friend


Took a Glass-blowing class.

Witness the incredible beauty of God's creation

Had a heck of a time with my favorite person in the world.

The End.

P.S. I did have the opportunity to complete about 85% of my New Zealand mini book as we were there!! I have a few pages to complete at home, and then i will share photos of the book along with some thought of the process of scrapbooking on the go ... but until then, here are a few sneaks :)

P.P.S. I'll be back tomorrow with the Ella Publishing Blog Hop eBook Winner :)

Home Design Series: If these walls could talk.

Never under estimate the power of artwork.

Image Source: www.gaitainteriors.com/blog

You can add drama, pattern, color, texture and pizazz to any room by filling your walls. It is such an important piece to the puzzle. It is also a very personal thing as well. I can rarely pick out artwork for a client. It is always a team effort where the client usually has a very strong opinion. Why is that? Artwork conjures up emotions, it is so subjective and everyone sees something different.

Image Source: www.gaitainteriors.com/blog

So where do you begin? Your digital camera! You will be AMAZED at what you can create with a little photo editing software. You can take a photograph of anything and make it black and white, crop it, zoom in, turn it on an angle, pixelate it, add intense color, sharpen it. Just take some photos of ordinary objects, your children, pets, anything…then blow it up and frame it.

Image Source: Smith and Noble

When framing, you can buy matching frames and make a clean sophisticated collage or go to your local goodwill store and gather up old frames. If they need a little paint or gold leafing then get creative. Once you put the whole look together you will be amazed at the statement it makes.

Another source for affordable artwork is online. You can find amazing pieces of art from Ebay to www.art.com. Just pick a topic that interests you and start looking. Sometimes it will be the colors that interest you and sometimes it’s the subject. Looking for original prints at a reasonable cost, visit www.etsy.com. You’ll find amazing artists at amazing prices.

Whatever the case, fill your walls one by one, and over time you will have a collection you love.

Amy Peltier is an interior designer from Indianapolis. She lives with her husband, newborn son, two cats, and one dog. She is orginally from Michigan, but has lived in five different state, from Colorado to North Carolina. Her newest adventure will be when her family moves to California in a few short months. Her passion is interior design. Not only does she own a design practice (A. Peltier Interiors) but I also launched her online interior design services. She also has a line of jewelry which can be found at the House of Peltier.

Home Design Series: The Naked Truth.

I don’t believe any home should go without window treatments.

image source: House of Turquoise

I know that’ a broad statement. Included in that category are blinds, but truthfully, I like to see a home with drapes. If your windows have blinds on them now, A+, you are already off to a great start! Now all you have to do is add the final layer.

I believe a window without blinds or fabric is naked, and it makes a room feel unfinished. You would be amazed how even a simple drapery panel will warm a room up. Your drapes don’t even to close because the main purpose is to add an additional layer and warmth to your room (however, if they close, it’s an added bonus!).

Here’s where you come to a crossroad. Do you go custom, or can you buy right off the shelf? A lot of that depends on the height of your ceilings and windows. Fortunately retailers are catering to this market. You can now find ready made drapery panels from 86” to 106” long. For most homes that’s plenty long. You can also find them in solids, patterns, textures, and sheers, so you have no excuse for not dressing up your windows. You can even buy ready made panels and glue ribbon along the edges to make them look custom made.

image source: House of Turquoise

One final tip, hang the drapery rod, above the top of the window as close to the ceiling as possible. This will add drama and height to your room!

Amy Peltier is an interior designer from Indianapolis. She lives with her husband, newborn son, two cats, and one dog. She is orginally from Michigan, but has lived in five different state, from Colorado to North Carolina. Her newest adventure will be when her family moves to California in a few short months. Her passion is interior design. Not only does she own a design practice (A. Peltier Interiors) but I also launched her online interior design services. She also has a line of jewelry which can be found at the House of Peltier.

Home Design Series: Let there be Light!

Not every home is blessed with huge windows that let in amazing amounts of sunlight. Nor is everyone is lucky enough to live in a part of the country with a lot of sunshine. Somewhere along the line, lamps were created.

image source: www.lindsaylandmanevents.com

Yes, they can be beautiful. They can take your breath away and complete a room. They can act as the perfect accent or accessory, or even be a piece of art. But they also serve a purpose. There is no point to a redesign a space if you can’t see it, so make sure your space has correct and adequate lighting.

image source: House of Turquoise

What do I mean by correct lighting? Color is subjective, therefore everyone sees color differently. A blue to you can come off as almost purple to another. The perfect lighting is sunlight and nature, but if you are lacking in that area, substitute with light bulbs that give off natural colored light. You can find warm light bulbs and cool light bulbs. When choosing a light bulb remember this simple rule. If you have a very cool colored room (i.e. blues, purples, grays) choosing a cool source of light will only enhance that feeling. Pay attention to your bulbs and go for a warm cast, you might be surprised by what it does for your room.

image source: House of Turquoise

Adequate lighting is exactly as it sounds. Invite a friend or family member over and ask them walk into your home and give an immediate opinion on your lighting situation. The simple question: is there enough light? Don’t get bummed if they say you need more lighting, it’s a chance for you to add another design element to your room! Then start your searching. Scan the room and decide where your room is lacking. Is it the farthest corner from the window? Do you have a piece of furniture to set the lamp on, or will it have to go on the floor? Sometimes you can’t accommodate either, so you have to put up wall sconces or maybe even a chandelier. When you determine where and what type of lighting is needed, you are then armed with enough information to creatively solve the problem.

image source: House of Turquoise

Amy Peltier is an interior designer from Indianapolis. She lives with her husband, newborn son, two cats, and one dog. She is orginally from Michigan, but has lived in five different state, from Colorado to North Carolina. Her newest adventure will be when her family moves to California in a few short months. Her passion is interior design. Not only does she own a design practice (A. Peltier Interiors) but I also launched her online interior design services. She also has a line of jewelry which can be found at the House of Peltier.

Ella Friends Blog Hop: Scrapbooking the Everyday GIVEAWAY

The Ella Friends are on a Blog Hop today to share with you Ella Publishing's newest eBook, Scrapbooking the Everyday byElizabeth Dillow and Tina Cockburn!!

As I was reading through this eBook, I completely fell in love with the layouts, challenges, and overall concept. As a busy mom, with a schedule full to the brim, it's easy to forget the everyday moments of life. I want to remember the spectacular moments AND the everyday moments, and this eBook has certainly challenged me to document those special parts of life.

Life's littlest and most magical moments can be very easy to overlook. But no longer! Elizabeth Dillow and Tina Cockburn are here to help you scrapbook your regular days with simplicity and style.

Join the fun as Elizabeth and Tina tackle 12 unique scrapbooking challenges, creating meaningful projects that look at daily life in a new way. Get inspired to scrapbook everything from the laundry to the library, from your cityscape to a typical backyard scene. It all counts!

The Ella Friends are hopping along and sharing some of our own everyday moments AND we are each giving away a copy of Scrapbooking the Everyday!

If you would like to continue hopping along with the Ella Friends, your next stop will be Monika Wright! (But make sure to visit all Ella Friends' blogs for more everyday layouts and more chances to win this fabulous eBook!)

Brenda Johnston


Donna Jannuzzi


Jenni Hufford


Monika Wright


Jennifer Larson


Valerie Mangan


Lee Currie


Francine Clouden


Diana Chen


May Flaum


Keshet Starr


Mary Jo Johnston

And if you would like to be entered for a chance to win Scrapbooking the Everyday, leave a comment here. Comments close Friday March 25 at 10 pm EST and i will post the winner shortly after.

Good luck, and happy everyday scrapping!!

Guest Post: Tropical Blonde Brownies

Hey, Hufford House readers,

Jocelyn from Inside BruCrew Life here with you today. I am so thrilled to be guest posting on Jenni's blog. Jenni is an amazing scrapbooker, and I always look forward to seeing her layouts. So I was super excited when she contacted me about guest posting. Thank you so much Jenni for asking me to be a part of your blog today.

I am a SAHM mom to 3 kids, and I have been married to my best friend for 13 years. With all three of my kids in school, I have the days to create and bake whatever is floating around in my head. I have quite the sweet tooth and my blog has become a way for me to share my crazy baking concoctions with others. My family is used to me making something yummy at least 2-3x's a week. I tease my husband that we like to eat brownies for dinner when he is working. (not really) I also find time each week for card making, scrapbooking, and making flowers for my etsy shop, The Trendy Owl.


Today I am dreaming of sun and sand, so I thought I would share with you my tropical take on blonde brownies. I hope you enjoy them.

Tropical Blonde Brownies

2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 stick butter, softened
2 tbsp. milk
2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. rum extract
3/4 c. shredded coconut
1-2 c. chocolate chips (I tend to like a lot of chocolate)
4-5 (1.5 oz) bags coconut m&m's (I couldn't find these in a big bag)

Preheat oven to 350* Beat the butter and brown sugar until very creamy. Add the eggs, extract, salt, and baking powder and beat again. Slowly beat in the flour until just combined. Stir the coconut, m&m's, and chocolate chips in by hand. Spread in a greased 9x13 pan and bake for 20 minutes. Now when you pull them out they will very under baked. This is where you preference comes in...I like mine oooeeyy gooeey and under baked. If you are a more baked kinda gal, cook them 3-5 more minutes. Let them cool and then dig in. (these taste even better the next day)

Thank you for letting me share one my favorite brownie treats with you today. I would love for you to visit me over at my blog...

just don't judge me when you see how much sugar I consume weekly:-)

Jocelyn

Home Design Series: Who do you think you are?

Hello Everyone! I am super excited to introduce you to Amy Peltier!

Amy is an interior designer in Indianapolis and will be hosting a five part design series right here on my blog! Amy is extremely talented and an incredible designer. Find out more about Amy and her businesses (can you say online interior design services!?) at the end of this post.

image source: www.veranda.com

Spring is just around the corner and there is no better way to put winter behind you than giving your home a fresh start. Sure, it’s a great time of year to de-clutter and organize those closets as well, but don’t stop there. Tackle the fun projects too! (yes, I used fun and project in the same sentence)

I am an interior designer who has been practicing residential design for over ten years. I love fabrics, color, and everything design. My services range from remodeling a whole house to sprucing up a home room by room. I want to throw out the misconception that beautiful design costs tons of money and give you my top five steps on how to make a change this spring.

Who do you think you are?

Before we actually make any changes we have to make some discoveries. Do you know your design style? What about your colors, have you chosen colors throughout your home that you love and can’t see yourself changing within the next five years? Knowing what works best for you is a big part of making smart design decisions that will stretch your dollar over the years.

image source: House Beautiful

Although interior design follows the trends it’s important to stay true to who you are. It’s also important to respect the classics. That doesn’t mean you have to decorate your home like your grandmother does. Choose to spend your money wisely. Pieces that shouldn’t change for many years, like a sofa or your coffee table, need to be neutral and classic. Don’t go purchasing the next trend in dining room chairs and choose a bright purple fabric because that’s all the rage. If you love purple, involve it in less costly pieces. When you keep your big-ticket items simple, classic, and neutral you can change your look EVERY season, not just this spring.

image source: House Beautiful

On the topic of spring, what IS your favorite season? Mine is fall-- I love warm colors like yellow and orange, so the main areas of my house tend to fall into that color range. I also like cozy fabrics with rich textures to them. My second favorite season is spring, so you will often find refreshing colors in my bedrooms and bathrooms. Think back on each season of the year and decide your favorite.

Secondly, take a look at your closet. When you scan your clothes, what color jumps out at you? The way you choose to dress can often tell you a lot about what will keep you happy for the long haul.

image source: House Beautiful

Most people have a sofa they love, or a favorite chair that they gravitate towards when relaxing. That’s great your home doesn’t need a complete overhaul to feel refreshed. If you are looking to make some bigger changes, remember to stick to the neutrals and classics. Use the inexpensive furniture pieces in a room to add the excitement and be trendy. Don’t be afraid to mix your traditional sofa with a contemporary accent table, or add a bright colored chest to a guest room. You can find great pieces online, at consignment stores, and at flea markets. Sometimes it’s a simple coat of paint that does the trick. It’s these out of the ordinary, unexpected touches, that bring life to a space.

image source: Alinya

I always tell my clients to start an inspiration folder. Find some great design magazines and start tearing out pieces you love. If it’s a whole room, just a lamp or a color that caught your eye, tear it out, circle it, and make a note of why you love it. Then when you have a small collection of pages ripped out you can take another look. You’ll start to see a pattern of style and color that’s all your own.

Amy Peltier is an interior designer from Indianapolis. She lives with her husband, newborn son, two cats, and one dog. She is orginally from Michigan, but has lived in five different state, from Colorado to North Carolina. Her newest adventure will be when her family moves to California in a few short months. Her passion is interior design. Not only does she own a design practice (A. Peltier Interiors) but I also launched her online interior design services. She also has a line of jewelry which can be found at the House of Peltier.