Winner of my Top 10 of 2013 Blog Hop Giveaway

Congratulations Patricia!!! 

I will be contacting you soon to be able to send you your prize!!!

Thanks again to everyone who stopped by and said HI. I really enjoyed reading all of the comments on how you would have used the goodies in my giveaway. Stay tuned tomorrow for some exciting news and later this week I'll have a new FREE cut file for you to download that you are sure to love!

2013 A Year In Review

2013 was most definitely a year of transition and change, starting with our move from Illinois to Ohio. Moving and starting new jobs is always a bit stressful, but this move went rather easy. We love being closer to Danny's family, but it is hard being away from mine.

New Home Layout by Juliana Michaels

Danny's Family

I'm still working as a physical therapist, but it is now only part time. I really enjoy the freedom of being able to work when I want and to have more time for scrapbooking and crafting. I have had several amazing opportunities come my way this past year. I was asked to join the Design Teams of several amazing manufacturers including SRM Stickers, Pebbles Inc., and Leaky Shed Studio. I was part of the design team for a fabulous kit club called Paper Bakery and I continue to create scrapbook sketches for their monthly sketch challenges. My Mind's Eye and My Favorite Things both asked to guest design for them.

SRM Stickers | The Thrill of the Catch


The Thrill of the Catch Layout by Juliana Michaels

Pebbles Inc. | Thank You Jar Brownie Mix Recipe


Thank You Jar Brownie Mix Recipe by Juliana Michaels

Leaky Shed Studio | Best Friends Forever


Best Friends Forever Layout by Juliana Michaels

Paper Bakery | Sketch 17


Paper Bakery Sketch 17 by Juliana Michaels

My Mind's Eye | Happy Hello


Happy Hello Layout by Juliana Michaels

My Favorite Things | Celebrate Good Times


Celebrate Good Times Layout by Juliana Michaels

A major blessing in my scrapbooking career though, was being asked to continue as a member of the BoBunny Design Team, making this my fourth year with them. Even more exciting though was being asked to be their new Design Team Lead! I was also given the opportunity to work in the scrapbooking industry this December, and I will be sharing more about that in the weeks to come. So stay tuned. All in all, it has been an absolutely amazing year for my scrapbooking and paper crafting career!

BoBunny | Fright Delight Halloween Witches Hat


Fright Delight Halloween Witches Hat by Juliana Michaels

As I mentioned above, I have also enjoyed having more time for crafting. I have made several things for our house and for my MIL to use as holiday decorations such as my Dollar Tree Halloween Door Garland and Dollar Tree Christmas Wreath and Garland. I've got plans to do more of this in 2014, including re-finishing some furniture for various rooms in our home. (My scrapbook room being one of them!)

Dollar Tree Christmas Wreath


Dollar Tree Christmas Wreath by Juliana Michaels

Along with more crafting and scrapbooking, I learned how to draw and share my own FREE digital cutting files in SVG and Studio formats for use with various electronic die cutting machines including the Silhouette.

You can check out and download all of my FREE digital cutting files by going to my blog and clicking on the Digital Cutting File Page at the top of my blog. This is something that will most definitely continue in 2014!

Merry & Bright Free Digital Cutting File


Merry and Bright Free Digital Cutting File by Juliana Michaels

My sister and her family, including my adorable nieces, came to visit us this summer. We had a great time together and the girls especially enjoyed playing at the beach.

My nieces enjoying the beach

Our horse Woody, is now closer than he has ever been to us, so Danny is able to ride or work with him pretty much every day.  This makes Danny very happy!

Danny and Woody

We went on our first vacation in years, with some dear friends, to Mazatlan, Mexico. It was a fabulous trip and I had accomplished two of my Bucket List items by going deep sea fishing and then catching an 8 foot Sailfish!

Bucket List x 2 Layout by Juliana Michaels

The summer also included going to my niece Annie's wedding, Annie, a trip to Florida for the baptism of my great niece and nephew, attending Indians games and gardening.

Fall was a fun time as well. We had the opportunity to attend a Cleveland Browns game with field passes and amazing seats. I even got to sit next to super fan Punkinhead. Yes, we lost, but it was still a ton of fun.

Halloween was a blast this year with the return of our Annual Halloween Party. We thoroughly enjoyed doing our own costumes and makeup, and ideas for next year's costumes are already in the works!
We also had an unexpected addition to our family. We adopted a 9 year old golden retriever named Milo. He has added something special to our family and is truly a blessing in our lives!

Milo

Over Thanksgiving we traveled to see my family and enjoyed our visit with everyone at each of our stops. It was so good to see them, hug them and visit with them after so many months of not being able to do those things in person. The old saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder" is so very true!

Me and Dad

My Family

Christmas was a joy this year because I got to decorate for Christmas for the first time in several years. With all of our moves these past few years, we haven't been able to decorate because of the timing of things, so it was wonderful to hang my ornament collection and decorate with all of my Santies!

My Christmas Tree

My Santies

More Christmas Decorations

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my 2013 Year in Review. Here's wishing you and your family a blessed, happy and love filled 2014!!!

Adorable You Layout Leaky Shed Studio Sneak Peek

Today I have a new layout up on the Leaky Shed Studio Blog that I created using one of their chipboard titles. I dressed it up using Frontage Embossing Enamels by Stampendous.  This is now one of my new favorite products thanks to my dear friend Tracey Sabella, author of Garden of Grace. She is also one of my fellow Leaky Shed Studio Creative Team Members!  This embossing enamel is so fun because the powder is made up of multiple colors. The one I used is called Shabby Pink and is a combination of white, pink and gold. I just love how it looks on my "Adorable" chipboard title.

Here are a few sneak peeks of some of the details on my layout. If you want to see my layout in its entirety, then head on over to the Leaky Shed Studio Blog. (Just click on the words Leaky Shed Studio Blog.) And while you are there, take some time to check out the creations made my the rest of the Leaky Shed Creative Team. They are sure to delight and inspire you!

Adorable You Layout by Juliana Michaels detail

Adorable You Layout by Juliana Michaels detail

Adorable You Layout by Juliana Michaels detail

SUPPLIES | ADORABLE YOU LAYOUT

Chipboard: Leaky Shed Studio | Words - Adorable
Patterned Paper, Die Cuts and Stamps: Elle's Studio | Penelope Collection
Stickers: Hot Off The Press Dazzles
Letter Stickers: My Mind's Eye
Embossing Powder: Stampendous Frontage Embossing Enamel
Ink: Versamark Watermark Ink Pad, Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Ink in Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo, Ranger Archival Ink in Black
Paper Clips: Unknown

Do you love chipboard? If so, then I invite you to visit the Leaky Shed Studio blog. Leaky Shed Studio produces and sells some amazing chipboard designs that are made right here in the USA! Monday through Friday their design team shares a variety of projects using their chipboard to help inspire and delight you.

Top 10 of 2013 Blog Hop & Giveaway

Welcome to the Top 10 of 2013 Blog Hop!

Twenty two fabulous scrapbookers and paper crafters have gathered together for a fun little blog hop to share with you some of our favorite layouts and projects from 2013. Scroll down to the bottom of my post to see the full list of participants and links to their blogs.

I'm going to tell you right now that my Top 10 turned into my Top 12. I was having a difficult time picking my favorites, so I attempted to make it easier on myself by picking one from each month of 2013. It is a combination of scrapbook layouts and home decor projects, both of which are my favorite things to create. For each of my projects, I have included a link back to the original post if you are interested in more details.

GIVEAWAY

To make this blog hop even more fun, I've also included an AWESOME GIVEAWAY that you can enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Included in my prize package are products from Pebbles, Inc., Little Yellow Bicycle, Elle's Studio, Paper Smooches, Faber-Castell and Bella Blvd.

You will have until December 31, 2013 to play along for your chance to win my prize package. (I apologize, but this giveaway is only open to United States residents. If you live outside the United States and are willing to pay the shipping, let me know in the comments section below.)

Top 10 of 2013 Blog Hop Giveaway by Juliana Michaels


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Together Layout and Rusted Metal Chipboard Tutorial by Juliana Michaels

February | Loved Layout

Loved Layout by Juliana Michaels


BoBunny Easter Eggs Tutorial by Juliana Michaels


Round Pen Warm-Up Layout by Juliana Michaels


You Are My Sunshine Layout by Juliana Michaels


Smile Dad Layout by Juliana Michaels


Howdy Sunshine Layout and Free Cutting File by Juliana Michaels


Celebrate Good Times Layout by Juliana Michaels


Working Together Layout by Juliana Michaels


Fright Delight Witches Hat by Juliana Michaels


Friends Forever Layout by Juliana Michaels


Julie Nutting Be Inspiring Canvas by Juliana Michaels

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the blog hop! Here's the full list of designers. Just click on their name to hop on over to their blog for even more amazing inspiration! And don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY using the Rafflecopter widget above!!!


Wishing You A Blessed and Merry Christmas

May your heart be filled with the joy, love and peace of Christmas, today and every day. I wish each and every one of you a very blessed and Merry Christmas!


Holy Family German Ornament

SRM Stickers Life Is Good Layout

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! I hope you are enjoying some time with your family and friends and taking in what this special holiday is all about! Today, I wanted to share a layout I have up on the SRM Stickers blog. This was a free play assignment, so I had the option to create whatever I wanted with whatever SRM Stickers I wanted. It's always fun to play with paper and stickers! Don't you agree?

While I was playing with my paper and stickers, I created this layout about my niece. I used a combination of SRM Stickers to help create my title, "Life is Good", and to add a little journaling. It was just an ordinary day. We didn't do anything special, except spend time together. By using some of the sentiment stickers I was able to "record" how much I enjoyed this day together with her. When I look at this layout I am reminded of this and how much I love her!  I love that about sentiment stickers. They can add just the right touch to help you capture a thought, feeling or memory.

Life is Good Layout by Juliana Michaels #srmstickers

Life is Good Layout by Juliana Michaels #srmstickers

Life is Good Layout by Juliana Michaels #srmstickers

SUPPLIES | LIFE IS GOOD LAYOUT

Patterned Paper, Die Cuts: Elle's Studio | Penelope
Star Sequins, Paper Clips and Charms | Paper Bakery
Spray Ink: Heidi Swapp | Colorshine in Mustard

Cranberry Caramel Date Bars Recipe

It's Christmas time and that means one thing around my house...Cranberry Caramel Date Bars have to be made! I started making these years ago after getting the recipe from a fellow co-worker. The first time I made them for my family they were such a hit that I had requests to make them again the next year. In fact when Christmas got close they started asking for them. I have since made it a Christmas time tradition to make these yummy and easy to bake bars. This year was no exception and when I took them to a Christmas party this past weekend, I got requests for the recipe, so I thought I would share it with you today!

Cranberry Caramel Date Bars Recipe by Juliana Michaels

My favorite part about these bars are the fresh cranberries. When you take a bite, they pop and their yummy juices burst into your mouth!

Cranberry Caramel Date Bars Recipe

Cranberry Caramel Date Bars Recipe

RECIPE | CRANBERRY & CARAMEL DATE BARS

Makes 24 bars.

INGREDIENTS:
1-1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp sugar
2 + 1/3 cup flour
2 cups oats
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups dates, chopped
3/4 cup walnuts, toasted
1 cup (1 jar) caramel ice cream topping (fat free is fine)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cranberries and 2 Tbsp sugar; set aside. In bowl combine 2 cups flour, oats, sugar, brown sugar and baking soda. Add margarine and mix well. Reserve 1 cup of this mixture. Press remainder firmly on the bottom of a 13 x 9 pan. Bake 15 minutes until slightly golden.

Sprinkle dates, walnuts and cranberry mixture over the crust. Mix caramel topping with 1/3 cup flour. Spread over the top. Top with reserved crumb mixture. Bake 20 minutes or until light brown.

Cool and then cut into bars.

Do you have a holiday or Christmas recipe that you make every year? I'd love to see your recipe!

LINKED: 

Julie Nutting Classy Beautiful You Mixed Media Canvas


Julie Nutting Classy Beautiful You Mixed Media Canvas #chipboard #leakyshedstudio #bobunny

How are your holidays coming along? I know these weeks since Thanksgiving have been flying by for me.  I've been busy with the typical Christmas and holiday activities, as well as some crafting and creativity. Today, I am sharing my second Julie Nutting Canvas using the Classy 8" doll from Leaky Shed Studio. I had mentioned a couple weeks ago when I shared my Julie Nutting Be Inspiring Canvas and Tutorial that I would soon be sharing the other canvas that I made for my older niece. After I finished this one, I wrapped and shipped both canvases to my nieces for them to open on Christmas morning. I only wish I could be there to see their reaction as they open their gifts.

Julie Nutting Classy Beautiful You Mixed Media Canvas #chipboard #leakyshedstudio #bobunny

I used the BoBunny Isabella collection just like I did on the first canvas, because the girls share a room and I wanted them to coordinate. I switched it up a little bit by using a different background paper and a little less pink. I still used a lot of pink, but not quite as much! I also used the Julie Nutting Classy Doll, which I think gives this one a little more of a sophisticated look for my 8 year old niece.

Julie Nutting Classy Beautiful You Mixed Media Canvas #chipboard #leakyshedstudio #bobunny

I used all of the same techniques as I did when I created the other canvas. If you are interested in how I created the patterned paper dress or the packing tape transfer background, you can find the tutorial in my Julie Nutting Be Inspiring Canvas and Tutorial post. (Just click on the different colored words to go there.)

Julie Nutting Classy Beautiful You Mixed Media Canvas #chipboard #leakyshedstudio #bobunny

Just like with my first canvas, I really enjoyed creating this one. Adding all the little details to the dolls is so much fun. It reminds me of when I used to play dolls when I was a little girl! 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

JULIE NUTTING BEAUTIFUL YOU CANVAS | SUPPLIES

Chipboard: Leaky Shed Studio / Julie Nutting Classy 8" and Ring Frame Large
Patterned Paper: BoBunny Isabella / Isabella and Divine (used for the dress); Felicity (used for the packing tape transfer)
StickersLayered ChipboardBrads and Die Cuts: BoBunny Isabella
Adhesive: Scotch Double Sided Foam Mounting Tape, Xyron Double Sided High Tack TapeRanger Glossy Accents (used to apply glitter)
Paint: Krylon Silver Leafing Pen; Plaid Folk Art Acrylic Paint in Skintone and Coffee Bean
Modeling Paste: Liquitex
Matte Medium: Liquitex
Other Supplies: Pencil, Scissors, Copy Machine, Copy Paper, Silver Glitter, paint brush

Dollar Tree Christmas Wreath and Garland

I'm so excited to share with you another Dollar Tree project today. You might remember my Dollar Tree Halloween Garland from back around Halloween. Well today, I am sharing my Christmas version. If you are still looking for a quick and easy way to dress up your front door for Christmas, then you have found it! This project is seriously quick and easy!

Dollar Tree Christmas Wreath and Garland by Juliana Michaels

The actual garland is from Michael's and is made by wrapping and winding and tucking two different garlands together. I found the wreath in my Christmas decorations stash in much need of a face lift. What about the Dollar Tree goodness you ask? This all happens with the things I used to decorate both the wreath and garland.

Dollar Tree Christmas Wreath and Garland by Juliana Michaels

I bought an assortment of plastic red and gold ornaments that came in these long tubes. They had several different sizes to choose from, but I selected some of the smaller ones so that I could group them together easier.

Dollar Tree Christmas Wreath and Garland by Juliana Michaels

The other fun finds were these awesome Gold Glitter Star Ornaments and the Merry Christmas Ornaments.

Dollar Tree Christmas Wreath and Garland by Juliana Michaels

Supplies | Dollar Tree Christmas Wreath & Garland

Gold and Red Ball Christmas Ornaments
Gold Glitter Star Ornaments
Merry Christmas Glitter Ornaments
Christmas Garland 
Christmas Wreath (24 inch)
Green Floral Wire - 22 Gauge
Wire Cutters


INSTRUCTIONS | DOLLAR TREE CHRISTMAS WREATH & GARLAND

To decorate the wreath, gather some floral wire and wire cutters. Cut the wire into approximately 5" lengths.


String 3 ornaments onto the wire.


Twist the wire to secure the ornaments.


Take this piece and attach it to a branch on your wreath or garland and twist the floral wire around the branch.



There you have it, you are decorating your Christmas wreath and garland with ease!


I also used a similar process to attach the Merry Christmas Glitter Ornaments and the Gold Glitter Star Ornaments to the wreath and garland.

Have you ever created your own Christmas door decorations?
I would love to see and know what YOU would create!

LINKED:

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