27.7.11

What have I been up to? Two Words...

GIRLS CAMP....

Yep, I've been getting ready for Girl's Camp and even though it's only a three day camp, the amount of planning and work that has gone into it is not any less. I'd stay and chat but I have a bazillion things to still finish up and only 5 hours to sleep and get up to go to camp. So here's a small glimpse into my life recently....

This is a shoe organizer, but I'm using it to put little gifts and job cards in for all the girls. I used my Cricut and vinyl to add their names to the pockets...can't wait to see it being used.

Last year the girls got water bottles from our stake, but not this year. So I decided to create my own. Thanks to All A Dollar, white vinyl and my Cricut machine I was able to personalize these cute bottles for each of the girls. I hope they like them!!

I cannot take credit for our camp flag. My daughter came up with the idea and all 21 of the girls helped make parts of it. Our theme is "Eternal Treasures" and so the things on our flag represent things the girls consider to be Eternal Treasures (the Temple, Scriptures, Family and themselves/mirror). The treasure chest rests on top of a big pile of gold and silver coins that the girls have stitched their names or initials on. 

Enjoy the journey right...
Allred Design, mommy blogger, scrapbook, paper crafts

16.7.11

Literally My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe...amazing!

I was so excited to stop by...well, My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe yesterday and even more thrilled that my friend (that's a girl) Kris was working in the shop. You probably know Kris from the dynamic duo, Kim and Kris of the DIY Dish. And in their spare time they have open and run the cutest quilt shop I've ever been to...I couldn't stop taking pictures to share with you all. 

Me & Kris Thurgood
My friends and I were amazed at all the creative detail of all the quilt samples throughout the store. It's not those boring quilts of years in the past...these quilts are hip, cute and made me want to learn to quilt (almost).
This quilt reminded Jen of her grandma.
Along with the fabrics, they're ribbon collection and patterns for things from sewing to stitcheries were wonderful. I was so thrilled to see these from Needle in a Haystack, designed by a local friend of mine Shellee. I do do stitcheries and I own every one of Shelle's cute patterns.
It's a good thing I don't collect fabric like I do paper, or I would need a much bitter craft room. The eye candy in this store had me giggling as I ran around shooting pictures.
These cute quilt patterns were designed by Kris. I loved that the boy and girl quilts had a little pocket with cute add-ins...the boy a martian and the girl a soft doll. So cleaver and sooooooo cute!

Loved the pinwheels on this quilt...I think they would have been perfect with a cover i-top button in the center of them, don't you think?
 Sometimes we get a little goofy..."where there is a hat, there is a great photo opp!"
Bridget & Jen
Oh this is the best part I just had to share. My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe offers a monthly "Girls Night Out." It reminded me of our scrapbook crops. The ladies started trailing in with their sewing machines in rolling tote bags and ready to have fun. Kim and Kris make sure you have fun while you are there. The provide treats, giveaways and access to the store from 6:00-11:00pm. You of course get a discount while you're shopping (aka working) and also uninterrupted sewing time to hopefully complete a project. I loved that they did this and told Kris I would share with my readers. So if you're a sewer check and don't mind a beautiful drive up to Logan, give them a call to find out when their next night is scheduled, (435) 213-3229. Or follow them on Facebook.
Spacious Workroom
Another amazing quilt...I want to buy it all to paper-piece it instead!!
I thought this quilt was appropriate for our road trip.
So if you went to Quilt Market in Salt Lake back in May then you probably saw this adorable fabric covered tree in the Riley Blake booth. If you didn't go, like me then you would have been totally amazed by this creation for the first time. Kim and Kris were able to fit it into their kids "gated" play area and it's the perfect accent to an already adorable shoppe.
Bridget posing in the kids play area.
Now wasn't that worth the drive up to Logan?? You can find My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe online soon at their new website, but until then you can follow their updates on Facebook.

And did you know I get to work with these amazing ladies over at My Craft Channel, check out the announcement.

Thanks girls for the renewed inspiration!!
Allred Design, mommy blogger, scrapbook, paper crafts

11.7.11

Odd Treat Combos - Please Share!

I'm testing out some new html coding and wondered if you could all help me out?

I recently found out I like to each black licorice and M&Ms together...yum!

Tell us what snack food combination you like that others think is odd? Thank you!!


Allred Design, mommy blogger, scrapbook, paper crafts

8.7.11

Winner of i-rock Tool





Thank you everyone for your kind comments about my Guest Designer 
appearance on the Simple Scrapbooks blog on Wednesday. 
As mentioned on my blog on Wednesday, I thought it would be fun to 
giveaway my most favorite tool, the i-rock by Imaginisce. 

I'm excited to announce the giveaway winner: JEN


Please email me your shipping information and 
we'll get your prize shipped out to you next week. 
Thank you!
Allred Design, mommy blogger, scrapbook, paper crafts

6.7.11

Guest Designer for Simple Stories Today!


I am so excited to be Guest Designing over at Simple Stories blog today...check it out!! But wait, they're giving away one of my favorite collections AND I'm giving away one of my favorite tools. Scroll down to find out more and see some sneak peeks of my projects.



Here's a sneak peek of the collections I used and some of my projects....but be sure to go over to Simple Stories blog to see more of these projects in better detail!! 








Simple Stories makes scrapbooking simple through combining the love of traditional scrapbooking and 4x6 photo albums. Check out "why" Simple Stories came about and the crafty reasons behind Amber Cromwell's new creative endeavor for scrapbookers like you and me. They even offer a great section on their site that shows how easy it is to assemble an album Simple Stories style.  
GIVEAWAY: Since I used the i-rock tool on a lot of my project, I figured it was fitting to giveaway a tool and some bling. Be sure to check out my Guest post and come back and tell me which project was your favorite (plus, Simple Stories is giving away one of my FAVORITE Simple Stories collections). For additional chances to win, follow my blog and/or follow me on Facebook and you will be entered to win the i-rock tool from ImaginisceI will announce the winner on Friday, July 8th. 



One last thing....the perfect place to put your Simple Stories layouts would by the new Doodlebug Storybook 12x12 albums. Did you see my original post about how wonderful these albums are and the new true 12x12 sheet protectors Doodlebug has available now?
Allred Design, mommy blogger, scrapbook, paper crafts

4.7.11

Teaching at SENZ 2011 NZ Scrapbooking Cardmaking and Craft Expo

Let me start off my scrapbooking adventures in New Zealand with this funny picture (below). After the Senz event was over, Jodi, owner of Scrapaholics hosted a special VIP evening of cocktails and yummy food. But the part that made me giggle the most were the plates and napkins. Jodi purchased them from a specialty store called Martha's Backyard for my visit. I thought it was a fitting tribute to my trip and this Independence Day holiday today! 

Senz 2011 is a yearly consumer event focusing on scrapbooking and paper crafts and features many stores and some New Zealand and Australian manufacturers' booths. It's a great place to be inspired because they have so many great classes, especially when they invite a manufacturer representative (me) from the US to come teach!! 

Me in the Scrapaholics Booth (day before event)
The event was first class and the Scrapaholics team were among some of the hardest working and pleasant people I've ever worked with at a consumer event. This is Jodi, owner of Scrapaholics and my best friend because she brought me my first Dr. Pepper after 5 days there. She found out it is my favorite, but you can't buy it in New Zealand unless you go to a specialty US store OR Jodi's shop. So she showed up with a cooler full of DP just for me. I was so excited I had to capture this moment on my camera!!
Jodi, me and my first Dr Pepper in NZ
Did I mention how NICE everyone I met was in New Zealand? Seriously, they're patient and sweet. I especially liked Hebie and Helen. Helen was so sweet and brought us food to eat for lunch. Because like ALL convention centers the food is never really worth it, especially for the money it cost too!

Hebie and Helen, Teachers at Scrapaholics
Here are the great customers and staff of Scrapaholics at our Cocktail night. I showed them how to put together party corsages to wear for the evening using the i-bond glue gun, roly rosies & petal roller and silk flowers all from Imaginisce.

Isn't the name of Jodi's shop PERFECT in every country...Scrapaholics. I think we all consider ourselves one! And after my first purchase there they were nice enough to send me on my way with a loyalty punch card...with a reminder that I have to redeem it within a year (I hope).
Front of the Scrapaholics Store (love her logo)
I was honored to be among some of my favorite scrapbook personalities as teachers at this event. The very talented and bubbly, Trina McClune and the ever popular (and shorter then me) Nic Howard were there too! I wished I had time to take their classes too!!
Trina, me and Nic
I can never express my gratitude and appreciation to Jodi of Scrapaholics, KK and Suping Lee of Kays Company (distributor) for bringing me out to New Zealand. And thanks to Imaginisce for sponsoring the classes with so many great products...the Kiwis loved it all!! It was a trip of a lifetime and so wonderful to connect with so many people that have the same passion for paper and this industry that I do. They were lovely hosts and I hope they come to Utah one day so I can repay their kindness. Thank you!!


More details about Senz and Imaginisce (and GIVEAWAY) can be found over on my post on the Imaginisce blog. Previous posts about my travels to New Zealand include "Lost in Translation," "Hanging with my Kiwi Friends" and "Making my Way to New Zealand."

Allred Design, mommy blogger, scrapbook, paper crafts

3.7.11

Lost in Translation..my Naive Travels through New Zealand

Okay I know the speak english in New Zealand, but I wasn't prepared for the "accent". But I love listening to the wonderful Kiwis of New Zealand speak. I forgot I had an accent to them until a waitress practically pulled up a chair one day to ask us where we were from and tell us how much she liked our accent. However, combine that bit of an accent with talking a little fast sometimes and then calling things by different names then I was use to made from some funny situations. 

Don't worry, I have many more things to share about my travels, but I started this list with my mom while we were in the airport and thought it would be fun to share should you find yourself in New Zealand anytime soon. Oh and I'm not going to even start on the Maori words. 

  1. Rubbish - this was my all time favorite one to day...I love calling "trash" or "garbage"...rubbish...doesn't it sound better?? 
  2. Scones - loved the cheese ones but they were very much like what we call "biscuits"
  3. Biscuits - that's what they call "cookies"
  4. Motorways - we call them freeways or highways
  5. Take Away - in place of "to go"...this one I had a hard time with since I am so use to hearing the question, "stay or to go" and when asked "for here or take away" in that cute, fast kiwi accent I always had to ask them to repeat the question...up to the day I left 
  6. Heaps - a lot, I suppose no different then "loads"
  7. Trading Hours - what is posted on businesses in place of "Store Hours"
  8. Give Way - a common street sign, we find "yield" works for us
  9. Mind Your Step - signs I saw getting on and off the train and other applicable spots reminding us to "watch our step"
  10. The Boot - trunk of a car
  11. Queue - Line, as in "make a line" or "standing in line"
  12. Petrol - gas or gasoline
  13. Fizzy Drinks - just like it sounds it's soda pop
  14. Toilets - in place of restroom
  15. Trolley - carts or suitcases
  16. Lifts - obviously they lift you up just like an elevator


Yes, I miss being there and the very kind people I met and enjoyed being around while I was down there. What a wonderful experience and I'm so grateful for everything!! 

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