Our First Link Party!

Welcome to our first ever link party! We are so excited to offer this opportunity for you to share your SEI projects at the end of each month. This is how it works...

1. Add a link to your SEI project on our blog by clicking on the button at the bottom of this post. Your project must use at least one SEI product to participate.
2. Link back to us by adding this button to the bottom of your blog post.

<a href="http://seilifestyle.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlkVvOmtAddnwfXCjJJgypN5zftCfR63zaZJaglXJO3OmMTPintrYyA7GTMp9ETIFzXm3dx0q15Rx0KKwv3r_qQD3XufEXrc8UH2-LdqB9hHa_Av5D_FtrRnGXVzyp6bopV0-Gqrcejs/s1600/link.jpg" /></a>3. Check each other's projects out and be sure to leave lot's of comments.

Let the party begin!

2011 Design Team

The time has finally arrived for our big reveal! Thanks again to everyone who applied for our design team. Now, please welcome six ladies who are the best of the best... SEI's 2011 Design team!


Audrey Yeager
• I am a former high school Biology teacher, now a SAHM to 16 month old Charlotte, and married to my sweet hubby Keith.
• We moved to Houston from New York about 3 1/2 years ago. I love the winter and spring in the south, but nothing can beat the summers and fall in New York State.
• I love being "domestic": all things crafty, baking, cooking, and sewing (but not so much on the cleaning part! :) )
• I love the outdoors and am so inspired by nature. I love indentifying birds and butterflies and trees.
• I listen to all kinds of music, but most of the time I will be singing out loud to heavy metal or hard rock!


Caroline Ikeji
• I live in foggy San Francisco, where summer seems to finally be starting as the official start of fall just passed. No seriously, summers are like winters here. Other than the fog, though, I absolutely LOVE it up here.
• I'm a college student, scrapbook designer, photographer, and I recently started working at a chocolate shop. It's a sweet job, literally (although it hasn't been good for my waistline).
• I loooooooove food, and especially talking about it. My specialty is making people hungry :)
• I am a coffee addict, especially Blue Bottle Coffee. You don't want to cross me when I'm not caffeinated, it seriously won't be pleasant!


Julie Bonner
• I live in Crownsville, Maryland with my husband, 3-year-old son Ryan, and 3 toy poodles.
• I have always preserved pictures, cards, newspaper clippings, and mementos in albums, but it wasn't until the birth of my son that I threw myself completely into all the wonderful products & techniques the industry has to offer :)
• I enjoy using hand-sewing, inking, misting, and pen detail to add that special touch to my projects - while still maintaing a focus on photos.
• I LOVE exploring new ways to organize photos, patterned papers, and embellishments on a page & am constantly creating sketches to record these ideas.
• SEI was one of the first brands of scrapbook supplies I created with & I am SO excited and honored to be part of their 2011 Design Team!!!


Kate O'Brien
• I am originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. We relocated to Seattle, Washington last year and I am loving it so far!
• Being a mommy is my first priority in life and my family means the world to me!
• I love anything creative be it photography, scrapbooking or sewing.
• When I am not working, making art or hanging out with the people I love you can find me in the kitchen baking something sweet!


Lisa Johnson
• I live in Anacortes WA with my Husband/best friend (Chris) and our four daughters (Alex, Hannah, Pepper and Ella). We have two boy cats, Mozart and Haydn, to keep Chris company.
• Making cards is my favorite type of paper crafting. Stamping is my favorite creative method!
• My styles are typically clean, simple, cute and elegant.
• In addition to my passion for paper crafting I love being involved in my church, spending any time with my family, singing, dancing, hiking, camping, hanging with my friends, blogging and being a silly girl!


Lori Mancini
• I live in beautiful Ontario Canada with my husband Dan and our two handsome teenage son's.
• When I’m not scrapbooking until the wee hours of the morning I enjoy spending time family and friends, and keep busy running our Custom Cabinetry business with my husband.
• I am a "Scatter-Brained" blonde who loves to read blogs by the hour, take photo's by the 100's, and finds inspiration in everything around me.
• I enjoy The lazy days of summer, Starbuck's pretzels, and cheering my kids on in whatever it is they're doing. In the winter you will find me hibernating in my scrap room with fuzzy slippers and a cup of tea, or camped out in front of the TV watching Grey's Anatomy or The Biggest Loser.
• I am honored to have had my work published in Canadian Scrapbooker, Scrapbook & Cards Today and Scrapbook Trends magazine’s. I look forward to inspiring all of you with my creations and being inspired by all of you!

October Calendar Page

Are you ready for October? The leaves are starting to turn in our neck of the woods and the air is getting wonderfully crisp! And you know what a new month means...a new calendar page.


Here is October's calendar page and lovely layout. All you need to create this is the Spooks assortment pack. We hope this helps you with our challenge to scrapbook one page each month.

Each month we post a FREE monthly calendar download and a single-page scrapbook layout idea. Create the layout, print off the calendar page and slip them into a sheet protector so at the end of the year you will have a calendar to display with your own photos and twelve great layouts to represent the year! Go here for previous layouts and calendar pages.



Just so you know...our big Design Team Reveal happens Monday! If you haven't received an e-mail from us, let us know at seiblog(at)shopsei(dot)com.

We really want to thank everyone who applied. We enjoyed getting to know you a little. You have all been so patient and kind as we have been busy sorting, sending, and replying to so many e-mails. It was a difficult decision because there were a lot of talented paper-crafters to choose from. We are excited to announce the new team so come back soon!

3rd Thursday: Moonrise

Club SEI's October kit features the lovely Moonrise collection. Click here to see what club members can make with this kit. If you aren't a club member, you can still sign-up.


We love the beautiful, custom journal that comes with the kit. It has a band to keep it shut and a convenient little pocket in the back for keepsakes, coupons, whatever!


Today we would like share a card that you could make with some of the contents of the kit. This card has great details, like the beautiful layouts from the kit.


We love the layered pumpkin, which is a technique from the kit. The mesh paper adds another great detail. Happy 3rd Thursday!

Winner!

Thank you for commenting on Jamie's posts last week. She is such a sweetheart! We agree with you. She did a wonderful job showing a variety of ideas and fun uses for the papers.

Also, thanks to those who entered the giveaway. We are excited to giveaway some wonderful monster goodies to the winner, as selected by random.org, who is...


Congratulations, Christy (aka Emeraldvalkyrie)! Now just send us your mailing address at seiblog{at}shopsei{dot}com so you can enjoy your prize.


Thanks for participating everyone! Happy Monday!

Monst(e)rous Frame + Giveaway [CLOSED]

Today is my final day with you as a Guest Designer and I have saved my favorite project for last! I found this little wood frame on clearance and immediately thought of the Monsterville Monster Mash paper! My intentions were to cover the frame with the monster covered paper and add in a cute photo and put it in my son's room...note I said "intentions"!


I began by tracing the frame base on the back of the Monster Mash paper and then I centered the frame stand backing and traced again, cutting out the frame and the center. The frame stand backing is typically larger than the window which allowed me to add a black mat.


Then I adhered my Monster Mash paper to the wood frame and covered with several coats of Mod Podge. I used the inside cut of the frame inside the window, so the paper patterns line up. This was going to be the photo mat...but as I finished up this project I realized that I love it just the way it is!


Currently this frame is sitting in my art room, where it will remain until my son (my #1 fan) talks me into allowing him to have it for his room! :)
I have had so much fun sharing my projects and want to give a big "thank you" to SEI for having me!

keep creating...Jamie

Don't worry you don't have to say "good-bye" to Jamie forever because you can hop over to her blog, Bits of Paper, anytime. Isn't she a delight? We have really enjoyed having her this week and loved all of the creative ideas she shared. Thank you, Jamie!!


If you would like to win some Monsterville goodies, leave a comment on this post by Sunday, September 19th at midnight MST. Please tell us which post was your favorite this week. We will announce the winner Monday. Be sure to check back to see if you are the winner because if we don't hear from the winner within a week we will pick a new one.

Although the giveaway is now closed, we are sure Jamie would still love to hear what you think. Feel free to continue leaving comments on this post.

Halloween Card and Spooky Shirts!

It feels much like Fall here in Michigan! It makes me want to pull out all of my Halloween decorations, find warm apple cider, and pick pumpkins and apples! I still have a couple more weeks so to hold me over until then, I have been playing with the Spooks collection from SEI!


Supplies:
Pattern Paper: Spooks Collection (SEI)
Cardstock: Black (Recollections)
Sticker: Spooks Collection Cardstock Stickers (SEI)
Border: Spooks Collection - Stars (SEI)
Ink: Charcoal (Cat's Eye Chalk Ink)
Punch: The Paper Studio
Stamp: Studio G
Misc: Twine

And you know what else I have been playing with? More Monsterville! Did you know that SEI has iron-ons? Did you know that they have them in the MONSTERVILLE collection!?


Seriously...you can build your own monster on your own shirt! You get to pick the monster arms, eyes, mouths, and more, it just doesn't get better than that in my book! Here are my monsters, wearing their monsters! :)


I'll be back tomorrow with another Monsterville project!

keep creating...Jamie

Cards from the Monsterville Collection

Today I want to share with you a couple cards that I have created from the Monsterville collection!

First up is a my "Eye" Miss You card (hehe)!


Supplies:
Pattern Paper: Monsterville Collection (SEI)
Cardstock: Black (Recollections)
Sticker: Monsterville Collection (SEI)
Pen: White Gel (Sakura)
Punch: EK Success Border and Zutter Corner Rounder
Misc: Ribbon

And next up is a Happy Birthday (Swing) card! I have a template that you can download as a PDF or as a cut file for the Cricut in one of two cartridges (George -or- Plantin Schoolbook) so that you can create your own!


Supplies:
Pattern Paper: Monsterville Collection (SEI)
Ink: Cat's Eye Chalk Ink
Stamps: Clear G
Misc: Ribbon and Twine

I am returning tomorrow with a Halloween Card and some spooky shirts!

keep creating...Jamie

Never Too Old

Yes, it is a layout from the Monsterville collection just as I said it would be! I love how versatile this collection is, which is why it is one of my favorites! The papers match perfectly with or without the monsters and the colors are so bright and bold! Did you see those little icons to the side of the photo? Those are actually cardstock stickers that I put on tiny black mats and then popped up with foam squares! Super cute!

Supplies:
Pattern Paper: Monsterville Collection (SEI)
Cardstock: White and Black (Recollections)
Stickers: Monsterville Cardstock Stickers (SEI)
Alphas: Momenta
Ribbon: American Crafts
Button: American Crafts
Punch: EK Success
Font: Corinthia (Cut with SCAL)
Pen: Multi-liner SP (Copic)
Misc: Fiber

Tomorrow I will be back with a couple cards featuring more Monsterville!

keep creating...Jamie

Play Day Baby Gift Box

One of my all time favorite SEI collections is Play Day!
I love the adorable little animals and all the coordinating prints.


Today I am going to share with you how to create a gift box using this line! To begin, you will need one 12"x12" sheet of paper for the main box and a 4"x12" coordinating sheet of paper for the wrap.

With the 12"x12" paper, score at 1", 5", 6", 7", and 11"

Turn your paper and score again at 1", 2", 10", and 11"

With the score marks you just made, cut up to the 2nd score mark (as shown below) on both sides. These will be the flaps.

Next, fold the center score marks to form a peak. You will have two sides of the box, a top and a bottom:

Place adhesive on all of the flap areas:

Pull in the side flaps on the top part of the box and then fold the side flap down. You will do this twice on the top and then twice on the bottom.

Your box should now look like this:



Next we are going to make a wrapper with the 4"x12" coordinating paper. I used a border punch on the two long sides of the paper. You will need to score the wrapper at 1", 5", 7", and 11". Again, the center score marks will need to be folded to form a peak. This will adhere to the peak of the box.

Punch two holes on each side flap and insert ribbon as shown in the photo above.
Place adhesive throughout the back of the wrapper and adhere to the box, centering.

I cut two pieces of twine and then gather the ribbon (a piece from the bottom and a piece from the top) then tied a bow in the twine to close the box. All that is left is to decorate the top of the box! I used a kangaroo from the paper and placed foam squares underneath him then adhered him to a coordinating cardstock piece!

This box is great for a tiny outfit, some onesies, or even a receiving blanket!
Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a layout using the Monsterville collection!
keep creating...Jamie

Thank You + Winners

First off here is a BIG THANK YOU to all of our readers. You are so wonderful! We have really enjoyed all the comments lately. We read them all and love feeling like we are having a conversation with you, not just rambling to ourselves.

Because you have been so generous with your comments, we would like to reward some especially creative comments with more goodies! So, for Aphra's "I am 40" comment...


We forgot to mention that we also have iron-on letters and numbers. So, if the zebra don't work for you, Aphra, we do have cheeta letters and the leopard sheets of course!

You can spell out the "I am" (or whatever you want) with the letters and add the numbers. So, we don't want to leave out Monika's sweet little 5 and 7 year olds...


Remember all of the iron-ons are available or coming soon to www.seicrafts.com. Ok, now the lucky winner, as selected by random.org is...



Congratulations Carrie (laterg8r)! Now our 3 winners just need to send us their mailing addresses so we can send off their assorted iron-on prizes. Our e-mail is seiblog{at}shopsei{dot}com. Keep those comments coming!

Guest Blogger, Jamie Cripps

Please welcome our guest blogger, Jamie Cripps. She will be filling next week with her sweet personality and a variety creative projects. So please stop by her blog, Bits of Paper and say "hi". Then come back next week to see what she has in store and enter another giveaway!

Hi! I am Jamie Cripps and I am super excited to be here as a Guest Blogger for SEI Lifestyles. I have been a big fan of SEI and their products for quite some time, so this is a true honor!


I live in Michigan with my craft supportive husband of almost 12 years and our two children. I was introduced to scrapbooking with my daughter was born 10 years ago, but it wasn't until our first Disney vacation in 2006 that I became obsessed! I love capturing the little things of our lives; the funny sayings, the adorable memories, the everyday moments! I also enjoy making cards and creating anything I can with paper and glue! I currently design for Scrap Withing Reach, P K Glitz, ScrapbookPal.com, and Momenta as well as designing and teaching for my local scrapbook store, Scrap Tales!

I began blogging just over a year ago to share my love of paper crafting! I never would have dreamed that starting a blog would have changed my life so drastically! I truly love the blogging environment and community!

Five things about me:
1. I was raised in a small town in Kansas (and hope for the day when we can move back).
2. I dream about designs, layouts, and ideas and keep a tablet and pen next to my bed...I even draw in the dark at times, which
makes for a great giggle in the morning!
3. I am a geek. I love technology, spreadsheets, organizing, the alphabet, and sticky notes!
4. I do not need coffee to be this peppy, it just comes naturally.
5. I believe that smiles are contagious and I think we all should wear them daily!
I am excited to share with you projects that I have been creating with the oh-so-cute Monsterville collection and the Spooks collection so make sure you come back!

keep creating...
Jamie

My Own Halloween + GIVEAWAY [CLOSED]

It's our final day of iron-on fun! The truth is we are like little kids when it comes to these things. It is exciting to see the different expressions and create something one-of-a-kind. We have been making trick-or-treat bags and t-shirts with witches, draculas, monsters, and pumpkins. If you want to see more My Own Halloween ideas and another awesome movie, don't forget about this post!


If you are ready to get your hands on some of these iron-ons, leave a comment on this post telling us which is your favorite iron-on design. Entries will be accepted until Sunday September 12th at midnight MST. We will announce the winner Monday. [This giveaway is now closed. You are still welcome to comment.]

REMINDER: Tomorrow is the last day to apply for our design team. All applicants should receive an e-mail Saturday. If you applied and do not receive an e-mail by Saturday evening, please contact us.

I am 1,2,3!

Guess what we have today? You guessed it. More iron-on projects! These new numbers are so perfect for birthdays. They come in designs for boys and girls from 1-3 years old.


You can make a shirt for your little one to wear on his/her special day. Then your child can wear it the rest of the year too. These are super easy to make. For the gift bags, we cut off the "I am" part at the top.


After your party is over, use some more of these fun iron-ons to scrapbook layouts too. What a great way to celebrate the toddler years!