Introducing Author Courtney Walsh and Guest Designer Kelly Goree

We have a very special treat for the next few weeks.  Author Courtney Walsh has written a series of heartwarming novels with themes including friendship and scrapbooking. Today she shares some insights from her Sweethaven books about friendship and has asked her good friend Kelly Goree to create a layout about the theme with our very own Acorn Hollow collection.  We'd also like to give our fans an opportunity to participate, so keep reading for a chance to win a copy of Courtney's book and maybe even some Acorn Hollow...

 
From Courtney---One thing that's always fascinated me is the female friendship. It's one of the most rewarding--yet challenging--relationships of all, and that's why I chose to focus on this theme when writing my Sweethaven series. I also wanted to pull in the idea of a beautiful old scrapbook bringing friends back together after too many years apart...In my mind, friendship and scrapbooking go hand-in-hand...after all, many of my favorite friends are those I've met because of this wonderful hobby.

I asked one of those friends, the wonderful Kelly Goree, to create a layout inspired by my books, more specifically, on the idea of friendship and she used a little Acorn Hollow to do just that. This layout is as fun as it is meaningful, and I'm sure both Kelly and her best friend will cherish the sentiments (and the layout) forever.

Scrapbooking is such an important part of my life--and such an important part of the whole Sweethaven series. I think (and hope) you'll be able to relate.

 

 

Acorn Hollow Page by Kelly Goree

 

We just love the bright colors of Kelly's design along with her black and white photobooth photos. The happy elements of the Acorn Hollow collection really compliment the fun pictures of Kelly and her friend.

 

Tip: When adding multiple photos in a row, especially ones with close ups, slightly tilt and overlap them for a more intimate feeling.

Jounraling: "To say I was blessed the day you walked into my dorm room almost twenty-five years ago wouldn’t even begin to describe it. There was no way of knowing that you, my mid-term replacement roommate freshman year of college, would become my lifelong best friend. I know physically we’re as different as two people can be (and you got the good end of that deal!) but we were soul sisters from the very start. We complimented each other. I talked you into trying things you never had done before (including coloring your hair for the first time – sorry!) and you taught me what true friendship was all about. I am so grateful and humbled that you are my “person.”

 

Please visit Kelly's blog Behind the Pages for more amazing ideas and inspiration.

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY 1 - We thought that the cover of Courtney's second book A Sweethaven Homecoming reminded us of our Acorn Hollow collection, so we are going to giveaway a copy of her book each week.  Just tell us how scrapbooking has deepened some of your friendships and we will choose a lucky winner from the comments.

 

GIVEAWAY 2 - please visit Courtney's blog Telling Stories to learn more about her and a chance to win our entire Acorn Hollow collection.  Just leave a comment for Courtney on her blog.

 

We cannot wait to share more of Courtney's thoughts and Kelly's amazing talent, but you will just have to wait until next week...

 

Have a wonderful and crafty weekend!

 

Comments

[Audrey Pettit]

1.

Such a gorgeous layout! I love the photo series and love the framework, and what amazing title work, too!

[hisglorygirl]

2.

Just finished Courtney's first book. LOVED IT!!! The Acorn Hollow line is just adorable! Love the colors and the cute characters!

[Vicki Davis]

3.

Scrapbooking connects me to the people I love and to people I don't even know. There is no better way to encourage, make someone laugh or celebrate life than through a handmade card. I have made a note to request Courtney's book at the library.

[stacey]

4.

My best friend and I have been scrapbooking since the day she moved in next door. Scrapbooking is the glue that holds our friendship...even though she has since moved away.

[dorina D]

5.

Love Courtney's first book, but haven't gotten the 2nd one, yet! It was so well written and so fun to read Scrapbooking has opened up the world to me, allowing me to meet people from around the world who are crafters. Love getting the chance to meet them in person as well as on line. My best friend and I scrap or card make at least twice a month, travel together on a regular basis, go to the movies and even try new diets and recipes together.
Loved your Layout Kelly, it's so great!

[{vicki}]

6.

I started scrapping in 1999 not long after my son was born. I found a lady that was a CM representative and she has now become my lifelong friend!

[Marcia Scantlin]

7.

Besides meeting many wonderful friends at scrapbooking places, it's been fun sharing layouts that have old friends in them. I like to make copies of my layouts to share with friends and they are always moved by this.

[Carol Powers]

8.

I love Little Yellow Bicycle and Acorn Hollow is one fof my favorite collections. I hope I win the giveaway!

[Lisa L. ( Lisa's Creative Niche)]

9.

I love this LO and I love scrapbooking... others who do it are so passionate and fun to talk with! All of my friends from college moved far away except for one who is about 40 minutes away... but when we found out that we both scrapbook we were so excited and now she travels to my house once a week almost for scrapbooking... something even my kids recognize as a night of the week! hehehe!

[Mary S - Big Mamma]

10.

I have met and scrapbooked with the most amazing people. Through blogging, giving and getting inspiration it has made me a much better person.

[Pam Sohan]

11.

I have been some amazing friends through scrapbooking. And continue to do so. The women I've meet have beent he warmest, most generous people I've ever met.

[Cindy]

12.

Scrapping has given me the opportunity both to preserve memories AND friendships. Even though one friend and I have had our daily lives diverge because of changes in circumstances, we still come together every so often to craft together and catch up. I think it's fair to say it is a blessing to us both.

[Alysia H]

13.

I live in a very small town, so when I find someone who enjoys scrapbooking it's an instant connection!

[Melinda Wilson]

14.

I have developed many friendships due to scrapbooking. There is one of these that has developed into a very special friendship that has extended way beyond our scrapbooking time together. We have laughed together, we have cried together and we have been there to watch each of our families grow.

[Karrie L]

15.

My love for scrapbooking has actually helped to build an amazing friendship with my family. On a monthly occassin 7 of my family members and a couple of friends gather to create our masterpieces. This allows us time to share our secrets and nourish our hearts. Could not ask for more :)

[Donna Woods]

16.

Sweethaven is new to me, would love a chance to read it. Acorn Hollow is my favorite LYB line ever.

[JudyB]

17.

I have a group of friends that I scrapbook with once a week. They are wonderful friends who help keep me sane(LOL)and I have a great time with them. We celebrate birthdays, holidays and they are even there for me when things aren't going so well.I love my crafty friends.

[Marie]

18.

I have a wonderful friend that introduced me to scrapbooking. While I was in the process of waiting to adopt my daughter from China, we would get together weekly to scrapbook, and talk, of course!! When my daughter arrived, I had 3 scrapbooks started (one for our family, one for my parents, and one for my in-laws!!!) and we continued to get together after she arrived to continue with the books! She remains my best friend today!

[SuZeQ]

19.

Papercrafting has introduced me to so many people I otherwise never would have met. I treasure each of the friendships I have created. Thank you, paper!

[Linda Beeson]

20.

I so love that you combined that book with scrapbooking. I haven't really connected with any local scrapbookers but I have loved over the years how I have come to know so many in the industry. It is such a huge treat.

[Becky]

21.

I have a growing group of friends that I scrap with every week on Wednesdays. It is the only time that I ever get to do my own thing! The members of our group have been through lots of rough life changes and health issues and the group offers support and laughs and fun. I am lucky to be a part of it!

[angela]

22.

Love all of the projects.

[Laura G.]

23.

I don't have many 'real' friends but I have many 'virtual' friends that have been there for me over time because of scrapbooking. It seems to go hand in hand---we scrapbook online, chat, laugh, cry etc. Love it!

[Juliana]

24.

I have some of my best friends because of scrapbooking. I am so very thankful for these relationships and the time we spend together!

[Susanmcl]

25.

Scrapping and banner making, and shopping for all such projects are great reasons to get together with friends close to a holiday! Love crafting with my friends!

[sharon gullikson]

26.

I have made some mini albums for friends using photos of good times together. One friend is into paper crafts, too, so it's extra special when I make them for her...we share our love of crafts often.

[Norma ~ Colorado]

27.

My bestie and me have been scrapbooking for years. When I need encouragement, she is always there to cheer me on. We have recently started traveling with each other and have fun scrapbooking our trips.
She recently found out she is pregnant and I look forward to scrapbooking all those memories as well.

[Gemiel]

28.

I met my best friend at a crop about 10 years ago. We had seen each other at crops off and on but never really connected until one day she recognized some of the things in the pictures I was scrapbooking. It turned out that while she was in college she had worked with my mother. We've been friends ever since.

[Kerry]

29.

I was fortunate enough to work in a scrapbook store. Several of my coworkers have become close friends and we often get together to celebrate our various birthdays with a crop. We are there for each other in both the good times and the trying ones and the support system we have means so much!

[Jennifer O.]

30.

When we moved to a new area 11 years ago, I found the best friend through scrapbooking. It made the transition to a new town more enjoyable.

[Marcia Dehn-Nix]

31.

I am loving all the Acorn Hollow projects!! Scrapbooking is a great excuse to get together with friends.

[Lori H.]

32.

My friends understand me. They understand how important it is to capture family memories through scrapbooking. We usually go on scrapbook retreats together, and I know they will always be there for me.
Love Kelley & Courtney together! What an great pairing LYB!! Would love a chance to play with Acorn Hollow!
Lori H.

[Shirley Moench]

33.

Scrapbooking and scrapbooking events have provided me an outlet to make new friends, keep in touch with old friends, and been a very positive influence throughout some very serious health issues. Bless all my scrapbooking friends for their love and support! Love scrapbooking/card-making so always enjoy learning new techniques, sharing new ideas, and spending time with friends!!

[christi in ma]

34.

Scrapbooking has helped me stay close with my married friends. They were having babies and dealing with cranky toddlers and I was (and still am!) kidless. We tried to scrapbook once a month together. It gave us a chance to catch up and laugh and hang out and stay connected even though we were at very different stages of our lives.

[Michelle L.]

35.

Scrapbooking has helped me honor and document the important relationships in my life. :)

[Margie Visnick]

36.

I loved her first book! Scrapbooking has opened doors and friendships for me that I would not have had otherwise. Some of my best friends are online, scrapbooking friends!

[KellyG]

37.

Scrapbooking has brought my sister and I closer together. She lives 8 hours away, but now that we both scrap we talk almost daily, of course it is usually scrap related, but it is fun!

[KellyG]

38.

Scrapbooking has brought my sister and I closer together. She lives 8 hours away, but now that we both scrap we talk almost daily, of course it is usually scrap related, but it is fun!

[Michele]

39.

scrapbooking has really brought close friendship online that I don't often have in real life. I love preserving memories and sharing them with others.

[Misty]

40.

I am a very shy person...having said that I truely appreciate the gift that scrapbooking is. I've met so many wonderful and creative friends that share in the love of this wonderful hobby. It has introduced me to wonderful women I never would have found otherwise!!!

[Cindy]

41.

My friends love the pages I create about our friendships and sometimes help me embellish the story.

[Lisa P]

42.

I met my very best friend after we moved to Nebraska. She walked up to my door and introduced herself, boys in tow and we never looked back. The fact that she scrapbooked was a bonus. She loved what I loved and we have spent hours and hours, weekends away scrapbooking since. It is our thing.

[Melanie Hoffman]

43.

Love the layout and the inspiration it provides! I can't wait to get started on more awesome reading and more scrapbooking with fabulous supplies! Thanks!

[{dawn}]

44.

Scrapbooking has given me the chance to deepen my relationship with one of my best friends, my daughter!

[Sue C]

45.

I love Acorn Collection! Just adorable. I have got to check out Courtney's books!

[Amy Jones#8546]

46.

I have wanted to read both of her books for a while now....well the first one and now the second too. Scrapbooking is my way of life. I have been very artistic my whole life and being able to create is just amazing in itself. I love being able to create with others and luckily my sister loves to scrapbook too. It has brought not only us as sisters closer together but we have something in common that only we can understand. We are able to share our idea's with eachother and share the memories laughter and awesome times together that most dont get to with their siblings. We are not only sisters but friends. And everyday that passes our friendship gets stronger and more memorable.

[Kelly Massman]

47.

LOVE the layout and would love to win the book!!! That collection is so sweet!!! Scrapbooking has deepened friendships and helped me make "virtual" friends from all over the world. I am a little bit of an introvert so this has helped me connect with people in such a positive way!!!! Thanks for a chance to win!

[Celeste B.]

48.

Scrapbooking has allowed me to make a lot of friends that I would never have met before...mostly with all the online communities.

[Laura C - Michigan]

49.

Love Courtney's first book and LOVE LYB Acorn collection! Scrapbooking bonds my SIL and nieces who are also my great friends!

[Sue]

50.

I loved Courtney's first book and cannot wait to read the others! I started scrapbooking 15 years ago with a group of friends and we have watched are children grow, go through all the ups and downs in life and have a great time every time we get together! Once a month during the school year we crop together I always cannot wait until the next to catch up with everyone!

[Jean Marmo]

51.

I have made on line friends through my scrapping. We laugh, we cry and share wash others lives.

[Jamie Greene]

52.

I don't know about depening existing friendships but I have been able to make a bunch of new friendships through this hobby:)

[beatrice lawson]

53.

I seem to be the only one in my group of friends who got into scrapbooking, but thankfully the internet is filled with wonderful talented ladies who generously share and inspire me. I hope to have the opportunity to meet some of them in person someday, but in the meantime thank goodness for blogs and FB!

[Janet Zeppa]

54.

I have made some wonderful friends through scrapbooking. Kelly your layout is gorgeous!!

[Traci Penrod]

55.

Scrapbooking for me is so much more than a hobby...it is really about connections. Many of the wonderful women I have met over the years through working in this industry have become my life-long friends. I also stay connected to my "internet" friends through scrapbooking blogs and forums -- thank goodness for technology that opens up doors to even more relationships!

I love to read so I will be looking for Courtney's book series on my Nook today :)...and I've been a long-time follower of Kelly's great layouts and designs. Thanks for this post girls -- excellent!

[Amy K]

56.

I have read all 3 of the Sweethaven series, and they are wonderful.
Kelly, your layout is beautiful.
I'm off to Courtney's blog. Thanks LYB for always providing us scrappers with lovely/fun products.

[JUDY RAY]

57.

Scrapbooking has been an avenue to keep in touch with my friends by having a monthly crop. We carve out the time in our busy schedules to stay in touch with each other.

[KathScraps]

58.

I started scrapping in 2000 after moving to VA. I found a girl about 100 miles away via scrapping message board and we got together to scrap, then became close friends. When my husband and I moved to FL, she and her family made a couple of trips to see us, and we visited at their lake house in VA. This forever friendship has lasted through several moves my husband and I have made, and has been a blessing to me for the past 12 years. I was so very lucky to find this friend who shares not only my passion for scrapbooking, but also my heart.

[Michelle]

59.

I read Courtney's first book. I want to get the rest in the series. Cute page, Kelly. I love this fall line! It would match perfectly to some photos we just took at the state park a few weekends ago. :)
I am so thankful for this hobby as it has opened doors and allowed me to meet people and make some great friends that I otherwise would not have been able to meet.