UPDATED: September Shop Your Stash Kit

UPDATE: Check out THIS PAGE on how to "Shop Your Stash"!! 

I'm on month two... Or at least "Kit Two" of my personal challenge. Nothing official or anything... I just have SO much stuff, and really want to just use it and buy things I really want, or that are multi-use (stamps, tools, etc.) I also have a ton of things that I love... But am hiding away for some obscene reason. No more hoarding pretty things!!

This month's kit was inspired by this picture of the lovely kit from Noel Mignon. (FYI, at this current moment... It's not been released, so this is just a sneak of the Tea for Two Kit). I really loved the colors, the woodgrain (of course!) and the deer. Seriously, the deer. I am going to make a custom deer stamp using some of my Silhouette stamp material, and already have the shape chosen!!

And... This color inspiration. I found the link on Pinterest, but am posting the original link here.

Here's my "kit". Once again, I've not packed a ton of paper into it, but will attempt to use it all... But it is pretty embellishment heavy. My goal, once I've completed quite a few layouts is to use it as a card kit. I love card kits, as all of the pieces go together, and the embellishments are fun.

Paper Top Row L-R:
Parfait (Madeline Collection) - Prima Marketing
Chocolate & Kraft Ribbon Stripe - Canvas Corp.
April Showers (Simply Spring) - WeRMK
Dishes (Nook & Pantry) - Basic Grey
Beaters (Nook & Pantry) - Basic Grey
Living Proof (So Sophie) - My Mind's Eye

Paper Bottom Row L-R:
Lots O' Luck (Hog Heaven) - Sassafras Lass
Beaming (Sunshine Broadcast) - Sassafras Lass
Cinnamon (Nutmeg) - Cosmo Cricket
Lunch Break (Ready Set Go) - American Crafts
Love Letters (Fawnd of You Too) - Sassafras Lass

Cardstock
kraft - American Crafts
darker teal - Bazzill
light teal - American Crafts
butter yellow - American Crafts  

Embellishments:
Some additional scraps of fun wood patterned paper...
Alphabet Stickers (Life of the Party) - Basic Grey
Yellow Tiny Type - Cosmo Cricket
Label Stickers (Lost & Found Two) - My Mind's Eye
Tiny Tags (Serendipity) - Elle's Studio
Chipboard Hearts - Um Wow Studio
Die Cut Kraft Doilies - Maya Road
Rose Ribbon - American Crafts
Stickers (Fawnd of You) - Sassafras Lass
Tickets... ??
Doo-Dads (Woodland Park) - October Afternoon
Vintage Brooch (Soft Pink) - Sassafras Lass
Metal Tabs (Carte Postal) - Basic Grey
Button Market - Bella Blvd
Tags - Martha Stewart
Chipboard Die Cuts - Sassafras Lass
Badges - Studio Calico
Canvas Pieces - Basic Grey
Wood Veneer Butterflies - Studio Calico
Fabric Brads - Basic Grey
Woodgrain Stamp - Hero Arts
Twine - ??

PS. If you're not too big on making everything all matchy-matchy, make sure to check out places like Tuesday Morning, TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshall's, and the clearance racks of places. Quite a few of the items that are here were from those places too!

Two More Layouts with My August Faux-Kit... (ScrapbookSteals' Pansy 6 & 8)

I now have completed a total of FIVE layouts (the first three) with my "Faux-Kit" from August! I need to figure out a good name for the "kits" I'm making... Counterfeit Kit is taken. I'm up for ideas...

Anyway, here's my first. I am still in love with this blue polka dot paper. Too bad I finally used it. Although, there MAY be another piece lurking somewhere in my craft room. Who knows at this point... The white button was a fun altered piece. It's one of those buttons with the plastic loop thing in the bottom. I chopped that off with nail clippers, then glued it down. The look of a button, without the silly bottom part.

For this layout, I used the Scrapbook Steals Pansy #6 sketch. I switched a few things around, but that's normal for me.

This next layout was a little troublesome at first. Mainly because of the Amy Tangerine paper. I like it, but the LOVE cutout kept throwing me off. It's right in the spot that I usually scrap in, so I tried to incorporate it into the layout instead. I backed the love with the pink polka dot paper, and did some faux stitching with a silver gel pen. I don't normally use yellow, so tried to tie in all of the yellow with some additional yellow enamel dots. I even used the Lawn Fawn stamps!!

For this layout, I used the ScrapbookSteals Pansy #8. Thanks Melodee for the fun sketches! I am really going to try to get them all done on time this session!

Watch tomorrow for my September "Faux-Kit".

XYRON: Gearing up for Kindergarten with Back to School Teacher Gifts

As a high school teacher, I never really use any of the cute school related papers and crafting supplies. However, my oldest is starting Kindergarten this year and I finally get to break out my cute supplies! For today, I made two little things for her new teacher: an easel card, and a cover for the classroom tissue box.

I started with the fun Square Center Step Card by Lori Whitlock. I started with a base of kraft paper, then added quite a few pieces from the Pebbles Back to School Collection (Apples, Notebook, Accent & Phrase Stickers). In order to make the apple pop, I layered pieces of Bazzill cardstock, and framed it with a Studio Calico Frame Sticker. To piece everything together, I used my Xyron 3" Sticker Maker. Since the Offray ribbon was a little thinner, I used my Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker, attached, then trimmed the edges.

The 3D Rectangle Tissue Box by Jamie Cripps was a super fun project to put together. To add some cohesion between the projects, I started again with a base of kraft paper, then added more of the Pebbles Back to School Collection (Scissors, Rulers, Accent Stickers, Accent & Phrase Stickers) using my Xyron 9" Creative Station. Before I placed the stickers all around the box, I ran a wider piece of ribbon through my Xyron 3" Sticker Maker and wrapped it around the box. Then I placed quite a few of the Accent Stickers around the box.

The best part of this project, the "box" comes right off, and can be placed on a new box of tissues when this one is used. No more ugly boxes of tissues! I also kept the top pretty simple, since I knew little hands would be touching it quite often. 

Hope your Back to School is going smooth!

Supplies:
Xyron: 3" Sticker Maker, 1.5" Sticker Maker, 9" Creative Station
Other: Pebbles Back to School Collection (patterned paper and stickers), Studio Calico Stickers (Teach Kids Frames), Bazzill cardstock, Mohawk Via Vellum (kraft), Offray ribbons (Measure Up), tissue box

Lawnscaping Challenge No. 88: Texture Anyone?

I really loved this challenge... I had made a similar card (Popping Up to Say Get Well Soon), but wanted to really change it up and incorporate the fun texture idea of this week's Lawnscaping Challenge No. 88: Texture Anyone?

I started by recreating the same folded card, that was then cut using the Stitched Party Banner Lawn Cuts. This time, I really wanted the banner holes cut, so didn't put anything between the two layers. I then inked up my Darice woodgrain embossing folder and then ran the card through my die cut machine. Stamped up the Fox from my LF Into the Woods set, and colored using Spectrum Noir pens. I fussy cut and then attached it to the stitched circle.

I then took some of the Into the Woods paper (Sycamore), and die cut the Scripty Hello Lawn Cut. I then used my Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker to attach it. I then sprinkled some Lawn Ornaments all over the card, and tied it together with twine.

See how running the ink pad over the embossing folder, then running the entire thing gave it some amazing texture and shine?!?!?! I cannot remember where I saw this technique, but I love it!! If I can remember where I found it... Probably Jennifer McGuire or Kristina Werner. I tend to watch their videos late at night before I fall asleep.

Supplies:
Lawn Fawn: Into the Woods Stamp set, paper and Lawn Ornaments, Lawn Cuts (Scripty Hello & Stitched Party Banners)
Other Supplies: Mohawk Via Vellum (kraft), AC cardstock, Neenah Solar White Cover, Spectrum Noir pens, Xyron 1.5" sticker maker & Adhesive Dots, ImagineCrafts Delicata Ink (Golden Glitz)

Popping Up to Say "Get Well Soon!

I just love when an idea actually happens the way that I thought it would. I love this Lawn Fawn set (Love 'N Breakfast). It's one of my firsts... I kind of found it behind a few things, under some more in a local store. I haven't really used it to it's full potential though, probably because it's intend is more "love" based. I do love trying to find new ways to use it.

I started by making my card base. I folded an A2 card (Via Vellum-kraft), then placed the fold right inside of the cut line of my largest Lawn Fawn Lawn Cut Stitched Party Banner. Once that was complete, I stamped my images (Love 'N Breakfast) onto some Neenah Solar White paper, then colored them in with Spectrum Noir pens. I used sentiments from both the Love 'N Breakfast and the Get Well Soon sets. Once it was complete, it was a little too white, so I used some Distress Ink (Frayed Burlap) on the white banner. Then I needed some contrast between the two kraft colors, so cut and attached some white, striped paper behind and glued it all down. Last, I added two enamel dots in the holes that didn't cut all the way on the top of the banner.

Supplies: Lawn Fawn (Love 'N Breakfast, Get Well Soon, Stitched Party Banners), ImagineCrafts (Tuxedo Black Ink), Distress Ink (Frayed Burlap), Neenah Cover (Solar White), Mohawk (Via Vellum-kraft), enamel dots, Spectrum Noir pens, patterned paper

Perfect Paper Crafting / Xyron Blog Hop!

Good Morning!!! I am so happy to share with you some fun projects for the Perfect Paper Crafting and Xyron Blog Hop. I had the pleasure of trying out the Perfect Airbrush, and it was a ton of fun!! Make sure that you check both blogs for links this week as Perfect Paper Crafting has a $50 Gift Certificate, and Xyron is giving away prizes all week! Perfect Paper Crafting also offers a 10% discount to their store - click HERE, just enter the code "Xyron10%" to redeem the offer!

Here's my first project, a fun birthday card using a fun Lawn Fawn set (Gnome Sweet Gnome).
To start, I stamped my flamingos, then colored them in with my Spectrum Noir pens and then cut them with the matching Lawn Cuts. To create the fun background, I started with an A2 card base. I taped this down using washi tape, so that there was a border around the entire card.

I then drew out and handcut a hill, slightly wider than the card.

 

Once that was taped down on the sides, I used a great sky blue marker and my Perfect Airbrush to create the sky behind the hill.

When the hill was complete, I grabbed the other "stencil" over and slightly overlaped it so that there isn't a gap between the colors.

 

I then sprayed the entire area with a nice grass green tone and the Perfect Airbrush.

Since I used kraft paper for the card base, and directly sprayed onto the base, there were no issues with white spots.

Once the base was complete, I bent the grass stamp until it matched the hillside and stamped it.

I created some dimensional adhesive by running some craft foam through my 3" Sticker Maker twice.

This way, I have large sections of dimensional adhesive that I can cut into the sizes that I need. I backed each of the flamingos with this foam.

I then used a punch for the clouds, and used some 3/16" High Tack Adhesive Dots. To finish the card, I added some faux stitching with my Signo Uni-Ball pen.

The second project that I made used a stencil of a Silhouette cut by Jennifer Wambach (Happy Anniversary Split Title). I really wanted to have the sentiment stand out, so used the Perfect Airbrush on Neenah Solar White paper.

I focused the pinks on the flowers, and some reddish browns toward the sentiment.

Once the airbrushing was complete, I used some Distress Ink (Frayed Burlap) to bring some color in from the edges.

To complete the card, I backed the card face with the dimensional adhesive I had made using my 3" Sticker Maker. This way, I could run the twine behind the card. To finalize the card, I added a few enamel dots and tied a button into the twine's bow.

Supplies:
Xyron: 3" Sticker Maker, 3/16" High Tack Adhesive Dots
Perfect Paper Crafts: Perfect Airbrush
Additional Supplies: Neenah cover (Solar White), Mohawk Vellum (kraft), Silhouette, Pentel Color Pens, enamel dots, button, twine, Lawn Fawn stamps & die cuts (Gnome Sweet Gnome, Gnome Sweet Gnome Lawn Cuts, Check This Out), Memento Ink (Tuxedo Black), Distress Ink (Frayed Burlap), Spectrum Noir pens, Fiskars Squeeze Punch (Small Clouds)

Using Up Those Old Kits... (Gossamer Blue August 2013)

It's probably ironic that it took me an entire year to use up this kit (Gossamer Blue August 2013). It was just too darn pretty to use quickly. I even added a little more cardstock to complete these. The first two are baby cards for school. We had (and more are on their way!) quite a few babies on staff this last year. A few were, and are to be born this summer. It's super exciting!

The first is rather unisex. The blues and pink balance out, and the touch of yellow makes it not too gender specific. The second is obviously for a boy. I love the Lawn Fawn dies (Scripty Hello and Stitched Party Banners) and think that both of these shine because of them.

The last card is really not specific. It's a congratulatory card... But for what? I'm not sure yet, but I'm sure that it will be used somehow.

And that finishes the August 2013 Gossamer Blue kit. I think there are just a couple of buttons left, but I'll find uses for those at a later date.

25 Cards from One Collection

In my day job, I teach art. I also am one half of a kick-ass (yes, we are THAT good!) team that takes care of our staff in times of celebration and condolence. After the many years that I have helped with this, I have realized that if I plan ahead and get some of the many cards that will be used throughout the year completed during the summer, I'm a much happier person. Ultimately, I will spend about the same amount of time no matter what, I can just spend it more wisely using similar sketches or designs and make multiples at once. All of these cards use American Crafts: Garden Café collection. Stamps are from: A-Muse, Lawn Fawn and Neat & Tangled.

Sometimes the cards are almost exactly the same, just flip the papers over and switch the embellishments a little.

Use different ribbons to make different looks...

Similarity here: those tags I can never figure out what to do with. 

When you get down to the small pieces, it always helps to make "scrap" cards. Just take all of the little scrap pieces and glue away!

Or make three of a kind. This one was inspired by this card: CARD by Chari Moss. She's amazing!

In some cases... Just using those great embellishments brings amazing results. 

Or border punches and flags!

A couple more combo scrap/embellishment cards.

And a simple, but effective version... Colorblocking!

All in all, 25 cards using a line of materials that I wasn't scrapping with anymore. One more bag of stuff in my stash down!

Using my August "Faux-Kit"...

I've been making some fun stuff lately. It's almost a relief "shopping" my stash sometimes. I like seeing things leave my studio, without the receipts entering it. Here are my first three layouts using my "kit", and I'm sure that I'll have a handful of cards to finish it off. 

This first layout was pretty fun. I loved these two pic, but hadn't found the right papers or anything to use with them. I really loved pulling the pinks together with the blues, as it complemented the photos well. I also really loved this Gossamer Blue pie chart from the July 2014 Life Pages kit. Sadly, it's the only thing I've used from that month so far... The paper edge is a Silhouette cut, and the banner was just hand cut. To be honest however, the back of that pie chart is a hot mess. Thankfully you cannot see it. I totally broke out my Xyron 9" Creative Station on it though. Seriously, those intricate die cuts are killer to try to glue down all the little bits... This way, it's glued in one pass. Simple.

This layout was inspired by one of the PageMaps sketches from the August 2014 set that worked with Scrapbook Circle DT. I really loved the pie chart shape, and had to include it! I have to admit however, this layout kicked my butt. I had to put it aside and come back later to complete it. I added the title die cut and stitching the next morning. I think it came out okay in the end.

The next layout used quite a bit of the patterned papers from Authentique, My Mind's Eye, Stampin' Up and a little bit of the leftovers of that Crate Paper woodgrain. I will seriously use every last scrap of that stuff! I also used my DIY Simple Stories envelope to place a die cut with hidden journaling. And, if you want the recipe to the most amazing (gluten free) chocolate molten lava cake... It's here. You can thank me later!

I used the ScrapbookSteals Mid-Week-Mojo Pansy 4 Sketch by Brenda Smith. Brenda always does amazing work. I'm always in awe of all of the fun details she uses in her work.

Sometimes you have that one picture that doesn't go with anything else... This pic was just that. I had previously gotten my hair bayalage'd by my lovely hair stylist who works at The Parlor. This place is adorable. Like, all industrial and woodgrain and aqua. LOVE! I really wanted to "highlight" the highlights, so the woodgrain follows the streaks in my hair, along with the streaks in the sky Sass paper, and the dark cloud chipboard pieces. And those chipboard buggers, pull out your Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker on those bad boys and BAM! Done. I'm a much lazier scrapper than I appear, I promise.

I used the ScrapbookSteals Mid-Week-Mojo Pansy 5a Sketch by Brenda Smith.

Hope you enjoyed seeing a few of my latest creations. I swear I will be caught up with the Pansy Series before #10.

If you want more details on the specific papers and embellishements I used, I listed them all out on the previous post. Thanks!

UPDATED: August Shop Your Stash Kit

UPDATE: Check out THIS PAGE on how to "Shop Your Stash"!!

While I've been making stuff off and on this Spring, I realized that I wasn't using my Gossamer Blue Life Pages kits. Or crafting unless otherwise necessary or needed. I had lost my mojo. I've been working on a ton of stuff lately, including a TON of wedding decorations (post to come later!!)... But my poor GB LP kits have been sitting. And stacking up. So I cancelled them. They are gorgeous, amazing, as in, I am kicking myself that I won't have the new stuff... But the deal that I made with myself was that if I wasn't going to use my products in that month, I had to cancel. And I gave myself a bunch of leeway while completing my National Boards, but I haven't created a weekly layout since March. Not. Good.

So, I'm back to using up all of my fun stuff in my stash. And I challenged myself to make a Counterfeit Kit that was reminiscent of August's AMAZING!! Gossamer Blue kit. I mean, bokeh, and woodgrain, and OMG that blue!!!! Seriously, Lori Gentile has an UH-MAZING eye for mixing (and her customer service is insanely awesome).

For my Counterfeit Kit, you'll notice that I pulled from a ton of different lines, companies, and seriously, two of the patterned papers are Christmas! Who knew! Rather than the bokeh, I went with polka dots, and pulled one of my favorite pieces of Sass paper that I have squirreled away for rainy days. I thought I could stamp on the kraft or even the cork sticker for a similar effect to the pieces that she put in the kit, and finally have a good reason to use up my woodgrain enamel dots! I can't wait to start using it!! (Just in case you were wondering... my craft room has a cork floor that's peeking out on both sides...)

Paper Top Row L-R:
Love Letters - Amy Tangerine for American Crafts
Be You (Lime Twist) - My Mind's Eye
unknown - Stampin' Up
Foundations Two (Classique-Elegant) - Authentique
Family Ties (So Sophie) - My Mind's Eye
Winter Wonderland (Sleigh Ride) - Crate Paper

Paper Bottom Row L-R:
Robust (Suave) - Authentique
Twinkle (Glistening) - Authentique
Friends Forever (Stella & Rose) - My Mind's Eye
Textile (Random) - Crate Paper
Playhouse (Emma's Shoppe) - Crate Paper
Golden Hour (Sunshine Broadcast) - Sassafras Lass

Embellishments:
Star Stick Pins - Maya Road
Layered Clouds chipboard - UmWowStudios
DIY Envelopes - Simple Stories
woodgrain Enamel Dots - Studio Calico
Cork Label Sticker - Fancy Pants
Hey You Vintage Buttons - Basic Grey
Decorative Stickers, Label Stickers, Tiny Word Stickers (Collectable) - My Mind's Eye
Assorted die cuts - My Mind's Eye & Crate Paper
Everywhere Thickers - American Crafts
Wish You Were Here Stamp Set - Lawn Fawn

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaack!!!! Xyron Announces it's Fall/Winter 2014 Design Team

EEK! When I completed last Fall/Winter's Xyron Design Team session, I had to make the decision to step down from applying for Spring/Summer to complete my National Boards for Teaching. I knew that I needed to give those my all, and simplify a few things... So I took some time off, asked Beth and the lovely Julie to think of me fondly, and shared that I would apply again in the Summer. When Beth asked me to make sure that I applied, of COURSE I got that application in.

I am happy to share that I will be crafting my heart out for the next six months alongside with my fellow Xyron team members. Make sure that you check out their Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Scrapbook.com Gallery and Blog for all the new information and ideas!

New Design Team Members:

Pam Bray

Gretchen Brittain

Stephanie Chan

Heather Conklin

Marcia Dehn-Nix

Joy Dickson

Rachel McAffee

Alexia Misso

Linda Neff

Returning Design Team members:
Sharon Callis

Karen Jiles

Angela Holt

Shannon Morgan

Stacy Rodriguez

Yvonne Yam

Mason Row PEGz Stamps Projects!! (As Seen on TV!)

Sometimes, you just have to know the right person to learn of some fun new products. In this case, Ms. Beth Kingston had asked me to create a few product samples for a new stamp set by Mason Row that was going to be showcased on HSN. The PEGz Clickable Letterz set was really fun to use, and I had fun using them all in some very different ways.

 (Lawn Fawn-Happy Trails, Silhouette cuts, Echo Park Paper-Happy Camper 6x6 pad)

 (My Mind's Eye-Market Street Papers, Spellbinders-Feathers on the Wind die, button & twine)

 (Crate Paper-Flea Market papers & Resin Flower, American Crafts Thickers & Flair, enamel dots)

 (Crate Paper-Flea Market papers & Resin Flower, American Crafts Thickers & Flair, enamel dots)

 (Authentique Paper-Harmony Collection)

(Authentique Paper-Splendid Collection)