Shop Your Stash (kind of...) June 2015 Edition

This Shop Your Stash was mainly inspired by a little online shopping spree at Paper Issues. I was having a gloomy day... Partially caused by the end of the school year blues (i.e. grades, grading, kids not quite ready for summer) and the rest caused by some family health stuff. The rainbow items were probably my subconscious trying to brighten my mood. I added to the patterned paper, enamel dots, Thickers, sequins and doilies with a bunch of stuff from my stash. I tried to choose some bright colors that would look great with black & white pictures.

I even snuck in a stamp in this kit!

Paper Top Row L-R:
Lemon & Ginger (True Stories) – Shimelle for American Crafts

Weekend Wonders (365) – Chickaniddy Crafts

Swim Lessons (Poolside) – Crate Paper

Pink Dot Kraft (Baxter) – Studio Calico

You're Invited (Birthday Wishes Eat Cake Celebrate) – Pebbles

Paper Bottom Row L-R:

Green Tea (True Stories) – Shimelle for American Crafts

Pool Time (Poolside) – Crate Paper

Mocha (True Stories) – Shimelle for American Crafts

Citrus (Citrus Bliss) – Pink Paislee

Partial Pieces

cardstock from Core'dinations
various Crate Paper pieces

Cardstock
white – American Crafts

leaf green - American Crafts

dark aqua - American Crafts

navy- American Crafts

Embellishments:

Rainbow Prismatic Thickers (Fun in the Sun) - Pebbles

Mini Paper Doilies 48 piece Sampler Pack - Doodlebug

Enamel Dots (Fun in the Sun) - Pebbles
Surprise Me Sequins Pack - Paper Issues
Color My World Clear Stamps - Lawn Fawn
Tidbits (Woodland Park) - October Afternoon
Stickers - Freckled Fawn
Resin Bobby Pins (Flea Market) - Crate Paper
Tiny Tags (Penelope) - Elle's Studio
Buttons - American Crafts Pin It

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Down by the Sea(side)

Happy Friday! If you haven't already checked out Authentique's newest line Seaside, then you really must! The colors are beautiful (I LOVE that pop of red against the aqua and blues!!), and the patterns work well for tropical (coral and shells!) and non-tropical oceany-type images. I cannot wait to grab a minute and scrap away some of those wonderful beachy memories we made last year.

This is a super fun card that I cut using my Silhouette and their online store. I added some Core'dinations cardstock to create the mermaid. I purchased this cut so long ago, but was waiting for the right paper to show up. The Seaside Collection was the right paper!

I could resist creating a quick, fun layout using one of my favorite Seattle Instagram pictures! Those seagulls pop against the aquas. LOVE!

If you haven't checked out Seaside, check out this post on the Authentique Blog for some more pictures of the fun card. I even put together a really simple matching envelope! The link also has a complete product list.

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Shop Your Stash Kit - November 2014

I know I may be a little late in showing this month's Shop Your Stash kit that I created... But it's been a busy (and exciting!) month! I have a few layouts that I will share later that go more into this.

Here's my fun (and super warm-toned) kit. I didn't really have a direction with this, but really wanted to play with some warmer and darker tones than I may normally use. I pulled some dark, warm browns, reds, and teals to add some more color. I didn't want to create something super warm-toned, but wanted to enhance the Fall-esque nature of some of the items that have been kicking around my stash for too long.

Paper Top Row L-R:
Daily Details (Hello Autumn) – Bella Blvd.

Worldwide (Vintage Chic) – Heidi Swapp

Victorian (Random Collection) – Crate Paper

Oh Joy (Jolly by Golly) – Cosmo Cricket

Crisp (Suave Collection) – Authentique

Paper Bottom Row L-R:

You & Me (Gertie-Stella & Rose) – My Mind’s Eye

Accent Cuts (Random Collection) – Crate Paper

Bridesmaids (Portrait Collection) – Crate Paper

In Print (Kraft Funday) – My Mind’s Eye

Flour Sack (Nook & Pantry) – Basic Grey

Partial Pieces

Pioneer (Thankful Collection) – Authentique

Storytime Street (5^th & Frolic) – American Crafts

Sycamore (Into the woods) – Lawn Fawn

Vellum

Cardstock
orange – Core’dinations
kraft - American Crafts

brown - American Crafts

forest green - Core’dinations

Embellishments:

Everyday Fun (Kraft Funday) – My Mind's Eye

Vintage Mini Memories Cameras – Maya Road

Chipboard Heart Mini Album – Maya Road

Flowers – Heidi Swapp & Petaloo

In a Stitch Blooms (kraft) – Sassafras Lass

Mini Envelopes – SMASH

Various die cuts – My Minds Eye

Border Stickers (Acorn Avenue) – Crate Paper

Hexagon Confetti – Um Wow Studio

Thickers (burlap, Hello) – American Crafts

Alpha Stickers (Woodland Park) – October Afternoon

A is for Autumn (Sweater Weather) – Simple Stories

Badges – Studio Calico

Ribbon – May Arts

Sticky Keys (Ghoul Green) – October Afternoon
Buttons (The Sweetest Thing) – My Mind’s Eye

Polaroid frames - Maya Road

I also included a few pocket page cards that I printed so round out my pocket scrapbooking this month. The six cards to the left are from Paper Issues, and the Fall card is a printable that I sized down from Studio Calico. I also am including, but they aren't pictured a couple of Elle's Studio Die Cuts... 

 

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BOO! from Xyron, Core'dinations and Petaloo

The Xyron Design Team is working alongside of our friends at Core'dinations Cardstock and Petaloo to create some amazing projects for you this week. 

Make sure that you check out all of their Facebook pages, as well as the designers' blogs. There are a ton of prizes to be had each day!

Today, I am showcasing a fun Halloween banner that I created for my front door. I love the distressed look that the Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Core'dinations cardstock gives to this project. To create this, I cut out each section using the Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts Stitched Party Banner in both banner sizes, as well as the circle.

I then ran those sections through various embossing folders, then sanded them with the Core'dinations Sand-It Set. This way, the great kraft shows through in various sections. Flowered sections are layered with Authentique Paper (Conjure, Components die cuts), and Petaloo flowers (Embossed Mulberry Flowers -Daisies/Chartreuse, Forget me Nots-Soft Lavender). They are attached using Xyron's Double-Sided High Tack 1/2" Tape.

 

The letter shapes are created in a similar fashion. I started with the banners, layering them with dimensional adhesive that I made using my Xyron 3" Sticker Maker and some craft foam. Then, I ran the Petaloo Crochet Fancy Trim (purples).  through my Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker and attached it to the smaller banner. Added the embossed circle and a DIY Thicker made orange with Neon WOW! Glitter. You could create this same effect by running the front of your alphas through any of your Xyron products and adding glitter. 

Lastly, I strung each of the banners onto some twine in my stash. One trick, if you have a banner like this, you can always tape the back of the string/twine/ribbon in place. No one will see it, and your banner pieces won't shift around.

This was a super fun project to make!! Hope you enjoyed this and all of the other projects this week. Joy over at Joy's Life and Marcia Dehn-Nix have both created some amazing items!

Supplies Used:

Xyron: 3" Sticker Maker, Double-Sided High Tack 1/2" Tape, 1.5" Sticker Maker

Petaloo: (Embossed Mulberry Flowers - Daisies/Chartreuse, Forget me Nots-Soft Lavender, Crochet Lace Fancy Trim-Purples)

Core'dinations: Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgic Collection paper pad

Additional Supplies: Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts Stitched Party Banners, Authentique Paper (Conjure, Circles and Scallops die cuts), American Crafts (DIY Thickers, Wow! Extra Fine Glitter-Neon), craft foam, twine, Darice Embossing Folders (Wood Grain, Interlocking Circles), Cricut Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Love Triangles, Swiss Dots)

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AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Cards & Tags with Core'dinations

I really enjoyed making this set of tags for the Authentique Blog today. Make sure that you check out all of the wonderful details that come about by combining Authentique papers and Core'dinations cardstock!

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Stenciled Pillow Boxes using Xyron and Stencil Girl Products

Good Morning! I created this fun Thanksgiving pillow box using Xyron and Stencil Girl Products.

I started with a white sheet of Neenah paper, and covered it with Distress Ink in Frayed Burlap. I just pounced and swirled the ink over the paper so that it was mottled with color.

I then grabbed the "Flicks" Stencil Girl stencil and pounced Vintage Stain Distress Ink over and over again, covering the paper with random stencil prints.

There is no pattern to this, so that the pattern is completely random.

I did the same again in Tumbled Glass...

And in Broken China.

Once I had my new "patterned paper", I used one of my pillow box cuts from my Silhouette, and created a cute pillow box. 

Once it was glued shut, I measured and cut a piece of Core'dinations Kraft-Core cardstock and adhered it to the pillow box (while closed) using my Xyron 9" Creative Station.

I then cut a leaf using more of the Core'dinations Kraft-Core cardstock paper. I ran this and my stencil (the sandwich is upside down here...) through my Xyron 9" Creative Station.

See... Here it is the right way. This kind of worked. The adhesive stuck to the stencil, but not the leaf on top of it. To make it work the first time, I suggest burnishing the adhesive through each section of the stencil. I ended up turning the stencil over, and just pressing the holes of the stencil onto the leaf.

It's not perfect, but I almost like this look even better than what I had originally thought it would look like. I then sprinkled gold embossing powder on this and used my heat gun to set it.

Because I used adhesive and not an embossing ink, the powder stayed more solid, but is permanently stuck to the paper. (FYI: Goo Gone took most of the adhesive off of the stencil, without melting the plastic!)

I then used a combination of sequins, May Arts twine, button and a stamped flag to finish off the piece. The Xyron Adhesive Solutions 3/16" Dots are perfect for sticking down the sequins.

I'm kind of ink love with the finished version. The Stencil Girl stencil made such a unique design.

Supplies:
Xyron 9" Creative Station, Xyron Mega Runner, Xyron Adhesive Solutions 3/16" Dots, "Flicks" Stencil Girl stencil, Core'dinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Shattered 6x6, Distress Inks (Frayed Burlap, Vintage Photo, Broken China, Tumbled Glass), Lawn Fawn sequins, May Arts ribbon, My Mind's Eye button, A-Muse stamp, kraft paper, ink, American Crafts Zing embossing powder, Neenah cardstock in Solar White, Silhouette Pin It

ScrapbookSteals My Mind's Eye Titles, Quotes & Die Cuts Mega Pack BLOG HOP!!! [Giveaway CLOSED]

Good Morning ScrapbookSteals Hoppers!! Heather here sharing with you my inspiration using the My Mind's Eye Titles, Quotes & Die Cuts Mega Pack from ScrapbookSteals.com. I hope that you got here from the fabulous Staci Jones, and if not... Make sure that you start at ScrapbookSteals' Blog to hit all of the stops along the way! There is a $20 Gift Card to ScrapbookSteals for one of the lucky hoppers!!

ScrapbookSteals

Kristina MacKeen

Charissa Miller 

Staci Jones 

Heather Conklin  (You're here!!)

Erin Shultz

I was so happy to spend time with my lovely ScrapbookSteals ladies last weekend, and really wanted to create some cards that I could just send to both the women that I was lucky to see, and those that were not able to make it this time. (If you get a card, just pretend you never saw it!)

The My Mind's Eye Titles, Quotes & Die Cuts Mega Pack was a bit of perfection, as I was able to start making easy cards for everyone by using the die cuts in the pack. If you are not a big layout person, or do not usually reach for your die cuts, you really need to. If it weren't for all those responsibilities, I would have busted out SO many more of these!

Aren't these just too much fun? Super easy too. Grab a 6x6, your My Mind's Eye Titles, Quotes & Die Cuts Mega Pack, your Mega Runner, and go for it!!

Make sure that you comment, I have a 6x6 pad of Christmas papers waiting upstairs for one lucky person!! 

Supplies Used: 
My Mind's Eye Titles, Quotes & Die Cuts Mega Pack, Coredinations Gemstones, MyMindsEye Twine, MyMind'sEye Life of the Party 6x6, Echo Park 6x6 Dots and Stripes, Signo white pen, Teresa Collins washi & sequins, Fancy Pants cork pieces, Xyron Mega Runner Pin It

Handmade Holidays Blog Hop 2012

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!!

Calling all crafters! We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season. This 3 day Hop includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all of the thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could create for the holidays, all in one place, during our second annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!

If you are following along the 2012 Handmade Holiday Hop, you should have come from Jennifer Priest. If you want to start from the beginning, begin at Clearsnap. 

The Details:

To sweeten the Hop, we’re offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors! Authentique is giving away four 6x6 pads of their latest collections: Festive, Peaceful, Original and Lovely!

Visit the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each by Nov 27, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST. Each day we will be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from!

The Blog List:

Clearsnap – http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

Hampton Art - http://blog.hamptonart.com

Graphic45 – http://g45papers.typepad.com

Fiskateers - www.fiskateers.com/blog

Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com

Tombow USA – http://blog.tombowusa.com

Authentique Paper http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com

The Twinery - http://www.thetwineryblog.com/

Eileen Hull for Sizzix - http://eileenhull.blogspot.com/

Globecraft Memories – http://globecraftmemories.blogspot.com

Kristin Wilson – Graphic 45 - http://www.kristinwilsonhandmade.com

Jennie Garcia - Tombow - http://earthyscrap.blogspot.com

Gini Williams Cagle - Hampton Art - http://ginicagle.blogspot.com

Sabrina Alery – Clearsnap – http://Sabrinaalery.blogspot.com

DeeDee Catron - Globecraft Memories - http://umwowstudio.blogspot.com

Michelle Grant – Donna Salazar Designs - http://michellejbg.blogspot.com

Emily Lanham – Authentique Paper - http://www.createserendipity.net

Emma Jeffery – Fiskateers - http://hellobeautifulblog.blogspot.com

Natalie Clause – The Twinery - http://www.southernbellescharm.com

Alberto L Juarez – Graphic 45 http://vintageodyssey.blogspot.com

Vivian Keh - Hampton Art - http://contadinak.wordpress.com/tag/vivian-keh

Jennifer Priest – Clearsnap – http://hydrangeahippo.blogspot.com

You are HERE ---->Heather Conklin – Authentique Paper - http://goldiecar.blogspot.com

The Project:

For this year's Handmade Holidays Blog Hop, I made a "Year in Authentique". Every year I make scrapbook calendars for my mother, mother-in-law and both grandmas. I normally make them out of whatever random papers I have in my stash. This year I decided to make an Authentique specific calendar using a different line for each month. For each of the twelve months, I chose a collection that would make sense for the entire month. I loved revisiting older lines and playing with them again, as well as breaking into the newest line (Lovely) for the first time.

Here is each month in chronological order. After the calendar, I will give you some tips and tricks on making your own calendar, as well as show you my process.

January- "Peaceful"

February- "Lovely"

March- "Carefee"

April- "Delightful"

May- "Splendid"

 

June- "Celebrate"

July- "Glory"

August- "Lively"

September- "Curiosity"

October- "Gathering"

November- "Thankful"

December- "Festive" 

While it looks daunting, 12 layouts is actually quite easy when you use a collection of papers as nice as those from Authentique. Everything coordinates, so putting each layout together is a breeze. There are a few things that I have realized from my many incarnations of calendar making (I think this is year 4 or 5).

1. Use sketches. Find a good sketch artist and modify their sketches to suit what you may use for pictures. For each of these, I used sketches from ScrapbookSteal's Mid-Week Mojo's, all created by Kristy Lee, the former Mojo Mama. She's pretty fantastic.

2. Don't have photos in mind. It's backwards, I know. But if you are making mulitiple calendars, it just goes quicker. 

3. Make mats for each photo. Since I didn't put photos onto each layout yet, the photo mats create a sense of where photos will go, and will display them nicely.

4. Create interest with die-cuts. I love my Silhouette and used it extensively throughout the process. But paper punches such as those from Fiskars will work just as well! (Or better yet, cardstock stickers like those from Authentique!) Shaped paper also works well in this case.

5. Minimize dimension. Thicker layouts are great, but when there are twelve of them, and you have to write on the backs, it just doesn't work. I did use some dimensional adhesive in places, but used it sparingly. 

6. Add flat interest with inking (I used Imagine Crafts' Memento inks, Distress Ink and Clearsnap's Colorbox Chalk Inks throughout this project), pens (Signo white gel) and fabric tape or washi (Love My Tapes).

7. Get a pre-made calendar base, or create your own using quality cardstock. I used the Kraft Core Nostalgic collection by Core'dinations. This way, I was able to use a color for the month page, and the kraft backing to write on. I chose all of my colors to match collections, and then ordered them by month.

8. If you want to bind your work, you don't have to have a binding system. I make a ton of mini albums, so having a Bind-it-All makes sense for me. If you don't want to invest in a binding system, take your cardstock to a store like Office Depot. For just a few dollars, they can bind your project for you. I suggest doing this BEFORE you create your pages so that the cardstock will lie flat.

9. Use the manufacturer's information part of the cardstock to bind. When you want to put your layouts into your scrapbook, you won't have holes in the layout. Make sure that the paper isn't perforated though. That never goes well.  

   

I hope that this inspires you to make your own presents this year. Especially those that will last all year. Cheers to creating gifts from the heart this holiday season! Since you are at the last stop on the Handmade Holidays Blog Hop, I will wish you a happy season. Make sure that you check out Clearsnap's blog tomorrow for more fun!

Happy Hopping!

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