Sketchy Saturdays with Paper Issues (June 6th Edition)

Now that I've found some scrapbooking mojo to actually sit down create (and blog the many things I did make...) I have grabbed some of the fun sketches to get some memories jotted down. This fun layout was inspired from Paper Issues' Sketchy Saturday. I started with some fun Crate Paper patterned paper and October Afternoon die cuts that I had purchased from PI the month before, adding in some enamel dots and sequins that I snagged a couple of weeks back.

The title is actually from a Pebbles 12x12 paper that has 12 3x4 cards with gold foil. LOVE! Anyway, here's the great sketch inspired from Sasha Farina for October Afternoon. Some of the additional die cuts are from the Gossamer Blue kit printables.

 I also created a fun card using the Paper Issues Card sketch. 

I love using up those fun Sassafras Lass papers whenever I can. I also added a few Elle's Studio pieces and some Studio Calico sequins.

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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

Finally Back to Creating... (MWM Tulip #9)

I lost my mojo for awhile. I kept on creating. Kind of. But there have been a couple of things that have gotten in the way of being able to spend time in my studio. I think my family and I have found a new groove, and we are on the path of getting there. So, here is my ScrapbookSteals.com's Mid-Week Mojo Tulip #9 sketch layout.

I used a bunch of stuff that I got earlier last week or so from Paper Issues. Kind of love them when I'm in a "don't want things to be from the same kit" kinda mood. I'll blog later this week (I promise!) about the kit that I created from the PI Store and a couple of things from my stash. It was a total rainbow theme.

If you want to play along, make sure that you check out the ScrapbookSteals MWM links!! Pin It

Pocket Letters, Sending a Little Bit of Happy Mail

A few of my crafty friends and I have started a chain of Happy Mail called Pocket Letters. Pocket Letters are a fun way to share some crafty goodness, a cup of tea, some fun new embellishments, washi tape, and some details about yourself. Janette Lane created them as a way to send some love, in a way that doesn't cost a whole heck of a lot (most of mine I throw 2 stamps on and be done with it!).I grabbed these pockets from Amazon.

This first two, I created using mainly Authentique's Radiant Collection. I cut down some of the 6x6 Bundle and a few of the Authentic Life Cards to fit each pocket.

I finally found a use for a set of Pebbles Party Mermaid stickers that I grabbed somewhere for $2. Pocket Letters are a great way to use up scraps, and those fantastic deals that you find. My embellishments that I included were all various washi samples, and printables that I hand cut.

My third Pocket Letter was going to a lovely friend who loves orange. I included a bunch of various scraps and pieces from older Studio Calico kits, and some random Sassafras Lass pieces. The embellishments I included were some Elle's Studio tags and My Mind's Eye stickers.

Today's last Pocket Letter is for a lovely lady who packed up her family and moved to a new adventure. I wanted the colors and elements to celebrate her new adventure. I used a few of the October Afternoon Travel Girl stickers, some lovely washi, sequins and other bits and pieces. I HAD to include some Amy Tangerine puffy stickers as well. The cars and houses were just too perfect!

I also used the fantastic Mason Row Pegz stamps in Sorry We're Closed that were featured on HSN a bit ago. Mason Row has some amazing stamps. Want more information on Pocket Letters... Check out Janette's Blog, and her amazing FAQ's. Pin It

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 Pin It

Crop Layouts: ScrapbookSteals Crop (September 2013)

I always feel that I don't create enough when I'm at a crop. Mainly I love to chat with my lovely friends who are there with me. This last ScrapbookSteals Crop was no exception. I did however get a few things done during the classes, and in true Heather style, didn't follow directions all that well.

The first layout is using Pebbles' From Me to You papers. The class used the Dark Kraft cards from American Crafts, as a card making course. I really liked the cards, but wasn't really in the mood for cards that morning. Instead, I created this fun layout using most of the patterns and pricing strips from the various papers. I really liked the grey from this set of papers. I also really liked this sheet of paper, and am looking forward to using the rest for a few cards.

The second layout used a page kit from Echo Park's Reflections Collection. I swapped the order of the layout that was presented, and added a few more details with the white pen.

For this layout, I'm not quite sure if I'm done with it so far. KC from My Mind's Eye challenged us to a few choices of layouts. One, we had to use Christmas papers in a non-Christmas way. And two, he gave us a few choices for our layout. Luckily, I had this adorable picture of my little Seahawks fans ready to scrap. The papers are all from The Winter Wonderland Collection. So is the twine. Which actually worked perfectly as they are pretty close to Seahawks colors. The alphas are Pink Paislee and October Afternoon from my stash, the stamp from Elle's Studio for Gossamer Blue.

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Post CHA... Cards!!

Just a few cards that I haven't blogged yet. All were created using Authentique Seasons collections in Seasons: Spring and Seasons: Winter. I added a few embellishments using May Arts and random ribbons, Maya Road stick pins, Pebbles flowers, and some cuts with my Silhouette.

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Three More Layouts, Two Kits, & One Sketch

I cannot believe that I haven't blogged for almost two weeks!! I have a couple of layouts that I have had laying around for awhile... The first two are using Gossamer Blue's fabulous December Kit. I snagged GB's first kit during their fantastic Black Friday special, and also grabbed November's Main Kit Add-On. It's super pretty, but with all of the holiday craziness... I haven't even cracked into it!

Anyway, here is my 3rd layout using my December kit. I loved how easy this came together. I just positioned my photo to allow for the date to show, circled it, placed arrows that pointed in the direction I wanted, added the mat and photo... A few embellishments and BOOM! DONE! I especially love all of the Sn@p! alphas. Using all of those colors was just too fun!

This one took a little more time and effort. I wanted a pieced heart, but hate when the pieces come up, so the pieced part is really behind the heart, which is cut with my Cameo. I used bits and pieces from random pieces that I had used throughout my three other layouts, and just made them all fit. Glued those down onto a piece of cardstock that I then glued and sewed to the background piece. Draped the fun garland on the heart, stitched that in... Then stuck the photo down, added washi, and a title. I really do love sewing, but it does take some time. Good thing I'm not a perfectionist with the stitch lenth :)

This was a super quick layout also! I used Studio Calico's Sock Hop Kit for this, with my lovely friend Venetia's Mid-Wid Mojo Guest Sketch. I love her ideas. She's also pretty darn fantastic at most crafty and artsy things.

Hope you liked the layouts! I have some more cards that I created using all of these kits too!! Pin It

Gossamer Blue... How I Love Thee!

I decided that when we moved, I was going to cancel my subscription to Studio Calico. I had decided that it just wasn't for me. I still wanted to play with lovely new items though, and a few of my good scrappy friends were getting these great kits from Gossamer Blue. I convinced T to let me use my budget each month on the gorgeous GB kits. As you may remember, I got to play with one right after I had signed up with SC. And I LOVED it.

Not only did I get the December Kit (which is AMAZING!), because I signed up in November, I received the November Add-On kit. I cannot wait to find the perfect photo for that map paper. And to play with some of those Polish Soda papers... SWOON!

Here is my first subber layout. I really loved this photo of my little bunny. I cannot believe how fantastic the photo works against the Crate Paper floral pattern. I also used my Silhouette to cut out a doily frame and title. I also used one of the doilies and a Sn@p! sticker.

This lovely layout uses one of my cute iPhone pics of Miss I during her ballet class. She is learning how to skip, hop, freeze, twirl, as well as the basic ballet positions. She's also learning how to listen and behave herself in class. Huge lessons!! For this layout, I used the back of one of the Sn@p! cardstock sheets, with a couple stickers, some Crate Paper, and a Silhouette cut title. I also grabbed a tag and a Basic Grey chipboard piece from my stash. Also, I used October Afternoon mists. Simple, but I love it!

From the gorgeousness that was December's kit, I cannot wait to see what Lori has in store for next month!!

PS. There was a mixup in shipping, and I have to say that Lori has amazing customer service. If you were on the fence before... Don't be. I'm super impressed! Pin It

Cards That I Really Don't Want to Make...

There are times that I don't like making cards. When someone that I love dearly is not well is one of them. This cute little card is for such one lady. I hope it brings good prayers and love.

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Topaz #10: Grumpy Monkey Face

Another 10 weeks down, and another 10+ layouts done... 

This week's Topaz #10 signifies the end of another gemstone over at ScrapbookSteals. I am continuing to use my lovely Counterfeit Kit (I cannot wait to get this month over and create another one this week!!! Seriously, they are that fun!!)

For this week's Mid-Week Mojo, I used a couple of funny photos that I had of Miss I. Seriously, she does make the silliest of faces. 

 

The sketch was one of Kristy's fantastic MWM's!! I loved all of the layers, and was able to mix up a ton of the different patterns and styles of my Counterfeit Kit. Of course, I added some green woodgrain, kraft, clouds and a felt ribbon!

Rather than go with the more traditional circles or flowers... I went with stars, and pop-dotted them to make them stand out more.

I also did the same to the cloud... Before I used the sticker, I fastened it to kraft paper first.

Rather than using the standard Thickers, I used the smaller Echo Park letters to create my "Grumpy Monkey Face" title.

 

All in all, this was a great way to end my Topaz career. Loved the last 10 weeks!!

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Topaz 9: Friends (w/ Counterfeit Kit)

For this project, I wanted to use a few photos of my lovely Miss I, and her two best friends! I love how the natural light on these photographs just picked up the cutest expressions on each of the girls. I also really wanted to keep using my fantastic Counterfeit Kit that I made for September. I still have SO much paper and supplies, that it might just run me into October as well! Or, I could just find more time and keep crafting away...

I decided to finally use the elusive Crate Paper Bouquet paper. I'm not one for using a ton of florals in my projects, so this was kind of a stretch for me. I loved the flowers, and the colors, but just do not choose them everytime. I also used Kristy's fantastic Mid-Week Mojo for Topaz #9. I loved the idea of using photographs more than once, and so mirror the larger photos with the same photos in wallet size.

Instead of another journaling area, I decided to use some Glue Dots (I couldn't find my Glubers, homemade or otherwise) and a piece of kraft scrap to make this muslin flower. Super easy!!! I then adorned it with a Studio Calico butterfly that I had sprayed with Lunchtray Mr. Huey, then adorned with my MME bling.

I mirrored the small butterfly, with a larger one that was created in the same way. I just adore how the Mr. Huey's is SO bright. And it matched my color palette perfectly!

After piling all the pieces together, I realized that the blues needed something to 'pop' against, so used the reddish paper to make the polka dots stand out. I didn't want to waste paper, so strategically pieced together a border in reverse. All of the seams are hidden behind the flower, bracket or butterfly (you didn't notice, did you???!). I also added a small kraft scalloped edge to reflect the journaling box. Lastly, foam Thickers made up the title.

All in all, I think it went just well! I'm sad to see most of the inspiration paper from my Counterfeit Kit gone, but I have enough to make a card or two...

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Counterfeit Kit Challenge: Crate Paper "Bouquet"

Today, I am showing my Counterfeit Kit Challenge. I chose to use a piece of paper that was similar to this month's kit of choice, but different in color tones. I chose this piece of paper from Crate Paper's Portrait line called "Bouquet".

 

The colors for this paper were not the same as the Sassafras paper's blue and yellows... but I found a great pin off of Pinterest that held similar colors.

Since I don't use a ton of plain cardstock, I chose a few pieces that would be great for my uses. 

Kraft paper, reddish/pink Bazzill, Green Bazzill, Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe "Inventory", Little Yellow Bicycle Twig's "Fern", Prima Madeline Collection"Parfait"& Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe "Dolls".

My patterned paper included a few pieces (14)... Including a couple of half sheets...

American Crafts Peachy Keen in "Easy as Pie" and "Good Golly Gee", Basic Grey's Hello Luscious "Scrumptious", Crate Paper Portrait "Something Blue", Prima Madeline Collection "Skyward", Pebbles May Bouquet Collection "Front Porch", Pebbles Lil' Miss Collection "Sunshine", MyMindsEye So Sophie "Never Enough", Crate Paper Restoration "Refinish", Prima Coquette "Chemise", Hambly "Big Vintage Circle", Kaisercraft Lush Collection "Maple", Sassafras Lass Mix & Mend "Free Composition", Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe "Dresses", MyMindsEye Stella & Rose "Joy",

 

Embellishment Kit #1: AC Thickers in Dear Lizzy, and Honey puffy Thickers, Sassafras Lass stickers in Mix Sweet Treats, Studio Calico tickets, American Crafts rose ribbon, MME adhesive bling, hemp twine, BG Hello Luscious fabric flowers, MME Lime Twist cardstock embellishment, Echo Park mini type, YLB doilies, Studio Calico spray in Bluegrass

Embellishment Kit #2: aqua ribbon (unknown), AC Delights, AC tags, MarthaStewart kraft tags, AC Flair, MME Lime Twist stickers, MME Fine and Dandy ribbons, Studio Calico Mr. Huey Sunshine, CosmoCricket Tiny Type in Yellow and Top Secret, YLB dimensional embellishment Twig

 

Chipboard Kit: MME Fine and Dandy chipboard set, Studio Calico wood veneer butterflies, MarthaStewart adhesive ribbon, muslin, white and black paperclips, BG brads, CC Blackboard mini book

 

My goal is to use this kit all month. I hope to use more of my existing materials, and purchase less and less. That means that I can snag more tools when I see great deals!!

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A few cards: Some sentiments and a Hot Air Balloon!

Over the weekend I made a few cards! Now that I'm done working on my NB's, I can take a break and actually enjoy myself! One I made for MoxieFab's Challenge: In My Beautiful Balloon.

For this challenge, we needed to create something that included a hot air balloon. Now, I do have some American Crafts paper and embellishments that do have hot air balloons on them, but they didn't fit what I really wanted to do. So what else, but make it!! I hand paper-pieced the hot air balloon from both MyMind'sEye paper in Little Miss Muffet: Delight (B side) and AC paper Heat Wave: Cherry Cowabunga, with some kraft paper from JoAnn's.

The basket is kraft paper, and the ropes are actually a bent black and white paperclip. All of the pieces were inked using my Chalk inks. The background is AC Heat Wave in Creamy Coconut. The sentiment is a Pebbles Inc. rubon that my lovely friend Kristy sent me!!

Overall... LOVE!!!
This card was not as involved, but I love it. I used kraft paper, AC cardstock, some bling from my iRock, the B side of some MME paper and more bling on the butterfly, and some May Arts ribbon that I won from one of their Facebook contests! The "Remember" is from the Gypsy Cricut cart.
I know that I need to get together with some of my girls soon, and some aren't the wine type... So I know that this mug (Cricut) will be perfect to ask one of them for coffee soon. Some MME Quite Contrary paper, with AC cardstock and kraft paper. A little bit of bling sets it off!
And last, but not least, a sweet Dream (Cricut: Gypsy) sentiment with some AC papers and cardstock from a page kit from AC Letterbox, with some matching buttons, ribbon and some AC Flair.
Overall... I love the four cards that I made! I know that I have to find the best recipients for them. Enjoy!

REMEMBER!!! I am giving away an American Crafts Page Kit in Travel! Become a follower and make a comment on this link. Pin It