AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Remember December Mini Album

I would like to say that I always finish every project, but that is not always possible when the holidays are right around the corner. To make the completion of my Colorful Christmas December Mini Album a reality, I decided to prep a few things early to make it a little easier to create during the upcoming busy season.

To start, I grabbed a container to keep everything in. This is an Ikea basket, but others are just as fantastic. Then I just started grabbing things from my stash. I have had some of these items for years!

I pulled stamps, washi tape, alphas, ribbons, wood pieces, enamel dots, and other fun embellishments to add to my mini as I go.

 The Colorful Christmas 6x6 Bundle is perfectly sized for projects like this.

I then grabbed my foundation pages. I bought a few of these foundation pages from a sale awhile back. The days would have been wrong, so I printed new day names on sticker paper and cut them out with scissors. Once I create each page, I'll either hand write, or type using my manual typewriter.

 Having each of the patterned papers pre-cut will save time when I start creating next month.

All I need to add is a stamp pad and a few colored pencils. Any leftovers could easily be turned into a couple of Christmas cards.

I found this cute album on sale, and gussied it up with a little punched reindeer edge, and a journaling card.

 Adding a little faux stitching makes this more personalized.

 Because I know that the first part of the month will be hectic, I created a few Colorful Christmas foundation pages to start.

 I wanted something for the inside cover, so used my Silhouette (#111484) to cut a large tree, and added a Details sticker and an enamel star. The "Story" page will have some of my hopes for the Christmas season, possibly a wishlist of fun events.

 The next three pages are to be used with the foundation pages. Each will sit on the larger squared section, with the journaling or messages below them.

Hopefully this inspires you to gather all of your supplies just a tad bit early for some fun December Mini Album making. A little preparation now, will make the project easier to complete.

Authentique Supplies Used: Colorful Christmas Collection Kit, Colorful Christmas Details Stickers, Colorful Christmas 6x6 Bundle, Spectrum Green Thumb

Other Supplies Used: alphas (Thickers, chipboard and alpha stickers), various washi tapes, Twinery twine (Blossom, Cappuccino, Maraschino), ribbons, buttons, enamel dots & shapes, stamps (Lawn Fawn Milk & Cookies, Essentials by Ellen - Light Parade), mini album & inserts, Silhouette Online Store & Cameo

Pin It

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Frosty Winter Projects

Sometimes a paper collection is so easy to use, that I can create an entire set of cards or projects easily with it. Frosty Winter for me was this collection. Once I started using the fantastic violets and blues, I was hooked. 

  

I started with a fun layout. I really wanted something simpler than complicated. The patterns were just too gorgeous to add anything else. I wanted each to shine on their own, so used primarily straight cuts and layers, instead of more complicated shapes. A black and white photo kept from competing with the amazing violets and blues.

 To make the patterns stand out from one another, I used vellum between some of the layers, and as the snowflakes around the image.

 

 My favorite part of this collection is easy the tiny sentiment stickers that come on the Details sticker sheet. I just loved adding those throughout the layout.

 The tab stickers are also amazing. I loved adding all of the tiny snowflakes to this fun layout. Once the layout was complete, I could stop myself from creating MANY cards with all of the leftover bits and pieces of Frosty Winter.

I started with this adorable printable from Jessica Feig. I had to color him to match the colors of Frosty Winter. I cannot wait to send him to someone just for a smile.

An embossing folder, some scraps, and a little Glossy Accents made this snowglobe card sparkle.

Mirroring the snowflake sentiment on the Details Sticker with a stitched snowflake and embossing folder elevates this tone-on-tone beauty. 

A really simple trick to tone down the colors or patterns of a patterned paper is to place it under some vellum. The vellum is still translucent. so the snowflakes just peek through.

A deep impression, a little twine, and some beautiful sentiments make this an easy card to share.

Thank you for looking. I hope that you found some inspiration to get your Frosty Winter projects started.

Authentique Supplies: Frosty Winter Collection Kit, 12x12 papers, Details Stickers Sheet

Other Supplies: Jessica Feig "Cuties" printables, steel dies (Lawn Fawn Stitched Snowflakes, Avery Elle Sweet Scallops) vellum, Neenah Solar White cardstock, embossing folders (snowflakes, woodgrain, snowfall), wood veneer stars, twine (The Twinery lilac baker's twine), Glossy Accents

Pin It

Playing with Whatever is Lovely

I have been in love with all of the Illustrated Faith products that have come out this last year. When Bella Blvd. came out with their "Whatever is Lovely" line, I snapped it up when I was able. Philippians 4:8 holds a special place in my heart, as it was the verse that I shared when my two babies were baptized. I wanted to pair the sweet black and white photo with the bright, bold patterns.

Once I put everything together, I had to take the Illustrated Faith Precision Pen and trace all of the beautifully patterned paper. The lovely alpha looks like it's handcut, which is just too fun.

With a few of the sentiment pieces from the 3x4s paper, I created a cute little card. I added a few more pieces of sentiment by snagging a couple of stickers from my Genesis kit, using some dimensional adhesive to stick them on. 

Supplies: 
Bella Blvd. / Illustrated Faith [Genesis Collection - Point It, Love It, Say It (Black & White), Wordfetti (White), .35 Precision Pen, Word Art washi], [Whatever is Lovely - Praiseworthy, Noble, Admirable, Lovely, 3x4s, Art Prints, Treaures & Text], Twinery twine [Pink Sorbet], enamel dots

Pin It

Xyron's 30 days of Holiday Projects: Easy Wrapping Ideas

Good Morning Xyron fans! Today I have a great way to wrap up those fun presents. Last year, I bought a crazy-huge roll of kraft paper. My thought was that I could wrap all of the presents in that paper, and decorate with pretty bows and other fun embellishments for whatever holiday or season they were for. Today I combined the kraft paper with some gorgeous American Crafts papers, twine and embellishments from Studio Calico and Imaginisce.

These were super easy to make. For this set, I used my Silhouette to create the fun snowflakes using American Craft's Peppermint Express patterned paper in Ornamint. If you don't have a die cut machine, simply use thinner paper and cut out snowflakes like you used to when you were little. Have the kiddos help for this too!

Start by wrapping your presents. You can see how plain they really look at the moment. Not too exciting, but that's super easy to change! After cutting out my snowflakes with my Silhouette, I ran those through my Xyron 9" Creative Station. 

 

I stuck the new snowflake stickers to the packages, then added green and white twine.

The tags were also cut using my Silhouette. I used the same Snowflake Tag Set for the tags and Imaginisce Colors of Christmas paper in Vintage Ornaments. I cut the snowflake from Neenah cover in Solar White, then attached each snowflake using Xyron's High Tack Adhesive Dots in 3/16". Once the snowflake was attached, I used the bling and Studio Calico's Magical Adhesive Banners to create a few sentiments.

Now, they are each packaged just a little differently from each other, and have so much more interest.
I color coordinate all presents that are heading to a specific destination (I tend to forget/lose things otherwise...) and this is one more solution I have in my gift-wrapping arsenal.

Products Used:

Xyron 9" Creative Station, Xyron Adhesive Solutions 3/16" Dots, American Crafts: Peppermint Express (Ornamint), Imaginisce: Colors of Christmas (Vintage Ornaments, Bling), Studio Calico: Magical (Adhesive Banners), Twinery twine (Peapod), kraft wrapping paper, Silhouette, Neenah coverstock (Solar White)

Pin It

I Think I Found My Mojo Again!

Honestly, I've been in a creative funk. It happens once in awhile. I go to my crafty area often and just stare at all the stuff. I made a couple of cards (I'm saving that post I promised for tomorrow!!), but that's about it for the last couple of weeks. Until today :)

This is how I started my morning. I have been staring at this wonderful Elle's Studio sketch for a couple of days, and finally pulled it all together. I used a lot of my Elle's Studio products on this one too! And my July Gossamer Blue kit. I love how I got the title to tie into the pink on the edges. It kind of looks like it was cut out of the background paper. And used my Xyron 1½" Create-A-Sticker Machine on the vellum and the smaller die cuts. Only way to go!! I also used my Silhouette sketch pens for the circles, and my Wink of Stella pen to enhance the title.

I saw this mornings's Aquamarine #6 MWM, and fell in love. Melodee outdid herself with the wonderful clothesline look. I used these adorable AMuse clothespins, but split them in half, then used a silver pen to mimic the metal. This way, they weren't so thick. Then I used my Xyron 1½" Create-A-Sticker Machine on most of the Fancy Pants die cuts and pieces from July's Gossamer Blue kit. It works perfectly on those little things! (Twinery twine)

Okay, so this one I had created a few weeks ago and just forgot to share. It's using both my GB kit, and a TON of Elle's products. I loved how the MWM Aquamarine #3 Sketch used a ton of little bits and pieces, so I "threw" some paint splatters on (get it, threw... HAHAHA! Okay, my jokes are lame today!), and used ALL of the colors in this month's kit. It's perfect when you are documenting a color run!! I even die cut one of the 4x6 Elle's Studio journaling papers and layered different colors behind it!

I am not waiting this long to make more stuff!! <3 br=""> Pin It

Dear Lizzy 5th & Frolic Baby Cards

At work there are a few babies that are headed our way, and as part of my extra duties, I made the cards for the upcoming babies. These are all using Dear Lizzy's 5th & Frolic. I needed some cute baby friendly papers, and I loved the soft colors and muted patterns that 5th & Frolic had. I snagged the 6x6 and a set of die cuts.

Isn't the onesie cute?? It is a Silhouette cut that is used normally for cards. I just chose not to use both sides, and of course didn't cut out the truck. I scaled it down, layered various patterns, then added the die cuts, buttons, twine and a cute Studio Calico stamped sentiment. Pin It

Pinspired Challenge #2

My lovely friend Jen from Pinspired Challenges once again reminded me and a few of our friends to be a part of her lovely new challenge site. And, since it is my birthday! I decided to take a few moments to myself when everyone went to sleep to make a cute little card. Like most things, I spent most of the day plotting how this would look, so it didn't take too long to put together once I had figured it all out.

Fun, huh? I created the card based on a Silhouette cut. I doubled the mitten, made a score line along the two mittens, and cut them. Then I cut a single mitten, with a heart shaped hole. I layered some of the Authentique Lovely paper behind the inked mitten cut from the Authentique Seasons: Winter line. I really love that line. Too bad it didn't snow this year, or I would really use it!! Then I layered a little bit of another pattern from the same line. Added a Twinery twine pompom, and a small snowflake (also from the same line).

If you want to participate, make sure that you check out the Pinspired Challenge blog. Here is the image for this week's challenge.

Pin It

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Holiday Decorations

In the past week I think I've totalled about 20 hours of sleep. Yep. That's it. So, in my tired stupor I forgot to post this. I think I need Christmas break to come soon. Very soon!!

Check out today's Authentique Blog post with Helmar. I pretty much loved the product. It's super easy to use. Now, if it just came in ATG sized rolls I would be set! (I use quite a bit of adhesive)...

Pin It

Attack of the 10-Minute Layout

Yes. Seriously. This layout was designed in 10 minutes. I was bound and determined to actually get all of the Scrapbooksteals.com MWM's done on time. And this one had escaped all that I was working on this week (cards, stuff for the kids, preparing for the start of the school year, etc.) When 10:48 rolled around, I panicked. Kind of.

In reality, I just grabbed my SC Summer of '69 Counterfeit Kit that I made earlier in the month and pulled this baby together. The Sassafras Paper provided a fantastic background that didn't need a ton of embellishments to make it pop. Plus, it played off of the sunny picture that Miss I's school had left for me.

I added the chevron paper strip to ground the photo and embellishments, and it plays off of the chevron banner. Then I added the doilies, the Sass August detail and the chevron bitty bag (it holds the journaling!) There's also a cute banner made from wood!

The title is not as straight as I usually make it, which adds to the charm of this layout. I did sew the button onto the paper, and added a few Sass button flowers.

The best part of this layout is that I couldn't second guess myself. I sprayed a doily, realized I hated it, so just used the other plain one that I had. And because I used my kit, everything went together! I just love when that happens!

Pin It

A Little Uncommon Treat from ScrapbookSteals.com

Hello all!! It's Heather here, and I have a cute little Valentine's project using Authentique. Currently, ScrapbookSteals.com has Uncommon as their deal of the day!! Better get this fast, as it is going quick! 

So, my little project is a cute treat holder, and a wonderful little Valentine's card for a special someone. 

For the candy holder, just create a tube of paper, and use your ATG gun (my FAVORITE!!) to close the paper into the tube. Crimp one side, and staple or stitch with your favorite tine (Twinery, again from ScrapbookSteals.com!!)

Fill the end of the tube with your treats, and crimp the opposite end the opposite way. Again, staple or stitch together.

The card is pretty easy too. It just looks a lot more difficult than it really is!

I just cut out a heart (you could also use a punch or machine) from my cover paper. Then I ATG'd a piece of clear plastic (you can use whatever is around... This is actually wrapper from some embellishments). Glue around the heart, over the plastic, place your punched shapes, and lastly place the background color. Then, just glue the whole thing onto your card base. Decorate and you're done.

I hope that you enjoyed my little projects today. I also hope that you really snag the great deals that ScrapbookSteals.com has!! Every day at 9 am MST.

Project 100 update:  29/100 Pin It