Simple Stories "Daily Grind" Picture Frame

I'm back today with more of my design team work for The Scrapbooking Studio using the Daily Grind collection from Simple Stories!  Today I have my altered project to share with you.  I really wanted to use the chevron transparency for something cool and when I saw this frame, (stored in my closet for a project just like this) I knew I was on to something!

These frames come with a transparent front and back so it was perfect for adding a transparency to and making a one of a kind frame.  I added my picture directly to the transparency and put a sticker up top.  I also added some washi tape to the bottom corner.  I slid the whole thing into the frame and THEN added the "family" sticker on the outside of the frame.  Makes the word pop a little extra!

Supplies Used:

Frame: Ikea

Transparency: Simple Stories

Stickers: Simple Stories, Jillibean Soup

Washi Tape: My Mind's Eye

Simple Stories Daily Grind Layout - Documenting a year of a child's photos in a layout

I haven't had the opportunity to play a lot with Simple Stories products.  But this month I got to work with it for The Scrapbooking Studio and I like what I came up with.  They have a lot of pocket style products, so you have to think outside of the box a bit. I have several cards, layouts, and an altered project to share but I am going to spread them out a bit :) Here's my first layout:

Now, I'm pretty sure this isn't what the designer was expecting when they created this paper.  But as I looked at it, I thought it could be fun to document a year of a child's life.  I have a lot of Boaz pictures to work with, so I went that route.  I could see this being very fun to do each year for each kiddo!  I made use of my We R Memory Keepers corner chomper to get the edges of my pictures to line up.  It definitely took some time to cut and measure each picture, but less time was spent on actual design work.  For each month I added one dimensional embellishment (mostly chipboard) and tried to add an additional word/phrase sticker.  Definitely one of the most fun layouts I have done, ever!

Supplies Used: 

Patterned Paper: Simple Stories

Stickers: Simple Stories, American Crafts

Enamel Dots: Freckled Fawn

What Works for Me: Scrap Storage

I'm back with another installment of "What Works for Me" and this week I'm zoning in on how I store my scraps.  If you are like me, scraps can take over your whole room without even blinking.  I have tried a variety of things....and ultimately it came to this!

I picked up this storage piece at Walmart.  It has drawers big enough to fit 12 X 12 sheets.  When I look for scraps, I am usually looking with a specific size in mind.  Sometimes I need a tall border, other times I need a base for a card or a big piece to stick on a layout, and very often I just need a sliver of something with a specific color.  I almost always cut scraps to have all straight edges.  The only exception to this rule is when their is a print on the back that I might want to use part of and cutting straight will interrupt that pattern.

My first drawer is all border pieces.  Almost all of them are 12 inches long but vary in width.  These include the little 1/2" slivers that you get off of some 12 X 12 sheets.  Those are just one more great addition to the lines.  

The second drawer is small scraps, things that can be used on a card, a photo mat,  or as an accent on a layout.  I only save small layers of papers that I love or have an obscure color on them.  If I don't think I will use it, I pitch it!

My last drawer is big scraps.  These have to be big enough to use as a card base or a significant chunk of a layout.  I go to this drawer first to make card bases before cutting into something else.

Now What Else Have I tried?

I tried storing things by color in ziploc bags

Why that didn't work: Too many bags, too much time to sort it (ask my mom she helped), too many sizes in one place

I tried two drawers - one of patterned papers and one of cardstock

Why that didn't work: Those drawers filled up fast. and then I only took from the top.  Before I knew it I had two years worth of scraps.  Again, every size you can imagine and way too much to sort thru.

Why This Works for Me:

1) The drawers are small enough to look through but big enough to hold a reasonable amount of scraps.  And when the drawer gets fullish then that means it's time to focus on making some cards from scraps.

2) I don't have to dig for the right size.  This is really the key for me to using them!

Do you have a way that you love to store scraps?  Share it with me here or on my Facebook wall!

Wanna check out the "What works for me: Washi Tape Storage" article?  Check it out here!

Baby Girl Card

I'm loving playing with Imaginisce's new "My Baby" line.  Since I haven't had a baby girl in 6 years...I don't have quite as much scrapbooking to do with that part of the line.  But baby girl cards are always in demand - so I  have one of those to share with you today!

I used a variety of pieces from buttons to 3D Stickers and paper.  Don't they coordinate just beautifully!?!  A doily and pretty bow add to the feminine touch without taking away from the cute little bunnies :)

Supplies Used: 

Patterned Paper: Imaginisce, American Crafts

Enamel Dots: Recollections

Button: Imaginisce

Journaling Pad: Imaginisce

Stickers: imaginisce

Tape: Bella Blvd

An idea for using up Scraps

Are you like me and there is just a plethora of scraps laying around?  Today I have an idea to share that uses scraps and an old frosting container!  I blogged this at Helmar today.

I am going to show you how I upcycled this little container and made it fabulous!

To begin you need some Helmar Craft Glue, Helmar Super-Tac Glue and small plastic container.  I used a container left-over from frosting.

Cover that with a white piece of scratch paper and attach it using the craft glue.  You will then want to collect a variety of coordinating scraps that are tall enough to reach from the top to the bottom of the container.  I ended up using 4 different patterns and needed two 4 1/4 X 12 sheets of each.

Roll the paper around a pen or pencil once.  Secure the ends with the tac glue.

Use clothespins to secure them.  This is only necessary for a minute or two.  I just rolled a couple more while I waited.

In order to make sure I didn't do extra work, I measured the circumference of my container with a ribbon.  I then laid that out and laid the rolled papers atop it until it was full.  Then I knew I had enough!

Cover a small area of the container from top to bottom with the craft glue and then add on several rolls.  Then repeat until you have completely covered the container!

And voila...you have a pretty little storage container ready to be filled with whatever you wish from scrappy supplies to the ever popular chocolate!

Add some embellishments such as ribbon and flowers and you will make it even prettier!

Helmar Supplies Used:

Craft Glue

Super Tac Glue

Other Supplies Used:
Patterned Papers: My Mind's Eye
Burlap 
Medallion flower: Little Yellow Bicycle

Easy Birthday Card Ideas

Hi CutCardStock Fans!  Christine joining you today to share a couple of quick (yes, really) birthday cards!

First up we have one that utilizes washi tape!  To form your chevrons you will want to do the following:

1) Line up the washi tape diagonally with a top corner and go down diagonally

2) Repeat on the opposite side so that the two tapes meet

3) Trim so that they have space (lightly using a craft knife works really well) or leave no space.

4) Then do two additional chevrons below that and one above.

Embellish with a lot of a little!  I have used several supplies on this one - but I have also stopped at just words!

This one is even easier!  I simply used a die cut for my "Happy Birthday" words but before attaching it to my card base, I added some doilies underneath.  It adds some texture and makes it more interesting than just a die cut!  Once again, you could add a lot to it, or you could go simple as I did with just a few additional embellishments to bring in some color!

CutCardStock Supplies Used:

Cardstock: CutCardstock

Stickers: American Crafts, Little Yellow Bicycle, SRM Stickers, 

Washi Tape: My Mind's Eye & Doodlebug

Kiwi Lane & ADORNit Baby Layout

I am up today over at the Kiwi Lane Blog!  This month we got to play with some fun Adornit goodies and I was to use a Pinterest inspiration for my project. I love to include handstitching on layouts and I think Chevrons just scream to be stitched!  To check out my Pinterest inspiration along with directions on how I did my stitching, head on over to the Kiwi Lane Blog!  For now, I will just give you a peek at the layout!

Supplies Used:

Templates: Kiwi Lane

All Papers, Stickers, and Diecuts: ADORNit

Washi Tape Storage Ideas: What works for me!

I am going to be starting a new regular feature here on the blog about storage.  I have been at this hobby for about 9 years now and I have played with storage from keeping it all in one small suitcase to a big room all to myself.  I am constantly rearranging trying to find new things that work!  Once I'm happy it stays that way...so on Wednesdays that I don't have a design team commitment you can find some fresh storage ideas!  I don't spend a lot of money on storage (I'd rather spend it on supplies) and usually hit garage sales as much as I can.  But if something has stumped me for awhile I'm willing to spend a little to make it work!  Today I spent a little...but it totally works!  I am kicking it off with one that I have been searching for a better way on for a while!!!  Washi Tape!

Here is what I have come up with that I am loving!

This is a mug hanger from Ikea.  I believe it was $5.99 - if I'm wrong then it was less than that.  I also looked at using a plate rack - similar in style but with less stands.  I opted for this because it had a lot of stands!  As you can see I have arranged them pretty much by color with the exception of the multi-colored tapes :).

Now what else have I tried????

I tried hanging a tension rod and putting them on that.

Why that didn't work:  I want to get my washi tape down and in my hands!  I ran out of room long before I had all my tape on it.

I tried putting them all in a box on top of my desk (not neatly arranged or anything...just tossed in).

Why that didn't work:  They were forever getting buried and were out of sight (thus out of mind)

I tried nicely lining them up in a 12 X 12 box.

Why that didn't work: Who has room for a 12 X 12 box on their desk??? Again the out of sight, out of mind thing!

Why this works?

1-I can see exactly what i have and what I NEED more of!

2- It's pretty and let's be honest, we're crafters, that matters!

3- I don't have to sort for that one red roll, it's right there easy to grab

What do you think?  Do you have a brilliant way to store washi tape???? I'd love to have you link me up with it in the comments or on my facebook page!

Imaginisce Valentine's - One for Him and One for Her

I am featured today over at Imaginisce with two Valentine's that I created!  I decided to create one for a female and one for a male!  

This one started out all pink and white and I struggled long and hard to figure out how to add in some contrast!  The final touch of a red arrow was just what it needed!  

This one was born from the "Perfect Vacation" line!  I jumped off from the map and just ran from there.  A fun Amy Tan rub-on completes the look!

You can check out all the detail shots on these two cards at the Imaginisce Blog!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Papers: Imaginisce

Glitter Tape: American Crafts

Cardstock: American Crafts

Rub-on: American Crafts

Kiwi Lane Designs DT Doodles Sketch: Baby Boy Layout

It has been awhile since I have played along with the Kiwi Lane DT Doodles sketch of the week.  So this week I got out my new "My Baby" line from Imaginisce and played!  Here's the sketch!

And here's my interpretation:

You may have noticed that I am scrapping lots of baby Bo lately.  I had a big box of his early pictures and finally sorted them into either Pocket Page style layouts or use on 12 X 12 layouts.  So I have just been working my way thru the pile!  As you can see from the sketch, I opted not to add flowers to my layout.  That wasn't going to fit with my boy theme so I used the circle templates and went that route instead.  One of the patterned papers has circles that resemble bubbles, so I fussy cut some of those too!  I love the die cut shapes in this line, especially the little hippos!  

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Imaginisce

Die Cuts: Imaginisce

Buttons: Imaginisce

Templates: Kiwi Lane Designs

Washi Tape: Doodlebug Design

Cardstock: American Crafts

A Quick Thank You Card

Another Saturday and another round of snow here in Illinois!  We are snowed in again so I thought I'd post a card that I created a couple weeks ago and hadn't yet blogged!

When I created my scraps cards for Imaginisce, I created this one also...but decided not to use it because it just didn't use as much Imaginisce as I wanted it to!  The pop up flowers are a cut from Samantha Walker.  I added scraps of paper beneath them to add some pops of color.  A simple Thanks cut out and added atop some ribbon and and a twine bow round out the bottom part of the card.  I added a few hearts up top just to bring in a little more color.  Hope the weather is good where you are and if it isn't, I hope you are finding something enjoyable to do to pass your time!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Imaginisce

Cardstock: American Crafts

Ribbon: American Crafts

Practical Scrappers Blog Hop Winner

Just a quick post to let: Michelle King know she is the winner from the Practical Scrappers blog hop last week!  Shoot me an email at practicalscrappers@gmail.com to claim your prize!

Samantha Walker Creative Team Blog Hop - Snowflakes

Welcome to the Samantha Walker Creative Crafters Team Blog Hop!

You should have arrived here from Nicole's blog.

We have an awesome giveaway this month sponsored by Spellbinders!

One lucky winner will get the French Frills Spellbinder Die Set

All you need to do is enter below. You can earn multiple entries by following us on Facebook, commenting below, tweeting about the giveaway, and signing up for the email updates. This giveaway is open to US customers only and closes on this Sunday at 11:59 PM MDT.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This month our blog hop is focused on Snowflakes!  

Samantha has some stunning snowflake options!  I created a layout using some of them to share with you today!

I used Snowflakes (#38926), (#38922), and (#38924).  If you click on the numbers it will take you right to their location in the Silhouette Online Store.  I resized them so I would have a variety of sizes and made sure to cut them with a newer blade (detailed cuts are best done with a newer blade).  My background is Polka Dot Lace (#5093).  I chose it because I thought it looked like a snowy background!  To complete my snow look I added some enamel dots and punched vellum circles throughout.  My title: Let It Snow (#14833) was a perfect final touch!

Other Supplies Used:

Enamel Dots: My Mind's Eye

Cardstock: American Crafts

Vellum: CutCardStock

Adhesive: Helmar

Don't forget to sign up for Samantha's Newsletter 

through the Rafflecopter widget to receive your

FREE SVG and Silhouette Studio file! 

Thank you so much for stopping by today! 

Click on the image below to head to Jamie's blog 

Card Sketch

Today is card sketch day at Practical Scrappers.  I created one of the two sketches and that is the one I played with also!

I love this card in person but am not sure it is translating as well on camera.  Something about that background paper is giving me a run for my money :).  I combined goodies from my stash along with a few new things from Imaginisce!  The background paper is from an older Dear Lizzy line from American Crafts.  The polka dot hearts and bling are both newly released from Imaginisce.  I folded up the bottom corner to add an extra pop of color to the bottom of the card.

Hop on over to Practical Scrappers to see some more interpretations of this sketch and another fun one from Patty!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Imaginisce

Wood: Sutdio Calico

Bling: Imaginisce

Chipboard: Bella Blvd

Doily: Jillibean Soup 

Happy Birthday Card

Last week was heavy on layouts and this week is going to be heavy on cards!  Today I have a birthday card  idea to share with you!

I created the background by weaving black ribbon.  Do not attempt this when you are tired or crabby.  It requires patience - but the finished product is definitely worth it!  I punched a variety of pretty patterned papers and added those.  Then came the dimension!  Cork, enamel dots, and pins all add some extra umph to it!  I opted for the cork to calm down all the bright colors a bit (yes sometimes I opt to calm things down :))) 

Supplies Used: 

Ribbon: Ribbons Unlimited

Patterned Paper: Paper House Productions

Enamel Dots: My Mind's Eye

Stickers: Pebbles & SRM Stickers

Pins: My Mind's Eye

His and Hers Birthday Cards for CutCardStock

I had a post up on Friday at CutCardStock and didn't share it yet because of the Practical Scrappers blog hop.  I had fun putting together his and hers cards and using another one of my sketches :)) Today I created a couple cards using pieces from our Brown Bag line.  I actually created two cards - one for a man and one for a woman - and they are both based on the same sketch.  I wanted to show you how easy it can be to take a simple sketch and make it work for you over and over again!

Here the cards are side by side and here is the sketch I worked off of.  

You can see that I followed it somewhat loosely.  Using the initial base to create and then letting my creativity roll from there!  But I wasn't done with just creating the cards, I wanted to have matching envelopes!

 I used items that coordinated with what I had done on each card and the same basic "sketch" for my design but they each work for a man and a woman.

 These brown bag envelopes are fabulous and a little bit of coordinating washi tape to dress them up even more can make them extra special!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Teresa Collins

Die Cuts: Teresa Collins, Elle's Studio

Stickers: SRM Stickers

Washi Tape: Bella Blvd, My Mind's Eye

Wood: Studio Calico

Enamel Dots: My Mind's Eye

Zap Dots: Helmar

Practical Scrappers Blog Hop: Scrapping Our Stash

Welcome to the Practical Scrappers Blog Hop 

where we are Scrapping our Stash.

CHA is this weekend and that means the industry is putting out all kinds of fabulous new product.  So what better time to kick off our new monthly series of Scrapping our Stash!  A special shout out to the sponsor of today's hop: Kiwi Lane Designs!  Head to Practical Scrappers to find out details on how to win a fun prize from them!

Practical Scrappers Blog Hop List

Practical Scrappers

Charissa Miller 

Cathy Harper  

Jennifer Haggerty ***You Came From Here 

Christine Meyer ****You Are Here***

Kristina MacKeen ****Head Here Next****

Erin Morehouse 

Nicole Laha 

Krissy Clark 

Wendi Robinson 

Lissa Mitchell 

Deborah Johnson  

Jessica Arrant 

Kerri Yarus

Lisa Peeples 

Kim Ryden

Laura Cox

Kelly Jean

Lanette Erickson

Alison Day

Wendy Coffman

Michelle Johns

Lee-Anne Thornton

Marcia Dehn-Nix

Kelli Fortier

Now on to my Stash Busting Project!  I decided to pull out some old papers and one of my new Kiwi Lane Templates to create a paper pieced layout.

So this.looks.complicated.Yes?  It's not so bad actually!  I used my Kiwi Lane Chevron Template and cut five strips of five different patterns.  I then cut those in the middle of each them.  The challenging part was putting them back together and figuring out a pattern :)  The papers, stickers, chipboard are all from my stash...mostly from Pebbles from a line that I totally loved and picked up extras from over a year ago.

I am doing a giveaway here today!  In order to qualify you can do any/or all of the following:
1) Become a follower here on my blog
2) Subscribe to my blog via email
3) "Like" my facebook page
Make sure to leave me a comment letting me know what you did!  Here's the prize pack up for grabs!

Lots of goodies from my own stash!  Includes ribbon, trims, stickers, washi tape, chipboard and more!  I will leave the giveaway open until 11:59 est on Monday and plan to announce the winner on Tuesday!

Thanks for coming by...head on over to Kristina MacKeen's blog next!

Baby Boy Layout

There's nothing quite like scrapping pictures of a new baby. Today I have a layout featuring me and my littlest guy.  And it features a free cut file from the talented Juliana Michaels.  It is based on this sketch, which I created!

I am a sucker for stars.  Probably because I have three little boys...I can't get enough of them.  So when I saw that Juliana had created a cut file that was a star background I knew I wanted to make use of it!  Here's the link to her blog where you can get it for yourself!  I debated on making the cut in yellow or vellum but just opted for solid white.  I think it adds some subtle texture without overwhelming the pictures.  I also used a Samantha Walker cut file for my Border Loops (Design ID #12961) at the bottom. These pictures are from the first moments my little Boaz was alive, not moments I remember all too well ;)

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Bella Blvd

Stickers: Bella Blvd, Echo Park

Wood: Studio Calico

Cardstock: American Crafts

Cut Files: Juliana Michaels & Samantha Walker

Using Scraps to Create Cards

Ahhhhh so excited!  Today is my premiere day at Imaginisce and I am thrilled to share these projects with you!  The theme there this week is to use scraps - something I love to do!  Here's my cards!

My favorite thing to do with scraps is to cut them up and put them back together to make something interesting ( I know this is shocking to you regulars :))!  For the background of this card I cut triangles out of the light blue paper and then applied them to the card leaving spaces between, allowing the base to peek through!  I also fussy cut some snowflakes from scraps and surrounded those by small snowflakes punched in a complementary color.  I'm finding that I am going to kraft colored items a lot right now...be it in the form of actual kraft paper, burlap, twine....you get my drift!  

Supplies Used:

Stickers: Imaginisce Childhood Memories

Patterned Paper: Imaginisce Colors of Christmas

Cardstock: CutCardStock

Gems: Queen & Co.

Twine

Doily: Wilton

Adhesive: Helmar

I am almost always creating birthday cards from scraps.  It is easy to use scraps to make the colors and style match the personality of the recipient.  This simple card was created by combining a Silhouette cut file from Samantha Walker and some simple Imaginisce die cuts.  Under a few random circles I added some colored scrap papers. Adding a ribbon and some enamel dots helps create some different textures and tie the whole thing together.

Supplies Used:

Die Cuts: Imaginisce Birthday Bash 

Patterned Paper: Imaginisce Berrylicious

Cardstock: American Crafts

Enamel Dots: My Mind's Eye

Ribbon: Ribbons Unlimited

Practical Scrappers Sketch

This was the first month in a long time that I had a chance to play along with the sketch for Practical Scrappers!  That is another one of my goals for this year - to play along with my site a little more.  If you haven't been by there lately, you should!  We are on a different schedule now and I think you will love it!  Today you can see all the different interpretations of this fabulous sketch from Liz Chidester.

For my interpretation I used more of the pieces from that gorgeous We R Family line from Lily Bee Design!  Kind of a coincidence that they both ended up on my blog two days in a row!  I managed to incorporate lots of my stash into this one too!  Tip: Have a  big stash of embellishments??? Sort your embellishments by type and you will get more use out of them.  I have mine sorted by clear, chipboard, words, tags, metals, etc....now when I am looking for a chipboard I don't have to dig thru tons and tons I just go for that container.  

Do you have a great organization tip? I'd love to hear it!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Lily Bee Design

Wood: Studio Calico, Lawn Fawn

Chipboard: Bo Bunny & My Mind's Eye

Stickers: Bella Blvd

Enamel Dots: Lily Bee Design

Brad: My Mind's Eye

Doilies: Jillibean Soup

Cork: Fancy Pants