Clean and Simple "Hi" Card

Popping in today and sharing a card that features some of the softer colors of Special Delivery from GCD Studios.  This line rocks the bold primary colors that scream boy, but it also touches on a softer feminine side too with the greens, light blues, and yellows.

I never would have predicted this card would have come out of this line had I not created it with my own two hands.  I love a line that is so versatile!

The flowers that I used are fussy cut from some of the patterned paper and add just the right delicate touch.

Supplies Used: 

Special Delivery 6 X 6 Paper Pad #2050

Chipboard Alphas #2090

Adhesive Pearls #1887

Die Cut Borders #2055
All from GCD Studios

Dad Cards

Today I am going to share a couple of "Dad" cards that I used the same cut from my cameo on - just one uses the negative space and one uses the positive space.

 For this one I used the negative space of the cut, including flipping over the inside pieces and using the reverse side of the patterned paper.  I also filled in random squares on the grid to add some interest.

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Simple Stories, Echo Park

Stickers: Studio Calico (arrows), Heidi Swapp (ultimate

For this one I used the actual letters from the cut.  I outlined them with small metallic gold liquid pearls...this took forever but had a really neat effect.  I went dot by dot trying to carefully lift in between each dot.  Loving the bang for your buck you can get with liquid pearls!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Simple Stories, My Minds Eye

Liquid Pearls

Stickers: Jillibean Soup

Pebbles Pool Party by Amy Locurto layouts

Today I have a couple layouts to share with you featuring Pebbles Pool Party by Amy Locurto.  This was a fun, bright, summery line!  I created these as part of my design team work for The Scrapbooking Studio!  I am trying hard to not do so many layouts that are just one picture...I think there's an art to being able to get two or more pics on a page and am enjoying exploring that!

 I love that they offer these coordinating medallion flowers...frankly I think those are hard to make and will gladly purchase pre-made ones!  This line also came with some great stickers which you can see I used throughout both layouts!

I felt like the bold lines on this background paper were overpowering the layout, so I added some doodling in white to soften thins up a bit.  I was surprised how much that helped!  

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Pebbles

Stickers: Pebbles & American Crafts

Washi Tape: My Minds Eye and Bella Blvd

Garland: Pebbles

8 Months - Already?

Each month I enjoy getting out the "month" sticker for Bo's picture just because I like to see what color combination they came up with!  This month was gray, red, and black....a different one for scrapping a layout!

I used a lot of Little Yellow Bicycle on this one...the "Just Because" line has great gray and red combos in it. All I added to that were some black and gray washi tapes, some enamel dots, and some AC Thickers and it came together quick and cute.  I really love these Thickers and bonus - they come in a variety of colors!  I think now I have gotten his 8 month layout done and his 2 month layout....time to start filling in the rest huh!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Little Yellow Bicycle

Stickers: Little Yellow Bicycle, American Crafts

Washi Tape: My Minds Eye, Queen & Co

Enamel Dots: Bo Bunny

A substitute for enamel dots....

I created this layout last night in my "make a layout each night" spree!  One of my goals in the creation of these is not to spend hours and hours....but to just play and see where it takes me!  These are pictures of my sweet little nephew who is 19 months now!

I've been enjoying creating layouts so frequently because it is forcing me to get out some of my new goodies and play with them right away!  Lately I tend to do my projects primarily in one collection from one company and just add a little here and there from other companies.  But this layout is a big ol' hodge podge of different companies! One of my favorite products out right now is the enamel dots.  But they are so popular that my LSS is sold out of them!  So I decided to try liquid pearls and see how they work as a substitute.  That is what all the gold dots are on this.  They worked perfect...only real difference is they have to dry.  I love that I can vary my sizes with the perfect pearls!  I will be getting more colors to use in my stash on my next trip to The Scrapbooking Studio!

Supplies Used:
Stickers: American Crafts, Bella Blvd, Studio Calico
Patterned Paper: Echo Park
Decorative Tape: Bella Blvd, Queen & Co, We R Memory Keepers,
Ledger: Maya Road
Wood Veneer: Studio Calico
Enamel Dots: My Minds Eye
Flair: The Paper Bakery

Gina's Designs Freebie Friday Printable: Card

Just realized I didn't share my card from Gina's Designs that posted yesterday!  This is hybrid card #2!

I dry embossed my brown cardstock with a wood grain folder.  The sentiment comes from Jilllibean Soup in the form of a die cut journaling card.  I liked how it matched up with the butterfly!  I added a little bit of misting splatters...this seems to be one of my current go to techniques...I am using it on nearly every project! The Gina's Designs cardstock doily is backed by another Jillibean Soup die cut.  And the lovely butterfly if from Gina's Free printable....which you can find here!  So much easier than stamping!

Doodling and Stitching My heart Out

One of my goals with my layout creating right now is to just play...experiment...go a little out of my comfort zone!  This one definitely does that.  It started with the rainbow stitching and then I decided to add in the doodling.  I didn't allow any ruler, measuring, etc....I just went....and here's how it turned out!

I felt like it needed some silly pictures to go along with the free spiritedness of it all :)  These are actually a couple years old.  I added some Amy Tan rub-ons, My Minds Eye Enamel Dots, American Crafts letters,.and a little washi tape for the border....other than that it is all one of a kind and was crazy fun to do!

Pebbles "Lakeside" Layout

As soon as I saw the Lakeside Collection from Pebbles, I knew I was going to enjoy it!  I like that it has a good mix of neutrals with some brighter colors throw in for some pop!  We don't spend tons of time at lakes but I do have quite a few photos from our time at Sequoia National Park a couple years ago that these are perfect for.

I recently placed my first order with Lawn Fawn too.  As soon as I saw the wood veneer polaroid, I knew I needed it :)  The orange scallop washi tape is also from them!  I love it!  All these pictures are of us and the kids sitting at the Kahwea river...a place I spent a lot of time at as a child.

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Pebbles

Stickers: Pebbles

Washi Tape: Lawn Fawn

Wood Veneer: Lawn Fawn

Echo Park Scoot Layout

I'm digging all the geometric stuff that has been trending in the industry.  I'm also realllllly into hand stitching.  So I decided to incorporate both on this layout.  

As I said previously, I am trying to get a little bit caught up on layouts.  This one is of Cooper (who's now almost three) shortly before he turned one.  He was smooshing his face into the storm door and watching his siblings.  I love these cute photos and it was fun to finally put them on paper!  The graph paper was perfect for creating lines to do my hand stitching.  To speed up the process I just did very long straight stitches instead of doing lots of little backstitches.

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Echo Park

Stickers: Echo Park, American Crafts, Jillibean Soup

Corrugated Cardboard: Jillibean Soup

Enamel Dots: My Minds Eye, Bo Bunny

Diamonds are a Fussy Cutter's Best Friend

When I look at patterned paper I am always looking for some way I can cut a part of it out and create a different design with it.  For today's card I did just that with some fun paper from the Pure Bliss Collection. from GCD Studios.  This card is featured on their blog today!

I fussy cut three rows of the diamonds (being super careful in the middles to keep them attached to one another).  I kept one of them longer than the other two so it could go in the middle.  I popped each diamond up with foam adhesive so it would add some dimension to it.  

I also fussy cut the sentiment out, opting to cut off the embroidery hoop part and just using the circle.  

The next time you pick up a piece of patterned paper see if you can think beyond the original design and create something surprising with it!

GCD Supplies Used: Pure Bliss Collection 6 X 6 Paper Pad #2031

Doily Flower Card

I haven't been sharing a lot of layouts...I've kinda been going crazy on creating cards.  But I set a new goal to try and create one quick layout a day.  I'm getting behind on photos and my internal panic button is going off...so that is my current albeit lofty goal.  So far I'm on day three and have created four layouts (and four cards :))  Once photographed things will get more layout heavy.

I usually hold on off sharing any cards I submit to CARDS magazine until I hear back from them.  But since it is the 26th and acceptance emails still haven't gone out to anyone...I am going to share :)  Apparently some big changes are happening at Northridge Publishing and I am anxious to hear what those changes are!

I love this card and am still gonna hold out hope that it will get picked up :).  I created the flower background by folding doilies into a cone shape.  It took 6 doilies total.  I put them together and topped them with a large epoxy button and some additional stickers.  The pretty floral background paper is from GCD Studios line "Pure Bliss."  I love the green, yellow, blue spring combination that so many companies have going right now!

Supplies Used:

Stickers: Simple Stories, GCD Studios, Jillibean Soup

Button: Jillibean Soup

Patterned Paper: GCD Studios

Going Hybrid...

This week I did something new!  I created some hybrid projects...which means I used some digital elements on projects.  Gina's Designs offers a weekly Freebie Friday Printable and so this week I created a couple things to go along with the post!

First off is a card using one piece of the printable and a cardstock doily. available in our store.

And a Project Life sample using the rest of the printable and pieces from the Delicate Frames & Ornaments Shape Set and The Build a Layout Romance Set,   I primarily used stickers and patterned paper from the Pebbles line "Love You More."

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Pebbles, Bella Blvd, Jillibean Soup

Stickers: Pebbles, SRM Stickers

Rubons: American Crafts

Enamel Dots: My Minds Eye

Ribbon: American Crafts

Wood: Studio Calico

Decorative Tape: Bella Blvd

Doily, Chipboard: Gina's Designs

Fringe Flower Tutorial

 I realized I hadn't shared this card with you yet!  It premiered in the Paper Cut Magazine for GCD Studios and I was still sorting thru their policies to make sure I could share it :)  Now I know I can!

It features the Pure Bliss line for almost all of it except for the darker leaves are from Nostalgia.  It also features a lovely doily from Gina's Designs as the background for the whole thing!  I made the flowers myself  using a fringe scissors!

First I cut a 1" X 6" strip of paper and then used my fringe scissors cutting in as close as possible to the edge.

Then I rolled it up securing it with a liquid adhesive at the end.

Once dry, I started unfolding the petals one by one until they were all done.

Add an epoxy dot to the center and it it is done!  Aren't they a nice soft touch?

Supplies Used:

Twine: The Twinery

Patterned Paper, Stickers: GCD Studios

Doily: Gina's Designs

Heidi Sonboul Blog Hop Winner

I'm a few days late...so sorry!  Been battling a cold and it has been winning!  Sharon Fritchman you are the lucky winner!  I'll be emailing you to collect your address!

Quilted Cards Three

My last two "quilted" cards classes at The Scrapbooking Studio have been so well received and so much fun that I decided I would do another round.  Here's my creations for round three coming up on June 7th!

 I think this one is my favorite :)  I saw one done like this with all white squares...super cool but not a quilty look.  I love the Americana feel this has with the stars!

 This one is super easy, I know the ladies will love learning this quick technique!

 Targetted this one for father's day...this circle folding technique has been a hit so I've done this folding all three classes.

This started out as something different with diamonds...pinterest fail....it didn't work.  So I rearranged and created it like this.  I am kinda digging the folded diamonds and am gonna have to play more with that.  Cutting them on my Cameo made for a quick and precise cut!

As long as people keep enjoying it and I can keep generating ideas (thanks pinterest) I will keep doing a topic like this!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Pebbles, Jillibean Soup

Stickers: Jillibean Soup

Rubons: Pebbles

Pebbles "Party with Amy Locurto" Two Page Layout

This line from Pebbles has several different sections to it.  This part is full of bright cheery colors and springy themes!  I created this layout for a class I will be teaching at The Scrapbooking Studio.  Although it could easily work for a girl layout, I set out to make sure it would also work for a boy!

I love circles and include them on nearly every layout I create...this one is almost entirely comprised of them! All these pictures of Cooper were taken by my mom while we were at the hospital having Bo!  I love the pre-made medallion flowers that come with this line...I am so bad at making those!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper, Stickers, Flowers: Pebbles

Thickers: American Crafts

Cardstock: Colorbok

Heidi Sonboul Signature Series Blog Hop

I am so honored to be joining this group of ladies today that are celebrating the release of Heidi Sonboul's Signature Series book.  Heidi is an amazing talent and I can't wait to explore the book myself!  For my contribution to the hop I am sharing a card that was created using her "SunKissed" line from GCD Studios.

This star paper jumped out at me as I looked through the 6 X 6 paper pad.  I decided to add some long stitching to it along with some epoxy dots.  I cut the "cute" title on my silhouette cameo.

Don't you just love how trendy hand stitching is right now?

As a thank you to all of you for stopping by I am going to do a giveaway of some of the embellishments from Heidi's "Special Delivery" collection.  All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment. I will pick a winner of Sunday, May 12th.

Here's the rest of the group in the hop.  I know they'd love for you to stop by too!

The Line Up

GCD Studios

Alicia Thelin

Amanda Coleman

Angi Barrs

Audrey Yeager Christina Collins Christine Meyer Grace Tolman Heidi Van Laar  Jennifer Chapin Julie Tucker-Wolek Katrina Hunt Kelly Holbrook Lalo IK Megan Klauer Nina Yang Pam Callaghan Rae Barthel Rochelle Spears Sara Zenger Suzanna Lee Teri Anderson Wida Miller

Now Head over to Heidi Sonboul's (http://www.heidisonboul.com/ ) new site for a chance to win the newest tool from Fiskars and her two newest collections, Special Delivery and SunKissed.

To order the book you can go here:

Scallop Heart Home Decor: American Crafts My Girl

Around Valentine's Day I saw this project at the American Crafts blog created by Erin Stewart  .I knew I wanted to make one for myself!  I finally created it and it is hanging up at The Scrapbooking Studio.  Funny enough, I used American Crafts paper for it too!

You can find all the directions on how to create it at American Crafts (linked above) so I won't recreate that for you.  I decided not to add a cursive word to mine as it will hang in Lucy's room and we've got at least a couple years before she'll be reading it.  I did use coordinating washi tape to add a border.  Without the tape it has a more artsy feel...but I was going for a more cutesy look :)

 Supplies Used:

Decorative Tape: My Minds Eye, Bella Blvd

Patterned Paper: American Crafts

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

Bet I got your attention with that title...:)  Today is National Scrapbooking Day and my wonderful husband made time for me to have a few daytime hours to create!  Here's the layout I created.

Lucy's dance number for her recital last year was "The Itsy Bitsy..."  Thus the silly title.  One of the challenges over on American Crafts today was to combine thickers and letter stickers.  I took that challenge for this.  Between the sunburst and the title, I didn't need to add a whole lot to finish off the page.  I did add a couple of little words from SRM Stickers to my photo collages and some enamel dots.  Beyond that just a little doodling and I was done.  I hope you got a little time to create today too!  

Supplies Used:

Letter Stickers: Bella Blvd

Thickers: American Crafts

Stickers: SRM Stickers

Patterned Paper: Pebbles

Enamel Dots: Bo Bunny

Giveaway Winners

I have two winners to share with you today!
The winner of the GCD Studios goodies is Lisa Swift
and
The winner of the Gina's Designs goodies is
Julie Tucker Wolek

Shoot me an email or fb message and I will get those sent off to you!