American Crafts "My Girl" Layout: Number Two :)

Just so much to love about this line!  I created this layout first of all my projects. I noticed that machine stitched circles had been trending big time....so I decided to try my hand at one.  Super easy and adds some nice dimension.  I added fussy cut flowers and die cut pieces to add some flow to the layout.  I topped the whole thing with washi tape, canvas stickers, and enamel dots.  My final touch was to add some mist to the top right corner...it was too plain and the white mist was just enough! 

The story behind the pictures is that my little girl was getting rag curls in preparation for Easter Sunday!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Colorbok

Enamel Dots: Queen & Co

Washi tape: My Minds Eye

All other supplies are American Crafts

Feather Card

Today I thought I would share another card that I created for the Paper Crafts supply savvy call.  It didn't make the cut for general craft items...but it makes me smile :)

I layered feather on top of feather and just kept doing that until I had a nice pile that reminded me of a boa.  I glued those down onto a skinny scrap paper.  The bakers twine was the perfect touch to hold the whole pile together and draw in a little more gray.  As I was sitting and make it, I kept thinking "fab" this is just "fab" so that was what I went with for my sentiment!  My little Lucy is especially fond of this card!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: GCD Studios & Pebbles

Stickers: GCD Studios

Enamel Dots: Bo Bunny

Twine: The Twinery

Heidi Sonboul Book Release Party!

The fabulous Heidi Sonboul is gonna have one amazing week next week!  Book release and a new website. You won't want to miss out on all this fun!

She's an uber talented gal and as sweet as can be!  Looking forward to celebrating with her next week!

American Crafts "My Girl" Layout

I got to play with "My Girl" from American Crafts this month for my design team work at The Scrapbooking Studio.  I absolutely loved this line!!!  Here is the first project I created!

The layout is based on this sketch from Juliana Michaels at  The Paper Bakery

I think what I love most about this line is the gray incorporated with the brighter pastels...it just makes for an interesting combination!  Love the cute Thickers too!  And as soon as I saw the color combo, I knew it was the perfect paper for scrapping these pictures of my little Lucy meeting her brand new brother Bo!  This paper would also work well for spring and Easter photos...some of the papers have girl themed writing but not all!  

Playing with Hot Glue!

I was so blessed today to receive an email from Paper Crafts Magazine today saying that they were picking up three of my cards this month!  That on top of five from CARDS earlier this month and to put it mildly I am flying pretty high!  I put a lot of time into working on submissions and really really enjoy doing it!  

The topic for Paper Crafts was Supply Savvy and it is going to have all different categories on using your supplies in clever ways.  I pride myself on finding random, frugal items to use on cards.  I love not having to worry about them being acid free and doing something just plain nutty!  The cards I got picked up used some pretty oddball stuff!  Today I thought I'd share two cards that didn't get picked up that I used hot glue on.

When I saw hot glue mentioned in the supply ideas I got some ideas rolling around and decided to just play! Here's the two I came up with!

 For this first one I doodled a heart using hot glue.  Once it dried I sprayed it down with mist.  Once that dried I pulled the glue up slowly leaving a distressed looking heart.

For this second card I did a similar concept.  I set out to doodle clouds with the hot glue.  Then misted but this time I didn't pull the glue up.  Once dry I laid the scallop circles on it and realized it looked like flowery doodles too and I kind of enjoyed that.  So I created a big flower and topped it off with some flair!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: GCD Studios & American Crafts

Flair: American Crafts

Washi Tape: Bella Blvd

Mist: Heidi Swapp

Twine: The Twinery

Canvas Scallops: Little Yellow Bicycle

I had a lot of fun creating these cards and enjoyed thinking out of the box!  Have you ever used hot glue on a project for something besides adhesive?

Exciting News!

Over the last few months a new product has become one of my go to products....if you are a follower here you know I have a list of regulars (SRM Stickers, Little Yellow Bicycle, Pebbles, Bella Blvd...)  Ever since I started playing with pieces from Gina's Designs, I have found myself using them on much of what I create.  I am pleased to share that I am going to be the Social Media Director/Design Team Coordinator for them effective May 1st!

I am thrilled to be starting this position with a company who's products I truly enjoy!  Here's the details on where you can find out all about them:

Company Website:

Company Blog:

Company Facebook Page:

I'd love for you to hop over to their blog and/or facebook page and get yourself familiar with her products.

Today I am going to be doing a giveaway of my three favorite products that really got me hooked on her stuff!  I am giving away the Cardstock Doily Set, the Feather Shape Set, and the Filgree Frames Shape Set.

You can check the whole set out by clicking on the links but here are some cards I have made using them too!

This one uses the Filigree Frame Shape Set (painted white) and the heart is also from the Build a Layout Romance Set.

This layout features the Feather Shape Set, The Build a Layout Romance Set (Heart), and a butterfly from the Butterflies & Dragonflies set.

This card feature the Feather Shape Set and the Cardstock Doily Set

And one last card that features the Cardstock Doily Set.

Told ya I have been playing with her stuff a lot!  You have three chances to get qualified to win these goodies! 

1) Like their facebook page & leave a comment so I know you were there!

2) Become a follower on their blog

3) Become an email subscriber on their blog

Make sure to leave me a comment so I know what you did!  I will announce a winner on May 1st!

Gettin' Twiggy With It!

!Read all the way thru because I have a fun giveaway!
I love to incorporate unique items on my cards.  I've been known to try everything from silverware to coffee filters and more.  Today I am going to share with you a fun card using a twig on it and featuring the fabulous blues and yellows from the Nostalgia line.

I sent my kids out to hunt for twigs for this card.  I think they thought I was a little nuts!  I picked this one because it had some little buds on it that added in a second color. I decided to hand cut some little green leaves to add to it.

 I added the twig to some simpler patterned paper so it would be more visible.

 Adding it then to a busier background paper that I just couldn't resist for this springy card!  I topped the whole thing off with a doily at the top to add to the soft feel of the card.

Have you ever used anything out of the ordinary on a card?  You should give it a try!  You might be surprised how much fun it can be!

GCD Supplies Used: Nostalgia Collection 6 X 6 Paper Pad #1998, Adhesive Pearls #1887
******************************
Now to celebrate my premiere on the GCD Studios Blog I am doing a giveaway!  I am going to share some of the 6 X 6 patterned paper from the Nostalgia line with you along with some other miscellaneous goodies from the Pure Bliss line that includes paper clips, brads, and stickers!  All you have to do is be a follower here (or email subscriber) and leave me a comment.  I'll leave the giveaway open until Friday, April 26th!

My first project in The PaperCut

The brand new issue of The PaperCut is out!  And guess what? I am in this one!  This is my first official gig for GCD Studios!  Click on the picture of the cover and it will take you right to the magazine where you can see my card!  I'd tell you what page but there are so many fabulous projects that I want you to check them all out :)  Come back and let me know what you think!!!

Teresa Collins "Stationary Noted" Card

As a  newer fan of Teresa Collins lines, I have to say that I think she makes some of the easiest stuff to put together a quick and beautiful project with. I have always thought her stuff was just beautiful...but had never used much of it.   That has changed now...she even has her own drawer in my scrapping studio :). Of her current lines I think Stationary Noted is my favorite!  Here's my most recent creation using it!

There's not a lot of explanation to it aside from just layering a lot :)  The doily and feather both come from Gina's Laser Designs..another new favorite company of mine!  I discovered them thru Practical Scrappers and have found that I am going to them on nearly every card I make!

A Couple More Bo Bunny "Family Is" projects

Life has been very busy and although I am finding time to create it is primarily top secret creations until they get released on blogs or rejected/picked up by magazines :)...in the meantime I have a couple more creations that I did for The Scrapbooking Studio to share!  These both use more goodies from the Bo Bunny "Family Is" line!

 First up is this card that combines several of the fun patterned paper choices.  I also used several of their die cuts and added in a burlap circle from Little Yellow Bicycle.  

I also created this clear pillow box.  This is one of the extra long ones and it didn't fit into the embossing folder that way.  So I did each end and then covered up the middle with patterned papers and washi tape!

Party of 6 - Bo Bunny "Family Is" line

Today I have another layout to share using the Family Is collection from Bo Bunny!  Love the navy in this line and decided to really pull that out for this one!

As I was playing with the blues/greens/whites I felt like I needed another color to add some pop.  That is where the coral color came in.  I decided to use it to frame the whole thing as well as in embellishing.  There are so many fun things about this collection but I think one of my favorites was the cute patterned paper that was full of polaroids with sweet phrases and patterns.  

This was one of our first family pictures as a family of 6 - hard to believe that was six months ago!

Supplies Used:

Everything is from Bo Bunny!

My spin on Project Life

I just shared this over on Practical Scrappers and thought I'd share it with y'all too!

When I first started scrapbooking I wanted to preserve the little memories.  I knew I wouldn't forget about the big stuff...but it's the little special moments that are so easily lost.  Lately, especially since having my fourth child I feel like I'm losing those memories long before I get them commited to a page.  

I've always admired the approach to Project Life but for me and my schedule I knew I couldn't keep up with it on a weekly basis (trust me I tried Project 365 and failed about 9 months in....).  With so many companies creating cute little journaling cards and phrase cards I knew I could make a similar concept work in my favor and save more memories that way.

Every couple days I grab a few journaling cards and jot down anything that has happened that I want to remember.  I also have been writing down things about who we are right now (favorite tv shows, etc).  I then add those into my page protectors.  I also am taking pictures that may not be quite layout worthy, are not enough for a layout into the page protectors.  I try to correlate the pictures with the journalling...it doesn't always happen though.

Here's a sample of what one of my spreads looks like:

Some of my favorite stories from the last month are recorded here.  

Here's a couple of rules I made for myself:

1) In addition to the journalling/phrase cards I am only using scraps....I will not cut into a new sheet of paper

2) Keep the page coordinated...so once I commit to a journalling card I try to still stay within that color set up.

3) Do not include any photos that I intend to scrapbook later.  For instance the picture of my baby in the bumbo playing....this is a regular part of his routine but I don't have a desire to do a layout all about it.

4) Write about myself and my hubby too - not just the kids!

So that's my spin on Project Life...no weeks, just lots of quick memories documented before they are gone! 

Bo Bunny "Family Is" Layout

This month I got to work with "Family is" from Bo Bunny for The Scrapbooking Studio.  It is such a fun, eclectic line!  I love the colors of it and all the sassy sayings it brings in.  This first layout that I am going to share is out of my normal style, but I had a lot of fun playing around with techniques and fussy cutting on it!

The paper I used consisted entirely of speech bubbles.  I wanted to find a fun way to use it but also incorporate a place for a title and some white space.  So I trimmed out a few areas with my paper trimmer and backed it with red cardstock.  I rounded a bunch of corners to add some visual interest.  I fussy cut some of the blank speech bubbles out and then added a picture of each family member to it.  I then doodled a black outline to draw more attention to them as well as adding buttons and wood pieces for dimension. Ended up being a kinda fun and funky look!

Supplies Used: Bo Bunny paper

Maya Road Arrows

Studio Calico wood diamonds & circles

American Crafts Thickers

Easter Cards

Last night I was on a technique kick with making cards and decided to play around with my SRM Stickers that are Easter themed.  The way their stickers come always makes me think of subway art...so I decided to put them all together and make my own little piece of Subway art for a card.

It took a little bit of configuring but wasn't too bad to put together and was definitely made easier by being able to overlap the clear stickers!

I also wanted to make a shaped card to look like an Easter egg and cover it with washi tape.

This was super quick to put together and way fun!  I added an SRM Sticker for a sentiment as well as some vintage seam binding and pins.  I'm so addicted to washi tape and every time I reach to use some I realize there is another color that I need :).

Supplies Used:

Washi Tape: My Minds Eye, Target, Bella Blvd

Pins: Little Yellow Bicycle & Maya Road

Ribbon: Doodlebug

Stickers: SRM Stickers

Cardstock: Colorbok

April Cards Class: Isabella by BoBunny Quilted Cards

Since my last class of Quilted Cards went so well and there were requests for more, I decided to do another class with a similar theme!  This time I use some similar techniques and add a few more new ones in too!  Here's the cards I will be teaching on Thursday, April 11th at The Scrapbooking Studio in Bloomington.

I used the Isabella line from BoBunny and just adore the color combination in it!  If you are in the Bloomington area I'd love to have you join me!

February CARDS Magazine Publication

This was my very first project that I made for  The Scrapbooking Studio using the Echo Park Everyday Eclectic Line...and before I took it in I submitted it to CARDS Magazine.  Lucky me, it got picked up!  So now, I can finally share it with you here!

I am always on the lookout for how to do something unique with patterned paper.  When I saw this scalloped paper I knew I need to cut into it and give it a ruffle look.  I didn't do it to every scallop, just random ones and then popped those up.  Add to that the pearls and the great on trend details from Echo Park of chevrons, and banners and it just came together nicely.  Hands down one of my faves ever!

Supplies Used:

Sticker & Pattern Paper by Echo Park

Pearls by Queen & Co

Twine by Jillibean Soup

Pebbles Family Ties Layout

After three boys, I'm getting the hang of this scrapbooking baby boys thing...thank goodness companies keep putting out fun papers to work with!  I love this picture of Bo and I and thought it deserved to be blown up and have a page of it's own.  This is another layout that I created a store sample for The Scrapbooking Studio.

I have been doing a lot of layouts using multiple pictures so I really had to adjust my mindset on this one!  The negative space trend is such a fun one and definitely one made easier by the Silhouette Cameo!  I created my hearts using that as well as parts of my title.  And of course...there's that fun wood veneer from Studio Calico.  I think I would like to own every pack of that that they make....possibly a couple packs of some :)

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper and stickers by Pebbles

Thickers by American Crafts

Hexagons by Studio Calico

Thrilling news!

Every month GCD Studios puts out a fabulous online magazine full of inspiration and beautiful ideas.  This month I happen to be especially excited about page 4! Click on the picture and it will take you to have a look!

Last week as I was teaching my band class I received a very exciting phone call from Heidi Sonboul herself!  I had forewarned the class there was a teeny tiny chance I might have to take a phone call.  Didn't think it would actually happen!  But, here we are! I have been sitting on this fun news for about a week and am thrilled to finally share it.  I am so excited to be designing for GCD Studios for the next year and can't wait for this adventure to begin!  Thrilled to be joining a few friends and getting to know a whole new group of people!

Pebbles Family Ties Layout: So Cute!

You always can tell when I am working on magazine submissions...there is a total lull on my blog!  The good news (I guess) is that they don't all get picked up so then my blog picks up again!  Today I am going to share another one of my design team projects with you that I created for The Scrapbooking Studio.  I won't gush again about how much I love this line from Pebbles :)

    Maybe I will gush a little about how much I love this little guy :).  My sweet little Bo is probably the most challenging baby I've had but man he is a mama's boy and those adoring eyes make up for the exhaustion :).  I don't work with a lot of 8 X 10 photos...but this one was too good not to blow up.  I continue to be on a bit of a doodling kick and did a lot of it on this one.  The hardest thing for me about doodling is that sometimes you make a little mistake and there's no turning back.  But as my hubby says "that's what makes it crafty!"  

Supplies Used:

All Patterned Paper is from Pebbles

Stickers from Pebbles & SRM Stickers

Wood Hexagons from Studio Calico

Black Pen from American Crafts

Die Cutting from Silhouette Cameo

Twine from The Twinery

Little Yellow Bicycle "Just Because" Card

I realized I haven't shared this card here yet!  I shared it on facebook and then forgot to get over here!

I made this card as a feature on Practical Scrappers to showcase the laser chipboard pieces from 

Gina's Designs.

I painted the filigree frame and heart white and then paired those up with goodies from the "Just Because" line from Little Yellow Bicycle.  I adore the combination of the red, aqua, and gray!  They definitely hit a homerun with this line...I still have more projects to share that use it!

Supplies Used:

Chipboard from Gina's Designs

Paper, Stickers, Pin from Little Yellow Bicycle