Clean & Simple Boy Cards

I have three sons.  Words I never thought I'd say.  As much as I enjoy scrapping girl stuff, I am constantly playing around with boy stuff to see how I incorporate fun techniques and such.  Today I have a couple of clean and simple cards to share with you that I created for boys. Both of these cards only took about 20 minutes to create - very simple and a quick way to use up some extra supplies that I knew I wouldn't use on a layout! 

 For this card I used a patterned paper base.  I added white cardstock and dropped mist splatters onto the top. I then added a couple stickers and done!  

Supplies Used:

Stickers: American Crafts, Heidi Swapp, Echo Park

Patterned Paper: Websters Pages

On this card I decided to offset things.  I added patterned paper to my base to create my background.  I then used white cardstock and coordinated my stickers with a washi tape background.  I used a black marker to highlight the S O N letters.  I also used my black marker to outline various parts of the card to give everything a little more definition. 

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Echo Park

Washi Tape: Bella Blvd, My Minds Eye,

Stickers: Echo Park

Wood: Studio Calico

Happy News!

Time for another fun announcement!  Told ya there were lots of changes coming my way!

Practical Scrappers/Paper Secrets Blog Hop

Today I am participating in the Practical Scrappers/Paper Secrets Blog Hop!  Thanks so much for popping by!  If you are just getting started here you should head back and start from the beginning...lots of prizes and lots of fun to be had!  Here's the entire list of hoppers for you!

Blog Hop List

Practical Scrappers

Charity Hotrum

Lisa Moen

Jessica Arrant

Kristi Biesel 

Stephanie U

Patty Selah 

Karen Sessions

Kelly Holfield

Wendy Coffman

Deborah Johnson

Krissy Clark

Rochelle Spears

Kerri Yarus  

Lee-Anne Thornton

Leslii Wagner

Kelli Fortier

Kim Ryden 

Lucy Kelleher

Sue Kithcart 

Brenda Ragsdale

Charissa Miller

Christine Meyer ***You Are Here***

Kelly Jean Guzlas

Paper Secrets

Our topic for this hop was to use "wood" of some sort.  I decided to use wood hearts scattered throughout my chicken wire on my layout.  I liked the way the dark wood hearts matched the chipboard color!

Supplies Used:

Epoxy Circles: Epiphany Crafts

Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Carta Bella

Stickers: Pebbles, Carta Bella, Jillibean Soup, Heidi Swapp

Decorative Tape: Bella Blvd

As a thank you for stop by today I am doing a giveaway!  I am also up at the Ribbons Unlimited Blog today and thought I would do a giveaway of some of their ribbons!  I will giveaway a variety pack of 18 inches of 10 of their ribbons!  To enter: 

1)Be a Follower Here

2) Leave me a comment

Next up is Kelly Jean!  Enjoy the rest of the hop!

Ribbons Unlimited

I really want you to head over to the Ribbons Unlimited Blog and check out my creation and tutorial so today I am going to just give you a little teaser...

Now hop on over and check it out :)

Using up Scraps

The ladies in my card classes often ask what I do with my scraps.  Generally as a rule I don't keep anything too small.  But just for kicks I thought I'd save pretty much everything from my June Quilted Cards class and see if I could pull together some kind of a layout from them.  Today I have that to share with you!

It's a little wacky but it's also kinda fun with all the negative space! Best of all I didn't cut into one new piece of paper to create this! Gotta love that sweet little smile on my Cooper too!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Jillibean Soup

Stickers: Jillibean Soup

Decorative Tape: Bella Blvd

Die Cuts: Jillibean Soup

Handstitched Birthday Card

As I was sorting thru a stack of layouts today, I found a whole bunch of cards and layouts I haven't shared with you yet!  This first one is perfect for the last day of summer (my kids go back to school tomorrow!)

As I've mentioned before I have been playing with long hand stitches and seeing what kinds of fun backgrounds I can create with them.  For this card I created by sunburst first.  All the bursts go back to one hole....which was ginormous and had to be covered!  I didn't want to go with just a sun because I wanted a contrast in color so I decided to use some pretty blue cloud stickers from Echo Park.  I also added a chipboard banner piece from Pebbles.  I used some liquid pearls to create my little dots and added a birthday sentiment.  This might just be the perfect birthday card for my hubby in a few weeks!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Echo Park, Pebbles, Simple Stories

Stickers: Pebbles, Echo Park

Congrats Card

Today I have one last GCD Studios card to share with you!  It's a pretty clean and simple card that was originally intended to go in there monthly magazine but alas no more!

I decided to go with slanted lines and focus on a blue and yellow color scheme.  The borders and papers all come from GCD Studios (various lines).  II also added several stickers from them to my cluster.  The lovely ribbon (possibly my favorite ribbon EVER) comes from Ribbons Unlimited.  I just got it in navy blue stripes too, oh soooo pretty!  

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: GCD Studios

Wood: Studio Calico

Enamel Dots: My Minds Eye

Ribbon: Ribbons Unlimited

Stickers: GCD Studios & Doodlebug

Carta Bella "Giddy Up" Layout and Altered Embroidery Hoop

Vacation ended and I have been busy recovering and trying to crank out some projects!  A lot has happened in my scrapbooking world in the last few weeks, including that I am no longer on the design team with GCD Studios as they have canceled their design team.  The other big change is that I am no longer with Gina's Designs - but with those big changes comes exciting and happy news.  I can't share it yet, but look for some announcements soon!!!  Today I have another couple projects to share with you that feature the Giddy Up line from Carta Bella.  

First up I created an altered embroidery hoop for a sample for The Scrapbooking Studio!

I love doing these and I haven't had the opportunity to do one in awhile.  The entire thing is made up of paper!  I added a few papers and stickers from the line and tied a big burlap bow.  When I was finished I felt like it was a little too plain so I added the pennants made from washi tape to the bottom and that added just a little extra color and texture.  

My next project is a layout that I thought I had already shared...but I guess I had only done so on Facebook.  I am thrilled to say that I actually won a contest using it!

I liked so many of the patterned papers in this line that I decided to create a grid base so I could use a bunch of them.  Anytime you do that though you have to keep things pretty simple for the rest.  I tiled the whole grid so it wasn't quite so linear.  The pictures on here are just a hodge podge of ones that I hadn't used yet but wanted to!  Perfect chance to get five photos committed!

As we traveled I was able to visit several local scrapbook stores.  Doing so drove home all the more how much I love The Scrapbooking Studio in Bloomington!  The prices are competitive if not better than the others I visited.  In fact there were adhesives and tools that I saw that are significantly cheaper at The Scrapbooking Studio.  I also visited stores that didn't carry a lot of the current lines and the great variety of style that are offered there.  It made me realize even more how blessed we are to have that little store available to us!  The day after we got home, I went in and did some shopping :)

Rolled Paper layouts with My Minds Eye

I love patterned paper and I am so glad to see so many companies offering the 6 X 6 paper pads.  It's such a great way to get all the sheets from a collection without breaking the bank.  I had fun playing with a variety of papers from the Kate & Co line from My Minds Eye to create this layout.  the double sided papers in the pad were perfect for trying out a rolling technique.

 

 I'm a sucker for any patterned paper that includes navy blue.  I'm not sure why but that is definitely my go to color!  To create my rolled paper background I cut 2 X 6 inch strips of paper.  I then did my bottom row, lining it up with the bottom of my white cardstock base but only putting adhesive about 3 inches up.  I rolled over the tops making sure that they were different heights.  I then slid my second row underneath those and did the same.  I knew I wanted to leave the top plain white giving the eyes someplace to rest amongst all the patterns :).I added my pictures with simple clusters of embellishments, letters, and words.  Kind of a fun technique to try!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye

Arrows: Jillibean Soup

Borders: GCD Studios

Letter Stickers: American Crafts & Jillibean soup

Die Cut: american Crafts

First Timer and Loving It

Back today with a fairly clean and simple layout filled with lots of doodling.  Doodling is one of my favorite go to techniques!  This layout focuses on my Lucy's first time fishing last summer in Oklahoma.

I created the wave background with my silhouette, adding strips of pattered paper behind the middle rows.  I felt that it was still a little too plain so I decided then to use some SRM Stickers to fill in some holes and then doodle - adding in lines and outlines.  Because of all the patterns I knew I didn't need to embellish too much - so I just added some sequins and a few fish stickers.  I went with black stickers for dimension and boldness.  I love a title that pops!  Lastly I felt like the outside of the layout needed something so I added some scallop doodling and then colored in random scallops.

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Pebbles

Black Pen: Uniball Signo

Stickers: SRM Stickers, Echo Park, American Crafts

Echo Park "Beautiful Life" Layout

It has been over two weeks since I have done any papercrafting because we have been on vacation.  I don't know if that has happened any time in at least two years!  I've been trying to hold off some projects to share so there wouldn't be a complete lull on the blog.  

In the meantime I got some AWESOME news!  I was asked to be a guest designer for We R Memory Keepers!  When I get home I should have a package waiting for me to work with!  I have long been a fan of their products...especially their tools!

Today I have a little layout to share with you that uses more of the Echo Park "Beautiful Life" line.

These pictures are from the last time we went to California, two years ago!  I used tons of the patterned paper and stickers from this line to create lots and lots of layers.  I also added in some twine and wooden butterflies to add a big of whimsy.  

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Echo park

Decorate Tape: Bella Blvd, My Minds eye

Stickers: Echo Park

Wood: Maya Road

Blog Hop Winner

The winner from the blog hop is:
Molly OBryon Welpott said...
love the quilts:) following you and off to see Kerri
Congrats Molly!  Email me at practicalscrappers@gmail.com and I will get to work on your prize!

Upcoming Storage Class: Webster's Pages Citrus Squeeze

On August 17th I am going to be teaching a class at The Scrapbooking Studio featuring these five containers perfect for your craft room or area.  They feature the beautiful Citrus Squeeze line from Webster's Pages!

These simple storage pieces are designed by fellow Ribbons Unlimited Design team member Jamie and cut out on my Silhouette Cameo.

Pencil (or scissors, ruler, markers...) holder

Round marker box

Desk caddy (my kids have requested these now)

Washi Tape Holder with two different sized drawers to accomodate different sized rolls.

This last box is awesome!  It can hold alcohol inks, stickles, paint...anything with that smaller body type and it has room for twenty of them.  As you can see I couldn't fill it up!

I'd love to have you join me for this class!  If you are interested, call the store at (309)585-0409

Supplies Used:

Ribbons Unlimited Organdy Ribbon Bright Yellow

Websters Pages Patterned Paper

My Minds Eye Washi Tape

American Crafts Cardstock

Silhouette Store Cuts by Jamie Cripps

Storage Cabinet from Gina's Designs

 I can't believe we are already smack dab at the end of July!  One of my summer goals was to work on putting together this storage piece and Ribbons Unlimited had the perfect ribbon to help me finish it off!  Organdy ribbon is probably my favorite (and go to) ribbon on most projects.  I love the selection that Ribbons Unlimited has of this gorgeous ribbon!

This storage piece comes from Gina's Designs and you have to assemble each drawer.  I covered mine with various patterned paper from Echo Park's "Beautiful Life" line.

I then tied bows using the Strawberry Organdy Ribbon .  I stuck a large brad through the bow and then put them through the drawer hole.  The ribbon is perfect for being the pull to get the drawers out and adding a feminine and pretty touch!

Supplies Used:

Ribbons Unlimited Strawberry Organdy Ribbon

Gina's Designs 15 Drawer Storage Cabinet

Echo Park Paper "Beautiful Life"

We R Memory Keepers Brads

Practical Scrappers Specialty Team Blog Hop

This weekend I am participating in the Practical Scrappers Blog Hop!  Our topic is projects that use Chevrons!  You should have arrived here from Michelle's blog but if you didn't you can head back to Practical Scrappers to start the whole hop!  You want to be sure to pop in at Practical Scrappers to get in on the great prize from Scrapbook Pal!  I am also giving away a prize and will share a little more on that after my project!

 To create my chevrons I cut out 1 1/4" squares and laid them all out creating rows of chevrons that mimic a quilt.  I then added in zig zag stitching in between the rows.  It makes for a subtle chevron pattern and allows you to use several patterns that you love!  Because the background has a lot going on I stuck with just one photo (a rarity for me!), used a black and white photograph,  and added a strip of kraft paper the draw the eye in to the photograph.  I embellished very little but what I did use is a lot of round/curved embellishments.  I felt like this helps to break up the rigidity of the squares.  All the supplies come from Echo Park's "Beautiful Life" line.

GIVEAWAY

As a thank you for visiting I'm going to do a giveaway!  Anyone who is a follower here and leaves me a comment will be entered!  I will cut out a variety titles like the "smile" one I used here and send them your way.  I will leave the giveaway open thru the weekend and announce a winner early next week!

Thanks for hopping with us today - your next stop is at Kerri's blog!

August Quilted Cards Class featuring Carta Bella "So Noted"

I prepped all my August classes before I left for vacation (currently on it) and saved some to share with you so there isn't a major lull on the blog!  Here's the samples for my August Quilted Cards Class!

This month we will be working with Carta Bella's So Noted line.  If you are a regular attendee there are a couple things that will be different this time.  First off we won't be using stickers - this is generally a staple in my classes but they just didn't fit into this one!  Second we won't be using any ribbon - again this is usually a staple and they just weren't necessary! What we will be using is lots of paper, folding techniques, flowers, and an Epiphany Crafts Epoxy Square Maker.  We will have some new techniques that I am excited to share!  Here are some close-ups!

The class will be on Friday, August 30th and you can get your spot reserved by calling the store at (309)585-0409

Carta Bella Giddy Up Card

Back today to share a card using that same Giddy Up line from Carta Bella!  

I had fun playing around with the sticker elements for this card.  My friend Cathy is always doing unique things with tags on cards and my tag placement inspiration came from her!  I added some bling to the ribbon sticker.  I also added some mist droplets....a rarity for a card for me!  If you are near The Scrapbooking Studio you can pop in and check this out in person!

Born to Wear Boots: Carta Bella Layout

I have really enjoyed playing with Giddy Up!  This is my second layout for The Scrapbooking Studio - still have a card and altered embroidery hoop coming!  I took Lucy out to do a little photo shoot just for this!

One of my favorite parts of this layout is the burlap bow.  It would be way too much on a card...but for a layout it worked.  I was just kinda playing to see if I could come up with something different to do with burlap.  It comes in so many pretty colors now!  I have enjoyed this line so much, I think I'll have to pick up some of the boy line too!  Cooper wears boots all the time....so it will be perfect!

Supplies Used:

Paper & Stickers: Carta Bella

Enamel Dots: My Minds Eye

Doily: Gina's Designs

Burlap: My Minds Eye

Hello Sunshine - GCD Studios Card

I am up today over at the GCD Studios blog!  I am addicted to border strips.  There, I said it, and I feel better!  Today I am here to share today one of my favorite ways to use border strips!

Bet you are looking at my card right now and wondering where in the world the border strips are...I love to take them and fold them into medallion flowers creating unique flowers.  I used two different scallop borders to create these ones and as you can see they have a slightly different look from your perfectly round medallion flowers.  So the next time you pick up a border, stop and think if there is an out of the box way you can use it!

Supplies Used:

Sunkissed Border Strips #2036

Sunkissed Label Stickers #2033

Sunkissed "Pretty Swimsuit" #2061 Paper

Clean and Simple Sports Card

 I'm busy getting ready for a three week vacation...leaving not so much time to blog!  But I thought I'd pop in and share a quick clean and simple sports card.

I die cut the cap on my Cameo and then just added some washi tape, letters, and stars.  Perfect for one of my special little boys!  

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Pebbles

Washi Tape: My Minds Eye

Letters: Momenta

Stars: Echo Park