Love You More Layout

First off I want to announce the winner from the blog hop this past weekend! Iris!!!

 Iris said...

Super cute layout and pretty blog candy. I follow you with Google friend connect and Like you on FB.

isoscia at aol dot comGo ahead and shoot me an email at practicalscrappers@gmail.com and I will get your prize off to you!

Now on to my project that was featured today on the Chicagoland Scrapbookers Magazine site!  The layout is based on this sketch created by me :)

I didn't follow the sketch exactly because, well, I almost never do :)  I cut the hearts out of my base and then added patterned paper behind them.  Outlining them with black made them pop a little more.  I added in the pictures of my little guy who likes to call himself "diddy kong" who is a character in the Donkey Kong family.  

The bright colors from Pebbles line "From Me to You" were perfect.  Let's face it, bright colors and three year olds just belong together!  I did lots of outlining and doodling giving it a whole lot of personal touch.  The final piece was to do splatters.  I don't know why I wait until last to do that!  At first I didn't like them, but once they dried, it was better.  I'm trying to embrace the splatters and messy fun :)

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Pebbles

Enamel Dots: Freckled Fawn

Stickers: Bella Blvd & Pebbles Inc

Wood Arrows: Studio Calico

Mist: Studio Calico

Imaginisce Valentine Layout

With all the blog hopping I have been doing, I haven't had the chance yet to share my Imaginisce project that went up on Valentine's Day.  I did a lot of Valentine's projects over the last month but this was the only one that actually was about me and my hubby!

I made a sort of nutty decision when creating this and decided to focus in on red, black, and white for colors.  That was crazy because those aren't the dominant colors in the current lines from Imaginisce.  But I mixed and matched and threw in some pink to make it all come together!  I die cut and punched hearts as well as adding some IRock hearts and some wood hearts.  Tip: I sometimes forget that a title can be huge and take center stage.  It was fun to go to the computer and cut a title that would take up almost the whole length of the layout!  Other than my picture I wanted the eye to be drawn into the title and the hearts and I think I managed that with the big bold lettering in the title.   

 Hope you had a great Valentine's day with your loved ones!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Imaginisce

Stickers: Imaginisce, SRM Stickers

Doilies: SRM STickers

Cardstock: American Crafts

IRocks: Imaginisce

Buttons: Imaginisce

Wood: Studio Calico

Practical Scrappers - Scrapping our Valentine's Stash Blog Hop

Welcome to the Practical Scrappers Blog Hop 

where we are Scrapping our Stash.

If you are looking for the Samantha Walker Blog Hop - scroll down a couple posts!

This month we are focusing on scrapping our Valentine's stash, or at least stash that has to do with love.  I never realized how much Valentine's stash I had until I started working on this project!  We are thrilled to have Kiwi Lane Designs sponsoring this month!  

Kiwi Lane Designs creates templates that help take the frustration out of scrapbooking!  And one lucky winner today will get a border set and an accessory set from Kiwi Lane.  We are big fans of Kiwi Lane Designs and in fact have several members of our design team who either currently or in the past have been a part of their design team!  Details on how you can win this prize are available at Practical Scrappers - and details on how you can win a prize from me are at the bottom of this post!

Practical Scrappers Blog Hop List

Practical Scrappers 

Krissy Clark

Christine Meyer ****You Are Here***
Kim Ryden ****Head Here Next***
Patty Selah
Charity Hotrum

Lissa Mitchell
Jennifer Haggerty
Alison Day

Bobbi Smith

Michelle Johns
Kerri Yarus

Cathy Harper

Nicole Laha
Lanette Erickson

Majken Pullin

Erin Morehouse

Lisa Peeples
Claude Campeau
Wendy Coffman
Lee-Anne Thornton

Now on to my Project!

I used an old Valentine's line from American Crafts along with some goodies from SRM Stickers and Bella Blvd.  I bought this American Crafts line after Valentine's last year with the intention of using it for magazine submissions for this year, but time fell short - so I got to use it for just plain old fun instead!  One of my favorite things to do with layouts is to use a grouping of photos that aren't necessarily from the exact same moment in time but show the kids personalities coming thru.  For this one I did one of each of my kiddos!  Can you guess which one is the family clown????  

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: American Crafts

Die Cuts: American Crafts

Stickers: Bella Blvd, SRM Stickers

As a thanks for stopping by today I have a giveaway!

I am giving away some pieces from this same line as well as some other coordinating goodies!

To enter you can do any of the following for up to 2 entries:

1) Become a follower here thru the follower button

2) Become a fan on my facebook page

Make sure to leave me a comment here or on facebook so I know what you did! 

I will announce a winner on Monday! 

Now hop on over to Kim's blog and see what she has to share!

"Special Delivery" Baby Boy Card

If you are looking for the Samantha Walker Blog Hop Post you can find it right below this!

I have been enjoying playing with the newest baby line from Pebbles "Special Delivery."  I picked up pieces from the boy part of the line...cause there's just a few boys around this house....

The little duck is a die cut as is the polaroid I put him into!  I mounted that onto other paper and added some sweet stickers from the line.  I love the combination of the sky blue and navy blue topped off with my fave color to scrap with yellow!  

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Pebbles

Die Cuts: Pebbles

Enamel Dots: Freckled Fawn

Washi Tape: Bella Blvd

Twine: The Twinery

Samantha Walker Creative Team Blog Hop - Love

Welcome to the Samantha Walker Creative Crafters Team Blog Hop!

You should have arrived here from Nicole's blog.

We have a fabulous giveaway this month sponsored by Spellbinders!

It is the Spellbinders' Butterfly Garden Grand Impressabilities 

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 love and there are tons of great files available from Samantha on this topic!  I oped to do a layout about my youngest son's first day of life with Daddy.  

I really wanted the Daddy heart to be the focal point of the layout.

First I sized it to an appropriate size for a 12 X 12 layout.

Then I added a circle around it and cut it out in the colors I wanted to use.

One of the things I wanted to try was tucking everything into one level layer - like puzzle pieces. Instead of piling it on top of each other.  So first I assembled the heart. Then the circle (with the heart part already cut out) went right above it.  And then I had one more piece that is the background of my layout (with the circle cut out) that I added on top of that. It created a really different look than Use a whole 12 X 12 topped with a circle, topped with a heart, topped with a word. For starters, it's doesn't weight a ton :)

Supplies Used:

Samantha Walker Studio Files: Daddy heart #44013

Heart Pennant Flags #54446

Rough & Tumble Collection

Keepin' Cozy Collection

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

through the Rafflecopter widget to receive your

FREE SVG and Silhouette Studio file! 

Click on the image below to head to Samantha's Facebook Page:

Valentine's Card

Today on Practical Scrappers they are playing with one of my card sketches!  Here it is and here is my interpretation!

I went very simple!  I thought about doing a layered freestyle collage type card, but I was low on time and mojo so I just went with fussy cutting some pretty hearts from an old Valentine's line and used the always perfect SRM Stickers as my detailed touches!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee

Stickers: SRM Stickers

Wood: Studio Calico

Embossing Folder: Crate Paper

KLD Blog Hop Winner

Congrats to the winner of my prize from the Kiwi Lane Blog Hop. 

Kimberly Fordyce!

Please send me an email at practicalscrappers@gmail.com to claim your prize!

The facebook winner will be announced on my facebook page!

Simple Stories "Daily Grind" layout

I've been off for a few days, giving y'all the chance to hop with the Kiwi Lane hop that was going on, but I'm back with lots to share this week!  First off, I have one last Daily Grind project to share as part of my design team work for The Scrapbooking Studio.

One of the most important things for me to document in my layouts is everyday life stuff.  The cute things that my kids do that quickly fade away (but I want to remember forever).  This layout does that.  Not only does it show some of Cooper's cute faces but it also talks about two phrases that he uses all the time.  I layered die cuts, patterned papers, chipboard, and stickers to pull together pieces from throughout this Simple Stories line.  

Coming up later this week...two more blog hops....which means two more chances at giveaways for you!

Supplies Used:

All supplies used are from Simple Stories

Kiwi Lane Blog Hop

I love blog hops and am excited to be joining a group of Kiwi Lane Fans in one today full of scrapbook inspiration with ideas to use their designer templates! 

 I am the last stop on the blog today so if you have just started here you should head back to Kiwi Lane and do the whole thing!  There is a great big giveaway of a $25 gift certificate to the Kiwi store for commenting on the blogs and I have a giveaway too!  More details on mine after the layout!

I love Doodlebug Design's "Sweethearts" Collection and knew I wanted to play with it for this.  I created my layout using a couple different template sets: The Chevron Border set and the Sweetheart Accessory Set.  The Chevron border set is pretty much my favorite.  All I did was use it to cut out three borders and then cut them apart.  I reassembled them with the three colors in various places.  It is a super easy technique that really packs a punch.  

As a Thank You to all of you for stopping by today I am doing a giveaway of two separate prizes!  One for a follower here on my blog and one for being a fan on my facebook page!

-If you become a follower here on my blog and leave me a comment telling me you did so - I will enter you into a drawing for the Paradise Accessory Set and some Bakers Twine.

-If you become a fan on my facebook page and leave a comment on the wall there - I will enter you into a drawing for the Sweetheart Accessory Set.

I will announce the winners on Monday!

Now, head on back to Kiwi Lane and make sure to leave a comment and get yourself entered for the big prize!

A couple of "lovely" cards

I am blogging today at CutCardStock and sharing a couple of "love" cards!  I had so much fun creating both of these!

The different color combination on this one really makes this one pop.  I created my bottom layer of ruffles using an American Crafts border punch.  Once I had layered those on I added a row of Imaginisce rhinestones.

Next up I have a card featuring Doodlebug Designs "Sweetheart" Collection.  I love the combination of the kraft color with the red and pinks.  One of the patterned papers in the line is a graph style paper.  I decided to use it to cut out the word Love and then to cut out a little crossword looking piece for the focal point of my card.  I think this is my favorite paper in the collection!!! 

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: CutCardstock

Patterned Paper: Doodlebug Design, Bella Blvd

Rhinestones: Imaginisce

Enamel Dots: Recollections

Ribbon: American Crafts

Doily: Jillibean Soup

Chipboard: American Crafts

"Daily Grind" by Simple Stories Cards

Time to share some cards from the Daily Grind line from Simple Stories!  I absolutely loved working with this line for The Scrapbooking Studio.  I love to think outside of the box with products and this line really challenged me to do just that!

This was the fist card I made and it uses everything from stickers to die cuts to chipboard.  I love the combination of the different "wood" papers with the red and teals.

For this one I was looking for a creative way to use the stickers that named the days of the week.  So I used them to kinda drive home the "Thank You" point, finishing the whole thing with "Everyday."

Supplies Used:

Patterned Papers; Simple Stories

Die Cuts: Simple Stories

Stickers: Simple Stories

Chipboard: Simple Stories

Rubons: Pebbles Inc

Kiwi Lane - Tip Time Tuesday!

I am up over at Kiwi Lane today with some fresh ideas on using the templates on your cards and layouts and combining that with Hemptique goodies!

For my tip time this month I decided to focus on doing outlining of the templates with a pen.  For my layout I did just black and used one template (the heart).  This layout tells the story of when my youngest son was born and went into the NICU.  The pictures reflect that waiting period...it was no fun!

For my card I did multiple templates and did both green and blue markers.  I love the whimsical feel this technique adds!  If you'd like to see more close ups you can hop on over to the Kiwi Lane Blog!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Bella Blvd

Stickers: Jillibean Soup, Bella Blvd, Momenta, Pebbles, Fancy Pants

Twine: Hemptique

Enamel Dots: Freckled Fawn

Samantha Walker Owl Creations

 Today is my very first post over at Samantha Walker's blog!  I am going to share with you one of Samantha's new files from this past week and how to use the various layers of it!  This file is an owl and can be found in the Silhouette Store now! I am going to share with you the pictures of the different projects - for the full blown tutorial you will want to head to this post.

 First up I am going to show you what happens if you use just the outline layer of the owl.

Because of all the detail in it - you get a striking image without having to do much to it!  

When you open the file you will get what is essentially three layers.  You will want to ungroup these and remove everything but the top outline layer. Tip: A gluestick was the perfect adhesive for attaching this owl...I tried several different things and settled on that!

For my second project I added in another layer!  I used this owl as an attachment on a jar of candy.

Last up I have an owl that I turned into a shaped card and utilized all the pieces available in this file!

So there you have it - from one layer to three!  

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