Technique Tuesday: Super Easy Oval Bows

Here's my post that I shared today on the Birds of a Feather Kit Club Blog!

First of all, I just need to tell you how amazing the October Kit is! Every kit is my favorite... until the next one comes out! The papers, the embellishments, the alphas, the extras.... everything! **sigh** It's just amazing!

A few weeks ago, I shared a card with a super easy bow and had a few people ask me to share how to make it. Well.... here it is! It's so easy! Not only are these bows great for cards, but I can see them used on layouts, gifts and even wreaths!

First cut four ovals-- two slightly smaller than the others. I used my oval die set, but you can always make a template with your word processing program, or cut them on your die cutting machine. The bigger the ovals, the bigger your bow will be.

Now, using a strong adhesive, bend (don't fold) the larger ovals in half and stick the ends together. I used some super sticky glue squares, but hot glue would also work. You could use wet glue if you're more patient than I am.

Now, cut matching notches in the ends of the two smaller ovals.

 

 

Stick your two folded ovals together and wrap a coordinating paper around them.

Next, simply add your two smaller oval to the back side of your bow and that's IT!!

You can leave it as is, or add a jewel like I did!

Now, add your bow to your project and enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial today and that you'll try it on an upcoming project! And, of course, don't forget to check out the October Kit! The word GORGEOUS doesn't even come close....

Have a great day, everyone!  Thanks for stopping by!

Mason Jar Lanterns

Hey there, peeps!  Here's a fun tutorial I shared on the AWDML Blog last week!

Happy Scrappy Wednesday, everyone! Mason Jar crafts are all the rage right now and today I want to share how to make some Mason Jar Lanterns!! This is a great project to involve the kids on, too!

Check this out!

First I started with my quart size mason jars, mod-podge and food coloring. You'll also need a plastic spoon and paper plate for each jar you plan to make.

First, put about 3/4" of Mod-Podge into the bottom of your jar.

 

Now, add your food coloring. To make Orange, we used about 6 drops of red and 6 drops of yellow.

Use a plastic spoon to stir the food coloring into the Mod-Podge. Keep stirring until it's totally blended. Any streaks left will cause streaks on your jar. The color should be a pastel version of the color you are after. The color will darken up and it will dry in the color of your food coloring since the Mod-Podge turns clear when it dries.

Now, turn your jar on its side and gently roll it back and forth to distribute the colored Mod-Podge evenly throughout the inside of the jar.

Empty out any excess and then turn your jar upside down on a paper plate. I learned that it takes a LONG time to dry this way. And, I ended up putting two chopsticks across my paper plate and setting the jar on top of them so that the air could circulate.

Here's what they look like when they are dry! Isn't that COOL?! OK, I'm not going to lie. The top of the jar is a little messed up because I tried to be impatient and turn them back upright to dry. It didn't work. But, I had a plan on how to cover that up! ;)

I decided to turn the orange jar into a jack-o-lantern by adding a pumpkin face to it using black cardstock.

 

The blue jar has a winter theme so, we added snowflakes to the outside.

I think the blue jar would be pretty with a garden/flower theme, too!

I love how these Mason Jar Lanterns came out and will be using them around our house for seasonal decorations. I can't wait to see what other designs I can come up with! We'd love to see what designs YOU can come up with! Share them on our Facebook page so we can ooh and aah over them!

Keepin' it Simple

Hey, everyone!!  Here's a post that I shared on the AWDML Blog last week!

Happy Scrappy Wednesday, everyone!! Today I want to share a layout where my mission was to use the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid!). In other words, I wanted to get the basics on the page with out any added frills.

My son had the opportunity to try water skiing a few weeks ago. I had a terrible (and painful) experience with my first try at waterskiing and it was a LONG time before I was comfortable to try again. So, I was pretty nervous for him to try it. For his first attempt I was in the boat with my camera at the ready while my uncle and cousin helped him in the water. The boat took off and he came SO close to getting up. He hung on for the longest time and seemed like all he needed to do was stand up. But, alas, he ended up not quite making it. As you may be able to tell from the photos, his lifejacket was too big which may have been part of the issue.

 

 You can see that I incorporated several different patterned papers, banner-style cut papers and scalloped edges. I also matted the photos, included a title, the date, the location and the word "proud." I felt that the photos, the title and the small details told the story without needing to add journaling. Then a few simple, subtle lines around the border of the paged helped to tie everything together.

Here's a close up of the photos. I still can't believe how close he got on his first try!

Just to note: We did change his lifejacket to a better fitting one after this first try and there aren't many more photos since I was in the water helping for the next attempts (my daughter had my camer and enjoyed taking photos of a big dragon fly rather than her brother's attemts at skiing). He held on so long the first time that we were now in the middle of the lake, so I jumped off the side of the boat and helped. Those teenage years as a lifeguard came in handy!

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed my simple layout and are inspired to try a simple one of your own!

September Kit Sweetness!

Here is my post that is on the Birds of a Feather Blog today!

The September kit is SO worth the wait! The colors, the patterns, the embellishments-- everything-- is so fantastically put together! I love that I use things I wouldn't normally choose for myself!

Today I have two projects to share with you!! First a layout. Not just any layout-- a back to school layout! I really enjoyed cutting into the gorgeous papers and using the fun embellishments like the stitched elements in the top right hand corner and the die-cut arrow from the kit extras!

Here's a closeup of the tite. I used some chiboard from my stash that I colored with a Copic Marker. Then I added some alphas that I had kicking around and a heart from the package of super fun wood embellishments from the kit extras.

The kit has some beautiful flowers that have lots of great ways to layer them together. For my flower center, I used the flower from the one of the clips in the kit. I think it worked perfectly together!

I also made a card that is made mostly from the paper in the kit extras. I couldn't resist this amazingly gorgeous Authentique patterned paper and the die-cut was perfect for stamping on my sentiment. The bow was made using oval dies! Maybe I'll have to share a tutorial on how to do it!

I hope that you enjoyed my projets today. If you don't have your September kit yet, DON'T WAIT! There's only a few left in the store! If you have your kit, but not the extras yet be sure to check them out HERE. They are so much fun!

Be sure to check the BOAF Blog often to see more reveals using this fantastic kit from our uber talented design team

Busy Background Fun

Here's a post that I shared on the AWDML Blog last week!

This weekend, I was scrapping some photos that I took last weekend at our long-overdue family reunion and decided to challenge myself to do two things: use a busy background and use something that I've had in my stash for more than 6 months. And, I was able to accomplish both goals! Mostly I want to share how I tamed the busy background paper.

First of all, busy background paper is always a challenge for me. I tend to shy away from it and choose cardstock or cute little patterns. In order to tackle this paper, I decided to create some neutral space in the middle where I would concentrate the majority of my layout. I essentially created a layout that is roughly 8"X8" and put that in the middle of the background paper. I also used a photo that was a slightly contrasting color pallete to the paper line so that it wouldn't be lost on the page. I think it was relatively successful!

Here's a look at the title strips I made with a label maker and some of the fun elements I added from the sticker sheet that matches the line of paper!

And, here's a peek at the title work. I love to create mixed up titles! The word "summer" is from the sticker elements sheet and then I just added some Thickers around it to create the title.

I hope you enjoyed this layout today and that you feel a little more comfortable tackling a busy background paper!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Stay tuned for more great scrappy projects coming up SOON!

Embossing Glitter!

Here's a technique I shared on the BOAF blog last week.  That's RIGHT!  I was invited back to the DT there and I'm SO excited!!

Hey there, everyone! My first official post as a scrap chick this term is a fun and easy technique to incorporate glitter into your cards! One of the things I hate about using glitter on a card is the fact that it comes off. It's pretty to look at, but by the time it's packaged up, mailed and recieved the glitter is smooshed all over the card... or it's gone! Well, today your glitter troubles are over! The solution? Embossing!

First, mix your glitter with CLEAR embossing powder. You have your ratio right when the color of the glitter seems slightly lighter.

Now, stamp your image, or in this case your card sentiment, on to your cardstock using embossing ink.

Cover the stamped image in your glitter/embossing powder mixture and tap off the excess.

Now, simply heat with your embossing/heat gun until the embossing powder. You will notice that the glitter becomes slightly more shiny when it is set. The difference is very subtle, so watch it carefully so you don't burn it.

 Now, just finish your card as you would with a "normal" stamped image or sentiment!

I love the idea of using this technique with red or gold glitter for a Christmas card! I can't wait to try it! I just couldn't bring myself to make a Christmas card in August!

Thank so much for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed the project and are inspired to try one for yourself! Be sure to check out the Echo Park Hello Summer collection that I used for this card in the BOAF Boutique!

My Notes

Hey, there everybody!  Thanks for stopping by today!  Here's the project that I shared last week on the AWDML blog!

Today I have another super easy project that is incredibly versatile and can be used for tons of different occasions! I'm making a notebook for my daughter, but it could be a teacher gift, a mini-album and lots of other things!

First I cut a front and back using my largest die from the Nestibilities Labels One set and Kraft cardstock. You could make this with lots of different shapes and dies! Then, I cut 15 pages using white cardstock and the same die. Why 15 pages, you ask? Because that's how many scraps of white cardstock I had! (This is a fantastic job for a kiddo who is "dying" to scrap with you!)
 

**Note: Check out my Spellbinders Storage system-- an empty CD case and some sticky magnet strip. Pretty genius, eh?

Next, I decorated the cover of my book and cut a hole using my crop-a-dile for the book ring.

Now, I needed to cut a matching hole for each of my pages. Because I was using the crop-a-dile, I could cut several pages at once. So, I lined the pages up carefully and used the hole in the cover as a guide to cut the rest. I did about 3 pages at a time until I'd cut a hole in each. Then, I fed the book ring through the hole.

The last step was to create a simple loop for the pen! I cut a piece of ribbon and wrapped it around the pen. Then I secured ith using the tiny attacher so that it was the right size. Then, I trimmed the ribbon and used some super strong adhesive to adhere it to the back of the front cover.

Then, simply slide the pen into place and the project is done!!

 

I can picture this for SO many uses-- a journal, a coupon book for Mom (free hugs, empty the dishwasher, etc.), a teacher gift, a mini-album, shopping lists... anything!

I hope you enjoyed today's project and are excited to try one for yourself! Thanks so much for stopping by!

A Despicable Card...

Hey, there everyone!  Here's a card I shared a few weeks ago on the AWDML Blog.  I'd planned to get a better photo of it, but SOMEONE took it to work and TACKED it to the bulletin board.  So, well... I'm just glad he liked it enough to do that.  I'll take it as a compliment!  ;)

Today I have a super fun card to share that could be used in any number of ways… party invitations, thank you cards, just-to-make-you-smile cards, anything!

The Minions have taken over my house…and no, I’m not talking about my children. We’re talking about the ones from the uber popular movie “Despicable Me.” With the new movie just now hitting the theaters, my kids are watching them on YouTube and giggling and their silly antics all while begging us to take them to the movies.

So, inspired by my own silly minions, I was inspired to get out my circle dies and punches and create a fun Minion of my own!

 

Isn’t he SUPER cute?! My card base is a 4 1/2″ by 12″ strip of kraft paper folded in half. My yellow cardstock is 4″ wide and I traced my largest Nestibilities Circle Die to create the rounded top. I used the same set of dies to create the eye and the “glasses.” I used a circle punch to create the iris and pupil of his eye and to create his silly grin. I cut very thin strips of black to create his hair and adhered it to the back of his head with my tape runner. Since the paper is so thinly cut, it’s easy to shape it into the direction you want it to go.

The best part about this card? It was created with ALL scraps!

Now, you’re asking yourself, “What would I do with a cute Minion card?” Well, there’s lot’s of posibilities….
–a themd kids’ birthday party invitation
– a Thank You card… “What would I do without YOU as my Minion?”
–a get well card… “Ma-na-ba-ba-woo-woo means Get Well Soon”
– a belated birthday card… “I’m Despicable for forgetting your birthday.” (Give your minion a sad smile for this one!)
– How about a baby card…. “Congratulations on the arrival of your new little Minion!”

The possibilities are truly endless with this little guy! Have fun!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you're inspired to let the Minions take over your scrappy space!

Tulip Card Tutorial

Hey there, everyone!  I was looking back at some of my favorite projects this year and found that I never posted this one here on my blog!  I made this for my mom for Mother's Day.  I'd put off posting it until after she saw it in person and then totally forgot to come back and share!  So, here you go!

Happy Scrappy Wednesday, everyone!! With Mother’s Day right around the corner, I wanted to share with you a simple, but beautiful (if i do say so myself) card that would be perfect for Mom, or can easily be changed to suit many different occasions. And, the tulips are in full bloom around here, these days so I was inspired!

First, I created my card base and then I cut nine ovals using my Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Oval Dies. I decided to make all of my tulips yellow, but they would be pretty in any color!

 

Then, I cut some foam tape into a shape and size similar to my ovals. I adhered the tape to the back of what will be the middle oval/petal of my flower. Then, I added my two other ovals on either side of the middle petal to create my tulip shape.

 

Here is what my three tulips look like once they are all assembled.

 

Then, I added my tulips to my card and added a few final touches. Simple, but sweet!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed my card and that you’re inspired to try one of your own! I think I’m going to make a few of these as thank you cards for the kids’ teachers this year!
Have a fantastic week!

My Loves

Hey there, everyone!!  Here's the layout and post that I shared on the AWDML blog last week!

Happy Scrapy Wednesday, everyone! I hope you're having a fantastic day on this last day of July. Today I have a pretty layout to share with you!

Last week, my friend Patty who is a wonderful photographer took some gorgeous photos of my kids and Duffy. She was sweet enough to give me all of the photos to scrap and I couldn't be more happy! She's the best! So, today I have the first of the series of photos that she took. I really wanted to create a clean, crisp, bright layout that captured the beauty of my kids and the location that is just down the road from my house.

I love the yellows, blues and and greens in Lily Bee's Sweet Shoppe collection and thought they would be perfect for this layout!

I rarely break out the needle and thread to hand stitch, but I really wanted to keep the simple look going on this layout. To make the heart shape, I cut out a large heart with my cricut and then traced around it with my paper piercer to create the pattern for the stitching.

 

The center of the large flower is a wooden button that is part of the Sweet Shoppe Collection. The yellow pearls are actually regular pear accents that I quickly colored with a Copic Marker! I also colored the "MY" in the title with the same marker! Copics make it SO easy to have perfectly matching accents in a matter of seconds! Here's a closeup of one of the flowers so you can see the center.

 

I hope you enjoyed my layout today and some of the tricks that I used to create it! I hope you're inspired to dive right into your scrappy goodies! Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to check out AWDML for all of the supplies used to create this layout and SO much more!!