Page 73 from the January issue of Creating Keepsakes Magazine
If you want to make your own version of this layout you can download a free template from Creating Keepsakes.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
My first published page!
The January edition of Creating Keepsakes Magazine is out and it includes my first published page! (See page 73). I'm so excited to be part of a publication that has brought me inspiration for years.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
12 Tags with Tim Holtz meets Ali Edwards December Daily
Every year I follow the tags that Tim Holtz makes as part of his "12 tags of Christmas" event. (It's safe to call it an event right? I mean for us scrapbookers, it might even be THE event of the season!) I love the artistry of his designs and being a card-carrying tools and technique junkie, well lets just say it's like giving crack to addict (Distress Crackle that is).
I also love Ali Edward's December Daily project, but my holiday season is usually pretty mundane. This time of year is typically my busy season at work, we don't have kids, and for the last few years, I haven't even bothered to decorate. *gasp!*
So this year I had an epiphany... what if I combine the Tim's Tags with Ali's December Daily concept? I mean after all, Tim doesn't do anything with the backs of the tags and they ARE are just BEGGING to be completed.
Thus my hybrid approach was born. *Que the chorus*
First, I designed some daily jounaling cards (a la Becky Higgin's Project 365) that I could print out ahead of time. This way, at the end of each day I could grab one to jot down what I wanted to record for the day even if I don't have time to make a tag. Some days they will be things that happened, other days will be things I want to remember or thoughts of the season. I printed them on some grid paper from October Afternoon because well, I had a scrap of it laying there and it fit in my printer. Yes folks, there are very scientific design choices happening around here.
Once those were printed and trimmed, I set to work creating Tim's Tag No. 4. I started with this one for a few reasons:
Reason #1 - I had most of the supplies.
Reason #2 - It snowed here on December first.
For this tag I pretty closely followed Tim's design, but with a few modifications. For example, I don't have a bird named Coco to share feathers with me, so I used some holly leaves cut out of grunge paper that were leftovers from some other project. I also wanted to work in the new October Afternoon Holiday Style line, so I introduced some elements from that line as well as Very Merry.
I also made a few modifications to the snowflake border. Since I didn't have any packaging to cut up, I used a piece of acrylic I had left over from cutting out my own acrylic album pages. Then, I wanted it to have the look of glistening snow, so I painted the backside with pearl paint. In hindsight, the pearl came out looking pretty metallic, so if I was to do it again, I'd probably use the Making Memories pearl white paint instead. It has more of an iridescent shine to it.
I think Tim said not to heat the acrylic, but since I tend not to follow directions well, I went ahead and did it anyway. Don't you like the texture it adds?
I also love Ali Edward's December Daily project, but my holiday season is usually pretty mundane. This time of year is typically my busy season at work, we don't have kids, and for the last few years, I haven't even bothered to decorate. *gasp!*
So this year I had an epiphany... what if I combine the Tim's Tags with Ali's December Daily concept? I mean after all, Tim doesn't do anything with the backs of the tags and they ARE are just BEGGING to be completed.
Thus my hybrid approach was born. *Que the chorus*
First, I designed some daily jounaling cards (a la Becky Higgin's Project 365) that I could print out ahead of time. This way, at the end of each day I could grab one to jot down what I wanted to record for the day even if I don't have time to make a tag. Some days they will be things that happened, other days will be things I want to remember or thoughts of the season. I printed them on some grid paper from October Afternoon because well, I had a scrap of it laying there and it fit in my printer. Yes folks, there are very scientific design choices happening around here.
Click to bigify.
Supplies: October Afternoon, American Crafts, KaiserKraft, Martha Stewart, Epson, Colorbox
Once those were printed and trimmed, I set to work creating Tim's Tag No. 4. I started with this one for a few reasons:
Reason #1 - I had most of the supplies.
Reason #2 - It snowed here on December first.
For this tag I pretty closely followed Tim's design, but with a few modifications. For example, I don't have a bird named Coco to share feathers with me, so I used some holly leaves cut out of grunge paper that were leftovers from some other project. I also wanted to work in the new October Afternoon Holiday Style line, so I introduced some elements from that line as well as Very Merry.
Click to bigify.
Supplies: Tim Holtz, Sizzix, October Afternoon, Making Memories, Copic, Ranger, Kaiser Kraft, Bazzill.
The holly on his hat was cut out of grunge paper using a Cricut. The awesome thing is that since grunge paper takes alcohol inks, I was able to color it using Copic markers. Now lets keep in mind that I'm totally a Copic novice. I actually only own them to recolor embellishments. So I was pretty pleased when these turned out quite nicely!I also made a few modifications to the snowflake border. Since I didn't have any packaging to cut up, I used a piece of acrylic I had left over from cutting out my own acrylic album pages. Then, I wanted it to have the look of glistening snow, so I painted the backside with pearl paint. In hindsight, the pearl came out looking pretty metallic, so if I was to do it again, I'd probably use the Making Memories pearl white paint instead. It has more of an iridescent shine to it.
I think Tim said not to heat the acrylic, but since I tend not to follow directions well, I went ahead and did it anyway. Don't you like the texture it adds?
Have you been participating in the 12 Tags? Leave a comment and share a link to you tags with us!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Christmas Cards on Wednesdays
What can I say? I just can't resist a good kraft paper base!
Still working on getting those cards made and ready to send? No problem, here's another simple (and easy to replicate) design to add to your repertoire. Hey, sometimes simple says it best, right? ;)
Although, the star is a wee bit lumpy, so you might want to save this one for hand delivery.
Still working on getting those cards made and ready to send? No problem, here's another simple (and easy to replicate) design to add to your repertoire. Hey, sometimes simple says it best, right? ;)
Design for The Scrapbooking Studio
Patterned paper - Teresa Collins; Kraft paper - DMD; Black cardstock - Bazzill; Corrugated heart - Jillibean Soup; Star stick pin - Maya Road; Stamp - Inkadoo; Ink - VersaFine; Green ribbon - May Arts
Although, the star is a wee bit lumpy, so you might want to save this one for hand delivery.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Christmas Cards on Wednesdays
Well, since it's the last day of November, it's fair to switch over to Christmas projects, right?
So today I bring you a quick and simple little card to make it easy to whip up enough for your entire list!
So today I bring you a quick and simple little card to make it easy to whip up enough for your entire list!
Supplies: Pattern paper, chipboard accents - Teresa Collins; Kraft Cardstock - DMD; Black - Bazzill; Circle Punch - EK Success; Stamp - Inkadoo; Ink - VersaFine; Pen - Copic; Jute twine - May Arts
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Easy peasy!
...lemon squeezy?
I have no idea how that really goes, but let me tell you. I've found a new product that I'm totally in L-O-V-E with!
Well... if you love it so much, why don't you marry it?
Well... I just might! :)
Recently I had a little bit of a run-in with the Bind It All machine when I was making the Teresa Collins Christmas planner. To make a long story short, many planner pages were ruined, explatives shouted, and the tool cursed. It went back in the box and straight back to the store. (Honestly, I'm not sure it even made it a full 24 hours in my house!) "There HAS to be a better way to do this, "I thought. And it turns out there is!
The Cinch binding tool from We R Memory Keepers! This thing is slick! Cuts through chipboard like buttah! Holes are easy to line up when you're doing longer runs of binding. Everything lays flat while you're punching so there's no ackwardness as you try to keep the pages level and punch the holes. The punch-fetti goes straight into the little tray-it doesn't sit in the paper area blocking the pages from sitting even (unlike the Bind it All). The holes are a lovely circular shape (hey, little things make me happy) instead of rectangular like most wirebinding punches. The tool sits nice and stable on the table while you are punching and binding. You push in or pull out the little pegs to punch exactly the right number of holes and to center them based on the length of your binding run. They even put the punching instructions right on the tool so you don't have to worry about misplacing the instruction booklet. Plus, if you destest wire binding like I do, you have the option of spiral binding as well.
Oh, and if you don't want to use
I've purchased several We R Memory Keepers tools over the years (the Crop-a-Dile, the Big Bite, the Corner Chomper, and Sew Easy) and I have to tell you, they have never disappointed me! Their product quality and design have always been top notch!
FTC Disclosure: This is an independent, uncompensated product testimonial.
I have no idea how that really goes, but let me tell you. I've found a new product that I'm totally in L-O-V-E with!
Well... if you love it so much, why don't you marry it?
Well... I just might! :)
Recently I had a little bit of a run-in with the Bind It All machine when I was making the Teresa Collins Christmas planner. To make a long story short, many planner pages were ruined, explatives shouted, and the tool cursed. It went back in the box and straight back to the store. (Honestly, I'm not sure it even made it a full 24 hours in my house!) "There HAS to be a better way to do this, "I thought. And it turns out there is!
The Cinch from We R Memory Keepers, MSRP $109
The Cinch binding tool from We R Memory Keepers! This thing is slick! Cuts through chipboard like buttah! Holes are easy to line up when you're doing longer runs of binding. Everything lays flat while you're punching so there's no ackwardness as you try to keep the pages level and punch the holes. The punch-fetti goes straight into the little tray-it doesn't sit in the paper area blocking the pages from sitting even (unlike the Bind it All). The holes are a lovely circular shape (hey, little things make me happy) instead of rectangular like most wirebinding punches. The tool sits nice and stable on the table while you are punching and binding. You push in or pull out the little pegs to punch exactly the right number of holes and to center them based on the length of your binding run. They even put the punching instructions right on the tool so you don't have to worry about misplacing the instruction booklet. Plus, if you destest wire binding like I do, you have the option of spiral binding as well.
Oh, and if you don't want to use
I've purchased several We R Memory Keepers tools over the years (the Crop-a-Dile, the Big Bite, the Corner Chomper, and Sew Easy) and I have to tell you, they have never disappointed me! Their product quality and design have always been top notch!
FTC Disclosure: This is an independent, uncompensated product testimonial.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Crate Paper Card
Hello blogosphere! Sorry to have neglected you these past few weeks. I've been under the weather :(
Here's a cheery little "everyday" card for you. I have started making card bases up so that when I'm in a pinch and in need of a card I can just add a quick sentiment and be on my way.
Here's a cheery little "everyday" card for you. I have started making card bases up so that when I'm in a pinch and in need of a card I can just add a quick sentiment and be on my way.
Supplies: Kraft paper - The Paper Studio; Patterned Papers - Crate paper 6x6 pad; Flowers: Prima; Button - vintage find; Scalloped Card Die - Sizzix.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Let it Snow!
Whew! It's been a flurry of activity in my world lately. Last week I worked 40 hours in 4 days at the real job, hosted a scrapbooking retreat, attended an all day auction, and traveled a whopping 400 miles. That's just plain crazy!
In typical Iowa fashion, it was 76 degrees yesterday and now there is snow in the forecast for today! Since the flakes will be flying, I thought it was only fitting to share the a spread from a series of layouts about a blizzard we had two years ago.
One of the great things about technology is our ability to take photos and video pretty much anywhere. The challenge to documenting the videos is finding a way to include them in your scrapbooks too. This layout features a series of stills taken from video of my husband leaping the drift at the front door in order to get out of our house so we could start digging out. There were some crazy drifts at our house that day! The one at the front door was about knee high at the threshold and our front door is about 2 ft higher than the front yard. Crazy, huh?
In typical Iowa fashion, it was 76 degrees yesterday and now there is snow in the forecast for today! Since the flakes will be flying, I thought it was only fitting to share the a spread from a series of layouts about a blizzard we had two years ago.
One of the great things about technology is our ability to take photos and video pretty much anywhere. The challenge to documenting the videos is finding a way to include them in your scrapbooks too. This layout features a series of stills taken from video of my husband leaping the drift at the front door in order to get out of our house so we could start digging out. There were some crazy drifts at our house that day! The one at the front door was about knee high at the threshold and our front door is about 2 ft higher than the front yard. Crazy, huh?
Design Team Project for The Scrapbooking Studio.
Click to bigify.
Supplies: Patterned paper, chipboard shapes, small letter stickers by Basic Grey; die cut snowflakes and banner by Lifestyle Crafts; cardstock - Bazzill; large letter stickers by Bella Blvd; snowflake punch by Martha Stewart Crafts.
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