Happy Summer Days Layout

 

Hi everyone, today I wanted to share with you one of my recent layouts.  I made this one to submit for the SEI design team call.  Unfortunately I didn't make the cut this time, but I can share it with you.

 

 

I love the bright colors of this Echo Park paper collection, Summer Days.  I chose this picture of my daughter's and in-laws at the Aquarium because the colors worked with the paper.  I made the pinwheels from squares of paper to add a fun touch and custom embellishments. 

 

Supplies used:

Cardstock: American Crafts

Patterned Paper: Echo Park - Summer Days

Stickers: Echo Park - Summer Days

Brads: We R Memory Keepers

Rhinestones - Queen & Co. and Recollections

Adhesive

Paper Trimmer

Scissors

Ruler

 

 

Thanks for looking ~ Michelle ~

Jump Layout

I thought I'd share a layout I made for my youngest daughter's baby album.  She's two now and I'm still way behind but I've definately made some progress on it.

 

I cut strips of purple, pink and blue polka dot paper and wove the together to create the background.  It's a pretty simple layout but I think the background adds some punch.

 

Thanks for looking ~ Michelle~

Hey Sunshine Card

I wanted to share another card I made with my Bella Blvd goodies.  This one uses paper from their Sunshine & Happiness line and alphabet stickers from their Birthday Girl line.  I love both these lines and they work well together. 

I love the pop of the pink and green colors.  The sun is fussy cut from a sheet of patterned paper and adhered with pop up adhesive.  Aside from the base, with a few cuts of paper and adhesive this card is simple and quick to put together.  To make the base trim a piece of cardstock to 4 1/4" x 8 1/2" and score it at the 5 1/2" mark.  Then trim a second piece of cardstock to 3" x 8" and score at 4".  Once you adhere the patterned paper to your cardstock bases attach the smaller base to the larger base in the center.  It too is simple to make.

Supplies list
Cardstock: American Crafts, Patterned Paper:  Bella Blvd, Alphabet Stickers: Bella Blvd, Ink: Close to My Heart, paper trimmer and scoring tool

Thanks for looking ~ Michelle ~

Gable Gift Box Tutorial

As many of you might know I've written several tutorials for Craft Warehouse as part of their design team, but I've finally written a tutorial to feature here on my own blog.  I've been wanting to do this for a while and finally here it is.  Today I'm going to share with you step by step instructions to make this beautiful Gable Box. 

 

Supply List

 

Patterned Paper or Cardstock

Scor-Pal or other scoring tool

Bone Folder

Scor-tape

Scalloped oval die / punch

Decorative border punch

Corner Rounder

Hole Punch

Paper Trimmer

Scissors

Ribbon

strong quick dry adhesive

 

  

First trim a piece of 12" x 12" patterned paper (you want this to be a heavier paper so it can support itself) or cardstock to 8 1/2" x 11".  Here I used Crate Paper's Little Bo Peep line.

 

Next lay the paper lengthwise on your score board (or other scoring tool) and score at 1/2", 3 1/2", 5 3/4" and 8 3/4". 

 

 

Flip your paper so it's vertical with your score board and sore at 3" and 6 1/2".

 

 

Next use a bone folder to pre-fold on the score lines. 

 

 

With your paper lengthwise, cut slits on the score lines from the bottom to the score line perpendicular to it, flip your paper and do the same on the bottom.  Your paper should be solid in the middle and have flaps on the top and bottom, and look like this...

Cut off the top and bottom pieces on the side with the 1/2" flap so just the center on that end is remaining.

 

Now it's time to make the handles.  For this I used a scalloped oval from my Spellbinders Nestabilities dies.  I used the 3rd from the largest oval.

 

 

For this I had to fold my box in half at one of the score lines and line up and run each handle through the die cutter one at a time.  Make sure to fold down all the flaps so that only the piece you want to is cut.  It can be a little tricky but I just eyeballed it and mine came out nicely.  If you have a punch you could use that too.

 

 

Now use your corner rounder to round the corners of the handle.  I did this after I cut my handles but you can do this before to make it a bit easier to handle.

 

 

Okay, now we can assemble the box.  On the inside of the box apply scor-tape to the two non handle top flaps, the two opposite flaps on the bottom, and the outside of the 1/2" flap on the side. 

 

Though the picture shows this step before I rounded the corners the scor-tape can be applied at any point, but I recommend you apply it when you are going to need it. 

 

Starting with the 1/2" side flap in the middle remove the liner from the scor-tape and create the box by joining the small flap to the inside of the other end to form the box.  You may need to fold the flaps out of the way for convenience.

 

Then remove the liner from the two top flaps and fold them in and adhere to the inside walls of the box.

 

 

To create the bottom of the box fold in the two flaps without scor-tape first.

 

 

Then fold remove the liner and fold down one bottom flap with adhesive.

 

 

Then repeat with the other flap.

 

 

Now you have a completed box and you are ready to embellish.

 

 

You could embellish this lovely little box however you'd like but I'm going to quickly show you how to make your own decorative edge fan fold flower.

 

First cut a strip of patterned paper 1 1/2" x 12".  Next punch one of the 12" sides with a decorative border punch, like the Martha Stewart one I used here.  I like this one because it makes it simple to score and fold and looks pretty. 

 

 

Next take your score board or scoring tool and on the front side of the paper score at every low point. You may have to move your paper around to line up the points to score.

 

 

Now flip the paper over the so back side is facing up and score at every high point, or the middle point of each scallop, again you might have to move your paper to get it to align properly.

 

 

Now use your bone folder to accordion fold the strip of paper.

 

 

When you are done it should look like this.

 

 

Now I like to take the two ends and meet them together to get the circle shape.  Then apply a small strip of scor-tape to the back side of one edge of the folded piece of paper.

 

 

Remove the liner and attach to the other end to create a circle.

 

 

Next cut a small square or circle of scratch paper and apply a generous amount of a strong, wet, quick dry adhesive to the scratch paper and fold the pleated circle down so the decorative edge is on the outside of a flat circle.  Hold in place to allow time to set (I like to find something heavy to set on it for a few minutes).

 

Embellish the center with a brad, button or a decorative fussy cut flower like I did.  When it's all dry attach the fan fold flower to the box.

 

Use a hole punch to punch two holes in the top of each handle and close with a length of decorative ribbon.

 

Thanks for looking ~ Michelle ~

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bella Blvd Birthday Card

Well I haven't posted anything this past week as I was busy working on my submission pieces for the Bella Blvd design team call.  My go to store for scrapbook paper didn't carry any Bella Blvd so I had to order online and by the time it arrived I had a little more than a week to create my entry pieces.  I did create a few extra projects, so I had more options and I wanted to share one with you here today.

I created this recessed window card specifically to use the WISHES banner on, I just thought it would work well together.  The rest just fell into place.  I love the font of the alphabet stickers, and wanted to make sure to use them.  The green square is attached with pop dots as is the happy birthday sticker.  The scalloped edge is a border sticker that I cut into three pieces.  On the four corners  used my epiphany crafts punch to punch out the center of 4 flowers from one of the patterned paper pieces.  The epiphany crafts punch, punches and adhere's the paper to an epoxy shape.

Supply list -

Cardstock - American Crafts

Patterned paper -Bella Blvd - Birthday Girl

Stickers - Bella Blvd - Birthday Girl

Punch / epoxy shape - Epiphany Crafts

Adhesive - ATG tape gun, pop dots and glue dots

Paper Trimmer

Scoring tool

scissors


Thanks for looking ~ Michelle ~

Home and Garden Welcome Announces Guest Designers

I was excited to recive a happy email yesterday, I was offered a guest designer spot in December for Home and Garden Welcome.  I'm excited for this new opportunity and look forward to a new challange soon.  You can check out the Home and Garden Welcome Blog and their online store here.

~ Michelle ~

Take Flight Layout

One of the biggest challenges I get are the kits we get for the scrapbook challenge at the Salem, OR Craft Warehouse scrapbook club.  Why you might ask?  Well, you are given a handful of product to create a layout with.  You must use a portion of each item somehow on the layout.  For me the challenge isn't so much using a piece of everything, but more of how to make the most of the little bit we've been given. 

For August's challenge my kit contained a 12 x 12 piece of lime green cardstock, a 6 x 12, 4 x 6 & a thin strip of patterened paper from Echo Park's Eclectic line, some bakers twine and a paper clip with a bow on it. 

Fortunately a portion of the paper had hot air balloons on it and I imediately knew I wanted to create a layout using a photo of a hot air balloon that I had taken from my backyard. 

Here's what I came up with.

I added the pink and orange & white cardstock, the transparency, the thickers, and two additional colors of baker's twine.  The paper clip is holding the white piece of cardstock that has the journaling tucked in the pocket. And I used the baker's twine on a few of the balloons that I fussy cut from the paper.

 

 

 
Thanks for looking ~ Michelle ~

Sweet Baby Layout

 

Just got back from a short vacation and wanted to share a layout.  This is another layout created for the scrapclub challenge at Craft Warehouse. 

 

 

I fussy cut the butterflies and flowers from a piece of the paper we were provided.  I make it a point to try different techniques on these layouts. For this one I used pliers to cut the large brad in half and cut the flower in half so I was able to use it in two spots for the title.   The brad did not cut as easily as I was hoping but I do like the look I got with using the halves.

 

Thanks for looking, Michelle

Die Cut Heart Mobile

I got a cricut not too long ago and wanted to share one of the projects I created with it.  I had seen a cute mobile at a Saturday Market and had been wanting to make one of my own for awhile so that was one of my first projects.

I used the inside of a hoop ring for the top and white thread is criss crossed across the ring to allow me to hang strands around the inside and outside.  For the hearts I used my cricut to cut the shapes and I love that with a press of a button you can flip and cut the mirror image.  Then I cut lengths of thread and attached two hearts back to back at several points on the thread.  Attach each strand to the hoop or a piece of thread in the middle until you get the desired look.  Then I covered the hoop with ribbon. 

This is one of my favorite projects and will definately be making another one soon.

Thanks for looking ~ Michelle ~

Dada's Girl Layout

Here's a layout I made using Graphic 45's Little Darling line.  I received the cardstock and paper as part of a scrapbook challange from the Salem, OR Craft Warehouse scrap club.  The only requirement is that you have to use a portion of each piece of paper or embellishment provided.

I added ribbon, flowers, brads and the foam and chipboard alphabet stickers to complete this layout of my oldest and my husband.

Thanks for looking ~ Michelle ~

Blissful Day Card

Today I wanted to share a card that I made awhile back using Authentique's Carefree line.  I fussy cut the butterfies and flower from the patterned paper.  I used staples on the butterflies bodies.  To create the paper coils, cut thin strips of paper and wrap around something thin and round. 

Thanks for looking ~ Michelle ~

Craft Warehouse Announces 2012 - 2013 Guest Design Team

Craft Warehouse announced their 2012 - 2013 guest design team this week.  I'm excited to be able to continue working with Craft Warehouse this year.

Thanks for looking ~ Michelle ~

Craft Warehouse DT Assignment 6

Well with this post I'm sharing the last 3 projects for the 2011 Craft Warehouse Design Team.  What a great experience this has been, I'm so glad that I got to be a part of it. 

We were given three very different assignments, the first was to create an altered canvas featuring a set of 4" alphabet stamps provided.  Here's what I came up with.

We were asked to use the a canvas flower and shapes, the burlap ribbon and shapes, a clothes pin, Tim Holtz distress stain and restist paper.  My first step was using the distress stain on the resist paper, I chose one with butterflies and dragonflies on it.  Once it was dry I fussy cut the ones I wanted to use.  The distress stain I received was aged mahogany, a brick red color.  I used this for my inspiration for color for the project.  I stamped the word hope with the stamps and a combination of red, white and black paint to create a marbled look with the letters.  I then used the same paint combo and distressed the edges of the black canvas flower to create a little pop.  The shapes I received were pennants which I used as accents under the flower.  I wanted to do something different with the clothes pin so I decided to take it apart and just use it as an accent. 

The next part of the assignment was a Disney themed layout.  Each DT member received 1 of 3 possible themes, Mickey/Disney, Winnie the Pooh or Princess.  I was so excited to receive the princess line as I have two little girls who are very into princess's right now. 

I actually had the girls dress up and have a tea party to get these photos.  I wanted to show a way to use the actually princess's that were printed on the paper I received.  There are often times I see cute papers like these and think how would you use that?  So I fussy cut around the two princess, leaving some of the background to use as part of the embellishements. 

We were given washi tape to use in someway on the layout, I covered squares of patterned paper with the washi tape and create the little rosettes to add dimension to the rosettes on the paper by Sleeping Beauty. 

We were also given baker's twine to use.   For this I took a pop dot and coiled teh baker's twine around it to create a one of a kind embellishment.  It's a fun way to use baker's twine and would make for a great candy or lollypop too.

The final part of the assignment was to create anything we wanted with the mini Echo Park kit we received.  I got the 4th of July kit and thought it would be fun to create a wreath.

I really loved how this turned out.  I cut strips of the patterned paper and die cut them with the Tim Holtz rosette dies, large, medium and small.  Then I just layered them on a base that I cut from chipboard.  The stars and banner were all stickers that came with the kit.  I love the look and will definately be making another one of these soon. 

Thanks for looking ~ Michelle ~

Tutorials for Craft Warehouse

I haven't posted any tutorials on my personal blog yet but I've done several for Craft Warehouse.  Today I wanted to share a few so you can check them out if you'd like.

 First up is my tutorial for a shadow box card, this fun card is simple to make and uses transparencies. 

Next up is a spring banner I made using chipboard shapes and Echo Park's This & That 6 x 6 paper pad.  I love this paper and a banner with small shapes is a great way to use the 6 x 6 paper.

 For my most recent tutorial we were given Basic Gray flags to use in someway.  I ended up making these corner bookmarks and creating a pinwheel with some of the flags.  I hope you enjoy checking out my tutorials.  I'll try to post some here on my personal blog soon.

Thanks for looking ~ Michelle ~

Craft Warehouse DT Assignment 5 (continued)

For the third part of our assignment we were asked to alter either a journal or a box with note paper.  I ended up altering the box.  for this assignment I used the stencil required and the wood vaneer embellishments. 

I placed the stencil on the front of the box and applied black ink over the portion I was using with a sponge.  I then used the sponge to distress all the edges with the black ink as well.  Then I simply layered some paper and a sentiment.  I fussy cut the scallop & view finder from the pattern paper.  I added a couple stickers from the collection and a few wood vaneer stars that I covered with black ink.

Next I covered the sides and back with the red and white polka dot paper to add a little color.

I finished the inside of the box lid with more red and white paper and the fun paper that the alphabet listed several times including sign language.  I thought this was a nice fit for a box that holds note paper.  The arrows are different color stickers from the set that I covered with black ink.

My final step was embellishing the top sheet of paper.  I added a small strip of patterned paper, and a house shaped wood vaneer piece, again covered with black ink. 

That's it for now.  Thanks for looking ~ Michelle ~