Design Team - 3 Layouts, 2 Collections, 1 Fun Rainy Day

While we are all eagerly awaiting the newly released lines after this last weekend's CHA Winter Show, I wanted to highlight two lines that you may have missed (and you don't want to miss these).  First up is a beautiful collection from Teresa Collins called "Now & Then" that came out last fall.  It's a fun mix of blues and pinks alongside wood veneer backgrounds and other classic Teresa Collins patterns. For my first layout I chose this floral design but wanted to tone it down a bit for my layout.  I created a heart mask first and then applied a layer of gesso which I spread directly onto the paper with a spatula (okay a credit card).  I love the texture that came out and the way the patterned paper comes through.  I used a pen to create stitching around the heart and page border.  The title was cut with my Cricut using Teresa Collins "Sophisticated" cartridge.  I layered a few more elements from the paper collection and a strip of brown polka dot Washi tape to bring it all together.  You'll want to try this masking technique yourself!  It's a great way to change the look of any patterned paper or tone one down and still keep the awesome design work.

This second layout uses a few more selections from the Now & Then collection.  I thought the blues went well with these snowy outdoor photos from last year and emphasized the snow by cutting snowflakes into the main sheet with my die cut machine.  Layering the darker patterned paper behind the white ledger paper  as well as using the die cut snowflakes on top creates lots of interest and dimension to this page. The title was again cut from Teresa Collins Sophisticated Cartridge.

Right now, Scrapdoodles has most of this collection in stock, including a beautiful coordinating button/brad collection and border strips.  Go check it out!

I have one more layout to share this week and it uses this beautiful sunny paper from Authentique.  This collection is relatively new and it's perfectly named "Renew" as there are many spring elements to this line.  You can check out the whole collection online here, or go see it in person at Scrapdoodles ;).  I've been meaning to scrap a page about Hannah with "sunshine" in the title (we sing "You Are My Sunshine" every night) and knew these papers would be perfect as soon as I saw them.  On this page I used some of the fun new "Puzzle Pieces" elements that coordinate with this line and I fussy-cut the swirls and flowers one of the sheets of patterned paper.  Scrapdoodles also has the 8x8 and 6x6 paper pads in which are perfect for all kinds of projects.  You'll love the colors in this versatile collection - the blues and yellows with the black highlights are really awesome and need to be seen in person.  It's become one of my favorites so I may have to stop by and pick up that 8x8 pack soon!  Happy Scrappin' everyone! ~Karen

What's on Your Craft Table?

What's on your craft table today?  I know I am very blessed to actually have a table that I can really call my craft table - as opposed having to work at the family kitchen or dining table.  I love that I can leave a project out for a few days and work on it as my schedule allows - even it means just minutes at a time.  I know I would not get nearly as many projects finished if I had to pack everything up and set it out the next day.  So, here's a photo of today's lovely mess.

Today you get a sneaky peek at one of the wreaths I made for my next new class over at My Creative Classroom - Welcoming Wreaths: Spring Edition.  I also worked on making several birthday cards for this month (and a few extras while I was at it).  Both of the design ideas came from Pinterest - I just used what I had on hand to make them my own.  Not pictured, but also worked on today - a cute little birthday banner for my daughter's 4th Birthday and a set of simple birthday hats we can wear to celebrate!

So, really, what's on your craft table?

Christmas Neighbor Gift Ideas and We R Memory Keepers

What a super exciting day when a box of goodies arrived on my doorstep from We R Memory Keepers!  They sent me a generous assortment of papers, chipboard, die cuts and even stamps from their lovely Christmas collection, "Yuletide."  I put together 3 different neighbor gift ideas to share - a recovered cd case (to gift favorite Christmas tunes), a simple tea or hot chocolate holder, and a sweet paper stocking for a few little goodies.

Clear CD cases are easy to find.  You can create a fun mix of holiday tunes (follow all copyright laws, please!) or share photos on a cd as your gift.  To decorate my cd case, I used a variety of papers from the 6x6 paper pad and a layered on a few of the coordinating die cut elements.  My deer is cut with my Cricut (Theresa Collins Demcember 25th cartridge).  I also added one of the chipboard sentiments to the outside of each case.

For my second gift idea, I filled small 3x5 baggies with loose tea and cut a strip of We R paper to 3 1/4 x12 inches and folded it over/around the bag.  I secured it all together using one of the fabric covered coordinating brads (these are really lovely!) and some decorative red/white twine.  I also hung a die cut that could double as a gift tag.  These would be easy to make several of and have on hand for "unexpected" guests and friends, or to give as favors at your holiday party.

For my final project, I cut a stocking pattern with my Cricut (Teresa Collins December 25th cartridge) and coordinating patterns from the Yuletide collection.  I cut two stockings, flipping one image, and then sewed up the sides using my sewing machine.  I added some trims and a stamp or two (CUTE gingerbread stamp from We R!) before filling it with a few sweet treats.  These could be made any size (mine are only about 6-7 inches long) depending on what kinds of treats you want to fill them with.  I think they would also be cute at any holiday table setting - maybe an adorable utensil holder for each place.

Thanks again to We R Memory Keepers for inviting me to be a guest designer and sending me such a generous assortment of products from your Yuletide collection!  And thanks to all of you for visiting me here on my humble little blog.  I hope you've been inspired.

Blessings,

Karen

Stashing Through the Snow...Ornament and Card

 

My niece loves mustaches and I had the joy of drawing her name for our family Christmas gift exchange.  I've been seeing these fun ornament ideas on Pinterest, so I knew I wanted to make her a cute mustache one.  It was super easy!  I started with a plain white porcelain ball (on sale, no less!).  I penciled out my mustache and then went over it with a black sharpie.  I added the phrase "stashing through the snow".  I messed up the first time and used a q-tip dipped in alcohol to wipe it off and start over again.  I also stuck it in my oven for about 20 minutes or so at 350 to make it more permanent.  As an afterthought (and after it was out of the oven and cooled), I added some fine glitter to the bottom of the mustache. 

I made a quick card with the same theme.  I cut the mustache (Cricut - Billionaire) and added a few sticker embellishments from Echo Park, a brad from Teresa Collins, and a twine ribbon.  And that

was it.  I hope your Christmas is merry and lots of fun!

Merry Christmas Banner

New this week at Scrapdoodles is the new Christmas line from October Afternoon, "Make It Merry."  Oh My Goodness, go check it out!  This line is so fun and adorable.  It's full of vintage card images and patterns.  I love the music sheet and was inspired to make this simple and sweet banner with the song sheet as the base. 

I added die cut letters from more of the patterned papers and layered on the coordinating elements like the ticket stubs and sweet vintage images.  The "Miscellany" pack also includes buttons and ribbon.  I added some old red doilies to the top, some red and white twine, fringe, and glitter from my own stash.  The elements are easy and fun to mix and match and layer.  Here's a few close-ups.

Some of the elements will be perfect to include as journaling spots or extra pages in my December Daily.  I prepped a few to see how they would work out (and they are just too fun to play with I didn't want to put them away yet :))  I'm sure I'll be pulling from these pieces throughout the month.

Lastly, I pulled several elements together to make this super sweet layout of a photo of my younger sister and me in 1978.  I would hardly call us vintage, but these fun papers really compliment the black and white (okay a teeny bit old) photo.  I love it! 

Hope you've been inspired!  Happy Crafting - Karen

Cute Turkeys to Pin or Clip

 Pinterest is so much fun!  I love to browse and get ideas for new projects, don't you?  I saw several versions of these ribbon turkeys.  I saw them as hair bows, pins to wear, and even on onesies and t-shirts.  I decided to dig into my felt and ribbon stash and create my own version.  I made one for my daughter's hair and two for her preschool teachers to wear on their aprons.  They turned out so cute!  I hand cut each body from felt - 2 per turkey.  The ribbons are cut to about 2.5 inches.  I laid the folded ribbons and lightly tacked them with glue to one body and covered up all the ends with the second (front) body.  I stitched all around the felt body to secure everything in place.  My turkeys have a felt nose and googly eyes.  Then I added either a clip or a pin to the back.  For the teachers, I pinned the turkey onto a thank you notecard made with scrapbook papers (love these papers from Authentique!).  Cute, quick, and easy! 

Happy Turkey Day, Everyone!

New Cricut Class Online - Christmas Village

I'm so excited to be teaching a Cricut class at My Creative Classroom.  Just in time for holiday decorating and gift-giving, I will be teaching Cricut: Christmas Village.  The class is open for registration and the first lesson will be revealed on Friday, November 2nd.  I'd love for you to join me!  AND...

How would you like a free class? Once a year the MCC Faculty come together for a very special class which is our way of saying thank-you for your continued support. Register for any class starting in November and you will automatically be enrolled in "It's Ornamental" at no additional charge. "It's Ornamental", a class taught by ten MCC instructors, begins November 29th and is full of creative and inspiring holiday ornament ideas. Each of the classes that begin in November will also accept enrollments until at least November 30th.

In this course, we’ll take an in depth look at Cricut’s Christmas Village Seasonal Cartridge and create a variety of projects for all crafting levels.This cartridge contains 50 silhouette-style images with simple and old-fashioned appeal.Many of the images are intended to create 3-D projects, but a lack of included instructions has stumped many Cricut crafters.Has this cartridge been sitting in your stash for awhile because you just don’t know what to do with it?If you’ve been feeling the same way, go get that cartridge out of the cupboard, and come on into this classroom, because we are about to create some awesome projects!

Join me for this 4-week class and we’ll clear up any confusion about this cartridge and create several unique projects including a Christmas countdown village display with treat boxes (yes, this cart can do that!), a framed nativity project, cards, a layout, and more seasonal and alternative project ideas.I’ll offer assembly, longevity, and storage tips so that your creations last more than one season.
I hope you'll join me and register for this idea-rich class to jumpstart your holiday preparations.  Registration is open now and class begins on Friday, November 2nd.  See you in the classroom!