Scrapbook Layout: Christmas 2011

Here's a very non-traditional colored Christmas page!  But I saw this paper ( BoBunny "Winter Joy Brr" and "Winter Joy Frosting") and loved it so I bought it and used it in this layout, which is a sketch from INSPIRED BLUEPRINTS.  The bracket shaped layer was easy to create at just the right size using my SCAL/electronic cutter.  I used a white gel pen to draw the border around it.  The letters are American Crafts Thickers and I added a nice layer of  "Frosted Lace" Stickles over them.  I was very pleased to FINALLY use the lovely snowflake ribbon I had been hoarding for quite some time!  To get it laid down so nice, I ran it through the Xyron.  Then I added little crystal gems to the center of each snowflake for some sparkle.

Entered into the following Challenges:

UNSTAMPABELLES--SCRAPS AND OLD STASH  (old stash--snow flake ribbon)
SIMON SAYS WEDNESDAY--ANYTHING GOES

Witchy Boo Card

Today's card was created for my Design Team slot over at CARD A DAY blog and I had lots of fun putting this Halloween card together.  First of all, I NEVER cut into a whole sheet of 12" x 12" designer paper when I create cards...oh no, that's what scraps are for, right?  Well I bent my own rule when I found this cute paper (Spooky Town Bright--Halloween Party) which I bought to.......<gasp> cut into for a card!

In fact, I took the upper right corner picture of the witch.  And with so many other cute Halloween characters, I can make lots of cool cards from them!  The first thing I did was cut the DP base from Best Creation's "Happy Haunting" paper and attach it to my card base.  Then with my circle die and Big Shot, I cut a small window into the card front.  To frame the window, I cut the same size hole (and a larger circle) from black cardstock and stamped a spider web (Stampers Anonymous "Mini Halloween") with white ink.  I positioned the witch cut behind the window and glued her to the inside of the card.

To create the "Boo" banner, I cut strips of green cardstock and added the points with my square punch (see this POST for details).  I then stamped "Boo" (Scrappy Cat "Party Alphabet") in Archival Jet Back ink.  I attached the twine and the banner pieces with Glossy Accents.  I also added GA to the witch's eyeballs to give them dimension, but the picture doesn't show it.

Entered into the following Challenges:

OPUS GLUEI: #166 BOO

SIMON SAYS WEDNESDAY--ANYTHING GOES

Scrapbook Layout: Halloween

It's been years and years since I've been able to get hubby to dress up and attend a Halloween party. So last year's event warranted a layout!  Luckily I had the perfect paper and embellishments I'd been hoarding:

Echo Park Paper Co.  "Wicked Potions" and Die Cuts With A View "Web" paper and stickers.  I accented the page with ribbon from Cosmo Cricket ("Haunted").  The title was punched using a circle punch from a sheet of Paper Pizzazz "Typewriter Alphabet" letters.  Areas were distressed with Black Soot Distress Ink.

And now a little tip!  Here's how I got straight hand lettered journaling without using a pencil or vanishing marker.  And in this case, journaling on black paper would have made any added pencil lines very hard to see.  I lightly taped my journaling block to a ruled cutting mat.  Then with a t-square ruler as a guide, I wrote out my details in a white gel pen.  Nice and straight and nothing to erase!

Entered into the following Challenges:

OPUS GLUEI: #166 BOO

CREATIVE CORNER--HAPPY HALLOWEEN
SIMON SAYS WEDNESDAY--ANYTHING GOES

Scrapbook Layout: Chicago

I'm going to try and show the rest of the layouts I recently completed.  This one was done to remember a great "Girls Weekend" in Chicago and was super quick due to the pre-printed "Chicago" paper from Sugar Tree.  I always look for these types of paper to use on a trip layout as I save time and money on the titles.  I also try to keep a few pieces of ephemera that I can add to the layout.  For this page I added a piece of the tourist map showing the location of our hotel...designated with stars punched from red and white paper. Notice the top and bottom pictures?  I added an additional photo to the group shots (of the gal who took the picture)!  This way I have a complete "group photo"!  The date and titles on the red cardstock are rub ons (Reminisce "Lamplighter Script").  I used a black Sharpie for the journaling.

Entered Into the Following Challenges:

SIMON SAYS STAMP WEDNESDAY--ANYTHING GOES

MY CRAFT CREATIONS--ANYTHING GOES

LASTING MEMORIES LAYOUT--VACATION TIME

Pretty Purse Cards!

Time for the next Creative Cutting Challenge and this time the theme is "For the Girls".  So I had lots of fun creating these purse cards as my Design Team submission.  The SVG file can be purchased HERE.

Here's a closer look at each of the purse cards along with all the "faux" detail!

This card features a "faux croc" look on the top flap.  To create it, I used an embossing folder and then swiped Black Soot Distress Ink lightly over the raised portions.  A cool scrap of animal print paper and a pink gem as the clasp, made this card very chic! 

 This card features a "faux patent leather" handle.  The top flap has pen stitching (real stitching would have been better but I was pressed for time) and a flower accent over the clasp.  I stamped the sentiment and then used silver UTEE so that it would pop off of the card.  I used Aged Mahogany Distress Ink and Marker to accent the stamping and all around the card base.

 To create the "faux patent leather", I added a thick coat of Glossy Accents on the handle.  I also used it on the silver clasp to give that dimension as well.

 This little card also features pen stitches on the flap and the handle has a "faux tortoise shell" look".  The clasp was finished with Distress Stickles to give it a rough metal look.  The edges were darkened with a Walnut Stain Distress Marker.

 To create the "faux tortoise shell" look, I first added a thick layer of Frayed Burlap and Peeled Paint Distress Stickles.  Once it was dry, I used Vintage Photo Distress Ink over it, pressing the color on the application tool into the paper.  I also used a Walnut Stain Distress Marker on the edges and then swiped on a thin coat of Glossy Accents with my finger.  I finished off the ends of the handle with gems.

Hope that these cards inspired you to create some of your own.  If you use SVGs (or similar files) with an electronic cutter, I hope you'll join in this challenge.  If you don't have an electronic cutter, click over to the challenge anyway!  You'll find lots of amazing inspiration from the Design Team that I'm sure you can incorporate into any paper crafting.

Entered Into The Following Challenges:

SISTER ACT CARD CHALLENGE--#25 ANYTHING GOES

CUT IT UP--GOING IN CIRCLES

IN THE PINK--BLING IT UP

LADY BUG CRAFTS--NO SQUARES ALLOWED

PAPERTAKE WEEKLY--MAKE IT SPARKLE

TOP TIP TUESDAY--GET IN SHAPE

Detroit Bulldog Rescue Auction Items

 As a long time supporter of DBR, I am always happy to provide items for their fund raising auctions.  If you like my artwork, this is a great chance to own a piece and also help out rescued bulldogs.  Until Sunday night (Sept. 22, 2013) you can see all the great items up for bid (many non-bulldog related) by going to their FB auction page-- Sarah Heather Auctions -- and "Friending" them.  Just scroll down to the "Auction Album" to see everything available.  I've also included direct links to these new items--all handmade or hand painted by me.  The ornament above can be found at  VINTAGE STYLE ORNAMENT

 

 KEEP CALM SIGN

 

 MERRY ORNAMENT

 

 JOLLY ORNAMENT

 CELEBRATE ORNAMENT

 PENDANT

 

 HOME SIGN

 RED GLITTER BULLDOG ORNAMENT

A "Manly" Butterfly Sympathy Card

Hmmm...maybe this is actually a moth...which makes it even "manlier"?!  

I recently put this card together using lots of Tim Holtz products (tissue tape, paper, sticker, key, "Hope" tag and "Memories" pen nib embellishments).  I also distressed the paper with a few swipes of Aged Mahogany and Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  My stamped sentiment didn't come out clear but no worries...I just carefully went over it with a fine Sharpie.

Entered into the following Challenges:

SIMON SAYS WEDNESDAY CHALLENGE--USE A SSS PRODUCT  (Tim Holtz)

THROUGH THE CRAFT ROOM DOOR--ANYTHING GOES

TUESDAY THROWDOWN--THINGS WITH WINGS

CRAFTY CARDMAKERS #100 WINGED THINGS

OOH-LA-LA CREATIONS--CARDS FOR MEN

THAT CRAFT PLACE--THINGS WITH WINGS

"Heartfelt" Card

A card I recently made using some beautiful paper from K & Company.  Very quick and easy...just layered the washi tape, added the embellishment and stamped the sentiment.  Easy peasy and so lovely!

Supplies:

Paper:  K & Company Jubilee Designer Mat Pad
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Embellishment:  K & Company cut & paste butterflies
Washi tape

First Creative Cutting Challenge DT project of the new season!

Today is the first challenge of the new season over at CREATIVE CUTTING CHALLENGE.  If you have an electronic cutting machine and use SVGs, I hope that you'll join us.  Everyone should click over for some great papercrafing inspiration from the very talented Design Team!

Above is my submission...a layout of last year's "Mary's Dream Scrapbooking Event".  This is held in honor of a very dear friend who was a victim of domestic violence.  Through this event and a summer motorcycle ride, money is raised to assist those dealing with DV.  If you live in Michigan, I hope you'll consider attending this great event.  The food is awesome (prepared by the school cafeteria staff), the venue is bright and spacious, vendors have supplies to purchase and Beth puts on a great program and silent auction.  For more details, please check out MARY'S DREAM.  (Note:  The dates for this year's event are October 18 & 19.  Everything else is the same as last year so you can still this form to register)

Today's Tip:

I love the look of rub on letters but I had a hard time using them.  They would stick to places I didn't want them to and I hated spending the time to cut out each individual letter. Take the velum the letters come with or an old piece of acetate and cut out a little "window".  Each letter is placed under the window and then rubbed...eliminating any of the other letters from accidentally sticking to the paper where it shouldn't.

Supplies Used:

• Paper:  MME Confetti "Surprise Me and Mom"; DCWV "Triangle"; Out of Print "Reprint"; black cardstock
• Letters:  White rub ons; black letter stickers
• SVG:  Creative Pointe "Cats"
• Misc:  White gel pen; Stickles "Orange Peel"

Entered into the following Challenges:

CRAFTING WHEN WE CAN--REPEATED IMAGES

BROWN SUGAR--#58 ANIMALS

SIMON SAYS STAMP WED--ANIMAL ANTICS

Scrapbook Layout: Fall & SVG Freebie

Another scrapbook layout.  This one features Reminisce "Autumn Harvest" paper, a self adhesive acorn/leaves felt border and a brand new SVG freebie:  

FALL SVG

Entered into the following Challenges:

MY SHERI CRAFTS--FALL COLORS

HIDING IN MY CRAFT ROOM--#114

CRAFT ROOM CHALLENGE--TREES AND/OR LEAVES

Scrapbook Layout: Niece's Graduation

Oh, I just love, love, love this dotted paper from MME ("Confetti--Celebrate Dots") and it was perfect to use in this layout of my very artsy niece's graduation!  Once again I followed a sketch ( SKETCH SUPPORT ) which made this two pager super fast and easy! 

 I added large jewel brads (oriental trading company) and a shimmery Martha Stewart ribbon.

Shading and journaling were done with a Distress Marker (Chipped Sapphire).

I also punched coordinating circles to add additional journaling.

Entered into the following Challenges:

CRAFTY RIBBONS--ANYTHING GOES WITH RIBBON

PAPERCRAFT STAR--#160

PAPER PLAYTIME--#18 USE THREE DIFFERENT PAPERS

PARADE YOUR CRAFTS--#3 ANYTHING GOES
POLKA DOODLE--#36 SIGNIFICANT OCCASION

Knock Knock Card

Changing gears a little bit to feature this vintage style card that uses one of my favorite stamps...Tim Holtz's three gentleman.  I recently needed a card to cheer someone up and what's better to do that than a knock knock joke?  I also used Tim's paper and his pen nibs stamp.  If you're wondering what the inside said, it was "Justin Time To Wish You A Hearty Get Well."  You could change the saying up for any occasion.

Entered Into The Following Challenges:

SIMON SAYS STAMP-MONDAY--STAMPING ALL STARS

CARDS IN ENVY--MANLY

PARADE YOUR CRAFTS--ANYTHING GOES

THE CUPBOARD TRILOGY--MALE

SIMPLY CREATE TOO--VINTAGE

HAPPY CAMPERS--USE A STAMP

CRAFTING WITH DRAGONFLIES--CARD FOR A GUY

SIMON SAYS STAMP-WEDNESDAY--ANYTHING GOES

SHOPPING OUR STASH--FOR THE BOYS