Monday, June 30, 2014

Star spangled celebration {bella blvd}


This week on Bella Blvd we are celebrating by sharing patriotic projects.


This first card I made is an explosion card. There is no bottom, so it isn't a box, but it folds to the left or right flat to fit into a larger envelope. The 4th of July is one of the best holidays to give an explosion card — it's like fireworks for paper!



SUPPLIES: Bella Blvd All American: (Pattern paper: United We Stand, Seeing Stars). Bella Blvd Lucky Starz: (Pattern paper: McIntosh Starz). Silhouette Online Store: July 4th box card by Snapdragon Snippets.



I love navy! Navy is possibly the best color, and when paired with red and white, it just makes me smile. This blue star paper is one of my favorites ever made from Bella Blvd, so I was very happy to use it for the base of this card. The center decoration is from a few different Silhouette
cuts on stacked together for a patriotic sentiment.


SUPPLIES: Bella Blvd All American: (Pattern paper: United We Stand, Seeing Stars). Bella Blvd Classic Calendars: (Pattern paper: Borders 2)

Thanks for stopping by here today to see my cards. Happy 4th of July to my American friends celebrating later on this week!

Friday, June 27, 2014

Challenge #10 | Gold {avery elle}


Happy Friday and welcome to another challenge for the AEI♥U Challenge blog. This week we are working with gold elements for our cards. 


This is the card I made to get you motivated to play along with us. I used AC Mustard Zing embossing powder to get the gold color and added My Mind's Eye gold Charmed enamel dots to the leaves for even more dimension and shimmer. 


Supplies: Avery Elle (Petals and Stems and Cake & Candles). 

Thank you for stopping by here today. I can't wait to see your gold accents — play along with us!

Avery Elle stamps or their free digital stamps must be used in each entry. You may enter as many times as you wish, but they must be posted to the InLinkz tool separately. Please enter a new, not previously posted project that fits the challenge theme.  Your project must fit the theme to be eligible to win. The winner will not be chosen randomly.  We will be looking for entries that include great use of color, design & creativity. You have until 12:01 AM (PT) on Sunday, July 6th to enter.  The winner will be announced on Thursday, July 10th at 6:00 AM (Pacific Time) on the Avery Elle Challenge Blog.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Teacher gifts {simply everyday me}


My friend Michelle at Simply Everyday Me has some of the best printables for making great gift boxes. 

Today I am sharing how I used her Ice Cream / Popsicle gift box for teacher/bus driver gift boxes this year. This was the last week of school, and I sent the boy off to school with these fun boxes filled with a gift card to the best local ice cream (Abott's) and a note from him thanking them for a great year. 


I decorated one side of the popsicle box with tags using the Summer Bliss collection from Echo Park. A little washi tape helped keep the bottom of the box closed — not because it really need it, but because an 8 year old was in charge of delivery the gift cards, if you know what I mean. 


Here is what the other side of the boxes looks like. Good enough to eat, right?!

I also want to note that I used Beacon 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue to put this together. The rounded edges really need something strong to bond that edge, and Beacon's worked perfectly!

I sure hope they enjoy their treats! And thank you to Michelle for sharing these fun gift boxes with me. If you are looking for unique and fun treat boxes for parties this summer, take a peek at the Simply Everyday Me Etsy shop.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

What's New {bella blvd}


Today on the Bella Blvd blog we are sharing more of the summer collections and all that makes them perfect for this time of year.

The stickers in the newest collections are perfect for cards. They have fun, bright, happy sayings that are perfect for sending smiles to friends and family. The stars and twine had a pop of dimension to the card.


Supplies: Scattered Sprinkles: Just Write Journaling Stickers. Summer Squeeze: (Pattern paper: Summer Breeze), Treasures & Text Stickers. Classic Calendars: (Pattern paper: Peep Calendar), Just Write Journaling Stickers


The subway art-style sticker on this card is the perfect way to say a lot in a little space. The cluster of positive words is great for a card when you want to show a little bit of support to a loved one.


Supplies: Classic Calendars: (Pattern paper: Peep Calendar), Just Write Journaling Stickers. Summer Squeeze: (Pattern paper: Summer Breeze), Treasures & Text Stickers

Thanks for stopping by here today to see my cards.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Animal party mask {samantha walker}


Today on the Samantha Walker blog, I'm sharing a tutorial on how to make this animal mask for a child's party favor. 

We all have those animal cut files, here's how to alter them into masks without having to buy a separate mask file.


I hope you'll stop over and view the tutorial — you'll be surprised how easy it can be to alter files using your Silhouette software.

Supplies: Samantha Walker (Ice Skating Raccoon), American Crafts (card stock), Tombow (dots runner), Twinery (Stone).

Monday, June 23, 2014

Summer Issue {scrapbook & cards today}


If you haven't downloaded it yet, the summer issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today is a great one full of summer-themed inspiration. 

Check out my pool-themed layout on page 29. I used the Fancy Pants Nautical collection and I just love how it turned out. Thank you to Scrapbook & Cards Today for printing my layout. 

Download or order your copy of this fun issue today!


Friday, June 20, 2014

Card sketch challenge {bella blvd}


Today on the Bella Blvd blog we are sharing cards we made using the card sketch for the month of June. You can see the sketch on the Bella Blvd blog along with other card makers' cards or below at the end of my post.

I had fun making a country-style card with the Strawberries Squeeze paper from the Summer Squeeze collection. The colors and patterns on this are fun and perfect for summertime.


Supplies: Summer Squeeze (Pattern paper: Strawberry Squeeze, Daily Details), Treasures & Text stickers. Classic Calendars: Treasures & Text stickers


Scoot on over to the Bella Blvd blog to see what the other ladies made! Thanks for stopping by here.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

June sketch challenge {scrapbook circle}


The June Hello There kit from Scrapbook Circle is bright, sunny and perfect for summertime photos. To get you started creating with this month's kit, we have a sketch challenge for you. You can see the sketch below at the end of this post or on the Scrapbook Circle blog along with sample layouts from the rest of the team.

This is the layout I made using the June kit and the June sketch. I just love this picture of Nate. Snapped a quick on of him one morning — before he had a chance to get silly and make faces.  


This month, one random sketch challenge participant will win this Maggie Holmes prize pack.


And this is the sketch for you to use. Only participants that have a Scrapbook Circle kit and use it to participate in the challenge will be eligible to win this month's prize.


See what the rest of the team made as well as rules for the challenge on the Scrapbook Circle blog! Thanks for stopping here today.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Challenge #9 | DIY Paper {avery elle}


Happy Friday and welcome to another challenge for the AEI♥U Challenge blog. This week, we are focusing on using your stamps to make your own patterned paper. 

For my card, I used the bubbles in the Storybook set and the circles in the Woodgrain and More set to make my pattern paper. 


After making the pattern with the Mint to Be ink from Avery Elle, I then colored in some off the bubbles with a light green color Copic Marker and some of the others with a shimmery glitter pen. 

I finished the card off with a sentiment and the adorable little goose and balloon.



Thank you for stopping by here today. I can't wait to see your DIY backgrounds — play along with us!

Avery Elle stamps or their free digital stamps must be used in each entry. You may enter as many times as you wish, but they must be posted to the InLinkz tool separately. Please enter a new, not previously posted project that fits the challenge theme.  Your project must fit the theme to be eligible to win. The winner will not be chosen randomly.  We will be looking for entries that include great use of color, design & creativity. You have until 12:01 AM (PT) on Sunday, June 22nd to enter.  The winner will be announced on Thursday, June 26th at 6:00 AM (Pacific Time) on the Avery Elle Challenge Blog.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Samantha Walker Creative Crafters Team Blog Hop {birthday}

Welcome to the Samantha Walker Creative Crafters Team Blog Hop! You should have come to my blog from Samantha Walker's blog to catch all of the fun from the beginning.

This month's lucky winner will receive a $10 Silhouette Online Store Download Code.


...and be eligible for the free SVG/Silhouette file for this month. Be sure to look extra closely at Step #4 below to learn how you can get this FREE SVG and Silhouette Studio file:


To enter, just leave a comment on Samantha's blog during Wednesday 6/11 until Sunday 6/15. The winner will be announced on Samantha's Facebook page on Monday 6/16.

For additional entries:
1. Receive an additional entry for commenting on each of the other blogs in the blog hop.
2. Go here and follow Samantha Walker's blog. 
3. Follow her on Facebook.
4. Sign up for an e-mail subscription to Samantha's blog and you will automatically receive a link to a free SVG cutting file that you can download and use on your personal electronic cutter. If you are already a subscriber, just enter in your information in the secure form on Samantha's blog!  The free files will be e-mailed early next week!


To receive the additional entries and get the free files, mention in your comment on Samantha's blog that you have done so! 

Now for this month's theme: Birthday


This theme is perfectly timed for me. My son just turned 8 in the end of May, so I have brand new pictures I wanted to use for this layout. 


I was able to use a few different collections and files from Samantha Walker to make this layout. The balloons are actually eggs from one of her Easter files re-purposed into balloons!


I loved the hashtag I was using on Instagram and Facebook for photos from Nate's birthday celebrations, so I made sure to use that as the title of the page. 

Supplies: Samantha Walker Digital File (basket woven easter), Carta Bella Summer Lovin, Carta Bella Rough and Tumble

Your next stop on the hop is Cathy Harper  ... Click on the image below to keep on hopping!


Thanks for hopping along with us this month! 


Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Creative Team Call {scrapbook circle}


Scrapbook Circle is having a Creative Team Call!

If you are interested in being a part of a fun atmosphere, then this just might be the team for you! Here are the details:

Do you love to scrapbook? Do you enjoy sharing your layouts through social media? Are you kind, friendly and a good communicator?

If you answered yes to these questions, then we would love to have you apply for our Creative Team! This will be a one-year commitment beginning in August 2014. As a member of our team, our monthly kit will be shipped to you for free plus you will receive a discount on other products offered in our shop. We ask that you create four layouts with the kit, write posts on our blog and be actively involved in our Scrapbook Circle social/online community. To apply for our creative team, please email the following to lisa@scrapbookcircle.com

1. Images of 5 of your favorite layouts (close up shots are not necessary)
2. Link to your blog (must have an active blog)
3. List with links to where you post online (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
4. A short bio + a couple of sentences telling us why you want to join our team

International applicants are welcome. Applications due by Saturday, June 14, 2014. We will announce the new team by Monday, June 23, 2014.

Tessa Buys and I will be continuing on as the blog coordinators for the creative team. We love working with Lisa, her kits are amazing, and we are always surrounded by the most amazing paper artists in the industry.

We'd love to have you work with us, too. Send in your application today!

Monday, June 9, 2014

Sprinkles and Squeezes {bella blvd}


On the Bella Blvd blog today some of the ladies on the design team are sharing projects that mixed and matched the Summer Squeeze and Scattered Sprinkles collections. 

Here are the two cards I made.


I wanted to focus on the stars pattern in both collections. I love how contrasting the yellow is with the black. I put the two patterns side-by-side in strips to really show off the similarities and differences between the two patterns. The fun saying bubble sticker adds a light-hearted sentiment.

Supplies: Summer Squeeze: (Pattern Paper: Wildflower). Scattered Sprinkles: (Pattern Paper: Pickle Juice Sprinkles), Treasures & Text Stickers


The "hello sunshine" card in the Daily Details sheet was too perfect when paired with the bold polka dot yellow paper in Scattered Sprinkles. It was like they were meant to be together. Layering more of the Wildflower paper in the background makes the sentiment pop off the card against the black.


Supplies: Summer Squeeze: (Pattern Paper: Wildflower, Daily Details), Just Write Journaling Stickers. Scattered Sprinkles: (Pattern Paper: Bell Pepper Sprinkles), Treasures & Text Stickers  

Thanks for stopping by to see my cards today. Stop by the Bella Blvd blog to see what the other ladies made.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Brag cards {fancy pants}


Today I want to share a layout I made that uses the Brag Cards from Fancy Pants in a fun way. I chose to use the Brag Cards from the new Burlap and Bouquets collection. There are some great manly pieces in this otherwise feminine collection. I used the cards that all had a rustic tan, brown or green colors.


There aren't any pieces of pattern paper on this layout except for the background sheet — the Brag Cards were used in place of pattern paper and serve to anchor the pictures and mini golf card on the page.

To add some fun detailing, I punched one of the cards with a star punch and the other with a swiss cheese style confetti punch.


For all of the photos I wanted to include, using the Brag Cards was the perfect way to give each moment its own part of the page.

Next time you start to work on a layout with many small photos, put away the pattern paper and see how Brag Cards can work for you!

Fancy Pants Designs Collections Used: Burlap and Bouquets, Be Different