It's All About the Layers!

Thought I would show you some Fall tags I made.  These tags are all about layering and using texture.  One of the main reasons that I am not a digi scrapbooker is because I love texture.  I have to be able to touch it.  So when creating my pages, tags, cards or whatever I always want texture.

When making these tags I used yarn, buttons, jewels, fiber, transparencies by hambly, pockets, metal, chipboard, corrugated boxes.... you name I used it.  I also stamped, dry embossed and embossed with gold.  Oh, I also used old stickers that I mounted on cardstock, then sanded the sticker, inked it and popped it up.

I like making tags because I used scraps (I get a thrill using up my scraps), I can use the tags as a gift tags or I can use the tags to wrap around napkins at my thanksgiving dinner, or I can use the tags as an embellishment for a Fall page.  You can also make your tags any size you want.  Enjoy,  Happy Thanksgiving!

Graphic 45 Christmas Album Class @ Paper Niche

Paper Niche is having a 3 day Santa's Workshop Dec. 2, 3 and 4.  Check out the Paper Niche.

I am teaching this Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Album on Dec. 4th. 12:30P - 6:30P

I will post more pictures of this album soon.  Happy Thanksgiving

Christmas Album - One Down More to Go

Well its time to start making Christmas Albums.  This is my first one, already got a second one going and thinking about my third.  I usually design albums in my head first - at least the theme - whether its vintage (like my 2nd album) or primitive/country (like my third). 

This album is pretty easy to make and I loved the Anna Griffin classic Christmas patterns.  Holly and poinsettias, it doesn't get more Christmas than that.  This album isn't as chunky as usual only because if I did that then the album would not close.  So for me it was a little limiting.  Anyway my girlfriend gave me the pattern to construct this album.  It is called a wallet album because it folds and closes kind of like the "explosion box album".  You make this album with six pieces of 8.5 x 11 card stock and the album itself turns out to be 6 1/4 square.

Its kind of hard to get the perfect pictures for this album because there so many flaps.  If you are interested in this album its on my etsy.  KITSNBITSCRAPS.  The mattes on this album are doubled matted and sewn and there is enough space for 8 photos plus a pocket with several tags.

Happy Holidays

Thanksgiving Layout and MyLYB

It’s November, fall is in the air and Thanksgiving is around the corner.  Even though I live in S. Florida, which means, I do not see the foliage change colors; I still can feel the season changing.  For me it is not too early to start thinking about my Thanksgiving layout.

 One of my favorite paper companies and the collection that I am using this year is the Hello Fall collection by My Little Yellow Bicycle.   I usually go back and forth between vintage and cutesy, but for this thanksgiving layout it’s MLYB for me!

I thought the colors of this collection would be perfect for my thanksgiving photos.  The entire collection gives me that warm, cozy, homemade feeling.  As you can see by my layout below, I added some family homemade favorites.  Yep, pumpkin pie, and a side dish with yams, cinnamon and brown sugar.   The pumpkin pie is my daughter’s favorite. My nephew and hubby go for the turkey.  I personally like the yam side dish best.

This is an easy and quick layout to make. I decided to play catch-up and used some photos from the past.  But now that I am in the mood, I am going to make another layout and get ready for my Thanksgiving Day photo shoot.  Why don’t you do the same, and get a head start on your layout before you have your Thanksgiving photo shoot!

Supply List from My Little Yellow Bicycle:

·         Stick leaf pins

·         Canvas border stickers

·         5 things envelope package

·         Journaling cards

·         Chipboard package

·         Paper flower pack

·         Walnut Knit paper

·         Happy Fall paper

·         Harvest Ring paper

·         Bazzill Basics Paper – 1 each 12x12 Nutmeg and Apricot

Instructions:

Nutmeg cardstock base paper 12x12

Cut Walnut Knit paper 11x11center on base 12x12

Cut strip from Happy Fall 1.5 x 12 and adhere approx 1 inch from left

Cut Harvest ring paper 8.5 x 8.5

Matte your photos with Apricot cardstock

Happy Thanksgiving

Christmas Cards using Melissa Frances

Simple and Sweet Christmas Cards  using Melissa Frances

Tuesday, November 22nd 6:30p-8:30p $20

@ Paper Niche

Get a head start on the holidays and make four 3D cards for Christmas. The cards are simple, sweet and simple to make.

MONTHLY KIT REVEAL

Yay!! its time for my reveal.  The Paper Niche will also be posting all the designers reveal on their blog so be sure to head on over.  This month's kit had a wonderful assortment of brights and darks so here is my take.  Enjoy

Though this paper was not meant for halloween, I thought the combo of colors and my daughters greenish viking costume inspired a halloween theme.

I decided to make this layout more monochromatic and added little bits of color.

One thing about the Paper Niche monthly kits, you always get bling!

Mini album is a fold over out of cardstock.  This is a quickie way to make a mini album as a gift for a friend.  I got the idea from my girlfriend who made me one for my birthday.

Since I had to "fold over" the pages in order for the mini to close - I had to really watch and minimize my embellishments.  That was SO HARD FOR ME TO DO.  But I managed to use semi-flat embellies by stamping images and cutting them out then of course popping them a little.  I also used the transparency in our kit to cut out more embellies.

Happy Scrapping everyone!



PFOP is getting ready for the Holidays

The PFOP team is getting ready for the Holidays!!  Be sure to check us out weekly for new posts.  We have a new member Daphna and we are having our first challenge for the holiday season.  So come "jingle all the way" with PFOP!!

MONTHLY KIT @ PAPER NICHE

Well its that time again and my turn to give you some sneak peeks of the Paper Niche November Monthly Kit.  What can I say?  Gine has done it again, that girl really has the midas touch for selecting just the right papers and embellishments to get your mind and creativity stirred.

This month's kit has such a nice combo of bright colors and muted along with graphic and vintage designs.  Sounds weird right?  But hey its not - the combos work fabulously together.  Dont forget to check out the Paper Niche blog for the sneak peaks from our talented team :)

Here are some peeks of what I did with this luscious kit.

Happy Scrapping!!

Halloween ATC Swap

I went to the ATC Swap Club at the Paper Niche today and had a great time.  I received 10 awesome ATC's from very talented ladies.  So much work goes into these little treasures, I really enjoyed myself.

Here are the ATCs that I made for the swap.

I used the following to make the ATCs :

Bazzill cardstock
Cricut cartridge - a child's year
Maya Road tags
Best Creations Glitter Paper
Bazzill Fiber
Jewerly Tag
Martha Stewart Punch
Printworks Stamp
NRN Designs Demin Paper
Copic Markers
Versamagic Java Ink
Michael's - Glitter Ghosts

PFOP Charity Challenge

The PFOP team has another challenge this month.  It is a charity auction with a western theme.  Corral A Cure.

I decided to make this mini album and will donate 100% to the Susan G. Komen for a cure Breast Cancer Foundation. 

Please stop by PFOP and see what the PFOP team has posted on ebay.

Using 3D Elements

I love making all kinds of mini albums.  I personally like to make the cover first because that helps me set the premise for creating the rest of the pages inside.  I also want to make sure that my album cover gets your attention from the first moment you see it.

One of the ways that I initiate interest on my album covers is by using 3D elements whenever possible; and using a wood piece is an excellent way to decorate an album cover and catch your attention.

Wood pieces come in different patterns, below are four albums I have made with 4 different themes.  The covers or introduction to the album speaks for itself.  There is no mistaking what the theme of the album will be by the wood piece that is shown on the cover.

Next time you are contemplating making an album, think about your theme first - and then go shopping for a cute 3D wood piece.  You will be amazed at how many choices you have.  Oh, as an added tip, when adhering your wood piece to your cover be sure to use a strong liquid glue such as Beacon’s fabri-tac or zip-dry.  These adhesives dry fast and clear.  Happy Scrapping!

Layouts for October

The Paper Niche reveal was late in coming this month due to the store moving into a bigger location.  So then it kind of messed up my routine and I forgot to post my design kit.  This month I created four layouts and didnt make an album.  I know shocker, but the end of the year is always so busy for me and then added to that was the move of the store.  I just got back from a family trip to Minn (it was cold) and now getting ready to go to Epcot.  I hope to get lots of really good pictures at Epcot.

The monthly designer kit was again fabulous and loaded with cool goodies -

I used a stencil for the base page with glimmer mist then I added paint

For added texture I used water and glimmer mist on patterned paper then crunched it and added ink

I used my zutter distress machine on these papers then sprayed glimmer mist

I used a paint brush and flicked the paint on the base page

New Mini Albums

I've been very busy lately but still had time to make these two cute albums.  I started them while in Orlando at SDV. 

Fall Album - cover made of chipboard and pages made with envelopes.  The binding is heavy fabric.  This album was made for a challenge I participated in with PFOP

For more pics click here

Baby Onesie Album - cover and pages made of chipboard.  Perfect for baby girl.

More Sneak Peaks

The final reveal of the October Paper Niche Kit will be posted soon, in the meantime thought I would give you some more sneak peaks!

Scrapstreet Oct Issue is revealed

I am so excited about this issue because it has my first published article!!

http://scrapstreet.com/ss11/10ooo/contents.htm

If you have not subscribed to this awesome e-mag you must go check out - its loaded with lots of inspiration and tips. 

See the rest of the new staff writers and their work and check out my article!! 

Fairy Weekend Class @ Paper Niche

The fairy weekend classes are almost over .... I taught my Fairy Album class yesterday and wanted to show some pic I took.  The new location for Paper Niche is now open!!  The space is huge and the crop room is fabulous. 

I want to thank everyone that came to class, and those that ordered kits.  For the ladies that ordered the kits I promised a you tube video of the pages and of course just email for any questions.

Thank you and enjoy.