Simple Scrapper - June 2013 Blog Hop

 
It's time for another blog hop to share the scrapbook layouts I created inspired by sketches and story starters available through the Simple Scrapper Premium Membership.

1.  Books on Bases Layout.  I used my May Counterfeit Kit for this layout.  Using a sketch from the June Simple Scrapper Premium Membership, this came together in no time!

Supplies:  Sketch (Simple Scrapper Premium Membership), May 2013 Counterfeit Kit, Cardstock (Joann's), Punches and Dies (Fiskars, Lifestyle Crafts); Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner).

I love the look of a simple single punch along the edge of a layout using a border punch.  Goodness knows I have enough of those border punches.  :)

And I love those blue glittery thickers from American Crafts.  Who am I kidding, I love any and all thickers!

2.  Pumpkin Patch Train.  This layout is inspired by a story starter in the June Simple Scrapper Premium Membership and also uses a Simple Scrapper template. 

Supplies:  Template (Simple Scrapper); Digital paper and elements (Design by Dani).

GIVEAWAY!!!  Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter a giveaway for a one month trial membership at Simple Scrapper. There are three ways to enter and three winners will be selected. To be eligible, you must enter by 11:59pm CDT on Wednesday, June 5.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Now be sure to visit the other Design Team Member blogs for more inspiration from Simple Scrapper!

Simple Scrapper (Jennifer Wilson)

Lisa Corbin-Polak

Ronnie Crowley

Holly Humbert

Margrethe Aas Johnsen

Amy Kingsford

Samantha Landay

Pam Lozano

Aimee Maddern

Van Nguyen  YOU ARE HERE

Sara Strickland

As always, thanks for stopping by!!

NOTE:  The Premium Membership at Simple Scrapper provides skills and shortcuts to help you simplify and find more meaning in your memory keeping. Each month members receive a new collection of sketch templates and Story Starters, story-focused prompts for pages and projects.
 

May Counterfeit Kit Challenge - Lazy Weekend Mornings Layout and some cards

I just wanted to quickly share a layout and some cards I made using my May Counterfeit Kit.  It felt so good to just craft with no particular agenda or purpose. And as always, it feels great to work away at my stash.

1.  We Love Lazy Weekend Mornings Layout.  I adore the weekends, especially when Justin is home and we get to all sleep in a little bit longer.

Supplies:  May Counterfeit Kit, Lifestyle Crafts Doily Die, Xyron Mega Runner, DIY Foam Tape.

And here is a close up of the title.  I love mixing up my letter stickers.  Goodness knows I have enough of them.  Sigh...  :)

2. Ahoy Boy Card.  This card is for a good friend that just had another boy.  I need to get this bad boy in the mail along with this super cute outfit I bought the other day.
 

Supplies:  May Counterfeit Kit; Stamps (My Cute Stamps - Ahoy); Inks (Jenni Bowlin Studios, Tim Holtz); Punch (WRMK); Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner, DIY Foam Tape).

3.  Celebrate Card.  I love how easy it is to use this stamp set from Papertrey Ink to make a card for any type of celebratory occasion.

Supplies:  May Counterfeit Kit, Stamp and Die (Papertrey Ink - Celebrations, WRMK); Ink (Jenni Bowlin Studio, Versafine); Xyron Creatopia - Shapez Component; Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner, DIY Foam Tape).

4.  Thank you Card.  I used the circles in the patterned paper to frame these cute little punched hearts.  Can someone say...use up your scraps!

Supplies:  May Counterfeit Kit, Punchs (Fiskars, WRMK); Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner, Xyron 1.5" Create a Sticker).

5.  Smiles Card.  And this final card is for my amazingly dear and talented friend, Misty.  Out of the blue, she sent Benjamin the sweetest card and outfit.  So, Misty, this one is coming in the mail to you very very soon.  I love you dearly, my friend.

Supplies:  May Counterfeit Kit, Stamp (Lawn Fawn - Many Thanks); Ink (Jenni Bowlin Studio); Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher; Punch (WRMK); Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner, DIY Foam Tape).

If you haven't already, make sure to check out the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog.  It's a great way to use up that stash of yours!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Counterfeit Kit Club - May 2013

I have been a long time fan of the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog.  I often get envious of all you kit club members but just can't get myself to jump on the band wagon since I still have so many supplies that I love and adore.  The Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog is my answer - providing me a kit community while still helping me use up my massive stash.

For this month, the inspiration kit was the Shoreline Kit from Polly Scrap Kits.

I am obsessed with all things nautical (and it's not because of recent trends, thank you very much).  Blame my sailor husband.  So I was super excited to try to pull something together from my stash.  Here is what I came up with.

For the patterned papers, I stuck with the blues/ reds/ yellows.  There is a pop of black in there.  I also pulled from my 6x6 pads to maybe create some cards.  The patterned papers are from My Mind's Eye, Echo Park, Pebbles, American Crafts, Canvas Corp, and October Afternoon.

For my embellishments, I again focused on the color palate and also pulled some nautical themed stamp sets. 

I have already create two layouts and a couple of cards so I can't wait to share those with you!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Counterfeit Kit Challenge - February 2013

Although it has been a long time since I participated in a Counterfeit Kit Challenge, I have been a dedicated follower of the blog.  It is a fantastic way to use up my stash and create a scrapbooking "kit" to help speed up my memory keeping process.

The inspiration kit for February is the Chasing Pavements Kit from Scraptastic.

Here is a picture of what I put together for my kit.

And instead of writing out my rationale for everything, I tried something new this month and put together a little video in case anyone is interested.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!

More Cards featuring Xyron,Globecraft Memories, and the September Counterfeit Kit

I just wanted to share a few cards I made with the last bits of my September Counterfeit Kit and some leftover pieces from the the Decor Style #9 set by Globecraft Memories & Piccolo.  See this blog post to see other card featuring Xyron and Globecraft Memories.   

1.  Welcome Baby Card.  I seriously love everything Lawn Fawn and their stamps work perfectly either colored with copics or paper pieced.  The frame behind the "welcome" sentiment is a piece of book board from the Piccolo Decor Style #9 set covered with patterned paper using my Xyron 2.5" Sticker Maker.

Supplies:  Patterned Paper (Studio Calico, Crate Paper); Stamps (Lawn Fawn); Frame by Globecraft Memories; Adhesive (Xyron 1.5" Create a Sticker, Xyron 2.5" Create a Sticker, Xyron Mega Runner); We R Memory Keepers Heart Attack.

2.  Thank You Card.  I have A LOT of thank you cards to send out so I've been trying to find every excuse to make some more.  This was also my first time playing with this new banner wafer thin die from Simon Says Stamps.  Um...LOVE!

Supplies:  Stamps (Lawn Fawn, Paper Smooches); Frame by Globecraft Memories; Adhesive (Xyron 1.5" Create a Sticker, Xyron Mega Runner, DIY Foam Tape made with Xyron 5" Creative Station); EK Success Punch; Martha Stewart Crafts Embossing Powder.

3.  The Rest...  Here are some more cards I made only with papers and embellishments from my September Counterfeit Kit.  I literally just wanted to use up the rest of my kit!  Adhesives are, of course, from Xyron.  If you don't have at least a Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker, you need to get one.  Like right now.

4.  Happy Birthday Card.  And I made this Happy Birthday card ages ago and it wasn't from the Counterfeit Kit, but since we're talking about cards and I am trying to get everything posted, here's another one for you.  :)

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Xyron and Globecraft Memories Blog Hop

It's time for another Xyron blog hop!  This week, Xyron is partnering with Globecraft Memories & Piccolo to feature their Card Decor Sets, raw bookboard pieces for decorating with powders, gels, glitter, ink, paints and more!  I worked with the Decor Style #9 set and made these two cards (and have plans to use the rest of the pieces to make an additional 4 cards)!

1.  Friendship Card.  I need to make a lot of thank you and friendship cards to express our family's gratitude for all the generosity and love we've received since Benjamin's arrival.  For this card, I covered a Piccolo book board piece with a variety of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists, Clearsnap Smooch Spritz, October Afternoon Sprinklers, and Fresh Ink Pigment Ink.  I wanted it to the match the pink in my patterned paper while also looking slightly distressed.  

Supplies:  Embellishments by Piccolo (Decor Style #9); Patterned Paper (Studio Calico and Crate Paper); Ribbon by American Crafts; Stamp by Lawn Fawn; Inks and Sprays (Fresh Ink, October Afternoon, Clearsnaps Smooch Spritz, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists); Punches (We R Memory Keepers, Fiskars); Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner, Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker).

2.  In Love with You Card.  I'm not a huge fan of flourishes and overly ornate things in general.  But I found that pairing two of the flourishes in the kit made the most adorable little heart.  So I covered the delicate pieces with Versamark Ink and then embossed it with Martha Stewart red embossing powder to make the main embellishment for this card.  

Supplies:   Embellishments by Piccolo (Decor Style #9); Patterned Paper (Studio Calico, Crate Paper); Washi Tape by American Crafts; Absolutely Die by Simon Says Stamps; Stamp by Simon Says Stamps; Embossing Poweder by Martha Stewart Crafts; Inks and Pens (Uni-ball, Memento); Brads by Oriental Trading Company); Corner Rounder by We R Memory Keepers; Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner, Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker; Homemade Foam Adhesive using Craft Foam and Xyron 5" Creative Station).

I had so much fun working with the Piccolo card decor sets and can't wait to use up the rest of the pieces to make some more cards.  Make sure you head over to the Xyron Blog and Globecraft Memories Blog for more inspiration and ideas from our design teams.  

As always, thanks for stopping by!  

**Both cards were made using papers and embellishments from my September Counterfeit Kit.  

Xyron and Clearsnaps Blog Hop

 

I'm so excited that Xyron and Clearsnap are teaming up this entire week to showcase amazing products from both companies!!  I've been using Clearsnap products since before I even started scrapbooking.  They manufacture, among many other things, Colorbox inks which were some of the first stamp pads I ever purchased!  In fact, when I started getting into scrapbooking about three years ago, I bought a lot of Colorbox Cat Eye Queues which are still working perfectly today!

1.  Meeting the Yellow Princess {a scrapbook layout}.  This first project is a layout featuring a photo of me and my daughter with Belle.  Since she hasn't seen any of the Disney princess movies except for Tangled (which she is obsessed with by the way), all of the princesses are known simply by their color.  Cinderella is the blue princess.  Aurora is the pink princess.  Belle is the yellow princess.  Hey, at least she knows her colors, right?  :)

Supplies:  Inks and Sprays (Clearsnaps Colorbox Pigment Ink and Chalk Ink Cat Eye Queues, Smooch Spritz in Gold Glow, Memento Ink); EK Success BrusH20 Pen; Stamps (My Cute Stamps, Lawn Fawn); Patterned Paper (Authentique, Studio Calico); Die Cuts and Embellishments (Authentique, Studio Caclico, Crate Paper, Sassafras, Ormolu); Ribbon and Paper Trip (American Crafts, Studio Calico); Dies and Punches (Lifestyle Crafts, EK Success), Letter Stickers (American Crafts, Studio Calico), Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner, Xyron 1.5" Create-a-Sticker, Homemade Foam Tape using Craft Foam and Xyron 5" Creative Station).

One of the most obvious ways of using the Clearsnap Colorbox Inks is to apply the ink directly to paper.  I did that here with a small subtitle, "may all your dreams come true," a sentiment from the Lawn Fawn Critters Ever After stamp set.

Next, I used the inks together with a water pen to color in stamped images for my page.  The adorable dragon is from the same Lawn Fawn set while the castle and Fairy Princess are from My Cute Stamps Make a Wish set.  (Enabler alert - all of the stamp sets from My Cute Stamps are currently 50% off.  I bought A LOT a few months back and it looks like they still have a decent selection available.)

And finally I sprayed some Clearsnap Smooch Spritz directly onto my page for some additional shine.  I also painted on some of the spray over the yellow areas on the stamped images (i.e. the fairy princess' dress and the castle windows) and randomly throughout the page for some additional sparkle.  While these photos don't really show it, in real life, it really adds a lovely touch.  

2.  Happy Birthday Card.  For my second project, I made this super cute card for my best friend and college roommate.  You know that she's my best friend because instead of sending a card or baby clothes after Ben was born, she sent me three bags of bagels from Zabars, my favorite bagel place in New York City.  :)  Love her.

Supplies:  Inks and Sprays (Clearsnap Colorbox Pigment Ink Cat Eye Queues, Tim Holtz Distress Inks); Stamps (Lawn Fawn, Paper Smooches); Patterned Paper and Chipboard Buttons (Studio Calico); EK Success Border Punch; Twine by Twinery; Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher; Thickers by American Crafts; Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner, Homemade Foam Tape using Craft Foam and Xyron 5" Creative Station).

This card showcases the variety of colors that the Clearsnap Colorbox inks come in.  I can easily find the ink colors I want by simply rummaging through my many (or few...depending on who you are) Clearsnap Colorbox Ink Cat Eye Queues.  Using stamps from Lawn Fawn and Paper Smooches, I created the happy birthday patterned paper which serves as the anchor to my card's design.  And here is a closeup.

Make sure you head over to the Xyron Blog and Clearsnap Blog for more inspiration and ideas from our design teams.  And if you haven't already, make sure to "like" Xyon and Clearsnap on facebook!

Both projects were made using papers and embellishments from my September Counterfeit Kit.  And remember that there is still time to enter the giveaway for a free seat in a Big Picture Class taught by Tracey Clark, Picture Color.  Just make sure to "follow" my blog and leave a comment on this post.  

As always, thanks for stopping by!  

Lawnscaping Challenge #41 - Cards using Spellbinders Nestabilities

So I've been stalking the Lawnscaping Challenge Blog for some time now and am always in awe of the gorgeousness that my dear friend and stamper extraordinaire, Jennifer McDermott, always creates for the them.  Since this week's challenge was a super simple card sketch, I didn't have much of an excuse to not play along.

I used my Spellbinders Nestabilities dies to create a frame for my stamping.  I especially love how Spellbinders dies can both cut and emboss, something that even my beloved Silhouette Cameo can't do.  I think that adds just another level of sophistication.  So here are the two cards I made using primarily papers and elements from my September Counterfeit Kit.

1.  Flying By Card.  This card uses three different Lawn Fawn sets (Belinda's Borders, Sunny Skies, and Flying By).

Supplies:  Patterned Paper (Studio Calico - Take Note); Cardstock (Neena Paper); Dies (Spellbinders Nestabilities - LG Classic Scalloped Circles, LG Standard Circles); Washi Tape (Martha Stewart Crafts); Stamps (Lawn Fawn); Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner, Homemade Foam Tape); We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper.

2.  Note of Thanks.  I've found that some of the larger Lawn Fawn sentiments, like this one from Many Thanks, fit perfectly in a scalloped circle to make the perfect simple card.

Supplies:  Patterned Paper (Studio Calico - Take Note); Cardstock (Neena Paper); Dies (Spellbinders Nestabilities - LG Classic Scalloped Circles, LG Standard Circles); Border Punch (EK Success - Musical Symphony); Stamps (Lawn Fawn); Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner, Homemade Foam Tape); We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper.

Make sure to stop by the Lawnscaping Challenge Blog for more details on how you can play along.  You have until September 12 to submit an entry!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Counterfeit Kit Challenge - September 2012 Kit

It has been a long time since I've played along with the Counterfeit Kit Challenge (actually, since I was the January guest designer)!  But I genuinely love the concept and, in looking at my ever growing stash, decided that it was time to play along again.

The inspiration kit for this month is the August Kit by Birds of a Feather.  You can view a photo of that kit and their contents here.  My previous kits have been massive, so much so that I was never able to use everything.  So I have tried to scale it down a bit this time around and here is what I came up with.

Here are some close ups of the patterned paper.  They are from Authentique, October Afternoon, Studio Calico and Crate Paper.  I especially love the B sides and will probably use those more than the busier A sides.

Here are the papers together with some of the stickers and die cuts.  The inspiration kit had a couple of pieces from Studio Calico's Take Note so I went ahead and threw in the entire 6x6 paper pad.  This has already proved super helpful in card making.  The American Crafts thickers are in the chit chat font.  The word stickers/ die cuts/ journaling stickers are from Authentique and Studio Calico.

And here are the embellishments.  In choosing these, I'm more inspired by color and feel than actually trying to exactly mimic the inspiration kit.  So in this lot, we have some chip board pieces from Studio Calico, a number of flowers from Sassafras and American Crafts, twine from the Twinery, Crate Paper Buttons, various tags and bags from Ormolu and Canvas Corps, Washi Tape and ribbon from Studio Calico, American Crafts, and American Crafts.

I also went ahead and pulled out the coordinating ink colors and put them on my desk, hoping that it will inspire me to use my stamps more often.  Can't wait to get crafty this month and see what I can put together with this Counterfeit Kit!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Project Life - Week 2

Here is my Project Life spread for Week 2 (January 9-15).  Again, I reached for bits and pieces of my January Counterfeit Kit to put the photos and journaling cards together.

I'm still using 8.5 x 11 page protectors for larger memorabilia and other photos.   This week - a place mat from Newport Creamery and a map from Mystic Aquarium.

 

Week 2 Highlights.  Charlotte's belated birthday cake.  Mystic aquarium (despite the freezing weather).  Ten pounds of lobster. 

Project 100 Update:  22 down.  78 to go.