Twelve Days of Christmas - Xyron/ Faber Castell/ Creative Imaginations Blog Hop

If you're coming here from the Xyron Blog, welcome!  I'm so excited to share with you my gift giving ideas for this awesome blog hop with Xyron, Faber Castell and Creative Imaginations.

1.  Christmas Advent Calendar/ Banner.  So there is a selfish motivation behind this project.  As always, our plans have changed and we will be spending Christmas in San Diego before moving out to Hawaii.  We weren't able to secure housing before the holidays and the idea of spending Christmas and Charlotte's birthday in a hotel room just made me sad.  That being the case, ALL of our Christmas decorations will be in a storage locker somewhere in Honolulu.  However, I refuse to let that stop our family from having a happily decorated "home" (i.e. a few bedrooms in my parent's house), even if everything is made out of paper!!  So here is the Christmas Advent Calendar/ Banner I made for Charlotte (now hanging in the upstairs hallway and ready to be filled with wonderful holiday activities).

Supplies:  Patterned Paper and Stickers (Creative Imaginations); Cardstock (Neena Paper); Die Cuts (Imaginsce); Stamps (Lawn Fawn); Cording and Clothespins (Walmart); Inks/ Pencils/ Colors (Faber Castell PITT Artist Pens Big Brush, Faber Castell PITT Artist Pens; Faber Castell Gelatos; Memento Dye Ink; Versamark; Copics; Embossing Power by Hampton Arts); Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner; Xyron 5" Creative Station); Digital File by Silhouette; Silhouette Cameo; Heat Embossing Gun.

All of the patterned papers are from the new Creative Imaginations holiday line, Holiday Joy.  I personally adore the traditional Christmas colors and the bit of blue throughout really makes it an absolutely lovely collection.  I cut 24 library card pockets on my Silhouette Cameo using Neena Solar White cardstock and glued them together using my Xyron Mega Runner.  I embellished the front of each pocket with a bit of decorated patterned paper using Lawn Fawn Stamps, stickers from the Holiday Joy collection, and the amazing products I received from Faber Castell.

For some pockets, I used the Faber Castell PITT Artist Pen Big Brush to directly stamp images onto the patterned paper (like this pine branch from the Ornate Ornaments set from Lawn Fawn).

You can use the Faber Castell Gelatos to create beautiful colored backgrounds to enhance embossed stamped images.  For this pocket, I stamped a large snowflake image from Amuse Studios on to patterned paper using Versamark Ink and then embossed it with clear embossing power.  I then colored on a variety of different colors using the Faber Castell Gelatos, rubbed the color around with my finger, and then cleaned off the embossed image using a baby wipe.

The Faber Castel gelatos were also perfect for simply distressing the edges of each pocket.

Additionally, I used the Faber Castell PITT Artist and Brush Pens to directly draw and color some images.  To hang the pockets, I stamped numbers (Lawn Fawn Quinn's Numbers) onto circles and adhered them onto scallop circles (this was done in a snap using my Xyron 5" Creative Station).

These circles were adhered to mini clothespins using the Xyron Mega Runner.  Finally, the large scallop circles at the beginning and end of the banner are shapes cut from my Silhouette Cameo and then adhered together using some DIY Foam Tape.  The Santa and Elf images are just die cuts from the last year's holiday collection from Imaginisce.  To give the circles some more strength, I adhered a piece of cardboard to the back of each circle.  These circles are adhered directly onto the wall using 3M Command Poster Strips.

2.  DIY Library Kit.  As a kid, I remember trying to catalog our entire book collection and making check out cards for each one.  My sister even instituted a library card/ borrowing system!  (I know, we were super cool kids.)  :)  I wanted to make a kit to recreate this creative play for my daughter.  Since her favorite color is purple, these winter themed patterned papers by Christine Adolph for Creative Imaginations were perfect!

Supplies:  Patterned Paper and Die Cuts (Creative Imaginations); Stamps (Lawn Fawn, Office Depot); Inks (Faber Castell PITT Artist Pen Big Brush; Memento Dye Ink); Digital Files (Lori Whitlock, Silhouette, Carina Gardner); Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner, Xyron 5" Creative Station - Laminating Cartridge); Silhouette Cameo; Photoshop CS5.

Using my Silhouette Cameo, I cut eight library pockets from the patterned paper and adhered them with my Xyron Mega Runner.  I then ran each pocket through my Xyron 5" Creative Station and trimmed the plastic backing around each pocket.  This effectively made each pocket into a sticker that could be directly adhered to the inside of any book.

I then stamped a library card stamp from Lawn Fawn (Check This Out) onto coordinating Creative Imaginations patterned paper and cut it out to slip into each library pocket.

To complete the kit, I paired it with an office date stamp and a library card I made on Photoshop and laminated with my Xyron 5" Creative Station.

Finally, I cut this cute Scallop Favor Box by Lori Whitlock on my Sillhouette Cameo and placed all the cards and stamps inside.  

3.  Fabric Flower Headband.  For my final project, I wanted to showcase how you can use the Faber Castell Gelatos to make your own colored sprays.

Supplies:  Red Fabric Tote; Faber Castell Gelatos; Mini Mister by Ranger; Twinkling H2Os by Creative Imaginations; Adhesive (Xyron 5" Creative Station, Glue Gun); Felt; Elastic Band.

To make the fabric flower, I started with this little red bag that Charlotte got at a birthday party.

I cut the bag apart and ran a large piece (about 24 inches long) through my Xyron 5" Creative Station.

I then cut the fabric into 1 inch wide strips.  After making sure to burnish the fabric really well onto the plastic backing (to make sure that the adhesive transfers onto the fabric), I pulled each fabric strip off its backing and folded it in half lengthwise.  (Note that because this is not the fabric adhesive that you can otherwise get with the Xyron Creatopia, the adhesive may not adhere perfectly to the fabric.)

Each strip will make one fabric flower.  I basically followed this tutorial.  You initially roll the beginning of the strip into a tight roll.  I glued that down onto the center of a fabric circle using a glue gun.  And then just roll and glue the fabric strip until you get a complete flower.

Once the flowers were made, I set them aside to make a red shimmery spray to intensify the red color of the flower.  To make the spray, I colored the bottom of a small plastic container pretty liberally with a red Faber Castell Gelato.

Then I added a bit of water and some Twinkling H2Os in Red Pearl.

Once completed diluted, I poured this mixture into a Mini Mister and saturated my fabric flowers with the spray.

Once completely dry, I sandwiched the flower and a piece of felt onto an elastic headband with a glue gun.  Viola, the perfect headband to match those cute holiday dresses.  Here's a photo of Charlotte wearing hers while making Daddy a present this morning.

Whew!  That must be the LONGEST blog post ever!  But just goes to show much fun you can have when working with some of the best manufacturers in the industry!

As always, thanks for stopping by!!

Xyron and Quick Quotes - Halloween Layout

I love it when Xyron teams up with an awesome manufacturer like Quick Quotes.  I received some papers and elements from their new Halloween Collection and thought it was the perfect excuse to finally scrapbook last year's trick or treating photos.  While a lot of the papers and elements seemed to lend itself more towards scary Halloween projects, I was able to use them perfectly for these super cute photos of Charlotte in her bumble bee costume.

Supplies:  Patterned Paper (Quick Quotes); Cardstock (Recollections); Die Cuts/ Journaling Tags (Quick Quotes); Stamps (Studio Calico, Lawn Fawn, American Crafts); Ink and Pens (Quick Quotes, Uni-ball, American Crafts); Punch (EK Success); Adhesives (Xyron Creatopia, Xyron Mega Runner; Homemade Foam Tape); Digital Die Cutting Files (Silhouette); Silhouette Cameo.

The Quick Quotes die cuts and journaling tags made embellishing this layout super easy.  This amazingly intricate die cut tree provided the perfect Halloween background when paired with a graveyard silhouette that I cut using my Silhouette Cameo.  The die cuts were super easy to adhere to the page after I ran them through my Xyron Creatopia.

I cut apart the Be Afraid Chipboard Pieces and then inked it with some Quick Quotes chalk ink (purple passion) to embellish the top corner of the photo collage.  And finally, a cut one of the Quick Quotes Instant Journaling Strips into a banner/ title element for my page.  Some stamped labels (again, using the Quick Quotes chalk ink), finished my page. 

I also made this super quick and simple layout showcasing some of our pumpkin photos from last fall (and based on a Midweek Mojo Sketch from Scrapbook Steals - Pearl 7).

Supplies: Patterned Paper (Quick Quotes); Journaling Tags (Quick Quotes); Stamps (Studio Calico, Lawn Fawn); Ink and Pens (Quick Quotes, Studio Calico Mister Hueys, American Crafts, Memento, Sharpie, Tim Holtz Distress Ink); Punch (EK Success); Letter Stickers (American Crafts, October Afternoon, Kesi' Art); Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner; Xyron 1.5" Create-a-Sticker, Homemade Foam Tape).

I wanted to write directly on the background paper.  Since it was such a dark and heavy print, I first sprayed directly onto the paper with some Studio Calico Mister Hueys spray before stamping some journaling lines with a Lawn Fawn Background stamp and then writing directly onto the page.  Unfortunately, all the of the pens didn't do so well writing onto the paint (I tried the American Crafts precision pen, Sharpie fine tip marker, and the Memento pen).  If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know!

I also didn't go crazy with the embellishing on this layout.  A return to simple scrapping.  :) But I'm still really liking it without all the fuss.  It's a good reminder that not all pages should take me 5 hours to finish!

Thanks Quick Quotes for the opportunity to play with your amazing products!  Make sure to visit Beth Kingston's blog for lots of stunning Xyron and Quick Quotes projects from the Xyron Design Team all week long and a chance to win some of the Quick Quotes Halloween products for your own collection!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Take 12 Project - August 12

The 12th this August fell on the last day Justin was home before leaving on deployment.  It was certainly a bittersweet day filled with lots of family time and some tears as it started to hit me (once again) that he was finally leaving (again).  While he has been away these past few months for training, and it has been difficult for me in so many ways, the the fears and unknowns involved with deployment add a whole new complexity to what we are all feeling.  But thankfully, we were able to spend an entire day filled with family and love and lots of amazing memories.  

Here is my layout for this month:

I was inspired by this piece of paper from the Echo Park Sweet Days collection.  

I was just obsessed with these polaroids and wanted to mimic that look.  I cut a number Polaroid die cuts using my Silhouette Cameo and digital files from Lori Whitlock. After placing some photos and patterned papers underneath the die cuts, I arranged them on some neutral colored patterned paper.  

Here are some closeups:

Supplies:  Patterned Papers (Studio Calico, American Crafts, Crate Paper); Card Stock (American Crafts); Chipboard and Sticker Embellishments (Studio Calico); Stamps (Lawn Fawn, My Cute Stamps, Paper Smooches); Letter and Word Stickers (American Crafts, Cosmo Cricket); Adhesives (Xyron 2.5" Sticker Maker); Other (Silhouette Cameo, Lori Whitlock Digital Files, Glossy Accents by Ranger).

Amazingly enough, the only adhesive I used on this layout was my Xyron 2.5" Sticker Maker.  Seriously love that thing.  And it was also an excellent excuse to finally pull out the Lawn Fawn Stamps that I love so much.

If you're playing along this month with Ella Publishing, make sure to link up your photos here for a chance to win a spot in Elisha Snow's photography class at Big Picture Classes.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Trinity Paper Arts and Xyron: Sincerely Collection

Trinity Paper Arts is a relatively new manufacturer in the scrapbooking world and I was so excited that Xyron is be teaming up with them to showcase some of their paper collections.  I received the Sincerely collection to play with - a love themed collection featuring lots to black and maroon tones.  I also fell in love with the quality of the paper - super thick and with a smooth finish - which made it perfect for a 3D project.  

I made this little 3D card and envelope box that fits six A2 sized notecards and envelopes.  

Using my Silhouette Cameo, I cut the box out of the e.e. poem paper using a file from Snapdragon Snippets (3D envelope box - design id #2454) which is available through the Silhouette Studio Store.  In order to fit an A2 sized envelope, I resized the file to 12.895" x 14.770" and rotated it by 45 degrees in order to fit onto the 12" x 12" mat.

The Trinity Paper Arts paper cut beautifully on my Silhouette Cameo!  I then embellished the front side of the box wish some of the border strips, decor stickers, and alpha stickers from the collection kit.  I also sprayed a bit of Mister Hueys white mist on the top half of the paper.

To make sure that I could easily open and close the box to access the little notecards inside, I reached for my Xyron magnetic tape.  I strategically placed it on certain flaps to ensure a strong hold when the box is closed.  I seriously love Xyron's magnetic tape.  It's thin enough so that you can simply tear it and add it to projects with little to no bulk.  However, it's strong enough to ensure that my mini albums or 3D boxes can stay closed when I'm not using them.

I also added a little sticker from the collection sticker sheet right at the envelope flap to finish off the back of the box.

Finally, since three of the papers in the collection feature some gorgeous ledger/ lined designs, I cut down those sheets apart to create 6 perfectly adorable and simple A2 sized note cards.  With the addition of six premade envelopes from my stash I have the perfect little gift for someone special in my life.

Supplies:  Patterned Paper (Trinity Paper Arts); Letter Stickers and Embellishments (Trinity Paper Arts, Cosmo Cricket); Adhesives (Xyron Mega Runner, Xyron 5" Creative Station, Xyron Magnetic Tape); Acrylic Spray by Studio Calico; ; Craft Foam by Creatology; Digital File by Snapdragon Snippets; Silhouette Cameo.

Make sure to head over the Beth Kingston's blog to check out all the other amazing projects the Xyron Design Team has created for you this entire week!  

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Gifting Scrapbook Pages

As you know, I love to scrapbook.  With each page I make, it's another memory for our family's album.  It's an intensely personal and intimate exercise to choose the title, journal the memories, and select the perfect photos. So when I decided to make a framed scrapbook page for a friend, it definitely felt outside of my comfort zone. However, with some of Scrapbook Steals fantastic Mid Week Mojo sketches as my guide, I was able to put something together that I'm really proud of.  

1.  Lilly Reese {a scrapbook layout}.

The starting point for this layout was a Mid Week Mojo (Amethyst 5) by Kristy Lee.  

And here are some closeups of the little details.  I personally love the look of some twine wrapped around the photo mat.

I made these 3D flower embellishments using my Silhouette Cameo, some American Crafts brads and Stickles by Ranger.

To finish off the page, I stamped some little hearts along the side and covered them in Stickles.  Lilly is definitely a girl that appreciates some bling.  :)

Supplies:  Echo Park (Patterned Paper, Stickers); American Crafts (Letter Stickers, Brads); Twine by Twinery; Stamps by Paper Smooches; Stickles by Ranger; Silhouette Cameo.

2.  John Joseph {a scrapbook layout}.

For this layout, I started with a Mid Week Mojo Sketch (Amethyst 7) by the talented Kyla Norris.

I placed some train stickers on dimensional stickers along the bottom with stars coming out like steam.  

To incorporate some more fun colors and patterns, I incorporated some paper banner strips behind the title block.  

Supplies:  Echo Park (Patterned Paper, Stickers, Letter Stickers).

And here are both layouts all warm and cozy in their shadow box frames ready to wrap and gift.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!