Thursday Trigger for Kraft Outlet: Stand and Salute Challenge

This week's challenge theme at The Kraft Journal is Stand and Salute in honor of Armed Forces Day on Saturday May 21, and you still have time to join us too! Simply create a project using either Kraft cardstock or products from Kraft Outlet and link it up before Sunday at 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. You can find the link to our current challenge in the upper right hand of our sidebar.

The card I created for this challenge is in honor of all the Service Men and Women who help to ensure our freedom each and every day...they are indeed "My Hero".

Kraft Outlet products featured in this card include: Brown Kraft Cover Weight Cardstock, Blue Baker's Twine, Red Baker's Twine and 7 Gypsies Victoria Seam Binding in white.

To recreate this card:

1. Create a 4 ¼ x 5 ½ top fold card with Kraft cardstock; ink edges.
2. Die cut piece of patterned paper with scallop die and adhere to piece of coordinating patterned paper that is cut at 4 x 5 ¼ inch; wrap with blue ribbon and adhere to card front.
3. Die cut tag from Kraft cardstock, ink edges and adhere scrap piece of red cardstock on back of tag; thread with ribbon, tie twine into bow and adhere to card front.
4. Die cut banner from white cardstock and stamp sentiments; adhere to card front.
5. Adhere gems on bow and large star.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink: “Stampers Select White”,“Pure Poppy”, Kraft Outlet: “Brown Kraft Cover Weight” Patterned Paper: Lily Bee Design: “Picket Fence” 6 x 6 Tiny Tablet.

Fiber: Papertrey Ink: Twill Tap 3/8 inch “Blueberry Sky”, Kraft Outlet: Baker’s Twine: “Blue”, “Red”, 7 Gypsies: Victoria Seam Binding: "White"

Dies: Papertrey Ink: “Double-Ended Banners”, “Large Scallop”, Provocraft: Cricut Stand and Salute Cartridge. Embellishments: Imaginisce: Glam Rocks “Metallic Pearl”.

Stamps: Papertrey Ink: “Ad Sense”

Ink: Ranger: Stampin’ Up: Classic Stampin’ Pad “Real Red”.

Other Tools: Provocraft: Cricut Expression Tabletop Die Cut Machine, Imaginisce: I-Rock Tool

I am entering this card into these awesome challenges... hope you join me!

Crafts and Me: Anything Goes with Option of Using Kraft
The Paper Variety: Star Studded Challenge
Truly Scrumptious: Anything Goes
Die Cutting Divas: Masculine Cuts
That's Kraft Thursday: Use Kraft Cardstock

Published in the Cricut Magazine... almost.

Cricut Cartridge Featured: Batman: The Brave and The Bold

I actually created this layout of my very own Super Hero: John,  for a men's Cricut Magazine layout call and was thrilled when it was selected for publication in the June/July 2011 issue of that magazine... alas, there ended up be some licensing issues with the Batman images and Northridge Publishing was then unable to publish it. Never the less, I can still share my project here with you today!!

To create this layout I used my Cricut Expression, my Gypsy (to size things accurately to fit the layout), Batman: The Brave and The Bold Cricut Cartridge and American Crafts Cardstock in white, blue and yellow.

The journal text reads:  My Super Hero may not be Batman or even Superman, but he is... just slightly faster than a speeding turtle. Able to leap tall piles of dirty laundry in a single bound. More powerful than a roll of duct tape. And able to make our family feel love, happy and safe.

Clear Scraps an Imaginisce: Fit for a Princess

(please note, this is my second post today, if you are looking for my

Papercraft Star Executive Team Reveal it can be found right here.)

We have been enjoying a bit of a product swap with Imaginisce sending over a bundle of i-rocks and bling for their designers to work with and in return Clear Scraps sent us a wonderful package of clear acrylic albums in all shapes and sizes.

In honor of today's Royal Wedding, over at Imaginisce we've put a "Royal Twist" on our projects today and are showing off a bunch of the mini albums we created like this mini album that I made for my two young nieces who will be celebrating a double-birthday Tea Party in May.  (This explains why you won't see any photos or journaling yet, because the event hasn't taken place!)... but I'll share the pages that I have ready for the additions their mommy will make after the party.  Here's the cover...

and some of the inside pages...

I used the Imaginisce Enchanted Collection of patterned paper and die cuts throughout the entire album.

Imaginisce Pop Up Posies, the I-Rock and Crystals from the Hot Rock Compact got lots of use too. Not to mention die cuts from Spellbinders coupled with Waltzing Mouse stamps.

The doily cut is from Cheery Lynn Designs and felt from Papertrey Ink. I used my Cricut along with the Once Upon a Princess and Doodlecharms cartridges to create frames and the sweet teapot cuts and title on the front page of the album too.

I'm looking forward to seeing some darling photos of my nieces and their friends adorning this album for sure! :-)

In keeping with the Royal Wedding theme there is also a special Clear Scraps mini album giveaway at Imaginisce as well....so head on over there and get in on the Royal party! :-)

Click it with Cricut at Imaginise

This week I had the pleasure of working together with fellow Imaginisce Designer Kim Holmes for the special Click it with Cricut feature at the Imaginise blog. For this segment we both created projects featuring Cricut's Tags, Bags, Boxes & More.  Make sure you hop on over to the Imaginisce blog to see our projects and get in on a chance to win some great prizes!

I combined the Animal Crackers collection with Circut's Tags, Bags, Boxes & More, and "monkeyed-around" with Cricut's Create a Critter and Nate's ABC's to put together this little gift-bag ensemble for my two grandsons (who often run around like monkeys I might add!).

Cricut Cuts - Tags, Bags, Boxes & More - Gift Bag
- Cut < inchbg > with Blackout Feature selected  at 7 inches from Animal Crackers patterned paper
- Use Animal Crackers Border Die Cuts, your i-rock and Glam Rocks to decorate

Tip: Add the border to the bag while it is still flat, before you fold it.

Cricut Cuts - Tags, Bags, Boxes & More - Hang Tag
- Cut < hangr2 > with Blackout Feature selected at 5 1/2 inches from Animal Crackers patterned paper
- Cut < hangr2 > with Shadow Feature selected at 5 1/2 inches from orange cardstock
- Adhere cardstock to patterned paper with POGO Adhesive Dispenser

Cricut Cuts - Nate's ABC's - Letters for Names
- Cut letters for name from organe cardstock at 1 inch with < font2 shadow> feature selected
- Adhere letters to tag to form name with POGO Adhesive Dispenser
- Use your i-rock and Glam Rocks to decorate

Cricut Cuts - Create a Critter - Monkey Stick
Cut < monkey > at 4 inches from black cardstock
Cut < monkey > with Layer 1 selected from Kraft cardstock
Cut < monkey > with Layer 2 selected from dark brown cardstock
Cut < monkey > with Accessory selected from green cardstock
Adhere together with POGO Adhesive Dispenser as shown in photo
Attach money on vine to a stick (I used a Wilton Cookie Stick) with Small Badge Daddies created with your I-Top

(note: supervise play with "Monkey Stick" due to stick pin on Badge Daddy, or adhere vine to stick using glue)

Tip:  Add "whites" of eyes with a white gel pen. Add "pink" to inside ears and cheeks with chalk

Add candy or small prizes and shredded paper to inside of bag and you are done... TA DA! :-)

Papercraft Star Executive Team Reveal

Thank goodness it's Friday...and not only is it Friday...but it's also time for me to share another Executive Team Reveal for our current challenge this week over at Papercraft Star.  

I loved Liz's sketch for this week's challenge that is sponsored by Copic Markers (heck, I love all of her sketches all of the time) and I was really inspired by the both the bird and the banner she included, so I incorporated them by using the Tickled Pink 6 x 6 paper collection from My Mind's Eye that features both!

The patterned papers also inspired me to pull out my Cricut and the Cindi Loo Cartridge that I used to create the doily-cut and Birdhouse. I added some Martha Stewart glitter to the little heart on top of the birdhouse and some more bling using my Imaginisce I-Rock tool to adhere the crystal Hot Rocks to the front of the house.  The patterned paper I used to create the outside of the birdhouse is from the new Berrylicious collection by Imaginisce by the way. 

The finished size of this card is 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.  I cut the birdhouse  with the layers and shadow at 3 inches. The Doily4 was cut at 3 inches as well.

Thanks for letting me share my card with you today... oh by the way, there's still time to join our sketch challenge this week at Papercraft Star and to get in on a chance to win some Copic markers too!

Enjoy your weekend and create something beautiful!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink: Hawaiian Shores, Rustic Cream, Raspberry Fizz
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye: Tickled Pink 6x6 collection, Imaginisce: Berrylicious collection
Ink: Ranger: Archival "Coffee"
Ribbon: Papertrey Ink: Hawaiian Shores
Stamps: Stampin' Up: So Happy for You
Other: Provocraft: Cricut Expression and Cindi Loo Cricut Cartridge, Martha Stewart: Glitter and Glue

Click it with Cricut at Imaginisce!

I very recently had the honor of working alongside Liz Qualman (one of the Senior Designers at Imaginisce) on a special assignment to kick off Imaginisce's official Click it with Cricut Feature. In fact, our team of designers can't wait to show our fans how Imaginisce and Cricut are totally meant to be together by pushing the creative boundaries with Imaginisce's expertise in paper and embellishments and Cricut's expertise in technology and die cutting. Liz and I both knew we had the perfect cartridges to go along with the brand new Berrylicious collection, so we each created a couple of cards to show you just how Circut and Imaginisce click!

I'll show you my cards here in just a moment, but first I want to tell you that if you visit the Click it with Cricut post and leave a comment today or tomorrow, you'll have an opportunity to win a Birthday Bash Cricut cartridge, so please hop on over to Imaginisce for a chance to win!

Here are the two projects I created...

For this card I used the Cricut Preserves Cartridge. You'll find the instructions on how to recreate this card with your Cricut at the Imaginisce blog.

Supplies Used:
Imaginise Berrylicious Collection
Sewing Machine and White Thread
Cardstock from Papertrey Ink
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

I also thought it would be fun to try my hand at a Pop Up Card for the VERY first time in my life. The instructions for creating that card are also available today at the Imaginisce blog.

I created the outside of the card using Plantin Schoolbook, Walk in My Garden and Freshly Picked.

The inside of the card features cuts from Freshly Picked and all of the cards feature the brand spankin' new Berrylicious Collection from Imaginisce. Speaking of which, we'll host our official Berrylicious Release Party at the Imaginisce blog next week... you don't want to miss it! 

Now hop on over to Imaginisce and get signed up to win that Cricut cartridge! We'll announce the winner over there on Friday!

Dreams Come True Cricut Cartridge and Imaginisce

My youngest daughter Cydney has loved the Disney Princesses since I can remember. (There was a time when if asked, she would tell you that is what she wanted to be when she grew up). She's almost 19 years old now, and despite the fact that she now has her eye on a more realistic career goal, she still has a love for all things Disney Princess. It is for this reason that I purchased the Disney: Dreams Come True cartridge a few months ago... and also the reason that many of the characters on the cartridge adorn one of my craft cupboards... thank you Cydney! :-) 

At any rate, this past weekend Cydney asked me to create a card for a friend of hers that is turning 21 and also loves Disney Princesses (birds of a feather...you know ).  Happy to oblige the request, this was also a perfect opportunity for me to combine Imaginisce Enchanted collection with my Cricut and the Disney: Dreams Come True cartridge.

 

To create this card I started with a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base (white). I cut the Imaginisce Enchanted Collection patterned paper at 4 x 5 1/4 and (although it's hard to see in the photo) border punched the bottom. I attached the rectangle to the card and added a border die cut (also from the Enchanted collection) across the center of the card.

I cut Belle and all of her layers at 6 inches. This made her large enough to make the really small layers (like her eyes) easier to work with, while also ensuring she could still fit on the card. After piecing her together, I gave her cheeks some color with a cotton ball and pink chalk and attached her to the card front with Pop Dots. I attached the Princess die cut, also from the Imaginisce Enchanted collection, using more Pop Dots to add dimension. Then I stamped a sentiment onto a yellow cardstock scrap, trimmed it and adhered that to the card as well. I also added some Hot Rocks with my I-Rock... because every princess deserves a little bling... we all know that!

It had been awhile since I created a card that featured a main image from one of my Cricut cartridges and well, that got me thinking that I need to give my Cricut some love again real soon. :-)

Practical Scrappers Ribbon Challenge

I've been hardly waiting to write up this post for the ribbon challenge at Practical Scrappers this week!  I love ribbon, so naturally I got pretty excited to learn about the ribbon challenge.  However, I wanted to do something new with it so I went on a quest across Internet-land and found this FANTASTIC tutorial over at Scrap A Little by Helen Croft.

To doll the ribbon flower up a bit, I used my Cricut and my Cuttlebug to cut and emboss leaves for the flowers and to add just a bit more zip... I cut a couple of flourishes for the flower too.  The cuts are from my Accent Essentials cartridge which I have been using quite a bit lately I suddenly realized!

The cardstock and patterned papers for this project are from Papertrey Ink. I used Martha Stewart's Royal Butterfly punch for the butterflies and the ribbon and stamped sentiment are Papertrey Ink as well. The pearls are Hero Arts.

I do hope you'll pop on over to Practical Scrappers to check out all the other wonderful Designer inspiration pieces and then join us for this challenge too!

BBTB2 Challenge - Crayon Box from Bags, Tags, Boxes and More

'Tis time for another weekly challenge over at the BBTB2 blog and this week Regina Easter (the original creator of Bitten by the Bug) selected the Crayon Box from the Bags, Tags, Boxes and More cartridge.

I used the cut to create a gift box from a piece of 12 x 12 American Crafts white cardstock. I cut the box using the "Fit to Page" selection button on the Cricut in order to make it as large as I could. The image cut at 8 3/4 inches, which is large enough (when folded) to fit a stack of standard A2 cards and envelopes.  In other words it is the perfect box for presentation of a stack of notecards or gift cards... what a cute gift that will be! Granted I haven't made the gift cards to go into this particular box (YET)...but I see that in my future.

Please excuse the strange photo set-up... I finished up crafting in the wee hours of the night, and thus the lighting was less than wonderful, so I put the box up on my shelves with my Cricut carts to photograph where the lighting was just a tad better.

To decorate this box, I used for the first time EVAH, Bazzil cardstock (gasp) (I typically use Papertrey Ink and American Crafts)... but I loved the paper and so I certainly won't be afraid to use it again.  The patterned paper is from Basic Grey. I used my Accent Essentials cart to create the flowers and flourishes and Walk in My Garden to create the leaves of the flower.  The ribbon is from Papertrey Ink, in Terra Cotta Tile. Tim Holtz and his nifty Brackets Alterations helped me doll up the cardstock and why that cute little rhinestone came right from my stash. So that's the supply low-down, now head on over to Bitten by the Bug2 and join us in the Crayon Box challenge!

Fashion Disaster over at Better Living Through Scrapbooking

It's a new challenge over at Better Living Through Scrapbooking and you are not going to believe what is in store for you!  You've just got to join in this week and of course, once you are finished here, make sure you go take a look at all the inspiration our Design Team has crafted up for you to get you going on this week's challenge! 

“Fashion disaster challenge”
Create a layout about a fashion disaster, hair disaster, or social faux pas that happened to you.
1. Use an old school photo of yourself on your layout.
2. Use fabric or canvas on your page(s).
3. Use one larger and two smaller photo on your page.
4. Use ribbon in a fun and/or unusual way on your page.
5. Use the following as a page title, or the beginning of your journaling: “Quick, Call the Fashion Police!”

To tell the truth, when I learned about this challenge, I knew exactly what photo I was going to use, (trust me, though I may have plenty of fashion disaster photos, nothing tops this one) anyhow, after I dug the photo out of the dust, I quickly learned that it is no easy task to match up the beautiful patterned papers from Graphic 45 with a fashion disaster like this one. Where are the people from the television show, "What not to Wear" when you need them anyhow?

At any rate, I'm not even going to attempt to explain this outfit (or the HAIR for that matter). I'll simply say that besides using the sponsor products from Discount Cardstock and Graphic 45, I also chose to use the additional items 4., to use ribbon in a fun and/or unusual way and and 3., to use one larger and two smaller photos on the page (as if I actually needed to have more than one photo to prove this was a true fashion blunder, even for that decade). It's scary really! Perhaps I should have used the ribbon to cover the photos! LOL.

This "Note to Self" reads simply, "No one should be caught dead in an outfit like this, no matter how pregnant they might be. Unless maybe it is Halloween."

I think maybe I should get some kind of (crazy) award for actually putting a scrapbook layout up for the whole world to see with a photo like THIS of me on it!  Don't you?  So, just so I don't feel all alone... go ahead and dig out some of those old fashion disaster photos (you know you got 'em) and get scrappin'!

P.S. I realized after I finished this layout that I actually put the wrong date down for when this photo was taken... it was actually 1989... not 1990 (does that make a difference...maybe?).


Supplies Used:
Patterned Paper: Hallowe'en in Wonderland (Graphic 45)
Cardstock: Midnight Black #80, Natural Smooth (Discount Cardstock)
Fiber: True Black Twill Ribbon, Rustic Button Twine (Papertrey Ink)
Embellishments: Hallowe'en in Wonderland Die Cuts (Graphic 45)
Other Tools: Cricut Expression, Don Juan Font cartridge (ProvoCraft)

BBTB2 Challenge - Reader's Choice - Mini Monograms

This week at BBTB2 the challenge is to use any number with any feature key from the Mini Monograms cartridge.  I found myself in the mood to create a Halloween card. That alone created quite a challenge for me, because at first I just could not think of a way to incorporate a number from the Mini Monogram cart with a Halloween theme... so ummm, eventually I ended up with "1 Scray Cat"... (I didn't say it was clever, I just said I ended up with it...)

It isn't exactly the most sophisticated of cards - but it did give me the opportunity to use my new Graphic 45 Halloween in Wonderland paper right along with my new Happy Hauntings Cricut cartridge, and of course the Mini Monogram cart as well (we can't forget that...as it is the challenge this week).  I also used Kraft, Zesty Orange, and True Black cardstock from Papertrey Ink. Also from Papertrey Ink is the Saddle Stitch ribbon in orange as well as the button twine. I added a bit of glossy accents on the bat tie (on the cat) and the monogram dots too... which actually ended up helping me to create a bit of a shiny mess in places on the card... I HATE when that happens! (grin).

Now it's your turn to create your happy mess, so hop on over to Bitten By the Bug 2 and get your craft on with this Mini Monogram challenge...or I'll have to send my scary cat after you!  muwahahaha.

BBTB2 Blog Hop, Blog Candy & a Challenge

Wecome to BBTB2's Weekly Challenge and end of the month Blog Hop.  This week was Penny's week to select the challenge cut and she chose the apron cut on the cartridge From My Kitchen.  Penny is also hosting this week's challenge at Bitten By the Bug 2 and it just so happens that she is the person right in front of me for the hop, so if you didn't arrive here from Penny's blog, then you should start at the beginning at BBTB2 so you don't miss a single stop (or chance to win the blog hop goodies) along the way.

Since I recently did a card using this exact cut, I decided instead to use the apron on the new Country Life cartridge (it is my new favorite by the way!...cute, cute images all of them!).  I also used the new Kitschy Kitchen 6 x 6 patterned papers from Melissa Frances to complete this card.

Now before you run off to the next stop... let me tell you about what you can win right here at Runs with Scraps.  This week I am giving away a $17.50 gift certificate to one of my favorite places to buy stamps... My Favorite Things.  To have a chance to win, all you need to do is sign up to be a follower of this blog (if you aren't already....but umm, you are, right??!!) :-) and leave me a comment right here telling me what your favorite Cricut Cartridge or Die Cut is.  It is THAT easy to enter to win... I'll draw and announce the winner on Sunday September 4! 

Now after you do those things, go ahead and hop on over to Jeri's blog - as she is the next stop along the way!

Enjoy the hop and don't forget to join us for challenge!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  Kraft, Pure Poppy, Stampers Select (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Kitschy Kitchen (Melissa Frances)
Stamps: Classic Messages (Hero Arts)
Ink: Antique Linen Distress Ink, Archival Coffee Ink (Ranger)
Fiber: Fresh Snow 3/8 inch Twill (Papertrey Ink), Button Twine (Studio Calico)
Embellishments: Pearl Stick Pin (JBS) 4 inch white Doilies (Wilton)
Other Tools: Medium Scallop die cut (Papertrey Ink), Cricut Expression, Country Life cartridge (ProvoCraft)

Better Living Through Scrapbooking September Challenge 1

I absolutely love being a Design Team member at Better Living Through Scrapbooking.  The challenges are so clever and really make you look at scrapbooking in a whole new light.  I love that they make you think outside the box as well. This week's challenge is no exception.  I hope you'll join us...

“Inspirational Quote challenge”

Create a layout that is based on your favorite inspirational quote. Need some ideas? Visit http://www.inspirational-quotes.info/ for a great searchable collection of quotes.

Choose at least 2 of the following:

1. Use one 5×7 photo of a place or thing that inspires you.
2. Use a palette similar to this one:
http://www.colourlovers.com/palette/1254702/BetterScrap_Ch53
Make this a double 12×12 or double 8 1/2 x 11 layout, with at least 2 photos per page.
4. Place your title on a circular or wavy path.
5. Use a transparency of some sort on your page, whether an actual transparency sheet (Hambly Screen Prints, Fancy Pants) or transparent embellishment (Heidi Swapp Ghost Shapes, Making Memories) that you purchased, or a handmade transparency made by hand or with your computer printer.

"History is a kind of introduction to more interesting people than we can possibly meet in our restricted lives; let us not neglect the opportunity." -- Dexter Perkins

History, especially local history has interested me for as long as I can remember. So the quote by Dexter Perkins sums up my feelings about meeting people you would not have otherwise met by learning the history of times gone by. One of my favorite places (and thus a place that inspires me) in my town is the Blanchard House which is now owned by the Ionia Historical Society and serves as Ionia County's museum. I have spent a lot of time learning the history of the Blanchard house and the people who lived there.

Along with the inspirational quote I also decided to use 2 prompts from this challenge; transparencies that I created myself by stamping butterflies on transparencies and cutting them out as well as a 5 x 7 photo.

In this layout I also featured not only a photograph of the Blanchard House but also flowers made using Pink Ice Parchment paper from Discount Cardstock, a sponsor at Better Living Through Scrapbooking as well mini Poinsettia paper flowers (Bazzill) that can be purchased at Discount Cardstock. I also incorporated their Midnight Black cardstock by creating a frame for my photograph using my Gypsy and the Heritage cartridge. Graphic 45 is a sponsor at Better Scrap this month as well and so I used paper from the Le"Romantique Colletion as well as scraps from their Steampunk Debutante collection.


Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Midnight Black #80 (Discount Cardstock), Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Speciality Papers: Pink Ice Parchment (Discount Cardstock), Crystal Clear Plastic Sheets (Ellen Hutson)
Patterned Paper: Le' Romantique Collection and Steampunk Debutante Collection (Graphic 45)
Stamps: Antique Engravings (Hero Arts)
Ink: Distress Ink in Antique Linen (Ranger), Staz On Jet Black (Tsukineko)
Embellishments: Mini Poinsettia paper flowers (by Bazzill Basics available for purchase at Discount Cardstock), Crystal Sticker Pearls (Mark Richards),
Other Tools: Gyspy and Cricut with Heritage Cartridge (ProvoCraft), 2 inch scallop punch (EK Success), Old Lace Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Flower Die Cut and Leaf Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)

BBTB2 Life is a Beach Flamingo Cut Challenge

Wow, it's been awhile since I designed for the BBTB2 challenges, so I'm pleased as punch to have this card to show you today! The challenge this week is to use the flamingo cut from the Life is a Beach cartridge.  But there is a CATCH.  You must use any color for your flamingo EXCEPT... PINK!  gasp! LOL.  I can't wait until you see all the fun flamingo colors that are sprouting up over at BBTB2 by our Design Team!

So... as soon as you take a gander at my lemon yellow flamingo, flock on over to BBTB2 and join in this challenge "with a catch" too.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: Making Memories

Ink: Archival (Coffee) and Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Old Paper)

Stamp: Hero Arts

Twine: Purchased at Walmart

Buttons: Basic Grey

Better Living Through Scrapbooking Ugly Paper Challenge

Here is an, errr, ummm... "fun" challenge.... using UGLY paper (oh, yuck!!).  LOL  Seriously, this week at Better Living Through Scrapbooking the challenge is to use ugly paper (you know you got it .... we ALL do, don't we?) and I actually did have a great time trying to make ugly paper not quite so ugly.  It's a fantastic way to bust that stash too! Here are the full details for the challenge.

“The ugly paper challenge”

Search your stash for sheets or scraps of paper that aren’t your favorites and that you might not reach for first, and use them on a layout!

Choose at least 2 of the following:

1. Use a 12×12 sheet of “ugly” paper as your layout background.

2. Use at least 3 scraps of “ugly” paper somewhere on the page where they can be seen.

3. Use 2 4×6 photos, any orientation.

4. Use “stitching” somewhere on the page. It can be actual sewn stitches, or your stitches can be hand drawn, created with a template, or stamped.

5. Use color mist (such as Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, or a homemade ink or paint mist) anywhere on your page.

If you need inspiration be sure to visit the Better Scrap blog and check out all the Design Team reveals too... (the finished products show you that ugly isn't really always ugly in the end... more like the Ugly Duckling turned Swan thing!)

Deadline to enter Challenge #4 (and all other August challenges) is midnight EST August 31st, 2010.

and now for my reveal...

Believe it or not I actually had to turn the pretty printed side of this 12 x 12 background piece to the “ugly” side. It's okay actually though as I had two sheets of this particular paper and I already used the flip side for a different layout of my youngest grandson Seth (the one also featured in this layout!).

As if using ugly paper wasn't challenging enough, I decided to just go for it and incorporate all 5 items to choose from for the challenge. I used the ugly 12 x 12 background paper, at least three additional scraps of ugly paper, two photographs, stitching and glimmer mist. Despite the use of ugly paper on this layout, I personally feel that you just can’t help but find the project to be cute… given the photographs of my youngest grandson and all… I mean, just look at that FACE! Is it not one of the most adorable things you've ever seen (just nod in agreement).
 
Okay, so now it's time to step outside of your comfort zone and use that ugly paper in a layout of your own!  Like I said, it's a great way to bust the stash, and it helps to realize that you can use ANYTHING and still end up with a layout you will gladly add to your album. (adding cute photos helps...trust me! LOL).  Head on over to Better Living Through Scrapbooking now!

  
Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Apple Jack Wee Bundle and Paper Collection (Sassafras)
Cardstock: Pure Poppy and Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
Other Tools: Cricut Gypsy, Expression and Gypsy Wanderings cart (ProvoCraft), Thrift Shop Label Stickers (October Afternoon), Navy Candy Dots (Pebbles Inc.) Carribbean Blue Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Rustic Button Twine (Studio Calico)Vintage Button (Papertrey Ink) Stick Pin (Tim Holtz), Sewing Machine (Singer) White Thread (from Stash)

Better Scrap Challenge - Most Influential Person

I hope you've had a chance to visit the Better Living Through Scrapbooking challenge blog. If not, well then by golly there is no time like the present!  We've got an exciting new challenge this week, so get out your photographs, paper and glue and get ready to scrap!

To enter this week's challenge at Better Living Through Scrapbooking all you need to do is chose a person, living or dead, whether you know them personally or not, that has had a big influence on your life, and create a layout about them. This person can be a friend, relative, historical figure, celebrity – anyone at all.

You also need to choose at least 2 of the following items and incorporate them in your layout:

1. The photo must be black & white. If you don’t have a black & white version, change the photo to black & white in Photoshop, or take the photo to your local 1-hour photo and have them do it for you. You can also make a black & white copy of the photo at your local office store. If you do not have a photo of the person (if they are a historical figure or celebrity) find one on the internet and print it out.

2. Use at least one major circular element on your page – whether it’s the photo, photo mat, or other noticeable circular element.

3. Use paint or ink in a fun and unusual way.

4. Hand make your own flowers and use them on the layout.

5. Include hand written journaling.
 
When you finish your project link it up over at the Better Scrap blog to play along with us this week!  Whether you decide to play along or not however, I just know you are going to love what all of the Creative Team at Better Scrap has created to inspire you, so stop by the blog and check it out.  You can also visit the Creative Team at their personal blogs, the links are posted here at Runs With Scraps on the sidebar.
 
For this challenge I chose to create a layout featuring my close friend Kristina. I also chose to incorporate element 1., a black and white photograph and element 4., handmade flowers.  I created the pretty handmade blossoms using the Accent Essentials Cricut cartridge and assembled the flowers using a Grunge Rose techinque influenced by Tim Holtz.
 
 

The journaling states, ” Though I haven’t known Kristina long she is already a large influence in my life. With her friendship I have found the younger sister I always longed for, the friend I can trust and the scrapping partner I hoped for. I am lucky to have her in my life for so many reasons and I look forward to a lifelong kinship with my sweet friend Kristina.”

See you over at Better Living Through Scrapbooking.



Supplies Used:

Papertrey Ink
Delightful Dahlia Die Cuts and Stamp Set
Smokey Shadow and Simply Chartreuse, Stampers Select Cardstock
Just the Ticket Stamp Set

Ranger
Archival Ink, Coffee
Liquid Pearls, Opal

The Girls’ Paperie
Paper Girl Patterned Paper Collection

Tattered Angels
Glimmer Mist, Dew Drop

ProvoCraft
Cricut Expression Machine
Storybook Cartridge
Accent Essentials

Hero Arts
Pearls

Better Living Through Scrapbooking

An awesome new scrapbooking challenge blog kicks off today at Better Living Through Scrapbooking.  It's been a while in the making and you can't begin to know how difficult it has been for me to contain myself about the news that I've been invited to be a part of the inaugural Creative Team. I'm thrilled to join a diverse group of Designers chosen specifically to provide a wide variety of scrapbooking styles to users of the Better Scrap challenge blog. Design team introductions are posted at the Better Living Through Scrapbooking blog today and this morning (at some point) I will post a list of the Designers and their links on the sidebar here at Runs with Scraps.

Better Living Through Scrapbooking offers scrapbook challenges, scrapbook layout ideas, scrapbook page ideas, and scrapbook journaling ideas that help inspire you to scrap outside the box.  It's all about scrapping "real life" and well by golly that is right up my alley...as "real life" is going down around here all the time!  If you'd like to learn more about the concept behind Better Living Through Scrapbooking, you can read about it right here.

The first ever challenge is a great one to kick off the start of the new blog.  Challenge #1 is to scrapbook your scrapbooking!  We want you to create a layout or other paper crafting project that showcases some aspect of your scrapbooking hobby. Here are the guidelines that you can also find at Better Scrap.

Choose at least two of the following for your project:
1. Journal about how you've achieved "better living through scrapbooking".
2. Use at least 3 photos of your scrap space.
3. Use the title "I Scrap, Therefore..." (finish the statement in your journaling.)
4. Create a scrapbook layout using photos of your scrapbooks.
5. Have someone take a photo of you surrounded by your supplies, then use that photo as the main image on your page.
6. Create a mini-album "tour" of your scrap room.
7. Journal a list of your ten "can't live without" scrapbooking tools/supplies.

For my inspiration piece I chose to use more than 3 photos of my scrap space and journal a list of ten supplies that I love.  In fact, I actually included 9 sequential photographs of my scrap space that includes all the items I listed as the supplies I love. Additionally I incorporated those listed supplies into the project itself (with the exception of the storage containers and my Scrapcat Ziggy, although I am quite sure that somewhere on this layout there is a certain amount of his cat hair stuck in the adhesive...(that's just how we roll around here).

I couldn't wait to use the new Echo Park, Life is Good collection for this layout.  You can get it yourself right here.

I journaled on a tag that I created using my Cricut and the Sweet Treats Cartridge. My journaling states: "A Loada Scrap I Love. 1. Cricut & Cartridges, 2. Cuttlebug & Folders, 3. Adhesive Gun (ATG), 4. Sewing Machine, 5. Paper Trimmer, 6. Patterned Paper, 7. Papertrey Ink Cardstock, 8. Ribbon, 9. Storage Containers, 10. My Scrapcat - Ziggy.

Ziggy is pictured sitting in my Studio Calico Kit storage drawer. Go figure! :-)

Now before I provide you with the products used on this layout, I just want to encourage you to visit Better Living Through Scrapbooking to see the reveal of all of our Design Team creations!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Echo Park, Life is Good Paper Collection
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate and Aqua Mist
Ink: Papertrey Ink Aqua Mist Hybrid, Hero Arts Latte Chalk Ink
Fibers: Papertrey Ink Aqua Mist Swiss Dot ribbon, White Thread from my stash.
Embellishments: Dear Lizzy & American Crafts Flutter Remarks, Papertrey Ink Harvest, Echo Park Life is Good Element Stickers, Gold Vintage Button, JBS Pearl Stick Pin, Papertrey Ink Rustic Cream Button Twine
Other Tools: Fiskars Apron Border Punch, ProvoCraft Cricut Expression Machine, Cuttlebug, Swirls Embossing Folder, Sweet Treats and Mickey Mouse Font Cartridges, Papertrey Ink Pine Feather Press Fillable Frames #3 and Die Cut, Singer Sewing Machine

Gone Scrapping and Studio Calico

Today I wanted to share another project that I completed for Gone Scrapbooking that was recently published at Examiner.com.  With the exception of a few items, I made the layout using products from the July Studio Calico Kit.  I just recently ordered a six month subscription and when I received this kit (my first) I have to say that I was MORE than DEEEE LIGHT EDDDD! I mean come on, I can't believe all the stuff I got in that kit...good, yummy, stuff and lots of it!  Thank you Studio Calico!  You'll be seeing more projects using this kit and I am hardly waiting for my August package to arrive in the mail... whoot whoot.  You can buy the August kit right here.

Okay... anyhow, here's the layout... wouldn't you know however, that RIGHT after I finished this project, I found a THIRD photo that I took at the same time as these two were taken... and it was the best one of the three (go figure)...but everything was STUCK down already and I wasn't going to change it, guess I'll have to think of something to do with the third photograph...  got any ideas?

The journaling says, "NOTES: since the 2 of you were old enough to walk and talk you have had a serious 'puter' addiction. You love to sit at my desk (Jack in my reading glasses) to play the learning games I buy for you and watch fun videos on Youtube. You love to watch Monster Trucks, and big machines at work...but even today, nothing makes you laugh more than the Moo-Moo cow song and Jurassic Fart. I just love you so much... my little 'puter' addicts. Nanie. Photo taken Fall 2009. Journaling written July 2010."

Okay then, that's all for now, except for of course the details... and they are...

Supplies Used:

All products are from the Studio Calico July 2010 Kit except:

Maya Road

Library Card Envelope

Provocraft

Cricut Expression, Cindi Loo Cartridge

Delta Creative

Acrylic Paint, Cream

Fiskars

Apron Border Punch, Top Crest Border Punch

BBTB2 Ice Cream Cone Challenge

What I wouldn't give for an ice cream cone right now.... and wouldn't you know that this week over at BBTB2 that's just what we are doing... making ice cream cones! Yep. Pull out the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge and on page 33 of the manual there is a sweet little cone just to cool you off on a hot summer day.

I opted to make a "sweet" card (pun intended by the way) with that ice cream cone. A vintage twist with not a lot of fuss and I think this turned out to be a card suitable for boy or girl!

Now head on over to BBTB2 and cool off while you create something sweet for this week's SYI ice cream cone challenge!



Supplies Used:

Cardstock: (Simply Chartreuse, Kraft) Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: (Fly a Kite Collection) October Afternoon
Fiber: (Simply Chartreuse) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Sepia) Archival Ink, (Antique Linen) Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger
Other Tools:  Cricut Expression and SYI Cartridge by Provocraft, Cuttlebug, Swirls and Argyle Embossing folders by Provocraft, Clear Embossing Power by Ranger, Gimmer Mist by Tattered Angels, (Pewter Pearls) Zva Creative

Blog Winner and a Card

I'll start right off with the good stuff.  The winner (chosen at random.org) of the $20.00 My Favorite Things gift certificate for the Papercraft Star Christmas in July Blog Hop is Goatesgirl. 

She said, " love this card...I did the sports themed challenge last week and I have an idea circulating in my head now for this weeks circle challenge if I can find the time to do it...thanks" 

Congratulations on your blog candy win Gotesgirl and please send me your email address (send to bethcat at sbcglobal dot net) and the certificate will arrive directly to your Inbox!

I would like to sincerely thank all of you for participating in our big Christmas in July Blog Hop!  I hope that during the hop you had a chance to stop by all of our Design Team's Christmas projects and to look around the Papercraft Star blog as well. Maybe you even joined our Forum that is growing with each passing week.

At Papercrarft Star, we roll out a new challenge (posted weeks in advance on the sidebar of the blog) every Wednesday.  On Saturdays the public is allowed to vote for their favorite project and the winner is awarded with a Papercraft Star People's Choice Award button for their blog as well as some sweet prizes every now and again.  And if that isn't enough... every three weeks the Judges (that's me and Kristina) choose our favorite from the previous three People's Choice Winners to receive the Paper Craft Star Winner button. We hope you'll join us for our next challenge that officially begins on Wednesday July 28.

In other news, my last Gone Scrapbooking Creative Team project to hit cyberspace on Examiner.Com is a "Life Sweeter" card.  I created this for my Aunt. She does so many sweet and thoughtful things for my family and me. I just love to create paper crafts for her to let her know how much she is appreciated!

I loved how the Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores color that makes me so happy came together with the Basic Grey's Basic Manila paper. I used some new WPlus9 Design Studio stamps for the sentiment. It's a darling set and one of the first I ever purchased from them. The little banner I cut using the Cricut Calligraphy Collection.

Okay...now I'm off to try and walk in the footsteps of my beautiful Aunt and make someone else's life sweeter! Have a beautiful day and create something fabulous!

Product list

Basic Grey
- Basics Manila Patterned Paper
Hero Arts
- Flourish Background Stamp
Papertrey Ink
- Hawaiian Shores Twill Ribbon
- Vintage Cream and Hawaiian Shores Cardstock
Rick Rack Die Cut
- Beautiful Blooms Die Cuts
- Pine Feather Press Fillable Frame #4 Stamp and Die Cut
- Rustic White Button Twine
Provocraft
- Accent Esstentials Cartridge
- Calligraphy Collection Cartridge
- Cricut Expression Machine
Ranger
- Antique Linen Distress Ink
- Sepia Archival Ink
WPlus9 Design Studio, LLC
- The Birds and The Bees Stamp Set
Zva Creative
- Pewter Pearls