Dot & Whimsy

Happy one-day-closer-to-the-weekend day!

I'm just getting to all of the goodies that I've shared this month over at 

So, I thought a "June Bug" post would be appropriate :)

"My Sweet Trio" Layout is a take on this Page Map sketch by Becky Fleck.

All papers are from the Fruit Stand Collection

I'm happy to be bringing you a cool, sweet treat and just in time for Summer!

When I first laid eyes on the Sweetness Collection I knew that I wanted to create an
 ice cream cone shaped mini album;  I found the perfect shape on the Cricut 
"A Child's Year" Cartridge.  To begin I cut a brown cardstock at the 11" setting and then
 cut the inner (patterned) papers to 10".  A good thing to remember (if you're using a Cricut for this)
 is to 'flip' the second image so that it mirrors the front page exactly.
 Here's a look at the mini all put together:

I was so excited to work with Art Glitter's beautiful products for the first time;
I think it really added to the charm of this whimsical album.

As you can see, on the cover I added one of the transparent glitters from the
 "Butterfly Collection" to the frame and then Pink Pony Glass Beads to the ice cream soda :)
 A little darker glitter decorated the cherry on top!

On this page I cut the sentiment from the Enhancement paper and added
some older Authentique sentiment stickers.  The heart is a wood veneer that
I simply covered in glitter.

 The Components punch-out pieces come in so handy...here I added the 'sweetness'
 punch-out with a dish of ice cream that I hand-cut from one of the Enhancement cards.
 Using the metal tip and Designer Adhesive from Art Glitter
made adding glitter to the different pieces easy.

Yep, you can glitter over foam stickers!  After I applied the Designer Adhesive to the letters,
 I used my finger to smooth out the glue evenly and then sprinkled on the glitter.

 More of the Components Die-Cuts and cute embellishments completed the final pages
 of the album.  The Designer Adhesive dries very quickly so there's no need to wait
long before adding to your page and moving on to the next.

I hope that you enjoyed this project of Sweetness mixed with Art Glitter...it was surely fun to put together!  

Authentique Products: Sweetness Collection- Decadent Paper, Novelty Paper; Premium Paper; Enhancements Paper; Components Die-Cut Sheet; 6x6 Bundle

Art Glitter Products: Designer Adhesive; Large Pink Pony Glass Beads; "Butterfly" Transparent Pee Wee Kit

--GIVEAWAY--GIVEAWAY--GIVEAWAY--GIVEAWAY--
Authentique Paper will be giving away a prize pack that includes
Authentique Paper Packs and Art Glitter!  Just visit the blog and leave a comment
on this month's "Wednesdays" posts!  Here is the link to today's post where my album is up.
THANKS FOR VISITING!

Little Yellow Bicycle is hopping with two great partners this week:

In my last design team assortment from LYB I received a Chipboard Banner Kit and 

I just could not wait to decorate it!  I thought the cute shapes would look darling dressed

up in Vintage Summer and beautiful May Arts ribbon

 After each page was embellished I attached them to the chipboard page using 

My dear friends, you will definitely want to visit the three blogs this week and leave a comment

at each one on each day because.............

A good Thursday morning to you!  My family and I have just returned from 

a little camping getaway.  Since I didn't do much more than lay outside in a recliner and 

read books, I can't figure out why I'm sooo tired LOL  I did complete 5 loads of laundry

when we got home and have two more to get done today.  Just the thought of all of that

laundry is probably what exhausted me :)

In the meantime, I was up on the BELLA BLVD blog on Tuesday, as well as today.

I honestly love to be given a palette of pigment and then told "go with it!"

So this month's inspiration board was a lot of fun to work with...love those colors!

I added a splash of color to the chevron paper by applying some Designer Tape over a portion of it.

 For this card I wanted to show how the patterned papers can be turned into beautiful blossoms.

 Each flower was given two layers, along with a smaller flower and button in the center. 

Using a stylus and molding mat, you can give shape to the petals and create a true 3-D effect.

 We have four ladies at work who are expecting, so baby cards have been on my agenda lately :)

 This sweet elephant Cute Cut was a must-have!  I added her to the card-front with foam dots and then embellished. The small green circles at the bottom were cut from one of the Baby Boy papers.

For this week's "Cards on Thursdays" we were asked to create 'shaped' cards.
Have a look at the Bella Blvd blog to see all of the wonderful takes on this assignment :)

I've had this apron template for quite a long time now, so I'm not sure who to reference.
There are similar templates online and most for free! Again, I took my template and traced it onto
 a prepared card and then cut out; repeat with desired patterned paper. To attach the pocket,
I machine stitched around the sides and bottom, leaving the top open.
You can use a strip of paper or ribbon for the top.

Supplies: Thankful: Alpha+Bits Stickers, Burlap, Our Spot, Chipboard Icons; Sienna Chipboard Alphas: Pony; Crochet Hearts: Bell Pepper; Button Market: Red Flowers

 Using basic shapes make fun and easy cards! I used a star die-cut that I had on hand and traced
onto a prepared card; make adjustments so that the most prominent part of the design isn't distorted
 and then cut out. Next, I transferred that shape onto a patterned paper and then cut out and applied
 to the card front. I love that the bit of feather creates a plume similar to a burst of fireworks!

Supplies: All American: Alpha+Bits Stickers, Seeing Stars, American Pride, Chipboard Icons; Feathers: McIntosh; Flags: All American Words

I am delighted to be the June Guest Designer with Petaloo!  

I've had several team-up opportunities between Petaloo and other companies and each experience

 reminded me how much I truly love working with Petaloo products. I was equally excited to

 learn that Petaloo would be teaming up with Graphic 45 this month in celebrating all things

 Summer, patriotic and beach!  For my project today I'm sharing a grapevine wreath that I

 dressed up for the season...it contains stars, red, white & blue and a beach theme...

it just says "Welcome, Summer!"

 I started off with two pre-cut stars that I had on hand.  I used the backs of the Graphic 45 

 "Place in Time" papers to cover the stars.  After machine-stitching around the perimeter, 

I spritzed each with a little walnut spray and distressed the edges.

 After deciding on the focal piece to cut out from the "July" portion of the collection, I used the 

remainder of the patterned paper as the backdrop for two smaller stars and the postcard print. 

 I backed it with a thin chipboard and then stitched in place.

 Now for the embellishments!  Before attaching the postcard to the base, I added one of the

 metal brackets to the bottom.  A beautiful swag of Darjeeling Flowers makes a nice border,

 followed by a paper pennant "held up" by two of the sweet sea shell pins.

  I edged the bottom in three rows of the Paprika Crochet Trim.

 Next, I punched two small holes at the ends of each large star and attached to the grapevine wreath

 with a thick gauged wire.  A large burlap bow to the side and my wreath is ready for 

hanging and welcoming Summer guests!

on some of the inner-pages.
 My new "love" are Faber-Castell's Watercolor Pencils.  These glide on smoothly and
 blend well with a plain blending tool or paintbrush.

 Finally, I added some distressing to the edges with Memento's Tuxedo Black ink and a sponge.
I wanted a very soft look, so I dipped the sponge into the ink and dabbed some off before
 applying it to the edges.  Just pick up a little more ink as needed and then blend.
 Two extra-extra heavy magnets that were attached to the inside flaps.
  Be sure to use an E-6000 adhesive or very strong, permanent bond glue dot to hold them in place.
  If you have a really powerful magnet, it will give your adhesive a run for its money ;)