Dot & Whimsy

This was my first experience working with Leaky Shed Studio products
...what a delight... I cannot wait to try out more of their fabulous goods! 

For my assignment today I chose the Love Squared Album and paired it up with the 
Smitten Collection by Authentique.
Plenty more inspiration is up on the Authentique Paper Blog
blog.authentiquepaper.com
 

  The cover of the album is cut into the LOVE motif shown. I simply traced it onto
two different patterned papers (one for the front and one for the back) and then cut out.
 I used a craft knife to carve out the inner-parts.  For a more finished look, I added a detail
 of baker's twine around the edge of the letters.  To do so, I like to use a fine-point
glue pen and then press the twine into place.

Not wanting to take away from what the album actually spelled out, I decided to focus the
 embellishments around the letter "O".  I backed the opening with a tracing of the shape
 and then added the cupid chipboard cut-out over it.  I glittered the cupids using a
glitter glue and glitter by Martha Stewart. 

The inner pages are a nice, large 9.5" X 9.5" size...lots of room for pictures.
 On the first inside page I didn't want to compete with the front cover, so I made
sure to place the sticker where it wouldn't show through the lettering.

No need to cut!  The 6X6 paper pad bundle pages make the perfect mats! 
I added a little zig-zag stitching around the edge...keeps things in place, plus adds a nice detail :)

I turned the pretty scroll pieced chipboard pink by using a VersaMagic "Pixie Dust" ink pad!
  After dabbing on the color, I used my heat gun to dry and set the ink.

And on this final page, I left the key as-is...I love the little detail engrained into the piece!

My personal preference for adhering the thick cardstock paper (such as Authentique's)
to the chipboard is to use Sookwang adhesive tape.

The album also comes with three large rings to hold the pages together.  Tie on some pretty
ribbons in knots and bows and you'll have a beautiful keepsake to give or keep!

Authentique Paper Products: Smitten Collection- Connection Paper; Fusion Paper;
 Cupid Paper; Promise Paper; Engraved Paper; Written Paper; Foundations Paper; 6X6 Bundle
 Paper; Details Sticker Sheet; Components Die Cut Sheet

Leaky Shed Studio Product: Love Squared Album; Cupids; Key #1; Flower Corner Small

Other Products: Imagine Crafts- Pixie Dust Versa Magic; Sookwang Adhesive; May Arts Ribbon

Yesterday I shared a very fun and pretty easy way to make a 

with

And it's just in time for Valentine's Day!

All you will need are a couple of wire hangers, chenille stems and lots of pretty ribbon!

You can see the step-out photos of how I put it together on the 

Hiya, y'all!  

Today I have a banner of love, sweet love up at 

 
Along with the "Sweetheart" Collection, I also used dies by Top Dog Dies and ribbon and

 pom pom trim by May Arts Ribbon!  Lots of fun loaded onto this cute keepsake.  

Come on by the Doodlebug Blog today and check it out!

Ta-ta for now, friends!

It's Pinterest Inspired Thursday at 

Isn't this a fun inspiration piece?

I'm really in love with anything felt these days...throwing in some scallops

makes it even more fun!  And of course, the colors and amongst my favs.

Here are the two cards that I made using the photos for the inspiration:

I followed the haphazard flow of the pillows in designing this card.

 I started with a very basic background by using two of the grid patterns from the 

Freestyle Sophisticates line. Next, I hand-cut three of the blooms from the Family Forever paper.

 I wanted the flowers to have the appearance that they were just laying on the paper, 

so I only added a dab of glue to the backs of each before attaching. I added their

 leaves to the side, choosing to highlight one of them by attaching with a foam adhesive.

 I scattered the Crochet Hearts by following the pattern of the flowers, 

added buttons and then finished with a sentiment sticker.

 I love the scallop design found in the inspiration photo; it's so feminine and soft.

 I started by die-cutting a large scalloped shape and then topped it with a large circle

 trimmed in pom pom ribbon. I also kept with the colors found in the photo, which can 

be found in several of the Bella Blvd collections! In keeping with the pom trim,

I added a small white pom pom to the top of the chipboard heart.

Need some layout inspiration to go along with the challenge?  

Check out the Bella Blvd Blog today and see what Stephanie & Katherine have done!

Thanks for stopping by!

So, I've had my personal cutting machine for a couple of  years now.

It terrified and frustrated me in the beginning.

But after seeing all of cute creations and cutting files, 

I just had to give it a go again...I'm very glad that I did!

For my Go Glam project today at 

I've used a couple of their cutting files, along with the Hey Kid Collection.

In 'going glam', I found an easy way to add glitter to the die-cuts:

Come on over to the Pink Paislee Blog and see how I put them together :)

And don't forget to check out yesterday's post below if you're interested

in winning a FREE spot to PageMap U's first online card class!

**Good Luck**

Happy Saturday to you!

Today I have two projects from the Homespun Collection by
SIMPLES TORIES
www.simplestories.com
This is one of my very favorites of the new releases...
It reminds me so much of the handmade quilts and dolls that my grandmother used
 to make using calico prints, ginghams and plaids. And the colors are
so vibrant and cheerful...it's hard not to smile as you thumb through
 the papers and sweet embellishments!

First up is a mason jar mini album that I put together. You can find the steel rule die on-line OR
 you can order the chipboard pre-cut, along with a template for tracing onto your patterned paper.
 
The new embellishment packs called Bits & Pieces come in handy for projects such as this.
 I like to add a square of foam adhesive to the back and then pop into a corner of a photo mat
...that's all you need!



I either cut out a 3X4 swatch from one of the 12X12 papers or used one of the SN@P Cards
 as the mat or journaling area for each page. In keeping with the homespun feel, I machine-stitched
 a zig-zag pattern around the edge.



Brads and buttons give that extra dimension and provide stability to the edges of stickers that
may pop up after years of wear. Because of this, I do like to hand-stitch my buttons on before
 attaching the finished page to the chipboard page.



The above pages are two examples of how I let the adorable artwork do the designing for me!
 Just fluff them up with a ribbon bow or other fun embellies.



Here are two pages featuring the doily motifs found in Homespun.
 Accessorize with doily-shaped die-cuts or pre-made doilies. After going back and looking
 at the completed album, I also had a thought that some cross-stitching would look
so cute as an accent with this collection!

Simple Stories Products:Homespun Collection- Grateful Paper; Stitched Together Paper;
Happy Family Paper; Beautiful Life Paper; Heart & Home Paper; Chipboard; Bits & Pieces;
4X6 Horizontal Journaling Card Elements; Insta-Squares and SN@P Cards

When I spotted the cute apron motif, I knew that I had to pair it with the apron card die that
 I have on hand, which is perfect for invitations, money or recipe holders. If you don't have
access to a die such as this, you can find a template for the shape on-line
 (just search 'apron card' template).

After die-cutting the teal dot paper into the apron card shape, I topped it with the apron card
found on the 3X4 Journaling Card Elements. I cut the journal card down to size and then
corner-rounded the top edges before applying pom pom trim to the back edge.

Inside the pocket, I tucked in a cookie recipe and then attached it to the front of
a mason jar filled with cookie mix. I also think it would make a wonderful
embellishment for the front of a recipe book!

 Simple Stories Products: Homespun Collection- Teal Dot Paper; 3X4 Journal
Card Elements; Decorative Brads; Chipboard.

That's all of my Homespun fun for now!  You will find loads of inspiration on the
Simple Stories blog using all of the new CHA goodies
www.simplestories.com


That puts a Homespun wrap on my blog post for today! I know you will enjoy all of the ideas yet to come featuring the latest and greatest from Simple Stories :)

If you have a tween girl in your life, then the new 

from Bella Blvd is a must-have for your stash!

Below is a passel of cards made for the CHA booth...
the hand-drawn wolves are my favorite part of the collection :)
 

I created a fun vertical pattern for the background of this card by
 combining different papers and a border strip from the Treasures & Text sheet.
A sweet cluster of embellishments and hand-sewn buttons completed the design.

Candid Cards are perfect for card-makers...your tween girl
will love making her own cards for a friend's birthday!
One of the best things about Bella Blvd is being able to combine any of
their collections with Sophisticates stickers, Designer Tapes, Feathers, Crochet Hearts, etc.

Another of my favorite additions from the previous CHA show, are the
Paper Pieces packs...so happy to see that they were carried over into the new lines too!

Molly, along with the other new Bella goods, will begin shipping next month!
Have a great weekend!