Dot & Whimsy

Happy Tuesday, everyone!  

Today I'm excited to be sharing a sweet autumn card with

I really, really wanted to use my alcohol markers for the apple (Apple Delights)

 so I ended up stamping the image onto a piece of canvas material 

with Memento Tuxedo Black.

I used Marvy Le Plume: G656 Fresh Green, GB688 Emerald, OY848 Coffee

and PV778 Garnet.  I used a circle die to cut out the image and then

mounted it onto layers of larger circles.

The sentiment from the Falling Into Autumn set was stamped onto a small

piece of woodgrain paper with Memento Tuxedo Black.  

All patterned papers are from Doodlebug Designs' Happy Harvest 6X6 Paper Pad.

I love the unusual texture that stamping onto the canvas added to this

homespun card...it makes it extra cozy and fall-like :)

Thanks for visiting!

newest dies are in the house!

Here I have a "spooktacular" card using the 

two dies and the "Frankie & Friends" Collection from Simple Stories:

For the base of the card I folded a sheet of white cardstock in half

and lined up the Signature Emerson Die just beyond the crease.

For the woodgrain mat I used the Signature Finley Die and trimmed

down the top portion to fit the card.  I also used a smaller mat of the 

Vintage A2 Mat Die.  I topped the card with a couple of stickers from

the collection and it's all done!

Check out ALL of the newest dies on the Top Dog Dies Blog

and shop for dies at www.topdogdies.com

I hope you have a beautiful Autumn weekend!

Hello and welcome tothe

May Arts, Authentique and Imagine Crafts Blog Hop.

I hope that you've had a chance to check out all of the fun

and inspiring stuff that's happened throughout the week!

 I chose to use the brand spanking new Christmas collection, "Believe" to

create this pretty altered tree that I found at Hobby Lobby.

Along with that, I'm using some ink and textured spray from Imagine Crafts and ribbon
 and trim from May Arts!  I purchased the inexpensive tree with a vision of covering
 the slats with Christmas patterned paper!  The sides of the tree are longer than a
 12X12 paper, so I went with a strand of 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, which worked perfectly.  

 I cut the paper strips to a 1" width and distressed around the edges with some 
Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black.  Next, I blended the ink in with one of the Ink Blushers 
sponges by Imagine Crafts.  To the plaid strips I also added flecks of irRESISTible
 Colored Textured Spray (Bamboo Leaves).  I removed the spray applicator from
the bottle and gently flecked the paint over the paper. It's hard to capture in a photo,
but there is a nice, raised and shiny texture to this spray!

The sides of the tree were longer than 12" so I went with a 5/8" grosgrain ribbon in
covering the sides.  First I attached a border of the new Adhesive Scallop Trim by 
 May Arts with the grosgrain ribbon following on top of that.  To attach the ribbon,
 I used the Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker to create an adhesive backing.

To the back of the tree I added some of the off-white mini pom pom trim.

 Instead of going with a large bow at the top of the tree, I added two layered
boutique-style bows to the bottom sides of the tree.  I really love the Faux Canvas ribbon...
it has the look of seam binding but holds its shape much better when making bows.

I used several die-cut shapes and some of the punch-outs from the  
Believe Collection for the focal point of the tree.  I distressed with the same
 Tuxedo Black ink around all of the edges and then layered on to the
 front with foam adhesive.

Authentique Paper- Believe Collection: "innocence" 12x12 paper; "tidings"
 12x12 paper; "ideal" 12x12 paper; "components" 6x12 paper die cut; 6x6 "bundle"

May Arts Ribbon-  5/8" Faux Canvas Ribbon; 5/8" Dot Grosgrain Ribbon;
Mini Pom Pom Trim; Scallop Adhesive Trim

Imagine Crafts- irRESISTible Colored Textured Spray Bamboo Leaves,
 Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black Ink, Ink Blushers Sponge Applicators

 Be sure to stop by the Authentique Paper Blog and leave a comment
for a chance at a Prize Pack!

This past week I shared a "What's App?" segment at

These segments focus on a variety of different applications that are available 

to make your life easier and more fun! Whether you are using your smart phone 

or computer, many of the apps out there are of little cost or even better, they’re FREE! 

For my layout project today I decided to focus on one of my very favorite

 online places called PicMonkey. PicMonkey is an online photo editor that 

offers all sorts of themes, overlays, primo effects, textures and more! 

For a small monthly fee, you can upgrade to a Royale account where 

you have total access to all of the features, fonts, etc. 

I took these sweet photos of our coach’s little boy, Easton. I’m really liking the

 look of several photos in a grid, but on the same photo sheet, so I went with

 that idea in mind. To begin:

Once you are at the PicMonkey website, select “collage”. 

This brings up a selection to the left: Ducks in a Row, Cards, Square Deals, 

Biggie Smalls, etc. I almost always choose “Biggie Smalls” because it will 

give you one larger grid and two or more smaller grids. “Square Deal” is

 also a nice feature if you’re wanting equally-sized photos in a grid

When you click on the option that you’re wanting, you will see a drop-down menu

 where you can select the design that you wish to use. 

Next, begin uploading your photos by selecting the “mountain” icon at the top left. 

You can also rotate the grid by using the arrows at the bottom of the photo template.

 When you have your photos in place (by dragging and dropping each photo

 to its placement) click on ‘save’ at the top.

After you have saved your collage you can move on to ‘edit’ the template with 

texture, fonts, banners, overlays, etc.

When I was ready to print the photo, I selected the “shrink to fit” option instead of the 

“crop to fit” option so that it kept my photo square. I printed the photo on a standard 

4X6 paper and then trimmed down…it matches perfectly with the 4X4 journal card.

In keeping with the sun motif, I cut a semi-circle from the Daytona paper found in the

 Solstice Collection and stitched it to the top half of the page. I added the gold 

geo foam shaped stickers to the top to mimic the sun’s rays.

 I love having these user-friendly photo-editing apps at the fingertips or at the keyboard!

 You can give a entirely different look to a cluster of similar pictures by placing them

 in a grid and take it one-step further with some of the cool effects and templates.

 Give it a try! 

 Visit the Pink Paislee blog for more ideas using their products :)

See you soon!

It's here and it's wonderful!

The Fall Edition of Scrapbook & Cards Today is now available

This issue includes:

Hello, hello friends!

This is what I'm calling a "Fast Friday" project that I made using

Pumpkin Finisher Dies and Halloween Trio Dies.

This project took less than 30 minutes to put together, so it's great

for any of those quick gifts that you're needing to whip up.

It all starts with a couple of wood berry baskets that I painted burnt orange.  Once dry, I attached them together with a large hinge at the back that I screwed in place.

I die-cut the jack'o lantern's face from black cardstock, ran them through a Xyron 3" Sticker Maker and then attached to the front.

To the top I added a ribbon bow along with a die-cut bat that I attached to a 

small length of pipe cleaner.  I also fashioned two other pieces of pipe cleaner

 in a qurly q fashion and then glued them all to the top with fabric glue.

Fill him up with paper shred and lots of yummy goodies!  

Dies: Pumpkin Album Finishers and Halloween Trio Set

Visit Top Dog Dies for more ideas using their dies, along with other 

major brand dies that they carry!

Have a happy weekend!

Hi there!  Yesterday was my first time to share over at 

as one of their Card Designers!  I'll be there for the remainder of the year :)

Basic Grey was one of my first loves in scrapbooking,

so it was a real honor to be asked to join them for a bit!

For my assignment I was asked to create two cards with a focus on the

new "Second City" Feathers by Kelly Purkey

It’s hard not to look at feathers and think of a bird, turkey or other

 feathered fowl!  I found a coloring book template of a turkey’s body online, 

printed it onto a piece of paper and then trimmed out.  Next, I placed the 

cut-out onto the back of the yellow paper and traced the design and cut out. 

 For the body, I used a 2.25″ circle die to cut the paper and then layered it

with the front of the turkey.  Before arranging the feathers to the back of the body,

 I machine-stitched down the center of each.  Cluster the feathers as you’d

 like and adhere to the back of the body.  I cut a strip of purple paper to

 3/4″H X 2.75″W and cut a V into one end.  I added the sticker letters and 

then adhered below the turkey with foam adhesive.  The wooden

“hello” was applied just above the purple strip.

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For this card I chose to arrange the feathers in a circle shape to resemble a wreath.  

I die-cut the center of the herringbone paper with a 3″ circle die and then mounted 

it onto a piece of the yellow paper.  To attach the vellum feathers I used Glue Dots.

  I separated all of the cuts to each feather to add more dimension. 

 To the top of the chipboard sentiment, I attached one of the flair buttons

 and used some black letter stickers on the top.  the centers of the feathers

  were accented with black enamel dots and a few wooden veneers.

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Glad you've stopped in to visit!  THANK YOU!

 Welcome to the third and final day of the
Newton's Nook September Releases!
I love that this stamp set can be used for any time of the year!

"Apple Delights" Stamp Set:

Here is my CAS card with a yummy, homespun feel:
I stamped the mug onto a piece of kraft paper and added some
paper-piecings to it from additional stampings of the image.

The comfy knit print is from Simple Stories' new "Sweater Weather" Collection
 ...perfect backdrop for my mug 'o apple cider!

Would you like to win “Apple Delights”?
 This set will be given away to TWO lucky winners! 

Here's how to win: 

Comment on the NND blog and Design Team and Guest blogs (see list below)!  
Two winners will be chosen at random from the collective blogs release posts.
 Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win.  
You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment 
on the better your chances are of winning! 

 You have until Thursday, Sept 18 at 9pm CDT to comment 
 -- winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, September 19th--

That wraps up this month's new releases...I hope you've enjoyed!

 Happy Wednesday!  Welcome to Day #3 of the
Newton's Nook September Releases!
Today we're featuring another set of the more 'solid'
stamp images, as I like to call them.
These are so much fun to use when you don't have time
to color in a design or if you just like the clean 'n simple look that they bring!

"Spooky Street" Stamp Set:

My sample card made with this spooky stamp set:
The house was restamped over the bottom of the 'moon'

and then topped with the same image that had been hand-cut from the cardstock.

I had some fun cutting up a little yard from a scrap piece of green paper :)

Patterned papers from Authentique.

Would you like to win “Spooky Street”?
 This set will be given away to TWO lucky winners! 

Here's how to win: 

Comment on the NND blog and Design Team and Guest blogs (see list below)!  
Two winners will be chosen at random from the collective blogs release posts.
 Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win.  
You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment 
on the better your chances are of winning! 

 You have until Thursday, Sept 18 at 9pm CDT to comment 
 -- winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, September 19th--

Newton's Nook Designs
Taheerah Atchia
Lydia Brooke
Larissa Heskett
Samantha Mann
Crafty Math-Chick
Shellye McDaniel
Jess Moyer
Stephanie Muzzulin
Danielle Pandeline
Tessa Wise
Kimberly Rendino (Guest Designer)

Back tomorrow with  Day 3!  Enjoy the hop!

 Happy Tuesday!  Welcome to Day #2 of the
Newton's Nook September Releases!
Newton has been at it again and you're sure to
love he and his friends in all of their adorableness :)

Today we're featuring "Falling Into Autumn"

My sample card made with this sweet stamp set:
I used three different colors of Memento Luxe Inks and applied each in a section

of the leaf stamp.  Next I used a sponge to blend the colors together.  I hand-cut 

around the leaves and then swirled them in a circle at the center of the doily die-cut.

The card and patterned paper is by Authentique and the jute string is from May Arts Ribbon.

Would you like to win “Falling Into Autumn”?
 This set will be given away to TWO lucky winners! 

Here's how to win: 

Comment on the NND blog and Design Team and Guest blogs (see list below)!  
Two winners will be chosen at random from the collective blogs release posts.
 Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win.  
You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment 
on the better your chances are of winning! 

 You have until Thursday, Sept 18 at 9pm CDT to comment 
 -- winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, September 19th--

Newton's Nook Designs
Taheerah Atchia
Lydia Brooke
Larissa Heskett
Samantha Mann
Crafty Math-Chick
Shellye McDaniel
Jess Moyer
Stephanie Muzzulin
Danielle Pandeline
Tessa Wise
Kimberly Rendino (Guest Designer)

Back tomorrow with  Day 3!  Enjoy the hop!

 Happy Monday!  Welcome to Day #1 of the
Newton's Nook September Releases!
Newton has been at it again and you're sure to
love he and his friends in all of their adorableness :)

Today we're featuring "Newton's Perfect Pumpkin"

My sample card made with this sweet stamp set:
I love that you get to decide what kind of face (or no face) that you'd
like for Newton's pumpkin to have!  I colored the stamped image with watercolor pencils
and dressed up the card with new patterned papers and enamel dots by
Doodlebug Design and a swatch of ribbon and jute by May Arts.

Would you like to win “Newton’s Perfect Pumpkin”?
 This set will be given away to TWO lucky winners! 

Here's how to win: 

Comment on the NND blog and Design Team and Guest blogs (see list below)!  
Two winners will be chosen at random from the collective blogs release posts.
 Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win.  
You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment 
on the better your chances are of winning! 

 You have until Thursday, Sept 18 at 9pm CDT to comment 
 -- winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, September 19th--

Newton's Nook Designs
Taheerah Atchia
Lydia Brooke
Larissa Heskett
Samantha Mann
Crafty Math-Chick
Shellye McDaniel
Jess Moyer
Stephanie Muzzulin
Danielle Pandeline
Tessa Wise
Kimberly Rendino (Guest Designer)

Back tomorrow with  Day 2!  Enjoy the hop!