Dot & Whimsy

A happy weekend to all of you!  I'm up today at 

  with a trio of fun cards using SN@P, Vintage Bliss and 24/Seven :)  

First we'll start with a "HELLO"

And who wouldn't smile after seeing a bright and cheery Hello from SN@P! 

 I was so happy that I got to use some of the new Flair Buttons and Chipboard pieces. Simple Stories has hit it out of the park with the addition of these new embellishments!

I love using the Pockets even if there isn't anything 'in' the pocket :) The decorative edge and the pattern lends so much to the design...for this card I simply attached one of the SN@P Label Stickers into the pocket and then added some hand-stitching to the top.  

And how about a "Dream Big" for one of the guys (or girl...but this just looks masculine to me!)

I know I say this a lot, but it's true for me:  

let elements such as 3x4 Journaling Cards do the work for you :)  

Once I've selected the perfect Journaling Card for my card then I move on to pick out stickers, chipboard, etc., that will complete the sentiment that I'm wanting to achieve.

And if you haven't tried it, implement a bit of hand-stitching to soften and add texture.

  There are many times that I don't use my sewing machine, but I still must stitch LOL!

Finally, ahhhh....some "Sweet Bliss"

I absolutely (seriously) had a blast making this card!  After texturing the cardfront with an embossing folder (Lifestyle Crafts), I decided to keep the design cropped to just a circle of beauty.  I used two different sizes of scalloped dies (Lifestyle Crafts) and then matted the centers of each with a circle that was machine stitched in place.  A couple of Chipboard Embellishments and 3-D Layered Stickers and my card is complete!

Simple Stories Products:

Hello Card- SN@P!- Hello Chipboard Stickers; Life Decorative Brads; Flair Icons; Color Fusion Assorted Pockets; Labels Stickers; Typeset Stickers; Life 6x6 Paper Pad

Dream Big Card: 24/7- Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers; Expressions Cardstock Stickers; 6x6 Paper Pad; Chipboard Stickers; Decorative Brads; Layered Stickers; 3x4 Journaling Card Elements

So Very Sweet Card: Vintage Bliss- 6x6 Paper Pad; Chipboard Stickers; Layered Stickers; SN@P!- Typeset Stickers

Next week a few of the Simple Stories ladies are teaming up with Petaloo, so be sure to stop by!

Hoping you have a fabulous weekend!

Things were vintagely blissful at Simple Stories yesterday as I shared

a fun and girly layout of my daughter.  Vintage Bliss is just the perfect backdrop

for all of those spring-themed, shabby chic, girly girl kinds of projects.  

See it all at Simple Stories:

As with all Simple Stories Collections, you have areas of patterned papers that are pretty well designed 

for you...all you need is a photo or photos, a few cute embellishments and you're done.  

I love that this particular 6x12 Page Element has all ready created my title for me!  

 I cut a trio of butterflies from the Be Happy paper and embellished the centers with

 heart stickers and glittery gems. I needed a little something horizontal to keep up with all of the vertical elements going on, so I cut this journaling block from one of the Journaling Card Elements. 

And finally, the top corner got a bit dressed up too with a cloud and banner sticker!

Supplies: Vintage Bliss- Give Love Paper; 2x12 Border & Title Strips Elements Paper; 6x12 Page Elements Paper; Be Happy Paper; Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers

Next, I have an easy, easy card that would surely brighten someone's day!

 Again, the Elements papers do so much of the work for you!

  I added a bit of fun detail by stitching on some rays of sunshine with yellow & white baker's

 twine and then topping off with a cute flower sticker.

 Supplies: Vintage Bliss- Teal Chevron/Lined Notebook Paper; 4x6 Vertical Journaling 

Cards Elements Paper; Live Simply Paper; Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers

Vintage Bliss, along with the other Winter CHA Collections will be in your stores

very, very soon!  Don't miss that Simple Stories will also have Decorative Brads,

Layered Embellishments and Chipboard Stickers...I can't wait to see these new pieces myself :)

 So glad you've stopped by today!

A happy Tuesday to you!

It's Day #2 of the

Be sure to visit both blogs all week long as there are some

wonderful prize bundles to be given away

I promised readers of the Simple Stories Blog that I would share a 

photo tutorial of how I made the cone for today's project;  it will

be shown at the end of the post, so just hang in there :)

It's super, super simple, but I know how much many of you appreciate

step-out photos...this ones for you!

This sweet little hanging cone is sturdy and deep enough 

to be filled with all sorts of goodies! 

 I really enjoyed working with the Scor-Pal scoring board 

and found the 6"marking at the bottom very useful for this project.  

For the front of my cone, I fashioned your basic medallion by pleating two strips

 of 2.5" X 12" Vintage Bliss Live Simply paper.  

I scored each strip at 1/2" intervals and then pleated.

  Glue the ends together to form a circle. 

Using a 2.5" round punch, cut a circle of paper that you will adhere your medallion to. 

 I find Aleene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue works fast and holds.

 Using a heavyweight paper helps the cone to hold its triangular shape.  

By folding the paper in a paper airplane fashion, the back of it is sturdy

enough to support a nice embellished piece.

  After your medallion is dry, have fun layering with your favorite 

journal card and embellishment stickers from Vintage Bliss.

  Lastly, I added a ruffled 'cuff' to the front, as well as a bit of doily banner from my stash.

  For the ruffle, I again scored a 2.5" x 12" strip of Vintage Bliss Be Happy Paper, 

but at 1/4" marks.  I then used a corner rounder to give the upward pleats a softer feel :)

 SUPPLIES: 

Vintage Bliss-Be Happy Paper; Live Simply Paper; Yellow Grid/Dictionairy Paper;

 3x4 Journaling Card Elements; Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers; 

SN@P Colorvibe-Grey Chevron/Mini Dot Paper

  For the cone, I cut a sheet of the Grey Chevron/Mini Dot down to 8.5" X 11".  

Placing the sheet onto the Scor-Pal board horizontally, I scored my first line at 5.5".  

You will use the top portion of this center line as your 'pivot' point for all future marking

 (I found it best to mark on either side of the center mark so as not to tear the paper). 

 Coming down to the bottom of the paper, make a small mark at the 2" and 9" lines;

 pivot your paper (keeping the center lined up with the 6" mark at the top) 

and bring your 2" mark around to line up with the bottom center mark

 (which is helpfully labeled for you on the Scor-Pal) and score; do the same for the 9" line.

  Next, turn the paper vertically. 

 Make a small mark at the 2.5" and 5.5" lines (on both sides of your paper). 

 Turn your paper back to the horizontal position on the Scor-Pal and score your two

 lines by pivoting from the center point again.

 Start folding in your paper from the top until you have the beginnings of an airplane shape. 

 Bring one of the flaps across the other flap until you've formed a cone shape. 

 Apply a good adhesive and attach.

You could easily make adjustments to the paper size to create even larger

or smaller cones.  I think these would make darling Christmas ornaments,

a May-Day Tussie for fresh flowers or sweet bridal shower favors...

lots of possibilities!

As always, I'm so glad that you've stopped by to visit my blog...if

you have any questions about the tutorial, please feel free to send me an email.

And don't forget to go by the two company blogs and leave a comment so 

that you're eligible for a PRIZE...GOOD LUCK!

**I have two sketch posts up today...please scroll on down to see the other :)**

It's always great fun to do a layout with an original Becky Fleck sketch!

January's Page Maps features a few of the Simple Stories Design Team members

and I just happen to be one of them who got to play along.

The 12x12 Sketch

And my layout using the brand new Vintage Bliss

I know I've said it before, but I flat-out L-O-V-E this whimsical collection!

If you trend towards fun, bright and girly, then this is a must-have :)

See all of the fabulous January Page Maps right here

If you're not familiar with the site, you can also download the entire month's worth

(and previous months) of layout and card sketches via PDF formant, which makes it

super easy for viewing.  I have a large 3-ring binder that I keep all of my Page Maps in!

A wonderful tool...and it's FREE :)

Thanks so much for dropping in today...enjoy the sketches!

Time to bring another peek at one of the new 

collections by Simple Stories:
VINTAGE BLISS

This collection is one of those that I will love forever...it's just that perfect.

The beautiful sorbet colors mixed with a grey weathered wood.

Big and bold cabbage roses, rubber boots and of course butterflies!

Have a look

Bliss, right???

Perfect for little girls, big girls, Easter, Spring, April Showers,

Bridal Showers and every plain day in between!

Like to win a prize pack?

blog and leave a comment telling them what you LOVE about 

this collection...you have until January 16th to comment :)

GOOD LUCK!