Be(You)tiful You!

Happy Monday, friends!
Today I'm bringing a paper folding tutorial that I haven't done in a long while: tea bag folding!
  At one time I was making all sizes and shapes of these pretty pieces of folded papers.  
After searching through some old books I thought that I would introduce (or re-introduce) 
this fun technique with you using Authentique's Be{You}tiful Collection!

To begin, take your favorite pattern of paper and a 2" square punch (or use trimmer).  
Cut eight squares.

1.  Fold each square from point to point; open and fold to the opposite points.

2. Open flat and then fold in half (see crease marks of the two previous folds)

3.  Holding the folded paper facing you, squeeze in at the sides until your square resembles the above. 
 You will repeat steps 1-3 with the remaining squares.


4.  Next you will take the top two flaps and fold it back into the triangle. 
Repeat with the other top flap.

 5.  Once the two top flaps have been folded, your triangle will look like this; 
repeat with remaining triangles.

6. To begin building your embellishment you will form a circle with the eight pieces as shown. 
 Use a thin glue dot or quick drying glue to adhere the pieces together.  As you can see, just lift the
 left flap of triangle A and line up the right side of triangle B (with right flap lifted up) and adhere.
  Repeat in a counter-clockwise fashion with remaining pieces until a complete circle has been formed.

You have completed this beautiful tea-bag folded medallion! 
 I used the punch-out die-cuts from the Be(you)tiful Collection as the base for my piece...
glue dots or a high-tac adhesive works nicely.  

I dressed a wooden door hanger with a paper-pieced covering of Be(you)tiful
 patterned papers and then layered on my embellishments and stickers.  To the bottom, 
I created loops from various May Arts ribbons and topped with a shabby chic ribbon rose trim. 
 I like to hide the edges, especially when I've hand-cut paper, so I trimmed out the side in jute.

I had some leftover pretties from our recent Petaloo swap, so I added them to the
 top and sides of the medallion.  And doesn't the little BEE sticker look so cute sitting in
 the middle of the blossom!
If you're not up for a door hanger, but like the concept:  think about adding a photo to the
 round opening and then add a ribbon hanger to the top or display on an easel.
 If you have any questions please jot them down in the comments and I'll be happy to answer :)

Thanks for dropping by!

Feels Like Home!

LITTLE YELLOW BICYCLE
has just given release of their newest collection for Fall:
FEELS LIKE HOME

If you'll visit the LYB Blog you can see things more up-close-and-personal :)
Printed wood shapes, fabric foliage, hand-written words and bunches more!

Here's a simple peek of a burlap mini album that I made with the collection...more to come soon!


Lots of great ideas and a peek at tomorrow's new reveal at 

All New Blvd Reveal

Are you ready for some CHA sneaks from
BELLA BLVD?
I was thrilled when I saw the new releases...and this year we have new
Bella Halloween and Christmas themes...YAY!  So let's get started with
a few peeks at the samples that I made for the Bella CHA Booth:

This collection is filled with adorable word bubbles, cameras, houses,
arrows and graffiti-styled art...perfect for those everyday moments are more.

Don't you love the bright colors?  And you'll see a lot of black in this collection too!


Basics are back!  This collection hits on a bit of everything, from months of the year 
to everyday sayings.  You will find your favorite Bella color palette done in large
chevron prints on one side and varied basic prints on the other side of the patterned papers.


 Along with the papers you will find brand new elements called Miniature Sticker Sheets
that include arrows, geo icons and more.


 
Elf on the Shelf a big deal in your house at Christmastime? You will find a hint of 
the elusive elf in this newest yuletide collection, Christmas Countdown!
Along with traditional colors, there are also hints of turquoise and gold mixed in!


Bella has a new mascot...not sure of his name, but he is the cutest little owl ever!
You will see him mixed in here and there in this whimsical new Halloween theme

 Cute spiders and delightful jack 'o lanterns will also bring a smile to your face :)
And I know that the NEW "Paper Pieces" packs will make your crafting even more fun!


I don't have a sample of the other release, Play Date, but you can see it and more
samples up on the Bella Blvd Blog TODAY!

**We will begin FULL REVEALS during the week of July 15th**

Non-Christmas With Christmas

We're hosting "Focus on Ephemera Week" at
PINK PAISLEE
which is super fun as Pink's ephemera and paper packs are so popular!

I’ll admit that I’m still quite smitten with the City Sidewalks Collection and the bits and pieces
 found in the Ephemera pack. Since it’s not Christmas time just yet I decided to work-up a
couple of cards showing how versatile this collection can be for non-Christmas projects :)

Oooo I adore this sweet ice-cream truck (an ice-cream truck to me
anyway)! The vintage colors…the whimsy…I just had to use it! While
pilfering through my stash, the stamp “here’s the scoop” immediately
jumped out at me and I knew they must be paired together…




I pulled a few more City Sidewalks elements together (Parcel Tags and Candy Shoppe Paper)
 and began my layering. I love the different look that’s been created by turning the patterned
 paper in opposite directions! The sentiment was stamped onto a white cardstock and
 then trimmed  ut before attaching to the card.

 Now we’re going to venture to the opposite end of the spectrum and go for a more
 shabby-chic-romantic look! 


The beautiful cabbage rose paper (Story Time) reminds me of a quilt that I once had…
with that thought I set out to create a ‘quilted’ card. I stitched on a couple of the small ‘advertisements’
 from the ephemera pack and used one of the postage stamps (cut in half) as photo corners. 
After removing the center from the Artisan flowers, I added the numeral piece in its place.
 I also cut down one of the larger advertisements and fashioned them into banner strips!
 A couple of paper leaves and looped thread from my stash and my pretty card is all done :)

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
CHA (or Create 'N Connect) is only TWO WEEKS away!
Tomorrow I'll have a few sneak peeks from Bella Blvd :)
See you then!

McGill Punches + Doodlebugs' Whimsy

Happy Monday, friends!  
I have a couple of cute projects that combine these two companies:

First up is a card  using Doodlebug Design's "Hello Spring" Collection 
 and Cardstock with McGill's punches.  Before layering the scalloped and circle pieces, 
I chalked around the edges of each with a coordinating color. 

After punching the smaller flower shapes, I placed each onto the Molding Mat and created a well
in the center by using the medium stylus tool.  This allows the petals to roll in and add a 3-D effect.
 After chalking the edges, I added them to the edges of the larger flowers with a flat Glue Dot.
The centers were adorned with Doodlebug Design's adhesive pearls.
 For a list of McGill punches/tools used, visit --here--
Although the 4th of July has come and gone for 2013,
I like to keep my patriotic decorations out until Labor Day.
I designed this whimsical vase of paper flowers with Doodlebug's "Stars & Stripes" Collection
and a couple of the different McGill Paper Blossoms Punches
  For the 'blue star' flowers, I layered two of the same blooms and staggered the petals
just a little.  Use the molding mat and a stylus tool to achieve a nice rolled effect to the flowers.
 For the 'striped' flowers, I layered the flowers so that the two blooms were back to back
and a mirror image.  To these, I gently molded the center of the flowers only.

After punching a small red Petite flower, I added them to the center of each blossom with
a foam dot.  The flowers were then glued to bamboo skewers that I had wrapped with
Doodlebugs' Washi tape!
For a list of McGill punches/tools used, visit --here--
The McGill, Inc Blog will now be brimming with inspiration everyday of the week!
We'd love to have you visit:
Have a wonderful week!

Patriotic Bella

**If you're here for the Unity Inspiration Hop, please scroll to the below...thanks**

Oooo, all of this patriotic goodness!  Bella Blvd is all about
red,white and blue cards today so stop by and take a gander

The striped and polka dotted Designer Tapes were just perfect for creating the flag for this card. 
I cut a piece of cardstock to 3" X 4.5" and then applied strips of the striped Designer Tape.
 Next, I cut a smaller piece of cardstock to 1.75" X 2", covered with the navy dot Designer Tape
 and then machine stitched around the edges before attaching to the striped piece.
 I kept the design simple by embellishing with a couple of hand-cut flowers and sticker sentiment.

 Supplies:All American: Borders & Cute Cuts, American Pride, Alpha+Bits Stickers;
 Designer Tape: 12mm Combo, Navy Dot

Ever since being introduced to the Crochet Hearts, I've wanted to make a butterfly from them!
 For this card, I took two of the smaller McIntosh hearts and centered them over the journal sticker. 
For the middle of the butterfly I used a snippet from one of the chipboard Icon pieces and attached 
it with a fabric glue. The antennas were formed by adding two pearl stick pins through the 
crochet hearts and then bending them just a little. 

Supplies:All American: Boom Boom Pow, Just Write Journaling Stickers, Alpha+Bits Stickers, Chipboard Icons; Crochet Hearts: McIntosh

 And that's all from me today, friends!  Off to enjoy the 4th of July festivities with the fam :)
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Unity Inspiration Thursday

Fourth of July Greetings to my friends from the U.S. of A.!
(and a happy belated Canada Day to my Canadian buddies to the North)
I like to think of myself as a true patriot...I love all things red,white and blue,
I get the chills every time I hear the National Anthem and I tear up when I see a veteran :)

The 4th is always such a fun holiday to celebrate and today at 
UNITY STAMP COMPANY
we have some amazing things to share...first a fabulous promo:

And as with every Inspiration Thursday, three lucky commentors will be chosen
at random to receive a $20 Unity Gift Certificate!  So don't forget to leave those comments :)

**You should be arriving from Renee Aslette's Blog**
(if anything goes awry, just head back to the Unity Blog to be redirected)

My card is clean-and-simple today...I think the sentiment and dog tags say it all!
 I did add a little texture to the die-cut postage mat with a Sizzix embossing folder.
And because I wanted to cut out the dog tags from the grey paper, I thought the
ball-chain strand would be so cute and such a nice touch!

The patterned paper is by Pebbles, Inc...for the stars I used a 1/4" round punch and
punched them from a patterned paper.

That's all from me today!
**Time now to hop on over to SHILO MILES' BLOG**


A Happy Birthday Day

Today is Birthday Day at Little Yellow Bicycle!
A few of the team members have whipped up some really cute ideas
using the newest collection, Vintage Summer.

I love bakery bags for gifts...not only for food gifts, but small things like charms for bracelets,
jewelry, cell phone accessories, etc. 

I didn't want to cover the 'window' so I cut the patterned paper to size (of the bag, once folded)
 and then used a circle die and a little measuring to create a cut-out. 


 Next I used the same circle die and a large doily die to pretty-up the window.  
 For the embellishments I used one of the pleated flowers from the paper kit and a few 
punched flowers using the 6X6 paper pack.  After punching the leaves, I adorned the petals
 with a cork petal from the Natural's Stick Pins.  I think it truly says HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
 
 
Flower and Birch Leaf Punches from McGill, Inc.
 Gift Bag from Curtsey Boutique
Ribbon from May Arts
 
So thankful that you've stopped in today...back tomorrow with a July 4th Unity Hop!

A Yummy Summer Treat

Putting this together was as easy as tracing the shapes onto selected I Heart Summer papers and then cutting out.  I did machine stitch around the edges after adhering, but this is definitely optional.  - See more at: http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/#sthash.UVGHUvPU.dpuf
Hello, hello, hello!
After a monthly hiatus I'm so happy to be sharing today at Simple Stories.
In June they featured the new "Life Documented" Team who will be sharing
all things Project Life and SN@P related...lots of great ideas so be sure to visit the blog

Today is all about the newest Simple Stories Collection, I {Heart} Summer.
I love all of the different shapes of chipboard that you can find these days. 
 While browsing my local scrapbook store I picked up several pieces, two of which were a
 'flower' and 'pennant' shape...the two came together to make the cutest ice cream cone!

Putting this together was as easy and tracing the shapes onto selected I Heart Summer
 patterned papers and cutting out. I did machine stitch around the edges before adhering,
but this is completely optional.

 I embellished the ice cream portion with a cut-out from one of the 4X6 Jouranling Card Elements.
Before attaching (with foam tape) to the ice cream, I glued an edging of red ric rac around
the heart...I love the softness that it adds!  A couple of embellishments from the Chipboard and
Layered Stickers and the front is complete.

For the hanger I used a thin-gauged wire (a thicker gauge would work better, but
I didn't have any on hand).  I knotted on a rainbow of colorful ribbons and my hanger is complete!

SN@P Cuts!  Wow!  These are some amazing elements.  Here I used it at as mat for
my card and added a background paper behind it.  Yes, photographed it looks like a
diagonally striped paper, but in person it has just the slightest texture.

3X4 Journaling Cards are not only great for your SN@P albums, but they're also ideal
for cardmaking. Each card has the sweetest graphics...the work is done for you!
I topped off the layered bicycle sticker with a matching Flair Icon, a couple of stickers
and my card is complete...short and sweet :)

You can pick up the I {Heart} Summer Collection Kit AND the chipboard pieces
that I used at Scrapbooker's Emporium

I'll be back with a Little Yellow Bicycle gift bag tomorrow...see you then!

Kids Craft: Braided Twine Bracelet

School is out for Summer and that leaves a lot of little kiddies
without anything to do!  We're teaming up this week at 
DOODLEBUG DESIGNS
to bring several ideas of fun and easy crafts for kids of all ages!

Today, I have a fairly easy tutorial for a Braided Twine Bracelet
This is a great opportunity for children to learn to 'braid'
(I would rate this for ages 10 and up; younger children will need assistance)


Supply List: 12 Yards of Doodlebug Twine (any colors or combinations...I used 12 different colors),
Large Button, Large Embroidery Needle, Fray Chek Solution

  1. Cut (12) twelve 1-yard increments of desired twine
  2. Gather pieces together (by matching one end) and fold in half; trim off excess twine from the other end so that the pieces match up.
  3. At the center of the fold, tie a knot to form a loop.  Make sure that the loop is large enough for the button to slip through.
  4. Loop the center loop over a bottle top or handle (as shown above)
  5. Divide the strands into three sections; each section will contain four strands of twine
  6. Braid the twine together until desired length has been achieved
  7. Knot off the end (see below) and cut off excess; dab on Fray Chek 
  8. Using large embroidery needle and twine, stitch on large button over the knotted end
  9. Decorate as desired!  Glue on beads, tie on extra buttons or leave plain.

Today we also have an adorable Bookmark and Bug Sack Puppets by fellow designers
Wendy Sue Anderson and Jodi Wilton...come by and see!

Have a terrific week!

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