Circle Challenged

**500th POST GIVEAWAY**
This is post #492...be sure that you are a follower of my blog
as I will be giving away a GRAND PRIZE on the 500th post!
(Some of the previous posts weren't numbered right...we're on track now!)
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The Monday Challenge at Bella Blvd this week was
"Incorporating Circles Into Project Design"
My personal challenge was using this concept on cards, but you must go by
the Bella Blog and see the great layouts that some of the other girls made!

I love circles and dots, so this challenge was perfect for my collection of round embossing
 folders and punches! First, I embossed the base of the card with a large polka dot folder. 
Next, I took a 1/4" circle punch and punched several pieces from one of the sections of the 
 Daily Details paper. I added them around the journal card with small foam squares. 
Other various-sized round embellishments were then added to complete the theme.

Supplies:Christmas Countdown: Alpha+Bits, Daily Details, Captions; Button Market: Text

 Use a pretty round lace die as the base for your wreath on this card; punch out the center. 
1/2" circles were punched from the O Tannenbaum paper and layered side-by-side onto the
 lace die cut with foam squares. Next I added another layer of the circles so that they were 
off-set with the circles below. Add pearls or rhinestones for a little added detail.  

Supplies:Christmas Countdown: O Tannenbaum, Paper Pieces; Freestyle Sophisticates: Freestyle McIntosh; Birthday Girl: Party Dress; Crochet Hearts: Gulf

The 2013-14 Bella Blvd Design Team will be announced on September 24th!
Keeping my fingers crossed and wishing GOOD LUCK to all who applied...it's a fabulous team to be on :)
Have a great weekend y'all!
Friday, September 13, 2013 September 13, 2013
2 comments

I've Scored!


Authentique Paper and Scor-Pal are teaming up this week to bring you tons of inspiration!

After you check out the projects on the Authentique Paper blog, be sure to head on over to the Scor-Pal blog to find out what the talented members of their Design Team have in store for you today!

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For my project, I have a couple of card ideas to use with the
 Scor-Pal and any Authentique Papers.  

On occasion, I like to make cards larger than the standard A2 (4.25" X 5.5") size. And on occasion I like to emboss the actual card and then layer on embellishments or a small journal card.  Because most embossing folders are designed for the A2 size, it leaves the larger A7 (5" X 7") cards out of the mix. 
 But I have a fun alternative for the bigger guys!

First a look at the completed card...notice the grid on the background
To create the grid, all you will need is the Scor-Pal, scoring tool and plain card.

Open the card flat (you will only score the front).  
Score at the 1/2" marks both vertically and horizontally.  
It maybe necessary to make two passes with the scoring tool for thicker cardstock.

I decorated the front with a die-cut star and then made a banner with one of the Natural sentiment stickers and two Maya Road star stick pins.  I think diagonally embossed lines would look really cool too!

For my next card I thought that a pocket would be fitting to go along with the masculine feel 
of the Natural Collection.  
First, cut paper for pocket to 3.5" X 3.5"

The point: I have found that the easiest way to get the sides even is to gently fold the paper in half (not making a crease) so that the sides meet.  Cut the paper at an angle.  

Place the pocket onto the Scor-Pal; score the two sides and bottom 1/4" from outer edge.

Fold in on all of the scored lines.  Cut notches where the score lines intersect.

Apply 1/8" Scor-Tape to the folds and then attach to the front of the card.

I cut a tag from one of the patterned papers so that it was just a bit smaller than the pocket size.
  You could also tuck in a gift card or movie tickets.  

 And one of my favorite things about Scor-Tape is that you can apply a strip over machine-stitched areas (before attaching to card-front) and it still holds together perfectly; no worries about your card coming apart with Scor-Tape!

Authentique Paper Products: Natural Collection- Native Paper; Beaming Paper; Daydream Paper; Enhancements Paper; Elements Stickers

Scor-Pal Products: Scor Pal board and tool; 1/8" and 1/2" Scor-Tapes

Other: May Arts- twines & ribbon; Maya Road- burlap flower and stick pins; Core'dinations- cardstock


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Authentique has a Prize Pack to give away to one of their lucky commenters 
(please leave unique comments!) 
so be sure to stop by the blog at blog.authentiquepaper.com
GOOD LUCK!
Thursday, September 12, 2013 September 12, 2013
3 comments

Window Dressing

Happy Wednesday!
I'm posting my very last project created for 
CURTSEY BOUTIQUE
I had a lot fun thinking up different ways to dress up the round windows in 
these bakery bags.  Curtsey Boutique offers an assortment of boxes, baskets & bags!

For the most part I used my nesting circles dies.  
Mainly you will need a 2" punch or die, which is the same size as the window for these particular bags.

 "Baby Face" Bag
From a flesh-colored cardstock, cut a 5" circle.  Center the 2" circle die towards
the bottom of the cardstock and cut


I wanted the window opening to mimic a pacifier so I made the handle from
two different circles of cardstock.  

"Life Preserver" Bag
A cute idea for a party or for sending someone off on a cruise!

After cutting a 3" circle from red cardstock and then cutting out the 2" center,
I added small strips and then trimmed them off.  
I wrapped navy and white baker's twine around each strip
and then tied on a small bow.  A fine-tip glue pen is perfect for adhering twine to paper!

"Pink Bloom" Bag
Perfect for any theme...from a bridal shower to a Bunco party!
Just use the same 2" circle for the center and any large scalloped punch or die for the flower.
I also attach a glittered butterfly, which you can find at Curtsey Boutique.
 A full pdf instruction sheet is available on the blog


We're now EIGHT posts away from the grand giveaway...
here's just one of the items included in the prize:
"Well Rounded" Template by The Crafter's Workshop!  
So be sure that you are a 'follower' of my blog here as I'll be choosing from that list :)

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 September 11, 2013
4 comments

Welcome Baby!

**500th POST GIVEAWAY**
This is post #491...be sure that you are a follower of my blog
as I will be giving away a GRAND PRIZE on the 500th post!
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I'm up today at MAY ARTS BLOG with my very first ribbon project! 
Here's a little peek of a "welcome baby" door hanging...come on by the MA Blog to see the rest :)
 And we're having a Halloween Craft Challenge too...
 See more details about the challenge and how you can join in on the blog!
 
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 September 10, 2013
1 comment

A Pumpkin Duo & A Mini Too

**500th POST GIVEAWAY**
This is post #490...be sure that you are a follower of my blog
as I will be giving away a GRAND PRIZE on the 500th post!
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It's almost Fall-decorating-time at my house!  
I love decorations that can be carried from September through Thanskgiving
and this Pumpkin Duo idea can certainly do that.
For both projects that I'm showing today I've used
LITTLE YELLOW BICYCLE'S
"Feels Like Home" Collection
 
Create these 3D pumpkins for place setting markers at your Thanksgiving table
 or cluster a few together as a centerpiece. Sizes will vary depending on what type of oval or
 round die that you choose to use.  For my duo I've used the same oval lace die (by Die Namics)
 and turned the shape so that I would have a short and tall pumpkin.
 You will need to die-cut six shapes for each piece (or more if desired).  
Fold each piece in half and glue the halves to the next piece until a complete circle has been formed. 
 I cut a bamboo skewer in half, colored it brown with a permanent marker and then 
inserted it into the middle of each pumpkin.  
To the top of the skewer I glued on one of the round wooden stick pin pieces. 
 Make banners from the different sticker sentiments; just apply the sticker to a piece of paper,
 trim out and then punch holes along the side and string onto the skewer. 
 It may be necessary to trim off the bottom of your pumpkin so that it's flat and will sit without tipping over. 
Next up is a mini album that was featured on the "Feels Like Home" retail promo










I used a mix of the Naturals embellishments and burlap 6X6 album as the base.
By using the 6X6 Paper Pack, there is no need to trim any of the papers...just attach
them directly to the album pages and you're all set!
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I'm participating in a couple of blog hops this week, so I'll be back to share soon!

Tuesday, September 10, 2013 September 10, 2013
2 comments

A Winter Wonderland

**500th POST GIVEAWAY**
This is post #489...be sure that you are a follower of my blog
as I will be giving away a GRAND PRIZE on the 500th post!
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For my most recent assignment at 
SIMPLE STORIES
I wanted to try something a little different in the home decor arena.
Using the new December Documented Collection and an 8X8 matchbook box,
I set out to make this sweet 3-D shadowbox of a winter wonderland scene

 I used an acrylic paint to cover the entire matchbook box a pretty bright green.
 I cut a panel from one of the December Documented papers and placed it over the opening.
Next, I worked on the 3-D scene on the inside of the box. I layered a variety of papers and cut white cardstock into snowy hills that I glittered and outlined in pom-pom trim. 

The chipboard snowflakes were glittered with an iridescent glitter and then applied. 
To the bottom of the box, I added a cut-out title strip and then dovetailed it at each end before attaching. 

I wanted to add a little height to the top, so a wooden scroll frame was adhered to the back of the box. 
 Such a project could be hung (just add a ribbon hanger), added to a wreath or simply sit on a side
table. Change up the sentiment and the piece can be displayed throughout the winter months!

 Simple Stories Products: December Documented- Fundamental Cardstock Stickers; Chipboard; Be Merry Paper; Special Delivery Paper; 4X4 Quote & 6X6 Photo Mat Elements; 2X12 Border & 4X12 Title Strip Elements; 6X6 Paper Pad 

And who doesn't love a 5 minute card!?! 
I have one for you...easily put together with Simple Stories' SN@P Cards!
Incorporate your favorite border punch to create a one-of-a-kind, yet quick and easy card. 
A few sprinkles of iridescent gems and a sticker or two and it's complete! 

Simple Stories Products: December Documented- SN@P! Cards;
 Peace, Love & Joy Paper; Brads 

I hope that you have a really terrific weekend! 
Friday, September 6, 2013 September 06, 2013
5 comments

Fall Splendor Blog Hop

 --WELCOME--WELCOME--WELCOME--
It's day #4 of the Fall Splendor Blog Hop with PaperHaus Magazine.
Along with the reveal of the Fall Issue and the celebration of the magazine's 1st anniversary,
you will see amazing projects and vie for some fabulous prizes!
The hop will run from September 1st through the 15th with just a few stops each day.

 (click on the image to view the magazine)
 See my card on Page 94 :)

**You should be arriving here from THE PAPER HAUS Blog**
Here is the list of the complete hop for today:

We were asked to create and share a little something that celebrates the Fall season.
Here is a quick treat container that I whipped up for the occasion!
I have a bin of 'trash-to-treasure' items that I've kept in hopes of recycling.  
For this project I took a clean Prima Bubbles container and die cut or hand-cut a few
shapes for constructing the primitive jack o' lantern face...just attach with a thin glue dot.
I pierced the metal lid with a piercing tool and inserted the cute flag and pixie stick 
by Doodlebug Design.  A little ribbon bow to the top and sweet treats inside and it's ready to give!

I hope that you enjoy these two weeks of inspiration!
Don't forget to comment as you visit each day and all the best at winning a fabulous prize!
**Your next stop is the blog of Lizzie Sanchez**

Wednesday, September 4, 2013 September 04, 2013
81 comments
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