Evergreen Tree

I have a sweet Christmas tree tutorial with
BASIC GREY's
"Evergreen Collection" available!
The BG Blog is down, but you can still download this easy-to-make decoration:

Here is a link for the FREE PDF Download...enjoy!
Friday, November 7, 2014 November 07, 2014
2 comments

Frosty Friends Gift Set

Hi there!  I was up yesterday with
DOODLEBUG DESIGNS
and  a Frosty Friends Gift Set that includes a handmade card
and altered paper mache ornament!  Whether you're in need of a Christmas
 or New Year's gift, this idea will suit either to a tee!

I love to keep my snowy friends out long after the Christmas holidays.  
This easy-to-make ornament starts with an usual shaped paper mache ornament that I purchased at Hobby Lobby.  I traced around the design onto a 12X12 paper and cut.  

For the face and body I die-cut oval shapes from one of the 6X6 Paper Pad papers.
  I added them to the front of the ornament with foam adhesive.  

The fun comes in decorating the snowman.  You can choose from any
 of the cute stickers to add to the center of the body. 
 Stitch on some Doodle Twine if you're inclined.

Give your snowman any face that you'd like...enamel dots come in very handy here!

For the scarf I took different colors and several strands of Doodle Twine 
 and braided them into one length.  The two ends were knotted off and trimmed
 and then wrapped around his neck.  

Make a quick little card to go along with the ornament!  
Here I've used some 6X6 papers and one of the Mix & Match Snowmen
 Craft Kit's snowmen and placed him on a snowy hill.

Pile on the cute stickers to complete the scene!

Happy hump day and have a great rest-of-the-week!
Wednesday, November 5, 2014 November 05, 2014
4 comments

Pinterest Monday

Good Monday to you!  
It's been a few days since I've blogged so there will
be lots of catching up to do this week :)
First I wanted to share my "Pinterest Monday" card with
SCRAPTASTIC CLUB'S
"Free Fallin" November Kit & Add-On Kit

Here is a look at the amazing geometrical print that we used
as inspiration for our projects today:
 (credit for photo here)


I was initially drawn to the grid created by the small lines and immediately
 thought of using different swatches of paper in the four segments. 
 And of course I love, love, love circles so I went rummaging through the 
Free Fallin' Kit (and Add-On Kit) for round embellishments to cluster together!

 I made the card a 5X7 size instead of the standard A2;  I just wanted more
 space to showcase the cluster of fun as well as the mix of patterns. 
 I cut a mat to 5X7 and then proceeded to layer on the strips of paper.  
Next, I machine stitched the pieces together to give an even more homespun feel.

 I was excited to try out the wood veneer shapes with the Garden Grass ink dauber 
...works beautifully!

 I didn't really want an additional sentiment at the bottom right corner, but I did love the
 idea of recreating the bullet points with a couple of brown brads from my stash (there are
also enamel dots in the kit...I just missed them when making my card!)

And if you're interested, here are the November Scraptastic Club Kits!
This Life Noted Kit

Free Fallin' Main Kit

Free Fallin' Add-On Kit

 Free Fallin' Sentiment Stamps (Exclusive)

Shake It Off Main Kit

Shake It Off Add-On Kit

Shake It Off Sentiment Stamps (Exclusive)


Sentiment Series Stamps

From the Scraptastic Blog: 
"Do not forget! Play along with our name that kit game for a chance to win. 
Just leave a comment in the comments with you you think sings the songs that 
this months kits are named after! You will have until Wednesday November 5th
 to play along, so BE QUICK!"
Monday, November 3, 2014 November 03, 2014
2 comments

October Inky Paws Challenge

This month's "Inky Paws" Challenge is up at
NEWTON'S NOOK DESIGNS

Are you ready to get your paws inky with us and play along to win a prize?
 The Challenge winner will receive a $10 store credit to our online store and a
 Inky Paws Challenge Top Pick Badge to add to your blog!  
If we get more than 15 participants, we will choose two
 winners so be sure to tell your friends to play along! 

You have two weeks to play along. Deadline to enter is 
 Friday, November 7th, 2014 
 at Midnight CST. The winners will be announced on the NND blog 
on Sunday, November 9th.

Are you ready to play along and get your paws inky? 
  • Create a NEW project (card or other paper craft item).
  • Your project MUST use at least one Newton's Nook Designs stamped image (or free digital stamp - check out our Freebies page).
  • Post your project to your blog or to an online photo gallery such as Flickr , Pinterest, or splitcoaststampers (on splitcoast please use keywords newtonsnook and IPC14).
  • Link back to this challenge (if posting in an online gallery copy the link into the photo description). 
  • Submit your project to this challenge using the InLinkz widget below. You must submit a DIRECT link to your post page.
  • Have more than one great idea? You can enter more than once! Just link up each card separately. 
  • TIP: Please make sure your photo in focus  - We can't pick you as a winner if we can't see your card clearly because your photo is blurry! 
Here is my sample:
 

I stamped the tree from the "Spooky Street" Stamp Set with VersaMark
and then sprinkled on some black glitter.  The little ghost was a cupcake
pick that I attached with glue dots :)
Patterned papers by Authentique Paper.

I hope you get a chance to play along...good luck!
Monday, October 27, 2014 October 27, 2014
2 comments

A Top Dog Turkey

Hello Friday-crafty-peeps!  
I'm sharing a colorful and downright fun
"Thanksgiving Turkey Card" with dies from
TOP DOG DIES

I've used several of the newest dies from Top Dog Dies:

 I selected the "Spotted Jillian Dot" Cardstock by Core'dinations...I love this stuff!
Of course, add some foam adhesive in between the layers for lots
of extra dimension!  
I've also used the same die for a set of adorable place cards with
PINK PAISLEE
 I will be sharing more photos and instructions on these place cards soon!

Hope you have a beautiful Autumn weekend!
Friday, October 24, 2014 October 24, 2014
4 comments

Santa Express: Wish List & Receipt Keeper


Hello, crafty friends!  I was up yesterday with a cute and fun
Wish List & Receipt Keeper
featuring Santa Express by Doodlebug Design
I love functional organizers especially during the hustle and bustle of the
Christmas season!  

For an extra-sturdy organizer, start with a rectangle piece of chipboard for
the front and back covers.  Cut desired patterned papers to a matching size
and adhere to the front/back.  Trim out the edge of the chipboard in Doodle Twine.

Mat the front with other fun papers and use die-cuts, foam adhesive 
and punch-outs to add dimension.


On the back of the Christmas Confetti Double-Sided Paper, you will find a
notebook-style paper that is divided into six grids and labeled
"christmas wish list".  I cut the grids apart and added the names of 
our family members with Doodle Type stickers.  

On the backside of each list, add a Treat Bag with high-tack adhesive tape.
This will house receipts.

Embellish the pockets as desired.
Punch a hole through one corner of the covers and lists and bind
together with a ring.  
The finished keeper will measure around 4X6; store it inside a plastic
baggie or large envelope if you plan on carrying it along in a purse!

Visit the Doodlebug Blog all week (and next) for more fun projects
using the Santa Express Collection!

Tuesday, October 21, 2014 October 21, 2014
3 comments

Giving Thanks Mini Album & Journal

A good Monday morning to you!
I'm along with a "Thankful" Mini Album/ Journal using the
 beautiful "Sweater Weather" Collection  by
SIMPLE STORIES
and a pumpkin shaped die by Top Dog Dies.
  My inspiration for this type of album/journal derives from the "thankful
posts that I've witnessed on Facebook!

(click all photos to enlarge)

After die-cutting the cover pages from heavy chipboard, I dressed them in 
patterned paper and then distressed around the edges with a walnut ink pad. 

I matted the journal card and added some machine stitching for an 
extra-homespun feel.  Before attaching to the front of the album, 
I added the cute brad banner embellishment.

The inside of the album can be made up of patterned papers cut to
 size, journal cards, pockets, etc.

The pockets and tags were constructed from the Kraft A2 Card Bases & Envelopes.
  The envelopes were trimmed down to a height of 3.75", leaving the width as is.  
The cards were cut in half along the crease and then to a width of 5.25". 
 I also added punched tabs to the top of each tag.

I used a ruler and fine tip black pen to add lines to the backs of the envelopes...
great spot for extra journaling!



 You may chose not to add bulky embellishments to the journal cards
 if you're planning on adding photos to that area.  On the pocket page fronts,
 I only embellished the top or bottom corner so that there is plenty of room for small pictures.


When planning the page's embellishments, keep in mind how the opposite
 page will lay against it.  A bulky embellishment placed against a page with 
a bow may cause damage to the more delicate piece.


Get input from family members and let them each have a tag to write
 what they are thankful for or their favorite Fall memory!

 Keep it simple by allowing the beautiful artwork of Simple Stories do the work!

Add even more pages if you plan on keeping a "12 Days of Thanks" or 
a "November Gratitude Journal"...you may even wish to adapt this
 idea to a SN@P! Binder...what fun!

Products Used:
Sweater Weather Collection:
 -Decorative Brads
-Bits & Pieces
-Enamel Dots
-Chipboard Stickers
-Collection Kit

DIY Christmas:
Monday, October 20, 2014 October 20, 2014
5 comments

Fun, Fall and Foxy

Hello!  I wanted to stop in really quick and share a 
couple of peeks at the two cards I made for 
SCRAPTASTIC CLUB
with their October "Heart It Races" and "Thriller" Kits


I have tips on how I put them together and more photos up on the blog!

Scraptastic Club now has an online store available with
many of the latest products and most popular brands!
 

Sunday, October 19, 2014 October 19, 2014
3 comments
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