Dot & Whimsy

2015 is ticking down and 2016 is quickly approaching!

I crafted this very cute desktop calendar with the "So Fancy" Collection from

I started with a set of six kraft tags that measure 3.75" X 5.5", the "So Fancy" SN@P Cards, various patterned papers and embellishments from the collection and a free printable calendar that I found here.

To begin, I cut the patterned paper down to 3.5" X 4.5" and corner rounded them at the bottom so that they matched the kraft tags.  Next, one of the 3X4 SN@P cards were added with foam adhesive tape.  The calendar was cut down to size, glued in place and then each month was embellished with various pretties!

Use a collection of “The Wild Life” Designer Dies and Stamps by

to create a custom garland for a themed party or to glam up a camper!

 I started with patterned papers and the “Into the Woods” and “Canoe” Die Sets

 and “Happy Camper” Die Set & Stamp Combo.  I used the “sign” die as a

 background for the tree motif.

 After die-cutting the canoe and paddle, I stamped the “At the lake” image

 using a Aegean Blue and Garden Grass Chalk Inks.  The top portion was inked 

green and then the blue was added and blended into the green before stamping onto

 one of the Neutrals papers.  The image was then die-cut and the canoe glued to the front.

Looks darling strung across a cabinet or window!

Products-
The Wild Life:
Forest Flora Paper
Wild Stripe Paper
Wild Constellations Paper
Canoe Die
Into the Woods Die
Happy Campers Die and Stamp SetDots & Stripes:
Wood Grain Paper
Kraft Paper

See more great projects on the blog at Echo Park Paper!

 

Enjoy this FREE printable from

of the barn star ornament that I made with the "Juniper Berry" Collection!

Click on the photo or try --here-- to download your project sheet :)

Welcome to Newton's Nook Designs Second Anniversary Blog Hop!
Newton’s Nook Designs is so excited to be celebrating their TWO Year  Anniversary 

 - two whole years of getting our  paws inky!  To celebrate we have an AMAZING blog 

 hop featuring our Design Team and some AWESOME Special Guests!

 You are going to love all the fun inspiration they're sharing using  Newton’s Nook Designs Stamps! 

Special Guests:
Jennifer Ingle
Tessa Wise
Shellye McDaniel
Simon Says Stamp

Design Team:
Lydia Evans
Larissa Heskett
Samantha Mann
Crafty Math-Chick
Jess Gerstner
Stephanie Muzzulin
Danielle Pandeline
Nina-Marie Trapani
Kimberly Rendino
Yukari Yoshioka

 For my card, I used the new "Newton's Naptime" stamp set and
coloring pencils by Prisma.


I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black and then proceeded to color
in the image with a series of colored pencils, starting with the lightest shade and
then adding a darker color for the shading.
I used Gamsol and a blending stump to achieve a beautiful watercolored look!
The image was then carefully cut out and attached to the center of a die-cut
oval.  The papers are by Echo Park Paper.

Hello, everyone!  I shared a unique "So Rad" album yesterday at

 using an assortment of the collection's Chipboard Frames and other embellishments!

I started with the full pack of Chipboard Frames and the 6X6 paper pad from "So Rad". 

 I filled in each of the frame's windows with a piece of patterned paper that was 

glued into place.  A matching-sized frame was glued to the back of each.

 I used dies to cut small photos to fit the frames or just cut the photos down to size.

Stickers, enamel dots, brads and die-cuts were used to dress up the individual pages.

Two pockets from the SN@P! Card pack were also added to the album and a

 tag slipped inside for journaling.

 I left some of the smaller frames without any photos and simply embellished them

 with clear photo stickers and enamel dots.  You can also use the lined papers 

to create areas for journaling.

And don't forget those awesome Chipboard stickers and adhesive brads!

Once the pages were finished, I used the small punch of a crop-a-dile and punched

 holes into the tops of each frame.  Two strands of ball-chain were used to hold 

The “Selfie” Mini Theme by
ECHO PARK PAPER

is on point for anything preteen or teen related…

even if it’s not pertaining to a selfie!  

I have used the mini theme to showcase a photo strip taken of my

 son and his date at their Junior Prom.  The on trend colors and design of 

“Selfie” captured the moment perfectly!

 I started with a 12x12 base paper from “Side B” of the “Cameras” paper.  

 Next, I cut a black cardstock down to 8.5” square and machine stitched it to the 

center of the base paper.

 For the focal point paper (which was cut to 8” square) I wanted to expound

 on the bokeh look of the “Words” paper (side B), so I used a ¾” and 1” circle die to

 die-cut holes randomly throughout.  Next, I used strips of thin foam adhesive tape to

 attach the bokeh paper to the top center of the black cardstock.  This gave just

 the right amount of depth to the die-cut areas.

Three blooms from the back of the “Journaling Cards” paper were trimmed out

 and colored with Prisma Colored Pencils. For a smoother finish, I used Gamsol 

(odorless mineral spirits) and a blending stump to create beautiful watercolor-like flowers.

Use this bokeh-on-bokeh trick on your cards or other crafting projects too!

See more product and ideas at www.echoparkpaper.com

Hello!  I'm trying to play catch-up on my blogging and I wanted to start

 with a couple of sweet summer-themed cards using the brand new 

"Summer Vibes" Collection  from 

and adorable dies from Top Dog Dies!

First up is a "Fun Summertime" card featuring the cutest hippo:

I've used the Top Dog Dies Hippo Die Set TC112 and the grey woodgrain paper found in the 6X6 paper pad to create the hippo. 

I chalked around the edge of the face and body with a darker grey and black chalk.  For the feet I used a black watercolor pencil.  The cheeks were also given blush with pink chalk.  I cut one of the "O" sticker letters in half to make the mouth.  And the chipboard sunglasses are a perfect fit!

I made the card a 5X7 size to accommodate the large die-cut title.  The sides of the title were embellished with die-cut and chipboard flowers with enamel dot centers.

Next up is a layered card featuring waves and sand using Top Dog Dies Water Die Set:

At the top of the card I used the sunburst clear overlay and placed it on top of the multi dot paper.  The waves were die cut from the blue floral and bits of solid blue paper that I found throughout the 6X6 paper pad. 

All of the layers were pieces together to form a 5" square so that it could be added to the 5.5" yellow woodgrain mat.  One of the Top Dog Dies Mini Tags TC044 was cut from a solid paper and a clear sticker attached to the center.

Foam adhesive was placed just along the top edge of each layer, with the bottom edge simply glued in place.  I finished the card by embellishing with enamel dots and Bradz.

Simple Stories Products:

Summer Vibes-

Hello!  I was up on the Bella Blvd Blog yesterday with 

with my first Bella Blvd-Illustrated Faith assignment

. Even before I was asked to join the creative team, I had in mind to

 make a "Prayer Request" journal just for Facebook. A day doesn't go by that

 I don't have a handful of Facebook friends asking for prayer or a story in

 my newsfeed that grips my heart.

 For my project I have taken a spiral bound journal that was actually a freebie that

my hubby came home with. You can find many types of inexpensive journals and

 notebooks in most dollar stores, so I hope you'll be inspired to make your own!

 First, I cut the Color Chaos down just a bit smaller than the album cover. 

I used a Xyron Creative Station to adhere it in place. A strip of washi tape was

 placed along the side where the patterned paper meets the linen binding

 on the notebook.

 Next, I cut down one of the journal stickers and embellished it with sticker 

pieces from the Illustrated Faith Collection, as well as Enamel Dots and ribbon 

from my stash. Now I have a place to jot down all of the prayer requests...

I don't want to forget a single one!

 Supplies:
Illustrated Faith: Label It stickers, Mini Mint to Be stickers, Fold It stickers,

I'm beginning a new journey, while revisiting an old friend!

I was extremely excited at the offer to join the 

side of the Illustrated Faith Creative Team!

Having been with Bella Blvd as a card and altered designer

for a couple of years, I jumped at the chance to be a part of this new

endeavor that Stephanie and the Bella team was embarking upon.

While I do plan on sharing artwork in my own journaling bible, for

now I will be showing some other ideas for using the beautiful 

products: cards, altered books/journals, home decor, etc.

Here is a peek at what I'm working on:

 

I will be sharing my newest project at the Bella Blvd Blog next

Tuesday, so please come over and take a look :)

The Illustrated Faith team has been introduced on the blog

and they have some amazing peeks of their artwork!

Happy Friday!
I wanted to let y'all know that I have a FREE project download up at

This sweet chipboard plaque was created with the Jack & Jill-Girl Collection!

And visit around...there are so many cute PDF project ideas that are FREE to you :)

Recently I shared two cards focusing on washi tape at

Washi tape brings a fun, slick texture and can add a quick pop of pattern and color 

to a plain cardstock.  For today’s cards I’m sharing a couple of my favorite ways to

 use these tapes on cards!

As shown with the first card, I love to use dies along with the washi tape to

 create a one-of-a-kind embellishment.

To start, I cut a scrap piece of white cardstock just a bit larger than the die shape.  

Pieces of tape were adhered to the paper and then die-cut.

The other umbrella components were die-cut from various 6X6 “I Love Sunshine”

 papers.  Strips of decorative border sticker were added to the top and bottom 

of the card and the design left fairly clean-and-simple.

 For the second card I implemented a brick-laying pattern using two different 

washi tape designs and a 3.5”X4.75” cardstock paper.

Start at any area at the top of the paper and place a small strip of tape at a

 diagonal angle.  Place the second strip of tape so that the end matches up with

 the end of the first strip.

 Continue with the pattern until the desired look has been achieved.

A matching set of flip flops (chipboard sticker) was placed at the bottom, along

 with a sentiment sticker and a couple of flowers.  Again, a quick and simple

 card to brighten someone’s day!

Products:
I Love Sunshine
ILS86003 Pinwheel Afternoon
ILS86005 Sandy Toes
ILS86008 Sun Beams
ILS86014 Element Sticker Sheet
ILS86015 Alpha Sticker Sheet
ILS86022 6x12 Chipboard
ILS86023 6x6 Paper Pad
ILS86026 Decorative Tape - Flip Flops
ILS86027 Decorative Tape – Dots
ILS86032 Summer Days Die Set

Jack and Jill Girl:
JJG81028 Enamel Dots