Dot & Whimsy

answers to a few questions.

What am I working on right now?
I have just started a project for the upcoming Winter Edition of  

Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine.  I also have a project in the works 

using Authentique Paper's new Believe Collection and

 a wooden plaque by Sierra Pacific Crafts.

The last project that I completed will be up this week with

Bella Blvd & Kiwi Lane cross-promo:

 

 How long does it take me to create a project?

I'm actually a pretty quick crafter...layouts, not so much LOL

I can generally have a mini album completed within 2-3 hours, cards

take me anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour and layouts may take

me all day long!  I do find that using sketches do help to cut the time.

On most every project, I like to use my sewing machine.

I'm also using a lot of steel rule and wafer thin dies these days.

As far as embellishments, I'm always reaching for buttons,

wooden accents, enamel dots and adhesive pearls.  

Here are some of my newest favorite themes 'n things:

Because I serve on quite a few design teams, I start with the assigned

theme and go from there.  If I'm up for a layout, I choose the photos and then

the collection that goes best with them.  I'm really, really liking my photos

printed in a wallet size, so I've been using that option a lot.

For cards, I always start with a focal point, which may be a die-cut, sentiment 

or technique.  Next I decide how best to display the focal point...

vertically or horizontally, clean and simple or with a lot of 

extra embellishments and frou-frou.  I like to work in die-cut shapes

such as doilies, simple circles, squares, etc. and use them as mats.

The more layers, the better!

 How do I become inspired and stay inspired?

I love to stay connected and up on trends by visiting other crafty blogs

and Pinterest.  One of my more recent projects (Witch Is In Sign)

was inspired by a similar sign that I saw at Michael's!

 

I keep my crafty closet stocked with general crafting supplies

such as unpainted wood shapes, canvases, chipboard pieces, styrofoam

balls, containers, etc.  All of these come in handy when it's time to tackle

a general papercrafting project such as a home decor piece, altered

item or mini album.  My stash is often a huge part of my inspiration!

I've been sharing projects for a few years now and have been lucky enough to 

have had some wonderful exposure through design teams, Facebook shares, etc.

  One thing that I hear a lot is "that's so Shellye" or "I knew it was yours before 

I saw your name" LOL  I like to call my style clean-and-simple-with-a-touch-of-whimsy :)

I craft much like a decorate my home.  I'm not one for a lot of sporadic clutter...rather,

I like clusters of contained clutter :)  I love the 'white space' of design and I also

love incorporating the 'triangle' effect on my scrapbook pages.  

For me it's all about what's pleasing to the eye.  If a design isn't clicking

with me, I keep moving things around until I can say "a-ha that's it!"

My sweet friend Taunya Butler is linking up to continue on with

her Scrappy Blog Tour!  I love Taunya's generous spirit, never-ending kind

words and her adorable projects!  Visit Taunya's BLOG to learn

more about her!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Happy Friday!  It's my time to share with a 

project and today I have a fabric pumpkin coaster 

that I whipped together really quick.

Great gift-giving idea for the coffee lover...

tuck inside a basket with a mug, a bag of coffee and 

flavored creamer!

First, I die-cut a piece of felt and two pieces of fabric with the Pumpkin Album Die.
 Just make sure that the second piece of fabric (for the back)
is the mirrored image side before you cut.

So, fabric face down, felt, fabric face up and then die cut.

You can also use a fabric interfacing between the layers of fabric, but felt is
all that I had on hand.  I left the edges of the pumpkin raw, but you can certainly
covered it with piping or turn the edges under before stitching.

I did attach a trimming of yellow jute to the edge of this pumpkin and then
a small yellow bow at the top for extra dimension and interest.
Make several of them in different colors and have them handy for your
Autumn guests to use! 

See more projects and shop for dies at
www.topdogdies.com

No one does Halloween like Doodlebug Designs!  The very first Doodlebug piece that I purchased (back in 2003) was a sheet of ghost stickers...I've been a fan ever since :)

Today I have a chipboard "Black Cat Mini Album" to share using the

new "Ghouls & Goodies" Collection.

Basic supplies like Teensy Type stickers, brads, twine and buttons

will always compliment any of your Doodlebug projects!

Happy Sunday, fellow crafters!

It was quite a thrill to be asked to join the alum at

The task: use Tombow's Xtreme Permanent Adhesive

to create a project of my choice!

Let me preface by saying that I wasn't a stranger to the Xtreme adhesive

before beginning this project... I all ready knew that this was the ultimate in

permanent adhesives!  But, being that the adhesive is so tenacious I was happy

to learn a little tidbit that may go unnoticed on the back of the product packaging:

You can see a video --here--

I purchased this set of pre-cut wooden letters at Michael's for my daughter's room.

I chose three different patterns of black & white patterned papers by Doodlebug Design.

After tracing the letters onto the patterned paper and cutting out, 

I applied the Xtreme Permanent Adhesive around the edge of each wood piece.

The letters will be hanging on her wall for the foreseeable future, so I wanted

to use an adhesive that I knew wouldn't give-way after a month or two!

I added some sequins and rhinestones to each letter and also added baker's twine 

around the edge of the letters; this helps to give a clean, finished look!

To do so, I used Tombow's Glue Pen...just use the glue pen as you would a 

writing pen and draw a line of glue around the edge of the letter.  

Press the baker's twine into the glue and hold for a few seconds to secure in place.

I attached a length of ribbon tot he back of each letter for hanging.

Lastly, let me share a photo of me in my SU t-shirt and holding my diploma!

 Visit the Tombow Blog to see more great stuff from the Sticky U Alum!

Good Friday morning again, crafty friends!

I have another Halloween home decor item that can

easily be translated into a general Fall display to encompass 

the entire Autumn season :)

Today I'm using the Pumpkin Album Die from

 and the brand new "Spirited" Collection from Authentique Paper.

I die cut the album shape from a medium weight chipboard and then cut 

matching pieces from the colorful patterned papers.  

Using the 9" Xyron Creative Station made adhering the papers to 

the chipboard super quick!  

To attach the panels together, I folded each of the pumpkins along the 

tab that is in place for binding (if using the cut-out as an album).

The tabs were then glued to the next panel in an accordion fashion.

I accented the pumpkin fronts with use of the Vintage A2 Mat Die and the ghost

shape found in the Halloween Trio Die Set. 

I used black velvet leaves from a floral pick that I found at Michael's and the 

orange flowers are by Petaloo.

The edges of the pumpkins were trimmed in grape baker's twine and was

also used as an accent for the two labels at the ends of the accordion.

You will find all sorts of really fun Halloween/Fall projects this month at 

Top Dog Dies!

Can you tell that I'm a little ready for Halloween? :)

I created this whimsical witch signage for 

Today I'm up at 

with a pair of DIY Halloween Trivets!

 These are super simple to put together, make an economical gift

 and can be created with any theme in mind. I found several different ideas

 on Pinterest where crafters used old greeting cards,

 photos, gift wrap, etc…many possibilities! 

First, you will need a 6″X6″ ceramic tile for each trivet (or any size), Mod Podge, 

sponge applicator and cork or felt for the backing. I also used Beacon’s “Fast

 Finish Decoupage” for my final coat, which gave the trivets an extra shiny luster.

I’ve used an array of papers and embellishments from the Switchboard and
Hello Sunshine Collections. To begin, cut each base paper to 5.75″ X 5.75″.
se a shaped die, cutting file or template to create your basic design for each trivet.
 Adhere the design to the base paper and machine-stitch around the perimeter if you’d like.

Adhere any flat details to the design before you attach to the tile. Using the sponge

 applicator, apply a generous coating to the tile. Also, if you have machine-stitched 

on the paper, be sure to add a layer of mod-podge around the nooks and crannies

 of the stitching so that the paper doesn’t bubble around it once applied. Place the

 paper onto the tile and press into place; be sure to press out any air bubbles as well.

Next, apply a coating of Mod Podge over the top of the paper, making sure to keep 

your brush strokes going in the same direction. Allow that coating to completely dry.

 If you have the Beacon Decoupage or another high gloss sealer, add a coating 

of it and allow to dry next. 

Finally, embellish with fun notions like buttons, fabric flowers, ribbon and of course 

Pink Paislee embellishments! Although the finished trivets are purely decorative, 

they can be displayed on plate hangers, easels or just laying flat on a side table. 

Let the little ones help or make their own for their rooms! 

Thanks for letting me share with you today!

Happy Tuesday, friends!  

I have an interactive card up today at 

using the Flirty Flamingos Stamp Set and the new 

Spiral Circle Pull Card die by Karen Burniston!

I stamped the flamingo onto the pink patterned paper by Echo Park 

and then cut the body of the bird out.

I restamped the image, cut out the wing and attached with foam adhesive.  

I shaded around the bird with a dark pink pencil.  

The floatie was stamped and cut from yellow paper and colored in with

watercolor pencils.

The die set also comes with small hearts, which I cut from different

colors and attached to various parts of the spiral.

The sentiment from the stamp set was stamped and cut into a banner shape.

I was sure to attach it so that the tail end of the banner showed when the card was closed.

Visit Newton's Nook Designs for shopping and to see other ideas!

Happy, happy Friday everyone!

I'm sharing a 

project with you today using one of their new

August Releases, "Dragon"

So, why NOT have a gift sack made just for dragon breath :)

Fill it with tooth friendly stuffs like sugar free gum, a new toothbrush,

some paste, floss, etc...I'm thinking it would even make an adorable

Halloween treat instead of handing out candy!

I die-cut the dragon from a piece of Moda fabric.

To do so, adhere the fabric to a piece of lightweight cardstock.

I ran my cardstock through the Xyron Creative Station (w/ permanent adhesive)

and then applied the fabric over the sticky part.  

Layer the die and fabric/paper with the metal shim for an extra crisp cutting.

I then attached the dragon to the sack with high and low dimensional foam adhesive.

Where the arm and bend of the leg are cut out, I added the thicker 

foam adhesive...it just gives it a little more dimension.

I kept the design pretty clean and simple by accenting with a small

hand-tied bow and a teal pearl for the eye.

My son will think I'm crazy, but I'm sending it off to college with him when

he goes back on Monday! :)  

Visit Top Dog Dies blog and store for more ideas and supplies!

I hope you have a greattt weekend!

I'm sharing my final project as an "Altered Arts Girl" with

Come on by and take a look at all of the pretty

Pinterest inspirations that we have up for you today!

Here is a little peek at what I've created:

Ciao, friends!

Happening all this week at 

This is a week featuring the newest collections from Bella Blvd

and the designers have been given the 'anything goes!' theme!

Since I mainly create cards for Bella, I decided to step out and create

a layout with the sweet "Tiny Tots" Collection.

I had snapped a few pictures of this adorable redhead at our 

Family Fun Day and I knew they'd be perfect to pair up with Tiny Tots :)

 For the layout I incorporated one of the Kiwi Lane Bracket templates and actually

 used the negative cut and attached it to the top of the page. I cut the red star paper 

the same height as the wallet-sized photos and then added it with foam adhesive.

 And I LOVE the new Amorie Alphabets. They have such a cute personality 

and are perfect for kids' pages!

Drop by and visit Bella Blvd all week long as new projects and ideas

will be springing up everywhere!  Hope you have a ter-rific week!

I say this every year at this time, but I'm a Halloween fanatic!

I've always, always loved Halloween, but it seems that the older I get the

more that I love it.  The papercrafting industry comes up with the cutest 

Halloween themes year-after-year and that definitely keeps my interest ginning :)

The "Frankie & Friends" Collection by 

is a mix of fun colors, whimsical patterns and adorable characters...

look at Frankie...isn't he a doll?!?!?

For my project this month I really wanted to use the collection in a fun way, so

I headed to Pinterest for some ideas.  I had this cat's head treat holder pinned

from Parent's magazine website:

 

And here is my take on it using patterned paper & embellishments from the

"Frankie & Friends" Collection:

There are sooo many fun ways that you can dress up the face....

cute & funny or very minimalistic with just eyes and a nose :)

And if you have an extra-special trick-or-treater (or two) on your list,

think of whipping up one of these and filling with all sorts of homemade/bought treats.

The cat that I've made uses an entire sheet of 12X12 (modified) paper, but 

you can make smaller versions and leave off the hanger.

See more photos and how I put it together on today's blog post at 

Happy weekend!