Simple Hello

Last month, Julie created a cutting formula for the April Sketch Challenge.  How these ladies come up with those formulas I'll never know!  The cutting directions create 8 cards and I thought I'd share a few of the finished creations. I've used different stamps and greetings in my stash as well as those handy dandy embossing folders. Sometimes along the way I end up not using the sketch and creating my own masterpiece with pieces.  

Cherry Blossom Color Bursts

It feels like forever since I've played with my Color Bursts.  I have stacks of 4x6 photo paper left over from a now defunct printer and wanted to experiment with them...it's either that or donate them. So I dusted off my pink and silver Color Bursts and got to work. I chose the ice pattern stamp from Shades of Winter to create my backgrounds.

 

1. Brush water onto glossy photo paper.  

2. Sprinkle pink Color Bursts on paper. 

3. Add more water to make messy. Add metallic Color Bursts.

4. Using this panel as an ink pad, stamp into Color Bursts.

5. Stamp onto a second blank panel.

6. Repeat the process until happy with the background.

7. Let dry. I actually used a matte spray to keep metallic colors from rubbing off.

What I learned from the photo paper is that the color bursts dry very fast and the stamped images are fairly clear.  The paper doesn't absorb the inks and water like normal cardstock.  As you can see in the background I had a hard time getting the water and colors to move.  The metallics tend to rub off and require a fixative. However, I'm very pleased with the results.

 

Club Scrap papers, stamps, ribbon and flower. Making Memories rub on. Cuttlebug embossing folder. Queen & Co. pearl. Ken Oliver Color Bursts.



Cherry Blossoms Blog Hop

Welcome to the Cherry Blossoms Blog Hop brought to you by Club Scrap.  Each month the talented Club Scrap owner, employees and members present a project, card or layout using the monthly featured collection. The  purpose of the blog hop is to demonstrate the beauty of paper and digital crafts.

If you just happened on the blog hop today because you're a regular reader of my blog, and you'd like to view the entire hop, you can start back at Club Scrap. If you're already hopping and linked to me from the talented Tina's Blog, you're in the right spot.  

Each member of the team is pulling inspiration from the Cherry Blossoms Collection. The colors and richness of this collection will pull you out of a winter funk and get you ready for spring! The papers and stamped images brought back many memories of a month long trip to SE Asia. I knew I had some amazing photos to go with this collection and planned on a two page layout to share.  I got side tracked when Julie shared her Paper Fan tutorial on the Club Scrap blog.  I immediately thought of parasols and how fun they would be to create for a layout. Creating them was fun...trying to adhere them...not so much.
 

 

So let's get started.

1. Die cut several circles.

1.  Fold circles in half with backsides facing and score.

2. Unfold and rotate 90 degrees.

3. Fold in half again and score.

4. Repeat two more times.

5. Fold circles in half with the front sides facing and score.

6. Repeat as above. You'll need mountain and valley folds.

7.  Cut 8 strips of paper 1/8" wide.

8.  Adhere to valley fold lines.

Initially I tried to adhere the parasols to the layout using a needle-tipped applicator and bookbinding glue on the valley folds. That didn't work so I ended up stacking thick foam adhesive circles placed underneath the parasols. 

 

This layout is quite dimensional and will not fit in an album.  In my guest room I have six 12x12 frames that I display my bulkier layouts. These hold special photos and mementos that I just don't want to hide in albums on a shelf.

 

Thank you for hoping with us today!  Please continue on to see what the very creative Donna has crafted for you using this awesome collection.

 

Supplies used:

     Club Scrap paper, stamp, ribbon, alpha stickers and coin.

     Tonic Nuvo gold crystal drops.

Seven of Hearts

April's Idea Deck challenge this month is to use the seven of hearts from any Idea Deck.  The interesting thing about this selection is that both card decks had matchbook style cards.  They're a little bit different than the standard card but fun to create.  This set is from the Card Making Deck #1 and makes three cards.  The top of the first two card folds over the front cover.  Instead of using a staple to secure, I punched two holes and wove ribbon through them.  I scored the front panel to make it easier to open. Your handwritten greetings goes on the inside.  

Club Scrap papers, ribbon and stamps, white flower, stickers and tags.

Cuttlebug embossing folder. Nuvo crystal drops.  

NBUS

One of my favorite challenges over at Club Scrap is the NBUS (Never Before Used Stuff).  At the beginning of every month Pam suggests a topic or item and the challenge is to find a stamp or stencil that you've never used before.  This gives me the opportunity to flip through my stash to see what stamps have been neglected. April's NBUS challenge is to use an item of clothing or accessory stamp.  Well we all know my love for shoes so I didn't have any of those that haven't been used.  One of my favorite stamp collections was the November 2004 Steppin' Out, which included shoes, ties and purses. I think I even have an idea for Father's Day cards...
 

Club Scrap papers, purse stamp, border strips and ribbon. Martha Stewart punch.

Close to My Heart sentiment. Handmade papers.

 

 

 



Go & Do

It's been awhile since I've created digital layouts using Fiddle-Dee-Dee templates.  She's usually my go to gal when I hit a digital roadblock. Here's a layout using April's free template.  Yep...free!

Fiddle Dee Dee template

Club Scrap papers and textures

Fanette Design cluster

Cherry Blossom Costume Party

I feel like it has been awhile since I've created a layout. I'm running short on photos and really need to get some printed up. The first time I saw the ALSB layouts for Cherry Blossoms I knew I had some special photos that would work out fantastic! 

These photos are from an Asian inspired costume party we attended a few years back.  The kimono stamp and lanterns are a perfect embellishment to the photos.

 As you can see, I really didn't change the photo orientation but added different embellishments.

 

I'm currently on a stamp and heat emboss kick right now. I seem to enjoy the results better than when I try to color.  With all the adult coloring creativity out right now I think I'm the only person who doesn't enjoy coloring. I find it stressful to get the colors and shading right.

 



 

Supplies used:

     Club Scrap Cherry Blossom papers, ribbon, borders, fan charms and stamps.  

 

 

 

Every Heart has a Story to Tell

Back in January on a rainy day I made paper with my recycled envelopes from Christmas greetings. I only added a small amount of red paper bits  to the blender in some instances to get a soft pink with red flakes.  I didn't know it then but those papers would match perfectly with the Cherry Blossoms collection.

 

 

I learned a neat trick from Karen for cutting your handmade paper but leaving a torn edge look by using a water brush and ruler.

You'll be seeing these handmade papers frequently this month.

 

 

The following card was created using the Cherry Blossoms Greetings to Go kit along with inspiration from the April Sketch Challenge.

 Club Scrap papers, tags, and white flower. Close to My Heart fiber. Prima flowers. Cuttlebug embossing folder. Nuvo crystal drops.

 

Need further instructions on making paper?

I go more in depth in my Handmade Paper blog post.

Unsupervised

"In my defense I was left unsupervised." That pretty much sums up our trip to the bowling alley!  A few of us could not keep the ball out of the gutter so we started trying different techniques with some better results ;)

 

This digital layout was created using the April Sketch for the Monthly Layout Challenge. Every month each collection comes with a layout sketch and cutting instructions.  I created a template with different colors using the same measurements I would with paper.  Once the sketch is in Photoshop I begin by filling in photos, papers and then embellishments.

Club Scrap digital papers, borders, stamps, ribbons, buttons and pearly. Anna Aspnes flag tags. 

Freshly Made Sketches #282

I couldn't wait to open my pizza box and see the Cherry Blossoms collection for myself!  I wasn't disappointed.  I love the soft colors paired with the rich reds and deep grays. The first thing I did was start stamping and cutting out cherry blossoms. I needed something mindless to do to ease some recent stress.  You'll have to wait to see what I did with those...I'm such a tease!

 

In the mean time I created this card for the Freshly Made Sketches #282. The goal is to keep it clean-lined and simple. Sometimes I really struggle to keep it simple but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the finished card!

Club Scrap papers, stamps, brad, sequin and white flower. Prima pink flower.