Challenge Inspiration: Kate and Jenifer!

I love, love, love doing altered projects, so this was a fun challenge for me! I decided that my craft room wall needing some sprucing up. So, I created an altered frame to hang on the wall. I used Amy Tangerine Sketchbook from American Crafts. I love this line - it's wild, loud and tons of fun! The black and white striped ribbon is by May Arts and the pink and yellow ribbon was from a box of Godiva Chocolates that I received from my kids for Mother's Day.  The transparent overlay is by Hambly Screen Prints.

A close up of the centre of the box.

A close up of the side.

On a sad note, this is my last post for The Paper Variety. I have really enjoyed my time here. I had a lot of fun with the challenges, and the tutorial element of the DT requirements pushed me to step it up a notch in terms of creating tutorials. Sometimes a little push in the right direction can be very helpful. I have learned a lot from my fellow teammates and made some new friends along the way. Thanks again to Abby and Suzanne for having me here for the past 6 months. I am looking forward to seeing who makes it on to the next team. You're going to love it here!

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I created a wedding theme collection

I used some older grid patterned paper that she had lying around to create a pillow box, as a favor filled with mints.  I choose this paper because it was patterned but also very simple. I decorated the top very heavily with a bow and floral pics. The rice bag is made using a sqaure of Webster's Pages netting. Look closely and you will see the silver thread work throughout. I  also decorated the rice bag with the same floral pics and a different size silver ribbon. Last but not least I decorated a votive as a table decor, keeping with the same silver and white theme, also using floral pics!

Tutorial: Coffee techniques by Jenifer!

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial, I can't wait to see how it's inspired you!

Challenge Inspiration: Jenifer & Abby!

This is my take on this month's beautiful sketch, I just swapped sides and this is what I came up with!

I used Graphic 45's gorgeous 'Little Darling's' collection and the photo is of my younget son, whom is almost 8 yrs old now!

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Fabulous sketch! I decided to include just one photo and make the title a bit bigger. I used the BoBunny "On the go" collection which is a part of the Boys Rule May scrapbook kit. :)

Challenge Inspiration: Jenifer & Abby!

I cannot tell you how excited I am about this challenge, I ADORE flowers!!!! Any of you who know my work, know I like to pile on the blooms!

I used Graphic 45's Olde Curiosity Shoppe collection for this page, and as you can see I made the blue flowers out of some of my remaining scraps from this collection.

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I love finding new ways to make paper flowers. For my project, I created this bouquet of blooms using Echo Park "Dots & Stripes" 6x6 pads. These flowers were really fun to make.. all it took was some simple folding and then I glued the pieces together. Stay tuned for a tutorial :)

Tutorial: Faux Rustic Chipboard by Jenifer!

Hope you have enjoyed my video tutorial, thanks for taking a peek!!! I cannot wait to see how it has inspired you!!!

Challenge Inspiration: Jenifer & Abby!

When I first saw Marcia's layout below, I feel instantly in love with it, and I was so happy when I found out about this challenge, because I knew right away I wanted to lift this beautiful work of art!

Thanks Marcia!

Marcia's Layout

She did such a beautiful job didn't she?!?!

Here is my take on her layout

GIRLY

I started with Pion Design's Forget Me Not collection, which I scissor distressed before adding all of my layers. 

I used crackle paint on the fence and the flowers are Petaloo, the title is stamped and cut out and I used cheese cloth behind the photo.

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I've always admired Suzanne's faux paper lace on her projects so I chose this technique to add to my friendship card.

I used Bo Bunny's Alora papers, fussy cut some flowers and leaves, die cut a scalloped circle, added faux paper lace at the bottom and completed my card with a big green bow :) Thanks Suz!

Challenge Inspiration: Jenifer & Abby!

I used The "Wild Rose Stamp" from Paper and Such to create my card. To create the look I got with the stamp, I first stamped the browm patterned paper with the stamp before cutting the image out. Then I stamped the same exact image onto the cream colored paper but ONLY cut out the flowers, which I layered over the already cut out brown patterned paper stamped image.

The papers are all DCWV. I also used some liquid pearls and Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

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My card was created with the "You Lift Me" stamp set from Paper and Such :) Isn't this lil girl so adorable? I simply masked a frame then added the sentiment and image. The 2 elements I used on the envelope are distress ink and the stamped balloon. The girl and balloon were colored with colored pencils and adhered with popdots giving them some great dimension. I really love how this turned out and I think I might try to make matching envies for my cards in the future. It really is an extra special touch. :)

Tutorial: Altered glitter alphas by Jenifer :)

Jenifer's Altered White Glittered Alphas 

Hi everyone, Jenifer here posting today for The Paper Variety. I have quick and easy idea to

share with you today!

If your anything like me, you have a HUGE stash of alphas,

but each alpha will only work for so many things, and then your

left with the rest of the stash wondering what you are going to do with them....

Most alphas can be painted over, or inked, some can even be glimmer misted allowing

them to work for most anything you need them too. But glittered chipboard alphas are kinda

hard to do this to due to their texture, they end up looking kinda funny.

Below is a neat way to alter these left over alphas so you can use up your

whole stash leaving little leftover to waste..

Supplies:

White Glittered Chipboard Alphas

Stickles (or any similar product)

Coordinating ink (I like to use a make up applicator sponge for this step)

STEP 1

Apply ink onto your sponge (if it's a new sponge you'll need to use plenty of ink to start).

Gently swipe the sponge around the sides of the whole alpha leaving a nice distress

edge. Don't worry if it's not perfect or you get some ink in the center, we your going to cover the

entire think with stickles anyway. This is just to help the alpha stand out more.

STEP 2

Squeeze a generous amount of stickles or any similar product onto your inked glittered

chipboard alpha.

STEP 3

Using your finger spread the stickles around the alpha using a dabbing method. If you try to just drag it, your going to leave bare spot, so you have to dab at it.

(I want to thank my daughter for posing, lol so I could get the photo's, lol it appears I owe her a manicure for doing so!)

STEP 4

Once your alpha is inked and the stickles are spread evenly, set it aside to dry.

   (to make your alpha darker, repeat step 3)

ALL DONE

(Looks like this one will need a light second coat, but you get the idea!)

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial, I hope this helps you get the most from your alpha stash, thanks for stopping by!

Challenge Inspiration: Jenifer & Abby!

I am just so excited about this partnership challenge, how much fun!! This is a layout of my middles daughter a few birthdays back all dressed up and ready to have some cake!! Which of course was the prompt for my 123 Journaling, which reads: !. HAIR  2. MAKE UP  3. DRESS 

What else does a girl need?? Maybe some Jimmy Choos or Lois Vuitton heels to top the outfit off??

I decided to flip the sketch and replace the banner with my dress form and tulle skirt I made from Webster's Pages Vintage Inspired Netting. The scrapt paper is The Paper Studios and the blue paper is Kaisercraft's Hunting collection. The dress form is Dusty Attic of course, the journal spot is from Jillibean's Chicken Noodle Soup collection, the flowers are a mixture of sil and Prima's. Last but not least the title is a rub on from an older My Minds Eye collection which I fussy cut very carefully once I applied to the kraft paper!

For further details and close up's please visit my blog

htt://heldscraptive.blogspot.com

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I really do have the best dog.. I still can't believe that this little guy was left at the animal shelter. Who would wanna give up this furry bundle of love?
I used WRMK "Furever Friends" papers and embellies. This picture was perfect for the sketch and I love the list challenge by ScrapFit!

Challenge Inspiration: Abby & Jenifer!

For my project, I chose the far right column: create a card with embossing and a diecut. 

My nephew, Drake, had a birthday this past week (I can't believe he's THREE already!). He had a Matchbox cars themed party and I wanted to do something with a car for his card from us. I found this cute car on my "Nate's ABCs" cricut cart. This card was super duper simple, it took just 5 minutes to make. I wanted to keep it CAS because well.. Drake is 3 lol :)

The card in itself is a diecut... then I embossed the tires with a woodgrain folder and the headlights are also embossed.

TicTacToe is alot of fun and there's still time to play along!

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I choose to create my layout based on the bottom 3 options of the tic tac toe card!

I included:

stitching

 layout

 die cut

I used a mixture of Prima, MME, and K&Co papers for this layout. The flowers are all Prima and the die cut cherub is from K&Co.

For further details and close ups visit my BLOG

Tutorial: Handmade Flowers with Punches by Jenifer :)

2 Different Flowers From The Same Set Of Punches

Hi everyone, Jenifer here today posting for The Paper Variety!
I love all things flowers, I mean SERIOUSLY love, tham I cannot get enough, If Prima's
weren't so expensive I think I'd throw some in my bath water for looks, lol! But who has that
kind of money?!?!? Today I'm gonna show you how to make TWO handmade flowers using
the same punches! These work great on a project alone, mixxed with one another, or they work
wonderfully mixxed in with store bought blooms!

Flower #1


Supplies For 1st Flower
 large azalea punch (or something similiar)

medium azalea punch (or something similiar)

small azalea punch (or something similiar)

spray bottle with water (you could get real fancy and use glimmer mist for this step)

a heavy duty adhesive

heavy weight or cardstock paper

STEP 1

Punch out 2 of each size of flower

STEP2

Lightly mist 1 flower at a time using your water bottle.....like I said if you really wanna get fancy

glimmer mist works well for this too! I doesn't need to be soaked, just lightly wet....it won't work if it's

to dry though.

NOTE: You'll wanna work on one punched flower at a time. I like to start with the largest flowers first

so they have a lil dry time while you finish the rest.

STEP 3

After you mist your flower, you want to gather the flower petals upwards making it sorta like a cone

shape. Then roll in around in your fingers a few times apply prssure, but don't do it to the point you tear

your flowers up.

STEP 4

Once you've done this open it up it up leaving it in a somewhat upwards sp that it has some dimension. Set it aside to dry and reapeat steps 1-4 on the rest of the flowers.

NOTE: On the 2 small punched flowers, leave them mostly closed up after you twist them, just open slightly.

STEP 5

Once all your punched flowers are dry dab some adhesive in the center of each and adhere them in this order

large

large

medium

medium

small

small

And there you have it, flower #1

Flower #2

Supplies For 2nd Flower

large azalea punch (or something similiar)

medium azalea punch (or something similiar)

a pair of school scissors

bling, button or anything you want for the center

a heavy duty adhesive

heavy weight or cardstock paper

STEP 1

Punch 2 large and 2 medium flowers

STEP 2

This is totaly optional, I just find it easier to complete step 3 by doing this.....but if your using a somewhat different punch you may not need to do this.

I made the space in between the petals slightly larger just by cutting it a little deeper and wider.

Here I have 2 petals cut out and the other 3 original just to show you the difference. Like I said, optional, not required.

STEP 3

Use the scissor distress technique around the edges of all of your flower petals.

TPV Scissor Distress Technique

STEP 4

I like to fold each petal at the begining near the center of the flower upward, leaving a nice crease to help it have some dimension. I also fold each petail in half, also leaving a nice crease. Don't leave the petals folded though, you will need to open it back up, this is just to give some realistic dimension to your flower.

STEP 5

Adhere each punched flower in this order once you've completed the steps above:

large

large

medium

medium

STEP 6

Adhere whatever you choose to use for your centerpiece, if your adhesive doesn't create a strong bond, you may wanna use a dab of hot glue instead.

And there you have flower #2


ALL DONE

TIPS

When working with dimensional flowers on your projects, you need to use a REALLY strong bond to keep them adhered. If you do not do this they will pop off later down the road, hot glue works great!

As for storing dimesional pages.....there really is no way to avoid a little smush unless you are placing your project in a shadow box frame or something of the like. But to limit the amount of smush your project receives once you place it in an album, you should store the album upright not lying on it's side. This reduces some of the pressure and weight put on the pages. There will still be some smush especially if you are forced to squeeze the album shut tight to make room for other album storage.