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: Create your own chipboard embellies by Kate!

Sometimes I like to create 'faux chipboard' elements for my pages when I don't have the right embellishment for a page. Here's how.

1. Cut out 4 or more of the same shape from a piece of cardstock. I used my silhouette Cameo. You could also use a Cricut or even hand cut the pieces. I chose to do scissors.
   
   
   
   
2. I cut the shape that I will be using as the top layer into 3 sections to make it look more like a pair of scissors.
   
   
   
   
3. I pierced holes around the edges and then hand stitched all the way around the top layer piece to add a little interest. I chose to use yellow thread to make it stand out as much as possible.
   
   
   
   
4. Last, I stacked all the layers on top of one another and glued them together to make one thick piece.
   
   
   
   

Here's the completed layout that I created for Let's Capture Our Memories, a fantastic online scrapbooking store. I used Crate Paper's Story Teller line.

Here is a close up of the scissors.

Thanks for following along. I hope you enjoyed my tutorial. To find out more about this layout, please visit my Blog at www.scrapsation.com.

Challenge Inspiration: Kate & Theresa!

Here's my take on Diana's fabulous sketch.

I used American Crafts' Amy Tangerine Sketchbook line. The papers and embellishments, along with the hot pink Prima flower, all came from Scrapbook Queens in Mississauga, Ontario. For close up shots and more info, please visit my blog, www.scrapsation.com.

Thanks for looking!

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What a great sketch Diana has created. It was perfect for Echo Parks This & That collection and these adorable photos of Dax when he was a baby. To view additional close ups, please visit my blog. Scrappy Art Crafters.

I can't wait to see what you create!

Challenge Inspiration: Theresa & Kate!

I LOVE to make my own flowers for cards and layouts. It is so easy to coordinate them with your projects that way. For these flowers, I took strips of material, folded them in half, then did a running stitch from one end to the other, then pulled the thread tightly. I stacked two together and added a button center. The size of the flower depends on the width of the strips. You can see close ups HERE.

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Hi Everyone! It's Kate from www.scrapsation.com here today. I just want to share with you my card created with hand made flowers.

I made the pink flower out of a long piece of pink ribbon and some double sided tape. The beige flower on the bottom left was made out of flower layers die cut from an old book. I would just like to thank my friend Jody in Winnipeg for sending me this card kit! Much appreciated.

Thanks for looking! :)

Tutorial: Silhouette Cameo Print and Cut by Kate!

I created this neat card for the end of the school year. I know, it's a long way off, but it never hurts to prepare things ahead of time.

You wouldn't know it just by looking at it, but this card is a hybrid project. I used a digital image from Pretty Little Studio with my Silhouette Cameo's print and cut feature. It's easy to do once you get the hang of it and the possibilities are endless!

Print and Cut How To

1. Open the image in Silhouette Studio.
   
   
   
    
2. Ensure that the Registration Marks setting is turned on and that your image is contained INSIDE of the red box.
   
   
   
    
3. Print the image to your printer by clicking on the printer icon in the menu bar at the top.
   
   
   
    
4. Click on the Trace option and then click on Select Trace Area.
   
   
   
    
5. Click and drag your mouse over the image area that you want to trace. Next, click on Trace. The image that I am using is quite detailed and Silhouette traces too much of the image when I select Trace Outer Edge (inside of the image, when I only want to create an outline around the outer edge of it), so I am using a different method. If your image is really basic, such as one solid colour, then you may be able to use the Trace Outer Edge Option to get an outline. If your image is detailed, like this one, then proceed to set 6, otherwise use Trace Outer Edge instead and proceed to step 8.
   
   
   
    
6. Click on the Offset icon (next to the Trace icon) and click on the red traced lines to select the traced area. Next, click on Offset and then adjust the size under Offset Distance. I like to use 0.030 in to create a nice outline around the image. Click on Apply. Your image should look something like this one.
   
   
   
    
7. What you have now is 3 layers – think of it like a stack of pancakes, one on top of the other. The layers are made up of the image, the traced inside of the image and the traced outline of the image. We want to get rid of the traced inside of the image because we don’t want our Silhouette or Silhouette Cameo to cut that area, we only want it to cut the outline . Select the inside traced area by clicking on it and then hit Delete on your keyboard. If you delete the wrong layer, don’t worry about it just hit Ctrl + Z (this undoes your last change) and then try again. Sometimes it takes a few tries to click on the correct layer. You should now see the original image with a red outline around it like the one below.
   
   
   
    
8. The last step is to cut your image. Put the printed image onto your cutting mat so that the registration marks are in exactly the same location as they appear on the image of the cutting mat on your screen. Load your cutting mat into your Silhouette and then click on cut. Silhouette will detect the registration marks and then cut perfectly around your printed image! Here is my home made die cut! You can buy the owl seen here for only $0.75 at Pretty Little Studio here! A real bargain, if you ask me!
   
   
   
    
   If you have any questions, comments or you're just plain confused about all of this -- it's a lot to take in... feel free to leave me a comment here.

Challenge Inspiration: Kate & Theresa!

When I seen my friend and co designer Sandi's layout a couple of weeks ago, I knew I was going to lift it at some point. I LOVED everything about it and tried to duplicate it right down to the elements. I thought it was so neat how she listed Jake's favorite things at his current age. Thanks for the inspiration Sandi!

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Hi! It's Kate from www.scrapsation.com. For the 'be inspired' by a Paper Variety DT member challenge, I decided to create a card using Suzanne's step card tutorial.  Here is my step card creation. I used Crate Paper's Storyteller line (April kit by My Scrapbook Nook).

Here is a front view of my card:

And, here is a side view:

Thanks for looking! 

Challenge Inspiration: Kate & Theresa!

For the card and matching envelope challenge, I used the 'Song in My Heart' stamp set generously provided by Paper and Such. First, I just want to thank Paper and Such for the gorgeous stamp set. These stamps are really beautiful and they are fantastic quality! The images come out clean and sharp and true to the preview on the package. They really stick to your block as well. I love to collect all kinds of stamps and I find that this type of quality is rare. I plan on buying more of these soon (don't tell my husband!).

Here is a view of what the whole set looks like.

I decided to use paper piecing for the birds. To do this, first you stamp your image on the background, and then you stamp it again on a patterned or coloured paper. Then, you cut out the important bits - in this case it was the birds, and adhere the pieces directly over top of the background stamped image. My birds were stamped onto yellow paper by Authentique which I had enhanced with Pearlex Powder and All Purpose Medium. I wanted the birds to be very shiny and sparkly. I did the same technique on the envelope, but with less embellishments. I stamped the word 'Friend', also from this stamp set under the birds. I love how this came out and I'm sure that I'm going to use this set again and again.

Supplies:

Papers by Authentique

Stamps by Paper and Such

Button by Dress It Up

Pin and ribbon by Maya Road

Twine by May Arts

Adhesives by Scotch and Scrapbook Adhesives

Ink by Stampin' Up

Pearls by Prima

Markers by Copic

All Purpose Medium by Luminarte

Irridescent Powder by Pearlex

Thanks for looking!

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I so enjoyed using the Basketful of Flowers stamp set by Paper and Such to create my card and coordinating envelope. The image reminds me of childhood memories of riding my bike in the spring time. The sentiment say's "strolling by to say hi". You can see close up and more details on my blog.

Tutorial: Card Making with Microfine Glitter by Kate!

Microfine glitter and a bit of high tack adhesive tape can add a lot of bang to a tiny little card. I created this cute little thank you card with microfine glitter by Glitter Ritz and Be Creative double sided adhesive tape, both Canadian products! I get my Glitter Ritz (available in what seems like a gazillion colours) and my Be Creative tape at Scrapbook Queens. Be Creative tape comes in a lot of different sizes, from large flat sheets, to rolls of really wide to really thin tape.

How to Create Masks with Be Creative Tape and Glitter Ritz

1. Start off with a card base and a piece of Be Creative tape the same size as your card front. Select two different colours of Glitter Ritz microfine glitter.

2. Carefully remove one side of the protective paper on the tape and adhere the tape to your card base. Be careful not to touch it. If you get your fingerprints on it, you will be able to see the prints through the glitter. Keep the protective paper, you will need it for the next step.

3. Choose a die - any die will do. I chose a Sizzix die that's sold exclusively through Stampin' Up!

4. Keep both pieces of the die cut, the positive and the negative. You never know when you might want to use them again.

5. Carefully place the die cut paper on top of the adhesive. Smooth it down carefully without letting your fingers touch the adhesive. I like to use my bone folder or a pair of tweezers for this.

6. Place a piece of clean paper underneath the card base. Once your die cut is smoothed down, add one of your glitters liberally on top of the card. Make sure that you cover the whole thing. Brush off the excess with a clean dry brush onto the paper underneath. You can return the excess glitter to the jar.

7. Next, carefully rub the glittered areas in with your finger tip using a circular motion. This step burnishes the glitter and makes it super shiny.

8. Carefully remove the die cut mask. Add more glitter in a different colour and repeat steps 6 and 7 with this second layer of glitter. And, that's all there is to it!

Thanks for joining us at The Paper Variety! I hope that you try this technique, it's really fun and easy. As well, if you have to make a lot of cards in a hurry, this technique adds a lot of punch without taking a lot of time.