Online Class

I'll be teaching a short class on Scrapbook Takeout today as part of the crop. It's a Spring banner, a little something to brighten up your scrap space or other part of your home. Here's a sneak peek. The class starts at 1:30 p.m. EST and the supply list is available here. Everyone is welcome to drop by!

The crop is in full swing!!!

Drop in and say hello! Check out the challenges for a chance at prizes and see how many you can complete to become the Queen of the Crop! This is the prize up for grabs if you are crowned!

Also check out the Crop Specials page on the website. Some great deals to be had!

There's no place like it.

Home that is. As a person who has lived in seven different countries I certainly can attest to the truth of that statement. So when I saw that Shimelle Laine was doing an online class entitled"There's no place like Home" I had to sign up. (The class started on Monday but you might still be able to sign up and catch up with the first week). I'm really enjoying the way the class is proceeding so far, and the first two prompts inspired me to make this layout.

Close up shots of the details can be seen here

I think I went way out of my comfort zone on this one! For one thing I had vowed never to silhouette a photo (again), but it really seemed to be appropriate here. And I love all the whimsical work I've seen people doing lately, this is the first time that I think I've gotten close with my whimsy. I had a blast doing the page and I absolutely adore it! I love that I stretched myself in new ways and I am hoping that some aspects of the page will show up in my future work.

National Craft Month Crop

Come celebrate the end of National Craft Month by cropping with us at Scrapbook Takeout.
Challenges to get your mojo going! Fun games! Lots of chit chat and laughing! And of course PRIZES!!!

Win the grand prize of a Fiskars Paper Drill and an assortment of yummy embellishments by completing the most challenges and being crowned "Queen of the Crop". There will also be prizes for each challenge and select games.

If you want to play bingo the words are already posted here, and you need to have your selection in by Friday at 3:00 p.m. EST.

So clear your calendar! Secure a baby sitter! Clean off your desk! Grab some snacks and drinks! and Come crop until you drop!

More details coming so check back here over the next couple days!

Hope you'll come party with us :)

Live Creatively,

Tuesday To-Do - Spring Blossom Mirror

This is an older project, but it's perfect for this time of year. Just substitute some newer supplies, or dig into your stash for the original papers used. Come on, you know you've been hoarding them!

Spring Blossoms Altered Mirror

Supplies:

Wooden frame mirror (this one is available at Ikea)

Patterned Papers:

Twigs and Soar from Lily Kate Collection by BasicGrey

Acrylic Paint:

Anise

Almond Green

Chipboard Flower border:

Fancy Pants Designs

Paper Flowers:

Prima Marketing

Silk Flowers:

Bazzill Basics Paper

Rhinestones:

Moments Defined

Micro beads:

Queen and Company

Dimensional adhesive:

Glossy Accents, Ranger

Decoupage glue (e.g. Mod Podge)

Gesso

Tools:

Craft Knife and/or sharp scissors

Paintbrushes

Instructions:

Step 1:

Prepare frame by painting with gesso. Allow to dry completely.

Tip: to avoid getting paint on the mirror, protect the edges with low-tack masking tape or painters tape. If any paint does get on mirror, clean immediately with a baby wipe

Step 2:

Paint frame with three coats of Anise paint, allowing each coat to dry completely.

Paint chipboard border with 2 coats of Almond Green, allowing each coat to dry completely.

Step 3:

Using your craft knife/scissors cut out designs from the patterned paper. Measure the mirror to ensure the patterned paper is the right size, and trim any excess.

Step 4.

Using a clean paint brush and the decoupage glue adhere patterned paper to mirror. Once adhered, paint a layer of decoupage over the papers as well as the painted frame. This will act as a fixative as well as give a finished look.Allow to dry.

Step 5.

Stick chipboard border to frame, cutting off any overhang. In the center of each flower shape squeeze a layer of dimensional adhesive, and pour beads in. Allow to dry, preferably overnight. Decorate papers with silk and paper flowers, and rhinestones as shown.

Remember I had some fun news?

I'm now a How Much is Too Much Girl! This is one of my favourite challenges blogs ever, so I am tickled that they asked me to join the team. Here's my layout for this week's challenge

5 patterned papers, 5 stamps, 5 brads/eyelets, 5 rub-ons and 5 other embellishments.

10 Scrapbooking Tips and Tricks

I don't claim to be an expert by any means, so take this list with a grain of salt. These are just some tips I've discovered along the way that can be a great help.

1. Alcohol free baby wipes are perfect for cleaning rubber and acrylic stamps
2. Not sure if a stamp is the perfect design for a certain spot? Stamp it first with a solvent ink like StazOn on a piece of plastic and lay over your project in progress to check. Clear inserts or packaging that come with products are handy for this.
3. Glossy Accents by Ranger is also a great adhesive for lumpy stuff and clear elements
4.Older stickers and diecuts that you probably won't use again make great masks. To use the diecuts lightly apply a re-positionable adhesive to the back. Then ink, paint or spray over them
5. Place embellishments in odd numbers like three and five for more visual impact
6. No more e's in your letter sticker pack? Try an upside down 3! I've done this tons of times. In fact I have also changed a lower case g into a y and an h, and an ampersand (&) into an S. It all depends on the font, so take a closer look to see what you can improvise!
7. Try using themed products on unrelated projects. I've used stickers from a wedding sheet on a layout about pizza and another about dinner guests. This way you get more bang for your buck!
8. Punch holes in raw chipboard to make it a more decorative element. The Crop-a-Dile cuts through chipboard like butter!
9.Grab five to seven left out items from your desk and challenge yourself to use them on a quick page. You'll be amazed at what you come up with
10. When all fails, use Thickers!

Some quick updates

I'm very excited about being featured on the Vintage Indie Blog today. If you came here by way of Vintage Indie, welcome! My canvas tutorial is is part of their What You Make of It Series and I couldn't be more honoured!

I've also finally gone ahead and opened an Etsy Store! It's been in the works for a while so I am happy to realise that goal. The store will feature primarily flea market finds, paper goods and sewn items, but you never know what I might decide to add, so keep checking! There's a permanent link over on the left.

And I have another fun bit of news but I'll hold off on that for a while. HoweverI won't go without sharing the latest scrappage

Journaling Challenge on Scrapbook Takeout

See more details here

March Inkling for the Ranger Group

See more details here

It's been a pretty full week so far!

Inspiration!

The theme for March on ScrapnScrap is Inspiration. One of my favourite things to talk about. I recently pulled together an inspiration corner in my scrap space, consisting of a couple 3M sticky boards that I stick random bits and pieces to, some twine with mini clothespins that I am hanging photos and other images from, and this framed poster that came with Ali E's latest book Life Artist.

As I was trying to decide what to use as an inspiration piece to make a page for my post on the blog, I realised that the poster is constantly inspiring me.
So I drew not just from the design but also from the words. This was a total free flow layout, and boy did it feel good!

This just in!

I've been asked to join the brand new DesignTeam at The Scrapbook Site and A Walk Down Memory Lane. This is a fun board with lovely people, and Lisa puts together some super cool kits! I'm really looking forward to the next six months there!