Scrap, Paper, Scissors

CHRISTMAS LO

2009-12-27T16:35:00.000Z

The making memories papers are just the perfect thing you need to make your christmas layouts pop I decided to keep this layout really simple as not to distract from the darling photo

steps
1 start off by cutting the white card stock about 3cm all the way round so when mounted onto the black it looks the same but before glueing it into place using a circle punch ... punch two holes on the top left of the card stock as shown

2 cut two different strips of patterned papers and two different colours of card stock layer as shown then using a worded stamp stamp the image to the right hand side of the layout

3 mount your photo onto black card stock then glue this into place cut several trees from the patterned paper and mount onto 3d foam pads finish off the layout by adding your title and add glitter glue for that sparkly effect x

Happy Christmas...

2009-12-25T12:58:00.000Z

For the 12th cards we have a couple of designs from Chloe and Lisa. First up is Chloe:

Believe it or not, a keen scrapbooker does not necessarily make a skillful cardmaker. While I will happily put together a layout without a second thought, I have been known to angst over a single card without coming up with a single idea. So I am always on the lookout for simplicity. And I think with this idea I've achieved it. As a scrapbooker, I'm never sure what to do with Cosmo Cricket border papers - I don't go in for borders a lot on my pages, and these sheets inevitably go to waste. However, I think I have found a use for them in cardmaking. Simply cutting up a border sheet provided all the embellishments I needed for this card.

First, I cut a 6x6in card blank from off-white card and affixed a slightly smaller square of Cosmo Cricket Breezy Freezy paper to the front, inking the edges first for definition. I then attached a piece of pale blue ric rac and some buttons which toned with the paper to the bottom of the card.

Next, I cut up a piece of the Cosmo Cricket Jolly By Golly Borders paper into separate embellishments. This strip came in the form of a snowman and four pieces of a rhyme. I fixed the snowman and three pieces of the rhyme ot the front of the card using foam pads to raise them.

The final piece of the rhyme I fixed inside the card, along with a scalloped paper circle and some more ric rac.

The finished card is blissfully simple to make but perfect for kids - and I've finally found a use for those border papers too!

And now from Lisa:

I love making mini cards to send. I think they look so cute. All I've used for these cards are 4x3'' card blanks, a sheet of 12x12 My Minds Eye Die Cuts - from the Colourful Christmas range.

Some pva glue and stickles to finish.

To start choose your embellishments from the 12x12 sheet. I've then sanded the edges for a smoother look and inked the edges.

I've then stuck my pieces in place and decorated with stickles to finish.

Very simple, but really effective.

And we would like to wish all our blog readers a Very Happy Christmas!

The 11th Card

2009-12-23T23:27:00.000Z

To start this you need some green cardstock to make the card - cut it to 28 x 15cm and fold in half. Take a 14cm strip of green patterned paper (I've used some MME from the Stomp range here) and punch down one width with Martha Stewart Half Spiral punch. Trim this whole piece then to 12cm across. Punch out a half circle on the right hand side and draw with a white pen round the edge.

Stick this onto the front of the card blank.

Stamp the Tapestry Tree onto some cream cardstock with distress ink.

Trim to 7.5 x 12cm and edge with black pen. Using icicle stickles highlight parts of the tree. When dry stick onto the top and add some gemstones.

Computer generate your greeting onto pale green cardstock and punch out with a scalloped circle punch.

Attach this as shown, leaving the right hand side to stick out over the edge. Use a gold pen to finish off with a line round the edge and dots on the scalloped greeting.

The 10th card..

2009-12-21T22:44:00.000Z

For the 10th card, we have a guest designer, Karen Barker. She has produced 2 different cards using Kaisercraft paper...

This collection reminds me of one Christmas I wrapped up all my gifts in brown paper and string!

Card 1: This card has a pocket for a gift voucher or money:

1. Copy the template below onto Kraft cardstock (you will have to do this on the diagonal) and cut it out. Then score along the lines and fold.

2. Cover the bottom inside flap with patterned paper and ink the edges with distress ink. Fold over and glue to tabs. This makes your voucher pocket.

3. Turn the card over now so you can see the front. Cover the first and third panels with patterned paper and ink the edges.

4. Cut out 2 borders from the Billy Cart paper. Using a corner rounder, scallop the edges and adhere to the top of the card (panel 1). Roll the edges of the scallop using your fingers and attach the beige border underneath and against the bottom of the card.

5. Cut a 1.5" circle from the Bicycle paper and ink. Ink a large white flower with distress ink, adhere to the circle and top with a large red button. Embellish with twine and adhere to panel 1. Stamp a border stamp along the bottom of the beige border.

6. Back to the inside - Cut the dear Santa tag from the Billy Card paper and 11.2cm x 11.4cm of the same paper (you use the reverse).

7. Stick the green card to panel 2 and then the santa tag on top. You may have to trim this to fit.

8. Ink all the edges and draw round the edges.

Card 2:

1. Copy the template on to the Bicycle paper and cut out.

2. Score from the top at 11.7cm and 12.7cm with a bone folder and ruler and then fold. Ink all of the edges with antique linen distress ink. Cut a slit in the bottom panel with a craft knife.

3. On the Billy Cart patterned paper cut 3 strips - layer these on top of each other and adhere to front of the card.

4. Cut out the wish list tag from Billy Cart paper, ink the edges and mount on to Kraft cardstock. Round the corners. Punch a hole in the top and add an eyelet, then thread ribbon through the top. Adhere to the card with foam pads.

5. Ink 3 small prima white flowers with distress ink and adhere to the border and then add green buttons to the centres.

6. Stamp the border stamp along the bottom edge flap with stazon timber brown ink.

7. Cut a square of Kraft cardstock 12.4cm x 12.4cm, ink the edges and adhere to the inside middle panel. Add a green border to the bottom.

8. Lastly draw around the card edges.

The 9th card... Happy October Afternoon

2009-12-15T23:06:00.000Z

I used the new Christmas line from October Afternoon for these cards...

Here is the first one...

The next one is this one...

I loved these little houses soooooooo much that i had to use them. I used a scalloped edge punch to create the feeling of snow along the bottom.

I then created this little tag ...
And lastly this one....

I hope you all have a wonderful xmas and thanks for looking xxx

For the 8th card... some layering

2009-12-11T11:47:00.001Z

Today's card has been made by Karen...

For this card you will need two pieces of patterned paper and three co-ordinating sheets of Bazzill cardstock. I used Merry Berry, and Silly Chilly from the Jolly by Golly range by Cosmo Cricket, a dark brown ink pad and some flat backed gems. I also used a Bazzill In Stitch'z circle template and a woodware 1" circle punch.

Cut the red cardstock to make a 6" card base, a 5.5" square mat from cream cardstock and a 5" square mat from the green cardstock. Cut or punch a total of thirteen 1" circles and eight 1.5" squares. Ink the edges of all the cut pieces.

Assemble all the pieces, as shown, not forgetting to slip 5 circles under the right hand edge of the green cardstock before sticking down, to give you a scalloped edge.

Next use the template to mark out 2 circles, one in the emplty square, and one through all the squares.

Add a circle of flat backed gems as shown, and one on each corner of the cream layer. Then stick the punched circles of patterned paper on top of the squares, using foam pads.

The final touch is a computer printed 'Happy Christmas' layered with foam pads on a punched circle of red cardstock.

For the 7th card of Christmas, my stash shop sent to me...

2009-12-08T20:44:00.000Z

Colourful Christmas by My Mind's Eye.

I cut a piece of patterned paper slightly smaller than my card blank.

I then used a white gel pen (white pen review) to draw a line around the edge of the paper.

I cut a piece of white card slightly larger than the tree stamp. Next I created a mask by punching some snowflakes from scrap card which I adhered to the white card using temporary adhesive. If you don't already have a snowflake punch tucked away in your stash, they can be found here, here, here or here.

I sprayed a light coat of glimmer mist (see this article for some tips on getting started with glimmer mists) and allowed the piece to dry.

My next step was to stamp and emboss the tree onto the glimmered card. I used Brilliance Dew Drop in Crimson Copper and clear embossing powder.

To assemble the card, I first adhered the embossed card onto the patterned paper and then adhered the layers to the card blank.

I used buttons and crystals for baubles.

Finally, I printed my greeting onto white card, cut into strips, inked with chalk ink and adhered to the card using foam squares.

Of course, the papers called out to be used again so here's number two:

I started my second card by putting a line of painted circles across the lower part of a card blank. I used a plastic pot as a stamp.

I then cut/punched several circles of different patterned papers just a little smaller than my painted circles.

Once I'd inked the edges of all the circles, I adhered them onto the card. I allowed some of the circles to overlap the edges of the card blank and then trimmed them.

As before, I printed my greeting onto white card, cut into strips, inked with chalk ink and adhered to the card using foam squares.

And finally, I came across these giant bottle tops that I'd had in a drawer for absolutely ages and was inspired to create this little hanging ornament. Cute to hang in your own home or to give as a gift.

Carols Card - the 6th card of Christmas

2009-12-04T19:18:00.000Z

So, we've reached day 6 in the 12 cards of Christmas theme.

Here is the card I've created for today!

to create the card you will need:-
base card 12" x 5 1/2"
patterned paper/cardstock
matching plain paper/cardstock
I have used:- Paperartsy Nut and Meg stamps 4, 6 and 7
stickles
Rock candy
pins, bling and ribbon - embellishments of your choice.

Step 1
Take your cardstock and score at 2", 4", 8" and 10"
Turn your cardstock so that the 5 1/2 " length is at the top, and mark the cardstock 1.5" in from each side - cut the card between the score marks at 2" and 10", gently score your card so it looks like the picture:-

Decorate each section as desired.

On my example I have used patterned papers from the Basic Grey eskimo kisses range and also October Afternoon "good cheer" papers...

I have prepared my base card by cutting out patterned and plain papers- I have used patterned paper for the front and back sections and plain card for the remainder of the sections - all card has been cut leaving a small border and adhered in place.

the front - I have cut an oval out of cream card using nestabilities oval cutters, the Christmas fairy from Nut and Meg plate 6 was then stamped onto the oval - a mask was created by stamping the image out again onto a post it this was then cut out and placed over the stamped image on the oval. Then stamp the oval, over the mask, with versamark ink and emboss with clear embossing powder, a versamagic pad was then gently swiped over the top to create a resist effect. Remove the mask from The Christmas fairy and add colour and ink edges. The oval was then coated with rock candy distress paint - when dry, stickles were used to hi-light the wings - the edges were also chalked with blue ink....I then layered the oval onto a piece of eskimo kisses paper which had had the edges distressed. A flower was cut, using scraps from the two patterned papers, with the flowers die by quickcutz - the edges were distressed and inked, bling and a pin was added. The foilage was created by using a martha stewart punch.

The small sections have been stamped with white ink using the text stamps included on the Paperartsy plates.

The sentiment section was created by taking a piece of plain card and stamping the large tag stamp from Nut and Meg 4 - cut out the tag leaving a small border - using distress inks - ink up the tag - colour the holly leaves and add a touch of red stickles for the berries - layer onto plain card already adhered in place.

The longer sections were created by using the small scroll and holly stamp on Nut and Meg 6 plate - if you use the edge of your card stock as a guide you can create a length of swirls and holly leaves - I then swiped a red ink pad over the top, hi-lighted the swirls with white pen and added green stickles to the leaves.

For the rear section - I stamped the Christmas fairy onto shrink plastic, shaded, cut out and shrank....added stickles and added to a small section of patterned paper. The holly was stamped along the edge of the card, a section of ribbon was knotted and adhered to the panel. The mother christmas head was stamped onto plain card and coloured and hi-lighted before being cut out - and adhered to the ribbon....stickes were added to the hat and neck, holly leaves on the hat were hi-lighted using glossy accents.

Eskimo kisses for the 5th Card...

2009-11-30T17:10:00.000Z

Basic Grey have done it again and come up with another beautiful Christmas line, Eskimo Kisses, in the traditional colours of red and green, but with an added twist of plum, pinks and aqua. For my card, I've gone for the red and green combo, and decided to see what I could do with a variety of punches.

I first made a 6x4" card blank from a deep red shade of Bazzill cardstock, and trimmed a piece of patterned paper slightly smaller, to 5 3/4" x 3 3/4". I also cut a 2x3" piece of contrasting paper:

I used a corner rounder on the corners of this smaller piece:

and mounted on more of the red cardstock, again rounding the edges. I adhered all pieces to the card blank as shown:

This time I used 2 square punches, one plain and one scalloped, to create a background for the word 'joy', using AC Thickers:

and finally I used a Fiskars border punch to make a decorative strip across the card:

I added a strip of festive ribbon and some holly, to make the finished card:

Nicky x

The 4th Card: Fun and Easy to Make - with My Minds Eye!

2009-11-27T15:51:00.002Z

If you are like me and love making Christmas Cards, but always find yourself with little time to do so, you will find this little recipe fun and easy. I have used the My Minds Eye - Colourful Christmas Collection. A small selcetion of the Patterened Papers in this range and a 12x12 sheet of the Die Cuts too.

Start with a plain card blank.

Cut with a square punch or die cutter 4 squares of the same size.

I like to ink my edges to help create a better contrast against the white card. I feel this finishes it off much better.

When using the die cuts, I like to sand the edges for a better finish before inking. I use a Basic Grey kit for this.

I then stick all 4 squares down. I've used 3d foam pads.

But obvioulsy you can use tape or glue too. And then I've added very basic embellishments using the die cut sheet to match. To finish I've added stickles glitter to add a touch of sparkly Christmas. And that's basically it.

Here are a slection simply using 3 sheets of paper and the dies cuts.

You can vary the design. Here I've added 3 diamantes and on the card at the back I brushed on some acrylic paint and let it dry before adding the 4 squares.

The third card of Christmas...Eskimo Kisses Card

2009-11-24T18:50:00.000Z

The papers I have used are from Basic Greys Eskimo Kisses collection I cut out 5 triangle from the papers and used a martha stewart punch to jazz up the longest edge of each triangle

Then I began assembling my tree, the second triangle was placed at a slight angle

as was the third

I made my tree trunk using a martha Stewart punch then spritzed it with lime glimmer mist.

Once my tree was assembled I took some white card and spritzed with a pale pink glimmer mist then stuck my tree to the card and left to dry.

Once dry I cut the white card to size. And matted my design onto basic grey paper and then bazzill card. Then using the punced holes as placement guides I filled the holes with crystals. to give the effect of baubles on a christmas tree.

Here is my finished card, all I need to add is the greeting.

A Cosmo Cricket Christmas Card...Card 2!

2009-11-22T18:15:00.001Z

I love the Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly Christmas range - the papers are vibrant and colourful, but also have the traditional elements which allow you to make cards that are either funky and modern or more classic in their design. I decided to put together a card that made use of some of the traditional elements, such as the sheet music designed paper, alongside some stamped images by Autumn Leaves.

First of all I created a 6x6in card blank with red card and fixed a 4x4in square of the Merry Berry paper to the centre.

Next I made a frame about 51/4in square from the reverse side of the Merry Berry paper, and drew a border around the outside and inside edge using black pen. I cut a length of red ribbon and fixed this around the bottom of the frame using sticky tape.

I then fixed the frame onto the card using foam pads to give a raised effect. I stamped an image of a bird using Autumn Leaves stamps and cut round the edge, leaving a small margin. I fixed this to the corner of the frame using more foam pads.

Finally, I stamped a Christmas message and fixed this to the top corner, as well as attaching some red buttons to the ribbon in the bottom corner. The finished card takes very little time to make and by using stamps you can recreate the embellishments over and over again with very little expense and effort.

The Twelve Cards of Christmas...

2009-11-19T19:33:00.000Z

Well, I'm not sure where the time has gone this year, already we are halfway through November and I've hardly thought about Christmas! This year, I thought we would have the Twelve Cards of Christmas - I've asked the Design Team to come up with a card each and over the next few weeks we'll be giving you step by step guides to making them. Hopefully you'll find a variety of styles, and maybe something to inspire you... only 5 weeks to go!! Do remember to check back regularly. First up is Stephanie - and we've got two cards here for the price of one!!

Vanessa x

Hi all

Here are a couple of cards I have made using the new MAKING MEMORIES MISTLETOE papers - they really are just to good for words ...... I am so not a card maker but have tried my best to bring you two simple cards for you to achieve with ease ...

The first card HAPPY HOLIDAYS:

1 Start off by cutting green card stock and glueing this onto your card, distressing the edges.

2 Cut a smaller piece of patterned paper, big enough for you to leave about a 1cm border of the green card stock showing when glued into place. Take the patterned paper and punch a circle hole as shown then glue this into place

3 Make a tap top for the top left hand side of the card and add a chipboard flower. Cut the trees and lettering from the patterned papers and mount using 3d foam pads. Finish off the card by using 3D gel pens as shown.

The second card is MERRY AND BRIGHT:

1 Using a piece of red card stock punch a border with your preferred pattern down both sides of the card stock.

2 Cut two strips of patterned paper and glue into place as shown

3 Stamp your letter image onto green card stock (I've used an Imaginisce Snag 'Em stamp - great value!) and place to one side. Cut a strip of red card stock small enough to fit snugly onto your patterned paper as shown. Make a large cross stitch shape then glue this onto place. Finish off by adding a few cut out trees from the patterned paper and adding your stamped image.

Tea for Two

2009-11-11T23:11:00.000Z

When I got my hands on some of the gorgeous Kitchen Spice papers from Bo Bunny, I initially thought I'd use them to scrap one of my many kitchen adventures with my boys. But when I went through my photos, this one of my mum and I enjoying an afternoon tea treat at the Dorchester Hotel stood out, it seemed to fit well with the colours:

I wasn't sure how I was going to use one particular sheet with a large bold design, until I decided that certain elements cut out would make great accents, so I set to with a pair of scissors!

I raised the cut-out elements on foam pads, for a 3-D effect, and placed them overlapping the photo, which helps draw the eye to the picture.

I added my title using vinyl Thickers, some of the lovely velvet scalloped ribbon from American Crafts, some mini sunflowers, and finished off with a touch of sparkle with some Stickles glitter glue and Kaiser gems.

Another cuppa, anyone?

Nicky x

A mini album...

2009-11-08T15:34:00.000Z

There has been alot of new stash coming into Papermaze over the last few weeks. So on a trip down there a few days ago i grab some of it to show you on here.

I decided to use one of the new Maya Road Chipboard albums. One of the reasons that i love these, is because you can use as much of it or as little as you like. The one i used here for example had 7 chipboards parts to it, so using both sides that is 14 pages. Now that is alot, so i didnt use them all.

They come undressed. So i normally take of the metal ring that holds it all together and seperate them like this...

I then started on the front page of the album... The first thing i did was to take out the spots as i wanted to cover them with different pattern papers...

I then chose the paper i wanted to use for this. As the new October Afternoon had just arrived i chose that.

I used these two on the front page. They are called Chicken Coop and Root Cellar.

I then added glue to the front of the front page... I normally use wet glue for this...
And then turn it upside down and adhere it...

I then cut round the edge using a knife...

Then i used a Basic Grey File to file down the edges...

I then inked the edges with brown ink...
Next i covered the dots, using the same process...

Now add the circles...
I then added some faux stitching around the edges...

And then added some lettering...
The rest of the pages are covered in the same manner... i wanted the photos to be the main focus on this album so i printed them all off really big!!!

Scrapping with ribbons

2009-11-05T08:21:00.000Z

I have a mountain of pretty ribbon, but for some strange reason I never seem to use it. So when Ness asked me to focus on ribbon this month I was really excited to see what techniques I could come up with.

You can use ribbons to weave, hang, tie or attach. You can even stamp and print on thicker ribbons.

Attach safety pins to your ribbons. Hang little embellishments like charms on to your ribbons with the safety pins

I made a hole in the ribbon so I could could add a brad to make sure the ribbbon stayed secure where I had glued the two sides together

To finish off I used some bling

Instead of using brads, secure bookplates with ribbons at both ends, or turn the bookplate and use ribbons to hang the bookplate on your LO

Tie in a knot or bow and use a glue dot to adhere

Fold the ribbon and use staples to hold the folds in place

Here is a LO I made using ribbons and My Little Shoe Box papers

Using the Martha Stewart Simple Scallop Punch I punched a rectangle of My Little Shoebox Little Ladies - Michelle paper

Using a white pen I drew around the scallops

Then I took the ribbon that I had folded and stapeled and attached it to some lace
I then attached the lace to the scalloped paper
I cut a strip of My Little Shoebox Little Ladies - Jana paper and sprayed with glimmer mist and inked the edges

I cut my card to size, spritzed with brown glimmer mist attached the strip of ladybird paper and attached some ribbon to the edge with staples

Using the bookplate embellishment I made earlier I attached this to my LO using a brad
I added my photo and title
And here is my finished LO

Off the wall

2009-11-03T22:18:00.000Z

I thought I'd share a some more layouts from the shop wall with you! First up is one from Karen that has attracted a lot of comments - she has used Cosmo Cricket Early Bird papers to create this fabulous page (although I have to say the photograph doesn't do it justice):

Lots and lots of cutting out and layering using foam pads, but I'm sure you'll agree the finished article is well worth it!
This one by Lesley uses My Minds Eye Abbey Road Whirlybird papers, and I particularly like the layered embellishment in the corner:

And finally, this is one of the pages I designed for a recent crop, using Jenni Bowlin Town Square papers.

November workshops

2009-10-31T15:27:00.005Z

This month we have 3 workshops to do.

THe first one is on the 11th November.

It is a page that has a mini album on the actual page. This workshop starts at 7.30pm. Bring with you your normal cropping tools and a big photo nearly an A4 size. The colours of this page are green and blue.

The 2nd workshop is a christmas cards workshop. We will be making 'special christmas cards' on this evening.

This is going to take place on the 18th November and starts at 7.30pm. Bring with you your normal cropping tools. We will only hold this workshop if we have enough people.

THe third one is a page based on puzzle shapes.

It is done using the new Basic Grey Nook and Pantry line. Again you need to bring your normal cropping tools and it starts at 7.30pm on the 25th November.
You will need several pictures for this one. I have used 4 photos on this one, but you can add more if you wish. The size of the puzzle shapes and there fore the photos are roughly about 10.5 cm by about 13cm. Preferably portrait size.

If you have never been to one of our workshops before, they are held in the shop, we have tea, hot chocolate, lots of gossiping and laughing. They are great fun, and dont worry if you have no one to come with it is a very easy and friendly place!!! lol. Hope to see you there.

Easy Mini Books (with the help of October Afternoon)

2009-10-30T10:11:00.000Z

Hi, I want to show you my quick way of making mini books. They don't have to take days and days. I used to be terrible at starting these projects but then never finishing them. So here's how I make my quick and easy mini books in an afternoon.

Firstly, once you've decided on which photographs you want to scrap (I like to print mine off the same size for these simple mini books) then cut your card stock to size. This one is 5.5 inches square. I've then inked the edges. I personally love the cats eyes ink pads for this job.

I've stuck to the October Afternoon Road Map range for this project. Again this makes it more simple to make not having to fuss and decide which papers and embellishments to use.

The journal cards are perfect for mini books. As everything coordinates so nicely, I wanted them to stand out of this album rather than hide them away inside.

I've then added the matching stickers throughout the book.

And the mini alphas are another favourite of mine when making mini books.
I've used the Bind it all to hold it all together.

So, simple, effective and can be achieved in an afternoon.

Thanks for looking, Lisa x

Apologies!

2009-10-27T20:07:00.000Z

I must apologise to everyone for not posting the results of the Autumn Layout competition that we ran. Sometimes life just takes over - we are having some extensive building work done which has been taking up all of my time and concentration, and I was reminded earlier this week that I hadn't announced a winner!

Anyway, we had some fabulous entries - I have posted some of my favourites below:

Rebekah

Anita

Louise

Anna

And the winner, whose name was drawn at random by my husband - Morag

Congratulations Morag - a pack of Indian Summer will be winging its way to you - just drop an email to vanessa@papermaze.co.uk with your address!

And apologies once again for keeping you waiting - the building work is well underway now so I hope to be able to turn my focus back to the shop again!!

Dahlia flowers

2009-10-25T22:11:00.000Z

OOH I was sent these awesome Jenni Bowlin papers to play with. I love this range so much - you need to go check out the chipboard buttons they are a must! I made a dahlia flower for my page - using one on your layout gives the page that extra something.

For the layout:

1: start off by cutting your circle paper as shown then glue this onto your card stock using a craft knife cut all the way down in the middle of the circles but leave about one centimeter at the top and bottom.

2: cut a strip of patterned paper and glue this onto the back of your layout curl and tear the card stock to get the effect as shown.

3: cut a strip of patterned paper and card stock overlap as shown then glue your photo into place.

Now to make your dahlia flower:

Cut six circles out either using a circle punch or a compass. Take a chalk block and ink the back of each circle as shown.
Fold the circle in half so you have a crease to follow.

Open the circle back out and fold the two corners as shown so the start from the crease you made earlier.
Now turn it over and lie this part of the flower flat to the table and fold the two half's into the centre again. Repeat for the rest of the petals.

I know seeing photos and step by step instructions can sometimes be a little daunting so i have done some research if you google search making dahlia flowers there are videos in that listing on you tube so i hope this is a bit of extra help!

To finish the layout place your dahlia flower around the right hand side of your photo and add embellishments for more detail.

Using double dmc thread stitch a cross stitch shape as shown and finish off your layout by adding your title.

Big and Bold Patterns

2009-10-18T19:42:00.000+01:00

Sometimes paper ranges are released with big bold patterns that are gorgeous to look at, but can be intimidating to actually scrap with. Some of the papers in the My Mind's Eye Ooo La La range fall into this category. So how should you approach a layout using these kinds of papers? One thing you can do is to make sure that your photo is bold and bright enough to stand up for itself amongst all of these loud prints! I had a picture of one of my cats with a fuschia pink throw as a backdrop. Lots of papers just wouldn't be able to stand up to the colour, but the bold patterns of the Shabby Chic paper were more than a match for it!

Another tip would be to try to include some single blocks of colour on the layout too. On the layout above, I have included a block of pink to frame the photo so it isn't totally lost, as well as leaving a border of white around the photo to give it further emphasis.

I have also contained the paper itself in a white cardstock border to tone down some of the impact, and made sure my title stands out by using bright white lettering and raising it from the page on foam pads.

On this page, I used the Summer Days paper to create a simple 6x12 layout. When you have bold and bright patterns, it is sometimes best to keep the rest of the embellishment fairly simple. I used a diecut from the same range to make a flourish to underline the title, and then reserved most of the embellishment to one corner of the layout, where I created a cluster of toning embellishments with a 3D effect. I have also made sure that the photo had the strong contrast needed to hold its own on the page, in this example by choosing a photo with a dark background which frames the subjects. I have also toned the photo with the paper as the eye-shadow I'm wearing matches the colour theme of the page!

So don't be intimdated by bold patterns - they can often make for eye-catching and exciting layouts, and with careful image selection and framing you should find that your photo still remains the focus of the page.

October workshops

2009-10-11T13:41:00.005+01:00

I am sorry these have not been up earlier. This has been due to illness in the family.

The first one is the 14th October.

This is done using some My little Shoe Box pattern paper and one of the Cosmo Cricket spinners. The photos you need are 4 wallet portrait sizes and if you can they should be photos of yourself as that is the theme of the photograph. These are the colours that are being used on this page.
The workshop starts at 7.30pm, bring your normal cropping tools with you.

THe next workshop is on the 28th ( amended from the 21st ) October. This is a birthday page done using these pattern papers
You need to bring 2 photos sized 7.5cm by13 cm and one small wallet size photo, although if you didnt have a small wallet size one you could another one of the bigger sizes as it would probably fit on. THis workshop starts at 7.30pm and bring your normal cropping tools with you.

Here is a sneek of one of the workshops that is being done in November....

This is a page with a mini album actually on the page and a photo nearly an A4 size.The date of this is still to be decided but i will let you know. Hope to see you at the workshop xxx

How to Stretch the Stash - Part 1

2009-10-07T22:05:00.000+01:00

We all like to get the most for our money, don't we?! Or sometimes you may just love your piece of patterned paper so much that you don't want to use it all up on just one LO. So I thought I'd share some of my 'Stretching the Stash' secrets with you.

My first is cutting up into squares to form a grid. (see LO above) This is so effective and very easily achieved. I've used the My Little Shoebox papers on my projects which are such a pleasure to work with. They are so fun. I've finished this LO with a matching journal tag.

My next LO I've used one of the die cut journal pieces which come on the same sheet but before sticking down I've turned it the wrong way and dabbed some paint around the edges so when you lift off you get just the outline. A great way to make your own patterned paper.
I've taken a piece of die cut paper and cut it down. A good way of getting 2 or 3 projects out of the 1 piece.
And don't you just love the mini alphas?? I can't get enough of these lately. I've used the little alpha stickers, also from My Little Shoe Box. They are really good value and last for quite some time too.

My last making today is this birthday card. The patterned paper is some of the left over from the die cut paper. The strip is from the 12x12 sheet of journal bits and the cup cake is cut up from the left over paper I used from My Little Shoebox. It's always worth keeping the leftover bits.
Have fun stretching your stash xx

New Bo Bunny

2009-09-29T22:39:00.001+01:00

As soon as i knew the new Bo Bunny was in the shop i just had to have it!!!! In fact there are a few of us design team girls that had to have it!!! lol

The first page i did with mine was a lift of a page i have had on my computer for a while now. I cannot remember who did it so if anyone knows then please let me know so i can give them credit for it.
This page is done using the line Kitchen Spice. There are some seriously gorgeous colours in this line!!! seriously gorgeous!
The leaves on this page come from the pattern paper, i just cut them out. The letters are Jenni Bowlin. The border punch is a Martha Steward Punch ( i think i may have bought each and every one that is in the shop *gulp*) It is this one, which is one of my favourite ones i have.

The next page is done using the line Flutter Butter.

The items that i used on this page are :

Jeni Bowlin Bingo cards in Black

Making Memories xmas pins

Prima Swirls

Martha Steward butterfly Punch.

Thanks for looking xxx