Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Challenging Myself With New Color Palettes

Hey, Pam posting today. So, my first question is..... what are you working on right now? Are you challenging yourself in a different way? Are you trying new scrap products or techniques. Please send me your fun pages at scrappingpam73@yahoo.com . I love your reader's pages!!!

So, what I am working on? I have been challenging myself a bit!! We went to Archivers a little while back and I bought colors, products, and lines I would NOT normally buy. Why? Because I always buy the same things, which I think is a good thing. But sometimes we need to step out of our COLOR comfort zone as well. That was hard. Now keep in mine, or browse my gallery here, to see what colors I normally chose. Super bright, fun, festive, etc. I almost never get greys, peaches, salmon, very light and very very light teal.

I had a small budget, so I picked up some Studio Calico Atlantic and Teresa Collins Memories & He Said She Said (NOT the whole collections, just a few things). I feel in love with those papers immediately. I would not normally purchase them, but the more I looked at them, I wanted to use em. So here are my two pages using those color palettes and designs. I put my normal spin on my pages, but I love how it turned out!! first one is Teresa Collins Memories and the second is Studio Calico Atlantic.




Hope you are inspired to try this!!

VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S BLOGS/GALLERIES
Cathy Dippolito
Dolores Schaeffer
Cindy deRosier
Marlene Murphy
Lesley Walker
Gael Spence
Sarah Routledge
Sharon Fritchman
Tanya Ham
Sheila Burns
Pam Callaghan

 


Monday, July 29, 2013

An idea for storing ribbon~

Hi there---Sheila here today to show you an idea for storing ribbon.  I have WAAAAAYYY too much ribbon in my life.  It was usually in a jumbled mess and I would just forget I had it.

Meanwhile, about ten years ago, I was fortunate enough to stumble on a sewing kit in a thrift store.  It was quite old, so none of the thread was good.  I unwound it all and revealed gorgeous old wooden spools.  Now mind you, this was before Pinterest, so those spools, though I loved them, stayed in a box for years! 

One day, my unused spool collection and jumbled ribbon collection came together in a fabulous way---
 All I did was thread a small length of twine through a wooden spool.  You wind your ribbon around the spool, and tie the thread in a knot over the ribbon's end.  It keeps the ribbon down.

Here is how it looks from the side:

Now, you may be thinking to yourself, that's all well and good, but I don't have a spool collection.  If not, a straw works just as well.  Just cut it to length, and thread the twine through it, like I did below.

It is still super easy to pull the ribbon you need out from under the twine.
Here is the basket I keep out in my craft room. Some ribbon is wound around spools, some straws, and some clothespins.  I think it looks so pretty!

Thank for stopping by today to see how I store my ribbon!  I'd love to see how you store yours!
VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S BLOGS/GALLERIES
Cathy Dippolito
Dolores Schaeffer
Cindy deRosier
Marlene Murphy
Lesley Walker
Gael Spence
Sarah Routledge
Sharon Fritchman
Tanya Ham
Sheila Burns
Pam Callaghan



Friday, July 26, 2013

Reader's Page :)

Happy Friday all! Pam here sharing a reader's page I received in my inbox a few days ago. It was neat because it was using a template that made that I haven't looked at in a while! This is one of my favorite templates I have made and you can download it for free here: Circles/Rays Template. Now onto the cool page I received! It was created by Arielle H. Gordon. Arielle used to many cool images on her page as you can see below. It all fits together for that perfect page!

 This is what Arielle had to say about her page, "This is a digital layout using Pam's awesome template! I've been dying to try a circular, segmented layout & found her template through a Google search. It was perfect for my theme! The idea for the layout came from the Simple Scrapper - July Story Starters #6 (premium membership), about my idols/role models as a teen. I knew I would need a lot of spaces for pics (which I snagged from online sources), so I modified the template. I wanted it to look sort of "journal~ish", so I did a lot of drawing and writing on the layout/photos using my Bamboo tablet. I am so excited about this page, I feel it conveys my teen years in a very true sense, and having the right template really made it pop!"
Template: by Pam Callaghan
Kit: Project:Live, Laugh, Love by Mommyish and Pink Reptile Design

Please visit Arielle on her blog here: http://snappystamper.blogspot.com/ for more great ideas and projects!!

Thanks for sharing your page Arielle!!



Thursday, July 25, 2013

A Diamond Template to share!

Hi, Dolores here today to share a template and sketch with you.  I participated recently in a challenge where we were asked to take our inspiration from an advertisement that contained several geometric shapes.  After thinking about the ad and its flow of shapes I decided to create a layout with diamond shapes.  Here is my sketch.


I created a layout for the challenge using a beautiful kit by Stolen Moments and Forever Joy called Petticoat Rose.  Here is my page.


I love these pretty muted colors and how they blended together on the page.  If you would like the template you can download it from the link below.  The download file contains  PSD, TIF and PNG files.  Hope you enjoy it!

MediaFire:  ds-template-31.zip




Monday, July 22, 2013

How I store my clear stamps!

Hi there! 
Sheila here today----and I have to confess, I am an organization junkie.  I find it almost as fun to organize my crafting supplies as I do to use them.  It's true.  The only problem is, I organize and reorganize so often, sometimes I forget where I've put things...so when I find a system that sticks for a little while, I figure it might be a good one to share.  Today, I wanted to show you how I store my clear stamps.  I don't have a TON of clear stamps, so this works well for me.  And, I always have it handy on my desk, so I am more encouraged to use my stamps. 

First, grab a regular three ring binder.  I had one laying around...love it when I can use stuff I already have.  Cut the front cover completely off with your craft knife (I used my daughter's binder for demonstration purposes, but for this project, you want at least a two inch binder).
Then, find a plate holder/easel.  I purchased this from Michael's.  I think I paid $7 for it.

I don't really have pictures for this next part, but I think it is pretty easy to get.  You need some transparencies (available at Walmart or Office Depot---however, my school was throwing away a bunch because they no longer worked in the copier---I snagged two full boxes!)  Put the transparency on top of a piece of cardstock, whatever color you wish, and punch them together in a three hold punch.
Then, put your clear stamps on the transparency.  They stick perfectly.  The cardstock is so that you can attach the insert that came with the stamps that shows the images.

 Here is how mine looks:


I am able to put the manufacturer of the stamp right with it for my own reference.
Here's a shot below of some stamps that I didn't have an insert for---so I just stamped the images myself on the cardstock! 

It seems to work fine flipping pages over too---here is how it looks from the side.
Just make sure the bottom of your plate holder is wide enough to hold the thickness of your binder.

Hope you liked this cheap and easy idea...I'd love to know how you organize your stuff---I'll be back next Monday with another organization idea :)
VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S BLOGS/GALLERIES
Cathy Dippolito
Dolores Schaeffer
Cindy deRosier
Marlene Murphy
Lesley Walker
Gael Spence
Sarah Routledge
Sharon Fritchman
Tanya Ham
Sheila Burns
Pam Callaghan




Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Designer Showcase: Non-layout projects

Hi everyone. Pam here again for a non-layout edition of designer showcase. I know we feature lots of pages here and I thought is would be nice to have a post again with just projects (altered, home decor etc). Let's see what the contributors have in store for us ;) ;)


Wow. Lesley created this mixed- media canvas. I can't help thinking this would look so good in my scrap room. *wink wink . So many cool things to look out here. Let's hear how Lesley made this, "Started with putting a coast of Gesso over the entire surface, when dry I've used some of the metallic based paints I purchased when doing the class with Finnibair, they are really shimmery and beautiful, then applied water and let some of it run.  A bit of stamping, some lace and very fine tulle, then more paint.  Finished with one of my fav things to do at the moment and thats playing with my Julie Nutting Prima doll stamps, then added a couple of die cuts to finish it off."


Here is a super cool project Sharon made for Halloween a few years ago. This is so creative with the boo coming from the chimney and all of the "spooky" elements. I also love the polka dots throughout the project!


I adore what Sheila made here. How many if us having a ton of crayons sitting around not being used. What a great way to make art out of these crayons!!! Sheila got her idea from pinterest and did a great job making it her own ;).


Tanya created our last project.This would be great as home decor don't you think??? Love her creativity here. This is what Tanya said about her project," I saw this saying in the Silhouette Store awhile back, and thought it would be a perfect addition to the decor in my in-laws new lake cabin.  My FIL is an avid fisherman, and I found an adorable SVG shape to use with the saying.  I cut the saying out of brown adhesive vinyl, and it went on the background paper so easily!  I used lots of complimentary colors from a DCWV stack to paper-piece the fisherman.  I put it all together in an 8x8 frame.  They loved it, and it is now at the cabin!"


I hope you loved these projects as much as me today!!!!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Make your own Rick Rack Flower!

Hi, Dolores here today to share with you an easy rick rack flower.  You can get rick rack almost anywhere and it comes in so many pretty colors that it is a perfect supply for crafting.  Here is what I am using today to make our flower.

1) Two 26" lengths of Wright's Turquoise rick rack that is 5/8 of an inch wide.
2)  Hot glue gun.  You can certainly substitute you favorite quick drying glue or low heat glue gun.

To get started we are going to twist the two lengths of rick rack together.  You will need to glue the ends of the two separate rick rack lengths together when you start so your twist doesn't come undone.


Keep twisting the two lengths together until the two pieces of rick rack are one twisted length.  Glue the ends together. Your finished twisted length is going to try to untwist and may look a bit odd but don't worry we will straighten out those twists when we create our flower.
To begin our flower we are going to take one end, fold our cut edges inside and glue. Then slightly roll the end into a small bud.  Put a dot of glue to keep your bud secure.
Now start wrapping the rick rack around your bud adding dots of glue along the way.
When placing your glue dots try to keep them on the lower half of the twisted ribbon.  See where my glue gun is pointing in the picture above.
Keep rolling and gluing the rick rack.  Your flower should look something like the picture above.  All our petals are curling in right now.
When you get close to the end pull approximately an inch of the twisted end to the back side of your flower and glue in place.  See how I tried to pull the end to a smooth flat spot.
The top side of your flower should look like this.  When the glue is completely dry, start of the outer most part of the flower and fold the petals back.  Work your way towards the center.  A few rounds of the petals should stay folded inward to make the center of the flower.  Here are some finished examples.
The flower we made today is on the lower left; it is about 2" across.  The width of your rick rack and the length of the strips determine the look and size of your flower.  The wider the rick rack the more width to your petals.  Also pay attention to the bulk of the rick rack.  Wright's rick rack has nice bulk and holds the flower shape well.  Thinner, less bulky rick rack will produce a smaller flower like the pink one above make with 1/2 " rick rack.

Hope you enjoyed today's tutorial.  Thanks for stopping by!







Thursday, July 11, 2013

Winners of Heidi's Class + Announcement

First of all, I wanted to announce Marlene will be leaving the blog, we will miss her fabulous posts and she says if she has any new ones she will post a a guest! :)
Last week I posted them winners of Heidi Sonboul's June classes on the bottom of the post. I don't think anyone saw it. Again here are the winner...
Here are the two winners from Heidi's class giveaway. Winners please send your emails to me at scrappingpam73@yahoo.com .



thanks would love to take a class



Wowzers!!! What a neat opportunity to win Heidi's classes. Love all that she creates!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Designer Showcase:Summer!!

Hi all, Pam here. Summer is full spring here! Today we are sharing summer projects to inspire you with those summer photos you will be taking....

Up first is an adorable project by Sheila. She made this for a teacher and it turned out so cute. Check out that orange wedge and bunch of cherries! Love it for summer!!


These next fabulous page is by Gael. I love many things about this page... from the colors to the design. This is what Gael said about her page, "This design for this layout was inspired by a beautiful layout by Steph Devlin where she used the balloons and bird from the My Minds Eye range of papers.  As I had these in my stash and I thought they had a wonderful whimsical summery feel to them I decided to try and incorporate them into my layout.  The end result is very different to Steph’s beautiful layout but was a lot of fun creating.  I used a Kaisercraft overlay which I coloured to create the flower border with the bike.  I also included some diecuts, layering and a few flowers."



Tanya created this next fun page. Check out how festive and cool this design is! I adore all of the banners, tags and fabulous photos. The perfect 4th page.



Lesley created this "oh so cute page". These photos go just perfect with all of the elements on the page. Check out the fabulous embellishments on the bottom! Love it! Here is more info on Lesley's page,"Summer, the best time of the year and to a lot it means being able to get to the beach and have fun.   This layout is exactly that, my grandson when he visited from America found great enjoyment on one of our local beaches, experiencing the waves and sand play, this was a fun layout to do and loved bringing all the colour into it which again mean summer to me."

I hope you have enjoyed these pages for summer today!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Winners and Designer Showcase: Projects using Favorite Color Combos

Hi Pam here. The winners are listed at the bottom of the post from the class giveaway.
Onto this week's designer showcase! I asked the contributors to send me projects using their favorite color schemes.  I will start...
My favorite color combos change a lot. But right now I am totally into these colors. I included two color schemes b/c I couldn't choose which one I liked better. For the first page my favorite color scheme is kraft, navy blue, teal, yellow, tangerine, red, and white. The second page has the following colors I love: teal, red, tangerine, yellow and kraft!!




Up next is Cindy's project with her favorite color combo. Cindy's favorite color combination and ones she uses a lot is blur, green, and brown. This goes great with nature photos and lots of other pages! I like this combo too!


Here is Tanya's project and her favorite color scheme: orange, lime green, teal, navy blue, and white. This is what she said about her page,"I made this card for my nephew's birthday, and loved the color scheme.  I used Doodlebug's Boys Only collection for the inspiration and background paper.  I used Stampin' UP! stamps, ink and punch to finish the card."


Sharon's favorite color combo is hot pink and orange. Her page looks great in this scheme. Take a peek!


Cathy is sharing her favorite color combinations on this page. She loves teal and orange together. The journaling reads, "All my life, I’ve always dreamed of getting to Wyoming.  Actually the dream is to one day have a cabin on a ranch there. But at the very least, to vacation there. Finally made it there for a week of vacation in 2012. We had the best time. We spent time in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. I fell in love. I can’t wait until we can go back there again. The dream of having a cabin on a ranch there may not be realistic, but my mind knows that my heart will always long for the open spaces and mountains of Wyoming. It’s a dream I’ll always hold on to."


Lesley is sharing her favorite color scheme. This is what she says about the favorite colors on her page and such, "My favorite colours are blue and pink, I love these colours in all aspects of my life and have done since I was very young, so it naturally came out in my scrapbooking layouts especially when my granddaughter Sofia was born and my love of pretty and fancy girlie layouts was born as well.  I also love yellow combined with blue, so in this layout I managed to include that with both blue and pink to showcase all my favorite colours together.
I've used mixed media on this layout, the lines of dots down the sides were created by using moulding paste and a Crafters Workshop template.  When dry I covered this and the centre of the page with Gesso, then rubbed it back with a 'baby wipe' to soften the impact of the white.  I then used white Pan Pastel around the dots to emphasise them.
Another one of my loves can be seen extensively in this layout, dies, I used 5 different ones on this page."



___________________
Here are the two winners from Heidi's class giveaway. Winners please send your emails to me at scrappingpam73@yahoo.com .


thanks would love to take a class



Wowzers!!! What a neat opportunity to win Heidi's classes. Love all that she creates!