Stitching Tutorial by Suzanne

Inspired by the amazing layouts I saw online that included stitching, but not knowing where to start (I couldn’t work a sewing machine to save my life) ~ I picked up one of Bazzill’s In-Stitchz templates:

I really loved the look of the flourishes and made this wedding layout:


I was hooked! Inspired by a sketch I found, I needed a circle background stitched. I tried one of my circle cutter’s templates to create it, but it wasn’t quite big enough for what I wanted. After playing around in Microsoft Word, I figured out how to make my own and here’s how it turned out:



Using, the 2007 edition of Microsoft Word, this is what I did:


Open a new document, select Insert > Shapes. Look at the possibilities! For this next layout, I am using the arrow.


After selecting the arrow, you can change the size by clicking Format and on the far right, entering your width and height. This allows you to customize your template to fit your specific layout.


I needed my arrow to be 6” long. You can then change the look of your shape using the colored dots. The green dial allows you to rotate your shape, the blue dot allows you to adjust the size of your shape manually, and the yellow dot changes the feature of the shape, but not the size (it will make the triangle portion of the arrow narrower, for example). Once you have the desired effect, we are going to change the outline.

Instead of a solid outline, you want to select Format > Shape Outline > Dashes > and the 4^th option.



You will also change need to change the spacing between the dashes. Select Format > Shape Outline > Weight > and either 4 ½ or 6


Print out your template, trim and position on your layout.


I place a piece of craft foam under my layout and use a pushpin to pierce the holes.


Then, stitch with a needle and coordinating embroidery floss.


Here is the finished layout (from my school wedding shower).


Use your imagination to put shapes together to make more involved templates, like this Christmas tree.



Happy Holidays! ~Suzanne

Introducing Our Featured Artist for Dec. 18!

I am super excited to announce our featured artist today!! Wohoooo!! She applied to be a featured artist and I was so excited when I got her email. Her work is really fabulous and the detailing in her stitching is so inspiring! I think you are going to be so excited to learn the technique she has for us today ... so here is the featured artist, Suzanne!! Read below to get to know her!

Hi! I am so honored to be a featured artist ~ thanks Pam! My name is Suzanne and I am a 27 year old newlywed, dog mom and first grade teacher from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. When I’m not in the classroom or spending time with my family, you will find me scrapbooking. I love this hobby for so many reasons: taking pictures, recording memories, the awesome products, fun tools, and the creative outlet it provides. I recently started a blog to share some of the inspiration I have found on so many others.

Don't forget to check her out blog!! Much later on today I will have something really cool to share. I asked permission from Suzanne to post something later during her day. So check back mid-day! Next up is her fabulous technique. You are going to love it!

Two Examples of Pages Using Templates!

If you haven't already noticed, I'm a big template fan. Actually, I'm more like a FANatic of Pam's templates. I use them pretty frequently, so I thought I would share a couple of layouts with all of you today.

Here's an idea to think about when using templates:

You don't have to use the exact dimensions that are indicated on a layout. For instance, I took some of Pam's templates and incorporated it into 12x12 layouts.





Remember, that templates are sort of like guidelines. You can use them exactly the way they are, or you can alter them to your wildest imagination. Let your creativity run free and try something new!

We want to see what you can do with Pam's templates. Email them to ......... scrappingpam73@yahoo.com .

Thanks so much for looking!

Hugs,
sarah.

Cirles and Curves Template!

I am going to attempt to use this template this week ... hopefully. I got it done today and thought I would share with all of you!
Here is the FULL template. You will probably need to print this out in two sections since it fits nicely on 12" by 12" page. Save it to your computer and open with another program. Print in a few sections and tape together. You can use that to trace onto your photos and cardstock. Notice there are also some fun journaling strips on the bottom.

(Click on each individual image and a larger sized image will appear)

This is just the photoblock. You can use it for any page, not just this one listed above!


And this is the full sketch! Enjoy!!


Digital scrapbookers can download the digital layered template here:
http://www.4shared.com/file/185752739/6a110ae0/pc_circles_curves_template.html


Tomorrow check back to see some example of other templates by Sarah!

Danielle's Favorite Holiday Project

Hi everyone! It's day two of the contributor's favorite project and Danielle's turn! I think it's neat to see people's favorite pages and to find out more infomation ... so here is Danielle's adorable favorite holiday project and questions I asked her!



1. Why is this your favorite Christmas project? What is the story behind this?

I just love this project because of the memory! Isn't that what scrapbooking is about? It was my daughter's first time decorating holiday cookies and it was adorable! She was getting so messy! We eventually striped her to her diaper only! By the end she was covered in flour, icing and sprinkles! It was so special because both her grandmother and great-grandmother were there to help pass on the tradition!


2. What helped you create this page? What are some tips for creating this? What is your favorite part about the project?

I am happy I was able to fit so many photos on it. Don't be afraid to add small photos to your creations! The photos I used were full of many different colors, so I chose a few to bring out in my patterned paper - blue, pink, and green. My favorite part of the project is most definitely the photos!


3. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

You see it in my layout - baking and decorating sugar cookies!!!!!



Thanks for sharing your fabulous page with us, Danielle! Stay tuned because more favorite pages will be starting again on Saturday! Tomorrow is a post by Sarah and Friday is the featured artist for the week!

Melanie's Favorite Holiday Project!

Today, part of this week and all next week I will be featuring the contributor's favorite holiday pages and projects! Today is Melanie's turn! See why she considers this her favorite and I think it's pretty special too! Here is her favorite project and below is questions I asked her. Enjoy!



1. Why is this your favorite Christmas project? What is the story behind this?

This project is my all time favorite because of the man in the Santa suit. No, this isn't the REAL Santa, it's one of his wonderful helpers. A helper who always makes sure that he does everything exactly how Santa would want it done. He's been known to carry two pairs of boots and change them before stepping inside a house (Santa's boots would never be wet, now would they? He rarely touches the ground thanks to those flying reindeer of his.), he catches up on all the local school's information. He knows most of the teachers and principals in the districts and makes sure to drop names whenever he can. OH, and most special of all - he's mine! Sort of, this is my Uncle Cliff and he's been making Christmas wishes come true for several years now. Too bad Noah didn't think he was so great this year!


2. What helped you create this page? What are some tips for creating this? What is your favorite part about the project?

My favorite part of this project is the non-traditional colors. The pinks and browns make the page pop. Sometimes I think that non-traditional colors paired with the traditional reds and greens make the more traditional colors pop. Just a hint: next time you stamp a Christmas image and color it using basic red and green...mask your image and sponge some light blue ink around the sky area, your reds and greens will look dazzling!


3. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

My favorite holiday traditions are the special ornaments that we always add to our tree. The Christmas Spider is always, always present and its a wonderful story if your not familiar with this one (Do an internet search for Legend of the Christmas Spider and you'll be sure to find the tale.). We also traditionally hide the Christmas Pickle within the branches of our tree and let the kids try to find it. The finder of the pickle gets a special gift.


4. Anything else you would like to share.

We try to keep our holidays a time of wonder and suprise, family, friends, and foods, sights, sounds and laughter. My wish is that you and your experience this and so much more this holiday season. May your holidays be filled with health, wealth, and happiness!

Thanks Melanie for sharing you creativity with us!!!!
If you noticed, I got mixed up.. this is Melanie's project, not Heather's!

Last Minute Gifts

Did you just realize that you forgot to get a little something for the mailman, the teacher’s aide, or the bus driver? Never fear…I’ve got a quick gift idea that will be perfect for almost anyone! Let’s make a cover for a 3 x 3 post-it note pad. It’s perfect for leaving by the phone or keeping it in your purse or car for those times when you need to write a note.

You can use your scraps for this. Make it a holiday gift, pink or blue for the mom of a new baby, or just use something to make it an everyday note pad.


Aren’t these adorable? Here’s a little pattern to help you get started.


I recommend using cardstock weight paper for the cover. Cut your cover 6 ¾ inches by 3 1/8 inches. Score the cardstock at 3 1/8 inches from each end which will give you a ½-inch stripe in the middle of the cardstock. Fold on the scored lines.

It’s easier to decorate the cover before you insert the 3 x 3 pad. Just add scalloped strips, ribbon, a button, heart…just whatever you’d like to do to dress it up a little.



On these two, I just added a little stamped phrase and a punched flower on the green one and a couple of scalloped strips and a flower on the pink one.

After you get it decorated, use strong glue or glue strips on the inside of the back and on the ½-inch strip across the middle. (I use my glue pro gun, but sticky dots or any type of permanent glue will work)



Press the pad in good and then fold the top down. Make sure you’ve pressed all the glued spots firmly. You’re DONE! If for some reason, the front cover wants to kick up, just tear off the first 2-3 pages of the note pad.



I made all four of these in about 40 minutes. You can’t get much quicker than that. I might just leave one of these by my phone. It looks much better than just a plain pad!