Art Girlz Scrapbook Nook

Let's Scrap Design Team -- January Projects!

Renee decided to shake things up a bit for January. Instead of scrapbook pages, we were to make a home decor / paper crafting project. I was thinking about what to do.

I have a HUGE stash. I keep thinking I'll need to be packing up all this stuff because I'll be moving in the next year (hopefully). So my theme for January was "re-use and re-cycle". I looked for items that were in my stash. Sadly stored away and not being used.

Then I saw it ... a mini clipboard. And I do mean MINI CLIPBOARD. It's like 5x5". And I had some old playing cards I was using for ATCs, and a copy of a mini calendar for 2009. Put them all together with some embellishments and you have a little calendar you had put on your desk, fridge, or wherever!

 

The cards start by using the Ace for January, 2 for February ... 5 for May and so on. When I ran out of numbers for 11 and 12, I used Jack & Queen (or Queen & King). It was a fun way to incorporate what "month" it is and some embellishments representing that month -- snowman for January, heart & heart ribbons for February, flowers for May (you know April shows bring May flowers ...).

Check out the Let's Scrap Design Team blog to see the rest of the projects and more!!

Have some fun this year by using stuff in your stash, and for a treat ... buy some scrapbooking or craft item you've been wanting to get after you've "saved" money!

Happy Crafty New year!! 

Fun with Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) -- Thanksgiving

As many of you know, I have had to undergo back surgery to repair a herniated disk (L5 to be exact). Recovery is going well, but TV gets boring! So I needed something to do for those few hours a day when I felt ambitious.

I have worked on a number of scrapbook pages, but only after I started being able to sit up for longer periods of time. ATCs are small, portable and they usually take less time than a scrapbook page. I say "usually" take less time than a scrapbook page because sometimes an ATC will take me a few hours!

I started making some ATCs. Took some stamped images I had and made ATCs. Joined some ATC swaps. The best part of ATCs is that you can use scraps of paper, AND they can be versatile enough to be able to turn into a card or add to a scrapbook page.

 

For this Thanksgiving ATC, I used a Stampin'Up! stamp set, stamped the truck on orange paper, cut out the image and added to front of card with foam dots. Added sentiment, circle clip and some fibers and it's complete!

 

This ATC is a great example of using up scraps! Only had a scrap of the plaid paper, used small piece of white to stamp pumpkin (then cut out), and stamp sentiment. Added mini Prima flowers and brads for centers.

 

A scrap of BasicGrey as the base layer, another small piece of BG from the Mellow collection, stamped sentiment on scrap of printed paper (you see partial leaf print on "Thinking of you" piece, then I added a strip of ribbon and one of my very own hand-made clay buttons.

I made the clay pumpkin out of Fimo / Sculpey clay. They are quick and easy and bake in oven to make them harden. Ran some organdy ribbon through the "button holes" I made before baking.

Just a few Thanksgiving ATC ideas for you. No need to make a card ... take a card base, attach an ATC to the front and you've got a greeting card.

I'll be back with some Christmas ATCs!

Stamping Bella -- Artist Trading Cards (ATCs)

Been home from work for a number of days with a pinched nerve in my back. Awful painful. I have to stay laying on my stomach ... but I'm getting bored watching TV.

I'd like to work on scrapbook pages, but they are big ... so I made an ATC. It started out as one ATC to trade with an on-line friend. Then realizing that it only took a bit of scrap paper, ribbon and a few other odds and ends ... I've been making ATCs all week!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Stamping Bella stamps!  I only used a few ... and saw on the website they have some new ones. I just GOTTA have them!!!

I am not one of the accomplished Copic marker artists, I just used watercolor pencils and blender pens. I am intrigued by the Copics. Anyone know of a really good tutorial or a good way to learn to use them?

No laughing! My coloring isn't great, but I had fun. And really, that's why I do this. To have fun. To pass the time doing something I enjoy. Maybe send these ATCs on to someone else and put a smile on their face. But it really isn't much more than that. I am not expecting to have my ATCs in the Smithsonian or win a million dollar prize (although that WOULD be great!!!)

I think this is Miss FlowaBella. She's just adorable. I may add brads for the flower centers or some beads on another card.

I used ric rac that looks like tie die, can't remember where I bought it, but it's so fun to use.

Then I had some fun curly fibers in the same colors and just tied around card for added interest.

The paper flowers are just from a hand punch. Can you believe I had a secret sister send me a bag FULL of these paper flowers -- in all sorts of solid cardstock colors ... literally 100s of them. I use them everytime I get a chance.

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This is a GREAT tip ... if you have some small leftover pieces of paper, use a small versatile punch and punch the shapes and save them. You'll find a use for them ... especially something like these flowers, circles or squares.

Bring your stash to a crop or send some to a friend. Remember, your leftovers will be someone else's new stuff! And it's fun to "trade" these type of things ... small pieces of paper that would have been tossed out. I've used at least 20 of these paper flowers this week alone!

Another Miss FlowaBella card ... and MORE of the punched out flowers. You can see by this close-up that the papers have all types of finishes ... linen-look, smooth, there are even some irridescent ones! Just add a brad to the center and instant embellishment.

Used some wide (7/8") organdy ribbon to made a big bow and she's ready to adorn the front of a card, scrapbook page, or act as a gift tag.

So, what do YOU use ATCs for? Most of the ones I have made, I've turned into a card. Some of them have made great embellishments on scrapbook pages. Others I've made especially for a friend and sent them as little pieces of "friendship" art.

I bought a stamp just for the back of the ATC. I can put my name and other information on it so that the recipient knows where it came from!

At the very least, sign your works!!!

Not that I expect to be a famous artist someday, but I have received swaps of ATCs and would love to know who made them -- especially if they have a unique technique, stamp or embellishment that I'd love to be able to get my hands on!

Thisis one of my FAVORITE Bellas ... she is just so adorable ... and her pooch is too!

The stamped image for this Bella has the dog on a leash. I cut the dog out and attached to another piece of cardstock. Once I tied the large bow around the card, I attached the doggie with a glue dot on top of the knot (it's like it's 3-D now).

Since I thought her pooch was so special, I used the Stampin'Up! stamp "SPARKLE" (like it's her doggie's name).

And any pooch named "Sparkle" needs a pink rhinestone leash ... and Miss Bella ... she has pink rhinestone earrings & necklace. It doesn't seem over the top, does it (!!??)

Oh, notice her Princess crown (eyelet) too! I purchased these little crown eyelets and didn't know what to do with them. Now I can use them for my Bellas, they are the perfect size!

I think this particular card is my favorite ATC ... I've got to put this on a scrapbook page or somewhere I can look at it and smile! Maybe next time I will paper piece her dress -- that's a whole different technique that I haven't tried yet!

Here's the close-up of the pooch "Sparkle" and her rhinestone leash!

I could go crazy with these self-stick tiny rhinestones ... they come in a glue line. You just peel and have them all evenly spaced. So great for those of us who love BLING!!

And speaking of BLING ... the pooch Sparkle isn't the only one with some bling. Miss Bella has HUGE (they are actually tiny) pink rhinestone earrings and necklace.

And for a fun touch I added a pink crown-shape eyelet. Afterall, she IS a Princess!

This Bella reminds me of Elle in the "Legally Blonde" movies! Don't you think so? Those movies are so funny ... my daughters and I love watching them. You know when you need a movie that will make you laugh and not have to think too hard? One that just the girls can watch and laugh until it hurts?

As you can see by the closeup, I'm not the best watercolor artist, but I'm learning.

I'd love to try the Copic markers, but I'm sticking with my watercolor pencils for a while.

I've got more ATCs to share. These are all the Bellas I've completed so far.

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Would you like to receive one of these Stamping Bella ATC's as a RAK???

Leave me a message on this post telling me WHY you like Bellas ... and we'll pick a random winner next friday (October 17th).

And watch for our next "Name That Page" contest where you can win a FREE package of Blog Candy just for helping us with a title for our scrapbook page of the month.

Altered Mini-Mailbox

Do you ever go into the $1 store and see cute items and wonder what you would do with it? How about some plain items you can dress up, alter, give as gifts?

Found some of these small mini-mailboxes (approximate size 4x6") for $1 each! Covered with some cute papers from DaisyD's "Wonder Years Collection" (CLICK HERE to see HUGE Clearance sale in our webstore -- closing October 31st).

* Cover with some papers, use any clear drying glue (Mod Podge, Elmer's) to give it a coating to protect papers from getting too dirty.

* Add embellishments, and tuck some goodies inside.

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Really uses very little paper, we mostly took scraps as the paper had that kind of "collage" look to it anyway!

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CREATE chipboard letters (self-adhesive) by American Crafts ... love 'em!!

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Covered a little notebook in coordating papers from same collection. Stamped image on front and included stamp and mini ink-pad inside!!

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Frong of mailbox ... used some cut-out images, piece of felt and brad for embellishment. Quick and easy project ... perfect for a college student dorm room!

How to: Make a Mini Coaster Book

I have seen these "coaster books" and they looked so cute. I found some square coasters (about 4" square) and covered them with printed papers. I like to use glue sticks because it allows you to SLIDE the papers just a bit to get the paper on exactly.

I used Daisy D's "Wonder Year's" papers for this book. I wanted something fun, and non-seasonal.

Well, my daughter just LOVES it and I guess that's why I made it!!

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I printed photos in a smaller size to put them on these pages. The photo prints were about 2 x 2 1/2.

I added buttons & flowers to the bottom of this photo and found a SMILE sticker.

I inked the edges of all pages with a pigment ink. This ink takes longer to dry so the inking was the last step.

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I wanted a cute quote or sticker here, but nothing with the wording I wanted. I CUT APART a sticker about scrapbooking -- it said "God made us friends, but scrapbooking made us sisters." So I changed the order of the words and added a heart (in place of the word "love")  and it came out to be: "God made us sisters but love made us friends".

There are 4 coasters that make up this book. The front & back of each "pair" are the same. So instead of having all identical backgrounds on my pages, I used coordinating papers from Daisy D's "Wonder Years" collection.

Next time I might use black & white photos or play with Photoshop Elements. Notice the color cast of the backgrounds in these 2 photos?

One photo has a warmer tone and the other a cooler (blue) tone. Some of this is due to using / not using flash indoors and the background color variations (wall color).

Pet photos are the most challenging for me. The colorations make it difficult to see their face ... but in these photos of our cat, I captured him on his back, and he let me get a close-up. So excited!!

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Making a book for my daughter, I HAD to have photos of her cat. I have a number of photos, but not too many close ups. Added the stamped image "one of a kind" (SU! stamp set) a few stickers,  and some buttons for embellishments.

Some scrap papers (dark blue) make a matt for one of the pages. This is a good way to use up scraps!!

I try to keep scraps in a box that I can look through quickly ... and sort by color. What to do with really small pieces? I take some punches and punch shapes out of these pieces. I WILL find a way to use them later!!

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The graduation photo is REALLY cropped close, eventhough I took it at about 15 feet away. If you have a photo editing software, zoom in on an area!

It used to bother me to have ANY part of the photo "cut off". But I've found that these books and some other projects are more fun & less formal.

It doesn't bother me that the graduation cap & the diploma are cut off. I just really wanted the faces! But this less formal style has taken me a long time to feel comfortable.

 

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The back cover is similar to the front with the photo at a angle, buttons & flowers under the photo.

I used LARGE puffy sticker letters here. These are not part of the "Wonder Years" collection, but the colors are similar.

Binding was done with my Bind-It All from Zutter, Inc. This was my first project with the Bind-It All (BIA) and I LOVE it!!!

I'm having so much fun using the BIA now I have about 10 projects that I'm working on -- going to be Christmas presents.

I have found quite a bit of information on the Bind-It All on the Zutter Sisters site. I'm still learning about all the possibilities!! And I see they have a new PINK machine. I really want that pink one, mine is a light blue...

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These coaster books can sit by themselves on a shelf, open to any page. Or you could use a small plate holder to keep it open.

This is my first coaster book, but certainly NOT my last!!!

Altered Book -- a gift for someone who has everything

What do you give to someone who's turning 75? Or someone who's having a birthday and they already have "everything"?

My daughters and I made a book for my dad for his 75th birthday. It was memories that we have of him ... things he's done especially for me or the girls. Remembering some unique things about my dad that makes him special!

We used some chipboard pages and a coil binding ... some markers, scraps of paper and stickers and a little imagination.

Add photos to your book too!

Here is the book (we used papers from Flair Fall collection for front page):

Use stickers and mix with chipboard and handwriting and labeling tape ... many more possibilities for making a title. This book is approximately 4 x 7".

I used to worry about handwriting, but after having some items written by my grandparents ... I've come to cherish their handwritten notes.

Mix some handwriting & computer printed journaling in your scrapbooking projects. Years from now, someone may look back fondly on your handwriting!

For most of the pages we left the chipboard "naked", but you can cover it with paper (as shown on the cover and the first inside page), paint, stamp and more.

  We used a variety of papers and stickers, hand drawn pictures ... the book was a fun creation made by my daughters. Their handwriting, hand drawn pictures and the "reasons" in their own words. It might not be perfect, but it was surely made from the heart.                                                                     

To make the book more interesting (and in keeping with my dad's sense of humor) we only had 8 Reasons Why He's so Special ... just another addition to making this book customized for him.

Make a Tag or Gift Card Pouch!

It's quick, simple and best of all -- inexpensive! We're sharing simple instructions, but make it your own ... add different embellishments or non at all.

A fun project that might make a great teacher gift, gifts for co-workers and more.

GIFT CARD OR TAG POUCH DIRECTIONS

Make a card or tag holder using a 6x6 page protector!

Supplies:

* 6x6 scrapbook page protector -- heaviest weight you can find.

* cardstock – heavy weight

* printed paper (or stamped paper)

* closures: Velcro, magnets, ribbon

* any other embellishments – flowers, buttons, brads.

STEP 1: Cut off edge of page protector – (the side with holes for scrapbook posts).

STEP 2: Cut piece of heavy printed or cardstock paper 6 1/8”” wide by about 9” long (tall). Sized so that it fits tightly in protector. This piece forms the back & front flap of the holder. Score at approximately 6 ¼” and fold to make a front flap. Leave flap square, shape into triangle, use fancy edge, etc.

STEP 3: Using red-liner tape, glue dots lines (or other VERY strong tape) attach back piece by sliding into the sheet protector (see printed piece in Photo #1).

>Option #1: slide paper into protector with fold coming to the front. (see photo #1 -- this provides the cleanest look)

>Option #2: attach back to OUTSIDE of page protector.

Cut 6x6 piece of coordinating paper for inside holder (blue cardstock in photo #1). Use glue dots or other strong adhesive in top corners and slide inside protector.

Photo #1

* * STEP 4: to make Handle -- attach ribbon, string or even strips of paper to back side of protector. Use a strip of matching paper to cover the handle attachment area. (see photo #2).

Photo #2

STEP 5: to make Closure -- there are MANY ways to close holder. Some possibilities are using velcro or small, thin magnets on inside of flap (like Basic Grey magnet closures in sample).
Or punch hole and wrap ribbon around holder and tie in front.

Photo #3 shows thin magnetic closure on front flap attached with small, thin glue dot. On front side, a large brad was used to look like closure.

Photo #3

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Make small notecards or tags to put inside! See Photo #4 for finished project.

Photo #4

A gift tag holder that was made to give to a co-worker. Fill with small tags of same or various themes and wrap with tissue paper!

Red, White & Blue cards

This past weekend (June 14th) was Flag Day. I remember this because it was my grandmother's birthday. When she was young, she thought that everyone put out their flags for her birthday!

Thinking about Flag Day prompted me to make some cards with red, white & blue spirit.

These two cards have the same basic layout / sketch, but with a small change in embellishments.

To make this card, stamp stars with white pigment ink on the navy, crimp red cardstock, and make stripes on white with a stampin' wheel.

Add a bit of ribbon and an embellished bottlecap. If you receive this month's kit, you will be able to use the bottle cap for a project like this. We recommend flattening the cap by bending with pliers. If you take the "smash" approach, try using a board on top of the cap so that it flattens evenly.

Using a circle punch, attach the stamped image to the bottlecap with foam dots. Quick and simple. Using this same sketch, vary the colors, use printed papers, add a flower instead of bottle cap and you can make MANY cards without getting bored!

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This card uses the same stamp sets, but the balloon image is punched out with a square and layered on a larger square. For fun, tie balloons to the center of the card. This card certainly reminds us of a party!

It is appropriate for a birthday card (change colors and patterns), picnic invitation, summer family reunion and many more occasions.

TIP: if you are making a number of the same card, stamp a whole piece of navy blue (randomly) with white stars. Then you can cut the size piece you need and will only have to get stamps out once. This same idea applies to the white striped background.

Blog Candy for Patty -- Can be yours too!

Here is the blog candy scrappin' kit for Patty! She told me that she's a new scrapbooker. YIPEE!

The SAND & SURF kit includes the following:

* 2 sheets 12x12 solid cardstock, kraft paper color;

* 2 sheets 8 1/2 x 11" solid cardstock, one sheet navy, one sheet light blue;

* 2 sheets 12x12 Arctic Frog "By The Letter" single-sided printed paper. This paper is from Arctic Frog's "By The Sea" collection.

* 1 6x7" Accent Alley sheet of stickers, "Sea Accents";

* 1 4x6" Karen Foster sheet of stickers, "Aloha";

* 1 roll Magic Mesh, brown color;

* 2 Queen & Company BOLD BRADS, brown/sand color variety;

* 2 yards ribbons, one yard 3/8" navy grosgrain & one yard 7/8" burnt orange organdy.

Fun papers, fun stickers, so many possibilities! Last chance to get some Arctic Frog items.

Visit Art Girlz Scrappin Attic to get this kit for yourself (or give as a gift). We've got lots more in store to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day -- we'll be having specials all month long.

10 Minute Cards -- REALLY!

Do you enjoy scrapbooking? Are you buried under paper scraps from your scrapbook pages?

Make cards with your scraps. Okay, so this is not a new idea, but the cards that can be made from scraps will probably put a smile on someone's face! Now that is worth every bit of effort.

I love to read craft magazines. I look at cards that are touted as "10 minute" cards. I must be a VERY slow paper crafter, because those are not 10 minute cards for me!

Do you notice that you may purchase stamp sets that coordinate with papers you fell in love with? I love flowers and have MANY floral stamp sets and it's no surprise that I have an abundance of floral papers too.

Wanting to preserve some of our family recipes, we made mini albums out of Flair Design's What's Cooking? collection. These papers are SO PERFECT for recipe albums (which we'll share at a later date).

Looking through stamp sets, we found a Stampin'Up! set with words relating to food! A perfect set to pair with our What's Cooking? papers.

Do you know a special person who has gone an extra mile to do a something nice for you? They would probably love to receive this card that tells them "You're the Berry Best".

Using some the following items:

* solid cardstock scraps,

* eyelets, buttons, hemp twine, magic mesh,

* and FRUIT STAND and SPICY DOTS papers from the "What's Cooking" collection,

we have made a quick card to brighten someone's day. What could be easier?

Just follow this simple sketch and you could make cards for any occasion. Change the papers and embellishments and it would look different each time.

Another card using these same papers, but a different sentiment quickly uses up more scraps. You could make several cards of each design and give a set of cards to someone as a gift.

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We're using the same papers as the first card, but a different sketch design.

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Definitely a 10 minute card. Even young crafters can try these cards. They can give to teachers or use as thank you's for birthday gifts.

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How about someone who LOVES coffee? Try this card:

The Espresso card could not be any easier!

1) make a card with 1/2 sheet of cardstock (cut 4 1/4" x 11). Fold down to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".

2) ink edges of vanilla color card with brown ink.

3) Cut piece of COFFEE TALK paper about 1/4" smaller than front of card (approximately 4 x 5 1/4"). Ink edges for more definition.

4) Before adhering to front of card, wrap piece of cotton twill (or ribbon) around width of card.

5) Add a piece of magic mesh for depth,

6) Ink a vanilla color paper flower (Prima), adhere to front of card.

7) Tie hemp twine through button and knot. Add button to center of flower with glue dot.

Try a few of these cards. Get your papers and other fun embellishments at Art Girlz Scrappin Attic, Ltd.