Art Girlz Scrapbook Nook

Simply Elegant Kit of the Month

Looking for something new? Our MAY Kit of the Month "Simply Elegant" has a lot to offer. Featuring My Mind's Eye "Bohemia" collection papers, acetate overlay, Maya Road chipboard swirls, Imaginisce brads, BasicGrey fibers, Autumn Leaves clear stamp, and cork sheet.

Sketches specially designed for this paper are included. Also a number of techniques to use cork, transparency sheet, clear stamp and acrylic paint.

This kit is TOTALLY about TECHNIQUES!

Happy National Scrapbooking Day ... join us all month for specials and more special kits.

Scrapbook in a Box -- Explosion Box Gift

I've seen these "Explosion Boxes" on websites and magazines. But never made one because the directions seemed too complicated! But a wonderful scrapping friend showed me an easy way to make this box -- and I'm so excited to give it to my mother as a gift.

The box assembly is SO easy!!!  The most difficult part was choosing the papers -- I found these papers that I fell in love with. They have embossed areas (flowers) on them. How cool is that? It's like you stamped & embossed on the papers, but no work involved in my part.

This is the box all put together. If you present it as a gift, make sure to hold it by the bottom or have some ribbon tied all the way around so that the bottom doesn't just fall away. I've added photos and lots of embellishments so the explosion box part is rather heavy. I also used high quality cardstock (Bazzill) to add stability when adding photos and "stuff" on the pages. I rounded the corners of the inside "flaps" because I just really didn't like the square corners / tips after I was working with it. It's just preference, you don't have to round the corners, you could even use a decorative corner punch to hold the photos in place!

This project takes one 12x12 sheet of cardstock for the bottom of the box, a 7 1/2 (square) piece for the box top, and one to two pieces of 12x12 cardstock for the inside pages/flaps. Depends on how many layers you want. A rather inexpensive project, but it packs a LOT of WOW! power.

Lift off the top and you have a surprise inside -- scrapbook in a box?!

The contents begin to reveal themselves ... the side flaps will tend to fold out, although not completely flat. The more thick embellishments you add to your pages (flaps) the quicker it will "pop" open.

We added photos to every flap on front & back. You can add just a few photos and add journaling on the other side. There really are no rules for decorating.

You could punch a hole in one page (flap) and have it peek through to the next one!?

Here are several of the pages as you can fold and unfold the different sides:

1) First set of photos you see when you open the box.

2) fold over one flap you have more photos.

3) Had fun using two photos about 5 years apart ... my daughter has same pose. Peace!

4) Add as many embellishments as you can fit on a page!

5) Put a large photo on 2 flaps. Measured where I wanted to put this photo on the page, cut the photo so that it could fold.

Altered Office Supplies -- Jumbo Paper & Binder Clips

Several manufacturers have come out with altered paper clips -- but if you make your own ... you can make the design & colors match your projects.

  I used some of my favorite papers by Stampin'Up! The papers came in a coordinating set, so matching colors or patterns was not necessary. It's easier when that work is done for you.

I started by making the JUMBO PAPER CLIPS. The clips I used are about 4" long. Found them in an office supply store. When they say JUMBO, they really mean JUMBO.

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Making the JUMBO PAPER CLIP:

1) Using round (nesting) punches in sizes 1 3/8 and 1 1/4", cut the smaller circle out of printed paper and the larger circle out of solid cardstock.

2) Attach the punched round pieces to the clip by using foam dots or pop-up glue dots.

3) Attach front and back pieces at the top of the clip, making a "sandwich" with the clip on the inside of two circles.

4) Tie ribbons on one side of the paper clip (as shown).

5) Punch brad through flower. We layered a smaller flower on top of a larger flower. Mixing and matching styles. Using glue dot, attach to front circle.

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USE these clips for: bookmarks, embellishments on scrapbook pages or home decor.

These altered jumbo clips are simple, quick to make, and inexpensive. Best of all, you can use up small pieces of scrap ribbon, paper and other items you have in your stash.

These make great gifts for teachers, co-workers and fellow paper crafters!

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*Supplies needed for making the jumbo BINDER CLIPS...

Making the JUMBO BINDER CLIP:

There are many ways to use these binder clips and even more ways to embellish them. I have shown just one way to decorate these office supplies.

1) cut printed paper the same width as the binder clip (these are 2"). Measure the length from front around bottom to the back. I used pieces that were slightly longer than I needed, and folded over the extra. Use glue dots to attach paper. This seems the easiest adhesive to use and the strongest. We do like to use glue sticks, but we couldn't get them in the corners or curves.

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Use glue dots at the two top corners of clip (front & back) and the bottom. (See photos of binder clip showing how paper is wrapped around clip.)

Be sure to add adhesive to the bottom of the clip. This gives the clip a firm base and it will stand very stable.

This was one of those "learning" moments. The first ones we made we only glued the front and back and not the bottom, and they were unstable.

To give weight to the bottom of these clips, you may want to glue something small, such as flat glass marble on the inside bottom of the clip.

  We are making these clips to use as photo holders or mini note holders. These clips can also be used for name holders at place settings for a special event. You could spray paint the clip any color and then decorate too! These have a black rubbery material at the end of the clips which helps hold photos or notes. However, you can purchase other clips without this -- especially if you want to spray paint them a uniform color.

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2) After wrapping base of clip, cut a slim strip of paper to wrap around the base of the clip. In our sample, we used printed paper that was not very thick, so we cut it twice as wide as we needed and folded to give it more stability.

  3) Using glue dots, attach the pink stripe paper. Start in the middle of the back side and wrap all around clip.

4) Cut piece of ribbon long enough to wrap around clip and tie in front. Attach with glue dot in the back and wrap around to front and tie in knot.

After decorating with the paper and ribbon, attach any other embellishments you would like. Attach several ribbons around the clip, or beads or buttons!

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Since these clips are so small, chipboard shapes and alphabet monograms would work wonderfully.

The possibilities are endless -- die cuts, chipboard, stickers, beads, buttons, felt. Even add 3-Dimensional items!

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Close-up of completed binder clip. See the pink stripe paper and orange grosgrain ribbon around the clip. This "hides" the hinge area.

The lime is an embellishment we made from some left-over kids fun foam! We'll be putting the tutorial for the lime on our site soon!

The completed binder clips and paper clips -- using coordinating papers, ribbons and embellishments. We made a dozen of each of these items in less than an hour. To do this, we cut all the pieces before starting assembly (after careful measuring).

If you want additional embellishments, add them at any time! Glitter can be added to the lime piece to add some BLING!

Make Your Own Acrylic Embellishments -- PUBLISHED in "Scrap & Stamp Arts" Magazine

Check out the February/March 2008 edition of Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine (scroll down page to see this current issue)! You'll find an article on making your own "acrylic embellishments" using brass stencils (typically used for dry embossing). We submitted this idea -- and our cards & scrapbook pages have been published!

We think it is a great way to look at the products and accessories that you already own, and use them in a different way. The photos really don't show these embellishments off as well as in person -- they are really much more 3-D and detailed than in the magazine photos.

If you haven't tried this magazine, look for it in stores or get a subscription. They feature cards, scrapbooks, home decor items and techniques each month!

BasicGrey Valentine Cards -- BLUSH paper collection

I'm a big fan of BasicGrey papers. So far, there hasn't been one of their paper collections I didn't like. Of course, there are some that are more favorite than others. BLUSH is one of those favorites. It's been referred to as a VALENTINE paper collection, but it can be used anytime!

We've made some VALENTINE cards using BasicGrey's BLUSH card kit. There was cardstock, chipboard, die-cuts, rub-ons and more. And the directions in the kit were so easy to follow (mostly pictures). This certainly helped simplify making cards.

Speaking of SIMPLIFY ... look at the cards in magazines and you'd think everyone spends hours on each card, using every embellishment or tool that was ever made. This simply isn't realistic for someone who actually wants to SEND cards! Sometimes, SIMPLE IS BETTER.

This tall & thin rectangle card is not the usual A2 (4 1/4 x 5 1/2") card. Just because we're trying to simplify doesn't mean we can't have some fun!

The design of this card is so simple, yet quite effective. The red heart is a shaped die-cut, the heart layered on top was just plain chipboard with paper glued on top. Then sand the edges.

Add a little rub-on sentiment and you're all finished with this card.

The next card is a square card which can be made any size. Square is sometimes very easy to work with as it's sort of like a scrapbook page (12x12, 6x6, 8x8).

This square card uses a LARGE PRINT for the background. Would you have thought to use such a pattern? Many of us would not. But it works well here, combined with 2 chipboard hearts that have been covered in coordinating paper. Each heart also has a rub-on sentiment.

We have the base card pink Bazzill cardstock, then brown BLUSH paper which we ripped, and then we layered the patterned paper on top. It's so simple, you could easily use this same SKETCH with a variety of papers and colors and not get bored.

Another square card, this time with a white base. The papers that were layered on top of the white base have rounded corners (that corner rounder punch comes in handy!). Look carefully at this SKETCH design. Two different prints divide the card -- stripe on bottom and pink square/floral on top. Then several strips of other coordinating BLUSH papers were added across the center of the card. Add two cardstock hearts layered one on top of the other and some rub-ons and this card is complete.

This card is really thinking outside of the BOX! It's a ROUND CARD. Fold cardstock in half, then cut a circle leaving about 1 to 2" at the top for the fold.

This card is SUPER simple. Take some scrap pieces of printed BLUSH papers. Cut different widths or lengths and layer on front of card (making a background).  For a different look, try using strips of ribbon (use up those scraps) or solid cardstock with stamped images.

Layer a large heart die-cut and chipboard heart over the scrap paper pieces. Don't forget a sentiment ... looks cute on the top heart.

The next card is another square card with a large square of chocolate with a layer of red paper on top. Cover the chipboard letters with brown and sand edges, do same with heart shape, and add XOXO rub-ons. Using small scrap pieces slightly larger than chipboard letters, cut 4 squares of different solid or print papers. Add the squares and the letters to the card as shown. A little rub-on sentiment at the bottom of the card sompletes this very cute and quick card.

Like we said, BLUSH papers are not just for VALENTINE's DAY. How about Anniversaries? Here's a cute anniversary card. Another long rectangular card, folded at the top. Take a strip of printed paper the length of the card and attach about 2/3 way down. Attach large die-cut printed heart and layer XO chipboard letters on top of the heart. Add rub-ons to make it truly unique.

These cards were designed by BasicGrey and all the materials came in the kit. Some of you just HAVE to add brads, ribbons, glitter or other embellishments. If you must, you must. But sometimes, it's just nice to go totally SIMPLE.

Slide Mounts -- A Fancy Scrapbook Embellishment

For many young people, the term "slide mount" is foreign. Many don't even know what "slide film" is ... and some have never seen "film" cameras! With the advent of digital cameras, no one really shoots "slides" anymore. For those who are old enough to remember: you had to mark "up" on the slides and then set them in the carousel, set up the screen, turn off the lights, and sit and watch the photos from the slides come alive! This was mostly a family affair, dragging out the projector and screen at holidays. As the "kids" got older, we'd sit and watch the slides when we were "young" and laugh, eat popcorn like at the movies and have a good time.

Slide mounts have been a scrapbook and stamping embellishment for a while. Many people pass these up because they are plain, not the right color, etc. But these lowly slide mounts can turn into the belle of the ball with just a little embellishing.

We'll show you one way to dress up your slide mounts (you may use the plastic or cardboard type):

1) Gather your slide mount & embellishments: magic mesh (dottie ann style used here), ribbon, buttons and stamped sentiment.                                        

2) Cover the white plastic slide mount with the dottie ann. Peel backing off and it is self-stick. Very easy to use, and it is the same size as the slide mount! Just make sure to cut the piece slightly longer than the slide mount to overlap the top & bottom.

3) After sticking the mesh to the front of the slide, flip it over and fold over excess. To make the center area clean, cut an X shape in the mesh. Start from the middle and cut diagonally across to each corner. (see photo). Fold back excess.

4) Embellish front of covered slide mount as desired. You may also cover the slide mounts with paper, tissue paper, napkins, aluminum foil & so much more!

5) Insert stamped sentiment into opening, a photo, or make this into a 3-d "Shaker Box" (Shaker Box directions coming soon).

Use those beautiful Handmade Cards in Scrapbooks

Happy New Year! It's time to start packing away the holiday decorations, and I've got a bunch of beautiful handmade cards from some very talented stampers & scrappers. Do I put them in a box, never to see the light of day again? Some of these are beautiful, watercoloring with Copic markers. In my opinion, the artwork rivals that of so-called "real artists".

But I just can not put these into a box. I have to display them, somehow. I have found that I can use the cards (cut them up and re-configure the elements) in scrapbook pages. For example, someone sends a beautiful stamped & watercolored winter scene -- you can add this to a scrapbook page for a special winter event ... or what you dream your winter looked like! (I'm still holdi ng out for some snow here in NC).

One of my Secret Sisters sent me a beautiful card. I know how much time and effort she must have put into this card ... and I was working on a scrapbook page of my garden ... and guess what? The colors she made the card were the same that I used for the scrapbook page, and the dragonfly image really fit. It couldn't have been more perfect! Now, when I open my scrapbook and look at that page, I remember this special secret sister. You may want to write their name and other info on the back of your page so you can keep in touch with the cardmaker.

Here is the first page of my 2-page garden spread, and then the second page has the beautiful sparkling dragonfly image from my secret sister's card.

  It's amazing that we used the SAME cardstock color (Stampin'Up! paper). These scrapbook pages were published in an issue of "Scrap & Stamp Arts Magazine". I have a whole article about using photos from your scrapbook pages, and then instead of discarding leftovers -- use them on cards. In this case I used flower images.

I have some very cute birthday cards that would be great additions to scrapbook pages. How about special Valentine cards? One of my daughters bought me a carnation at their Valentine school fundraiser, and it came with a heart tag and she wrote me a cute message. I know this is not acid-free because it's just plain old construction paper. But you can use it in your scrapbooks if you laminate it, or encase it in a page protector. I like to cut these up and use for "questionable" items -- items that probably aren't archival quality.

Another idea that I have used: POST CARDS on scrapbook pages. Seems I can NEVER get that perfect picture when I go somewhere, so I don't stress. I find a postcard and put it on the page. Many times people don't even know it's a post card. My daughters and I visited Washington, DC and the they were working on the Capitol building and there was scaffolding all around the dome ... not the picture I wanted. So, yea, I bought a postcard!

Try using some of those beautiful handmade cards, post cards, or even special cards sent to you by loved ones in your scrapbooks.

Recipe Book -- great holiday gift idea

I've been collecting a number of family recipes lately. Realizing that many were written in the handwriting of my mother or grandmothers, I wanted to save them in a special way. I decided to make color copies of the handwritten recipes -- so I could make several books to give to my daughters, sister, mother and one for myself!

I think everyone has had the 3x5 file card box for recipes. Along with some "hand me down" cook books, this was how I organized my first recipe collection. Over the years, the collection has grown, but the most favored recipes are the ones we use all the time.

I love FLAIR DESIGNS papers & embellishments. They have a collection of papers called What's Cooking? that is just perfect for recipe-themed projects. We're also thinking about using it for our Thanksgiving pictures.

We were reading Flair Designs blog to get some ideas, and found a great recipe book project!

This adorable project was made by April Derrick for Flair Designs. Go directly to Flair Designs blog, or see project below:

A Recipe Folder with Flair!

I have been looking forward to creating my own recipe folder for awhile now, and the What's Cooking Collection from Flair seemed the perfect choice to decorate it! Whenever I find a new recipe I would like to try, I scan it and print out a copy or tear out the magazine page and store it in a file folder. Right now I have a huge file folder with no organization, and it's driving me crazy. To remedy this, I purchased a three-ring binder with clear pockets on the outside to decorate which I'll use to organize and store the following:

* New Recipes to Try

* Recipes We Love to Make

* Special Holiday Recipes

* A Quick Pick List - This is a reference sheet I can refer to when I'm trying to think of something to make. I have cooked a lot of different dishes, however, whenever I sit down to plan meals for the week, or even for the night, I can usually only think of about three. In this section of the folder, I include a complete list of all the meals that my family likes to eat—some are newer ones for which I'll need to look up the recipe. Some are ones I've made several times, and I know them already by heart. If I make a new recipe, and the family gives it a thumbs-up, I add it to the Quick Pick List!

Note: I added colored dividers to separate the categories and included a couple of blank ones to allow for new sections.

April's Favorite Recipes Folder
by: April Derrick

Supplies:
* Patterned Paper - Flair Designs What's Cooking Collection: Bake-Off, What's Cooking, Spicy Dots
* Stickers - Flair Designs What's Cooking Cardstock Stickers
* Rub-Ons - Flair Designs Cocoa Rub-ons
* Cardstock - Kraft from Hobby Lobby
* 3-Ring Binder
* Ink - Clearsnap Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Chestnut Roan
* Adhesive - AdTech, Zots

I decorated the front and back cover, as well as the spine of the folder. I measured and cut three pieces of kraft cardstock to fit the openings of the clear pockets, then I added patterned paper and stickers on top of the cardstock. This made the panels a little sturdier and easier to push down in the covers without wrinkling. I also inked the edges of all the papers and stickers to give them a slightly distressed and more homey feel!

* Quick tip: I lifted the heart sticker out of its circle and inked the edges to help it stand out a little more. If I wasn't trying to squeeze it into the folder pocket, I would have added pop dots to the back of the heart to also add dimension!

Have a wonderful week,
April

P.S. Congrats to Shannon and Amy! Thanks for sharing about your holiday traditions.  

Find WHAT'S COOKING collection in our online store.

I have been looking forward to creating my own recipe folder for awhile now, and the What's Cooking Collection from Flair seemed the perfect choice to decorate it! Whenever I find a new recipe I would like to try, I scan it and print out a copy or tear out the magazine page and store it in a file folder. Right now I have a huge file folder with no organization, and it's driving me crazy. To remedy this, I purchased a three-ring binder with clear pockets on the outside to decorate which I'll use to organize and store the following:

* New Recipes to Try

* Recipes We Love to Make

* Special Holiday Recipes

* A Quick Pick List - This is a reference sheet I can refer to when I'm trying to think of something to make. I have cooked a lot of different dishes, however, whenever I sit down to plan meals for the week, or even for the night, I can usually only think of about three. In this section of the folder, I include a complete list of all the meals that my family likes to eat—some are newer ones for which I'll need to look up the recipe. Some are ones I've made several times, and I know them already by heart. If I make a new recipe, and the family gives it a thumbs-up, I add it to the Quick Pick List!

Note: I added colored dividers to separate the categories and included a couple of blank ones to allow for new sections.

April's Favorite Recipes Folder
by: April Derrick

Supplies:
* Patterned Paper - Flair Designs What's Cooking Collection: Bake-Off, What's Cooking, Spicy Dots
* Stickers - Flair Designs What's Cooking Cardstock Stickers
* Rub-Ons - Flair Designs Cocoa Rub-ons
* Cardstock - Kraft from Hobby Lobby
* 3-Ring Binder
* Ink - Clearsnap Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Chestnut Roan
* Adhesive - AdTech, Zots

I decorated the front and back cover, as well as the spine of the folder. I measured and cut three pieces of kraft cardstock to fit the openings of the clear pockets, then I added patterned paper and stickers on top of the cardstock. This made the panels a little sturdier and easier to push down in the covers without wrinkling. I also inked the edges of all the papers and stickers to give them a slightly distressed and more homey feel!

* Quick tip: I lifted the heart sticker out of its circle and inked the edges to help it stand out a little more. If I wasn't trying to squeeze it into the folder pocket, I would have added pop dots to the back of the heart to also add dimension!

Have a wonderful week,
April

P.S. Congrats to Shannon and Amy! Thanks for sharing about your holiday traditions.  

A Recipe Folder with Flair!

I have been looking forward to creating my own recipe folder for awhile now, and the What's Cooking Collection from Flair seemed the perfect choice to decorate it! Whenever I find a new recipe I would like to try, I scan it and print out a copy or tear out the magazine page and store it in a file folder. Right now I have a huge file folder with no organization, and it's driving me crazy. To remedy this, I purchased a three-ring binder with clear pockets on the outside to decorate which I'll use to organize and store the following:

* New Recipes to Try

* Recipes We Love to Make

* Special Holiday Recipes

* A Quick Pick List - This is a reference sheet I can refer to when I'm trying to think of something to make. I have cooked a lot of different dishes, however, whenever I sit down to plan meals for the week, or even for the night, I can usually only think of about three. In this section of the folder, I include a complete list of all the meals that my family likes to eat—some are newer ones for which I'll need to look up the recipe. Some are ones I've made several times, and I know them already by heart. If I make a new recipe, and the family gives it a thumbs-up, I add it to the Quick Pick List!

Note: I added colored dividers to separate the categories and included a couple of blank ones to allow for new sections.

April's Favorite Recipes Folder
by: April Derrick

Supplies:
* Patterned Paper - Flair Designs What's Cooking Collection: Bake-Off, What's Cooking, Spicy Dots
* Stickers - Flair Designs What's Cooking Cardstock Stickers
* Rub-Ons - Flair Designs Cocoa Rub-ons
* Cardstock - Kraft from Hobby Lobby
* 3-Ring Binder
* Ink - Clearsnap Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Chestnut Roan
* Adhesive - AdTech, Zots

I decorated the front and back cover, as well as the spine of the folder. I measured and cut three pieces of kraft cardstock to fit the openings of the clear pockets, then I added patterned paper and stickers on top of the cardstock. This made the panels a little sturdier and easier to push down in the covers without wrinkling. I also inked the edges of all the papers and stickers to give them a slightly distressed and more homey feel!

* Quick tip: I lifted the heart sticker out of its circle and inked the edges to help it stand out a little more. If I wasn't trying to squeeze it into the folder pocket, I would have added pop dots to the back of the heart to also add dimension!

Have a wonderful week,
April

P.S. Congrats to Shannon and Amy! Thanks for sharing about your holiday traditions.  

"Life Artist" by Ali Edwards

Have you seen the new book by Ali Edwards? It's called "LIFE ARTIST". I am a very big fan of Ali and have all of her other books. One of the other books I find most useful is the "A Designer's Eye for Scrapbooking with Patterned Papers". I only used solid papers and was afraid to use patterned ones. I admit I bought them, but didn't know what to do with them.

Then I read that she was coming out with a NEW book! It is called "Life Artist". I pre-ordered the book so that I didn't have to wait to find it in the stores! When I received it, I just looked at the pictures. This is something I usually do ... look at the pictures, and THEN read sometime later.

I was so captivated by her idea of being a LIFE ARTIST. Ali says that "scrapbooker" just doesn't describe what she (and most of us) do. I totally agree. I don't know about you, but I don't just make scrapbooks, I create all sorts of other home decor and gifts which incorporate photos, children's artwork and more.

This book is published by Creating Keepsakes, same as her other books. The pages are VERY thick paper. It's like a treat to look through this book. To give you some idea of what it's all about, CK has this information on their website:

"Follow along with Ali as she teaches you how to scrapbook your life moments and share your stories in a way that’s real, authentic and a true reflection of your personality. This book is a must-have for anyone who wants to take their scrapbooking to the next level!
Features include:
- Hundreds of new ideas to incorporate into your scrapbooking lifestyle
- Ali’s guiding philosophies behind becoming a life artist
- A variety of unique projects, including layouts, mini-albums, home décor and more"

But there is SO MUCH MORE in this book that makes it a must have. If you call yourself a "scrapbooker" when someone asks what you do, what hobby you enjoy, then this book is for you.

I also love to read Ali's Blog. It's not just about scrapbooking, but capturing those life moments.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October -- a busy month for most of us. But also a time to take a minute for yourself, for your girlfriends, daughters, sisters & mothers ... and remind them about the importance of getting regular mammograms. You see, this issue is very close to me: my grandmother passed away from breast cancer before my older daughter was born. She never got to see her first great-grandchild.

Before all the holiday festivities and shopping sprees start, think about all the women you love. And give them the best present of all ... a reminder to get tested. And if someone can't afford a mammogram, helping them pay for one would be a wonderful gift.

We're also celebrating WORLD CARD MAKING DAY this Saturday, October 6th. Wouldn't it be great to start making your holiday cards, AND spend some time making some "love you" cards for your mom, sister, friend & other important women in your life? We think it's worth it!