Summer Vacation Cartridge - My Dad Layout

I have finally gotten caught up with my life at home and work and so I am posting my first project using the Summer Vacation cartridge from Provo Craft. The layout uses the fun arrows from the cartridge. This layout was put together using leftover paper from The Guy Stack from Die Cuts with a View paper pack. I notice this layout is also ridiculously symetrical...I have to work on that but, by nature, I tend to put things in balance and so, unless I really focus, things tend to line up automatically. I will try and shake things up later this week.

The title to this layout is called "My Dad" and I plan to take pictures of my husband and my father-in-law to insert into the photo blocks. The words were stamped using the Giggle Caps alphabet from Close To My Heart in Dark Chocolate ink and layered on blue and brown cardstock to tie it into the photo mats.

The photo mat below highlights one of the fun arrows from the Summer Vacation cartridge. This arrow was cut at 2-1/2" and the edges were distressed with Chai ink. The mat was wrapped in Oatmeal-colored ribbon to add some shine. I chose to make the arrow appear to be coming out from behind the photo.

The final photo is a close up of the other smaller arrow (cut at 1-3/4") coming out from behind the journaling block to point out the upcoming writing. I liked the combination of all the different designer paper from the Guy Stack. They are easy to mix and match and throwing in some complimentary green, blue and brown makes it all come together.

All supplies are PTI unless otherwise noted

Stamps: Giggle Caps (CTMH)
Ink: Dark Chocolate and Chai, Chestnut Roan (Colorbox Chalk)
Cardstock: Brown and Green (CTMH), Blue (Bazill), Pattern Paper (The Guy Stack - DCWV)
Embellishments: Oatmeal Ribbon (Offray)
Tools: Arrows (Summer Vacation Cartridge - ProvoCraft), pop dots

I hope you enjoyed this layout. I know that this cartridge is going to get a lot of use on layouts as I have a number of vacation pictures to get caught up on and this series will help me get them done.

Have a wonderful evening/day and, as always, happy crafting!

Father's Day Cards - PTI Masuline Motifs & Operation Write Home

Hello Everyone,

I am back with some card photos. The first 2 cards were done as a part of my Operation Write Home Father's Day Card Campaign. I ended up making 95 cards for dad this year. The individual photos below use a new favorite stamp set of mine - Masculine Motifs - by Papertrey Ink. I was not able to get too fancy with it as I had to pump through as many cards as I could hande this past weekend but you get the idea. This is a clean and simple card with just a few layers and some ink. The patterned paper was from a fun stack from Die Cuts With a View (DCWV) called "The Guy Stack" which I picked up at 40% off at Joann's recently. Great paper for any maculine cards you need to make for someone.

The second card uses the same layout but with some different background paper and a few scraps of ribbon that I thought worked nicely with the card.

And here is what 95 Father's Day cards look like on my work table. They are on there way to Operation Write Home today along with about 40 other miscellaneous cards ("Thinking of You" and "Miss You" etc).

All supplies are PTI unless otherwise noted

Stamps: Masculine Motifs
Ink: Dark Chocolate
Cardstock: Patterned Paper (DCWV - The Guy Stack), Brown Cardstock (Bazzill)
Embelishments: Second Card - Oatmeal Ribbon (Offray)
Tools: Glue Dots, Pop Dots

I hope you enjoyed the post today. Come back tomorrow when I hope to have a new layout completed for you highlighting the new Summer Vacation Solution cartridge from Provo Craft.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

The Bow Easy

The post for today is informational only. I spent the weekend making 95 Father's Day cards for Operation Write Home (yes, I did type 95!) and was so tired out that there were no other cards or layouts left in me. I will take some photos of some of the cards and post them later this week. So, I hope you enjoy this post...

Today's post is all about a great little tool I read about on a number of yahoo group emails so I had to investigate. The product is call the Bow Easy and as the name proves it is a tool that makes it easy to create a bow for any project. I can do a decent bow but it is time consuming so I don't use the bow as often as I would like. The picture below is the Bow Easy.

There are 2 sizes you can buy for the Bow Easy.  I have the smaller size (pictured above) but could see a use for a larger one at some point. For more information on how to get the Bow Easy and see a video using it check out the following links. And, "no", I am not being compensated in any way to promote this product. I just like to share good finds with the blog world when I find them.

Using the Bow Easy (a video tutorial): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd1kEmw7F5E and http://stamptv.ning.com/video/how-to-use-it-the-bow-easy

Where can I purchase a Bow Easy? The following links show the deals I found: http://www.susanascustomartandcarddesign.com/proddetail.php?prod=MSC-001

http://shop.ginakdesigns.com/category.sc;jsessionid=A73E6F11686DA5156FD360E93A01AEDD.qscstrfrnt02?categoryId=114

Happy crafting everyone!

Die Storage (PTI Dies)

I want to share a fun new storage idea I found while browsing through my local archivers...the Quickutz Magnetic Storage Book! This folder is 8" x 10" when closed and about 3/4" thick. It retails for $12.99. I purchased it at Archivers and was able to use my 30% off coupon. I prefer my storage to close up or be easily hidden. I have boxes with top (and labels of course) and things put away. The only "stuff" I like exposed to public view are my buttons, ribbon and markers. It makes for a neat craft area. Here is what the book looks like closed on my desk...

And here is what the book looks like when open. With both sides being magnetic you can get a bunch of dies inside. It would be tall enough to have the 9" ric-rac and scallop border dies too...I just don't have any yet. I only have a few dies in here but can see the potential. It is easy to throw in your bag for crops and slips nicely on a shelf in your craft area.  I have plenty of room for the new dies I have coming soon.

This is not the way to store the Impression Plates as they are too large and would fill the book up too quickly. I currently store them (I only have 2 so far) in a platic container that looks similar to the way SU stamps are stored. I found these containers in the dollar aisle at Michaels.

I hope you find this storage idea helpful. Have a wonderful weekend and happy crafting!

Father's Day Card with a little help from Tim Holtz

Today's post is the Father's Day card I mentioned in yesterday's blog. The card has so much going on so the supply list below is quite extensive. This card started out with my trip to Archivers on Sunday. I was there to use my 30% off coupon to buy the new Independence Day Solutions cartridge from Cricut when I was invited to "play" with some of the new Tim Holtz products from Ranger. I never miss an opportunity to "play" so I jumped in with both feet or hands I guess.

The project made at the store was the bird, cage and small background. I started with the bird and its cage which was cut using a new Sizzix Die from Tim Holtz's Alertations product line. I then used Distress Ink to stamp the images on the cage and bird using Tim Holtz's stamps from his Stamper's Anonymous Line. The swirl stamp on the background was stamped using white paint from Adirondack Paint Dabbers. This is where the product is important for the Resist Technique. I dried the paint with a heat gun to set it in before doing any more inking. Once dried I used an ink foam tool to apply the Distress Inks to the paper in a swirling motion making sure to swirl ink right over the image stamped in white paint until I had the look I wanted. Once done, I tool a damp paper towel and wiped over the white stamped image to bring back the bright white. This is the resist technique. Basically, the painted image "resists" absorbing the distress ink so once wiped clean it stands out beautifully against the inked background. Often this technique is used with embossing powder instead of paint so this was a nice learning experience for me too. Check out a link near the end of the blog with Tim Holtz demonstrating this technique personally.

Once the background was complete I finished off the bird with some Distress Stickles and set them with a heat gun to dry. Once dry I popped the bird and card off the background and used hemp to connect the cage to the background. I matted the background onto a piece of soft sage colored cardstock and wrapped the lower portion with a bow using Spring Moss ribbon.

The sentiment was stamped in Dark Chocolate ink on a matching piece of soft sage cardstock, cut out with an oval punch and distressed on the edges with my Cat's Eye Inks (since I was at home and no longer had access to all the beautiful Distress Inks). This oval was popped up using my trusty pop dots onto a piece of Creamy Caramel cardstock punched out with a new punch I purchased at Joanns. The base punch received the same distressing treatment with the Cat's Eye inks and them popped onto the soft sage cardstock under the bow. The entire piece was then place on the Creamy Caramal card base which I cut at 8"x8"  and folded in half for a different shape to my card (4"x8").

Supplies

Card Stock: Creamy Caramel (SU); misc light sage

Stamps: Daily Design Sentiments (PTI), Shabby French, Ultimate Grunge (Tim Holtz)

Ink: Sentiment - Dark Chocolate (PTI), Background & Bird/Cage - Walnut Stain, Tea Dye, Faded Jeans, Peeled Paint, Mustard Straw and Spiced Marmalade (Ranger Distress Inks), Punched items - Olive Pastel, Yellow Cadmium, Rouge and French Blue (Colorbox)

Dies: Bigz Caged Bird (Sizzix - designed by Tim Holtz)

Punches: Real Estate Sign (EK Success), Large Oval (SU)

Accessories: Spring Moss Ribbon (PTI)

Misc: Stickles - Peeled Paint & Milled Lavendar (Ranger Distress Stickles), Snow Cap paint (Adirondack Paint Dabber)

Technique: Paint Dabber Resist
To check out Tim Holtz personally explaining the technique I have used above please check out the following website: http://www.timholtz.com/vid_dabber-resist.htm

There was a lot going on today with this card and I appreciate your patience in getting through the whole post. I usually don't get this fancy with my cards but once in a while it is a nice change. I hope you enjoyed this post and I want to encourage you to come back tomorrow for more of an informational post on how I store my small dies from Papertry Ink as well as information on the Bow Easy.

As always, happy crafting everyone!

Winter Woodland Layout

The second and final project in my Winter Woodland cartridge series is a 2 page layout from the Great Snow Storm of 2000 entitled "Winter Fun". This layout uses more Basic Grey Dasher paper and I am having fun with the snowmen in this cricut cart.

The left side of the 2 page layout shows my husband and step-son sledding down the street by our house. They had a blast. Don't you think the snowman is adorable?

Here is a close up of the title. Typically I use  patteren paper as the base and the solid card stock for the lettering. I have changed it up here and really like the effect.

Here is a close up of snowman number one (on the left page). I dolled him up in blue and added a snowflake brad to his hat. I layered the snowman on top of white cardstock that I distress with my Chai Ink Cube. Then I added another layer of snow on top of the snowman to give him a little depth.

My final picture is a close up of my girly snowwoman. I used pink and red and gave her a snowflake brad as well. She is also popped up and placed behind another layer of snow to give her the same dimension I gave her male counterpart on the opposite page.

Supplies

Paper: Dasher Line by Basic Grey

Card Stock: PTI, Bazzill, Misc Scraps

Ink: Vintage Tea Duo - Chai (PTI)

Accessories: White Snowflake Brads

Cartridge: Winter Woodland (Title Cut at 4", Snowmen cut at 7")

Tomorrow's post will be a Father's Day card I created for my husband to give his dad. I went to Archivers this weekend got to play with some of the new Tim Holtz products he designed for Sizzix as well as his product with Ranger. I took the pieces I made at the "make-n-take", added some other bits and pieces I had at home, and combined them all to make a very nice card.

Mother's Day Card (PTI)

Hello Everyone,

Today I am posting the Mother's Day card I made for my husband to give his mom. The card base is white with Kraft card stock on top. The background is Spring Rain run through my cuttlebug with the Picnic Plaid Impression Plate. I really like the detail of the impression plates. I can't wait for my new ones to arrive.

The focal point of the flowers is made with the Delightful Dahlias stamp set (PTI). I made this card at a recent crop and did not have my Copics or Memento Ink with me so I used my Pure Poppy ink over some generic white card stock I had and instead of coloring I decided to add some small buttons. The leaves and flowers were layered on the card using pop dots.

I stamped the sentiment on white card stock and matted it with more Kraft paper and then wrapped it all up with some white ribbon. The side view shows you the dimension and textures I was able to get with this card between the layered flowers/leaves, the texture from the impression plate, the buttons with hemp twine and the ribbon. Hubby really likes this card and I know my MIL will adore it.

Stamps: Delightful Dahlias (PTI)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Clean and Simple), Pure Poppy, New Leaf (PTI)
Paper: Spring Rain, Kraft, New Leaf (PTI), White card stock
Accessories: Picnic Plaid Impression Plate (PTI), White Ribbon (Offray), Delightful Dahlias Die Collection (PTI), Yellow Buttons (Misc), Hemp (SU)

Tomorrow's post will be the second layout in the Winter Woodland series. This will be a 2-page layout featuring more pictures from the Great Snow Storm of 2000.

Have a wonderful day everyone and, as always, Happy Crafting!

Winter in April. Really?

Just on paper! Today I am posting a picture of a really cute layout  I made this weekend at my swarm. I had a bunch of photos from a winter storm Raleigh had in 2000 where we got about 20 inches of snow. For Raleigh, North Carolina that is a huge event. Life here stops with 1inch so you can imagine how 20 inches impacted the area...not a battery, roll of toilet paper, loaf of bread or gallon of milk for miles...if you live here you know what I mean.

I am also breaking a bit of a rule as you will see my pictures in the layout...no journaling yet but you will get to see my mother-in-law and my husband. They are both taking a break from snow shoveling. I figure they are both over 21 and can handle the exposure with grace. I have a policy of not showing any pictures of the kids in my family just to be safe.

In this picture I am using up some old Basic Grey and Bazzill paper. The Dark Chocolate paper is PTI. The snowflake in the middle of the "O" was cut in the blue card stock and then covered in Dazzling Diamonds glitter (SU) after covering it with glue from my Zig Glue Pen. As a shout out to my MIL, she is 72 years old in this picture and helping my husband shovel snow out of our driveway as she was visiting that weekend and got stuck due to the snow. I have to give her credit because she is now almost 81 years old and would still be out there shoveling snow...she is in awesome shape!

The final picture is a close up of the title block. This shape is cut at 4". I just love the detail in the word "Day" and the swirls at the end of the letters.

This week there will only be 2 projects highlighted from the Winter Woodland cartridge. I figure you will see projects from this card around the holidays and I am refining my process and thought I would try focusing on scrapbooking for the the Cricut cartridges and using all my stamps for cards on the other days. I have a bunch to share with everyone this week. The upcoming weekend is going to be a Father's Day card marathon as my deadline for Operation Write Home is looming large on the horizon (May 15th). You would think that almost a month would be an easy deadline but I usually make 75 to 100 cards plus random "Thinking of You" and "Miss You" cards so my bundle is usually around 150 cards each time. I am hoping to sneak in a bunch of birthday cards too so we will see...I will keep you posted.

Tomorrow's card will be the Mother's Day card I made for my husband to give to his mom (see picture above) using all my PTI goodies. Have a wonderful Monday and happy crafting!

Just Because Cards Layout

Today is the final post for projects made with the Just Because Cards cartridge. As you can see it is a layout. I was inspired to do this layout when I was handed this paper by Amy at Archivers. It is by We R Memory Keepers and is the SunSplashed line which is exclusive to Archivers. I remembered the "You Make Me Melt" card and the popsicles and realized this was the layout I wanted to make. The pictures which will be inserted are of my husband. The title of the page was done in orange cardstock scrap as the base with blue card stock added on top (both colors were from my scrap bin).

The first popsicle was cut at 10" (remember that this cartridge is a but different in dimensions because it is based on the size of the card and doesn't factor in that I am using it for a layout so it is really not 10" in legth - more like 7"). The popsicle was made with Dark Chocolate (PTI), Kraft (PTI) and scrap orange card stock. I ran the orange paper through my Xyron and then sprinkled with some glitter (SU). I love how the popsicle I made coordinates with the glitter paper by We R Memory Keepers.

The final photo is a close up of the blue popsicle and the chocolate ribbon (Offray) used to decorate the photo mat. I am just so pleased with the end result on these popsicles. They were easy (if not a bit messy) to make so I will have to make an effort to use more glitter in future. The blue popsicle (made from scraps) was cut at 7" and is really more like 3-4" in actual size. 

I hope you enjoyed this layout and all the projects using this cartridge. I am not sure which cartridge I will be using next week so we can all be surprised.

Before I sign off I want to do a special shout out the the PTI Paper Dolls...I look forward to all of our crafting adventures together!

Happy Friday and Happy Crafting!

On My Couch and Additions Cards

Today's post is all about a cozy chair and friendship. I am focusing on a wonderful stamp set design by an incredibly talented woman named Lisa Johnson. For proof of her brilliance please visit her blog (it is a must for daily viewing). The sets I am using are On My Couch and On My Couch Additions sold by Papertrey Ink (PTI).

The first photo highlights the Picnic Plaid impression plate thanks to the distressing provided by the Chamomile ink cube. It has a shabby, comfortable look. The bright red of the Pure Poppy paper and ink contrast with the white embossed background.

The close up of the scene highlight the great details found in this set. The books and mugs are colored with some of my Copic markers. The books and the mug were stamped using Memento Black Ink - which allows me to color with Copics and avoid any blurring of the ink and markers.

The second card is so fun. I like the idea of 2 chairs side by side. The color combination I chose was Berry Sorbet and Aqua Mist. I reversed the colors for the pillows. The rug was stamped with Spring Moss to help ground the chairs. The table and accesories were stamped with Dark Chocolate ink and Memento Black ink so I could have fun coloring with my Copics. For some reason this picture is a but dark but the next picture is a close up.

This close up shows you the colors a bit better as well as my coloring mistakes (oops on the the wall flower). I love this light springy color combination. It has been announced that this set of stamps will now have a set of coordinating dies available so I don't have to cut out the chair and couch (not used in this blog entry). I see a layout in my future with these sets as I have some great photos of my husband and step-son snoozing away on a cozy chair and sofa...

I hope you enjoyed these entries. I love the chairs so much I just purchased PTI's newly released Chair-ished (another fabulous design by Lisa) as well as the dies that match the stamp sets used above (so cute).. Come back tomorrow for my final post in my Just Because Card cartridge series. And, as always, HAPPY CRAFTING!

Just Because Cards - Layout

Today's post is a simple layout using images from the Just Because Cards cartridge. I like to think that I can use images designed for cards on layouts so here is my first attempt. The background paper on this layout is from K & Company (Citronella Clouds). I just love the fun clouds and I think they are perfect companion for the rocket image. The colors used are black, white, red, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, orange and blue. Other than the SU papers the rest are really scraps. You will see a bunch of scraps in my cards and layouts as I am making a concerted effort to use up all my stash. This layout is devoid of ribbon and buttons...can you believe it! I did manage to sneak in some colored brads though...this is really a very basic layout. Once I know what pictures I will use I may jazz it up some more but overall I think this simple layout works...remember, the goal is to get those pictures on a page and move on to the next set of photos!

The title and the journaling block both use the card front shape for the rocket card (card #10 in the cartridge handbook). I basically cut them at different sizes (a difference of a 1/4" each for the two bottom layers and 1/2" for the top layer) and then layered them and attached some color-coordinating brads. The title is the sentiment from the card and uses the Certainly Celery cardstock as the base with a red paper layer on top.

The rocket is adorable. I like the wide shadow on the image which makes it look so childlike. You can can reduce the size of the shadow to get a closer fit. The rocket was cut at 11". Yes, the dimensions are different as they are cut based on the size of the card and are not automatically adjusted for my 12x12 scrapbook page. The colors are fun and I think it works well with the youthful style of the cloud background paper. The colors themselves are shades of the primary colors (except the red) and soften the look. The mats for each of the photos are closely trimmed so as not to detract from the rocket and title but still connect back to those focal images with their color.

I hope you enjoyed this layout. I look forward to the layout for Friday---once I figure out what it will be.

Tomorrow's post will highlight 2 new stamp sets I purchased from Papertrey Ink (On My Couch and On My Couch Additions).  I am showcasing 2 cards that will make you smile (I hope).

Once again, happy crafting peeps!

Embellishmagazine.com Color Challenge (Black, Red, White & Kraft)

Today's post is my response to the Embellishmagazine.com Color Challenge. The colors required are red, black, white and kraft. The theme was a party. I decided to make a gift bag and coordinating card and just about everything was done use Papertrey Ink products. The first photo is of both the gift bag and the card. I used PTI paper, stamps and ink for everything. The ribbon is Offray and the buttons, kraft bag and floss were from my personal un-named stash. The ribbon was made using the Bow Easy (which I love).

The bag close up shows the Polka Dot Basics stamp used on the black cardstock. The pure poppy card stock was run through the cuttlebug with my Polka Dots Basics II impression plate to give me the raised impression. Then I ran my white ink across it gently in circular motions to give me a white swirl effect. The tag on the bag was made using the Fillable Frames #1 die with the sentiment coming from my Daily Designs Sentiment set.

The card uses the Fillable Frames #1 die again but this time I cut the image out of the front of the kraft card stock and stamped the sentiment from the Fillable Frames #1 stamp set inside the card. The front of the card received the same treatment as the bag with the dots impression plate and white ink. Added to the top is a small white bow (double bow actually - thank you Bow Easy).

I hope you enjoyed this project. Come back tomorrow to see my latest layout using the Just Because Cards cartridge. As always, happy crafting!

Bee Happy Card

Today I am showing you my first project using the Just Because Cards cartridge. This cartridge is wonderful and pretty versatile as I plan to do layouts for my last 2 projects (check back Wednesday and Friday). But for today, I have chosen a fun card. I have notices that besides owls and butterflies I am seeing more bees. I must admit that I really like the bumble bee image so when I saw this cute cloud paper at ACM I thought they would be a great combination. The cardstock is creamy caramel and so saffron from SU. The blue wings and brown shadow paper were taken from my various card stock scraps. The antennae have cute little pearls atached as I thought it went well with the faux stitching. I picked up the stitching from the clouds in the background paper and added it to the wings and card edge. The card and the images were all cut at 5" and allowed me to use 8-1/2" x 11" paper rather than pull out the 12"x12". The card is not quite A2 size but should fit in an A2 envelope. All in all I think it is a cute and simple card that came together quickly.

Tomorrow's post will show off my Embellishmagazine.com entry for their color challenge. Check out their blog to see the colors and themes I had to work with for the project: http://embellishmagazine.com/blog/.
Later in the week I will also post some photos of some cards I made using my new PTI stamps - On My Couch and On My Couch Additions. These are the cutest stamps and I look forward to many more cards and even a layout or two using them.

Have a wonderful Monday and, as always, happy crafting!

From My Kitchen Layout #2

Happy Friday Everyone!

Today's post is another single page layout (12x12) using the From My Kitchen Cartridge. This layout highlights some great Die Cuts With a View (DCWV) paper from the Guy Stack. I foresee many Operation Write Home Father's Day cards using this pad of paper.

This layout pays tribute to the backyard barbeque and the manly men that work the grill. This layout has 2 photo blocks (4x4 and 4x6) and a small journaling block. Each of these are double-matted The grill was cut at 5-1/2" inches as was the spatula. The cardstock was some from my collection that coordinates with the paper so I don't have the name but the colors are a deep teal, burgundy and chocolate. The ribbon is Offray (chocolate).

My goal for the weekend is to get a head start on next weeks projects so look for fun designs using the Just Because Cards cartridge and my attempt at a Color Challenge and a Publication Call  for EmbellishMagazine.com using my fabulous Papertrey Ink supplies.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Happy crafting!

My Pink Stamper Gallery

Hello Everyone,

I just thought I would let you know that one of my scrapbook pages is currently be shown in the Gypsy Wanderings Gallery on the My Pink Stamper website...

http://picasaweb.google.com/mypinkstampergallery/GypsyWanderings

If you visit the site you will find my page with "Queen" as the title (there is a second page that goes with this layout that was not posted). I will go through my photos as home and try and post pictures of the second page as well.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday afternoon!

CPS Card Sketch #161

Hello again everyone. Here is the latest CPS card sketch that I thought I would share. I think I am going to try and make a card this week and link it back to CPS to try and win a prize. If anyone is interested in joining me go to the CPS website and check it out: http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/

From My Kitchen Card

This is a silly little card I made once I noticed that the cartridge had a pig and the word "barbeque" on it. For those who live or grew up in the South you will appreciate the reference. This isn't one of my best cards but it makes me smile. The sentiment was from an old stamp set and stamped in Clear and Simple Tuxedo Black Ink. The background paper is So Saffron from SU. The pink, black and green paper are card stock scraps. The ribbon is Offray (white) and I used my white siglo gel pen (not to great effect but I am working on it).

I hope you enjoyed this silly card. The next project (Friday) will be another layout. I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday and happy crafting!

Six Minute Scrapbooker

So I was in my local Wal-Mart this weekend to pick up some odds and ends and found a bunch of items on clearance. In the clearance section I found a bunch of 6 Minute Scrapbooker kits. I have seen them at my local AC Moore and Michaels and haven't wanted to spend the money. Well, they are normally $12.99 but they were now reduced down to $4.00. Well, now was my chance to try them out. The following are pictures of what I was able to do with these kits.

Okay, now this set was a blast to use. For $4 I was able to create 6 fun birthday layouts. I used their basic design ideas and tweaked, blinged and just had a fun time playing with them. The quality of the paper, stickers and chipboard stickers was great. Now, this product assumes that you follow their instructions precisely to create each layout in 6 minutes. Now, if I did that it would have taken me six minutes. Of course, I had to make some changes and coordinate the pages to work with photos I already have so now I can say that I spent about an hour and a half and finished 6 layouts - 3 layouts are already filled with photos and journaled.

I am happy to recommend this product as an easy and fun way to catch up on the extra photos. Run, don't walk, to your nearest Wal-Mart and see if they have any kits left. I have four more to play with and may run and get a couple more. I think they made 8 different designs. I purchased 5 and paid a whopping $20. That is 30 layouts (12x12) for $20 bucks. I think that warrants a WOOHOO!  The only thing better than a clearance is a scrapbook clearance!

Have a great day and happy crafting!

From My Kitchen - Layout

Hello Everyone,

This is going to be a full week. I will have 3 projects using the From My Kitchen Cartridge as well as a new product highlight and a great deal known as the 6 Minute Scrapbooker. Every weekday will have a new entry...woohoo.

The first project of the week is a layout I did using the From My Kitchen Cartridge. Cupcakes are all the rage right now so I decided to do a single page layout (12x12) with some fun Basic Grey paper. I am sure I can find a cupcake that my step-son will be happy to test so that I can get the appropriate photo. I used Basic Grey paper, a Quickutz alphabet and border die, some Offray ribbon, some fun buttons and my white gel pen.  I was also able to use my scallop border die on the bottom - you might see that I kept the remaining cut from the other side of the scallop and used it to balance the scallop (see under the title).

The close up of the cupcake highlights the distressing ink I used from Papertrey Ink and the white gel pen from Siglo. The Basic Grey paper from the Nook & Pantry line has a nice distressed quality that I was able to match with the Chai ink cube. I also played a bit with my white gel pen. I really don't use it to its full potential so I am trying to branch out.

The final photo is a close up of the journal box with its ribbon and button decorative element. There is something luscious about some beautiful satin ribbon couple with the more masculine look of the buttons. I like the way the double layer of the buttons look - it adds another dimensional element.

I hope you enjoy this layout. Have a wonderful evening and happy crafting!

Supplies:
Cartridge - From My Kitchen (cupcake cut at 3-1/2")
Die Cuts - Holiday Mini Alphabet and 12" border die by Quickutz
Paper - Nook & Pantry Cupcake (double-sided) from Basic Grey
Ink: Vintage Touch (Chai) Papertry Ink
Ribbon - Chocolate from Offray
Buttons - Random