Welcome to December!

Howdy Scrappers!

Are you ready to take a few quiet moments out of the holiday rush for some scrappy inspiration?  We have a new issue of GingerScrapsStreet Magazine for you!  Step inside the pages and enjoy ideas for your holiday scrapping and so much more!

And after you get that mojo started, head over to Memorie Creations the inspiring blog talented designer Annlies de Zeeuw.  Annlies is the force behind MC Designs who gifted all of our readers this fun holiday kit.  She has a bold and colorful style with lots of cool creatures in her kits.  You will definitely want to see more!

Go ahead and download it today!  {download} 
Please respect this generous gift and do not upload/share this kit.  Friends are welcome to download it here for the next month.  Thank you!

Are you feeling ready to scrap?  Check out our current calls!  We definitely want to see what you are creating.  Happy Holidays!

Acrylic Albums - Some Ideas

Have you ever made an acrylic album?  If not, have you wanted to?  Well, I thought I would show you some past acrylic albums that I have made.  It’s kind of tough to get a good photo of an acrylic album because after all they are see-through.  But here are some photos of albums I have made and the many techniques you can use on acrylic.

Thought I would start off with a little Holiday spirit!  The cover is a snowflake pattern while the rest of the album is chipboard.  I wanted the cover to be festive but also to “feel” like winter; so I added a snowman and some more snowflakes to the album.  In order to enhance the winter feel I added sparkly glitter to the acrylic cover.  I think that by adding the glitter to the cover it makes the whole album look frosty.

Here is another album with an acrylic cover.  On this album I wanted to soften the edges of the “present” to bring the eye to the title.  So I added white paint and sponged it on.

One thing you have to be careful of when using acrylic is to remember it is see through.  So whatever you have on the front – you will be able to see from the back.  In this case If I had not put a strip of cardstock with poinsettia’s on the back of the front page – you would have seen the back of the “jolly” title from the front, and that would not be pretty.

Now in my beach album example the whole album was acrylic so I had to be careful with each page.  I wanted cohesiveness throughout the album and keep up with the beach theme.  In this example I used sand that came in a bottle and mixed in with glue. The sand was great to use because all you see is sand on the back of the acrylic page showing through.  In this sample I also used transparencies to cover some of the pages.

In my last example I wanted to emphasize to think outside the box.  No one said there were rules about what you can put on your album.  In this case I used a wood miniature window frame and a metal door handle.  I also stamped with stazon and used rub-ons.

The albums that I used above are from Clearscraps and MyLittle Yellow Bicycle.  There are lots of choices as to the shape of your album - so get started and start playing with acrylic.  If you want to ease into it, just start off with an acrylic cover. 

Happy Scrappin.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday so I just want to say: HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

I always like to browse the galleries to gain ideas for masculine birthday cards. What I'm finding more and more, however, is the brilliant use of bright and unexpected colors on this "man" cards. I kind of like that. I mean, who invented the whole concept that the cutesy bright colors have to be female and the bold and neutral colors  had to be male. I say, let's not conform to this nonsense and break the "rules"!

Are you with me???

As I browsed the gallery at Two Peas in a Bucket the other day I found two cards that stood out to me. Both are meant for dad and I love them.

By Elizabeth Cooper

:Click here to see the card in the gallery:

(Psst... she even added a butterfly! Elizabeth is truly a rule breaker.)

By Kimberly Neddo

:Click here to see the card in the gallery:

ADORABLE aren't they? Yet I love the brilliance of design that both women used. Elizabeth backed her bright colors with a strong neutral color and Kimberly's card has bold, lines that exude a manliness. 

I dare you to go beyond the safety zone of blue, browns and earthy tones for those men. Add a butterfly, some reds and, heck, even some BLING! You can do it. :)

hugs,

Melissa

Glitz+Epiphany Crafts=Awesome!

I really love using Epiphany Craft's round tools. For this layout, I used the Round Tool 14 and their adorable metal charms! If you don't own any of their products, you're missing out! When I'm low on embellishments or I'm missing something... I will grab my tools and embellies by Epiphany Crafts to help add that certain "wow" to my projects!

Tip: Use foam squares to hold your charm in place and insert a pin through the loop into a flower to make it look like the pin is holding the charm into place.



Epiphany Crafts Supplies:
Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Tool Round 14
Epiphany Crafts Metal Charms

Other:
Glitz Design Vintage Blue, Beautiful Dreamer and Dancin in sunshine Papers.
Glitz Design Vintage Blue- Glitzers
Glitz Design Vintage Blue- Giant Rhinestones
Glitz Design Vintage Blue- Epoxy Word Stickers
Glitz Design Vintage Blue- Trims
Glitz Design Dancin in sunshine- Cardstock Stickers

Cardstock: Corner rounder: Pen:Creative Memories
Flower: Pin: Maya Road

Holiday Time, Already!

It seems to me that time flies faster and faster with each passing year, and here it is, holiday season already!  Every year I vow I won't go all out in decorating our home for Christmas.  But it is just too difficult to figure out what to put out as I pull out box after box from our storage room!  So, like usual, our home is brimming from top to bottom with lots of seasonal decorations!  

A few years ago I decided to start taking photos of the different items throughout the house. I then create a digital scrapbook page with some of the photos. It is always fun to look back at the layouts to see just what sort of creative juices I had in past years while decorating for the holidays!

I hope these layouts have been an inspiration to you!!  Wishing you and your family happy holiday decorating!!

Playing with screens

This month, I had a blast playing with screens. They look so pretty in the background! For my first layout, I used a tree screen and mists (Dark Denim, Sun Sisters) and chalkboard mist (Cherry Cola) for my background. I think these colors together on the kraft cardstock looks amazing!

Need a fun button for your project? Simply spray some mist on cardstock, and use the Button Studio Round 20 Tool to create a funky button like I did. I love Epiphany Crafts' buttons!

For my next project, I decided to use my screen like a stamp. I soaked the Slate mist on the screen and then flipped it onto the cardstock. I think it adds to the vintage feel of this layout! I just love this one. As you can see, misting doesn't need to be complicated! It can be as simple as just spraying your screens and stamping them onto your projects. You don't need very much mist to make your layouts shine!

Here is an old layout of mine that I just love...I love using mist and screens to create my own unique background! I used glimmer mist (Slate, Burnt Red and Sunsisters).

And for my last layout, I used the Iron Works, Glimmer Screen and Chalkboard mist (Teal High Heel) and Glimmer mist (Tuscan Sun).

I hope you've enjoyed your visit and please come back!
-Nicole

Stamped gift set

Last year I created this tutorial about a bunch of different ways to use stamps to make your Christmas cards special, while still affordable. Embossing, glossy accents, crackle accents, flock, glitter and stickles can be combined with stamps to add that extra special touch. In the tutorial I used the stamps on cards and can I just say - wow my card making has come a long way in a year! The techniques are still useful though and here I used them on tags, a gift box, wrapping paper and gift wrap.

The gift box is from a printable template from Wendy Bird Designs at A Cherry On Top. These templates are awesome because they are so easy to use. You don't need any special software, just print them on the back side of the paper that you want to use, cut them out and fold on the fold lines. You can also add digital papers and print them out hybrid. Here I printed on the back of the Imaginisce Jingle All the Way paper, then added some punched kraft paper, a layered sticker accent and some ribbon.

For the gift bag, I stamped a row of images with versamark ink. Then it wasnt dark enough for me, so I traced them with a fine brown pen. I colored in the one tree, just for interest, before adding the strip of papers and tying the top closed with a bow. The tag on this one has a reindeer with stickles on his nose and collar.

For the wrapping paper, I spread out the kraft wrapping paper and stamped the adorable little critters using versamark ink for a subtle effect. To make it easier, I arranged the 4 stamps on a large block, so I stamped all four at a time, and needed to repeat the pattern less often. Next I added some paper strips and a paper bow - who needs ribbon?! For the bow, I made a template for the loops, which you can see below. Then I copied it four times, and used glue dots to hold each loop together, and the two on each side to each other. Finally I used a strip of a contrasting paper to wrap around and hold all the loops together. The tails of the bow were just freehanded on some scrap paper. I used foam tape to adhere the bow to the package so that the bow didn't get too squished.

The penguin was stamped on white cardstock, then colored in. I then added stickles, glitter flock and glossy accents before fussy cutting it. I used more foam tape to adhere it to the tag. All the tags were cut with my Cricut. The letters are Lily Bee.

Last but not least, the tube is from SRM stickers. I filled it with layers of hot chocolate mix and crushed peppermint candies. I added some paper strips to the top, and stickers to the bottom and top. Then I added a candy cane and a ribbon, before tying on a tag. The tag features another SRM sticker, and a fussy cut Imaginisce stamped reindeer with a stickled nose and collar. Instructions are on the back of the tag.

Finally, here is the petal template for the bow. Yes, you can see the corner of a penguin stamp, this was a scrap that I had tested the stamp on, but all you really need is the outline.

Can you tell I have Fall on my mind, really I have turkey on my mind!!! Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the changing of the leaves and pumpkins for sure!!  I love to have plenty of these tag cards on hand to tie around a muffin or holiday breads.  These are done with Pink Paisley pattern papers, Making Memories label at the botton corner and Epiphany Crafts rd 25 bubble cap. 

These are made with October Afternoon pattern paper and Jenni Bowlin milk caps.  The pumpkins are by Making Memories.

These are made from vintage clip art and October Afternoon pattern paper.  I machine sewed around the clip art and then added it to the kraft cardstock.  All of these cards were adhered with Helmar 450.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and "count your many blessings name them one by one"

See ya soon! by: C. Mercer

Thanksgiving Placecards

Hello everyone!! On Thursday, those of us from the good 'ole U.S. of A. will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Personally, I have so much for which to be thankful. I am fortunate enough to be able to share my passion of papercrafting with all of you. I am fortunate enough to have a loving family and I am blessed to be able to spend Thanksgiving with some of them.

I have many, many more blessing in my life, but I chose to highlight those two examples because it represents the project I am sharing with you today -- Thanksgiving Place Cards.

Those of you with a Silhouette machine may recognize this image. It's the Free Shape of the Week. Just go to the digital download store and get your free image. If you don't have a Silhouette, don't fear. This is simple enough to do with scallop and circle punches.

 In the original image, the turkey is holding a banner that reads "Eat Pie." I simply changed it to the names of my family members. I use dimensional stickers to pop up the turkey and the banner and adhered it onto a piece of kraft cardstock. I didn't want to fiddle with the eyes and beak, so I used a gel pen to make the eyes and hand cut the beak. Easy peasy.

Tip: Make sure your letters are wide enough to easily weed them out of the paper. Also make sure the name can fit across the banner. I started with the longest name (which happens to be mine).

I hope my U.S. friends have a blessed Thanksgiving, and all my international friends have a blessed week!!

Just a little something...

During the holiday season I always think of people that I would like to show my appreciation to with a little gift, but my checkbook doesn't feel the same way.  I realized I could make something, but it really needed to be something that was quick to make.  What about TAGS!  With the popularity of gift bags why not give tags? I know that I rarely gift wrap anymore because the bags are so convenient and truthfully I hate to gift wrap.

You can make tags for any occasion.  Just because my examples are all Christmas doesn't mean you have to create Christmas tags too.  A great plus about creating tags is that you can use your "leftover" goodies that you have been saving.  If you are like me you save stuff thinking that at some point you will use that one sticker left on the sheet, or the goofy die cut flower that you have never been able to figure out what to do with. 

Most of my tag that I'm sharing were done using digital stamps.  Because I LOVE to color with my Copics most of my tags include a colored image.  I also like to use Glossy Accents and Stickles to add sparkle and shine to my holiday tags so you will see these products throughout too.  These tags feature stamps from Dilly Beans Stamps.

My next group of tags are a little more manly.  The center one was created using a Tiddly Inks digital stamp, but the others were created using stickers and diecuts. You can create tags quickly if you use pre-made embellishments plus you still get that hand-made look.  They make a perfect gift too.

My last three tags are snowmen.  The middle snowman is a stamp from Hambo Stamps.  The outside ones are from Dilly Beans Stamps.  Most of my tag bases are cut out of card stock, however a few are Bazzill pre-made tags, which I love.   You can easily save time by using a pre-made tag as a template to cut your tags from. 

All you need is an hour or two and your leftover stash.  You can create a bunch of one-of-a-kind tags to give just to show you care.  Your checkbook will thank you for it!

I have been busy trying my hand at making "Gratitude Journals" so have been looking on the internet for little quotes and snip its I can print on the journal pages ... Journals are a great way express your gratitude and share your blessings, and you can do the same through scrapbooking.  Word art is sometimes offered with digital scrapbooking kits - and with the theme of gratitude, blessings and thanksgiving on my mind, I would like to share a few beautiful layouts my "scrappy" friends from Digital Scrapbook Place and I created using the Being Grateful Mega Kit. 

Page created by HeatherH

 

Page created by Jenni

Page created by Terryl

Page created by AddieLee

Page created by me

The Being Grateful mega kit is filled with awesome word art and beautiful elements and backgrounds.  You can check it out at DSP the BLOG

I hope your day is filled with blessings and treasures!!

A Big Thank You with a Mini Card

Short on time? Make a short card! I was recently part of a mini-card swap and it got me thinking (sometimes that can be dangerous). But, it was so rewarding to get so many cards done in a short amount of time. And, I had to be extra-clever to see how many embellishments I could fit on such a small canvas. I wasn't going to make any Thanksgiving cards, but this mini one came together so quick and easy, it will be perfect to pop onto a bottle of wine. It's hard to tell from this picture, but it is only 2 inches x 2 inches in size. I used a small cornucopia Sizzix die and cut it on the fold (I placed the fold within the boundaries of the die so the fold doesn't get cut, thus creating the card). A little bling on the fruit (also a Sizzix die) and I am "thankful". Thankful that sometimes I can be satifsyingly quick!

I am thankful for many things...and I count Scrapstreet followers as one of those things to be thankful for. Thank you for the time you devote to commenting, the submissions you send us, and motivating us with your ideas. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!    ~Kelly

Designer Feature

We have so many talented designers that submit to the calls here at ScrapStreet. I know, personally, I am blown away each time I get a glimpse at my inbox of all the submissions. I thought it would be natural to feature some of our regular contributors on the blog. This first lady is someone I continually am inspired by. I subscribe to her blog and confess I get a bit giddy whenever I get a new email letting me know of a post - which is often! This gal is the blogging queen! Some of the things I love about her blog - her relational style of writing. I feel like she just invited me into her house to discuss paper crafting or to share her cute decor ideas. And, obviously, her talent. Wow oh wow!

This lovely lady is none other than Audrey Pettit. Sweet, humble, creative, beautiful and lovely are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind when I think about Audrey. You have probably seen her work appear several times in ScrapStreet over the past year specifically in Card Corner. I love how she can take a technique or idea and translate it into something that makes sense and inspires. Audrey... are you embarrassed yet? ;) No? Okay I'll keep going then. I asked Audrey to pick a few of her favorite holiday projects to share with all of you on the blog today. I'm still drooling....

 

Supplies: Paper: Die Cuts with a View, Ink: Clearsnap, String: Kraft Outlet, Adhesive: Glue Arts, Other: vintage buttons, florist wire

 

Supplies: Paper, Cardstock, Chipboard, Alphabet: We R Memory Keepers, Raw Chipboard, String: Kraft Outlet, Seam Binding: 7 Gypsies, Ribbon: Stampin' Up!, Ink: Clearsnap, Adhesive: Glue Arts, Other: Hole Punch

 

Supplies: Paper: Webster's Pages, Ink: Stampin' Up!, String: Kraft Outlet, Tools: Stamps and Dies: Prickely Pear Rubber Stamps, Other: vintage buttons

 

Supplies: Paper: Donna Salazar (GCD Studios), Corrugated Board: Donna Salazar (Zutter), Glitter and Specialty Ink: Donna Salazar (Clearsnap),Embossing Ink, Glaze and Embossing Powder: Clearsnap, Tag, Bakers Twine: Kraft Outlet, Die Cut: Simple Stories, Brads: Making Memories, Tinsel, Picks, Berries, Lace: Webster's Pages,Seam Binding: 7Gypsies, Chenille Stems, Bells: Paper Bistro (Etsy), Floss: DMC, Silver Bells: Holly Pick, Buttons: Craft Supply, Other: raw chipboard, embossing tool, Tools: Border Punch: Stampin' Up!

Want more Audrey? Make sure you check the Card Corner article for our current issue and you can also visit her blog. She keeps it fresh, relevant and inspiring! All the things a blog should be. 

Happy Creating!

Melissa

Don't forget

November's a really tough month in my house. November 6, 2006 We lost someone really close to us... my Father-in-law. It was so sad and I miss him terribly. I've been wanting to create this layout for almost 5 years and could not bring myself to do it until just recently. I decided to write a letter to my Father-In-Law even though I cannot see or talk to him but I know he's always with me as my Guardian Angel. Atleast I hope so.

Here are a few close ups:




Supplies used:
Glitz Design "Dance in sunshine" Patterned Papers.
Glitz Design "Vintage blue" Patterned Paper.
Glitz Design "Dance in sunshine" Epoxy Words.
Glitz Design "Dance in sunshine" Trims.
Glitz Design "Dance in sunshine" Whatnots.
Glitz Design "Dance in sunshine" Glitzers.

Other:
Creative Memories Cardstock.
Creative Memories Punches, pen and adhesives.

For my second project, I decided to challenge myself by scrapping a large photo! I love this photo of my son and the "Vintage Blue"collection is a perfect match!

Here are a few close ups:




Products used:
Glitz Design "Vintage Blue" Patterned Papers.
Glitz Design "Vintage blue" Big Rhinestones.
Glitz Design "Vintage Blue" Epoxy Words.
Glitz Design "Vintage Blue" Trims.
Glitz Design "Vintage Blue" Glitzers.
Glitz Design "Vintage Blue" Epoxy Stickers.

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you have a good day and please come back to visit!

Nicole