Congratulations and More Prizes

Isn't this just a lovely card by Krista! It's so beautiful and simple to make.

Now, I have to apologize that I don't have a free download for you today. But, you know, if I give you one everyday you might become spoiled and demanding. We wouldn't want that to happen now, would we? Of course not..... I am glad you agree. :)

However, I do have some potentially exciting news for anyone who's going to be at CHA. Whether you are a fan, product designer, paper artist, store owner, design team hopeful, whatever...... if you are going to be at CHA, you could win dinner for you and a friend with Cosmo Cricket (I told you it was only "potentially" exciting). If you are not going to be at CHA, let your local store know about this opportunity and have them come to our blog next week for their chance to win.

But wait........ there's more......... You could win today!!! Tell us your favorite thing about your special someone and be entered into a drawing to win the Element Cards and Borders from all four of the new lines.

Congrats Tigger and Scrapaddict21! You both have won the Lil' Man Paper Crafting Kit. Send us your address and we'll send you your prize.

Paper Flowers

OK, I know that many, if not all, of you have already made these super-cute flowers. I see them on layouts and cards all over. But, until last night, I had never made one myself. These little cuties don't take up much time or paper at all. In fact, you probably have scraps big enough for these and too little for much else....... what a great way to use them!

Here are my first three attempts. To start, I used a circle punch (around 2") and cut all the circles for each flower. You could use even less paper by cutting each circle with nesting punches, or if you're really good, hand cutting diminishing sizes. I am not really good, so I started with four-five 2" circles. I picked the pattern I wanted to be the largest. Then, holding all three-four of the remaining circles, I hand trimmed them all one size smaller. I choose the next largest and repeated. Does that make sense? Doing it this way made it easiest for me to get the sizes of each circle right. Anyway, in a nutshell, you need to get 4-5 circles each smaller than the one before.

After you have your circles, you can try some different techniques. I only had time to try three, but have some other ideas in mind I'd like to try later.

For my first flower, I cut the circles and then sprayed them with a water bottle. When they were wet, I tore the edges and crumpled them up. I flattened them slightly and let them air dry.

For my next flower, I cut the circles and then fringed the edges. I think next time I might spray and crumple these too. And, I think a larger brad or maybe a button would work better in the center here. I'll have to see what I can find.

My final flower was simply cut with decorative edge scissors. Then I inked the edges and used a cute button for the center. It seemed to be the homey-est of all the flowers and so I picked it for the one on my house warming card. Now, to bake up a plate of cookies and welcome the new neighbors!

Update 2:39PM-- I thought I would let you know what I used on my card just in case you wanted to replicate it. The base is Prism cream colored cardstock (I don't know the color, sorry). Then, I used a journaling card from Chemistry for the background. The flower was cut from Flirt cardstock and the brown border from Forget Me Not (both Chemistry). I added a random button from my jar. The stitching is all done with embroidery floss, using all six strands. The tag was made with Flirt and Prism cardstock with a rub-on from Jack's World. I used Making Memories red string to tie on the tag. The crochet trim was just something I happen to have an entire bolt of. I found it at a tag sale years ago...... almost evey article of clothing I have ever sewn for my girls features it and I still have tons!

The Flock, The Day and The Game

Good Morning,

Let's start with the game. No weight change this morning. That's two weeks for me on this little plateau. And, this is the last weigh in before Japan (I leave on Tuesday). I will be 12 pounds lighter than when I started my quest!! So, even though I didn't lose any this week, I am still proud of myself.

Regulars to the blog know that if they post a comment today, they will be entered into a drawing for a prize. I never really say what they will win, because I usually haven't decided that yet. Usually it's a new line of paper, and older line of paper and something fun to go with it. Today I am thinking of Fleuriste and Oh Joy with the Buck Naked ornaments so that the winner can make these cute birds if they wish.

The instructions are in the post below, if you didn't see that yesterday. And, I will do the wire holder tutorial, but probably not today.

Why, you ask?

I have kids home from school because of parent teacher conferences...... mine are in 30 minutes. Abby has a doctor's appointment at 10:30. I have a hair appointment at 1:30, but it's a two hour drive (that's a long story, I might have to share it sometime). Anyway, I don't expect to be able to breath all morning!

Birdie Card and Holder

Hi Ladies,

OK, I wanted to make an entire flock of these cards and maybe I still will. It took me a little longer this morning to figure out how to make the wire holder than I had planned (the feet need to be bigger than expected to get him to stand up!).

If I find the time, I'll do a photo tutorial of how to make the holder, but for now, here is how to make the bird.

1. Start with a square of paper. I used a 5"square, but I've also made these with 6" and 4" squares. They are really cute as page embellishments done tiny!
2. Fold that square in half, corner to corner. I used a piece of yellow Prism cardstock as a base, but it's not necessary..... just depends on what you want. If you do use a base, and you want the patterned paper to set inside a tad, instead of folding along the center, cut just 1/8-1/4" off center and use the smaller side.
3. For wing, cut a square half the size of the body. So, my wing was 2 1/2" square. Then cut in half, corner to corner.
4. Adhere to body along top edge only. I have done these with just a bead of glue, but sewing is too cute. One tip, I always thread my sewing machine with two spools of thread (sometimes the same color, sometimes different) when sewing on paper. If you do this and set your stitch length to the longest stitch you'll get a fairly hand-done effect.
5. For the beak and tail, I use a 1" square for most sizes. If you are making a really tiny one, you'll want to adjust, but usually 1" works. Cut these along the center like with wing. The only difference between the beak and tail is the way they are turned and the paper they are cut from.
6. Adhere as shown.
7. Find a cute button or brad to use for his little eye.
8. You can make a stand if desired by bending wire. I have also sewn them closed along the front body edge to make a pocket in which to place a special note. Maybe I'll make one of those next to show you.
9. Watch him fly right to the heart of a friend. (OK, was that too corny?)

Update:
I just realized it's suppose to be Weigh in Wednesday. I thought today was Tuesday!!! Yes, I am losing it. Anyway, since I've already eaten and stuff I don't want to weigh myself. So, we will play Theigh in Thursday this week! :) Be sure to check back tomorrow!

Keep Out Box

Good morning Ladies,
I am totally in love with this project. It was inspired by this Halloween box from Maren Benedict.

I will be teaching this box, but I plan to make several variations for myself..... because....... it's just so dang cute!

If you'd like to make a Keep Out! Box of your own, here's what to do:
1. Cover lid of box. The top piece is 2" x 4.5". The Sides are 4.5" 1". After you adhere the paper, tie with matching ribbon.
2. Cover body of box. The side pieces measure 5.5" x 1.75". The front and back measure 5.5" x 4.5". For the front of the box, use double-stick adhesive around the perimeter of the paper. Before placing the paper down, run a bead of glue around the window of the box. Then place paper.
3. Use a craft knife to make two perpendicular (+) slits in the window of the box. Then tear and roll paper outward.
4. Cover Grumpy Ol' Bear with matching diecut. Cut paper for belly and hand write "Keep Out".
5. Use a liquid adhesive on the legs of the bear, then with lid removed, place the bear's legs down through the window, using other hand inside box to press it into place.
6. Make up some cute cards using these examples from Debbie Olson and myself, or invent your own. Or, forget the cards and fill with chocolate or other important belongings!

Even More Haunted

We have posted a lot of Haunted projects recently, but if you're looking for even more ideas, check out Maren Benedict's blog. She is posting Haunted projects all week long (I'm really trying not to make a "so fun, it's scary" comment). This is just one example, but the two from yesterday were darling as well. I can't wait to see what else she comes up with!

Goodbye little Pound, Hello Design Team!

I have lost one more pound, how did you do?

On another note, my design team has been posting some AWESOME stuff lately and I wanted to share!
From Debbie Olson, some cute birthday cards. The dump truck lifts up to reveal the message underneath! She has lots more fabulous ideas on her blog!

Over in Holland, Natasha has been creating super fun Blackboard boxes! Open this one up to find a scary surprise!



I always love Danielle's layouts. Her style is so clean and simple, yet always fresh!

Even while pregnant and completely sick, Leah has created some really beautiful projects. This one is my favorite of her recent work. She has a fun online tutorial for a similar layout on her blog.

Maren creates more cards than anyone I know. Look for a bunch of her work in Stamp It Cards volume 3 (by Paper Crafts). It comes out in February.

Yukari has such a fun, free-spirited style. I saw this first on Two Peas and I knew it was her work, just from the style! I have no idea what she talks about on her blog (it's in Japanese), but the layouts are inspiring!!

YIPEEEEE, I'm a 10

Ten pounds lost that is!!! The scale gods have smiled on me once again and I am down two more pounds! How did everyone else do?

And, before I end this post, can I just say thanks for all the kind words and encouragement last week. I did not eat even one little Donette, but I was very tempted!! Enjoy this little card, if I could, I would make one for each of you for all your support!

I always call my little girls "doll face" and so this "You're a doll card" is perfect for them. The doll is from Jack's World Blackboard shapes and I just covered it with the matching adhesive diecuts. The title is made with our Scripty Rub-ons. I hung the doll on ribbon long enough to be a young girl's necklace and just threaded it through slits on the card. This is the first version, in subsequent versions, I run the ribbon through both sides of the card and tie it closed.

Random Bits and Pieces

Hey everyone, I made a Mr. Campy card just for the fun of it. Looks like I need a sharper blade on my paper trimmer!

And on another note, I am really excited about my stained glass windows, below! I have "collected" these over the years and I can tell you a story with each window. Anyway, I have had them in storage until just recently because when Eric and I moved into this house, it didn't work to hang them inside the windows like we had done before. It took me almost a year to figure out where and how to display them, but I am pleased with the results, especially in the mornings when the lights comes through the windows and makes them sparkle. I also like how it creates a visual divide between the kitchen/dining area and the sitting room. Now, I have begun a quest to find enough pieces to finish the space. My mother just gave me one for a belated birthday present...... it will look great because it is in a painted white frame, which should help break up the brown.

Back with Black.... board

As if you didn't get enough yesterday, right? Ok, so I had all these fun little Blackboard shapes and I'm not the type of person who is organized enough to save them and use them later. I'm more like the type of person to save them in a "safe" spot, forget where that spot is, find them five years later and not remember why I was saving them in the first place. But, what's a girl suppose to do in one day with over 30 Blackboard embellishments? Well, there is one independent scrapbook store in my area. So, I made a little display sampler for her to put up in her store. I think it's cute, and a fun way to keep a lot of ideas in one place. In fact, maybe I could actually organize ideas this way so that I don't forget them. It could be the start of my organizational plan!


Then, my sweet Kate is turning 9, her last single digit birthday, on the 22nd. So, I made her a little card. The black border is actually made by cutting one page from the blackboard album named for her.

Silk Ribbon Thank You's

For very special people and very special projects, I love using silk ribbon. This is a product used by people who love doing silk ribbon embroidery, so if you go looking for it, look by the embroidery floss.

You'll find silk is the most wonderful stuff to work with. It comes in lots of beautiful colors and it bunches and gathers in the loveliest way. Here I simply used a needle to stitch it in and around the die-cut flowers and as the border. (Click on the image to get a better look at what I'm talking about.)

The paper is from our Fleuriste Collection.

JOY

This cute card was made by Lisa Falduto using our Wonderland 8" stack. I love the old fashioned feel it has!

Cosmo Picasso: Debbie Olson

Debbie Olson is more of a card maker and paper artist than scrapbooker and so we are introducing our first ever Card Maker Cosmo Picasso. We just love her work! Here's a little bit more about Debbie.

What makes you tick?
I need to create something that is visually satisfying--something that I can look at when I’m finished and be pleased with. (If that doesn’t work, there’s always caffeine.)
Why are you so wonderful?
Hmmm. I’m not sure that I am! I have my moments when something lovely happens easily for me, but the majority of the time I spend plodding along and tweaking things to eventually make them work. It’s that old 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration principle of success!
How did you become a scrapbooker?
First, I’m not sure that most people would consider me a scrapbooker. I most often scrap in small doses—little thematic books that are gift books or memory books. The thought of filling an indeterminate number of huge pages paralyzes me with indecision, but smaller books with a specific purpose work better for me.

When you hit a slump creatively, how do you get out of it?
I peruse the online galleries and a few creative blogs or magazines. I also go find a stamp set and papers that I have loved and succeeded with before, and play with them again. If those things don’t help, a good night’s sleep is usually in order.
What’s your favorite thing to do besides scrapbooking?
I enjoy papercrafting in general, but I also like working with stained glass when I have time. Apart from crafting, I love taking walks through the woods with my seven-year-old and listening to his stories.
What tried and true technique can you always rely on?
I pull out my “big girl crayons” (i.e. Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, or watercolor crayons) and color something! I also enjoy layering, sewing, and distressing paper.
What music do you listen to when you scrapbook?
I rarely listen to music as I scrap. Quietness is bliss after a day of answering questions! (I teach my son at home.)
What’s your most embarrassing memory (that you are willing to share) and did you scrap it?
I generally choose to repress rather than share embarrassing memories! But if you need one: I was shopping with my husband in a large home improvement chain store in an unfamiliar city. The store was set up almost the same as the one that I was accustomed too, except that its floor plan was a mirror image. I needed to go to the bathroom. It wasn’t until I was washing my hands that I looked in the mirror and noticed those odd sinks hanging on the wall behind me. . . No, I don’t think I’ll scrap this one.

Little Gifts

This project was just sent to me by our Design Team Coordinator, Tami Comstock. Yes, you might recognize the name, she is my sister-in-law also. Anyway, I thought these were such a cute idea. She made the tag cards out of the "Be Good" paper folding up the lower edge to make a pocket. Then she used the "Buck Naked Ornaments" with their matching die-cuts to make a little gift for the recipient of the card. Such a clever and easy way to let someone know you are thinking about them!

Cosmo Cricket Studio

For those of you that don't know, next time you get a Cosmo Cricket Paper Crafting Kit, before you throw away the front cover (or cut it up for scraps) check out the back side. It is filled with little sketches for layouts and cards. I used the below sketch to make this super-quick card. Can you say easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy?