Disney layouts with Queen and Co.

I've been busy creating scrapbook layouts and cards for Queen & Co's booth at the Scrapbook Expo and CKC events this year.  Here are some projects I made with Queen's & Co's adorable new Magic line. 

Do you have some Disney or Disneyland photos that you need to scrapbook?  Be sure and check out Queen & Co's Magic papers and embellishments!

Tombow Blog Hop and a GIVEAWAY!

If you've arrived here via the Tombow Blog Hop, then you're in the right place!  If you came here via a different route and you want to join the Blog Hop, head on over to the Tombow USA blog to start at the beginning.

I'm thrilled to be the Guest Designer for Tombow this week!  Tombow MONO Adhesive tape runners (regular, dots and clear) are my go-to adhesives.  I can only guess how many of them I've gone through over the 8+ years I've been scrapbooking. 100s of them, I'm sure!

Here is a layout I created using a variety of fabulous Tombow products.

I used the Stamp Runner, Dot Pattern Adhesive and my faithful MONO Adhesive Permanent to adhere the photo, the paper strips, and the lace.  I used the Foam Tabs along the bottom edge of the paper strips to give each layer dimension.  I fussy-cut the flowers and leaves from patterned paper, then I adhered the outer edges of the petals and leaves with the Foam Tabs to give them dimension.

I adhered the chipboard frame and the roses with Mono Aqua Liquid Glue.  For the title word "LOVE", I colored white chipboard alphas with a pink Dual Brush Pen, then I coated the letters with white glitter.

Of course it wouldn't be a blog hop without a giveaway, right?!?  Simply leave a comment here for a chance to win this Tombow prize package:

This giveaway will include: MONO AdhesivePermanent, MONO AdhesiveRemovable, NEW FastenerTabs, and NEW Foam Tabs.

The more blogs you comment on along the Hop, the more chances you have to win! Be sure to check out all the blogs below to see what kind of craftiness they have in store! The winner will be announced Friday, July 12^th  at 3:30pm ET on the Tombow USA blog.

Debbie Fisher: http://debbiedee.blogspot.com/

Melissa Cash: http://www.inkclinations.blogspot.com/

Jennie Garcia: http://earthyscrap.blogspot.com/

Marie Browning: http://mariebrowning.wordpress.com/

Stacy Cohen (you are here!!): http://stacycohen.blogspot.com/

Tombow Blog: http://blog.tombowusa.com/

Thanks for playing along and good luck!!  

Another My Creative Scrapbook kit layout and a tutorial

Ahhhhhh . . . sweet summer!!  I really love this time of year.  The kids are out of school, we get to sleep in, and life feels a little less stressful than normal.  I'm on a laid back summer schedule and I'm definitely taking some time to relax and smell the roses (and sunscreen!).  I guess that's why I haven't blogged in a couple weeks.

I realized that I forgot to post one of the layouts that I made with the fabulous My Creative Scrapbook June LE kit. It features paper and die-cuts from Crate Paper's DIY Shop collection.

I created a tutorial showing how I made the layered patterned paper waves on this layout.  
 

1.  Cut a piece of cardstock that is the approximate size you want your wavy paper block to be.  I cut mine to 7” wide because I wanted it to align with the edges of my 5” x 7” photo.  

Grab a pencil and a flexible ruler (if you have one). 

2.  Draw horizontal curvy lines from top to bottom.  Note:  You don’t need a flexible ruler to draw the curvy lines; you can easily freehand draw them.

3.  Cut along the curvy lines.  These pieces will be your cutting templates.  It helps to number them so that you can choose the order of the patterned paper pieces to cut.

4.  Use the wavy sections as templates to trace and cut the curvy sections from patterned paper.  This is a great way to use up your scraps!!

5.  Once you’ve traced and cut all the curvy sections, you can ink or stitch the edges, if desired.

6.  Cut another piece of cardstock the same width as the first piece you cut and use it as the base for the wavy paper pieces.  Adhere the wavy paper pieces to the cardstock starting from top to bottom, slightly overlapping each piece.  Cut off any excess cardstock on the bottom.   You can always go back and add some more wavy layers if you want to make your paper block taller.

And VOILA!

I handstitched along the edges of my curves. And of course I had to add some pretty flowers.

I hope you enjoyed this scrapbooking tutorial!

Upcoming Classes at Treasured Memories Scrapbook Store

Hey all you Southern California scrapbookers!  I want to let you know about a couple upcoming scrapbook classes I'll be teaching at Treasured Memories scrapbook store in Oak Park, CA on Saturday November 17th.  I'll be teaching two, 2-page layout classes that day.  The first class features Prima's beautiful new Romance Novel collection, and it includes an array of flowers, chipboard, crystals, pearls, lace, ribbon, washi tape, cardstock doilies and more!  Here's a little sneak peek:

The second layout features products from Making Memorie's gorgeous Modern Millinery line, and it includes a mix of feminine embellishments, bling, gorgeous trim and doilies. All of the paper doilies in this kit will be individually die-cut by me using acid free cardstock.  Here are a couple snippets from the layout:

If you can't attend the classes, both can be purchased as kits. Photos and detailed instructions included! 

There are more details about the classes (i.e., times, cost, etc.) on the Treasured Memories Blog and the Class Calendar.  You can sign up for one or both of the classes by calling Treasured Memories.

I hope to see you there!!!

Blowing Bubbles and Dreyer's Ice Cream

Happy Monday everyone!  Here's a layout I created using more of Lily Bee's "Lovely" papers.  My daughters love to hang out in our backyard and blow bubbles.  There's something so simple yet magical about blowing bubbles, don't you think? 

I cut strips of paper and placed them where I wanted them on the page, then I cut out circles of varying sizes.  I filled the circles with the fun Lily Bee chipboard pieces and topped them with Prima flowers and rhinestones.  I used Shimmerz paint and Spritz to color the Prima flowers.

I saw a fun beading technique on Lollychops' fantastic blog, and I decided to give it a try.   I embroidered around the circle and added seed beads as I stitched.   Lolly did it on fabric and felt, and I figured that it would work just as well on paper.

And one other thing to share today.  This is something that makes me VERY happy.  I have a nightly ritual . . . after we put our girls into bed and I settle down for some "me" time, I have a small bowl of Dreyer's Light ice cream.  As I mentioned a few posts ago, our old fridge/freezer has been on the fritz for a while, so I've had to contend with soft, mushy ice cream every night . . . which is NOT the way I like it.  We finally got a new refrigerator a couple days ago, and the freezer works like a charm!   The first thing I did was go out and stock up on my favorite Dreyer's ice cream flavors.  Here's a little glimpse . . .

Do you think maybe I went a little overboard??   Anyhow, it makes me happy to open the freezer and see all the SOLID -- not mushy -- ice cream in there!  Ahhhhhh . . . the little pleasures in life.

Have a fantastic week!!!

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday!  I hope all you mothers had a nice Mother's Day!  I had a great day myself.  We had a lovely brunch with my mom, stepfather, dad and stepmom (yep, we're all one big happy family!).  And I got lots of wonderful snuggles and kisses and homemade goodies from my darling little girls.  For Mother's Day my hubby wanted to buy me the new camera lens I've had my eye on for a while now, but I wasn't sure if the cost is really justified.  Well, it doesn't matter at this point, because the freezer portion of our old refrigerator is on its last leg, so we have to go buy a new fridge today.  Fun, huh?  Since we have to make this big purchase, I decided to hold off on the lens for the while.  That means that my photos won't look any sharper, but at least I won't have to eat mushy ice cream anymore.  And as a girl who NEEDS her bowl of Dreyer's Grand Light ice cream every single night, mushy ice cream just wasn't workin' for me.  

I have a little share for the day.  I've really been into crocheting on my layouts again lately.  Here's one I made with all Prima goodies:

The wording says:  "My Wish for you is that you have as much joy in your life as you have brought to mine."    Here's a little close-up.  I curled back the paper and stuck some tulle and other netted fabric behind there.  I lined the curled-back paper with lots of Prima flowers:

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a great week!

Happy Birthday to my not-so-little girl and some AMM kit layouts to share

Today is my oldest daughter's 8th birthday.  Seriously?  I'm saying this in the same intonation as my now 8-going-on-15-year-old daughter would say it (with a little bit of teen-like attitude thrown in):  SERIOUSLY??  Where in the world does the time go??   This morning as we were standing side-by-side in front of the bathroom mirror getting ready together (I swear she grew another inch last night while she slept!), I remembered our morning routine when she was a little baby . . . I used to set up a soft blanket and baby toys on the bathroom rug next to me, and she would happily play alongside me while I got ready.  Time flies!  Before I know it she'll be off to college.  *sigh*   In any event, it's shaping up to be a nice birthday for her.  We made her breakfast in bed, and then I'm bringing donuts to school for her class birthday celebration.   We'll have a nice birthday dinner tonight, and then I need to start preparing myself for her slumber party this coming weekend.  Happy Birthday, my sweet girl!

Turning to scrappy stuff, here are the layouts I made with the A Million Memories March kit:

I added some Prima flowers and colored them with Shimmerz paint and Spritz.

This next layout features pictures of my younger daughter on the day before her 6th birthday last year:

The journaling on this "Stay 5" layout says:  I took these photos of you on the day before your sixth birthday. I must have taken at least 50 photos that day. I think it was my feeble attempt to try and freeze time. It’s not that I don’t enjoy watching you grow into a lovely little lady, it’s just that I wish you would slow down a bit. As I was snapping all those photos I kept thinking, “Can’t you please stay five for just one more day?” 

This last one was based on the monthly sketch created by the very talented Rachel Hall:

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

Velvet pinwheel tutorial

I haven't blogged much lately because I've been busy working on some things that I can't post yet, so I thought I'd share a simple little tutorial I put together for A Million Memories last May.

Materials needed:

-velvet ribbon or fabric

-needle and thread

-embellishments for the center of the pinwheel (optional)

Start with a piece of velvet ribbon.  For this example, I used velvet ribbon that was about 3/4 of an inch wide and I cut a piece that was about 6 inches long.  The length you’ll need will depend on the width of the velvet and how tight you want your spiral to be. 

1.    Take the threaded needle and stitch along one edge of the velvet:

 

2.  After you’ve stitched along the entire edge of the ribbon (see the photo above), pull your thread to gather the velvet:

3.  Keep pulling the thread until the entire edge of the velvet is gathered as tight as it will go.    The gathered velvet will form a little pinwheel (see below).  Just stitch up the loose ends and tie a knot in the thread: 

You can also use velvet fabric, but you’ll probably want to cut it along the edge of the fabric so that you have a crisp edge (just stitch along the edge you’ve cut). 

Once you’ve finished the pinwheel, you can add anything you want to the center – rhinestones, pearls, buttons, a dab of Stickles, flowers, etc.  And there you go!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Prima Altered Doll

I was asked to create one of my altered doll forms for Prima (and you know how much I LOVE Prima).   Of course I jumped at the chance!!  Here's what I came up with:

I covered the bodice with crystals and pearls from the E. line and added layers of Prima goodies to the skirt.  I colored the Prima lace using Shimmerz Spritz.

I'm so honored that Prima displayed this doll in their booth at CHA and also used it for their retailer flier distributed to buyers at CHA:

 Thank you, Prima!!

New Graphic 45

Happy Monday!  Today I'm sharing a layout I made using papers from Graphic 45's new Le' Romantique line.   I love these papers -- soft, vintagey colors mixed with black, and of course there are lots of great graphics to cut out.  This is a picture of my mom on her wedding day:

Of course I had to add some Prima flowers and leaves.  I used Shimmerz paint on the large white Prima flower to give it some shimmer and shine.

Have a wonderful week!!

Can you feel the VIBEZ????

I'm so excited about Shimmerz' newest product release!! Introducing VIBEZ....16 vibrant colors with intense shimmer and shine!! Watch the video announcement here: Vibez Video Announcment

In honor of this new release, Shimmerz is giving away a FULL collection set of Vibez Miniz to one lucky blog reader who makes a purchase from the Shimmerz Shop today! Check out the full details on the Shimmerz blog, and find out about some other chances to win.

Here's a layout I made with the new Vibez.  I used  papers from Graphic 45's fabulous new On the Boardwalk line:

I used Jeni B Bleu Vibez and Sea Foam Spritz on the white cardstock to create my splashed background.

Thanks for stopping by!

Playing with the new Shimmerz Pearlz

I was very excited to play with the new Shimmerz Pearlz!  These paints are SO pretty . . . they're more opaque than the regular Shimmerz paints and they have a beautiful sheen. Here's a little ocean-themed card I made:

I painted the edge of each little ocean wave with 'Pearl' Pearlz.  The chipboard flourish was painted with Tickle-Me-Turquoise Shimmerz, then I added a little Pearl Pearlz on top of it and blended it in with my finger for a  more subtle Pearlz effect. 

I made the little mermaid out of shrink plastic . . . you know . . . the Shrinky Dinks we played with when we were kids?  I first colored the plastic with colored pencils and then I added a touch of Shimmerz (green and blue) before baking the plastic.  When you bake the plastic, the Shimmerz crystallizes and flakes off a bit, but it leaves a lovely texture and color behind.  After it was baked, I simply added a little Stickles on top of it to seal in the texture.

Hope your day goes swimmingly!!!!

Exciting Shimmerz News!

Shimmerz has some FUN news and a new product release!! Check out the video below:

Yes, Shimmerz had teamed up with Teresa Collins for a fabulous new product release called Pearlz!

How would you like to win a set of the new Pearlz? Shimmerz is going to be giving away one complete set of Shimmerz Pearlz every hour for the next 12 hours! (10am - 10pm MST).  Head on over to the Shimmerz blog for all the details!!

Shimmerz has some big news!

I'm very excited about some FUN things Shimmerz has in the works!!

There's going to be a big announcement just in time for Winter CHA 2010. I can't spill the beans just yet, but I can tell you that it's going to include a BIG new release and BIG name in the scrapbooking industry!  Check back here and on the Shimmerz blog for the updates.

Also, Shimmerz was just featured on the Scrapbook Trends blog!  Go check it out!

Prima!!

I absolutely love Prima products, so I was so thrilled when I found out that Prima was going to sponsor the A Million Memories Design Team!  That means that I got to play with some of the lovely new papers, flowers and other embellishments that they sent us.  I've had a ball creating layouts and a couple other scrappy projects with my Prima goodies.  I still need to finish taking pictures of everything, but here is one of my Prima creations:

I used Pixie Dust Shimmerz Blingz on the white Prima flower.


I'll be posting more of my Prima layouts and projects in the next few days!

Mini chipboard frames from the A Million Memories November kit

The A Million Memories November kit comes with a pack of adorable American Crafts mini chipboard frames. If you like to add fun little details to your pages, these frames have a lot of potential. I posted a list of ideas on the AMM message boards. Here are some examples:

1. Use them as picture frames like I did on this layout:
2. Use one as a base or frame for your title:

3. Back the frame with a piece of a dictionary page, then add an embellishment (in this case I added one of the Prima pebbles from the kit):
4. Cut out a specific word from a dictionary page:
5. Add Stickles or glitter:
6. Paint it and top with Glossy Accents, then add rhinestones:
7. Fill it with mini pearls or seed beads and add a title. For this one, I painted the frame and added Glossy Accents. Then I filled the center with mini pearl beads (adhered with glue). I used a “Happy Birthday” rub-on on a transparency, cut it out, and then I glued it on top of the beads. Now I have a cute greeting to add to handmade birthday card:

8. Wrap embroidery floss around the frame:Check out the A Million Memories design team gallery and see the other ways the talented ladies used these cute frames!!