Merry Christmas Tag

I made a tag for Isaac's gift and it fit right in with a challenge for the December Mini Crop at Creative Inspiration -   Create a tag - the challenge was to create a tag and use any form of embossing and the color silver.
This is my take on the challenge:

 

 

Gift Tag

There are so many fun challenges posted over at Creative Inspiration for the December Mini Crop! I finally had some time to play today and created this tag for the snowflake challenge.  It's a gift tag for one of my granddaughters gifts. Hope you can find some time to play along this month.

 

Christmas Gift Box

I use to hate wrapping little gifts, mostly because I was not good at it.  Sometimes finding a small box for the item was a challenge in itself.  Then the ends of the wrapping paper were uneven and the wrapping paper was wrinkled

... trust me on this one, it was not pretty.

An aha moment ...  I don't have to use  traditional wrapping paper ... I can make my own boxes and be as creative as I like.  By using my scrappy supplies and being creative, I have turned my little gifts into visual delights.  By personalizing each creation they become works of art.  The receiver of the gift smiles

before they even see what's inside the box.

 I'm hosting a Design Team challenge for the Creative Inspiration December Mini Crop.  Be   sure to check out the board for the rest of the challenges from the Design Team.  My challenge is to create a gift box with a "Christmas" or "Winter" theme.I created this gift box using the Cricut Sweet Tooth Cartridge and 

some supplies from my scrappy stash.

 

 

Winner

... and the winner of the Circle Cutter from the Just Imagine Crafts Blog Hop is Laura Cox.  Send me your address and I'll get this wonderful tool in the mail to you.

Totally Epic/ Real Life

Today the Design Team Sketch Reveal  for December is up at Creative Inspiration.  Bev Code has once again provided us with a great sketch to work with.

 

 

When it comes to managing the time in my life, it seems that my scrapbooking time is squeezed in last.  Even though I make the most of that time it doesn't always mean that I get a lot accomplished.  I found that coming up with a page layout and remembering all those rules of design can suck up a great deal of my scrappy time.  I would preferably like to spend my scrappy time concentrating on picking out my papers and embellishments (and having fun) rather than worrying about the design of my page.  Using a sketch inspires my creativity, and takes the guesswork out of designing a fabulous scrapbook layout.  I challenge you to check out the Creative Inspiration Sketch this month and play along.

 

 

This is my take on the December sketch: Totally Epic

 

 

Tidings

Be sure to check out the Just Imagine Crafts/Kreaxions Punches Blog.  The Design Team has been busy crafting inspiring cards to share with you this month.

I created this Christmas card using  Kreaxions products.  I used the Star Stencil along with the Kreaxions 4 in 1 punch #902 with the "A" insert to create the doily.  The border strip was made using the Kreaxions 4 in 1 punch #916 (one of my favorite punches). Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

 

Kreaxions Star Stencil and the Kreaxions 4 in 1 punch # 902

 

 

 

Kreaxions 4 in 1 punch #916

 

 

Special Delivery

It's November 30th and time for the Just Imagine Craft/Kreaxions Design Team Reveal.  This month we want to welcome you to the Just Imagine/Kreaxions Blog Hop.  So glad you could join us! We’ve kept it short and sweet so hop along to each blog, leaving a comment along the way. One participant will be chosen from the comments for a $10 Just Imagine Crafts gift card. The designers have tips, tutorials, and/or prizes so don’t miss out!

Here is the order of the hop:

Just Imagine Crafts Blog (http://justimaginecrafts.typepad.com/...)

Joan Borgelt (http://thegovsplace.blogspot.com/) * you are here

Linda Harvey (http://lovelylayoutsbylinda.blogspot.com/...)

Laura Cox (http://www.scrapaddict4life.blogspot.com/...)

Candy Spiegel (http://www.candyscraps.com/)

Charity Hotrum (http://menemenetekeluniversity.blogspot.com/...)

 

The winner of the Gift Certificate will be posted on the Just Imagine blog and facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Just-Imagi...) on December 7th. Share this blog post on your facebook page and leave a comment here for an extra entry!!! And don’t forget, the punches the designers have used will be 25% off in the Just Imagine Store (http://www.justimaginecrafts.com/ca...) for 2 weeks!!! That is Punch #312, #902, #914 & #919 will be on sale for $11.99

from December 1st through December 14th.

If you leave a comment on my blog your name will be entered into a random draw for a RAK from me.  I'll  be sending one lucky participant a Kreaxions Circle Cutter.

 

This month the theme was "Christmas, Green or Trees".  I decided to get a jump start on making my Christmas cards and created this Special Delivery card using the Kreaxions 4 in 1 punch #914

 

 

 

Cowboy Costume

I completed this layout for Vincent's album using a challenge from Creative Inspiration, the November 8th TTT.  The challenge was to create a project and use layering.

I hope you have a chance to check out the Creative Inspiration Board

and be inspired by the FUN challenges this month.

 

 

Cowboy Costume

Modeling Paste/Custom Embellishments

I'm up on the Off The Rails Scrapbooking blog today, sharing a tutorial.

Modeling Paste: A matte, opaque mixture of marble dust and polymer emulsion that is used to build heavy textures and three-dimensional forms on flexible or rigid supports.

Modeling Paste is a staple in my arsenal of scrapbooking supplies.  I love using Modeling Paste along with a stencil to add texture to my pages.  I was sure that the use of this product could be expanded upon and that there were other creative possibilities waiting out there to be discovered.

What about using Modeling Paste to create custom embellishments?!

What you will need:

Craft Mat
Tape
Modeling Paste
Application Tool
Heavy Cardstock
Stencil
Scissors

 1)  I taped the white cardstock and the doily stencil to my craft mat.

 

 

2) I applied the Modeling Paste over the stencil with a

palette knife ( a little on the heavy side)

 

 3) The hardest part was letting it dry overnight (it needs to be completely dry)

 4) When the Modeling Paste was completely dry I fussy

cut the doilies and shapes from the cardstock

 

5) Voila ... custom embellishments

I added pearls for a little bling

 

 

 

The finished layout

 

 

"SCRAP"booking and Merry Christmas

Two projects today:

I'm up at Creative Inspiration for the Saturday All Sorts Challenge.

Think about it ...  scrapbooking is “SCRAP”booking. This means it's a great way for you to use up your extra paper scraps, and that was my inspiration for today’s layout.
I saved all those strips of paper I trimmed off for other projects and used them as a fun accent on this layout.
My challenge to you is to create a layout or card and use up some of your paper scraps.  You have till the end of the month to play along.  Be sure to check out the Creative Inspiration board for more challenges and some great inspiration from the Design Team.

 

 

Today I'm also sharing a card on the Just Imagine Crafts / KreaxionsPunches Blog.

Is it ever to early to start making your Christmas cards?  For as many as I have to make I'm thinking I should have started months ago.  This card was easy to make because I used the Kreaxions Circle Cutter.  I created the Christmas wreath by cutting 1 1/2 inch and 1/2 inch circles.  Adding a banner, a little seam binding and some jingle bells finished it off.

 

 

Off The Rails Scrapbooking November Mood Board

There's a new mood board challenge up at Off The Rails Scrapbooking. 

That also means there is a Design Team Reveal. 

Do you want to be inspired by some amazing work

 ... then be sure to check out the blog. 

For November the theme

is "Summer Photos".  I just happen to have a photo of

a friend's little girl that fit the bill for this challenge.

 

 

I had some fabric scraps left over from a rag banner I made and

decided to weave the fabric together to make my background.

For this project I raided my stash and pulled everything

I had that went with the mood board.  Then through the process

of elimination I started selecting my embellishments.

I'm always amazed at what I find in my stash. 

 

 

 

 

 

We have two sponsors for the month of November:

 

Memory Maze

 

 

Imaginarium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Count Your Blessings

Today there is a Design Team reveal up on the Just ImagineCrafts/Kreaxions Punches Blog.  "Count Your Blessings" - I created this card using the Kreaxions Star Stencil and the Kreaxions 4 in 1 punch #906.  The doily was made using the punch and the "A" insert.  The border strip was made using the punch with no insert.  I love the fact that you can get different looks using the same punch.

 



 

 

My Happy Place

I'm finally getting around to sharing my new scrappy space.

My scrap room has been in the basement for about 10 years.  This past June I decided it needed updating.  With Randy's help ... or should I say with my help, Randy remodeled my scrap room.

He painted the room ($150.00) and installed the shelving unit ($500.00).  He also made my window shelf ($45.00) and my Cricut table (200.00).  What a handy guy!
I'm somewhat of a scrap supply hoarder.  Having my supplies organized in clear plastic containers ($175.00) and glass jars helps me to see  what I have, so it can be used and not forgotten about.  All my supplies are within easy reach and everything has a place.  This room has become my happy place where I can create till my heart's content.
There is another room on the other side of the basement and that's where all the supplies I'm not using are stored (extra paper/cardstock, albums and card making supplies, etc.).

There are still some things that need to be done ...

I found the old kitchen tables at a thrift store ($45.00) and the legs need to be painted white.  I still need to hang up some pictures and display some crafty projects.  I would also like to cut out a saying in vinyl and put it on the door and/or walls.

 

Floor to ceiling shelving unit is from Lowes.  I painted two old

wood filing cabinets and placed them underneath the shelving unit. 

Buttons are stored in Starbucks bottles and small

embellishments are stored in little plastic jars. 

The clear plastic containers help me to see

where things are at a glance.

 

 

 

I got the paper storage rack on ebay years ago for $25.00.

 

 

 

Since this room is in the basement I didn't want to cover up the windows

and block any light coming in.  I think the rag banner is perfect. 

You can't really see them but I have started a collection or vintage floral pin frogs.

 

 

 

Randy made my window shelf out of an old window and some

knobs from Hobby Lobby.

Storing my flowers and small embellishments in clear

containers helps me to know what I have.

 

 

 

I use this table as a work station for cutting and embossing.

 

 

 

I find it much easier to stand while using my Cricut. 

Randy made me this table with shelves on three

sides of it for storing cartridges.

 

 

 

My creative station, where I actually work on my projects.

... and no it's not always this clean. 

Although I do clean up between working on projects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creative Inspiration October Mini Crop

It's time for the Creative Inspiration October Mini Crop, be sure to check out all the fun and inspiring challenges posted by the Design Team.

My challenge is to create a Halloween themed project and anything goes.  It can be a layout, card, tag, ATC, or altered project.  I created a gift box which I'll fill with yummy goodies for a friend.

Can't wait to see your Halloween projects!

 

 

It's Your Birthday

Today there is a Design Team  Sketch Reveal up at Creative Inspiration.  Be sure to check out how the other designers used this sketch and be inspired.

 

October Sketch

 

 

This page for Vincent's album is so different from what I normally do ... no patterned paper, only cardstock and limited embellishments ... oh my!  But I love the way it turned out.