Exploring and creating using the Score Pal with Susan Luke

Susan has been exploring with the SCORE PAL again and created an adorable card for you all to have a try at making.

We would love for you to have a go and place it in the gallery for us to admire!.

Materials:

• Sassafras Sweet Marmalade Sugary Sweet paper
• Cardstock
• Aqua Ric Rak
• flowers and buttons
• Scor-Pal- This is for PRE-ORDER now and a wonderful tool to use!!!!
• Double sided tape
• Paper cutter
• Photo of your choice
• Pritt glue
• Sentiment stamp
• 1 3/4" circle punch
• Ink pads
• Kaiser Champagne Rhinestones

First choose your photo and border and decide how wide and long you want your card to be. Cut the cardstock to frame the photo and allow placement of the border.

Measure out a piece of cardstock that is twice as long as your photo. Cut it to the same width as your photo and twice the length. Then place the strip of paper in the Scor-Pal and score it down the middle.

Measure out the 1/4 mark on your card strip and score there too.

Now fold your card in the middle and then make a mountain fold in the front of the card along the scored line.

Next place adhesive strips along the bottom half of the card front as shown. This adhesion needs to be strong so be generous with your tape.

Next adhere the photo and border mat to the bottom half of the card front. You still need to be able to make the card fold back as shown.

Decorate the inside of your card. The bottom half of the open card will show when the photo is on display. You will also need some anchor points for your photo to use as an easel.Here I used some ric rak, borders cut from my paper, cardstock, flowers and buttons. I glued the flowers and buttons to the card base.

And here is the completed card. I just popped up the circle shape where I stamped the sentiment, and have rested the picture against the buttons on the card.

Here's how the card looks form the side. You can make it more upright by moving the buttons back into the card a bit.

 




















Or you can back the picture up to rest on one of the borders like this:

thank you susan for this adorable card

thankyou everyone for stopping by
luv tanXx

THE THOUGHT BEHIND THE PROCESS

Die-cut Patterned Papers

There is such a range of  Die Cut Patterned papers and they can be so versatile. They range in prices and can be a tad more expensive than a regular piece of printed paper - but you can use it a few times if you decide that your layout only needs a portion of the paper, this can make it extremely economical but also can give your layout a standout effect.

The layout 'Sweet baby girl' was created using a Making Memories Scalloped patterned paper. I decided to cut it in half for this project as I needed some for another project later down the track.  I had a lot of photos to work with again with this series and decided that i would use the paper to the right of my page and then mount the photographs almost in the center creating two lines. 

The printed paper has ledger lines so I left enough room so that i could journal down the right side of the page.  I added some vintage lace, rub ons,  a pre-formed heading and the layout was almost done. I like to overlap items on my page as I feel it ties it all together - you can see this with the rub ons that i have used.

A  doodled  white border on the inside of my photos to help frame them and the layout was all complete.

have fun scrapping this week

tracey

Score Pal with Susan Luke

Here is our first layout by Susan Luke. 

Materials:

• Photos
• cardstock
• Bella Grace Paper
• Inks
• Green Tara - Batic multi flowers
• sheer nylon ribbon
• FTI Rhinestone 
• Little Yellow Bicycle journaling tag
• American Crafts Glitter Letter Stickers (Thickers)
• File set
• Mesh Ribbon
• Needle and thread
• Sewing machine
• Double sided tape

First choose your photo and mat.

Now cut a wide strip of paper for the middle of your layout from the Coordinations cardstock. Crumple it up and smooth it out again.

Use the Rose Red ink to highlight the crumpled folds and add interest to the piece. I also sanded the edges of it and scuffed it up a little

I wanted to use some of the other side of the paper, so I 'stole' it from the middle. I laid my 12" x 12" scrapbook paper out and measured how long it was, then flipped it over and took the middle pieces I wanted. 

When I was done taking the pieces out, I lined up the 12" x 12" paper again on the original measuring points so I could add my own centre and have it wind up measuring 12" x 12" again.

I then brought my harvested bits around to the front of the page and taped them where I wanted them to be.

Next I taped the red cardstock to the front of the layout as shown.

And then I sewed a double line of black stitching around it with my sewing machine. I took the black netting and pleated it up on either side of where the photo would be, then sewed it to the layout as well.

I thought the photo mat I chose was too bright so I inked the edges with Taken with Teal ink.

To make a little flower I rolled some sheer ribbon into a circle

And stitched it in the middle.

Then I spread out the 'petals' and stitched them in place. After that I added a flower and a button to the top. I added in some more flowers and buttons, some bling, my journaling tag and a title, and I was done!

Thank you susan for this lovely layout... 

Hope everyone has a lovely sunday

luv tanXX

Step-by-Step layout by Ingeborg Dijkstra using 'Green at Heart' from Basic Grey

Tanyah asked me if I'd like to create a few layouts and/ or cards with the brand new 'Green at Heart' collection from Basic Grey. Looking at the gorgeous green, purple and pink colours of this collection I only needed a second to say 'yes' to that idea! In the next few weeks I will show you cards and layouts made with this wonderful range. Basic Grey also released some great new embellishments that I will use as well!

Here is a list of materials that I have used for this layout:

• Green background paper 'Moss' (Green at Heart collection, Basic Grey)
• Patterned paper 'Grass' (Green at Heart collection, Basic Grey)
• Stitching Template (Bazzil)
• Coloured Chipboard Stickers (Green at Heart collection, Basic Grey)
• Felt Shapes ' Woolies' (Green at Heart collection, Basic Grey)
• Die Cut shapes 'Pieces' (Green at Heart collection, Basic Grey)
• Journaling Set 'Writer's Block' (Green at Heart collection, Basic Grey)

I started this layout with a green background. The 'Moss' paper fitted well with the colours of the photo I was going to use.

I cut a large rectangle of the 'Grass' paper. Don't let the name fool you ... this paper is not green, but purple and it has the cutest butterflies and swirls on it (see picture below):

I wanted to keep this layout fairly plain to really showcase the photo and the lovely Basic Grey products, but I still wanted to add a bit of a personal touch to it with some handstitching. I used a Bazzil Stitching template with swirls to create a border on the right side of the paper. You will see the template on the picture below.

I used wool to create this border to make it a bit 'fuzzy'.

Using some of the gorgeous embellishments of the Green at Heart collection I finished of my layout. I used a chipboard tree from the Chipboard Coloured Stickers pack, a felt butterfly and heart from the 'Woolies' package, two die cut shapes from the 'Die Cuts Pieces' pack and a little journaling spot from the journaling set 'Writer's Block'. This journaling set actually contains heaps and heaps of journaling tags ... they are stacked in the package, so even though you only see a few on the photo, there are many in the package!

Click HERE to see the whole 'Green at Heart' collection that is available in the shop! I'd love to see you create a card or a layout with this collection too. If you do, make sure you upload it in the gallery for all of us to enjoy!

Painted backgrounds - 'Splattering' by Nicky Amber

Painted backgrounds are an easy and inexpensive way to jazz up your layouts.  With just a piece of plain cardstock and some paint you can create your very own works of art! - and with the fantastic prices on cardstock and fabulous range of paint available it's a really affordable way to customise your layouts.

Today I am going to show you one way to create your own painted background. I stress this is just one way because there are so many different techniques out there to be tried - I really encourage you to experiment and try out different styles and techniques...after all if it doesn't work out you can always just stick a photo over it.

In the layout 'Learning to swim' I have created the painted background by using a splattering technique.  Because it is a page about swimming I wanted to create an effect like splashing water so I used this splattering technique to achieve that.


Take note: you may want to lay down some newspaper over you work surface as there may be paint flying around (or there is when I do it anyway).

I firstly watered down some paint to give it a runny consistency.  

Next I have used a couple of techniques to get the paint from the brush to the page. 

• If you are after big 'blobs' or droplets of paint on your page then you can squeeze the paint from the paintbrush with your fingers.  Dropping these from varying heights will give slightly different effects also.

• If you want more of a fine misty spatter, run your finger across the top of the brush and it will flick the paint from the paintbrush (I remember doing this with an old toothbrush at school).

Here's the result:

 Here's another example:

 

This technique is great for those layouts that feature kids artwork, water play, bathtime or just to try something new.  If you do try out this technique on your layout we would really love for you to share it with us in our Scrap N Craft with T gallery  - click HERE.

Happy creating...xxxooo

My Minds Eye - Lil Robots Collection Papers, Layouts by Sarah Rickard

My Minds Eye (MME) have a brand new collection that has just been released called "Lil Robots".  This is another range of papers that I just had to have!  I think it is just perfect for boys layouts, and I sure have heaps of pics of my boys that suit sthis paper range.  It is nice and bright and just too cute!

Here are the layouts that I have created using this paper range, I hope you love them as much as I do:-

* "My Chubba Bubba" layout - Products used:- MME Lil Robots paper and chipboard shapes, Kraft cardstock, black zig writer pen,  red mesh and machine sewing.

*  "Fun Times" layout - Products used:- MME Lil Robots paper and brads, Making Memories paint,  Adornit alphabet stickers, black zig writer pen, photos by Rachel Richter.

*  "Enjoy The Little Things" layout - products used:-  MME Lil Robots paper, chipboard shapes and brads, black zig writer pen, navy fabric mesh. 

*  "Precious Rascal" layout - products used:- MME Lil Robots paper and chipboard shapes, mesh fabric, staples, black zig writer pen, Kaisercraft rub-ons.

 
*  "Too Cute!" layout - products used:- MME Lil Robots papers, chipboard shapes and brads, Making Memories paint, Crafters Workshop 12 x 12 template, black zig writer pen, American Crafts ribbon, navy fabric mesh, VersaMagic Ink and machine stitching.

Happy scrapping!

Sarah xoxoxo

Our Guest Designer for April is.... Susan Luke

We warmly welcome Susan as part of our creative team for April, Susan has amazing work to share with us and I am sure you will enjoy over the next month.

Hi! I'm Susan. I live in Queensland with my husband. Our children are all adults now and they have made us grandparents three times over. I work outside the home part time and when I am home I spend lots of time on the computer at my papercraft site, http://www.papercraftcentral.com  It's a way to be crafty and not too unsociable as I sit next to my hubby when he is home with a laptop on my lap. Lol!

I love to make things out of paper and make cards, layouts, ATCs and 3d papercraft items whenever I can. I hope you enjoy the projects I have put together for Tanyah. I sure had fun making them :)

We will show you susans first project soon!...

luv tanXx

THE THOUGHT BEHIND THE PROCESS

I thought that I would chat about ATC's, also known as Artist Trading Cards. They must be 2.5"x3.5", or 64x89mm in size. Also they must never be sold but you can trade them, or join a swap with a group of friends to exchange them. Another handy tip is on the back you must add your details - your name, title of the ATC, contact info, and number in the collection. Now you are all set to start creating.

When creating your ATC all art techniques are allowed... it is an open canvas to your imagination. A lot of the swaps that I have been in have been themed. I have been in a few swaps including butterflies, pets, Christmas, beach, love & quote themed ATC swaps. Ideally it is great if you can be in a swap with no more than 8 members, it allows it to be managed easily and postage is kept to a minimum as the parcels are smaller in thickness when they need to be posted off.

When I create my ATC I use a good quality cardstock for the backing. Another thing i like to incorporate into my cards is stamping. Its great to have a little fun with products that you don't use on a regular basis. The above ATC was themed 'Pets' ...i made my card a little bit quirky by using a stamp that i had in my drawers which had not been used in a very long time. It was a cute take on the theme... it would be great to own a sheep in suburbia ... lol...

Other ideas to use in your cards would be dimension - pop dots were a great way for me to add it to the Xmas ATC above... the little stars have been raised to give dimension. I also like adding texture to my cards by adding dimensional magic, texture paste and stitching. 

Have fun creating your own ATC's and start a swap group with friends, its a great way to learn new techniques and gather ideas to add to your cards, craft projects and your scrapbooking. 

I do hope you are having a great Easter with your family and are capturing some beautiful memories to scrapbook with  - we would love to see some of your Easter creations or  ATC ideas added to the gallery.... 

ciao

tracey

Saturday Scrapping Stimulus...

Happy Easter! I hope you're having a hoppingly good weekend!

The quotes this week are of course related to Easter...

"Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there."

~Clarence W. Hall

Oh, and for all you chocoholics out there...

"All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!"

~Lucy Van Pelt in Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz

Have a wonderful Easter!

Easter Wreath with felt flowers and real flowers ...

Today I'd like to show you an Easter Wreath that I made. Well ... I bought the basket, which is shaped like a wreath, but added my own touch to it, because I like lots of colour! As a scrapper and/ or cardmaker I am always looking of other things/ projects to use my products and/ or tools.

On the first picture below, you see what it looked like when I bought it. The cute pink flowers are from a plant and yes, they are real! I live in the Netherlands, so Spring has started and we have the cutest and most colourful flowers all around us!

Some more photos to show you some more details; de felt flowers were in my stash and the two cute birdies were bought at a cheap store. I used my branch punch and green cardstock for the little branches behind the flowers. This whole project (including the basket and plant with flowers) cost me less than $ 10,00, which would make a nice gift for your mum or mother-in-law without costing you heaps.

So ... I would love to see some of you have a go at altering a basket, a flower pot, anything really! We'd love to see some more Off The Page projects in the gallery!