For Love of Paper

Whatever Wednesday: Inspiration

I received an email last week from one of my reader's with this card attached. She said she was inspired by the Make Over Monday Card for the layout and then used the color combo from the card I had posted on Tuesday. Here's a look at her inspiration.

She had just received the Beautiful Wings Embosslit and knew she wanted to use it on her card. This is a great example of how to get inspiration from someone else's work and make it your own using the tools and supplies you have on hand.

So who is this mysterious reader? It's my mom, Belinda! Now you all know where I get my creative abilities. Mom had me crafting at the age of 3 and I haven't stopped since.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to take inspiration from someone else and create!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue and Whimsical Words

Inks: Soft Suede and Basic Black

Paper: Vellum Cardstock, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink and Soft Suede

Other: Half Pearls from the Pretties Kit, Sizzix Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Scallop Trim Border Punch and Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon

 

Make Over Monday: Distressed Circle Scrapbook Layout

First I apologize for being MIA for a few days. First I had a sinus and ear infection, okay I can work with that. Then I came down with the flu. The flu won and I had to lay low for a couple days.

I have to say I am totally happy with how this layout came out! Here is where I began. I spotted this layout in the January 2008 issue of Scrapbook Trends Magazine by Angela Maggard. Her layout was done digitally. When I saw the circles my mind immediately went to the Circle Circus stamp set and that is what I planned to use. Then when I actually sat down to make the page I looked over and saw the circle paper from the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper pack and the light bulb popped on. This paper was absolutely perfect. I just cut out sections of circles.

As you can see I turned my layout into a two page spread using nine photos. I really wanted the photo of my son falling asleep on the rug to be the last one so I also had to change up the layout to have the hanging photo on the right instead of the left.

I created the background paper by stamping the Sanded stamp onto 12x12 Whisper White several times using Sahara Sand Classic Ink, then inked the edges with a stamping sponge. Have I mentioned the Sanded stamps is one of my all time favorites! It is awesome for adding texture and also great for more masculine looks.

I really liked the look of orange journaling on the original so I kep that on my layout as well. Using a color for you journaling is a great way to add just a little more pop to your project and something I totally had forgotten about.

Another thing I had forgotten about was stamping on patterned paper. The small strip of DSP just below the photos begins as a diagonal strip. Then I rolled Sweet Swirl with Basic Black Classic Ink over it to give it a whole new look.

Here's a closer look at each page.

Supplies Used

Stamps: Sanded and Sweet Swirl Wheel (rolled on the DSP strip below the photos)

Inks: Basic Black and Sahara Sand Classic Ink

Paper: Whisper White and Sweet Pea DSP

Other: Sizzix Big Shot with Button's #5 Sizzlit, Hemp Twine, 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon and a sponge

Remember looking at other's work is a great place to learn new tricks or jog your memory for tricks you'd forgotten. If you're looking for inspiration or a few memory joggers be sure to stay tuned. Later this week I'll be introducing a new product that will get you going.

Whatever Wednesday: Perfect Post It Notes

Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for links to two more great projects with instructions!

Such a cute little project for today's Whatever Wednesday post but there's a lot to say about it. First off I am a sticky note queen. I won't go without them and they are everywhere. There just so darn handy. When I saw this cute little holder made from, of all things, the Stampin' Up! exclusive Scallop Envelope Die I knew I needed to whip up a few.

Having made different varieties of sticky note holders in the past there are two things that immediately come to mind.

1. The sticky note holder should, if not go with your decor, at least not clash with it.
2. You should make the sticky note holder go with yellow. This is the most widely available color of sticky note. Take it from me. I created just the most wonderful sticky note holder before, thinking I could find a coordinating color sticky note and no luck. So this time I decided to make something to go with yellow!

With that said I still had my supplies from this weeks's Make Over Monday project on my desk and they all coordinate beautifully with yellow. Since Monday I've also been trying to think of other projects to put the Petal Pizzaz flowers on. After I used this set on Monday I've really begun to fall in love with it. I read on someone else's blog once that when her house or life in general get crazy and messy she tends to go for more clean lines. I think that is the case here and these flowers are perfect for a clean line, modern design.

So how do you make one of these oh so cute and functional sticky note holders?

1. Cut two Scallop Envelopes
2. Trim the bottom envelope flap to 1/2" (shown in the photo below)
3. Cut a coordinating piece of DSP 2" x 3", adhere to envelope.
4. Use Sticky Strip to adhere scallop flap over DSP.
5. Place Sticky Strip on the left, right and bottom envelope flaps (on the envelope withOUT DSP). Remove protective backing from Sticky Strip and adhere the flaps of one envelope to the other.
6. Adhere a strong magnet or two to the back.
7. Add embellishment of your choice and sticky note pad.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Petal Pizzaz

Inks: Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Sweet Pea DSP, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White

Other: Sizzix Big Shot, SU! Scallop Envelope Die, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots and Sherbet Designer Series Buttons

Here's another view.

Click the links below to see two other fantastic projects made with this very versitile Sizzix die.

Open Gift Box

Gift Box with Lid

Signs of Spring Card Class RESCHEDULED!

Everyone absolutely loves the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers. So much in fact they are now on back order. With this being said I am rescheduling the Signs of Spring Card Class originally scheduled for this Saturday to Saturday, March 20th. Everything else remains the same.

You can choose to add sentiments to your cards like the one's above or not like the one's below. It's your choice.

Saturday, March 20th

Signs of Spring Card Class

9 am to Noon

My House in Leander, Texas

Do you love the look felt embellishments give but don't know how to work with them?

This class features the new Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers and will show you how to use them; including what type of adhesives work best and how to put them together.

Each participant will create eight cards total, two of each of the four designs shown. You will also receive eight envelopes and the remainder of your Sweet Pea Felt Flowers.

In addition to learning how to work with felt embellishments you will also be using the Sizzix Big Shot with the new Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder and the new Scallop Trim Border Punch giving you three new techniques to use on future projects.

Cost $25

Click the button below to register.

Make Over Monday: Petal Pizzaz

Today's Make Over Monday is going to be short and sweet (I'm a little under the weather.) People often ask me how I come up with my color combination's? This is such an easy answer. I just look through the catalog at all of the awesome Designer Series Papers. Under each package of DSP there is a list of the coordinating cardstock colors. There are you colors right there! Choose a couple or use them all, you can't go wrong. The Stampin' Up! designers have already done the tough work for you.

This card is a perfect example. The Sweet Pea DSP on page 33 of the Occasions Mini Catalog features eight colors. Here I have pulled out the So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive.

The card I chose as my inspiration for today's Make Over Monday, by Keri Michaud, did the same thing. She used another patterned paper and pulled her colors from there.

I have to say I really wished I owned a wider Pumpkin Pie Ribbon and I discovered I need more Happy Birthday stamps, but Make Over Monday is all about using what you have on hand.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Petal Pizzaz and Fresh Cuts

Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive 

Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue and Sweet Pea DSP

Other: 1/4" Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Shebet Designer Series Buttons, Stampin' Dimensionals and Mini Glue Dots

The feminine side of Totally Tool

Yesterday I promised to show you an easy way to get even more mileage from the Totally Tool stamp set. The obvious use for a stamp set full of tools is for masculine cards but these days more and more women are the tool owners. This is the case in my house so when I saw a fellow demonstrator make a card like this I thought how clever!

With the simple addition of the letter "S" you now have a whole new use for this stamp. Now it reads "SHE who has the most tools wins." I managed to write the "S" in with a Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker. If you're not comfortable writing the letter in you could also use a diecut "S" from the Naturally Serif Sizzlit alphabet found on page 196 or stamp it using the Calendar Alphabet & Numbers stamp on page 151 of the current Idea Book & Catalog.

Supply List:

Stamps: Totally Tool and Priceless

Inks: Pretty in Pink (100459) and Going Gray Classic Ink (103274), Pretty in Pink (100045), Chocolate Chip (100071) and Going Gray Stampin' Write Markers

Paper: Chocolate Chip (102128), Whisper White (100730) and Sending Love DSP (117153)

Other: Sizzix Big Shot (113439) with Top Note Die (113463), Clip Assortment (112580), 1/4" Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon (109032), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Mini Glue Dots (103683) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

When you're creating sometimes you have to remember to think outside of the box!

Whatever Wednesday: Masculine Valentine

Creating a masculine Valentine is extra difficult because Valentine's is all about non-masculine things like hearts and pink. Thinking a little outside the box I remembered the Totally Tool stamp set and viola, a masculine Valentine was born. This stamp set allowed me to capture the feeling of Valentine's Day without the traditional fru-fru stuff.

Supply List:

Stamps: Totally Tool and Love You Much

Inks: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Going Gray and Pretty in Pink

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Taken with Teal and Sweet Pea DSP

Other: Tearing Edge Ruler, 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon and a Stamping Sponge

Cutting:

• Chocolate Chip Card Base 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
• Sweet Pea DSP 3" x 5 1/2", tear 1/2" off
• Taken with Teal 2 7/8" x 2 1/4"
• Whisper White 2 5/8" x 2" and 5 1/4" x 4" (card liner)

If you're always in need of masculine cards check out the Totally Tool stamp set.

Totally Tool (113256) $25.95 

Click the online ordering button at the top right of this page or contact me via phone 512-259-5575 or email chris@forloveofpaper.com to order this awesome stamp set today!

Also be sure to stop back tomorrow and I'll show you a way to get even more use from this terrific stamp set.

Two different looks, one great card

Yesterday I promised I would show an example of how changing just the colors of a project can give it an entirely different look and feel. We all know different colors evoke different feelings and emotions.

As an example of this I took yesterdays Make Over Monday card and changed it from Basic Black, Whisper White and Melon Mambo to Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White (one of my favorite new color combos).

Supply List:

Stamps: none

Inks: none

Paper: Whisper White (100730), Soft Suede (115318) and Pretty in Pink (100459)

Other: Sizzix Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335), Heart of Hearts Embosslit (117332), Full Heart Punch (113693), Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402 ask me how you can get this for FREE), Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon (115612) and Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive (110755)

___________________________________________________________________________

Tip: When trying to adhere anything with a texture, like the hearts and background of this card with the polka dot texture, try using the Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive instead of SNAIL (tape runner). Sometimes the regular adhesives have trouble getting hold of the dots but there isn't anything the Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive won't stick to. It's also great for papers with glitter on them. Check it out on page 192 of the current Idea Book & Catalog.

___________________________________________________________________________

The next time you make a card you really like, give it another go around with different colors. This is a great way to stretch your creativity. If you've spent the time to create a card your really happy with use it again with different colors.

Make Over Monday: Melon Mambo Hearts

What is Make Over Monday?

Each Monday I begin with an inspiration project. From there I recreate the project using only tools and supplies I have on hand.

With Valentine's less than a week away I thought hearts would be a good focus for Make Over Monday. This card features one of this years terrific In Colors, Melon Mambo and three great new products, the Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Vintage Vogue Stamp Set and the Scallop Trim Border Punch, which you can earn for FREE! Contact me to find out how.

What attracted me to this card by Raquel were the colors. Combining black and white with any other vibrant color can't be beat. What makes the combination so great is the contrast between the colors. It results in a very crisp, modern look.

Other good colors to try with Basic Black and Whisper White:

• Real Red
• Crushed Curry
• Bermuda Bay
• Tempting Turquoise
• Orchid Opulence

Supply List:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue

Inks: Basic Black

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White and Melon Mambo

Other: Sizzix Big Shot with Heart of Hearts Embosslit and Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Sherbet Designer Series Buttons, 5/8" Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon and white crochet thread (non-SU!)

Be sure to stop back tomorrow and I'll show you how changing only the colors of a project can create a totally different look and feel.

Cute Valentine CASE

At times we all find ourselves in a creative rut. When I first got the new Sweetheart stamp set (used in the card above) I was having trouble coming up with a design that I liked and still able to reach the area that needed to be punched out. Hmm, did that make any sense? You get my drift anyway, I was stuck.

I came to the conclusion I didn't need to reinvent the wheel so I CASED (copy and share everything) this cute little Valentine from Melissa Stout. The only thing I changed was the paper.

I tell you this because I want you to know it is MORE than okay to copy projects. Or start with someone else's project and make a few changes to give it your personal touch. You don't have to start from scratch.

I challenge you to take any project you can find on my blog and CASE it outright or make a few changes. If you take my challenge please email me a photo of your project. I'd love to see it!

chris@forloveofpaper.com