fun in a pouch + winners + prize

FIRST – some PRIZE WINNERS: {e-mail me mflaum @ comcast . net to claim your prizes!}

Mary kathryn – MM vintage findings + peppermint bark
Amy E – big fall box (kit from my stash) of fun
marygail – yearbook (Studio Calico) kit

LAST CHANCE for these – I draw new winners Friday as I’ve not heard from any of you -
Halloween prize winner: Ann Abrameit
BIG box ‘o Fiskars prize: Terrie Carlson
ink, ribbon, and brads – Christina Simon

I’m so happy with this little pouch I see myself making lots of variations. Different fabrics, sizes, reasons… it was FUN.

FYI – I’m just about the world’s worst sewer. So for me to say that, you can trust that it was a) easy and b) actually fun. Seriously – I’m awful at sewing but I only had to seam-rip two different times on this. Talk about a victory!

You can see the whole project + instructions here: http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/projects/t_creativefunpouch.aspx

While you’re over there you can scope out the contents of this craft inspiration to-go & you’ll learn a little secret.

{I’m giving it away right here, right now!}

Ok, I’ll put in fresh adhesive + new scissors… but yes. I made this pouch and YOU might just be the crafty friend who gets to have it! It’ll come all wrapped up pretty too. If you want it, just leave a comment here. I’ll draw a winner on 11/14.

busted! I totally scrap-lifted.

Do you think you could handle just one more peek at layouts from my class Adventures in Scrapbooking: Using Kits? I hope so.  The images you are about to see are scrap-lifted. That’s right. I looked at some layouts in design team galleries on-line and copied. lifted. blatantly and on purpose.

Before you call the scrappy police, you should know that I had permission from the talented ladies that I was inspired by and that these layouts are all for the final bonus handout in class. All about how to use ideas from design team (mostly kit) galleries & use them in your own pages and make the ideas and designs work for you.

I think it’s a pretty cool idea if I do say so myself – and who doesn’t want more ideas for making the most of their supplies – especially when it’s a seven layout BONUS handout!!

Of course we’re still in week #1 in class, so you’ll have to wait a while to see the full layouts (if you’re in class!). If you’d like to sign up or get more information about class you can check it out here: http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/adventureskits.php Registration closes on November 11th – so there’s still time to join us!

I’d like to thank Ali Edwards, Kelly Goree, Leslie Ashe, Lisa Dickinson, Stephanie Howell, Susan Weinroth, and Valerie Salmon for letting me lift their beautiful pages and use them as examples in this class handout. They are all such talented scrapbookers and it was a treat to use their pages as inspiration. Thank you ladies!!

Now I’m back to making some BIG crafting fun…

Featured project + Prize

I did the featured tool projects this week at www.fiskarscrafts.com and I had such a good time with this! My inspiration was to show the limited edition squeeze punches being useful + using up paper scraps to make stuff. Who doesn’t need to save money this holiday season? I know I do – and these projects are quick and can use up whatever papers you have lying around.

Adding some home-made love to your giving doesn’t have to be hard!

Find project photos + instructions here: http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/projects/t_scrapholidayideas.aspx

Oh yes, and as usual since I’ve got a project up that means I’ve got a give-away! From Fiskars – the Jingle Bulb squeeze punch! {psst… I bet there will be a few extras in that box like Fiskars tape runner + a pair of my fave scissors…}

To enter just leave a comment here – I’ll draw a winner next Sunday.

Guess who’s in the Basic Grey newsletter?

Have you seen the Basic Grey November newsletter? You can check it out here: http://www.basicgrey.com/clientuploads/CNL_1109.pdf

Pssst – I made a layout with their swoon-worthy Eskimo Kisses line that is featured this month in it. I pretty much squealed when I saw Kelly Goree’s call to create a page for the sketch… and I was even peppier when she gave me the green light to do it…

It felt good to put some of my Basic Grey stash to such good use. I just love how this page came out and YES! I used a holiday line for a non-holiday page. It can totally be done – just have to pick the right stuff.

“I Becca” is because if you ask her if she’s various things (animals, minnie mouse, etc) she says “I becca!” So cute. Had to document it. I’ve got a few tips to share about the layout too:

* Die cut paper (could be any kind of paper really) approx 11 1/2 x 11 wide. I used the back side of it instead of the colored side.
* Kraft cardstock cut 9 1/2 x 8 1/2 and corners are rounded & edged with smooch ink.
* strip of patterned paper below photos (which are 4×6) is about 1 1/4 x 6
* Strip of patterned paper at right of photos could be substituted with a ribbon or border sticker
* I used a big rub-on under the title letters, but a stamp or sticker could work too.
* I placed the bigger rhinestones and pearls first, then the smaller ones. Don’t worry about perfect or being even – I like the random look.

I think the rhinestones & pearls along the edge is my favorite part.

Excuse me, I need to go fondle make another layout with this line of paper ASAP.

Would you like my yearbook?

This is Yearbook, the October kit from Studio Calico. I use this in week #6 of my Big Picture Scrapbooking class (get info + sign up here) and it was a fun kit to play with. Those envelopes + woodgrain alphas = my favorite parts. I’m currently a subscriber to Studio Calico, and because of that I ended up with 2 of these kits.

How? Well they sent me the kit (way early) so I could get it used in my class… but then about a month later my subscriber kit that I buy each month showed up. Huh. Whatever should I do with this kit that I wound up with two of? I’ve been thinking about it and I could take it apart and use the pieces… or…

{do you know what I’m going to say?}

I could gift it to one of you!

Yes that’s right, I’d like one of you to have it. Just leave a comment here and tell me something you like about kits. If you’re already signed up in my class please do tell me what you’re liking about that too! (if not – that’s ok too!!)

Good luck, and happy crafting!

pink paper for a pumpkin filled page.

Today I played with a different Making Memories little kit. This one had 8×8 papers inside and I used it to make a 12×12 layout.

To create a page like mine you need:
12×12 sheet of cardstock (I used and distressed core’dinations cardstock)
2 pieces patterned paper cut to size 8×8
2 photos (4 x 6 and 3 x 5)
Tag or embellishment (about 3 x 6)
journaling paper/card (about 3 x 5)
1/2″ x 8 strip patterned paper for pleating OR ribbon of approximate size
alphabet stickers
2 1/2x 4 1/2″ paper (mine is an envelope – the one with the crown on it)
random buttons, flowers, jewels, sequins, or other small embellishments to accent page

Once again I gathered inspiration from my kits class that started this morning. It’s so much fun already – and yes there’s still time to join us.

I just love  that all I added to this page outside the very cute girly kit was cardstock + letter stickers + the journaling block I had printed out from Ali’s class. So simple to do – and way fun.

Next up? Sleep followed by more fun to share here…

Spark

Margie e-mailed me and asked if I’d make something to donate for an auction they’re doing at this weekend’s Spark event (wish I could have gone!) to benefit the Susan G Komen foundation.

It starts tomorrow. Oh if only California was an hour’s drive from Utah… ah well.

I said OF COURSE. But then the flu set me back and I didn’t have time to do the big pillow or wall hanging I’d planned on and I needed a plan C. Something faster but still super cute.

So I sewed this pouch and put one of my precious vintage jars (filled with treasure) inside. My idea was that these treasures might spark creative ideas.

I loved putting my homemade touches on these supplies, and I hope whoever gets the jar enjoys it.

Surprise party… with treats.

In just a few hours the classroom will open over at Big Picture and students will start on an adventure with me + kits. I’m going to go get some sleep before it gets going, but in the meantime, I’d like to kick off a blog party right here – you’re invited of course.

It’s an idea that just came to me a few moments ago since I’ve got posts and thoughts backing up – why not do a blog-stravaganza for a few days to celebrate class, kits, craftiness, and just because? So it starts now, right here. I present: give away #1

Tiny kits = fabulous, and the vintage findings line has been a favorite since first sight. I picked up these little treats yesterday at my Michael’s store – who also had famous Ghirardelli peppermint bark. I think it goes well with the vintage cuteness, don’t you? One of you will walk away with these treats – just leave a comment here to be entered!

Happy Crafting -

join the adventure!!

Tomorrow my class at Big Picture starts – and I really hope you’ll join me!

You can find info here: http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/adventureskits.php - and if you have any questions please feel free to ask here or e-mail me at mflaum @ comcast . net

I did a guest post over at the Big Picture blog this morning – and as promised there here’s a “how to” on my layout inspired by week #2 of class:

1. All you need is:

* 12×12 sheet patterned paper
* 8 1/2 x 9 piece of paper (patterned or solid – corners rounded and edges inked)
* Four photos: 2 that are 3 x 5 (portrait) , and 2 that are 3 x 4 (landscape)
* 1 x 10″ strip orange cardstock (pleated)
* stickers, tags (or paper cut approx 2 x 3), and buttons and rhinestones or other small embellishments

2. Place the piece of patterned paper with photos placed on top of it onto the background paper.
3. Place the pleated paper and stitch into place.

4. Add in tags, stickers, and embellishments to taste.

You can use ANY products in my class – substitutions are totally welcome and I hope that you join me to have fun scrapbooking the rest of 2009 away! Busy times or not – you’ll have a great time. Something I really work hard on in my classes is to make the content useable long after the class is over so you can work at your own pace.

Since you now have access to all the class materials forever – even after class ends – this is more true than ever!

I’m excited – and I’ll be back soon to chat more. Have a great day!!!

Nov. Scarlet Lime layouts-

I’ve already shared my how-to’s on the photo decor + the muslin flowers… now it’s time I post these layouts! First up, my layouts with the project kit from www.scarletlime.com -

I can’t wait to go Christmas dress shopping for the girls next week. Oh how I love Christmas dresses and of course scrapbooking the portraits I take of them…

This layout is photos from our first Christmas, first Christmas as parents, first with Becca, and then last year. This year I vow more family of 4 pics!

Now here’s what I did with the main Nov. kit…

See? Already this year we’re taking more family photos. This layout came out exactly how I wanted it. And since we were all REALLY red faced in this photo I’d printed it out B&W instead of in color.

Christy put a lot of funk-a-licious stuff in this kit. I was in heaven for sure.

Duuuude. I had to beg a cast member to help me figure out when to get in line at Pixie Hollow so we could meet this fairy. ANY fairy really. After 2 or 3x going up and meeting Irridessa + Tinkerbell (who’s ALWAYS there)  E was getting bummed. She really wanted to meet Silvermist or Rosetta. She batted her eyes and I pleaded. The nice lady helped me time it out and we met Rosetta. Aw yeah.

 

I don’t know why I made this page or what inspired it exactly. I had a 101 fever at the time… and I do really like how it came out. Just index prints + squares of paper. Fun stuff.

I had a lot of fun with these kits. Is it time for next month’s yet???