{Make}ing Progress Crop Days 3 & 4

Day Three:

Alrighty, today it's all about the embellishments.  We're going to jazz up this layout with oodles of embellies.  This is always my favorite part!  Go through your stash and pull anything and everything that matches your colors and speaks to the theme of your page.  Don't worry, you won't be using it all on your page, but it helps to see what you have to help you choose what to use.  

Did you think you were getting off that easy?!  To prove that you really looked at your stash, here's what I want to see on your finished page:

1) chipboard--it can be pre-finished, you can leave it raw, paint it, stamp it, cover it with paper

2) 2 brads

3) something punched or die cut

4) a button

5) {this one is optional b/c I don't want to be known as the Scrapbooking Sadist!}  something you created with your own two hands.

You are not limited to just this list, but you must include at least this list to be following the challenge. :D 

Now lay your photo down somewhere on the patterned paper mat you created on Day 1 and begin arranging your embellies on your page until you get an arrangement you like.  Don't forget to include your mini envelope you made yesterday.  Sprinkle some embellies on that, too.

Don't feel like you have to commit and glue it down.  Come back and look at it throughout the day, sleep on it.  

It's looking great!

My heap of embellishments:

Day Four:

It's the final day!!  Pat yourself on the back for making it this far!  

So you have this fantastic LO that is coming together so nicely: pretty papers, a beautiful photo, a fabulous story, some fantastic embellishments.  This LO is not lacking much, but one thing it does need are some visible words (remember, we tucked your journaling into the envelope?).  Let's add a few meaningful words to this page.  Don't worry about whole sentences or lengthy paragraphs.  Just single words that support the mood, the theme, the story you're telling.  Cut them from paper, book print, type them and print them and cut them out, use word stickers, stamp them onto strips.  However you want to do it, just get at least three words on there.

While you're at it, if you think your page needs a title, add that too.  Or maybe the words you just added will serve as the title.

My words:

And one last embellishment for this page, just because I love them and feel like my pages aren't complete without them lately: use a border punch to punch some accent strips for your LO.  You can place them along your photo, or across the midpoint where your patterned papers meet up, or along the sides of your page, or along the edges of your patterned paper mat.  Put a punched border or two {or more} anywhere you think it makes sense.

A border:

Glue everything down and you are done!!  

Here's my completed page {and I used the March Petite kit that I love so much!}:

All completed layouts are due in the Scrapbook Heaven forum by Monday April 9th at midnight EDT to be eligible for prizes.

{Make}ing Progress Crop

There's a crop going on at Scrapbook Heaven this weekend!

It began yesterday, but it's definitely not too late to join in. 

You've heard of Progressive Dinners, right? You travel from home to home eating a different course at each stop. Well, we're putting a scrapbooking spin on that idea to bring you March's Crop Event: {Make}ing Progress. Here's how it will work: Beginning on Wednesday March 28th, each of the DT will share a daily challenge with you. Each day after, through Monday,  we will add a piece to the challenge. In the end you'll have a completed layout (or 4--one for each DT progressive challenge). And because we know you girls are crazy mad scrappers, we'll be sprinkling in some sketches along the way to give you even more inspiration to create layouts. What: {Make}ing Progress Crop When: Wednesday, March 28th through Monday, April 2nd Due: Monday, April 9th at midnight eastern time

Sounds fun, right?!  Stop in the forum and play along with us.

Here are my first two days:

It's day one of my challenge.  Today we'll build the foundation for our page.  

1) Begin with your photo--please only pick one.  I know this is sometimes hard, but choose a favorite, something that speaks to you and has a story to tell.

2) Now chose 4 coordinating patterned papers to go with your photo.  They can be subtle patterns.  A good rule of thumb when mixing patterns is to vary the scale of your prints.  I also like to combine stripes with polkadots with florals with geometrics.  Be careful about choosing patterns that are too busy--you don't want them to compete with your photo or embellishments.  You'll also need a background paper (this can be a solid if you would like).

3) Trim your chosen 4 papers down so that they create a square or rectangle when laid two by two.  Try to make the total shape more than 8" and less than 11".  They don't all have to be the same size--it's up to you.  Here's a little visual in case you need it:

Now stick them down onto your background paper.  You can do it smack dab in the center, or skew it toward one of the sides--again, totally up to you.

4) Are you with me so far?  We're almost done with day 1--you're doing great!  OK, so stick with me here.  I want you to stitch around the edge of the shape you just made.  I can hear you moaning!  If you have a machine--it's simple, give it a go.  If not, grab a needle and some embroidery floss and start stitching.  Any kind of stitch will do, even the little x's.  And you don't have to stitch all the way around, just as long as we can see some sort of stitching around the border of your patterned papers.

5) This last one will be optional; I don't want this to be too torturous!  See that background border around your pretty patterned papers?  It might need a little somethin' somethin'.  Try dripping a little paint, or sponging a little ink, or maybe do a squirt of mist.

A peek at mine at this point:

DAY TWO:

Hey, you came back for more!  Hooray!

So yesterday, you chose a photo that really spoke to you.  Maybe it's of a special person in your life, or a place you visited, maybe it's even a picture of you (for that you should get double points!).  In any case, it's a photo with a story to tell.  Grab a pen and paper and write down what you think when you look at this photo.  Record the story.  Do this without censoring yourself, because this little bit of writing won't actually be seen on your layout.

Now we're going to make a mini-envelope to tuck this away into.  If you have any pre-made envelopes, you get a free pass for this one--you lucky duck!  If not, don't worry, making an envelope is easy peasy.  Here are some links to free printable templates:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8554511/Free-Printable-Mini-Envelope-Template

http://naturescorridor.blogspot.com/2012/02/mini-envelope-template-update.html

Just download, print, cut, fold, and glue.  You could even print it onto some pretty patterned paper--just print onto the backside so you won't see the cut and fold lines on the front. 

Tuck your heartfelt writing into the envelope and you're ready for Day 3!

And here are my Instagram progress shots after the first two days of Vero's challenge:

See the whole progression thing?

Hope you'll join us for the fun!

Cornucopia of Cards Crop

If you enjoy making cards, or like to have a challenge to inspire you when you create, then you will want to head on over to the Scrapbook Heaven Forum for our upcoming Cornucopia of Cards Crop.  The fun begins next Friday, November 18th.

The Deets:

You're invited to Scrapbook Heaven's Cornucopia of Cards Crop! The DT has cooked up a smorgasbord of deliciousness. It's a Thanksgiving feast like none you have tasted and is sure to whet your creative appetite! Join us beginning Friday, November 18 for entree items, colorful side dishes, and technique-filled desserts. Who knows, you may even pick up a new recipe or two for your cookbook. See you at the banquet, and don't forget to bring a friend (and your creative appetite!).

Here's a little sneaky peeky of the projects I created for this crop:

I hope you will stop by!

Oh, and while I'm here I have one more November Elite kit LO to share with you:

I created this page for my technique challenge for the crop, but then remembered...duh, it's a CARD crop!  Thought I could sneak it in anyway, but those DT girls at Scrapbook Heaven run a tight ship ;) 

Thanks for stopping by!

There's a crop goin' on!

If you're in need of a little sketchy inspiration, hop on over to Scrapbook Heaven and check out the sketch crop happenin' right now!  There's $50 in Basic Grey supplies up for grabs for the winner, so please play along.  Here are mine to get you started:

The first one:
The Sketch:

The Challenge: Time to get naughty with a little strip tease! Gather up your strips of scrap paper, glue or stitch them together and cut them into a shape to use on your layout.

The Example:

The Close-Up:

 And the other one:
The Sketch:

The Challenge: 'Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...these are a few of my favorite things" This challenge is a bit a-la-carte. I compiled some of my favorite things into one LO, and you get to choose three or more of my LOVES to use on your page. Here they are:

The Example:

Have fun! And remember: to be eligible for the prize, your layout must be uploaded to Scrapbook Heaven by Thursday, Feb 24 @ 6:00pm EST.

Cards from the Crop

Finally getting around to posting these cards from last weekend's card crop at Scrapbook Heaven.  Lots of fun and inspiring challenges.  Here's what I managed to pull together:

 Gatefold:

Curved edge:

Paper ruffles:

 

 Round base:

 

 Ribbon slide:

Triptych:

And today kicked of our December event over there: Creative C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S.  Stop by the forum, or swing by the blog to check it out.  Here's a peek at one of the projects I'll be sharing:

Some Cards (though not of the holiday variety!)

There's a rip-roaring card crop in progress at Scrapbook Heaven.  Here are my five cards complete with tutorials:

Numero Uno:

Here's a fun little card that looks more complicated than it is:

You need:
3 pieces of cardstock:
front: 8 1/2" x 3"; scored at 2" from each end
middle: 6 1/2" x 3"; scored at 1" from each end
back: same as front

1) Punch or cut out a window in the front and middle sections. I used a 1 3/8" circle on the front punched three times; and a 1 1/4" circle on the middle.

2) Stamp on back piece in area that will show up in window.

3) Embellish the front and middle sections as desired.

4) Assemble like this:

Number Two: 

I found the idea for this card online and just fell in love with it. I'll warn you, it took me two tries to get this one right, so you may want to test it out on scrap paper first. (But, then, you all probly have more smarts than me and will get it on the first try!)

1) Cut a piece of cardstock to 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"

2) Score across at 4 1/4" (like you would for a traditional card)

3) Holding paper vertically, make a cut 2" from left side starting at 2 1/8" from top and running until 1" from bottom.

4) Score from right side to cut made in step 3, working from bottom up at: 1", 2", 3 1/8", (4 1/4" score is already there from step 1) and 6 3/8".

5) Fold the 2" wide left fold as a mountain, the 3 1/2" portion at the 4 1/4" as a valley. Alternate remaining scores as mountain and valley to create the "stairs".

6) Take a deep breath because you made it through the hard part and have fun embellishing your card!

Third Times a Charm: 

This little card is an oldie but goodie. Used this style for my youngest's birth announcement 5 years ago. They whip up faster than you think and pack an impressive punch!

1) Cut cardstock base: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

2) Cut patterned mat: 4" x 5 1/4" and adhere to base

3) Cut holder strip 1" x 4 1/4". Do not adhere, attach with eyelets, brads, staples at top and bottom.

4) Cut pull tab piece: 8 1/2" x 1 3/4" and score at: 4 3/4", 5 3/4", 6 3/4"

5) Cut 3 squares for accents: 2" and mat with 2 1/4"

6) Place adhesive on the boxes created by the scores in step 4 and apply the accent blocks by lining up the left side of the square with the fold on the pull tab.

7) Feed the back of the accented tab piece under the holder strip and adhere the larger of the three scored blocks to the top of the holder strip to secure.

8.) Embellish and add a ribbon or tab to the pull strip.

#4:

This cute little card whips up quickly, and the inside has plenty of room for a photo and a greeting.

1) Cut cardstock base 10 1/2" x 3 1/2"

2) Score at 3 1/2" and 7" and on the diagonals as shown:

3) Cut patterned paper 3 1/4" square and along diagonal.

4) Fold and adhere triangles from step 3 as shown:

5) Embellish as desired. Use ribbon to tie closed, or use a decorative clip as I did in my sample.

Last But Not Least:

'm going easy on you for this last one! It's a simple pocket card made from 12" long paper. The extra inch folds up to create a little pocket inside the card. Use it for cash, a gift card, a packet of soup, cocoa, or tea bag.

1) Cut a strip of paper 4 1/4" x 12" long.

2) Fold and score at 5 1/2" and 11". Fold 1" piece up and glue edges to inside of card to create a basic pocket.

3)Decorate card front as desired. I fussy cut some patterned paper, folded some paper flowers, and stamped sentiment on a transparent scrap from a sheet of stickers.

Inside pocket:

Come play along with us.  You'll have until Saturday, November 27 at 9 PM to complete your cards (there are 20 fun-filled inspiring cards) for a chance at some prizes.

Oodles of Layouts!

There's a rip-roaring sketch crop going on over at Scrapbook Heaven, the last big bash of the summer of twenty-10. And I have been having a great time scrapping the weekend away. Here's a look at what I've done so far. With 12 LO sketches and 2 bonus card sketches, there's plenty to keep you busy!

First, here's the sketch and LO I prepared for the crop:

All the patterned paper on this is from the August Petite Kit (oops just checked and it's sold out, sorry!)

And here's what I did with some of the sketches from the crop:

Took Haydee's single page sketch with a rockin' photo collage

and turned it into this double-pager:

Used this pretty little sketch by Lee

  to make this page from long ago (that little guy is now 9 years old :sigh:)

again made with product from the August Petite Kit, which is, so sadly for you, gonzo!

 I created a few bonus sketches for the crop, so figured I had better use one

 to scrap these old photos (are you seeing a theme here? I desperately need to print some photos, so I'm scrapping with my pics from the good ole days of film)

Swooning over this Echo Park paper from Crystal Wilkerson.  Love, love, love it!

 And finally, used this fab sketch by Jules 

to put together this page.

I spent about 30 minutes making that ginormous flower with Tim Holtz's Tattered Florals Sizzix die.  Loved how it turned out, but not thrilled with it on my LO.  Here's a close up:

I will definitely be making lots more of these with some prettier papers (think hues of pink, purple, red, orange).  Also want to try some of these amazing ones by Jules (check out her other tutes--pretty stuff!)

Well, that's all I have for now.  There's another LO sitting on my table nearly finished, and I'm sure I'll have many more before the week is over.  Thanks for looking!  And if you want to play along with the crop, and have a chance to win some great prizes, check out all the deets.