Saturday, April 28, 2012

Tim Holtz Distress Makers

I'm glad to tell you the distress markers are in stock at Auntie Em's! I wasn't sure what all these could do, so good old 'youtube' was the answer! These markers are really quite cool - now that I know what all they can do! 37 different colours and endless possibilities! Please check out this 'youtube' video and enjoy!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Sunshine Girl

I love this months paper line Basic Grey's Hello Luscious.  It's really girly so I used photos of my niece from our summer holidays.  It didn't hurt that her bikini matched the paper perfectly. 


For this month's challenge we had to create dimension.  I did this by using chipboard, button, and layering ribbon.  I also added Stickles and Glossy Accents to the chipboard.  My title was created using the Cricut with the Robotz font.




Stephanie

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The April Mission

Auntie Em's design team mission for April (if I chose to accept it) was to add dimension to a layout based on the April sketch from the 2012 PageMaps calendar. Dimension is one of the many many MANY things I love about scrapbooking. Dimension, whether it be through the use of embellishments like flowers, brads, chipboard, etc., or the simple use of pop-up tape, makes a layout come alive.

Just like my fellow design team members, I used Basic Grey's Hello Luscious collection. You should check out the other ladies' blog entries because their layouts are fantastic! It still amazes me that the four of us can take the same collection and sketch and end up with completely different results.

Here is what I came up with:



These pictures were taken on Canada Day 2011. My husband Matt and I hosted a barbeque attended by some of our best friends. Matt barbequed A LOT of food!

I added dimension to the layout by using pop-up tape. I used it on the title piece (at the top of the page) and at the bottom of the page (paper border). I also used rope to add dimension:




I also clustered and layered embellishments on the side of a picture to add dimension:


Other techniques used:
- Two different border punches;
- Glimmer Glam (love this product!) in Espresso on two paper borders;
- Bazzill's In Stitch'z and We R Memory Keepers twine for the title;
- Sanding the edge of the pictures. 
I have to say that I wasn't a huge Basic Grey fan before this month's challenge. Seeing this layout come together has gone a long way to changing my mind! I even ended up getting more of this line to created additional pages!

Happy scrappin'!

~Sarah~


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Christmas in April

When Emma gave us the paper selection for the April challenge right away I though Christmas. I went a little crazy with this layout (for me that is). I decided I would stay away from having everything being so linear.

I used one of my favorite things in this layout. LETTERS I love buying letters of all kind thickers being my favorites but I didn't use them in this layout so I am getting off track. Actually I used some mini marks rub-ons from American Craft. And some sparkly chipboard letters I bought at a scrapbook yard sale. I think the reason I love individual letters is that I am creating a scrapbook for my niece and we want the book to be in french. Since french scrapbooking supplies are hard to come by and aren't usually as beautiful as the english ones this way I can create my own titles.

Emma asked us to add dimension to our layout so I did. I picked a chipboard frame that I fille with a light green cardstock then I cut my picture to a smaller size so that I could place it in the frame and pop it up with some pop dots. On the right of the frame I picked a tag from Emma's great candy bar and popped that one up with pop up dots again. I then added a chipboard detail graphic on the tag and rubbed on 2012. Yes that's right I messed up I put 2012 and I didn't notice my boyfriend is the one that told me when I got home. The good news about rub ons they come off pretty seamlessly and I was able to fix it. I added stickles for a little more dimension.

You will also find a bit of dimension in the center of my flower. I took a white flower I already had in my stash and used glimmer mist to make it the perfect shade of green in the center I used dew drops for more dimension.

I used photo corners for the first time but I didn't use them in the traditional way I decided to use them as a design element and I like the way they turned out. Check out these upclose details

All in all this is one of my favorite challenges yet I don't know if it's because I loved the paper or if it's because I pushed myself to create something different from what I would usually create. I encourage you all to participate in the challenge it's a great way to grow as a scrapbooker I have been participating as often as possible for as long as I can remember and the pages I have created for challenges are some of my favorites.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Product Review - Hand Sewing

Hello everyone! It's my turn to do a product review this month! Lorena did such a great job last month...I have big shoes to fill.

This month's products are related to sewing. First off, when I say sewing, I mean hand sewing. There are people who use their sewing machines to embellish their pages. I am not one of these people! The products reviewed are: Bazzill Basics In Stitch'z, the Sew Stamper and the Sew Easy by We R Memory Keepers.

I have to say that I'm surprised that I'm doing this review. I remember saying that I would never ever sew on my pages. I just thought it was too time-consuming. Oops...never say never I guess!

Sew Stamper by We R Memory Keepers

The Sew Stamper allows you to add the look of stitching on your layout without actually sewing. I had done this in the past but by free hand. It was a long process. That's why I was really excited to try this product...and then I realized that the Sew Stamper only comes in black. I didn't realize that it was self-inking. My brilliant plan had been to use VersaMark and embossing powder.

Oh well, I had to regroup and modify my plan. I used the Sew Stamper on a layout I made featuring my little guy Sam and his friend Caleb. Here is the layout:


And here is a close-up of the result:



I really like the effect! Another positive is that it is SUPER easy to use. You simply open the cap and use. I just wish it came in more colours.

A few tips:
1) You can control the thickness of the lines using more or less pressure.
2) Use your craft heater and/or give the ink plenty of time to dry. I ended up smudging mine a little bit.

I used the straight stitch but there are many more. You can see all the different designs here.


Sew Easy by We R Memory Keepers

Sew Easy is a rotary stitch piercer that creates holes in lots of different designs...or so We R Memory Keepers says. It is true that there are lots of designs. What's not so true is that it a piercer that creates holes through cardstock. It's more like it creates the markings and you have to go back over it with a piercing tool. I'm a pretty strong girl and I doesn't seem to matter how hard I pressed, holes just aren't created. To be fair, I didn't try using it on regular paper.

That being said, I have no problem going over the markings. It makes the hand-stitching easier. Here is a picture of a layout I embellished using the Sew Easy:



Here is a close-up:


I used the Zig Zag piercer on this layout. Just in case you didn't notice, after all the holes are made, you actually have to use twine and STITCH. Thread works but doesn't look as good. A warning: hand-stitching is time-consuming. But to me, the end result is totally worth it.

Here is another example of a layout where I used the Sew Easy:


(By the way, this layout isn't finished...it still needs a title and possibly some shiny stuff.)

I like that the Sew Easy can be used to add a border and a frame around a picture. I also like that the twine comes in so many colours now.


In Stitch'z by Bazzill Basics

In Stitch'z is an easy to use template that allows you to create a design by stitching. When I say easy to use, I mean it! I loved using this product. There are many different kinds of templates: letters, designs, themes (like birthday or baby) and borders. You can buy a foam-like backing that allows you easily pierce holes in your paper. The stitching is still time-consuming but I found the variety of templates appealing.

I decided to use the letter template to create a title for my page. Here is the layout:


Here is a close-up of the stitching:


I never would have thought to create a title using stitching if it hadn't been for the templates. I love the look!


To end this review, I would like to say that, if you like the look of stitching on your scrapbook layouts and/or cards, you can't go wrong with any of these products. Before writing this review I only personally owned a few Sew Easy designs. I will definitely be expanding my stash of stitching products to include the Sew Stamper and some In Stitch'z templates.



Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Layers and Layers!

Hello Auntie Em's fans!  Did you know that you can have a chance to win a fantastic prize by entering a layout in the monthly challenge?
This month you will need to base your layout on the April sketch from the Scrapbook & Cards Today calendar.  Your challenge is to use layers .... weather it be layers of paper, ribbon, gems or photo - whatever your pleasure.  Bring your layout into Auntie Em's and let your fellow shoppers vote on their favorite layout!


Here is my sample.  I used the Hello Luscious collection by Basic Grey and layered not only my papers and ribbon, but my hand made flowers; four of them to be exact.  I also used chipboard and canvas pieces from this collection for different texture and dimension. 

The journaling reads:

"As always you are looking pretty cute, at this photo shoot when Logan came to visit; August 2011"

~Lorena~ 

Monday, April 2, 2012

PageMaps Calendar Reveal - April featuring Basic Grey's Hello Luscious

Well March sure came in like a Lion and out like a lamb eh? SO GLAD that winter is over for this year - so how about a splash of spring/summer colours to get you excited for the upcoming beautiful seasons we have ahead of us ... can you tell I am a summer baby??

So this month the amazing Design Team got to work with the Hello Luscious collection by Basic Grey - pinks and yellows and very floral - lets see what the girls put together. Now remember that the challenge for April is to add some splash by layer or adding dimension to your layout. In the calendar they used several layers of a boarder punch.

Sarah's take: BBQ Time!



I love using border punches! Layering different border punch patterns is a great way to add dimension.

Another way to add dimension is to use pop-up tape (or foam squares). It's easy and effective! Using it along with layering can really make your page stand out. I used it on my title piece and on a layering piece at the bottom of the page.

A lot of lines have 3D embellishments. I used some of the Hello Luscious embellishments and layered them on the top right of one of the pictures, using some chipboard pieces to add dimension.

Stephanie's take: Sunshine Girl



This months design challenge was to add dimension to the page. I did this by layering some ribbon, adding crystal effects, buttons, and chipboard shapes.



Nancy's take: Premier Noel

My dimension came from using pop up dots (love those) and using different chipboard accents. and layering things on top of each other giving it more depth. I went for a Christmas theme the paper inspired me to do so. I love the colours. This challenge gave us some interesting results I just love it. All the pages are so different.

Lorena's take: Cutie Patootie

I used journal strips and a title that went around the corner and layers and layers of my signature hand made flowers - four of them to be exact. I added dimension with a paper doily and layers of patterned paper and a border punch with some trim. I focused on the pink in this paper line, and let the photo be the contrasting colour.

Wow the girls have out done themselves again, and I for one am impressed with the layers in each of these layouts. Lets see what you can do with layers inspired by the April PageMaps calendar. Bring your layout to Auntie Em's Scrapbooking for a chance to win a fantabulous prize!!