a Challenge to Take You into Ten!

Holiday Cards.....as scrappers, we try to make them every year - and it seems that if we send "store bought" ones, people are disappointed. I love getting cards and I use them as part of my holiday decorations hanging them around my wall openings. Each year they are different - I get religious ones, wintery ones, very country themed, very chic-chic ones and lots with photos. It kills me to throw them away, so I have started a tradition, and every year I create a layout with bits and pieces of the holiday greeting cards I receive.

This year I got very lucky with the long Santa card that said "Believe", which I used as my focal point. Lucky again, with the big cut out star .....most of the other pieces measure 2 inches by 2 inches, so that's a good starting point - don't forget the messages inside the cards or the signatures of the senders...I used Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses for this layout, with matching Epoxy Stickers, Die Cuts and Layered Pops. I also added some Prima Crystals Swirls ans Stickles to jazz it up a bit.
Have fun with this! I always do!
Wishing you a Wonderful 2010 filled with Beautiful, Scrappable Memories!
Dee

Member Spotlight December / Deidre Donat

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your family.  I am divorced but have been in a wonderful relationship for 10 years. I have three daughters and seven grandchildren who definitely keep me hoppin’ and keep me in pictures and stories to tell. I used to have a Nail Salon, but decided that I could not breathe the acrylic so I went to college as an adult, got a few degrees and became a counselor. Listening to people tell me their stories was a major part for choosing that career. My “day job” is counseling college students at  Adelphi university and teaching classes in counseling and human behavior. I live on Long Island which is a beautiful place – known for it’s coastal beaches (which I love) – and high taxes and lots of traffic (which I hate)!

2. How and when did you start scrap booking? I have always had a love of paper – new books, stationery, cards…and I was mesmerized in the scrapbook aisles of Michael’s but I never did anything about it until my middle daughter put together a Susan Branch scrapbook kit  when she got engaged…so that started me off….and you know where that led!  It  was about 9 years ago.

3. How would you describe your scrap booking style? I am still learning big time – I don’t really think I have hit upon a style yet…I tend toward more linear stuff and like little groupings of elements  that I call “funsies” – a piece of trim, buttons, flowers.

 

4. How often do you journal ? Is it important to you? I journal on every LO, and I am a big fan  of journaling around the photo . I have a hard time deciding where to include the journaling in the design.
5. Do you have a dedicated scrap space ( room )? I do now, but it is a tiny room and not “formally” a scrap room – I would love cabinets and a counter top so I could organize and have lot of room to spread out – I am a messy scrapper. Oh, and LIGHT.., I would love some good light!
6. What are your "go to " tools or supplies when you scrap? That’s any easy one – my ATG. I don’t think I could scrap without it – and I love chipboard and flowers, buttons and Thickers – I definitely am a lumpy scrapper for the most part.
7. Where do you start when you get ready to create- sketches, supplies, photos...? I would say it’s always the paper – as an addict, I need every new line that comes out…which often causes a struggle because I really don’t have the photos.
8. Are you a scrapper or an artist? I have always been “artsy” – I think I inherited that from my mother…and I am a Pisces and they are very artistic…so I would say artist.

by: C. Mercer

Simple Pleasures by 3 Bugs in a Rug

Simple Pleasures describes this layout perfect!! What a great day this was-even if it was hard to get everyone to smile!!I used Bazzill cardstock along with the 3 Bugs in a Rug/Simple Pleasures paper set. Maya Road supplied the chipboard word.  I added the Simple Pleasures stickers along the side of the photo.  Love how it came out.

On this layout I used the same paper set and added some Primas and used the EK Success border punch on the edges.  I don't know how I scrapbooked without this punch before-I find I'm reaching for it more and more!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful NEW YEAR!!! 

by:C. Mercer

Takin' it toTen Challenge # 4

My challenge for this week is really "simple" with one "twist".  Scrap a layout using a 5" x 7" photo and the "twist"- use cardstock or pattern paper the color of your eyes!!!  Have fun with this one!!!! by: C. Mercer

Use up those Scraps!!!!

I just can't believe it's already 2 days past Christmas!!!  You make all those preparations to get ready for the Big Day and it all goes by soooo quickly!!  Like me, I imagine that you have lots of Christmasy patterned paper laying around your scraproom that you just can't bear to throw away...well I have great news for you!!  I have an easy card pattern that will use up those scraps and it will make a great Thank You card as well!!  I used some Merrymint papers from American Crafts that I had laying on my scrap table and they were perfect for this project!!!

This card starts with a standard  4 1/4" x 5 1/2" base.  Add a 2 x 5 1/2" strip over the fold and you have the start of a cute little card.  Stamp some cute images on your base and add some embellies and you have the perfect Thank You Card for after the holidays!!!

I stamped some basic snowflakes and a sentiment on the Kraft Card Base...by the way Kraft paper is one of my all-time papers to use as card bases and you can find it at AC Bailey!!!

I stamped the sentiment on some scrap paper and I cut it out to use as a mask.  I adhered the mask to the card base with removable adhesive.

I stamped the tree images over the masked sentiment with clear embossing ink and some clear glittered embossing powder and used the heat gun to set it. 

Then I peeled off the mask and added all the embellishments and it looks like it took you hours to make a special thank you note for your friends and loved ones!!  Only you will be all the wiser!!

I hope you have a ton of  fun using up your scraps!!!!

Kristii

Layout of the Week 12/26/2009

Congratulations to Elisabeth!!

So many wonderful things in the gallery, it was a hard decision, but I just loved these tags that Elisabeth made - she made 2 sets, so check out the gallery for the other three!

The Day After...

Whew!!  The hustle and bustle of the holiday is officially over....we can all breathe now!!  No more last minute projects to create or gifts to wrap....sooooooo....now is the time to settle down and just scrap!!  Here is a sketch to get your creative juices flowing!! 

And here is my layout using this sketch....feel free to change it up and make it your own. I can't wait to see what you do with it so make sure to post in the gallery or link us in the comments!!  Play along!!  --Jenn :)

Merry Christmas!!!

All of us at ACBailey would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a Happy and Healthy Christmas! Enjoy this time with family and friends - with many happy moments....to turn into layouts in the New Year!


Erica and the Design Team

Altered Date Books

A fast and inexpensive gift you can create in minutes!! I bought these Date Books for under $1 apiece!
Supplies:
Inexpensive Date Books
Patterned Paper and/or Bazzill
Embellishments
Cheetah

If applicable, remove vinyl cover from Date Book. Open Date Book and flatten down at center and measure length and width, leaving a bit extra width to accomodate for the fold. Cut to size using a paper trimmer. Take a 2 inch Cheetah and apply adhesive on cover of book, making sure that all the edges are covered completely with adhesive. For this datebook I used Bazzill.

Once the Date Book is completely covered with adhesive, carefully place the cardstock or patterned paper over the cover and press down to cover the Date Book with the new paper. Make sure that the spine of the book is adhered well. Fold the Date Book and trim any paper that is not exactly flush with the edges of the Date Book. Now comes the fun part - embellish as desired. I made a bunch of these for the ladies I work with, using Thickers to monogram. Once completed slide Date Book back into vinyl cover.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Sww

Welcome to Day 5!!!

This is a fast, fun and oh "so cute" project that everyone can use.  Making to do lists and grocery lists are just two of the many lists I make.  I'm always looking for something to write on to start a list. You will need these supply's to get started.

4"x12" sheet of patterned paper
3 1/2" x3" coordinating patterned paper -for front flap
embellishment and trim
legal size notepad cut in thirds (office supply place can do this for you) If not cut your own paper 3 3/4" x 11 3/4"

Instructions:
1. cut patterned paper 4"x12"
2. cut front flap 3 1/2" x 3"
3. adhere back of notepad to cardstock
4. fold front flap in half and adhere it over
   the front part of the notepad
5. tie a ribbon on and embellish to your
   liking

This is what your finished notepad for lists looks like!! What a great gift this will make for all of those gift giving occassions. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Happy Holidays!

Welcome to Day 4 and project #4-
If you are anything like me you always "think" you are done your shopping and then find a few more people you ought to give a little something to,...well, then-this project is for you!
These are fast and fun to make.

I call it Snowman Soup Cards!

You will need to gather your supplies.

For each card you will need an 8.5x11 colored piece of card stock
A piece of white card stock
A printed verse (I also used white cardstock for this)
scissors
Winter stamps and inks
pop dots
corner rounder
sticky adhesive to seal mug
ribbon
a package of cocoa
a candy cane

Verse:
Was told you've been real good this year
Always glad to hear it
With freezing weather drawing near
You'll need to warm the spirit
So here's a little Snowman Soup
Complete with stirring stick
Just add hot water, sip it slow
It's sure to do the trick!

I usually make these in batches so I stamp and color several images (snowman here)

I also print out a whole sheet of verses and cut apart, rounding corners
To make this card you trace the template image (or draw freehand as I did here) the mug and outline for tag mat.

Trace onto your colored card stock and cut- note that the center dashed line is a FOLD line.
Place sticky adhesive around the edges of the "non-handle" mug front and fold on fold line matching edges to create mug card.

Using opaque white ink stamp an image onto the mug, I used a snowflake here.
Remember to stamp the front AND the back.

Cut out the verse and adhered to coordinating color tag mat.

punch a hole in the right edge to attach to card/mug "handle"
Cut out a stamped image (snowman) and adhere to mug front with pop dots.
place a cocoa and candy cane inside, tie on tag with matching ribbon.

Enjoy!

Gingerbread Man Banner

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!      

There's only five days left until Christmas and today I have a fun little Gingerbread Man Banner for you to make!!

Supplies Needed:
Chipboard
Cardstock

Patterned Paper
Border Punch
Ink
Jute
Ribbon
Buttons
Embellishments

1.  Cut 3 stars out of Chipboard and Cardstock.  

2. Glue cardstock stars to chipboard bases.
3. Cut stars out of patterned paper and then cut all the points off of the star as shown and distress with ink.
4. Trace the inside of the star onto your choice of corresponding patterned paper.

4.  Cut ¾ inch strips of patterned paper and punch with a border punch and distress with ink.

5.  Attach the border strips and the star points to each of the stars as shown.

6.  Add stitching with an American Crafts Slick Writer.

7. Trace Gingerbread Man onto Craft Cardstock and Ink.

8. Embellish Gingerbread Men with ribbons and buttons.  Glue to stars.
9. Add sentiment:  I used the Jillibean Corrugated Kraft Alphas.
10. Add any embellishments of your choice.
11. String together with Jute and add ribbons and smaller cardboard and cardstock stars.
12. Patterns for the Gingerbread Man and the Stars will be available in the forum.

Enjoy!!!!
Kristii

Snowman Ornaments!

For the 6th day till Christmas my Dallas helped me make...

2 Snowman Ornaments to put on the tree!

These were so easy! I just took the shapes from the Cosmo Cricket Buck Naked Ornaments pack

Covered them with a scrap of white I found...

Stickled the the scarf and the candy cane...

Put them together and viola!

(I used my Crop a Dile to punch the holes for the ribbons to hang them on the tree too :)

Have a Happy Christmas!!
Erica

Post It Note Holder

Here's a cute and quick to put together last minute gift...easily made out of scraps, but this one features PennyRoyale by Kaisercraft.

Supplies:
2 pieces of chipboard 3 1/2"  x 3 1/2 " (Coasters are great for this!)
2 pieces patterned paper 4 1/4" x 4 1/4"
2 pieces cardstock or patterned paper 3 1/4" x 3 1/4"
1 piece of cardstock 2 1/2"  x 3 1/2"
1 16" piece of ribbon
Embellishments

Instructions:
1.  Cover 2 pieces of chipboard cover with patterned paper (4 1/2 size) overlapping to back.

2.  Cover the inside of chipboard with 3 1/4 size paper
3.  Score 2 1/2 inch cardstock vertically - this will be the spine of the cover.

4.  Run adhesive along the ribbon in the center only, leaving 4" on each end without adhesive and adhere to spine.
5. Flip the spine and run adhesive on the inside edge 3/4" on each side

6. Adhere the post-it-note to the inside of the back cover.
7. Line up the front and the back covers and pinch together

8.  Apply the spine to the covers
9.  Close and tie the ribbon
10. Embellish!

Hope you have fun with this! I sure did and it is an easy and fun gift to make and receive!

Dee

Freaky Friday Challenge and Layout Of the Week

Good Morning Everyone!!! Hooray for Friday. It wasn't too long ago we were shopping on Black Friday and now here it is already the 11th of December...where is the time going?? AC Bailey had a wonderful red and green sale on Black Friday and I am hoping you all took advantage of it because this Friday's Challenge is to scrap a page or project using Red and Green!!! Have fun everyone!!!

Freaky Friday Challenge 12/11/2009

Color Challenge:  Use Red and Green in your layout or Project!!!

Here is my take on the challenge:

Have fun everyone!!!


Layout of the Week!!!

Congratulations goes out to Debbies for her take on the Random Craziness Challenge.

Her design fit the theme of the challenge perfectly and I just love her patchwork design!

Way to go Debbies!!!  You rocked the Challenge!!

That was fun!!!  I just love this time of the week!! Keep adding your work to the gallery girls!!

You never know when your work may be chosen as the Layout of the Week!!!

Wishing you all a wonderfully scrappy weekend!!!

Kristii