Blast from the Past

Today we're gonna post about a product that was popular way back when in the scrappin' world. Some of you seasoned scrappers may remember this & maybe even still have some in your stash . . .

It's a "hard-ware" type of embellishment called Magic Mesh. It looks just like the name says . . . mesh-y.

It's got a self-adhesive backing, making it easy to attach to your projects ~or~ add more hardware to it to bring it out even more!

I used some behind the 3 smaller photos on this layout with paper from Cherry Arte and then added some staple bars to the 4 corners for even more of a rugged, out-doorsy feel.

It's perfect for those "man" pages we sometimes get stuck on (cuz most guys don't want flowers or bling on their stuff) . . . It's Man Bling!

These little rolls of goodness are available in an assortment of colors - not just metallics.

So try something new on your pages and cards and tags . . .You'll be pleasantly surprised how they turn out.

We've got a shipment of this stuff on it's way to The Shoppe now . . . just in time for National Scrapbook Day . . . so be sure to stop by & grab some!

Hand-made Paper Embellishments

Today we're gonna share a different kind of embellishment that you can use on your pages, cards, and home decor projects.

They can be fun & cute or beautiful & elegant depending on what you need.

We're talking about Paper Casting . . . That pretty much means making your own paper.

We used this technique to make some sturdy little embellishments for our pages & cards.

On this Callaway page, these items are the butterflies . . .

Here's a close-up . . . .you can see much more detail.

Aren't they the cutest?!?

And here we added one to a simple card . . .

So let's get started & show you how to make these!

Here's the secret weapon that we used . . . . Plastic Candy Molds.

They come in all kinds of designs & sizes. Choose one that you like or pick up a multi-pack like this. You'll find them in the cake decorating & candy making dept.

You'll also need a couple of common kitchen tools . . . a blender, a spoon, & LOTS of paper toweling.

First thing you need to do is gather your scraps of cardstock and choose a color theme. Next - tear them into small chunks into the blender. (This is a good time to put the kids to work!)

Then you'll want to add enough water to cover the pieces . . .

Let this stand to soak for a minute or two.

After that, turn your blender on high speed & pulverize it all.

Add more paper if you need . . . it takes more than you'd think!

What you want is a mooshy-gooshy, bloppy-ploppy mess!

Spoon out your paper pulp into your desired mold . . . .Note: You'll want to pile it up into a good mound!

Using the paper toweling, push the pulp down into the mold very tightly and soak up as much water as possible . . . the more water you take out now, the faster it will dry and harden.

After that, just set them aside to dry. It may take 2 - 3 days but you can speed that up a bit by placing them outside in the sun.

Now, I'm a bit impatient. When I get a notion in my head, I'm the kind of person who wanted it done yesterday.

So I tried a hairdryer - that was taking forever & would have burned it out .

Then I had the bright idea to put them in the microwave . . . not so bright!

Only 30 seconds & it melted the mold.

So . . . after your embelly is dry & hard, just pop it out of the mold. You can then use as is, or try painting & inking them or even chalk them! Afer all, they are made out of paper!

These are some leaves we created . . .

HINT ~ If you want some graduated coloring, start with your lightest color of stock, mold a few pieces, then add some darker colors of the same family to what's left in the blender.

These little crowned pieces remind me of those pastel after-dinner mints . . .

And this is a page using the leaves from above that I scrapped for a customer who walked in with the most beautiful heritage pictures.

I'm very proud of how this one turned out! Lucky customer!

So, I hope you all will find this post a useful one.

It's a great way to use up alot of little scraps that are laying around.

It's probably not something you'll make very often, but it sure will add a nice touch to whatever you do use it on.

Have a Safe,Happy, & Blessed Easter!

Another Valentine's Project

Yesterday we sent out a newsletter from The Shoppe highlighting some of the newest Valentine's products that arrived.

We also included a picture of a really cute Topiary Tree we found online.

Then one of those "Ah-Ha!" moments hit me ~ I had a vision!

So, to work I went . . . and here is our version of a Candy Topiary:

We started by punching green circles, along with red, pink, & white flowers. Curl all the edges around a pencil (or use your finger tips), then attach them to a styrofoam ball with glue and a stick pin.

Push a dowel rod into the ball and then into whatever container you choose. Make sure your dowel is thick enough to support the weight! (Ours has toppled a couple times already)

We added a little more shimmer to ours by brushing & dabbing on some irredescent glitter glue.

Then we hot-glued Hershey Kisses into the flower centers.

Add a tag with a sweet sentiment and you've got a sweet gift for a special person! We added a little heart to ours which we covered in Crackle Accents to give it a glimmer.

Make sure to create a hand-made card to give along with this Sweet Kisses Tree. This is one from Sandy's Valentine Card Class next weekend. Check it out here on her blog.

This would be a precious project to make along with your kids for their teachers this year. . . altho' they may eat just as many as they glue on!

Send Your Love . . .

Yep . . .That's right. We're talking about Valentine's Day.
A day filled with red hearts, chocolate, & sweet sentiments.

So to celebrate this holiday, we're going to start sharing some cute ideas for you to create & give to those most special people in your life.

Today's project is a twist on the traditional Valentine's Card . . . Try sending a POSTCARD this year.

Here are the ones that were created at The Shoppe by one of the girls . . .
These are 5x7 postcards cut from chipboard and decorated with papers & stickers.
Once again ~ a great way to use up your scraps!

Add a sweet message and an address . . .Then give the entire card a coat or two of ModPodge to seal it well.Have them hand-cancelled at the Post Office, and think of the smile it will bring to the person who receives this unique surprise in their mailbox.

I sure did when I received this one for Christmas!
Check back often for more quick & easy projects we'll be sharing to help inspire you and your creativity.

Buttons, Buttons Everywhere!

We've been seeing them more & more on all kinds of projects lately . . .from cards to pages to home decor' items. It seems as tho' they're back in style again!

Buttons . . .a very simple, everyday item, but what a "WOW" they can make when you add them to your scrapbooks, cards, or hand-made goodies.
You can purchase these treasures just about anywhere, but I, for one (and I'm sure there are many of you out there who have one of these critters), collect mine from 1 of my sons.

He's still at the "I must destroy all of my clothes" stage. So, when I come across something on laundry day that is no longer useable, out comes my good ole' scissors and snip, snip, snip . . . . the buttons (along with pockets from his blue jeans and some clothing labels) come off and into my stash


The wavy, button border on this BoBuuny page just screams "Little Boy"

Buttons will always give your Heritage Pages a time-worn feeling . . .
And here's an inspiration if you're wanting to customize your Christmas Tree Ornaments this year . . .this is a GREAT idea for a Teacher's Gift . . . just pick up a styrofoam ball & some stick pins . . .
Here are a few other ideas that we've found along our scrappin' travels to inspire you to save & use those wonderful, little, everyday creations we know as "Buttons".

Here's another card creation ~ compliments of BoBunny:And an obvious use ~ the centers of flowers . . . only these are layered with some rhinestones, as well:Here's 1 more idea to try . . . .
Those of you stampers out there surely must already have some embossing tools. So why not try stamping & heat embossing these little gems for a spectacular accent!
No matter what you come up with, buttons will add just the right little touch to make your latest project stand out with the "OMG" ~ "That's so cute!" factor. So give them a try . . . You'll be glad you did.

Stop back by The Shoppe's Blog soon for another inspiring idea. . . . .

We just received an order from Pink Paislee here at The Shoppe so we thought today we'd share a few projects the girls at PP came up with using the Tinsel Town collection:

Here are some cards to start you out . . .

Here's a simple wooden frame just dripping with goodness!

Can't forget to dress up your holiday tree . . .



Oh my! . . . I'm getting dizzy just thinking about all the wonderful pages that can be created with these papers too! . . . anything & everything baby & girlie!

Saturday's Card Extravaganza

Today we're gonna share the cards that were made at The Shoppe's Holiday Card Extravaganza Class this past weekend.

Class participants visited with 4 different instructors throughout the afternoon, creating a total of 12 cards ready to be mailed out for this season's greetings. Everyone learned a new technique or style by making cards with the different teachers.

Here's a glimpse at what they took home . . . . .

We also have our Card Swap Board here at The Shoppe.

This is a *FREE* service for anyone & everyone to take advantage of.

All you need to do is bring in a card you've made & you can swap it out for another that you like! FREE . . . .Yep ~ No Charge!