Project 12 - Month #2

Wow!
Can you believe how fast this first month of the new year has flown by?

I can't believe February is already starting.
And this month will go even quicker cuz we're missing a few days!

So let's get you guys started out on Month #2 for our Project12.
(did you get last month's finished?)

This month's sketch features room for 2 photos, cuz let's face it: sometimes that's all we have!


And if you'll notice, this sketch was designed for an 8.5x11 page layout.
That doesn't mean you can't use it for your 12x12 pages!
Just extend things a bit, like I did!


And once again, I flipped the sketch upside down - worked better for me that way.

I also love, love, LOVE to use Paper Glaze & Glossy Accents on things I want to feature - it makes them stand out so much more!


Anyway, challenge yourself to get this page done this month . . . it's NOT that hard!

And when you do, post it to our Facebook Page.
Then when you come in, remember to ask for your special Project12 Discount!

Let's see what wonderful creations you can come up with!

Sweet Treats

I'm back today with another way to use all of your paper scraps for
something other than scrapping.

Since Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, it's time to think about giving little momentos to those you love. So here is a quick & easy project...

Wouldn't you love to see the smile and hear a squeal when your kids open their doors on Valentine's morning to find one of these hanging there??

We tucked a cookie into ours but you can fill them with whatever sweet goodie you'd like.

Super simple to make ~ AND you can get 2 holders out 1 sheet of 12x12 paper!

First trace and cut out your desired paper ~ double sided works best since
you'll be folding the backside up.

We used a piece from Kaiser Crafts **Love Notes** collection for this one
and left the decorative border on the top

Score and fold on the lines to create the pocket. Secure with Glue Dots or
Tacky Glue ~ these will hold better and longer than a tape runner!

Use a large circle punch at the top for the hanger part.

And then embellish to your hearts desire!

And don't think these are just for Valentine's Day...they're for ANYTIME! and ANYONE!

A teacher would love to walk to her classroom and find one of these on her door.
Or surprise your best friend and hang one on her car's antenna for when she leaves for work!

We made this one for a little guys birthday. . . .

The sky is the limit on these treat holders so use your imagination and your scraps!

By the way....we have the template at The Shoppe.
So if you'd like to make some, stop on by!

Have fun!

A Guy's Card

Back again!

Thought I'd share an easy card I made recently for my daughter's boyfriend.

Guy cards are already a little more challenging cuz you can't add all ribbon, glitter, bling, and flowers that we love to use. And a teen guy is even harder!

So here's what I started with - polkadot paper from Reminisce's Making the Grade line:


and a pocket cut from an old, ratty pair of torn-up jeans:



I punched a circle,


glued that inside a metal-rimmed tag, and stamped on it:



I attached that tag to the pocket with a safety pin and glued the pocket to the front of the card:



This is the message that I chose for the inside of the card:


So after Jarod read that, he had a big smile on his face and went back to check for this! (I had it tucked out of sight when he first opened it!)



Hope you guys enjoyed this little quick -n- easy card and it gave you a little bit of inspiration for those hard-to-create-for people!

It's a New Year

and along with each January 1st, many people choose to make "New Year's Resolutions".

Now, while we all have good intentions of following through with these, more often than not, our good ideas last all of about a couple weeks at best.

Here at The Shoppe, I am going to try my very, very best to keep up with this blog on a regular basis. More ideas, more tips & tricks, more shared sketches, more challenges....more of anything I can think of!

So to kick off 2011, we are going to challenge you to make a scrappin' resolution for this year.
And really, this shouldn't be at all difficult for ANY of you to keep up with!

We're calling this resolution **Project 12**
And just as the name hints at, we would like you to make a promise to yourself to complete
1 layout every month for this year. 12 layouts in 12 months. That's not much to ask. And NO CHEATING by doing 3 or 4 at a time and saving them for the coming months!

The purpose of Project 12 is to keep you scrapping on a regular basis.

So that will be YOUR commitment.

Ours will be to supply you with a new sketch every month to jump-start your creativity. Cuz let's face it ~ it can be hard to always come up with a new idea that's totally different from something we've done in the past.

Use our sketch if you'd like or choose one of your own....just make sure you complete 1 layout.
When you do, then please share it (and the sketch you used!) on our FaceBook page ~ we wanna see too!

As an added incentive, if you do post and share(make sure you put Project 12 in your status!), we'll give you a
Project 12 Discount on your next purchase at The Shoppe!

So here is your first prompt for 2011 ~



and the layout I created.
Please note: I flipped this sketch upside down...worked better for me that way!


Have fun with this and look at it as a personal challenge, not a chore.
You'll be glad you did it!

For the Love of Vintage

Vintage:
A year or period of origin.
Old or outmoded.

I am completely in love with anything and everything vintage. Thrift stores and antiques shops are my fave way of spending a free day.

If I had it my way, the entire Shoppe would be shabby chic-y, old world, black & white, and full of buttons and lacey goodness. Like an old fashioned ice cream parlor or boutique.



Why do you think I chose to spell the store's name with an extra p&e on it?

Well, lately I've become a collector of old world postcards & images. I adore them!

So today, I'm going to share a couple layouts I've created with the Vintage Chip Cards I've been playing with that we have available at The Shoppe.


The edges of these cuties are already inked & distressed.


We've even given them a hint of sparkle & shine!


Just add them to a page or a card and you've got an instant embellishment with a ton of charm!


And just cuz it's vintage doesn't mean it has to be drab & dreary . . . use happy colors!



I think this one is my favorite . . . till I make another one!



Hope this post gives you another new idea to try for your albums & cards!

I Can See Clearly

Hey Guys!

I'm back again with another something that you may not have tried yet.
Clear Sheets!

Clear, acrylic albums and embellishments are still quite popular but many people are afraid of them.
Why not stop by The Shoppe and pick up a sheet or two to play with and you'll see just how amazing your projects can become with that little hint of transparency!


We have lots of pix here of samples for you to view . . . a Disney Album, a clear card, tags, and lettering. If you can think it, you can create it with these clear sheets!

We're starting you off with clear covers that we created using the lighter-weight of plastic which we cut on our Cricut machine and then embossed in a Cuttlebug folder.
After that we lightly sanded the embossing and inked the edge with Stayz-On Ink.


You'll need to use the deepblade on #6, set your multi-cut button to 2x, pressure on high, and speed on low.


Next are the letters, also cut on the Cricut but then we layered them with coats of Crackle Accents (that's from the last post!)


You can also run these sheets through your AccuCut, Sizzix and Cuttlebug machines. We used the heavier sheets for these tags & die-cuts, also inked with Stayz-On.






Then lastly, here is a clear card made with the heavier weight sheets. As you can see, the plastic is also score-able for folding cards, as well as thin enough to cut with your patterned scissors.





If you are lucky enough to be attending Heidi's class on June 26th, she'll also have an example along of an album she created using clear tags!


So don't forget to stop by The Shoppe to grab a couple of these to play with.
Then come back and show us what YOU'VE created!

Watery Good Stuff

First, I gotta apologize for so seriously ignoring this blog. Sorry.

But today I'm back and ready to share a product (or two) that you might not be familiar with.

They are: Paper Glaze, Crackle Accents, and Glossy Accents.

















These all pretty much cause the same effect no matter which one you choose.
Paper Glaze & Glossy Accents will give you a clear thick finish.


While the Crackle Accents does just that . . . it crackles when it dries.


There's no special instructions to use them ~ just squeeze it where you want the highlights!


I love using them on anything water themed because the finish leaves your projects looking wet and shiny . . . just like it's fresh out of the water!



That makes them the perfect choice for all of your beach and pool pages. And don't forget about aquarium, bathtime, and blowing bubbles!





If you are registered for Heidi Kelley's Beach Pages Class here at The Shoppe in June, you might want to stop by & grab a bottle BEFORE class day. She'll be showing you how to re-create her gorgeous projects with them!

Here's another peek at something Heidi will being showing you in class!


So give one of these great products a try .. . I promise you'll love what you create!

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Another Celeb Design Class!

Yep . . . we're on a roll!
We've got another company designer lined up to teach here for us!

Next month we have the honor of hosting Couture Cardstock design team member Heidi Kelley!


She'll be here teaching you how to create some gorgeous beach-y elements for the layout & card you'll be making, while using all kinds of goodies!
Everything from ink & Stickles to micro beads, sand, & Glimmer Mist!

Here's a peek at what she's designed for us:


Since she works with Couture, she gets to choose from just about any other paper company she'd like. So for The Shoppe's class, she's going to incorporate the beautiful new "Seaside Retreat" designs from Webster's Pages!

Class seating is limited & is already 1/2 filled!

Go check out Heidi's blog & her gallery and I'm certain you'll fall in love with her stuff just like we have!