Jan 29, 2013

Scrapbook.com Cozy Winter

Have you seen the gorgeous Scrapbook.com kit club kit for January called Cozy Winter? It is super rich and textured and stunning. There are some fun challenges going on right now that could win you a $30 box of goodies if you enter. Here are the challenges in the forum. You have until February 15th so there is plenty more time to enter! The first challenge is to create your take on this sketch:
Here is mine:
The second challenge is to use 4 or more patterned papers on a layout:
There was also challenge was to create a layout with 7 snowflakes that has nothing to do with winter...

 and most challenging for me--create a layout with just rub ons, brads and cardstock! I am run-on challenged so I just took the entire sheet from the kit and transferred it onto cardstock:
And just to show that this kit is not only for winter layouts...here is my favorite layout of all:
Don't forget to take part in the challenges for a chance to win a prize! Oh and I am already playing with February's kit and it is fabulous too ;)
:) Rebecca

Jan 26, 2013

Scrapbook Circle Scraps

What do you make from kit scraps? Sometimes I like to make cards. Sometimes tags. But usually I love to make layouts. I like making layouts with the scraps and the last bits of a kit. Often it ends up being my favorite layout. In general I like the closed universe of creating from a kit--there are less decisions to make when you dont have to dig into your stash. And there are even fewer decisions to make when you are at the very end of a kit! Here is the last layout I made with Scrapbook Circle's January kit Only You.
  rk learning to readI had one strip at the top rk learning to read cu1 , and another at the bottom. rk learning to read cu2Some Elle's Studio tags and Studio Calico stickers and stitching and plain cardstock was all I needed to finish it off: rk learning to read cu3   Even the Scrapbook Circle kit scraps are fabulous!
 :) Rebecca    

Jan 25, 2013

Simple Stories and Scor-Pal

Back when accordion flowers became the rage I tried to make them. Mine were dreadful. I was too impatient to fold evenly and definitely too impatient to fold thin enough to make them look really good. I still liked the look of them, but I gave up attempting to make them. Then I was introduced to a Scor-Pal and my woe is me days were over! Now I love making accordion flowers all over the place!
Rk Lollipop
For this layout I used 1 inch strips of Simple Stories Vintage Bliss and scored them at every quarter of an inch.
Rk Lollipop cu1
I folded them along all the scored  lines and adhered the edges together.
Rk Lollipop cu2
I pressed them onto adhesive and added buttons for the centers.
Rk Lollipop cu3
And the outcome? Quick and simple handmade embellishments that would cost me a fortune if I had to buy them premade!  My Scor Pal will be getting LOTS of use!
Signature
Supplies Used:
Simple Stories Vintage Bliss Be Happy #3007
Simple Stories Vintage Bliss Pink Floral #3020
Simple Stories Vintage Bliss 2 x 12 Border #3014
Simple Stories SN@P alphas
Simple Stories Vintage Bliss Fundamental Cardstock Stickers # 3002

Jan 22, 2013

Scrapbook Circle OIW

Each month the Scrapbook Circle designers focus on one particular item of the kit. This month using the Scrapbook Circle January Kit Only You, mine was the printable that comes free with each kit ordered. The great thing about the printable is that it is evergreen--you can use it, re-use it, print it out as many times and on various different mediums as you want. This month I chose to not cut mine apart too much. I used the majority of the printable whole just as it came out as a background for my layout:

I did cut out a few arrows and tabs from the remainder of the printable,
 but it was kind of fun to design the whole layout around the 4 tags that I kept together as a block of patterns. Until next month's OIW...
♥ Rebecca

Jan 18, 2013

Scrapbook Circle Only You

I LOVE the Washi Tape in this month's Scrapbook Circle kit Only You. Usually I only use little bits of washi here and there, but this month I really wanted to see the arrown pattern in full force so I stretched it out across the outside of my layout and made a washi frame:
It is such a quick and easy addition to a layout that adds some fun and whimsy and with those arrows, some movement around the page. I see more washi frames in my future ;)
:) Rebecca

Jan 17, 2013

Back from CHA and Simple Stories

Phew! My first trip to CHA was a blast AND exhausting. There was SO much to see and so many wonderful friends to catch up with. I didnt get into Anaheim until Friday night so I was really only at the show for Saturday and a bit of Sunday. It was such a neat experience to see all the new products up close and personal and if you follow the Scrapbook Circle Instagram feed, you know we all had a great time hanging out :) Want to see some pictures? After designing for her several years ago, I finally got to meet the fabulous and super sweet Elle from Elle''s Studio. Her booth was so pretty and included in her new collections are 12x12 papers--YAY!
I've been a fan of Lily Bee for a while now and was excited to see some new embellishments from them:
I loved the new Webster's Pages line by Allison Kreft, Composition and Color. 
Another one I really liked from this show was Fancy Pant's Park Bench (I dont know if I will ever be tired of this color combo, I just love it so :) )
And then we finally made it to the Simple Stories booth! Of course I had already seen images and worked with prototypes, but seeing the booth all put together and the samples, well it just plain made me happy. There is my layout in the middle:
and another here:
and here:
and even one more up here:
These photos do not do these lines just though. Seriously Simple Stories rocked it. This release included Vintage Bliss:

 The seriously awesome Urban Traveler...
 and if I had to pick a favorite which I wont because I love them all, but if I absolutely had to, I would pick 24/7 and you are going to see me use it again and again and again because I cant gush about it enough!

Ok, so back to CHA...Loving the new Jillibean Soup Alphabeans--the font is super clean and the perfect size and width:
Heidi Swapp showed us all her new products and they are fantabulous especially the new clear tags with pop up elements (impossible to take a picture of, but so innovative). I also loved her new resist items like the frames where the resist is colored so when you spray it with another color mist you end up with two colors, or you can leave them one color with white.
Adored these little dominoes from Jenni Bowlin:
The DIY line from Crate Paper was gorgeous!
And of course I scouted out the new Thickers--a must-have for sure!
The Glitz booth had this super cool hanging above it and I adored all three of their new lines.
Epiphany Crafts has a new Hexagon shaped tool--yes please!
LOVED the new BasicGrey Hipster collection, but it is not shipping until almost summer--Waaaah!
There was LOTS of washi tape on the floor. Bella Blvd has some very cute options (I like the thicker width)
And last, but not least, I am a total sucker for cute boy lines--My Mind's Eye has some adorable papers
and check out their cute felt robots:
So, now that I've totally bombarded you with pictures, what do you think. Were any of these on your favorites list? And now we play the waiting game, waiting for the new product to start coming in!
Thanks for stopping by!
:) Rebecca

Jan 6, 2013

Winner and Scrapbook Circle

So the big winner of the American Crafts giveaway chosen by Random.org is

True Random Number Generator4Powered by RANDOM.ORG
Patricia!  Congrats Patricia, I emailed you! Thanks so much for all the sweet comments and for running over to comment at American Crafts too. You all rock. I will do another giveaway VERY soon. Maybe I will even have some new CHA releases because I am going to be there! So stay tuned.

Now, have you seen the Scrapbook Circle January Kit Only You? Let me give you a peek...
Sigh, I LOVE it. LOOOOOOVE it. Some love themed items included like the awesome Studio Calico vellum hearts arrows and diamond stickers, but not over the top Valentines-y, know what I mean? LOVE the gray and red combo. Here is a layout I made using Only You:
Did I mention the washi tape yet? No? The Freckled Fawm arrow tape is divine! I used bits of it to hold down different sections of the Glitz garland that I kind of draped around the page. Just a gorgeous kit. Do check it out!
Have a great night!
♥Rebecca


Jan 2, 2013

American Crafts Giveaway!!

Those of you who have been around here before know I am a BIG American Crafts fan. Have been since the get-go (as far as my scrapbooking days go;) ) so it was a HUGE excitement and honor for me to be asked to Guest Design for them.
The American Crafts blog theme for this week is Fast and Fabulous. Fortunately for me, fast is something I HAVE to be. Between a job, 2 very active kids and all that life requires if I am not fast, nothing gets done. Also fortunately for me, my style tends towards the simpler, cleaner looks which lend itself to quick completion times. Getting a card done in 15 minutes is a great way to feel accomplished quickly:
Yes, you can even include machine stitching in that short span of time! I keep my sewing machine out on my desk for easy access (unplugged of course to prevent the injury to tiny hands!). How about layouts though? Each of these layouts took me 1/2 hour or less! I used lots of American Crafts premade embellishments to quickly add pizzazz:
My favorite way to add a complex look quickly to a layout is a die cut background--love mixing the American Crafts goodies with a Cameo cut background:
Even as a Cameo user I still always use Thickers for titles--fast, easy and pack such a great punch!

I am not a huge technique scrapper, but like I said, I like to sew. Sometimes I also like to stamp. I did both here and stayed under the 1/2 hour by keeping my stamping simple:
My biggest challenge was coming up with an altered item created in less than 1/2 an hour. But with all the amazing layered American Crafts embellishments, that is easier than it sounds. I started with a cute cork board and added some fun American Crafts flowers to create a cute style or idea board:
I ♥ the little Burlap bow! and I covered the white tacks with Therm O Web Zots so I could adhere American Crafts buttons to them.

I had SO much fun designing with all the fabulous American Crafts product and I am ever so grateful for this opportunity that I want to share some with one of you! So I am going to stuff a prioirty envelope with as much American Crafts goodness as I can and send it off to someone who loves them as much as I do! There are going to be several ways to gain entry to this giveaway:

1. Leave a Comment on this post (easy!)
2. For a second entry, follow my blog and leave me ANOTHER comment telling me you now do or already did follow.
3. For a third entry, go over to my Guest Design Post on the American Crafts blog and leave a comment there. Come back here and leave me ANOTHER comment telling me you did so.

Be sure to leave your email address if it is not clearly linked to your profile. I will leave the giveaway open through Sunday! Good luck and thanks for stopping by!
♥ Rebecca

Jan 1, 2013

Happy New Year!

2012 has been a year of many different elements. Happy and sad times. Excitement and disappointment. Hard work, struggles and challenges. My word for 2012 was completion. Many things were completed. Out of 250+ layouts, 1900+ photos, many cards, mini albums and other altered items, how is it possible to just have a few favorites? But since I want to end the year on a happy creative note and get myself revved up for the hopefully even more happy and creative year ahead, here are some of my favorites of 2012... (in saying goodbye to the Imaginisce and Ruby Rock-It teams, I have already posted several favorites from both of them. I will avoid duplication here)... These are in no particular order and have no special significance other than I like them :)









 And a picture or two?


And with that I bid farewell to the last blog post of 2012. And as I am always one to be more excited about the current or future projects going on, I can not wait to share all I have been working on! I have big plans for 2012 for a photo a day type project, I have more giveaways planned, I would like to share my word for 2013, share my December Daily and a bit about our holidays AND some big news to share on January 2nd! I hope you and yours have a happy, healthy and safe New Year!
♥Rebecca