Belle Papier {pretty paper}

Do you have a stash of paper that you’d like to add a little kick to? I have another place for you to hop to today. Whew! It’s been a busy week! Today I’m excited to be a Guest Designer at Scrapbook News& Review. If  you’re interested in different ways to customize your patterned paper, be sure to come check it out. I’ve written a tutorial with lots of fun ideas for making what you have look like that expensive specialty paper. The kind that is oh so gorgeous but a little hard on the wallet. Here’s the link…

Make sure you read to the end of the post as I have lots of info you don’t want to miss!

Cousins

Here’s a peek at a few shots of a layout I created for this tutorial. I’ve used two of the customizing paper concepts both of them sparkly and shiny. Unfortunately you’re going to have to use your imagination a little as the light was poor the day I took these photos. They look awesome in person…you’ll just have to trust me. The last picture you can see the detail the best. The glittered bird and floral accents on that darling Webster’s Pages mini page and the stickle accents on the blue floral graphic paper. And yes, I’m still addicted to those Zva Crystals!

A few other notes….

• Don’t forget World Card Making Day is tomorrow!
• You might have noticed I’m not in the CLASSroom today. I know it’s Friday but tomorrow is WCD and Ellen has some fabulous plans up her sleeve. I hope you’ll join us in the CLASSroom for a full day of fun.
• Ellen Hutson LLC has a fabulous WCD sale going on right now. It ends tonight so if you have the need for some new goodies, new Copics, new papers, new….  check out the details here!
• Stop back here at Belle Papier! I’ll have a little something here. Don’t miss it!
• We’re up and running at etc. every thing creative! Thanks everyone who stopped by to see what we’re up to and thanks so much for the kind words of encouragement. They mean a LOT! Becky’s written a fabulous tutorial on a really fun printable idea here. As for tomorrow, WCD, let’s just say you need to come visit and try us out.
• Moxie Fab World’s Cath is touring the USA today with some fabulous designs and links and more chances to comment and win. My sweet friend Becky Olsen is one of the featured designers so be sure to leave her some love!And hey! Cath picked Becky’s design using my Christmas Chapel Printable as Becky’s design on the MFW blog. How cool is that?!

Have a fabulous Friday!

 Today is sew special as my latest stamp set, Sew Special is released today. Here it is…

Sew Special

One of the things I really like to incorporate in my stamps sets is the ability to use them on layouts as well as cards. I know I said I was going to try and do a layout every week…oops, missed a few…but I’m finally getting back into the swing. I used the stamps as a spring-board for the theme of the layout. I originally started this layout out as an 8×8 but thought it would look so much better mounted onto black 12×12 cardstock. I know it’s black but it’s called white space.

Family is the Fabric of Life

The four patterned paper panels are Jenni Bowlin mini papers that I stitched together to form a background. The three black circular elements (two Teresa Collins chipboard pieces & one big button) form a visual triangle in the design.

I always like to cluster my embellishments and this layout is no exception. The sewing basket is colored in with Copic markers.

The photo is a little old but better late than never, right? It’s amazing how much kids can change in four years! And speaking of changes. Wow. Yesterday I had my first day off in almost 7 years. My “baby” started Junior Kindergarten yesterday. He’ll go every other day so it was very mixed feelings for me. It was a hard morning for me to be sure.

Supply List:
Stamps: Sew Special (the Rummage Bin) by CHF
Ink: Black Memento by Tsukineko, Brushed corduroy Distress Ink by Ranger
Paper: black cardstock by Bazzill Basics, Simply Smooth Vanilla by CHF
patterned paper - mini papers by Jenni Bowlin
Other: sewing machine, chipboard by Teresa Colings, flower by Prima, ribbon, button by Autumn Leaves, pins by Michael’s

Looking for a little more inspiration for this set? The CHF DT has loads of great samples here.

Hope your day is sew special! 

It’s about time! As I’d only created two layouts this year to date, the other morning I just got to it. So glad I did! My new goal is to create one per week. We’ll see how I do! Tuesday morning I came across this lovely photo of my mom with three of her grandchildren and decided I’d make a tribute layout. Not a day goes by that she is not missed.

Anyhow…a great way to get scrapping is to start with a sketch and as I had just come across a great sketch on the Creative Scrappers site. I’ve been hoarding this gorgeous Webster’s Pages paper and it worked perfectly for the sketch so I got busy.

Now if you’re looking for a little bit of enabling today…I had myself a wonderful shopping spree as Ellen Hutson has a 15% off coupon this weekend through Monday. I bought some new Copics, Distress Crackle Paint and other yummy goodies. Can’t wait until they arrive! Discount code is thrifty.

Sweet

Notes:

• stamped elements are from my new On the Desk stamp set; missing you,  calendar stamp and mini journaling bracket
• cherries and leaves detail is fussy cut from another Webster’s Pages paper
• I bought the new I top by Imaginesce and put it to work on the paper covered turquoise brads
• the border of the paper was embellished with rhinestone stickers along each side

stamping detail

embellishment detail

Supply List:
Stamps: On the Desk (The Rummage Bin line) by CHF
Ink: Black and Lady Bug Memento Ink by Tsukineko
Paper: cardstock by Bazzill, patterned paper by Webster’s Pages and Fancy Pants Designs
Other: bling by Zva, flowers by Prima, pins by Making Memories, ribbon by May Arts, sewing machine, trim by Fancy Pants Designs

Seize the day,

One of the things that I look forward to doing each month is writing reviews for Craft Critique. It’s been a little while so this month I’m actually writing two reviews. Recently I had the opportunity to play with a new paper line from Marks Paper Company. MPC is a relatively new company and English Garden is their latest, just released line. The unique feature of Marks Paper Company product is the paper looks like fabric. I love it and also the great vintage but trendy look. If you’re interested and have the time…check out the entire article here. Make sure you take the time to stop by as there is an opportunity to win this new line from Marks Paper Company.

While you’re blog hopping…don’t miss the CHF Creative Blog! Becky has Night Before Christmas and her gorgeous Evergreen Holiday up for grabs. It’s too good to miss!

One Happiness

I couldn’t bear to throw away any scraps of this gorgeous paper. I  created this card by adhering strips of paper to a scrap piece of white cardstock. I then ran the panel through my Cuttlebug using a Nestability circle die. It cut through all the layers cleanly and left me a little window for stamping my image and sentiment.

Stamps: Freesia & One Happiness by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink: black and purple memento ink byTsukineko

Paper: English Garden by Marks Paper Company

Other: die by Spellbinders, stitching template and floss by Bazzill, tag by Making Memories, ribbon by May Arts

Kristi

It’s been way too long since I last created a layout and I really had fun getting back to it for this project. This sweet picture is one I took of my lovely niece on her last visit and I’d promised her a layout with it. I actually started a layout a couple months ago but I’m not sure what happened. I just wasn’t feeling the paper. I’m so glad I ditched it and started fresh with this beautiful English Garden paper. Using paper you love makes all the difference! The project seems to just make itself.

Quick Tip: Use what you love! If you’re not loving it…find a better home for it, use the paper as gift wrap and on occasion, I’ve even used it as scratch paper to blot ink! LOL

Paper: English Garden line by Marks Paper Company

Other: sewing machine, bling & flower by Prima,  chipboard by Chatterbox

Have a beautiful day!

Grab your coffee! I don’t usually write so much but…this is going to be one of those longggg posts.First of all…I’m super excited that the Scrapblocks release day has finally arrived. Here they are, almost as large as life. Scrapblocks are 6″ x 6″ square unmounted red rubber and are perfect for cards, altered projects and scrapbooking.

Vintage Text Scrapblock

Stitches Scrapblock

You can find these Scrapblocks in the CHF store: Vintage Text, Stitches Scrapblock

The Challenge:

I’m back with another Ways to Use it Challenge today. This week we’re focusing on a look that I think it big in the industry right now…text. It’s amazing how many places it is popping up. What’s it inspired by? I’m not quite sure as it is a great vintage trend as well as looking great on more graphic style designs. Perhaps all the interest in fonts and the computer generation has brought it to light. However you want to use it…it’s a great look. Use text as a background layer, stamp on it, add a definition block, use a vintage book, computer generate your own…use it however you wish and have fun with the challenge! Check out the details here.

 The Project:

I love scrapbooking and altered projects. Frequently though…I’m so short on time, I just stick with cards. The solution? Make a small mini-album. This little album is only 4″ x 4″ square but I’m just bouncing as I had so much fun making it. Ever done that? Create a project that you’re thrilled you finally got a chance to make? This is it for me.

This little album may be small but it’s packed full of love…it’s a mini album of all five of my babies. The really fun element in this project for me was all the clear elements. The covers of this project as Zutter Acrylic Covers. I stamped on them with my Vintage Text in Stazon Ink. I used the Text to tie the project together. Text is a great versatile look and it really doesn’t matter what it says…it’s all about the style.

Quick Tip: Crystal Accents and other dimensional glazes are great adhesives for Clear Card Sheet projects.

Inside my book, I alternated binding pages of stamped Clear Card Sheets cut to 4×4 size and patterned paper. On the paper pages, I adhered a 3×3 picture of each child, keeping it simple because of the mini size. The Clear Sheets are where the fun is. They are each stamped with a different Scrapblock or Backgrounder for a little variety. These pages hold the info and embellishing…an initial and birth date of the child. I love the way they give a peek at the baby underneath.

and so on….

Supply List:

Stamps: Sweet Bee (The Rummage Bin line), Vintage Text Scrapblock, Stitches Scrapblock, Sophisticated Swirl Backgrounder, Spanish Script Backgrounder by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink: Black Stazon by Tsukineko

Paper: Patterned Paper by MME, Clear Card Sheets by Cornish Heritage Farms

Other: brad by Making Memories, flowers and lace by Prima, bling by Basic Grey, dymo label maker,  chipboard by American Crafts, Zutter Bind-it-all

And finally….

The Winner:

Thanks so much everyone for your wonderful ideas for using the Scrapblocks. They are really so versatile.  I used the random.org integer generator to pick one lucky winner….number  62  .   Tracey Gordon, that’s you!  Congrats! Please e-mail me with your address and I’ll get that rubber in the mail.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for staying with me through a very long post!

Julia