Rondelle Mini Ustream Reminder

I can not believe it has been a month since our first  Ustream class.  This month has really been amazing with so much support from our scrappy community.  Wow is all I can say, and Thank you!

I hope you can join us again on Monday, October 1 at 8:30 EST live on Ustream, as  I create this interactive mini.


 

(The sample was made with Prima's Fairy Belle; however, I will be using Rondelle in the class.)

Make sure you join the crowd at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/gibbst   to gain easy access to the class.  We are going to try and record the show for those who have schedule conflicts.

Flamingo Scraps was offering a kit for this class - but it sold out in less than 6 hours (WOW) - this made me feel so good.   If  you are still interested in a kit - please email flamingoscraps@yahoo.com. If enough people show an interest, Suzanne has agreed to reorder. Kit prices were $24.99 and included domestic shipping, there is a discount shipping rate for international buyers.

Supplies in addition to the kit that will be used:
Black Cardstock (2) sheets
Prima Distress Tool
Gesso or Modeling Paste
Brick Stencil
Masking Tape (or scotch tape)
Adhesive

Also - Don't forget that Flamingo Scraps is hosting a Design Team Call -  Click here for details.  Submissions need to be sent by 6 p.m. EST Oct. 20. 

Thank you again for all your support.   If you missed the last class, you can watch it here.

Using Scraps

As I've been digging through my Flamingo Scraps goodies recently, I've noticed that the amount of scraps is getting out of control.  Time to do something about it!  

Cards are my favorite way to deal with scraps.  Bits and pieces that are too small for a layout are often perfect for a card.  They're also a great way to use up die-cuts, stickers and other leftover odds and ends.  Back in July 2011, I shared an upcycled gift card holder, featuring a stitched elephant from Prima.  At the time, I didn't use the rest of the critters in the package.  When I unearthed them recently, I knew they'd be great on cards.  

I started with another of the same elephant I used on the gift card holder.  At the bottom of my scraps container was the 'Heaven Sent' die cut.  I was inspired to make a card that looked like a letter.  I pulled scraps from two different Fancy Pants collections to create this card.  

From Flamingo Scraps: Fancy Pants patterned paper and die cuts, Prima elephant

For the next two cards, I used this sketch by The Scrapping Stamper.  Even though it was intended as a layout sketch, it works well as a card sketch too.  I replaced the 4x6 image with one of the animals and put the sentiment where the swirl would be.

 

From Flamingo Scraps: Fancy Pants patterned papers, Prima dog

Other: Bazzill cardstock, Fiskars stamp, Clearsnap ink, Sketch by Shannon White

 

From Flamingo Scraps: Fancy Pants patterned papers and die-cut, Prima crocodile

Other: Sketch by Shannon White

For the last card, I found a scrap of patterned paper that coordinated nicely with the dog and cut that as my background.  The 'rug' the dog is on is actually a die-cut journaling tag.  I sliced off a piece of it to use for the sentiment, then cut the remaining part into an oval.    

From Flamingo Scraps: Fancy Pants patterned paper and tag, Prima dog

Other: Making Memories rub-on, Clearsnap ink

I still have one brown dog, one crocodile, and one blue dog left. Stay tuned!

Flamingo Scraps Design Team Call

Exciting things are coming to Flamingo Scraps and we are seeking a Design Team to join us in these new endeavors.

Flamingo Scraps is a small, online, paper crafting boutique with customers from Los Angeles to Latvia!  We strive to be your Local Scrapbook Store online, offering the hottest new and coolest classic product with the best in customer service.

Seven Design Team Members will be chosen.  The term will be for 6 months, November 2012-April 2013 with the option to continue.  Members will join our Lead Educator, Design Team Coordinator, and Flamingo 4 Coordinator already on board.

This is a relatively new format for us and there is bound to be some tweaking needed. We promise to be flexible and to work closely with the Design Team to make this a FABULOUS partnership for us all!!   Above all, we want our Design Team to have FUN, make friends, share their love of paper crafting, and share their talents and personalities!

Design Team Responsibilities:

 

·         Design Team Members must be willing to sign a contract for 6 months.  The contract will contain additional details on DT responsibilities and perks.  Contracts will be submitted to those applicants chosen and must be agreed to prior to announcing the Team.

 

·         Commit to designing and working with products consistently carried in the Flamingo Scraps store.  We are not looking for a particular style; we are looking for the ability to stay true to your personal style while featuring Flamingo Scraps product.

·         Preferably have a Blog and post on it the same day you post for Flamingo Scraps, display a link to the store and blog, and proudly display your Design Team badge

·         Promote and Support Flamingo Scraps as much as possible and participate in planned events.

·         Encouraged to offer feedback on products especially around CHA and mid-season releases.

·         Have a Facebook account – a closed Facebook group will be set up to facilitate communication, participation here is mandatory

 

·         Comment on Flamingo Scraps’ Facebook page and Blog and visit the blogs of your team mates as you can.

 

·         Participate on Flamingo Scraps’ Pinterest Board – members will have a personal page associated with FS’s Board and are encouraged to pin their own projects, inspiration, and favorites.

 

·         Support Flamingo Scraps’  Ustream classes with Tonya Gibbs

 

·         Participate in approximately 3 Flamingo 4 Challenges over your term – 4 Designers will be given the same 4 products to create a project, Blog post to run the 4^th Friday of each month.  Must be able to design outside your comfort zone if required, meet deadlines, and work with other DT members contributing to a combined post.

 

·         Contribute posts to Flamingo Scraps’ Blog on a rotating basis -- 2-3 posts per month not including Flamingo 4s; some posts will have assigned topics such as holidays, featured product, techniques, or themes; there will be deadlines for submission. Posts must be well written and grammatically correct.    It is very important that you are able to take high quality photographs of your projects.  

·         At least 1 Blog post per month should be on a new project and may include layouts, cards, tags, mini albums, altered art, or mixed media; alternate Blog posts may include tutorials, Tips & Techniques, product or book reviews, challenges, or sketches and may include assigned topics.  Youtube videos and store videos are a possibility, but must be well planned and coordinated with owner. 

Design Team Projects and Blog posts MUST feature 70% product either available in the Flamingo Scraps Store or being considered for preorder or kits (per owner).  This is a DEAL BREAKER!!

Flamingo Scraps Offers You

·         A generous discount on preorders and special orders from our vendors.  DT Members will have the opportunity to preorder new releases and make special orders from our vendors as well; DT members are responsible for their own shipping.

·         Additional product may be gifted at the discretion of the owner.

·         Flamingo 4 Kits (3-4 per term).

·         Exposure and promotion for you as a paper crafter.

·         Freedom to design in your own style and to try new things.

·         Grow along with Flamingo Scraps!

To apply, please submit the following information to Suzanne at flamingoscraps@yahoo.com –

·         Name, address, email address, blog address, phone #

·         A link to any online galleries to which you regularly post

·         Design Team experience, if any (not required), publications, etc.

·         Who are you and how is that reflected in your crafting

·         What would you contribute to the Flamingo Scraps team

·         Any additional information showing you are the perfect fit for Flamingo Scraps

·         Submit photos and description (if desired) of two of your most recent projects showing your style to best advantage. 

We request that you create at least one new, unpublished, unseen project using lines we stock, and submit a sample Blog post.  You are not required to make a purchase, you are not required to use a certain amount of Flamingo Scraps product; however, it is important to demonstrate that you can work with the brands we consistently carry.  You can check the store – please check the product categories for vendors and types of product.  If you would like to contribute alternative posts, please send a link to a tutorial, review, etc. you have done.

International applications are welcome!!  Flamingo Scraps has a large international customer base!  However, members must be aware of shipping restrictions for their country and based on weight, be prepared to pay their own postage, Flamingo Scraps cannot be responsible for delays due to customs, etc., and be mindful we cannot track packages unless they are insured or priority.

The deadline to apply is Saturday, October 20, 2012, 6:00pm EST.  Flamingo Scraps operates on EASTERN time.  Please make sure you know what your time is relative to Eastern time.  Late and incomplete applications will not be considered; consider your application a chance to show us you can meet deadlines and follow guidelines.

Please contact Suzanne (flamingoscraps@yahoo.com) if you have ANY questions.  There are no silly questions!!!  You may find it helpful to visit the store, the blog, and our Facebook Page.

The applicants chosen will be notified on Friday, October 28, 2012, by 6:00pm EST.  Contracts will be submitted and members should be prepared to submit a head shot and any additional information needed for the announcement.  Should anyone be unable to accept a position, alternates will be contacted.  The Design Team will be announced on October 30, 2012.  Your first blog posts will be the samples you submit!

We cannot WAIT to see the applications, though we are not looking forward to making hard choices!

Blowing Kisses Layout



Last week at the high school football game, my cute little niece,  Addie, was standing in the end zone blowing kisses.  I used the picture on a layout that was inspired by Jamie Dougherty's Live with Prima last Thursday night.  I learned some new techniques and thought it would make a nice follow up to my Ustream class.

 

 

From Flamingo Scraps:   Prima: Songbird and Almanac Paper, Vine, distress tool, Flowers, Trinkets. Liquitex: Gesso, Liquitex Molding Paste.  Other: Twine, stencil, charcoal pencil, ribbon, charms, and corrugated card board.

 

I started by distressing all the edges with my new Prima Distress tool.  (LOVE THIS).  To soften the background, I brushed white gesso over the paper, and then used molding paste to add texture.  This is a great way to soften busy or bright patterned paper.  Gesso was also added to some of the layers to try and merge them back into the background.  This technique really helps the photo take center stage, and also makes the smaller photo appear larger.

 

 

I was able to incorporate a lot of scraps from the Almanac collection, and you guys know how much I love using scraps. I cut banners from scraps, and used small pieces of scrap paper to frame around the picture.   Jamie's technique of having the banners travel vertically and horizontally throughout the layout, really make the layout dramatic and serve as arrows leading your eye back to the photo. This is definitely going to be used in more of my future projects.

 

 

While I often cut my vines in half, rarely do I arrange them diagonally, usually mine are in more of  a L shape, horizontal or virticle.  I love how all the elements appear to be drawing your eye back to the center fo the layout.  I incorporated scraps of small vines and leaves from previous projects in the negative spaces of the vines.  Again - love using up those small pieces.   

 

 

Thanks for stopping in today,

2 Years

It's hard to believe, but I have been designing for Flamingo Scraps for two years now!  Time flies when you're having fun!  

In September 2010, I was selected as one of eight members of the Flamingo Scraps Guest Design Team. (Tonya was one of the others).  For my first post, I used this layout to share tips on how to master multiple photo layouts.    

In March 2011, Tonya and I both became permanent members of the Flamingo Scraps Design Team.  My first post was about Crate Paper's new Portrait collection.  I shared how to make a feminine, wedding-themed collection work as a boy page.

One of the things I love the most about Flamingo Scraps is that the Design Team and Guest Design Team members have represented a wide variety of styles and aesthetics.  There's something here for everyone.  I appreciate the freedom I've had to share my work in my own clean and simple style. 

Over the past few weeks, I've been going through my stash of older Flamingo Scraps stuff.  I've found plenty of scraps and bits that date all the way back to my first days with Flamingo Scraps!  It's definitely time to use those and make room for new things.  Today, I'll share a card and a layout made with Flamingo Scraps goodies, circa 2010. 

I love cards for using up scraps.  I found a piece of lightly-patterned green Prima paper that was the perfect size for a card background.  A little more digging and I had a scrap of Prima grid paper that would hold the sentiment.   

From Flamingo Scraps: Prima patterned papers, Stickles
Other: Bazzill cardstock, Fiskars stamps and border punch, Versamark & Clearsnap ink

Here's a layout made with 2010 Flamingo Scraps items.  The background paper is from Fancy Pants, as are the orange, solid green, and green-striped patterned papers.  The leaf patterned paper is from Prima.    

From Flamingo Scraps: Fancy Pants patterned papers, Prima patterned paper
Other: Scenic Route stickers, My Sentiments Exactly stamps, Clearsnap ink

I'll share more of my creations using my Flamingo Scraps stash next time!

FAQ - Ustream Broadcast 9/1/2012

First I want to say that I was blown away by the overwhelming response from our Ustream on Sept. 1, and Sept. 7.  WOW - you guys are the best! If you missed it, you can view the recording at:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/25280062. Our next Class is scheduled for October 1, 2012 at 8:30 p.m. EST.  visit http://www.ustream.tv/channel/gibbst  and join the crowd for broadcast updates.

During the show, I had some great questions, and I thought it would be nice to address them here in case they were missed.
Q - How do you store these 3D layouts - they are too thick for page protectors. 

A -  Well,  I have giant empty 12ft  walls in my house.  So I display them on the walls.  People love coming in and looking at them, and the subjects of my layouts love them too.  These also make great gifts for family members to hang on their walls.

 

To attach the layouts to the wall, I affix a pop top from a can to the back of the layout with hot glue.   Also - I use straight pins instead of nails for some of these really light weight projects. 

For the layouts on the fireplace,  I use the Tim Holtz Easel Die and attach it with tape!  Why tape?  Because then I can pull them off the mantel and add them to the wall to rotate them around.

Q -  How do you prevent Dust from Collecting on your displayed projects?

A -  I just go over them with a Swiffer duster once a week, and I've never had a problem. 

Q - What is the difference between Modeling Paste and Molding Paste?

 A - It just depends on the manufacturer as to what it is called, but I have found that the two products are the same.

Q - What is the difference between the Light Molding Paste and Molding Paste?

A - I prefer the Light because it is lighter in weight and dries faster.  The texture is not as intense, but it is all that you need for layouts. I like the fact that it dries fast, and doesn't weigh down my projects. 

If you have any questions you would like to ask, please post them here in the comments, or on the Flamingo Scraps Facebook page. We will try and get them answered for you.

Again Thank you for participating in my debut class and I look forward to Oct. 1 when we get to hang out again!

Thanks for stopping in today,

http://www.psychomomscrapbooks.blogspot.com

Thanks sooo Much!!!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out and supported Tonya and Flamingo Scraps in the first installment of what we hope will be many more fun and inspiring Ustream Classes!! Tonya is a natural teacher and really drew the crowd in!! We did have a tiny problem with the recording, but she is going to redo the class (and record) for anyone who missed it or wants to watch again! Mark your calendars -- the next class is scheduled for Monday, October 1, at 8:30pm EDT! We are planning a kit for this one!


We want your feedback!!! REALLY, we do!!!!! It is important that these Ustream Classes appeal to you! We can record them all day long, but if noone wants to watch -- well, it would get pretty lonely! So we want to know what types of projects you would like Tonya to work her own brand of magic on and we also want to know what kinds of product you would like to see in kits. We listened to your requests in Monday's show and have put together some items (see below). But we all know that if a kit is full of things you don't need, don't want, or already have, you won't buy it!!! Reply to this newsletter or email Suzanne (flamingoscraps@yahoo.com), leave a comment on our Facebook Page or our Blog and let us know what you really want - REALLY!!!!

Flamingo Scraps is pleased to offer some of the harder-to-find products Tonya used on her gorgeous layout! These are offered as preorders, please contact Suzanne at flamingoscraps@yahoo.com with your order information and you will get an invoice, payment is due at time of preorder invoicing. Shipping prices and/or free shipping apply to US residents, international viewers - please contact Suzanne at flamingoscraps@yahoo.com for discounted shipping!

Art Medium Kit 8oz jar of Premium Gesso, 8oz of Liquitex Modeling Paste, 8oz of Liquitex Gel Medium Matte, SHIPPING INCLUDED, $32.99

6x6 Brick Stencil, Crafter's Workshop, SHIPPING INCLUDED, $4.99

 Prima Distress Tool, SHIPPING INCLUDED, $14.99

Snow Cap Adirondack Lights Reinker, Ranger, SHIPPING INCLUDED, $3.49

Mixative shown here, but product is reinker

If there is anything else you are having trouble finding, either from the class or just that you want, please contact Suzanne. We can order the majority of new releases and some older items, as well as tools and crafting basics!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  Hope to see you October 1!!!!