'Twas the Day Before Christmas...

And all through Flamingo Scraps, the Flockinstas were working on holiday greetings!

Genie Smith

Erin Reed

Suzanne Pickens

Cheryl Arbo

Special Guest, Cooper Alsabrook

Donna Sullivan

Kathleen Natale

Luann Ostrom

Melissa Williams

Ramona Downing

Tonya Gibbs

Have a safe and happy holiday, from our flock to yours!

Echo Park "Merry Christmas" Cracker Treat Box

Hi Cheryl here. Today I am taking a break from making Christmas cards and thought I would work on some gifts for my Grands to give to their classmates and teachers. Today I am going back to one of my favorite Christmas collections. It is "Merry Christmas" from Echo Park. I just LOVE these papers. I bought the complete collection during the summer and then was lucky enough to receive a kit from Flamingo Scraps this fall for our winter projects. This is one paper collection that I will never tire of. Beautiful, bright patterns and my favorite green, red, and brown colors for Christmas.

For my project I decided to make a cracker treat box. These are so cute and hold a lot of candy for the young ones or for us big kids maybe a nice piece of jewelry!  I used my "We Are Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board" and it really did all of the work for me!

These are currently on sale at Flamingo Scraps for only $14.99!!!!!  I just had to cut the paper, tie the ends with ribbon, and then used two trees from the Fancy Pants Tiny Bottlebrush Traditional Trees as an embellishment . These are just adorable when completed and I think everyone will enjoy receiving theirs. I hope you enjoyed my project for today. I won't bore you with the measurements and details on how this was made, but if you are interested you may go to my blog for all of the details!

Thank you for stopping by the Flamingo Scraps Blog. Don't forget you can "like" their Facebook page here, and find everything I used today in their online store here.

Happy Scrappin............Cheryl

Using Leftovers

Hi guys...this is Cheryl. I am sitting here sorting through, and organizing, my leftovers of paper collections and embellishments received from Flamingo Scraps, slowly trying to go through my scrapbook room and get my beloved papers in order to make my life easier when scrapping. Of course, for me, it is the "putting back" that is the main issue. As I was going through my goodies I noticed I had several nice bits and pieces of the Echo Park Beautiful Life paper collection left from my last project. This inspired me to look for a smaller scaled project to use the rest of these pieces. I decided to attempt to make what is called a "sour cream" container. There are tons of YouTube videos out there on how to make these. I actually didn't think about looking for one prior to making mine, but afterwards I did look and found this nice one. Her dimensions and techniques are somewhat different from mine, but different strokes for different folks! That is the beauty and fun of scrapbooking. There are no rules. Just lots of sweet crafters to share their love and methods of scrapbooking.

To start off I looked through my scraps to find any papers left that could be cut down to 4.50" x 6".

From there I added Scor-tape along just one of the 4.50" edges and on both edges of the 6" sides.

I removed the backing of the adhesive from just one 6" length and from the top edge and rolled the paper up into what looked like a small tube.

From there I flattened one end of the tube, filled it with treats and then on the other edge I closed the opening in the opposite direction of what the other end was. I used my scoring tool and scored three lines on both ends. It now looks like a cute take out sour cream container! From there I punched a small hole and added a 10" piece of the Fancy Pants Seam Binding Collection in various colors to the top and then used a cute stamp and punch from my stash, inked them using Prima's dark rust chalk ink, and added them to the front of each treat container.

Just a really quick, fun way to use up those scraps that would end up being forgotten or thrown away.

As always thank you for visiting my blog. If you would like to visit the Flamingo Scraps Blog, please click here. If you would like to buy any of the papers or inks I used today, please visit the Flamingo Scraps online store here, and to like their Facebook page please click here.

Happy Scrappin! ......Cheryl

4 Products + 4 Designers = The Fantastic Flamingo Four !!!

It's that time again ! Time for the FANTASTIC Flamingo 4! I love to see what everyone comes up with each month. I call this the "bonus blog" post because you get four great new creative takes all at one time. For the October F4 , our designers, Erin, Melissa, Luann, and Cheryl were given these four items to get down and scrappy with.
1)  Prima "Rondelle" Designer Paper
2) Prima Banner Clip
3) two Prima flowers
4) Manila Tag (small)

Enjoy the creative journey, and let us help inspire you on your next crafty endeavor.



Luann’s Project

When I saw all the lovely papers I thought instantly that they would make pretty barrettes. I was right! I got out the barrette supplies and Mod Podge matte finish.  I cut the paper a little larger than the barrette so I could fold under. Slather the Mod Podge front and back.  While it was still tacky to touch I sprayed with Heidi Swapp Color Shine in gold or mustard.  Using a flower punch I made little flowers to go with the F4 flowers and I had to give them a little spray of Heidi.  I used my Prima Edgers for a highlight colors.  .

Originally, I thought about using the tag as flowers.  Then inspiration and I started playing.  I love humming birds and flowers.  Don’t you just the dimensional of the flowers?  Again, I used my flower punch with scraps from the barrettes.  I attached the cute paper clip and I will use it for the sediment.

I hope you like my challenge project with F4 items. Hope you will give making the barrettes a try.

CHERYL'S PROJECT
Hey guys...this is Cheryl. Today on the Flamingo Scraps Designer Team, there are four of us all working hard using the same scrappin goodies and doing our own thing making something pretty! We were given a generous supply of Prima "Rondelle" Designer Paper, a Prima Banner Clip, two Prima flowers, and a small manila tag to create our project. Our challenge was to see how each one of use uses the same materials. At first I debated on making a card, but having all of these nice papers, I wanted to create something where I could show off several of these pretty papers. So, I decided to make a A2 size card portfolio.

I started off with a piece of black 12" x 12" card stock, trimmed it down to 8.50" x 11".  It was scored at 5.25" and 5.75" on the 11" width and 6" and 6.25" on the 8.50" width. I trimmed away the 1/2" middle section from the bottom short end up to the top score line.

Using an assortment of patterns from the Prima Rondelle collection, I cut two at 5" x 5.75", two at 2" x 5", and one at 1/4" x 5.75". After inking all of the edges using Prima's Black Coal Chalk Ink, adhesive was applied to the back of each piece and adhered to the front cover and inside flaps.

Turning it over, I marked a 2.25" line above the top score line along the 11" width. From there I added a strong adhesive along this drawn line and then after folding a 30" piece of ribbon from my stash in half to find the center, I laid the center of a ribbon on the 1/2" area and attached it to the front cover of the portfolio.

At this point I creased my score lines and from the inside I brought both flaps forward and secured the outside edges with a tiny brad as a closure.



I covered the tag with another paper piece of the paper, and then cut two additional tags out from the collection, along with two other papers for two additional mats on the cover, and then tied some ribbon from the Seam Binding Sampler on the tags and used the Prima flowers to embellish the cover and I was done.

This was a fun project to make and a great gift idea to hold four handmade cards. This was a lot of fun and hopefully I have inspired you to make one for your cards.

As always, I appreciate subscribers of my blog, here. Also, like and subscribe to Flamingo Scraps on Facebook here and  be sure to visit the Flamingo Scraps store. Check out all of the latest products from Pink Paislee, Heidi Swapp, Fancy Pants, and Basic Grey.....just to tease you with a few!!

Happy scrappin!.......Cheryl

Erin's Project

I am always in need of cards, for lots of various reasons.  Right now it is a thank you for my son's teacher to show her how thankful we are to her (and the school) about his rough transition since the move.  They are helping him in so many ways, and we are grateful that they are supportive to his needs.

I used 3 different sheets of Prima paper and cut them into 1.5 inch squares.  I then inked and arranged them as seen in the pic.  I matted them onto black, then another Prima patterned paper, then on the card base of kraft paper.    I cut the tag down to make room for the stamp sentiment, which I added the clip and a punched out butterfly from another sheet of the Prima paper.  I added a couple of extra flowers to bulk up the Prima flowers from the kit, then added in the buttons.  I created the leaves and you can see the tutorial I made in a post from last week.

Melissa's Project

This month's Flamingo 4 came so easily for me, and for that I am thankful! I have been scrapping out of a suitcase for about a month now, as my family and I are preparing to sell our house and move to a new one soon. I didn't need much extra to complete this project! All I used in addition to what was sent was a single piece of Kraft cardstock, a couple of stamps from my stash, a Threading Water punch from Fiskars, some Prima black chalk ink, and Tim Holtz distress paint in black soot, available in the Flamingo Scraps store via special order.

I decided to make a non-folding card with a pocket for the tag. The sender could write on the back side of the card, or pull the tag out and write on the back side of it, or tuck a piece of paper in with the greeting to send their own little note! I painted the tag black with the distress paint and then adhered paper to it. I also punched the bottom of the tag with the threading water punch. For the cardstock tag that I added, I stamped it with a flourish stamp at the bottom, and then also punched it. The pocket on the tag is a single piece of patterned paper from the pack, adhered on three sides over another piece of patterned paper I cut to size. I used one flower on the little flourish in the corner of the paper and another on the banner paperclip.

Here's what each piece look like individually:

What awesome projects from four amazing designers! Be sure to follow the Flamingo Scraps blog and "like" our  Facebook page . Don't forget Amazing tutorials from Tonya Gibbs on the first Monday of each month at 8:30 p.m. EDT.You can also follow the link to Tonya if you missed and Ustream shows. They are recorded for those who missed them.  Thanks for visiting, and check out all of the great products in The Store. You'll  be tickled pink!!

No Scary Treats Here.....

Hi guys. This is Cheryl. I am totally loving this time of year with the leaves falling, homemade soups, and cooler temperatures. My plants and flowers act like they are on steroids and are growing like crazy. Typically we have just as many Fall, pumpkin, and Halloween decorations out at our house as we do for Christmas in December. It doesn't hurt that orange is my favorite color. My daughter's neighborhood has a yearly Halloween Trick or Treat party and cook out. The kids stay within the block safely together. Last year I had just moved here the end of September and with tons of unpacking to do, I didn't have a lot of time to make decorations or treats for the neighborhood kids.. But this year I have plenty of time and with help from my two Grands, we have already started making them. As I was doing a few I got thinking that these treat holders would be a great idea for any time during the year and a cute project for my scrapping buddies.

To get started I cut four 3.50" x 10" pieces of my Echo Park Beautiful Life paper collection. Folded the strips in half and run them through my Big Shot using a tag die from my stash. These were all scored 1" from the flat ends.

I then added a strong adhesive on the inside of the 1" scored area to one of the two coordinating pieces and adhered them together.

To decorate the front, I inked several stickers using my favorite Prima Dark Rust chalk ink from the coordinating sticker sheet of the Wonderful Life collection,

a few of the ribbons from Webster's Pages Color Sunday Picnic collection, a banner from Heidi Swapp, and a couple 5" ribbons from my stash as a closure for the treat holders.

Prior to threading the ribbons through the top, I also applied a strip of adhesive to the top layer of the two attached pieces and adhered candy to this strip.

 

 

And that is it! I thought these would be perfect for some of my scrappin' friends as a nice change from receiving so many Halloween-themed gifts.

I hope you have enjoyed my project for today. These were fun and quick to make. Now I have to get rid of these quick! It is dangerous for me to keep chocolate in my house! lol

As always thank you for visiting the Flamingo Scraps Blog. If you would like to buy any of the papers, inks, banners, or ribbons used, please visit the Flamingo Scraps online store here, and to like their Facebook page please click here.

Happy Scrappin......Cheryl



Alabama...Oh yea!

Hi...this is Cheryl. Anyone like college football? My family and I just love it. There was a cute post on Facebook a few weeks back saying something like "I am sweet as spice until college football begins." That is me to a "T." I just cannot help it. I have always enjoyed watching college football on TV with my Dad and now my husband, but more so since we have moved to Texas. When they show Tuscaloosa, the beautiful campus, and my Bama Boys hit the field...it's time to get loud, rowdy, and yell "Roll Tide!"  Win or lose, we pull for and love Bama!

For my card today I used a scrap piece of black card stock and a top fold card, which measures 4.25" x 11" and scored at 5.50". I cut and inked a piece of the Teresa Collins "Now & Then" designer paper at  3 7/8" x 5 3/8" and added this over the card base, I cut and inked another piece of designer paper at 2" x 3 7/8", and adhered it across the front of the card. I then cut a small 4" piece of the Heidi Swapp banner and glued it to the top edge on my card.



In my stash I found an old football stamp which worked perfect for this card and stamped it in my favorite Prima Dark Rust chalk ink on a scrap of the paper used as my base layer. Have you seen these cool new NCAA stamps made by Clearsnap this year? Just love them and of course I had to get the set with Alabama on them! I stamped the "Alabama Crimson Tide" verse along the bottom of the card,



used another stamp and fussy cut the elephant,and layered it on the football.



The last thing was to tie a knot bow using a black and white gingham on the bottom of the card and I was done!



There are two inks that can be purchased for these stamps. The one I used is the dye ink for paper, but I also have a temporary tattoo ink that can be used on skin. For our first game of the season this year we all sported a variety of tattoo's on our face, arms, and legs. My two Grands thought it was the coolest thing. These stamps are available in most college teams and can be ordered online and delivered to your home by going to the Flamingo Scraps online store here.

I hope you have enjoyed my card for today. For you to receive all of my posts, I would love for you to subscribe to my blog here. To shop and purchase anything I have used today from the Flamingo Scraps online store you can go directly here, and lastly I would love for you to "like" and follow the Flamingo Scraps Facebook Page here.

Happy Scrappin.....Cheryl

Happy Anniversary To Me!

It's hard to believe, but tomorrow I will be married for thirty-seven years. Thirty-seven wonderful years with my one and only. I met Rick when we both worked at JC Penney. Honest to God, the first time I saw him, I told one of my friends that also worked there that he was my future husband. Rick would come over to my department at the end of the evening and make small talk . One day he hung around after we closed and said "When are you going to go out with me?" and I responded "When are you going to ask me?" We had our first date at the end of Janauary. He asked me to marry him in May, and we married in September. I have had the most wonderful, blessed life with Rick. We both say our struggling years have given us our most happiest moments. I found a sign and we have it hanging in our living room. "If I had my life to do all over again, I would meet you sooner, so I could love you longer." 

When I saw the "Beautiful Life" paper collection by Laura Passage in the Flamingo Scraps online store, I knew I wanted to make a small mini album for our upcoming anniversary. I wanted to keep it simple with lots of room for pictures and journaling. I started with a 12" x 12" piece of designer paper and cut it down to 9.25" x 11". On the 9.25" width I scored it at 2.50" and 6.75". On the 11" width it is scored at 5/8", 7", and 7.75". After trimming away both two opposite ends on the 5/8" score line and removing both sides starting at the 7" score line to the ends, I rounded the corners of both opposite flaps and folded the center section together using the scored lines, and then brought the 5/8" tab up pressing firmly after applying adhesive.

The liners for the outside and inside cover measured 4" x 1/2", 3" x 4", and 4" x 6 1/8". 



For my inside pages, I used the coordinating solid card stock measuring 12" x 12".  I trimmed five of these to 7" x 9.25" and then scored them on the 9.25" width 2.50", and 6.75". On the 7" width at the 5/8". My liners measured 4" x 6 1/8" and followed the same instructions as the cover.



 Once assembled I used a 1 3/8" circle punch and cut a half circle out from each page for each 4" x 6" mat that was inserted into each pocket.



I inked the edges on all of the liners and mats. On each mat I used a small double hole punch and tied a bow using several pieces from the seam binding sampler. I then used my Bind It All and bound the mini with a brown coil.



I used the plentiful supply of coordinating stickers to decorate the mini using mount tape and then one magnetic closure for the cover.

This was a very easy, non fussy, non complicated, but sweet album to make. The papers were so pretty that other than inking the edges using my favorite Prima Dark Rust chalk ink, the seam binding, the coordinating stickers,  the Heidi Swapp Banners, and Fancy Pants Cork Hearts the paper collection spoke for itself.

I hope you have enjoyed visiting the Flamingo Scraps blog today. While you are here, please subscribe by email. I would also ask that you "like" their Facebook page click here, or if you are interested in buying this paper collection, or anything I used to make this mini, you can find it here in the store.

HAPPY SCRAPPIN!

 Cheryl