What's in the Match Box?

Hello,

It's Luann with the answer to the question you all are just wanting to know. What is in the Match Box that I blogged about on October 2nd.  Did you see the clue?
http://flamingoscraps.blogspot.com/2013/10/anyone-have-matchbox.html

Did you guess.....

Yep, bathroom tissue roll centers. (My husband kept asking why I was saving them!) Ever since I saw Arlene's Butterfly Kisses blog where she made a mini using them, I wanted to give it a try. BTW:  Who knew that they come in  different sizes?

I squished the rolls in half and used my bone folder to help crease the edges. I put them under a very heavy book for a few days.  I painted the outside and about a fourth of the way down on the inside using my Tim Holtz Black Soot Distressed Paint. I added a couple swipes of the Bronze and Broken China to break up the black.  Then I used a little Heidi Swapp in gold to make them sparkle. I also used Prima's Chalk Edger for added color.  Next came the grommets.  This was fun!

Then on to decorating the mini album.  Keep in mind that to fit in the match box you should use flat embellies.  Also, this is another way to use up your scraps.  I used the scraps from Theresa Collins Now & Then and Carta Bella Winter Fun for the background and journal cards.  For the embellishments I colored up Prima Wood Icons, Tim Holtz Idealology, Mod-Podge Molds, Prima Flowers, Cosmo Cricket Glitter Sheets (I used as the tabs for the pull out journal cards.), stash lace, binding tape, stash items, and charms. 

And here is the complete project! 

I know that my snow family is glad I got replaced the matches!


Until next time! 

Luann


Note:
Got the fun inspiration for my snow family from Bitz of Me blog (Suzanne Dean).







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

Tribute Canvas for John

Tribute Canvas for John

How excited I was to get my Flamingo Scraps Warehouse Sale Combination Box with all the wonderful goodness.  When I saw the Teresa Collins Now & Then collection, I knew that this was just what I was waiting for my Tribute Canvas for my cousin.  

I started with a 12 x 12 canvas and applied a coat of gesso. I then painted the canvas and sides with Tim Holtz Distress Paints (available via special order - just contact Suzanne). I mixed Weathered Wood, Broken China, and a few drops of Tarnished Brass to get the color I liked. After the paint dried I mixed Liquitex Modeling Paste with a Vintage Photo Distress Paint (available at Flamingo Scraps) and applied to the canvas using a mask (stencil). 

While that was drying, I printed pictures and icons that best described my cousin.  On the little icons I used Glossy Accents to make them like charms.  I mounted the pictures using Teresa Collins Now & Then Collection as the back ground.  Now & Then Collection was perfect for the masculine feel of this canvas.  I tore, distressed and inked the edges of paper using Prima Chalk InkEdger as well as Tim Holtz Distress Ink. I found a Teresa Collins stamp set that I had with sentiments that fit perfect.

You all know that I like bling and I was faced with a dilemma…..what is man bling? Gears! Keys! Nuts!  Bolts!  Metal objects! Burlap! Cork! And of course light bulbs! Prima Tiny Junk Yard Findings, Tim Holtz idea-ology goodies, Maya Road Burlap Red Rose (for love), Fancy Pants cork heart and a few stash items cured the dilemma. By the way, Flamingo Scraps has Tim Holtz and Prima man bling, as well as Maya Road Burlap Roses.

 

 Mod-Podge was my choice to mount the pictures and sentiments.  I used Mod-Podge and Glossy Accents to adhere the man bling.

I hope you enjoy my very first project as a design team member for Flamingo Scraps.  Remember to check with Flamingo Scraps for the products I incorporated into my Tribute Canvas.  Check back often, Flamingo Scraps is getting new CHA products in every day. 

Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week! 

Luann

Note: I’m sending my Tribute Canvas to John’s mother.  I pray that this will be part of her healing process and it was of mine.  This is also a tribute to Dad...he is the one with holding John in the center.

More sketchy goodness from Flamingo Scraps!

Good morning Flamingo Flock!

With the end of May approaching, I'm finding myself spending less time in my scrapbook space and more time outside, which I love and hate at the same time. I like to make my pages quick and easy once summer hits, and we all know that sketches are one of my favorite ways to speed up the scrapping process. I made one up, especially for Flamingo Scraps, this month, utilizing a combination of 4x6 and square photos (something like an Instagram photo, if you'd like)! 

So, for my take, I used the actual image I took, in black and white, plus the photo I uploaded to Instagram, as well. I'm really loving how this turned out, what with the Teresa Collins Now & Then Collection to give my page its color combo, the background paper masked and misted with Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Tropicana Teal and Sweet Cherry, then masked again with molding paste.  I used some Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Broken China for the larger splatters. My embellishments were a Websters Pages tree charm, a Studio Calico Wood Veneer Banner, a few pieces of Studio Calico Wood Veneers that I got in Sampler Pack 1, and some Maya Road Cording (available in cloud in the store, it can be colored whatever color you'd like to match). I painted the veneers with Tim Holtz Distress Paint (available via special order) in Broken China and Fired Brick, and used some little paper clips to hold my little paper embellishments from the Now & Then Collection in place. 

I just love the bright grunginess of the background. Here's a closer look: 

And I kept the title small, as compared to my sketch, just because I liked the idea of putting it on the banner:

I shared the sketch with the rest of the design team, in case they wanted to join me, and Kathleen came up with this:

Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi Water Faucet Handle andSmall Fashion Glasses.  Heart from Maya Road Love Mini Chipboard collection. Heidi Swapp Vintage Chic Just Dots,12x12 paper

Not only that, but Tonya is going to use this sketch on her uStream on June 3rd, so make sure you tune in if you want to see sketch creation in action! 

A Non-Valentine Layout Using Secret Crush

Hello Flockinistas!

It's Alicia, here again with a layout showing that just because the line is themed for a holiday, it doesn't have to be used that way!
This time of year, I always find myself with a large amount of "themed" supplies.  I use to think was a problem, until I realized that just because they are part of a "Christmas" or "Valentine's" line, doesn't mean they only have to be used for those holidays.  Using supplies that you can get from Suzanne in the Flamingo Scraps store (NOW New and Improved!), I combined the Pink Paislee "Secret Crush" and the Teresa Collins "Now and Then"  lines to create a very un-Valentine's Day layout of my husband and I out for my birthday this year.  I took this picture myself standing in front of these giant fire bowls near the restaurant we had dinner at this night.

The background paper, the damask, the doily print and the pennant flags below the pictures were all taken from the Secret Crush line, while the clocks and blue patterned paper came from Now and Then.  The "This Moment" sentiment was cut out from one of the papers in the Now and Then collection, and with the blue and gray color scheme, these supplies no longer look like they only belong on a Valentine's layout!

For a  texture and to add a little interest, I have layered a doily on top of one of the Fancy Pants Filter Paper embellishments, which I just inked with a couple of my Prima Chalk Edgers to coordinate with the rest of the color palate of my layout.  I used my Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher to add that tab from the Secret Crush Photo tabs directly to my photo.

In addition to the digital brush that I applied to my photo before printing, I used a couple of the stick pins, mini-clothes pins (aren't they adorable?) and some of the Tim Holtz filmstrip ribbon as accents on this layout.

This little journaling block is the bottom half of the library card tag which is included on the "Now and Then" elements sheet that comes with the collection pack.  The little pennants I cut from some of the larger elements from the Secret Crush Paper Goods die cut pack!

So, I hope this has helped everyone get a lot more use out of those "themed" supplies that can be used year round!  Leave a comment and let me know how you have re purposed some of your "themed" products!

Until next time!

Alicia

A Now and Then Layout

Good Morning Flock-Followers!

It's Alicia here, and I'm back to show you my latest layout using the Teresa Collins Now and Then Collection that you can find in the shop at Flamingo Scraps!  

When my husband and I were getting married, we were living in Houston, but planning the wedding in my hometown (outside of Austin.)  Luckily for us, our photography company had an office in Houston as well, so we decided to have our engagement photos taken here.  I was working downtown at the time, and when the photographer suggested the area around the Wortham Center, we accepted immediately.  I really loved how the pictures turned out with an urban feel, but also with plenty of trees to be seen as well.  

For this layout, I used various papers from the Now and Then Collection.  Our wedding colors were navy with accents of lime green, so I loved that the floral pattern featured both of these colors and also the pink color that played well with Eddie's shirt.  I also used the Now and Then chipboard accents to add a little dimension and the border strips to add a little glitz to the layout.

Here is a close up of the great banner using the chipboard accents and a little tag from the accessories sheet that comes in the collection.  

So, if you are interested in getting this look, just head on over to the shop and grab the Now and Then collection pack and chipboard accents by Teresa Collins, you will LOVE them!  

Also, don't forget to tune in to Tonya's next Ustream presentation on Monday, January 7th, where she is going to show you how to create an awesome layout using Pink Paislee's Portfolio collection!

Until next time!
Alicia

Guest Blogger Jeana O'Laughlin-Pigott: Teresa Collins Stampmaker

Please welcome Jeana to the blog today -- she was our lucky winner of the Teresa Collins Stampmaker back in October!!   We invited her to share her experience with the machine and her super cute card she made with her stamp!! :)

It was about 5 a.m. I don’t remember why I was up that early but I was, so I logged into Facebook only to see the final prize for Flamingo Scraps 2nd anniversary celebration giveaway. The Teresa Collins Stamp Maker Machine, and who had won!? I had!! I could hardly contain my excitement; I literally had to keep myself from screaming out loud and waking the whole house haha. Once I received the machine I was quite intimidated by it. I read over the instructions, multiple times, and finally got up the gumption to try it out.

First I tried to make one of the stamps that comes with the machine, I followed the directions to a T. And…. Nothing. It turned into a big hard rectangle. So I tried to make some expression stamps and while you could make out the expression, they weren’t deep enough to actually stamp with.

After many, trials of leaving the stamp under the UV light for different amounts of time, and going through almost all of the Stamp packs that came with the machine I decided to call it quits for the day and try another time.

This is what I learned, pay attention to the directions!! When I tried again and left the stamps in for the amount of time recommended (3 minutes) they came out perfect!!! So here are some tips for you when using the machine:

• Make sure if you are printing out your own transparency, that it is completely black EVERYWHERE except what you want the stamp to be ( I tried preserving paper/ink and trimming it down and the stamps do not come out nearly as nice!!)
• Definitely do not leave the stamp pack under the UV light for more than 3 minutes as it will harden the entire stamp pack.
• Larger images are much easier to make than small words or expressions!!

Here is the first project I completed with one of the stamps I made!! It is a simple Valentine’s card for my hubs. Hope you enjoy and thank you again Flamingo Scraps for the amazing prize!! Be sure to check out their store, they have incredible prices and beautiful stuff!!

We thank Jeana for joining us and thank her for sharing her work with us!!  To see more of her work and read about her life as a stay at home mom and army wife, please visit her blog!!

Page Maps Challenge -- Merry and Bright

For this sketch in the Page Maps Challenge, I did something unusual for me -- I actually altered it to have fewer embellishments!  I decided that the GORGEOUS NOEL paper and ribbon from Teresa Collins spoke for themselves and highlighted these precious pictures of my adorable 14 year old puppy, Bella.  She looks a little sheepish and bored with her Christmas attire -- believe me, the hat stayed on just long enough for me to snap these quick shots!  The journaling reads "I can't believe she made me do this!"

Old Page Maps Challenge #22 -- sketch from Becky Fleck

Teresa Collis NOEL patterned papers and matching ribbon from Flamingo Scraps!

The things we do to our pets during the holidays!  Nevermind -- I smile everytime I see these photos of Bella!

Weekend Whimsy: Tear Strips -- Not Just for SKUs Anymore!

WAIT!!!!!  STOP!!!!!!!!  Think a minute before you throw away that tear strip you just cut off your patterned paper!  For some companies, tear strips are not just for SKUs anymore!  Take Sassafras Lass's Indie Girl -- that scalloped edge is the ultimate in new thinking for tear strips.  It can be used as a border, any number of ways as an embellie.  If you are smart like Susan, you trim off the top of the paper (don't throw it away either) and have a 12x12 sheet of paper with a gorgeous scalloped edge!

Sassafras Lass Indie Girl has the ultimate in usable tear strips!

Teresa Collins' NOEL has a beautiful black and white pattern on one side of the tear strip.  Just trim out the logo or, as in the examples below, pleat over it.  A little glue, a little stitching, and you have a pleated paper embellishment just made for a card or to edge a photo!

Don't throw away that gorgeous black and white strip!

And Guest Design Team Member Tonya wins the prize for tear strip creativity for using the Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante pattern title portion of the tear strip -- beautifully distressed -- as a banner on her Steampunk Mini Album!!

They don't call us scrappers for nothing -- and now companies are getting into the act with the whole piece of paper being usable!!  Tear Strips -- Think About It!!

December Daily

Every year I've loved reading Ali Edwards' December Daily project posts... and every year I wish that I was playing along.  Well no more reading and wishing... this year I'm jumping in and making my own!  A few weeks ago, when I first got my new Teresa Collins Noel papers + chipboard covers from the store, I knew they would be perfect for this project.  So I set them aside along with some Maya Road snowflakes:

Last Friday, Ali Edwards did her first post about this years December Daily and she's using the Teresa Collins chipboard covers!  I'm looking forward to putting my first December Daily album together this year.  I have some fun stuff planned and my first niece is due Christmas Eve.  Lots worth capturing. :)

Have you played along before and made a December Daily album?  Are you playing along this year?  I'd love to see your albums!

Teresa Collins NOEL

Teresa Collins has released a gorgeous Christmas/Winter collection this year, NOEL.
 

Teresa Collins NOEL Collection

Though hard to make a choice, this collection wins my vote for favorite Holiday collection and I was thrilled to finally get a chance to play with it!  The elegant black, white, red, and gold damask patterns and the sheet music and traditional distressed solids are perfects combined with the more whimsical words, numbers, tickets, and definitions patterns.  The charming vintage chipboard elements and the printed ribbon add just the right finishing touch!

This card I made uses Bazzill cardstock as the base with staggered rectangles of the NOEL paper.  A charming vintage Christmas Tree chipboard element and ribbon finish it off nicely!

This cute little box made from the sizzix popcorn box die could be used for treats, a tiny gift, or simply to hang on your tree!  Maya Mist in silver plate adds glitter to the Prima flowers!

No scrap of this fabulous paper should go unused -- here are some Christmas trees and a dove blinged up with Tim Holtz Crackle Paint in Rock Candy, bits and pieces of Prima bling with flowers, and a Maya Road Star Trinket Pin!


Now another dozen or so of those cards and boxes and I'll be ready for the Holidays!  Can you imagine an Advent Calendar done in the NOEL collection using the number patterns and the music paper?!  Looking for  a holiday collection with a twist this year -- NOEL may be just the ticket!  We even have some in the store right now!

CHA Sneak Peek: Suzanne's Favorites

Now it is my turn to opine on my fave releases from CHA Summer 2010.  I certainly agree with Susan and Amanda that two of the real standouts are Steampunk Debutante from Graphic 45 and Parisian Anthologie from The House of Three for Pink Paislee.  Not only are these two collections visually stunning,  Debutante taps into the emerging Steampunk trend in scrapping and Anthologie is based on the concept of altering -- EVERYTHING!  Very exciting!  However, I thought I would focus on some of the releases that haven't received quite so much press, but are nonetheless stunning and innovative.

Flamingo Scraps is adding a number of new companies to its repertoire this season and two offer FABULOUS collections I can't wait to get my hands messy with.   The first is Teresa Collins Designs' NOEL.  I just LOVE the color palette of Christmas Red and Sooty black with punches of golden yellow -- tradition with an edge!  The damask patterns, dots and stripes, the to-die-for sheet music pattern and the use of numbers and words as patterns all make for a stunning, and versatile, holiday release!

When I started scrapping, Basic Grey was my biggest vice -- I had to have two of each collection pack because I could barely bring myself to use their gorgeous papers.  As I expanded my scrappy horizons, Basic Grey was still the iconic paper company, and they do not disappoint with their release Curio.  Vintage nature images meet that distinctive BG flair for patterns and color combinations for a truly stunning offering!

As always, Webster's Pages has GORGEOUS releases and two of their collections Hollywood Vogue and Sweet Seasons, make my favorites list.  Though still in the Webster's style we all love, these two collections have bold, bright color palettes and some fabulous imagery!

And well, I won't even get into the embellies and alterable items we have seen at 7 Gypsies, Tim Holtz and Maya Road -- They deserve a separate post all their own!!!