Amanda's Favorites from 2011!!

It's been a while since I've posted here, but I can't resist talking about all the goodies I loved last year and currently hoard have in my scraproom!

Cosmo Cricket's Circa 1934 

No secret here, I loved this collection!  I made this card, this layout, this layout, this layout, this layout and this layout.  In fact, I have nothing but a pile of scraps left!! :) 

Lily Bee's This and That



Still available in the store!

 I'm hoarding this one.  Haven't touched it yet but LOVE it!! :)

Cosmo Cricket's Salt Air


Some still left in the store!

Another paper collection I haven't yet cut into.  Yep, my name is Amanda and I am a patterned paper hoarder lover! :)

Crate Paper Toy Box Collection

Now that we've established I have a paper addiction, it should come as no surprise that this is another favorite I have yet to cut into....


Also still some available in the store!

 I have some great photos of my nephew I want to use this paper for.... now to just find some time!!

Prima Flocked Rub-Ons

I picked something other than paper!  Shocking, right?! I love these -- and the name is a little misleading - they are almost felt like, but super thin.  So gorgeous!



Get some here!!

 And yes, for the record, I am in fact hoarding hanging onto these too! :)  And now, thanks to the Flamingo Scraps' girls, I'm itching to get back into my scraproom to make some stuff to clear some room for even more fabulous goodies coming up in the next few weeks!!

Suzanne's Favorites from 2011!!!

I will think of 2011 as the year I realized some truths about my papercrafting!!!!  And I think it is all due to some of the fabulous products that came out last year!!

I realized I have a strong tendency toward graphic collections -- I always assumed I was a shabby chic crafter,  but now I think of myself more as vintage graphic!!!  I fell MADLY in love with Fancy Pants' It's the Little Things and Lily Bee's This and That!

"It's the Little Things" that matter! 
Layout of class Tonya Gibbs and I took with Marion Smith!

Hugs Tag
Lily Bee -- This and That,
Maya Road Chipboard Coaster Tag, Pink Paislee Chipboard Letters.

With these two collections, I became almost fearless mixing patterns and textures!!!!

I remembered that I love words.  Though I am not a consistent journaler, I have always loved using words as accents on pages.  I also remembered that I CAN stamp and love to heat emboss thanks to these FABULOUS Art Journaling Stamps from Maya Road!!!!

Maya Road -- Art Journaling Stamps
Late Winter Release 2011
Available at Flamingo Scraps

Tag using MR Art Journaling Stamps, Tim Holtz Alterations Dies,
Recollections paper, misc. clear embossing powder,
feathers, bling, and fabric strips

I love bright, vivid colors!!  I simply fell head over heels for the colors in Webster's Pages Sunday Picnic!!  Having this as a fave is kinda cheating as it came out at the tail end of the year.  I am just enchanted by the Perfect Accents and truthfully, I'm afraid this might be one of those things that is too beautiful to use!  Look for other styles of these to be in the store -- one set even has a FLAMINGO CAMEO!!!!

Webster's Pages Sunday Picnic Perfect Accents
Available at Flamingo Scraps

And lastly, my "why didn't I think of that" new product -- Cosmo Cricket's Glubers (which simply flew out the store and were impossible to find).   Another item that made me remember I love to make my own embellishments and the results are not too shabby...well, they are kinda shabby, but not in a bad way...OH!!!  You know what I mean!!!!

Cosmo Cricket Glubers

The adhesive holds the trim --

Add a sparkly center and you are good to go!

Gluber Flower, upper middle,
Made With Cotton Crochet Trim from Flamingo Scraps

We will be reporting next on our favorites from the new releases at CHA Winter 2012 and let you know what we will be carrying!!  Check out the PREORDERS of Tim Holtz now available at Flamingo Scraps.  In addition, the Maya Road Art Journaling Stamps and the Webster's Pages Perfect Accents are on sale through Thursday!!

Now back to deciding what to order!!!!  If you see steam rising from the direction of the Sunshine State -- it is my brain on sensory overload -- in a good way!!!!

Tonya's Favs of 2011

2011 was a great year for creative products. These are a few of my favs from Flamingo in 2011. Some of these products are on sale and they have limited quanties so you better gobble them up quick. Also Flamingo is running a special on shipping until February 4, and a give away for the first 5 who spend $30. You better hurry.

Marion Smith’s Trinkets from Prima
OMG – CAN YOU SAY YUMMMY - I think I bought every one of these that Flamingo had in the store. Suzanne called and said – you have to give everyone else a shot at them. YUMMY!



Prima’s Millinery Collection flowers
I love how soft these flowers are with the fabric and pearls. My favorite color was the aqua. I noticed this morning they still have 2 of the Dandy color and they are marked 40% off. You better buy them before I do….



Cosmo Cricket’s Circa 1934
I think I made 4 mini albums from this one paper collection. I loved the retro color and patterns. It could be matched with Black or Kraft cardstock to create the PERFECT layout or mini album. I think this one is a classic that I could never grow tired of working with. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!



Pink Paislee’s Butterfly Garden & Daily Junque
Hello - YUMMY YUMMY - I know I have 2 listed here – but I still remember calling Suzanne and hyperventilating over the phone over the butterfly garden and Daily Junque. Confessions - they are both still in the hoard volt – but I have a project that I want to make and you will see it soon. LOVE THEM BOTH EQUAL so I couldn’t just name one. Butterfly Garden was the most elegant paper collection of 2011 in my opinion. And the flags and journal prompts on Daily Junque convinced me to start journaling more. I want to make a smash book from DJ soon. Again Flamingo has a few of these left in the store at a HUGELY discounted rate. Get it quick only a few sheets left.




Prima’s Reflections paper collection
This paper was soooo gorgeous it just took my breath away. There were 12 double sided papers in this collection, and with the rich jewel toned browns and blues OMG I thought i would die. I ordered it twice so that is 24 sheets or 48 designs (if you count the back)I used it on everything from January - June. I really thought Suzanne was going to call me and tell me to branch out more. I mean I think in 2011 it was my go to paper collection for layouts, journals, altered objects at least until summer cha. Flamingo still has the flocked rub-ons left and they are 40% off. I ADORE THEM sooo much – can I list them as my fav too?

Thank you for stopping in today – I need to go wipe the drool off my keyboard.

Valentine's Cards - for Cancer

I have a friend, Liz, who was hosting a Valentine Day Card drive to send to kids who suffer from Cancer. She wanted to be able to bring a smile to their cute faces. She asked each of us to do 2 cards, and here are mine.

From Flamingo Scraps: Fancy Pants Designs: It's The Little Things - Headed South; Prima: Fairy Tale roses white, and mini roses - white. Other: Greeting Farm Flutter Anya, Copic Markers, Studio G: Hug Coupon, Bling, Kraft Cardstock, Making Memories: Lace; Tim Holtz: Ticket Die, and Ticket Stamp from 100 Stamp Collection.

I wanted my cards to be themed around love but not the same traditional Valentine’s Day icons of Red and Pink. So I chose Fancy Pants “It’s the Little Things – Headed South” paper. It has these cute I love you stamps and post marks everywhere. There are still a few sheets of it left in the store if you like to use it on your Valentine's Day projects.



I designed the cards like an easle card so that they could be viewed from a dresser or table top. I stitched around the edges for interest and used my Greeting Farm Flutter Anya stamp as the focal point. I love that I can change the look of the image by simply coloring her a different color. Since these cards will be hand delivered, I used the Prima FairyTale Roses and Mini Roses as the easle prop.



Thanks for stopping in today,

Scrapping Another First

It seems like the first two or three years of Trevor's life I scrapped nothing but his 'firsts.'  First bath, first solid food, first tooth, first steps, and the list goes on and on.  The firsts happen less often now that he's 5, but there are still plenty to scrap.  Here is Trevor doing his very first homework assignment.

From Flamingo Scraps: Pink Paislee patterned paper, Crate Paper patterned paper, 
Crate Paper letter stickers

Other: Paper Loft patterned paper, ColorBox ink

I used this sketch by Shannon White. 

The yellow lined background paper is (appropriately) from the Old School line by Pink Paislee.  The dotted paper is from the same line.  It was left over from this layout:

I love the way the same paper can read so differently on two different layouts!

Self-Scraplifting

I've been going through pictures of my old projects recently and found this card. I think it might be my favorite card I've ever made. I made it years ago. There's absolutely nothing unique or special about it, but it makes me happy. The colors are awesome and it is crisp and clean.

I thought it would be fun to scraplift the card- would I like the design as much with different colors and sentiments?

I started with a sympathy card.  They are my least favorite type of card to make (and send), for obvious reasons.  I do like how this turned out.  It's simple yet elegant, and definitely somber enough to convey sympathy.

From Flamingo Scraps: Marks Paper Co. patterned paper

Other: Making Memories rub-on, Marvy punch

Next I made a birthday card.  It's amazing how changing up just the colors and patterns can completely change the mood of a card.  An interesting note about this card- there was a flaw on the upper left quadrant of the paper that I didn't notice until after I glued everything down.  I brainstormed how to save the card and came up with the idea of punching a dot from the scraps and using it to cover the flaw.  It worked like a charm, though I then had to spend the next 20 minutes punching and adhering enough dots to the rest of the card to make it look like that was the original plan.  :)

From Flamingo Scraps: Fancy Pants patterned paper

Other: Fiskars and Marvy punches, Stampin' Up and Fiskars stamps, ColorBox ink, Prismacolor pens, unknown ribbon

For my final card, I used the rest of the Fancy Pants paper from the previous card and scraplifted my original design nearly exactly.  I like the yellow card better, but this one is fine.  The floral pattern is much more prominent in real life.

From Flamingo Scraps: Fancy Pants patterned paper

Other: Marvy punch, Making Memories rub-on, Jewelry Essentials charm, unknown ribbon

I have a feeling I'll be coming back to this design again and again!

One Little Word

I had a really positive experience with One Little Word in 2011.  I've been debating between two words for 2012.  As I was cleaning, I found this tiny little metal charm at the bottom of a tub.

And wouldn't you know it... it was one of the two words I was considering.  So 2012 is my year to CELEBRATE.

I'm turning 40 in March, so I want to celebrate that milestone in a memorable way.  But I also want to celebrate smaller things.  I want to take time to appreciate and celebrate everything that makes me happy.  Here's my tag for 2012.

From Flamingo Scraps: Glimmer Mist

Other: chipboard, American Crafts rub-ons, Mrs. Grossman's sticker, Fiskars stamps, Stampin' Up ink, embroidery floss

See those balloons?  They were my second draft.  Originally I'd planned a party hat.  It was looking really cute... until I realized it looked more like a slice of pepperoni pizza than a party hat.  See?

So I left it off.  I like the balloons better.  I especially the little strings tied with a cute bow.  Much cuter than the pizza hat!

Here's the 2012 tag with the 2011 tag.  I'll be hanging these up prominently on the scraproom wall.

Have you picked One Little Word for 2012?

Layout - Bike Ride

Christmas morning is always so magical with the kids playing with their new toys. My nephew Cooper had to bring his new toy to my house and show off his riding skills. I just love it when he comes up to me and says "Aunt Tonya - do you want to come outside and watch me ride my new bicycle?" OF COURSE I DO - I could watch this kid play for HOURS! They really have no idea how much your heart sings when they ask for you to partake in their world. Well yesterday I found the pics on my camera and decided to make a simple layout.

From Flamingo Scraps: Cosmo Cricket paper; Tim Holz adage tickets, Maya Road Buttons.
Other: Metal pieces, small playing card, twine, frayed burlap, cardstock, and kraft notebook paper,

Thanks for stopping in today,

Scrappy Mess to Master Piece

Some serious Holiday crafting has been going on in my room the last few weeks. Between Tim's 12 tags of Christmas, Cards, and some last minute gifts, I have had scraps up to my elbows. I wanted to share with you guys today a tip for turning those scraps into a work of Art.

I started with an 8x10 naked canvas (you could do any size). Then I used my Ranger Glue 'n Seal to decoupage the scarps onto the untreated canvas. Just looks like a giant mess right now. But notice the chipboard pieces - they will offer some depth later.



Next I covered the entire canvas with watered down Gesso. This will make all the elements one color and make them look as if they belong together. Be careful not to apply the Gesso too thick - you still want to be able to see the patters from the different styles of paper. I also added a thin coat of White Metallic Acrylic paint and then lightly sprayed Lindy's Stamp Gang's Creme Brulee Cream to the finished piece to give it a sparkle. So you may ask - "Why add all of those pieces if you are just going to cover them up?" - well, it's simple, I'm after texture. While it is hard to see in the photograph - the text and the music notes are still visible in places. But the Mess looks like a uniformed mess at this point.



Next I wanted some contrast for all this white. So I took an old cardstock frame from Daisy Dee that was dated 2004, and I covered it in black gesso and bead gel. When it was dried, I used my finger to rub same white metallic paint over the frame to bring out the texture of the bead gel. Then I spritz it with the Lindy's Stamp Gang Creme Brulee Cream.



Next I assembled a beautiful spray of Prima's Christmas lights Crystal Sprays, White Flowers, and butterflies around my frame. Notice that even though the flowers and frame have covered the canvas - you can still see the textures of the pieces that were adhered to the canvas backdrop. These textures give depth to the canvas and offer something new every time you admire the piece.



Next I decided the frame seemed empty so I cut a Tim Holtz bird cage from black chipboard and embossed it in silver with the music note stamp from Stampendous. During the 12 tags of Christmas, Tim Holtz shared a technique for using shrink plastic with UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel). So I cut the bird at 8 inches from the Home Accents Cricut Cartridge from Shrink plastic and when I dipped it into the UTEE it shrunk to about 4 inches making the perfect crystal center piece for my canvas.



To finish the piece off, I used a Dylusions stamp from Dyan Reaveley, that says "A Friend knows the song in your heart" - the rest of the phrase was removed. I stamped it onto thick packaging and embossed it with white embossing powder. Placed it in the bottom right hand corner of the frame and called this Masterpiece finished.



I have a step by step from start to finish video available on my YouTube Channel, click here to watch it.

Thanks for stopping in today,

Make it Work!

Earlier this year, I shared a layout with pictures I took at 1:11:11 on 1-11-11.  Of course, I couldn't resist taking pictures at 11:11:11 on 11-11-11!  Because it was Veteran's Day, Trevor was home from school.  We were leaving for Disneyland the next morning, so I was busy packing while Trevor was getting started on the work from his Independent Study.  I made sure the camera was nearby and set a timer so that I wouldn't miss 11:11.  I love this quick little glance at our life when the date and time were nothing but ones.

From Flamingo Scraps: Fancy Pants patterned paper (brown), Crate Paper patterned paper (red), Prima patterned paper (cream), Pink Paislee canvas border

Other: My Sentiments Exactly stamp, Rubber Stampede stamp, Staz-On ink, ColorBox ink, Stampin' Up pen, Sketch by Rebecca Peck

I wanted a casual, effortless look for this layout.  I decided to stamp the title, starting with a 1 and leaving spaces for the dashes and colons.  Only problem- I went through every single stamp I own and not a single dash or colon.  Definitely a 'make it work' moment.  The dash was easy- I found a smaller alphabet and turned an "i" on its side.  I didn't have a single stamp that would function as a colon.  I finally thought of something- I used my Crop-a-Dile to punch two tiny holes next to each other, then stenciled the colons. 

 

 I had another 'make it work' moment when it came to the banner.  Here's how it looked originally:

The "Old School Notebook" message seems really weird to me and not at all what I wanted on my page.  But there wasn't a good way to cut off just the alphabet that I wanted.  So I ended up using a pen to color the entire top brown, then laid a thin strip of the brown patterned paper over the center to cover the words.  The scan doesn't show it well, but I stamped some detail stitching on the brown. 

11:11:11 at 11-11-11 captured!