Hello everyone. I am getting back into the swing of things and will be updating the blog soon.

Crepe Paper flowers ala Jenni Bowlin

So...the January scrap kit contained a package of Jenni Bowlin crepe paper ribbon:



For my layout I decided to create a flower from the crepe paper... I first cut a strip of the crepe paper that was approximately 10 inches long. I then cut the strip in half so that my strip was thin. To create the flower you simply valley fold the crepe paper and turn into a circle while pinching it between your thumb and finger.

Once you have the flower circle created use liquid adhesive to hold your flower together; I used Helmar 450 liquid glue. You can also use a stapler to hold the flower together. I then added a button to the center of my flower...



here is my final layout:



I hope you'll give these flowers a try and share your creations with us in the I Am A Scrapaholic gallery.

Happy crafting.....Lynda

February Kit Canvas!

When I saw these papers online I fell in love and set out to track them down. After emailing with the talented Heidi over at GCD and finding out the nearest store was over an hour for me I was a bit bummed. Then Lynn swooped in with her hero cape and saved the day packing this months kit full of these gorgeous papers. I must say this is my favorite kit EVER!!!!

I also received the Therapy Kit which included this amazing 24x12 canvas. I had never done anything like this before and really do not consider my self to be artsy so I was a bit intimidated...then Lynn said "It really is just a big page"! So off I set to do just a "big page".

I dry brushed paint onto the canvas background. I also printed out my title on cardstock and hand cut it out.

Here are a few details...the flowers in this kit are gorgeous too!

So now it is time for you to jump in and make your "big page". Don't forget to share it here in our gallery.

Mimi

Happy New Year

Wow I can't believe how fast 2009 flew by. What a wild and crazy year it was.

I am a little behind in welcoming in the new year but I have to say I am very excited about 2010. We're going to start the year off with papers from GCD Studios Artsy Urban line that was designed by Melody Ross. Design team member Mimi Leinback has been anxious to get her hands on this line. And I took one look at it and fell in love with the same papers she did, so it was an easy choice. This month we are only having one paper line. The plan is to pick back up in February with having paper from mulitple lines.

Also this month we have mini roses from Prima Marketing Inc in the Scrap Kit. I could not decide between yellow and blue so I decided to get both. Honestly, I may have to order more colors but I wanted to see these first. I love just about everything Prima puts out but I'm struggling with wanting all the colors available and what I will actually use. So please help me decide and let me know which colors you want because you know there will be another Prima order -have you seen their new releases!

Also coming this month are Basic Grey's BlingIt rub-ons. I loved these the minute I saw them. My only complaint is that they are one per package -I won't allow myself to hoard mine until I find the 'perfect' LO or card to use it on...I'll just have to buy more if I want to use it more than once. (Now honestly, how many items in your stash do you have that you hoard waiting for the perfect thing to use it on? Please don't tell me I'm the only one.)

Oh and the ideas that are whirling through my brain for the naked pockets from 7 Gypsies! I must say that I love those pockets. I can't tell you how many times I don't leave enough room for journaling or want to journal something a little too personal that these are perfect for.

This month I would like to challenge everyone that receives the Therapy Kit to actually do the project. We haven't had a project for a few months and this one is pretty good sized. It is a 12 x 24 White Canvas from Canvas Concepts. I have a 2 page LO that I wished I could hang on my wall but nothing really does it justice so when I saw this I knew I could recreate it OR do a new one with. Honestly my mother and mother-in-law both expect one (a completed one) for their next gift.

Please let us know what you think of the kit. And be sure to share your creations with us in our gallery.

~Lynn

Art Institute Blue Gala Glitz...How Fun!

I am all about the bling and the Art Institute Gala Glitz in this months Therapy Kit is perfect. It has a great texture, it looks amazing and is just so darn fun to play with!

Check out how Lynda used it on this card. She took one of the acrylic snowflakes in the kit and covered it with the art glitter glue and then covered each side with the Gala glitz. She trimmed out the card using some of the kit's pattern paper and a piece of the ribbon from the kit. She cut a hole in the front of the card and suspended the acrylic snowflake using beading elastic so you can't see it.

I also love using this and decided I just wanted to dress up my card. I used one of the corregated diecuts and added a little paint. I then drizzled the glue over it. A sprinkle of glitter and this is what you get!

And a detail shot...

I hope you are inspired by this months kit...it could not be more fun to use!
Thanks for stopping by!

Mimi

Corregated Diecuts

How FUN are the corregated diecuts from Donna Salazar? They are SO very versatile! You can leave them as is, paint them, ink them, take off the outer paper and distress them, glitter them... you can even stamp WITH them! (to do that, I'd take off the outer paper to reveal the corregation and then dip lightly in paint, and stamp!)

Debbie did a layout using one of the borders:



She left the border intact and made her own design on the outside to match her layout design!

On my layout, I layered 3 different borders:



I tore off the outer paper layer to reveal the "corregation". I then painted it in a distressed sort of way and added some gold glitter. When I do this to cardboard, I just use my finger to put the paint on!

I also did a card with the star. Perfect for the holiday season! I simply glittered it first.



I hope you will pull out your diecuts from the kit and try something new and fun with them! The sky is the limit! :)

Snow Banner

This months kit has some fabulous goodies in it and my favorite were the acrylic mittens.

I created a banner to hang on my fireplace. I used a heat gun to emboss "snow" on the edges and heated it just enough to curl the edges and create a mitten shape.

I Shimmerz the alphabet and then added Stickled polka dots. It creates texture and dimension. I also added lots of glitter and bling to this project to give it some major holiday shimmer. This also gave me a change to pull some fiber that have been in my stash for years!

The papers in the kit are perfect for this kind of project and just happened to match my family room decor perfectly!

Be sure to snag one quick while you still can!

Christmas album 2009

Normally albums are not something I really am into however when Lynn asked if there was anyone willing to step up and create one I decided that I would challenge myself to create a album for our Christmas 2009!
As I dug into the kit, I realized how much fun I was having and really enjoyed creating this album!






Last year we weren't really into the holidays because Dayv was deploying and my mom had just passed away. But this year was VERY different! I was excited from the onset of Christmas decorations and music being played in stores. I loved everyone's lights, festive moods, and even those that decorated before November was officially over! Because this year was very different for us, the excitement continued to grow as it became December, presents were bought, the tree was up, and we were all humming to Christmas music.

Doing this album brought me just joy and I cannot wait to put photos in it really soon!
I used all of the December kit {there is another page that will just hold journaling with nothing else on it so I didn't photograph that one} and loved each element!

I just went basic with this and really love how it turned out!
Remember to not get bogged down by creating an album and just remember to enjoy the process along the way! Keeping it simple means I can add elements to the album but it is my photos and my journaling that will tell the story!

Elizabeth

Holiday traditions

There are certain things that are done this time of the year that really help to make it feel like the holidays....

In our family, there are a few holiday traditions that I thought were worth documenting...so I used this great tree album that Lynn is offering this month and created this family traditions mini-album:



Each year the girls write a letter to Santa and place it within this ornament that is on our tree...we then mail them off...



we head out to the tree farm to cut down the perfect tree each year:



my husband still has his train from when he was young and sets it up to run under and around the tree:



and who could forget our favorite ornaments and the angel that rests on the top:

I hope you'll consider making a holiday traditions album for your family...

Happy crafting....Lynda

Debbie sends SMOOCHES too! ;)

Here is another BEAUTIFUL example of what you can do with the Smooch spritzes. Debbie used hers for the background of her card. Isn't it BEAUTIFUL? Great job, Debbie!

I like how both Debbie and Kim (post from Friday) used masks on PATTERNED paper!!!

The December kit...

The December kit is filled to the top with wonderful treasures that will allow you to create, create, create. Included in the kit are these wonderful Making Memories Paper Shreds that can be used for so many different things. I decided to cut apart the strip and use a few of the words on some cards. The strip has the following words: love, dream, wish, and enjoy...




For my first card I created a flower from a sheet of the 7 gypsies pattern paper in the kit. I cut two circles from the paper and then cut slits to the center of the circle. I used a paintbrush to curl the edges of the petals inward. I repeated this for my smaller flower using the reverse side of the pattern paper. I then placed the smaller flower inside the larger flower. I used some of the Graphic 45 pattern paper to cover my card front and added one of the "love" words cut from the shreds for my sentiment on my card:



For my next card I decided to create a scene using the reindeer ribbon that was also in the kit... I created a house using some of the Making Memories pattern paper....I chalked the night sky...added the reindeer...and used the "wish" shred for part of my sentiment...I created the "holiday" one with a scrap piece of paper. I added some extra sparkle with some chunky glitter on my rooftop and on places where the snow may have landed...



I think you'll agree that these shreds can be used for a LOT of different things...

Happy holidays.....Lynda

SMOOCHES!

Ok, seriously. Can ya get enough of SPRITZES??? I know I can't! I love them! They're so versatile. SO many cool things you can do with them, and the Smooch Spritz included in the GORGEOUSLY YUMMY December kit is AWESOME! I really enjoyed using it, and now NEED every color! Our Visiting Therapist, Kim Holmes and I put together a few ideas for you. Kim did a FABULOUS tutorial and I'm SO happy to share it with you!



I created my Christmas Tree using a fun and easy masking technique! You can get the same effect by following the steps below.





Step #1 – Place newspaper down on your surface. Set pizza box or other disposable container on top of newspaper. Sides will help contain any possible overspray.

Step #2 – Place item to be misted inside box and place mask where desired. I used my acrylic shape as my mask – but you could choose to use anything including paper, aluminum foil, a template or a diecut.



Step #3 – Shake spritz well.

Step #4 – Spray a light coat. Evaluate coverage. Continue to spray in light coats, evaluating coverage in between until desired effect is achieved.



Step #5 – Carefully remove mask. I then ran my acrylic shape under the water to clean. If a paper mask was used, set aside to dry or dispose of.



Step #6 – Allow paper to dry for approximately 15 minutes before completing layout.



That’s all there was to it! I found the Smootch Spritz to be easy to spray, almost drip and mess free, and the color was brilliant! All in all, a wonderful product!


WOW! Love the project and that girl can write a mean tutorial! (you know, "mean" in a good way! :D)

I chose to do a card. I used THIS tutorial by our friend, the fabulous Lisa Gregory! Those of you who know me KNEW it wouldn't be long before you saw me try one of these little BEAUTIES! ;)



First, let me point out my Bo Bunny chipboard frame, from the September kit. I painted it a deep red, then used crackle medium on top. I then "painted" in the cracks with DRY copper Perfect Pearls.



For my flower I used a natural (non bleached) coffee filter and a Martha Stewart poinsettia leaf template, found HERE. I spritzed it lightly with the Smooch Spritz and then twisted each petal. I wanted some of the natural color to show as well.

I'd like to thank Kim for participating on the blog this month and for her absolutely FABULOUS tutorial!!!

A Lucy Chesna Sketch

The Visiting Therapists and I were blessed with a sketch JUST FOR US by the wonderful Lucy Chesna. THANKS LUCY! You can find all of Lucy's sketches at My Sketch World. We asked Lucy for a sketch that could be used for cards AND layouts. Look at what she came up with!



PERFECT for either a card or a layout!

Here is a layout by our Visiting Therapist Nicole Wise:



I love how Nicole painted and inked the chipboard leaves from the November kit. Aren't they beautiful?

Here is a card by... ME! :D



Here is another layout by our Visiting Therpist Arlene:



Look at that BEAUTIFUL blinged out butterfly! If you look you can see the sequins from the Making Memories Vintage findings kit. Don't you LOVE it?

... and... one more card by... ME again! ;)



I hope you can tell that I made my leaf into a butterfly. :)

If you haven't all ready, be sure to check out the BEAUTIFUL November kit! It's perfect for all of your fall pictures! (for those of you, unlike me, who live where you actually HAVE fall!)

Let's just ride that piggy again!

Sandi got this to me last night and unfortunately work got in the way of me posting it right away but came home to get it up tonight. Sandi did this adorable card with another one of the Maya Road Flash Cards - she too decorated her card on a card and isn't it adorable!

Piggy backin' on those Sheers!

I wanted to jump on Debbie's bandwagon and talk to ya about the
cool and hip Maya Road Sheers in this month's kit.
You know what I like best about them?
Using them for something they aren't "normally" used for!
That's right, you know me...
I love to take normal things and use them for something else!
And the coolest part? What I do with them isn't rocket science! Ha.
Anyone can do what I do cause I don't have the knack of stepping out of the box,
but I can use something differently and so can you!


Here you can see I just used it as an added embellishment to the other
cool stuff in the kit. I wanted to use it as a journaling tag, but use the elements in the kit
for my journaling up on top.

This one I just cut, cause I wanted to savor all the Sheers I had!
I used it as a frame for the ticket in the kit here and just stapled it all
on the page!

Remember getting out of our boxes doesn't mean coming up with the latest and greatest!
It just means that you can do what you do with what you go!
Now go get those Sheers and rock them out!

Elizabeth

Maya Road rocks the Flash Card Sheers!

I love these little flash cards that Maya Road puts out - they are so versatile and work so well on a page or a card. For mine I used the card as a palette for layering even more of the goodies Lynn put in our kit this month. Most of them contain a sentiment which can serve as the sentiment on your card or to express a sentiment you wish to add as your journaling tag. Just can't say enough good things about this kit this month. Check out the paper leaves and little pumpkin! Then add the chipboard leaves which I rubbed with some metallic rub I have had around here forever. Even the title Fall is a My Little Bicycle Felt Sticker. Thanks for stopping by and stayed tuned for more work from the Design Team showing off the wonderful goodies we received in the kit this month

Making Memories Vintage Findings kit

What a fun little kit! It's chock full of bits and pieces to create with! On this layout, the glittery branches, leaves, peacock teal piece of paper, pumpkin, metallic thread and kraft journal paper with ribbon are all from the kit! I took out the ribbons from the kraft journal paper and replaced the red ribbon with the orange lace from the November kit. I also stitched around the kraft journal paper with the metallic thread from the MM vintage findings kit.

I know that you will have alot of fun coming up with creative uses for each little piece!

November

...and fall is in the air

I want to point out that the Design Team picked out the papers this month, so please be sure to let them know how much you like them. I am so pleased with how the kit has turned out and want to thank them for picking such great papers. The kit is perfect for fall and Thanksgiving layouts. And our Visiting Therapist Nicole Wise has shown us that it's great for school picture layouts as well.

First I want to say as many of you know that I am not a big sticker person but I am finding that I love love love the word fetti type of stickers. And the Autumn Bliss stickers from My Little Yellow Bicycle are right up there at the top of my favorites list. Along with that are the felt stickers from MLYB. They are beautiful!

Oh and I am so in love with the new Maya Road items. Wait until you see them in real life -so much better than images from the internet. Everything is in full packages so you'll have plenty to use for this month and the next few.

I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving. And be sure to let loved ones know that a subscription from I AM A Scrapaholic makes a great holiday gift.

~L

Love that Grungeboard!

Debbie and I are in agreement that this Grungeboard stuff is FAB U LOUS! We both had a wonderful time experimenting. It's so versitile and there are just SO many things you can do with it! The sky really is the limit. You can paint it, ink it, cover it with paper, cut it and give it texture with a cuttlebug...

Here is Debbie's project, and her description of what she did... Didn't she do a lovely job? Love those leaves! and I just LOVE the perfect pearl accent on the quillen flowers!

"I cut the leaves, the red border and the title with my cuttlebug cutting folders - then painted them with the smooches (for the leaves this was the only treatment they got) and then either painted or sprinkled the pearls over the paint. Then I painted some of the pearls on my paper flowers (in the kit)"



...and here is my project

I made this cute little gift box. I simply took a 6x6" piece of the red cardstock from the kit and folded it at 2" on each of the 4 edges, then folded each corner on the diagonal. Pull it in toward the middle and it forms this box! I then punched a small hole in each corner and tied it up with the black cord from the kit. Now, I could have (and thought about it) decorated each outside panel, but I decided to keep it simple so you could see what it looks like. I think it will be the perfect little box for a few pieces of candy, and it would be really easy to make in any theme!



Here is a picture from the top so you can see what it looks like on the inside:





Then I made a flower with the grungeboard, covered it with paper from the kit (and adhered with mod podge)and attached it to the top of the box with Ranger glossy accents.