Rolling Marbles Technique

The second technique in my Technique Class last month was Rolling Marbles.  This technique results in a fun background.  And it’s so easy….

1) Stick your cardstock to the inside of the lid of a clear, plastic sealable container (our plastic stamp cases work great for this) using a strip of adhesive.

2) Add a few drops of re-inker to the bottom of the inside of the container.

3) Drop in 2-3 marbles and close the lid of the container tightly. 

4) Gently shake the container so the marbles roll & spin in the container, leaving a trail of re-inker on your cardstock.  Flip the container upside down and continue to shake it until you get the desired look on your cardstock.

5) Open the container and remove your cardstock from the inside lid and use as desired.

For this card, we used the marbled cardstock as a background on the inside of one of our Fresh-Cut Notes notecards.

Stamp set: a little birthday cheer; Inks: crushed curry, basic black; Cardstock: whisper white, crushed curry, basic black, fresh-cut notes; Embellishments: basic black 1/4” grosgrain ribbon; Tools: circle punches

Technorati Tags: fresh cut notes,rolling marbles technique,a little birthday cheer

Scrapbooking 101: Aligning Stamped Titles

There are times in scrapbooking when your stamped title will be limited to a certain size space on the page.  There’s an easy way to see if the alphabet you choose will actually fit in this space.  This technique will also help you align your title as desired, whether it’s left-, center-, or right-aligned. 

First, stamp your title on the edge of a piece of computer paper as a template.  Now place this template above the space where the title needs to fit.  You’ll be able to see in a snap if your title will fit in the space.  If it won’t, try re-stamping your title on the scrap paper so the letters are closer together.  If it still won’t fit, you will likely need to find a smaller alphabet stamp set.

Now use your stamped template to help you align your title as desired and ensure that you stamp the letters with the desired spacing between them.

In the photo below, you can see where I placed my stamped template above my cardstock to ensure that my title would fit in the space.  Next I used the template to align my title so it was centered on my white cardstock.  By stamping your actual title directly below the stamped template, it’s easy to keep your letters spaced appropriately  as you stamp, and adjust if necessary, so that you don’t run out of space at the end.   

And here’s my title in action.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Scrapbooking 101 tip.  I post scrapbooking tips & tidbits several times a week under the Scrapbooking 101 title, but under no set schedule.  Be sure to subscribe to my blog, add me to your Google Reader, or become a Follower so you don’t miss the next one.  To check out past Scrapbooking 101 posts, click here.

Technorati Tags: scrapbooking 101,stamped title

Sailing the Dulcinea 12x12

While in Maine, we had the fortune of taking a few jaunts on our friends’ sailboat, the Dulcinea.  I love the blues in my photos and they worked perfectly with our Night of Navy and retired Pacific Point.  I added a stamped sailboat using the Nursery Necessities stamp set and some wavy lines using the retired Just Like You stamp set.  The title was stamped with our retired Whimsical Lower & Upper Alphabet sets. 

Stamp sets: just like you, whimsical lower alphabet, whimsical upper alphabet, nursery necessities; Inks: pacific point, night of navy; Cardstock: pacific point, night of navy, kraft, whisper white; Embellishments: pacific point corduroy brad, pacific point striped grosgrain ribbon; Tools: round tab punch (2 layered at 90 degree angles to make a large circle frame underneath the sailboat image)

Technorati Tags: just like you,nursery necessities,whimiscal alphabet,12x12 layout,12x12 scrapbook page

Baby Wipe Technique: True Friend Card

For my stamp club last month, the card-makers stamped this pretty butterfly card.  We used the baby wipe technique to give our butterflies a tie-dye look.  This is a simple technique:

1) Place a folded baby wipe on a paper plate or other surface to protect your table.

2) Apply drops of re-inker to the top of the baby wipe, starting with the darkest color first. 

3) Finish applying drops of re-inker until a bit enough section of your baby wipe is covered and can be used as a pseudo ink pad.

4) Press your stamp into the inked baby wipe and then stamp on cardstock as normal.

 

Stamps: simple friendship; Inks: bermuda bay, melon mambo, chocolate chip; Cardstock: bermuda bay, melon mambo, chocolate chip, whisper white: Embellishments: bermuda bay 1/2” polka-dot grosgrain ribbon; Tools: eyelet border punch; Other: baby wipe

Technorati Tags: simple friendship,eyelet border punch,baby wipe technique,polka-dot ribbon

Problem with Subscribing/Linking to my Blog

I've heard from several readers that they are not getting emails when I post now that I have switched blog platforms despite having my own domain name. I didn't think that would happen. If this is the case, you can click the link below the About Me text in my left sidebar to re-subscribe....this way, you'll get an email each time I post. You may also need to re-add me to your Google Reader or Blog Roll/List if those links are no longer working correctly...use http://www.firefliesandflutterbyes.com. And now that I'm on Blogger, you can always Follow Me (bottom of my left sidebar). I apologize for the problems. I'm hoping that most of the bugs have worked themselves out now so I can concentrate on new posts as well as moving old posts over from TypePad. I appreciate your patience!

I haven't forgotten - blog candy is coming in the next day or two! Plus, I'll be posting cards from my latest Technique Class.

My New Whimsical Venture

A couple of weeks ago, I posted that I would have a big announcement soon. Due to some unexpected delays, the timing got pushed back, but the moment has finally come!

Back in March, Hoorray.com approached me, and several other scrapbookers, about creating some scrapbook-style designs for their online Designer Line photo books. Let’s just say that I jumped at the chance to be one of their partners! Initially I planned to submit my scrapbook pages as real 3-D pages and have Hoorray recreate them digitally. But after submitting one set of designs, I quickly decided that I wanted to enter the world of digital myself.

I’m happy to announce that my first photo book is available for purchase online! This one was actually my first digital design. Flutter on over to www.hoorray.com and click the Designer Line button in the left sidebar. Then scroll down until you see my photo book A Year in Pictures (which just went live today). You can also click the image below to jump directly to it. Once there, click the Create Your Book button to see the cover choices and page choices, etc. If you’d like to make one of my photo books, the process is simple:

1. Upload your photos to Hoorray
2. Choose your cover design (for this particular book, there are 2 choices)
3. As you proceed through the book, add the background pages you desire (I have 41 background pages to choose from)
4. Once you pick a background page, drop in your pictures and add text if applicable.
5. Double check your photo book for accuracy and then print it.

My 11 x 11 inch A Year in Pictures photo book is perfect for showcasing a few photos of your kids and or you & your spouse each month through the year….sort of a year in review. I created a similar book last year for Christmas and printed one for each set of grandparents and Godparents and one to keep for myself. The photo book was a big hit. Since you determine which background pages to use, you can start with any month of the year to document your baby’s first year, a school year, etc.

I have more designs waiting to get uploaded, most of which are more scrapbook-like in style. I’ll be sure to post here when they are live. Please note that Hoorray’s online site is in Beta mode, meaning that things are being uploaded and added in stages, so we appreciate your patience. If you have a request for a particular design, let me know and I’ll see what I can do!

Note: Hoorray is having a special now with 20% off everything and FREE shipping. You'll see these discounts when you check out. Plus, sign up at Hoorray and you'll get 75 FREE prints.

Technorati Tags: online photo books,photo books,scrapbook photo books

Scrapbooking 101: Rule of 3’s

This page is part of my Maine vacation album and features photos of my husband, son, & a friend playing pirates on our friend’s sailboat. I used several retired stamp sets to stamp the pirate ship & greeting as well as some strips of retired designer paper to coordinate with the pirate theme.

Rule of 3’s

Thought it’s not a hard and fast rule, the Rule of 3’s is a good one to follow for balance on your scrapbook pages. There are several ways to incorporate this rule….try one or more of these techniques on your next page!

1) Add similar embellishments or other accents so that the eye is drawn to three different spots on your page, usually in a triangle pattern. Your embellishments can be similar in shape, color, or style. On my page, I used several different turquoise embellishments on 3 areas of my page as indicated by the red circles….photo corner, title, pirate ship flag/brads. This keeps the eye moving across the page. You’ll notice I also used a grouping of 3 brads to continue the continuity. Using turquoise for my embellishments helps to draw the eye to the photo of my husband & son, which is the photo I want to highlight the most.

2) Use the photography Rule of 3’s. Imagine two vertical lines drawn down your page vertically, cutting it into thirds. Now imagine 2 additional lines creating 3 sections horizontally. This creates a 9-section grid as shown by the red lines below. The focal point of your scrapbook page should fall on at least one of the four intersections so that the eye continues to move across the page. On my page, my two photos & the title (the important parts of my page) are arranged so they fall at 3 of the 4 intersections.

Note: When you arrange a photo or embellishment in the center or your page, the eye tends to rest on it. If that is the only thing you want to be the focus of the page, that’s fine. Otherwise, arrange your items in the Rule of 3’s so that they all get noticed.

3) Remember the Rule of 3’s when you use color. You are not limited to using just 3 colors on your page; however, you should have a main, secondary, and accent color. If you use too many colors, the page becomes more cluttered and distracting. For a good start, choose colors that coordinate with your photos so that your eye is drawn to them as well. On my page…..black is the main color, white is the secondary color, and turquoise is the accent color. I did use some dark gray as well but it has black and white on it and is partially tucked behind a photo so it is an additional accent color.

I hope you have found this post helpful. Scrapbooking 101 is a new feature on my blog: look for one or two scrapbooking tips or tidbits each week. Be sure to subscribe to my blog, add me to your Google Reader, or become a Follower so you don’t miss them! Happy scrapping!

Technorati Tags: scrapbooking 101,scrapbooking tips

Alien Greetings

It’s so good to be able to post again.  Welcome to my Blogger blog.  This 5x5 card uses the super cool Greetings, Earthing! stamp set, colored in with my Stampin’ Write markers.  I kept the colors nice and bright so that it’s kid-friendly.  A row of paper pierced holes surround my main stamped image.  You can do these in a snap with our Mat Pack & Paper Piercing Tool.  I added 2 Real Red ribbon “tabs” to the side of the image and then added a strip of Real Red cardstock with the greeting to the bottom of the card for balance.  A designer button from our Playground pack finishes off the card nicely.  The perfect card for the little alien-lover in your life!

Note: Get a pack of our Designer Buttons for FREE when you purchase $35 worth of stamps in the Growing Up section of our Idea Book & Catalog this month.  Email me with your order or place it directly online at my webstore (click Shop Now)

Stamp sets: greetings, earthlings!; Inks: basic black, tempting turquoise, green galore; Cardstock: tempting turquoise, green galore, real red, whisper white; Embellishments: playground designer buttons, real red 1/4” grosgrain ribbon; Tools: mat pack, paper piercing tool

Back on Blogger

It's a long story, but after about a year posting at TypePad, I'm back here on Blogger. Look for all future posts here at http://www.firefliesandflutterbyes.com. Those of you who are subscribed via Google Reader or email subscription shouldn't have to do anything to continue receiving updates. I will slowly be moving my TypePad posts over to this blog. Though you can still access my old posts at TypePad (http://firefliesandflutterbyes.typepad.com), no pictures are available. Thanks for your patience as I work to make the switch.

Scrapbooking 101: Hand-made Title Tags

Since scrapbooking is my passion and yesterday was my 2 year anniversary of blogging, I thought I would start a new feature here on my blog…Scrapbooking 101. My posts under this title will feature tips & tricks for scrapbooking as well as just general scrapbooking ideas. Now I’m the first to admit that I’m not a scrapbooking pro, but I think I have an idea or two to share! I won’t set a regular schedule, but look for my Scrapbooking 101 posts about once or twice a week. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any posts…..and spread the word to your scrapbooking friends! In honor of my 2nd blogging anniversary, I'll be offering a chance at some blog candy soon too so you won't want to miss that either!

I love these photos of Seth that I took at Seal Harbor Beach last fall on our vacation to Maine. I also love the way this page turned out, probably because of it’s simplicity….perfect for a masculine theme. I stamped the little fish image from our retired Very Punny stamp set on the right side of the Night of Navy cardstock piece and then stamped it again on the handmade tag. I pierced a double line of holes on the left side of my page and added faux X stitches to the top with my White Gel Pen. To keep the continuity, I added pierced holes around the small “B” embellishment at the bottom of my page as well as on the Kraft photo corner.

Hand-made Title Tags:


The beauty of using a hand-made tag, especially for your title, is that you can customize it. Store-bought tags are fine but you’re limited in size (both length & width), style, & color. For this tag, I started with a piece of Kraft cardstock to match my page and cut it to a size that fit the area where I wanted it to go. Next, I cut the corners at an angle so it would resemble a tag & then added a knotted piece of ribbon tied to the top. Our Tag Corner punch makes these tag corners in a snap. I stamped the word “BOY” for part of my title and then wrote the “All” by hand. To tie in with the rest of the page, I stamped the fish image on my tag as well. My tag still looked a little plain, so I added some stitch lines with my White Gel Pen to jazz it up.



Stamp sets: pure & simple alphabet, very punny; Inks: night of navy, chocolate chip; Cardstock: summer sun, night of navy, kraft, whisper white; Embellishments: night of navy 1/4” grosgrain ribbon, white gel pen; Tools: mat pack, paper piercer, slot punch, photo corner punch, tag corner punch, circle punch

Technorati Tags: scrapbooking 101,scrapbooking tips,very punny,pure & simple alphabet,photo corner punch,tag corner punch,slot punch,12x12 layout,12x12 scrapbook page

Club Card #3: Birthday Bot

For our third & final card during Stamp Club last month, we stamped this fun fold card using the Lots of Bots stamp set.  I love that this set it’s so simple and masculine…that’s why I bought it!  I had intended to stamp the nuts & bolts image repeatedly on the teal strip, but since I lost this stamp from my set (I know…I could cry!), I wheeled the Classic Stars jumbo wheel on it instead.  This wheel makes a nice alternative background for the Lots of Bots set because the birthday bot has a star on his bag!

Note: Don’t forget….if you purchase $35 worth of stamps from the Growing Up section of the catalog this month, you’ll get a FREE package of Designer Buttons (a $7.95 value)!  The Lots of Bots stamp set is one of the stamps that will help you qualify!  Email me with your order or order online at my Stampin’ Up! webstore (click Shop Now).

Stamp sets: lots of bots, classic stars jumbo wheel; Inks: basic gray, taken with teal, bermuda bay; Cardstock: basic gray, taken with teal, bermuda bay, whisper white; Tools: jumbo stampin’ around handle, photo corners punch

Technorati Tags: lots of bots,classic stars wheel,photo corners punch,fun fold card

With Sympathy Seed Packet Card

I created this seed packet for the Left Behind Shoebox Swap that I hosted last Friday night for some fellow demos, who like me, did not attend Convention.  I cased this idea from Julie Buhler of Paper Pleasing Ideas, though I used stamped cardstock rather than designer series paper (DSP) as I thought the cardstock was a little sturdier.  The holder houses a seed packet perfectly.  I added an inside greeting to the bottom of my holder underneath the seed packet, thinking that the entire thing could serve as a 3-D card.  The intent is that you could give this as a sympathy “card” and the recipient could plant the flowers as a reminder of their deceased loved one.

I stamped the flower & heart images from our Out of the Box hostess stamp set on white cardstock for the packet holder, then scalloped a piece of Razzleberry Lemonade DSP for the belly band. The paper rose is made from Rich Razzleberry & Always Artichoke cardstock.  And finally I stamped a greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes and punched that with our Word Window punch (behind that I added a piece of cardstock punched with our Modern Label punch). 

For instructions on how to make the seed packet card with belly band, click here.  For instructions on how to make a paper rose, click here.

Stamp sets: teeny tiny wishes, out of the box; Inks: rich razzleberry, melon mambo; Cardstock: rich razzleberry, always artichoke, whisper white, razzleberry lemonade DSP; Embellishments: pretties kit; Tools: scallop edge punch, word window punch, modern label punch

Technorati Tags: teeny tiny wishes,out of the box,razzleberry lemonade,seed packet card,paper rose,pretties kit,scallop edge punch

SSSC#30 & CC#230: {Flower} Patch

I just love finding out-of-the-ordinary uses for stamp sets.  While our Pumpkin Patch stamp set (available in the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog) is obviously meant for stamping pumpkins, I couldn’t resist making a flower out of the oval and circle images instead. 

I used Karen Giron’s Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #30 for the layout & Color Challenge #230 over at SplitCoast to pick my colors.  It’s so easy to put a card together when you team up challenges like this.

My card uses the Pumpkin Patch stamp set oval & circle images to create the petals, leaves, and center of my flower.  I used a piece of Taupe grosgrain ribbon (retired) and added a strip of Certainly Celery cardstock with a greeting punched from our Modern Label punch.  To jazz up the label, I punched 1/4” circles from textured Cameo Coral cardstock and added one to each end with a glue dot.  For interest on the card base, I wheeled our Cornelli Lace wheel along the bottom with Close to Cocoa Ink.  This wheel is just gorgeous and if you don’t own it yet, you need to!

Note: the Pumpkin Patch stamp set, and other sets & accessories in our Holiday Mini Catalog, are not available until September 1st.  If you live in the U.S., don’t already have a Stampin’ Up demonstrator, and would like a copy of the mini catalog and/or our Idea Book & Catalog……email me with your address and phone number and I’ll get them in the mail to you FREE OF CHARGE.  I’ll then follow up with you in early September to see what you just can’t live without!  

Stamp sets: teeny tiny wishes, pumpkin patch; Inks: close to cocoa, cameo coral, certainly celery; Cardstock: close to cocoa, cameo coral, certainly celery, blush blossom, whisper white; Embellishments: taupe 1/4” grosgrain ribbon; Tools: paper snips, modern label punch, 1/4” circle punch, 1-1/4" circle punch

Technorati Tags: pumpkin patch,teeny tiny wishes,sweet sunday sketch challenge,color challenge,modern label punch

Club Card #2: Note of Thanks Owl

My card-makers stamped this ultra-cute card during Stamp Club in July as our 2nd card.  We stamped the adorable owl from the Animal Stories stamp set on Whisper White cardstock and backed it with a piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock punched with our Scallop Square Punch.  We stamped our greeting from the Note of Thanks stamp set on a strip of Dusty Durango cardstock.  Then we ran a piece of Crushed Curry cardstock through the Big Shot using our Stampin’ Up! Backgrounds I Texturz Plate.  I just love this diamond pattern that resembles our retired Print Pattern Background stamp, plus who can resist that texture, especially at just $11.95 for 6 patterns!  A piece of Dusty Durango 1/2” Polka-Dot Grosgrain ribbon completes the card. 

Whimsical Tip: To get the best texture with our Texturz Plates, either spritz your cardstock first with water or add a scrap piece of cardstock in your die “sandwich” as an extra shim.  You’ll love the extra depth of texture!

Stamp sets: a note of thanks, animal stories; Inks: dusty durango, chocolate chip; Cardstock: dusty durango, chocolate chip, crushed curry, whisper white; Embellishments: dusty durango 1/2” polka-dot ribbon; Tools: square scallop punch, big shot, multipurpose platform, standard texturz impressions pad , standard texturz silicone rubber, stampin’ up! backgrounds I texturz  plate

Technorati Tags: big shot,sizzix,animal stories,a note of thanks,polka-dot ribbon,backgrounds I texturz plate

PPA#2 & CCCC#2: Layered Hot Air Balloon

My box of pre-order stamps & accessories from the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog arrived last night and since I was hosting a Shoebox Swap then, I had to wait until today to play. Though I’m sad about missing the Stampin’ Up! Convention, one benefit is that I’m at home breaking in my new rubber!

I had the idea for this card in my head ever since I first laid eyes on the new Sweet Centers stamp set in the mini. With a little tweaking, it came together great. I used Pals Paper Arts Challenge 2 simple sketch for the layout and Stacey’s Curtain Call Color Challenge Act 2 for the color combo. I think it makes for a stunning combination. What do you think?

Stamp sets: sweet centers, on your birthday; Inks: whisper white, bravo burgandy, mellow moss, so saffron; Cardstock: bravo burgandy, mellow moss, so saffron, whisper white, patterns pack DSP III (mellow moss); Embellishments: mellow moss 1/4” grosgrain ribbon; Tools: large oval punch, 1-3/4” circle punch, scallop edge punch

Technorati Tags: sweet centers,on your birthday,hot air balloon,punched hot air balloon,paper pals challenge,curtain call challenge,PPA2,CCCC2

Club Page #1: Swimming Scared 12x12

My scrapbooking ladies made this fun 12x12 scrapbook page in my Stamp Club last month.  We used the All in the Family stamp set to create a stick figure embellishment.  I was in a hurry, so I didn’t use a stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the different body parts, but I like the whimsical not-so-perfect look!  The title was stamped with our Just Perfect & Contempo alphabet stamp sets.  To keep the eye moving around the page, we strategically placed die-cut arrows that were cut with the Stampin’ Up! Curves Ahead Sizzlet Die in the Big Shot.  Though it’s hard to see, we used the Texture jumbo wheel on the Gable Green cardstock to distress it a bit.

Stamp sets: contempo alphabet, just perfect alphabet, all in the family, texture jumbo stampin’ around wheel; Inks: gable green, tempting turquoise, bermuda bay, yoyo yellow, brilliant blue; Cardstock: gable green, tempting turquoise, bermuda bay, yoyo yellow, brilliant blue, whisper white; Embellishments: bold brights brads; Tools: big shot, multipurpose platform, standard cutting pads, stampin’ up! curves ahead sizzlet die, jumbo stampin’ around handle

Technorati Tags: contempo alphabet,just perfect alphabet,all in the family,curves ahead die,12x12 layout,12x12 scrapbook page,big shot,sizzix

Club Card #2: Happy Anniversary Butterfly

Sorry for the inadvertent posting hiatus!  I’ve been busy, busy, busy working on some new top secret designs.  I’m hoping to begin sharing them with you soon, starting with an exciting announcement in the next week or so….be sure to subscribe to my blog or add me to your Google Reader so you don’t miss it!  

The card makers in my Stamp Club got to make this sweet butterfly card last month.  We stamped the floral image from the Razzle Dazzle stamp set on Whisper White Cardstock using Old Olive ink.  Using the same ink pad, we stamped the 8-petal flower image from Razzle Dazzle on Old Olive cardstock and rounded the top-most corners with our Small Corner Rounder.  Next, we stamped the dotted, outline butterfly image from the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set on Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper with Rich Razzleberry ink and punched it out with our Butterfly punch.  We then used the same punch on Rich Razzleberry cardstock to layer another butterfly shape under this designer butterfly giving it a 3-D look.  A greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes finishes off the card nicely.   

Stamp sets: razzle dazzle, teeny tiny wishes, flight of the butterfly; Inks: old olive, rich razzleberry; Cardstock: old olive, rich razzleberry, melon mambo, whisper white; Tools: butterfly punch, small corner rounder

CCCC#1 & FS#129: Wings of Friendship

Stacey is back with a brand new color challenge, the Curtain Call Color Challenge (CCCC).  Act 1 of CCCC features some gorgeous bedding.

For my layout, I decided to play along with Featured Stamper Challenge #129 and cased a layout by versamom.  You can see her card here.

My 5x5 card uses the Wings of Friendship hostess stamp set.  For the focus of the card, I kept with the layered circles like versamom.  It’s easy to create them with our Circle Scissors Plus tool.   

Stamp set: wings of friendship; Inks: night of navy, not quite navy; Cardstock: night of navy, not quite navy, whisper white; Embellishments: night of navy 1/4” grosgrain ribbon, silver brads; Tools: circle scissors plus, glass mat

Technorati Tags: wings of friendship,circle scissors plus