Christmas tags (Pion Design /2Crafty/Helmar)

It's still quite warm here so thinking about Christmas feels a bit strange BUT... in reality it is only 3 months away. I like to get almost everything done before December 1st so I an actually relax and enjoy the holiday season.

The newly released "Silent Night" collection from Pion Design is so sweet and dreamy - a real pleasure to work with. Here I have created a large and small gift tag set.  I have raised some cuts outs using Helmar's foam Zapdots and accented the tags with beautiful 2Crafty chipboard. 

I have used a set of Maggie's Swirls 2Crafty chipboard and just trimmed off some pieces to make them fit better onto the tags. Here is a closer look at the small tag.

Here is a closer peek at the larger tag. I just stippled some thick gesso onto the chipboard for a snowy effect and glued down with Helmar's 450 quick dry glue. I debated adding some stickles or glimmer mist for shine but decided to keep things matte for a more vintage effect. I added a little bit of lace and just let the paper shine. I really love the decorative letters in this collection! I also love the fact that this collection includes some French sentiments since I am fluent in French (I am half French and half Portuguese - I don't speak Portuguese though).

Unforgettable Layout (Swirlydoos/Helmar)

Here is my last project using my September "Inspiration" Swirlydoos kit. I will actually be teaching this layout on November 17th for Paper and Lace in Strathmore, Alberta. We will focus on distressing, antiquing, stamping and dabble into a bit of multi-media too.

This is a picture of the day my daughter was born and her brothers meeting her for the first time. There are so many of the newest gorgeous Prima goodies in this month's Swirlydoos main kit and fabulous add-ons. I think the Romance Novel is my favorite Prima collection to date - ever! (Printery comes in second, LOL).

Here is a close-up of the pretty flowers.

Look at the gorgeous resin and cute handmade butterflies. I used a lot of Helmar glue to hold all the paper layers, resin, flowers and chiboard. Good glue really does make a difference!

A little bit of masking and antiquing on here. I adore those Prima zipper ends, don't you?

Where did the first inspiration for this layout come from? The September Prima BAP and PPP challenges. Here is the sketch...

This is their gorgeous September palette I used too...

I haven't played along with Prima's challenges in while - so it was good to get back into it. There is still a week left for you to give it a go!

Box and card gift sets (Meg's Garden/Helmar)

I created these pretty little kirigami boxes and cards using the new 12x12 Spring Paisley collection from Meg's Garden and from some help using Helmar's Acid Free glue. There are so many uses for this glue but I decided to use it in a less traditional way and it really worked great! 

I have so much Green Tara product left over from my year DT term that I heavily embellished this project with their products. Meg's Garden also carries many Green Tara items so check out the store! Here is a close-up of of one of the gift sets that I played up the peach and cream in the pretty paper.

Here is a close-up of where I brought out the darker red and pink in the Spring Paisley paper for the second gift set. Loads of Helmar Acid-Free holding this project together!

  

The great thing about kirigami boxes is that they are just as pretty on the inside. Since they are folded, it means they are sturdy too due to several paper layers too. My tutorial on how to create these boxes can be found archived on this blog HERE. These boxes are about 4 inches square once you fold down 12x12 paper (but can be made smaller).

BTW - check out this awesome article by Craft Test Dummies about ways to use Helmar's Remover cleaner to SAVE your crafting tools and money! All Helmar products can be purchased directly from http://helmarusa.com or http://helmar.com.au if you do not have a local shop that carries the products.

So many good DT calls right now

Just a quick post to say that many of the design teams I am on are looking for designers. Here are the direct links:

Pion Design - Guest DT Call

Meg's Garden - DT Call

Helmar - Education Team Call

Also, one of my Helmar DT mates Susan has her own paper and stamp line (that I showcased on here this summer) and she is also looking for a design team. Details at http://www.susankweckesser.com/scrap_matters.

Good luck to all that apply!

New Pion Design Releases

As the fall has arrived and the evenings are getting darker, many of us feel an emerging need to cuddle up inside with plenty of time to spend on paper crafting. Fittingly enough, Pion Design are now releasing two paper collections.

From Grandma's Attic - tinted contains lovely sepia toned pictures, gently tinted as it was done in the past. The shades can be traced back to Pion Designs previous collections and therefore you will find that the pictures match perfectly with our other papers. With titles such as Family, Warm Clothes, Boys and Girls you will soon learn that no matter what the occasion or the aim of your crafting may be, you will be able to find a gorgeous picture suited for exactly this purpose. 

For Father 6x6" is Pion Designs masculine collection, suitable for all those special occasions when you want to acknowledge a father, brother or son. The images of old cars and gentlemen in quite muted colors will provide you and your crafting with that vintage feeling that is a trademark of Pion Design papers.

For Father 6x6" and From Grandma's Attic - tinted, are in stock and ready for immediate shipping.

Do you display your layouts?

I do! My husband hand stained eighteen 12x12 open shadow boxes to match our hardwood floors (from Michaels Crafts - they have glass protected ones too that are already finished). Gotta love a man who supports your art (aka addiction, LOL!). We have 12 foot ceilings on either side of our staircase so 9 frames per wall (the stairs go down to a walk-out basement -- built into the side of a hill).

Click on images for a larger view.

Here is the right view from my front door.

Here is the left view from my front door.

What do you think?

Pion Christmas Display (Pion Design/Green Tara/Helmar)

I finally had a chance to play with the beautiful Pion Design Silent Night collection. Oh wow are these papers dreamy! I did this layout style Christmas display. I haven't decided yet if I am keeping it or gifting it to someone. Please click on images to see larger view.

All of the flowers, lace and sprays are Green Tara and the chipboard is Dusty Attic (yes, I will be re-stocking these Dusty Attic pieces soon in October in my shop as  well as 2Crafty chipboard too :)

Please note this will be my final design team project for Green Tara. I know the new team starting in October will be fantastic - lots of awesome scrappy buddies of mine will be playing with Green Tara's beautiful products. Congrats ladies! 

I used the gorgeous DA September sketch by Michelle Grant as inspiration for this project.

Well, it takes a lot of Helmar sticky goodness to glue down chipboard, metal, flowers and lace. I used my two favorite products - the premium craft glue and the 450 quick dry. These two are my go-to glues for layouts! Visit the new http://helmarusa.com to shop!

Same collection and design done 2 ways (Pion Design/Green Tara/Helmar)

Have you ever done a layout and think what would it look like if I had used different papers of the same collection for a different gender layout? Well... I recently taught my "Live" layout through my LSS for a do-it-yourself chipboard and use-your-scraps themed class. While showing some chipboard techniques, I used pink instead of blue on the chipboard in anticipation of showcasing two versions for Pion Design.

On my original layout (featuring my son) I used the blue and yellow papers from the "For Mother"collection and several die cutting machine templates for the chipboard. On my "pink" layout I used essentially the same chipboard cuts (minus the branch) and the same design concept using the pink papers in the same paper collection but made it into a 3 image layout. I also used a lot of pretty Green Tara blooms - pink apple blossoms and roses (some of my favorite blooms!). The "pictures" are from Pion Design Vintage sheet images.

Here is a close-up of the flowers, homemade chipboard (primed, chalked and stamped) and one of the beautiful vintage images from Pion Design. This is my new display piece on my fireplace mantle - that I change every season (I'm not ready for Fall yet, LOL). The chipboard techniques include inking, stamping, chalking, and faux crackle using gesso (birdcage).

Another close-up of the birdcage with Green Tara twisted organza pearl trim (I adore this trim!).

I used a whole lot of Helmar adhesives on these projects! Especially the premium craft glue and the 450 quick dry (my 2 favorites!).

NOTE: This "pink" layout was inspired by a cross promotion with http://blog.craft-e-corner.com and Helmar for breast cancer awareness. Many awesome PINK projects created by the Helmar Design Team will appear on this site in the upcoming weeks. Pink just happens to be my favorite color to scrap with too :)

OUAS September Challenge (using Swirlydoos and Helmar)

I used the last of my August Swirlydoos kit to create this layout for the September Once Upon A Sketch (OUAS) and Color, Stories, Inspiration (CSI) cross promotion challenge.

This is a picture of my dad and eldest son when he was little on Easter Sunday. All of the chipboard was sponsored by Imaginarium Designs and the ribbon from Scrapbook Fantasies. Hidden journaling reads: "I love to catch you in a touching moment with Grandpa - it melts my heart how much you love spending time together".

Click on images to see larger versions.

Here is a close up of some of the gorgeous embellishments from the Swirlydoos August kit.

Here is the beautiful OUAS sketch, palette and CSI criteria. Entries for this challenge are due by 2:00 pm Monday 17th of September Australian Eastern Standard Time.

For this challenge, you must use :
* the SKETCH provided
* all the colours in the SCHEME
* at least 2 elements from the EVIDENCE
* at least 1 element from the TESTIMONY!

I hope you can join in the fun and play along!

Please note that this layout was created using Helmar Adhesives (LOTS of it!).

Swirlydoos September Kit Blog Hop

Welcome to Swirlydoos' September Kit Reveal

and Blog Hop Block Party!

If you came here from Heidi's blog, then you are on the right track. If not, go back to Swirlydoos' blog and start from there. We have some amazing projects for you to see today!You have until midnight, eastern time, on Friday, September 7th to complete the hop. Click on my images to see larger versions.

This month's September "Inspiration" kit features the gorgeous Prima Romance Novel papers and so many amazing embellishments. Here is a picture of my daughter last summer. I adore this paper and photo too!

Here is a close-up of the flowers - some from the main kit and some from the add-on.

I decided to play with the Coredinations paper in the kit that you can sand to reveal the embossed clocks. It goes so well with the Prima papers for this boy layout of my sons as toddlers. There was a fun zipper trim and some gorgeous black flowers in this kit too. The chipboard is from my stash (the frame is actually the "negative" part of a Dusty Attic sweat pea set that you're supposed to discard).

Here is a close up view of the flowers and zipper. The frame was finished by stippling a variety of paints and inks.

Lastly, this is one of my favorite pictures with my daughter when she was 9 months old. She fell asleep on me during a photo shoot. I wasn't a fan of the black background used but it works for this layout. I added some doilies and 2Crafty chipboard from my stash on this layout.

The above layout was inspired by the kit sketch - gorgeous sketches as always in the kits!

Here is a close-up of the chipboard and flowers. The black chipboard was crackle painted and the cream one was painted and inked.

You have until midnight, eastern time, on Friday, September 7th to complete the hop.

Winners will be announced on the Swirlydoos Blog on Saturday the 8th. In order to qualify to win here is what you need to do:

1: Visit all of the blogs and leave a comment on each.

This way we know you were there. Become a follower if you're not already. Take your time. There are REALLY beautiful things to see along the way.

2: Before you leave each blog, look for the “special” words and write it down. 

Once you have visited all the blogs and collected all the special words, they will create a sentemce. 

3: Finally, go back to the Swirlydoos blog and leave a comment.

Let us know how much fun you had, tell us the sentence that was created with all of the special words you collected.

Can't wait to hear from you!

My special word is: Stupidity

The party continues over at Tiffany's blog. Have fun!

Please note: These layouts were all glued together using my favorite Helmar adhesives.

Catching Waves Frame (Helmar/2Crafty)

Well it's been a CRAZY busy and really HOT summer but I've managed to squeeze in a bit of crafting this week. Here is an altered frame I made for Helmar's Decoupage Craft Paste feature week. I also used a bunch of goodies from the Robin's Nest - a preferred partner of Helmar's (Fleur cardstock and shells) and . I couldn't resist also adding some very awesome 2Crafty chipboard to polish things off (catching waves title and a piece of the swirly bird branch).

I started with a plain $1 wooden frame and adhered the beautiful Robin's Nest Fleur collection paper to the frame using a foam brush to apply the decoupage glue, sanded the edges and applied some brown chalk ink to the edges. Let me just say that this was my first time using the decoupage paste and it went on soooo much smoother than anything else I've ever used!

 I then gathered the paper for the photo mat, shells and some Robin's Nest dew drops. For the photo mat I also used the decoupage glue to adhere the paper to the cardboard backing that came with the frame. Please note that this frame is a birthday gift and I decided I will add the dew drops after my friend chooses a picture (just so that the "water splash" drops are in the right spots). The frame is meant for a 4x6 picture but I think it would be nice to put a 3x5 to see an inch around of the beautiful darker paper.

Here is a close-up of the pretty coordinating papers and the gorgeous 2Crafty chipboard. On the chipboard I primed it with gesso, chalk inked it with several brown inks and then glimmer misted here and there for a bit of gold highlights.

Here is a close-up of the beautiful shells. I just added a bit of dollar store twine netting and left it natural but it could be misted if desired (on a grungy project). You can see the same inks and mists were used on the swirl branch chipboard too (love this chipboard design!). I glued the chipboard and shells with my favorite magic potion - Helmar's 450 quick dry. This stuff really is sticky heaven - strong holding, dries clear and acid-free. To preserve this finished frame, I sprayed with Helmar Crystal Kote Matte Spray. Oh and I plan on adding the dew drops using Helmar's gemstone glue of course so the clear beads don't look cloudy - it is simply the best for gems!

I kinda have to admit I want to keep this one for myself but I know my friend will appreciate it for her upcoming birthday - she really loves the beach! Don't we all though?

BLOG EDIT: I just realized that this projects revealed a few hours before TCR palette #125 release coordinates sooo perfectly for this week's challenge -- all by chance, too funny!

LITTLE UPDATE:
Sorry that I've been missing for several weeks in the forums and galleries and blogs but I've have had 6 or 7 kids to take care of each day for most of the summer, guests stay with us, summer vacation mishaps (including sick kid among so many other things) and now I am really behind on EVERYTHING! Hopefully life will slow down in September to catch up with all my online friends.

Pion Design's Christmas Collection!

Ohhh, Ahhhh - I just can't wait for this newly released Pion Design "Silent Night" collection to arrive on my doorstep.  Looks so soft and pretty and I know in real light their papers are always so divine.  What a dreamy collection to preserve those special holiday moments!  Available in 12"x12" and 6"x6" sizes! Here is a sneak of the entire collection but close-ups are viewable on their website.

You are so beautiful to me (Meg's Garden/2Crafty/Helmar)

My post today is showcasing a DT layout made using Meg's Garden papers (and embellishments from her store), 2Crafty chipboard and Helmar adhesives.

This is a picture of my daughter on her first birthday. Everything on this layout with exception to the chipboard came from Meg's Garden Store. The beautiful papers are from the "Forget Me Not" and "Le Belle Jardin" collections. I just love how you can mix and match the collections so well.

Here is a close-up of the peek-a-boo lace (great way to use my Green Tara lace scraps!) and the chipboard title. I used white distress crackle paint and then smudged light yellow and brown chalk ink to give the cracks and edges some definition. See how the papers look hand stamped - so gorgeous!

Here is a close-up of the beautiful blooms Dusty Attic blooms and corner vines leaves. I primed the chipboard with gesso and used a few green and brown inks to polish it off. It really makes the delicate white blooms stand out don't you think?

To stick it all down, I used Helmar premium craft glue for the paper layers, 450 quick dry for the embellishments and acid-free glue for the photo.

Thanks for dropping by today!

Swirlydoos August Reveal Blog Hop

It's Swirlydoos' August Reveal Blog Hop Block Party!

If you came here from the Swirlydoos blog, then you are on the right track.  If not, go back to Swirlydoos and start from there.  We have some amazing projects for you to see today on this blog hop!

This August "Vintage Traditions" kit features the awesome 7Gypsies Trousseau collection - vintage inspired and sooo gorgeous! It is perfect for shabby chic layouts and distressing. First up is a baby picture of my daughter that I've been waiting for the perfect papers to scrap it. I used some 2Crafty chipboard and a heart doily from my stash on this but the rest is all from Swirlydoos. I used my Zutter-Distrezz-it-all tool to create the rugged white paper edges.

Here is a close-up of the beautiful lace and stick pins in the main kit.

I added some pearls to the middle of the black flowers to add contrast with Helmar gemstone glue.

I used the amazing Swirlydoos kit sketch as inspiration for this layout.

For my second project, I went for a softer look to compliment the vintage picture. The little boy is my dad when he first arrived to Canada from Portugal. Aren't those little Prima gates from the embellishment add-on kit so cute? Helmar's 450 quick dry is the perfect glue for metal embellishments. I used a white-washed distressing technique around the edges of the papers to soften the edges.

Here is a close-up of my large handmade flower.

Lastly for today, here is yet another baby picture of my daughter but this time with Grandpa (the one in the previous layout as a kid :) Again, I used 2Crafty chipboard from my stash on this layout... and those butterflies? Those are from fellow Swirlydoos DT member Angelica's Etsy shop.

Here is a close up of the pretty blooms in the main kit.

You have until midnight, eastern time, on Sunday, August 12th to complete the hop. Winners will be announced on the Swirlydoos Blog on Monday the 13th.  In order to qualify to win here is what you need to do:

1: Visit all of the blogs and leave a comment on each. This way we know you were there. Become a follower if you're not already. Take your time. There are REALLY beautiful things to see along the way.

2: Before you leave each blog, look for the “special” words and write then down. Once you have visited all the blogs and collected all the special words, they will create a sentence.

3: Finally, go back to the Swirlydoos blog and leave a comment letting us know how much fun you had, tell us the sentence that was created with all of the special words you collected. Can't wait to hear from you.

My special word is : ONCE

The party continues over at Angelica's blog.

Have fun and thanks for visiting today!