Right Side Up: February 2012

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Tone-on-Tone Raised Embellishments

One way to add subtle detail to a layout is to add tone-on-tone raised embellishments. I added tone-on-tone raised embellishments on this layout in three places, punching or hand-cutting shapes from the same patterned papers used for the blocks on the layout and layering each (with pop dots) on top of the matching patterned paper block. I extended each shape beyond the edge of the block to make the shape pop more clearly.

Here's a closer look at the red star:

I created this layout as part of this week's challenge week on the Bella Blvd blog. Today's challenge was to create a project using patterned paper from four or more different collections. Be sure to check out the challenges at Bella Blvd this week and participate for a chance to win!

Monday, February 20, 2012

A Couple of Cards

I created a couple of cards for today's theme/un-theme challenge at October Afternoon:

Check out the challenge on the October Afternoon blog!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Happy Birthday, Kimber!

Today we're celebrating Kimber McGray's special day with a card blog hop! So...without further ado...

Happy birthday, Kimber! :)

Cardstock (Bazzill Basics) + Patterned Paper (American Crafts Dear Lizzy, October Afternoon) + Sticker (Jillibean Soup) + Ribbon (May Arts)

For those of you who don't know Kimber, she is smart, funny, a super-talented paper crafter, and one of the most friendly and outgoing people I have ever met. I am so glad that I met her online (just realized that was about five years ago!) and have had the opportunity since then to spend time with her in person at several CHA trade shows as well as at Canada's Crop for Kids back in the fall of 2007.

I'm guessing most of you came here from Amy Martin's blog; the next stop on the happy birthday blog hop is Carole Maurin's blog. (If you just happened across my blog and want to start at the beginning of the blog hop, please go to the Jillibean Soup blog.)

Kimber, hope your birthday is fabulous and that you have a wonderful year!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Bella Blvd Inspiration Unlimited Week Continues

Today's Inspiration Unlimited feature at Bella Blvd is the new Designer Tape:

Check out the Bella Blvd blog to see projects featuring this fun new embellishment!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

X Marks the Spot + Bella Blvd Inspiration Unlimited Week

X Marks the Spot
I had a lot of fun making this spring card! I loved this cute little ladybug die cut shape and decided it would be fun to fill the spots with different embellishments. I added a couple of buttons, a sticker, some die cut flowers with brad centers, and I was done. I really love this look and want to try it on a layout next.

Cardstock (Bazzill Basics) + Patterned Paper (Bella Blvd) + Stickers (Bella Blvd) + Brads (American Crafts) + Buttons (October Afternoon) + Stick Pin (Maya Road) + Baker's Twine (Divine Twine) + Die Cutting Machine (Silhouette)

Bella Blvd Inspiration Unlimited Week

Today marks the second day of the second week of Inspiration Unlimited over on the Bella Blvd blog. Up today are projects featuring the new crochet flowers:

Head on over to the Bella Blvd blog for a closer look and some inspiration!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Monday Layout + Week 2 of Bella Blvd Inspiration Unlimited

Monday Layout

I will admit it, sometimes I scrap specifically for magazine calls. When I get super-busy and don't have a lot of time for scrapbooking and cardmaking having a deadline often helps me to get back into my studio and back into creating. I made this layout for a recent magazine call for spring items:

Cardstock (Bazzill Basics) + Patterned Paper (October Afternoon) + Die Cuts (October Afternoon, Silhouette) + Stickers (October Afternoon, Sassafras) + Stick Pin (Maya Road)

The layout didn't get picked up, but without having had the call deadline, I would likely never have made this layout and am so glad I did! I got to play more with my still-relatively-new Silhouette Cameo (I cut the tab at the top, the paper dolls, and the banner elements at the bottom) and made a layout I love, both from a memory-keeping perspective and a design perspective.

Bella Blvd Inspiration Unlimited

Today is the first day of Week 2 of Bella Blvd's Inspiration Unlimited feature over on the Bella Blvd blog. The focus this week will be on the new embellishments. Today, the focus is on my favorite of the new embellishments: flags.

Be sure to check out the Bella Blvd blog today for projects featuring the new flags.

I'll be back tomorrow with a tip/tutorial and with more of Bella Blvd's Inspiration Unlimited Week.

Friday, February 3, 2012

My CHA Wish List

I am really excited about many of the new releases from this week's CHA show. For the last couple of years I haven't been wowed by what I've seen, and have struggled to find even five "must haves" from each show. Um...not this time. There is so much that has caught my attention! Beyond October Afternoon and Bella Blvd (which I already have or am already getting...can't wait!) this is what I will likely be buying:

1. American Crafts' Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Date Stamp

2. Crate Paper's Storyteller Collection

3. Crate Paper's Pretty Party Tag & Accent Cutouts

4. Echo Park's This & That Charming Collection

5. Lily Bee Handmade Index Journaling Cards

6. Studio Calico's Take Note Collection

7. Studio Calico's Abroad Collection

8. Studio Calico's Classic Calico, Vol. 2 Washi Tape

9. Simple Stories' Fabulous Fundamental Cardstock Stickers

10. Pink Paislee's Prairie Hill Collection

Help me out with my shopping list, please! If you've seen something you think I would like that's not on this list (other than October Afternoon or Bella Blvd) please comment and link me to the product(s).

More Write.Click.Scrapbook. and Bella Blvd

Write.Click.Scrapbook.

Today is the last day of CHA Armchair Attendee Week at Write.Click.Scrapbook. After three days following trends and one give.away.day., we're focusing on the Write.Click.Scrapbook. team members' "must haves" from the show. Take a look at our picks, see if your wishlist matches up with ours, and tell us what we missed!

Bella Blvd

Up today for Inspiration Unlimited Week on the Bella Blvd blog (well actually, "weeks," since it continues next week) is Stephanie's CHA Recap. Be sure to check out the booth as well as the projects and products in it!

In Other News

We have a snow day today! Most of the local school districts, including ours, called it last night. The whooping and hollering in our house was likely heard from a mile away. :) Since I work for our school district I also have a snow day; the university is closed, so Seth has a snow day as well. I'm glad no one has to get on the road! The forecast seems to be a moving target, but it looks like we may have as much as 18"-24" inches before this storm is done tomorrow! Good thing I went to the grocery store yesterday and stocked up even though at that point the last forecast I'd seen was for about a third as much snow.

Off I go to use today to blog my personal CHA wishlist and to get caught up on all things scrap-related and household-related! Coffee first, though...

Thursday, February 2, 2012

The CHA Fun Continues!

If you've been following my CHA Armchair Attendee Week over at Write.Click.Scrapbook., you know that today is the CHA give.away.day. If you've forgotten, head on over there and leave a comment to be entered to win goodies from the just-ended-yesterday CHA show.

The excitement also continues at Bella Blvd. Today is the fourth day of Inspiration Unlimited Week on the Bella Blvd blog.

Up today is the new We're Expecting Mini Series:

Be sure to check the Bella Blvd blog for projects showcasing this new line.

If you're planning your blog reading for tomorrow, be sure to stop back here for links to tomorrow's fun at both Write.Click.Scrapbook. and Bella Blvd!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Check These Out Today

I have three other blog posts for you to check out today. We'll just do these in alphabetical order.

Number 1: Bella Blvd
Today is the third day of Inspiration Unlimited Week on the Bella Blvd blog.

Up today is the new Baby Girl Collection:

Be sure to check the Bella Blvd blog for projects showcasing this new line.

Number 2: October Afternoon
Go to the October Afternoon blog to see a video of the October Afternoon booth at CHA.

Number 3: Write.Click.Scrapbook.
I'm still hosting CHA Armchair Attendee Week at Write.Click.Scrapbook. Today's post focuses on two big product trends.

Today is the last day of the CHA show, so once I have a little more time (and a little less going on over at Write.Click.Scrapbook.) I'll do my usual CHA favorites post here. Hopefully I'll get that up sometime this Friday, and if not, Saturday.

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