Raise a Reader

I'm a big fan of using tools as many ways as possible. Sometimes, there really is only one way to use them, but when you can use a stamp or ink pad in multiple ways, then that makes them so much more useful.

I love my Scor-Pal because it is such a versatile tool. I remember when Diana Crick, the creator of the Scor-Pal, first came out with it, I already had a Scor-It Board which I liked (but didn't love). I went back and forth with Diana via email about why I'd need another tool which did the same thing. I loved how it looked and I loved how it had multiple scoring lines, but I just couldn't justify it. She did finally break me down though and I ordered one. When it arrived, I ripped it open in anticipation and it's been by my side ever since. I put away my Scor-It Board just in case I decided to go back, but I eventually just got rid of it.

I use my Scor-Pal every time I make a card and I love that my measurements are always exact (I didn't have that kind of success with my Scor-It Board). I also love that I can do multiple scoring lines without moving my paper. I actually eventually upgraded my Scor-Pal to the newer version when it came out because it had so many more grooves.

I saw this technique on the Scor-Pal site I think and used it on a card, but then thought I'd do it on a larger scale on a scrapbook layout and I was happy with how it turned out. It filled the space which is sometimes a struggle for me.

Unfortunately, the scan doesn't really show the lines, but there are horizontal score lines above and below the line of brads and then vertical lines every 1/2" up to the brads. It looks like white wainscoting in real life and the texture of the lines really adds to the page.

Hallowe'en Paper Pack

I've had this Hallowe'en Paper Pack for awhile and finally got around to pulling it out last fall. I try to always order matching embellishments when I order a paper pack because it makes everything go so much quicker!! Well, I got a ton of pages done using just the stuff from this pack and a couple of cut outs from my Cricut. It's amazing what you can create and it's so easy when everything matches. I think I got all of these done in less than 2 hours!

Believe in Yourself

My friend, Robin, came over last summer or fall to scrapbook and she brought a photo of a layout she wanted to do but she said she didn't have the paper. I looked at it and thought: I bet we could make something similar. So we gave it a try and I was so thrilled with how it turned out.

We started with white cardstock and added a couple colours of Distress Ink with an Ink Blending Tool. I made sure to leave some white space. Then I placed a large 12x12" stencil over and spritzed with water. I dried it with my heat tool and where the water was changes colour as it reacts with the Distress Inks. These are such cool inks because they are meant to react with water and I'm still always amazed by how it happens. After, I chose a different stencil and spritzed with glimmer mist. I think I might have used some old Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, but I've done this technique many times since, and have just created my own glimmer mist with one of the two colours of Distress Ink I've used; I prefer that since I know it will match perfectly. Then I just started layering on top of the background I've created by stamping in white pigment ink, then Silver Staz On and finally black. I loved how the background turned out and it didn't need much other than the photo (which I also love) and a couple rub ons.

I love this background technique a lot. I always look at it and am amazed that I started with white cardstock. There are so many different layers and it looks so much better in person.

Frozen

I feel Frozen. Seriously. I am so sick of Winter and am anxiously awaiting Spring which seems like it might never come. It seems fitting that since Winter doesn't seem to want to leave, now would be a good time to share a "Frozen" cake.

I generally decorate cakes with either my sister, cousin, or both! It's more fun to do together and since my cousin is so much better at it, it's helpful to have her input and expertise too. My sister always has very grandiose ideas and I sometimes feel at a loss about how to execute them. That was the case with this cake too! She wanted to do a cake from the movie "Frozen" for my niece's birthday party. We looked and looked at ideas, but couldn't find anything we loved, so we ended up taking ideas from a few separate ones along with ideas of our own too, which was somewhat challenging since we didn't really have a clear idea of the end result.

It worked out though and it turned out great! My niece loved it and it was actually really fun to make.

We marbled the blue fondant and made white icicles from gum paste. My cousin modeled an Olaf and we made added some gum paste snowflakes as accents too.

3 Cheers

I feel like I've blogged this layout before, but I can't find it on the list of blog posts, so either I named it something different, I'm blind and can't see it, or I didn't actually blog it.

I'm going with the third option which also makes me feel like I'm losing my mind a bit, but that's a better option than I'm dumb or blind, so I'll take it.

My brother and sister in law brought back this adorable cheerleader outfit for Nathalie years ago when they went to Vegas on a trip. She must have been about one when I tried it on her and did her hair in pig tails. Unfortunately, she outgrew it quickly, but I am so happy that I got a few photos of her all dolled up.

I love this photo; in fact, it's still the screen background on my phone. I don't have the heart to update it. The layout was simple so that I could focus on the photo. Just a white background with a black border, black accents and a splash of purple to tie in her outfit.

Zip A Dee Doodle

Bo Bunny released a paper pack awhile ago called Zip A Dee Doodle and I had fun playing with it last fall. It seemed so easy to use and I made a bunch of layouts pretty quickly with it.

Sometimes the paper packs just go together so well and I find Bo Bunny is often like that. Of course, it also depends on the colours in the pack and how bold the patterns are. I find Bo Bunny often has less intense patterns which makes them easier put together. Whenever I order a pack, I try to also order at least two or three of the matching embellishments and Bo Bunny always has lots of extras from which to choose which also helps when I am trying to make quick layouts.

Neon? No Way. Yes Way.

Anyone who knows me know that I like dark colours. Throw in some neutrals and lots of black and white and you have me completely figured out. I'm pretty predictable, really.

Imagine my complete surprise when I was at the scrapbook store, ready to pay for some new cardstock and my eye is drawn to the bucket of Washi Tape on the checkout counter. It was like an out of body experience when I reached in, sorted through all of it, and emerged with four rolls of neon bright tape. Of course, the proposed purchase of these new colours required a trip back to the cardstock section to look for new colours, since I was guaranteed I would have nothing at home to match.

In the end, I loved the cards I made. I did one design and then made a ton in each of the four colours. I paired the bright Washi Tape with a strip of black. I've read the design tip to have black in every room because it grounds stuff, and if I didn't believe it before, I sure do now. The cards are still bright, but the strip of black really does ground them.


The stamps are from a set I've had for a couple of years that I pulled out on a whim. I think it's going to become a fun new favorite. The flower is a single stamp and I stamped it several times on a curve. Then stamped it on scrap white and coloured it and cut it out (I don't even recognize myself; neon and cutting all on one card!) and then mounted it with pop dots. The saying was naturally curved so it fit perfect with the flowers. Add a couple strips of Washi Tape and very fast (and bright) card!