Thank you cards, part III

Here's the third (& last sketch) that I made for Christmas thank you cards:



And here's the card I made:



I used My Mind's Eye (polka dot), October Afternoon (stripes) & Basic Grey (blue) patterned paper, a Making Memories stamp and a Heidi Swapp chipboard heart, all from the Shoppe.

And as added incentive to make some cards, I've decided to offer a RAK. So, if you make a card using any one of the sketches I've posted this week, please link a picture of the card you made back here in the comments before midnight, January 4th and I'll draw from the entries for a scrappy prize. :)

Happy cardmaking!

Winner and my January 1st tradition

The winner of the Holiday Goodies is....

My favourite tradition is going to this little tree farm every year, to pick out and cut down our own Christmas tree, followed by a sleigh ride, hot chocolate, peanuts and cookies.(ps..GREAT sneak peek)
Trace G

Thanks for all your comments! It was fun to read them all!!
Trace... I'll hold on to your stuff at the shoppe for you!


Also, this Thursday (Jan. 1) I'll be counting inventory at the shoppe. If anyone's interested in joining me let me know!

Thank you cards, part II

Here's another card sketch that I'd like to share with you today:





And the thank you card for Christmas cards that I made with it:



I used My Mind's Eye, Cosmo Cricket and Creative Imaginations patterned paper, a Maya Road chipboard snowflake and a Making Memories stamp, all from the Shoppe.

If you use this sketch to create a card, please link it back here in the comments-- we'd love to see it!

Thank you cards, part I

I've been so inspired by Liz's sketches that I thought I'd try my hand at creating some card sketches. And because I'd like to encourage my kids to make some thank you cards for some of the gifts they received for Christmas, I'd better set a good example by sending them, too.

And, I figured, since they're thank you cards for Christmas gifts, why not use some of my new Christmas scrappy supplies to make them?

So here's the first sketch:



And the card I made with it:



I used My Mind's Eye patterned paper (red), Pink Paislee patterned paper (cream and silver), a Making Memories stamp, a Maya Road chipboard snowflake and Making Memories acrylic paint, all from the Shoppe.

If you make a card using this sketch, please link it back here in the comments-- we'd love to see it!

Top Ten Lists

Now that 2008 is wrapping up, it seems popular to make lists-- especially top ten lists of the year. You can check out Time Magazine's The Top Ten Everything List of 2008 here.


So what's your top ten? Top ten moments of 2008? Top ten movies you watched in 2008? Top ten things you can't live without? Top ten places you visited in 2008?


So go ahead and join the trend: make a top ten list... then scrapbook it.


Here's my layout I made, listing my current faves in November 2008:

(And I had a hard time narrowing it down to ten, so I included eleven favourites-- I know, I'm such a rebel. ;) )

Can't wait to see yours! :)

sale dec. 26th-31st

I dislike counting inventory... so...

New Newsletters

Every month on the 20th (or around there) we'll be posting a sneak peek of the upcoming kit.

This month, and probably others too, we'll be throwing in giveaways too!

You'll be able to receive these in newsletter format as well.

So, here we go.

January's peek and the December giveaway!!

January's kits contain a lot of green, red and pink. I nice updated version of a traditional christmas. Some shimmer, some cozy felt and some holiday cheer.

And, the giveaway...

I like to think of it as a little starter holiday kit. Papers, fabric, stamps, sheer letters, pearly brads and more.

So, "what do I have to do to get this goodness in my hands" you ask? Well, simply leave a comment here on the blog telling us your favorite holiday tradition. That's it. We'll randomly draw a winner from the list of posts on the 23rd.

Merry Christmas!

Click here to view the newsletter.

Friday Sketch #7

If you're like me, you might have one or two (or a few) Christmas cards left to make... so here's a sketch for a little inspiration! I think it would work nicely for a layout too, if that's what you're up to this weekend... ;)

and here's my card:

I'm posting a thread on the message board, so you can link up a card or layout created with the sketch there! Have a great weekend!

FREE...

set of Heidi Swapp stamps with every purchase over $40. While supplies last.

An alternative Stamp Organization

Well... a few posts back Leigh posted about her stamp organization.
I used to be really organized... until I had kids. Now I still am, but not to the extent I was. I also found that I don't use things in my studio if I don't have them out in the open. This means baskets.
I did like the idea I saw on Jennifer Pebbles' blog though. I like knowing which stamps I actually own.
I thought I'd make a sheet with my stamped images and then number baskets. Beside each image I could label it with the corresponding number so I could find it.
Wish me luck.

Mid-month Challenge ~ Fabric

This month's challenge is to use fabric on a layout.

Here I used fabric to mat my photo...

I love Leigh's little fabric flowers on this page. I have the tutorial saved on my computer and I'll try to share instructions to those this week.

And, I dare you to find the fabric on Liz's layout! She did such a great job working it into her layout.

So, I challenge you to participate. I'll RAK from the list of participants at the end of the month.

Click here to see the challenges, layouts and more details.

Monday inspiration

Happy Monday.

So, here in lovely Manitoba it's -42 with wind chill. If that doesn't just scream "stay home and scrap" I don't know what does!!!

(And, because it's this cold I'm not venturing to the shoppe to price goodies today. Hopefully it'll be a little warmer tomorrow.)

Here's some highlights from this past week to get your juices flowing...

(by Marlo)

(by Liz - sketch layout)

(by Bronwyn)

(by Leigh)

(by Anita)

(by Tanya Dery)

(by Heather)

(by Susan R)

(by Val - project instructions available in the forum)

(by Tanya Dery)

(by Tammy)

(by Flo)

Edited to add.... I know that blogger cut these off. I'll have to try to fix that later.

Newsletters

So, part of the new-improved MSS is that I'm starting newsletters again. I love the blog and LOVE how involved the Shoppe Girls are with it, but I still think it's nice to get something in your inbox.

If I can figure it out you'll be getting monthly emails from the shoppe... well, two actually. One with a sneak of the kit (hopefully) and another at the beginning of the month (again... hopefully). If I can't figure out how to get you those in an email you will still receive an email, but it will contain a link to the newsletter PDF (THAT I know how to do! ha ha).

So, if you're interested in receiving MSS emails in your inbox, then simply email me at newsletter@myscrapshoppe.com and I'll add you to the list.

Friday Sketch #6

Here's the sketch for this week!

and my layout--sorry for the delay!

Gift Card Holders

If you're giving gift cards this year, you can still add a handmade touch with these gift card holders! I've made a few different versions this year, but they all start the same way.

Start with a 4 1/4" x 11" sheet of cardstock or patterned paper. Score it at 3", 5.5" and 8".

Stamp the two 3" ends on one side and all of the other side (if desired). Accordian fold on your score marks. Use thin double sided tape or other dry adhesive on three edges of an unstamped panel--NOT along the middle fold. Fold and press firmly on all the edges.

I used a word window punch to punch the slot in the middle piece (where the tape isn't). You could also use a hole punch to punch a circle at each end, and then use a craft knife and a ruler to make the opening.

I then used a circle punch (I only punched half of it) to create the rest of the opening. My circle punch was 1 1/4", but you can use any size.

I cut a 1"x8.5" strip of cardstock or patterned paper for each belly band, and stamped a sentiment or image panel to stick on the front of it.

You can see a video showing how to make these here as well: Stamping with Dawn ~ Gift Card Holders

If you make one, I'd love to see it!

Stamped Marble Coasters

Another quick and simple gift idea... These are tumbled marble tiles (no finish or sealers) and I stamped on them using pigment inks (slow drying... the kind you use for heat embossing). I found the tiles at Home Depot for $5.00 for nine tiles. I applied the inks to the stamps with sponge daubers so I could blend the colours. When I was done stamping, I put them in the oven (250 F) for half an hour to heat set them. After they cooled, I used a hot glue gun to attach felt squares to the back (you could also use the self adhesive felt furniture protectors). No sealer is required and they can be used with hot or cold beverages. I made a set of four in less than 15 minutes!

Quick & Easy gift tags

supplies:
2 punches that you can layer over one another (two different circles, or two shapes that work together)
Christmas stamps & ink
Cardstock

Stamp your image, and punch out using the smaller punch.
Punch the larger shape from a co-ordinating cardstock.
Glue together and punch a hole for twine or ribbon.

super, super easy! If you don't have Christmas stamps, just punch out pieces from your Christmas patterned paper (or wrapping paper).

Handmade Touches

This week, I thought I'd show some of the ideas I have for adding a handmade touch to the holidays this year. Even if you're buying all your gifts, you can still add a tag or a small gift that is handmade to make it extra special.

Frame a stamped image with a quote you've stamped or printed on your computer. Or, just add rub-ons on the glass over a framed photo of your family (or kids).

Lots of inspiration

available at the online crop this weekend. There are over a dozen challenges posted, as well as a very cool Christmas project.

I just wanted to share a little organization tip with you. I'm not sure how you store your buttons, but I use to store mine in a bowl (or a jar with a lid if I was going somewhere to crop), which wasn't very efficient. Lots of digging for the perfect button.

So, I put them in a clear storage container with different compartments and organized them by colour.

A perfect system for scrapping at home or at a crop.

Thanks to my friend, Mary, who showed me her system and let me copy it. ;)

Friday Sketch #5

Here's the sketch for this week (and an early bird challenge for the crop)!




and my layout using the December kit:

I'm adding a post on the message board, and you can link your layouts there or to this post...

A reminder...

that we're hosting an online crop this weekend.

The fun is scheduled to start tonight at 8pm, but for those of you who can't wait that long to get your scrap on, I'm posting an early bird challenge:

Use the same stamp at least three times on one layout.

And here's my layout for the challenge, where I used the October Red Star Kit stamp twenty-nine times:



If you participate in the challenge, you can link up your layout either here in the comments or in the crop forum here.

Happy Scrapping!

Stretching your alphas (part III)

So far this week, I've talked about stretching your chipboard alphabet letters (part I) and your letter stickers (part II).

Today's post is about thickers. You might have heard of these wonderful items from American Crafts. ;)

I love AC thickers and use them quite often on my layouts. They make them in so many different types (chipboard, velvet, felt, vinyl, etc.) which can be modified in the tips I presented on my previous posts.

Today, I want to talk about the foam ones.

The foam thickers are wonderful, especially if you want to change letters to make them work for the words you're spelling. You can trim off a "d" to make an "a" or flip a "q" to make a "b", etc.

But I also found that because they're so pliable, you can form new letters by cutting them apart and changing their shape.

For example, I needed an "e" to spell "soccer" but didn't have anymore. So, I took a zero from the number section, trimmed off a little bit and reshaped it to form my "e" on my page.



So there you have three different ways to make the most of your albhabet letters. I challenge you to use these on one of your next layouts and to leave a comment and link to your layout-- I'd love to see it! ♥

Holiday/Anniversary Sale...

** Remember... we'll be closed for part of the afternoon on Thursday.

Stretching your alphas (part II)

Sometimes, I run into the same problem with my letter stickers-- I'm missing the letters I need to spell out my desired title.

I pretty much follow the same principle as with the chipboard letters (see Stretching your alphas (part I). I look through my letters and get creative. Lower case "b"s & "d"s can become "q"s & "p"s and vice versa. Letters can get trimmed down, or cut something off and add it to another letter (I've created "e"s by cutting off something straight to add to a "c".

To trim down my letters, I use a craft knife. It allows me the precision I need and makes a nice clean cut.

My layout example today, made with the December kit was created using both a "d" and a "k" trimmed down to make the two "l"s in fall. I used my one remaining "l" for girl, so my trimming wouldn't be as noticeable. Also, I cut down a "d" to make my "a" in fall.

New October Afternoon

So, the only bad thing with keeping up with the online store is that it takes me a LOT longer to get stuff out.

I've got lots of other new stuff to go out, but today was October Afternoon day.
Yummy!!
Night Light, Good Cheer and Weathervane are now online and in the shoppe.
The collections are not complete though (an issue with my distributor not carrying them anymore and apparently only sending me part of my preorder...) but lots of new papers, some rub-ons and stickers.

Also... tis the season for Christmas concerts. The shoppe will be closed for an hour on Thursday the 4th (1:45-2:45), Tuesday the 9th (1:15-2:15) and Wednesday the 10th (1:15-2:15). Unfortunately our school has concerts during the day.

Stretching your alphas (part I)

Who doesn't love chipboard alphas?

I know I adore them and can't imagine scrapbooking without them. ♥

However, sometimes it takes a little creativity to use them, especially when I've decided that a certain package is absolutely perfect for the page I'm working on and I'm missing some letters that I need to spell my title.

Case in point:

I had a layout that I was working on last week, using pictures of Sage in a red Gap hoodie. I wanted to use my Scenic Route chipboard letters for the page and I wanted to spell the word "puppy."

But, I was missing one "p", a "u" and a "y".

What to do?

Well, I quickly scanned my remaining letter and found a "d" that could easily become a "p". And I had two "h"s. One got flipped over to become a "y" and the other got flipped and trimmed to become a "u."

Now, when I cut down the "h", I realized that I cut off a little of the paint. So, I decided to sand the edges of all the letters to give them a bit of a distressed look.

I also matched up the two "p"s I had and put the "d" at the front of the word, so the fact that they all weren't identical wouldn't be as noticeable.

So, tell me, if I hadn't told you what I'd done, would you have known that I spelled "puppy" with two "p"s, two "h"s and a "d"?





(Supplies used: Bazzill cardstock, Jenni Bowlin patterned paper, star stickers and bingo card, Scenic Route chipboard letters and Doodlebug letter stickers.)

December kits

Now online (and instore this afternoon)...

I LOVE these kits and am just sorry that this last little while was so crazy that I didn't get as much time to play with them as I normally do!

There's also a cardstock add-on this month.

Click here to see the contents list and to buy.

Card display inspiration

I saw a neat idea on Ali Edwards' blog last week and thought I'd try to make one myself.

So, I got a good looking assistant to help me cut some branches in our back yard.





I brought them inside and placed them in a stainless steel container with rocks in it to stabilize the branches. I placed the container on a tray.



Then I added some ribbon to the container, some decorations to the branches, a bowl of peanuts and some of my daughter's crafts on the tray.



I also added a photo card that I received for Christmas this year. My plan is to use this container of branches to display all the Christmas cards we receive this year. To attach the cards, I'm using clips. Or I might punch some holes and tie some ribbon.

For now, so it doesn't look too bare, I added some paper decorations that I made last year.



Marcy taught me how to make these at the Shoppe a couple of years ago.
You can find the instructions on how to make them here.