May kits...

will be released on Monday, May 4th (in the afternoon)

Scalloped punches (tip #4)

Use your punches to cut out scalloped circles from pre-made diecuts to created your own custom embellishments & journaling spots.


Supplies used: Bazzill cardstock, Fancy Pants pp, Scenic Route pp & letter stickers & Basic Grey buttons, all from the Shoppe.

Scalloped punches (tip #3)

I wanted to make a layout the other day with a scalloped edge all along the edges. I thought I had a piece of Bazzill cardstock with scalloped edges in my stash, but couldn't find it.

So I decided to use my scalloped edge punch to make my own.



Supplies used: Bazzill cardstock, Pink Paislee patterned paper, chipboard shape, chipboard letters, & letter stickers, Basic Grey buttons, all from the Shoppe.

Scalloped punches (tip #2)

I've been so pleased with the investment I made in purchasing scalloped edges circle punches over the past year. I love how I can use them in different ways.

Here, I used my 2" scalloped circle punch to cut out circles from a scrap of patterned paper and layered them over the same patterned paper on my card. I love the effect it made!



Supplies used: My Mind's Eye (orange) & Pink Paislee patterned paper and American Crafts thickers, all from the Shoppe. This was the anniversary card I made for my husband this year.

Scalloped punches (tip #1)

I thought I'd share some tips for using scalloped punches this week on the blog.

I love shaped edges and have purchased several packages of Bazzill edges and Doodlebug paper frills. When I first discovered the scalloped edge punches, I knew I would get a lot of use out of one, knowing I could create my own paper edges.

I love how, with my punch, I can create my own edges that coordinate perfectly with my project, either with solid colours (or cardstock)...

or with coordinating patterned paper:

Sketch #22

Here's the sketch for this week:

and a card using the sketch:

If you're inspired to create, add a link here or on the forums!

New Hours

Mon-Thurs 10-9
Fri-Sat 10-9:30
Sun noon-9:30

Sketch #21

Here's the sketch for this week...


and my layout:

I'm adding a thread on the message board for you to link your layouts to...

Blog challenge winner

The winner of the blog challenge mystery prize is...

Tanya Dery!!
Congrats Tanya.

Here's the goodies that Tanya's taking home...

FYI... the Thickers have zero adhesive anymore and are on the sale table, but they just went so perfectly with the rest of the stuff, I had to throw them in.

Online crop winners...

Congrats to Flo and Heather!

I'll be drawing for the challenge giveaway tonight. The prize is packed up and ready (retail value of over $35!)

Create your own embellishment spinner

Found this on Jennifer Pebbles' blog today...

I love the Clip-it system but I'm not willing to spend that kind of money on something I'm not even sure will work with my style of organization.
So, I was thrilled when I found this!

You'll need page protectors, a paper towel holder and three-hole page protectors. I'm thinkin you just link the rings around the post once they're in the holes in the page protector.
Link to the blog if you try it. I'd really love to see some it in action!

P.S. My computer's been MIA for a couple of weeks, but it's finally back. Stay tuned for the long-awaited blog RAK, the online crop RAK... and another scraplift tag result!

Stamping on your Layouts #4

Stamps can be used to create interest on the backgrounds or plain cardstock pieces of your layouts as well... you can create a whole background or just stamp an image once or twice for just the right finishing touch.

You can create a border using just stamps, or stamps combined with papers or other elements:

You can create a custominzed photo matte for your layouts:

You can create an accent grid using different stamps and ink colours:

Hopefully I've given you some different ideas for using stamps on your layouts... I hope I've inspired you to pull your stamps out and use them!

Sketch # 20

Here's this week's sketch... hopefully you have some scrapping time on this long weekend!

And here's my layout using the April kit (I adapted the sketch to 8.5x11):

Add your layout based on this sketch in the gallery and add it to the thread in the forum!

Stamping on your Layouts #3

Stamping can be used in several ways as an embellishment for your layout. Once again, stamps are versatile because you can customize them to suit your layout, and use them over and over again in different ways.

You can stamp an image on different patterned papers or cardstock, then cut them out and put the image back together (paper piecing):

You can stamp an image, punch or cut it out and simply use it as an embellishment. You can add some interest by colouring it, adding some glitter, or getting an epoxy accent look by using Crystal Effects or other clear craft laquer.

You can stamp on pre-made embellishments like paper or fabric flowers, chipboard and foam accents or letters.

You can create faux metal embellishments by using a metallic embossing powder. Start by pressing a Versamark pad into a scrap of cardstock. Sprinkle the embossing powder over the inked area, and heat emboss. Wait for it to cool, then press it into the Versamark pad again, sprinkle with embossing powder and heat again. Repeat at least one more time (I found four coats works well). Before heating your last coat, press your stamp into the Versamark pad (this keeps it from sticking to your embellishment). Immediately after you finish heating the embossing powder, press the stamp into the embossed area. Leave to cool for a couple minutes and remove the stamp. You can then punch your accent (or cut it out) and use it on your layout!

You can also use stamps layered as part of an embellishment cluster. They can be the bottom layer, adding a bit of interest to the background:

They can also be popped up or layered with other embellishments if you cut them out of the paper they were stamped on:

Stamping on your Layouts #2

I use alphabet stamps a lot for title on my layouts. Once again, I love that I always have enough of each letter and I can make them any colour. I often create titles by combining alpha stamps with alphabet stickers, chipboard letters, etc.

I also like to mix different styles of alphabet stamps to create a title. I always try to make sure they are very different from each other (eg. scripty with antique):

If you are worried about stamping right on your layout, you can stamp on a patterned paper or cardstock and cut them out. This is especially effective with outline alphabet stamps so you see a bit of the paper peeking through.

Another way I enjoy using outline alphabet sets is stamping in a dark colour, and colouring in the spaces with a glitter pen or white pen:

Stamping on your Layouts #1

One of the things I love about the Red Star kits is the stamp Marcy designs each month to work with the kit. This week on the blog, I thought I'd share some ways you can incorporate stamping into your layouts. I'll also share some basic stamping tips along the way.

One of the reasons I love stamps is because you can choose the colours to work with different layouts, you can use them over and over again after the initial investment and they give a handmade (not quite perfect) finish. I usually handwrite my journaling, but sometimes that's not quite the look I want, but I also don't want the perfection of computer journaling. Using small alphabet stamps to journal gives me just the look I'm going for! I have a few different sets and use them to label photos, make small words in my titles, or to stamp a whole quote as I did on this layout.

I also love using stamps to create a co-ordinating journaling block, as I did on this layout using the stamp from the April kit:

*tip: When stamping, you don't want to rock back and forth, or push to hard. Doing either of these things will create a wonky image. Ink up your stamp, put it down on the paper and press evenly on the block. Then lift straight back up.

Scraplift tag

We've been playing some scraplift tag at MSS.

The rules are pretty simple. Seven people sign up on a list. Then, I chose a starting layout. This got sent (via email) to the first person on the list who created a scraplift of that layout. Then, that person sent the email back to me and I sent it on to the next person on the list.

And so on. And so on...

Until it reached the seventh person and they completed their layout.

Sounds like fun?

It was.

And you can check out the reveal for the second game of scraplift tag right here.

Sketch #19 (an Early Bird Crop Challenge)

I've got a two page layout sketch again this week, but feel free to use only half of it for a one page layout...

and here's my layout:

I'm posting this in the MSS crop forum as well, so if you create a layout using this sketch by Sunday, make sure you add a link there to be eligible for a prize!

Journaling tip #4

When I am trying to come up with my journaling for a layout, I often find it helpful to combine it with my title.

Sometimes, I like to journaling in to my title, where my title is the last word(s) of my journaling. Here's an example:


Supplies used: MSS April kit.

And sometimes, I like to journal out of my title, where my title is the first word(s) of my journaling. Here's an example:


Supplies used: MSS April kit.

And so, I'd like to challenge you to create a layout where you journal in or out of your layout. I'll be posting this challenge as an early bird challenge for the April online crop. So, take a picture of your layout, post it in the MSS gallery and link it back to the online crop forum Early bird challenge: In or out.

And don't forget to check out the other challenges that will be posted for the April online crop this weekend-- it's sure to be a lot of fun!

Journaling tip #3

Before I get to my journaling tip for today, I wanted to say thanks for all the nice comments from my Journaling #2 post (I'm so glad when I can post helpful information!)

And, I wanted to answer Valerie's question, which was: "Do you just use regular scotch tape to adhere the journaling card to the paper?"

I used to use painter's tape (we always seem to have some on hand ;) ), but now I use my Kokuyo Dot 'N Roller adhesive on the back of my journaling card. I find it keeps it in place well through the printer and then once I peel it off the white paper, I only have to add a little more to adhere it to my layout.

Journaling tip #3: Paragraphs

I love to read other people's journaling on their layouts, whether the layouts are in magazines, the gallery, etc. But sometimes, if people have a lot of journaling on their layouts, it can be a little daunting.

So one way I find helps when I have a longer journaling block, is to break it into paragraphs. I find this helps give the eye a chance to rest, it makes it seem a little less long and it can become a design element on my layout.

Here are a couple of examples:

For this layout about my son, I knew I had lots to say, so I broke my journaling into three separate paragraphs (or journaling blocks) and spread them out on my layout.


Supplies used: Bazzill cardstock, My Mind's Eye patterned paper, American Craft thickers, Autumn leaves stamps and buttons, all from the Shoppe.

Another example of breaking up the journaling into paragraphs is on this layout here. Instead of separate journaling blocks, all I did here was leave a line in between my paragraphs.




Supplies used: the MSS April kit.

Again, feel free to leave any questions or comments in the comment section.