Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog

Creating backgrounds with stamps and Copics...and one more!

Hello everyone!  My name is Allison Cope and today I’m going to share some fun tips and techniques to create back gorgeous grounds for your layouts.

For me, starting with a blank piece of cardstock is like a painter starting with a blank canvas.  There are so many wondrous directions that you can go!  And each time, your creation is different and unique.  The possibilities are endless…

I first began my layout with a cream piece of smooth cardstock.  I prefer to use smooth cardstock when creating a back ground with stamps so that I don’t lose any details from my stamped images in the texture of the paper.

I began by stamping this Antique Map image from Flourishes on my cardstock.  This particular stamp measures approximate 4”x6” so I knew it wasn’t going to cover my paper fully.  The image had a circle built into the design so I used it as a rotating point to stamp the area I wanted multiple times to create the almost globe effect.

 

Since stamping the map image was overlapped and the “land” aspects of the image became fuzzy, I chose to add colour in a random method.  I loaded my Copic markers individually into my air brush system and chose at random, “land” versus “sea”.  I added tones of the orange and teal to make the colours pop and build in intensity.

 

Next I wanted a bit of splatter detail.  I achieved this by loading my Copic markers with the brush tip into the air end.  The brush tip splatters the ink instead of applying it in a more evenly dispersed manner. Such a cool effect!!!

 

Next, to mimic the stars in the sky around my globe, I chose a star stamp and penciled in a border around my page to help me guide my stars around the edge.  I stamped my stars using two different tones of orange to allow for the feeling of depth and dimension and then erased my pencil line.

 

Finally, before I assembled my patterned papers, photos and embellishments, I stamped some nature images involving scenes of tents and cabins in the woods.  I added some simple colouring to only a few of the scene’s details such as to the tent and canoes.  I did this to tie the image back into the other colours of my page; to achieve a unity to my layout.

 

Supplies:  cardstock, Bazzill, Flourishes;  stamps, Flourshes;   patterned papers, washi tapes, We R Memory Keepers;  ink, Copic, Memento, Copic, Ranger;  die cutting machine & software, Klic n’Kut;  die cut shapes, Spellbinders, Flourishes;  gems, KaiserCraft;  tools, Copic air brush system;  adhesive, Scotch;  other, thread

I hope you’ve enjoyed the evolution of my layout today!  To check out how I created my die cut title block and other die cut embellishments, stay tuned to the blog Wednesday!

Happy creating!

~ Allison Cope ~

Tell all your friends that we are CELEBRATING this Friday, June 21st!  Join us right here, on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest because we are going to have a party.  Help us to have our BIGGEST launch day ever!  We've also started an event on Facebook here!  Join us!

Something fun to share...and give away!

 

It's not everyday that you have a stamp made just for you!  Our dear friend Angie Blom, designer for Unity Stamps, surprised us with the Vicki, Catherine, Leica girls stamp earlier this week!!!

 

That's Vicki Boutin, Leica Forrest and I in the Crop & Create photo booth!  Anyone who has joined us at our Crop & Create education events knows just how much fun the photo booth is.  And just how much fun Leica and Vicki have in the photo booth!  This sweet stamp set is perfect for any girly friendship card and I know I can't wait to make a few cards with it!  Here is the even sweeter part, there are a few more sweet sentiments with this stamp set and all Angie Girls are on sale this weekend with Unity Stamps!  The Vicki, Catherine & Leica girls have four stamps for only $10!  Thanks Unity!

 

Angie is also releasing an additional brand new stamp set this weekend called Abby girl!   Another beautiful stamp Angie!

So I think in honour of being surprised with the Vicki, Catherine & Leica girls we just have to give one away!  Because as the stamp says "this is how we roll!"  Leave a comment below by April 18th for the chance to win friends!  We would love you to give a surprise shout out to Angie on her Facebook page and a BIG SCT thank you to Unity Stamps too!

We are getting ready for ScrapFest in Kitchener, Ontario this weekend!  Here is just a little peek of a Maya Road and Stampin' Up! make n' take we'll be making in our booth.  If you'll be there, be sure to stop by!

Have a wonderful day!  

~  Catherine

Divided page protectors with a twist...and some winners!!

April Greetings! Using divided page protectors are a fabulous way for easy, stress-free memory keeping.  Today I’d like to share with you a little twist on using your divided page protectors to add an extra layer of fun to your album pages. 

Take your divided page protector (I chose the 6 up landscape configuration).  Cut away ½ inch from the first column.  You can use your trimmer or scissors, don’t worry about having to make it super straight because you will be covering up the rough edge with pattern paper.  Don’t discard the rest of the page protector because you can use it later (hint…next month’s blog post, tee hee) 

Cut two 1 x 12 inch paper strips and border punch along the edge.  Glue these strips directly to the page protector along the edge that is rough cut.  I chose a coordinating pattern paper with the 12 x 12 layout underneath.  Your page protector is slightly longer than 12 inches so your strip will not reach end to end,  just cut on an angle the little longer piece at the ends.

Slip in your photos and other memorabilia (I included the actual party invitation) into the photo sleeves. I like how the smaller page fits over the layout giving you a peek of what’s to follow next. 

Hope you have fun mixing up your pages, have a wonderful day!

~  Virginia Nebel

Thank you Virginia!  Love the twist on these pages!  We also love that we can now announce the winners of our 7th Birthday Celebration.  So many wonderful goody bags to send out.  If your name is below, please email use your address and telephone number to catherine@scrapbookandcards.com and we'll have all our sponsors send out your prizes!

Day 1 ~ Bo Bunny’s Surprise collection

I spy lots of Bo Bunny.. Thanks for the giveaway.  Posted by:  Alma Dirpaul, March 25, 2013 at 01:14 PM

Day 2 ~ Bazzill Basics’ Lucy’s Crab Shack collection

Bazzil Goodness in Crab Shack! I just love making shaker cards! They are so much fun to recieve! Thanks for sharing your fun card!  Posted by: Barbara MacASkill | March 26, 2013 at 05:17 PM

Day 3 ~ Doodlebug Fruit Stand collection and Xyron Mega Runner

What a beautifully decorated box! And the Fruit Stand collection by Doodlebug is beyond adorable! Thanks for the chance to win! Posted by: Kerry A | March 28, 2013 at 11:55 PM

Day 4 ~ Crate Paper DIY Shoppe and Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L prize package

Delightful paper and wonderful adhesives-great prize.Thank you again for a chance to win.But aren't you suppose to be getting the presents?  Posted by: Beth W | March 28, 2013 at 05:22 PM

Day 5 ~ Fiction line from BasicGrey and CardMaps 3

Gorgeous! Love the cards and the prize pack in awesome! Thank you for the chance to win! Love you SCT!!  Posted by: Jocelyne | April 01, 2013 at 09:25 AM

 Day 6 ~ Bella Blvd. Birthday Boy and Girl and Core’dinations Prize Package

I love the cards, They are such an inspiration and get me motivated to get in my craft room to try different things.  Posted by: Althea | March 31, 2013 at 09:41 AM

Day 7 ~ Spellbinders dies and Cottage Farms by Pink Paislee

I guess birthdays have to come to an end at sometime but you might as well go out with a bang with Spellbinders and Cottage Farms! Thanks so much for an awesome week of giveaways and such a wonderful and inspiring blog and magazine!!!!  Posted by: Keri Postma | April 01, 2013 at 07:57 AM

Day 8 ~ Penny Black stamp package

I love that mini book. Very cool set up and the colors and papers are gorgeous!! I really like those PB stamps too. Love the sentiments. Seems like they have a bunch of occasions covered. I like that!  Thanks for the chance to win and more prizes! Have a great day!  Posted by: Christine Ousley | April 01, 2013 at 12:49 PM

Day 9 ~ Webster’s Pages New Beginnings collection

Great ideas with the square punch...I keep looking at them and still have not yet picked one up. That collection is beautiful, love the softness of it, just like a new baby!  Posted by: Jasmine Ford | April 02, 2013 at 01:23 PM

Day 10 ~ Stampin’ Up! Prize package, Xyron Mega Runner and one year subscription to SCT

Adorable layout and so well done. SCT, you've done it again and had a fabulous birthday celebration with such amazing prizes. Thanks for sharing with us the fabulous projects by the different designers. Happy 7th birthday and I'm so looking forward to many more fabulous celebrations.   Posted by: Dorina D | April 03, 2013 at 01:35 PM

 

Congratulations everyone!  We were thrilled you could join us for this celebration.  We are now planning our National Scrapbook Day Extravaganza so mark your calendars for May 4th!!

 

Instagram inspiration...and our final birthday celebration giveaway!

Good Morning! I am happy to be back to share a quick inspiration project for you this week. I love the look of Instagram and Polaroid photos, and really wanted to incorporate both into one project.

 

 The filter options in Instagram are endless, and using some new pre-fab Polaroid frames are a great way to frame up those fun photos you can snap all day long.

 

Supplies: Patterned Paper, Chipboard, Stamp: Dear Lizzy; Polaroid Frame, Clothes pin, Vellum flag: Crate Paper; Journal card: Elle’s Studio; Enamel Dots: My Mind’s Eye; Clear word sticker: My Little Bicycle; Veneer Stars: Studio Calico; Stickers: Pink Paislee

Love the look – but don’t Instagram?? Fear not, come back tomorrow and I will show you, in a tutorial, how to get the same look with minimal supplies and time too!

~ Nicole Nowosad

We are also wrapping up our 7th Birthday Celebration today!  Thank you to our amazing sponsors for celebrating with us and for sharing some incredibly generous prizes.  Would you like to see what's in today's goody bag?  It's the "Best of Birthday" Clear Stamp Set and the Clear Block Bundle from Stampin' Up!  How great is that? 

But wait, there's more!  Today's winner will also receive one of these...

A Mega Runner from Xyron with over 100 ft of adhesive!  That's a lot of birthday cards you can make with those stamps and this great adhesive!  I know we've asked you each day to take a moment to thank that days sponsor and I am thrilled that you have done that.  Each day we have received a note from the sponsor thanking us and YOU for being so appreciative.  Please take a moment to thank Stampin' Up HERE and Xyron HERE for their fabulous prizes!  

To close off our birthday celebration (sniff, sniff!), we have a one year subscription to Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine starting with our brand new Spring issue! (and don't be afraid to come join us on Facebook too!) 

And that friends wraps up our 7th Birthday Celebration!!!  Did you love all those prizes? If you would like to win today's prizes, be sure to leave a comment below and be sure to leave a comment on each of the past 9 days too!  We are going to extend our date to leave comments until April 6th as our team is heading to Winnipeg tomorrow and all winners will be announced on Monday April 8th!

Nicole is back tomorrow so be sure to check in to see how she created an Instagram frame on her layout.  See you then!

~  Catherine

ps....although not included in our birthday celebration today, did you know that Stampin' Up! now has a new “Spring Surprise” bundle and it features a sneak peak of a stamp set from their brand new 2013-2014 catalog and a coordinating punch?  We got a chance to play with it last week and it is fabulous!!!  Here's a peek...

You can find out all about this really great bundle (that I LOVED) right here!  Sorry to enable you...but what are friends for!  ~  Catherine

 

Square Punch Fun with Aly Dosdall...and a giveaway too!

 

A few months ago I shared some tips with you about fun ways to use your circle punch.  Well, I didn’t want my square punch to feel left out so I decided to share some fun ways to use your square punch on some spring projects this month!

Rounded Squares

Supplies:  Patterned paper, 3D Stickers, Edge Punch (Anna Griffin); square punch, corner punch (Creative Memories); ribbon (Offray)

On this layout I created an engaging background for my photo by punching several squares from patterned paper and rounding two opposite corners on each square.  Then I placed them in groups with their points facing inward.

Triangles

Supplies: Patterned paper, square punch, border punch, cardstock alpha and icon stickers (Creative Memories)

For this page I punched several medium size squares from patterned paper and then cut them in half diagonally.  Lining them up with their points all facing in the same direction leads the viewer’s eye across my photos and directly to my page title.

Arrows

Supplies: Patterned paper, embossed frame, embossed stickers, Mini 8 Punch, eyelets, floss, Crop-A-Dile tool, Sew Easy tool (We R Memory Keepers)

Arrow shapes are very trendy right now and readily found in everything from patterned paper to stamps to electronic die cutting files.  You can easily make your own with a square punch and a pair of scissors.  Simply punch several squares from patterned paper, and stick the square back in the punch centering the square along the corner.

The farther you place the square in the punch the thinner your arrow will be.  Punch again and then remove your arrow shape.

Line your scissors up on the end of the arrow at a 45 degree angle as shown in the above photo and trim.  Repeat this on the other end.  Pretty cool, huh?  Try mixing different widths of arrows for a cool look. 

Now go get your square punch out, play around and have fun with it!

~  Aly Dosdall

Are you loving Aly's tips for having fun with a square punch?  Great ideas!  We also have one more great thing for you today!  How about a little Webster's Pages?  They have very generously provided this great prize for our birthday celebration for one lucky SCT reader!!!  

We love the soft colours and beautiful patterns in the New Beginnings collection and are so sure you will love it too!  Be sure to leave a comment below by April 4th!  Good luck!  Webster's Pages is excited to be a part of our celebration and we would love for you to drop by the Webster's Pages facebook page to tell them how much we love this prize!  A big "SCT thank you" goes such a long way! 

Join us tomorrow for our final birthday celebration day and designer Nicole Nowosad drops by too!

~  Catherine

Old, New, Borrowed, COOL with Kelly Goree!

Hi there!!!  Thank you for stopping by today and letting me share this month’s edition of OLD NEW BORROWED COOL! I’m so glad you’re here to help me WELCOME APRIL!  This spring as been a bit unusual with the cold weather snaps that keep breaking through bringing tons of snow, but we’re mustering through! One of the fun ways that I’ve been dealing with the icky weather has been spending it with great friends and family. I’ve been lucky enough to have not one but TWO Scrapbook & Card’s Today Crop & Create events within two weeks of each other and I can’t think of anything I’d rather do. I love to teach. But I have to admit, I have been terrible about practicing what I preach. I realized this past event that I haven’t scrapbooked ONE layout or project documenting my wonderful times and these amazing weekends.
 
And guess what? I decided to fix that! Check out this fun little mini book I created to hold some of my cherished memories of each Crop & Create event!

Now before I share my project, please let me once again recap the premise for this blog series. Each month I'll bring you a new post that incorporates something OLD from my stash, something NEW that I might have just picked up and something BORROWED from wherever I can get it to create something COOL to share with you! It's just that easy. Here we go!

This month’s final selections were:

OLD: Some BasicGrey alphabet stickers – my tried and true favorites – in my favorite basic color, BLACK.

NEW: A little BoBunny Mamarazzi2, some yummy Seen & Noted by Pebbles, Inc. (swoon), these AMAZING AmyTangerine thickers from American Crafts as well as incredible flair by Evalicious! (I admit to being a bit “new” heavy this month…I.CAN’T.HELP.IT!!!)

BORROWED: Ahem. Some might say “swiped or stolen” this month, but I say that’s all just semantics, kinda like potato and po-tah-toe, but I scored these fun Studio Calico printables from the sweet Stephanie Hart and this great Silhouette diecut using Amy Tangerine paper from Ms. Kristine Davidson while I was at Moncton’s Crop & Create! (I’m sneaky like that!)

COOL: This fun, easy, you can do it in just a few minutes chipboard album perfect for storing all those precious photos from a great girls’ weekend away! And even better than that, I’m going to show you just how to do it!

Trim two strips of 12” patterned paper to desired width. For this project, I did 5.25”. Score and fold at each 4” mark like an accordion.

Trim an 8”x5.25” piece of patterned paper. Score and fold in half – at the 4” mark. (The height will change depending on how tall you want your book but it will match the width in step 1.) Use it to join the two 12” strips together as shown so you have one long accordion folded strip.

Cut a two pieces of chipboard slightly larger than the folded strip size. In our case, our folded paper is 4”x5.25” so I cut my chipboard to 4.25”x5.5”(a standard card size). Cover each piece in patterned paper as shown.

Adhere covers to each end of the accordion strip to for a cute little book.

Supply List: BoBunny patterned paper, stamps; BasicGrey alpha stickers; Pebbles Inc. patterned paper; Evalicious flair and diecuts; My Mind’s Eye stickers, twine; Studio Calico printables; American Craft Thickers; Bazzill cardstock; chipboard; Staz-on Ink; adhesive.

So let’s get to it! I challenge each of you to create your own mini-album of some sort. I don’t care what kind you do, just have fun with it! Get those photos into that album. You’ll be so glad you did! Have a wonderful April and as always, link me up so I can see the masterpieces that you create! Happy Scrapping!!

Thank you Kelly for another great project and for sharing some of your Crop & Create memories!  Looking forward to seeing all our friends and meeting some new ones in Winnipeg this weekend!  We are also continuing our birthday celebration so look what we have for you today...

A fantastic birthday prize package from Penny Black for one lucky SCT reader!  Perfect for any birthday celebration cards!  Be sure to leave a comment below by April 4th for the opportunity to win these goodies!  Since we are an appreciative bunch we would love for you to send Penny Black a sweet "thank you!" for this prize package.  You can leave a comment on the Penny Black facebook page!  And thank you for showing them such appreciation! 

Have a great Monday friends! Aly Dosdall is with us tomorrow with her 1st Tuesday of the month tutorial and as usual, it's amazing!  See you then!

~  Catherine