Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog

Fun with die cuts with Allison Cope!

Die cutting and digital cutting are all the rage right now in the paper crafting world.  If you have jumped on this marvelous band-wagon, then you will truly understand the addiction!  There is something spectacular about starting with a simple piece of shaped cardstock and bringing it to life... Ahhhh!  It's become one of my paper passions indeed.  So today I'm going to share a few fun ways of taking those paper shapes and making them come alive.  Grab a cuppa joe and come along for my creative journey...

My journey began with some simple cardstock...

• First I digitally die cut my shapes out of cardstock.  The above shape is the base for my layout's title block.  I used a light green as my base colour of cardstock.
• Then I stamped the top part of the die cut using the pine branch and for the bottom part of the die cut I used the a cute camping image or two... awww!
• Then I added Distress Ink to all the edges and I also air brushed some Copic onto the top portion of the die cut for a pop of colour.
• For the final touch, I added some simple machine stitching using a yellow thread for added texture.

Don't you love how in only a few short steps your cardstock just becomes magical!?!

To complete my title block, I needed to add my actual title...

• The first step was to cut out my title.  I used a bright and cheery yellow cardstock.
• Then I stamped some of the cute stars in orange ink.
• I then took my Copic air brush and applied Copic Y35 & Y38 to give it that “campfire glow”.
• Then I added some foam adhesive to the back of my title and adhered it to my title block.  Voila!

So super simple and now I've created a fun and dimensional embellishment all using cardstock and stamps!

Next I wanted to added another source of the yellow and orange colours to my layout so I created another unique die cut shaped embelly for my layout...

• First I die cut this beautiful Flourishes Perfectly Pierced Classic Frame from the same bright yellow cardstock from as my title.
• Leaving the cardstock inside the die, I then airbrushed the back ground using the same Copic markers as my title.
• Again, I stamped the beautiful star stamp repeatedly all over the back ground of my die cut.  Those pretty little paper pierced patterns are actually built right into the die and they go so well with the “fire” theme of the design! 
• Finally, I added a touch of machine stitching around the edge of my die cut shape.  I cut my die cut to allow me to place it in two different areas of my layout ~ another great way to stretch out those die cuts (no pun intended! LOL).

I knew I needed one final addition to my page so...

• First I die cut my multiple pieces of cardstock that will create my final embellishment. 
• For my green circle, I stamped the compass part of the Antique Map stamp set onto it.  For the rounded corner rectangle, I stamped the cute sentiment and the marshmallow sticks using brown ink.  I coloured each image using Copics to make them pop!
• I added one final bit of machine stitching and some fussy cut marshmallow sticks and it was ready for my layout!

At last... all of the elements were complete for my layout.  Here is what I created with my die cut embellishments...

So the next time you are stuck for a perfectly themed embellishment or a clever title, think about using your die cuts or your digital cutting machine and creating your own!  And if you didn't join us on Monday, I shared just how I created the background and coloured it HERE.

Happy stamping and creating everyone!   ~ Allison Cope

Thank you Ally for joining us this week!  For those of you that have followed our blog since the beginning will remember that Ally was the one who actually helped us to get this lil ole blog started in 2008!  Love this sweet girl!  You can follow Ally's blog for great inspiration HERE.

We are putting the finishing touches on our celebration happening this Friday with the release of our summer issue.  Our 30th issue!  How time flies when you're having fun!  Don't miss it  :)

~  Catherine

Brand new "Just Ask Jen" video!

In our new "Just Ask Jen" video series, Jen tackles the questions "how to I use an eclectic collection?" and "how do I hang things on a layout?"   Featuring the Dear Lizzy "Lucky Charm" collection from American Crafts, Jen Gallacher answers those great questions!

 

We love Jen's great insight and her creative inspiration and hope you do too!  Leave us a comment after you watch the video and let us know what you loved.  Also, be sure to send any questions you have to us at ideas@scrapbookandcards.com.  

Also, don't forget we are having a summer issue launch party on Friday!  Join us here, on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest to take part in the celebration.  You may not want to miss it....SCT celebrations are always great!

~  Catherine

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!

Dear Old Dad with Becky Fleck!

Happy Father’s Day to all of the wonderful dads and special men in our lives! My Father’s Day will be spent celebrating with my husband and our furry kids Libby and Cooper, and as dads go, he’s an awesome dog dad!

Whether the man you celebrate is your dad, the father of your children, or just a really special guy in your life, here are some cards you can create to show him how much he is loved and appreciated!

My first card is a tone-on-tone kraft card of die cut bow ties. At the bottom, I back-filled one of the bow ties with patterned paper. This is a super simple card to create and makes a fantastic, graphic statement. This card is a great way to use up those scraps of pop dot negatives you’ve been hoarding!

 

Supplies: cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); patterned paper (Fancy Pants); dies (PageMaps for Spellbinders); adhesive (American Crafts, Xyron)

I made this second card with a stamp and die cut set from My Favorite Things. I love it when stamps have matching dies, as it makes quick work of the whole design! This old vintage typewriter design was perfect for a masculine card.

 

Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill Basics); patterned paper (BasicGrey); dies and stamps (My Favorite Things, Paperytrey); ink (Close To My Heart); adhesive (American Crafts, Xyron)

This final card is another die cut quickie, where I die cut several neck ties out of the same patterned paper, then cut one from a different piece. I elevated it on some scrap chipboard and added a sentiment.

 

Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill Basics); patterned paper (BasicGrey, American Crafts, Echo Park, My Mind’s Eye); dies (PageMaps for Spellbinders); adhesive (American Crafts, Xyron)

All three cards are very easy to recreate (or modify!)and  I’m sure that special guy in your life will love to receive one!

I created the bow tie and neck tie cards using the “Dear Old Dad” die cuts by PageMaps for Spellbinders. For your chance to win a set of these dies, post a comment here and share your favourite thing about your dad or that special man in your life!

Have a great day, everyone!

~  Becky

Colour Suite June with Summer Fullerton and guest!

Welcome to the June Colour Suite. This month rather than picking a set of colours at random I started with an inspiration photo.

 

 

The inspiration photo is full of lots of bright vibrant colours that I couldn’t narrow down. I chose 5 bold colours from the photo: orange, sage green, pomegranate, lavender and teal. Friends of the Colour might notice this suite is lacking my “go to” neutrals I usually include. 

This month I invited my friend and fellow Scrapbook & Cards Today designer Nicole Nowosad to join me and take the Colour Suite challenge. I have had the pleasure of working with Nicole for several years now, I simply love her style and I am excited to have her with me this month. While my style is very different from Nicole’s we took a very similar approach to using the colour suite. She was drawn to the bright bold colours I selected this month and found herself picking several favorite patterned papers she had been hoarding.

 

 Supplies: Patterned paper: Dear Lizzy, Basic Grey. Crate Paper; Glitter Paper: American Crafts; Vellum: Elle’s Studio; Tags: Elle’s Studio; Stickers: Basic Grey, Kelly Purkey; Buttons: October Afternoon; Stamps: Dear Lizzy

 

 

Supplies Used: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Lily Bee Designs, Bella Blvd., My Minds Eye; Decorative Brads: My Minds Eye; Clothes Pins: Pebbles; Wood Veneer: Studio Calico; Washi Tape: Bella Blvd; Punches: Martha Stewart/Ek Success/Fiskars; Stickers: Simple Stories, Silhouette Cutting System/Image; Veteran Typewriter font (internet)

When I originally selected these colours I figured I would add a lot neutrals like black or white to balance out all the wild colour but somehow I let the colour take over. Nicole took this same approach. She didn’t shy away from the colour but embraced it.

I know colour can be intimidating if you find yourself in this boat select one or two of your favorites from this colour suite and pair them with a neutral like black or white. While Nicole and I jumped right in it’s okay to test the waters and use only a couple of the suggested colours each month.

 Thanks for joining me this month and happy scrapping.  To all the past Colour Suite challenges click here!

~ Summer

 

Registration opens on Monday, June 17th!  Details here!

A fabulous Friday with Close To My Heart!

Happy Friday friends!  What a fun week it's been here in the office.  The summer issue arrived and is already shipping out to subscribers in 26 countries!  Our Crop & Create Delivered summer kit is also shipping and registration for Crop & Create Thunder Bay opens in just a few days. Never a dull moment!

Today we have something to share that we have been pretty excited about.  Several months ago we reconnected with an old friend, Close To My Heart.  We have always loved their products and the wonderful people we work with there and are thrilled to call them one of SCT's partners.  And today they have something special to share with YOU!

 

"Hi, I’m Kristine, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Close To My Heart. Father’s Day is just around the corner and I don’t know about you, but I am excited to use my paper trimmer and stamping skills to make some special gifts to celebrate my own fantastic father and my amazing husband. Here are a few ideas for gifts, cards, and party favors that can spice up your Father’s Day this year:

Mustaches are so trendy right now! Whether it is adding a stamped and trimmed mustache image to your Father’s Day card or attaching mustaches to straws as party favors, there are several ways to incorporate mustaches into your Father’s Day papercrafting.

Sometimes my dad is hard to shop for, but I’ve found he always loves it when I give him a container filled with his favorite treat—peanut M&Ms! By decorating the container with stamped images and embellishments, like this pillow box, it’s cute AND tasty!

Nothing says “Happy Father’s Day” like a homemade, heartfelt card. By using more masculine colors and patterns, you can make a card that perfectly fits your dad.

 

Speaking of perfectly fit, all of the adorable Father’s Day projects you see here were made with the My Acrylix® Perfect Fit—Dad stamp set. To make your Father’s Day extra special and just for our friends at SCT, we are giving away three My Acrylix^® Perfect Fit—Dad stamp sets to lucky winners!"  ~  Kristine

How great is that and how cute are those mustaches?  To have the opportunity to win one of these sets, just leave a comment below by June 20, 2013, for your chance to win!  Good luck!

We would also love to give CTMH a special SCT welcome!  Please take a moment to click on over to the CTMH facebook page and let's thank them for this amazing giveaway.  And if you don't have facebook, no worries, they'll be seeing all the comments here too.  CTMH also had a very exciting week which you can read more about on the amazing Jeanette Lynton's blog.  This is one great company that we are happy to work with.

Enjoy this great Friday and be sure to join us tomorrow for the Colour Suite June reveal!  Summer Fullerton has also invited a guest and you don't want to miss it!

~  Catherine