Easter Layout

I finished a 2-page Easter layout that I would like to share with you today. The main element on the layout is a wonderful cutter file collection from FileKutz by LisaJane called Easter Train Collection (lkcol01).

This is a fabulous, very detailed file collection. It comes with all of the train cars and the 3 little animals. You can also get just the train by itself (lk00006), or the animals (chick, bear, and bunny) are available individually as well.

To embellish the train and its pieces, I used flock, Stickles, embossing folders, and pen details. To make the little Easter chick fuzzy, I added yellow flock. I basically decorated him the same way I did for the Easter card I posted HERE. I used my Tim Holtz paper distresser on the bear to make the edges of the paper look more like fur. I used my Forest Branches embossing folder on the carrots and the Textile folder on the carrot greens. The last train car was embossed with Distressed Stripes. To give the train wheels a bit more dimension, I embossed those as well (the little wheels were embossed with part of the Christmas Ornaments folder and the large wheel was done with Retro Circles by Tim Holtz).

SIDE NOTE: Can I just say how much I LOVE my Cuttlebug and embossing folders? They are certainly great to use as backgrounds, but I especially love to use them to add texture and dimension to paper pieced elements. How much better does that carrot train car look with some simple embossing added? It gives it so much more depth. And I love that I can find uses for my holiday embossing folders any time of the year. Who would have thought that a Christmas Ornament embossing folder would have a use on an Easter layout? But as I flipped through my embossing folders, one of the ornaments on this folder had some great nested circles, perfect for a wheel. To get to the point of this rather long side note, don't get tunnel vision when it comes to your crafting supplies. Just because it is labeled Christmas (or Halloween or birthday, etc.) doesn't mean that is the only thing you can use it for. Use your imagination to see all the endless possibilities of the tool.

After assembling the train pieces, I connected them together with some silver cording. I used some Easter ribbon from Hobby Lobby to cover the seam between my patterned paper and yellow Bazzill cardstock. The date is done with stickers (Provo Craft Alphabitties). Pen details were added to the animals' eyes and faces. The title was created in my KNK Studio GE software and I added yellow Stickles to it.

Here are a couple of closeups of the Easter Train.




I am really pleased with how this turned out. This was one of the more time consuming layouts I have created, but it was definitely worth it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Altered Clipboard

I made another off-the-page project using my scrapbook supplies. This time I altered a plain wooden clipboard.



I used 4 different patterned papers from K & Company (2 for the front and 2 for the back). It was a little tricky getting the paper all the way to the top on the front, trying to work around the metal clip assembly. With a little patience and just trimming a little bit at a time, I was able to get it fitted properly. Then I added a ribbon and a metal charm to cover the seam. Finally I layered some fabric flowers together, added a brad to the center and attached them to the clip. This was a really quick and fun project (both this project and the altered frame I posted last time were done for challenges over at VDBC as part of this month's Bingo game). I am not sure what I will use my altered clipboard for but I think it turned out really pretty. I just love this paper pad from K & Company (Classic K McKenna 2-Sided Paper Pad).

I've almost finished my scrapbook layout for Easter. Hopefully I will get that posted in the next few days so be sure to check back.

Thanks for stopping by!

Altered Frame

I love paper crafts (card making, scrapbooking, etc.) but it is also really fun to use all of those embellishments to decorate non-paper items. Today I am sharing a picture frame I altered using my scrapbook supplies.



Supplies:

wooden picture frame (Provo Craft)
acrylic paint (Williamsburg Blue)
ribbon (Michael's)
3D embellishments (not sure of the brand, but I think they came from Michael's)
rub-ons (the Paper Studio)
buttons

So now I have a custom frame to showcase this adorable picture of my son. The photo was taken when he first started walking. I just love the look on his face.

Thanks for stopping by!

Link Up Love Party with K Andrew

It's time for K Andrew's Link Up Love Party again. With all of the fabulous crafty blogs out there, this is a way to find new blog inspiration and to get to know people who share the same passion for paper crafting. If you have never been to K Andrew's blog (Getting Cricky), you are truly missing out. She is full of inspiration, both for your crafting and your outlook on life. I always have a smile on my face after reading one of her blog posts.

One of my favorite craft projects that I have made was this gift that I sent to my cousin and his wife when they had their first child last year.



This is based on a cutter file from Shelly's Art that was originally intended for use on a card. I thought the elements were so cute that I wanted to enlarge them and make it into a wall hanging. The patterned papers are from K & Company (BW Small Wonders Girl). I added embossing and pen details to the baby clothes. The clothesline is made from twisted raffia and I used real mini wooden clothes pins. I was very pleased with the outcome, as were my cousin and his wife.

I also used the same file (the boy version) to make a card for my hair dresser when she had her baby boy.




I hope you enjoyed my projects. I am looking forward to discovering some new blogs through this wonderful Love Link Up Party that K Andrew is hosting. And I want to extend a big welcome to any new followers.

Thanks for stopping by!

Another Tree Project

Today I want to share a card I made this week featuring trees.




It uses a file from Ginny at Paperthreads (Family Tree and Title) for the focal image. The background paper is from The Green Stack by DCWV. I layered 2 different sized ribbons and added some brads to finish it off. I am really happy with how this turned out. Everything seems to go really well together. And I love the swirly branches of the tree in Ginny's file. So pretty!

Thanks for stopping by!

3D Topiary Tree

Here is another 3D project I made recently, a 3D Topiary Tree. This wonderful file came from Jennie Bean Crafts over at Paperthreads. Here it is undecorated.

For the base, I used a shimmery gold paper from the PaperTemptress (part of the Mica/Metallic line). The file comes with a simple flower shape you can use to decorate the topiary, or like I did, you can use anything you have in your supplies. I used a bunch of small white flowers and a few tiny maroon ones to add some color. To finish it off, I used some pink pearls on the base and a butterfly (both from Creative Charms).

Here is a closeup of the flowers and butterfly. I just love that butterfly from Creative Charms.

The possibilities with this file are endless. I gave this to my mom for Mother's Day and she loved it. I think I need to make another one for myself.


Thanks for stopping by!

3D Projects

I love using my cutter to create cards and scrapbook layouts, but it is also fun to make 3D projects. I have so much fun making cute little gift boxes, bags, etc. Today I want to share a couple of projects I made from files in last month's Grab Bag over at VDBC.

The first one is a party hat gift box from Beloved Keepsakes. Wouldn't this make a great table decoration for a birthday party or a cute little favor box? I used paper from K & Company for the hat itself, added a rub-on to the base of the box and some fiber for the topper. I think it turned out really cute.



Next is a box from Visual Designs by Chris. It is meant to resemble a popcorn box, but it can be used for so many things. I am using mine to store my Prima flowers. I used more paper from K & Company (it is double-sided so the inside of the box is pretty, too). Then I punched holes in the scallops and threaded some olive green ribbon through for a little extra decoration.


It is so much fun to play with paper! These projects were both quick and easy to complete. If you haven't tried using your cutter to create something 3D, you really should. Just think of all the pretty storage you can create to house the rest of your craft supplies. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

May Bingo at Paperthreads

For those of you who don't know, Paperthreads has a Bingo game every month where you can win some great prizes. May's Bingo game will be starting soon and I will be your hostess this month. The theme is TREES. I already have a few fabulous prize files lined up and a couple of challenges planned. So come on over and play with us! Words need to be submitted by midnight May 8th. For the complete details, go HERE.

Most of the "regulars" have already signed up, but we would love to have some more players. If you have never played, come give it a try. We have a lot of fun.

Thanks for stopping by!