A pocket full of scrap: August 2018

Friday, August 31, 2018

Pinkfresh Studio + WOW! Embossing Powder Blog Hop

Hey there crafty friends,

The Pinkfresh Studio and WOW! Embossing Powder design teams are joining forces today for a fun filled Blog Hop!

We love how much joy blog hops bring to customers, so we are bringing you a wonderful creative and inspirational line up. Not only will you be inspired but if you leave a comment on each designer's blog, you'll earn a chance to win some fabulous prizes!
From WOW: 6 powders of your choosing along with a WOW carry case to store your powders safely in.
From Pinkfresh Studio: a $50 gift certificate to their online store!

The winners will be chosen at random from the comments left on ALL THE POSTS of this blog hop by September 7, 2018 and will be announced on the blog the week of September 10, 2018.

If you are hopping along, you should have arrived from the wonderful Yoonsun Hur's blog!

If you get lost along the way, head back over to the WOW! Embossing Powder / Pinkfresh Studio blog for the complete list of designers joining in the hop!

Here's what I've come up with! Recently Jennifer McGuire posted a video on how to make "inside tunnel" cards and I found the idea so great, I've used her tutorial to make my own! On my first card I've used the gorgeous Fancy Floral 2 die from Pinkfresh Studio. I first embossed a piece of white card stock with this super pretty pink embossing glitter called Taffeta Pink (WS149) then die cut this panel with the Fancy Floral 2 die and attached it to my card front. Since I didn't want to cover up a lot of this beautiful background, I only added a smaller oval piece of patterned paper from the PFS Simple and Sweet collection as well as a chipboard and my sentiment (which comes from the adorable Playful Animal Friends 1 set). For the rest of the card I've used patterned papers and die cuts from the Simple and Sweet collection.

Sorry for the bad photos of the inside of the cards, I couldn't figure out a way to keep the cards open any other way...I asked my son to hold them and he was extremely impatient while I was trying to get the right angle, so I gave up. Sorry for this, I hope you can still see them (and his finger hahaha)!

On my next card I've used patterned papers from the PFS Simple and Sweet collection as well as some exclusive die cuts and puffy stickers.

This time I did the embossing on the inside of the card! I've stamped some of the leaves from the Let Your Heart Decide stamp set on a piece of white card stock and embossed them with the gorgeous Primary Bluetiful Regular embossing powder (WH19R). I then attached this piece to my card base and created the card with the help of Jennifer's tutorial. I hope you'll check out her video because the possibilities are endless with this technique and it's so exciting seeing the cards come together! I highly recommend it!

That's it! I hope you've found plenty of inspiration throughout this blog hop! This is your last stop, from here you can head back to the WOW blog post and leave us a comment telling us about how you liked the hop!

Thank you for stopping by today!

Have a wonderful day!

Here's the full blog hop list for your convenience:

Monday, August 27, 2018

Rubeena's Crafting Anniversary Blog Hop

Hi there crafty friends,

Welcome to Rubeena's Crafting Anniversary 2-Day Blog Hop! This is an epic hop with more than 70 guests and over $1000 in sponsored prizes! Not only are we celebrating four years since Rubeena first discovered cardmaking but also crafting in general. This industry is made up of wonderful individuals who are creative, inspirational, kind and incredibly supportive! Hop along so you can learn about why we create and how much joy it brings us!

You should have arrived here from Danielle Flynn's blog! If not, no worries, I'll include the full hop list at the end of this post!

A little bit about myself, since I am still pretty new to card making...I've been artistic since I was a little kid, always doing some arts and crafts. I went through so many crafts I don't even remember all of them! Before my son was born almost 10 years ago, I had been doing mosaics, but I had to give that up because I didn't have a place where I could safely cut glass (I still don't). I was worried little splinters would get everywhere and he would swallow something. So I stopped crafting altogether, I didn't even think of any crafting until he turned 4, which is when we threw him a Lego party and I baked and decorated all kinds of cupcakes and cookies, plus made matching decor. I became obsessed with cookie and cake decorating after that. My friends were happy hahaha! Then after a couple of years I started struggling with herniated discs and sciatica, eventually ended up having a surgery. Afterwards I was not able to continue with baking because I was not able to stand for 16 hours at a time and baked stuff needs to be fresh. That's when I decided to turn to paper because I could work on something for half an hour and then rest and nothing would go bad! This was beginning of 2015. I started out in scrapbooking, hardly ever made a card. I think the first one I ever made was for a guest post for Pink Paislee! Then last year when Pinkfresh Studio came out with more stamps and dies, I finally bought a Cuttlebug. In the fall I discovered Concord and 9th and there was no turning back! I still consider myself a scrapbooker, I still prefer working with patterned paper whenever I can and I still make layouts just not as many as before.

I've found so many amazing girls through card making, in such a short period of time, and they are all super supportive! One thing I noticed already in the baking community and now here in scrapbooking/cardmaking is that a lot of us are struggling with mental health, depression, anxiety and so on. I do too, ever since I remember. Crafting is therapy, it's not even a joke! I can't wait to read everyone's story!

Alright, so for this special occasion I created a couple of cards using the Concord and 9th Lovely Blossom turnabout stamp and die sets (you can also buy these in a bundle a bit cheaper). Because Ruby IS super lovely <3

I hope you like!

I also made a set of cards last minute, that were inspired by my friend Anna's gorgeous card that you can see here! For these I've used the Plaid background stamp from Concord and 9th, the Build-A-Flower-Rose and Rustic Linen stamp sets from Altenew as well as the following ink pad sets from Altenew: Warm&Cozy, Rose Petal, Cherry Blossom, Glacier Caves, Shades of Purple and Tropical Forest. I've also used a polka dot embossing folder from Cuttlebug.

Your next stop is the lovely and talented Lea Lawson! Have fun hopping guys! XXX

GIVEAWAYS

In celebration of this anniversary, we have several amazing sponsors. Let's thank them for their generosity! Winners will be randomly selected from comments left on all the blogs. The winners will be announced by Wednesday, September 5, on this page. Winners will have up to 2 weeks to contact Rubeena at ararerubycrafts@gail.com to claim their prize before another winner is selected.

SPONSORS:

Studio Katia - $50 gift card

Hello Bluebird - $50 gift card

Altenew - $50 gift card

Pinkfresh Studio - $30 gift card

Gina K. Designs - $50 gift card

Clearly Besotted - £25 gift card

Simon Says Stamp - $25 gift card

Spellbinders - Card Kit ($55 value)

Jennifer McGuire - $50 Simon Says Stamp gift card

Winnie & Walter, LLC - $40 gift card

Mama Elephant - $25 gift card

Hero Arts - $25 gift card

Nichol Spohr LLC - Custom-sewn rainbow pencil case filed with brand new Spellbinders dies

Danielle Flynn - $25 Simon Says Stamp gift card

Picket Fence Studios - four $25 gift cards

Ellen Hutson - two $25 gift cards

Pretty Pink Posh - two $30 gift cards

The Stamp Market - two $25 gift cards July 2018 Release (estimated $100 value)

Indigojade Art Shop - $50 gift card to Art Prints & Gifts shop

Flora & Fauna - a 4x6 stam set

Waffle Flower - $25 gift card

Power Poppy - $50 gift card

DAY ONE BLOG HOP LIST:

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Lemonade - DT layout for Paige Evans + Silhouette

Hey guys,

I'm back with a new layout today that I've created for the Paige Evans + Silhouette Design Team.

Now that I've been working with Paige's Pick-Me-Up collection for a long time, I am getting to those papers that I've just been hoarding because they were too pretty! Like this lemon paper! I especially love the distressed look to it. Finally I remembered I actually have photos I could use with it, ha!

Sooo I asked Paige to make a Lemon Slice cut file for me (Design ID: 273600)!

Here's what I've come up with:

I multiplied the lemon slice in a variety of sizes, then arranged them on my mat in Studio and once happy with the result, I welded them together and sent the cut file to my Cameo. I used textured white card stock for this.

I then pulled out whatever yellow patterned papers I found in Paige's various collections and backed the lemons with them. I placed the cut file on the lemon paper to see where I want to cut, since I didn't want to use the paper for a full background. Once I cut the shape I wanted, I glued it down on a textured white card stock. I added foam adhesive to my cut file and adhered it down too.

I layered some tissue paper, tags and bits and pieces of paper behind my photos and adhered them to the background. I went through the embellies from the Pick-Me-Up collection and added those too, some chipboards, puffy stickers and die cuts.

I added my title and journaling last. For the journaling I used a small die cut that I glued on another die cut so it stands out more. I stamped my date on a label and tucked it behind my photo.

That's it! I hope I could inspire you to use up all those gorgeous lemons in this collection!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Have a wonderful day!

SUPPLIES:

Pick-Me-Up collection: Paper 1, Paper 7, 6x6 paper pad, Ephemera die cuts, Puffy stickers, Chipboard stickers, Chipboard thickers

Take Me Away collection: Paper 5, Paper 11, Paper 12

Friday, August 17, 2018

Card inspiration - DT project for Pinkfresh Studio

Hi there crafty friends,

I'm back today with some new card inspiration for Pinkfresh Studio!

I only have two cards for you today that I've created with some of the new release stamps and dies as well as the Simple and Sweet scrapbook collection.

Let's start with the simpler one! I went with the Leafy Backdrop stamp set which I haven't had a chance to use before. I find it super versatile! Imagine all the possibilities for backgrounds, whether stamping, embossing, watercoloring! I love this set!

I matched the colors of my inks to the colors of the Simple and Sweet collection. I cut a 4.25x5.5" piece of white card stock.

I did make a practice card, just so I could figure out how many stamps I'd need in every color, but other than that this goes very quickly! I used my stamping tool so that I could stamp each leaf twice to get a crisper image. Once done, I trimmed off a little bit on each side. I made an A2 size top folding card base, then attached a pink plaid patterned paper from the Simple and Sweet collection in the same size. I layered my stamped card front on top.

I love enamel dots! I could put them on everything really. Which is what I decided to do here - I didn't want to cover up much of the design, so I only added a chipboard sentiment on top. All the enamel dots however just cascade down from the bottom of the leaves. That's it!

As for the second card...Well this one took me much longer than I care to admit, but most of that time is really spent on figuring out what should go where, what I like and what looked better in my head. But once done and you just need to recreate the design, I'm sure it won't take all that long! My inspiration for this card came from my amazing DT peer Natalia Valkovskaya, check out her card here. I thought it was genius to use the Merry and Bright Toy Shop die and stamp sets to create a candy shop! So here's my take on it!

Before I started scrapbooking, I used to bake. Mostly cookies and cake pops but also some cakes (even a wedding cake!). I didn't do it for the baking part, but for decorating. And obviously I have loads of supplies still, so you won't be surprised when I tell you I have cake stands in both the blue and the pink color I used on this card haha! So I just had to take a picture with one of them! The cake stand hasn't been used in 4 years so I thought I might as well...

Anyway. I cut the shop front from white card stock and using a dabber I added some pink ink. I wanted to achieve a distressed kind of wall look so I grabbed an inkpad in a darker shade of pink and just rubbed it on lightly. It looked perfect. But then it dried. And the color totally blended in the background. So I tried an even darker shade but by the next day I couldn't see that well either and by then my card was already done. Well too bad! I purposefully left the top white and rubbed on the ink in an imperfect way, like on old houses.

Then I die cut just the top part of the shop from patterned paper from the Simple and Sweet collection. I turned it around, so it has the scalloped edge at the bottom. I then folded this behind the card front and glued it down. Originally I die cut the shop from my favorite blue paper from the Case of the Blahs collection but it didn't look the way I imagined, so I just used parts of it to decorate my new pink house. I do realize the door should go all the way down to the bottom but for some reason I liked this better, even though it doesn't look right hahaha! I embossed the handle in white and used a white gel pen to add in more white details.

I fussy cut some images from one of the paterned papers from the Simple and Sweet collection; some sweets, lemons, a bike and some frames that I cut up and used for shelves. I named my shop Every Nice Thing ha! I used some foam adhesive here and there to create dimension. Last but not least I put some flowers on my store front, because I need flowers on everything.

I did want to make a second card, a flower shop, but then I had no time. Maybe soon!

That's it! Hope you like today's cards!

Thanks so much for stopping by and I wish you an awesome day!

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Altenew August 2018 Stamp/Die Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hello and welcome to the fabulous Altenew August release blog hop! You should have arrived here from the wonderful Svitlana Shayevich 's blog!

This is my first time joining this blog hop, so I am very excited! It's a wonderful release, I'm sure you guys will love it too!

On my first card I've used the Mega Ampersand die paired with patterned papers from the first Altenew scrapbook kit, Reflection.

I diecut the ampersand from a striped patterned paper and from a foam sheet too. I made an A2 size top folding card base, layered a slightly smaller piece of patterned paper on it, then added the ampersand. I fussy cut some roses from one of the patterned papers in the kit and using foam dots, I attached these to the ampersand. I embossed a sentiment on black cardstock and glued this on top. To finish off my card I splattered black ink here and there.

Next up is a 2 for 1 set! I don't like to throw away scraps so I often end up with multiple cards when I'm only planning to make one ha! This one was anyway special because my best friend and me both turned 40 in May and our planned birthday trip to Rome didn't work out. I wanted to make twin cards, one for her and one for me! Always and forever, you know? <3

On these cards I've used the Mega Number dies 4 and 0, the Halftone Squares stamp set and the Floral Art stamp and die sets. First I made the shaker card. For this I stamped a pastel rainbow background using one of the stamps from the Halftone Squares set. I die cut 40 from it then glued some clear acetate on the back. I made an A2 top folding card base (landscape orientation). I placed foam tape on the back to create the shaker "pocket" and filled it with various sequins before attaching it to my card base. I stamped a sentiment on the side and added some die cut flowers that I created with the Floral Art stamp set.

On the second card I used up the numbers I die cut from the rainbow panel. I created a simple white top folding card base and splattered some black ink on it. Then I added the numbers with the help of foam adhesive. Just like the previous card, I decorated this one with some stamped flowers. I embossed the sentiment on a thin black piece of card stock and glued it on top of the numbers.

Next up two cards on which I've used the Floral Art stamp and die sets again (for the bundle click here). I made two A2 size top folding card bases and started stamping!

I chose a few different shades of aqua and grey inks for one of the cards and corals for the other. The design on the coral card I just stamped directly onto the card front. Whereas the other one has a stamped background and die cut flowers layered on top. I like both looks!

To finish these off I added some Nuvo drops.

My last card today features the Wildflower Garden stamp and die sets (bundle). You may already know the stamp set because it was released a while back, but now there's coordinating dies too yay! I made another A2 size top folding card base which I covered in black ink splatters. I stamped a bunch of flowers in a few different colors I picked and die cut them.

Then I arranged them on my card base and glued them down: some directly on the card front, others with the help of foam dots to add a bit of variety and dimension. Last but not least, I embossed my sentiment and adhered it to my card.

I also made a layout because lately I just don't make many layouts anymore and I kinda missed it. I used the Mega Number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 dies and the Halftone Squares dies paired with the gorgeous Reflection kit to create this page.

I die cut a whole bunch of squares and the numbers from a rainbow paper, making sure I had enough in each color I chose to work with. I went with white card stock for my background, something I generally don't do because I love patterned paper too much. I did use a piece of striped patterned paper at the bottom though! I printed my photos in a smaller format and started playing around with placement.

Once I decided what I want, I started gluing things down. I used foam adhesive here and there to add some interest.

I then went through the embellies in the Reflection kit and pulled out things that fit my colors and general theme. I wrote my journaling in one of the squares and finally splattered some black ink around my page. Done!

I had so much fun with these gorgeous new Altenew supplies! Aaaand you have a chance to win gift certificates so that you can buy some of these for yourself! Is that cool or what?! Here is how:

1. To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Scrapbook Blog by Wednesday, August 22nd for a chance to win. 6 winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 8/26/2018.

2. I will also draw a winner from comments left on this blog post! One lucky commenter will receive a $30 gift certificate! I will announce the winner here in this blog post by August 22, 2018.

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UPDATE! The WINNER is Thi Tran! Congratulations! Please contact me ASAP for details on how you can pick up your prize!

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments!

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Your next stop is one of my favorite card makers, the super talented Norine Borys! Below you'll find the full blog hop list for your convenience.

Thanks for stopping by today and enjoy hopping!