I'm Bringing Staples Back!

Yeah, I know. They haven’t gone anywhere, but I think we need to bring them back to the forefront. If not during National Craft Month, then when? LOL! So, I’m reaching down into my stash and pulling out my stapler and colored staples – remember them? What I love about them is that they are simple, simple, simple and add just a hint of color to a project. They don’t command center stage or demand to be the focal point. They’re kind of like the secret ingredient in a fabulous recipe. You know it’s there, but you can’t quite put your finger on it! So, here’s my layout using staples. I’ve used them in two places. See if you can spot them:

I used them on the strip in the middle of the page. And on the little half-circle embellishment at the top of the page. To make this, I simply cut three 1-inch circles out of patterned paper, applied adhesive and layered them across the top of the page. Leave half of the circle hanging off the edge. Then, flip the page over, insert into your trimmer and trim off the excess part of the circles. Use the edge of the paper as your guide in the trimmer. Easy, peasy! Now, go dig out your staples and help me “bring staples back”!! Happy National Craft Month! Moanica

Win this Wonderful Kit from The Treasure Box Club!!!

It's that time again!  Time to spread some more LUCK! We LOVE the Treasure Box Club and one LUCKY person will win this great kit!!   The Treasure Box Club is a wonderful monthly kit club offering kits packed with yummy goodies and fabulous add ons!

We want you to experience the joy and creative options you can find in a Treasure Box Club Kit. You could win this wonderful kit from The Treasure Box Club and all you need to do is:

1. Make sure you have subscribed to Scraps of Color Scrapbook Magazine (right side bar).  Our contests are open to subscribers only and EVERY scrapper, stamper and altered artists should subscribe...afterall it's FREE!
2. Visit the Treasure Box Club Here and check out their kits and goodies.
3. Come back here and leave a comment telling us what is your favorite kit or embellishment found on the Treasure Box Club Site.   That's it and you are entered to win!  Easy peasy!  Entry must be received by Sunday, April 3, 2011 11:59pm est to be eligible.

While here be sure to check out pages 36-42 of the Feb/Mar 2011 Issue for great layout and card ideas using the Treasure Box Club Kit!

Psst!  Get $10 off of your purchase of $25 or more!  Code:SOC2011

Please note: We will have several giveaways this month.  All prizes will be mailed at month end.  Winners are chosen by random number generator.  Due to shipping costs giveaways open to US/Canada residents only.

EnJOY!

Our Blog Hop Winners.....

I'd like to say, thank you to everyone who attended the 1st SOC Creative Team Blog Hop!  What a fun hop it was.  Inspiration, creativity and fun was had by all.

However, now it is time for some scrappy goodness!  We have our Blog Hop WINNERS!  Woohoo!

And the winners are...

Faithme!  You are the winner of this cool kit simply for participating and posting during our blog hop.

NC Peach!  You win this great stamp set for deciding to join in the blog hop fun!!!!

Woohoo!  Ladies, please contact me here with your mailing information, so I can get your goodies to you!

Please note:  Prizes are mailed out only 1x per month, since winners can win more than once during our giveaways.  Prizes must be claimed by April 27, 2011 or are forefeited.  

Digital FX

Happy Friday! Today I thought I would share a digital tip and hybrid card I created using a photograph as the foundation. There are so many cool effects we can create using photo editing software and regular everyday photos. I started with this photograph taken by my son.

In Photoshop CS5 (this works in Elements too) I applied the Stained Glass filter to the photo and adjusted the levels until I got an image I was happy with. I ended up with a textured effect that made for a great background image on this hybrid card.

Congrats Bachelorette Card by Camille. Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill;
 Sticker: K&Company, Flower: Prima, Brad: Making Memories, Bling: (Unknown).

I hope I've inspired you to use your photo editing software to create a one-of-a-kind hybrid card. The possibilities are endless! 


Camille

There's a song...

...by The Wild Magnolias that says
                                            Every year for Carnival time we make a new suit.
                                            Red, yellow green...purple or blue
                                            We make a new suit.
Each year different Mardi Gras Indian tribes spend lots of time and money sewing elaborate suits with matching headdresses.  It is TRULY a sight to behold the beauty which they have meticulously created over the year.  For artists like us, the dedication is completely understandable.   In my almost 40 years, I've only missed Mardi Gras during our time away due to Katrina or when I've had a young baby...and I have the gazillion pictures to prove it!  It really becomes redundant to create SEVENTY FIVE pages each Fat Tuesday so I've decided to make a mini album each year instead.  I haven't scrapped last Mardi Gras' pictures yet but I HAVE made the 2011 book...BEHOLD!!!!

I formed and sewed the cover first and then covered each page with scraps of patterned paper.   I added my pictures and embellishments to the pages while I waited for the gloss on the cover to dry.  I try to always gloss or laminate my minis since (HOPEFULLY!) they'll be handled a lot!  The "08" was stuck on the cover because I realize the scrap of patterned paper I used had a "3" which happened to be the month...this year Mardi Gras was on March 8th.  I decided to use a theme throughout my book and used the song I mentioned  earlier as the inspiration:

The journaling says, "For us, every year at carnival time...we awaken our sleepy heads".  This was about 5:45 and the "NO" is to convey just how displeased my little was at having his dreams interrupted!!! (My 3 year old is standing next to me while I'm typing this and he just said, "Look at Noonie...he's DIRTY!!!"  He just doesn't know good PHOTO EDITING when he sees it!!!)

Buying food at a parade is like going to a 5 star restaurant on Mother's Day...everybody's prices are jacked up.  So, we start our day with a filling breakfast and bring snacks to munch on all day.  It rained this year so I had to throw on m' rainboots.  Don't feel sorry for me...I LOVE these boots and almost (ALMOST) jump up and down every time I get to wear them!!!

I decided to group some of our posed shots together.

These are some of the shots I caught of the beautiful floats.

While the hubbs and I were posing, it started raining so I threw this STUPID poncho on...WHY when my hair is natural???  I didn't have a mirror so I took a picture to check my hair...a FREAKIN' MESS!!!!  (Note to self: natural hair don't melt, Mama!!!  Next time, step AWAY FROM THE PONCHO!!!)

On the way back to the truck later that day, I took a picture of all the dilapidated and abandoned houses.  The condition my city is in almost SIX YEARS after Katrina is atrocious!!!

My littlest was SOO funny all day!  Whenever a marching band passed he got WOUND UP!!!  He has second-lining in his BLOOD, baybee!!!  I laughed so hard and taped him about eight times!  And I knew he wouldn't last past the first 10 minutes of our ride home but he didn't even MAKE IT TO THE TRUCK!!!  The above picture was taken in the wagon!

We spend almost as much time after Mardi Gras discussing the sights and sounds as we do getting ready for it!  I was walking behind the wagon, trying to make sure the littlest didn't slip out when I caught this shot of my husband and the medium boy talking about the throws they both got.

The last thing I remember when we got home was pulling off my clothes and falling into bed next to the small boy.  My husband awakened me a couple of hours later so that we could eat dinner.  We normally have some form of barbeque every Fat Tuesday.  While we were eating, my husband was plotting how we would leave earlier next year and what we would bring to eat...that dude must think this is a JOB instead of an adventure!!!  I secretly love it, though!  My feelings for Mardi Gras line up to how non-New Orleanians feel about Halloween!!!  What special events are indigenous to your region and what do you and your peeps do to celebrate?

What A Weekend!

Happy Hellos!!!

What a weekend! What a great weekend! This weekend was a weekend of new beginnings. Friday commenced our wonderful blog hop and Sunday was the beginning of a new season---Spring. I'm sure a lot of wonderful first took place in between. Although the weekend has come to an end, National Craft Month continues and we're one day closer to the second edition of E:spire Magazine.

As I began to think about the type of card I wanted to share with you, I was led back to a floral design. Only this floral card differs from the card many of you saw during the blog hop. I pulled out one of my favorite stamps, Flowers & Swirls from Hero Arts and began to create. It's a perfect cluster of flowers to celebrate the season, Mother's Day or a birthday.

With a SU die, cut a piece of craft paper, stamp the image on both the craft die cut paper and white paper; color both images with desired markers (I used Copic markers.); distress the edge of the die cut paper with Tim Holtz's distressing ink; spritz with desire glimmer mist; apply to hold punches to the bottom center of the craft paper and insert ribbon; cut selected flowers from the white card stock; apply dimensionals and place on top of the craft image stamp; add a little bling and gel ink; using dimensionals place the craft die cut onto the burlap and adhere to the colored cardstock; and you're done.

Now that you know what I have done, that leads me to my question for you. There are stamp companies I simply L.O.V.E. I love Hero Arts, Waltzing Mouse, Impression Obsession, PaperTrey, The Artful Stamper, Verve Stamps, and Flourishes just to name a few.  When it comes to stamping what's the stamp company you wouldn't want to live without?

Peace & Blessings,

Lorie

A Few Good Collection!!

Hello SOC Fans!

Have you been inspired to Scrap? Well, with it being National Craft Month I sure hope SO! I am so excited to  share a few of my favorite NEW collections!! Okay,I NO we really don't need ANY more supplies... Right?? Hey I buy for inspiration, that's what I tell myself!! :)

A few of my favorite new lines are!! Drumroll Please..........
Little Yellow Bicycle
Twig Collection: What I love..Great for male pages,Fun Spring page &Embellies are amazing

My Minds Eye:
Stella Rose Collection: What I love.. Everything! Seriously amazing collection

Echo Park:
For the Record Collection:  what I love..Very vintage feel love it!!

I have played with some of the new collection! I am soo looking forward to creating with Stella Rose!

I will share my lasted creation using Little Yellow Bicycle : Twig Collection

xoxo
Chalese

So Lucky to be National Craft Month!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! Not only do we get to celebrate this month with green, shamrocks, and gold...it's also National Craft Month! What better reason to "get your craft on!" Well, I wish to bring you a bit o'both! You may have seen these all over the internet...cupcake toppers! They are cute and make for great accents to not only cupcakes, but also as little tags and notes And they are super easy to make!!!
So first gather your materials:

• punches-various sizes
• paper-in whatever shade catches your fancy-I'm using purple and green
• stamp ink and soft sponge-for inking the edges-gives it and extra "umph!
• glue-for the layers
• computer-if you are going to print your design instead of using stickers or traditional embellishments.I used the awesome digital buttons created by one of our very own SOC artists, Aysha!!!-you can find the post for them here!
• ribbon-for an extra touch if using as a tag
• toothpicks-if using as a topper
• love-just your love of making things!

Assemble:

-print or make your design

-punch out your paper

-arrange first how the layers will appear-I like to make sure the back is also decorated

-now edge your papers in the ink color of choice with your sponge-this really sets off the piece!

-glue one side, then adhere toothpick if making a topper


-glue next set then glue on top of first set

-if making a tag-punch hole on top and add ribbon.

-be sure to give them away and delight in the look on their faces! It also helps to have the cupcake!


-Remember that you can make these for any occasion and they make a fun lasting impression. And trust me, everyone will marvel in what you created!!


Don't forget to check out SOC's premiere issue-it's free to subscribe! It is packed with creative greatness that will light your creative sparks!  And also check out our sponsors this month:

Apron Strings Kit Club http://www.apronstringsdesigns.com/

The Treasure Box Club http://www.thetreasureboxclub.com/Home.html

Create n Crop http://www.createncropevents.com/

May luck be with you! Happy St. Patty's Day!!! And Happy National Crafting Month!!!


ONE MORE REMINDER!-------Join us for our Blog Hop HERE that starts tomorrow!!!!!!! Lot's of lucky treats in store!!!!

Winner and a NEW Giveaway!

This one was EASY!  The winner of our "post a picture of your latest creation on FB" is Normea Banner!  Woohoo!  Send me your mailing address, so I can get your goodies to you!  Thanks for playing along!


And now it's time for another fun giveaway from one of our FABULOUS sponsors, Create n Crop!

This week we are giving away 5 sets of 2 tickets to the Paper Crafting Extravaganza!  These tickets are good for a 2-day pass to this wonderful event!  Crop and shop till you drop!


How do I win?  You ask.  It's simple, just visit the Create n Crop Web Site here and tell us which class you like!  Return to the SOC Blog here and share your favorite as a comment to this post and you are entered to win! Woohoo!  It's that simple!  And you could win a ticket for yourself and a friend!  Hurry, this contest is good thru Friday, April 1, 2011, 11:59pm! 


Have fun!

Classygirl.


Please note: Be sure to subscribe!  It's FREE! Subscribe at right.  Our contests are open to subscribers only!  You must be a subscriber at the time of entering the contest to be eligible to win!

Lucky or Blessed?

Well if you believe that things just happen by chance then you are one Lucky person. Me, I know that I am blessed.

I'm blessed with a loving family, friends and good health. I'm also blessed to be a part of such a great magazine with so many talented and creative women.

I created this layout using the digital buttons designed by Aysha and a sketch by Tiare. You can check out the sketch by going to the Sketch Inspired-Kit Desired section of the premier issue. I also used left over papers from one of our premier sponsors: The Apron Strings Dec. 2010 All Year Cheer Card Kit. By using the sketch, the digital buttons and the papers from our sponsor this was a quick and easy way to get my layout done.

Lucky Girl to be blessed by Tena Ellison. Supplies Apron Strings Dec. 2010 All Year Cheer Card Kit; Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants, Cosmo Cricket; Digital Lucky Buttons: Aysha Livingston; Sketch: Tiare Smith; Punch: Martha Stewart; Letters: Pink Paislee, The Paper Studio; Shamrock: MS Clip Art; Ink: ColorBox; Rub ons: Creative Imaginations.

"May you have...for every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer." ~Irish blessings

Scraps of Color Creative Team Blog Hop! This FRIDAY!

Scraps of Color is hosting it’s 1st ever Creative Team Blog Hop!  Join us this weekend for tons of fun, creativity and prizes!  All weekend long you’ll have the chance to create fun projects, be inspired and win!   To get your crafty mojo flowing...just follow the 1st EVER SOC Creative Team Blog Hop here Friday, March 18 - Sunday March 20, 2011!

Let us know you’ll be playing(following) along by posting a comment here before Thursday, March 17, 2011, 11:59pm est and you’ll be entered to win this fun stamp set!  And don’t forget to check back on Friday for the blog hop!  There’ll be more goodies to win!  So stay tuned!  

Entries must be received by Thursday, March 17, 2011 11:59pm est. to be eligible to win.  Due to the cost of shipping only residents of the US and Canada are eligible to win.

Lucky Charms

The best thing about March is that we begin to see elements of spring appear. And the best thing about spring is the GREEN of it all. The first "springish" holiday that we get to enjoy is St.Patrick's day. Now I realize that some people may not think of St.Patricks Day as one in which "people of color" celebrate. But, if it is a holiday that celebrates all things green and luck then it is a holiday for me. LUCK is not only for the Irish. We can all use a little bit of it from time to time. So I say, Top O' the Morning to Ya!!!

Here are a few lucky buttons that I created in photoshop. Feel free to use them on your digi-layouts or print them and use them as embellishments on your paper projects. Some people use charms and other's have rituals. What do you do to encourage luck in your life?

Quick and Easy with Die Cuts

December is usually the most exciting and event filled month of the year, for ordinary folk that is. And then, some brilliant person came along and decided that MARCH should be National Craft Month and whoo hoo it's been "on" ever since. We have 31 "official" days to celebrate both our craft and each other. If you wanted to, you could find an event, contest or blog hop every day this month to participate in.Which means, designing, assembling, modifying and critiquing at warp speed. What it doesn't mean is that we can ignore the regular "stuff" we still have to make for birthdays, celebrations and thinking of you. So, I thought I'd make a quick and easy card to share. With the help of four different dies I was able to whip this little presentation together in less the 20 minutes.




1. Select your card stock and cut to 4 1/2 inches X 12 inches.

2. Run through your die cut machine. For this design I used the Sizzix A2 w/flap die

3. Cut a 4x4 inch piece of coordinating card stock.

4. Run through a embossing die folder.

5. Cut two pieces of white card stock to 4 inches and create a border with any scalloped die.

6. Using a flower stamp with a matching die, stamp and then cut flower and leaves and attach.

7. Attach a four inch length of ribbon.

See, quick, simple and easy.

Enjoy National Craft Month!

THINK SPRING!

With the beginning of National Craft Month also comes springtime yearnings! Want to add a touch of springtime to your paper crafts? .. but make it unique?

Add a painted touch. I know, I know, you can't paint ... but guess what? You can!
It doesn't have to be perfect. Use a liner brush to add lines to your blank ATCs:



Use a round brush to add your blooms:




The wonderful thing about painting - its inexpensive, it is forgivable - if you make a mistake - just paint right over it and begin again.

Take your inspiration from some of the fabulous papers that youre using in your paper crafts ... or take a picture of blooms starting to emerge as the seasons change. Just start small and paint your inspiration.

ATCs are perfect, because they are little touches of artistic perfection which can be tucked into the front of a card as collectible art - or incorporated into a layout. So celebrate Spring and National Craft Month by taking a unique approach to your everyday paper crafting - and add a painted touch!

It's National Craft Month!!!

This is the perfect time to pull out any unfinished projects, cards, and layouts and complete them. I would love to say that I don’t have any, but I do….:) I kind of like that I do have those unfinished pieces. On days when the Mojo isn’t working, I pull out my unfinished projects and complete 1 or maybe 2. It can be so much fun.

Today, I decided to pull out an unfinished 6 x 6 card. Love those!!! When I purchased the paper, I absolutely loved it and was very inspired to create something beautiful. I got home and started to match cardstock and embellishments. Then every wonderful idea escaped me and my Mojo was lost. So, like so many projects before it, I abandoned my card and moved on to something else. Now remember, I already chose my embellies, cardstock, and paper- the best part about this little scenario is that my card is now in kit form. When I decide to revisit the card, I can just pick back up where I left off.
With this card, I lovingly distressed the edges-love that. If you recall, in our premiere issue- page 34, I distressed the edges to achieve a worn look on my “Live” layout. I wanted to achieve that here too. There is something about distressing edges and adding ink that transforms a piece.

Summertime Card by Karen Jiles.Supplies- Patterned Paper: Creative Imaginations; Cardstock: Stampin’ Up!; Ribbon: May Arts; Linen Thread: Stampin' Up!; Rub Ons: Heidi Swapp; Embossing Folder: Sizzix; Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink.

Tip 1: If you lose your Mojo, place all of your materials in a clear bag and put it to the side to revisit at another time. When you are ready to work on your project again, you won’t have to look far for your supplies to finish your masterpiece.

Tip 2: Save your scraps to create a charm for a future project or even for a crafty necklace like the one below.


I think that I am off to a good start with National Craft Month. So how will you celebrate National Craft Month? Please share.

Enjoy your Crafty month!!

Karen

Over 4000 subscribers, representing more than 20 countries!

Woohoo!  What a great way to start a new month!  Scraps of Color Magazine has over 4000 subscribers representing more than 20 countries.  I LOVE knowing that crafters all over the world are downloading our magazine, visiting our blog and finding inspiration amongst the pages.  What a wonderful feeling and I just had to share.

This month we will continue to celebrate the premiere issue, which you can download here for FREE!  Also, March is National Craft Month..so stay tuned for some fun projects, ideas and tips from our PHENOMENAL Creative Team.  Also, be sure to look out for news on the first ever SOC Creative Team Blog Hop...there'll be inspiration and plenty of prizes!!!

So, stay tuned March is going to be one CRAFTY month!  To get you started here are few cute crafty projects I created.  Give it a try!  The small chinese box I used patterned paper and the die cutting machine at my local Archivers and decorated it with stickers, ribbon and bling, quick and easy.

The journal, I picked up from the dollar bin at my local Michaels.  I removed the spiral binding, covered it with the patterned paper of my choice, put the binding back in place and then added bling, flowers, ribbon and a simple sentiment...memories.  So get out your supplies and get crafty!
Have a Scrap Happy Day,
Classygirl!