Monday, September 26, 2011

Applicious!

The beginning of autumn arrived with a bang at my house - with 80 degree weather and my oldest daughter and I having a cold.  Isn't that just so wrong!?  No matter, I celebrated the start of my favorite time of the year by creating a card that incorporates some of my favorites things - apples, and the color red.





















 















 



















 





















This is also the time of year that I start to think about which cards I would like to give in the assortment that I give as Christmas gifts.  I think this one's a keeper!  ;-) 

Stamp:  My Pink Stamper Everyday Life (also a favorite)
Cricut Cartridge:  Preserves
Paper:  AC Cardstock, Craft Brown cardstock from Roberts Crafts, American Crafts Apple Cider line
Embellishments:  Lace ribbon from Hobby Lobby, assorted buttons tied with linen thread, Close to Cocoa stamp pad for stamping and sponging

Happy Fall Y'all!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

My Pink Designer - Spookalicious!

It's that time again!  I am so excited that this month my fellow My Pink Stamper Design Team members and I are featuring one of Robyn's new stamp sets:  Spookalicious!





















I LOVE Halloween!  I love the fun of costumes, the nip in the air, and of coarse - the candy!  Don't you just love seeing jars full of brightly colored candies?  It's such a fun and easy way to add a splash of color to your decor.  I picked up this jar at my local craft store and tied some black tulle around the neck in a bow.  Then I got my Mini Monsters cartridge and made the little witch.  For her little trick-or-treating bucket I used the Gypsy so I could hide the contours on the face of the pumpkin.  That way I had a clean slate to use the "Trick or Treat" stamp from Spookalicious.























Stamp:  My Pink Stamper Spookalicious
Cricut Cartridge:  Mini Monsters
Embellishments:  Stickles, Diamond Glaze, Doodlebug Design Boutique Brads, black tulle, white gel pen

Thank you so much for stopping by!  If you haven't already, be sure to head over to My Pink Stamper so you can see all the fun projects from my fellow designers.  If you would like more information on how to purchase your own My Pink Stamper stamps, click here.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

I think I'm in love

Do you ever wonder if you spend altogether too much time online?  Well, if you do you should stop reading right now because I have found a new addiction.  I was first introduced to Pinterest after reading my friend Emily's blog.  Her blog is very inspiring to me because she is a gifted writer, has great recipes, and is a very talented homemaker and decorator.  A few weeks ago she mentioned Pinterest on her blog and at the time I just glanced at it, but didn't really spend a lot of time there.  Then my friend Wendi mentioned how much time she was spending on Pinterest, so I decided I needed to look around some more.  Bad idea!  ;-)

How do people come up with these ideas?  Who would have thought that a virtual pinboard could be such a feast for the eyes, such a source of inspiration, such a simple way to turn an idea into art?  I like to go straight into the DIY section.  Here are some of my favorites from today:















How simple and cute is that?  Especially with a Cricut...














What a fun idea!















I will definitely be making some of these with my daughters for Christmas this year.

Really, I'm warning you - it's addictive!  Check it out!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Backpack tutorial

Here it is folks!  The long awaited backpack tutorial.  I hope this all makes sense!













OK, to start out with I would suggest choosing a cardstock that is double sided - that way you've 2 fun, coordinating patterns.  Half the work is already done for you!  The other thing that I am going to suggest is a really good adhesive - I used Glue Dots brand Glue Lines.

The dimensions (all expressed in inches) for each of the pieces are:
(1) 12 x 4 (for the box part of the backpack)
(1) 4 x 6 1/2 (for the flap of the backpack)
(2) 1 x 8 (for the straps)
(2) 5 x 2 1/4 (for the sides)
(1) 1/2 x 3 1/2 (for the little loop/tab on the top)














Score the 12 x 4 piece of cardstock at 5, 6 and 7 inches.  The reason for the score at 6 inches is to make a little gusset at the bottom of the backpack:

















After you have scored the body of the backpack, you are going to attach the flap.  If you are using double sided paper, remember to flip your flap (NOT like the first picture), so that when you fold it over you will see the other side.  I suggest overlapping the pieces about 1 1/4 inches, and having two lines of adhesive - one right on the edge, and the other about 1" in:






























From there you are going to start assembling your sides.  Score your 5 x 2 1/4 pieces lengthwise at 1/4" and 2" so that you have 1/4" flaps on either side.  Apply adhesive to the flaps.  Note:  This is another spot where you need to pay attention to what side of the paper you want facing out.













Apply the sides to the body of the backpack:











  

















You will notice that the flap in the above picture still has a square edge.  If you would like a rounded edge, use your favorite tool, or do what I did and just use a bowl and trace the edge and cut with a good, old fashioned pair of scissors!  ;-)

I pinched the sides just a little:













From there you are going to apply your straps.  At the top of the straps (the part that would normally sit on your shoulders) you are going to run two strips of adhesive - right on the edge, and about 1/4" in.  Apply to the back of the backpack about 1/4" from the sides, and about 1/2" from the top.  Then apply 1 strip of adhesive on the other side and on the other end of the flap, and adhere along the bottom edge of the backpack.

To make the little tabby thingy, you will fold the strip at a right angle about 1" from each end:













And then adhere to the back of the backpack between the straps:

















From there, embellish as desired!





















To keep the flap closed, I used the velcro tabs that already have adhesive on them.  Thank you much for your interest in my little backpack.  I hope this has helped!  If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Pinkalicious Blog Hop Friday!

I'm so glad that you have joined me for My Pink Stamper's Pinkalicious Blog Hop Friday!    If you arrived here from Michelle at Meesh's Pieces, then you're in the right place.  If you arrived here on your own tonight, I invite you to head over to My Pink Stamper so you can start hopping from the beginning and see all the wonderful designer's projects.

Isn't this a wonderful time of year?  I just love September because it means cooler weather, harvest time, apples, and of coarse - school!  I have one child in middle school, one in elementary school, and my little guy does mommy-school.  Homework, carpool, packed lunches, orchestra - wait, why am I excited it's September?  LOL!

The theme for this month's hop is the My Pink Stamper set School Days.  If you would like to purchase this set or any of Robyn's fabulous stamps, you can find a list of retailers here.





















I decided that it is never too earlier to be thinking of fun gift ideas for my children's wonderful teachers.  So I designed a backpack!  The backpack closure is a little piece of velcro, so it is all set to hold candy, some cookies, mini bottles of lotion or soap - whatever.
























Stamp:  My Pink Stamper School Days
Cricut Cartridges:  Mother's Day Bouquet (flower), Winter Frolic (tag)
Paper:  Around the Block (Periwinkle Buttons), Georgia Pacific
Embellishments:  white embossing powder, Recollections (pearls), lace

Now it's time for you to hop over to the lovely Karlee at Karlee Krafts .  Thanks so much for stopping by!  And don't forget to head back to My Pink Stamper to join us for a fun challenge!  Here's the complete hop order for you just in case:


Maria

**  Update:  Thank you for your interest in how to make the backpack!  It is so easy - I'll work on getting some detailed instructions up in a few days.  **

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Scrapbook USA Expo!

I just wanted to share with my Utah friends that one of my favorite events is happening this weekend - the Scrapbook USA Expo in Sandy, UT, at the South Towne Expo Center.  I have been attending this event twice a year for at least 6 years.  What could be better than an enormous room full of tables to scrap/craft at, lots of great food, music & fun, and of coarse - shopping!  Honestly, I've never had the time to bring my supplies with me and scrap all day, but I sure have fun with the shopping part!  A little too much fun...

They have so many great companies there, and great prices.  My favorites are:
And then of coarse Provo Craft will be there demonstrating all their latest machines and products.  Do you think I can talk them into giving me an E2?  ;-)

I'll be there on Saturday - see you there!

Oh, and don't forget - this Friday is Pinkalicious Blog Hop Friday!  So come back to see all the great projects that we designers have made with My Pink Stamper stamps!  Hopefully by then I won't be up to my eyeballs in peaches - 'tis the season!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Holiday Doodlebuggin'

Well, you may have figured out that the reason I was spending some quality time with my Doodlebug Design Inc products last week was because I was preparing my submission for their first Design Team call.  I have loved their products for years, so naturally I would love the opportunity to get other people excited about them too!

So far you have seen my layout, and one of my cards.  Today I would like to share with you the rest of my submission.  I think one of the best parts of being a crafter is it gives you a reason to get into the holiday mood early!  I hope these will help get you in a holiday kind of mood too.






















I just love Halloween!  This is an 8 inch foam wreath that I wrapped in black tulle.  The fence and the spider were made using the Mini Monsters Cricut Cartridge, and the spider web was made using Paper Doll Dress-Up.  I have the most adorable Doodlebug Design Halloween Jellishments which is where the round purple embellishment (with the spider & web) and the Halloween came from.  I also used the Doodlebug Design Spooky Town Assortment Boutique Brads together with some cute Halloweeny (is that a word?) baker's twine.  Finish with some ribbon, and voila!

And last but not least:

















I just love how this turned out.  It's so simple, but so cheerful!  I started with a white card base, and followed with green, and then red cardstock.  The Christmas tree in the center is another one of those cute Jellishments from their Christmas assortment.  On either side of the tree I just cut and matted circles in white and green, then placed candy canes from the Doodlebug Design Christmas Candy Assortment Boutique brads.  I then finished with some Christmasy baker's twine.

If you are a papercrafter then you're probably like me and have been using and loving Doodlebug Design products for years.  But if you're not familiar, head over to their website or their blog and check out their fabulous products - you'll be glad you did!



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