posts in category papercrafting

6.19.2020

Gearing up for summer fun...

Hey hey everyone!

Man, what a crazy few months it's been.

And while things (at least in Illinois) are still very far from "normal," we're doing our best to make this summer fun & relaxing.

Next week, our state is scheduled to head into Phase 4 of our reopening plan, which means that gatherings of up to 50 people will be ok...and we plan on taking advantage of this asap.

I created these simple little invitations with Fancy Pants Designs Vitamin Sea Collection...and I can't wait to get them in the mail to all of our friends!

Honestly, these came together in like 15 minutes.

All I did was take a sheet of patterned paper from the collection's 6x8 paper pad, trimmed it down just a bit, adhered it to a piece of white cardstock, and added my embellishments.

I used Glue Dots Pop Up Dots to give each invitation a little dimension, and I love how they turned out!

I think this one is my favorite.

As soon as we have a definite plan, I'll just jot down the date & time on the back of each card and into the mail they'll go!

I gotta tell ya...I can't wait.

How about you?

What are your summer plans looking like?

Looking for more summer inspiration?

Check out these posts:

Ready 4 Summer Blog Party

Heidi Swapp: Summer Party

Summer Barbeque: Lightbox

Easy Summer Appetizer: Caprese Salad on a Stick

11.16.2018

Journal Studio Pocket Folders DIY

Hello, hello!

If you've found your way over here from the Heidi Swapp blog, welcome!

If you made it to this post before seeing Heidi's, head on over there super quick to see what's happenin'...

Here's the folder I gave you directions for on Heidi's site...

Next up are the instructions for the other two folders I showed you.

This first folder is probably the most straight-forward and easiest to make...just 2 sheets of 12x12 patterned paper (either double- or single-sided), and a couple of scraps are needed.

1. To begin, cut your papers to the following sizes: 12x8.5, 2 @ 3.5x8.5 & 2 @ approximately 2x3.

2. Turn your 8.5x12 paper over and score at the measurements shown below.

3. Then, fold this paper in half width-wise.

4. Fold over each flap at your score marks.

5. Turn your paper over and adhere one 3.5x8.5 piece to each flap...leaving just about .25" of paper on the outside of each score mark (or fold).

6. With your paper still turned over, and, using your craft knife, trim a small triangular section off the top of each flap, from the score (fold) mark inward toward the middle of the folded folder.

7. Fold each 2x3 scrap in half length-wise...

8. ...and apply adhesive to both sides of your fold.

9. Open each flap on your folder and adhere your folded scrap along the bottom of each side...making sure to stay close to the outside edges of your flaps.

10. Fold in your flaps and press down along the bottom edges to make sure each side is securely adhered.

That's it! You're done!

NOTE: You may choose to simply adhere the bottom edges of each flap to the back side of the folder directly. That's totally fine...adhering them to the scrap paper first just gives a little extra room inside your folder for more stuff.

And, finally, we have the larger pocket insert...

I love this design because it has both deep and shallow pockets and can be used for bigger items like passports or larger papers.

This insert calls for 2 pieces of patterned paper...cut to the following dimensions:

1. To begin, score your paper along the middle (at 4.75") and up from the bottom 2.5".

2. Fold your paper along the middle score line and trim off the corner created by the middle fold and your 2.5" score line.

This is what your paper will look like when you open it back up...

3. Next, fold your 5.5x9.5 paper in half width-wise and, using your 1" circle punch, punch a half-circle into the middle of each side, along the top, of your paper.

NOTE: This step is totally optional...I just like the way the half-circles look punched into my pockets.

Here's what your paper will look like when you're done.

4. Place the bottom edge of your 5.5x9.5 paper along your 2.5" score line and adhere onto the inside of your 10.75x9.5 paper, along the sides and bottom only.

5. Fold up each bottom flap along your 2.5" score line...

6. ...and adhere each flap along the left-hand edge to create your shallow pockets.

7. Fill with your favorite items and add to your journal!

Thank you so much for stopping in to check out how I created these inserts!

I hope I've inspired you to play with some of your favorite paper today...

SUPPLIES | Emerson Lane Double-Sided patterned paper, Emerson Lane 12x12 paper pad, Emerson Lane Stickers, Emerson Lane Ephemera, scoring board & bone folder, craft knife, ruler, self-healing craft mat, adhesive, 1" circle punch (optional), corner rounder (optional)

5.23.2018

Heidi Swapp | Summer Party

Can you even believe summer is almost here?

That means summertime parties are almost here, too!

And what better way to celebrate than with darling little diy party accessories?

I used all things Heidi Swapp to create this little summer party set-up...and I think it all turned out so cute!

I started with some patterned paper from Heidi's Hawthorne collection and a little mini beach umbrella cut-file I purchased in the Silhouette store.

I cut the umbrellas out with my Silhouette and assembled them with a tape runner.

I love how beachy and rustic-looking these are!

Then I attached them to some wood skewers with a little hot glue.

Next, I took the labels off of these water bottles and attached the mini beach umbrellas with some washi tape from Heidi's Fresh Start collection.

Next, I used the Jumbo Kraft Letters & puffy "vibes" sticker (also from Heidi's Hawthorne collection) and my Minc machine to create these awesome picks!

Heidi's Letterboard is a MUST-HAVE for any party!

And the little washi pennants I created using Fresh Start & Hawthorne tapes & toothpicks are a great way to add color and texture.

Circles punched from more Hawthorne patterned paper and sewn together create a darling little banner for my bar cart, and Heidi's Lightbox is the perfect finishing touch for the bottom shelf!

The best thing about this party decor?

With all of the paper, washi, Letterboard & Lightbox options available, you can create a totally custom party for any theme!

Thanks so much for taking a look!

SUPPLIES | Heidi Swapp Letterboard, Heidi Swapp Lightbox, Hawthorne, Minc, Fresh Start - all items available at Joann stores

6.28.2014

Penny Arcade is LIVE!

So...were you there? Were you at reveal?

Did you see the new Penny Arcade kits and add-ons?

They are just wonderful for summer! Bright bold colors, gorgeous patterns, lovely embellishments!

Here are the layouts I created for July...

MAIN KIT ONLY

MAIN KIT, SKEEBALL add-on, SPUN SUGAR add-on, Printables by Hello Forever

SKEEBALL add-on ONLY

BUCKET LIST...:MAIN KIT, SKEEBALL add-on, FORTUNE TELLER add-on, SPUN SUGAR add-on, Printables by Hello Forever, Printables by In A Creative Bubble, Cut Files by Kim Stewart, Project Life Digital Stamps

Kits and add-ons are available for purchase RIGHT NOW! See all the amazing new stuff HERE! And check out the rest of the Creative Team's layouts HERE! Yay!

6.27.2014

new letterpress plates at Lifestyle Crafts!

I'm so so excited to share some pocket scrap cards I made using some new letterpress plates at Lifestyle Crafts!

Gotta tell ya...these new plates are some of my favorites...ever. EVER.

First up are these MAP Plates...

So so so amazing...

In this set you get 9 different plates...

...this one is my favorite. I used grey letterpress ink to create the US (the US plate measures roughly 6"x4")...and teal green ink for the dotted arrow. Then I used my water pen and some watercolors to color in Illinois. Man, oh, man!!! I love this!

How great would these be used to document a road trip?

Next up are the SCRIPT Plates...

These gorgeous "brush-script" plates are so beautiful...and they add a little hand-written eclectic feel to your projects.

I dropped some mist on my graphic after I ran it though my Evolution...and then I fussy-cut the word "SMILE" so that I could add it to a photo...

By just adding different ink colors to different areas of the plate you can create completely unique and beautiful designs...

Before I ran this card through my Evolution, I added some watercolor drips...oh, these colors!

Because the letterpress ink dries so quickly, you can quickly add a whole bunch of colors to one card in very little time...or you can skip the color and just deboss the plate pattern itself!

For this run-though I used stamp ink on my plate...and then I dropped some mist across the top...

This final set is the JOURNALING Plates set...

Oh, that "handwriting" just makes me so so happy!

For this first card, I ran the plate through my Evolution without any ink...and then I simply painted some watercolors over the top...

Oh my gosh...I love this "ONE PERFECT DAY" plate...wouldn't this be darling as the cover to a little mini album documenting a day-trip to the beach or a museum?

This little plate would be perfect to title an Albums Made Easy book...or a journal...or a list of daily activities...ooooh, the possibilities!

I used three different colored stamp inks for this last card...there is just something about that ombré look that makes me so happy...

So fun!

And I gotta tell ya...I'm loving using my letterpress plates with stamp ink! Although the colors are not as vibrant and the lines are not as crisp and clear as they are when you use letterpress ink, I love the look. And I love how quick cleanup is!

Have you tried letterpress yet? If not, are you going to?

There are so many more plates out there now...and they just keep getting better and better! If you're looking for a new craft to add to your arsenal, why not give letterpress a try?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

And don't forget that you can get 20% off anything you purchase from Lifestyle Crafts with the promo code: MIDWESTERN! Yay!!!