Wedded Bliss

For a single lady I'm extremely picky about wedding paper. And there isn't much out there that I love which means there isn't much here at the shop. But when I saw the Anna Griffin winter line last fall I knew I had to have it....for Christmas and for wedding. It comes in two tones, silver and gold and either collection is perfect for your special occasion.

Here's a single page spread I created during the 4 day crop.

I started by layering lots and lots of patterns and textures. First the base paper then another layer on the diagonal. Then a pearl lining border. The photo mats are double matted with a 3rd print, a solid and photo corners. To give them extra dimension they are popped up with foam tape.

The layout still needed a focal point so I started playing with the triangles of paper cut from my 2nd layer. It resulted in a flower...I have step by step instructions below. The center is a Bling Brad from Bazzill.

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So here's how to make the flower...

1. Start with a triangle...

(I cut my 4 triangles in half for a total of 8 to make the flower)

2. Fold one side of the triangle up at the center point

3. Fold the other side of the triangle up at the center point.

4. Flip and fluff. Use your finger to open the center area up to give it extra dimension. Repeat for all 8 piece and layer for a flower!

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If you haven't seen the winter layout yet, here it is again!

I combined 4 prints from both the gold and silver collections, plus mats from the Creative Imagination's Real Wood Collection.

I added dimension with popped up die cut and tinsel from Melissa Frances.

Enjoy, Enjoy!
Sonja

More Layouts with Dear Lizzy

Here are more layouts from my marathon last week. These two feature papers from Dear Lizzy 2 from American Crafts. Aren't the colors fantastic for spring?

The pleated flower is accented with a vintage crystal button from Bazzill.

I also added a swatch of from a Hambly Transparency overlay and one of the super cute (but hard to know what to do with) pom poms from Glitz design.

The 2nd layout features overlapping strips that are 3" wide with rounded corners. I don't know what the rounded corners make such a difference, but it really does. I really wanted to feature the lace paper which is gorgeous but again, harder to know what to do with. Here's it's peaking out from under a layer, making it easier to adhere. I used a scrap of lace from Melissa Frances to finish the layout.

This design is easily transferable to a card, courtesy of Linda Tucker.

Ps....the background for both layouts with the white dotted swiss from Bazzill.

Happy crafting,

Sonja

No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth....

...I have just not been scrapbooking! There were of course the endless holiday preparations last month and a long and not fun to - do list greeting the new year. But during our 4 day crop....yes....Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday, I scrapped a dozen layouts to share with you. So here are the first few featuring the Alphabet Soup collection from My Mind's Eye.

This collection is so much fun and has a bright, kid-friendly color scheme. It also features a unique embellishment...playing cards. Here I sanded the cards and added them as an extra background layer on the layout. Aren't they cute?

For the "girl layout" I strung together several cards to form a banner accented by crystal embellishments from Melissa Frances.

And finally, there are some fun prints for Valentine's Day, like this argyle heart pattern. I red ribbon as an accent. Remember....colors don't have to be matchy matchy to be look good. They can be the same hue...just a stronger tone as in this layout. Colors should compliment, not clash. And I used the backside of the playing cards to add another heart element to the page. The weaving was super easy....just cut one inch strips and inch apart from one another.

Hope this inspires some creativity for you in the new year. I'll share more layouts soon!

Sonja

Blog Hop Blond Moment

So it turns out I wasn't signed up for the Paper Secrets Holiday Blog Hop this weekend...blond moment! I sure have been out of it lately. Oh well. I've still been crafty and here are two layouts with Holly Jolly Collection from My Mind's Eye.

The tree is made up of curled strips of paper...3/4" by 3".

I used the round chipboard backdrops from Melissa Frances as giant ornaments!

What the Heck is an Ephemera?!?

Ok, back to that mysterious bag I refferred to earlier. Sorry to string this out...I've been swamped. Did I mentioned I moved again? Not the shop, just me and the pepster. Between that, shop hop, custom work and new orders coming in, blogging has sunk into the blackhole of cyber space.

So, what the heck is an Ephemera? I first saw this word in a Melissa Frances catalog and they looked cute, but if I don't know what it is....how can I tell you what it is! At the mini vendor fair I sat next to Melissa at her make n take and decided to be brave and ask. As she's passing out the Ephemera kits, I say....so what exactly is Ephemera anyhow?

Graciously she answered....it's paper and paper products that were intened to have a one time use and then be thrown away.

What does that translate to for crafters? A bunch of really cool stuff you can make stuff with. Think collage.

So here's what I made with my Ephemera kit:

I'm so excited to learn a new flower making technique with the crepe paper (top center). We also used the Chandelier Drops & Vintage Transfers to complete the project. Sorry, crepe paper, drops & rub ons aren't in the kit....but look at how much stuff is left over!

I'm also super excited to recieve Kitchy Kitchen kits and nifty chipboard backs handy for all sorts of projects. Check out more Melissa Frances goodies on her blog!

Bland is the New Bling

In a papercrafting world full of color, these new goodies are a crafters's staple and are anything but boring!

First, Petaloo has launched a line call "Color Me Crazy" full of flowers and other embellishments that are perfect of inking, dying, stamping and glimmering.

Bulk flowers start at just 10 cents a piece!

"Color Me Crazy" also come in pre-packs with gorgeous jewel centers.

I'll be adding to this line so keep an eye out for more!

Bazzill has also joined the basics bandwagon! These are their new Cardstock with an Edge Minis and are perfect for cardmaking or journaling on your scrapbook page at 50 cents each. They have also introduced a new cardstock perfect for Glimmering...120# weight for $1.

My Mind's Eye has also released a gorgeous new black & white collection called Meadowlark. I kept it basic here, but this paper can easily be colored with glimmer, ink or gel pens from American Crafts!

You can barely see it here, but I accented the page with a rhinestone oval from Zva Creations. I also added pom-pom trim from Bazzil and the new Chandelier Drops from Melissa Frances.

Thanks Irene for the title!

Happy Crafting!

12 Days of Scrapbooking SALE

12 Days of Scrapbooking SALE
50% off Meri Meri Accents & Page Kits

Friday, December 18th Only

No other Discounts apply.

Also, This Weekend, Swap your SALE

Print the post of the 12 Days of Scrapbooking discount you'd rather have and redeem it instead of the daily SALE.

Limit one trade per customer, per day!

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Kid's Santa Craft Workshops Start this Sunday and run through Wednesday, December 23rd.

Glimmer Mist Photo Frame; $15

Ages 8 and older, please

Mini Glimmer Mist Christmas Tree; $5

Ages 6 & older, please

Cards and Ornaments; $1 each
Any age!


3D Tree or Snowman; $6 each
ages 3 and up!



Supplies are limited so stop by with your little one soon.

Also, check out the Let it Snow event here at the mall!

A great time will be had by all!

Sonja

Nook & Pantry Cook Book

This project has been marinating and simmering in my creative pot for quite some time now. In fact, I had the idea before I even received the collection, began working on the sample, ran out of materials, reordered, continued to work on it and now need to reorder supplied if we're ever going to have a class. The elements have been very popular on their own and in combination, they're irristable...if I do say so myself.

This is the "Nook & Pantry" Recipe Book featuring elements from Basic Grey and Melissa Frances.

The book features sections for 8 recipes plus room for photos and general cooking tips.

This book will make a great holiday gift and is a great way to showcase your keepsake recipes. Or grab a group of friends, take the class and have a recipe swap. The possibilities are endless.

The class will be offered Thursday, November 19th & Tuesday December 1st. You can come any time to complete the project...please allow 3 hours to complete the book. The cost is $45...but if you book your class by tomorrow, November 13th, your cost is only $35. Now here is the rub...I'm having a hard time reordering some of the rub ons for this class...so I have 5 complete kits as pictured in the photos...after that we'll adapt the book and adjust the price if need be.

310-410-7272

Pretty as a Princess

Wow, I haven't blogged in a while! Life has been crazy...decided to move in October, not the shop, just the Sonja and the Pepper. So I've been packing, cleaning, sorting through memories and getting settled in my new place. Pepper is finally adjusting.

My friend Alex is turning 3 today so yesterday I put together a Pretty as a Princess card for her. I thought I'd share it with you since it's nearly the only creative thing I've done in a month!

This is a Kaisercraft wood project Glimmer Misted with 3 different shades of pink. Then the pieces were laced together with some Bazzill Basics Ribbon.

I used Meri Meri Accents, Glittery Thickers and a Vintage Frame from Melissa Frances for decorations.

I couldn't resist adding just a bit more sparkle, one of the new Sparkle Burst Brads from Karen Foster.

Happy Birthday Alex!!!

And finally, we had a hauntingly good time at our Halloween Crop last Saturday!

Donice and Violet were dressed as Scrapbookers!

Linda embraced her dark side....

Michelle and Irene dazzled us all with their beautiful costumes and I donned the apparel my addiction...Starbucks...notice the IV drip bag?

Have a great time this weekend and if you're stopping by for the Shop Hop Bonus week I'll have my make n take & pins available as well as some goodies!

Sonja