Lovely Ombre Backgrounds

Super Easy Ombre Technique!

It's Ombre day over at Practical Scrappers and I created this layout to showcase the technique I used for the background.

The background is made up of 3 layered pieces of white metallic card stock.  I rubbed an ink pad on the card stock to create the ombre look. More ink at the top, and less at the bottom created the desired look. 

After I created the background I added some fun dimensional touches.  

And a title on this wooden banner!  

p.s. Simple technique=Simple yet beautiful layout!

Scrapping Our Stash Blog Hop!!

We are having another super fun 
SCRAP OUR STASH BOG HOP!

You should have arrived here from the great project shared by Heather Sweet. If not, go back and check it out, or go back to the very beginning of our hop at Practical Scrappers! 

Today I have quite a few SUPER simple cards to share with you that used only my stash! You see, we have had a cold winter for us North Carolinian's and the first beautiful day we had, I took my scrap paper bin and a couple of essentials outside and I spent a couple of hours putting together some pretty cute cards!

Here was my little work area and the only things I had to work with. 

 Here are all of the the cards I created! 

And a close up of each one:

Not too shabby right!?!  Its was a lot of fun to limit my supplies and be able to create these fun, cute and simple cards!  Nothing fancy but still super cute and made with some of my favorite papers from the past!!

After you follow me here, hop along to Majken Pullin who has another great project idea for you!

p.s. have fun hopping! Don't forget to hop back here to see what fun new project ideas I have to share! 

On Trend topic: Gold!

Over at Practical Scrappers today we were challenged to use gold in a project.  This seems easy enough, but I am not a big fan of gold so I thought I would challenge myself.  I am glad I did because I love this layout! I hope you do too!

I took a wooden frame ornament, cut off the string and painted it metallic gold.  

I used a gold gel pen to add some doodling detail and a bit of journaling.  

p.s.Challenge yourself to use a color outside your comfort zone, you might be surprised by the results!

Scrap Your Stash Blog Hop!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

We are having a Blog Hop over at Practical Scrappers using up our stash to make Valentine's Day and Love projects! You should have arrived here from Kim Ryden, if not run back here and start from the beginning! 

I have 2 projects that I am very excited to share with you! 

The first project I created using specialty papers and embellishments that I have had in my stash and I just could not bring them together in a way I liked until now.  The hearts on the background paper are flocked and I thought a little would go a long way but I finally decided to use the whole sheet and go big or go home as the saying goes. 

"Together is Best"

Used a glitter sticker and added some scrap paper flags.

I stamped the circle then placed a heart on top.  I cut the heart from the paper behind the picture...an easy way to incorporate part of the paper without buying 2 sheets!  

Added some fun fabric embellishments along side the picture.  I just love how the blue sets off the red!  

My second project is a home decor piece that was inspired by this project on Pinterest.

I saw this and thought what a great way to use up some of the scrap pieces I have in my stash! 

I used my silhouette and my daughter's arm!  

I love how it turned out!  

Thanks for stopping by and I would love to have you as a follower!  

Be sure to follow this link to the next designer, Charity Hotrum, on this amazing Hop! 

p.s.I hope these projects inspire you to take a look at your stash and use it!

A New Card Sketch To Play with!

A Fun February Card Sketch is up over at Practical Scrappers today! I had so much fun designing it, my card is almost exactly alike! 

Be sure to check out the Practical Scrappers design teams take on the sketch too! 

p.s. give it a try!

Scraps of Ribbon!

Scraps of Ribbon: 

We all have them, some may have more than others...I am a bit of a hoarder when it comes to certain craft supplies and ribbon is one of those items.  If the scrap is more than an inch long, I keep it for a future project and boy am I glad I do!  This project used up some of my bin o' scrap ribbon and I LOVE how it turned out!! 

  

Okay, this was not the easiest technique I have ever tried but I think I will try it again and see is I can't make it a bit easier!  Next time I will share some step by step shots too.  This time I was learning how to do it myself!  

I attached the vertical ribbons only at the top but ran adhesive along their whole lengths. I then did each horizontal  piece individually and worked them carefully along and through each vertical piece, again running adhesive along the entire piece before working with it. Over, Under, Over, Under... 

Once the background was complete I created the rest of my layout.

I made strips for my journaling because I think this is always a cute and fun way to incorporate journaling into a layout. 

I added some flowers and embellies and voila!

My finished product!  

p.s.Give this technique a shot and let me know how it turns out! 

December Card Sketch

Over at Practical Scrappers today we created cards using this card sketch I designed for December.  Below is my take on it but please be sure to stop by Practical Scrappers to see all of the other gorgeous and creative cards my design team buddies created!  

This simple card was created with a navy blue cardstock background. I cut a strip of seafoam for the center and ran that pretty lace under the edges.  I fussy cut the gifts and sentiment from embossed paper and added premade snowflakes with gemstone centers.  The final touch was the hand drawn snowflakes and a few swipes with my white ink pad!  

p.s. Create a holiday card it will make someone's holiday extra special!  

Candy Corn Halloween Banner

Swing by Practical Scrappers today and see the many beautiful things we created that were inspired by Pinterest.  My banner was inspired by one part of a banner I saw on Pinterest shaped like a candy corn.  My inspiration pin is up on Practical Scrappers but I thought I would share some close ups of my finished banner here!

I created 3 sizes of triangles, one in each color. 

I put each triangle through the Cuttlebug to emboss them with different textures to add more visual interest. 

I used my FAVORITE new tool, the Silhouette Cameo to cut the circles in white and silver glitter.  The letters, are a Miss Kate's Cuttable file I used on my Silhouette also,   

I punched a hole in each top corner, 

Threaded ribbon through,

And hung the banner.  

To be honest, it was supposed to hang from my mantle but when it was finished, it was too long!  I improvised and love it over the kitchen window!

p.s. make the best of a project that did not go as planned! 

New Card Sketch

It's Card Sketch day over at Practical Scrappers and boy does this one's look like it was designed by someone other than me!  I had fun creating it and wanted to think outside my normal everyday designing "box" Here it is:

I had a ton of fun working with the sketch too because it was not my normal neat and tidy.  It was very freeing! 

Come by Practical Scrappers today and see my design Teammates's takes on this fun sketch!

p.s. Give another style a try, you may find it liberating too! 

Back to School Card Sketch

Summer's over and to be honest I have mixed feelings about back to school.  I love all the time I get to spend with my kiddos over the summer and miss them when they go off to school.   BUT by the end of the summer we are off all of our routines, they have spent the entire summer together so they are beginning to pull each other's hair out, and in turn, I am pulling mine out!  We had a great summer with some travelling and our big move to a new home so this year I welcomed the beginning of the school year and sending 3 of my 4 daughter's off to their big days at their new schools! 

(The oldest started middle school...Freaks me out:-) 

So, with the kiddos back in school, I have more time to create! 

YAY!  

This sketch was inspired by back to school but remember that any element can be switched out to accommodate your needs!  For instance, the apple and pencil could be switched with ribbon and wedding bells to make this a wedding card.  These sketches are to be used a s a source of inspiration, not to limit your creativity!  Stop by Practical Scrappers to check out the lovely ladies takes on the sketch as well!

 Here is the card I created from the sketch:

 I used fine bright green wire to create the spiral to make it look like a real notebook,  

 I used foam stamps and white paint to create the look of chalk on a chalkboard.  

p.s. Try using the sketch or a single element from the sketch to inspire your next project!

My First Blog Hop!

 Today I am super excited to be part of my very first blog hop! Practical Scrappers has paired up with Paper Secrets to bring you a blog hop featuring Wood as a design element!

You should have arrived here from 
Stephanie U's
blog, and I am so glad to have you hop along to my blog! I had a lot of fun creating this great wall hanging with a wood placemat for a base! 

After using stencils to paint the quote, I used Washi tape as a border and added some Little Yellow Bicycle Dimensional accents.

I also have a bonus project for you today!  We moved into a new house and I am trying to find ways to make it our own.  Both of my projects lend themselves to that. 

For this project I took a wooden letter and wrapped it in washi tape.

    

I used glue dots to add the laser cut wooden cross and washi tape to create a hanger with a bow.

I am so excited to be a part of my first blog hop I decided to do a giveaway for one lucky follower! Just follow my blog and leave a comment and you will be entered to win this great prize.  Winner will be chosen at random on Thursday, August 29th and will be announced here on the pspapercreations blog. 

After you signed up to follow along and left a comment for a chance to win this great prize, 
hop along to 
Karen Sessions 
blog to see what wonderful things she did with wood! 

Don't forget to follow the rules at Practical Scrappers to enter to win the Paper Secrets Prize too!