My Paper Creations

Project Life 2012: Title Page

2012-01-24T16:31:10-08:00

Hi Everyone! January has been a horrible month for us as we keep passing nasty germs around. We are so ready to be healthy again! My littlest has been hit really hard and is having a really rough week. I'm spending most of my time holding and comforting him so there hasn't been any craft time since he got sick.

I thought I would share my title page for my 2012 Project Life album today. I'm not caught up with my 2011 album, but I plan to work on my current album and work on catching up my 2011 album at the same time. Of course, I'm a couple weeks behind already with us being so sick this month. Anyway, here's my title page for my 2012 album.

Just like on my 2011 Title Page, I wanted to include a family photo, individual photos of my kiddos, and a photo of them together. This year, I also decided to a white borders to my photos. I'm not sure yet if I will do it with every photo, but I really like how it helps the photos stand out. I'm printing all my photos using my Epson Picturemate Charm. I love this little printer so much! The print quality is just beautiful!

I created this card using some patterned papers from a My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose paper pad. I die cut the label using a Labels 8 nestability die. Those cork alphabet letters are from Close to My Heart and I just love them! I love the texture they add. The black image under the year is a stamp from a Waltzingmouse Stamps set, Very Vintage Labels No. 4, and the sticker is from a 7Gypsies sticker set. I love that quote and thought it was perfect for this project.

(I have a few extra of these and am wondering if there would be any interest in me setting up a section on my For Sale page of supplies I use in my PL album that I have duplicates of. Any interest? It wouldn't be most of the supplies I use, but I do have duplicates of a few things like some sticker sheets.)

My inspiration for this filler card came from Gillian's PL Title Page. I just loved the look and created a similar card in photoshop. I used some of her wording and added some of my own. Then, I printed it on a piece of patterned paper and added the heart and circles on the top. I die cut the circles using nestability dies, patterned paper, and a cork sheet. The heart is die cut from red felt, of course. (It's a pretty red felt and not as orange as it appears on the screen! lol)

Somewhere along the way, it popped into my head that I would like to include a silhouette family to represent our family. I created this in photoshop and printed it on patterned paper. I added a little patterned paper banner and a cork number to finish it off.

Are you creating a Project Life album this year? I'd love to see it!

Have a great week!

Niki

Special Order on twine from The Twinery

2012-01-21T20:08:57-08:00

Hi Everyone! When I did my sale on Divine Twine, I had some requests to do a similar sale for twine from The Twinery. So, here it is. :) The Twinery recently announced the addition of four new colors to their line so they now offer 18 colors of twine. I really love all the different colors they offer and can't wait to pick up the new colors myself. Here are some photos of the current colors and the new colors of twine from The Twinery.

Top Row: Charcoal, Honeydew, Blossom, Stone, Buttercream, Denim.
Bottom Row: Maraschino, Mandarin, Lemondrop, Peapod, Caribbean, Pink Sorbet, Lilac, Cappuccino.

And here are the new colors: Orchid, Shone, Cantaloupe, and Flax. (I have heard that Flax is a great match to kraft cardstock.)

Retail price for twine from The Twinery is $14 a spool and I will offer these at 25% discount just like the other twine. So, the cost will be $10.50 plus shipping. I can fit up to 7 spools in a flat rate envelope for $5.30 or up to 20 spools in a medium flat rate box for $11.35. First class parcel is available for one spool for $3. If you placed an order for Divine Twine and don't mind your order being held, I can combine shipping with those orders, too.

Just drop me an email if you would like to place an order and I can let you know your total with shipping. I accept paypal only and this is for the US only. (Sorry to all my international readers!) I would like to place the order on Wednesday so please let me know if you'd like to order anything. Email me here. (The email link should work fine this time. Sorry about that last time!)

Have a great weekend!

Niki

Smiles Across the Miles: Whimsy Release Showcase Day 2

2012-01-20T09:01:21-08:00

Welcome to Day 2 of the Whimsy Stamps January Rubber Die Release Showcase! On January 18th, Whimsy Stamps released this month's rubber designs and new shapeology dies. From then until 25 January the Whimsy Stamps DT and Special Guests are showcasing these fabulous new stamps and dies with a daily mini blog hop. Each mini blog hop has a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you have 24hrs to enter each prize draw. To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 12.00PM EST tomorrow. All winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12.00PM EST on January 25th.

For my card today, I decided to use the adorable Wee Bunny image by Sylvia Zet. I just love Sylvia's illustration style! I stamped the image with tuxedo black memento ink. Then, I colored the image with these copic markers: R30, R20, R22, YG93, YG95, YG97, YG99, W1, W3, W5, W7, BG72, BG75, BG0000, colorless blender. I used some patterned papers from the Stella and Rose: Hazel paper pad from My Mind's Eye. I also used the Mini Postage Stamp Die and the sentiment is from the Everyday Mini Postage Stamps set. I finished the card off with some stitching, a black button, and some baker's twine.

Be sure to hop around to the rest of these designer's blogs to see what they created with the new stamps:

Debbie Eastman
Ellie Stover
Erin Bailey
Heidy Blom
Niki Estes (you are here)
Stephanne Maraver

Remember that the entire new release is available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check the Whimsy Inspirations blog tomorrow for more new release creations!

Niki

Whimsy Stamps January Release

2012-01-18T09:04:48-08:00

Hi Everyone! I'm excited today to share that I joined the Whimsy Stamps design team this month as a full time designer! They have such adorable images and great sentiments and I'm excited to get to work with them again. Thanks so much to Denise for inviting me to join the team!

Today is the release day for January stamps. You can purchase the stamps right now in the Whimsy Stamps store. Over the next week, the design team will be sharing samples that we've created with the new stamps. (Scroll down to see my card below.)

Welcome to Whimsy Stamps January rubber stamp and die RELEASE DAY! Whimsy Stamps is releasing 16 fantastic new rubber stamps and 2 wonderful new Shapeology dies. These new goodies are available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.

From today until 25 January the Whimsy DT and Special Guests will be showcasing these fabulous new stamps and dies with a daily mini blog hop. Each mini blog hop has a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you will have 24hrs to enter each prize draw by leaving a comment on every blog listed for that day. To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 12:00PM EST tomorrow. All winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12:00PM on 25 January.

For my card today, I had to use the adorable Heart Hugs image designed by Crissy Armstrong. I always love Crissy's adorable images! I stamped the image with tuxedo black memento ink. Then, I colored the image with these copic markers: R83, R85, R89, R27, R46, T1, T3, E31, E33, E35, E37, E59, colorless blender. I used some patterned papers from the Lost & Found: Blush paper pad from My Mind's Eye. I also used the Double Scalloped Border die and the sentiment is from the Love Letter Seals stamp set. I finished the card off with some stitching, a red button, and some baker's twine.

You can see a full list of all of the new images over on the Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Blog.

To take a peek at today's fabulous new release creations by the Design Team, please click on the links below...

Debbie Eastman

Ellie Stover

Erin Bailey

Mariska van der Veer {Special Guest}

Niki Estes (you're here)

Stephanne Maraver
Tammy Louise Cunliffe

Don't forget to visit today's DT and leave a comment on their blog posts to be entered into the draw to win a new release stamp, then pop back to the Whimsy Inspirations blog tomorrow for the next list of showcase posts!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy our new release!

Niki

Happy Wishes

2012-01-17T10:09:40-08:00

Hi Everyone! I have a sneak peek from Stampavie to share with you today using the new Mouse and Poppy Seeds image from Tina Wenke. It will be releasing later this month at the Winter CHA show and will be available at retailers before you know it. The design team is sharing a new sneak peek each day over on the Stampavie blog so you can see more sneak peeks there.

I absolutely love this adorable image! I started by stamping the image on copic x-press it cardstock with tuxedo black memento ink and coloring the image with copic markers that coordinate with the Farmhouse patterned paper I chose from October Afternoon. Then, I added some stitching and crocheted lace. I finished off my card with a sentiment from Tina's new sentiment set called Celebrate.

Remember to check the Stampavie blog for my sneak peeks of the new releases.

Have a great day!

Niki

Project Life 2011: Week Fourteen and some free journaling cards

2012-01-12T17:33:08-08:00

Hi Everyone! I haven't had a chance to start my 2012 Project Life album yet. I've been planning and editing photos, but need to get everything in the album. I'm hoping to do this tomorrow, but in the mean time, I thought I would share another week from my 2011 album.

Sadly, this is the last week I completed in 2011, but I do plan to go back and finish it up. See all the stuff sticking out behind the page protectors on the right side? I kept notes and memorabilia stuff even when I fell behind and kept it tucked in the week where it will belong. That will help me catch up since I already have some of the journaling done (though it is only on post it notes at this point). I've also decided to add more of my own touches and stuff from my stash to make my album more "me." So, you'll be seeing a lot more of that from now on. (Sorry the photos of this week are off in color. I think I took the photos too late in the day.) Anyway, this Week Fourteen: April 2-8, 2011.

Double Page Spread for the week: I added one of the Design G page protectors in the middle. I think these are going to be a favorite of mine. I love the mixture of photo sizes and orientations I can add. (They are currently out of stock at Amazon.com, but should be back next month.)

Left Page: I used one of the title cards from the Turquoise Project Life kit and added some patterned paper from October Afternoon's Farmhouse paper pad. The star is from CTMH. I die cut a button from patterned paper using a button die from My Favorite Things. (I like the idea of adding a calendar at the beginning of the month so I went back and added one to the past months as well.) The calendar stamp is an old stamp set from CTMH called Moments in Time. I like that it has many calendars in the set so you can customize each month so the dates fall on the correct day of the week. The stickers are old alphabet stickers from October Afternoon.

I started customizing my journaling cards as well when I did this week. The journaling card with the yellow patterned paper is from the Turquoise kit. I simply added a strip of OA Farmhouse patterned paper across the top and some stitching. The kraft journaling card is one I designed. (You can download it below.) I added some patterned paper to it and colored part of it with some copic markers.

Front of insert: The kids and I spent the weekend visiting my dad and step-mom so I had lots of extra photos to include.

Back of insert: The two white journaling cards are from the Turquoise kit and I again added some OA Farmhouse patterned paper to them along with some stitching. The stamp on the upper right card is from Verve Stamps. The kraft journaling card is another one I designed and is available in the download below.

Right Page: I included a drawing from my daughter, another journaling card that I altered with some patterned paper, stitching, and a heart I ran through my crimper. (It's been really long time since I used my crimper!)

I also created this card to add to my week. I love that quote from Dr. Seuss (like so many of his quotes) and thought it was perfect to use with the photos of my husband and kids being goofy. The stamp is from Verve Stamps and the patterned paper is from the same October Afternoon Farmhouse paper pad.These are the three journaling cards that you can download for free here: Download Family and happy journaling cards. (Sorry, I haven't figured out how to save the files as png on my computer so they are in a pdf file.) You can print them on any color of cardstock that you want. I printed mine on kraft cardstock. The gray lines are cut lines. They are for Personal Use Only. Please do not email the file. Please link to my blog so others can download the file from here. Thanks!

Have a great Friday!

Niki

Divine Twine Special Order

2012-01-08T20:33:21-08:00

Hi Everyone! I am busy working on some samples for CHA so I don't have much new that I can share here on my blog yet. I thought I would post a special order for Divine Twine in the mean time. I am going to place an order with the manufacturer on Friday so I will take orders until then.Divine Twine is available in 13 different colors: (top row) Blueberry, Orange, Purple Plum, Oyster, Aqua, Air Mail, (bottom row) Green Apple, Brown Sugar, Cherry, Lemon, Black Licorice, Cotton Candy. (You can see all the colors close up if you need to on the Whiskers Graphics site here.)

And the newest color is Peppermint which is a blend of red, pink, and white twine. (I can't wait to get this color!!)

Each spool will be $11.25 which is 25% off the normal retail price of $15. I can fit up to 7 spools in a flat rate envelope for $5.30 or up to 20 spools in a medium flat rate box for $11.35. First class parcel is available for one spool for $3. Just drop me an email if you would like to place an order and I can let you know your total with shipping. I accept paypal only and this is for the US only. (Sorry to all my international readers!) Email me here.

Have a great week!

Niki :)

You Bring Out the Happy in Me

2012-01-02T20:59:43-08:00

Hi Everyone! Did you have a good Christmas? It’s hard to believe 2012 is already here! It’s my turn to post today over on the Stampavie blog. (Can you believe this is the first card I have made in over a month?!) I was trying to decide which image to use for my card today when I found this adorable Storybook Friends image from Tina Wenke. Tina has some of the sweetest images and they are always some of my favorites from each new release. Just wait until you see all the cute new images releasing at CHA!

I had this paper from My Mind’s Eye out on my desk from another project so I decided to use it on my card. I love the pretty colors and patterns. I started by stamping my image on copic x-press it cardstock with tuxedo black memento ink. Then, I colored my image with copic markers that coordinate with my patterned papers.

I used these copic markers to color my image: W1, W3, YG61, YG63, YG67, R27, R46, R89, BG95, BG0000, BG000, Y35, BG53, BG18, R30, R32, R35, T3, T5, T7, T9, E33, E35, E37, E29, E53, E55, E57, E000, E00, E11, E13, R00, R02, colorless blender.

Then, I stitched my patterned paper layers together and added some crocheted lace. I adhered my image with foam adhesive. I added some roses from Wild Orchid Crafts (15 mm pink tone set b and 20mm 2 tone mixed colour open roses). I used a sentiment from My Favorite Things' All Smiles stamp set.

Have a great week!

new facebook page

2011-12-29T12:16:37-08:00

Hi Everyone!

I set up a new facebook page where I will be sharing papercrafting updates. Please do me a favor and "like" the page if you'd like to receive updates through facebook. (Your subscriptions through my blog will all still be updating like usual, too, if you prefer to subscribe that way.) Here's the page:

My Paper Creations on Facebook

I'm also testing to see if this post will automatically update on facebook. Have a great day, everyone!

Niki :)

Project Life in 2012?

2011-12-27T16:22:11-08:00

How was everyone's Christmas? Ours was really nice. We stayed home Christmas day and it was so nice to just relax for a while. December has been crazy busy!

Anyway, now that the holidays are over, I'm hoping to get back into a routine. I plan to start a new Project Life album in 2012 and still finish up my 2011 album that I fell so far behind on (I did take some notes and took lots of photos and kept memorabilia, but I need to get it all in the album).

So, is anyone else planning to start a Project Life album in 2012? I would really love to see what other people are doing in their albums. I decided to not use a core kit this year and will just be using stuff from my stash. (I am so happy to not be rounding corners on everything this year!! lol) I will be offering some free journaling cards for download now and then as well that I have designed to use in my own album.

So who is joining me in 2012? :)

Niki