Free Scrapbooking Ideas ...

Handbag Notebook, Address Book and Post-it Note pad

2012-02-15T06:26:00.000-06:00

These are some more "handbags" I made for my girlfriend. I did an address book, a notebook and a post-it-note book bag for carrying in your purse.

I used premade notebooks and just covered them with paper and cardboard with a few pearls to set it off nicely.

I love these kinds of rojects as they are quick and easy but they look really affective.

Handbag Recipe Book

2012-02-15T06:14:00.000-06:00

This is a recipe book that I made for a girlfriend of mine. She has written a recipe book which she sells on ebay (it's a gluten free, fructose free specialty recipe book) and I thought it might be nice for her to have somewhere to write all of her recipe's. I love the idea of using a handbag as she only ever has one handbag at a time (unlike me who when to the Zellows carpark sale last year and bought 6 handbags for $26 LOL) so she now has a few.... I also made here a notebook, address book and post-it note book all in the shape of handbags...

I mainly used paint to alter the handbag as it would of been a nightmare to try and cut in around the handles and locks etc. (With these cardboard bags alot of the time the locks don't come off like they do with larger items which simply screw into place.) I then used these gorgeous papers from BoBunny to complete the bag and small ring binder book I made for the inside to hold all the info. There are only two categories of recipe here "Delish" and "Sweet" as these were titles I cut from some of the patterned papers in the range. I covered them with dimensional magic to make them sturdier and to give a shine to them. Then I used simple cards from the stationary store to make up my pages. This means she can add to the book anytime she likes easily without me having to make or decorate new pages. I handmade the flower on the front of the bag using Bazzil bling. I love how it looks like it's made of leather now.

Papercraft Show RNA

2012-02-15T04:54:00.000-06:00

Well it's that time of year again. There's a SHOW in town.... I might actually be tempted to go to this one.

Karen (Owner of Arnolds Scrapbooking Store) came back from CHA and showed me all the exciting new treasures she's ordered but I'd really like to see what specials all the stores are doing to make way for the new CHA stock.

Karen and of course the lovely Robin will be at the show this weekend. I have a class to teach on Saturday but may pop out on Sunday so I'll see you there. Pop by the Arnolds stand and ask for me.

INFO:
Date: 17-19 February, 2012

Opening times: Friday, Saturday and Sunday,

10.00 am - 4.30 pm

Location: RNA Showgrounds, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland

Admission: $10, $8 Concession

Children aged less than 14 and committed husbands: FREE

Magazines

2012-02-15T04:28:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone,

For those of you who have followed me for a long time you will know I don't buy many magazines. You'll also know that my favourite magazine to buy was an english publication because of all the free stuff you got with your magazine.... Well you'll be pleased to know there is an Australian Magazine now that has taken first place in my preferred to buy list. It's called Australian Scrapbooking Ideas Magazine. I love it because when you buy the magazine you get either some free papers, or stamps or some other totally cool freebie with your magazine. The other thing I love is the magazine is filled with layouts and a list of materials on those layouts and then instructions on how to create the layout. Which I think is really cool as it gives you step by step how you can recreate it.... PLUS and here's a really big bonus it's not overflowing with Ads like alot of the magazines are now.

Don't get me wrong I like a few ads for new products etc but lately some of the magazines have felt like the whole thing was an add with very little content.

So check it out at your newsagent.

Make Your Own Embellishments Class - Part 2

2012-02-13T18:11:00.000-06:00

In this class you'll learn how to make the chipboard shape look like lace... How to make the gorgeous flower with lace trim and how to decorate chipboard in a variety of ways. Using paint and ink I'll show you how to make chipboard look like real metal.

You can book into these classes if you're in the Rothwell region by phoning Arnolds Scrapbooking Store on: 32934390

Make Your Own Embellishments Class - Part 1

2012-02-13T17:54:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone, here is a class I am teaching at Arnolds this month. In this class you will learn how to make these embellishments. You'll also learn how to create this faux copper verdigri paint tecnique and how to make the flowers and finally how to make a piece of plain cream cardstock look like a piece of lace.

Free Scrapbooking Ideas ...: Teaching Post

2012-02-13T17:50:00.000-06:00

Free Scrapbooking Ideas ...: Teaching Post at Arnolds Scrapbooking and Craft Supplies at Rothwell QLD Australia

Boys Birthday Card

2012-02-13T17:07:00.000-06:00

Well it's been pretty hectic around here craft wise lately. My teaching post at Arnolds Scrapbooking Store has me creating things and preparing for classes. I'm really enjoying it. I have had some fantastic students who are pushing me in new creative directions which I love! There is also a new creative outlet for me which I'll tell you more about when it's close to the time..... surfice to say I'm as happy as a pig in mud! And then of course there's my never ending wall of canvas (will get you a photo of this soon I promise! LOL) and all the presents I make for people.... So very busy, hence the lack of posting here.....

Anyway this weekend my son attended the birthday party of a friend of his and I made this card for the party.

front of the card.

inside of the card with room for a gift card.

close up of the stamped coloured image. Sorry it's a little blurry. I was in a hurry as we were literally heading straight out the door so I didn't check that the shot was good before I raced off.

I used leftover papers from a 6 x 6 paper pad I had called (Kaisercraft) Seaside Collection. I then stamped the image and coloured it using watercolour pencils.

I haven't worked with watercolour pencils in such a long time. I used to paint with them alot BS (Before Scrapbooking) and have only just rediscovered them. Now that my scrapspace is all organised I have everything within easy reach which means I am using alot of tools I haven't seen for ages... lol

Watercolour pencils are a great and inexpensive way to colour your stamped images. You can get a packet from the discount variety stores for under $10 (I wish that option had been available when I got mine). All you do is lightly colour your image (you can colour a little bit heavier where you'd like the shading), then using a paint brush dipped in water (wipe off the excess) lightly go over the coloured part of the image and you'll see the change immediately. It goes from looking like a pencil colouring in to looking like a watercolour painting (just with better control over the light and shade and blending of colours). Unfortunately I was in a hurry so his hair doesn't have the right effect. Ideally you should colour the hair region in one colour lightly. Then come back and add the shade by adding a little more colouring to those areas. Use your brush and water to blend and then allow to dry completely. When dry come back with different colour pencils. One darker and one lighter and your original colour and use your pencil to add individual hairs.

I have a video coming where I demonstrate the simple basic steps of waterpencil colouring. If anyone is interested in more detail let me know and I'll do another video. I also have a video coming on basic stamping techniques. I love stamping as a way of adding interest to elements and backgrounds. It's also great for making card toppers and titles for your scrapbooking. I especially love how you can buy a stamp and use it over and over and over again whereas a sticker or rub-on is a once only deal. You can stamp on paper, cardstock, chipboard, canvas, foam, plastic, fabric and acetate to get different effects. Different kinds of ink will also change the effect you get and then when you add embossing powder to the mix, well the effects are endless. At the moment I'm a bit obsessed with glimmermisting and am loving the effect I get when I stamp with a clear ink and clear embossing powder and then spritz glimmermist over the top.

Where to buy supplies

2012-02-03T21:20:00.000-06:00

I had an email from one of my readers who lives in a place with no scrapbook stores..... I know a few of your are hyperventalating right now at the scary thought of it.. LOL But I thought I'd share my answer for others who maybe live somewhere devoid of scrapbooking havens.

I work at a local scrapbook store called Arnolds Scrapbooking but unfortunately they don't have an online shop for you. So as to the question of where to get supplies....... I'd have a look at who sells to you online. EBAY is a great resource for this as you can search based on selling to your area. As you'll then be incuring postage it would be in your best interest to buy in bulk so you only have the one lot of postage. I have bought some beautiful embellishments from china (cameo's and cabouchons? these are little resin flowers).

I'd also suggest you check out some of my online videos. There's one there on how to make flowers out of tissue paper and an older one on how to make paper clay. Also check out YouTube for some great videos on how to create your own embellishments. I'm loving the crepe paper roses at the moment (they're a little bit of work but so worth it!)

I'd try and make as many embellishments as I can out of paper if I were you as this will save you lots and paper is available just about anywhere. Check out fabric stores as you can use fabric instead of paper to embellish your page. You can make flowers out of fabric or ribbon and buttons are also a popular embellishment for your pages. I love to use embroidery thread on my pages. If you can embroider then you might like to use one piece of cardstock and then embellish the rest of your page with embroidery. I like to sew my titles as this is a really cheap way to do a title.

Titles will be your hardest part as you don't have scrapbook stores to access all the chipboard letters, thickers and stickers......... For this reason I started out with stencils (I got a stencil book from a bookstore with all these alphabets in it... it's a kids book) and I painted, cut the letters out of paper and used felt pens, pencils or chalks to create my titles. You can also use the stencils as a guide for embroidering a title.

Stationary stores are also a great place to find pens, coloured paperclips and split pins. Art supply stores also have a great range of paint and brushes and other artist supplies. I love using watercolour pencils as this is one of the art mediums I specialized in when doing artworks (BS... Before Scrapbooking) now I don't have time to paint pictures but use the watercolours to create unique backgrounds and to colour in stamps. Chalking is a popular scrapbooking supply for colouring in stamps and colouring the edges of layers of paper. Art stores will have a product called "pastels" the oil variety work like crayons but there is a chalkier variety that I used to love painting with... again before scrapbooking... that is perfect for chalking with.

As far as your scrapbooks go scrapbook paper is Acid and Lignin Free (this protects your photos from deteriorating as quickly). So it is worthwhile if you don't have any stores to buy scrapbook paper from (for your backgrounds and under your photos) then try to buy bulk paper packs from online stores. Several of our department stores here stock scrapbooking supplies so we are spoilt for choices on places to shop. But perhaps if you have any department stores that have chains in other countries and they sell scrapbooking supplies in other countries (check out catalogues online) then you might be able to get them to order it in for you?)

I have also found some great supplies in the kids craft sections. If you follow my video on making your own clay then any chocolate moulds or other small moulds will be useful. I have also found wetting tissue and pushing it into the moulds firmly until the mould is packed tightly with wet tissue then allowing to dry..... this gives you a really light and unbreakable embellishment. (The paper clay I make in the video does break, when dry if dropped).

So I hope this gives you some ideas on alternative places to shop if you don't have the plethora of scrapbooking suppliers that I do....

Variety of Card Designs

2012-01-15T02:15:00.008-06:00

Here are the cards I made today. I am giving these to a girlfriend of mine so that she will have some handmade cards to give away this year. (I prefer to do this as it means at least two people saw the cards before they maybe went in the bin? I hate that you put all that work in and then people throw them away so this way I know they got a little bit of appreciation first.)

Card 1 - hand sewing

Card 2 - Tags and flowers

this is the inside of card 2.

Card 3 - Paper Piecing Mouse in a gift box

Card 4 - Teddy Bear in a read wagon

Card 5 Softly Romantic

inside of card 5 and 6

(sometimes it is nice to make the inside of the card interesting too, in this case I had two of these journal spots so I used them as a place to write on the inside of the card.)

Card 6 - Romantic handmade flower bouquet.

For the two childrens cards I used my cricuit cartridge (Birthday Bash) to cut the paper piecings. I'll upload the other things I made for this friends' birthday present soon.

Paper Piecing on Cards for 7 and 5 year olds

2012-01-13T18:47:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone,

Here are a couple of cards I made for my nephews. It's their 7th and 5th birthday parties today. I don't usually make alot of cards as most people just throw them away..... but as my sister-in-law is also a scrapbooker I'm sure the work that went into these will be appreciated. I used my cricuit to make the paper piecings (crocodile and bird) but you can follow this link to some free paper piecing patterns: (http://www.scrapbooksetc.com/techniques/paper-piecing/).

Because I was giving gift cards with these cards I have made little pockets inside the cards to hold the gift cards. When giving a gift card I do like to make a nice card as it shows you still thought about that person and put some love into it. I had some pockets that I got in a little packet I bought and used these as templates for these but you can make a pocket in any shape you like just leave a "seam allowance" the width of your double sided tape and fold it under neath and attach to your page.

I used a paper stack (8 x 8) from DCWV so all the papers would match perfectly. When cutting a paper piecing on my cricuit I like to use co-ordinating patterned papers as it adds more interest than if I used plain cardstock.... which could look like you bought them already made, whereas my paper piecings definitely show I put all the work into them.

I have a set of inks that I purchased when I first started scrapbooking that I use alot when I want to ink the edges of something. They are just a cheap set of inks (1inch x 1 inch in size) but there is one of every colour and the pad is very soft which makes them perfect for inking the edges of any cardstock or paper. Because they are now running out of ink I can also use them to softly shade sections of my papers..... so don't throw out your old ink pads. When they're too dry to use for stamping they are perfect for shading and inking.

I'm making some paper dolls at the moment all in different "dress up" outfits to go with some fabulous photos my photographer (Pish Posh Photography) took of my girls dressing up their daddy in necklaces and frilly skirts as hats.. LOL. I'll upload them as soon as they're finished.

January Class at Arnolds

2012-01-08T18:44:00.000-06:00

Little Girls like Butterfly's need no excuse.

This month I'm only doing one class (school holidays and other committments to take into account and I didn't want to over burden myself).

This class will teach you how to make three different kinds of flowers. How to glimmermist a background how to make the butterfly's and how to hand stitch on the layout. The first round of this class is full but I am taking names for a second run of the class, so feel free to call arnolds if you'd like to book in Ph: 07 32934390.

Now I have added a new service for those who are quick. If you like this layout but don't want to make if for yourself. The first person to pay the class fee and book "Teachers Example" will be the layout I make during the class to show everyone how to do it. All you need to do is contact me on: 0423679593. (First in Best Dressed)

For this layout I used 3 photos (10 x 8) but 5 or 6 regular photos also look good on this canvas.

Layouts for the Differently Abled.

2012-01-08T18:34:00.000-06:00

I had a question from someone on my email list about how to create layouts for the differently abled. So in answer to Ruqaiyah's question I have outlined how to go about this. You could though use this information to create an album on any topic you like.

My suggestion on how to create an album on this topic would be to find two sketches you like. (One a single photo sketch and one a multi photo sketch) You can use these two sketches over and over again by turning and flipping the design. This will give your pages some cohesion.

I would convert all the photos to black and white and do the album in a single pad of co-ordinating papers. (Many of these come with a variety of matching papers and embellishments) Then choose a single colour cardstock as your background page. Buy flowers and bling (and if you're like me and love some hand stitching on your layouts, some thread) in either one or two co-ordinating colours.

You could buy a pack of thickers or other alphabet stickers for your titles or you could hand stitch your titles (which I love doing). Whichever choice you make keep the titles in the same font and colour or sticker throughout the album. (if you have multiple people you could do titles in stickers and then hand stitch their names to the page.) If there is a saying or quote someone likes to quote or they use as their motto add this to the page (or add it as hidden journalling).

I would focus on each person with a two page spread the single photo and a title saying what they can't do and then the opposite page with the mult photo sketch focusing on all the things they can do. Kind of "well I can't walk... but I can sing and drive and sail a boat and inspire people" (If I was doing this album that's how I'd approach it. Make it very positive affirmation on what they can do).

Using sketches and a common colour palette will make it easier for you to get started. By using a book of co-ordinating papers all the hard work of choosing papers is taken off your hands. Also by converting the photos to black and white you will guarantee they go with papers you have chosen.

To achieve all of this as cheaply as possible pick a smaller sized album perhaps an 8 x 8. Buying paper stacks from K-Mart or Big W will give you a very cost effective set of papers to work with. Buy your stickers, bling and thread from cheaper and chipper stores like: crazy clarks, surprise etc. You can save alot by hand making your own flowers.

Family: You and Me For Keeps

2012-01-05T17:32:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone, hope you all had a great new years. We had a fun night thanks to some good friends of ours. We had Pizza and a few drinks outside under the fairty lights and lanterns in front of our fire before heading inside and playing pictionary on the Wii. This was alot of fun and the kids had a ball. Then it was back to the the backyard where we watched the scarborough fireworks go off. A lovely simple evening with lots of laughs and not driving and no crowds of people.. Perfect!

Here is a layout I did of one of the many photos of our wedding vow renewal. We got so many fabulous photos of this day I've been doing lots and lots of layouts and canvas beyond the page projects. I got the paper I used for my background when it was on special as it's been sitting in the shop for a while and the calendar journal spot was also on special so I felt I could lash out a little and use the crochet piece and the prima flower. The title is one I punched out a long time ago using a friends cuttlebug and the alphabet she had (not sure what it's called). The chipboard swirl is a Bella one covered in glitter paper.

This layout was a little expensive for me @ around $7 but I do have lots of left over stickers, journal spots and red flowers and a couple of prima flowers to use on other projects. I could of saved by making the flowers and replacing the crochet piece with a paper one or if you're handy crocheting one yourself.... I cannot crochet (despite my mother and mother-in-law's best efforts too).

Goodbye 2011

2011-12-29T07:38:00.000-06:00

Well it's been a fantastic year and as I know I won't have time to wish you all a Happy New Year I thought I'd get in now. 2011 has been a great year for us. It's had it's ups and it's downs but all in all I came out on top. Which is why I coined the phrase "Everything's coming up Kyra" (if you watch the Simpsons you will remember an episode when everything was coming up Millhouse.. LOL). I renewed my wedding vows to my wonderful husband of 15 yrs. We are all healthy and happy. My eldest turned 10 and my youngest turned 3. I have enjoyed my new job at Arnold's Scrapbooking so much and want to thank all the lovely ladies who have come to my classes. I was talking to a nurse at a christmas party recently and she was so jealous to hear that my work day ends with my wonderful students thanking me for teaching them and commenting on how much they love my creations (one expecially lovely student made me a beautiful christmas card too), whilst the last shift she finished ended with a man (drunk of course) hurling abuse at her and calling her names. So I don't think you can get any luckier than me. I'm doing something I love and getting paid for it. On top of that the owner and staff at Arnold's Scrapbooking are really lovely people.

So while 2011 also had its downs all in all I can't complain. And with all that fresh in my mind I can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for me..... I hope it finds you all happy and healthy too! I don't do New Years Resolutions as I try to live every day without regret but I hope if you're planning to make a resolution that it's something that will bring more positive things into your life. Happy New Year to all my wonderful readers. If you live close by (Redcliffe, QLD. Australia) I hope you'll pop into to Arnold's Scrapbooking Store for one of my classes and introduce yourself.

In 2012 I have some new videos planned for my online readers and lots of 'technique' classes for my 'real world students'. If there's anything in particular you'd like to see as an online video or as a class in store please send me an email and I'll see what I can do.

Well goodbye for 2011 and I'll be back in 2012.

ciao
the scrapmiser

December Classes @ Arnolds Scrapbooking Store

2011-12-07T17:39:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

well I'm sure you're all busy making gifts for friends and family getting ready for Christmas. I make these two canvases and will be giving the blue one away to the special lady in the photo with me. She was my mum's best friend. This year my husband and I renewed our wedding vows on the beach for our 15th Wedding Anniversary and she came. Darling Hubby sang the Savage Garden Song "I think I Loved You before I met you" to me as I walked down the isle. Afterwards she made me cry ALOT by giving me as a gift the crystal clock my mum gave her for a wedding present many many years ago. So I made this canvas to gift to her as a thank you gift.

I'll be teaching this canvas and the pink one at Arnolds Scrapbooking Store this month, 14th and 17th respectively. So if you'd like to come along and make either (or both LOL) of these as a gift for someone special in your life just give arnolds a ring on : 07 32934390

At both of these classes you will learn how to make a range of flowers. (All the ones you see are handmade). For all of you who are just too darn far away to come I'll be making videos of how to make these flowers soon. (The pale pink ones are tissue flowers.... video already loaded a few weeks ago so scroll back through my posts to find that one.)

Little Shops' as cookie boxes

2011-11-27T21:41:00.000-06:00

Don't you love these cute little shops. I've been calling them houses but they're really shops.. see the shingle out the front? I am making these for Christmas and filling them with cookies or lollies to give to friends and family. They are really easy to make. To make them I used a template from the Cricuit Cartridge Sweet Tooth Boxes and then it's just a matter of sticking everything down and glueing them together. I'm demonstrating these at Arnold's Scrapbooking Store at The Zone Rothwell this saturday from 9:30am if you'd like to come watch or pick yourself up a precut kit.

Love Shoes!

2011-11-17T15:39:00.000-06:00

Looking for a cheap and really cute gift idea for Christmas? Here are some shoes I made for a girlfriend of mine to give to her coworkers for xmas. She is going to make fudge and put it in cellophane bags sitting in the shoes. I cut each of these from a single sheet of patterned paper. I used my cricuit and the Princess Party Cartridge to cut these. One of the shoes uses two different papers as it wasn't a double sided paper and I had to hand cut the sides of the shoes to stick over the plain paper. For decorations you can either go all out with your left overs like I did or a cheaper decoration would be to use a strip of co-ordinating paper across the toe of the shoe (check out the shoe in my november classes) which you can punch with an edge punch and then add a large jewel.

November classes I'll be teaching at Arnolds Scrapbooking Store

2011-11-03T04:13:00.000-06:00

Here are the classes I'll be teaching at Arnolds Scrapbooking Store. There are lots of other things on offer by the other teachers if none of my creations take your fancy. LOL go to: http://scrapbooking.arnolds.net.au/ and browse the class list. You won't get photos of all the classes though. But if you join the mailing list they'll email you out photos of each week's classes as they approach. Hope to see you at one of my classes..... and if you come don't forget to tell me you read my blog. Luv to meet some of my readers.

This is a really great present idea. It's a folder and birtday book and a selection of cards to go into the folder.

This class is called golden angels. The large brown box is a writing set. The gold purse is a chocolate gift. The round box is a really nice gift idea as it is a box filled with angel wings and a lovely sentiment. The small butterfly box will hold a small piece of jewellry and the card has a gorgeous golden angel charm on it.

This selection of gifts using one of the kaiser christmas papers include a gift certificate holder, card with a tea bag for friends now moved far away, a CD holder and a card and envelope for a gift card. The paper shoe holds lollies and is a great xmas gift idea.

This set of gifts are designed for your child's teacher. The class has been designed so the kids can do the class themselves. There is a notebook, post-it-notes book, writing set, card and small canvas on an easel.

Well hope you enjoyed your peek at my classes for November. If you'd like to come to a class just call Arnolds Scrapbooking store on: 07 32934390 to book in.

Little girls blue and purple bedroom

2011-11-03T03:45:00.000-06:00

These are the photos of the girls bedroom. The name plate for the door is first.

Then the lamp. All I did here was spray the base and lampshade to match the bed. I glued on tiny satin rosebuds. Then I stamped butterflies onto acetate cut around them and then coloured them using art glitter. when it was done I added dimensional magic to stop all the glitter falling off over time.

The bed was white when I got it. We sprayed it in two colours. Purple down the bottom and then blue up the top. The small 3 tier shelf was sprayed the same.

This is the painting my darling hubby did for my daughters room. (last year) and I wanted to keep it in the decorating as he put so much work into it.

This is a canvas that I will be teaching at Arnolds in the future (you are getting a preview). I did the background using a stencil and glimmermist. I handmade the flowers and made the butterflies using the stamping on acetate technique.

All in all this was a very cheap redecoration. After adding the bed, paint, linen etc the total cost was $178. Is that miserly enough for you all? LOL

Alphabet Stickers

2011-11-01T01:17:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone,

I have been very busy re decorating my daughters' bedroom. I have moved both the girls into the one room so we can have the other room as a playroom. So...... of course we needed to redecorate. I got some bunkbeds on Ebay and have painted them to suit the theme and have used some scrapbooking supplies to make the sign for the door (I'll upload photos soon) but what I wanted to let you know is if you use alphabet stickers or thickers and have some in your stash but they've gotten to the point where you can't use them anymore as there aren't enough letters left on the sheet, instead of buying another packet of the same I buy white stickers of thickers and then use them with the other left overs. For the sign for the girls door I have used some blue thickers and then I used white ones that I stamped with a lace stamp in purple. (The girls room is blue and puple). But if you don't want to alternate your colours you can colour the entire letter in the same colour. I find this saves me buying lots of different alphabets to match my layouts.

Photos to come...... I've been at the dentist today so I just can't make the effort to get you those photos today...... sorry guys.

Measurements for Teachers Gift

2011-10-24T05:12:00.000-06:00

I have had a request for the measurements for these projects so here they are.... hope this makes sense for you.

Mini Canvas Magnet (it's a 4inch x 4inch canvas) you will need patterned papers as follows:

One 10cm x 10cm
One 4cm x 10cm
One 6cm x 6.5cm
One 2cm x 6.5cm
One 1.75 x 7cm
Diecuts and Stamped Titles

File Folder
Covers: Two pieces of chipboard covered in brown paper 16cm x 10.75cm
Folder pages: Six pieces of yellow cardstock 14.5cm x 10cm
Concertina sides to file: One piece of Blue cardstock 16cm x 17cm (fold fan fold back and forth at 1cm intervals) chop this in half to give you two pieces that are 8cm x 17cm. (one for each side)
Bottom of Folder: One piece of blue cardstock 13cm x 16.5cm
Cover decorations: Once piece of patterned paper 6cm x 10cm. and Once piece of patterned paper 16cm x 7.5 or two smaller pieces as we used (yellow blue and green ruler patterned paper)
Two diecuts.

Thank You Card: One card and envelope set (available at arnolds) One piece of beige cardstock 14.5cm x 7.5cm (use the end of the card to draw the same shape on the cardstock at one end.
One tag 10.5 x 2.5 and one diecut stamped with Thank You.

Notebook:
Outside Cover: One piece of thick cardboard covered in brown paper 11cm x 22cm scored at 10.5 and 11.5
Cover Decorations: One piece of patterned paper 9.5cm x 10cm and Once piece of patterned paper 2cm x 9.5 One diecut.

Writing Set:
Outside Cover: One piece of thick cardboard covered in brown paper 21.5 x 16cm folded in the middle to form a portrait book.
Writing Set: standard 14.5 x 9cm envelopes and stamped ruled paper 8.5 x 14cm.
Inside Cover: One piece of patterned paper in the shape of a triangle 10cm x 10cm x 14.5cm and One piece of patterned paper in the shape of a triangle 10cm x 11cm x 15cm
Front and back Cover Decorations: One piece of patterned paper 16.5 x 14.5cm. One piece of patterned paper 16.5 x 10.5cm and one piece of patterned paper 16.5 cm x 6.5cm
Closing Strip: One piece of thick cardboard 2.25 x 10.5cm Cover this in patterned paper.
Various diecuts and a 9cm x 4.5cm tag.

"Mothers Inspired the Soul" Canvas Class at Arnolds Scrapbooking

2011-10-22T04:00:00.000-06:00

We ran this class twice as it was so popular so I haven't been able to put the instructions up until we had finished both classes. Today I had a real newbie scrapper who did this class and she did a great job of this, so it's suitable for all levels of scrapper from newbie to advanced.

I've used the gorgeous Melissa Francis papers but you could adapt this layout to use any two papers from the same range.

This canvas is a 10 x 15cm canvas that has been painted using a sponge roller and a pearlescent pink paint by monte marte. I used papers by Melissa Francis to create this layout. I have distressed the edge of my papers and then inked them but feel free to leave this step out if you don’t like a distressed effect to your page. (A small sponge is included in your kit for this purpose).

Distress and ink the edges of the 19 x 23.5cm patterned paper.
Using a scalpel cut the points of the bunting flags to allow your photo to poke slightly under the cut out pieces.
Using the scallop edge head on the sew easy tool mark out a pattern down the right edge of the page running vertically. Sew this pattern with pink floss. (I find it easier to sew all the way to the end and then turn around and come sew back the way you came, thus filling in the blanks).
Carefully adhere the 19 x 23.5cm patterned paper to the right hand side of the canvas (make sure you don’t glue down the points of the bunting flags yet.
Take the 5cm wide piece of patterned paper and apply the Martha Stewart border punch down the left side of the piece of paper. Ink the edges and apply down the left side of the canvas.
Adhere the pink braid along the bottom edge of the canvas wrapping around the back of the canvas and sticking down well. I like to apply a wet glue to the ends of the braid to stop it fraying.
Ink the edges of the 15.5 cm half shield and apply to the page.
Using chalk colour the doilie pink and adhere to the bottom left hand area of the page so it will be partly under your photo but also sitting on top of the 15.5cm half shield.
Glue down your 16 x 12cm photo remembering to nudge it slightly under the points of the bunting flags and then glue down the points of the flags.
Ink the edges of the 7cm shield and glue down over the bottom left hand corner of the photo.
Take a Felt tipped pen and go around the edges of the birds so that they will stand out a little better against your background. (You can leave this step out if you like but your elements will blend into the background and not be very noticeable otherwise.)
Take the bird facing right with the long branch of leaves and adhere it to the bottom of your photo leaving the last 3cm not glued down.
Take your small tag and stamp with the saying “inspire the soul” and then ink the edges of the tag. Then thread the tag onto the end of the branch and then stick down the branch and the tag.
Take the large tag and stamp with the “mothers” stamp. Tie some ribbon through the hole and make a bow. Ink the edges and adhere to the top left hand corner of the photo.
Take the bird facing left and stick this to the page overlapping the tag and your photo.
Take the chipboard birdcage and ink the edges. Thread ribbon through the bottom and tie in a bow. Tie the heart charm through the bow on the bottom right hand side. Tie another bow in the top of the birdcage and then stick this to the page in the top right hand side of your photo.
Take the chipboard bird and colour it using inks and then apply a thin layer of the paint used on the background canvas. Then place a pearl as the bird’s eye and then glue this to your birdcage.
Take your Kaiser flowers and arrange them in the bottom left hand corner of your photo.
Arrange Kaiser pearls on your page.

The Scrapmiser Spin: To save on this project you could make your own flowers out of paper and instead of applying pearls to the page (I used the pale pink Kaiser ones) you could instead use stickles. The birdcage and bird are very cheap as they are cut using a Tim Holz Die on chipboard. Using chipboard off the back of a notebook here would reduce your cost. I got my doillies in a pack of 48 in the kitchen department of the cheaper and chipper store for $2 so I don't think you'd save by using a diecut and cutting your own out of paper. Taking the braid out of the design would drop your price and not detract from the overall design.

Teachers Empower Us Gift Set

2011-10-18T05:13:00.000-06:00

Here is the class I taught today at Arnolds Scrapbooking store. I had a small class of really lovely ladies to teach today and hopefully I did a good job. Marlene may try to make one of these mini concertina file folders again (fingers crossed I haven't turned her off them for life). I enjoyed teaching this class as all the ladies were warm friendly people which really helps when you're teaching a class. I used to teach people to drive and we held classes on various related topics like maintenance etc, then before that I taught people to sail but this is by far my favourite teaching post!

I sanded the edges of all the elements and used a dauber to sponge ink (Tim Holz Distress Ink Walnut) onto the edges of all the elements to give a more aged appearance . It is up to you if you’d also like to ink the edges or if you would like to leave your items uninked.

Thank You Card

1. Ink all the edges of your elements.
2. Sew the straight line and the scalloped edge pre-pierced pattern in white floss.
3. Adhere the beige cardstock to the page
4. Adhere the Shield diecut shape to the page
5. Adhere the Thank You tag to the page using pop dots to add dimension.

Outside Cover:

1. Ink the edges of all the elements.

2. Stamp the tag with “just a note”

3. Sew the scalloped edge and straight patterns in red floss on the vintage patterned paper which is a lline drawing of a school playground.

4. Adhere the green paper across the front and back cover centering the green paper a little more towards the front cover than the back.

5. Attach the blue red green and red patterned paper. To the upper third of the two covers with it overlapping the green paper a little more towards the back cover.

6. Attach the paper with the hand sewn elements you just did.

7. Add some floss to the tag and tie a bow and then attach the tag.

8. Add the three apples die cut to the top right side of the front cover.

9. Take the long thin strip of cardboard and cover in the green blue and yellow patterned paper of rulers. Then add the other apples scalloped edge diecut as shown in the picture.

10. Attach this strip firmly to the back cover and then attach a Velcro opening to the other end and place it’s matching Velcro piece on the front cover to act as a the opening and closing device of the wallet.

Inside Cover:

1. Take the two pre cut triangles of patterned paper (green blue and yellow ruler patterned paper) and adhere them to the inside of each side of the cover to act as pockets to hold the writing paper and envelopes.

Writing Set:

1. Stamp the paper and envelopes with the “just a note…” stamp.

2. Place the writing paper on one side and the envelopes on the other side of the wallet.

Outside Cover:

1. Ink the edges of all the elements.

2. Stamp the tag with “just a note”

3. Sew the scalloped edge and straight patterns in red floss on the vintage patterned paper which is a lline drawing of a school playground.

4. Adhere the green paper across the front and back cover centering the green paper a little more towards the front cover than the back.

5. Attach the blue red green and red patterned paper. To the upper third of the two covers with it overlapping the green paper a little more towards the back cover.

6. Attach the paper with the hand sewn elements you just did.

7. Add some floss to the tag and tie a bow and then attach the tag.

8. Add the three apples die cut to the top right side of the front cover.

9. Take the long thin strip of cardboard and cover in the green blue and yellow patterned paper of rulers. Then add the other apples scalloped edge diecut as shown in the picture.

Inside Cover:

Writing Set:

1. Stamp the paper and envelopes with the “just a note…” stamp.

2. Place the writing paper on one side and the envelopes on the other side of the wallet.

Just a Note Writing Set Wallet.

Inside Cover:

Writing Set:

1. Stamp the paper and envelopes with the “just a note…” stamp.

2. Place the writing paper on one side and the envelopes on the other side of the wallet.

Inside Cover:

Take the two pre cut triangles of patterned paper (green blue and yellow ruler patterned paper) and adhere them to the inside of each side of the cover to act as pockets to hold the writing paper and envelopes.

Writing Set:

Stamp the paper and envelopes with the “just a note…” stamp.
Place the writing paper on one side and the envelopes on the other side of the wallet.

Outside Cover:

Ink the edges of all the elements.
Stamp the tag with “just a note”
Sew the scalloped edge and straight patterns in red floss on the vintage patterned paper which is a lline drawing of a school playground.
Adhere the green paper across the front and back cover centering the green paper a little more towards the front cover than the back.
Attach the blue red green and red patterned paper. To the upper third of the two covers with it overlapping the green paper a little more towards the back cover.
Attach the paper with the hand sewn elements you just did.
Add some floss to the tag and tie a bow and then attach the tag.
Add the three apples die cut to the top right side of the front cover.
Take the long thin strip of cardboard and cover in the green blue and yellow patterned paper of rulers. Then add the other apples scalloped edge diecut as shown in the picture.
Attach this strip firmly to the back cover and then attach a Velcro opening to the other end and place it’s matching Velcro piece on the front cover to act as a the opening and closing device of the wallet.

Notebook and Pencil Set

Front Cover:

Adhere the piece of paper that says “The Schoolyard” to the centre of the front cover.
Next adhere the strip of green “alphabet” patterned paper to the bottom of cover.
Take the diecut “AaBbCcAaBbCc” and place it centred over the green strip of patterned paper.
Take the shield diecut and adhere it to the cover.

Inside:

Stick the notebook down with a really strong adhesive.
Place a piece of Velcro on the pencil and it’s matching piece onto the page beside the notebook so the pencil will stick to the page next to the notebook.

"Teachers Empower Us" Fridge Magnet

Ink the edges of the canvas
Attach the yellow and orange patterned paper to the canvas.
Attach the vintage schoolyard drawing patterned paper to the left side of the canvas allowing a little of the orange and yellow paper to still show through
Attach the two scalloped edge die cuts to the canvas. The small three loop to the top left hand side running vertically and the other running horizontally right along the bottom edge of the canvas.
Attach the flower patterned paper in blue, green, yellow red and orange to the right hand side of the page.
Attach the green alphabet patterned paper across the middle of the page.
Attach a strip of the green blue and yellow ruler patterned paper down the left side of the page.
Attach the Alphabet diecut “AaBbCcAaBbCcAa” to the middle of the page below the green alphabet patterned paper.
Using pop dots attach the “Empower Us” stamped heading to the lower right corner of the canvas.
Using Pop dots attach the “Teachers” stamped heading to the centre of the top of the canvas.

Mini Concertina File Folder

Inside Tabs:

Cut the pre drawn tabs from the blue cardstock and put to one side.
When the folder is finished you will glue these to the top of each page with one tab on each side of the page and joined at the circle part of the tab with the rectangular part of the tab attached to the page.

Front Cover:

Take the blue green and yellow rulers patterned papers and adhere to the page so that when you add the floral patterned paper it appears as though the green yellow and blue rulers patterned paper runs the full length of the front cover.
Attach the diecut with the ruler running down the left side of the ruled page.
Attach the “school” diecut to the top left hand edge of the cover.

The Folder:

Take the pre scored piece of blue card stock and fold it back and forth along the score lines in a fan motion.
When finished cut in half along the line.
Line up the concertina’s so they are the same with the slightly longer piece at the back.Take the pre-cut yellow cardstock and begin adhering them to the edges of the concertina’s one at a time. Leave the last piece free as this will attach to the back cover and then attach your yellow pieces of cardstock to the blue concertina's on each side. And making sure that if you attach the first yellow cardstock to the first ‘valley’ of the blue concertina that you do the same on the other side.
Continue sticking the yellow cardstock to the blue concertina pieces until there are no more yellow pieces left.
Stand the concertina fans with the yellow cardstock "pages" attached on the desk. Stick that slightly longer concertina piece to the inside of the back cover. Do the same with the other concertina piece so you have one on each side of the inside of the back cover.(Centre your two blue concertina cardstock fans over the covers).
Attach the front cover to the last piece of the concertina’s.
Take the long piece of blue card stock and feed it under all of those yellow pieces of cardstock and adhere to the inside of the front cover and the inside of the back cover to form the floor of your folder.
Take your tabs and attach them to the yellow cardstock to form the top “index” of your folder. The first pocket of the folder gets the diecut tab. Then stick a blue tab to the back of that tab. Continue adding tabs staggered slightly along the top of the pages to make them easy to read. Keep adding tabs to each folder section until none remain, sticking one to the back of each one as you go. This gives a neater appearance and more strength to the tab..

The Scrapmiser Tips:

I can't imagine anything I could of done to make this project any cheaper? Maybe use chipboard to replace the canvas? I really costed this project to within an inch of its life! LOL I saved by using thick cardboard to make the covers of the notebook and writting set. I covered everything with brown paper then filed the edges to remove any excess paper then inked all the edges to give an aged appearance. You can't get much cheaper than brown paper... LOL.... also though I thought it went with the theme. Remember when we used to cover our school books in brown paper? Before the advent of contact of course! Don't rule anything out as a scrapbooking supply. I notice a trend for the raw chipboard sort of look called Kraft which is very similar to brown paper so perhaps you could use my brown paper over cardstock to replace Kraft in your projects.

Outside Cover:

1. Ink the edges of all the elements.

2. Stamp the tag with “just a note”

3. Sew the scalloped edge and straight patterns in red floss on the vintage patterned paper which is a lline drawing of a school playground.

4. Adhere the green paper across the front and back cover centering the green paper a little more towards the front cover than the back.

5. Attach the blue red green and red patterned paper. To the upper third of the two covers with it overlapping the green paper a little more towards the back cover.

6. Attach the paper with the hand sewn elements you just did.

7. Add some floss to the tag and tie a bow and then attach the tag.

8. Add the three apples die cut to the top right side of the front cover.

9. Take the long thin strip of cardboard and cover in the green blue and yellow patterned paper of rulers. Then add the other apples scalloped edge diecut as shown in the picture.

Inspirational Quote Canvases Class

2011-10-16T01:42:00.001-06:00

This is the class I taught this Saturday at Arnolds' Scrapbooking Store called "Inspirational Quote Canvases".

You'll find photos of each canvas and the instructions on how to re-create the project yourself listed below.

I had a lovely group of ladies for this class which made it really easy to teach! LOL

Materials:

4 mini canvases (4inch x 4inch)

1 piece patterned paper

half a packet of Kaisercraft Blooms in coconut

1 bunch of orange blooms

12 inches of ric rac

1 gold heart charm (come in pack of 10 for $2)

1 set of angel wings

1 Kaisercraft craftwood picket fence

Embroidery Thread or Floss

Tools:

Scissors

Glue (really strong PVA or Pritt are both good)

Pencil

Tim Holz Distress Ink Walnut
Butterfly Stamp or Butterfly Die Cut

Instructions:

Before you begin working on any canvas in particular you can grunge up your flowers a little more if you’d like, using either a dauber or the sponge piece and a brown ink (I used Tim Holz Distress Ink Walnut Stain). Next take a piece of copy paper and cut it to 4inch x 4 inches then stamp with a “Handmade by” or “Made for you with Love” etc stamp. Adhere the “Made for you with Love” backings to the back of each canvas to give a more “finished” final product. Sign your name on the back if you’re giving them as individual presents.

Next have a look at your patterned paper and decide which part of the paper you would like on each canvas (hold them up to the light to get a good idea). Turn your canvas face down on the back side of the paper and draw around it with your pencil. Cut out these square with scissors. The rougher the better so don’t be too worried about being precise. Stamp your Butterfly to the back of the patterned paper and cut out or use your diecut to cut out a butterfly. When sewing I have found it is easier and more conservative of your “floss or embroidery thread” to sew to the end and then turn around and come back. Thus filling in the blank spaces. It is up to you though which paper you would like with each canvas. I usually attach my canvases to the wall using 3M Velcro tape (available at the supermarket).

Enjoy Creating!

Paint your canvas in a vintage metallic gold acrylic paint.
Take a piece of patterned paper and using a distressing tool or the edge of a pair of scissors distress the edge of the paper.
Ink the edges of the paper using a dauber or the sponge provided in a circular motion. Work the ink right into the roughed up edges.
Slightly roll the edges of the paper all the way around.
Spray with water and crumple the paper in your hand. Allow to dry.
Ensure the paper is completely dry then take your rub on saying and apply it to the page. (place your other items on the page and move your elements around a little to determine the best place for your saying before you begin applying). You will need to cut up the rub on to allow you to get the words to fit the page as I have done.
Adhere the paper to the canvas placing the glue slightly inside the edge of the canvas so that as the paper curls it will allow a little of the gold canvas to be seen.
Using a tiny bit of thread attach your heart charm to the wings.
Arrange your flowers and glue down the flowers and wings. (tuck any stems from the flowers under your wings. You can glue these to the canvas first or to the back of the wings then stick the wings down. (I applied glossy accents to the back of the wings in small spots and adhered the flowers then placed a piece of sticky tape across this to ensure the flowers didn’t move. I then turned that over and adhered the whole wings and flower display to the page).
Put aside for all elements to dry.

Paint your canvas in a vintage metallic gold acrylic paint.
Take a piece of patterned paper and using a distressing tool or the edge of a pair of scissors distress the edge of the paper.
Ink the edges of the paper using a dauber or the sponge provided in a circular motion. Work the ink right into the roughed up edges.
Slightly roll the edges of the paper all the way around.
Spray with water and crumple the paper in your hand. Allow to dry.
Ensure the paper is completely dry then take your rub on saying and apply it to the page. (place your other items on the page and move your elements around a little to determine the best place for your saying before you begin applying)
Adhere the paper to the canvas placing the glue slightly inside the edge of the canvas so that as the paper curls it will allow a little of the gold canvas to be seen.
Adhere your ric rac (white with orange accents) to the left hand side of the page. Fold around the canvas and adhere the left of to the other side of the canvas.
Adhere your flowers using a strong PVA glue or other really strong glue.
Put aside for all elements to dry.

Paint your canvas in a vintage metallic gold acrylic paint.
Take a piece of patterned paper and using a distressing tool or the edge of a pair of scissors distress the edge of the paper.
Ink the edges of the paper using a dauber or the sponge provided in a circular motion. Work the ink right into the roughed up edges a well.
Slightly roll the edges of the paper all the way around.
Spray with water and crumple the paper in your hand. Allow to dry.
Sew the scallop pattern onto the paper (pre pierced paper provided) using the thread provided.
Ensure the paper is completely dry then take your rub on saying and apply it to the page. (place your other items on the page and move your elements around a little to determine the best place for your saying before you begin applying)
Adhere the paper to the canvas placing the glue slightly inside the edge of the canvas so that as the paper curls it will allow a little of the gold canvas to be seen. Once the paper is glued to the canvas you can put a little extra roll in the edges.
Arrange your flowers on your fence and manipulate the stems around the fence posts to get as flat a finish as possible. Then glue down the flowers and picket fence using a strong PVA or other suitable glue. Place glue on the back of each flower and along the fence and hold down till the glue is starting to “grab”.
Put aside for all elements to dry.

Paint your canvas in a vintage metallic gold acrylic paint. (already done for you in the kit).
Take a piece of patterned paper and using a distressing tool or the edge of a pair of scissors distress the edge of the paper.
Ink the edges of the paper using a dauber or the sponge provided in a circular motion. Work the ink right into the roughed up edges.
Slightly roll the edges of the paper all the way around.
Spray with water and crumple the paper in your hand. Allow to dry.
If you wish to sew on this canvas pierce a straight line (already done) along the top of the page and embroider with the thread provided (green).
Ensure the paper is completely dry then take your rub on saying and apply it to the page. (place your other items on the page and move your elements around a little to determine the best place for your saying before you begin applying)
Adhere the paper to the canvas placing the glue slightly inside the edge of the canvas so that as the paper curls it will allow a little of the gold canvas to be seen.
Attach a piece of ric rac (white with orange accents) down the right hand side of the page. Wrap the extra ric rac around to the back of the canvas and adhere.
Arrange your flowers and glue down the flowers. Poke under the ric rac slightly.
Ink the edges of the butterfly.
Attach the butterfly to the top right hand corner (you can have it stamped side up or down. I did stamped side down) Or use a paper punch to create one out of your patterned paper.
Put aside for all elements to dry

Scrapmiser Tips:

Now for the scrapmiser tips: you could use thick chipboard instead of canvases if you can't get them cheap. These were 4inch x 4inch in a pack of 5 for $1.99. You could save money by making the larger white flowers (Kaisercraft Blooms in Coconut) out of the patterned paper or a co-ordinating paper. Also if you have a cricuit or sizzix diecut of a fence you could use that rather than the Kaisercraft Fence I used. If you were really wanting to cut your cost you could replace the ric rac with an edge punch used on a co-ordinating piece of paper.