Card of the Week

Tutorial Tuesday

Tutorial of the Week: Faux Seaglass Bracelets by Patty at Patty's Stamping Spot

Aren't these awesome?!!!  I have never dabbled in jewelry making, but this tutorial certainly makes me want to try -- tools needed (mostly stuff you have):  shrinky dinks, stamps! (yes!), Crystal Effects, hole punches, jump rings, bracelet chain.  Patty makes it look simple and I think I may have to try this! 

Runner Up: Sponged Water Color Background by Leslie at Running with Scissors 

Leslie has been a favorite artist for a while and this card shows you why.  I love how it looks almost like a photograph.  Leslie is great at coloring and just as good at teaching.  She shows you step by step how to achieve these great results. 

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Special thanks to Anne Pask for turning me on to Mel Stamps --where we found (among other great things) 82 great things to do with the Cuttlebug:  http://melstampz.blogspot.com/2008/03/ive-been-bitten.html   

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Special thanks to Jenn at KiyomiKrafts for this award!  I can't play along -- I don't have time, but please check out Jenn's amazing blog.  You've seen her in the BOB list many times -- she's AWESOME!

 

Video finds:

Templates:

Tutorials:

Look Mom! I'm famous!

OK, not quite famous, but I did get featured on the Databazaar Blog!  I'm beyond tickled and I have this huge, dopey grin all over my face :D

Do you remember this post?  Finally, I Scrapped

Well, some fabulous person over at Databazaar saw it and reached out to me about showcasing the project! 

Thanks for a wonderful day to the lovely folks at Databazaar (please rush over and give them some click love) and also to my mentor and scrapbooking diva, Jessica Sprague, for showing me that my computer is NOT a scrapbooking paperweight!

Card of the Week/Page Plans Sketch Challenge #4

Wooo Hoooo!  Sketch Challenge #4!

This is a really challenging sketch and I was pumped about stretching myself to see what I could come up with.  What do you think?

I love that it's a "long" card -- I get in a rut sometimes with the more traditional card sizes. 

OK, play along -- I WANT to see what you make!

   *  Sunday, Lesli will premiere the sketch on the Page Plan site
    * Monday, I'll put it out on the group site.
    * Tuesday:  I'll show you Marie's sketch.
    * Wednesday:  I'll show you Julie's sketch.
    * Thursday & Friday:  You can vote on your favorite sketch from our photo gallery.
    * Saturday:  the winner will be featured on the Card of the Week Community Group site (now knows at CoTW CG).

Guess what else goes with the sketch....

Guest Design Team Call for Page Plans

Chris and Lesli are looking for 2 Guest Designers for the month of August!  To be considered you only need to complete a Card or Layout based on any of the July sketches from Page Plans.  Please send your entries to pageplans@gmail.com and let us know if you want to be considered for the LO Team or Card Team.  We will need your entries by July 28th and will be notifying the winners by the 31st.  We hope you will want to join in the fun!

Scrapbook Saturday

Scrapbook Page of the Week: Growth by Lauren at Enjoy Life

 

WOW. WOW. WOW.  Lift the flap pages are a new discovery for me.  (I didn't know how to get them in the scrapbook protector before!)  I think this page is amazing.  I love how the focus stays on Lauren and opens up to reveal the journaling.  It's bright and colorful and full of interactivity for the reader.  FAB.  'Nuf said.

Runner Up:  Proud of You by Renee at LiveSpace

Yep, more flaps.  This one reveals more photos -- proving that you're not limited to what you can put on a page.  It's always been frustrating for me to see the sketches in the magazine for one photo and love them, but not know how to transform them to accommodate my needs.  I'm a picture junkie -- I always have several pictures from an event!   I think it's awesome how Renee chose to do a 4th of July spread on a green floral background.  It just shows that you're only limited by your imagination.  I love the colors and the fonts and the layered title.  All those elements help make this page not just fun, but engaging. 

Special Funny Shout Out:  Hissy Fit by Holly at Holly Mccaig Designs

I'm a cat person, so this page naturally caught my eye.  I think it's hilarious.   I love how the cat is framed out by the paper. 

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Favorite Mini-Book:  The Boo Crew by Maren at Zany Not Crazy

Click on over to Maren's site to see all the pages of this adorable Halloween book.  I love how it all came together.  I especially like the spider web detail over the picture.  This is a fun book to have on the coffee table during October.  Imagine a whole bowl of these from all the Halloween's past.  Fun tradition to think about!

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OK, as you may have noticed, I found a lot of new sites this week that featured amazing scrapbookers.  My list of shout outs was over the top!  Here is the BOB list for scrapbooks this week.  Check it out -- you don't want to miss anything!!  *For those of you on Google Reader -- click on over... the box doesn't show here :(

(Remember to click on the "read more" link at the bottom of the box to see the entire list as a web page with pictures -- one stop shopping!)

Card of the Week and Best of the Blogosphere

Scalloped Owl by Pam at Paper Askew Studio

OK, this card is just WOW!  Pam has it entered in the Paper Crafts Idol contest.  Voting for this card is now closed, but I will be floored if she doesn't win a slot in Round Two!!  Isn't this card AMAZING?!!!  (Among other things, I'm loving the bracket eyebrow :D) 

Runner Up:  Clearly Thankful by Julie at Out to Impress

I think this card may be one of the prettiest that I've ever seen!  It's hard to tell from the photo, but it's actually assembled with clear cardstock!  Julie does a great job of walking you through the steps to put this together so that by the end of her blog post you're thinking, "Man!  This is easy!".  Hope when I try it, I get the same spectacular results!!!

Runner Up:    Blushing by Kim at Paper in the Works

 

Kim Teasdale is the QUEEN of LAYERS -- a title in all my authority as Card of the Week blogger gave to her just seconds ago.  I'm completely enthralled (yes, enthralled) by how intricate this card is!  Check out the AMAZING punch out flower -- she twisted the leaves to show the underside!  Holy COW!  So pretty.  I have a case of MOJO ENVY. 

Project of the Week: Knock Knock Joke Book by Nichole at

Capture the Moment

 

This project made me smile and I do promise that I'll be making this!  I love it!  How cute is this to include with all the birthday cards and small gifts that you have send to distant nieces and nephews!  Adorable!  I know that my kids would torture me endlessly with jokes while we drive around in the van.  Just fun.  Plain ol' fashion fun.

Runner Up:  Baby Frame - Shabby Style by Anna at

Sweet Miss Daisy

Isn't this completely precious?!  I adore the vintage-y gorgeousness of this frame.  I think it's lush.  The frame is just a simple wooden frame painted out and detailed.  Patterned paper adorns the top and is stamped with flourishes to tie the entire thing together.  Lovely.  Anna, this is lovely. 

Runner Up:  Coaster Gift by Lauren at

Enjoy Life

 

I just discovered Lauren's blog this week and I'm already anxiously awaiting her next post.  She's incredibly creative.  Check out these coasters... she made them out of an old Bath and Body Works Body Butter container and some cork rounds.  They are gorgeous!  I can't wait to make these and keep them around for hostess gifts, etc. 

The Shout Out List

OK, instead of my usual individual shout outs, I'm trying something new today.  I was pulling together my shout outs and there were too many of them.  I was having an internal crisis trying to pick and choose, because I don't want you to miss anything and there are just so many over the top, excellent, cards and projects out there.  My solution was to share a "BOB box" of just my favorites -- we'll call it the "Shout Out List".  These aren't just the things you shouldn't miss --- but the best of the best.  We'll still have the regular BOB list too.  I'm in the process of changing how I organize all the blogs that I read and I'm tweaking it.  Please help me out by commenting on this post how you feel about the new format. 

Remember to click the "Read More" link at the bottom of each box to see the list as a web page, complete with pictures. 

 

Best of the Blogosphere:

This is the list of all the other projects and features that you just shouldn't miss.  Creative ideas and projects abound.  Your favorite idea could be right here... heck, the card you made could be here too!  My full BOB list includes ALL the best.... scrapbook pages, cards, tutorials, projects, tips, all of it.  Read on....

 

Remember to hit the "read more" button at the bottom of the box to see the list as a web page, complete with pictures. 

Enjoy!

Tutorial Tuesday

Tutorial of the Week: Acetate Tri-Fold by Melanie at

Hands, Head and Heart

OK, I love this card and Melanie shares how to make it step by step!  It opens up to reveal three different designs all layered together to make one beautiful card!

Runner Up:  Metallic Art Pencils by Andrea from

Sunny Stampin'

I'm one of those Stampin' Up! Demonstrators who has never played with the metallic art pencils.  I couldn't tell you how to use them, or even why.  Well, you MUST check out this AWESOME tutorial by Andrea Walford on how to create this eye catching card!  Coloring is my favorite part of card making and Andrea makes it look EASY!

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Coloring:

Easy Watercoloring by Leslie at Running with Scissors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leslie has the ability to make everything look easy!  She will walk you step by step in watercoloring this beautiful Anna Wright images and make it look like a piece of cake! 

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Sponged Grid Background Technique by Theresa at Crafting the Web

I love how the background of this card came out -- the pattern is even repeated on the blue, but I didn't notice that right off.  Theresa shows you how to use scrap paper to pull off this surprisingly easy effect!

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Shimmery Butterflies by Julie at Out to Impress

Check out this fabulous tutorial on how to use colored pigment powders and glue on acetate to color an image.  The end result is just stunning.  Here is one of the comments from Julie's blog:  "Gosh, you know how butterflies leave that shimmery powder when you touch their wings...that's what this looks like--it's perfect! A beautiful image and absolutely wonderful tutorial!"  What could I add to that?!  Nothing! 

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Smackin' Acetate by Diana at

Stampin' With Di

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Try this coloring technique using acetate and markers to get this neat effect!   The end result is a rustic feel that matches that Bella Rose paper so well, you'd think they were made to go together!

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Always check out Michelle Zindorf for great coloring tutorials.  She makes amazing cards that are all "frame worthy" and always includes a step by step tutorial.

Patterns and Templates

Candy Corn Template and Directions by Maren at Zany Not Crazy

I'm not ready for Halloween... or even Summer to be over, but Maren is getting me in the mood.  Isn't this card adorable?  Maren provides great step by step instructions on how to recreate this -- and they are simple enough to make MANY!

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Dressed to Sparkle by Linda at LMac's Catered Crops

Linda gives you the downloadable template and step by step directions for making this sparkly paper dress!  Wouldn't these be great for wedding or bridal shower cards?

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Never Ending Card Tutorial by Vicki at Angel Stamper

No matter how you fold this card, you get something new -- one card -- four different looks!  Click on over to Vicki's site for pattern and directions and pictures of all the different ways that this comes together.  Wouldn't this be awesome with pictures as a "Thank you for your hospitality!" card?

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Tips & Tricks

Using Nestabilities to Make Medallions by Alli at Card Metaphors

I love Nesties, but I don't really know how to use them to their best advantage.  Alli came up with a great way to emboss your cards to get different impressions from the same die.  Love it.  Click on over and check it out.

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Shabby Chic Cuttlebug Flowers by Nichole at Capture the Moment

Nichole was playing in her craft room and discovered how to make these beautiful "shabby chic" fabric flowers.  I love them! 

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Digital Must See's:

Easy Orton Effect by Bobbi-Jo at

It Works for Me

Bobbi-Jo has a talent for making her photographs look amazing -- and she shows you how too!  Learning how simple it is to make your standard picture look "dreamy" is easily worth the cost of the software.  By the way, Photoshop Elements is less than $70 at Costco. 

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Photo Shazam! by Jessica at The Spraugue Lab

Take your photos from drab to fab is 3 (yes THREE) easy, peasy steps.  Can you say, "SHAZAM!"?  By the way, if you're just learning Photoshop Elements, this is the place to start.  Jessica will make you love your software so much that you can't remember how you were every happy without it!

Other Categories You Just Shouldn't Miss:

Blogging How To:   Google Analytics to Help Build a Better Blog by Savitri at Scrappin and Stampin' With Savitri

Great card making Videos:  Kristina Werner from KWerner Designs -- there are two this week, one for making bows and one for making an adorable star card. 

Here is the Tutorial "BOB" list.  Please click on the "read more" at the bottom of the box if you would like to see the tutorials as a web page with pictures. 

Card of the Week Sketch Challenge #3

Sorry this is late -- I'm having issues with my Windows Live Writer.  Sigh. 

OK, it's officially Week Three of the Card of the Week Community Group Sketch Challenge!  We've teamed up with the awesome ladies at Page Plans to bring you a weekly sketch contest. 

Here is the sketch:

 

Here are the details:

• Sunday, Lesli will premiere the sketch on the Page Plan site
• Monday, I'll put it out on the group site. 
• Tuesday:  I'll show you Marie's sketch.
• Wednesday:  I'll show you Julie's sketch.
• Thursday & Friday:  You can vote on your favorite sketch from our photo gallery.
• Saturday:  the winner will be featured on the Card of the Week Community Group site (now knows at CoTW CG).

To play, just upload your version of the sketch to our photo gallery.  Please name your photo:  COTW3 + whatever name you want

I can't wait to see what you make!!

Journaling 101

I'm incredibly pumped up and excited to announce that Erika Martin invited me to be part of her new online scrapbooking class, Journaling 101. 





I've said for ages that Erika has a talent for making incredibly moving scrapbook pages -- she chronicles her life, not just the events.  She is actually on a path to creating more of a legacy album than a simple scrapbook.  I've been wanting to bring more of her style and focus to my own albums.   

Please click on over and check it out -- I'll be scrapping along with the rest of you!!!  (My plan is to do a little introduction to "hybrid" scrapbooking, so that you can use your computer too!!!

Check out the summary I pulled from her class description:

clipped from stampinmama.typepad.com The Stampin' Mama Journaling 101 Online Scrapbook Course One of the things that I hear most often about my scrapbook layouts is that people connect with the journaling. They feel that, even if they don't know me, they can connect with me and feel like they know me simply by reading the journaling that I've included on my layouts. They feel like they understand the story I'm trying to tell by reading my journaling. The next thing that I hear most often is that journaling is really hard for most people to include on their layouts. There are many reasons that people don't include journaling on their layouts.   They feel like they don't have anything to say. They don't know where to start. They feel like they're not a writer. They hate their own handwriting. Do any of these sound familiar to you? Do you feel this way? The truth is, there's a writer in all of us. Our photos have stories to tell. Some people just need a little help to bring that writer out to tell the story.

Scrapbook Saturday

Scrapbook Page of the Week:  Sunny Day by Sherry at the

Pursuit of Craftyness

OK, there is a lot here that makes this page a stand out -- for one thing, the letters in "sunny" are also the sun rays!  The swirls on the bottom mimic the waves from the picture.  The journaling is on the picture itself.  Oh heavens... my list goes on and on.  It's full of texture.  I like these colors.  It's great!

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Runner Up:  Legoland by MacKenzie at Midnight Scramper

This layout by MacKenzie rocks out loud.  She used real legos on the page.  She remembered to take pictures of the lego bins and even the bathroom signs!  One word: awesomeness

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Shout Outs:

Comfortable in My Own Skin by Erika at Stampin' Mama

Erika has won several "awards" here on Card of the Week for her scrapbook pages.  She's has the ability to capture "soul" in her pages -- she chronicles life, not just events.  We've made friends online, and I've said many times that I wish she would teach me this style of scrapbooking.  Guess what... she's going to do it!!!!  She's having a class coming up called Journaling 101 where she is going to teach people HOW to journal.  I'm so excited I can barely see straight.   

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Animals by Stampin' Mommy of Four

I just think this page is adorable!  That cute little monkey popping up out of the top made me flag this one.  If you click on the picture to make it larger, you can see how she doodled little boxes around her journaling and carried the leaves falling off the monkey branch all around the page.  It's simple, but unified.  I'll have to "scraplift" this :D

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It's Christmas by Pam at Tinkering Ink

 

I just think this page is BEAUTIFUL!  I love the pink cast over the picture and the highlighted ornament.  Lovely.  I think I would reprint this page just as it is and make that a Christmas Card.

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Picnic in the Mountains by Holly at Today's Creations

 

Check out the ants carrying the letters at the bottom of the page!  I also love the torn gray paper making up the Smokie Mountains.  It all goes with the black and white pictures...  great job!

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Abundance by Jewels at

Paper Jewels

Jewels includes a tip about using your Bind-it All as an embellishing tool.  Notice those ribbons on the side?!  Who needs a spiral punch if you already own the BIA?!  Isn't her daughter pretty?  This was a great shot.  I love "eye" pictures.

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Product Shout Out:

Ali Edwards' new digital overlays

Ali shows you a million ways to use these digital overlays -- even if you're a purely traditional scrapper -- you can just print the file onto a transparency! 

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OK, remember how earlier this week I discovered how to make the Best of the Blogosphere list appear by category?  Well, TA DA!  Here it is for the scrapbook pages!  Now you are guaranteed not to miss a trick! (Remember to hit "read more" at the bottom of the post to see the BOB list as a web page, complete with pictures!)

Shazam

I saw this post today on Jessica Sprague's blog.

I had to try it, and I thought I'd share my results.  Before pictures are on the left.

I'm liking the results.  I wish my pictures weren't so grainy.  Want that $$$ DSLR camera.  Rob says that I always want something. 

Trying it again --

I still don't have Jessica's touch, but I love this!  Let's try it with cards....

I will definitely be using it in the future.  Big difference -- quickly.