52 Friday Favorites-Twenty

(Originally posted on the Paper Issues blog 2/28/20)

My 52 Friday Favorites Week 5 was all about my youngest turning 20. It's a big milestone, leaving those teenage years behind! We celebrated with King Cake one night, then went out to eat crawfish another. He loves having a birthday in February, with Mardi Gras on the horizon and crawfish season in full swing.

For my spread, I spelled out Twenty, creating letters from many of my favorite colorful washi tapes, then cut tags from Pebbles' Happy Cake Day collection papers. More of those papers were used to cut and piece a King Cake embellishment. 

What is your favorite thing from this past week?

Document it on a page, in a planner or mini album, with a traveler's notebook or a tag, then add it to the 52 Friday Favorites challenge thread in the Paper Issues Friends and Fans Facebook Group.
See you there!

When you need new supplies from the Paper Issues Store,
remember to use the code Madeline to get 20% off everything. 

52 Favorites-Weeks #1, #2, and #3

Paper Issues’ 52 Favorites challenge was something I’ve wanted to do for a while. It's a quick way to document those somewhat random moments in your week that might not make it onto a regular scrapbook page. Wanting something a little larger than a travelers notebook, I decided to make my own pages by cutting a pack of 81/2 x 11 cardstock in half. Then I used a Bind-It-All to punch holes. When the year is done, I'll gather up all the pages and add O-rings. Sometime between now and then, I might even make a cover! ;)

Week #1

Highlights in this first week of 2020 include struggling to put together a beautiful but difficult puzzle, making chocolate chip pancakes for Kevin and I, and finally having time to enjoy my Christmas gifts!

Two patterned paper scraps, washi tape, and colorful letter stickers were all I needed to pull this spread together. One week down, 51 to go!

Week #2

This week was defined by school resuming for Kevin and the start of my 7-on. My photos highlight the textbooks that began to dribble in from Amazon and the big breakfast I cooked on my last day of leisure. 

Circular scraps from an earlier project are used on the left, while paper cut outs from an older Bella Blvd. collection show up on the right. 

Week #3 

Most Sundays Tommy cooks for a dozen people give or take. This Sunday his stack of mini muffalettas looked so cute piled up on the plate. I wasn't fast enough however, as the stack was down to one layer by the time I pulled out my phone. LOL! 

I used a few more scrap pieces from Bella Blvd's Alex collection to dress up these pages. The hamburger die cut was perfect, as were the actual muffulettas! YUM!

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How about that?! Three weeks down and I'm keeping up, having fun working with this new-to-me format. Check out all of the inspiration in Paper Issue's 52 Friday Favorites challenge album. It's never too late to start!

Feels Like Summer

You know that song by Weezer; well, it's in my head a lot now...and I couldn't be happier with these warm summer-feeling temperatures! Summer is my season. ;)

Here is a colorful page documenting Kevin's summer of 2016, a summer filled with lifeguarding, swimming, video games, swimming, Driver's Ed, swimming, watching Big Brother (an addiction I tell ya!), a week at the beach and swimming. Ahhh...soon he'll be at it again, minus the Driver's Ed.



The next layout was published in the summer 2017 issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today. It features a fun assortment of patterned papers, a melange of die-cuts, washi tape banner, and a title of colorful chipboard letters.



Summer days...bring it on!

All The Colors

This old kit had SO many die-cuts and stickers, I thought I'd never use them up...but I sure came close after completing this birthday page. Large patterned paper balloons were handcuff and pen-stitched before tying them up with an assortment of baker's twine. Colorful washi tape and enamel dots add to the celebratory feel of this birthday page:

And another kit bites the dust...almost. ;)

Paper Weaving: Simply Me Layout and Card

Today I'm sharing a layout (and bonus card) both created with the gorgeous March main kit from My Creative Scrapbooks. For this page, and the card below, I use a favorite paper scrap technique, paper weaving.

You could use just a few chosen patterned papers, and create an orderly design with your weaving...or opt for a more freestyle look, as in the weaving I've done here.

I love the random look of these paper strips woven together. They create a fun second photo mat of sorts for my photo, which was first narrowly matted on yellow. Additional pops of yellow, flower chipboard, button, and bird sticker give the layout a happy feel.

Stickers, chipboard pieces, and die-cuts from the Simple Stories "I Am" collection are scattered around the journaling card. 

Of course, what does one do with those extra strips cut for the layout above, except continue the weaving exercise! Backing a heart cut-out, and embellished with die-cuts, a button and tag, it makes a beautiful card. 

And who doesn't love a handmade birthday card? 'Til next time...

Always & Forever

If you know me, and you know my scrapbook pages, you'll also know that I love my patterned paper. So it might come as a surprise when you notice that the layout below uses absolutely NO patterned paper at all! That's right...none, zilch, zero, nada. 

Instead, I've filled the ink-splattered center of this minimalist page with die-cut embellishments from the Pebbles DIY Home ephemera pack from Scraptastic's Feels Like Home kit:

Painted chipboard, washi tape, and a stamped sentiment courtesy of Scraptastic's Sentiment Series V.9 stamp set complete the page. 

I can't remember the last time I created a scrapbook page without patterned paper. In fact, if I have, it must have been a challenge...or a dare. ;)

Look Out World!

I thought I had a bit longer, but when I overheard another mom with a son in my child's grade talking, I realized I didn't. She was talking about registering her son for Driver's Ed. It doesn't seem possible! Wasn't it just a little while ago that he was in this car at Epcot, barely peering over the window, feet dangling far above the floorboard of the car?! 

I chose Studio Tekturek's One Way Ticket collection to set off my photos. The paper airplanes and deep blue celestial print are favorite patterns, with wonderful blues and greens, colors much welcomed when creating boy pages.

Various patterned papers from the collection were cut into squares, then triangles, and finally combined to form a geometric design on the left hand side of the page:

A few mustard yellow accents (stickers, star, enamel dots, a brad and banner of washi tape) bring it all together:

At the time these photos were taken, I couldn't have imagined this day would be here so soon. I'm kinda hoping he's not in such a hurry. In any case: Look out world!

Washi Tape Christmas Tree

I shared this how-to on the Scraptastic blog yesterday, so I thought I'd share it here as well. It's a great way to use all those pretty tapes that you have piling up around you!

It all started when I was placing two more rolls of tape on my washi tape holder. Horror of horrors, I couldn't fit but one or two more! Yikes! So, to put a dent in my stash of pretty tapes while creating a fun page to showcase a photo of our Christmas tree (yet to be printed), I fashioned this bright and vibrant Christmas tree of washi tape "flaps":

How-To:
On a separate sheet of (white) cardstock, use a pencil and ruler to draw a horizontal line the desired width of your tree. Then cut a strip of washi tape approximately 3 inches long. Fold the tape over on itself leaving 1 inch of tape free. Use this free section of tape to attach the washi flap, aligning the folded edge with the line on the cardstock. Continue with various tapes, leaving only the slightest gap between each one. Begin the next row of tapes in the middle of the end tape of the previous row as shown. Use a ruler to ensure that tapes run level across each row. Each row will have one fewer flap than the one below it. Continue adding tapes until you are left with a single flap at the top. Your tree should end up in a somewhat triangular shape. Using a ruler, cut out your tree into a more refined triangle so that little or no cardstock shows along the edges. Adhere the washi tree to misted cardstock and complete the page.

Note: The longer the flaps, the taller the tree! Flaps that are too short will result in a stumpy tree. Yes, this was learned through trial and error. ;)

Now I'm on the lookout for more ways that I can use these tapes! They are too pretty to just sit and "be pretty"! It's time for me to brainstorm, and get them into my scrapbooks.

Supplies: Chipboard: (Maggie Holmes Open Book 12 x 12 Chipboard Stickers), Die-Cuts: (Pink Paislee Merry & Bright Ephemera) Washi Tape: (Bella Blvd. Designer Tape Navy Dot), (Freckled Fawn Large Gold Polka Dot), (Echo Park Creative Agenda Decorative Tape Dots), and various tapes from my stash.

Bridge In The Woods

It's no surprise that I am a really big fan of the current "fox" trend in scrapbook embellishments. With the last name, Fox, it's a given!

But many people without that particular fox connection may be wondering what exactly to DO with the fox rub-on, fox flair, and fox wood veneer in this month's Scraptastic kit, Heart It Races and add-on. It's a natural for outdoors photos, woodland scenery, parks, zoo pics, and all other nature-inspired photography. 

 Here I use it in a little cluster with another favorite piece from the kit, a tree cross-section wood veneer (genius!).

How would you use those fox embellishments? I think they would make great card accents for that special "foxy" someone! And hey, they are so dog-gone CUTE, it doesn't matter where they show up; they are sure to steal your heart. But of course I may be just a teensy bit biased. If you find they're a burden...just send them this way! ;)

Get Glittery!

Yesterday I joined Jocelyn on the Scraptastic blog as we hosted the Thursday Challenge. Our theme was "Get Glittery", a perfect fit for my most recent Scraptastic kit. In September's The Girl kit and add-on there are several glittery embellishments: Shimelle rub-ons with gold glitter, pink glitter washi tape, glitter-enhanced dimensional bows from Heidi Swapp, as well as a sparkly aqua alphabet. 

My take on this glitter challenge is a layout aptly titled Sparkle & Shine. Starting with a pink cardstock base, I sprayed and sprinkled both white and gold mist, then followed with several sprarkly embellishments. I wanted this layout to shine...literally! See how the stretch of gold heart rub-ons underlines the title:

A trio of dimensional bows are already embellished with gold glitter, and the butterflies sport sparkly jewels, all easy additions to the page.

Next I made good use of The Girl add-on kit's pink glitter washi tape. A few strips were layered side to side on cardstock and double punched. Both bits find space on my layout: the pinked-edged circle highlights the "here & now" sticker (see above); the leftover portion encircles the flair. See how it sparkles.

At the bottom of my page, die-cuts are strung on twine, with strips of washi tape added between them. The glittery tape was folded over the twine and cut into little notched banners. More sparkle and shine.

Are you up for the challenge? Link up a layout over on the Scraptastic blog for a chance to win a Scraptastic kit!

Teacher Conferences

Arriving at the school an hour early, I took a photo of the empty hallway...and then created a layout about the quarterly conferences I must endure!

The page was shared on the Scraptastic blog last week, and it features one of my favorite go-to designs...the grid. In this case I created a very orderly top half with various squares of patterned paper. I punched several and then moved them around until I was happy with their placement. It still left me with half a page on which to play, plenty enough room for a photo, embellishments, and journaling. 

The two softly colored squares on the second row were just the right spot for my title and I was able to use the straight lines of my grid (and the ledger paper below) to help align my letters.

My photo of an empty school hallway had just enough "white space" for a die-cut, banner pieces and an arrow to be placed right on top of the picture. Journaling fits right below the photo.

Then on to my embellishments. I cut out a couple of stamped images, mounting the globe image on a tag, and giving the world image a punched and distressed notebook edge. The Scraptastic Let Me Go stamp had such fitting images for my school theme! The washi tape banner tied everything together nicely.

Journaling: "I've got it down to a science! Science (literally) is first...on 3rd. Then down one floor to Algebra I, always a long line, and English, always a pleasure. Next, it's back up to 3rd for Spanish and Christianity. Then down two floors to World Geography. It's quite the workout...both physically and mentally! Only 4 more years of this. :)"

School is winding down...finally! Four more exams and he's off for the summer. Waaaahooooo! Who else is ready for a reprieve from the stress of keeping their child(ren) on task with homework, studying, etc.?! 

Embellishment Love

Today I'm sharing my first page with this month's Scraptastic travel-themed kit. A favorite part of every Scraptastic kit has to be the plethora of embellishments, so carefully chosen to compliment the colors, patterns, and theme. April's kits are no exception, and I can't say enough about those selected for the Let Me Go kit. I used die-cuts, a cork shape, stickers, chalkboard flags, gold glitter enamel dots and exclusive flair and stamps in a few carefully placed clusters on the page below.

Creating interesting clusters are easy when you combine elements with different sizes, textures and shapes.

Here are two more cluster close-ups:

With the assortment of decorative elements in each Scraptastic kit, you can embellish any number of pages. Here's a peek at the page I'll be sharing tomorrow:

  

I see stamping, mist, stitching...and lots of color!

Sunday Fun Day with American Crafts

I've been eyeing up this die-cut paper from the Amy Tangerine Cut and Paste collection for a long time. The many little notches can be used in a variety of ways-to tuck papers, photos, and/or embellishments! I ultimately decided to thread an assortment of colorful tear strips through the slits and fold back the notches.

Even more tear strips make up the frame around my photo. Three little yellow-inked chicks were added to the journaling block. 

Additional details include die-cuts, flair, a puffy sticker, button, washi tape feathers and a hand stitched arrow design courtesy of an Amy Tangerine stitching template. All in all it was a lovely mix of American Crafts' colorful collections.

And it was indeed a fun day...an Easter Sunday crawfish boil. I guess it's about time for us to begin planning this year's Easter celebration!

TI"double guh"ER

How do YOU spell "Tigger"? Winnie the Pooh's bouncy, trouncy, flouncy pouncy tiger friend spells it in a cute, unique way: T, I, double "guh", ER. His silly spelling presented me with a wonderfully different title for my layout. Having snapped various photos with every single one of the characters during our lunch at the Crystal Palace Restaurant, and scrapped a few already, I was running out of captivating title ideas. I was glad to have thought of this one! 

Here's the tape and stitching technique I shared a few weeks ago, and used again! In case you missed it:

Washi Tape Heart Technique:

1. Lightly pencil in a heart shape (or other simple shape) on cardstock.
2. Place strips of washi tape edge to edge horizontally to completely cover the penciled in shape. 
3. Using a fairly tight stitch, sew heart shape twice. On the second pass, don't be too precise if you like the carefree, sketchy look.
4. Peel up the strips of washi outside the sewn heart and tear carefully where the thread perforated the tape.

After layering my patterned papers and photo, I reached way back into my stash for the metal embellishments (frame and flowers) that grace this page. Their bright orange color complimented our tiger friend and the colorful KI Memories papers that I chose.

And look! I have remembered to include a little "hidden Mickey". Can you see him tucked in among the suitcases?

Truth be told, it was tricky finding time to chow down between all the character visits, but this restaurant remained one of our favorites, both for the food and the bountiful photo ops. Can't wait to return one day!

Paradise Found

For my third page created with Scraptastic's Rock Lobster kit, I pulled together all of the softer colors to highlight this picture of my husband and I at the beach. I love the casual look of this photo, taken by my sister. We had already posed for all the requisite face forward shots and then decided to do some silly "model" shots. The goofing around photos turned out to be the most remarkable!

Several patterned paper rectangles and scraps are layered beneath the photo, with stickers, brads, and a die-cut tucked in here and there.

Gold striped washi tape was folded over toothpicks to fashion tiny flags.

Wow...I can hardly believe that pictures taken two weeks ago are already scrapped! That's some kind of record for me. :)

Surf 'N Sand (Washi Tape Tutorial)

Our first day at the beach began with rain, driving rain. But as soon as the skies cleared, Kevin and his cousins hit the beach with their boards. They rode the waves for hours. When I wasn't videoing the boys coming in on a big wave, I was snapping pictures of their rears as they headed back out:

 

This layout, created with Scraptastic's Rock Lobster kit and add-on, features two pretty cool ways that washi tape can be used to embellish a page.

 

First, several pieces of tape folded over a length of bakers twine were cut into flag shapes for a colorful banner.

I also used washi tape with my sewing machine to create the large sun icon underneath the title. A few simple steps can be used to fashion any basic shape (heart, star, etc.) from tape:

1. Lightly draw a shape directly on the background paper in pencil.
2. Layer strips of washi tape to generously cover the penciled in shape. Do not press hard, as the excess tape will need to be removed after stitching.
3. Machine stitch over the pencil lines. Repeat stitching. A tight stitch is recommended. 
4. Carefully peel back the tape pieces outside of the stitching and tear away to reveal the washi tape shape.

Finally, white embossed anchors dress up the flags along the bottom of the page:

I definitely had fun with this page!

Messy or Clean?

A few days ago I asked the question in the Scraptastic Club forum...messy or clean? And several of the forum readers/Scraptastic Club members responded with peaks at their spaces...their REAL spaces, not the tidied up version. I really loved seeing everyone's everyday work areas, so as promised I shared mine, and decided to do so on my blog as well. Here it is, but be forewarned! This is my everyday. :)

Almost everything I use is right here...on my desk...within arms reach. But it sure can get a mess! Right now I'm in the middle of picking through my papers and scraps for two different projects. Here's a look at my organized chaos.




And here's a head-on view of my work area:




Stacking trays on the left hold some of my patterned papers, but that isn't the half of it. Having a deep space below my work surface really comes in handy for a paper addict like me. Larger collections and Scraptastic kits are kept in a milk crate underneath my desk, along with Iris boxes in themes such as Summer, Travel, School, Halloween, and Christmas. Stamping supplies reside down below as well.

Also on top of my desk are my letter stickers. Stickers from Basic Grey, Jillibean Soup and October Afternoon are kept upright alongside the paper trays. Here also reside my spray inks, most-used ink pads, and newest stamps from Scraptastic. 

The 3-drawer storage in the center holds lots and lots and lots of chipboard, as well as my lesser used tools and punches. My new washi tape holder (modeled after the one made by Susan Stringfellow and described here) will need to be moved so that I can access the drawers. It needs a permanent home.  

The revolving unit on top of the 3-drawer storage holds things that I reach for everyday: pens, pencils, exacto knife, rulers, my ATG, and more. Alongside it are favorite border punches and stick pins. Hanging up are my wood veneer.

Finally, the storage cube on the right holds so much miscellany that it is spilling out into other containers. Here is where I keep journaling spots, bingo cards, library cards, labels, tabs, and all manner of bits and pieces. A little container holds flowers. Another holds fabric tapes, and tags. Finally, there is one plastic shoebox in which I have tightly squeezed all of my Thickers. They are in serious need of a thinning out! On top of it all are my photos. 

While a dedicated scraproom is a dream, I have to say that this set-up works out well for me. I am in a corner of our family room, not too far from the kitchen, and in the midst of all our family's happenings. It's a good place to be. 

The Muddy Mississippi

Although I've lived all my life near the Mississippi River, I doubt I've ever actually felt the water. We've walked on the levee, crossed bridges from one bank to the next hundreds of times, but I've never thought about touching it. This summer, after a day playing tourist in the French Quarter of New Orleans with my mom, sisters, and some of our kids, we walked over to the river and spent a few minutes watching the ship traffic. The three little cousins were determined to do more. After carefully picking their way down the rocks, one of the three leaned over and dipped a hand in the water. The second one followed suit. And the third. Mission accomplished.

The graphic paper of Fancy Pants' Be You collection had the perfect phrases for my page. "Live In The Moment" Check. "Laugh Often" Check. "Be Silly" Check. "Always Try New Things." Check, check, and check. And hey, I certainly tried out a new graphic style for this page!

Check out the exclusive Ormulu flair that was created for this month's Scraptastic Club kit, Everyday Is Like Sunday. I love, love, love it!