Do you ever...

...buy paper because you just have to have it and when you are ready to use it you kind of sit there staring at all the pretty papers and have a blank?? Well I'm sure I'm not alone :)
Here is what you can do...either go to the manufacturers website and have a look at their Gallery and blog or go to a website with a gallery to look for the particular product. I like to go to 2Peas in a Bucket and I always find tons of inspiration.
For the following example I used the 'Queen Bee' collection from Pink Paislee, so I just searched for 'Queen Bee' and a ton of projects came up. I pretty much lifted this Layout and only did some minor changes. The original is by Stacy Michu and you can find it here...


In the next Layout I used the '365 Degrees' collection by Pink Paislee and I followed the same process. I found a Layout by findingnana that I changed up a bit but it was definitely a great starting point.


Now go create something!!

Katja xo

Little Yellow Bicycle Snuggle Bug!

Once again, LYB brings you an irresistible baby collection. Snuggle Bug features a soft, updated palette and adorable, whimsical art, rounded out with smart, fresh embellishments.
Enjoy these samples of the talented ladies from the LYB Design Team...

Cute as a bug! SnuggleBug!

Lots of new products in the store!!

We had so many new products arriving in the last few weeks that it is hard to find any space in our warehouse :) Not a bad problem to have!
Here are some of the new Goodies...

Pink Paislee:
Artisan Elements; Alphabets, Queen Bee, Bayberry Cottage and 365Degrees CollectionBella Boulevard:
All Inclusive, Man of the House and Estate Sale CollectionsLily Bee Design:
Hello Sunshine and Lovely collections
Little Yellow Bicycle:
Free Spirit and Clothesline collections

Pencillines Sketch 182

The Pencillines DT was sponsored by American Crafts this month and there are some beautiful LO's on the Pencillines Sketch site! This is my take of the sketch...

K

This Layout is based on Pencillines Sketch 179 and features some of the new Little Yellow Bicycle 'Clothesline' papers, 'Clear Frames' and 'Fresh Verse Stickers', GCD 'Artsy Urban' Glitter Borders', 'Inspiration Cards' and Laquer Paper. The large Chipboard element next to the photo is a Tattered Angels 'Chip Tile' that has been altered using Maya Road Lemon Metallic Mist and Rangers Distress Ink in 'Faded Jeans'.
You can find all of these products in our store!
Also don't forget our special offer this week...Order $60.00 worth of product including at least one item from GCD and you will receive one Prima Essential Flower tube free of charge. Leave a comment at Checkout to let us know your preference of Essentials! Offer is valid until midnight Sunday. Happy Shopping!

And last but not least here is a sample on how to create your own Background for a Scrapbook Page (or card). The Layout is by Sheri Reguly for Hero Arts.
In this sample the 'Flourished Background' Cling Stamp was used.

Instructions:

1. Trim a sheet of kraft colored cardstock to 10 1/4" x 10 1/4". Stamp the Flourish Background down both the left and right hand edges. Center and adhere to a sheet of white scalloped edged cardstock, then adhere again to a 12" x 12" kraft colored background.
2. Adhere a 4" strip of Swiss dot cardstock and a 2" strip of patterned paper down the center of the page. Tuck paper frills beneath the edges as shown, and add machine stitching details if desired.
3. Mat a 4" x 6" photo onto white cardstock, leaving a thin border along the top edge and a wider border along the bottom edge for journaling.
4. Create the ribbon butterfly accents. Secure buttons tied with hemp to the centers and adhere to page.
5. Stamp the sentiment onto white cardstock using black ink. Cut into strips, lightly chalk the edges and adhere to the left of the photo as shown.
6. For a finishing touch, add three small button embellishments.

You could also emboss the stamped background image or ink the stamp with multiple colours in some places to achieve a different result. Very versatile!
Have a great week!

Next I would like to show you the versatility of Hero Arts Stamps. They come in different forms like wood mounted, Cling and Clear stamps.

The featured card is using the 'Poppy Background' Cling stamp and the 'Friend Definition' Cling stamp.

Instructions:

1. Trim a notecard to a 4.25" x 4.25" square and set aside.
2. Stamp Friend Definition with Soft Brown shadow ink onto Eggshell layering paper. Stamp Poppy Background on top with Versamark ink. Sprinkle on clear embossing powder and melt with a heat gun. Trim to a square.
3. Use ink blending tool to apply Tattered Rose and Barn Door Distress Inks to poppies.
4. Add Peeled Paint Distress Ink to stems.
5. Wipe excess ink from clear embossed areas with a tissue or paper towel.
6. Adhere stamped panel to Latte card.
7. Stamp sentiment on Eggshell strip and adhere to card with pop dots.
8. Finish by tying with string and adding pearls to the poppies

I hope you are enjoying these tutorials!

Stamping Inspiration

Today we want to focus on some ideas and Techniques on how to use some of the new Stamps that have arrived lately.

First up are the incredible Foam Stamps by Donna Downey, released by Prima Marketing at the last CHA. The Stamps are made of thick foam fused onto thick 3mm acrylic sheets. You can use them with Paints and Inks on paper, fabric or any other surface. The size of these stamps is amazing...they are approximately 10.25"x7.25"! The Layout featured here has been created using the 'Blossom' Foam Stamp.

Instructions:

First stamp the image on the back of a piece of cardstock. Cut out. Repeat this process by stamping the the image on several pieces of paper scraps and cut out the sections you would like to highlight.
(In the sample I have stamped on yellow cardstock first and then just stamped some of the blossoms on scraps of Lily Bee paper).
Next I have stamped the yellow cardstock with a 'Distressing Stamp' from Glitz Designs.
The scraps have then been stitched (sewing machine) around the edges and layered on top of the cardstock with mounting foam to give them some dimension.

Now get Creating!

Pencillines Sketch 176

My take on this weeks sketch from Pencillines! The stamp at the bottom edge of the cardstock is Daisy Bucket 'Fleur de Lis'. I love how it gives a kind of watermark result (stamped with Rangers Distress Ink)...Hope you get creative this week!
Katja x

Generation Z

One of our new arrivals is 'Generation Z' from My Little Yellow Bicycle. This collection is defined by bold colours, patterns and metallic accents...great for boys, teens or sport projects! Here are some ideas from the Design Team @ LYB.

Pencillines Sketch 174

I love circle elements on a Layout and this week we got to play with another sketch that had a large circle. You can check out the original sketch and all the wonderful projects of the DT here.
Supplies used for this LO:
- Prima Canvas Screen Print
- GCD Canta 'Pin Drop' Die cut paper
- GCD Canta 'Beach Caribe' paper
- GCD Cloisonne paper
- Prima flowers
- Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch

I hope to see some of you submit to the Pencillines gallery...there are always some great prizes to be won! So get creating!

K x

Sketch 173

I really loved this weeks sketch at Pencillines! I've decided to cut out the circle and place a sheet of cardstock behind to give the whole page some dimension...check out the original sketch and all the other girls work here...

Pencillines Sketch 172

For this weeks Sketch @ Pencillines I have used some Fancy Pants and Cosmo Cricket papers as well as stamps and crackle paint. Here is the full list of supplies...

Cosmo Cricket - Earth Love 'Remember' paper
Cosmo Cricket - Earth Love 'Reuse' paper
Cosmo Cricket - Earth Love 'Rethink' paper
Glitz it - Clear Distressing Stamps 'Round'
Glitz It - Distressing Stamp
Ranger - Distress Crackle Paint 'Weathered Wood'
Ki Memories - Sheer Delights
Pink Paislee - Amber Road 'Borderline Stickers'

Have fun creating!

It's All about Valentines Day

Valentines Day is approaching, so it is time to start making those cards.

This week we have a 15% OFF on all of the Love related products in the store.
(begins Thursday 28th - Till Wednesday 3rd of Feb)

The first range that we are highlighting is the "Sweet Love" from My Little Yellow Bicycle. This range has the most extensive and beautiful embellishments.
The papers are delightful with the mild shimmer.
You will fall in love with this range so take a look HERE

Now girls, these Love lines are not just for the men in our lives...
Just take a look at Pink Paislee "Cupid Range"

This beautiful collection with its soft neutral colour lend towards the
Little Loves of our Lives too.

To find the "Cupid Range on our website click HERE

For all of our Valentine Special that includes stamps, embellishments & Papers click HERE

Pencillines Sketch 171

Here is my take on this weeks sketch...check out all the incredible art work of the Pencillines DT!

Product of the Week

OFF THE PAGE DESIGNS
MILESTONE COLLECTIONS

Do you have some birthday cards to make?
Maybe an anniversary to celebrate...
Well here is a great way to create a keepsake card, that is guaranteed to not go into a storage box.

And best of all.... they are 30% OFF (offer valid till Wed 27th Jan 2010)

Look at the beautiful keepsake displayed below

There are even Milestone Words

Find them here MILESTONE COLLECTIONS

Pencillines

I'm very excited to be a part of the Pencillines Team in 2010! I hope you will come and play along and get inspired by all the amazing talent on the this Sketch site.
Here is Sketch 170 and my take on it :)
Katja x

Albums by My Little Yellow Bicycle

Little Yellow Bicycle have created wonderful Chipboard Albums and Matching Paper Tablets to assist you in creating amazing albums.

This week we are tempting you with a 35% discount on these items just to make the rest of the school holidays just that little easier. Click Here for SHOP

Here are a few examples of what you can create:

The Christmas Album
Click HERE for the complete Album & Instructions
The Family Album

Click HERE for the Complete Family Album

The Girlfriend Album

Click HERE for the Complete Album
The Pregnancy Album
Click HERE for the Complete Album
They were just some of the examples of the albums that you can create.
Shop now as the sale only lasts for 1 week.