Elmer's and X-acto Craft and Tell blog hop...

Welcome to the hop! 

*If you'd like to start at the beginning, please visit Amy Heller's blog!*
----------------

When you think of Elmer's, what comes to mind? Yes, school glue comes to my mind too. I had no idea Elmer's had so many fabulous scrapbooking supplies also!

Elmer's graciously sent me some of their products, including an X-acto kraft knife, circle cutter, scalloped scissors, Glue Spots, a permanent tape runner, fabric glue, self healing mat, and more. On this first card, I used the circle cutter and cut out the middle of my card, then machine stitched around the edges! I misted the kraft paper with a brown mist and a Tattered Angels stencil. Love how the white ink looks on the kraft.

Here is what it looks like open:

Many times I end up using the supplies I can see on my desk, so I have a little ceramic bowl filled with odds and ends leftover from other projects. I thought this flower and ticket from my bowl would be cute in the center. I used the cute little scalloped scissors on the bottom edge.

 You've Been So Kind card:

STAMPS: Everyday Button Bits (so kind) and Mega Mixed Messages (thanks) by Papertrey Ink

INK: Hawaiian Shores and Fresh Snow by Papertrey Ink

PAPER: kraft cardstock

DIES/TOOLS: Tiny Tags die by Papertrey Ink, scalloped scissors and circle cutter by Elmer's

OTHER: Glue Spots and tape runner by Elmer's, Prima flower, Pink Paislee ticket

------------

Next, I tackled a layout - something I don't do very often, but I do love it when I take the time to do one! Here I used the circle cutter to create a border (three separate circles) and used the kraft knife to cut out my own title! I drew it out with pencil first and then trimmed it.

I used the tape runner and Glue Spots as well! The Glue Spots work great on the larger embellishments like the resin hearts (new items from Melissa Frances).

My older daughter begged and begged and begged for a puppy. Forever. Finally, we caved in and looked for one last Thanksgiving. She came home with us the day before Thanksgiving. My daughter quickly decided she wasn't too fond of her, because of all the work involved letting her out to go to the bathroom, cleaning up the accidents, etc!! But now...7 months later, she loves her to pieces and can't enough of our puppy!

I love adding texture with stitching and layers.

I used the scalloped scissors to make little scalloped strips on the big heart.

Pals layout:

STAMPS:  none

INK: none

PAPER: Emma's Shoppe by Crate Paper,
Daily Junque by Pink Paislee, gray/black/hot pink cardstock

DIES/TOOLS: circle cutter - Elmer's, kraft knife - Elmer's, scalloped scissors - Elmer's

OTHER: chipboard - Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe, resin hearts - Melissa Frances

--------------

My third project is an Ipod Cozy. I have been needing something to keep my Ipod from getting scratched if I take it with me in my purse...

I used Papertrey Ink felt and the Fabric Bond glue by Elmer's! The glue works terrific, just do your stitching and decorating of the front first, then glue the sides together and let set for 24 hours. It does stick pretty quickly, but you'll want it to cure overnight.

The stitching was made with a Papertrey Ink stamp (it's a new one that will be out on the 15th, so I can't show you just yet). I stamped the stems with white "Fresh Snow" ink right onto the felt and then stitched over the design with embroidery floss. The stems fit nicely in the Crate Paper chipboard frame! I added a brad to the flower and then reinforced the inside of the Ipod case with more felt to make the front thicker and also to block the brad backing from scratching my Ipod. You could make these for your child's Nintendo DS, or for your Ipad, etc!

I pinked the top edges with pinking shears.

 Ipod Cozy:
STAMPS: Daydreamer by Papertrey Ink
INK: Fresh Snow by Papertrey Ink
PAPER: none
DIES: none
OTHER: felt by Papertrey Ink, brads/chipboard by Crate Paper,
yellow and white embroidery floss by DMC, Fabric Bond glue by Elmer's, pinking shears.
--------------

Next hop over to see what my good friend Davinie Fiero has been making! The hop will be open until 11:30 PST Sunday evening June 12th. You must leave a comment on everyone's blogs to be eligible for the grand prizes - great for throwing your OWN craft party! You can see all the prizes HERE.

You have an additional chance to win by going to the Elmer's or Xacto's Facebook pages.  

http://www.facebook.com/Elmers 

http://www.facebook.com/Elmers#!/XACTO

Or if you are a Twitter user, use the hash tags #CraftandTell or #CraftandTellBlogHop and name @Elmers in your tweet.

Good luck! Thank you for stopping by!

patchwork punches...

I guess you could say I'm sort of a country girl at heart, drawn to patchwork quilts and things from time gone by! I love the homespun patchwork look and even loves how it looks in scrapbooking!  I grabbed several of my favorite punches and decided to try making my punches look like patchwork as well. It's super simple!

I started out with a 1" scalloped circle punch by Martha Stewart and punched several of the same punches out of all different Soiree Mini Notes and Labels. I cut them up and placed them back together again. Then I added them to a card! You could also use larger ones to decorate your layouts.

I made a card with these patchwork circles...

...and one with patchwork stars.

Notice I used up one of the Mini Notes here that I punched the circle out of! Can't let it go to waste. It's popped up with pop dots and a Soiree sentiment is stamped inside. I used a Sweetness rub on under the Mini Note. Pin is from the Soiree Flags.

I decided I wanted to try this with a larger die cut using my Cricut machine.  The smaller pieces were a little difficult to work with. I cut several of this shape using the Provo Craft cartridge called "Accents Essentials Shapes Cartridge". They were cut at 2 1/2 " each using several Soiree papers and Daily Junque papers.

I placed a whole one and 2 halves on a piece of Parisian Anthology paper, then cut the others up into fours.

Next, I rearranged the pieces over the top and moved them around until it was pleasing to the eye with various colors and patterns. I tried to balance out the pinks, yellows and blues.

I adhered them down evenly, then machine stitched along the edges to make it look like a quilt.

I added a printed saying from my computer, "Hem your blessings with thankfulness" and a rub on heart from the Sweetness line.

Give this technique a try. You'll love putting your punches and die cut machine to good use again! Stop over to the Pink Paislee blog to see the full tutorial.

botanical inspiration...

Awhile back, Paper Crafts Magazine asked me to make a "botanical" project for an article in the July/August 2011 issue. I just received the copy in the mail! When thinking about this project, I found this beautiful pillow in the Pottery Barn catalog and used it for my inspiration...

The Pink Paislee "Butterfly Garden" line was perfect for this project! I couldn't believe how similar the colors and products were!

I used the Dragonfly paper in the background and painted one of the new wood shapes with a Heidi Swapp paint, added a Butterfly Garden Press On (flowers on right side), a piece of lace, two Clear Pop butterflies, a Bauble,  a little Metal Charm, some Ephemera.

I chalked the papers a little bit around the edges with brown chalk.
This project came together so fast. I love it when that happens!