embellishing tips and tricks.

I finally did it....

A few of my scrapbooking friends have been encouraging me to jot down some of my ideas and put something together in a book form, and I was approached by Big Picture Classes and Ella Publishing about a year ago to put an eBook together for them. I wasn't sure what people might want to learn from me, but the folks at BPC/Ella wanted to know why I choose the embellishments that I choose in my work and tips on how to embellish more effectively. So...after a few months of hard work, lots of LOVE and dedication, it's finally here: the Embellishing Handbook! :)

Inside I have twenty never-before-seen projects...one layout and one card for each of my ten tips on embellishing. So whether you are a layout person or a card person, this eBook is for you! (Papertrey Ink fans...I have a ton of Papertrey Ink projects inside!)

I will give you the top five reasons WHY I embellish...what I use embellishments for and why I choose the ones I choose. And the top five reasons HOW I embellish more effectively...what embellishments do for our pages and how to use them to your advantage!

Here is a sample of one of the cards that I made for the eBook.

Did you know embellishments can be die cuts and stamps? Even punched shapes? To me, embellishments includes anything that pretties up your project. On this page, I talk about how to use embellishments to reinforce the style you are going for. Fun and energetic? Use bright colors and large embellishments like these chevrons that grab your attention!

Thank you for letting me share my news. I am SO excited for you to see the projects inside and truly hope these tips help you embellish your projects more effectively. You can find my eBook for sale at Big Picture Classes and Ella Publishing.

I'd love to give away a copy to one of my blog readers! Just tell me what would you like to learn most about embellishing? I'll choose one random winner soon. Wishing you a very happy New Year!

Ella fun...

Recently, Ella Publishing asked me to write up an article on tips for making assembly line Christmas cards. They have free E-zine articles, free blog posts with tips and tricks, and inexpensive E-books you can purchase related to scrapbooking, photography and much more.

Would you like a few tips on creating fast and fabulous holiday cards? Visit the Ella Ezine to see five card samples to help you on your way to creating them! Here are a couple of my samples for the E-zine:

On this first card, I simply stamped the Background Basics: Houndstooth background, added a strip of kraft cardstock, tied the twine on. Then I die cut a Damask Snowflake and stamped the JOY from the 2011 Holiday Tags.

Not too difficult, right? I love the look of the gray houndstooth with the red and white!

On this card, I stamped the floral stitches from the Stitches & Swirls set, then I wanted to add a sentiment over the top, so I needed something solid to stamp on. I cut a "Holiday Photo Finishers" strip from kraft cardstock. I stamped peace on it with True Black ink.

Last, I cut the Holly Jolly die from Pure Poppy felt.

(Full supply lists can be found at Ella.)

Who doesn't like a good giveaway? I hope to have these on a regular basis on my blog. After all, I want you to have a good time visiting me! I love to be able to give back to my readers.

Please visit the Ella site to read the article, then come back here and leave a comment for your chance to win some of this beautiful twine like I used on the JOY card, courtesy of Scrappantry on Etsy! Two winners will be chosen, one to receive a set of Vintage Twine (9 colors - 90 yards total) and another winner to receive some Divine Twine (10 colors - 100 yards total).

Which card can you see yourself making out of the five in the article?

Card Month + Ella Publishing

Pssst! Today and tomorrow I will be guest blogging over at Ella Publishing to help out with their "Card Month". I'd love if you stopped over! You'll have a chance to win a fun little stamp set and coordinating dies to use on your cards, donated by Papertrey Ink!