Monday, April 30, 2012

April Challenge Winners!

Hi Everyone - Lowri here

We had SO many entries to our challenge this month! 
We have featured them all below and they will be loaded onto our Competition Gallery later this evening. 
If you spot a mistake with a credit  - please let me know here.

 1) Izzy 2, 3 and 4) Yoko

5) Kerys 6) Valmai  7)Vicki  8) Kim 

 9) Diane, 10) Hazel, 11) Morgan 12) Teresa

 13) Amy 14) Diane 15) Rochelle

 16) Glenda, 17) Kay, 18) Claire

19) Brittany, 20) Anne,  21)Shirley

WINNERS

First Time Entrant Winner - Phillipa


Card Winner - Kathy C


Challenge Winner - Clarissa Hardy


I just noticed that ALL of these winners used the sketch!! We are hoping to have one too for our next Center Stage feature manufacturer - any guesses as to  who that might be?!?!?

Please email us here with your mailing address and to claim your prize.

Lindsey - Authentique card and box

Hello. Lindsey here with my last creation with the Authentique papers. What a lovely selection of layouts and cards we've seen over the last month and what a pleasure it has been to use this gorgeous paper.

So, I couldn't resist making a box as the paper is a wonderful weight for this type of project.





Cute huh? The colours are quite masculine but the scalloped edge and flower feminize it a little too so I reckon that it would be suitable for either. 

Some of you might be wondering how I made the lid with the scalloped edge. You might even be thinking that I am some kind of a creative genius ...... no? Well you'd be right on that score. I am a great copyist though!!

I saw my dear friend Yolande make one of these ages ago and was very impressed as it's a little different from the usual box lids. I found the instructions at Split Coast Stampers and it's called a "Five in One Template Box". They use an envelope template from Stampin' Up but I think this is a pretty old tutorial and I am not sure that this template is still available. Anyway, I just drew a four inch square then added onto each side a portion of a 4inch circle. I made the circle template with a good old-fashioned compass. Lay that circle up against each side of the square until the corners of the square meet the circumference of the circle. Here's a photo of my finished template. I used the Martha Stewart Scoreboard and some plain Bazzill to make the base of the box.


I hope that all makes sense. It's really simple to make and this is going to be the first of many home-made gift boxes. I actually have a plan to make a mini album to fit into the box but not sure if I will have time before this "goes to air". Maybe I will just have a go at a quick accordian type mini.

We hope that you have enjoyed our "Authentique Month" as much as we have.

Thank you for stopping by.

Lindsey x

Friday, April 27, 2012

Layout Idea with Melodee from Authentique

Hi Everyone

Today we welcome Melodee Cloud - Director of Operations at Authentique to the blog as she shares a layout idea with us.

You can see this Celebrate Collection in the shop here.


I am so excited for this opportunity to show off some Authentique Paper products while contributing to Artfull Crafts. I was asked to use a fantastic kit created by Artfull Crafts featuring our Celebrate collection.

The Celebrate collection is one of my favorites. We all have celebrations in our lives, these products help to reflect the emotions of each celebration, not just the celebration itself.


I have been lucky enough to be a part of the Scrapbooking industry for over 10 years. I am so honored to be a part of Authentique Paper. This company, while only less than a year old, is full of amazing people, dedicated to excellence in everything they do. Enjoy the products and ‘Celebrate’ every little part of your life.


Thanks so much Melodee - we love your ideas!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Lisa with Layout to share using Kaisercrafts' Charlotte's Dream

Hi Everyone. Lisa here. Today I have a layout to share. I have used Kaisercrafts' absolutely gorgeous range called Charlotte's Dream.  It is a lovely range to work with.




I was aiming for a really layered look for this particular layout.To achieve this I used lots of lovely papers.
I chose one patterned paper as my base. I then built on it by punching a decorative edge around the next piece of patterned paper - using a Martha Stewart Punch around the page punch (LOVE these)
Continue layering with co-ordinating prints just reducing the size of each layer. I used the die cut paper as my photo base..keep reading below to see how I made it smaller to suit my layout.

I distressed, inked & rolled lots of my edges. Decorated with the beautiful Kaisercraft Ribbon Roses...Oh my how gorgeous are these! Yes they come in a strip, however I cut three off the strip & arranged them in a cluster. Some pretty pins, string and some beautiful pieces from the Collectables pack.

I knew I wanted to use the gorgeous die cut page in the collection, however - it was a bit large for what I had planned for my page.




So - I decided to make it smaller. It is very simple to do this. Trace one corner of the die cut shape on to a blank piece of paper. Then cut around your tracing on the blank paper. Align the traced paper corner on the matching curves of the original die cut & trace on to the die cut (in pencil) new curves to create the same pattern but smaller. You will need to do this on 3 corners, just keep turning the template you created around the die cut. Then cut out your new smaller die cut. Make sure you keep the corner of the original die cut that you like most. In my case the corner with the most flowers on it.


Here is a close up of some of the detail including the journal tag which is hidden on the layout. It was important to journal this photo which I love, because of the unusual smile you see on my daughters face, as she is trying not laugh. It was my daughters primary school graduation she was up on stage going through the celebrations & announcements whilst her Dad was taking photos of her from the audience. So, this photo captures the moment of 'I know what your doing Dad" - with slight embarrassment and amusement.


I believe it is really important in scrapping to have great photos, but also remember how important it is to capture those real, natural moments. Not always rehearsed or staged.

Have a great day.

Lisa

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Betsy - More Authentique Cards

Betsy here today to share some more Authentique cards that I have made.
This range is simply fabulous to work with, and I do love the Gathering collection. Of course, some of my favourite colours!



How about some patchwork ladies! This is just squares of the paper put 'on point', as we say in quilting circles! I just love that Marianne butterfly die.




Very simple and the flowers were made using the Retro punch.



Another patchwork effect but this time I have used hexagons. Don't you just love those little people? It is a Lily of The Valley stamp, coloured with my copics.



A very simple sympathy card. This is a very old stamp but it is so well used for sympathy cards. Lovely words.
If you would like to view these closer, all you have to do is click on one of the photos. The photos do come up a lot clearer.
Haven't we had a lot of fun seeing what can be done with these lovely papers. Authentique has excelled itself with such gorgeous ranges and it is so nice to have them being focused on Centre Stage here at Artfull Crafts.

All from me today ladies, 
Happy crafting and God bless,

Betsy.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Christine - Authentique Layout & Cards

Hi there, Christine here with a Layout using the Authentique Loyal papers.
I have made this Layout about my Dad - he turns 100 next month! The Celebrations have already begun! I am getting excited about it - I have never even met anyone 100 before! I am putting together an Album for him and no I am not doing a page for each year! Just doing what I can and have some nice photos of when he was young to scrap!

Here are a couple of cards using the Authentique Delightful Collection...




Supplies used: Authentique -Loyal papers & Stickers       Delightful papers & stickers                          Bakers Twine,   Rhinestones    Copics

TFL

Happy Creating!

Christine

Monday, April 23, 2012

Lindsey - Authentique Cards

Good morning. Lindsey here with a few cards to show you. I was very taken with the strip along the bottom of the Authentique papers which had this nice quote on them and I decided they were too good to waste. They were easily incorporated onto these three Thank You cards.




I wish you could feel the weight of these papers - they are just superb. Have you seen the new ones in the shop? Fabulous.

Did you hear that huge sigh of relief as all the children returned to school this morning? Now you'll have plenty of time for a bit of scrapbooking. Or maybe you'll just be sat down in front of the daytime TV this afternoon with your feet up, large beverage in hand and a bag of frozen peas on your head. Well - whichever - have a wonderful week everyone.

Lindsey
x

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Authentique - Q&A and NEW PRODUCTS COMING!


Hi Everyone - Have you ever wondered what goes into designing a Scrapbook Collection?

Here - one of the Product Designers at Authentique answers our questions PLUS take a look at what new Authentique Products are arriving this week!

How often do you produce a new release and what's coming up that we should be excited about?
It seems everyone wants something new all the time - instant gratification is the name of the game lately. We produce at least one collection per month and in some cases we will release two. We do not want to force too much product into the marketplace, but with our smaller collections, we feel there is a balance between having all of the latest (yet not always greatest) product while still keeping best-sellers in stock. We always have something up our sleeve, but we don’t like to be restricted by a schedule... so when inspiration, hits we design. Keep your eye on Authentique, you won’t be disappointed!

Please explain the style of Authentique
Authentique Paper designs are a modern twist on vintage style. We are heavily influenced by interior design and home decor trends, which we feel are a great cross over to crafting because so many people are making altered art and home decor projects with our papers, in addition to scrapbooks. More then anything our products are designed to evoke the emotion felt when a photo was taken, and again, it is our goal to allow the emotion of an event speak louder than the event itself.


How do you get your creative juices flowing. What inspires you?
Please describe the process from design concept through to product delivery
With technology and the internet constantly streaming, it is impossible to not be inspired on a daily basis. Sometimes it’s as simple as a tree blossoming, the color of the the sky, music in the background, etc. Inspiration comes in the middle of the night or, if we are lucky sometimes in the middle of the day. I will say, we emotions to be a big part of our inspiration process and they are probably the largest contributor to the creative process.



What's your personal all-time favourite Authentique range and why?
I am not sure how to chose just one collection as my favorite but when I look at the creations our DT and fans on Facebook make with our products, many of them help define what Authentique Paper is all about. I always think I have a favorite, but then I see a project created by someone and my mind totally changes!

Tell us how you found your way into the cast at Authentique and are you a keen paper crafter yourself?
Since we are a small company, we all wear multiple hats. As an owner, art director, product designer, blogger, receptionist, order taker/shipper, etc., it all flows into one, and I am loving every minute of it. Our team was selected based on experience, trust, work ethic and high level of commitment. We want to be the best team in the industry from designs all the way to sales and, of course, customer service. We aim for perfection and work very hard to continually improve. As, far as being a keen paper crafter, I am not sure I would go that far, but I do love to work with our products and every once and a while I surprise myself when I complete a project.



Thank-you again to Authentique for sharing this with us - don't forget to enter our Challenge - all the details can be found here

Friday, April 20, 2012

Lisa with some cards using Authentique - 'Delightful'

Hi Everyone. Lisa here. Today I have some pretty cards to share made using an absolutely gorgeous range from Authentique called 'Delightful'.

This range is very pretty & whimsical at least that's my take on it! Christine recently made some fabulous Easter cards with this range & it would also be great for any spring themed projects. Now that's a versatile range!


My first card is a Centre step card, so easy to make! Decorated with lots of layers of patterned paper from the range, pieces from the sticker sheet, punched borders, flowers, ink, string & bling.



Next up is the ever reliable Easel card, great for when you just want something a bit fancier than your standard card. Decorated with lots of layers of patterned paper from the range, pieces from the sticker sheet, punched borders, flowers, ink, ribbon, string & bling.


A close up on a different angle, so you can see the embellishing.



I couldn't resist making some sweet little tags with some of my leftovers! So quick & easy and great to add to your stash when giving just a little something.
I die cut some layered hearts using my cuttlebug. I inked the edges for definition, added ribbon string & bling.

Make sure you check out the fabulous range of ribbons we have in store,the beautiful pink & green snippetes you can see on my cards today are Green Tara ribbons.

Have a great day!


Lisa



Thursday, April 19, 2012

Louise - A Fine and Sunny OTP



Hi Louise here with my project for Artfull crafts for this week is a cute little house decorated with the gorgeous Kaisercraft Fine & Sunny Collection. The house is a chipboard kitset which was sent to me by Trace ( my partner in crime over at Southern Girls Challenge). I had lots of fun picking which embellishments and papers to use on this project as there are loads of cute ones in the collection.
 Here is the front of my house, the walls and roof are both from one piece of 12x12 RAINBOW paper. I have added a sticker border along the bottom, stamped a pennant border from the fine & sunny stampset onto a paper from the 6.5 x 6.5 paper pad which is where the paper came from to make the flag. The sun/clouds and the bird are from the layered chipboard pack. The windows and doors? Well I am sure they would look loads better if I had taken tech drawing at school.

This is my side view, not very interesting, so we will move on to the next pic..........


 This is the back of the house, but totally cute to boot! I used stickers to cover the yukky brown back of the layered Chipboard sun on the roof and also the apple tree is a sticker. Again the stamped pennants and layered chipboard birdhouse and bird.
So that is it, a cute little project to sit on shelf in a childs room as a cute decoration.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Christine - Authentique 'Loyal' Cards

Hi there- Christine here with some cards  using the Authentique 'Loyal' papers.
We had a copic class here at Artfull Crafts with the lovely Teresa from Melbourne, so it has inspired me to start using my copics a bit more.
Here are my cards...



These cards represent me very well as I have just got 3 hens - so we awaiting fresh eggs! And of course being a Dairy Farmer I have to have/collect cows so these are a couple of my cow stamps that I have had for quite awhile!

Here are a couple of non farming cards....




Supplies used:   Authentique -Loyal papers & Stickers
                          Bakers Twine,              Rhinestones                Copics

TFL

Happy Creating!

Christine

Monday, April 16, 2012

Betsy - More Authentique Cards.

Betsy here today.
As part of Centre Stage at Artfull Crafts, I would like to share some cards which I have made using this lovely range. It is just super to work with and I so enjoyed the colour combos. The collection is called Celebrate and one can see why!! Hope you enjoy.









Sorry the photography is not as clear as usual but it was a wet day and I was in a hurry to get them photographed before delivering them to Liz for her display at the shop. A bit shakey in my old age!!
Maybe if you click on the image to enlarge them, they may be a trifle better.
Anyway, again hope you enjoy - I certainly had fun making them.
Do remember the challenges at Artfull Crafts, we would love to see you all participating and it is a lot of fun.
Of course, there are prizes to be won as well.

Happy crafting and blessings to you all,

Betsy.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Sketch for Challenge & Fine and Sunny

Hi Everyone - Lowri here to share some projects with the Kaisercraft Fine and Sunny Collection.  These projects have not been seen anywhere else yet!

We are also sharing not one but 2 sketches you can use to enter our latest Challenge.  These are the sketches from  this month's Authentique Challenge - so if you use Authentique products - don;t forget to enter there too!
Heaps more information and hints on entering our Challenge here.

Layout Sketch


Card Sketch


The Letter C

To make this I sanded the blank letter and then painted with 2 coats of the paint and I covered the facing side of the letter in the Rainbow paper . The decoration is pretty simple as I wanted to see lots of the paper. For the bird and butterfly flourishes, I painted them and then stamped onto it lightly using blue ink and the grid stamp. I then added a couple of other pieces from the collectables and chipboard packs and used some yellow twine around an old Christmas flourish for the tree.

Products Used
Kaisercraft Flourishes -Butterflies, Flying Birds,

Dreamy Album

Unfortunately only have this one photo of this project and none of the inside as I sent it foo to Kaisercraft for CHA! If I get the project back I will take more pictures! this is just the cover and I have used elements from the stickers shett and collectables to decorate. Such gorgeous colors!

Products Used
Kaisercraft Fine and Sunny Stickers
Kaisercraft Fine and Sunny Paper Pad
Kaisercraft Fine and Sunny Collectables


Please post a commnet with any questions - I know I haven't given too much detail but I will share again if and when I can take some more pictures!

Lowri :-)