Hi everybody, Tina here!
In keeping with our theme of "Birthdays and Blooms" at Artfull Crafts, I thought I'd post a few pics for you.  The first is a card or photo holder ( I haven't decided which yet) using Kaisercrafts Recipe Box.


I used K & Company Que Sera Sera papers, Creative Imaginations rub-on, Prima bling, and lots of flowers, some of which I have spritzed with Glimmer Mist, or applied Stickles, or Diamond Dust.
I will place some photos in the 'windows' once I get them printed.  This project took around 6 hours to make, but I do love how it turned out.

I was using up my scraps with this layout.    It is based on a sketch/recipe from a challenge blog (but I can't find which one, so if you know please leave me a message so I can give them credit)
I made a flower from a strip of muslin, folded in half, using a running stitch to gather it.  I added a button to the centre.  Other flowers were made using the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die, I stamped on one with pink ink.

 I hand-dyed a doiley using Glimmer Mist, and used this as a flower with part of my title as its centre.  Dyeing it gives a different look than just spritzing the doiley.  I usually do a batch and dye doileys, old lace, and seam binding.

My next layout is my DT project for Scrappassion Challenge Blog International where we had to make a monochromatic layout with at least four photos.   
There's prizes to be won, by either joining the challenge, or by becoming a follower, so head on over to the blog after you've checked out my pics.
I used a Martha Stewart punch, and I coloured almost everything with Glimmer Mist (I'm sure I told you I love that stuff!)

 

Hi Everyone - Welcome to Sunday Scrapping
We hope you have had a good week - there have been yet more terrible events on the news and our thoughts are of course with those affected both here in New Zealand and overseas - we hope you and your families are safe.

It's no secret we have been really excited about our guest today, so we are thrilled to introduce Al Hannah as our Featured Artist.


Al's work will be very familiar to those who love Kaisercraft products as she is part of the wonderfully creative Kaisercraft In-House Design Team. We are really excited that she has agreed to answer our questions and share some of her favourite projects.

How were you introduced to scrapbooking?
A friend of mine you all know, Melissa Kennedy, had done quite a few albums, and when she showed me, I instantly knew I wanted to know more about it, and start scrapbooking about my two little boys. And straight away!!!!

CLASS of 87 – Always Proud Of You This layout is all about my youngest son Bailey and his first school assembly award in Prep. He was almost 5 years old in these photos! The papers worked perfectly, and I love how the banners that are “in vogue” right now, set the mood for a school type layout. It was the first time I had even attempted to create a banner – and I love the end result!

What inspires you for layouts, projects, cards?
My family are my foremost inspiration – a thought that comes to mind when I look at a particular photo. Something special that I see happen in my children’s life – I love to scrapbook those special memories as my favourite layouts. Cards are meant to be “from the heart” so when I’m scrapbooking for someone dear to me, I always take extra care that it has the right feel and sentiment. I scrap beyond the page for work – not for myself … so my inspiration is my job!

What other project types do you like to work on beside scrapbook pages?
I have to say my favourite thing I have worked on to date is some canvasses I have been involved in during the past 12 months with some special ladies. Working with canvas has extended me personally to scrap with more diverse products such as glimmer mist and masks – it’s been really great.

What is your favourite scrapbook brand, and why?
My favourite brand, at the moment, is probably Echo Park. I am loving their newness on the market, their style, their papers and some of the vibrant colours! Aside from Echo Park of course it is Kaiser !
What scrapbooking tools/products can you not do without?
I always use my sewing machine! I could not be without it, not even for a minute! I use it on most layouts or cards.

What is your current favourite technique or embellishment?
At the moment I really enjoying using all my different border punches! And also, I do love to cut embellishments out and layer them up!

TIMELESS & Le CHATEAU – Be You These photos of my eldest son were taken in our backyard but they are some of my favourites. They capture the true “Cam” that I know and love. This was the first time I had attempted to mix papers in ranges – and I love the effect. I also really like how the wooden flourishes and the craft tags that I stamped came together to create a cluster effect!

What do you hope to try or improve on this year?
I’m not sure I want to improve anything in the scrap way and last year I really hoped to try teaching – but this year is revolving around one little word “achieve”. I set myself up a vision board of things I hope to achieve like goals, dreams, and my hopes for the future. It’s been my foundation to setting my course and direction for the year 2011.

BE MERRY – Gingerbread Man Album Absolutely one of my favourite Beyond The Page I have done. It looks so effective. I have cut glimmermist to create the gold spots on the front of the gingerbread man and I really like the effect it created. I did faux stitching with my Sharpie – doodling is definitely not something I do very often – but I think it tied in well with the effect I was trying to create. I think the black rhinestones resemble currants and adding buttons and tags completes this little guy!

What advice can you give to people just beginning to enjoy scrapbooking?
If you have a friend that you can sit and scrap with, it is the ideal way to begin! Take a class or workshop somewhere – I have to say that Creative Memories is a great insight for beginning your scrap journey . Just beware – scrapbooking is addictive and the more you look, the more you buy!

Do you have a blog?
Yes I do. I do find I fall behind with updates and my goals were to scrap more this year for myself. I’ve had a few puddles I’ve fallen in along the way, but I’m determined to achieve a layout each week! I hope to have 52 at the end of this year. http://allovesscrapping-al.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much Al for sharing your answers and projects with us - it is really appreciated.

On a final note - there was a Midnight Madness crop at the Artfull Crafts shop on Friday night and the ladies down there were obviously crafting up a storm!!!  Look at this wonderful selection of projects.

You can enter YOUR projects into our challenge and I have to say that already this month we have some wonderful entries.

It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or a seasoned pro - we would love to see what you can come up with! Check out all the details here.

Stay tuned to the blog this week for some more ideas and inspiration from the Design Team.

Hi Everyone - Lowri here.  I have a couple of ideas to share today

"Starting School" Desktop Organiser
My son turns 5 soon and will be starting school and I thought this little Chest of Drawers from Kaisercraft would be perfect for a little desktop organiser for the new desk he will have for homework!

I have used the Kaisercraft Class of '87 Collection to decorate it.


After a light sanding and painting all the visible edges with a couple of coats of acrylic paint I have used the papers and paper-pad for covering the surfaces

For the labels on the front I have used the Kaisercraft Flourishes Square Bookplates and the Kaisercraft Mini Alphabet Stickers


Around the base I have used some of these great strips that Kaisercraft have started adding at the bottom of all their 12x12 papers.

On the sides - I have just added some of the Reward Stickers to break up the orange!


The bits and pieces on top are just 2 plastic containers (I think they were from sprinkles!) covered in paper scraps and a cheap plastic pencil sharpener.

I am working on a few other bits and pieces using this fun collection. Like many of the Kaisercraft collections it has a lot of variety within the papers and with the 6x6 pad too - it really adds to the options!


Ruffle Flower Invitations
Now with this I have covered off both the Birthdays and Blooms theme we are running this month!
These are fun to make and I am guessing would be a unique idea - especially amongst your non-crafty friends. Instead of giving out a flat invitation - why not think 3D! I have made these a couple of times and you can see my tutorial on how to make them here.

Your invite is sure to be a hit and what's more - it will probably ensure that none of your guests forget the date..


I have used the Indie Girl Collection from Sassafras Lass - it has some lovely printed paper and I have just printed onto the patterned paper and then used Spellbinders to cut and emboss the scalloped circles.
It goes without saying that this idea can be adapted to any occasion and don't forget, you can see my tutorial on how to make the flowers here.

Don't forget to send us YOUR entries for the Birthdays and Blooms Challenge to be in to win the Kaisercraft March releases papers.  To enter the challenge - send a picture of your project to artfullcraftsdt@gmail.com You can send us as many entries as you like.

Any questions - just leave a comment!

Lowri :-)

Hi Everyone!
Its the start of another week, I can't believe were in the 3rd month already!
The layout I've done today is of my friends beautiful daughter Ruby.
I've used Kaisercraft Magic Happens (again..I love it)
I love the Banner with her name on it mounted on the flowers...
and of course lots of  BLING!!
I've used a "Prima" butterfly

I framed this layout and gave it to my friend for her birthday and she just loved it!

Happy Scrapping everyone!

Hi Everyone
We hope everyone in Christchurch is keeping well and that life for you is possibly returning to normal.

Louise Williams has organised a Charity Auction with all proceeds going to the Earthquake Relief fund. Retailers, artists and crafters across the country have been donating crafting goods. The auctions will be running from Saturday 5th March. Please join the Group on Facebook to have access to the auctions.

There were some wonderful posts this week from DT Members Joanne, Shirl, Tina and Lowri.


Both Joanne and Shirl have used our Sketch as inspiration for their layouts and we would love you to use it too to create a layout and enter our monthly challenge.  Your entry to the challenge can be either along our theme of "Birthdays and Blooms" OR it can be using the sketch. (OR of course it can be both!)

Happy Saturday everyone, Joanne here with my take on the sketch designed by DT member, Tanya.

To refresh your memory, here is the original sketch:


Because I had a verticle photo I rotated the sketch.


And heres what I came up with:



Ive had the white doilies stiting on my desk for a couple of months now and was too aftraid to use them. I thought I had read somewhere that you can cut them and they wouldnt fall apart - but I was wrong (or maybe it was the way I cut them...). I cut this one so it wouldnt be so bulky underneath my title block and it did start to unravell - so to easily fix this I just put tape on the part I had cut since it wouldnt be seen :)

Theres one more doilie sitting on my desk, I might just have to try using some mist on it to give it a different look.

Hope everyones having a great weekend!

Hi, it's Tina here with a few pics to share.   As you've probably noticed, I love adding blooms to my projects,  it gives depth and texture, and they are so pretty!

First I have a card I made, based on Tanya Leigh's sketch.  I used Kaisercraft's English Rose collection.  I love that the reverse of the barcode strip is decorated...very sweet.  I used Kaiser's new Paper Blooms  and Sullivan's mini roses on it too.



My layout was made using Graphic 45 "Once Upon A Springtime" paper.   These papers are seriously gorgeous with lots of flowers and fairies.  And the paper is a really, good quality, fantastic for layering and fussy cutting.
 I used Tim Holtz filmstrip, lots of lovely flowers, and Graphic 45 diecut tags and frames.   I added a little extra glitz with some Stickles. 

Hi Everyone - Lowri here.

My Tuesday tip this week is - why not create some customised tableware (temporary but fun ) using rub-ons. You could easily take some small rubons you are not using and make a set of these up for a baby shower, wedding, birthday party etc

They are really simple and fun, but the great thing is that you could adapt them to any occasion.
 
Rubons - Not Just for Paper!
These are NOT just for paper anymore - here are a couple of examples where I have applied them to china for a one-off occasion.








Each of these examples is just a simple rub-on onto some whiteware. You need to make sure your piece is very clean - and use some window/glasses cleaner to remove all traces of grease before you start. Then simply apply as you would to paper - making sure you press firmly into all the corners. I find the china less forgiving than paper in this regard! When you are done using the piece and want to restore it to its original state, simply rub-off or use a craft knife to lightly scrape.

I have had limited success in trying this technique onto glass but it can definitely be done! Try Google for some good examples.

Now - you might have noticed that these are filled with some rather gorgeous chocolates.



Well - I made them and here is how!
This was SO much fun - and very simple. It is a little time consuming as you need to let the chocolate harden each time, but you could easily complete these in one evening.



You will need some white chocolate (I used Milky Bar), a chocolate mold and some POWDERED food colouring (I used ChefMaster). Do not be tempted to use any other coloring - it will not work and your chocolate will be good for nothing other than spreading on greaseproof paper, refrigerating and feeding to your family!

Simply melt the white chocolate and spoon into 6 molds. Add a pinch of color and spoon into 6 more molds.

Refrigerate to harden and then remove from molds. Add a little more color to the remaining chocolate, spoon into molds and simply repeat - intensifying the color each time by adding more of the power color. It's so easy and if it all goes horribly wrong - you just spread it out, refrigerate give it to the kids/husband/dog and start again another day!