Going green! (hee hee!)

Okay, so this is not a Cricut project, but it is a fun one that I think you might like. I taught how to make this paper piecing awhile back in our "Toadally Loveable" class. For this project you will need the following:

(1) 5 1/4 x 4 " piece of gray cardstock

(1) 5 x 3 3/4 piece of yellow

green cardstock for frog

small scraps of white and black cardstock for the eyes

6 small red flower punches (I used the EK Sucess paper shaper daisy)

1 small red heart punch (Again, I used an EK Success paper shaper)

2 red dot punches for cheeks (EK Success punch)

6 green rhinestones

Please note: All pieces were inked prior to assembling (Colorbox chalk ink in black for gray mat; yellow citrus for yellow mat; and green for frog pieces).

Directions:

1. With your sheet of green cardstock make 2 ovals, one slightly larger than the other. I used my oval coluzzle for this (Item # 44-4000). With your coluzzle template, count outward from the center of the template. To make the head of your frog, use the oval that is third from the center. For the body, use the oval that is fourth from the center. Adhere the head to the body.

2. For the legs, I used one 1 1/2 " heart cut in half. Adhere each half to either side of the body as shown:

3. For the feet, you will need two 1 1/4 " hearts. Place them as follows:

4. For the eyes, you will need two 1" circles in white, two 3/4" circles in black, and one 1" circle in green (cut once in half for the eyelids).

Now your frog should look like this:

Layer your frog's eyelids on top. Draw in mouth using a black pen. Add red dots for cheeks and also his little heart.

5. Adhere your yellow mat to your gray. Add your frog diecut. Place flowers on mat and emellish each with rhinestones.

You're done! And voila...the finished project!!

Hope you're all having a great day!! Until next time...

P.S. In honor of my Mom's request (in the comments section), I have decided to name him "Fred".

Just buzzing by....

to wish all of you a bee-autiful day! :o)

Actually, I really wanted to share a little project I completed today. It's for a dear friend of mine who just celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary with her hunny. (that's what she calls him...isn't that sweet?). Truthfully, I don't know what she'll do with this, or even if she'll like it. She may think I've totally lost my marbles, but that's okay too. LOL Maybe she can use it on a layout of the two of them together.

Mainly, I just wanted her to know I thought of her today and am excited for her and this major milestone in her life.

So, here is the paper piecing I made. I put some red cardstock behind it, hoping it will show up better in the picture.

If you would like to make one of these little fellas for your own page, here is what you will need:

(2) 1 1/2" heart punch (wings--white cardstock)

(1) 1 1/2" square punch cut in two (corner to corner--black cardstock). This will be his...how can I word this in a refined, ladylike manner...his bottom. :o)

Coluzzle Oval --largest oval for body (using black cardstock). The yellow strips on his body are 1/2" . I adhered several strips to his body and then turned it over and cut around the black.

Coluzzle Circle--use the fifth circle from the center. This will be his head (black cardstock).

Coluzzle Heart--use third heart from the center. This will be for his face (white cardstock).

The item numbers for the Coluzzle templates are as follows:

Coluzzle Circle: 44-4001

Coluzzle Oval: 44-4000

Coluzzle Heart: 44-4005

I also used several EK Success Paper Shapers (or thumb punches) for this as well. These smaller punches are probably not as popular as they once were, but I find them extremely handy when doing my paper piecings. Here is a picture of the ones I used:

Pink smallest circle--2 black for eyes, 3 red (nose & cheeks)

Orange circle--2 black for tops of antennas, 17 yellow for around face (heart).

Swirl--1 black for mouth (trimmed down)

Heart--2 red for tops of antenna

**Before adhereing the white portion of the face (heart) onto the black (coluzzle circle), remember to adhere the yellow circle punches to the back to give the appearance of a "scalloped" border. You will probably have to overlap them a bit to make them all fit nicely.**

The antennas were made by cutting one 1/4" strip of white. Cut it to whatever length you like and then form a "v" with it before adhering it to the top of the bee's head.

Add any detailing you like with a black pen. Also using a white pen for the hearts on the antennas would be cute.

Enjoy your bee! :o)

Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails!

This is a new class that is now open for registration. I'm really happy with the way it turned out and hope you all like it too. The snail paper piecing contains a secret opening...perfect for adding another picture or perhaps some journaling to your layout.

The class will be held on Saturday, April 25th from 1-3 p.m. As always, kits are available if you are not able to make it to class. Please call to register at 706-321-0202.

Hope to see you there!

Some layout ideas

I've gotten some requests, so I thought I'd share some more of my older layouts. I hope you like them.

First, I decided to take another picture of my Cookie Monster layout as the other one I had posted was so small. So here is a better shot.

And a close up of the blue guy himself:

I paper pieced Cookie Monster by using some oval templates, circle punches and decorative scissors.

Next is a class layout we did for all those special family photos you may have. I believe the patterned paper was by Three Bugs in a Rug. The design on the paper matched the "Olde World Squares" set by Technique Tuesday perfectly. The title was also done using Technique Tuesday stamps.

And finally, one of my most favorite layouts ever, not because of the design itself, but rather the topic.

Thena Smith from Two Peas in a Bucket wrote the sweetest poem for my layout. Maybe someday I will ask her permission to share it with you all. But for now, allow me to share with you my own words that I recorded in recognition of this special time in my life:

"It was Christmas morning 1976. I was four years old at the time. It was also the year my parents gave me the most wonderful gift any child could receive...a beautiful, shiny red tricycle!

What made the gift special is this: I have Spina Bifida and have, since birth, been paralysed from the waist down. So, my parents bought me my bike knowing that I would never be able to use it independently. They pushed me around for hours while I rang the little bell on the handle bar. It was a magical Christmas provided to me by two parents who loved their child enough to give her a gift most would think only a "normal" child should receive.

Santa himself could not have done better."

In the bottom right hand corner of the layout, I also added a little box that says the following:

Tricycle $100

Love of a Parent: Priceless

Some of my older work...

A few people have requested it, so today, I thought I'd share some of my own scrapbook pages that I have completed over the years.

The first one is a layout I made for a monthly sketch challenge at our local scrapbook store. Unfortunately, at the time I was using an 8 1/2 x 11 scanner and stitching is not my strong suit. The adorable paw paper is from Reminisce. I love how fun and colorful it is!

Aside from doing pet pages, I've also been working on layouts for my childhood album. Since I loved playing with dolls when I was a little girl, I thought this pattern paper from Karen Foster would be perfect. I cut the doll houses out of the pattern paper and then adhered them to the second page to make a little "neighborhood". I used some pop dots on various houses to give it more of a 3D effect. Then, using various colored cardstock, I made a paper piecing of a larger doll house (pg 1) to add a coherency between the two pages of my layout. Finally, I added some flower rhinestones...just because every girl likes a little bling! :o)

Page 1:


Page 2:

Close-up of my paper piecing:

The last layout I would like to share is also one from my childhood album. I came across some adorable chocolate chip paper one day while shopping at our local scrapbook store. I really wanted to use it, but unfortunately, I'm not much of a baker. But, I remembered how much I loved Sesame Street as a child. So, I decided, why not do a Cookie Monster page?!

Paper piecing is, without a doubt, one of my favorite parts of scrapbooking. In fact, I discovered my love for paper piecing through taking some of Cheryl's fantastic classes. (For those who may not know, Cheryl is the owner of our local scrapbook store. Prior to that, she taught classes for many years and is incredibly gifted). I have learned so much from her.

Anyway, so here is my Cookie Monster page (made again with some cute Karen Foster paper). The picture is a bit smaller...I hope you can see it okay!

Thanks for looking and have a great day! :o)

Another class...

Here is another class that I finished Friday night at a crop. It's called "Toad-ally Loveable". To be honest, I think it's probably one of my favorite layouts. I'm not sure if it's the colors or the cute little toads, but something about this layout just makes me smile. I hope you like it too. The class will be held on February 7th from 1-3 p.m. Kits will also be available for those who are unable to make it that day. (706) 321-0202.

And a close-up of the toads. I paper pieced these using various sizes of circles, ovals and hearts.

If any of you haven't attended one of the Shoppe's crops yet, we hope you'll consider joining us soon! Schedules are available at the store and we always have lots of fun! It's a great chance to get caught up on some of your albums, and also to meet some new friends! Oh, and in case you haven't heard, a Pajama crop is on the calendar for February!!

So Beary Sweet!

This is the upcoming class on January 31st (1-3 p.m.).

And here is a close up of Mr. Bear:

This layout would be perfect for not only Valentine's Day but also for everyday pictures of your little sweetie.

These colors would also work well with your Vintage photos. Space is limited so please register early by calling (706) 321-0202. Kits are also available if you are not able to attend class that day.

Some ideas

In case some of you are not familiar with the classes we offer at the Shoppe, I thought I'd post some that I've taught over the past year.

A "Back to School" Make & Take was held in September:

Here is a closer picture of the original layout I made (that the class was based on)....

A dog layout for your furry friend(s):

And a couple of close-ups of the features of this layout. The dog paper piecings I created using various shaped punches. I was hoping to replicate the dogs in the patterned paper.

The title, gumball machine and bones were all made using my Cricut machine. And as much as I love designing my own paper piecings, I adore my cricut! The cartridges have so many cute designs contained on each one!! It is one of the best investments I have made when it comes to my scrapbooking!!

And finally, a layout for all those beautiful fall pictures I'm sure you all have...

Whether you're a beginner or an advanced scrapbooker, we would love to see you at any of our classes. My friend Sandy also offers some absolutely beautiful card classes too if that is something you'd be interested in.

If any of you have a class idea that you would like to see offered, please don't hesitate to leave a comment. I would love to hear your feedback or any suggestions you may have.

Have a great day!
Shelley

Merry Christmas!

I can't believe only three more days until Christmas! This is, by far, my favorite time of year. All the beautiful lights, and so many wonderful church services being held to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. I don't even mind the crowds. Seeing other people trying to find that special gift for the ones they love truly warms my heart. Christmas is such a special time and as much as Rejean and I miss our families back home, I look forward to it more and more with each passing year.

I wanted to share with you all an upcoming class that we will be having at the Scrapbook Shoppe (see above~click on any image to enlarge). I hope you like it. The frame above the fireplace is for a family picture. I intentionally left the areas beside the fireplace and tree blank so that you could later add more photo mats if you'd like (some colors to match the rhinestones on the tree would be cute!).

The class will be held on Jan. 17th from 1-3 p.m. If you would like to attend, or are not able to make it but are interested in a kit, please call to sign up (706-321-0202). Also, if you would like more or less stockings for your fireplace, please just let us know and we'd be more than happy to accomodate that.

Wishing you and all your loved ones a very Merry Christmas!! I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year!

Shelley