While at the 2010 Close to My Heart convention earlier this month, instructor Katy Donaldson explained that we can get design inspiration from everyday things like magazines and even socks.  Imagine my surprise when she brought out this example:

The adorable card pictured above features the Over the Rainbow stamp set which I had previously overlooked, but will now become a part of my collection!

Socks aside, note the trend here–banners.  They are everywhere. Check out the following…

This signage was designed by CTMH Consultant Bren Yule and features the new Magnifique paper collection available Autumn 2010.

Here’s another one designed by CTMH consultant Christine David and features the new Hooligans paper collection available Autumn 2010.

And here’s a layout from Bren.  I like how she’s mixed patterned papers from Passages (script), Splendor (blue houndstooth) and Jingle (banner).

Banners don’t have to be triangles.  I’ve seen them made with circles and rectangles as well.

You can make your own banners with stamps, like the new Party Pennants stamp set coming in Autumn 2010 (I keep teasing you guys with the new stuff, don’t I?).

You can handcut your banners if you’re good at cutting shapes.  You can also use a punch, although triangle punches are hard to come by.  I found one at the Great American Scrapbook Convention in a clearance bin for $5.  I used it to make this:

This pocket invitation gives you a sneak peak at Zippidee, the August 2010 Kit of the Month (papers, star, buttons, Good Times and arrow stamps).  The invite stamp is from the Party Invitation stamp set.  The card pattern is “Aubrey’s Invitation” from the Originals Card Confidence Program Book.

Update: This article from Jeanette Lynton’s “Color Me Monday” blog also features ideas for banners.

What do you think of the banner trend?  Have you been using them on your projects?

I’ll be sending the link to access this project’s instructions to my online newsletter subscribers on July 29.  If you’re not a subscriber, sign up today to learn how to make this project!

Now I see clouds all the time in scrapbook layouts and cards.

Here’s a sampling of some creations I found in a quick search of Flickr.  As you can see, clouds have been hand-drawn or stamped, used as embellishments or inccorporated into the design of background papers.

Chipboard Epoxy Button Embellishments
by The LemonDrop Tree

Scrapmojo Challenge 17
by tea and toast

I Prefer Cloudy Days
by Courtney Bruesch Photography

Congratulations card
by Maile Belles

Cloud Card
by sparklepaw22

Happy Dog Card
by prettypinkposh

And here’s my contribution to the cloud craze.  This layout showcases some pictures I took last year of a rainbow that appeared on my way home from work.  Good timing!

Over the Rainbow

Materials:

• Splendor Kit of the Month (patterned paper, cardstock)
• Hodgepodge Alphabet stamp set
• Around the Block stamp set
• Topiary, Heavenly Blue and Goldrush Exclusive Inks
• Autumn Craft Button
• Sunflower Waxy Flax (thread in button)
• Copic Markers (B00, YR07)
• Fiskars border punch
• Rainbow (clip art)

I cut out clouds from the cloud patterned paper and used them on the left side of the layout.  The cloud stamp is outlined with a B00 Copic marker (this is the equivalent of CTMH Heavenly Blue ink) and the sun’s rays around the button is Copic YR07.

I’m not sure what it is about clouds these days.  Maybe they make us feel happy or maybe they add a little whimsy to our artwork.

What do you think of the cloud trend?  Have you used clouds on your layouts or cards?

“Ball Game”

Recently, a friend of ours gave us tickets to see the Washington Nationals play the Florida Marlins.  I’m not a baseball fan by any means, but I’d only seen the Nats play at RFK Stadium and I hadn’t yet been to the new ballpark.  I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.  It’s a beautiful ballpark and easily accessible by the Metro.  Unfortunately, the team is still crappy.  No matter, although it was a bit chilly that evening, we still had fun eating peanuts, popcorn and pretzels.

Materials:

• It’s A Guy Thing paper packet and My Stickease
• Cocoa Exclusive Inks stamp pad
• Designer Ribbon Rounds – Cocoa
• Copper brad
• Baseball clip art
• Brown Pigma Micron 05 pen (journaling)
• EK Success ZigWriter (white swirl by baseball)
• Layout pattern: PageMaps (8.5 x 11)

Yes, that’s Teddy Roosevelt.  The Milwaukee Brewers may have the Sausages, but D.C. has the Presidents.

Today’s card uses some leftover ugly paper.  I hate to admit that I don’t like it because it’s from Close to My Heart.  As a CTMH ambassador, I should “love” all of their paper packs, but sadly, this particular pack didn’t strike my fancy…until I made this card.

This thank you card features Magic Moments paper.  There’s something about this paper that reminds me of the 70s TV show, “The Electric Company.”  However, this little card has softened my opinion of Magic Moments.  (Don’t hate me, Magic Moments fans!)

I’m using the “Keyhole” pattern from Wishes which requires some circle cutting.  I cut a 3″ circle in half and then used that as a template to cut an “arch” on the front panel of the card.  Next I cut a 2.5″ circle from Hollyhock (pink) paper and attached that to the front of the card. Then I decorated it per usual.  The final card size is 3 x 4.75.

If you have a circle cutter, you should have no trouble with assembly.  If you don’t have a circle cutter, no worries—Wishes includes templates for some of its more intricate patterns and for envelopes.

Materials:

• Magic Moments paper packet
• Card pattern: Wishes – “Keyhole”
• Thank You stamp set
• Sunflower Exclusive Inks stamp pad
• Just Blooms Spring Blossom paper flower
• Ribbon

Making cards is a great way to get rid of paper you don’t like.  What paper did you hate at first, but later had a change of heart?

So far, I’ve made three cards (I’m trying to stay ahead of my posts) and I’ve received my Copic markers.  I started playing around with the markers, but I’m not ready to show anything I’ve done with them just yet.

One thing I’m focusing on doing with this project is using up all of my scrap paper.  I found some scraps from when I first started as a CTMH consultant a few years ago.  The paper is from the Blue Ribbon pack and it’s got a patriotic feel. It reminds me of county fairs, parades and picnics–ol’ fashioned summers.  I decided to use the Whimsical Wings stamp set to make the card’s accents.

As I was making the card, I started thinking about Memorial Day and the men and women who died in service to our country.  Then I wondered if there was any symbolism to the butterfly I used on the card.  Turns out, the ancient Greek word for butterfly is psyche, which primarily means “soul.”  In other cultures, the butterfly symbolizes “rebirth.”  Interesting…

I will let you draw your own conclusions from the above, and while you’re pondering that, here’s my card:

Materials:

• Blue Ribbon patterned paper and Colonial White cardstock
• Whimsical Wings stamp set
• Thanks stamp set
• Cranberry, Indian Corn Blue and Outdoor Denim Exclusive inks
• Bitty Sparkles (in the center of the stars)
• Mini Medley Accents Collection – Outdoor Denim (ribbon and brad on the ribbon)
• Glitz Glitter Glue – Stardust (butterfly’s body)
• Wishes pattern – “It’s A Wrap”

Have a great Memorial Day holiday!

This past weekend, I decided to try my hand at Cake Balls.  I used a recipe from the Serious Eats blog.  The author adapted her recipe from an article she read in the Dallas Morning News. Like the author, I had never heard of cake balls although they are supposed to be on track to replace cupcakes in popularity.  There are plenty of cupcake shops.  Can you imagine a sudden explosion in cake ball bakeries?

It’s very easy to create these delectable goodies.  All you need is a box of Duncan Hines cake mix (you could make your own cake batter, but why?), a tub of frosting (again, you could go all Wilton and make your own, but why?) and some confectioner’s chocolate to coat the balls. Serious Eats melted chocolate chips for the coating.  I used candy melts from Michael’s (in Tiffany Blue and White with Sprinkles) because I knew I wouldn’t make too make of a mess going that route.

Next, make the cake.  Let the cake cool.  Mix in the frosting.  Put it in the ‘fridge overnight.  Shape the cake/frosting mix into balls.  Coat.  Eat.  And eat some more.

Of course, I made a layout to commemorate my baking adventure.

Materials:

• Cherry-O paper packet
• Kraft cardstock (Bazzill)
• Spice of Life stamp set
• Chocolate, Crystal Blue and Tuilip Exclusive Inks
• Clear Craft Buttons
• Hanging by a Thread stamp set (Technique Tuesday)
• Red Twistel (Making Memories—remember that stuff?!  It’s in the buttons.  I’m trying to use it up.)
• Layout pattern – Page Maps

You’ll note that this is an 8.5 x 11 layout and not my usual 12 x12.  Every once in a while I like to break out of the 12 x 12 box.  Besides, the 8.5 x 11 layouts are easier to scan.

Have you ever made cake balls?  What did you think of them?

The mini kraft album has 8 inserts which makes for 16 pages.  It’s got a sturdy cover and a wide spine that holds up nicely in case your album gets pretty thick.

I made it in about an hour using all the materials from the Cherry-O kit of the month and the Picture Perfect stamp set (not included in the kit, but something I had on hand).

I think it’s too cute!  Makes a perfect Mother’s Day gift.  What do you think?

Materials:

• Veranda Level 2 Paper Packet
• My Creations Memory Showcase (6 x 6)
• Authentic stamp set
• Friendship Alphabet Large (or any alphabet)
• Designer Ribbon Rounds – Creme Brulee
• Just Blooms – Spring Blossom
• Chocolate ink
• Craft Buttons – Basic
• Copper brads
• Bitty Sparkles
• Clear Sparkles
• Filigree Charms

If you’d like instructions for this project, please e-mail me!

The CTMH Level 1 kits are great for no-fuss pages because everything you need is included in the kit: pre-printed papers, matching cardstock and Stickease.  On the back of the Stickease sheets are sample layout patterns. All you have to do is follow the patterns and you have two nice scrapbook pages in a flash.

Here’s my Level 1 layout:

If you’ve never tried Level 1 kits, I encourage you to give them a whirl!  All of the paper packets have Level 1 kits so you’re sure to find something that’ll strike your fancy.

In case you missed it, here’s a video I made about Level 1 kits.