Thursday, November 28, 2019

Doodlebug Fall Friends Thanksgiving Mini Album

Happy Thanksgiving!! Today, I'm sharing an older project since, well ... it's Throwback Thursday, I’m cooking turkey and don't have a chance to make a new Thanksgiving project, lol! But hey, this one is super cute thanks to a 2015 Doodlebug collection called Fall Friends. To read more about how I made this, visit the original post here.
 
 
To purchase the instructions for this album visit:

 



Below are the links for the instructions and the products used. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and happy scrappin'! 
 
 
SuppliesAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links are used in this post at no additional cost to you. I receive a small amount of compensation when you click through and shop using the provided links. This helps me to continue building my small business. Thank you!

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Tuesday Tutorial: Christmas Card, Silhouette Sketch Pen

It's almost the season for sending out Christmas cards! If you're like me, sometimes the task can feel too time-consuming that I almost lose sight of the meaning for sending them. With that in mind, I remembered this card I made for a blog post over at Lori Whitlock Designs a few years back. I wanted to revisit the tutorial and share it with all of you because it's going to make creating my cards a lot more fun this year.

I used my Silhouette machine and some sketch pens to create the front of my card. The sketch pen technique involves cutting a shape from inside an offset that's been drawn with the pens.
 

First, I started with Lori's adorable Christmas Tree Pop Up Card. I ungrouped everything and moved everything off to the side except the front panel with the tree.
 

Next, I ungrouped this one shape so that I could move the tree over to the left side of the shape.
 


Once I moved the tree over to the left, I had space to put a sentiment. Using Lori's Dot Sketch Font, I typed in the sentiment that I wanted to use and centered everything the way I wanted it to look once it was sketched.
 

In addition to the sentiment, I also wanted an offset drawn around the tree cut out. To do this, I highlighted the tree, and opened the offset window. I clicked offset and set it to .05 distance.
 

For the next step, I moved the inside tree shape, and the outer card shape, off to the side. These portions will be cut out, so I didn't want them to get sketched when I insert my pen.
 

Next, I loaded white paper into my silhouette cameo machine and removed the blade. I replaced the blade with a red Silhouette sketch pen and locked it in place. Then I made sure my cut settings were set to Silhouette Sketch Pens, and I clicked "Cut".
 

Here is an important step! Once the sketch pen was finished drawing my lines, I didn't remove or unload my paper. The reason for this is because I want it to line up perfectly again when I go to cut the inside shape out of my tree. So I left the paper loaded exactly as it was when it was finished, and went back to my software.

I highlighted everything that I had just sketched, and clicked on the Cut Style window. I chose "No Cut" so that when I replaced my red pen with a blade, everything I just sketched didn't get cut out.
 

Next I moved my card shape (which IS highlighted to cut) and the inner part of my tree (which IS highlighted to cut) back in place. I made sure that I replaced my red pen with my cutting blade, adjusted the cut setting to card stock, and hit the cut button again to tell my machine to cut out just those areas around my sketch.
 

For the inside of my card, I repeated the steps above to create a personalized "sketched" message inside the card before I cut it out.
One last tip -- I used a large needle to help thread my twine through the holes in the front of the card.
 



Thanks for stopping by the blog today for my "Tuesday Tutorial"!  If you plan to make your Christmas cards this year, I hope you have fun and enjoy the process :)


Blog * Facebook * Instagram * Shop

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Gift Card Holder Christmas Stocking Banner

Hello friends! Now that my kids are older, they love getting gift cards for Christmas. So, when I saw this adorable stocking cut file it gave me a fun idea. I'll hang this banner up on Christmas morning and not only is it a festive decoration, but it's also a cute way to dress up these little cards.

Gift Card Holder Christmas Stocking Banner by Artsy Albums
 
To make the stockings, I downloaded the Doodlebug Milk & Cookies Stocking cutting file from Lori Whitlock's SVG shop (link below). I separated the pieces and just kept the stocking base and white cuff portions. I enlarged the pieces so that the stocking measured 6.3" wide x 9.8" long.  
 
Gift Card Holder Christmas Stocking Banner
 
I cut out 4 stockings from thin chipboard, and 4 from white card stock. I made an internal offset of the stocking (set at 0.125) for the pattern paper and cut out 4 different patterns. 
 
I layered the chipboard, white card stock, and some adorable pattern papers from the Doodlebug Christmas Magic collection. Then cut out and adhered the white cuff to the top. I added names to each stocking using my cutting machine and the Bubble Letter Font cut file by Lori Whitlock (link below). 

Gift Card Holder Christmas Stocking Banner
 
I attached Doodlebug's 3x3 scallop envelopes on the back of the stockings to hold the gift cards, and then had lots of fun embellishing each stocking with Christmas Magic odds & ends, doodle pops, and jelly clips.
 
Gift Card Holder Christmas Stocking Banner
 
Finally, I strung a ribbon through the stocking loops and secured it to the chipboard with help from the jelly clips. This was a really fun project and I can't wait to hang it up on Christmas morning!
 
SuppliesAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Affiliate links are used in this post at no additional cost to you. I receive a small amount of compensation when you click through and shop using some of the provided links. This helps me to continue building my small business. Thank you!


Blog * Shop * Facebook * Instagram * Pinterest

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

New! Safari Baby Journal Scrapbook Album

Heads up! Today, I have a really sweet NEW scrapbook album kit in the shop titled My Baby Journal. This mini is adorable with its gender neutral vibe, baby safari animals, soft colors, and cute plaids, stripes, and gingham patterns. It's a perfect keepsake for documenting all of those treasured newborn memories and milestones.

Safari Baby Journal Scrapbook Album for photos and memorabilia of a new baby

To purchase the instructions for this album visit:

I designed this with an 8x8 chipboard album by Prima and the Paper Studio, Baby Safari Animals Collection from Hobby Lobby. Check out the layered embellishments on the cover. So cute!!

Safari Baby Journal Scrapbook Album with a giraffe, zebra, monkey, and koala bear on the cover

Inside, the album has 12 scrapbook pages that include 2 pockets, 2 folding elements, and space for at least 25 of your child's (or grandchild's) precious photos.

Safari Baby Scrapbook Album Page with an elephant, zebra, penguin, giraffe, tiger, and lion

Above is one of those interactive folding elements that I like to call a flippie! I added a cute yellow print with adorable animals to the outside that can be used as a photo mat. And inside, I added a colorful plaid paper where you can include 2 more pictures.

 Safari Baby Scrapbook Album journaling page for your baby's birth information

I've included many wonderful lined journaling pages like the one above. There is one for baby's birth information, handprints and footprints, first home and first visitors, a family tree, memorable moments, and a growth chart!

Safari Baby Journal Scrapbook Album Page with a a pocket, journaling cards, gingham print, and lots of other cute animals 
 
Check out this cute interactive page. It has a folding card on top that's filled with smiling (and waving!) little animals. Open that up and there's a cute polka dot space for another photo. Then, there's also a pocket that's great for saving memorabilia like mom and baby's hospital bracelets, greeting cards, doctor's notes, or extra photos.
Safari Baby Journal Scrapbook Album Page with a cute elephant, gingham print, and lots of other cute animals

This would make an amazing handmade gift for a newborn, or fill it with all of the memories of your own little bundle of joy. Pictures and details of a sweet little baby will be treasured for years to come in this sweet baby book.

Safari Baby Scrapbook Album journaling page to document your baby's first home and visitors

My Do-It-Yourself Kit includes all of the materials and instructions to make this adorable mini album. It has pre-cut pattern paper, pre-cut photo mats and cardstock, journaling cards, coordinating stickers, layered embellishments, and full color step-by-step instructions.

You will just need some simple scrapbook tools to complete this project - a paper trimmer and/or scissors, adhesive tape runner, liquid glue, pop dots (or other dimensional adhesive), and a thin glue pen.

Hop over to my shop to see this wonderful album and the other new kits, premades, instructions, and supplies. Have a great day!

Update: This kit has sold out but the instructions are available in my shop. They are simple, step-by-step, and include full color photos of each page. Links for the instructions and some of the products used are below. Happy scrappin'! 

Blog * Shop * Facebook * Instagram * Pinterest 

Supplies: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Affiliate links are used in this post at no additional cost to you. I receive a small amount of compensation when you click through and shop using the provided links. This helps me to continue building my small business. Thank you! 

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Winter Waterfall Folio Album Tutorial

Hello friends! I have a great tutorial today showing you how to make this super cute Winter Waterfall Album! This is a fun and different way to save lots of fun photos in a smaller album. The paper I used was designed by Lori Whitlock for Echo Park.  It's called My Favorite Winter and I just love the cute little snowmen in this collection! Take a look ....


When you open the folio-style album, there is a pocket on the left side and the waterfall pages on the right. The pocket is a great place to add journaling, extra photos or memorabilia like tickets or brochures.

Here are a few of the waterfall pages. They each flip up to reveal fun embellishments and lots of photo mats.
 




Here are the instructions for making a waterfall album like this. For simplicity, I didn't include directions for placement of each pattern paper or embellishment.  That's where you can add your creative touch, but all of the measurements are included :)  And remember ... any collection will work with this project!  It doesn't have to be winter. Have fun!

Winter Waterfall Folio Tutorial

12x12 Dark Blue card stock:
  1. Cut blue card stock to 9” x 12”.
  2. Position card stock on your score board so that the 12” width is at the top.
  3. Score the card stock across left to right at .5”, 5.5”, 6.5” and 11.5”.
  4. Turn the paper 1/4 turn to the left and score at .5” and 8.5”.
  5. Trim out the corners as shown below.
12x12 Medium Weight Chipboard:
  1. Cut chipboard into 3 pieces — 8” x 4 3/4” (2), and 8”x 1”.
  2. Adhere the chipboard pieces to the blue card stock as shown.  Be sure to leave some space between each piece so that the album cover will fold properly.
  3. Adhere the folds of the blue card stock down on the chipboard.
12x12 Dark Blue Card stock (not shown):
  1. Cut blue card stock to 10 3/4” x  7 3/4”.
  2. Adhere this piece over the chipboard on the inside of your album cover, making sure to crease the card stock so that it folds at the spine and covers the chipboard.
12x12 pattern paper:
  1. Cut the pattern paper for the inside cover — 4 5/8” x 7 3/4” (2), and 1” x 7 3/4”.
  2. Adhere them inside the cover as shown.

12x12 Pattern Paper / 12x12 Blue Card Stock / Ribbon:
  1. Cut the pattern paper for the outside cover — 4 5/8” x 7 3/4” (2).
  2. Cut a piece of pattern paper 1" x 7 3/4" for the spine.
  3. Cut another piece of pattern paper to 4” x 4 1/4”.  Set aside.
  4. Adhere a 20” piece of ribbon across the center of the cover.
  5. Adhere the pattern paper over the blue card stock and ribbon as shown. Adhere the 1" piece down the spine also (not shown).

Cut Blue Card stock for inside of album:
  1. 4” x 7 1/2” — base of waterfall
  2. 4” x 4 1/2” (7) scored at 1/2” to create seven 4x4 squares.
  3. 4 1/4” (width) x 4 1/2” (height) — pocket (see next set of instructions to complete pocket)
Create the Pocket:
  1. To trim the corner of the blue card stock for the pocket, measure 3/4″ over from the top left hand edge and make a mark.  
  2. From the right hand bottom edge, measure up 3/4″ and make a mark.  
  3. Draw a line from mark to mark and cut off the corner piece. 
  4. Locate the pattern paper you set aside earlier.  Lay the pattern side up and match the long and short sides of the pattern sheet, with the long and short sides of the blue pocket piece.  
  5. Once you are sure you have the correct sides matched up, measure 1/2″ over from the left hand top edge and make a mark.  From the right hand bottom edge, measure up 1/2″ and make a mark.
  6. Draw a line from mark to mark and cut off the corner piece.  Adhere the card stock and pattern pieces together.
  7. Adhere the pocket to the inside left panel of your album ... be sure to put adhesive on the left and bottom sides only so that your inserts will slide behind.

Assemble the Waterfall pieces:
  1. Apply glue to the scored and folded tab of each 4x4 square.  Adhere the first “tab” along the top edge of the waterfall base.
  2. Adhere the second square by lining the “tab” up along the bottom edge of the previous tab. Be sure not to overlap the edge of the previous square.   
  3. Adhere the waterfall element to the inside right panel of your album.


6x6 Paper Pad:
  1. Cut 6x6 pattern paper for each of the squares — 3 3/4” x 3 3/4” (15)
  2. Cut 6x6 pattern paper for the spaces in between the squares — 3/8” x 3 3/4” (7)

I hope this gives you some fun ideas for creating a unique mini. Have fun mixing and matching papers and embellishments ... that's always my favorite part!
 
Also, to see my Christmas version of this mini album click HERE.

 
Supplies: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links are used in this post at no additional cost to you. I receive a small amount of compensation when you click through and shop using the provided links. This helps me to continue building my small business. Thank you!


Blog * Shop * Facebook * Instagram * Pinterest